What is your new norm?
Back in March, we were told to work from home if we could. Then the message was reversed, as the likes of Costa Coffee and Pret A Manger struggled without the office trade footfall. And now it’s swung back again to working from home if you can. It’s all a bit dizzying, we have to say, and there is going to be an impact on our economy. However, as is often the case with business, though the short-term view is daunting, the potential changes presented by a long-term view may offer relief to some.
And this is why… On a personal level many people are citing improvements they’re experiencing to their work/life balance through home working. And if remaining resilient at the moment is a matter of striking the right balance, then businesses are going to need to address some new challenges to make the new balance work for them. Here are a couple of examples…
- Working collaboratively in an office increases creativity and enhances productivity. It also helps to build the strength of a team through the sharing of ideas etc. So if your staff are continuing to work at home, what can you do differently to boost creativity, productivity and team working on an ongoing basis?
- Many employees believe that rubbing shoulders with their superiors will, over time, help them to progress up their career ladder. What can you do, therefore, to give them that sense of purpose to stay and progress within your organisation? What opportunities can you provide for that face-to-face learning?
As always in challenging situations, there is no one right answer. We recommend, therefore, that business owners review their situation with an open mind and seek to adjust to the ‘new norm’ in ways that can suit both themselves and their employees. By finding a healthy balance, we may all then play our part in keeping our economy moving forward.
ROGER EDDOWES
BUSINESS GODPARENT