How has lockdown changed communications?

It is clear that the changes we have all experienced to our work and our social lives this year have been unprecedented and have had a marked impact on the nature of how we communicate with each other, as well as our expectations for communicating with each other. But what has the impact of lockdown been and what might it mean for a post-corona world?

On a personal work level I have seen a significant increase in interest regarding podcasting and audio communications by companies interested in reforming their internal communications networks and altering the ways that they interact with their staff, customers and clients to make their comms strategy more relevant, accessible and enjoyable within a corona context.

Further, for obvious reasoning we have all engaged far more when it comes to video conferencing platforms such as Zoom and Teams and whole families have facetimed and skyped with eachother. Indeed, an entire revolution has taken place when it comes to digital engagement.

Working from home

A clear paradigm shift has taken place when it comes to working from home. Companies that might have previously been wary of encouraging staff to work from home have seen multiple benefits in terms of productivity and the various video conferencing platforms have made it entirely feasible for colleagues to interact with eachother through the day. Arguably, working from home is more productive and more enjoyable especially as it removes the need to commute.

Media changes

As growth has taken place in the platforms that enable interpersonal communication there has also been growth in a range of media that encourage connection and knowledge sharing. Digital media, tv and radio have all enjoyed record audiences during lockdown and social media is also busier than ever. Commercial radio for example is up 15-20% [Kantar].

Why the shift? Well, the obvious point is that people have more time on their hands and there is also a thirst for being informed, although as many psychiatrists have suggested it is not healthy to keep watching the news all of the time. People are also turning towards media for new knowledge (could be learning a new skill) and as a substitute for previous activities.

Podcasting

Podcasting has seen a significant rise in consumption, with for example Acast reporting a 20% increase in UK listenership back between March and April. An increasing number of companies are also seeing the benefits of having their own podcast as a form of internal communications. Colleagues and clients are perhaps more likely to listen to a podcast, especially if it is well produced and engaging to listen to, than they are to read a newsletter.

Where are we going post-corona?

Post corona I would suggest that we will see a return to office work in some capacity and the number of face to face meetings will increase many fold, when compared to the past 8 months. However, I would also predict that the age of video conferencing and remote working is far from over. The benefits of that system are tangible and I would suggest that many businesses will continue to embrace the ethic of working from home.

Internal communications are also likely to see a shift in the way that information is channeled. People are thinking about corona a lot of the time and they will therefore also be thinking about how decisions impact on their safety and their lives. Companies that recognise this and act on it will do well during the remainder of lockdown. Companies should also think about where they are heading with their communications strategy post corona. What have they learned during lockdown that might be beneficial post lockdown? Success comes by understanding your audience. Corona has changed the framework of our thinking and successful comms should recognise this and adjust accordingly.