Innovating for a pandemic-proof future…can your business help?

1. Innovating for a pandemic-proof future…can your business help? As businesses acclimate to the new measures necessitated to mitigate the spread the coronavirus, there is a growing consensus that the fabric of global business cannot return to its old form. While many individuals affected are stoically —and perhaps at times, a little wearily— referring to the challenges that businesses face today as ‘the New Normal’, some business leaders are taking on a more forward-thinking approach. What is the future of global business? What can we do better to protect public safety? How can we innovate to help our sector function in the instance of future health crises? Many companies, across sectors, are leading the way in committing to developing creative solutions to not only ensure their business survives amidst a pandemic, but has the potential to thrive. Eating Out Following the easing of lockdown measures across much of Europe, many punters are enjoying a long-awaited return to their favourite cafes, bars, and restaurants. This supported the findings of retail analysts, Kantor, whose study into social media revealed that eating out and going to a bar with friends were among the top three things people were looking forward to, ahead of lockdown easing. Now many countries have seen eateries reopen- often under specific restrictions- those working within the sector are looking for innovative ways to sustain business, while boosting customer confidence.

2. French designer Christophe Gernigon has caught many imaginations- and no shortage of media attention- with his ‘PLEX’EAT’, which is made from Perspex. The PLEX’EAT represents an oversized, transparent lampshade, and allows customers to eat in their own personal bubble, while dining out at their favourite establishment. Meanwhile, in South Korea, robot bartenders are preparing cocktails for punters as part of their government’s campaign for ‘distancing in daily life’. Architecture The coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating effect on the residents of care homes. In the UK alone, coronavirus is reported to have claimed the lives of 66,112 care home residents since the outbreak (as of June 2020). In an article for the The RIBA Journal, Stephanie Cousins observed, “care homes across the UK were devastated by Covid-19, a situation exacerbated by the fact many are densely populated with residents forced to share bathrooms where infections can spread.” She later posed, “Should minimum standards be made more fit for purpose and conducive to health and wellbeing?”. As many countries look for safe ways to reopen schools and universities, attention has also turned to designing safe teaching spaces. London-based studio, Curl La Tourelle has proposed the UK’s first ‘pop up school’, in the form of socially-distanced outdoor tents. The idea is currently being trialled at Manorfield Primary School, in Tower Hamlets. Health Protocol Compliance Supervision of public adherence to safety protocols brings unique risks of its own. Robotics can be the salvation. US company Boston Dynamics created ‘Spot’ a robot dog, which a park in Singapore, reminding the public, “Let’s keep Singapore healthy […] Please stand at least one metre apart”. The Future: Research and Development Research and Development initiatives encourage businesses to find innovative solutions that can take on the challenges we face, in these unprecedented times. In the UK, businesses which innovate could be eligible for Research and Development tax relief. What is Research and Development tax relief? Research and Development (R&D) reliefs support companies that work on innovative projects in science and technology [GOV.UK]. According to information from gov.uk, “work that qualifies for R&D relief must be part of a specific project to make an advance in science or technology […] it cannot be an advance within a social science- like economics- or a theoretical field- such as pure maths.” Is my business eligible for R&D tax relief? There is specific, but broad criteria, which can qualify a business for Research and Development tax relief. Areande, innovation tax relief specialists, offer a streamlined service which uses advanced technology to claim back as much as possible. They could help your business secure either a cash payment, or a reduction in your tax bill.