Are you feeling a little overwhelmed trying to stay grounded in a world that is changing way faster than even a year ago? Understanding AI and applying it as it morphs would be enough of a challenge. Conversations are flowing in Vistage groups and in all our companies about how to implement, what to implement, and who should be setting guide rails and training others in the best use. You can’t not do a deep dive here in fear that your company will be left behind by competitors who are learning and implementing faster. The anxiety/excitement can feel like a pulsing drum behind your forehead.
Then there is the tariffs headache that feels like unnecessary destruction of the international supply chain that served small and midsized businesses and their customers (us). Profits are down, trust in government decision making is down and no one knows what is going to drop next. That forces conservative choices to preserve cash and reduce risk.
Add a foreign policy aiming for regime changes and the macro environment becomes scarier. Government spending goes way up to pay for military activity whether war is declared or not. Inflation goes up as the government replaces the materiel it uses, and troops, not just drones, will likely follow.
Business leaders have to stay both nimble and focused. There may be no mercy for holding onto old ways of doing things or parts of your business that served legacy business. Choices can no longer wait. Take out that really sharp knife and cut now. Save the very best parts of your business and focus on fertilizing them now. Use AI to help do this. But more, use common sense. Pilot small tests of new ideas. Get the team thinking and working together. You can do this.
If you don’t think Vistage peer groups get value at every meeting-from the speakers, the conversations and the input from your peers, don’t click here.
Image created by me and chatgpt.