What I have learned from this traumatic experience - 10 basic Lessons

I decided to write down some of my thoughts and share them with my colleagues to exchange different points of view, and also to find out how far or how close I am at this point after 3 months of strict lockdown at home.

Please feel free to comment and exchange your experiences, I am curious about people′s thoughts during this strange, intense situation.

1 . The real value of Toilet Paper 

I have been going to bed every night being sure that my pantry was full of toilet paper, and there is nothing like this sense of security. Couldn’t learn a better lesson. ? 

2. Working out of the office is unproductive and may be a cause of Project Failures: 

I am not talking about short term productivity. I heard a lot of  “experts” saying that this would be the work-from-home revolution, but to be honest, I think productivity will drop drastically. Having an office and regular meetings are more necessary than expected - in person, not on Zoom! Zoom may be helpful and practical, but there is nothing like an in-person meeting where you can feel the energy in a room.

An office is necessary, as I strongly believe in “The Power of the Team.” After having worked from home for the past few months with no options to see each other and exchange human perspective with my team, I honestly believe now that working from home once a week, or even part-time, may bring some benefits to the team members, but in the long term, it is the downfall of productivity and the end of any project that requires human interaction to feed it.

3. People need to increase their sense of purpose and honesty!

And it is urgent! What I have seen these past few days in some company decisions and professionals from our sector, as well as other sectors, I think that hate is actually beating love.

The anger fueling the situation has evolved into a general sense of “freedom” to say what you think (or feel) without thinking about what you feel or say.

I believe more honesty will help us to find a balance in life, as it is becoming hard to survive in this world full of fake news, lies, and confusion. We should fight against those who seek to manipulate us.

4. You can have a job today and tomorrow you may not. You don′t need a nuclear war to lose your job. Comfort Zone is weaker than ever expected.

I think many professionals understand that the way out of this pandemic and economic crisis is helping each other.

I receive dozens of professional proposals and calls daily, however, at this moment we don’t have an open process to recruit. I understand that these calls or emails are real people looking for a better future and that they have probably lost their jobs, so I treat them will all my respect, even if it takes 30 to 45 minutes a day. Unfortunately, when saying “no” to some fantastic CVs (I would engage them all if I could),  I believe we still have to be honest and polite with someone looking for a job.

Also, this should help us understand many internal aspects of what we do and whether or not we are happy with our decisions. 

I have read that during this pandemic lockdown, the number of Divorces has drastically increased. Well, I think this is good news as if you only needed to be locked down to understand that your couple was not right for you. With your employment, it may be the same relationship, so you have time and a situation that will allow you to think about if what you are doing is what you want to do. ?Haven′t you thought about leaving everything to start from scratch? 

5. Bet on Science and Bet on knowledge. Leisure is about emotions, but the solid results of science remain when they really became a permanent service to the society. Could you imagine if we already had a vaccine? What other news would make you really happy today?

I am a realistic person not a pessimist. However, sometimes the reality has negative perspectives, and right now it seems like things will not go back to normal for another year or two, and only if a vaccine is developed. 

Science should be the priority now. I have always been very critical when comparing the salary of a famous celebrity against a scientist or researcher. The value that the science community brings to society is tremendous.

Now is the time to learn to live with COVID, and we all have to develop a common sense of respect and community. I believe this is the highest challenge, to think and react as a community in the best interest of the community. 

Why are some countries are doing better than others? I think is it because of their sense of respect and discipline regarding the community. It is a good opportunity to kick out any selfish attitude if we want to protect our life and the ones of our beloved people.

6. Whatever economic recovery or evolution needed, Technology is the answer:

Especially in our sector, the digitalization of companies and products, as well as all of the protocols and procedures, will require software companies to immediately shift the development of their road maps to meet new market demands. We encountered this unexpected challenge, as we had to do double our efforts to deliver new functionality in half the time in order to help companies get adapted to the new normal.

We need to be able to double our efforts in half the time. If we have any input to provide to the sector, it is to reduce costs & human interaction and emphasize performance-based efficiency.

7. OTAS will never be the same.

Many OTAs were on the path to internal restructuring, and COVID forced them to reinvent themselves almost overnight.  I see them, at this moment, far from the reality of most professionals and hesitating between their customers and their providers. It is a dangerous position since the radicalization of some OTAs at this level has caused tremendous economic loss.

Today, OTAs offer a grace period without the provider′s agreement which must be accepted, otherwise, they risk being pushed out of the market. What will be next?  I think they should have to use their imagination and perhaps give a chance for insurance companies to play a role here because the relationship at this moment is not Win-Win. 

8. I have discovered the human being behind the “Customer”

Most of the time, the relationship between service providers and their customers is, in general, somewhat distant. Communication is typically via email, with occasional phone calls mixed in.

Interactions used to be distant and professional. Sometimes if you meet with the customer at an event, things were better, but in general with a discreet distance.

During the pandemic and the lockdown, having more contact with the customers during these difficult times helps create new bones and synergy among companies. During these difficulties is when you discover who is and who is not truly with you. I have learned to listen more in detail to things that really matter. And yes, I admit, I have learned a lot from my customers, now that they have had more time to talk too.

9. Social distance may be a good idea to avoid being infected, but is a very negative social and network policy 

Among all the positive lessons learned, some of them are also bitter. 

Especially when you realize that the lack of contact created distance between people, and this some times makes people turn their back on you. But what can you do? If you cannot meet, call, losing contact with certain people may be beneficial but in general, it may represent the loss of a relationship.

10. When I grow up I would like to be like my friend Miguel.

Miguel Hernandez Bronchud is a Medical doctor (maybe too late to study medicine for me) who specializes in Oncology. What fascinates me about what he does is how he prepares every day. With every different patient, he delivers a well-studied and prepared strategy to fight against cancer (a critical situation where you have very little room for failure in your strategy) 

Unfortunately, cancer leads to doubt, fear, and danger, similar to what most professionals are feeling right now.

What Miguel does is incredible. He is a real expert (you have a few in every country) so he implements strategies and creates at least 3 scenarios/strategies to follow if drugs or surgery, or the combination of both does not work. “You must always have balls in your hand,” Miguel always says.

I like that because I know how important it is to find chances and options. This is a good time to prepare options and strategies for our companies and business as definitively this is the time for change. 

You can choose the direction of that change; you only need to find the right “doctor” to obtain the best advice or let time drive you, perhaps somewhere you don't want to be.