A reduction in pollution, clearer skies, less time on the road, fewer road accidents, more time with our families, parents forced to look after their own children (I know!) and indeed the nationwide adoption of online video platforms that enable our businesses to keep on moving on. From the emergence of developing cultures, to the trust that is being embedded as employers observe their staff committed (whilst often working in the kitchen or the back bedroom), to the transformation in language and communication styles that we are seeing everywhere; these have all been fascinating to observe and nuggets of gold to designers who love to watch the world. And listening to the birds sing too. We have time for that now.

The Engine Room is a service-based business with no barriers to working from home whilst continuing to offer the same level of service. But taking the economy out of the equation, more importantly perhaps is that we can continue our work whilst limiting the exposure of the team to travel and to the real, live human interaction that we are learning can be so dangerous in current times. Our hearts and thanks go out to the NHS and key workers who continue to leave their homes in support of the nation.

Understandably, much of our work has been put on hold as businesses struggle to stay afloat and we have also furloughed some employees. More than ever, we are committed to those individuals who have shown such grace, understanding and loyalty in difficult circumstances. Like most, we are working hard to bring them back on board just as soon as we can.

We’re inspired by some of our incredibly visionary clients who have found a way to continue their investment in their brands, their services and their cultures. Examples include:

• a rapidly scaling data visualisation, reporting and analytics software developer, who have taken a programme of face-to-face workshops online and we are now facilitating a brand development project via video workshops. Short, sharp online sprints are keeping things lively and ensuring people don’t suffer from screen fatigue. We recommend MURAL to anyone not currently using the platform.
• a pioneering crop science business who are using their time, (whilst they can no longer fly around the world to meet customers), to create digital animations, in multiple languages, that succinctly and effectively communicate the phenomenal credentials of their crop science to farmers and agronomists across the globe.
• our client who has launched three websites since lockdown and are driving up awareness of their world-leading and pioneering technology to support patients who need to undergo chemotherapy.

Our thoughts too are with those clients who have understandably had to close or slow down operations until we come out of the other side.

We wish all our friends, colleagues, clients and associates our very best wishes. Staying safe and staying healthy are the most important things at this time. Everything else will normalise over time.