A phrase we have been hearing a lot in recent times, particularly since the outbreak of Covid-19, is “business readiness”. Simply put, it refers to the management of change within an organisation. This could be the introduction of new systems, technology and processes that alter the way the organisation functions.
Over the past few months, we have witnessed drastic and unprecedented changes in light of the pandemic, and the business models that had been built over the past century have been facing a growing number of obstacles and challenges. The old order is changing and clearly, in a bid to survive and even thrive, companies need to re-imagine their thinking and strategy.
Many companies have been forced to shift to a “work from home” model, which has meant a drastic change for employees and management who were accustomed to a routine that involved several hours in a shared office, in-person meetings, training sessions, team-building exercises and brainstorming sessions.
Twitter was one of the first companies to adopt a work-from-home model in early March. AFP
According to research conducted by Harvard Business School, an organisation with a remote work policy can boost productivity among employees, reduce staff turnover and drive down operational costs. Other benefits include less time and resources spent by employees commuting to work, less time wasted in unnecessary meetings, fewer sick days and a widened pool of candidates to fulfil human resource requirements.
However, in order to successfully implement this model, a business must be equipped with optimal technologies to support their employees’ needs in order to ensure a smooth transition with little or no disruption in outputs.
The new model is heavily reliant on platforms, including video-calling services that enable employees to hold virtual meetings with their internal teams as well as the business’ stakeholders. Instant communication tools such as Slack, Quip and Telegram have proven useful in providing workers a fast and easily accessible way to make exchanges with their teams.
Also, depending on the nature of the work, a digital assistant such as Amazon Echo, could be of great value to those working from home. Of course, for all of these technologies to optimally enhance business, organisations must ensure that all of their workers have access to excellent quality Wi-Fi at all times.
In the future, we will continue to see more technologies enter the market. Businesses must therefore choose wisely and invest in platforms that are most beneficial in their line of work.
Director Dave Franco and cast member Alison Brie react as they take part in a Q&A session via Zoom from a vehicle after an advanced screening for the movie 'The Rental' in California last month. Reuters
Set for dramatic transformation from a mere support service to one that plays a greater role in driving the business and its efficiency, the information technology industry today can leverage emerging opportunities to innovate and create platforms tailored to a variety of industries and organisational functions.
Also, the internal IT function will have renewed importance. It will need to take on crucial responsibilities that include keeping in touch with the market, evaluating the products that are most suitable for the business’ various functions and training employees to get the most value out of any platform that they are given access to.
Governments around the world must also offer incentives to companies that are inclined to adopt a remote working policy in the long run. The public and private sector should collaborate closely to ensure that all of the technological requirements needed for the economy to run efficiently are easily accessible.
In order to successfully implement the 'work from home' model, a business must be equipped with optimal technologies to support their employees' needs
These past few months have taught us that now more than ever, business readiness is crucial. We never know the sort of changes and challenges we are likely to encounter at the next turn. It is therefore in our best interest to invest in our organisations and empower employees to soldier through unprecedented circumstances.
As offices begin to reopen following the Covid-19 outbreak in March – when the world first went into lockdown – and employees slowly return in phases, one thing remains clear: team structures are likely to become a hybrid of co-located and remote workers, bringing to life blended workplaces that many predicted years ago would become the norm.
As several employees are likely to feel disoriented and out of synch with the new reality, organisations can make the transition as painless as possible. One way to do so is for them to set up a remote working platform, where employees can find their colleagues and teams – and meet up in a virtual coffee shop of sorts to discuss and brainstorm, and recreate the office spaces of the past.
Mohammed Alardhi is executive chairman of Investcorp, chairman of Bank Sohar and was longest-serving native head of the Royal Air Force of Oman
Jumanji: The Next Level
Director: Jake Kasdan
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Nick Jonas
Completed an electrical diploma at the Adnoc Technical Institute
Works as a public relations officer with Adnoc
Apart from the piano, he plays the accordion, oud and guitar
His favourite composer is Johann Sebastian Bach
Also enjoys listening to Mozart
Likes all genres of music including Arabic music and jazz
Enjoys rock groups Scorpions and Metallica
Other musicians he likes are Syrian-American pianist Malek Jandali and Lebanese oud player Rabih Abou Khalil
Awar Qalb
Director: Jamal Salem
Starring: Abdulla Zaid, Joma Ali, Neven Madi and Khadija Sleiman
Two stars
The biog
Name: Dr Lalia Al Helaly
Education: PhD in Sociology from Cairo
Favourite authors: Elif Shafaq and Nizar Qabbani.
Favourite music: classical Arabic music such as Um Khalthoum and Abdul Wahab,
She loves the beach and advises her clients to go for meditation.
T20 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
Results
UAE beat Nigeria by five wickets
Hong Kong beat Canada by 32 runs
Friday fixtures
10am, Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi – Ireland v Jersey
7.30pm, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Canada v Oman
Citizenship-by-investment programmes
United Kingdom
The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).
All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.
The Caribbean
Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport.
Portugal
The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.
“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.
Greece
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.
Spain
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.
Cyprus
Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.
Malta
The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.
The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.
Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.
Egypt
A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood. Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues. Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity. Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
Bitcoin is the most popular virtual currency in the world. It was created in 2009 as a new way of paying for things that would not be subject to central banks that are capable of devaluing currency. A Bitcoin itself is essentially a line of computer code. It's signed digitally when it goes from one owner to another. There are sustainability concerns around the cryptocurrency, which stem from the process of "mining" that is central to its existence.
The "miners" use computers to make complex calculations that verify transactions in Bitcoin. This uses a tremendous amount of energy via computers and server farms all over the world, which has given rise to concerns about the amount of fossil fuel-dependent electricity used to power the computers.
