How Companies Can Stay Resilient Post-COVID

Right now, companies need to be proactive to build business resilience to ensure their future success. 

This is an uncertain time for all and many hard decisions will have been made as a result of the pandemic economic market. However, the key to success and coming out the other side stronger than ever before. 

Post-COVID-19 success is achieved by cultivating business resilience.  

Below, we discuss how all companies, no matter their size, can stay resilient as they navigate a post-pandemic working environment. From deciding what your new office should look like to understanding the strengths and skills you will need to rely on during this turbulent time.  

Lean Into Company Strengths With Longer-Term Considerations To Market Shifts 

In just a few months, the Coronavirus pandemic turned the global economy upside down and then shook it vigorously – a few times for good measure. It is hard to deny the sheer impact it has had on many industries across Canada. And the rebuild has only just begun.

Whether your business was hit hard or not, the path to success after COVID-19 will rely on your team staying resilient. This is not a time to be opportunistic and to exploit the struggles of other industries. 

Instead, companies need to be altruistic. Business continuity will depend on strengthening the communities in which you operate.  

Use this time to assess your business plan and to go over your company finances. Identify the company strengths that you can rely on most while navigating the business ecosystem post-COVID. Be sure to also note any areas of weakness too that you need to improve on.  

For example, if finance or crisis management isn’t your strong suit, use this time to upskill. Brush up on your skills with Training Company and our blended learning L&D so that you can take hold of your company’s current situation. 

This unprecedented time could be the perfect opportunity to hit the reset button and to improve your business going forward. That is how you will build business continuity and future success.  

Decide What The New Office Will Look Like 

One way that your company will need to stay adaptable in the aftermath of COVID-19 is choosing how your office environment will look going forward. These questions are on the lips of many employees right now: 

• Are companies going to transition fully to a ‘remote work’ model? 
• Will there be a complete return to the office?  

Building a recovery plan should first and foremost focus on prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of your employees in the workplace.  

Depending on the industry you are in, this may mean keeping workplace arrangements flexible or reorganizing teams. While for others that can’t rely on telecommuting, it may mean the introduction of infection prevention measures before transitioning back to the office.  

Stay Remote 

Reimagining the business-as-usual environment may feel like a fine balancing act at first. If your business decides to stay working remotely, there will be both pros and cons to this choice.  

One of the core benefits of the remote work model is the cost savings of not needing to rent an office space. But, it’s important to remember that some of your employees may prefer to work in an office environment as it allows them to be more productive or because they can socially interact with other colleagues.  

If you decide to stay working from home, ensure that your employees have all the resources and equipment that they need to continue staying productive and motivated. Listen to each employee’s opinions and concerns to cultivate a resilient remote work environment.  

Return Fully To The Office  

If your post-COVID work environment will be a full return to the office, don’t decide to transition back to the physical workspace immediately. While you might be keen to get employees back working together in person, your priority should be to ensure that employees can return to a safe work environment.  

Consider the health and safety requirements that will need to be put in place. Will an office redesign be necessary? Can your employees adequately social distance from each other? And if not, will plexiglass need to installed at worker stations? These decisions will need to be made and acted upon before safely allowing employees to return.  

In industries where it is not possible to wait until transitioning back, such as the retail and restaurant industries, consider how your staff shift schedule will need to change. Are there adequate health and safety measures in place to keep both employees and customers safe? Thinking about these considerations now will help you stay adaptable in the future.  

Blended Office & Remote 

For some companies, a blended approach work environment may become the new normal in the next few months. Giving employees the best of both worlds by downsizing office spaces and allowing them to hot desk or work from home, based on their own preference, will give more flexibility and means fewer disruptions in the event of another pandemic.  

This model should also be encouraged when updating your company policy around sick leave days. If an employee gets a cold, encouraging them to stay working from home until their better is much easier in this format. It will also ensure that you protect the wellbeing and health of your employees that are coming into the office space to work.  

Learning & Development Training: How It Will Help You Stay Resilient  

One of the core necessities for building business resilience and to ensure your company can continue to operate going forward is investing in learning and development training.  As we know, the COVID-19 crisis was impossible to predict. And there is nothing to suggest that it won’t happen again.  

Reimagining company processes will be essential for building a foundation that leverages the best of both in-person and remote work. To do this, it will be necessary to provide employees with the training opportunities they need to stay agile. Professional development opportunities such as eLearning and virtual training will help employees to continue staying engaged while improving and building upon skills to help them deal with the changing work environment.  

Here at the Training Company, we’ve been helping businesses to keep employee development a top priority during this uncertain time. We collaborate with companies to help them design the perfect employee training program so that weaknesses can be turned into strengths. Looking to continue building business resilience and continuity over the coming months? Get in touch with our team today and we can help you on your journey back to post-COVID success.