The events and aftermath of 2020 have greatly influenced people's moods, plans and lifestyles. Despite quarantine restrictions, however, innovative technology has provided new ways to do familiar things. It is now normal to communicate with loved ones, exercise, and enjoy films without leaving home. Remote working has become commonplace, and employees have adjusted to new safety measures in the office.

To see how the everyday life of the AsstrA team has changed over recent months, the company conducted a survey. This survey involved 270 employees aged 21 to 38 from the EU and CIS regions.

According to the survey results, AsstrA team members have used their “quarantine time” to master new skills and gain professional competencies, with 30% of respondents having completed online courses and webinars during this period. Foreign languages and Excel skills were among the most popular topics the team focused on, as well personal growth, management, marketing, and meditation techniques. The company did its part to support this positive remote learning trend by launching a series of training webinars on internal company processes, sales techniques, and gestalt psychology.

Team members also took advantage of free literature available in online libraries and real-time virtual training sessions with fitness instructors. 40% of employees have made progress on their reading lists and exercised at home. The availability of on-demand streaming video content helped 45% of them enjoy between one to three new TV series or films.

Remote work also freed up some extra downtime to savor life’s little moments and complete to-do lists that had built up over time. 60% of employees put things in order that they had long postponed. During the quarantine period, 40% saved money by not spending on clothing, shoes, public transport and fuel, or vacations they had planned. Also, not having to commute "allowed" many to devote more time to themselves. Sleep time increased for 44% of the survey participants and decreased for only 12%.

Ekaterina Snegirova

“Man is a social being. Therefore, personal interaction is the number one thing AsstrA team members are planning for after the lockdown. Meetings with friends and family, walks in parks and public places, beauty salon visits, and shopping trips are at the top of their post-quarantine “wishlists”. Also, everyone wants to re-book their holidays and go to concerts and parties. Basically, everyone is hoping for a quick return to their normal lives,” says Ekaterina Snegirova, Deputy of SMD Director for Marketing.