Resilience in a time of crisis

In times of change, crisis and uncertainty, businesses both large and small need resilience, flexibility and the best talent available.

I’m writing this article in early May 2020, a time when it’s difficult to know what we can be certain of, whether in life or in business. As the Covid-19 crisis continues to overwhelm health services, isolate communities and batter economies, the losses experienced are at once strikingly global and achingly personal.

At present, more than two hundred and fifty thousand people have lost their lives, over thirty-two thousand of them here in the UK, and these grim numbers continue to rise. The loss of life is, outside wartime, on a scale unprecedented in living memory and the human pain will be felt keenly and for a very long time. Our deepest sympathies go out to all those affected by this awful situation.

An uncertain future

In this context it seems almost irrelevant to consider matters of business, and yet many millions more people around the world will, in addition to their worries over the health of themselves and those they love, be deeply concerned by the current economic uncertainty and job insecurity, whether or not they themselves are ever exposed to the virus.

For those of us who will be fortunate enough to make it through to the other side of this pandemic, what will life be like? Will our jobs still exist? Will our businesses, often built through many years of hard work and personal sacrifice, simply collapse into financial ruin? And what can we do to ensure that we give ourselves the very best chance of emerging from the darkness of 2020 in as strong a manner as possible?

Reasons for optimism

One of the most striking aspects of the last few months has been the rapid and effective adaptability human beings have demonstrated in the face of the challenges before them.

Working from home has become the norm for millions, where previously it might not have been considered, far less encouraged. Schools and parents have found new and exciting ways to help their children continue to learn. Communication among friends, social clubs and interest groups has shifted (almost) effortlessly to Zoom, Facetime, Duo and other video chatting solutions.

We have shown that when we need to, humans can adjust their worldviews, identify gaps which need to be addressed and create new versions of ‘normal’. And it is this instinct for adaptation which will be essential for our businesses too.

Lessons for business

A business unable to swiftly change course when conditions demand it is destined for choppy seas, and, now more than ever, businesses will have to demonstrate both rigor and boldness if they are to plot a safe course forward.

This is why it is vital that businesses look to ensure that they are staffed with savvy commercial operators, as comfortable and talented in meeting clients and presenting to stakeholders though smart technology solutions as they are when in person. This approach to recruitment might not be one which has seemed relevant for smaller organisations until now, but it’s likely to be an essential factor in the months and years to come.

Futureproofing your business development

Business development professionals who have always relied on their traditional networks and face-to-face approaches are unlikely to suddenly become highly skilled practitioners of new-business distance communications and techniques simply because the situation demands it.

As a result, when looking to drive interest and sales in your services or products, it’s going to be essential your key people are fully up-to-speed with working effectively in these new ways. This is likely to be the new ‘normal’ for some time to come, and could well become so again in the future, so it makes business sense to factor in such considerations now.

Making the right moves

Unsurprisingly, this sort of business development talent is now more in demand than ever among businesses currently scrambling to reassess their sales landscapes, bolster their bottom lines and begin preparing for the rebuilding process after the pandemic passes.

Incubate Consulting’s long experience in the field and unique focus on business development talent delivery as a primary recruitment objective can give your business the edge in identifying such talent and securing it for yourself. Or, if you are one of these talented people, we can help guide you into your next ideal role.

As Scotland’s only specialist Business Development talent recruitment business, our networks are broad and we are already well-connected to those individuals who can positively impact your business and quickly turn challenging situations into valuable opportunities.

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