Finding advantage in adversity during Covid-19

Covid-19 has delivered a combined health and financial crisis with an unprecedented global reach. Businesses need to recognise that their efforts today will have an impact far beyond the current pandemic.

Through the analysis of more than 5,000 companies, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has explored the opportunities and challenges which have gone hand-in-hand during previous volatile periods. Our research shows that, in previous crises, 14% of companies were not only able to accelerate growth but also increase profitability as they emerged post-crisis. How to gain advantage in adversity is an important lesson for businesses across Southeast Asia.

Investors are equally focused on this opportunity. In our June 2020 Investor Survey, 90% of investors indicated that companies that are on strong footing should prioritise building business capabilities at the expense of earnings per share (EPS) in 2020. Money talks, and its voice is calling for success through resilience in 2021.