Flattening our mental curve - getting to new normal quickly

Covid-19 has been with us for most parts of a few months globally but it already feels like an eternity. Every day we watch the news updates closely for the latest developments, every conversation is peppered with Covid, every business decisions is taken with similar considerations.

Lots of changes already afoot

Many parts of our lives have been impacted and changed as a result of Covid. We're re-learning good personal hygiene habits, social distancing with care and consideration for others. We're using digital more than before, more online food deliveries, online groceries, online entertainment, online learning, online learning.. even online family gatherings.

Work-wise, many of us are working in Team A and Team B combinations as part of segregation for business continuity. Many others are telecommuting and working from home. Business travels have been replaced with video conferences and teleconferences. Physical events, conferences and seminars are becoming webcasts and streaming events.

Many businesses have been affected and some are adapting and pivoting as quickly as possible. Businesses are trying to find new revenue streams, restructuring cash flows, new ways of engaging customers, new ways of leveraging digital and even new business models.

Countries are at different stages of adapting to and managing this pandemic, but there seems to be a consensus among the global healthcare experts and governments that this situation will be sustained. It's no longer a question of weeks but considerations for many months. There is also consistent views about the need to "flatten the curve" in order to ensure that the healthcare facilities and healthcare providers are not overwhelmed.

Flattening our own mental curve

As with the previous crisis, we will likely emerge from this with new-normal practices and behaviours. Perhaps the faster we adapt and accept some of the new practices and new ways as BAU (Business-As-Usual), the faster we get back to normalcy. Perhaps if we flatten our own mental curve and accept that a number of the changes are here to stay, perhaps it helps us recognise that these are our new ways of work and life.

Impacted businesses would have transformed by adapting to new customer norms and buying behaviours. Some might restructure and reconfigure their business to expand to new markets with new revenue models. Some might rebuild and re-connect their supply chain with better resiliency. Some might leverage technology more to create new products, services and platforms to increase revenue or to get cost reduction through automation and RPA. Some might migrate to cloud infrastructure more to increase flexibility and reliability. Others might improve their data analytics with AI to better engage and service their customers. Many of these would be the new normal for businesses.

Workers would have learnt new ways of delivering results and new ways of collaboration. We would become even more conversant on the use of productivity tools like Zoom, Microsoft teams, G suite etc. We'd likely become more adept at picking up new skills and capabilities online through e-learning facilities and portals. We might even learn a new (non-hand shake) way of greeting each other as well. Yes, many of these would be the new normal.

Lastly, as consumers, we've constantly been adapting. Our lives before the first smartphone were very different compared to today where apps have become part of almost every activity. We're now learning to use online services even better than before (especially if you've to serve a Stay Home Notice of 14 days). We're discovering new services and new life hacks using digital. We're finding ways to support each other better and with more compassion and empathy. We're also learning to identify misinformation, fake news and scams better than before. Yes, change for us as consumers have always been normal.

"Let's not waste a good crisis"

Crisis comes and crisis goes. And with each, we learn and grow stronger as individuals, as a community, as businesses and a stronger nation. A wise man shared "let's not waste a good crisis" - Covid brings many challenges but does create an impetus for us to move to new normals quickly, move to new ways of meaningful living, working and thriving. Meanwhile, let's stay healthy and keep smiling. It is always darkest before dawn. We'll get through this together.