Broadband was an important tool for operating business and staying connected.
Technology and digitisation have played an important role in keeping New Zealand businesses moving in the one year since the first nationwide Covid-19 lockdown.
The 2degrees Shaping Business Study found that in spite of the immense pressures faced at the time, business leaders have seen silver linings from leveraging technology.
According to the NZ-based telecommunication provider a stronger propensity for adaptability and resilience, a growing focus in online capability, improvements to workplace culture and enhanced digital skills are just some of the ways that technology has helped New Zealand businesses keep pace over the rollercoaster 12 months, since March 2020.
Findings show that 39 per cent of employing business decision makers believe their business could run better in the face of another lockdown than it did in the March 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, which forced many businesses to quickly accelerate their digitisation plans in order to remain connected and increase the mobility of their workforce.
This focus on digital acceleration included businesses updating digital offerings to meet changing client/customer needs with 48 per cent of employing business decision makers and 41 per cent of sole traders stating this, respectively.
Employing business decision makers also strongly focussed on offering training for their employees to remain current in the new environment (40 per cent). Strong and reliable broadband (84 per cent) was identified as the most important tool for employing businesses to remain connected, who also ranked virtual communication tools such as Teams and Zoom as the most critical to drive mobility and meet the changing needs of their consumers. A further 31 per cent said they now opt for virtual meetings to improve operational efficiency and productivity.
Andrew Fairgray chief business officer at 2degrees, says that technology was central to these positive findings.
“Kiwi businesses recognised that it was crucial that they remain connected to their employees, clients and customers across an unprecedented and challenging year. New Zealand businesses have demonstrated great resilience during Covid-19, and we can clearly see how they have leveraged technology to support digital transformation,” said Fairgray.
While it’s clear the true benefits of technology to enhance mobility and business transformation were intensified during lockdown, business decision makers said that further investments would need to ensure specific outcomes to encourage them to invest in more technology solutions, including saving time (39 per cent) and making more money (37 per cent).
“The impact of Covid-19 on businesses’ cash flow and forecasts has meant many have had to invest in new technology to support new ways of working without any certainty that their business can continue.” Fairgray said. “That so many businesses did make this investment decision is a testament to opportunities technology enables and I’m confident that Kiwi businesses embracing a more digital model will create a sustained advantage for NZ Inc.”
When reflecting on lockdown in March 2020, employing Kiwi decision makers most valued the adaptability and resilience (25 per cent) of their business, followed by their co-workers (25 per cent).
The 2degrees Shaping Business Study also found that 53 per cent of employing business decision makers reported that Covid-19 actually had a positive impact on workplace culture, with 60 per cent saying that the lockdowns have helped them to see a more human-side to their employees.
“The investment that we have seen will mean the changes are here to stay, with continued refinement around how the employer and employees interact to drive the best outcomes and culture for the business,” noted Fairgray.
Recently the telco RAN network with products and solutions from the Ericsson Radio System portfolio.
Auckland and Wellington will be the first locations to benefit. The first commercial 5G services are expected to launch later in 2021.
The nationwide modernization includes the replacement of existing 4G and 3G technology across 2degrees’ network. The CSP says that the network modernization will enable it to double the capacity it currently offers to its 4G customers.
