It was the Ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus who wrote that “There is nothing permanent except change”. Variations on this theme are everywhere today (“there is nothing constant except change” etc) but over time this wisdom has been transformed into a conference circuit piece of cracker-barrel wisdom and throw away remark. However, the central paradox is now more valid than ever as we attempt to deal with the unknowable near future and ready ourselves for managing business in a state of constant flux and evolution.

Today, we don’t know how we will return to our workplaces, we don’t know how the economy will perform, we don’t know the near-term future for travel and hospitality, and we don’t know when we will return to something approaching pre-Covid life. Heraclitus, it turns out, despite writing at least 2,500 years ago, was very prescient and anticipated life today.