One of the six pillars essential to enjoying living longer is being able to embrace change. As the world rolls forward the ability to assess and evaluate new ideas and a willingness to adopt and embrace the relevant ones is essential. Giving up on change can rapidly lead to giving up on life.

An essential element of this skill is being able to determine what ‘good looks like’ particularly in a rapidly changing environment. Never has this been more important than just now, as we emerge from the Covig lock down. Everything that should be familiar has changed, and the things that contributed to the former success may no longer be present. Here are some examples:

We want the planes to start flying so we can return to travel. Fewer passengers remove economies of scale raising the cost per seat and so reducing demand. Where is the new balance – what does good look like?

Dentists are open but the Covig restrictions cut their patient throughput in half while the cost of PPE per patient visit has risen tenfold. Higher operating costs and fewer patients puts up the cost per visit and reduces demand – what does good look like?

Shops are open but compulsory face coverings, limited numbers in store, queuing and frequent hand sanitising has changed the experience. Can they survive? What does good look like?

Train companies made profits by filling their services but with demand down and passenger numbers limited. What does god look like?

Pubs and restaurants made profits from filling their space – with well-spaced table service and no standing. – what does good look like?

Getting back to business is a start – returning to sustainable profitability is a whole different challenge!