As I have returned from holiday, it has become increasingly clear to me just how divided people are in terms of their feelings around the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
On the one hand, some clients are effectively ‘back to normal’, having been making the most of our newfound freedoms by eating out, attending shows and enjoying international travel for example.
On the other hand, there are some who are still very worried about the virus, perhaps informed by their own experiences or those of a close friend or family member.
Nowhere was this more apparent than in the survey we ran recently to ask whether clients wanted us to hold our annual client event in person this year at the RAF club, or online as we did through necessity back in 2020.
We ran the survey hoping to gain some clarity and guidance on what our client base wanted. The result – almost a dead heat. A 50/50 split right down the middle.
We appreciate each and every one of our clients and respect the differing views around this highly sensitive topic, so we have decided to try and deliver the best of both worlds.
For those that would like to join us in London for the usual evening of wine, canapés, conversation (and a little presentation from yours truly), then you are very welcome to do so.
For those of you who would rather not make the journey (due to the Covid risk or otherwise) we will be live-streaming the event so that you can enjoy it from the comfort of your own home.
What does seem clear, is that any notion that we were going to get back to ‘normal’, is clearly out of the window. Of course we will find a ‘new normal’ over time, but unlike with lockdown, there won’t be an announcement or a government briefing. There won’t be a BBC news report announcing that we have arrived at this ‘new normal’.
Instead, we will most likely experience very gradual change over the coming months, until, one day, we wake up and realise that things have settled. Things have stopped changing.
I want you to know that whatever happens, we are here for you, our valued clients, whenever you need us, in person, on Zoom or on the phone. We will continue to adapt and innovate in this brave new world.
Here we go … into the unknown!
