We’ve all used the term “new normal” many times. Sometimes it’s said with a distinct level of cringe, while others bear it like a talisman, evidence that, whatever it looks like, at least things will be “normal”. But, realistically, what is it going to look like?

As many countries enter their Covid-19 second wave, it’s clear that remote work features heavily in many businesses’ future plans. But we don’t believe this spells the end of the traditional office or the 9 to 5. Even while some global mega-companies are making Work From Home (WFH) a permanent reality, others are planning a hybrid method. Yet others intend to bring either part of, or all of their workforce back into the office full time.

If you’ve had anything at all to do with your company’s website or social media presence in the last few years, you will have heard the term “user experience”, aka UX, bandied about. It’s the latest buzzword for how websites should be designed… or is it? Is UX just some passing craze like SEO? (PS, if you think SEO is over, we need to talk, seriously, like, now.)

As humans, we’re pretty good at ignoring our own little imbalances – the doctor who smokes, the financial adviser who’s up to their eyeballs in debt. It’s something we do, glossing over the small vices because, after all, we’re all adults who make our own choices. It’s only really when those choices begin to negatively affect other people that we tend to call out those behaviours.

It’s not a marketing mantra, it isn’t a management catchphrase, and it isn’t a cutesy way of saying, wouldn’t it be nice if everyone was happy. It’s a simple, indisputable fact that has been proven by multiple researchers. So why aren’t companies going out of their way to make their employees happy?

We’ve all heard the expression: “Life’s a journey, not a destination.” But do we really take to heart what that actually means? Every human that you’ve employed, or will employ, is on their own personal journey through life and their career. 

If you Google “how to speak to millennials”, you’re going to get a huge amount of information thrown at you. It will talk about how this generation values constructive feedback most, or want to advance their careers. But what we forget is that these articles, for the most part, are not talking about South African millennials.

The workplace as we have known it for the last several decades no longer exists, and it’s never going to be the same again. But there’s one fundamental thing that will never change: if you employ people, you want them to be as productive as possible. There are, of course, many ways to boost productivity, but most of them come down to one core principle – really understanding the humans who work for you.

Salary is no longer the primary way companies attract talent. Employee satisfaction has become far more important, especially when employees no longer fear the stigma of job-hopping.

What makes a website stand out? Is it the simple, clear navigation options? Easy-to-find information? Clear, attractive design that enhances the experience?