The Analysis Forums
Back to the office
Many people are now enthusiastic to return to business-as-usual, but the return needs to be measured
Laurie Beagle Managing director, Forums International
lauriebeagle@forumsinternational.co.uk
The government is trying to encourage everybody back to their offices and businesses to stimulate the economy. I know we all want businesses back trading as this will hopefully reduce the forecasted surge in insolvencies.
Not that easy However, it is not that easy. Some companies are just not geared up for social distancing due to the space available, so creativity is having to be employed. Renting additional space, porta cabins and so on. Also, what about the people? Is there enough confidence especially when Covid-19 cases in certain areas are starting to rise?
Taking it slowly I am being told that companies are taking it slowly. They are doing trials and staggering return times and in some cases their staff are in the office for three days and two days at home or similar formats. Watching TV Breakfast this morning
opened my eyes as to the impacts working from home is having. While in the office we popped out for a coffee, a sandwich at lunch time, did some shopping and so on. Now most of that has stopped so all those local small businesses are clinging on hoping that you will return to your premises otherwise they will be casualties as time goes on. Some of you are saying working from
home is ‘the best thing since sliced bread’ was invented, however others are saying they need to get back to their teams.
Impact on the individual The impact on the individual in some cases has been high so building a new type of team infrastructure has been key. Web communication has come into its own, but, if you are like me, it is no substitute for seeing people and interacting face-to-face.
September 2020 Some of the virtual team games, which
have been developed, have certainly been very inventive, from quizzes, to ‘create a cocktail’, to even a virtual pub crawl. Or on the more serious side just a regular call to see how everybody is coping. Like the Coffee Break drop-in zoom calls,
we have been holding on a Tuesday. Please do not forget these when you do get back to the office as they will still be important, the only difference will be they will be face-to- face, but behind a mask.
A better future Hopefully, we are all looking towards a better future. However, the pandemic numbers are up and down, some areas are in lockdown and there is the threat of a second wave. In March we were not prepared however
The impact on the individual in some cases has been high so building a new type of team infrastructure has been key. Web communication has come into its own, but, if you are like me, it is no substitute for seeing people and interacting face-to-face
after six months we now have a lot of experience and data. Question. Do you have a plan should a
second wave arrive? Some do. If not, can I suggest you start thinking and planning. Maybe you will not need it, but it is there just in case and you will be prepared. ‘Break Glass only when needed!’
Forums to continue virtually The Forums will continue to be delivered Virtually for the rest of the year. However, in December we will look at the situation and put our 2021 plan in place. We know our members want to get back
to meeting face-to-face, but we will only do that when it is safe to do so. When we do start physical meetings, we will always give attendees the choice to join virtually. We know that our supporters in many geographies enjoy taking
part so this option will always be available. Stay Safe and Be Prepared CCR
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