Being associated with Paracoat for over three decades, Rajesh spearheads the new development and R&D activities along with day-to-day functioning of the company in India and Thailand.

To expect the unexpected is what I have learnt during the lockdown. Though lockdown norms have been partially eased, there is an uncomfortable air of uncertainty which continues to linger on thanks to the widespread fear spread by the invisible enemy called COVID-19

The lockdown weeks gave us ample time to catch up with our friends, family and colleagues. Reconnecting with long lost friends, past colleagues and distant relatives was indeed a refreshing experience in these difficult times. This pandemic has ushered in suspicions in great measures but in certain ways it has made us more resilient to face the future. The days spent at home not only helped in forging a strong bond with family members but gave us sufficient time to revive long forgotten hobbies and weave narratives of hope with others.

Speaking about my experience, I made one glaring observation while talking with some of my friends and colleagues, who incidentally happen to be both professionals and entrepreneurs. With few exceptions, of course, most of the salaried professionals’ concern was whether they will get their pay salaries on time and they were being emphatic about how salaries ought to be paid on time. The entrepreneurs on the other hand, were worried about how to pay salaries. The ‘when’ and ‘how’ seemed to be going in their own independent ways instead of being in alignment. I feel if entrepreneurs and salaried professional can start thinking about the how and when aspect, there are bright chances of creating a win-win situation which in today’s times can help in fighting this crisis in a much more effectual way.

Speaking about the current circumstances for MSMEs and large industries, I firmly believe that survival has become the biggest challenge. With little or no cash reserves and zero revenues being earned in the quarter ending June, they are almost incapable of staying afloat. Moreover, experts and media alike have been warning about the pandemic reaching its peak in India in mid June and July. I see another peak in real failures for few businesses when they fail to pay the deferred payments due in July-September.

HR can in fact facilitate the management combat external issues and play a vital role in helping the company sustain and thrive

This is the time when HR heads should think out of the box. They should proactively look at devising policies with the help of employees, approach the management and present a few proposals to survive and motivate them to remain in business. HR can in fact facilitate the management combat external issues and play a vital role in helping the company sustain and thrive. HR has been an intrinsic part of every organization who have largely focused on hiring and retaining talent, hr policies, training and development needs to create a productive workforce. But this was when the situation was normal, or should we refer to times before covid. In the unprecedented situation we are witnessing, it’s time that HR step out of their traditional functionalities and get involved in the business continuity of the organization. Survival of the fittest should not only become HR’s game plan but an ongoing practice that can help organizations flourish in the new normal.

Employees too should broaden their thinking process when it comes to staying committed to an organization. Typically, it’s the management who invest their resources and time in motivating people to enjoy their work and remain productive. The time has come for employees to pay back. They can help their company to traverse through these difficult times by being mindful of the current situation and cooperate with the management. If we have to compare this situation to our personal life, the best analogy that can be cited here is a mother’s love towards her child and the way she nurtures her kid with utmost care and affection. But if the mother falls ill, it’s the child who will hold her hand and support her to climb the stairs.

A paradigm shift in terms of employee’s perspective about the management can usher in the desired changes. HR’s role as stated earlier, becomes pivotal in reasserting their leadership position and find new ways to create sustainability for organizations and their people.

My objective to write this note was simply to get a new human perspective out to fight current professional crisis in each of our professional lives and not as an employer or an employee.
If an entrepreneur can remain motivated to run the business and the business continues, then damage can definitely be controlled.

Take Care and Stay Safe!!