It is said that “history is our greatest teacher and that it will relentlessly repeat its messages until we learn the lessons that it intends to teach…”
Whether or not you live by that axiom, there is an important question that each, individual, business or organization needs to be asking. That question is, “Have I learned to meet the challenges presented by the Covid pandemic so that history will not repeat itself?”
The Recovery Phase
Many of the businesses and organizations that I work with have breathed the proverbial “sigh of relief” as restrictions are lifted and are focusing on recovery. That is not a bad position to be in, as compared to the many that have closed. Yet, as I discuss the future with these businesses and organizations, they fear that if something like Covid happens again, they will find themselves in exactly the same place as they were when they were “blind-sided” by the restrictions and quarantine!
Almost without exception, when I ask what they are going to do differently when this happens again, they respond with two things:
“I hope this never happens again!”
“We don’t have time to worry about that now!”
Learning The Lesson
In a way they are right! It is good to hope that it will not happen again, but there is no guarantee that it will not. My thoughts also shift to I see that continued survival requires rebuilding towards the “old normal” At the same time the is not a business or organization that can’t afford not to take time to have plans in place to create a more robust sets of processes, capable of responding to detrimental changes in the market or surrounding environment.
How can they find a “Win/Win” situation where they rebuild and at the same time prepare for the future? The answer is simple. This is when many businesses and organizations engage an outside source that completes all the necessary demands, with the least amount interruption on either. This is where and when the Cii is often used to “fill the gaps” in business and organizational efforts. Our team of expects can help with the recovery efforts, while others can focus on building for the future.
Assessing Your Readiness
It is this “1-2” methodology that positions business and organizations for the challenges of the next decade. Here are some of the questions that every business or organization should ask themselves to ascertain if they are truly robust and “Decade Ready.” Some of the high-level questions are?
Do you have a Failure Modes Effects Analysis (FMEA) that is current with the threats related to this decade?
Does your FMEA consider the unavailability of staff as a risk?
Does your company have a “Management Plan”, a “Reaction Plan” and a Disaster Recovery Plan” that is comprehensive enough to account for changes in market demand?
Do your plans include “inventory” as a risk?
Is your Disaster Recovery Plan limited to such things as power outages, weather disasters, etc.?
Is “change in market demand” included in your prepared plans?
History Will Repeat Itself Unless…
This is the beginning steps of ensuring that your business or organization is “Decade Ready.” There are no guarantees that what many have termed, “The New Normal” will be any better. My prediction is that history will repeat itself from numerous directions and only the prepared businesses and organizations will survive.
Long ago I learned an important lesson. “Be Prepared” has been instilled, not only in the way that I live, but in the way I run businesses and help other businesses. The Ci is here to help, whether it is in getting your business or organization back on its feet or prepared for the next challenge. Check us out at www.thecii.com