What Millennials Want After COVID-19
When the New Year started, everyone was pumped. We were ready to take up any challenge. We set goals and mentally prepared ourselves to smash them. Individuals, companies, organizations, nations all made plans for the new decade. One thing we, however, didn’t plan for was COVID19.
This novel virus which first reared its ugly head in Wuhan, China has ravaged almost every country across the world. The pandemic has forced us to shut down our businesses, close our borders, call off every social activity, maintain social distancing and stay at home. It has in fact driven the global economy to a near-halt!
The business, economic and social implications of this pandemic have caused us to re-evaluate our priorities. We are spending more time with family, bonding and appreciating our loved ones and valuing pleasures often prior taken for granted.
As we seek a permanent solution to Covid-19, people all over are wondering if things will ever remain the same when this is all over.
What are your thoughts?
I doubt anything will remain the same. Indeed, Coronavirus will change the world permanently. We will experience significant changes in lifestyle, human interaction, business, education, leadership, politics, government, marketing, social responsibility, among others.
How will these changes affect millennials? Let’s dive right in.
REMOTE WORK
Since the coronavirus forced offices and factories to shut down, organizations have quickly adopted remote work for sustainability. There is no going back. Companies that have been hitherto hesitant to embrace remote work will now have to redesign their work culture to fit into the new realities.
Yesterday, Monday, May 5, leading PR and Customer Experience company, RED Media Africa announced on its social media pages that it will now operate remotely (with or without COVID-19).
“We are excited to announce, especially in this period of uncertainty, that, going forward, the #HumansofRED will now be working from home with or without COVID19!”, the company tweeted.
Remote work provides flexibility, boosts productivity, sparks creativity, encourages work/life balance, increases employee job satisfaction, saves time, and cost. Team members can stay connected and productive with existing sophisticated tech solutions like Slack, Google Drive, Google Hangouts, Zoom and Skype. Millennials want more of this.
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Covid-19 is testing world leaders and millennials are taking notes. They are watching leaders who are rising to the occasion with the appropriate responses and those who are lagging.
The pandemic has exposed the incompetence of many African governments, especially Nigeria’s — a country led by irresponsible and corrupt officials. It has become clear to millennials that holding the government accountable is not enough. They need to be actively involved — join political parties and run for offices en masse. It is time for millennials to step up.
FITNESS
Closed gyms are not stopping millennials from keeping fit during this challenging global pandemic. The crisis is giving people more time to focus on themselves and their bodies. Most millennials are leveraging technology — mobile fitness apps, Instagram Live videos, Youtube videos for their daily exercise routine. In the nearest future, we expect to see an increase in how new (and existing) fitness startups adopt virtual fitness training services. Millennials are ready to embrace them.
EDUCATION
While schools across the world remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, some have moved their teaching online. The crisis has accelerated the global adoption of online learning.
Sadly, African (read Nigerian) millennials are not getting the best of online learning because the continent lacks the proper infrastructure like high-speed internet services, affordable data, stable power, availability of locally developed content and online curriculum. Only a few expensive private universities have switched online. Others, including public tertiary institutions, are temporarily closed till things return to normal.
In a recent press release published in University World News, “The Association of African Universities (AAU) has called upon universities in Africa to move ‘urgently’ to implement alternative methods of delivering teaching and learning using technology and distance learning techniques in the wake of the closures of higher education institutions to limit the spread of Covid-19.”
Online learning will play a pivotal role in delivering quality, accessible, and affordable education. African governments need to rise to make the right investments that will drive this switch. It is time to move classes online.
From work-culture to government and politics, fitness, and education, the world will experience a phenomenal change in the coming months. Our way of life will never remain the same again. Covid19 has made its impact on our lives and we will never forget this. The good thing is, it’s a blessing in disguise for millennials. Or should I say, I hope so?
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Olabode Emmanuel is an actor, writer and filmmaker. He tweets @olabodeeo
