FX.co ★ Top 5 business trends likely to continue in 2021

Combination of remote and office work

According to most experts, the future lies in a new hybrid model that combines remote work and office collaboration. At the same time, an office will become some sort of a hub for joint activities. Many employees will be able to choose where to work - at home or in the office. In 2021, most companies will continue to work remotely. Next year, a project approach will be a new trend that will allow employers to reduce costs for maintaining offices and provide them with ample opportunities to attract remote workers.

Enhanced multi-task approach

According to experts, a tendency to simultaneously address multiple challenges is likely to grow next year. Analysts believe that the migration of workers between business areas will increase. Besides, the number of skills, every effective employee should have, is expected to rise. Leading positions in large companies will be occupied by professionals with knowledge of related industries and those who are actively engaged in сross-functional teams. According to experts, the skills gained from work will become complementary and will allow people to adapt to a changing environment.

Focus on healthy food

The healthy food trend, which has taken root in large companies during the COVID-19 pandemic, is expected to continue next year. Along with natural products, high-quality substitutes are likely to be used. Experts predict the trend towards a healthy lifestyle (HLS) will increase in 2021. According to them, alternative proteins are the products of the future. Animal proteins will be replaced by their vegetable analogues such as lactose-free vegan ice cream or plant-based meat that replicates the texture and taste of the real product. In this market segment, there is intense competition among developments from the United States, Israel, and Russia.

Participation in government-backed programmes

In 2021, businesses will continue to actively participate in government-backed programmes. Currently, despite intense competition, many large companies complement each other in different areas. Currently, there has been a surge in venture capital projects and software companies. According to experts, this trend will remain relevant not only in the next year but also in 2022.

Digital business transformation

Digital technology has a major impact on businesses. Next year will be a significant one in terms of the digitalization of business processes around the world. Experts call it a golden period for marketplaces. E-commerce share of total global retail sales could reach 70% by the end of 2020. Online sales growth has been unprecedented, equal to the overall growth over the past five years. The success of large companies comes from the digitalization of business processes and workflows. To increase production efficiency, many firms use digital technologies. In 2021, this digital transformation trend is sure to dominate the market. Moreover, non-state pension funds (NPFs) are likely to enter the path towards digitalization as well. Notably, digital solutions will be more relevant to corporate pension plans (CPP).