The entire recruitment and interviewing process is currently undergoing a lot of changes. Social networking sites such as LinkedIn are becoming an increasingly mainstream way to identify job candidates, and the entire workforce is becoming more fluid. There have also been a lot of exciting new ideas about how best to conduct interviews, many of which might be able to give you a much better idea of how a candidate will perform in the role.
Multiple interviewers It can be a great idea to invite other staff members to sit in on interviews, either as silent observers or active interviewers. Not only will this give you the benefit of a second opinion, but they may be able to hone in on qualities or skills that will be valuable to the company’s inner workings.
Behaviour based interviews This can be anything from asking a candidate to describe their behaviour in past roles and situations to setting a test or activity for them to complete. Setting a common activity for all of your candidates to complete can be a particularly insightful way to differentiate between the competition.
Re-framing traditional job interview questions Most interview candidates will have rehearsed their answers to traditional job interview questions, making it hard to get an accurate reading of their abilities. If you present a question in a slightly different way to normal, you will get a more natural answer that is reflective of the candidate’s adaptability. For example, instead of asking someone what they think their weaknesses are, ask them to describe how they have resolved a situation where they lacked knowledge or experience.
Strategic planning for businesses ensures resilience and continuity in adversity.
While businesses often focus on growth and expansion, preparing for potential disruptions and emergencies that could threaten operations is equally essential.
This is where disaster management, crisis, and continuity plans come into play.
Disaster Management Plans
Disasters can strike without warning, ranging from natural calamities like floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes to human-made incidents such as cyberattacks, data breaches, or supply chain disruptions.
Disaster management plans outline strategies and protocols for responding to and recovering from such events swiftly and effectively. These plans typically include measures for ensuring employee safety, protecting critical assets and infrastructure, and minimising downtime.
By having a comprehensive disaster management plan, businesses can mitigate the impact of disasters and expedite the recovery process.
Crisis Management Plans
While disasters are often external events beyond a business’s control, crises can arise from internal factors such as leadership failures, product recalls, or reputational issues.
Crisis management plans are designed to address these unexpected challenges and mitigate their impact on the organisation’s reputation, brand equity, and bottom line. These plans outline communication strategies, escalation procedures, and decision-making frameworks for managing crises promptly and transparently. By proactively addressing crises and demonstrating resilience, businesses can preserve stakeholder trust and emerge stronger from adversity.
Business Continuity Plans
Business continuity plans focus on maintaining essential functions and operations during and after disruptive events to ensure minimal disruption to business operations.
These plans identify critical processes, resources, dependencies, and alternative strategies for sustaining operations during a crisis or disaster.
Business continuity plans encompass remote work arrangements, data backup and recovery procedures, and alternative supply chain routes.
By prioritising continuity and preparedness, businesses can reduce downtime, protect revenue streams, and uphold their commitments to customers and stakeholders.
Benefits of Comprehensive Planning
Risk Mitigation: By anticipating potential threats and developing proactive strategies, businesses can mitigate the impact of disruptions and minimise associated risks.
Resilience and Adaptability: Comprehensive planning fosters organisational resilience, enabling businesses to adapt and respond effectively to changing circumstances and emerging challenges.
Stakeholder Confidence: Demonstrating preparedness and responsiveness instils confidence in customers, employees, investors, and other stakeholders, strengthening relationships and fostering loyalty.
Regulatory Compliance: Many industries have regulatory requirements mandating development and implementation of disaster management, crisis, and continuity plans. Compliance with these standards is essential for avoiding penalties and legal liabilities.
Competitive Advantage: Businesses prioritising resilience and preparedness gain a competitive edge by differentiating themselves as reliable partners and service providers.
Disaster management, crisis, and continuity plans are integral components of strategic planning for businesses seeking to enhance resilience and ensure continuity in the face of adversity.
By investing in comprehensive planning, businesses can mitigate risks, maintain essential operations, and safeguard their reputation and bottom line.
In today’s volatile and uncertain business environment, proactive preparedness is not just a best practice but a strategic imperative for long-term success and sustainability. Need assistance with strategic planning as we approach the end of the financial year? Speak to one of our trusted business advisors.
