The COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all personally and professionally. But it has also had a major impact across the healthcare sector and wider society. As we look ahead and start to plan for 2021 and beyond, one simple question you – like so many in pharma and the broader healthcare industry – may be asking is: “Are we ready?”
We’ve launched our new series of Difference Dialogues to try to address just that.
The question is simple, the answer anything but. How can the healthcare sector adapt to the “new normal” and navigate the reputational risks – and opportunities – arising from the ever- evolving challenges it faces combined with the “expectation tsunami” unleashed by COVID-19?
On the one hand, the healthcare sector finds itself grappling with a raft of industry-specific challenges. From the trajectory of drug regulation, approval and supply post-Brexit to the impact of digital platforms on relationship-building, the ramifications of AI for product development, to the backlog of non-COVID conditions and an ever-evolving clinical trials process.
On the other hand, the world has been upended across every sector by the tsunami of employee, customer, investor and community expectations triggered by the COVID-19 earthquake. Employee safeguarding and wellbeing. The future of work and working patterns. The rise of diversity and inclusion in all its senses. The lurking spectre of climate change driving the ever-greater impact of ESG reporting. And the expectation of corporate decency, transparency and honesty.
Together, this double whammy of sector-specific dynamics and major changes in how all corporations are viewed requires a different type of preparation. So just as the Difference Collective has been working differently for our clients for the past three years, we are now focusing on how we can help them to think, act and PREPARE differently.
Through our 100+ consultants, we have gathered considerable insight into how best to help our clients do this. But we also know that we haven’t thought of everything. Which is why we are launching a monthly Difference Dialogue for the remainder of 2020 – working in partnership with issues, crisis and reputation specialist Rod Cartwright and crisis simulation experts Polpeo. Under the Chatham House Rules, the Dialogues will explore your experiences over recent months and the challenges you are facing as you prepare for 2021.
For us, working differently has always been driven by our clients and it’s more important than ever that everything we do is grounded in understanding your challenges and opportunities. Sparked by initial thoughts from an expert panel including Rod, Kate and our digital communications lead, Wayne Page, we will explore – collectively – key questions including:
1. What are the three areas in which we feel the least assured that we are ready – operationally or reputationally?
2. What are the three areas in which we feel most confident that we are prepared for what is to come?
3. What are our greatest sources of uncertainty and ambiguity?
We know there are no right answers. But let’s work together, learn from each other and build our collective readiness and make sure we are informed and prepared for the future.
Join our next Difference Dialogue via Zoom at 12:30 – 14:00 BST on Monday 18th January 2021.
We will share a confidential write up of each session with the participants. Drop us an email at hello@thedifferencecollective.com to reserve your space or to hear about future dates.
About the Author
Angie, Founder, has worked in healthcare communications for over 30 years, ultimately building one of the most successful UK healthcare consultancies. Throughout her career, she has constantly looked to do things differently and make a difference to the healthcare communications industry.
