Looking out of the window as I write this in February, it is hard to believe that spring is not far away. The sky is grey, it’s wet and windy, cold and generally gloomy. For parts of the country, there are worrying storm warnings in place.
Yet, by the time you read this it will be March and, come rain or shine, that is the month that marks the spring equinox and the start of the new season. For if there is one thing you cannot stop, it is the march of time.
While some aspects of our lives had to be put on hold during the pandemic, and at times it has been difficult to think about the future as the here-and-now has required all our attention, the world didn’t stand still.
Many of those working in charities know this all too well (especially those working on the front line or at organisations that do). It has been a tough few years for most charities but many are now starting to think about how they will operate in the so-called “new normal”.
During the pandemic, new ways of working have been adopted and we have all seen tools which were around before the pandemic but less well used become commonplace. Perhaps the most ubiquitous of these is the meetings held using Zoom, Teams or the video-conferencing software of your choice.
Most people have suffered screen fatigue at some point because of these but most people have found benefits too. Video meetings appear likely to remain a part of our lives post-pandemic.
But this is really only scratching the surface of how the workplace of the future is likely to change, and new technologies will become everyday tools.
Charities are not immune to this evolution – and nor are the finance teams within them.
Much of the changes that finance teams will face are not specific to the charity sector, but will affect the whole finance profession. This month, we look at what this future of finance may hold and the impact this will have on jobs, teams and technology.
While these changes may seem to be a long way off or appear to involve expensive and as yet unproven technologies, charity finance professionals would be wise to start to consider what is around the corner.
Afterall, forewarned is forearmed.
Tristan Blythe is the editor of Charity Finance
Related articles
