COVID-19 and Mangagement

How has the recent COVID-19 crisis affected businesses?

COVID-19 has had a serious impact on businesses in 2020

Some businesses, products, and services have grown in the last year, but many have suffered as COVID-19 restrictions have reduced their workforces and client-base. There have been impacts on sales and the general economy which has forced alternative solutions (e-commerce, click & collect, delivery, etc...) to grow at a rapid pace. Management practices have been put to the test and human resources have had to deal with higher than normal levels of stress and burnout. In this session, we will look at some of the ways COVID-19 has impacted the business and management world.

Video: Amazon delivery during the COVID-19 crisis

At-home delivery used to be a convenience, but now with many people isolated at home it has become a necessity. But are warehouse workers and delivery drivers being protected from the coronavirus?

Video: 'Zoom fatigue' is real and it's settling in...

Many people are feeling drained and tired because of an increase in video conferencing and psychologists have started describing it as "Zoom fatigue."

Video: How this pandemic may help the workplace change for the better

The COVID-19 pandemic crisis may be the best time to plan for a real workplace change. Researchers in job burnout feel that employers should think of this time as a 'reset' and try to fix problem areas that can lead to job burnout, helping employees and saving billions of dollars in health care costs at the same time.

Audio: China's economy growing after COVID-19 control

China's economy has grown by 4.9% in the third quarter compared to last year, showing how economies can bounce back when countries are able to manage the pandemic. Listen here.

Reading: Success (and survival) of your business in the COVID-19 economy

Business life during the COVID-19 has elements of both crisis management and endurance (long term planning). How can your business join those that are succeeding in this environment? Read more here.

Reading: Hiring talent during the COVID-19 crisis

The pandemic has given hiring managers the opportunity to tap into a wider talent pool of processionals. Read more here.

Reading: Managers suspended after betting on employees contracting COVID-19

At Tyson Foods, the world's second largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork products, has come under investigation after managers were found betting on how many of their employees would contract the COVID-19 virus. Read more here.

Vocabulary: Important terms to know

Listen to vocabulary pronunciation here.

  • Symptoms
  • Pandemic
  • Epidemic
  • Impact
  • Immunity
  • Quarantine
  • Stimulus
  • Social distancing
  • Layoff
  • Proximity
  • Contagious
  • Infectious
  • Super spreader
  • Curfew
  • Isolation
  • Burnout

Reflection: Questions and opinions

Here are some important questions to reflect upon in having to do with this session's subject:

  • What effects have you seen on the business world due to COVID-19?
  • Do you things will get back to "normal" soon?
  • Are the measures put in place effective? What would you change if you were to decide?
  • What companies have "benefitted" from the lockdowns? What companies have been impacted negatively, or even been forced to close?
  • Online sales are on the rise, do you think this will continue, or die down after things go back to normal?
  • How can companies and managers help their employees deal with this difficult time?