A phrase we have been hearing a lot in recent times, particularly since the outbreak of Covid-19, is “business readiness”. Simply put, it refers to the management of change within an organisation. This could be the introduction of new systems, technology and processes that alter the way the organisation functions.
Over the past few months, we have witnessed drastic and unprecedented changes in light of the pandemic, and the business models that had been built over the past century have been facing a growing number of obstacles and challenges. The old order is changing and clearly, in a bid to survive and even thrive, companies need to re-imagine their thinking and strategy.
Many companies have been forced to shift to a “work from home” model, which has meant a drastic change for employees and management who were accustomed to a routine that involved several hours in a shared office, in-person meetings, training sessions, team-building exercises and brainstorming sessions.
Twitter was one of the first companies to adopt a work-from-home model in early March. AFP
According to research conducted by Harvard Business School, an organisation with a remote work policy can boost productivity among employees, reduce staff turnover and drive down operational costs. Other benefits include less time and resources spent by employees commuting to work, less time wasted in unnecessary meetings, fewer sick days and a widened pool of candidates to fulfil human resource requirements.
However, in order to successfully implement this model, a business must be equipped with optimal technologies to support their employees’ needs in order to ensure a smooth transition with little or no disruption in outputs.
The new model is heavily reliant on platforms, including video-calling services that enable employees to hold virtual meetings with their internal teams as well as the business’ stakeholders. Instant communication tools such as Slack, Quip and Telegram have proven useful in providing workers a fast and easily accessible way to make exchanges with their teams.
Also, depending on the nature of the work, a digital assistant such as Amazon Echo, could be of great value to those working from home. Of course, for all of these technologies to optimally enhance business, organisations must ensure that all of their workers have access to excellent quality Wi-Fi at all times.
In the future, we will continue to see more technologies enter the market. Businesses must therefore choose wisely and invest in platforms that are most beneficial in their line of work.
Director Dave Franco and cast member Alison Brie react as they take part in a Q&A session via Zoom from a vehicle after an advanced screening for the movie 'The Rental' in California last month. Reuters
Set for dramatic transformation from a mere support service to one that plays a greater role in driving the business and its efficiency, the information technology industry today can leverage emerging opportunities to innovate and create platforms tailored to a variety of industries and organisational functions.
Also, the internal IT function will have renewed importance. It will need to take on crucial responsibilities that include keeping in touch with the market, evaluating the products that are most suitable for the business’ various functions and training employees to get the most value out of any platform that they are given access to.
Governments around the world must also offer incentives to companies that are inclined to adopt a remote working policy in the long run. The public and private sector should collaborate closely to ensure that all of the technological requirements needed for the economy to run efficiently are easily accessible.
In order to successfully implement the 'work from home' model, a business must be equipped with optimal technologies to support their employees' needs
These past few months have taught us that now more than ever, business readiness is crucial. We never know the sort of changes and challenges we are likely to encounter at the next turn. It is therefore in our best interest to invest in our organisations and empower employees to soldier through unprecedented circumstances.
As offices begin to reopen following the Covid-19 outbreak in March – when the world first went into lockdown – and employees slowly return in phases, one thing remains clear: team structures are likely to become a hybrid of co-located and remote workers, bringing to life blended workplaces that many predicted years ago would become the norm.
As several employees are likely to feel disoriented and out of synch with the new reality, organisations can make the transition as painless as possible. One way to do so is for them to set up a remote working platform, where employees can find their colleagues and teams – and meet up in a virtual coffee shop of sorts to discuss and brainstorm, and recreate the office spaces of the past.
Mohammed Alardhi is executive chairman of Investcorp, chairman of Bank Sohar and was longest-serving native head of the Royal Air Force of Oman
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE) TV: Match on BeIN Sports
2017: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-1
2016: Cleveland bt Golden State 4-3
2015: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-2
2014: San Antonio bt Miami 4-1
2013: Miami bt San Antonio 4-3
2012: Miami bt Oklahoma City 4-1
2011: Dallas bt Miami 4-2
2010: Los Angeles Lakers bt Boston 4-3
2009: Los Angeles Lakers bt Orlando 4-1
2008: Boston bt Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
Brief scores:
Scotland 371-5, 50 overs (C MacLeod 140 no, K Coetzer 58, G Munsey 55)
England 365 all out, 48.5 overs (J Bairstow 105, A Hales 52; M Watt 3-55)
Result: Scotland won by six runs
OIL PLEDGE
At the start of Russia's invasion, IEA member countries held 1.5 billion barrels in public reserves and about 575 million barrels under obligations with industry, according to the agency's website. The two collective actions of the IEA this year of 62.7 million barrels, which was agreed on March 1, and this week's 120 million barrels amount to 9 per cent of total emergency reserves, it added.
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023 More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Devesh Mamtani from Century Financial believes the cash-hoarding tendency of each generation is influenced by what stage of the employment cycle they are in. He offers the following insights:
Baby boomers (those born before 1964): Owing to market uncertainty and the need to survive amid competition, many in this generation are looking for options to hoard more cash and increase their overall savings/investments towards risk-free assets.
Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980): Gen X is currently in its prime working years. With their personal and family finances taking a hit, Generation X is looking at multiple options, including taking out short-term loan facilities with competitive interest rates instead of dipping into their savings account.
Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996): This market situation is giving them a valuable lesson about investing early. Many millennials who had previously not saved or invested are looking to start doing so now.
Qualifications: Diploma in engineering from TSI Technical Institute, bachelor’s degree in accounting from Dubai’s Al Ghurair University, master’s degree in human resources from Abu Dhabi University, currently third years PHD in strategy of human resources.
Favourite mountain range: The Himalayas
Favourite experience: Two months trekking in Alaska
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
How to increase your savings
Have a plan for your savings.
Decide on your emergency fund target and once that's achieved, assign your savings to another financial goal such as saving for a house or investing for retirement.
Decide on a financial goal that is important to you and put your savings to work for you.
It's important to have a purpose for your savings as it helps to keep you motivated to continue while also reducing the temptation to spend your savings.
- Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
There are different types of travel available for pets:
Manifest cargo
Excess luggage in the hold
Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Draw for Presidents Cup fourball matches on Thursday (Internationals first mention). All times UAE:
02.32am (Thursday): Marc Leishman/Joaquin Niemann v Tiger Woods/Justin Thomas
02.47am (Thursday): Adam Hadwin/Im Sung-jae v Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay
03.02am (Thursday): Adam Scott/An Byeong-hun v Bryson DeChambeau/Tony Finau
03.17am (Thursday): Hideki Matsuyama/CT Pan v Webb Simpson/Patrick Reed
03.32am (Thursday): Abraham Ancer/Louis Oosthuizen v Dustin Johnson/Gary Woodland
