When COVID-19 disrupted lives globally, it separated people, restricted international relations, and impacted economies, societies, and communities. This led to rapid behavioral changes worldwide, which, through repetition, became the familiar 'New Normal.' How has this shaken the history of the digital age, and what trends will emerge after the pandemic?

1. Reshoring Production

The closure of countries worldwide forced many nations without domestic production bases to rely heavily on foreign goods, leading to significant repercussions. With China being a key production hub, the idea of diversifying production locations to manage risks has gained traction. Countries are increasingly focusing on self-reliance, prompting many businesses to establish local production bases and seek suppliers beyond a single country.

2. Digital Takeover: Technology Becomes a Part of Life

COVID-19 accelerated the shift towards digital usage. In the future, internet connectivity will be seen as a fundamental infrastructure that governments should provide, akin to water and electricity. Research during the pandemic showed a rise in digital platform usage for various activities, including online learning, cooking, exercising, and engaging in virtual activities. The rapid growth of e-marketplaces and a significant increase in online delivery orders were also noted. Furthermore, the concept of 'Untact-Relationship'—minimizing physical contact—has led to a greater acceptance of technology, reducing reliance on face-to-face communication and fostering a cashless society through digital payments, e-payments, credit cards, and mobile banking.

3. Changing Work Patterns

Working from home has become the norm. Many companies are granting employees more freedom to work from home, eliminating the need to commute to the office daily or at all. This shift allows companies to reduce various burdens, such as the need for large office spaces, maintenance costs, and office equipment. Remaining office space can be rented out for additional income. Companies that still require employees to be on-site will adapt their spaces to be more enclosed, with partitions between desks instead of open layouts. Online meetings will become standard, eliminating the need for in-person gatherings at the office.

4. Changes in Employment

The future presents golden opportunities for skilled individuals, as companies can hire talent from anywhere in the world. This opens up possibilities for skilled workers to take on jobs without geographical limitations. Employment will increasingly shift from monthly contracts to project-based work, known as the gig economy, leading to temporary work arrangements and changing employer-employee relationships. This will impact financial stability and benefits for salaried workers in the future. Conversely, skilled individuals may work multiple jobs based on their abilities, while traditional skilled labor may face layoffs, resulting in increased unemployment globally.

5. Overhauling Social Security Systems

The world will change rapidly and unpredictably. The economy driven by the gig economy leaves workers feeling insecure about employment, lacking stable income and benefits. Therefore, in the future, we may see governments increasing social security contributions or implementing measures requiring companies that hire temporary workers to contribute to various funds to support these employees during crises and ensure their stability.

6. Big Data Becomes Commonplace

Before COVID-19, organizations used big data to enhance sales and marketing by analyzing customer information to better understand consumers, reduce costs, and improve decision-making accuracy. With the pandemic, big data has become more relevant as both public and private sectors utilized it to track infections and control outbreaks, alerting citizens about potential risks in certain areas. This use of big data will become a norm, as people will be willing to share personal information in exchange for increased safety.

7. Elevating Global Hygiene and Health Standards

The pandemic heightened awareness of hygiene, with practices like wearing masks, handwashing, and maintaining cleanliness becoming standard. This focus on hygiene will lead to new norms, with health care platforms becoming increasingly important. Urban infrastructure, buildings, and homes will need to incorporate health care services as a basic offering, prompting public and private sectors to invest in these areas to reduce risks and instill confidence in hygiene standards.


Additionally, health care systems and medical access will improve in quality and availability. Medical and wellness tourism will emerge as a new travel trend, with people prioritizing healthy eating and seeking assurance that their food meets safety and cleanliness standards. As quality becomes a priority, consumers will be willing to spend more on high-quality products over those lacking standards.

8. Home-Centric Economy

As people adapt to working and engaging in activities at home, their housing preferences will shift. The demand for central urban living will decline in favor of suburban homes with more space for various activities. With less need to leave home, people will become accustomed to finding joy and entertainment at home, whether through cooking, gardening, watching Netflix, or participating in TikTok challenges. This has led to a new trend termed 'New Luxury,' where individuals seek items or equipment that enhance their happiness without needing to go out, such as coffee machines or air fryers.

The 8 New Normals mentioned are no longer distant concepts; they will become the new reality for people worldwide and will likely persist for at least 1-2 years until a vaccine is successfully produced. When that time comes, will these New Normals become a lasting way of life for everyone? Only time will tell.

Sources:

https://marketeeronline.co/archives/162863

https://brandinside.asia/new-normal-after-covid-19/

https://www.posttoday.com/life/work-life-balance/623097

https://www.bangkokbiznews.com/news/detail/878648

SOURCE: www.scb.co.th