Business trends we are likely to see in 2022

It seems like every year there is something that’s all the rage in business. Some trends stay, while others come and go. And in the case of 2022, many trends are likely staying (ahem, remote work). But, experts anticipate a few new ones, too.

Remote work will continue to be popular

It’s no secret that remote work took the world by storm in the last year and a half. Nearly half of employees worked from home in 2021 due to the pandemic. And if you experimented with remote work like I did at my company, you probably found that it has quite a few perks for both your business and employees (or as I like to call them, “coworkers”). Chances are, remote work isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. But, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, I see it as a blessing. Remote work has taught employers like you and me a lot, like how offering work-from-home options can:

• Boost productivity

• Attract and retain top talent (anywhere!)

• Improve work-life balance

E-commerce businesses will thrive

Many trends sprouted in the last year or so due to businesses needing to adapt to survive the pandemic. One trend I’ve seen that will continue to be strong in 2022 and beyond? E-commerce. E-commerce businesses that sell products and services online are becoming huge. Why? Customers can easily and safely shop from home. And, business owners don’t have to worry about having a brick-and-mortar location. Not to mention, business owners can steer clear of some overhead costs; they can do all of their business online. It’s truly a win-win. If you’re thinking about starting a business but are leery about opening a storefront, starting an e-commerce business may be the perfect new trend to follow.

Networking with business owners

Don’t miss the biggest trend of 2022: networking! Instead of growing alone, small-business owners can multiply their efforts exponentially by connecting with other business owners. Networking helps you gain business lead referrals, hear new market perspectives, learn from other’s experiences, sharpen your game and your pitch, and team up and form relationships that inspire and fuel each other’s growth. Do it reciprocally. - Anne Phey, Leadership Coaching School.

Mental health in the workplace

The 2022 trend that every small-business owner should know about is that mental health in the workplace matters, no matter the size of its workforce. Supply chain crunches, lack of staffing, remote work and the blur of the work-life intersection are deepening employee stress at a record rate. Implementing policies that address this trend will increase engagement, reduce turnover, and improve productivity. - Cathy Lanzalaco, Inspire Careers LLC.

Personal branding

Mastering not only business branding but also personal branding will be key. I find that small-and mediumbusiness owners kind of hide behind the business brand and choose not to show who they are or show themselves as being vulnerable and human. The only loyalty you can get as an owner is through the emotional engagement that comes through your authenticity and being genuine, showing the human side behind your business and showcasing you and your employees. - Sahar Andrade, MB.BCh, Sahar Consulting, LLC

Cashless payments will become standard for businesses

At one point in time, cash was king. But, move over cash, because there’s a new trend in town taking over payments. That’s right—cashless payments are now all the buzz. Cashless payments can include a variety of payment methods:

• Credit and debit cards

• Mobile or digital wallets (think touch-free technology)

• Payment apps

Family-first workplace values

Many people have reassessed what they value in life over the last year or so, and this has led to a family-first movement. That means business owners need to create a people-first workplace, or risk losing their best team members. Small-business owners need to create a set of workplace values with their teams and ensure that managers, especially, lead with those values every day. - Alex Draper, DX Learning Solutions.

Compiled by Kamogelo Seekoei