As part of our #LockdownLessons series, Bizcommunity is reaching out to South Africa’s top industry players to share their experience of the current Covid-19 crisis, how their organisations are navigating these unusual times, where the challenges and opportunities lie, and their industry outlook for the near future. We chatted to Armond Boshoff, CEO of Atterbury, to get his take.

BizcommunityWhat was your initial response to the crisis/lockdown and has your experience of it been different to what you expected?

Armond Boshoff: Our initial response to the crisis (pre-lockdown), was to ensure that our staff, tenants and shoppers remain safe and healthy. This was the most important priority for us. As soon as the lockdown started, and many of our retail tenants could not trade, it became clear that the impact will be far worse than originally expected. The economic effect of the lockdown is severe to tenants and their employees.

BizcommunityComment on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on your company or economy as a whole.

Boshoff: Severe. Most of our tenants cannot trade during the lockdown and thus are not able to earn revenue to pay staff and rent. Thus, we are not receiving income as is normally the case, resulting in operational pressures for us. We also have bank obligations to fulfil but with reduced income, it is going to be extremely difficult. I think we are going to be left with many small vacancies when the lockdown eventually ends. The smaller tenants (coffee shop, barber, restaurant, beauty salon etc.) don’t have the working capital to keep going for two or three months. And I don’t think shoppers will go back to normal behaviour straight away, especially as we are going into winter.

BizcommunityHow is your company responding to the crisis?

Boshoff: We are all working remotely. Our construction projects have come to a complete halt, increasing costs and security which is not ideal. We are also dealing with the tenants and banks daily to find mutually workable solutions during this time.

BizcommunityComment on the challenges and opportunities.

Boshoff: The challenge is to find solutions that work for all, which is not always easy as parties drive their own agendas. The effects of this lockdown will be with us for a long time still. Obviously, opportunities will arise, and we will be ready!

BizcommunityHow has the lockdown affected your staff? / What temporary HR policies have you put in place regarding remote working, health & safety, etc.?

Boshoff: We ensured before the lockdown that everyone is set up to be able to work remotely. Wifi routers etc. was distributed in time to ensure our productivity remains as high as possible.

BizcommunityHow are you navigating ‘physical distancing’ while keeping your team close-knit and aligned and your clients happy?

Boshoff: I must say – this is a challenge for us! Although video conferencing works ok during this time, we prefer face-to-face meetings. Relationships are key in our business and we prefer to use physical meetings to the extent possible.

BizcommunityHow have you had to change the way you work?

Boshoff: Not being able to interact face-to-face we need to adapt and be able to communicate in non-traditional ways. Not ideal though.

BizcommunityHas this global crisis changed your view of the future of the industry in any way?

Boshoff: Not really.

BizcommunityAny trends you’ve seen emerge as a result of the crisis?

Boshoff: People are social beings and want to socialise, which they cannot now. I think entertainment aspects in retail centres will be key going forward. I also think office space requirements will reduce in time.

BizcommunityYour key message to those in the construction sector?

Boshoff: Stay positive and let’s help each other get through this. We are all in this together and we will survive.

BizcommunityWhat do you predict the next six months will be like?

Boshoff: Really tough! I think we have a tough 18-24 months ahead of us.