Regardless of the size of the company, keep these 7 steps in mind for the company's contingency plan:
1. Take a staff inventory: divide it into three groups. First, what people have to be in the office; second, who can work at home and third, those who have to be in the office and can work at home.
For the first group: tell them why they need to be in the office. Make sure to increase cleanliness and disinfect all shared surfaces such as: elevator buttons, electronic devices, coffeemakers, light switches, any handles or doors. Ask them to wash their hands regularly and avoid physical contact.
For the second group: send them home but first tell them that their work time should be respected as much as possible. That is to say; if they work from 9 a.m. at 6 p.m. and they have lunch from 1 to 2 p.m., it will be the same as they should do at home. But be flexible because they may have children to take care.
For the third group: depending on their duties if they need to be in the office; for example, once a week because it’s really necessary, try to rotate them. In this way, fewer people in the office will be better at preventing illness.
For any employee who becomes ill, it should be informed immediately to assist the person with the medical process and cover that person’s work. Coordination is key to keeping employees safe and the business running.

2. Monitor the employees’ situation: each area or department Head must monitor everyday how the employees are, no matter where they are and must report daily to the CEO. This is not just for coronavirus; remember that other problems may arise such as: frustration, tension, worries, loneliness, fear. If possible, organize a conference call or use some other tool where people can see each other (for example Skype), at least once a week. Not just to stay up-to-date on what's happening at work, but for employees to share what they're living. Those little sessions can help everyone a lot.
Keep in mind: it's easy to lose balance when changing a dynamic; for example working at home when it was not done. Maintaining contact can avoid feeling isolated or any other negative feelings.

3. Analyze the things the company needs to be able to operate. This covers any third party that works for the company (suppliers, consultants, distributors, etc.) to cleaners, soap, stationery, etc. Talk to third parties about what they plan to do so that you can also know what to expect from them and how this may or may not affect the company's supply chain, and therefore the products or services the company offers.

4. Train employees with reliable sources and keep them regularly updated on what is happening in your country and what the company is doing. Check what the health authorities are saying. Informed people can prevent other crises like panic; don't let uncertainty create insecurity. And train them in cybersecurity to prevent data breaches and phishing, especially now that criminals are taking advantage of this pandemic and people's fear to scam.

5. Cancel any trip, conference, meeting, event that is not necessary. The goal is to limit employees’ exposure to more people to minimize contagion.

6. Pause any contract or business plan that may be affected. There is still no specific date on when the pandemic will be minimized. Therefore, anything that is not critical must be thought twice about being hired or carried out.

​7. Make a daily backup of company data: this includes emails, figures, and documents. Since many of the employees will work at home, it is important to support their work. Whether it's done manually or automatically, make sure everything is fine. Are they working using a company laptop or their own? Their mobile? Are they sending an Excel document or accessing the company system remotely? What control measures does the company have to mitigate any risk of information security?

​The main goal of the contingency plan is to make the transition from what was physically carried out in the office and is now done remotely in the best possible way. And of course, that the company's operations continue. Giving security and support to employees will also help that productivity doesn’t decrease and the company stays alive in the face of this coronavirus pandemic.

-Leadership: if in past years true leaders were needed, this year will be an indispensable requirement for both governments and companies. The new generation of leaders must have: clear strategies on what to do, make appropriate and well thought-out quick decisions, as well as be updated on everything that affects the government or company. The consultants and/or advisors will play an important role.

-Cybercrimes: given the turnaround that the world is giving in a more digital world, they will tend to increase. Data breaches, frauds, terrorist financing, money laundering, harassment, corruption...will be increasingly done in the digital world. Crimes will tend to be more international and cooperation between governments and companies will be indispensable in order to stop them. The cornerstone of protection for all of us will be to be trained on these issues in order to determine how vulnerable we are and prevent them.

-Greater impact on the environment: if last year nature showed us the effects of global warming and pollution, this year the effects will be greater. This will cause greater migration of people to other countries, shortage or price increase of some resources, which will lead to higher prices of products. At the same time, companies will have to adjust to new environmental regulations, adjust processes and become more aware of their corporate responsibility towards the environment.

-More activism by society: social networks have boosted people's voice. Technology has helped expose crimes in real time; either with a video or photo. Uploading them to social networks makes it spread more quickly and has more coverage. And in turn, more pressure is generated, more demand for a solution. This will make both governments and companies take more care of their actions because they will be more exposed to reputational risk.

-Employees: companies will tend to focus much more on teamwork and those employees who are proactive will excel. The proactivity will have 2 pillars: that it is done with knowledge and experience.

​2020 will be a challenge for everyone: we’ll tend to become more aware of our role and the impact that our actions are producing in the world. And hopefully, we'll rectify strategies and attitudes to do the best for everyone.

After delivering so many workshops, I’ve seen that most people express a desire for promotion but it’s more a “saying” than a plan.
“Who sees himself as a manager of this company?” Half of the hands are raised. If I change to director, fewer hands are raised… and when I say CEO…there are only one or two hands raised.
If I ask: do you know what you need to be in your boss’s position? Nobody answers.
The truth is that the vast majority would like to be the boss but for some reason they are afraid to do it. Everyone wants true leaders; a better work environment but none dares to make the change.

If you are one of those people who have the desire but don’t know how to do it, here are some tips.
First, nobody is born being a leader. So remove all your fears and insecurities. You can start doing little things that over time will make you stand out from others, such as:

a) Do the right thing: I know, I’m asking you to go to the hard way but it’s essential if you want to stand out. So many excuses…so many exceptions…favoritisms…everything is part of not doing what it should be. If you want fair conditions you need to be fair!

b) Do what you say: this will give you credibility and trust with everyone else. Everybody wants a consistent person especially if that person is the leader. Guide by example.

c) Speak up: I’ve met so many people with great ideas…but sadly they keep those ideas for themselves. If you don’t speak nobody will know what you think, how you can contribute to the company. Speak-up… be open to feedback… and shape that idea. It could be the solution of that recurrent problem…

d) Accept when you are mistaken: if being consistent gives you credibility, wait to see what happens when you recognize your mistakes. By doing so, it shows that you are a human being, like everyone else, but that you have the courage, the security to admit it.

e) Generate relationships: no matter if the person is from another area, a supplier, a client, listen to them. You’ll be surprised of how much you can learn with a conversation. Also, you never know when life can change…so, be humble.

​f) Always continue learning: many people think that the only way to do it is by attending courses, workshops…no! If due to the budget you can’t attend one, do some research. There are so many useful things for free on Internet that the only thing you need is time to do it. You can also approach others and ask them what you need. A leader shares knowledge, while a boss blocks it.
 
Companies need leaders…countries, too. If you don’t believe me, read the news. There is a huge opportunity for capable, professional people. That kind of people that can make a difference in leadership, in corporate governance…so, what is holding you back?