What New Normal Might Look Like To Small Business Post-Corona Virus

The business world as a whole holds its breath and waits to run full speed ahead again. While critics criticize and skeptics weigh the negative options, there is much to figure out in terms of what the new normal will be like for small business post-corona virus. Collectively speaking, we have no doubt the way things were before is gone for the foreseeable future. But businesses must get on with growth at some point. What will that look like? How much will have to change and is that necessarily a bad thing?

For small businesses with office space, there are likely a few things they’ve noticed they really can do without. If work continued after stay-at-home orders were put in place, employees working remotely became necessary to keep things going. Thankfully there is plenty of technology to make virtual offices a reality for a decent price for small businesses. It stands to reason that small business, post-corona virus, will be implementing a whole lot more technology to keep going. 

Some small business owners previously balked at working from home before, citing an inability to monitor productivity. Now they have noticed work can be done just fine without standing over someone’s shoulder. This is a welcomed change for both bosses and employees alike. 

Small Business Post-Corona Virus Is Going To Be Done Anywhere 

The virtual office has many capabilities now to make it feel as though everyone is still in the same space. Virtual meeting rooms are in use with everyone at home. More importantly, they will be a necessary tool when things return to somewhat normal. With everyone awaiting a vaccine, precautions will still need to be taken into account. Meeting at our desks virtually is a lot more sterile than trying to space out everyone appropriately around a conference room table. Not to mention, you don’t have to wipe everything down before and after the meeting either. Tools like Zoom and Microsoft Virtual Teams will be used well after the post-corona virus exodus from our homes. 

Secondly, cloud-based small networks are really showing themselves as a need-to-have for small business post-corona virus. With cloud-based computing, you don’t have to worry about paying for server upkeep and maintenance and you don’t have to be anywhere specific to access the network. All you need is a login and a computer. It’s simple, easy, and secure to use anywhere. 

Your Employees Can Work In Any State Now 

If remote working is really working out for your small business, the likelihood that your employees could be employed in any state is now a reality. You may not have considered branching out into other states before, but now you know you can. With cloud-based networks, virtual meeting tools, and virtual HR solutions, there is no stopping the small business from being able to employ talent from literally anywhere. When your current employees move, there is no need for employee turnover. The possibilities are endless now for small businesses and obtaining and retaining the right people for the job. 

Inter-State Benefits And Payroll Taxes Need To Be Considered

Still, there are some things that small business post-corona virus should consider if they are opening up opportunities for work in a virtual environment. First of all, the same rules apply to virtual employment as in-person office environments, plus some nuances with inter-state employment; namely payroll taxes. 

Keeping up with HR rules for every state takes more time than most small business owners have. The consideration of hiring people from out of state means you have to be sure you are following the rules of the state where your employees are living. This is a consideration that should be thought through carefully. 

Providing benefits to employees in a situation like this is normally next to impossible for the small business owner but it doesn’t have to be. PEOs are the perfect solution for small business post-corona virus. The reason is simple; they do for the small business growing in a virtual environment what they could never do for themselves. They provide HR support and solutions, as well as benefits for every employee in your small business no matter where they are. They also take care of payroll and paying payroll taxes in every state where your employees work so there is no need for the small business owner to bog themselves down trying to keep up with everything.

The new normal is going to be different than it was before. This new way of doing business may just put more small businesses at a competitive advantage if they start thinking outside the cubicle. If you’d like to know more about how PEOs can help your small business post-corona virus, contact us today for a free consultation.