PARTING SHOT

WE CAN DO IT (ALL)

WORDS LEETA LIEPINS

As Michael Chabon famously noted, “Man makes plans…God laughs.” Well, here we are.

As the tipping point for the COVID crisis gradually recedes from the apocalyptic event horizon, what challenges must we overcome en route to the cautious reopening of the Canadian economy?

For most industries, these challenging times have forced small- and medium-sized business owners to dramatically scale back both production and employee schedules. The redistribution of responsibilities throughout the managerial echelons is akin to re-booting a computer in “safe mode.” You can run the basic software, but that’s about it.

The mantra “less is more” is heard echoing down the halls of commerce and industry throughout our fine land. These very desperate times have required a chameleonic response within all levels of the economy. The Darwinian “adapt or die” edict has become all too real in real time.

What has replaced our former machined and manicured models is, in a word, chaos. Extinct are the lofty job descriptions which, in a previous life, were bespoke blueprints for an unsullied career path. Poof, gone.

The specialists are, through necessity, being required to evolve into generalists. The business owners themselves are streamlining the essential basics to secure baseline profitability. Corner-suite executives now find themselves wallowing knee-deep in the muck of daily operations. General managers have become exactly that…generalists capable of filling any unforeseen gap.

That said, what is truly remarkable about this paradigm shift is the collective societal resilience that has emerged as a result. We, as Canadians, have demonstrated that through working together in an apolitical spirit of compassionate co-operation, we can succeed where other nations stand divided.

While there is still a great deal to be done, I could not be prouder of our efforts.

LEETA LIEPINS TV Host/Co-Executive Producer: Our City Tonight TV airing Sundays at 1230pm on CityTV Instagram: @ourcitytonight, @culturebitesvancouver, @LifewithLeeta Twitter: @ourcitytonight @LifewithLeeta