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Lessons learnt during Covid-19 help UAE businesses overcome challenges amid war
Many leaders say that going through the pandemic provided crucial lessons in implementing work-from-home policies and ensuring employee wellbeing
- PUBLISHED: Wed 18 Mar 2026, 5:00 AM UPDATED: Wed 18 Mar 2026, 9:18 AM
[Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid US-Israel-Iran war for the latest regional developments.]
As the Iran-Israel-US war enters its third week, some companies in the UAE are continuing to offer work-from-home options and flexibility in the workplace. Many leaders say that going through the Covid-19 pandemic provided crucial lessons in implementing such policies and safeguarding employee wellbeing.
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While not all UAE employees were granted this flexibility, many businesses adopted it after the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation recommended a “remote work” policy shortly after the war began on February 28.
For Danube Group, the biggest lesson learned during the Covid pandemic in 2020 was the importance of preparation and supply chain resilience, Anis Sajan, Vice Chairman of the group, told Khaleej Times.
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The multi-billion-dollar conglomerate was able to maintain sufficient inventory to support operations for nearly six months during the Covid pandemic, which “fundamentally changed” how the company plans its operations today, Sajan said.
“Since then, we have strengthened our contingency planning, diversified sourcing, and ensured stronger stock buffers across key product categories,” he explained.
The vice chairman added that Danube increased its digital capabilities during Covid, which helped move certain functions — such as customer interactions and operational processes — online seamlessly.
“The focus has been on staying proactive rather than reactive, ensuring continuity for our customers, partners, and the market even in challenging times,” Sajan added.
Crafting a positive atmosphere
“Businesses that had strong communication, clear expectations, and structured systems were able to adapt far faster than those that relied heavily on manual tasks,” said Angela McKillop, a business mentor who works with founders and senior leaders on resilience and navigating periods of uncertainty.
Shifting to remote work goes far beyond simply giving employees laptops and asking them to log in, she said. Regular check-ins and clear communication become vital, as working in a different environment with a changed routine can be challenging.
“From a personal perspective, one of the things that worked extremely well within my own business was introducing a simple group check-in each morning,” she said. “It may sound simple, but this small habit created a positive atmosphere and helped the team start the day with the right energy.”
The value of flexibility
Ben Edwards, Head of Training at Ignite Training, a Dubai-based business consultancy firm, said that despite the challenges arising from the conflict, many businesses have continued operating by drawing on lessons learned during the pandemic.
The most important of these, he said, is the value of flexibility. Remote working infrastructure, digital collaboration tools, and business continuity planning are now far more established than they were just a few years ago.
“Organisations that are navigating the current environment most effectively are those combining practical contingency planning with calm, transparent leadership,” Edwards said. “They are acknowledging concerns while keeping teams focused on what they can control.”
“In uncertain times, that balance between empathy and execution is what allows businesses to keep moving forward,” he added.
Hind Aldah is a business reporter based in Sharjah. In her spare time, you will find her playing classical guitar, painting amateur oil paintings, or crocheting the same old scarf that leads nowhere.