The industry is full of surprises, some of them good and others bad. How you deal with them will define your reign as leader and CEO of the company. Reacting is one way, and sometimes the only way depending on the situation. But, it’s much better to get ahead of the situation to prevent it from happening in the first place. Then, there is no need for a nasty surprise to ruin the day and potentially put the company at risk.

From shifts in the economy to challenges from rivals, shocks can come from all different angles. Here’s how to keep your eyes peeled.

 

Delve Into The Past

Leaders should always learn from their mistakes to grow and be better at their job. One error you can’t afford to make is to leave the past in the past. There is no point dwelling on it, but it also shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand either; there are valuable business lessons. Think about whether it was an external problem or an internal one. Changes in technology will make you more vigilant now and ready to evolve. Internal issues, such as recruitment and employee turnover, should help you modify policies to maximise results.

 

Never Assume

Assumptions make asses of us all, which is very true in business. In reality, there is no need to take anything for granted when there is analytic software. Does your SEO strategy work? Rather than guessing, use Google Analytics to decide whether it’s on point or needs tweaking. Backing up data is another hot topic. Computer network solutions for businesses will tell you that tape drives have a 100% failure rate. Outsourcing to a third party then can fill gaps in your knowledge and bypass obvious obstacles. With access to the internet, there is never an excuse not to ask for a second opinion.

 

Have Spies In The Camp

It’s your job to know what is going on in the workplace at all times. A leader without a finger on the pulse will be one step behind, and that means they be reactive rather than proactive. Think about how many times a top employee has blindsided you with a letter of resignation. It takes the company weeks to recruit a candidate to the same level, and then you’re not sure if the skills on paper transfer into the office. Your spies will be able to keep you informed so you can plan in plenty of time.

 

Lawyer Up

Lawsuits are a way of life for business owners, yet they are still shocking. The idea of losing money because of a disgruntled customer, client or employee is hard to stomach. Thankfully, keeping an attorney on retainer means you are ready to strike back at a moment’s notice. The process of finding a lawyer and then briefing them on the suit is time-consuming. A legal expert that understands your firm and the industry will be able to limit the damage.

The key to avoiding surprises is to make sure there aren’t any to begin with.