How to Prepare Your Business for the Unknown
Uncertainty is the new normal. Whether it’s an unexpected policy shift, a global supply chain shock, new AI breakthroughs, or the long-term impacts of climate change – businesses across Wales and the wider UK are being asked to adapt faster, more often, and with fewer guarantees.
But how do you plan for what you can’t predict?
Preparing for the unknown isn’t about building a crystal ball. It’s about investing in a set of behaviours, tools, and relationships that make your business more agile and more resilient – whatever the future brings.
What uncertainty looks like in 2025
Welsh businesses today face a complex risk environment:
Economic pressures, from inflation to global recession risks
Political change, including the upcoming Senedd Wales election and shifting devolution structures.
Technological disruption, especially in AI, automation, and digital trade
Climate impacts, with changing regulations and supply chain vulnerabilities
Global instability, including geopolitical tensions and trade route volatility
These aren’t temporary shocks. They’re signals that volatility is here to stay – and Welsh businesses must be ready to adapt.
Resilience is a capability, not a forecast
So how can businesses become better at responding to the unpredictable?
At Industry Wales, we see four key pillars that help organisations of all sizes prepare for the unknown:
1. Agility over certainty
Too many strategies are designed for a “known future” that never arrives. Instead, agile businesses focus on:
Shorter planning cycles: Regularly reviewing objectives every 3–6 months
Cross-functional teams: Encouraging faster decision-making and collaboration
Empowered staff: Giving people on the ground the authority to adapt when needed
2. Scenario planning
You can’t predict every curveball – but you can prepare for the most likely scenarios. Scenario planning involves:
Identifying 3–4 plausible futures (e.g. a tech boom, a regulatory clampdown, a supply shock)
Testing how your business would operate in each
Spotting the common weaknesses across them – and strengthening those areas
✅ Actionable tip: Use tools like Nesta’s Scenario Planning Toolkit or BCP templates from Business Wales to get started.
3. Investing in people
Resilient businesses don’t just rely on strategy. They invest in the skills and confidence of their teams to make smart decisions when things change. This includes:
Cross-training and upskilling staff
Supporting wellbeing and retention
Creating a culture of continuous learning
4. Building your network
No business can face the unknown alone. Networks make you stronger – especially when:
They connect you to new markets, skills, and suppliers
They give you early warning of policy or regulatory changes
They allow for collaborative problem-solving
✅ Actionable tip: Join a sector forum or local supply chain cluster to strengthen your voice and your reach.
Ask yourself: are we change-ready?
Here are five simple questions to test your business’s resilience:
If a major customer disappeared tomorrow, could we replace them within 6 months?
Have we tested our response to a cyber-attack or data breach?
Do we know how AI or automation could change our market in the next 2–3 years?
Are we developing leadership at every level of our organisation?
Do we belong to any networks that could help us respond faster to change?
If the answer is “no” to more than two of these, it may be time to reassess your strategy.
Support for Welsh businesses
There’s no need to go it alone. Wales has a range of programmes and support tools to help you prepare:
Business Wales Resilience Hub – Free advice, funding links, and planning templates
Business.gov.uk - UK-wide free advice and support
CEMET – Innovation support for businesses looking to trial or integrate new tech
Industry Wales Forums – Collaborate with others in aerospace, automotive, energy, and more
The unknown isn’t the enemy – inertia is
The most dangerous thing a business can do in uncertain times is… nothing. Paralysis is more damaging than pivoting. The good news is, preparing for the unknown doesn’t mean overhauling your business overnight. It means taking consistent steps toward greater flexibility, stronger people, and smarter decision-making.
In Wales, we’ve never lacked for ingenuity, grit, or community. That’s the foundation of resilience. And with the right mindset – and the right networks – your business can face the unknown not with fear, but with confidence.
*Created with assistance from AI tools