The change in how people work as the basis for a sustainable business model was highlighted at the Delphi Economic Forum by Giannis Kantoros. The head of Interamerican, taking part in a panel on insurance in our times titled “Digital transformation and the future of work in the post-Covid era”, spoke on the necessity for transforming businesses where digital technology and a subversive organisation and operation lead to a new concept of work in future.
These transformative practices, as Mr Kantoros said, have already been set in motion at Interamerican, and he acknowledged that the unprecedented pandemic conditions played a decisive role in accelerating this transition. “Obviously, it is not normal for all of the company’s employees to be working from home five days a week. However, during the pandemic, both businesses and consumers discovered that quite a lot can be achieved more quickly, more cheaply and – why not – more pleasantly from home. In the future, the area of work will be functioning as a hybrid, mixed model,” he noted, adding that Interamerican is determined to rethink the company’s organisation.
As the company’s CEO said, the new model will gradually change the hierarchical structure of the traditional management pyramid and move to a more horizontal model where people work in teams, in a more natural manner and with greater autonomy in decision-making. The operational adjustment also applies to regulating issues that apply to the employment framework, such as working hours or the impromptu handling of personal or family matters. “The modern digital economy requires comparable working schemes that make work more efficient and more pleasant for everyone. The key concepts are flexibility, trust in the employee and, naturally, ongoing investment by the company in employee training,” he added.
Mr Kantoros also referred to the challenges in the area of health – in terms of insurance and services – highlighted by the pandemic, and issues that will have to be addressed in the coming years. “There is the demographic issue, as we will have to support people who live longer with pension and health services so they can enjoy a more qualitative life. The second issue is technological progress in health, with better medical treatments, but which are also more expensive, which means the cost of treating chronic diseases will rise sharply. Finally, in Greece we have a very fragmented system, where the public sector operates in parallel with the private, with very few points of contact and collaboration,” Interamerican’s CEO noted, adding that the healthcare system should be redesigned, not around hospitals, as the case is today, but around the patient.
Also speaking on the panel on modern insurance, moderated by journalist Katerina Panagopoulou, was Miltiadis Nektarios, professor emeritus of Statistics and Insurance Science at the University of Piraeus.
