While the pandemic has caused frustration and doubt in many companies, it has also presented great opportunities and generated new, more efficient approaches. Workspaces and the way an organisation is run are prime examples.
You do not have to be a prophet to say that this crisis will force companies to reinvent themselves, to find new approaches and that they need to think about it now if they have not already done so.
For most companies, or at least some of them, the “hybrid working” approach, i.e., combining face-to-face and distance learning and working, is becoming the norm. Whether or not this solution is attractive is not the issue: pressure from the market and from employees will be the main drivers of this approach.
It is therefore necessary to anticipate this new way of working and the “crisis” mode is no longer possible: the various aspects must be rethought seriously and professionally, as there are so many issues and impacts: IT, HR, FM, real estate, management, etc.
To hear some uninspired speakers or managers tell it, you simply must perpetuate what has been put in place during the crisis: a serious mistake!
To believe that you can manage your company in good or bad weather in the same way is to forget that the professional environment adapts but needs solid reference points and proven strategies.
Middle managers and employees were, in most cases, very resilient and cooperative during the pandemic: everyone understood the issues and the possible consequences. However, this ‘grace period’ is over and reflection on the new normal would be most welcome.
Feedback from some business leaders gleaned from webinars and other conferences shows that many are thinking of changing but are “waiting and seeing”: this wait-and-see attitude will be detrimental and by the way. By the way, waiting for what?
Each company must find its own way but being able to draw on specialist knowledge can be beneficial. The cost/benefit ratio is particularly attractive. But you need to have the courage to take the plunge…
he Swiss economy seems to have come through this turbulent period better than most of the surrounding countries, but we should not delude ourselves: we need to reinvent ourselves, and quickly, if we want to be able to capitalise on the beneficial experiences of the last few months, because there have been many of them, despite what some people think.
Good luck and good reading.