75 Leaders shares: Our Way Ahead

Insights from leaders in our network on their ‘Way Ahead’, presented by our CEO Richard Moore

In our ‘Way Ahead’ series of articles, MU’s CEO Richard Moore, offers practical advice on important topics leaders face, through and beyond Covid-19. The series addresses essential questions Boards and CEOs face now; setting the best strategy for new conditions, improving organisational effectiveness through uncertainty and securing leaders that will succeed. Read them here.

Each article encourages readers and leaders to contribute their advice. Inundated with their ideas, this additional article consolidates readers feedback so far – from all sectors and around the world, into six dominant themes: 

• Customers and Clients
• Leadership
• Communication
• Change Management
• Organisational Set-Up
• Culture and Teamwork

At the peak of the pandemic, MU nitiated a survey of UK business leaders asking about their experiences during the Covid-19 crisis, the impact of the pandemic on their business and decision making now and in the future.

​We are proud to be able to share the full survey result​ with you all today and hope these insights can be beneficial for you as well. 

Executive Summary

• The survey was sent to 371 Leaders and completed by an impressive 20% 
• Respondents include FTSE100, FTSE250 and SME’s across 10 sectors (with Manufacturing, Financial Services and Technology having the greatest representation) 
• 26% employ over 2,000, with 52% having 500 or less. 

When assessing the impact of this crisis on business we looked across a number of dimensions, namely strategy, leadership, working practices, clients and customers, and of course people. 

A number of headline themes emerged: 

• The effectiveness of home working 
• Collaboration, pace in innovation and productivity have increased across many markets 
• The critical importance of strong leadership 
• The amplified urgency associated with digital transformation 
• Many are prioritising cost control and liquidity, but significantly a third are looking to add new products or services, and a similar number have talent retention and talent acquisition in their top two priorities 
• Looking forward, the outcomes from our survey clearly indicate, effective talent strategies will be critical to future success across multiple markets. ​

Keep joining in, please

I also invite you to continue to add to the advice we present, as contributors. With your active involvement, we leaders can share more practical advice that makes for stronger organisations in the future.

Please join in and send us your stories and advice, so we may include it in this series. Send your stories and advice to me on marketingsupport.int@mercuriurval.com or directly at richard.moore@mercuriurval.com

Richard

#LeadersHelpingLeaders