Simon Freakley
Chief Executive Officer, New York
The COVID-19 crisis, with its myriad economic, political, and social effects, continues to present leaders with a diverse set of challenges. The new year ushered in reinforced lockdowns in many parts of the world and a slower rollout of vaccines than many had hoped. On the bright side, while it may take longer than we all may wish, we know that this immediate crisis will eventually pass.
However, disruption—quickened on many fronts by COVID-19—is here to stay. New technologies accelerate the pace of change at a rate never before seen in history. New business models and entrants, unburdened by the past, upend the status quo. Empowered consumers, inhabiting their own self-curated digital worlds, demand what they want, when and how they want it. Those very forces that are driving greater disparities between the top and bottom performers in industry are also widening inequalities within society.
This article was originally published by the World Economic Forum. Click to read more.