By Andy Hunder, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine
From a young age, children are taught by parents and teachers to embody values such as kindness, politeness, bravery, responsibility, and hard work. Business schools teach how to manage and succeed, innovate, and make decisions. But where can one learn how to be RESILIENT, especially a resilient leader during a full-scale war?
Since February 24, 2022, with Russia's brutal full-scale invasion, being a resilient leader in Ukraine has always been a struggle but also a choice and honorable mission. Companies operating on the ground are true business heroes, with 86% of AmCham members being fully operational after two years of the war.
Business resilience refers to a business's ability to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and adapt to disruptions to maintain continuous operations. But in times of war, resilience also includes bravery, social support, empathy, and benevolence, ensuring that businesses can continue to support their employees, serve clients, and thrive in the long term. According to the latest Oxford University study, during Russia's full-scale war, Ukraine showed the highest in the world acts of benevolence – 80% – because of the extraordinary rise in fellow feeling across Ukraine.
As a leading business association, we constantly track our member companies. I regularly visit companies across Ukraine and can definitely see that the spirit of business is undaunted. Every story is phenomenal, and the international community should know about them. To share these messages and continue discovering what drives resilience in wartime Ukraine, in April 2024, we launched a video project on social media – WARTIME RESILIENCE IN UKRAINE. It aims to demonstrate to the global community how businesses operate in Ukraine during Russia's full-scale war, showing that Ukraine is open for business, what companies are doing on Ukraine's path to recovery and victory, what real resilience is, and key wartime learnings. Our team engages companies' CEOs for interviews to share their stories of resilience, unity, and strength during the biggest hardship in modern European history.
I want to share the first key outcomes and invite more companies to stand up and speak up about opportunities and wartime realities of doing business on the ground and succeeding:
- Resilience is Ukrainians' superpower. Ukraine's resilience, bravery, and unity are stronger than missiles, blackouts, and terror. Inspired by the lionhearted defenders on the frontlines, AmCham members showed the entire world that they are tough cookies, can adapt fast, and can fully operate in the face of adversity.
- Focus on safety and mental wellbeing. As Russia continues to bomb civilian infrastructure on a daily basis, the safety and security of employees and clients remain the top priority for all businesses. Psychological support and access to mental health programs is the #1 topic for HR directors across sectors.
- Continuity and business evolution amid hardship. Businesses have contingency plans ready to ensure the continuity of processes and the resilience of business models. Companies continue to look for solutions and find new creative ways of resolving wartime challenges.
- Rebuilding momentum. Every day, we must add to Ukraine's strength: giving back to the community is what every bonafide investor focuses on, as there is no prosperity for the companies without the prosperity of Ukraine.
- Power comes from unity, so it's vital to be in a like-minded environment. AmCham is honored to unite the best-in-class business community on the ground, helping companies to grow and promote their services and brands.
We are here, and business is here – operating, employing, paying taxes, and investing. AmCham will continue to work with the Ukrainian government and international partners to create a recovery-wise business climate and engage more companies to invest in Ukraine and join its rebuilding momentum. Slava Ukraini!
