puzzle pieces read culture and organizational

Covid-19 Habits vs. Culture

Imagine it’s July 1st, 2021 and a Covid-19 vaccine has been found along with a couple of effective therapies. Is your business operating the same as it was on July 1st, 2020?

Businesses, and especially small businesses, have met the challenge of Covid-19 with incredible resilience and creativity! Every single company has been forced to pivot and literally change the way that they conduct business, both for the safety of their employees and customers, but also to meet the ever-changing rules and regulations that state and local governments have enacted. This all in the midst of balancing a work/life dynamic never seen in modern times. Many working professionals were and continue playing the role of parent, teacher, and working professional, all at the same time. The pace of action by all will undoubtedly go down in history as a true small business and human triumph. 

Covid-19 has shed light on all areas of our business, and in many ways, some of the habits picked up during the lockdown might remain after Covid-19 and become the new norm. Productivity and reduced expenses lead the charge as to why some of the Covid-19 habits should remain.

I challenge that all businesses should also consider culture when deciding what Covid-19 “habits” are kept and which are put away. Zoom calls have their place in the new world of conducting business, but are they as impactful and productive as face-to-face meetings? Employees working remotely might save a company thousands of dollars per year in rent and utilities, but does that employee’s presence in the office inflate others in your organization to work at a higher level? Core values are more than just words thrown up on a wall. Many companies have spent real money through consultants and other business groups, not to mention endless hours, to develop culture. How much culture would you sacrifice to pay a few thousand less in rent per year? Will you be able to exhibit your core values as thoroughly if you retain all of the COVID habits?

Strongly consider culture when reopening and remember how critical a robust culture is to your organization.