Businesses offer free or discounted virtual classes amidst the COVID-19 outbreak
Trend - COVID-19 pandemic's global impact is vast and only in early stages, and one of the most significant changes has been the social distancing that people around the world are having to take part in. Some brands are trying to fill in the time for customers by offering free or discounted virtual classes that allow consumers to learn or sharpen skills as they stay at home.
Insight - The physical isolation that people around the globe are now experiencing at unprecedented rates inevitably leads to feelings of loneliness, financial instability, and boredom. It also provides people the gift of time--where they're able to continue passions or uncover new skills that they previously put off due to the busyness of daily life. Brands that are able to empower this process in a way that's cost-accessible for people dealing with financial fallout are doing their part in making sense of an unstable time in history.
Insight - The physical isolation that people around the globe are now experiencing at unprecedented rates inevitably leads to feelings of loneliness, financial instability, and boredom. It also provides people the gift of time--where they're able to continue passions or uncover new skills that they previously put off due to the busyness of daily life. Brands that are able to empower this process in a way that's cost-accessible for people dealing with financial fallout are doing their part in making sense of an unstable time in history.
Workshop Question - How is your brand empowering its customers and employees in this unstable time?
Trend Themes
1. Virtual Learning - More customers are seeking online classes to learn and sharpen skills while at home amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting businesses to offer free or discounted options.
2. Free Mental Health Services - COVID-19's impact on mental health and isolation inspired businesses to offer free online mental health resources and mental health coaching services.
3. Free Online Courses - As individuals face a sudden surplus of free time due to COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, organizations offered free online courses for personal and professional development.
Industry Implications
1. Wellness - Wellness and mental health industries can take advantage of the trend towards free mental health resources to disrupt traditional mental health solutions with more cost-effective ones.
2. Education - The virtual learning trend presents an opportunity for the education industry to continue delivering top-notch education materials in a more convenient and cost-effective format.
3. Professional Development - Offering free online courses can disrupt the professional development industry by providing access to resources at no cost and promote innovation in the future.
