Sub Total
Excluding delivery and voucher code discounts.
Go to basket

Free Delivery on all orders to UK mainland within 3 working days.

HP Tech@Work
Today's trends for tomorrow's business
how-a-global-emergency-changes-consumer-behavior

How a Global Emergency Changes Consumer Behavior

New ways to reach them with tech

Chances are your business has radically changed the way you’re connecting with consumers since the world changed in March. Many companies have had to quickly pivot their outreach methods to stay connected with their clientele in a very remote world, including launching new technology features they’ve never tried before. Consumers have also embraced new tech to reduce physical contact: One example is contactless mobile payments, which have seen a huge boost now that no one wants to exchange cash or touch keypads.

Now that parts of the country are opening up, we are seeing new consumer patterns emerging that may stick for the long haul. Areas such as telehealth visits, online fitness apps, and store curbside pickups have gained popularity that’s expected to last after the world goes back to normal. And these trends are especially likely to stay with Gen Z and Millennial consumers, according to a recent McKinsey survey.

As you plot out your tech investments and areas to focus on over the next year, here are a few guidelines to keep in mind.

Minimize physical contact with low-touch alternatives.

If your company’s business model includes any elements that require physically interacting with consumers, you’ve probably already implemented some temporary strategies to minimize contact, and your technology team is key in carrying out some of these changes. A couple small examples are curbside deliveries and BOPIS (buy online, pickup in store), which reduce foot traffic and are very easy to add as a checkout option if you already have an ecommerce site set up. The restaurant industry is a good example of this: They’ve quickly implemented Bring Your Own Device technology so customers can browse menus and pay for their food using their phones. Brainstorm more ways you can build low-touch options into your business model while finessing your customer service.

Break down your department silos.

While your small- or medium-sized business may not have the resources and budget of an enterprise company, your size is on your side because you can pivot faster. Any new ideas your tech team has can be rapidly developed, modified, and discarded or replaced if they’re not working. To do this, you need the buy-ins of other departments in your company who are willing to support your digital-first goals, and a leadership team that’s willing to invest in any technology that’s needed to make these initiatives happen. Streamlining your tech can improve efficiency and accuracy by 2 to 5 percent, according to McKinsey, so you can make a business case for it.

Carefully monitor your data and analytics.

The current situation has radically shifted the data models of many companies—you may be receiving new and different data, or your usual data channels are decreasing or increasing output. Things like supply chains and inventories need to be monitored differently to match the rapidly changing patterns of consumers and clients. If you have a data analyst on staff, their job has never been more important—make sure they’re receiving the support they need.

Don’t make customer engagement a one-way street.

If there was ever a time to make sure your customers are getting what they need, it’s now. China is leading the way with a variety of consumer engagement techniques that we haven’t explored yet in the US, including livestreams that integrate purchasing, hiring influencers who answer questions and offer prizes to viewers, and creating private channels on the social network WeChat to engage VIP customers. These tactics are based on sophisticated infrastructures that can enable these kinds of fun digital experiences; while it might be beyond what your tech team can handle right now, it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Try new things. Because your competition will.

If there were ever a time to throw new ideas at the wall and see what sticks, this is it. Because your business rivals will be doing the same. In a crisis like this one, innovative ways to reach customers through technology may be just what’s needed to edge out competitors. It’s also a time where customers are willing to try new brands and may develop new long-term brand loyalties—two-thirds of Millennials and Gen Z say they’re purchasing new brands right now. A well-planned digital outreach might win over customers that stick around long after our world returns to normal.

Chart out your consumer innovations on the HP ZBook 17 Mobile Workstation, which offers you extreme performance to meet your extraordinary demands.

Disclosure: Our site may get a share of revenue from the sale of the products featured on this page.

Disclaimer

Prices, specifications, availability and terms of offers may change without notice. Price protection, price matching or price guarantees do not apply to Intra-day, Daily Deals or limited-time promotions. Quantity limits may apply to orders, including orders for discounted and promotional items. Despite our best efforts, a small number of items may contain pricing, typography, or photography errors. Correct prices and promotions are validated at the time your order is placed. These terms apply only to products sold by HP.com; reseller offers may vary. Items sold by HP.com are not for immediate resale. Orders that do not comply with HP.com terms, conditions, and limitations may be cancelled. Contract and volume customers not eligible.

HP’s MSRP is subject to discount. HP’s MSRP price is shown as either a stand-alone price or as a strike-through price with a discounted or promotional price also listed. Discounted or promotional pricing is indicated by the presence of an additional higher MSRP strike-through price

The following applies to HP systems with Intel 6th Gen and other future-generation processors on systems shipping with Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 Pro systems downgraded to Windows 7 Professional, Windows 8 Pro, or Windows 8.1: This version of Windows running with the processor or chipsets used in this system has limited support from Microsoft. For more information about Microsoft’s support, please see Microsoft’s Support Lifecycle FAQ at https://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle

Ultrabook, Celeron, Celeron Inside, Core Inside, Intel, Intel Logo, Intel Atom, Intel Atom Inside, Intel Core, Intel Inside, Intel Inside Logo, Intel vPro, Itanium, Itanium Inside, Pentium, Pentium Inside, vPro Inside, Xeon, Xeon Phi, Xeon Inside, and Intel Optane are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries.

In-home warranty is available only on select customizable HP desktop PCs. Need for in-home service is determined by HP support representative. Customer may be required to run system self-test programs or correct reported faults by following advice given over phone. On-site services provided only if issue can't be corrected remotely. Service not available holidays and weekends.

HP will transfer your name and address information, IP address, products ordered and associated costs and other personal information related to processing your application to Bill Me Later®. Bill Me Later will use that data under its privacy policy.

Microsoft Windows 10: Not all features are available in all editions or versions of Windows 10. Systems may require upgraded and/or separately purchased hardware, drivers, software or BIOS update to take full advantage of Windows 10 functionality. Windows 10 is automatically updated, which is always enabled. ISP fees may apply and additional requirements may apply over time for updates. See http://www.microsoft.com.

“Best All In One Printer” and “the easiest printer you’ve ever had to set up” from Wirecutter. ©2020 The Wirecutter, Inc.. All rights reserved. Used under license. https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-all-in-one-printer/

Get Marvel’s Avengers when you purchase HP gaming PCs with qualifying 9th gen or 10th gen Intel® Core™ i5, i7 and i9 processors. Redemption code will be sent out by email within 60 days of purchase. Limited quantities and while supply lasts. Offer valid thru 12/31/2020 only while supplies last. We reserve the right to replace titles in the offer for ones of equal or greater value. Certain titles may not be available to all consumers because of age restrictions. The Offer may be changed, cancelled, or suspended at any time, for any reason, without notice, at Intel’s reasonable discretion if its fairness or integrity affected whether due to human or technical error. The Offer sponsor is Intel Corporation, 2200 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara, CA 95054, USA. To participate you must create an Intel Digital Hub Account, purchase a qualifying product during the redemption period, enter a valid Master Key, and respond to a brief survey. Information you submit is collected, stored, processed, and used on servers in the USA. For more information on offer details, eligibility, restrictions, and our privacy policy, visit https://softwareoffer.intel.com/offer/20Q3-19/terms.

© 2020 MARVEL. © Intel Corporation. Intel, the Intel logo, and other Intel marks are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

The personal information you provide will be used according to the HP Privacy Statement (https://www8.hp.com/us/en/privacy/ww-privacy.html)