Strategy for CEOs? – Become a Prepper in 2025

CEO Prepping or CEO Panic?

It’s April 2025. Checks on your strategy to do right now given everything going on.

So, we were thinking, what should a CEO do right now in terms of their strategy? What are the sensible things to check, and possibly change, strategically for any CEO at the moment?

Here are some thoughts, applicable to any sector:

1) Supply Chain Resilience

• Take a fresh look at your suppliers, especially in geopolitically unstable regions.
• If need be, diversify suppliers to mitigate risks from tariffs, trade restrictions, or possible disruptions.
• Become a CEO Prepper – perhaps create or increase some inventory buffers for critical supplies.

2) Financial & Market Exposure

• Review your forex situation and hedge currency exposure if operating internationally. One for your CFO/FD.
• Monitor interest rates and inflation impact on costs and pricing.
• Take a hard look at potential changes in your market demand due to economic instability. What does the worst-case scenario look like? Be clear on that.

3) Cybersecurity & Data Protection

• Allocate budget and skills to strengthen cybersecurity against increased threats.
• Dull but necessary – ensure compliance with evolving data protection regulations.
• Conduct a cybersecurity audit/external test and invest in employee training & process – it’s cost-effective in the long run.

4) Talent & Team Stability

• Assess any potential issues related to visa and immigration policies affecting international staff.
• Keep a handle on employee engagement amid economic uncertainty – everyone is affected by the headlines.
• Review how competitive your pay and benefits are in a potentially high-inflation environment.

5) Regulatory & Policy Adaptation

• Stay updated on UK, EU, and US trade policy changes post-Brexit and post-Trump.
• Understand potential taxation or policy shifts affecting your sector. Remember, different sectors were impacted at different speeds during and after COVID.
• As a CEO, engage with peers & industry groups to anticipate or at least stay informed on regulatory changes.

We don’t usually like lists, but this one seems like a good idea right now.

“Chance favors only the prepared mind.” – Louis Pasteur

Want this as a plan? Get in touch.

Good luck with that strategy! 🎯