No matter how meticulously we plan, life’s unpredictability always adds an element of surprise. While analyzing past outcomes and making comprehensive plans is essential, this data can quickly become obsolete. Quickly changing data prompts us to question the purpose of planning in such an uncertain world.
How do you use what you’ve learned from past experiences to adapt and be resilient to achieve your goals? (Your answer is revealing.)
The ability to embrace unpredictability extends to the business realm, emphasizing the need for adaptability and flexibility to navigate unexpected changes.
Small businesses, often the unsung heroes of adaptability, are particularly adept at making swift decisions under pressure and leveraging constraints to spur creativity, flexibility, and adaptability. Their resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges can inspire us all.
Embracing these challenges head-on becomes crucial for survival.
How we approach work sets the foundation for pursuing overarching goals regardless of circumstances.
Maintaining an open mind, heeding the insights of clients and team members, and adopting a flexible approach are not just crucial elements, but the key to success in a dynamic business environment.
The most recent example of unpredictable problems was last week’s CrowdStrike-Windows meltdown when a faulty software update incapacitated countless computers worldwide. By now a fix has been deployed, but experts say the recovery from this outage could take some time. While these situations are rare, when they happen it’s a major problem. And, we can learn from it and do what we can to have a bounce back (aka backup) plan.
Discussions I’ve been a part of recently, whether we are responding to something unexpected large or small, offer strong insights and offer a valuable approach when something is out of our control.
Mandi Harenberg mentioned that maintaining the status quo can be acceptable during times of transition or uncertainty.
Christy Maxfield‘s experience during a snowstorm highlighted the importance of accepting the situation’s reality and focusing on controllable aspects to ease the ordeal.
There is another aspect of business adaptability and flexibility that we often overlook when assessing how fast and well we advance toward our goals. And that’s communication. Understanding the role of communication in fostering adaptability can enlighten us and help us navigate the unpredictable nature of business.
“Communication is something we all take for granted.” Miriam Margolyes
Mike Wittenstein illustrated that perfectly with his example of having a call with his clients. The client was looking to announce a new platform launch in Q4. Mike suggested they prepare a whisper campaign (smaller, lighter, impactful, and sticky) in Q3 to save time, increase campaign quality, and be ready should the product or the funding be available sooner. The moral of the story is that sometimes agility can come from going faster – and from open and constructive communication.
Penny Kelley stresses the relevance of adaptability for businesses, irrespective of their size. This inclusive approach reminds us that adaptability is not just for large corporations, but for businesses of all sizes, making us all feel considered and part of the adaptability journey.
Tiffany Neuman emphasizes the significance of agility and adaptability by advocating for a robust yet flexible framework. This approach, combined with actively listening to the team and clients, and making bold decisions, allows businesses to navigate through uncertainty with confidence.
Embracing unpredictability is an admirable approach that involves facing the unknown with courage and determination. It’s about maintaining confidence and pressing forward, even in the face of uncertainty.
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Share your thoughts and ideas – I’m excited to hear from you!
Don’t forget to tune in to the next “It’s Your Business” episode, focusing on business growth in uncertain times. Also, catch up on the recent “The Other Side of the Firewall” episode covering the CrowdStrike update controversy.
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Jess Dewell is a professional who has been navigating the intersection of operations and strategy for more than twenty years. She helps organizations move forward by identifying the sweet spot where strategy catalyzes operations, fosters innovation, and drives businesses to the forefront of their industries.
Jess is committed to helping businesses turn challenges into scalable opportunities and constraints into springboards for growth. Send her a direct message with your questions.
Check out her Driving Solutions Strategic Intensive program that will be held in October if you need help with strategic growth challenges. Don’t want to wait that long, we got you! Get started for your Growth Framework Reset here.
