Disruption Planning and the need to change.

Disruption Planning and the need to change.

Last week I was presenting at an SQA event, advocating the need to embrace change in business. There to specifically highlight the trend for "Digital Disruption", the event focused on new and emerging business models, brought about NOT by technology, but by other social and economic factors, not least a business's customers.

If the current Coronavirus outbreak has taught business owners anything - it's highlighted the need for "disruption planning" and resilience. I don't believe we're anywhere near the height of the disruption (with the inevitable "delay phase" about to cause havoc across all areas of society, not least the huge impact on businesses large and small), but already we're seeing an impact - with business events cancelled, staff encouraged to work from home, and the (somewhat ridiculous) stockpiling of toilet roll and hand wash. 

In principle, asking staff to work from home (and ensure "social distancing") is straight forward. In reality, for those businesses who haven't planned for it - it has the potential for further disaster. The right kit, connectivity, software, security access, remote tools - all things that need to be planned for. I'm certain one of the impacts of this will be an increased reporting of data breaches, and possibly cyber attacks (do all your staff really have decent anti-malware and anti-phishing systems on their family computers)? I've already seen my own in-box start to full up with Coronavirus related spam/phishing emails asking me to click for the latest updates - I've not clicked the links, but do you trust your own staff (or their kids) not to?

Our own business is already seeing the impact from an immediate concern over public gatherings. As a company who primarily delivers training (physical training, where people join us in the same room for a half or full day's learning), we've already had multiple clients 'postpone' their bookings until further notice. And given we're still just in the 'containment stage', where the official government advice is NOT to ban events, when this changes we expect an almost immediate blanket cancellation of all bookings.

Without resilience planning, training companies like ourselves could go bankrupt. With some forward planning and creative thinking, we got in early, pro-actively contacting our main clients and suggesting alternative solutions such as webinars, conference calls, 1-2-1 telephone coaching and more. Yes, we will inevitably be financially impacted by the Coronavirus, but by realising that disruption (in some shape or form) is always inevitable, businesses might mitigate some of that loss and start to get better at dealing with ANY change forced upon them, always having a plan B (or even plans C, D and E). 

For many small businesses, the changes enforced on them in the days to come could be their downfall. For others, it could be the (not so gentle) nudge you need to futureproof your business, increase resilience to disruption, and diversify into more lucrative markets. 

And on that note, I'm off to sell some toilet paper on gumtree.

Craig Hume

Director at Utopia Computers | Technology | Environment | Equality of Opportunity

4y

Thanks for sharing this Gary. What a crazy time we are all going through. You and your team are exceptional if anyone can navigate this complex and rapidly changing landscape it's you folks! All the best :)

Laura M.

Economic Development Officer (Inward Investment) at South Lanarkshire Council

4y

Great article Gary Ennis and fantastic linked in course yesterday thank you!

Stephan Riegel

Freelance: supporting hospitality & tourism businesses and investors

4y

Well stated. Small (micro) businesses are the most seriously affected – I know about it. Hospitality, tourism and retail cannot function under the suggested (or already implemented - Italy) actions by closing hotels, restaurants and shops. But we may have to plan for that; most businesses have never dealt with such a disruption. On the other side it would be a good time to get some training done. Why not use the “off-work, no clients” time and develop employees for the time when the health issue is again under control? The internet is not yet infected….

David Knight

Digital & print media writer and editor, Writers Editorial Services

4y

In some business contexts 'disruption' is encouraged as an outcome rather than something to be guarded against. More of a comment about corporate terminology rather than the Coronavirus challenge, I know, it's just the thought that sprang to my head... 

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