Friday, 1-Jan-2021

Today is Friday, 20-March-2020.

After 286 days, we will reach Friday, 1-Jan-2021.

What is the condition of the world right now? What are the major news headlines?

Today, world is united. Entire world has one common enemy - Coronavirus.

All nations, all religions, all races have become one to defeat this common enemy.

Major cities of the world are under lock-down. Everyone is advised to self-isolate.

Stock markets, company valuations and financial performance is collapsing.

Stay-at home orders and self-isolation will have cascading effect on global economy. Some of the immediate effects are:

1) Hotels, Airlines, Amusement Park: Global travel is severely affected. In next two-to-six months will see considerable downtrend in travel, hotels, airlines, movies, theme park business.

2) Retail, Restaurant, Jewelry, Live Shows, Events, Luxury and Casual Shopping: Because of lock-down and stay-at-home orders all these industries will see significant downtrend.

3) Auto, Finance, Banking, Insurance, Home: Car, Home, Banking and Insurance constitute the core of economic activities. These activities will take a big hit because people are advised to stay at home.

4) Job Opportunities: It is likely that falling demand and cash-flow challenges will force smaller employers to cut-down on staff strength.

5) Rentals, Loans, Interest Payments: Small businesses may find it difficult to pay mortgage, interest and rentals. Many companies may face bankruptcies.

In next 2-6 months, world economy may experience tremendous challenges. Job losses, economy downtrend, bankruptcies, healthcare challenges and an experience of unpredictability.

What steps you will take to prepare yourself during this period of uncertainty?

Create an action plan. Start looking at projects you can complete during this slow-down. Look at what new skills you can master. This period of unpredictability can be used for self-development, skill-building, rejuvenation & completing long-pending tasks

What will happen after this period of volatility and unpredictability?

Most likely we will see stability, growth, development and progress.

We will all sail through this time and reach Friday, 1-Jan-2021.

Now, imagine you have reached Friday, 1-Jan-2021. What do you think are news headline? What issues are newspaper editors, business leaders and political leaders are talking about? What is the condition of each industry?

Here are some scenarios:

Best Case: By Friday, 1-Jan-2021, everyone has forgotten about Coronavirus! New effective vaccines, medicine and treatment options are available. Doctors are able to treat it easily and effectively. All industries have bounced back. Global travel has increased. Nations are welcoming each other. Businesses are thriving.

What do you think will be your experience and state on 1-Jan-2020? What do you want to be?

Start preparing for rebounding in business activities and improvement in economic outlook starting Q4-2020 or Q1-2021.

Start making plans for 2021.

Worst Case: By 1-Jan-2021, we are still trying to contain Coronavirus. Economic activities remains paralyzed.

Actual situation would be anything between Best Case and Worst Case.

There will be disruption in business processes. Companies will need to quickly evolve new processes and ideas to serve customers. Team members will also need to create action plan for better coordination and supervision.

This situation will create new wave of innovation & preparedness.

What will be the situation by 1-Jan-2022?

Imagine and share your view of the future.

Share your action plan.

Be ready for exciting 2021 and beyond!