The CEO and Chief Creative Officer of X3M Ideas, an advertising agency, Steve Babaeko, has urged marketing communications practitioners to come up with creative solutions and not wait for clients’ brief especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and after.
He added that the gesture would be highly appreciated even if the idea is not implemented by the client, because they would see the agency as a true partner in the time of crisis. He also explained that technology deployment will help brands disrupt their industry and make them profitable, so he therefore urged them to invest in it.
He made this known at the Live Instagram Chat organised by Brand Communicator, Nigeria’s leading brands and marketing communication publication, where he spoke on the topic, “Post COVID-19: Entrepreneurship, Job Security And Building A Strong Personal Brands”. It is noteworthy that the live chat was hosted by Joshua Ajayi, Publisher /Editor-in-Chief, Brand Communicator.
Meanwhile, Babaeko stated that most brands are in dare need of creative solutions in order to remain relevant, increase sales and win in a highly competitive marketing world.
“This is not the time to wait for your client for brief, come up with tones of ideas,” adding that “Some clients will be looking for communication that will generate consumer uptake,” he said.
He explained further that some business will die while some will spring up in post COVID-19 era. He therefore urged entrepreneurs to keep on pushing amidst challenges, pointing that it is the time to go techy. “This is the time to get techy friendly,” he said.
Also, he added that this is the time for businesses to partner with tech companies to develop apps and other technological devices to make their business operation seamless; adding that health sector in Nigeria also needs to deploy technology in its operations.
Similarly, he said book launch and other events can now be done online instead of physical launch at event venues, emphasising that this is the best time to go digital not after the post COVID-19.
He stated that asides digital; brands should look at cost, credit opportunities and cash flow, which he tagged the Big Cs, in order to be relevant in post COVID-19 era.
Furthermore, he explained that the pandemic has quickened the future of works, as remote working has grown tremendously. “You can actually have remote staff for example if there is an expert in Brazil, he or she can actually join the team, working remotely,” he explained.
Despite this challenging period, he said people should watch out for a lot of opportunities and make use of them. On another note, he urged employees not to quit their jobs at this period, “If you have a job keep it, this is not the best time to change job,” adding that about 50 to 60 percent of job vacancies are on hold.
In addition, he said “the future of work is that there will be no boundaries and the future of works is going to be flexible and people can operate from different locations.”