Opportunities knock for HR experts in crisis

The Covid-19 pandemic is going to be a game changer to corporate existence. The unprecedented movement control or lockdown enforced by governments worldwide has altered the very basic nature of work culture. Historically, the intangible services of Human Resources have struggled to find their place amidst the concrete results of marketing, sales, accounts and design amongst others. Even though HR has evolved and has more power on the board table, to a great extent it is still seen as a cost centre rather than a real value-add. It is hard to understand the logic since people are the ones who turn the vision of the company into reality anyway; but that’s a different discourse.

With cessation of movement and lock-down becoming perhaps the precursor to greater disruption, key industry sectors have been badly hit. The airlines have been grounded; the retail sector counting serious dip in business which directly will yield a domino effect on real estate, the hospitality industry is currently struggling and indeed the rest of the economic sectors. This is already having a negative multiplier effect on the economy that will soon impact both local and foreign investment and market equity.