The Sustainability Committee's first virtual session addressed the issue of how to plan for the normalization of the crisis in companies.

The outbreak of COVID-19 in the business world brought about a transformation in the routine work dynamics of companies and forced them to rapidly manage their work logistics to adapt to the new reality. The first virtual session of the Sustainability Committee addressed the issue of how to plan for the return to normalcy of the crisis in companies.

For Josefina Navarro, president of the Sustainability Committee, once the major impact of the crisis has passed, companies that want to survive this process must adjust their strategy and adapt it to the new reality.

He understands that organizations need to use new work tools that allow them to maintain the continuity of their operations, as he foresees that the crisis will spread and they must learn to live with it.

During the virtual session, Committee members acknowledged that 2020 has been a challenging year for all companies, given that the arrival of the pandemic has put crisis management, corporate reputation, and business continuity plans across various businesses to the test.

In this regard, they emphasized the importance of sustainability during times of crisis, as it keeps the business together and allows them to communicate key messages to their various stakeholders.

When sharing the different business experiences of the Committee members, it was highlighted how digital technology has gained greater importance during this situation, specifically with the use of digital communication channels, social media, and virtual meetings for remote communication.

They understand that this new normal imposes new protocols and frameworks in the workplace that companies must develop.

"Many companies were resistant to the idea of working from home. The process for teleworking wasn't defined, but the times forced us to adapt and reinvent ourselves," they stated.

Another point discussed in the first virtual session of the Sustainability Committee revolved around how companies have supported their employees during this crisis.

Establishing a support network to address employee anxiety, sending staff to work from home, providing technical equipment to establish remote connections, and organizing employee training were the main measures cited.

"We are entering the era of 'contact-free,' a 'new normal' that is changing our lives and is here to stay. We have a responsibility to take action to address this change," said Juliannie Guerrero.