A lot can change in a week. Whilst most saw it coming, Boris’s shock announcement on remote working on Monday has initiated a shift towards an online-only workforce for many companies and teams.
Remote Working 2.0
With many workers now being joined in the home office by their children following Wednesday’s briefing, we are seeing the start of a seismic move towards Flexible Working 2.0. A forward-thinking cohort of businesses are recognising that high quality work doesn’t just happen between the hours of 9-5, encouraging parents to find hours that suit their new lifestyle as opposed to enforcing ‘normal’ in a new world.
Above all, this is a stark reminder that the biggest behaviour changes come from unprecedented new circumstances. Over the coming months, I expect we will see significant changes in customer needs, as behaviour adapts and shifts to become ‘the new norm’. In turn, this will undoubtedly lead to innovation in the services and products Financial Services businesses offer, as well as how they fulfil the new needs of their customers.
Staying connected as a Member of The Forum
As a Member of The Financial Services Forum, you are part of a wider network of senior leaders who will currently be facing similar challenges in their own businesses. I’d emphasise that now is the time to reach out and connect. Our Communities Page is a great place to find out who is part of the Forum network in your sector, so do have a look and familiarise yourself with the wider group.
Additionally, you – and your team – can register for live webinars available up until the end of May. Coming up this Wednesday, we’ll be talking to Piers Pollock, Executive Director, Strategy & Planning at The Gate London on our Marketing Effectiveness Awards Showcase Webinar. Piers will be discussing The Gate’s award-winning entry in partnership with Close Brothers, presenting a case study of how they activated their national horse racing partnership with The Jockey Club.
We’re excited that Sian Fisher, CEO of The Chartered Insurance Institute will be joining our webinar on the 1 April, alongside Quentin Colmant, CEO of Qover and Patrick Smith, Executive Director of Tribe Advisory. The webinar will look at the timely topic of how insurance products can better serve freelance, self-employed and ‘gig’ workers, through customer-led innovation. With many individuals in this bracket now facing a rocky road ahead, this should produce a very insightful discussion.
Please also save the date for our webinar with Instinctif Partners on the 28th April. We’ll be discussing crisis communications best practice to build long-term trust with stakeholders and reinforce – or restore – brand reputations. This should be a great session, particularly for those faced with this particular challenge over the coming weeks. More detail on this webinar to follow next week.
We’ve been shortlisted
I’m delighted to announce that The Financial Service Forum has been shortlisted for two awards at The Award Awards for our flagship Marketing Effectiveness Awards, namely ‘Best Longstanding Awards Event’ and ‘Best Sector Event’. This is a wonderful accolade, particularly given the support we’ve received from Members over the past 18 years in entering, judging and attending the Awards. It is great to share some good news in a difficult time.
Finally, I’d like to introduce Jasjit Sandhu, Member Engagement Manager, who will now be looking after all Forum membership renewals. Jasjit is taking over from Jasmine, who is moving to look after our marketing proposition. If you have any questions about your upcoming renewal, please do drop Jasjit a line.
As we approach the weekend after another strange week, I’d like to wish you a peaceful couple of days at home. It feels as if we are all navigating a new world within the context of our own life and job circumstances, whether that be finding a new way to support our customers or settling into a new remote working rhythm.
With this in mind, don’t hesitate to send Helen a note if you have any ideas or suggestions for event topics or indeed anything that the Forum might be able to do to deliver insight back to the community.
Have a great weekend.
Speak to you soon,
David
