Not another home working picture . . .

#Day 1

Like so many connections I see on LinkedIn, my kitchen table is now my office for the foreseeable future.

Speaking to clients this week it is amazing to see the speed and agility at which Civil Engineering businesses have adapted, homeworking, video conference interviews, yet still keeping vital infrastructure projects moving forward.

As we closed down Highfield Towers yesterday, I think we all felt that strange and ominous feeling, of stepping into the unknown. But with that came an increased sense of unity and purpose as we made the necessary preparations to move out. With our Directors willing to crawl around in the loft to find the base stands to make our second screens free standing, it felt a little bit like salvaging parts from the Titanic to make a life raft.

The difference is, this ship isn’t sinking.

In these unprecedented times I realise with immense gratitude how fortunate I am to work for such a robust business, with inspiring leadership who grew a new company in the midst of the global financial crisis and have created an organisation that can weather these storms.

Whilst it is very hard to look at the news each day as situations appear graver by the hour, I try to find the positive; it is a cliché, but even Hopelessness has Hope in it. This morning, China says that once again, it has recorded a day with no new local infections.

Despite the selfishness of those stockpiling, we see daily stories of random acts of human kindness, as neighbours help the vulnerable in their communities. As I settle in to what will become my daily work routine at the kitchen table, my boss will spend today collecting the donations left by shoppers at supermarkets and delivering them food banks. Something that has challenged me hugely on what I can do to make a difference.

The way forward is far from clear, but what is evident already is how adaptable and willing we are to get through his together. If there’s anything I can help with even if it is simply advice, then as always, do not hesitate to get in touch.