As the world emerges from the isolation imposed by the COVID-19, it is faced with increasing social and economic challenges. However, these challenges also present unique opportunities to evaluate the status quo and re-imagine new realities. For organisations, this means assessing progress, business operations, and sustainability, all the while avoiding short-termism.

In a conversation with leading Gulf business representatives, this panel explored the following:

  • What has changed for businesses since the start of the pandemic?
  • How will companies be working through the new expectations and needs in terms of human resource management (such as increased work from home and increased utilisation of digital tools)?
  • How would sustainability strategies change in the post COVID-19 era?

In this webinar, we learned that:

  • The fast-changing environment is making it hard to predict where we will be in the next few months, and businesses must be innovative in preparing their work plans and outlooks.
  • The pandemic has highlighted the value of trust in the workplace and the need for open communication. Workplace trends can and must change, and management styles need to change along with these.
  • The focus on cash is making businesses and governments think of what we can achieve and afford, which might make our response in the region more resilient in the long run.
  • When we think about sustainability programmes, there is increasing pressure to re-focus initiatives based on pressing social needs. Companies should also use their brand value to promote social support and sustainability, and consider how company values drive empathy and community orientation.
  • Work trends and outlooks must be flexible and agile, but keep in mind that – putting even more pressure on the need of businesses to be more flexible and agile, but also keeping an eye on the long-term outlook. Reshaping and refocusing business plans will be essential, whilst continuing to be efficient.

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