Most UK bars and restaurants will reopen again this weekend. As the number of Covid-19 cases finally approaches a sustainably manageable level, the 15-week social lockdown is being eased.

Not in Leicester, however. There, the bars will remain shut for a further two weeks at least. A local spike in cases means that more stringent controls are required to subdue the spread of the virus.

The news came something of a surprise to local officials. While central government had a full view of the situation – which is why ministers decided to prolong Leicester’s lockdown – its officials had shared information relating to just 20% of the cases with the city’s authorities. Undoubtedly, the inability of Leicester’s health and council officers to understand the true scale of the issue has led to a delay in taking the necessary action.

There is no single ‘best way’ to organize for success. Both centralization and decentralization can work. The critical factor is to have an organizational approach that meets your strategic focus and underlying business model.

McDonalds, for instance, with its focus on a consistent offer that enables its supply chain to operate efficiently, doesn’t allow local restaurants to vary their menu. Conversely, the Coop retail business allows its stores to select a product range that will best meet the needs of local shoppers.

Based on Leicester’s experience, it’s unlikely that the Covid-19 virus will be contained in the UK without giving local authorities more ability to both understand and address their local issues. That means sharing more and better information with local officials so that they can, in turn, make better decisions.

What level of local discretion is demanded by your strategy and business model? And how effective is your organization, and its underlying information systems and operations, in delivering your approach?

Off The Record: What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye

Picket lines and picket signs

Don’t punish me with brutality

Come on, talk to me

So you can see

What’s going on

Yeah, what’s going on

What’s Your Post-Covid Business Strategy?

Find out how we’ve helped Mentholatum, the owner of Deep Heat, to re-focus their strategy, identify new growth opportunities and get on the front foot to succeed in the post-covid world https://morgancross.co.uk/clients/client-success-stories/mentholatum-may-2020/

In just a few short weeks, Stuart helped us to cut through the uncertainty created by the pandemic and create a new, refreshed strategic plan that will enable us to rapidly bounce back from the downturn and accelerate the growth of our sales, market share and profits.

Rob Yateman, Managing Director, Mentholatum UK


Coronavirus White Papers

I have written three white papers to help business leaders respond to the coronavirus pandemic and crisis.

Powering Through the Recession

How to grow profits and lead your markets through the coronavirus economic crisis

Agility For Life

 The crisis has led to faster, more agile decision-making and action across businesses. Applying six key principles can help leaders embed these changes to create ‘agility for life’

Succeeding Beyond The Coronavirus Pandemic

If you want to succeed in the post-Covid world, you need to plan and act fast bow to reshape your business to the new realities and opportunities. Succeeding Beyond the Pandemic gives you a clear, 5-step process to reshape your strategy and accelerate your success.

© Stuart Cross 2020. All rights reserved.