GD Topic - Is virtual office & online education a new world order?
5 people are having a discussion on the topic (Amanda, Ben, Chris, David, Emily). The GD topic is Is virtual office & online education with new world order?
Category: Science, Technology, Social
Group Discussion Starts
Chris: Our group discussion topic for today is "Is virtual office & online education the new world order?" Well, to a certain extent this is how the world will now operate.
Ben: The year 2020 has seen the world go into lockdown owing to the pandemic. Because of this all offices, schools & colleges were shut down. However, to ensure business continuity & continuation of studies, all leading institutions went online, which was a correct thing.
Amanda: I agree. The use of video conferencing tools has enabled educational institutions, government offices & private companies to come online. This ensured work continued.
David: Hey all. While some companies & educational institutes could go online with virtual offices & online education, this was only possible with people would owned a laptop or a smartphone. Also, businesses based on technology like IT companies, ecommerce platforms etc. could continue online but not all businesses.
Emily: David is correct. Manufacturing companies, service sector companies, hotels, tourism etc. are all people centric businesses, and cannot be run online. While other companies can survive online, not all businesses can thrive working from home.
Ben: That is true too. Those companies which can thrive online have tried to do so. But others will have to open up. Consider the example of an hotelier. He will have to ensure that the hotel staff is available & is at workplace everyday, because they have to serve the customers.
Amanda: Similarly, bus drivers, truck drivers, cab owners, airline pilots etc. all have to be out for work.
David: Exactly my point. Some industries and sectors which can work online, can utilize that and function from any location. Even educational institutions for that matter. Apart from big cities across the world where people have access to internet & devices, schools will either remain closed or students will have to go to school.
Emily: Less privileged & developing countries like South East Asia, Central Africa or Latin America will continue to face serious issues and remain disconnected.
Ben: Daily wage workers, craftsmen, local business owners will continue to move out for earning their bread.
Chris: Thie however has presented the world an opportunity to relook at things. Companies, schools & colleges who have the equipment & ability should continue to function online. This will be beneficial for government & medical authorities to provide solutions because the pandemic will stay for a long time.
Amanda: Also, all other organizations must have protocols to create a either a bio-bubble or has a roster to ensure over crowding and maintain social distancing.
Ben: Some supermarkets have also made sure limited number of people enter the stores one at a time. This way, the retail stores can function and also make sure people & staff are safe.
David: Hence we all agree that work from home and virtual classes have become a new normal, but not everyone can either afford it or flourish their business with it. Manufacturing, hospitality, services etc. are sectors which will have to find safe ways to operate.
Conclusion:
The pandemic has forced people into lockdown, because of which companies, schools & colleges have gone online. While this can continue for those who are in the technology business, it will also depend on socio-economic factors. Daily wage workers, industry workers, service sector employees etc. which are people-centric physical businesses, will have to find newer, innovative & safer ways to run their businesses, as they cannot be taken online.
Facts related to the group discussion
1. Schools & colleges have utilized online resources to continue education.
2. Competitive exams have been taken online through computer aided solutions.
3. Leisure, tourism, hospitality, transportation are the most affected industries, which cannot be taken online.
4. Businesses like information technology, banking, ecommerce can thrive by having virtual offices & increase online business transactions.
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