With so much change and uncertainty at the moment and pressures to keep businesses operating and employees motivated, it is hard to find the time to consider resetting business for post-pandemic.
2021 will be the year of transition. Schools have reopened, people will soon embrace more relaxed socialising, shops will start trading again and economic confidence will return.
So what are the three key things to consider:
- The Importance of Culture
Working remotely has had a significant impact on people’s mental health and wellbeing and it has been hard to keep up communications and a sense of belonging. It is important to keep a strong culture but we will never fully return to pre-COVID ways for working. Businesses will need to work out what the role of the office will be. With accelerated digitalisation and automation, there will be changes to ways of working and skills. Businesses need to define how people will interact, collaborate and deliver excellence and what the culture is that will hold them together.
- The Resilience of the Supply Chain
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted vulnerabilities in the supply chains of many companies and many realise they need to de-risk their supply chains.
Businesses will need to map out their end-to-end supply chains and all suppliers and sub-suppliers, highlighting any critical risk areas. Scenario planning will flush out weaknesses and highlight where supply chain processes need to be changes, diversified and made more agile to adapt to unforeseen changes in the market. Businesses will need to make sure resilience and flexibility of the supply chain is at the heart of their operations.
- The Power of Data
There is so much data available and being captured, but many businesses do not leverage the power and insight this can bring. With customers’ buying behaviours changing, new ways of working for teams, and increased process data digitalisation, new measures will be important to track and predict performance. Businesses will need to be clear on what data they will capture and how this informs decision making.
This week we have seen the start of lockdown restrictions being eased. It is so important to keep looking to the future and make sure that you have the right focus for post-pandemic operations. We have been delivering complex change projects at pace for years. If we can help you get your business ready for the future contact EstherM@NineFeetTall.com
