Are the days numbered for the Business Prevention Squads?

Everywhere one turns, there are new discussions taking place which are in essence challenging everyone. One of the more interesting ones is the fact that many leaders are arguing that there needs to be a "step up in the intensity" with which many do work; they work from home but they need to be more competitive and work much harder. The argument is that many have become used to an easier lifestyle and work pressure. This may have been acceptable during the pandemic but now there needs to be a step change.

The counter argument is that many feel more productive working from home and happier in their work and home lives. There is no desire to return to those days of early commuting and the high pressure days in the office which did little for some and served to disengage many.

Which argument is correct? Both sides have valid arguments. Productivity has arguably fallen per employee but many are happier in their lifestyles. There is less focus on internal office politics which was so often disruptive and time wasting and more time being spent on external relationships. Work culture has eroded but it has resulted in many leaders needing to refocus on commitments made to their teams to ensure real engagement.

Maybe the answer is as simple as the world has changed and all need to adapt to how productivity is maximised in the new landscape?

Without any doubt, companies are having to revise their budgets and the need to develop new business skills across all levels. Traditional leaders need to learn new perspectives just as new talent needs to understand their responsibilities when it comes to service and work delivery.
There is a growing argument that this new landscape it is forcing many to develop stronger bonds of trust again and to control and micro-manage less. Similarly, it is also clearly highlighting those who do need to control and what each person really does bring to the table. The intensity of work may have fallen but so have internal politics, pointless time-wasting internal meetings and reduced the influence of the business prevention squads which live within every business.

In 2019, it was argued that the average executive would spend 40% of their day in internal meetings, 30% of their time answering emails and 10% in business planning; leaving just 10% of their day to focus on external clients.

In 2022, the average meeting time has been cut by half, freeing up executives to possess an extra 2-3 hours per day to focus on clients. Moreover, in 2019, it was estimated that the average executive was only 50% effective in meetings due to physical and mental tiredness. Today, executives are fresher and have more time.

There is little doubt that intensity has fallen but it may well be that a stronger work environment and methodology will emerge. If there is a stronger focus on external business, then this should be a step forward where clients and customers do receive stronger service levels resulting in more longer term meaningful relationships .