Many of us are on lock down or other national measure to ensure that we flatten the curve. During this time we want to ensure that young people are using their voices and platforms for critical dialogue, encouraging each other to do their part and also speaking to how young people can be active citizens.
We present to you an update from Swaraj Ram from Mauritius with an update on how COVID-19 is impacting his business and the country as a whole.
The COVID-19 pandemic remains a health and humanitarian crisis, but the business impact on organizations is now profound. As governments of Mauritius is making significant interventions in response to the corona virus, businesses are rapidly adjusting to the changing needs of their people, their customers and suppliers, while navigating the financial and operational challenges. With every industry, function and geography affected, the amount of potential change to think through can be daunting. Our experiences―as customers, employees, citizens, humans―are forever changed, and our attitudes and behaviors are changing as a result. Once the immediate threat of the virus has passed, what will have changed in the way we think and behave, and how will that affect the way we design, communicate, build and run the experiences that people need and want?
The global COVID-19 pandemic has fast become the biggest global event of our lifetimes. As an entrepreneur, the founder of a Start-up in Mauritius I could see how many business are suffering due to COVID-19 as most of the businesses are still using traditional ways of doing business.
I have been working from home for my regular customers. Thanks to the digital era! The digital nature of our business has allowed me to foster and implement flexible working infrastructure, where everyone can work anywhere, anytime. I must say that working from home remains a crucial solution for adaptability in that unforeseen situation but is, at the same time, improving the work-life balance culture within my clients. However, this working style necessitates a lot of planning, task assignments, close monitoring of strict deadlines, and the use of different teleworking software such as TeamViewer, Zoom, Microsoft teams, Google Drive, and much more for the show to go on. When it comes to being in touch with our clients, we do commit ourselves at our level through emails and phone calls despite the challenges. Many of them who have not yet implement a proper IT system contacted me to upgrade their business models towards a more digital approach where more consideration will be given to digitalized operations. I must say that the Government has been responsive to this unprecedented situation. They did a commendable job in developing intelligent measures in such a short time and under pressure-driven from this global pandemic crisis. Mauritius being a small and open economy, we do suffer a lot from the hiccups in the global economy and even more when our economy is under crisis. At the moment, most entrepreneurs are facing unprecedented hard times, and these measures will help us to mitigate to some extent, the adverse impact of the COVID-19 on our activities. In a period of global crisis, nothing is too good nor too bad. We all need to go through this together by welcoming and giving support to each other. We either need to adapt, or we perish.
Photo Credits: Lexpress Newspaper Mauritius
