The Crisis is a 42-kilometre marathon. You are at the 5-kilometre mark

Imagine this COVID Crisis is a marathon. It is 42 kilometres to get to the end.

I estimate we are at the 5-kilometre mark.

Please, be optimistic. I am. You will finish the marathon. But be realistic too. It’s a long, hard, painful journey.

People are talking glibly about ‘green shoots‘. Green shoots are a long way from actual fruit that we can eat.

Recently there have been encouraging job and advertising figures in Australia, as well as several other countries. In New Zealand and Australia, we seem to have the virus under some sort of control. Other countries are doing well too.

But don’t be confused between those (wonderful) developments and a return to ‘the way it was‘.

It is not.

Our economies are totally disrupted. Our labour markets fragmented. Even if the economy improves, that’s still a long way from actual hiring. And ‘hiring’ does not automatically mean that recruitment agencies will benefit.

I have been through it before. The sun will shine on recruitment again. Opportunities will abound.

But that won’t be relevant to you if you are not around to take advantage!

So survival is now the key. Not hiding in the bunker. It’s important we are out there engaging, and connecting and hunting for the work as it becomes available.

Every recruiter must take charge of their own journey through this shitstorm.

There is no room for self-indulgence. For self-pity. Not for most of us anyway. You own your response and your contribution. It is time to be more visible, not less visible.

But don’t base your corporate or personal plans on a ‘snap back‘. On a fast recovery. On a boom to follow the bust.

I don’t see it.

I could be wrong. And if I am I will be the most delighted.

But I doubt it.

Owners, plan and re-calibrate every day.

• How do we keep a runway of cash so we are still here in 2021?
• What is our GP projection next three months?
• What are our costs?
• What changes are required to make sure GP is above costs?
• How are we providing purpose for our staff?
• What should we change now to be fighting fit in the recovery?
• What does ‘productivity’ look like right now?
• What skills, technology and people do we actually need to add now?

My COVID toolbox of webinars and articles is here.

I provide ideas on all the above questions and many more. I am adding to it almost daily.

I hope it helps you.

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Now is a good time to read ‘The Savage Truth’. Full of lessons about surviving recessions, but also on how to take advantage of the recovery. Get it here

(All proceeds of my book sales in 2020 go to the Australian Bushfire Relief Fund)

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