Author(s): Ian Fuhr
I don’t know about you, but we hit the ground running this year. After ten months of turmoil and trying to find a firm footing in a world of remote workforces, social distancing, strict health protocols and many employees facing financial crises, South African companies are eager to get back to business. Of course, the pandemic hasn’t disappeared. Most businesses are dealing with the devastating effects of Covid-19 and many employees are battling with the personal loss of family, friends and colleagues. The rollout of the first batch of vaccines offers some hope, but experts are warning that it will be many months before we feel the impact of herd immunity, and even then, new variations could take us back to the drawing board. I am not one for doom and gloom, however. I never have been, and right now, after a really difficult 2020, the overwhelming impression we’re getting is that business leaders are stepping up, supporting their employees and looking for methods to build stronger and supportive corporate cultures that are sharply focused on customer service.