There is the return to work versus a return to the office debate post-COVID. The endless social-media work-life balance comments have reduced in the pandemic, however the 4-day week and flexible working agenda still seem to be in the news.
Are these aspects relevant? After all, In the 21st century, we have 24/7 connectivity and the sum of human knowledge at our fingertips. Greta Thunberg at only 17 years old, changed the world in 2018, without being an employee or an employer, by getting politicians to finally listen to the global environmental issues. Was she working or campaigning? Did she put 10 hours or 70 hours a week into it? The point is that she was ruthlessly clear about her agenda to make a difference, supported wholly by her family, and that’s what led her to success in geopolitical sphere.
Charles Leadbeater (a British author and former adviser to Tony Blair) wrote in 1999, his excellent and, before its time, bestselling book ‘Living On Thin Air In The New Economy’. He wrote:
“Today more and more of us make our living from thin air – from our ideas and know-how. This is because knowledge is becoming the most creative force in the modern economy.
In old capitalism, the critical assets were raw materials, land, labour and machinery. In the new capitalism, the raw materials are know-how, creativity, ingenuity and imagination.
Our generation is the beneficiary of unprecedented flows of knowledge from science and education, and we are equipped in ever more powerful ways to share and combine our know-how through communications. As a result, the opportunities for growth are boundless”.
These words are incredibly insightful and inspiring, and, somehow, seem even more relevant today than two decades ago.
The point from Greta to Charles is a simple one; as you reflect on your business strategy post-COVID and move beyond survival mode, where you work from and the hours you work for are irrelevant to success. What is entirely relevant is being clear on your plan and agenda and building a loyal team to deliver it. Then, not letting go to the point of obsession as Greta demonstrated along with working smart (and of course a supportive family helps).
The value is not in the where or when but in the know-how, ideas and the why. In our business advisory support work, we have seen that owners who are positive and clear on the vision and agenda for their business whatever the circumstance nearly always wins.
We are the sum part of our actions. Satisfaction is attained by the richness of the experiences we have that create our understanding. Despite pandemic-driven volatility, the opportunities for growth remain boundless if we recognise the human capacity for imagination to resolve challenges.
Avondale are EME business advisors. Through our management consultancy, we support growth and scaling up. Through our M&A and corporate work, we secure investment and finance for EME businesses, help people buy and sell companies and enhance shareholder value. We recognise ambitious owners who require ambitious, specialist advisors.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of our services in confidence or would like some advice, please call +44(0)20 7788 8250, fill in our Contact Form or email us directly on av@avondale.co.uk.
We have launched our ‘Lead Ahead’ Webinar Series in line with our weekly articles. Watch our ‘Living On Thin Air – Ideas & Technology Are The Most Powerful Forces In The Economy’ webinar here.
For information on other webinars within the series, visit our Webinars & Events page.
