WORDS like “literally”, “genius”, and “devastated” have become so overused in our language that they have virtually lost their meaning.
Likewise, the word “unprecedented” has been used more during the last four weeks than ever before; but it has maintained its effect. And it feels utterly appropriate to use it as we battle this terrifying pandemic.
These are indeed unusual and strange times, and the way that political parties have, on the whole, acted in unison, is reassuring in the extreme.
Businesses and business organisations have also been trying to work together to navigate our way through this, and the IoD is proud of the way we have teamed up with our peers including the CBI and others to influence the decision-makers in Westminster and Holyrood.
The Scottish Government continues to announce rescue packages for businesses, with cash also being made available to support workers’ salaries. Hardship funds, assistance with education for key workers’ children, and business loans for distressed companies are also being mobilised, and it is definitely a case of “needs must” when it comes to board decisions like these.
However, some companies won’t necessarily relish the thought of finding themselves in considerable debt when we get out of the other side of this. Although the Scottish business community is resilient, and Scottish leaders are accustomed to making tough decisions given the recent political and economic challenges, this current upheaval to working practices and life will present an existential test to many companies both large and small. Something I hope we will never have to face again in our lifetimes.
However, we are fortunate to live in the era that we do. We have seen a raft of new flexible working practices and a rise in modern technology to accommodate our new way of living and working since the outbreak, and we all continue to adapt as well as we can while we all journey into the vast unknown.
Advances in technology mean that we are undoubtedly in a more fortunate position than during previous disruptions to work, as employees in many sectors can now work from home and are often already familiar with being productive in such a set up. We should view this as a time of opportunity, not one to sit back and watch Netflix or to do the garden. It’s a chance to look at business operations from an entirely new perspective – maybe home working is a viable solution for the future of your business.
However, having an entire workforce based remotely has emphasised the importance of open and transparent communications with staff, adapting to new ways of working and leading by example. There is more to consider than just ensuring employee productivity. Employee wellbeing and morale must be given consideration during times of so much uncertainty.
We hear harrowing examples of self-employed workers finding themselves unable to work despite years of blood, sweat and tears growing their business. At the same time, we hear of a shortage of drivers and delivery agents for foods and medicines to service those self-isolating and those working from home.
Perhaps the taxi-drivers with a reduced workload could be temporarily taken on by the supermarkets? And what about the quiet, empty or temporarily closed airports? Might they not be utilised, at least in the short-term, as makeshift hospital wards? They are largely devoid of soft furnishings, thus relatively easy to clean, and have excellent road and rail transport links.
Creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit is going to come to the fore during this period. We must get smarter at using our incredible resources – both natural and human – if we are to come through this stronger than we went into it. It is well known that we learn more through adversity than from success, and I believe we will end up with a very different landscape, with improved productivity and efficiency and a more innovative way of doing things.
Necessity is the mother of invention and we have never been more in need as right now.
Malcolm Cannon is national director of IoD Scotland
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