The nations thoughts and prayers are with every single person, family, healthcare and blue light workers dealing with this crisis on all our behalf’s.

Last night we heard our Prime Minister was moved into an ICU as his Covid19 symptoms persist. I wouldn’t normally comment on politics or the leaders of countries.

This most certainly isn’t ‘normal’ times.

Boris, we all wish you a speedy recovery.

You may have heard that the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for Scotland resigned over the weekend due to a 'do as I say, not as I do' fiasco?

And in today’s news: New Zealand's health minister has called himself an "idiot" after breaking the country's lockdown by driving his family to the beach. David Clark admitted the 12-mile (20km) drive was "a clear breach of the lockdown principles".

For me these are quite relatable stories, in particular when it comes to leaders who forget to lead.

The business of retail continues to be extremely turbulent for some, and a beacon of hope for others.

As with most things in life there's no such thing as a magic bullet, and the same can be said for writing blogs and articles.

My focus for my blogs is based around a combination of multi-channel retail industry and related subject matter.

An area I have many years of experience in and which is something I'm extremely passionate about, along with the willingness to freely share some of that business experience to those wanting to learn.

This ranges from writing about the significant changes in the multi-channel retail landscape, to the explosion of growth on 'Social Media' along with my ongoing annoyance at the intrusive advertising industry.

There's no getting away from the fact that this crisis has already changed many people's lives and industries forever. For those coming out of the other side of this only history and actions will tell us the ones that learnt and changed, along with those that still cling onto what was.

When we look back and ask the pre-Covid19 question about business transformation I think it will be safe to say that it was the virus that turbo charged any of our transformation plans.

We’re now living in an accelerated state of “digital disruption.” This means technology has transformed work and business as we know it and there's no going back.

Consumer behavior and business expectations have changed, and organisations must evolve at even greater speed to meet the changing needs of their customers. Those that didn't adjust the business mindset pre-crisis are now paying a hefty price for 'business as usual'.

Without a doubt this crisis will shine a torch on the best brands and it's leaders, and once the virus dust settles, and assuming you still have a business that's trading what will your leadership team look like post Covid19?

If you're currently one of those businesses contemplating a change in CEO or CMO in order to 'freshen up' and 'reinvigorate' the strategy, direction, and leadership of the company perhaps you want to try a litmus test to see if they're as good a fit as the CV says.

If it was me I would like to know if they have walked the talk on social media during this very real crisis, as such do they really understand the strategic value of the medium they previously spent most of your marketing budget on.

1) FOMO - Why are they on Social Media? A lot of people use LinkedIn and other social platforms only when they are looking for a new job or to announce how important they are when they get one - After that NOTHING so how are they going to inspire the team and learn what's new?

2) Check out their 'Social Proof' - are they a passive or active user of social media. Does it look like they 'show up' on a regular basis and engage with others, and what do they do on other social networks. Do they have a regular blog, do they produce and write industry articles. do they actively and proactively 'grow' their network. Are they seen as someone whose authentic, not just pumping out the corporate message.

3) Would you consider them as 'Social Influencer' - Do they 'actively' use social media to share knowledge and offer advice? Are they seen by others as someone to go to for advice, evidential knowledge. Do they 'listen' and engage in other people's post and articles.

Are these not important leadership traits today?

With 3.8bn people on one social platform or another around the world does simply handing social media to the guy with the beard, or the girl with the tattoo in marketing doesn't really cut it today.

Social media requires a strategy that sits across the entire business enterprise - WHY?

Because that's how today's social savvy consumer 'experiences' what you say you do.