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Trends come and go, but it is essential to keep up with changes in your industry if you want others to see you as a leader and expert in your field. And remember, early adopters often remain on the winning side. 

Here’s a list of four business trends that you should pay attention to in 2022. 

Four Business Trends You Need to Pay Attention to in 2022

Hiring and Keeping Talent – Shorter Work Week

One of the effects of the pandemic is high employee turnover. The emergence and popularity of remote and hybrid work models have pushed employees to crave extra flexibility at their jobs. In many cases, employees are willing to quit their roles in search of new job opportunities that provide the flexibility and work-life balance that they are looking for. 

This could provide an opportunity for companies that offer flexible working options to scoop up top talent. In some cases, even companies who may not be able to increase compensation might be able to retain talent in their workforce by offering a work-life balance that appeals to their employees. As a business owner, you should consider whether you offer options such as working from home, hybrid working, or other lifestyle benefits that are highly appealing to today’s employees.

Vaccine Mandate vs. Testing

Whilst some companies have instituted a vaccine mandate, some executives are concerned about consequences, according to a Gartner study. 

Here are some possible reasons that highly concerned executives might refrain from implementing mandates:

  • Employers fear that employees may quit if the vaccine mandate is implemented, contributing to employee turnover.
  • Employers may not be able to handle the court cases that could arise in the case of a vaccine mandate being implemented.
  • The employers believe that the choice to be vaccinated or not remains a personal choice of the employee.

For these reasons, it seems probable that some companies will opt to set up testing systems rather than mandating employees to get the vaccine. In some cases, free and easy-to-access COVID testing could be a selling point to new team members. If it’s something you can offer onsite at your company, you might find it’s a benefit when attracting new talent. 

Adoption of Cryptocurrency

Many businesses that ignored the e-commerce trend lost footing during the pandemic and barely made it through the global lockdown. Keeping up with digital trends can be important, and one that business owners may want to pay attention to in 2022 is cryptocurrency. 

The cryptocurrency business trend just gained more momentum with the announcement of President Joe Biden’s executive order, which will help banks to get more comfortable with crypto. 

Cryptocurrency could become a more widely accepted means of payment in 2022, and you don’t want your business to get left behind. As a business owner, consider whether it could benefit you to introduce cryptocurrency as an acceptable means of payment, especially if e-commerce is a big part of your business. 

Health Concerns for Remote and Hybrid Workers

The flexibility of remote and hybrid work appeals to employees, but it also comes with potential health downsides for a company’s workforce. While 35% of employees responded to the flexibility of remote work by engaging in physical activities, 40% became more sedentary and consequently gained weight, according to the Harvard Business Review. 

Working in the office requires employees to commute to and from work daily and be on their feet for discussions, brainstorming sessions, and meetings – all forms of physical activities absent in remote and hybrid work models. So, business owners and employers need to develop creative solutions that will engage their workforce physically, even with the adoption of remote and hybrid work models. 

The last two years have been tough on many businesses, and 2022 will require business owners to discover new ways to thrive amidst the disruptions that persist in so many industries. Keeping an eye on business trends can help you to prepare for the year ahead, but we understand that it is hard to keep on top of moves and shifts while also keeping all your plates spinning. That’s where BenchmarkONE comes in. Our all-in-one CRM software is designed to save you time, so you can get back to thinking about the future of your business instead of getting bogged down by sales and marketing admin tasks.