How To Build Business Resilience: Strategic Growth In Uncertain Times
Right now, the business world can feel like an unpredictable path. Uncertainty has become part of the everyday backdrop pushing businesses into unfamiliar territory. It’s important to take a step back and consider practical strategies for building lasting growth. I can say with confidence that strong business development strategies often make the difference between stumbling and seizing new opportunities. Interestingly, the companies that manage to pull ahead aren’t always the largest or the oldest. More often, they are the ones that treat adaptability and resilience as a central component of how they operate.
The business world in 2025 is marked by complexities that have evolved rapidly. Global economic growth is projected at a modest 3.3% for 2025 and 2026, lagging behind the 3.7% average from 2000 to 2019, according to the International Monetary Fund. In the U.S., forecasts range from 1.5% to 2.7%, reflecting persistent uncertainty. Inflation — though cooling globally to 2.3% in 2025 and 2.1% in 2026 — remains a pressure point, with U.S. inflation expected to ease to 2% by 2027, per the Congressional Budget Office.
For those working in business development, this creates real challenges when it comes to building partnerships, keeping sales pipelines healthy and finding ways to expand into new markets. In this kind of environment, adaptability becomes a real competitive edge. Understand that resilience isn’t just about hanging on but more about finding ways to grow even as the ground keeps shifting under you. That kind of resilience starts with flexibility — giving teams the ability to change course quickly — whether that means jumping into new markets or reworking existing products.
As an example, I worked with a technology company that had to shift from in-person enterprise sales to a remote-first approach practically overnight after it became clear that client preferences were changing fast. That pivot was tough for them to accept at first, but it ended up completely reshaping their business. It opened the door for them to scale their outreach, bring in more clients and, most importantly, align with what their client base was actually looking for.
Scenario planning gives businesses a way to get ready for different futures without falling into the trap of trying to predict exactly what’s coming. It starts by spotting the big drivers like economic trends, regulatory changes or technology advancements that affect your industry and then building a few realistic storylines, whether that’s a fast recovery or a long, tough slowdown.
To paraphrase Wayne Gretzky, “Skate where the puck is going.” For each scenario you can create, sketch out flexible strategies, from tightening spending to jumping on growth opportunities so that teams have ready-to-go plans. I worked with a professional services firm that leaned on this approach to stay ahead of looming regulatory changes. When the changes hit, they were ready and rolled out a full response in just a few days, grabbing a six-month lead on their competitors. Going back and updating these scenarios regularly keeps them fresh and useful as things keep changing.
Rolling out new products or services can help widen your reach, giving current clients more reasons to stick around while pulling in new ones so long as those new offerings stay true to what you already do best. Building strategic partnerships for your new offerings with complementary firms can stretch your reach even further, tapping into shared trust and credibility. The key, though, is staying focused. Trying to do too much at once can water down your efforts, so it’s about balancing big goals with the resources you actually have.
Agility defines today’s top business development teams. Time and again, you’ll see small, cross-functional groups of 5 to 10 people who adapt fast performing remarkably well. Keeping teams lean can provide a great mix of perspectives without getting tangled up in layers of bureaucracy. The real difference-maker is empowerment: giving teams the freedom to tweak tactics as needed without getting stuck waiting for sign-offs, as long as they stay within clear, simple guidelines.
Scheduling a concise daily standup meeting can keep alignment tight. Your most effective pivots are calculated and born from insight. Stagnation, market changes or missed targets signal the need for reassessment. Evaluate your model, feedback and finances to pinpoint what’s off, then set a bold yet feasible course tied to your strengths. Netflix’s leap from DVDs to streaming is a classic case.
When it’s time to make a change, explain the "why" clearly to your teams, clients and investors if you want to get everyone on board. After that, keep a close eye on how things play out and make minor adjustments as needed. Most successful pivots don’t land perfectly the first time, but they get sharper with a few rounds of fine-tuning. Momentum really matters when the path ahead feels uncertain. Setting clear but flexible goals gives teams something solid to work toward, even if the situation keeps shifting. Research shows momentum-driven firms outperform, delivering 80% more shareholder value and 93% higher revenue growth.
Thriving in unpredictable times takes real, integrated resilience by leveraging a mix of strategies that fit your organization's unique situation. The teams that do best usually meet uncertainty with curiosity instead of fear, turning obstacles into real competitive edges.
It all starts with an honest look at where you are today, then rolling out focused moves that shore up any weak spots. Flexibility, innovation, resilience and clear communication can’t just be your backup plan. They need to be built into the everyday way of working, becoming second nature rather than something you dust off when trouble hits. By getting good at things like scenario planning, diversifying your base, staying agile and using technology in smart ways, you can transform chaos into real momentum for serious growth. Organizations that build this kind of resilience into their core will find ways to win, no matter what comes next. Strengthening that foundation might be what sets you apart in the years ahead.
This article was written by Max Avery from Forbes and was legally licensed through the DiveMarketplace by Industry Dive. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.
