Deloitte: Organisations can thrive if well-prepared for future disruptions

Deloitte's survey of 2,260 chief experience officers (CXOs) in 21 countries validates the notion that acting early and advanced preparation matter, and offers proven lessons for increasing organisations' viability.

Deloitte Global chief executive officer Punit Renjen said as businesses move beyond 2020, rebuilding with resilience would become essential as evidenced by the survey, which found that over 60 per cent of global CXOs believe businesses could see occasional or regular disruptions of this scale, going forward.

However, less than a third of leaders feel completely confident that their organisations could quickly adapt and respond to future threats, he said in a statement today.

"Businesses have always faced disruption, but the challenges of the past twelve months have beenuniquely unrelenting.

"The confluence of a global health pandemic, social and political unrest, and worsening climate events have presented organisations with tough choices, new ways of operating, and fundamental strategic shifts," he said.

Renjen said as businesses look to recover and rebuild, the road ahead is likely to be even more unpredictable.

Therefore, organisations that plan and invest in anticipation of future disruptions would be better positioned to thrive, he said.

Deloitte's research identified five attributes of resilient organisations, namely, being prepared for all outcomes; adaptability; effective collaborations; trustworthiness and being responsible.

It said resilient organisations did not necessarily predict the events of 2020, but they weathered the immense pressures by enabling and promoting nimble strategies, nurturing adaptive cultures, and implementing and effectively using advanced technologies.