No one could have foreseen the terrible impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on humankind. In business too, the virus has had a devastated effect. Within weeks, nearly 25% of UK businesses had either ceased trading or closed temporarily. Other reports reported that 50% more companies went bust in March 2020 than the same month in 2019. As the virus rolled on, the World Economic Forum predicted that it would cause the global economy to slow down to under two per cent in 2020, which will probably cost some $1 trillion.

As shocking as the consequences of the Coronavirus are, the troubling truth is that it will not be the last time business and public sector organisations have to deal with seismic disruption. Other events could come in the form of political unrest, environmental disaster, even radical technological innovation such as the advent of the algorithm era. So how can organisations of all shapes and sizes, ones exactly like yours, help to insure themselves against the impacts of this kind of event?

How can you help your business to be ready for anything? It’s all about the much-touted term ‘agility’, but what does it really mean to be agile? According to The Agile Business Consortium, “Business agility means having flexibility with purpose, allowing organisations to make important decisions and carry out important work quickly and safely. Agile businesses work faster, better and deliver greater value for money – delighting customers, motivating staff and so driving profit.”

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