How tech transforming businesses amid Covid

The Covid-19 pandemic has forced every sector globally to rethink the way they have been working till date. The lockdown, social distancing and self-isolation norms have propelled companies to turn to digital tools now more than ever to keep their businesses afloat and to be able to operate effectively.

After all, the companies - be it insurance or otherwise - which can leverage technology well to rethink their business model for better customer service by accelerating digital transformation will be ones to stay ahead in the race.

With work-from-home becoming the new normal, becoming digital-native is the need of the hour now. Today, insurance companies need to be agile in all aspects of the business processes - be it at the time of underwriting new policies or servicing the existing customers.

Over the last month, Bajaj Allianz has adapted to the demands of the current environment like introducing most of the policy-related services on WhatsApp so that the customers need not visit the branches and avail the services at their fingertips.

The insurer has also made available newer payment options for all its sales channel to ensure that the customers stay invested in their policies for achieving their financial and life goals.

To be able to serve the customers right and well within the new normal format, the insurance provider has been able to quickly get into the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) mode. This has allowed the company to respond quickly to the business needs - from identifying colleagues who lead key functions to guarantee they are well equipped to work from the safety of their homes.

In addition to ensuring data security, the company has ensured to offer customised work-from-home kits for different functions especially customer-facing teams, and easy access of corporate applications so that the employees can deliver uninterrupted customer support, even when they are at home.

Work-from-home can be a little taxing on employees since everybody is cooped up in the confines of their homes for over 50 days now.

Bajaj Allianz is leveraging technology and doing its bit in providing access to fitness regimes from experts to its employees, partners, agents, customers and many others for them to stay physically and emotionally healthy in these challenging times.

Live sessions on Yoga, Meditation, Stress Management and more by renowned fitness experts are being streamed to keep people fit and active at their homes. The company believes that sustained good health is essential for pursuing one's life goals which is longer than the current lockdown.

(The writer is MD & CEO, Bajaj Allianz. Views expressed are his own)