This is the third release in a series of trend reports from Here Be Dragon’s global forecast service, Tailwinds. The latest instalment examines the ‘Future of Work’ as employees and businesses consider returning to the office.

The report looks at four key areas: the future of work, online education, employees seeking a change post-pandemic, and communities working together in a decentralised way. One of the key findings was the rise in ‘Productivity Nannies,’ the name given to online platforms supporting and cheerleading employees to work productively at home.

People are also finding innovative ways to learn online with a new wave of study influencers encouraging people to via live stream. The report also cites research from the Office for National Statistics which says a record number of businesses were founded in 2020, with a 72% increase in 16-20 year olds registering as sole traders.

Here Be Dragons has used these findings to release a new ‘post-pandemic package’ for its employees to start new business ventures. It is aimed to give those people with entrepreneurial ideas, the financial backing and ongoing advice necessary to start a business, while maintaining their company laptop.

The initiative enhances the employer brand and nurtures employee future development, whether that lies within the agency or not. Paul McEntee, CEO and founder of Here be Dragons, says, “The pandemic has really raised some big questions about people’s purpose in life. Are they really happy, or is now the chance for them to follow a passion they’ve always had, and take a metaphorical jump into the unknown?”

“We did our best as a business to support all of our team through a tough time last year, safe-guarding their mental wellbeing and keeping them engaged. But, it comes as no surprise that, as we ease out of lockdown, people want to make changes to how they live and work,” adds McEntee.

One Here Be Dragons staff member, Jasmine Brown, has already taken up the initiative and founded a jewellery business. “Here Be Dragons is an agency that really values its people. The agency backed me and gave me the tools I needed to get my business off the ground - equipment, capital and advice. It means you leave the agency on a high and I wish more companies thought about the bigger picture of development - even after they lose the employee.”