Microsoft Lends a Helping Hand to Businesses during Uncertain Times
Envision IT Pressroom | April 14, 2020
Envision IT Pressroom
April 14, 2020
Microsoft looked to their vast partner network for expertise to include in a Survival Guide for small and medium-size businesses amid COVID-19. The tech giant tapped Envision for insights from a conscious business.
Amidst the Coronavirus Microsoft is stepping up to help small and medium size businesses navigate the turbulent times. Part of that effort is publishing an e-book Survival Guide offering insights for business leaders on how to survive the economic impact of the pandemic. The e-book isn’t advertising Microsoft platforms, it’s simply an information resource intended to help business owners. Kudos Microsoft! They tapped Envision as a conscious business to provide guidance on fostering human connection while most businesses have transitioned to remote workstyles.
Participating in this piece with Microsoft prompted healthy reflection on the aspects of our conscious culture that are helping Envisioners and all our stakeholders during the crisis. And with that reflection also came a palpable surge of gratitude for our conscious business journey and all those that have joined us for this wildly fulfilling ride. This blog will focus on our content offered in the Microsoft Survival Guide.
Any organization that partners with Envision knows of our higher purpose to enrich the lives of our stakeholders and our passion for living that mission. Drawing from Rosie Ward’s important book, Rehumanizing the Workplace (featuring Envision IT), our purpose is indeed our Lighthouse. It’s a beacon guiding everything we do and serves as the foundation for our conscious culture. And certainly our culture has contributed to our business success, but it’s also the saving grace during the most celebrated of times and the hardest of times. During the highs, our culture keeps us confidently grounded. And now, during the challenges brought upon us with COVID-19, we are resilient and fiercely dedicated to amplifying our care for all. These are a few specific arrows that we are pulling from our quiver while we work safely at home:
Compassion
The circumstances of COVID-19 affect everyone differently, and it’s critical to recognize that and empathize. We’ve learned that cared-for people care for people. And throughout this crisis Envisioners have been there for each other, our clients, business partners, and our communities. Working tirelessly to enable remote work for our clients to keep their businesses operating, Envisioners have also been supporting each other and our communities. Engineers shifting workloads to accommodate child care, elder care, and sickness. People talking openly, without fear of judgement, to share, understand, and support each other emotionally. Even increasing our community involvement with extra routes for Meals on Wheels and our National Guardsman member helping to keep voters safe during local elections. Compassion for others is shining a light on our blessings and fueling our productivity.
Communication
Communication is simply easier in person. And Envisioners prefer working together in-person. Working apart is uncomfortable and difficult for us. So as we’re all working remotely, we are communicating with intention and clarity. It’s important that we’re extra sensitive to language and tone, and ask for clarification rather than making assumptions. We keep an open dialogue, and if there are breakdowns in communication, we take the time now to explore why.
We foster connectivity by meeting together in video calls to talk “face-to-face,” and by finding ways to laugh together. We’re hosting weekly no-obligation happy hours where we share memes, experiences from the week (good and bad), and trade tips for working from home.
Authenticity
Now more than ever, our teams need us as leaders to be authentic about what’s going on. Not so much that we scare the heck out of people, but rather that we’re real and not afraid to show our humanity. I and others among the ELT are willing to admit that we’re fearful and struggling at times, and explore the issues that are coming up for us. We know that we’re going to get through this together, and when we lead authentically, act with compassion, and communicate mindfully we see the glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.
Thanks to all the talented and kind folks at The Storied Future for their support.
For quick and relevant advice on identifying key adjustments for remote work/play with integrity check out Envision's Coffee Break Webinar featuring Thea Polancic of ClearSpace. Anyone interested in resources to help with mindful communication, conscious leadership, and conscious culture, we recommend:
- Say What You Mean, by Oren Jay Sofer
- The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership, by Jim Dethmer and Diana Chapman
- Leading Well from Within, by Daniel Friedland, MD
- Firms of Endearment, by Rajendra Sisodia
- Rehumanizing the Workplace, by Rosie Ward and Jon Robison
- Dare to Lead, by Brené Brown
