Let’s not grind through another Groundhog Day

Let’s not grind through another Groundhog Day

By Emree Siaroff

Omicron Groundhog Day: Now, more than ever, it’s time for business and leadership strategy.

In the 1993 movie Groundhog Day, Bill Murray’s character Phil Connors asks the question, “What would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was exactly the same and nothing that you did mattered?” Seems bleak. But maybe it’s also a call to action.

For what feels like an ongoing COVID Groundhog Day, we are facing adversity again. Across Canada, the Omicron variant has governments implementing closures and lockdowns. At the same time, it has businesses facing or preparing for high absenteeism rates that are directly affecting their ability to provide goods and services. Students are learning remotely and yet again we are being asked to “pivot” and “be resilient.”

So where is there opportunity? A call to action?

While it may not feel like it right now, by all accounts it appears we are on the path to stability and growth. The science community is saying that while case counts in Canada will be very high in the coming weeks, they should start to level off as we move towards an endemic. If this proves to be true, businesses need to be prepared for what will come next.

Many indicators are pointing towards growth. The Business Development Bank of Canada predicts a Canadian GDP growth of 3.5 percent in 2022. TD Securities is predicting a positive 2022 with growth continuing and inflation peaking. This should lead to Canadians having money to spend; getting them goods and services will be the challenge.

So, as difficult as it may feel right now, the window is narrowing to strategize and plan for the new, positive challenges that will come and break this endless Omicron Groundhog Day feeling. It is the perfect time to ask yourself:

In a tight labour market, how can you differentiate yourself in the competition for talent? More importantly, how can you attract people who want to be part of your team for the long run?
Does your leadership team have the skills and competencies it needs to excel in the coming years? How do you know? How would it feel to be certain?
Is your culture giving you the results that you want?
Has your strategy considered the ground-breaking changes that are on the horizon?
Are you effectively measuring any or all the above?

These are not new questions. While we at Challenge Factory have been asking them since August, many businesses can no longer afford to ignore them. If the science is right, now may be the last opportunity to take the time to address them.

The actual Groundhog Day in 2022 is on February 2, a perfect line in the sand. By that date, act.

1. Reject Omicron Groundhog Day. Decide that it will not be the same and everything you do matters.

2. Realize that this is an opportunity and do not squander it. Think about the above questions and put a plan together.

3. Check out some of our resources:

4. Reach out if you need some help.

Explore Challenge Factory’s consulting services or contact us today for a conversation about how we can help you shape your business and leadership strategy.

Phil: “Something is…different.”
Rita: “Good or bad?”
Phil: “Anything different is good.”
– Groundhog Day, 1993

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