The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 49: June/July 2020 | Page 28

RETURNING TO THE “NEW NOR
WORK ENVIRONMENT By Rob Stokes
As we are all too aware the current pandemic, COVID-19, has greatly influence
within the working environment and our home. For many working from home,
also home schooling, there has been a blurring of the lines between work and
meant the old adage of ‘work to live, not live to work’ has been harder to adhe
Now, as we focus on the return
to work and the ‘new normal’, as
many have begun to call it, what
does this mean for you and your
business?
What is clear is that some form of social
distancing will remain - for how long, none
of us are sure - and many businesses are
adopting new ways of working within the
rules. The Government has published
guidance to assist employers: www.gov.
uk/guidance/working-safely-duringcoronavirus-covid-19
Whilst the Government continues to have
support available - including CJRS, SEISS,
CBILS and BBLS - the reality of the situation
is that not all businesses are going to survive.
If your customers are in isolation and cannot
get to you, or you cannot deliver, or they
cannot pay you, there is the reality of reduced
or no sales for the next few months and
even beyond, if the virus remains. However,
it is worth remembering that the situation
we face is one we cannot change. What you
can do is stay healthy and ensure your loved
ones are too. After all, if the business closes
and you are healthy you can start again. The
reverse is not true.
So, here is what you need to do right now:
1. Stay healthy, follow the Government
guidelines for you, your family, coworkers,
employees and community.
Work from home where you can manage
administration. Make sure you download
the relevant Government checklist of
guidance for your industry, to say that you
have risk assessed and made appropriate
changes to your work environment.
2. Plan. What will your business look like in
six months’ time? The best way to predict
your future is to create it.
3. Take time to look at your business with a
SWOT analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities and Threats. Make notes,
involve everyone, and brainstorm.
4. Work out your expenses (including
salaries) for the next six months.
5. Estimate your cashflow over the next six
months. At Optimum, we have the tools to
help.
Challenging times, mixed blessi
tips for launch after lockdown By
Lockdown has been a challenge, everything
has changed. Not all of that change has
been bad, in many ways having to adapt
the business to operate in a different way
has allowed many companies to be more
resourceful. Entire work forces are now
working remotely, in a timescale that would
have been laughed at only a couple of
months ago. I suspect some will never go
back to the office-based model again or,
at least, will be less afraid of staff working
from home. What the lockdown has
actually shown is increased productivity
of remote teams is possible - because not
everyone works best at the same times
of day. This flexibility means tasks can
be completed best when employees feel
motivated and focussed.
For PCH, the home office was a big part
of the working week so lockdown hasn’t
felt too restrictive –the need to embrace
video conferencing for large parts of the day
has shown its possible to still engage with
existing and even new clients.
I have been fortunate that even though
it’s been tough for many of my clients, they
seem to be coping well. This is a testament
to my working closely with them over the
previous months as they’ve already been
working ON the business with my support.
I have had a number of projects shelved,
however I was delighted to be selected to
lead the business 1-2-1 COVID19 support
process for OxLEP and Oxfordshire.
In this role, I’ve been helping businesses
to deal with difficult circumstances and
navigate government support. This also
means helping them work on the business
and prepare for launch again– often
identifying a more profitable and efficient
operating model as a result.
Some of my recommendations for coming
out of lockdown positively have been:
1) Communicate, to your teams, associates
and especially customers – what are you
doing, what are you going to be doing, what
can they expect?
2) Plan how social distancing and safety in
your workplace will work, now!
3) Embrace flexible working and remote
working – review the working arrangements,
technology and management processes and
be ready.
4) Manage cashflow, engage with debtors
and creditors openly – understand what
impact post- lockdown will have on