In business, certainty is rare. When markets wobble, the economy dips, or industries get shaken up, the businesses that come out stronger tend to have one thing in common: they know how to stay nimble.
Being nimble doesn’t just mean reacting fast. It means being set up to adapt smoothly and confidently when change hits. The organizations that do this well often emerge more focused, more efficient, and better positioned than those that cling too tightly to the way things used to be. If we’re too slow to adjust, we risk losing momentum or even losing our footing altogether.
In my experience, there are a few key areas we need to keep an eye on if we want to stay flexible and resilient when times get tough.
When the economy tightens, we’re often asked to do more with fewer resources. Budgets shrink. Teams get leaner. Priorities shift. But, leadership still feels pressure to ensure output and revenue to remain steady, even in a constricting market. To plan for this inevitable request, review your resources—such as people, equipment, and software—and determine how you would replace their output if any one (or more) were removed. When we consider resources while they are plentiful, we can be nimble when they are constricted.
Uncertainty affects everyone, and that includes your customers. Their needs, priorities, and their budgets might change. So we need to stay in close touch with them to understand their new problems. Ask questions, listen, be empathetic, and be ready to adjust. A "we're in this together" mindset builds trust and shows you're not just a vendor, but a true partner who understands what they’re going through. A customer that feels you are an asset to help them weather the storm, and a friend that they can count on, will try to make cuts elsewhere.
None of us want to think about losing a big customer, but the reality is it can happen. The best thing we can do is not get caught off guard. That means diversifying our client base, strengthening relationships, and having a plan in place so one loss doesn’t induce an unrecoverable spiral. It's always painful to lose a customer, but it can be fatal when it comes as a shock. Almost every vendor is replaceable, and every customer can be lost. Having a pre-defined plan for resuscitating a relationship, or moving on if all is lost, takes some of the sting out of the bite and can save the business.
In times of change, finding efficiencies is more important than ever. Tools like AI, ERP, CRM, and BPM systems aren’t just buzzwords—they can help us work smarter, cut costs, and stay ahead of the competition. I've seen firsthand how these technologies can simplify complex workflows and make better use of the resources we already have. They can also replace, even if partially, resources that are lost to inevitable cuts. Like in entertainment, the show must go on, and having tools already in place to pick up the slack can make you the hero when the going gets tough.
Being nimble isn’t just a survival tactic, it can be a growth strategy in times of constriction. When we’re ready to adapt, we open the door to new opportunities and see a way through the bad times. By preparing to do more with less, staying in tune with our customers, planning for the unexpected, and making smart use of technology, we give ourselves the best chance to thrive.
Yes, challenges are a given. But if we build agility into our mindset and our operations, we’ll be ready—not just to weather the storm, but to come out of it even stronger.