An inspiring chat with IAPCO colleagues

For our IAPCO Day Espresso Exchange, I had the pleasure of being the group moderator for a group of friends and colleagues in which the hot topic of the day was Business Models in the New PCO Reality.

In the Espresso Exchange, I was just missing my espresso, the tone of the meeting was that of a relaxed chat amongst colleagues to share their ideas and tell their story. I was in my office, but we could’ve easily been in a café or bar, that was the feel of the exchange. 

We shared our thoughts and recent experience, recounting how last year has without doubt given us a new kind of awareness. No matter where we are, we have needed to adapt to this new world scenario. It’s a continuously evolving situation from a business perspective, that we’re needing to adjust to, and we’re still unfortunately not out of.

 “It’s been a huge change, it’s all about reskilling, and trying to advise our Clients now”, a member of the group said. We were all in agreement and shared our angle on how we are reskilling and upskilling our workplaces and trying to push forward.

Education, for key stakeholders has been necessary and absolutely vital. PCOs have needed to move with haste in educating and training employees and supporting and educating Clients to move comfortably in the new digital reality. We were moving in this direction, but with Covid we were catapulted at speed to respond to new needs and requests. 

We discussed how from a sales perspective, the new business model has led to new opportunities, there is a silver lining as Clients have become more aware of the changing scenario. 

In the restructuring and rebuilding phase, more than ever a PCOs value will be evident through its ability to adapt, to work through a consultative approach, through knowledge, skills and companywide best practice. During the Exchange a participant added “We have a power as a PCO, we are the ones that can put the new values and business models into action”, and I will add on a final note, as was the theme of this 2021 fully digital AM & GM, we look forward to not only surviving but thriving – again!

Thank you 

Nicola Testai