How Do Brands Maintain a Competitive Edge Post a Pandemic and Brexit?

Over the course of the last 5 years – from Brexit to COVID-19 – the private sector and every growth engine supporting the UK economy has been significantly impacted. The nation’s toolkit for growth and scale has never before taken such a hit, and in its recovery phase, it is critical that brands do not lose their competitive edge – with the path to economic growth and success now lying in brands driving innovation.

Simultaneously, the pandemic has also meant that our most talented creatives are now making a lifestyle pivot, after lockdown provided a forced career hiatus for 57% of Brits who now do not want to return to their previous 9-5 construct, data by Future Strategy Club reveals.

Future Strategy Club has been collating this very talent, from Gareth Tennant, the former Head of Intelligence at the Royal Marines, Hector Arthur, former Digital Director of The Times or Karl Weaver and former CEO of the Data Practice at Publicis. Creating a hybrid team of thinkers who are unphased by the acute challenges in how we are doing business today.

Now, private sector leaders can guide and support businesses over the next period of growth, in which the stage they are competing is heightened. Talent at Future Strategy Club has worked in consultancy, agency and client-side across many verticals. This gives them an overview of the challenges facing organisations today – and the solutions. They are a 250-strong team of the best consultancy and creative talent in the world, ready to envision, plan and execute to solve tomorrow’s challenges.

Justin Small, CEO of Future Strategy Club, discusses how to drive innovation post-pandemic:

“The new world of macro flux has suddenly emerged from the old — a world where economic, environmental and geopolitical change have come together to destroy the previous stability and drive us into a state of almost constant low-level panic. A new world where meaning and truth are being challenged like never before, and the retreat to the safety of the past is in full swing.

Moving forward, the world will look different, particularly the world of work. Research from the FSC shows that 29% of business leaders have already streamlined their teams; thousands of businesses have given up office spaces as employees work effectively from home. The business world is making way for a more flexible design, both in terms of physical space and head count. This has an impact on both employees and businesses alike; those who may find themselves being made redundant or furloughed may choose to capitalise on their skills and past experience to launch a freelance career. Now, businesses can source creative freelancers to enrich a team and drive fresh results.”