Maximising opportunities from the pandemic

THE fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic has brought uncertainties to organisations around the world. Old business models have been disrupted, while new ones have sprung up. On the people front, many employees have developed insecurities over their jobs and future.

However, the crisis has also created opportunities for businesses to reset their modes of operating, and look to new and more sustainable ways of doing things. Amid this shifting landscape, finance leaders have a unique opportunity to position their organisations for long-term growth by leveraging innovation and talent to navigate the challenges ahead.

With international travel coming to a halt, for instance, hospitality group Marriott Vacations Worldwide has had to throw out the rule book to continue to survive. Through the use of video conferencing technology like Microsoft Teams and Zoom, the company started conducting what it dubs "Virtual Tours" and "Direct Sales", which enabled it to replicate the face-to-face tour and sales experience online.