Most of us watching the news are probably up-to-date on the Swine Flu outbreak. The Media, bloggers and others are generating awareness . . . and a lot of buzz. I was reflecting on what this mean to those of us in the Business of Globalization. Such epidemics certainly a cause for concern. The way I look at it:
- In the short run the pandamic will certainly impact trade and business as people become hesitant to get on a plane, travel and attend critical meetings. Companies, especially multinationals, will send out travel advisories based on their individual corporate risk assessments. More governments may issue travel advisories. Cross-continental and international travellers may have to undergo additional screening. . . . etc . etc.
- In the mid-term, say next few weeks: one should be watching with caution, use common sense while travelling and of course have confidence that the authorities around the world are going to do their best to contain the epidemic. Of course, HR departments, corporate security groups and governments are perhaps doing a quick scan of lessons learnt from that the SARS era. Note to self: there is an irony that the SARS scare also came at a time of global slowdown (in the tech sector)
- Most of us in the business of globalization remember SARS virus scare that had a similar short-term impact on global trade . . . but was soon forgotten. In the long run, things will settle back into a pattern. And of course there will be new lessons learnt.
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