How Are People Reconnecting Their Companies To Survive?

From individual morale to supply chain dynamics, the ground rules have changed, and with change comes new ways of doing.

Once upon a time, not too long ago, it was considered less than ideal to have entire workforces working from home. As early as the 1970s there has been a work at home movement, primarily involving, in those early days, stay at home moms.

Today, the stay at home and work from home concept has gone a giant step in forcing companies to recalibrate how they do business. So, with half of the world’s population in lock down, and a good majority of people working from home, companies are forced to address everything from productivity to connectivity to supply chain dynamics.

So, what are some companies doing to reconnect their companies in order to survive?

On the morale front, companies are trying to take care of their people now isolated from the water cooler dynamic. Many companies are connecting using Zoom, Uber, Skype and other platforms to get the days work done. They are also using video conferencing to connect their people at the start and the end of the week. Not just to discuss projects, but also to check in and see how everyone is doing. Staying connected during a forced situation is key to combatting workforce loneliness and morale. Some companies have taken to Friday get togethers online to try to share each others company through the screen. I’ve even seen Fancy Fridays, a twist on the casual Friday concept, where people dress up for their Friday video call, what with so many people working in sweatpants. Keeping things normal, creating modified traditions, all help to keep people grounded and together.

On the productivity front, regular team get togethers online can help keep the flow of work and projects going. Making sure team members have lists of to-do’s and checking in on progress regularly is probably part of your regular process anyway, but it becomes more important when no one can have those hallway conversations in passing or where you can just pop into an office for a chat. Some companies are using tools like Slack to coordinate their teams now, mirroring the solutions that some web and technology companies have been using for a long time, especially with their overseas contractors and staff. Keeping people focused during a time of person-to-person disconnection is both good for team productivity and team morale.

On the supply chain side, every company is shoring up its supply chain in order to keep the flow of materials and commerce going. The CEO imperative today is to make sure their supply-chain capabilities are efficient and effective. These companies are now having to redefine their customers’ expectations of service and their ability to bring innovation to the market, turning supply-chain into an even more powerful competitive advantage than ever before.

In the time of Covid-19, the very best companies continue to evolve and reinvent their supply chains to maintain their market position and to stay competitive. By prioritizing supply chain and facing up to the challenges, they are better able to manage risks and the unknown.

Responding to changes in the economic, technological, and competitive environments is a challenge right now. And while it’s harder to exploit new opportunities, challenging times also present new opportunities and ways of thinking about suppliers, products, pricing, and partnerships.

What is your company doing to reconnect itself in order to survive? What are you doing for your people, your productivity, and your market advantage? Tell us, we’d love to hear what you’re doing to innovate.

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