Hillier Consulting is today advising clients to bring forward contingency planning for the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and its likely impact upon business continuity. Communications strategies should be expedited to ensure proactive and positive engagement with staff and their families, customers, suppliers, stakeholders and media. Whilst guidance is to be sought from public health authorities and central government, Hillier Consulting recommends independent preparations commence immediately.
Preparing for a probable COVID-19 pandemic
Whilst front-line public services are undoubtedly already advanced in their preparations and well-rehearsed pandemic contingency plans have been dusted off, private business should not wait for a lead from central or local government. Hillier Consulting is already leading contingency planning for one client with particular attention being paid to client communications, supply chain integrity and staffing. Additional critical supplies are being sourced and financial resilience is being strengthened.
Global economic impact of COVID-19 is yet to be understood
Hillier Consulting is advancing its position from alert to one of immediate action required. Companies will need to be ahead of the game to avoid facing shortages, staffing and IT problems and rising costs of essentials.
“Waiting for the WHO to declare a pandemic, whilst quietly hoping that ‘it’s not that bad’ is akin to burying one’s head in the sand”, said Andrew Hillier today. He continues: “People are already dying in large numbers, supply chains are likely to be disrupted and business will suffer. In our globalised society, few will be spared significant impact. The scale of a longer term economic disaster is yet to be fully understood, but it is likely to be widespread and severe.”
Andrew continues: “For those businesses who haven’t already done so – it is late, but not too late and now is the time to act. Operational and communications planning should be expedited with the focus firmly on resilience and business continuity for the months ahead.”
With long experience in public sector contingency planning and leadership in crisis communications, Hillier Consulting considers the social impact and financial cost of the COVID-19 outbreak will be sharper and greater than many anticipate.