HANDLING THE NEW NORMAL

As the world continues to battle the Covid-19 pandemic, remote working has become the new standard for institutions across the world. But regionally, is the infrastructure equipped to deal with the sudden pressure exerted on systems? Is our digital health protected amidst a rising barrage of cyberattacks? Most importantly, how are individuals coping mentally with the altered ways of working and living while still under the shadow of the coronavirus? Gulf Business explores our new reality

- ZAINAB MANSOOR

The art of ‘remote’ balancing

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS FORCED ORGANISATIONS TO RETHINK THEIR DIGITAL AND BUSINESS STRATEGIES AND RE-INVENT THE WAY THEY OPERATE

The year 2020 started on an ambivalent note. The newest strain of the coronavirus infection that began in the capital of China’s Hubei province, Wuhan, has since morphed into a catalyst of change.

Health implications aside – which are colossal, with the Covid-19 pandemic having claimed over 211,000 lives (at the time of going to press) – the contagion has played havoc with the traditional methods of doing business, education, and social and professional interaction.

From a professional standpoint, it has unwittingly ushered in the digital era much earlier than many may have anticipated, prompting organisations to rethink their digital and business strategies, realign their policies and re-invent the way they operate.

The concept of remote work and the technologies underpinning it have stood out as a winning strategy. But it has, in no uncertain terms, brought with it a set of uncharted territories and challenges that need to be panned out on a timely basis to sustain what could be several weeks of social (and professional) distancing.

Foremost among them are investments required to spur digital infrastructures and processes to offer sustainable solutions. Digital overhauling is not restricted to investment in software only; in fact, it entails a broader digital transformation protocol including communication plans with all stakeholders and training with internal ones.