CoViD-19 outbreak is deeply impacting our lives, the caring for our families, our health and businesses work.
Lockdown and social distancing, imposed by the Government to slow the spread of the virus and avoid a potential healthcare system collapse, will probably last for few weeks, but how long will it really take to go back to normal?
After this emergency we will probably face a transition period with lighter restrictions (in terms of mobility, social distancing, etc.) which will deeply impact our social life and working environment: could it be months? Years?
Moreover, what’s currently happening represents an important challenge and a new starting point for the future, generating big opportunities to rethink the current “ways of working”.
Considering the possible outcomes of this new Scenario, what are the actions that companies need to do in order to overcome the crisis and to gain a competitive advantage for the future?
They must essentially consider four key elements to set-up a “New ways of working” model:
- Remote working: This does not only mean to work from remote; it means to help employees build a proper work environment, providing simple suggestions (i.e. how to set-up a comfortable workstation, how to manage teams from remote, how to properly manage meetings, etc.), tools (like whiteboarding tools, shared agendas, web-conferencing, chats, etc.) and moments for social virtual aggregation (i.e. scheduled virtual coffees & aperitif, workouts, etc.) to better adapt.
- Digital mobilization tools: Accessible technologies have been probably underestimated; available technologies support employees to work effectively from remote in a very efficient way providing many necessary instruments (chats, calls/video calls, digital workshops, virtual workplaces, document sharing, etc.) to collaborate, integrate, plan and learn together.
Eurogroup Consulting Digital Factory, in partnership with leading international universities, has created a specific platform for digital interactive workshops which is capable to develop customizable workshops according to clients’ needs. - Protected office: CoViD-19 outbreak caused companies’ attention to focus on “people protection”.
Will office cleaning need to be intensified to ensure adequate hygiene conditions?
Will a new office layout be needed to ensure employees’ well-being?
Will employees’ access have to be programmed for people’s safety?
Some actions such as establishing a consistent set of procedures (i.e. advanced cleaning, new sanitation procedures, changes in processes, meeting sizes and locations) and travel guidelines (i.e. give detailed guidance on travel, including any quarantine procedures) allows companies to provide a concrete answer to these questions. - People mobilization and engagement: “New ways of working” implies a mindset shift; it is important to maintain people engagement, identifying a comprehensive set of tools/initiatives to support a collaborative activity enhancing people branding (i.e. weekly “all hands” web meeting, social virtual activities, tutorship program) and introducing innovative models for performance measurement that allow people improving autonomous responsibility and encouraging participation (e.g. incentive model based on gamification)
… in this scenario, what should companies do in the short and medium term?
Already now companies should:
- Ensure employees can work remotely in terms of role and activities within the company
- Define new digital mobilization tools (i.e. collaboration tools, chat, document sharing, etc.)
- Redefine procedures and guidelines to ensure a protected office
In the medium-term, companies should:
- Review the old ways of working and launch testing phases based on new interactive working models, implementing new KPIs and metrics
Only companies that are capable to evolve and adapt can gain a competitive advantage for the future, leveraging on their businesses and enhancing employee safety and protection.
For further information, please contact:
Aurelio MUSTACCIUOLI
a.mustacciuoli@eurogroupconsulting.it
Fabio PIERANTOZZI
