Stephen Hamlet, CEO Russell Bedford International, in an interview with the International Accounting Bulletin shows how the network is coping in a world-wide pandemic.
What is your network doing to minimize the threat of collapse that the current situation carries?
Russell Bedford launched a new platform in our intranet dedicated Covid-19.
It is used to send general guidelines (how to proceed if you are still working in the office and how to adapt to work at home), as well as regular detailed updates from around the world, which are provided by our members or those that are sourced from public websites in the countries of our members.
We are also preparing a website with information on fiscal and economic measures provided by governments around the world to help businesses and individuals suffering financially. (ed. page available HERE)
In addition, we have started cooperation with a media company, providing us daily with press releases, which in turn we provide to our companies, with a focus on news related to Covid-19 And with what's happening all over the world. As we know, everything is changing rapidly, and this publication provides our members with detailed global information.
At this difficult time, we must stick together (but not physically, of course!) so we have created a special communication tool for members who can share their concerns, ideas and solutions about the challenges ahead. We encourage everyone to freely discuss how they solve difficult problems.
What's a replacement plan instead of canceled events?
Physical events are actually cancelled, but we have online forums, online seminars and platforms that I mentioned above. We are going to start producing "virtuals" to gather people during the video conference. We've already started doing this with my team (everyone is working remotely from home now).
Communication is the key. We will continue to reach our members through modern technologies. It is important that our companies know that they have support not only from the headquarters but also from each other around the world; and furthermore their customers have support from their companies.
We share ways of providing this support and advice. This includes offering access to various online seminars, relations with training providers and through our internal experts. We can share resources, knowledge and ideas around the world.
I would say that being on a global network at a time like this is even more important than usual; not to feel lonely!
Which markets of your member companies are currently operating with a blockade? How are they doing?
Our message is always positive. We need to be there for our customers and we need to provide them with support. After China and other Asian countries it was Italy and then Spain... and now almost most of the places in the world.
Accounting companies are in an exceptional situation because they are providers of professional remote-working services that can function virtually anywhere, and we will continue to provide expert services that customers of companies expect Russell Bedford.
Fortunately, several companies prepared themselves earlier and were able to test remote work, making sure that everything worked effectively.