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rom employee furloughs and layoffs to disrupted supply chains, there isn’t a corner of the hardwood industry that has been immune to the effects of COVID-19. The industry has been through many trials and tribulations over the last century, and faced each one head-on, adapting to changing circumstances to continue operations. Today, as we face a global pandemic that has changed the very fabric of our society, the hardwood industry is once again adjusting to new ways of doing business. Thankfully, we live in an age where technology is available to overcome the new challenges we face and we can continue to conduct business. Technology has made us more connected than we’ve ever been before. The pandemic pushed quick-thinking leaders to have office employees work from home - something many thought would never be possible for their business. Telecommuting has been proven effective. So, is this the new normal? Melissa Bradley, Professor of Impact Investing at Georgetown University, was quoted by the Aspen Institute saying, “Our interconnectedness is here to stay. I believe the work-from-home phenomenon will continue for three reasons. First, it reduces overhead for many companies. Second, it will be hard to ramp the former culture back up again if this lasts longer than six months. Finally, it was a trending concept before the virus.” The use of software like Skype, GoToMeeting, and cloud file-sharing services has allowed many office and sales personnel throughout the hardwood industry to work from home. A recent NHLA Survey found that a majority of hardwood businesses have embraced the technology that allows their staff to work remotely, with the most popular being the video conferencing software, Zoom, followed by Facetime, and Microsoft Teams. Furthermore, the forced plunge into the world of telecommuting has been a positive experience for most businesses, with 58% of industry companies saying they will likely continue using this newfound communication technology with their staff after the pandemic is over.
“We have software integrators, engineering staff, and sales staff that are all able to perform regular duties from remote locations. The use of programs such as TeamViewer, Zoom, VPNs, and Skype allows us to stay efficient and keep production flowing.” — Bob Pope, with SII Dry Kilns
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