Modi hails the rise of new office, business models

On the eve of India entering the 26th straight day today of a nationwide lockdown forced by Covid-19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the contagion has significantly changed the contours of professional life and trade and called for new office and business models.

Sharing his thoughts captioned "Life In the Era of Covid" on Linkedin, the social media platform for professionals, he said the virus "has brought with it many disruptions. Coronavirus has significantly changed the contours of professional life," reports our New Delhi correspondent.

"These days, home is the new office. The Internet is the new meeting room. For the time being, office breaks with colleagues are history," he wrote, and said he too has been adapting to these changes by holding most meetings with ministerial colleagues, officials and world leaders via video conferencing.

"The work place is getting Digital First. And, why not? After all, the most transformational impact of technology often happens in the lives of the poor. It is technology that demolishes bureaucratic hierarchies, eliminates middlemen and accelerates welfare measures," according to Modi.

"Perhaps, this is the time to think of reimagining what we refer to as being efficient. Efficiency cannot only be about how much time was spent in the office," he added.

"We should perhaps think of models where productivity and efficiency matter more than appearance of effort. The emphasis should be on completing a task in the specified time frame," Modi said.

Turning to logistics, he said this was previously only seen through the prism of physical infrastructure – roads, warehouses, ports. "But logistical experts these days can control global supply chains through the comfort of their own homes," he added.

"India, with the right blend of the physical and the virtual can emerge as the global nerve centre of complex modern multinational supply chains in the post COVID-19 world," Modi said.

He suggested the pandemic crisis also held out a lesson for business models of the future.

"I envision this new business and work culture being redefined. The need of the hour is to think of business and lifestyle models that are easily adaptable. Doing so would mean that even in a time of crisis, our offices, businesses and commerce could get moving faster, ensuring loss of life does not occur," the Indian PM said.

He also called for developing business models "that attach primacy to care for the poor, the most vulnerable as well as our planet."

Modi took the opportunity to push through his pet project of digitalisation.

"Embracing digital payments is a prime example of adaptability. Shop owners big and small should invest in digital tools that keep commerce connected, especially in times of crisis," he said.

 Pointing out how telemedicine was used in India during the ongoing lockdown for combating COVID-19, Modi said one has "seen several consultations without actually going to the clinic or hospital. Again, this is a positive sign. Can we think of business models to help further telemedicine across the world?"

Modi said, "COVID-19 does not see race, religion, colour, caste, creed, language or border before striking. Our response and conduct thereafter should attach primacy to unity and brotherhood. We are in this together."

"Unlike previous moments in history, when countries or societies faced off against each other, today we are together facing a common challenge. The future will be about togetherness and resilience," he said.