COVID-19

My Intention—Updates and Advice for Leaders

I’ve been asked for advice by many business leaders regarding the role that technology can play in their strategy to combat COVID-19. Comparisons with previous outbreaks—Spanish flu, SARS and MERS—are starkly positive in one regard—in 2020, technology provides us with vastly superior tools to combat this threat together. There’s never been a better time build our trust in technology.

Having been tracking the available information since January, I have formed some opinions—opinions which I am constantly reviewing as the global situation evolves. Effective March 11th, I am using my newsletter to offer suggestions in the hope that this will help my readers form a clearer picture of the situation. If wish to sign up, click here.

This page offers current thinking—if I can be of ANY assistance to you, simply click here and let me know.

May 6th—What Startups leaders can teach us all about crisis

If you’ve ever run a startup, you’ve lived at the junction of opportunity and crisis every day. If you haven’t, thinking like a startup can help you overcome a crisis.

Read more What Startups leaders can teach us all about crisis

April 29th—Walls are tumbling down

Constraint generates innovation. When supply outstrips demand, we try new solutions. Yet again, the virus is forcing a re-think and walls of resistance are tumbling

Read more Walls are tumbling down

April 22nd—Pivoting isn’t just a fancy way of saying you were wrong

When we make new products, we test our theory of what the customer needs. Pivoting is the act of changing that theory in light of game-changing market feedback. The market’s been pretty loud these last 100 days, and more businesses are attempting the pivot than at any other point in history.

It’s a skill I write about in Trusting Technology, and one that will stand you in good stead for the recovery.

Read more Pivoting isn’t just a fancy way of saying you were wrong

April 15th—Are you on mute?

“You’re on mute” has been the phrase of the month as folks everywhere learn how to control their video call experience. If my mike is muted, you won’t hear me.

Read more Are you on Mute?

April 8th—The crisis is an Agile crash course

I’ve been preaching Agile as a means of Trusting Technology for decades. Suddenly, it’s all the rage.

Read more The crisis is an Agile crash course

April 1st—Operate a remote business at full speed

Operating a remote business is different. Now that many co-located teams have been forced to disperse to home bases, the focus is how best to operate in a remote environment.

I’ve helped dozens of leaders roll out remote working programs—often despite initial reservations—and actually increase the productivity of their business. I’ve released a new paper to help you apply some best practices to your business

Read more Operate a remote business at full speed

March 29th—Get ahead of the spread to flatten COVID

“Flattening the curve” and “physical isolation” are terms that have barged their way into our vernacular these last few weeks. Testing is complex, time consuming and costly. That’s why I love innovations that help us get ahead of the spread. Innovations like flatten.

Read more Get ahead of the spread to flatten COVID

March 25th—Trusting Technology - During and After the Crisis

Listen to my interview with Pam and Scott at Growth Ignitors Radio on the topic How Non-Tech Leaders Can Trust Technology to Create Real Value - During and After the Crisis”.

Click to listen along.

March 23rd: COVID is forcing Change Management on Steroids

I devoted an entire Chapter of Trusting Technology to Building Confidence with change. A kind reader suggested that I share that with you all as a guide to dealing with the massive change management exercise that’s been dropped in our laps.

COVID is, of course, not your run-of-the-mill change. Most of us have been catapulted through the acceptance phase and landed in the new reality. I’ve modified the excerpt below to reflect this. I hope it helps.

Read more COVID is forcing Change Management on Steroids

March 18th: When coming home ain’t the simple

If you’ve never run a remote business, you've just faced a tough decision. Decision made, it’s time to support your team through a similarly difficult change. I’ve said repeatedly these last few days that remote work is not a technology challenge. But remote work will challenge your culture, interactions, and efficiency.

If you’ve read Trusting Technology, you’ll know that the tech is the easy part. We’re in change management mode now..

Read more When coming home ain’t that simple

March 16th: Tech proximity enables Social Distance

Some resources to help with the decision and action to adopt a remote working policy and keep your business functioning at normal pace.

Read more Tech help in the race against COVID

March 14th: Immediate action—In conversation with Hugh Blaine

Hugh Blaine has been a friend for many years. He helps organizations solve challenging business issues, strengthen personal and professional relationships, and execute on strategic initiatives with greater effectiveness. Hugh is based out of Washington, currently a US epicentre of the COVID outbreak.

We’ve both been more closely connected than ever with our client base these last few weeks. Here is our conversation about what we’re seeing, and how we we can all contribute to the situation—immediately!

Click here to stream COVID—Immediate Action or here to download the mp3

Some useful references:

If we can help, contact us at graham@primeFusion.ca and hugh@clarisconsulting.net

March 11th: Change your definition of Essential Travel

Many brilliant people are already focused on the problem—and we can all play our part in the remedy.

The best way YOU can contribute is to take action to reduce the transmission rate (R0).

Cancel that trip and increase your adoption of video calling. It’s a tool for our age at commodity prices. Read more COVID—One thing you can do today

More to follow …