LINKAGE LEADS GROUP
Linkage Group members meet the first two Wednesdays of each month to share and exchange business ideas, information and business leads.
Working from home
Homeworking will continue to some extent. Worldwide, there will be less people in the office, therefore, many companies should be prepared to a future remote workforce. Many workers have tried working from home and some of them like it. Hence, some organizations may have little choice but to limit the numbers of workers on-site. Staggered shifts, enforced flexi time, and 24/7 operations may become the norm, along with working remotely.
Virtual meetings could replace personal meetings
At present, we have a variety of apps for video conferencing available for free on all devices. The pandemic has been a kind of technological equalizer where people previously unaccustomed to using tech tools in the workplace have had no choice but to adapt to the new circumstances. People have tried harder to learn new technologies and engage with them, simply because they had to so. And our virtual workplace won’t leave us any time soon. For team members who no longer work together at the office, phone calls and meetings will move to video. Video conferencing improve communications because it enables participants to make better decisions in a faster manner and increases productivity.
Forget about 9-to-5 office hours
Many employers have relaxed rules about workers starting and ending their journeys at a set time. With so many employees working from home now, it will be harder for employers to deny flexibility around work hours and work settings. Thanks to technology many workers can absolutely do your work remotely, and build their schedule as it suit them.
In order to create a balance between work time and personal time, employees and managers will have to work closely together to ensure that no one is feeling pressured to respond to emails and messages at any time of the day.
More technology
Companies need to invest in new technologies to reduce disease transmission. These might additionally include contactless pathways, doors that open and close automatically, facial recognition, and lifts that can be ordered from a smartphone.
Technology will be used to remind employees of social distancing. For instance, beacons could be used to track employees’ movements via their mobile phones, sending alerts when six-feet rules are breached. Investing in technology, you will show your employees that your organization is committed to making their remote work lifestyle as effective and comfortable.
New business models
Many companies might have to rethink their business models and focus on building or strengthen safety plans and planning future strategies in a way that allow them to expand work-at-home capabilities for more employees. Businesses will need to rebalance their priorities, making additional resiliency measures as important to their strategic thinking as cost and efficiency.
Effective and inspiring leadership
Leaders need to be able to engage people to work hard and find creative solutions together. Mastering the design and management of teams will become even more critical because team members will be working in flexible groups with shifting membership, from different locations, to address a variety of challenges. Depending on how long the current state lasts, we may see a shift from static organizational structures toward dynamic team forms. This only works well under conditions of psychological safety, when leaders are very clear about the situation and when every team member is welcome to speak up with ideas, concerns, and solutions.
Flexibility
The COVID-19 crisis has changed many things including consumer behavior and supply chains. To respond to the pandemic business need to adapt to the new circumstances and find agile ways to overcome uncertainty. Data and technology will be essential tools to speed up this process. The business of the future should be capable of dynamic self-management and continual adaptation. It has to be built for agility, resiliency and growth.
Less human contact
Many businesses, from factories to stores, will try to minimize human contact. Businesses may need to reallocate investment—for example, restaurants might focus on deliveries and clinics might offer both telemedicine and visits—and rethink their strategic plans to attract customers.
New business etiquette for greetings
Many organizations have changed greetings policy. Handshakes and kisses are definitely out, and this new etiquette for greetings look likely to remain so for some time to come. Nevertheless, new greetings have already emerged. Earlier this year, billboards in Beijing promoted clasping one’s own hands. Probably more safe-distance greetings will appear during the year.
People, organizations and communities need new answers to new requirements and businesses need to be able to evolve and adapt to the new global health and economic changes. Businesses, governments, citizens, and non-profits organizations play critical roles in establishing a human-centered, systems-minded approach that promotes workforce resilience and flexibility. This is not a one-time process and it will require the development of persistent capabilities and relationships across different stakeholder groups.
To join in this group, please contact Terry Dason at director@winnetkanorthfieldchamber.com or 847-446-4451
