The Experience Economy was in full effect, with 76% of consumers agreeing they would rather spend money on experiences over material items. But almost overnight, the pandemic upended this. Consumers now seek out brands who use technology to make their experiences with products and services seamless and contactless, while still retaining a human touch. We are entering the virtual experience economy.

The Esports industry has thrived since movement restrictions increased our time spent at home. Research from Nielsen found that 89% of global consumers played video games and watched video game content during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. But as the world begins to open back up, how does the industry sustain this growth and inspire loyalty amongst their user base?

Working from home was just one of the many necessary adjustments caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. What was once a sought-after perk of working, suddenly became part of the new normal. Before the spread of COVID-19, the number of U.S. employees that regularly worked from home was relatively small. 

Businesses of all sizes were greatly affected by the effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The structure of the economy drastically changed within a matter of months, and even well-established companies had to re-evaluate their strategies to survive within an uncertain business environment.

Businesses have to adapt to cyclical changes and prepare themselves for a changing world. When operations are being disrupted, a solid business continuity plan (BCP) is essential to ensuring that systems and workflows remain intact. 

On April 22 2020, Sudhir Agarwal, Founder and CEO for Everise, and Ryan Hollenbeck, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing for Verint hosted a webinar for over 500 participants, providing guidance on how businesses can adapt and respond to the COVID-19 crisis.