Malaysian boards are equipped to respond to the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but cite the need to adapt to the evolving situation

Results of the ICDM Poll themed “Impact and Preparedness for COVID-19”

70% of Malaysian companies have a business continuity or crisis management plan but more needs to be done for companies to have better crisis preparedness

A recent poll by the Institute Corporate Directors Malaysia (ICDM) has revealed that more than two-thirds of Malaysian companies (70%) have a business continuity plan (BCP) or crisis management plan (CMP) in place to deal with or mitigate the effects of the current COVID-19 crisis, or a similar global pandemic or crisis. It is worth noting though that whilst two-thirds of respondents have a plan, only 62% have started implementing their plans a few days into the enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO) by the Government starting from 18 March 2020. 21% have revealed that their organisations do not have any existing BCP or CMP and are only in the process of developing the contingency plan in response to the MCO.

Of those with a BCP or CMP, only 17% demonstrated confidence in the effectiveness of their plans, whilst 70% acknowledged that the plans have areas for improvement in adapting to the evolving scenario of COVID-19. 13% felt that their current BCP or CMP are inadequate in addressing the impact on their business and need to be reviewed.

In times of crisis, the role of the board is essential in business continuity. 69% said that their boards are either well-equipped or sufficiently experienced and had guided the organisation in its preparation plans. However, 18% noted there was insufficient expertise from their board in terms of guidance and preparation, while 13% said there was no guidance or emphasis given for such preparations from the board. These calls for more upskilling of directors to better guide and execute their oversight role on the boards they sit on. Director skillsets such as crisis management, followed by leadership skills, communication, risk and compliance, as well as technology and innovation came up tops in dealing with such crisis in the future.

Michele Kythe Lim, President and Chief Executive Officer of ICDM said, “This is a wake-up call for Malaysian organisations. This is a crucial time for companies to assess their business contingency plan, to ensure that their business is able to withstand the crisis. In fact, it would have been too late if companies only started looking at their plans now. Boards need to realise that crisis management starts a long way before a crisis hits – it should be an integral part of the company’s risk mitigation measures and cannot be reactive. A robust framework in crisis management is essential to the survival of the company.”

Most Malaysian companies are negatively impacted by the crisis and will have to brace for a much more severe impact on their businesses if the pandemic is prolonged

With the announcement of the additional 14-day Movement Control Order (MCO) extension to mid-April, businesses are bracing for a much more severe impact. On this front, a staggering 93% of the respondents agreed to this notion, believing that the prolonged pandemic will see further disruptions to the Malaysian economy, which will either place Malaysia into a depression (38%) or recession (55%).

Michele added, “This is an unprecedented time for businesses in Malaysia. Whilst most of us may have been through earlier crises, the speed of infection and evolving nature of this pandemic is forcing organisations to relook and reconsider their business models, strategies as well as their product and service offerings. As stewards of their companies, boards in particular need to be leading this effort. As such, being well-equipped with the right tools and knowledge is critical to play the role in first, safeguarding the welfare of their people and then, the sustainability of their businesses. Now more than ever, boards and directors need to urgently act as any further inaction will only prolong the decline of the business – the key is clarity, speed and agility in moving forward. How we behave today will determine the trust our customers and stakeholders will have in us in the future. And this, is critical to the survival of any organisation.”

Boards must lead the way to replace fear with trust amid the COVID-19 uncertainty

Amongst the recommended next steps for organisations are: to review the human resource policies, revisit the crisis and continuity plans; evaluate the supply chain, identify potential points of failure, communicate effectively not just externally but internally as well; be agile in adapting to the changes and most importantly; not lose sight of other potential risks. Over the longer term, relooking board strategies and composition, ramping up the level of preparedness and adopting a long-term view of their business will be essential for the overall sustainability and success of the organisation.

Seven actionable steps for Malaysian Boards

1. Communicate clearly, frankly and frequently – Ensure your organisation engage both internal and external stakeholders in conversations promptly, to assure them that you are on top of things.
2. Do not be afraid to show compassion – Demonstrate vulnerability and show emotion. We are human after all. Inculcate empathy and humility through genuine actions of support.
3. Act quickly and decisively – Reconfigure your team structure, business processes and supply chain to formulate the best response. Be agile to changes.
4. Start paving the path to recovery – Think beyond the flattened curve. Be ready to pivot your business model and form a network of alliances to move in concert towards stability.
5. Do not lose sight of other possible risks – Stay vigilant of unintended consequences and take a broader view of risk. Revisit your crisis and continuity plans regularly.
6. Broaden your knowledge and skills – This unprecedented crisis calls for boards to expand their capability to guide management through this difficult time effectively. Relook at your board strategies and composition in the longer term.
7. Take care of your well-being – Pay attention to your mental and physical health to maintain the ability to stay level-headed and exercise good judgment.

About the poll

ICDM Webinar Series

In line with our poll findings, ICDM has curated a webinar series themed ‘Entrusted: Doing the Right Thing to Ensure Continuity, Safety and Security’. The webinar series is anchored on four (4) key priority areas, namely crisis management, authentic leadership, digitalisation and stakeholder engagement. We hope that this webinar series can help boards and directors strengthen their capacity to lead effectively in times of crisis like this.