Can You Up Your Game?
It has been months since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a global pandemic. And since then, many things have changed; from lockdowns in various countries to restricted access to borders and airspace, the current situation has definitely disrupted a lot of economies.
The global Procurement and Supply Chain market is no stranger to the disruptions caused by the pandemic. The fact that the outbreak started in China, the largest manufacturer in the world, has accentuated the impact in the industry. Some economies have started to open up again after a few months of restricted movement. However, the long-term effects of the pandemic are expected to come into play as the world eases into the new normal.
To cope, companies need to make a few adjustments. For example, in order to maximize the available workforce, companies need to reskill/upskill employees. An article in Harvard Business Review insists that reskilling plays a crucial role in softening the economic turmoil caused by COVID-19. Rapid reskilling of workers can help companies respond better to the current market demand.
In most career discussions that I have had with my candidates in the past few months, they wish to understand how the market is evolving and the key skills that will help them thrive post-pandemic. In this blog I have shared The Eight Skills that I strongly believe will help you succeed.
The Game is on: Sharpen Your Tool-Kit to Succeed!
Whether you’re a professional who got displaced or an active employee who wants to take on a new role in a company, reskilling/upskilling is definitely the way to go. Below are the essential skills to succeed in a post-coronavirus world.
Soft Skills
Generally, people tend to focus a bit more on hard skills, when in fact, soft skills are also essential in doing a job well. MindTools.com explains that soft skills play an important role in securing one’s success and they help you find more opportunities for career growth and development. This has become even more relevant in the current state where the normal is getting redefined. Here are the top soft skills that will help you succeed in a world after COVID-19.
Social Capital
Social Capital by definition “is the networks of relationships among people who live and work in a particular society, enabling that society to function effectively”. I rate this skill to be extremely important in shaping your career.
Putting things in context, without happy and satisfied partners, customers, alliances, or team, a well-structured Procurement, Planning, Manufacturing, Warehousing, and Distribution process won’t be enough to keep a company going. It is no different than any other relationship in life; you need to invest in them and nurture them continuously.
I must admit I’ve heard candidates and clients feeling the challenge of having to build relationships and influence virtually especially with reference to new joinee assimilation or roll-out of new initiatives. For Example: If you have just started in a Regional role in an organization with the mandate to implement IBP or a Category Management structure, how do you get the buy-in / How do you Influence cross-functionally in a time sensitive environment? Hence, be it an external/internal stakeholder or a team, continuously refining your skills in relationship building, influencing and management will greatly benefit you as a professional. Tricky part is this cannot be forced! it needs time and genuine effort.
Adaptability
The coronavirus pandemic continues to reshape the global economy. So, if there’s one other soft skill that I’d recommend having, it would be the ability to adapt fast. In a world where everything is changing fast, adaptability will allow you to think of the best ways to not only survive but to thrive for a long time.
One could argue that this was always a necessary skill and there’s nothing groundbreaking about it; but guess what? Previously it was a Nice-to-Have skill and now it’s turning out to be a Must-Have. Procurement and Supply Chain skills are by and large replicable, but how quickly can you adapt to a new industry/product/role/culture? How are you adapting to working across time-zones? Can you carry out your responsibility virtually without physically relocating? How are you adapting working in an organisation that is undergoing transformation; are the changes giving you jitters or are you able to adapt, stay motivated and deliver results? The more adaptable you are, higher the chances of winning.
Communication
Having excellent communication skills has never been more important. In a world where a large fraction of professionals needs to work from home, communication comes handy in minimizing gaps. It makes it easier to assess and address issues.
I’ve had quite a few Leaders sharing with me that during the Lockdown/Circuit Breaker they are having to constantly encourage the team members not to hesitate from asking for help! In a traditional office environment, it’s easy to just walk up to someone, or have a quick chat at the pantry to get the necessary information/help. Well, things have changed, and you now need to be comfortable to reach out and communicate your needs. Escalate Early & Escalate Often.
According to an article in Smarp, companies must have a good internal communication strategy especially during and after the pandemic. This way employees not only understand how to do a task but also avoid spreading misinformation and improve team engagement. As Leaders, Over Communicate rather than Under-Communicate.
Empathy
Needless to say, the pandemic has greatly affected the mental health of many people. The stress resulting from the uncertainty of the situation, the economic backlash of the pandemic, and the risk of getting infected or infecting others can affect how people act or behave.
Therefore, there is a higher call to lead with empathy both during and after the virus outbreak. Recognizing what other people feel will show genuine concern. Additionally, empathising with those who struggle psychologically helps them process their emotions and cope with the situation better. I recently attended an event on Leading with Emotional Intelligence and gathered good insights that helped me appreciate this skill better. Take advantage of the borderless access to events/webinars and refine this skill by understanding it in more detail.
Accountability
As remote working becomes the new normal, both leaders and team members need to develop accountability. It eliminates conflict and minimizes frustration. When every member of an organization is accountable, productivity levels in the workplace also increases and the quality of work significantly improves. Performing under Minimal Supervision is no longer just a fancy phrase in the Job Description; it is now a key skill to make the cut.
Hard Skills
There are plenty of job-specific skills in the Procurement and Supply Chain business. However, I’d like to focus the discussion on the skill sets that will best improve your chances to succeed after everything settles down.
Financial Analysis
It is no secret how a lot of companies today are struggling to keep things afloat. That is why it’s a must to have skills in financial analysis. BDO Canada explains that financial analysis comes handy in projecting the needs and the shortfalls of a company.
Let’s not get this wrong; I’m not suggesting that you turn into the CFO of the Company tomorrow!! What I’m however suggesting is you develop an appreciation for Financials / Commercials so you can look at the larger picture and add value to the Supply Chain/Procurement role you are in. This will not only equip you in having effective cross-functional communication but also help you deliver better results.
Familiarity with the Technologies used in the Business
A lot of organizations had their digitization framework in place even before COVID-19 hit. However, the outbreak has highlighted the need to speed up the digitizing process and with that, companies are looking to reskill/upskill their employees to respond to the situation.
On top of that, non-tech savvy employees have also recognized the importance of digital literacy as companies opted to use flexible working arrangements.
To survive a post-pandemic world, you must familiarize yourself with the technologies used within the organization. This may include work from home apps, ERPs, CRMs, Planning Tools, and automation software etc.
For Example: In the recent past I’ve recruited for Analysts who are great with using tools and driving recommendations as my client had implemented the tools but the current staff weren’t able to fully utilize it. So, upskill yourself through your company, through structured learning or even from your family and friends who have good know-how of that area. Stay Relevant! I also know of some companies that have rolled out Reverse Mentoring programs which has helped bridge this gap. Perhaps something you could try?
Data Analysis
COVID-19 has emphasized the importance of having skills in data analysis. With data analytics, organizations get to assess possible risks or weak spots. It also helps in projecting the results of a new strategy. Candidates or professionals with data analytics background and experience would surely contribute a lot to a company’s success.
I’m supporting quite a few of my clients in this area as they are strengthening their teams by adding headcounts in the area of Predictive Demand, Inventory Optimisation and even Logistics & Distribution Planning. Mind you, I’m not referring to being good at number crunching, I’m referring to building skills in analyzing the data, using statistical tools, making sense of it and drawing recommendations to drive decisions.
Key Take-aways
COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many industries. However, it has in a way, ushered in a new era of highly skilled professionals. With the scarce resources of companies and limited access to talents based in other countries, employees need to level up and innovate.
Even if your target company is still under hiring freeze, reskilling/upskilling right now is surely worth it. Take advantage of the time you have, to prepare yourself for the post-pandemic market. There are plenty of skills that will earn you merits. You can try starting with the top skillsets enumerated above. Take note of what you already have and identify areas for improvement.
It is quite natural for your first reaction to look at them (especially the soft skills) and go “Oh! These are such generic skills and I’m great at them!”; when that happens, remind yourself not to be biased in your self-assessment, use assessment tools where applicable and that you live in a competitive world which is forever evolving.
Also, keep your eyes peeled for opportunities. The Procurement and Supply Chain market continues to grow despite the pandemic. Companies dealing in essential goods continue to recruit. And that trend will most likely continue even after the pandemic.
Ananya Sinha Roy is the Director at The Supply Advisory (a division of Datasearch Consulting), a leading executive recruitment firm specialising in Procurement & Supply Chain.
You can view the The Supply Advisory website or contact them directly at info@supplyadvisory.com for a more detailed discussion.