Impact of COVID 19 on Business - Essay Example

The onset of COVID 19 global pandemic places businesses at risk. They are already undergoing significant changes to remain operational in this difficult period. Resources indicate that many firms are already laying down newer strategies to survive the harsh economic times. Some companies are more affected, and these are closed already up to a further date when things will probably get better. The few surviving companies are forced to introduce remote working in their system to ensure continuity of operation. Allowing workers to report to work daily is a risk to their life.

The majority of businesses in the industry are temporarily terminating work contracts with workers because the returns from business operations have gone down. The collective impact of these firms laying off their staff adds to the rate of unemployment in the world. The managers of businesses have a task to immediately review business plans so that their firms can stand a chance to continue operating amidst the virus's outbreak. Businesses have new programs to enable employees to work remotely. Research identifies that remote working is the current trend that many enterprises are assuming.

Managers are also looking forward to strategizing on how teams will work in cooperation to meet the better part of the business objectives. The bigger percentage of the business is already applying new work arrangements. The managers have come up with their organizational structure and their work arrangements. The employees must comply with the new rules and adapt to the new ways of working and communicating. Managers have introduced managing programs that will not take a lot of time for implementations and are already replacing the programs that are not considerate of the current harsh conditions.

Change refers to the current alterations of normal operations of a firm. It is critical to implement change in the businesses because of the sudden strike of a global pandemic. All changes are directed towards the reopening of the economy. Other changes are put in place to ensure survival for the business during these difficult times. Some of the changes include changes in the operational systems. Many businesses are introducing programs where employees can work from home. This change is meant to ensure that the business operation does not completely stop, and most importantly, it means to ensure that the workers are safe from the virus. The virus is spreading rapidly in places where people assemble and hence the need to let workers operate remotely. Resources identify that the current type of change that businesses in the UK are undertaking is sudden and uncalled for; hence the management has a difficult time making operational decisions. The situation demands change; any business that is reluctant to change will not cope with the difficult times. Therefore, change impacts the continuity of a business and keeps the workers safe from contracting the deadly virus.

There are both external and internal drivers of change that are in the businesses in the UK. Research identifies several forces that shape change in businesses. Technology is taking a key role in determining a change in businesses. Businesses require a lot of technological approaches in the new operating systems. For instance, remote working requires workers to know how to ue technology in their operations. In this period of a global pandemic, the experts of technology are working on programs that will allow virtual meetings for business partners to avoid the spread of the virus and, at the same time, ensure that the business remains profitable. The COVID 19 disruption is constantly challenging the business to change and adapt to an unusual climate of operation. Internal drivers mainly address the managers' decisions to implement change in their operating systems. One of the best examples where internal drivers are evident is in the laying down of workers. The management arrived at this decision to reduce the wage margin and because the business has gone down, and therefore, they do not require workers. The other driver of change is the economy; in the UK, the economy is currently facing a recession, and therefore the businesses must change to adapt and remain operational.

People only accept to undertake changes when necessary features and necessity only feature where a crisis prevails. For instance, some businesses failed to develop a strong financial base and diversify their operations to face difficult times like the present situations of COVID 19. Despite the need for change in the business during this time, some businesses have yet to implement significant change levels. However, it is not all businesses that are unwillingly negative to change. Some factors are playing significant roles in increasing the resistance to change. Some businesses do not enjoy good access to technological advancements. The lack of technology means that they cannot implement changes such as remote working. Some businesses also do not have enough flexibility to impact change.

Operational changes refer to the extensive modification of the structure of a business. Businesses in the UK may opt to use workers on temporary contracts so that they may not commit to more than what they may offer. Incremental change refers to the system that businesses formulate over time by introducing minor operations in the business. For instance, a change in the activities of the businesses in the UK falls under this category. This type of cha ge will increase the capacity of the adaptability of these businesses. Businesses may also adjust their strategies in that managers will refrain from making long term plans, which may be unrealistic. Experts recommend that managers employ realistic approaches in their businesses; this period is not a time to make exaggerated projections in terms of objectives. The type of reactive change that these businesses may employ is more consequential. The businesses do not have otherwise and ought to ensure that they are operating in a way that will enable them to survive these harsh economic times.

Human resource management plays a significant role in managing change in UK businesses during the outbreak of COVID 19. It is critical to determine the type of relationships that businesses aim to develop with their customers and staff. There are various practices under the human resource that are currently benefitting businesses in the UK. Businesses should ensure that they create an emergency team and incorporate HR in their plans. It is important to consider the genera staff and clients' ideas before taking any steps in management. Businesses should also make communication deliberate and necessary. Research identifies that businesses with established links of communication show better signs of survival than others. Human resources advocate for the care of employees in terms of safety, especially because some jobs will expose them to the risk of contracting the virus. Businesses may also relook their policies and structures of leaves. It is good that the vulnerable population of the workforce will get their leave at these challenging times. It will reduce the risk of losing employees to this deadly pandemic.

Businesses should address change in a broad approach. They should consider training services for their employees so that they stay aware. Training involves educating them more about the virus in terms of how it spreads and how they may protect themselves while they work. Education is the origin of information, and it's the best tool for creating an educated population of employees. Many business are already training their employees on how to work under a remote program so that they can carry on with their work from a safe position. Businesses may also take on development as a tool to ensure that they survive this pandemic and, at the same time, provide security and welfare for their staff. Businesses may develop programs that will enable their staff to operate with minimum contact with clients. Reduced contact reduces the spread of COVID 19; therefore, businesses must reduce contact to ensure protection for them. Recruitment is also another measure that businesses may take on during this period. For instance, businesses may recruit health officials to advise their workers about safety measures. Creating a prepared workforce ensures safety and compliance with the ethics of HR.

The engagement of stakeholders is a boost to the process of achieving change in business. Project management and implementation of change is a process that requires a business or organization to lean on people. HR directs that positive relationships form a critical factor when introducing change into the business. Ignoring the factors of positive relationships may create a very dissatisfied workforce, which will completely undermine the outcome. In order to succeed in the management and implementation of change, businesses must develop positive relationships with stakeholders and glorify inclusivity. Involving various people in the business makes them feel part of the business and has a significant impact on the outcome. Stakeholders involve key persons from various departments around the world. Organizational change is a conce[t that involves several business functions. It involves various sectors of business operation, and therefore engaging all stakeholders will boost the process of implementing and managing change. Teams within the organization will require necessary involvement in the process of change, from decision making to implementation. Research indicates that a successful change management process will create the best attitude and understanding of the intentions of change for the clients and workers. It must be in a position to plan and effect significant communication models. Resources claim that when businesses manage change effectively, they can reduce the current resistance to change. It will help in improving morale, productivity, and the general quality of work.

Trade unions will also play a significant role in managing change in businesses with an effect on HR during COVID 19. One of their main aims in business is to create room for discussions with employers about the matters that affect the union members and all other people who work for the businesses. It mainly negotiates over the terms and conditions of employment or the various matters arising in the operations process. Some resources will call the talks between employers and unions as collective bargaining. The central role evident in the scenario is that the unions will act as a link between the employers and employees. The unions will act as a representation of al, the employees. They uphold the integrity of HR in th industry. Therefore, businesses in the UK yearning to effect change positively must hold discussions with the trade unions to get guidance about the related HR considerations.

While implementing change, it is important to follow certain guidelines; for instance, businesses should start at the top. It is important to engage employees from all levels in the change implementation plans; however, it is even better when businesses begin their initiatives at the top. Businesses must ensure that they involve every layer in the initiative; various businesses will often ignore the contribution of the low and mid-level people in making the plans of an organization successful. Research identifies that it is very important for all the organizations to involve people across the hierarchy. Leadership will affect change to a great extent because that propels the initiatives. The leaders are essential in convincing and motivating the staff to accept and align with the change. The need for such an understanding is to enable the organization to sustain and manage to align with the business environment. The resultant benefit is that the organization will improve and invent new approaches to change. I feel that transformational leadership is the most recommendable style for ensuring an effective change management process. This style involves a situation where the leader will organize various teams to realize that the business needs specific change due to the prevailing conditions. In this case, COVID 19 is the situation, and leaders must ensure that their employees identify the much-needed change. The leader then works to build a vision that will propel change by motivating the workers. The leaders will also ensure that they involve guidelines from HR departments about the process of change.