ZOOM

Here we are at the end of our blog through the alphabet, and what better term to represent the letter “Z” than this now-ubiquitous online platform. It has allowed for everything from school continuation to board meetings while keeping us safe and quarantined. I started out the 2020 shutdown with voice-only conference calls, but apparently that was too 20^th century. We transitioned to Zoom and other Zoom-like platforms such as GoToMeeting, Google meetup and so on, but Zoom seemed to be the predominant choice. The pandemic was certainly an unexpected boon for that once-small company.

So many tech firms, both large and small, found growth opportunities during the past 15 or so months. Other firms learned how to use these tech capabilities to their advantage to stay afloat until the world began to return to some semblance of normalcy. For example, Amazon’s business grew like gangbusters even though it was already a behemoth. Small retail entrepreneurs learning to use ecommerce sales and delivery platforms when their brick-and-mortar storefronts closed down had a much greater chance to not only survive but also thrive by getting their product lines in front of an even greater customer base.

Here at home, grocery and food delivery services allowed family members to remain safely quarantined while still conveniently receiving needed items—both necessities and a luxury now and then. Instacart, GrubHub, DoorDash, and others became household names right along with Amazon. They along with many others contributed to the gig economy, helping perhaps millions of displaced workers replace lost income. In the years to come, economists will sort it all out, the shift likely showing up in the textbooks where it will be studied for decades. What I know now is that there has been a seismic shift in how people earn, purchase, and interact and communicate in those processes. And technology platforms are at the core. As so many have observed these trends were already underway. The pandemic served to accelerate them at an incredible rate. What we will need to watch now is which of these changes will remain and which will not.

But back to Zoom et al for a moment. I heard an interesting discussion among some venture capitalists not long ago. If you are aware of what goes on in that world here in the Midwest, especially Indiana, you know that startups and scaleups here struggle to be on even footing with the coasts, Chicago and Texas. Taken to the next step, women and founders of color here have an even more difficult time finding funders. However, virtual pitch meetings can tend to level the playing field. When nobody is getting on a plane to go across the country—or California or New York—for in-person meetings, then hearing the pitch on your laptop screen is a great equalizer. Perhaps getting on a plane will no longer be required for pitching to a VC. Time will tell, and those who have perfected life in the world of the pandemic may stand a better chance of coming out ahead.

Yes, we all know that face-to-face is better. However, if we have learned anything from 2020 and early 2021, it is that there are reasonable alternatives. If we use them well, we can prevail. Set your objectives, find your alternative tools and practice using them until you become masterful. Observe how others use them and learn. Keep the ones that serve you well.

IN CLOSING

Thanks for reading.  Looking forward to your comments and connections, both virtual and in person as my world is beginning to open up    Until next time . . . . stay safe and healthy and remember, this too shall pass. Next up—a summary review of A to Z.