Several months ago I wrote a blog discussing Cope-Adapt-Innovate and how it had become the leaders’ responsibility to move people and the organization along this linear path. This has not changed. What has changed is the recognition that it is very unlikely that your business will or should return “to the way it was”. First, it won’t go back to the way it was because people have changed. People (your employees) now have proof that being in the office each day, all day, is not a requirement for getting work done. Second, and maybe more importantly, I believe leaders have learned that having people sit in an office for a defined period of time each day, traveling to meet customers, and attending in person meetings are no longer requirements for business success.
As a result of the (alert…big word to follow) aforementioned statements, I encourage leaders to explore ways to innovate your businesses both strategically and operationally:
- Strategically in terms of product offerings and delivery in this new environment. Operationally in terms of potential cost savings by evolving away from large office space and travel.
- Strategically in terms of identifying the talent and skills necessary to sell and deliver services/products in 2021 and beyond. Operationally in terms of determining how to find, engage and train these people.
- Strategically in terms of how your company might “look” in the future (mission, vision , values). Operationally in terms of the infrastructure necessary for the changes.
Strategy is your responsibility. Now is the perfect time to pivot your business to take advantage of the uncertainty and to innovate.
More articles/blogs about leading through the pandemic can be found here.