Pivot or Die
Adapting is definitely the new normal: Chapter four
Companies have no choice but to adapt as quickly as they can during the Coronavirus pandemic. Some are benefiting from the outbreak through change and innovation, whether that be using their existing manufacturing hubs to create much needed equipment and supplies or spinning up completely new services to keep the public going through lockdown.
Here are our favourite 10.
#1 Dyson, who have no medical expertise and are most well known for manufacturing vacuum cleaners have developed a ventilator — which is a complex and highly specialised piece of equipment — from scratch. It is efficient in conserving oxygen, bed-mounted, portable and doesn’t need a fixed air supply.
#2 Airbnb announced a new global initiative to help house 100,000 healthcare professionals, relief workers, and first responders around the world during the COVID-19 crisis. Airbnb will waive all fees for stays arranged through this initiative.
#3 BrewDog has transformed its distillery in a bid to help with the shortage of hand sanitisers, by creating a new one for giveaways to those in need.
#4 Burberry’s Yorkshire factory that usually manufactures it’s iconic premium beige mac has been ‘retooled’ to make gowns and masks for the NHS.
#5 Signature Brew is paying out-of-work musicians to hand-deliver its ‘Pub In A Box’ product with glassware, snacks, a music quiz, playlists and beer.
#6 Netflix Party allows you to watch movies and TV shows with friends, wherever you are and also has group chat so you can react and discuss together.
#7 Top Cuvée, normally a neighbourhood restaurant in London and a bottle shop with a great bar, becomes Shop Cuvée delivering food, drink and toiletries to their customers.
#8 The UK’s Department for Transport is exploring new transportation modes including e-scooters and e-cargo bikes, as well as bringing the on-demand model (popularised by services like Uber) to buses and other public transport alternatives, as well as using drones for medical deliveries. It has also announced funding of £90m for three new Future Transport Zones to trial these new services.
#9 ChargedUp, Europe’s specialist in phone charging stations created CleanedUp for venues to provide hand sanitising facilities for their customers, to keep everyone safe and give confidence during and after the COVID-19 crisis.
#10 Leon, the Healthy fast food chain, is keeping it’s doors open and serving meals to NHS workers at a 50% discount.
If you’re interested in joining our Fluxx Exchange: C19 Business Recovery Guide Breakfast on the 22nd April 2020, get in touch with hello@fluxx.uk.com.
Jenny Burns is an Executive Partner at Fluxx, a company that uses experiments to understand customers, helping clients to build better products. Find out more about our work with Zopa, Vogue, Nationwide and Croydon Council, or email Jenny Burns at jenny.burns@fluxx.uk.com.
