Transform your leadership to re-align with today’s challenges.
According to the Office for National statistics, the UK employment rate was estimated at a record high of 76.6%, 0.6 percentage points higher than a year earlier (2019) and 0.2 % points up on the previous quarter (Jan-Mar 2020). https://www.ons.gov.uk/ )
Covid’s effect on the economy has left unemployment at a record low with uncertainly amongst the corporates.
Employers have put critical positions on hold whilst observing its competitors waiting for signs of life. Very dramatic but an indication of uncertainty in the marketplace not only from a local perspective but internationally. I can only compare this to a bad weather report that did not see the approaching tornado, leaving many casualties in array.
We have to ask ourselves if we are in the “eye” of the crises? How severe is the lash back?
Do we continue as normal or do we downsize our business? How do we realign the business in such a short time?
Companies that implemented their 5-year growth plan never included a pandemic. How do we as a nation recuperate from this disaster?
Looking back in history, I recollect the famous swine flu that originated from Mexico, effecting 1.4 billion people internationally. This had a crippling effect on the economy further impacting on an existing global recession. The famous swine flu made a grand entrance, ending with a final bow, and disappeared from our memories.
If we had taken condenses of that period in time, we might have been more prepared when Covid-19 rampaged our world affecting us all personally and in business.
The market has seen a distinct rise in job creation within certain sectors since the beginning of the lockdown however these roles are leaning towards critical or leadership positions. The pharmaceutical industries have been on a rise with everyone rushing out to stock up on essential products and general immune boosters. This is very evident with the shop life of goods in store or availability online. What about other industries and how have they been affected? Its early days and corporates are still “licking their wounds” whilst deciding what to do next.
How do they realign the business?
Human Resources have had to stop everything to focus on Health and Safety within the workspace and the successful implementation of Covid-19 guidelines compliant with government standards and companies and
relative to corporate policies.
Not an easy task given the rate of the growing pandemic and lack of preparation time. This has all compounded leaving companies in utter despair. Gone are the growth projections, recruitment drive, international travels.
Almost every industry has fallen victim to a virus. How is this being managed?
Certain sectors have been affected more drastically such as your retail and services space with a huge increase in online purchasing launching the market into an e commerce space in its entirety.
An area carrying the burden of the pandemic has been without doubt the production of goods which has been highlighted with statistics dropping drastically in an output of 20.3% during April 2020.
( https://www.ons.gov.uk/ )
The National office for statistics depicted a similar fall in production since the early 70’s when the miners strikes impacted hugely and then there was the “winter of Discontent” around the late 90’s in the UK.
( https://www.ons.gov.uk/ )
There were widespread strikes within all sectors (private and public) and trade unions went on a rampage demanding better pay. The backlash was crippling to the economy to say the least.
During lockdown industries that were labeled “essential goods” closed all together. These industries were mainly your gyms (sporting activities), recreation centers, hospitality, F & B services, cultural, entertainment
and travel (airlines, hotels etc.)
Looking at our government statistics, construction has recorded an output at its lowest since early 2010. This was due to heavy storms.
On consultation with my engineering/construction clients the trend during Covid-19 was the same. Most projects in the pipeline were placed on hold or cancelled. Many specialists are required in these industries with hard to find skills” and cutting heads would compromise the functionality of future projects leaving many companies tight with limited cash reserves.
The UK is however resilient, and our government was instrumental in transforming the economy through the years.
A wonderful example of this was during the 80’s under the leadership of Margret Thatcher. She was instrumental in the effective management of the unions, leaving them powerless to strike. This enabled the mining industry to survive. The UK produced a wide variety of fossil fuels, metals and industry minerals.
Our government today has come up with many ideas to enable the economy from a furloughed scheme to “eating out” subsidies.
We are entering a new era, but we are not alone. The crippling effects of the pandemic has affected over 188 countries and this is the time we as a nation, need to transform our business to accommodate the backlash and
prepare us for the future. This is a MISUNDERSTOOD economy and how companies manage it will define their footprint into the future.
To do this you need to identify your culture and leadership model going forward and design a solution to fill the“gaps” in your company culture to your “would be” culture and succeed in your transformation (digital, agility,
customer centricity)
We at Alexander Hughes we have a “Client Fit” assessment solution designed in house to fit your target culture and leadership model transforming your business successfully with the right people.
CLIENT FIT combines 3 online tests covering 28 key personality traits strongly correlated with job performance that measures the “Bright Side” of personality and candidate leadership strengths on 7 dimensions. This also
measures the “Dark Side” of personality, assessing the risks of derailment on 11 potential de -=railers. The “inside” of personality assesses the candidate’s motivations and values on 10 dimensions.
This enables you to assess Leadership potential, agility, emotional stability all around your leadership model. “don’t follow the crowd, let the crowd follow you” a quote by the legendary Margaret Thatcher who served as
prime minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990.
