Corona ex ante - It is Time for an intermediate review

How will COVID-19 change things? What will be the “new normal”? There is a lot of debate about that right now. Various people and companies are already feeling the short-term effects, which are threatening many businesses existence.

When considering the medium and long-term aftereffects and, in particular, the opportunities for business and society, we are still looking from a very abstract level. However, I consider the methodology of the RE-gnosis by futurologist Matthias Horx or the “four future scenarios” of the ZukunftsInstitut to be a helpful approach.

And me? Can I already take stock of my own situation? No, but it's time for an interim assessment with a view to the future, which can be summarized in four statements:

1. The thesis.
   After Covid-19, we will see climate change as our next long-term global challenge

2. Bang.
   Covid-19 will act as a wake-up call for change

3. The effect.
   Our unintentional Covid-19 experiences will stimulate us to make the necessary transformation

4. The call. Companies will be the designers of this new future - this creates new possibilities and opportunities

These are big, maybe bold words. We can discuss them conversely; some will dismiss them, shaking their heads. I’m personally convinced that they guide action.

In order to get more of a handle on the topic, I would like to use the UN's ‘17 goals for sustainable development’, again. In my article, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), I had already identified the 17 goals as constructive and structuring for our mission.

Take, for example, goal #10 ‘less inequalities’. Covid-19 has made it clear to all of us, that for a virus it doesn't matter what passport a person has, how much money is in their account, or whether they are a service provider or customer within the economy. It makes no difference – everyone is the same. Sure, people’s first reaction is to try to protect themselves or even act selfishly. They close borders, issue export bans or try to poach entire pharmaceutical companies’ stock. However, in the medium term, common sense will prevail internationally. The challenges arising from such a crisis are transnational and can only be financed and dealt with through international cooperation - and not through confrontation. Another example: Goal #4, ‘High quality education’ will also get a positive boost. Due to COVID-19, we suddenly became aware of what the education system has to do, or what it means when educational institutions suddenly close their doors!

But where do I start? And where do you start? How can we benefit from it for ourselves and thus, for everyone? The following goals are the focus of my agenda:

Multitudes of transformations are in the offing. If we correctly define the mission and control, implement, support and communicate the changes correctly, we can achieve great success. These changes will then contribute positively to the challenges and opportunities of the four statements above.

I will write about my approaches here and elsewhere. Communication is important. Consistent action even more so. I will demonstrate my beliefs and ideas on this subject with advice and assistance. That is my passion. I'm also particularly happy when we tackle things together - you know how you can reach me.