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Laurene Ward | Is this Armageddon?

Published:Tuesday | March 31, 2020 | 12:19 AMLaurene Ward/Guest Columnist
There are many sectors of jobs that are being opened for graphic articles, web and mobile developers, researchers and technical installers and repairers.
There are many sectors of jobs that are being opened for graphic articles, web and mobile developers, researchers and technical installers and repairers.

WHEN I was two years old, Back to the future was the movie of the century. There were flying cars, supercomputers and multiple futuristic apparatus that seem mind-boggling and yet entertaining. The Jetsons cartoon was my all-time favourite, as I always envision entering the superfast machine and zooming from Jamaica in seconds to visit my father who lived in the US, and who I have never met.

I wanted to do homework and chores in seconds so I could gallivant with much more leisure time. The telephone was the most fascinating equipment for me, having the ability to engage in a conversation simultaneously without the waiting period when one sends a letter through the mail.

This apparatus was such a pivotal part of my upbringing that even now, I must have the latest and most sophisticated cell phone with all the latest additional accessories to enable its usage lasting for days, without the need to recharge. Not to mention the applications that can enable the most productivity to complete my tasks at breakneck speed, very large storage capacity, and easy useability.

The simple, scary and most unavoidable fact is that the world is changing; and is doing so at an exponential rate. If we were to compare technology and the world between a five- and 15-year span, there is a gargantuan change in how we live our lives, interact, and conduct business.

The COVID-19 pandemic upon us will be a life changer, and we must adapt. The ability for us to readjust and revolutionise will impact our business, whether negatively or positively. We must be proactive to grow to prevent displacement, replacement, and ageing out.

Business owners across the globe may be terrified as to the outcome of the economy, but we can use this cessation to reflect and retool our businesses to be ready as we pass through this physical and economic Armageddon.

A CHANGE MUST COME: REORGANISATION AND RESTRUCTURING THE MODE OF BUSINESSES

If your business operates mainly face to face, research ideas on how to implement strategies so as not to become antiquated. Most retail entities should incorporate delivery options as part of their operations. This includes food, pharmacy, car parts, furniture and appliance entities. Financial services should move most of their interaction and processing of applications to a reliable online platform that is interactive and user-friendly.

Normally, in-office transactions entail long waiting time, which could all be eliminated if most, if not all, could be done online, via emails and messages. The banks can implement automated portals and responses, easier document submission, and better verification techniques.

There are jobs in many sectors that are being opened for graphic articles, web and mobile developers, researchers and technical installers and repairers. There will also be a great need for delivery drivers and riders.

The Government will also play a vital role by acclimating, encouraging and facilitate the resurgent of past, present and future innovations that will induce productivity and resilience from this unfortunate pandemic.

- Jamaica and the world will not be the same after 2020. It does not have to be gloomy and disheartening for the economy entirely. We can use this opportunity to fine-tune, mitigate and transition to be more salutary conditions in our business, family and personal lives.

These are really hard times that we are living in; notwithstanding, we are an ingenious people. We will, and must, readjust to the changing times. The solution is doing it swiftly to keep up and be ready for when we can step out from our QUARANTINE!

Laurene Ward is manager of Pawn Shack Outlet, a tourism major student at The University of the West Indies, and PRO for Young Entrepreneur Association. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.