This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
On July 10, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the world into a new reality, where self-isolation and connectivity coexist. Mr. Stephine Ogutu, Managing Director of Granity Public Relations Limited, emphasizes the importance of building resilience into organizational DNA.
COVID-19 has graphically demonstrated how connected we are, and how that connectedness is a source of great vulnerability. To survive, organizations must become truly agile, able to adjust or change their business models rapidly. Digitalization is critical in helping organizations adapt at the necessary speed and is a primary driver of resilience in this new era.
Businesses should take note of the following lessons:
- Go digital to enable agility and quick response to unexpected situations.
- Put a crisis communications team in place and drill them regularly to ensure clear communication with stakeholders.
- Act swiftly, but have a plan that informs decision-making, and be prepared to adapt to the unexpected.
- Plan for the unexpected, and have a flexible plan that can be adapted to cope with unforeseen events.
- Look carefully at your supply chain and work with experts to understand and plan for interdependencies.
- Keep up with testing and simulation to ensure your company is battle-ready.
Overall, the key message for companies is the need to build resilience into their DNA. The ability to react quickly and decisively to change, and to recover quickly from a disaster, is central to long-term sustainability.
