Lessons a year on from the pandemic

While no-one would have wished for a pandemic, the coronavirus crisis has provided business with some valuable learning as the country moves out of lockdown.

That was the conclusion of the latest Marketing Derby Talking Business Live debate, which looked back on the last 12 months – and what lies ahead.

The debate examined how the pandemic has changed the way we view our work, our business model and our personal values.

A year ago, Marketing Derby itself was forced to move its events online.

And the debate, hosted by Marketing Derby managing director John Forkin, brought together a panel made up of people who had featured in those very first online Zoom meetings.

The session started with Andrew Allsop, managing director Morley Hayes, a hotel, golf and restaurant complex at Morley, near Derby.

He explained how innovations created during the pandemic would be continued in the future, post-lockdown.

He said: “Hospitality has been one of the industries hardest hit.

“However, out of it we’ve launched a home delivery service and a hamper business – both of which, at the time, helped some of our staff from being furloughed.

“Both have been so successful that we intend to continue with them going forward.

“A recent example of the success of the delivery service is that on Mother’s Day, we delivered 750 meals.

“The hampers have proven extremely popular too. They contain products sourced from local suppliers – we have a lot of local producers in Derbyshire we can be proud of.”

Adam Buss is chief executive at QUAD, Derby’s mixed arts venue, which had been forced to close for much of the last 12 months.

He began his presentation with a quote from television writer Russell T. Davies, which was “Life doesn’t stop when terrible things happen”.

Adam said: “I think that quote pretty much sums up my experience. Over the last 12 months, we have seen some amazing creative activities, not just from my sector – but from many others.

“Whether it’s creating a vaccine or a vaccination hub, we have seen the importance of creativity.

“It has also made us realise that the small things in life aren’t that small at all – whether it’s conversation with your family or talking to a work colleague about last night’s television.

“Due to the pandemic, we moved many of our services online – and found a global audience. For example, we recently invited photographers to contribute to the Mass Isolation Format project – we received 40,000 images from people in 90 countries.”

Professor Kath Mitchell, vice-chancellor at the University of Derby, explained how the pandemic had sharpened up the pace of her organisation.

She said: “It has been an incredibly challenging year. What the pandemic has done is make us learn to make decisions more quickly and to be more focused.

“Both the staff and students have been amazing. During the last 12 months, I have also learned a lot about partnerships.”

Kavita Oberoi is managing director and founder of Oberoi Consulting and Oberoi Business Hub.

She said: “Challenge drives innovation for entrepreneurs. It forces us to think differently and work smarter.

“The Oberoi Business Hub offers a call handling service. When the pandemic hit, business started to drop so we focused on new lead generation, particularly with law firms, and it has really paid off.

“The lesson is to never get complacent. Keep that lead generation going as you never know what’s around the corner. Also keep investing, in your technology and your people.”

Finally, Bev Wakefield, director at Vibrant Accountancy, said: “I think the pandemic has made us take a step back and focus on why we’re doing what we do.

“I also think it has given all of us an insight into us as people – and it has become more accepting to just be you.”

To view the full discussion please click here.