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Why normal will be different: Preparing for 2021

Put the pandemic in context and find out how organizations are reacting to build a new future

Survival of the fittest is often a truism in business, but not always. Companies go through long periods of stability and even mediocrity—until a major event disrupts their operating environment. That’s what happened this year, with the COVID-19 pandemic. But other disruptions are also taking place.

Though many organizations are struggling to figure out their next moves, one thing is for sure: Now is not the time to wait on the sidelines. Competition will be even tougher in 2021.

Join Smith Business Insight and Queen’s Executive Education for this free webinar on business strategy. We’ll put the pandemic in context, examine changing conditions in the economy, and how forward-looking organizations are shifting, reacting and adapting to their new environment to build a new future. Led by Barry Cross, Distinguished Faculty Fellow of Operations Strategy at Smith School of Business.


Participants will learn: 

  • Strategies to create value and adapt to new environments

  • Necessary skills to handle the unique situations facing businesses today

  • Why we struggle with change (and what to do about it)

  • Insights into significant changes being overshadowed by the pandemic

Session Leader

Barry Cross

Assistant Dean (Professional Graduate Programs), Adjunct Assistant Professor & Distinguished Faculty Fellow of Operations Strategy

Barry Cross is an expert and thought leader in innovation, execution and operations strategy. He joined Smith School of Business after nearly 20 years in the automotive and manufacturing sectors with Magna Autosystems and DuPont, where he led many key strategic initiatives, including nearly 30 program launches in North America, Asia, Latin America and Europe. Barry speaks and consults widely in the areas of Lean Innovation, Strategy, Projects and Execution, enabling organizations to create sustainable value for their customers.  He is the bestselling author of three books, including Simple: Killing Complexity for a Lean and Agile Organization.