It is clear that in these unprecedented times there is going to be an economic impact for us all, no matter what sector or industry we are working in, and many organisations will be struggling with how best to react. First and foremost we will all have the safety of our people at the front of our mind, whilst also planning around how we can maintain business in a scenario which will mean a reduced capacity and ability to fulfil service and production at a time when there will be a high degree of uncertainty of what the future has in store.
These challenges are compounded by the great unknown: is COVID-19 a short-term (few months) issue, or will it become a longer-term consideration which leads to a paradigm shift in the way we live and work going forward? Whilst I can’t predict the future in terms of timeline, I’m more comfortable with predicting the pattern of how we can respond to current events.
This blog shares some guidance, centred around a phased timeline, on how organisational leaders can combat the current crisis, mitigate the immediate impact and look to maximise their recovery rate as time moves on.
We are currently in a period where the rules of running a business are being ripped up and thrown out, presenting a massive challenge to all involved. The priority right now is to try and stabilise and keep the continuity of core production or service delivery where infections / self-isolations are rising and capacity therefore dropping. To help with this period, give thought to:
Make sure that your people are safe, and do the right thing by them and their families. Offer more support and assistance wherever possible; and if they’re all home working, use technology to maintain daily video contact so no one feels unsupported in anyway. Your people will see you through this crisis, don’t cut corners.
Complete a rapid review of your production and service delivery portfolio – what can be stripped back or even completely paused with the least impact on customers at this time?
For example, home insurers may consider temporarily ceasing less critical administrative processes, such policy amends, in favour of moving people to claims departments. Or agencies like HMRC may move resource from personal tax matters to support businesses at this time. Each organisation and industry will have different mechanisms of temporarily reclassifying the importance of their delivery.
Be open and transparent with your customers about how you can or indeed cannot meet their needs currently.
We’re all in this together and undoubtedly goodwill will extend back to you from your customers, but only if you prioritise correctly based on their needs, and tell them about it.
We are in the peak of the COVID-19 crisis and within our organisations we need to find ways to systematically manage the work, in what is a seemingly constant daily flux of change and disruption. Consider the following:
Change fast and often if needed. The coming period looks set to lack ‘normality’ within our operations, so your decision making will need to follow suit.
Dispersed teams can very quickly engage and collaborate using one of many solutions available. Data security is of course a key consideration, however be pragmatic where possible.
Be sure to continue to set expectations of your people to keep control, whether they remain office located or at home. But review and revise frequently – we don’t know what is around the corner. Diversify and utilise spare capacity well: as countries hit lock down, certain organisations will see a direct drop in customer demand. How can you best use your resources during this period? Manufacturers could turn to the production of equipment that can support the crisis such as ventilators; service organisations can invest time in building capability, perhaps using online solutions.
The worst seems over and things generally seem set to return to normal. Now is the time to recover fully and re-establish normality within your organisation. Some key areas to consider when we reach this point in time:
Now is the time to re-engage with your customers to acknowledge the recent journey, the impact on them and their willingness to understand. Be clear as to when you expect things to return to the normality that they became accustomed with.
You’ve got through this due to your ability to lead; your care and consideration for your people; and through their remarkable efforts. Take the time to recognise these factors in the most appropriate way.
Now is the time to rethink short and mid-term business strategies, for example can you give more focus to transformation or improvement activities that can drive revenue or reduce / avoid cost to help with the financial stability of the business?
Critically review how your organisation managed the crisis – what went well and what didn’t? How can you take positive opportunities from it and systemise some of the brilliant ways that helped you become more agile, allowing you to perform in this way out of choice rather than necessity in the future?
History is littered with events that fundamentally changed the ways of the world, and early signs are suggesting that COVID-19 is set to do the same. For us as individuals, we will show undoubted resilience in the face of adversity. For our organisations, the current crisis has the potential to breed further opportunities to grow and perhaps normalise some of the rapid decision making, innovation and agility in our operations that has been forced upon us – to a much greater and positive long-term effect.
As we step into the unknown over the coming weeks and months, certainly be bold with your decision making to keep your people safe and your production or services moving. However, equally don’t be afraid to look for unique opportunities to harness your people differently, be that through variation of their typical tasks, or through more formal learning opportunities.
Whatever the coming months brings for you, your families and your organisations, Reinvigoration send our best wishes. Please take care. Together we will get through this.
Get in touch to discuss how we can help you transform your service operations.
+44 (0)2921 602 182
chris.dando@reinvigoration.co.uk
+44 (0)2921 602 182
ryan.king@reinvigoration.co.uk
+44 (0)2921 602 182
graham.turnbull@reinvigoration.co.uk
Throughout the years, we have developed a set of consulting, capability building and e-management solutions that enable us to tailor our approaches to our clients’ needs and help them transform their service operations.
<div id="icon-svg"><img src="https://www.reinvigoration.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/RV-Business-ConsultingConsultancy.svg" /></div>
We support organisations around the world in their pursuit of Operational Excellence, process change and business transformation, using innovation and cutting-edge technologies to transform
service operations.
<div id="icon-svg"><img src="https://www.reinvigoration.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/RV-Icons_Coaching.svg" /></div>
Our approach is heavily based on knowledge transfer via coaching, so that your people are left with the skills to be self-sufficient at the end of our engagement.
<div id="icon-svg"><img src="https://www.reinvigoration.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/RV-Capability-Building.svg" /></div>
We have years of experience developing world class Operational Excellence and improvement skills across public and private organisations via our face-to-face and e-learning training courses.
<div id="icon-svg"><img src="https://www.reinvigoration.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/RV-E-Management-Solutions_2.svg" /></div>
We use cutting-edge technologies to help organisations transform their service operations, become
more efficient and
increase performance.
