{"id":28013,"date":"2020-03-26T12:09:38","date_gmt":"2020-03-26T10:09:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/?p=28013"},"modified":"2025-02-19T18:16:08","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T16:16:08","slug":"optimism-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/optimism-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Searching for Optimism in the Time of COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

COVID-19 has woven its way into the veins of society, stopping businesses in their tracks the world over. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This unprecedented event will go down as one of the most colossal global health crises in history. While it may feel difficult to extract much positivity from the Coronavirus pandemic right now, among the waves of catastrophe and uncertainty, there are glints of optimism to be found. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In times of hardship, innovation thrives, particularly in the business world. When events akin to COVID-19 occur, perspectives change and\u00a0previously established\u00a0trajectories\u00a0forge\u00a0a new path<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we consider the significant impact that COVID-19 is having on the business world, while looking for hints of optimism amid the chaos. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Optimism refuses to believe that the road ends without options. <\/em>\u2015 Robert H. Schuller<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Change in the time<\/strong> of C<\/strong>OVID<\/strong>-1<\/strong>9<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As cases of COVID-19 rise around the world, businesses across sectors are clawing to tackle a wealth of issues, from dwindling sales to supply chain snags. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this time, it\u2019s imperative that everyone remains commercially buoyant while staying safe and healthy. Which is why, when it comes to maintaining business momentum while prioritizing wellbeing, we are grateful to have digital technology on our side. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The virus has worsened forcing people into an increasingly virtual, hermit-like existence. As such, the eCommerce and essential supplies sectors such as supermarkets, domestic sanitation (Clorox, for instance, has seen a 1400%<\/a> sales increase since the COVID-19 outbreak) as well as healthcare brands, are experiencing unprecedented levels of demand.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People need goods delivered to their door. Businesses that are able to oblige will continue to flourish throughout this period of chaos. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most importantly, the unexpected nature of the outbreak means that businesses across sectors have been forced to reconsider almost every element of their core practices, models, and cultures\u2014particularly when it comes to their employees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the US alone, an average of\u00a0four out of 10\u00a0workers don\u2019t have ample access to paid sick leave<\/a> or similar employment benefits.\u00a0Since the outbreak,\u00a0however,\u00a0companies and institutions of all shapes and sizes (both in the US and EU) have\u00a0reconsidered\u00a0their\u00a0positions\u00a0concerning paid leave\u00a0and the provision of\u00a0employee\u00a0support and benefit packages.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It appears that the pandemic has started to transform business values\u00a0exponentiallyand,\u00a0in many ways, for the better.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walmart, for example, has waived its\u00a0attendance policy\u00a0until the end of April as part of emergency measures\u00a0put in place\u00a0during the peak of the pandemic. And\u00a0tech juggernaut\u00a0Apple\u00a0reportedly sent out an internal note to empower all of its staff to work from home<\/a> during the outbreak while offering unlimited sick pay.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Times are tough but if nothing else, the Coronavirus pandemic has taught us that businesses across the board\u2014especially those with forward-thinking entrepreneurial mindsets-  are demonstrating an incredible level of innovation and resilience\u2014the kind that will change the business world as we know it.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How <\/strong>C<\/strong>OVID-19 <\/strong>will change modern business<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At this point, it\u2019s clear that there is some hope among the madness. Based on the recent responses and initiatives we\u2019ve witnessed, permanent changes in process and attitude are coming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are three core predictions for how the COVID-19 outbreak is likely to change modern business values for the better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trust-centric internal cultures<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Company culture is perhaps the most valuable asset of any modern organization. It’s the blueprint that shapes the direction of all internal processes, values, and communicative initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The seismic internal shifts brought on by the coronavirus pandemic means that now more than ever, business owners and senior executives need to provide 100% transparency while placing trust in the hands of their employees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Migrating to a remote workforce and finding\u00a0fresh ways of communication<\/a>\u00a0and collaboration will ultimately foster healthier, more adaptable internal cultures \u2014\u00a0drawing new\u00a0internal blueprints that will encourage innovation and\u00a0recognize\u00a0talent<\/strong>.\u00a0It\u2019s a colossal step in the right direction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creativity in leadership<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Expanding on our previous point, professional life after COVID-19 may be a little more creative from a leadership perspective. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The magnitude of the pandemic is without doubt a testament to the fact that in business, transparency does prevail. Being upfront with everyone in an organization is the path to success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By committing to creative, inclusive leadership, it\u2019s possible to tap into talent across an organization and respond to issues as they arise with solutions that will serve to catalyze the success of the business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

COVID-19 has highlighted the fact that when we get creative as leaders, we can\u00a0surpass expectations<\/strong>.\u00a0Going forward, this is an approach that\u00a0people are likely to celebrate across the business world.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proactive consumerism<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On the other side of the commercial coin, COVID-19 has shown us that whether a brand or consumer, our health and wellbeing are interconnected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, we\u2019ve seen brands and customers working together, using shared values to help one another or more importantly, to help those in need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A host of supermarket chains, for instance, have set up food banks to encourage customers in more comfortable positions to donate supplies while in-store in a bid to work towards the greater good. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"covid-19<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the UK,\u00a0Tesco\u00a0has opened its doors earlier to allow core healthcare staff and key workers to buy supplies for their families, asking customers to be mindful and\u00a0prioritize\u00a0the needs of those serving the nation during the outbreak.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This\u00a0wave\u00a0of brands empowering customers to be more proactive is likely to remain\u00a0a trend\u00a0moving forward,\u00a0establishing\u00a0a mindset that\u00a0creates\u00a0collaborative partnerships\u00a0between businesses\u00a0and consumers<\/strong>.\u00a0And it is one that\u00a0offers brand-boosting benefits\u00a0to\u00a0surpass\u00a0the\u00a0advantages\u00a0of\u00a0traditional\u00a0approaches which\u00a0focus on\u00a0quantitative\u00a0data and buyer personas.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s next\u2026<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

At this point, to predict exactly what will happen as the pandemic dies down would be somewhat futile. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are living in uncertain times, but as a budding business student, taking the time to understand the positive changes prompted by COVID-19 is important for your personal development<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seek out the optimism hiding in the gloom, keep your finger on the pulse, continue your studies online\u2014and when this is all blown over, success will be yours for the taking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of studies. Read our guide to the benefits of online learning in the digital age<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"eu<\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

COVID-19 has woven its way into the veins of society, stopping businesses in their tracks the world over.  This unprecedented event will go down as one of the most colossal global health crises in history. While it may feel difficult to extract much positivity from the Coronavirus pandemic right now, among the waves of catastrophe and uncertainty, there are glints of optimism to be found.  In times of hardship, innovation thrives, particularly in the business world. When events akin to COVID-19 occur, perspectives change and\u00a0previously established\u00a0trajectories\u00a0forge\u00a0a new path.\u00a0 Here we consider the significant impact that COVID-19 is having on the business world, while looking for hints of optimism amid the chaos.  Optimism refuses […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":28035,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1773],"tags":[973,4406,4405,630],"class_list":["post-28013","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-eu-business-school-community","tag-business","tag-crisis-communication","tag-crisis-management","tag-leadership","post--single"],"yoast_head":"\r\nSearching for Optimism in the Time of COVID-19 ? | EU Business School<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Here we consider the significant impact that COVID-19 is having on the business world, while looking for hints of optimism amid the chaos.\" \/>\r\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\r\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/optimism-covid-19\/\" \/>\r\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"EU Business School\" \/>\r\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.euruni.edu\\\/blog\\\/optimism-covid-19\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"EU Blog\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.euruni.edu\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"EU Community\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.euruni.edu\\\/blog\\\/category\\\/eu-business-school-community\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Searching for Optimism in the Time of COVID-19\"}]}]}<\/script>\r\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Searching for Optimism in the Time of COVID-19 ? | EU Business School","description":"Here we consider the significant impact that COVID-19 is having on the business world, while looking for hints of optimism amid the chaos.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/optimism-covid-19\/","author":"EU Business School","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/optimism-covid-19\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"EU Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"EU Community","item":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/category\/eu-business-school-community\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Searching for Optimism in the Time of COVID-19"}]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28013","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28013"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28013\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28037,"href":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28013\/revisions\/28037"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28035"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28013"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28013"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28013"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}