Question

A company has, technical specialists, sales, costs, production and engineering managers in a manufacturing company which has supply chain relationships with a few inter state, local and international companies. what are the information needs of each manager after the company has experienced major declines due to the coronavirus pandemic ?

Answer 1

Companies should consider the possibility of establishing a dedicated cross-functional team (a business response and continuity office). The appropriate cross-functional team could coordinate the activities of different business units, monitor and provide the necessary information to senior management team for further communication with employees, customers, and partners.

It is high time to analyze the critical roles and key positions, as well as to determine a team of interim successors in case of force majeure. Top management is often away on business trips and there is an increased risk that some employees may not be available in the office due to a quarantine or illness. The companies should develop an effective process of management decision making under various scenarios.

Determine how your company is going to ensure the safety of employees who have to be at work and cannot work remotely (e.g., shop assistants, cashiers, drivers, etc.). The companies are reviewing their policies for maintaining good hygiene in the workplace, providing disinfectants, etc.

Analyze the priority of your company's projects: focus your teams’ efforts on the most important and critical tasks. Allow more flexibility with low-priority tasks.