In this perfect storm, executives are challenged to follow a clear strategic path: should they continue to contain cost at the expense of new products? Should they pivot to address new demand, without knowing if it will evaporate when things return to normal? How can they move in-person customer service excellence online?
Changes in demand have triggered changes in work. Retail jobs in malls are replaced by warehousing jobs in Amazon facilities. In the Economist, McKinsey think-tank researcher Susan Lund said in January, “Firms are not just going back pre-pandemic, but completely re-imagining how they work.”
Answer the questions below to assess if your human capital is powering or hindering your ability to execute. Are your managers fully aware of the motivational needs of their team members? Is your organization fully able to attract and retain your top talent? Are your development, learning, and training programs fully aligned with your business strategy? Is knowledge widely shared across the organization? If you answered “No” at least once, your talent is disrupting your execution and the success of your business strategy is at risk.
