Business after the pandemic: 7 successful examples of adaptation

Contents:

• Neverbored Travel: How a Signature Tour Agency Switched from Venetian Festivals to Murmansk Adventures
• SETTERS EDUCATION: Transition to Online Learning
• Smart Moscow Event Agency Offers Home Delivery of Science Experiment Kits
• Launch of the Internal Social Network "Glove": Innovations from the Perekrestok Network for Employees
• Room To Me Renovation Studio: How to Overcome Difficulties in a Growing Market

Neverbored Travel: How a Signature Tour Agency Switched from Venetian Festivals to Murmansk Adventures

According to the latest data from the Association of Tour Operators of Russia, domestic tourism in the country fell by 35–40% in 2020. This represents a drop from 68 million trips in 2019 to around 40 million. At the same time, outbound tourism also suffered significant losses: only 2.7 million Russians traveled abroad, while in 2019 this number exceeded 12.2 million. In the fall of 2020, the Union of Travel Agencies reported that more than half of travel agencies had ceased operations, and many of them were unable to pay salaries to their employees. These data highlight the significant impact of the pandemic on the Russian tourism industry and the need to adapt to the new conditions to restore and develop domestic and outbound tourism. Neverbored Travel is an agency specializing in organizing unforgettable bachelorette parties. With border closures, popular destinations such as Dubai, Africa, and Europe became unavailable, leading to an increase in deposit refund requests from clients. However, funds invested in hotel and ticket reservations were delayed for extended periods. Despite the challenging circumstances, the company encourages clients to leave their deposits, emphasizing that tours have not been canceled, but simply postponed indefinitely. This will allow clients to keep their plans and use the agency's services in the future when borders reopen. Neverbored Travel continues to work to offer its clients the best bachelorette party experiences, ensuring a high level of service and a personalized approach. Neverbored Travel co-founder Karina Matevosyan emphasizes that Russia boasts numerous picturesque locations, but the infrastructure often fails to meet the high demands of tourists. Demand drives supply, and by actively exploring lesser-known destinations, Russian resorts can gain a competitive edge in the international tourism arena. Infrastructure development and attention to new tourist routes will open up opportunities to attract more travelers and increase interest in domestic tourism.

The agency has shifted its strategy, focusing on domestic tourism. The first bachelorette party after the pandemic took place in Khakassia in July 2020. Although organizing travel within Russia proved more challenging than trips to Venice or Dubai, interest in domestic tourism has increased significantly. Participants quickly gathered for their next trip to the Elbrus region. The last bachelorette party took place in St. Petersburg in December, and three winter tours are planned for February: to Altai, Murmansk, and Lake Baikal. Domestic tourism offers unique opportunities for relaxation and adventure, making it increasingly attractive to travelers.

The pandemic has prompted us to rethink our values ​​and priorities in life, focusing on emotional aspects rather than financial well-being. 2020 has become an important period for recognizing our true desires and priorities, which opens new horizons for personal growth and development. Karina notes that this experience has become the impetus for a deeper understanding of herself and her needs.

SETTERS EDUCATION: Transition to online learning

According to research conducted by Interfax Academy, the Russian online education market in 2019 was estimated at 45-50 billion rubles. Forecasts for 2020 indicate an expected growth to 55-60 billion rubles. These data confirm the sustained interest and growing need for digital learning among the population. Online education is becoming an essential tool for acquiring new knowledge and skills in the modern world.

Before the pandemic, SETTERS EDUCATION focused on traditional offline training in marketing, management, and project promotion. With the onset of COVID-19, the company began actively developing online courses, which allowed it to quickly adapt to the changing conditions. During the quarantine, the decision was made to suspend all in-person courses, and online learning became the only available option. This decision not only ensured student safety but also opened up new opportunities to expand the audience and improve the quality of the educational process.

SETTERS EDUCATION quickly repurposed its courses for distance learning. Interactive elements were integrated into online lectures, including the creation of dashboards in Miro. To compensate for the lack of face-to-face interaction with instructors, seminars began to be held in Zoom. All online courses, intensives, and educational materials were combined into a single continuous learning ecosystem, significantly increasing the integrity and effectiveness of the educational process. Students can now easily interact with materials and instructors, which promotes better knowledge and skill acquisition.

The SETTERS EDUCATION team is actively working to return to in-person classes, but the uncertainty associated with the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact this process. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation and are ready to adapt to new conditions to ensure a safe and high-quality learning experience for our students.

2020 was a significant challenge for our team. We were forced to quickly adapt to changing conditions, make informed decisions, and promptly abandon ineffective strategies. This allowed us not only to survive the difficult situation but also to find new opportunities for development.

The Smart Moscow event agency offers home delivery of science experiment kits

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the events market, prompting many companies to rethink their business models. Since the beginning of 2020, a large number of events have been canceled, leading to staff layoffs and wage cuts in the industry. In response to new challenges, event organizers have begun actively developing online formats, which has allowed them to maintain connection with their audience and adapt to changing conditions. This change has become an important step towards the recovery and modernization of the events market in the post-pandemic period.

The Smart Moscow event agency initially focused on organizing interactive science events for children and teenagers in specialized laboratories. Participants had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the fascinating world of physics, chemistry, and biology, conducting full-scale experiments. However, the transition to remote learning presented challenges in conducting practical classes requiring specialized materials. In response to these challenges, the agency adapted its programs, introducing online formats that maintain participant interest and engagement, providing access to scientific knowledge and practical skills in a distance learning environment.

The Smart Moscow team has effectively adapted to the new reality. We have extensive experience developing scientific products for children and were able to find optimal working formats during the pandemic. This was made possible by the flexibility of our business and a deep understanding of our clients' needs. Our ability to quickly respond to changes allows us to continue providing high-quality educational solutions and maintain children's interest in science, even in challenging conditions.

Introducing home experiment kit delivery was a key decision for the agency. Over seven years, we have accumulated valuable experience, which allowed us to select experiments that are easily performed at home. Many of the necessary materials were already in our warehouse. Thus, we launched science clubs, in which clients receive kits from couriers and participate in online classes via Zoom. "Our online clubs are already attracting participation numbers exceeding the most optimistic forecasts," notes Smart Moscow. This approach not only engages children but also fosters their interest in science, making learning accessible and interactive.

Launch of the internal social network "Perchatka": Perekrestok chain innovations for employees

In 2020, the Perekrestok supermarket chain introduced its internal social network "Perchatka." This mobile application allows employees to exchange information, share useful tips, and discuss ideas with company management. This approach promotes the formation of a more open and engaged team, which in turn improves internal communication and increases work efficiency. "The Glove" is becoming an important tool for strengthening corporate culture and stimulating innovation within the company.

According to the analytical company INFOline, the Russian grocery market in 2020 was worth 16.7 trillion rubles, and is projected to reach 19.6 trillion rubles by the end of 2023. A key trend is the growing popularity of convenience stores, while hypermarkets are facing negative trends. A Criteo study found that 54% of Russians downloaded at least one online shopping app in the second quarter of 2020, highlighting the growing interest in digital retail solutions. This demonstrates that consumers are increasingly choosing convenience and accessibility, which, in turn, is impacting the structure of the grocery market in Russia.

In response to increased demand for online services, the Perekrestok chain of stores planned to launch an updated Online.Perekrestok app in the summer of 2020. However, due to a sharp increase in orders in March, development was accelerated, and the new app became available in May. Currently, the chain processes approximately 10,000 orders per day, made possible by preparations for express delivery, which began in 2019. This app update significantly improved the user experience and increased the efficiency of customer service, which in turn contributed to the further development of online sales and customer satisfaction.

To ensure customer safety during the pandemic, the chain has implemented a number of new measures, including markings in sales areas, regular disinfection, and the availability of hand sanitizer. At the same time, high demand for certain products often resulted in shelf shortages, creating additional challenges for employees and requiring training. Importantly, adhering to these measures not only contributes to customer safety but also enhances brand trust. Thus, the chain continues to adapt to changing conditions and provide a high level of service.

Adapting to new realities became the most difficult and important task for supermarkets in 2020. This affected all aspects of operations: format changes, additional investments, product range adjustments, and the implementation of digital solutions. Flexibility was recognized as a key finding for Perekrestok. In a constantly changing market, the ability to quickly respond to changes has become a decisive factor for successful operations.

Room To Me Renovation Studio: How to Overcome Difficulties in a Growing Market

The 2020 pandemic played a key role in changing the way Russians renovate their homes. According to a study by the YouDo service, the average cost of renovation and construction services increased by almost 20%. At the same time, research by Avito Services shows that orders for wallpapering and flooring have increased by 50%. This increase in demand has led to price increases for both private contractors and large companies adapting to the changing market conditions.

Room To Me, a Voronezh-based project, offers major renovation services based on existing architectural styles. Clients can choose from a range of options and negotiate a price. The company handles all renovation stages from the ground up, ensuring clients return to a fully finished home. We guarantee high quality and a professional approach at every stage of the project, allowing us to create a comfortable and stylish living space.

During the pandemic, Room To Me successfully adapted to the new reality by conducting remote meetings and cost approvals. However, the transition to an online format encountered several challenges, such as internet connection issues and technical difficulties using the Zoom platform, which hindered communication. Many clients preferred in-person meetings, so employees returned to the office as soon as possible. This allowed us to restore our usual productivity levels and improve customer interactions. Adapting to new operating conditions demonstrates the company's flexibility and readiness for changes in the business environment.

The company recognized the importance of flexibility in today's market conditions and developed repair offerings focused on a more affordable price segment. Additionally, material procurement plans were developed, including stockpiling. However, with the lifting of restrictions in Russia, many of these initiatives were temporarily suspended.

Our top priority was to conclude as many contracts with clients as possible, even if this required changing the terms of cooperation. We understand the importance of ensuring stable work for our craftsmen and employees, despite the current restrictions. As a result, instead of reducing volumes, we were able to achieve a 30-40% increase. This confirms our commitment to quality service and flexibility in relations with clients.