Taking the Crown With Corona

Linguistically speaking, corona means "crown" in many languages. But what does the coronavirus mean to us on a human level? Let's look at how we can actually use something so dramatic and scary as a motivator of positivity and growth.

The long road out

This is an absolutely unique time in our lives

I might get the virus, heck I might even die from it, being asthmatic and middle aged. But it is also something that we may not experience again in our own life times. It may be back again in a year, or every year, who really knows? That said, this time is clearly unique. At the moment it offers more questions than answers to most of us. As businesses look at the financial impacts, both negative and positive, that this pandemic creates, they should also be looking at it as a chance to really click CTRL-ALT-DEL or simply hold down that restart button.

It's a unique time for business, too

Many businesses claim to be innovative and creative, flexible and pliable, agile, open and accepting. But how many of these companies will truly make any changes now? Positive changes for their own futures and the workers that provide them their profits. There are so many things every company can do with the ongoing situation that it boggles the mind. The problem is that most appear to be firefighting to maintain the status quo rather than future proofing or trying to actually get ahead.

As someone who is, and always has been, looking where I can actually make some positive impact, I am wondering how I can use this virus to ask better questions of future employers and then maybe future employees as well.

We're seeing new spaces open

Let's get hypothetical. X-company claims to be the most dynamic, or at least a very dynamic player, in the market. If you are applying for a role at this company, in the interview you could ask “What impact did the corona virus play on your business?” No doubt the response will be something along the lines of money lost or money gained, transition of staff to home, a learning about zoom and associated tech, or maybe even a hatred of these Zoom meetings. But, what I am looking to hear is “It gave us a chance to breathe and then come up with this thing (Businesses: Feel free to fill in the blank) and serve our people and customers better.”

How to turn good intentions into good ideas

We see some companies come up with bold ideas to help out their workforce. For example, they give weeks of extra leave to parents to address the added stress of the pandemic. While this is a nice idea, it's too simplistic. It speaks more of a band-aid, a temporary thing. But what about the other workers, those without children? They're left asking “What is in it for me? I am here doing all the work, but they are getting paid, getting the bonuses, and most likely getting the promotions. While, I am here, right here, right now.” So, a simple fix can have some negative repercussions too.

Make this an opportunity

Why not use this time to say “The virus has really impacted how we think about our work, and due to that we have made some changes” and do something positive across the board. Something that will help attract the upper echelons of the workforce to your business. Rather than, a glib statement in an annual report “we continue to only hire the best available”. Maybe the best aren’t available to you because you aren’t the best, or even trying to be the best. You're merely trying "not to lose".

Here are some questions to ponder, maybe take them to your boss, or your boss's boss. Heck, maybe the next time your CEO/GM/Head Honcho is pontificating away on a town hall meeting about the company, be brave, and ask things inspired from these questions.

Questions for the road ahead:

• What could your company to do while this is ongoing to impress you?

• What could a company do that would attract you?

• What have you suggested personally?

• How will you deal with things if this is the new normal?

• How will success be measured in the future?