Is Returning to work your ultimate destination?

Personally, I first used the words ‘The New Normal’ a few months ago and since then this phrase has started to crop up everywhere and it is being talked about in conjunction with organisations returning to work - and this started me thinking! I began to think about these phrases and what they mean for businesses and I came up with a slightly different take on this, in that I believe ‘normal’ is actually the last thing organisations should be aiming for!

A few weeks ago now I wrote an article explaining the various stages of the Business Life Cycle (https://www.clivedenhouseconsulting.co.uk/post/the-business-life-cycle-and-why-you-need-to-understand-this) and one of the areas we looked at, were the external impactors which can have a strong bearing on a business – and one of these is most definitely Covid-19. And all companies will currently be planning for their returning to work, but I think that it is really important that none of us should be seeing the 'return' as the end destination.

To explain what I mean here – please imagine this scenario and answer two simple questions : After months of closed premises, dwindling sales, remote working, Governmental loans, furloughed staff etc, your company finally gets back together pretty much ‘as it was’ maybe with a bit of Social Distancing and some more hand sanitizer stations dotted around.

1) Are you happy with this?

2) Do you feel you can now carry on?

For me, the answers to both should be a categorical ‘no’ - simply returning is not good enough. Not now that we have been given this rare opportunity to think outside the box and have watched how our best laid businesses processes, supply chains and plans have all collapsed. We have been given another chance here – we've been given the ability to stop, stand back and dare to re-imagine what our futures could and should look like.

Stop looking to ’return’ and instead look to ‘re-imagine’

Let us be clear in that we will not get an immediate return to work and instead, it is more likely to be a gradual step by step process which will of course vary business by business and sector by sector. But if we can for a second just agree that we should be re-imagining rather than just returning, then it is important to understand what can be done in this period. I mean, you cannot just rip up everything you have worked for over the past few years but, by focusing on a few critical areas you can start to make some real positive changes.

It is true that every business is different and many will have key areas that need desperate changes or re-imagining (it is possible that these were issues even before Covid-19) but from a ‘generic’ point of view I would start to focus on four main areas: Revenue, Processes, Structure and Accelerating Technology. It is vital to note here that speed in each of these areas will be important and that a proper structured plan for any proposed changes should be followed.

Revenue

This is obviously a critical area (and one we have discussed previously) and as per a recent article I wrote on this (https://www.clivedenhouseconsulting.co.uk/post/profitable-revenue-growth) where companies must look, at not just Revenue Growth but instead must focus on ‘Profitable Revenue Growth’. This can include regaining lost revenues, new revenue streams, new customers, new pricing strategies, new methods of selling, better marketing, new sales staff, increasing the basket of products sold, increasing the ‘stickiness’ of your customer relationships, etc.. But it is crucial that you start to understand how you can retain and grow your business.

Processes

You must ensure that all processes are 100% aligned to the company’s goals and objectives and are doing so efficiently and productively – if they are not, then ask why are they there? It is more than likely that business processes have not been updated on a regular basis and many will have survived since the early days in a company’s history. But your processes are critical to growth – if these are wrong, then they will not allow your business to move forward irrelevant of the plans, marketing, and desire of the Senior Management. All key processes should be inspected, reviewed and checked to see if they are not only ‘fit for purpose’ for current volumes, but more importantly that they will help drive the growth and volume you are planning on delivering.

Structure

Does your business have the structure required to take it to the next level? Do you have the right personnel in the right roles at the right level of seniority to make the decisions, develop the strategy and physically drive the company in the direction of growth? Is the structure of the company below the management set up correctly for growing and moving forward? If any of the answers are ‘no’ then this needs to be fixed and fixed quickly. An organisations structure is like the bones in your body – if the bones are not strong enough, in the right place and don’t have the required strength to carry you where you want to go then it just won’t work!

Accelerated Technology

I heard last year that 85% of business leaders wanted to embrace Digitalisation and IT advancement in their organisations, but only 18% were actually doing it. It is a fact that there will be tools, systems and opportunities which can save costs and increase performance across all areas of your businesses and processes. It is also true that Companies who use technology in their every day existence are more likely to create long term partnerships with their suppliers and customers.

Technology and IoT (Internet of Things) will mean differing things for everyone and in every sector. But one take-away from me would be that if you believe there is no improvement to be made now and in the future by embracing technology and software and you don’t understand the impact it can have on your business; then please do look again as you don’t want to be left behind!

Its not always the Big beating the Small, it is quite often the Fast beating the Slow

So, as agreed returning to work is a focus for everyone at the moment - but please don’t let that be your end-game (your destination). Instead, use this time to re-imagine what you want to return to… where do you want your business to really go and then look at the main focus areas that will help you deliver that aspiration. This will allow you to return with a ‘purpose’ and in a potentially better state of readiness than when you left. As always, if you need any help in anything that I have discussed here from business plans, to structure, to profitable revenue growth, to processes or technology or any other areas of your business then please do contact me on julianpatel@clivedenhouseconsulting.co.uk and I would be happy to offer any advice and support I can.

And as always from me - please stay safe, stay focused and try and turn the next phase of this situation into a positive one for you and your business!