Many Industry Professionals have stated that the Globe would never be the same as it was before the Global Pandemic. Many Analysts define the phrase "New Normal" as a socially distant environment that is totally reliant on technology for day-to-day operations. It denotes a shift in how a business is run, how they function, advertise, and market their products. By determining some questions such as how customers can buy items during and after a pandemic, what methods are engaged in marketing products using technology, and how supply and demand of goods/services are determined, one can come up with ways to work in the post-COVID environment.

The pandemic has had a significant influence on many types of enterprises, including small businesses, large multinational corporations, and one-person operations. It has been observed that small firms are greatly harmed by covid since they have very little cash reserves for running their company and providing adequate salaries to their staff. The marketing industry has been severely affected as well. Previously, businesses used to widely sell their products through physical channels, but during the epidemic, everything was shifted online. Businesses must fully engage in internet marketing platforms in order to promote their products through Digital Marketing.

The Effects of COVID-19 on Businesses

The global economy has been completely affected by the covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic scenario has significantly delayed global economic development and increased inequality in wealth distribution. Many businesses have begun to restructure their whole marketing strategy and business structures. The entire world has observed the stock market and trade meltdown. Countries have seen GDP decrease, the IMF reduce growth pace, and many other visible indicators of impact. The industries that are highly affected during the pandemic are as follows:

The travel and tourism industry

When the second-largest country in the world experienced the first wave of the Coronavirus, the government was forced to implement stringent lockdowns and travel bans. Naturally, this had a significant impact on the tourism business, which is currently trying to stay afloat. The tourism and travel sector, which includes hotels, homestays, guest houses, and motels, provides roughly 7% of the country's yearly GDP.

MSME Industry

The pandemic's impact on small enterprises has been the most severe. According to polls, 82 percent of small enterprises was impacted negatively in 2020. Manufacturing companies faced a severe liquidity shortage in 2020, as the production of non-essential commodities was limited. Furthermore, enterprises that were unable to use the e-commerce medium were nearly shut down for an extended period of time. Because small enterprises have historically been the most important gears in India's growth engine, their demise has a direct impact on the economic slowdown. To enable MSME Industry, the Govt has kept the Company Registration Fees up to 15 Lac very nominal.

The hospitality industry

The hospitality industry, including restaurants, cafes, bars, nightclubs, and others, was severely hit by statewide lockdowns in 2020. Although most jurisdictions allowed restaurants to open with severe regulations and curfews in 2021, the business is still suffering. Furthermore, business owners who have business loans have had difficulty paying their monthly EMIs.

Automobile industry

Last but not least, the automobile industry has suffered massive losses and a significant decline in output since the outbreak. Indeed, major automobile manufacturers such as Honda, Hyundai, Renault, and Volkswagen have seen a decrease in vehicle production and sales. Furthermore, given to the country's COVID-19 scenario, the vehicle sector is projected to continue under pressure in the near future.


Post pandemic marketing strategies

As the entire world works to survive the pandemic, it becomes critical to keep track of the post-Covid-19 ramifications and tactics for conducting day-to-day companies. Because of the pandemic, the world has moved its focus to the Online Mode of engagement and transaction, which in and of itself is an asset and a gold mine for all to explore and employ to the best extent possible. Because of the pandemic, marketing has been utterly interrupted. Previously, there were seminars and physical awareness campaigns for brand advertising and promotions, but after the epidemic, the only marketing option available to businesses is digital marketing to make the public aware of the company's products/services.

As a result, to limit and make effective use of marketing, the following are a few strategies that businesses can use in the post-COVID-19 world:

Concentrating on current customers

Everything is being moved online

Everything has begun to move online because of the lockdowns and other limitations. It has been widely known that people are becoming more active on online platforms for most of their daily activities. Online shopping platforms are the best example of this. Platforms such as Flipkart and Amazon have seen substantial adjustments in their revenues during the Pandemic because, with physical stores shuttered, everyone has moved their concentration to digital way of purchase. By taking GST Registration, even small Sellers can sell their products on Amazon/ Flipkart/ Meesho etc.

Online access is only a few clicks away from availing and purchasing a certain product or service, whereas physical access to the product necessitates time, expense incurred to get there, and other efforts, depending on the price, location, and target region of the product.

Invest in Facebook/ Instagram advertisements

Because so many individuals have begun to spend more time on social media platforms, the ROI and price of digital advertising on Facebook/ Instagram have risen. This results in a win-win situation for both businesses and social media. This is the most effective technique for making customers aware of their goods anytime and whenever they open Facebook/ Instragram.

Previously, it was noted that in order to make the general public aware of their goods, corporations had to jointly engage in a well-organized system with specified targeted location, timings, and venue. However, as digital marketing on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instragram grows in popularity, it becomes incredibly useful for both social media platforms and businesses to advertise online. This is also the most promising arena for growing businesses in the post-pandemic era, as the entire world has observed the transition phase from physical to digital form.

Running special discounts and promotions

As most businesses begin to reopen, the greatest method to attract the public's attention is to provide interesting and special discounts and promotions. There are numerous advertising alternatives accessible through digital marketing to raise public awareness of the deals. Dominos, a fast-food franchise, for example, sends out discount coupons and codes via text messages, emails, and social media platforms. As a result of the special and very interesting discounts, individuals buy more of these culinary items from Dominos.

Rethinking communication strategy

As the situation changes following the pandemic, the earlier techniques and gimmicks will be ineffective. It may be prudent to reconsider before distributing newsletters to possible targeted clients. The greatest technique to fully understand customers is to send a survey option to them by email and ask broad questions about how the business can benefit customers and how the business can deliver products and services. This would also aid in the transformation of the corporate structure and a more understandable relationship between customers and the firm.

Businesses can utilise this data to rethink their communication strategy and better serve their customers. Giving other marketing choices a makeover might also be a better option to keep customers' current priorities in mind.

Focusing on the most important paid advertising channels

Choosing a pay per click (PPC) advertising plan would be a lot better option for targeting specific audiences for product advertising than relying on social media advertisements, email aids, and influencer promotion ads.

What will the future bring?


India has emerged as one of the worst hit countries in the world, with one of the highest infection rates. However, given the rising percentage of completely vaccinated people and the high patient recovery rate, the economy is likely to improve gradually.

Nonetheless, the Government must thoroughly assess the consequences and take measures to combat rising unemployment and poverty. In the meanwhile, organizations must restructure and build viable strategies and good business plans to deal with the consequences.

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Conclusion

When the pandemic struck, it had a massive impact on the entire world, but there were still enterprises that saw an age of light in it through technology. Many businesses have experienced massive losses as a result of the pandemic, but on the bright side, the world has seen a shift toward greater use of digital media. This aided certain enterprises significantly. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses pursued the physical mode of brand promotion and advertising while keeping marketing strategy in mind. Following the pandemic, firms/ companies must sell their products both physically and digitally, with a greater emphasis on digital media.

Many businesses have created massive marketing teams dedicated just to digital media marketing. It has greatly and enormously aided the growth of enterprises. This pandemic has provided customers and businesses with a profusion of possibilities for purchasing and selling. With the continued rise of businesses and other technological platforms, online marketing has grown tremendously. Businesses no longer need to devote all their work and resources to promoting in a specific targeted location via the physical mode of advertising. However, digital social media or PPC (pay per click) marketing is currently the technique that businesses use.

Businesses have begun to plan for additional marketing techniques to extend and grow their operations. The most prominent aspect is that firms are now more interested in spending in online marketing than in traditional marketing methods. This has made things easier for both customers and businesses. Businesses can now offer their products only through digital technology, while buyers can order items/services through online purchasing. Future marketing methods would be primarily of the digital marketing period, as many people now prefer buying products online rather than going out to shop owing to pandemics, and online shopping is also much more convenient, as it is only a few clicks away.