“If a model isn’t working, there is little point trying to change it from within. Just start a new model; it will achieve more”

Some who were relevant in 2015 will find they are not tomorrow.

It is a remarkably difficult time for business leaders. Covid is now into its third year; the Ukraine-Russia war has lasting implications and the desire for greater sustainability will impact on business models. The immediate term is full of risks and threats but the economy has restarted and many are now planning on how to adjust and find possible new margins.

The above quote was an interesting comment shared in a meeting last week and does reflect a growing school of thinking across a number of markets and sectors. New questions are being asked of companies and the answers are not clear cut. There are many saying that there are today numerous traditional structures which are becoming increasingly less relevant and that many frameworks are not fit for purpose. There is a need for change but what does it look like and what can we expect?

All fair questions and it is natural that, in a period of business and social evolution which is taking place, there will be many structures which do find themselves left behind. Without making political comment, there were be those who believe that many political structures are struggling to adjust to modern demands and appear to out of sync with society & business.

Closer to home, there are also major questions being posed:

• The increasing demands of sustainability and inflation will see change in the traditional supply chain. What will the supply chain look like in 5 years time? The existing model has been under growing pressure but how will it adapt?
• How will the desire for stronger sustainability impact on food styles, on diets, on energy management, on investment, on business models?
• With the shortage of labour, how will many operations respond? Will robotics become more commonplace? Can technology find new answers? Will we see less chefs in the kitchens across the country cooking from fresh?
• Is the Higher Education system still fit for purpose? Does the industry need to find new solutions?
• How will technological advance impact on all business models and on traditional professions? We have already seen accountancy and the law move online to a degree.
• Traditional L&D has been under the microscope and, with the need for stronger retention and development, there will be change. Again what will the new models which break through look like?
• How will city centres change and evolve with the social changes taking place?

These are only some of the questions but it starts to build a picture that there will be fresh thinking evolving and emerging all the time. Change is inevitable and it is naturally important for all to be asking the hard questions on its models and capability.

It is one of the strange truths in that so much has changed, even since 2015 that some structures, professionals and work who or which was relevant then is simply not today. One wonders if change has ever been faster and in some ways, more brutal. There really are few places left today for those who do not deliver strong value in a modern way.