Written by Deborah Mazoudier, Founder & Principal Consultant

I went into the office for the first time in 6 weeks yesterday. I was so excited. Excited because I was out of the house and drinking a coffee from my favourite cafe around the corner and extra excited because my work pants fit even though I have eaten enough baked goods to last a lifetime!

I spent the day facilitating a Skills Development course that doubled as the strategy development for a major tender. 8 hours of staring at the Zoom screen and maintaining an energy level far greater than that in person was exhausting, but it confirmed clearly in my mind … I absolutely love what I do.

Coronavirus has forced all of us to focus on what really matters. For me this has been my family (including my beautiful but declining 18 year old cat), my team, and my vocation.

And I have learned many lessons over this last 6 weeks due to this crazy predicament we all find ourselves in:

• Flexible working works. It always has for Tender Plus and now some of our more obstinate clients recognise you do not have to be a “bum on a seat” to produce an exceptional outcome.

• A team that communicates openly and honestly is everything. We have admitted to each other when we have felt frustrated, trapped and vulnerable. We have celebrated the little wins, and we have all borne together the challenging dynamics of bidding in isolation.

• Tender Plus clients rock! Our (and my) relationship with our clients is caring and genuine. So many clients have reached out to me over the last month for nothing more than to ask how Tender Plus is faring as a small business in uncertain times. And to see how I am doing individually and I cannot thank them enough.

• We are playing an infinite game. I told my team before a pandemic was even declared that no one would be made redundant. That we would weather whatever came together. And as a result we have rallied to secure work (however small) and shared the opportunities as they have come in the door to keep the entire team engaged.

• The book can wait. I have also learned that I don’t need to use my “down time” to write a book. I have no downtime. I have the opportunity to play with my kids and support their learning. I have the chance to have long meaningful conversations over coffee (and yes wine) with my partner of 21 years and to constantly reconfirm my love for him. I have the time to sit quietly with Lily, my cat, and thank her for the last 18 years of companionship. I have moments to be swept into other lands while reading a crappy but wonderful fantasy novel. And because I love my job (and my business) - I have the impetus to keep it on track, to look to the future, to seize every opportunity it presents for myself and my team. And, having said all that, I also have the space to be grateful and to acknowledge how lucky I am when others are not and to be deeply and indelibly saddened by the destruction and loss this virus has wrought.