CIO OPINION

Taking a data-driven approach during this pandemic can help temper any further shocks .

Doug Woolley , Managing Director Dell Technologies

South Africa

Doug Woolley , Managing Director Dell Technologies South Africa , discusses local lockdown measures that are still in place and why having access to real-time data in order to make swift , effective and consistent decisions around onsite and offsite working is essential if employees are to build trust in their employer ’ s ability .

a pandemic we continue to move through uncharted territory . Over the course of 2020 , the tide continued to change as South Africa went in and out of lockdowns – and businesses reflected cautiously on their ability to work safely in the office . to safely opening and closing the office . It is essential to find the right balance between working from home and on site . Trust in employers to get this right is paramount , as employees seek assurance .

COVID-19 and employee care

As the pandemic evolves around the world in 2021 , with the bitter-sweet addition of a new more transmissible variant of the virus and the rollout of vaccines , the role of business leaders has expanded . They are not only the guardians of profit and loss , but they must be motivators as well – with responsibility for employees ’ health , safety and wellbeing . During these times , making sound and comprehensive decisions is more important than ever for employees to keep faith – especially when it comes

At the start of 2020 , when the first wave of COVID-19 rippled around the world , companies rushed the workforce to the home office – in some cases overnight . This accelerated Digital Transformation projects , with IT investments becoming a business-critical priority as businesses quickly adapted .

But many were simply not prepared and some found themselves back on site as the pandemic prevailed .

38 INTELLIGENTCIO AFRICA www . intelligentcio . com