Hussain Al-Qemzi
When the pandemic hit, our lifestyles underwent significant changes regarding the way we worked, shopped, and spent our money. We were expecting our lives to return to normal after the pandemic, especially since workplaces reopened and shops and malls resumed their operations. However, it appears that our expectations were misplaced, as some of the patterns learned during the pandemic are still present.
The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of new technologies in several sectors by five to ten years. For example, food applications and delivery services are still thriving.
In this era of technology-driven conveniences, customers are adapting their behavior to strike a balance between cost and time saving. It has become challenging to abandon the methods and patterns we adopted during the pandemic, as people are finding it difficult to let go of habits that have proven to be beneficial.
Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other video conferencing tools are still being used even as people return to work. Remote work arrangements and hybrid workplace models that combine remote workers with on-site workers are becoming increasingly common. Virtual meetings have become a regular feature, and it is not uncommon for a board of directors to hold one or more meetings using this technology.
Microsoft Teams and Zoom applications are ubiquitous on our computers, whether on desktops in offices or on laptops at home, reflecting the ongoing need for remote communication and collaboration.
Mobile payments have experienced significant growth, with many individuals utilizing their digital phones or watches to make contactless payments. The COVID-19 outbreak accelerated this trend as touching became taboo, and people began seeking cashless payment options.
As long as digital wallets on smartphones can store bank cards, they can also store driver’s licenses, ID cards, and other forms of identification.
The demand for online products is increasing rapidly, and as a result, the number of companies providing these services has also increased. This has led to significant growth in the delivery market. During the pandemic, we discovered that some retail chains and even supermarkets have added the option of online ordering and delivery, thus, providing convenience and saving precious time, as well as retaining their customers.
Overall, the pandemic has brought about lasting changes in various aspects of our economy, with some behaviors persisting and evolving.
The shift towards technology-based services, such as food delivery apps, video calls, mobile payments, and online shopping, represents a new standard that combines convenience with cost and time efficiency.
And thus, we must acknowledge that the pandemic’s impact on us means that we cannot return to the way things were in 2019.