Architects of Change: Perspectives

Lessons to be learnt from the pandemic

Written by Bob Bailkoski | Oct 22, 2020 8:53:36 AM

2020 is a year to remember. It will undoubtedly go down in history as the year CEOs around the globe were forced to transform business models and focus on survival in a chaotic and rapidly changing climate brought about by the pandemic. Adapting swiftly in the most challenging economic environment seen in our lifetime, was essential for business continuity.

While of course the crisis is not over yet, the initial rush to quickly transition to the ‘new normal’, has passed. But as we move closer to the end of 2020, company leaders need to reflect on their initial responses and evaluate the steps they must take to prepare for future uncertainty.

Adapt disaster recovery plans

We now know, many of the seemingly cohesive plans businesses had prepared to face the worst of disruptions were no match for a global pandemic. Many of these plans were often outdated, designed years ago, with the biggest concerns being natural disasters or terrorist attacks. Their objectives focused heavily on migrating data or moving to an alternative functional site.

But what happens when all sites are inaccessible? The pandemic forced us to react and adapt to this reality as businesses were left with no choice but to turn to a set of bespoke and ad-hoc measures created to support the sudden shift to an entirely remote workforce.

Additionally, a large proportion of businesses had no fixed policies around remote working. I think we can all admit that employees have proven resilient and proactive in their home offices during the global crisis. In turn, the world is becoming more open to permanent flexible working arrangements. Businesses need to reinvent their IT infrastructure and enable cooperative and collaborative working for a scattered workforce. It requires a flexible, modern IT environment with robust unified communication capabilities and secure mobile components.

Focus on your people

The pandemic has also highlighted the need for a broader focus on another important company asset: people. With most UK businesses planning to stick to current remote working arrangements, companies need to incorporate policies that focus on the wellbeing of employees. Employees deserve the support of their company through these trying times, as they helped drive the business through the tough transitions, we’ve all experienced during 2020.

At Logicalis, we are increasing our team collaboration efforts to ensure our employees remain connected and well, both mentally and physically. Our management teams are conscious of the danger of burnout from a remote working environment and set clear boundaries for employees to ensure ‘work time’ does not take precedence over ‘personal time.’ We are continually finding new and engaging ways to communicate with our global colleagues, beyond video calls and emails, to ensure our teams feel more connected and supported than ever. 

Make way for creativity

An element of ensuring sustained connectivity is through encouraging creativity. This year, Logicalis launched its Global Innovation Challenge to encourage international colleagues to come together and develop innovations that could lead to positive change in the world. Initiatives like these stimulate creativity and cooperation within the business and gives organisations the chance to lean into the crisis and use it as an opportunity for wider transformation and growth.

All businesses have faced challenges this year, but I do think there are some positives we can take away from the crisis. Employees have forged deeper connections with colleagues, customers and partners, even spending time meeting their pets and family over video conferencing and gaining an insight into their life away from the office. Technology has been the driver in helping us remain not only connected, but also in keeping our businesses
running.

As a technology services company, it is essential we exemplify the ability to adapt and change to difficult circumstances not just in our business but for our customers and prospects. We are here to help organisations leverage the necessary innovative technology to support crucial business and social advancements for continuity and resilience, which have never been more important than in today’s environment.