In business, the unexpected isn’t a matter of if – it’s a matter of when.
Maybe it’s a key team member resigning out of the blue. A competitor launching a copycat product. A sudden shift in customer demand. A new regulation. An economic downturn.
These disruptions don’t schedule appointments. They don’t knock politely. And by the time they arrive, it’s often too late to start building your defences. That’s why the smartest business owners don’t wait for the storm – they weatherproof in advance.
In this newsletter, we’re sharing five practical ways to strengthen your business before you need to. No drama. No panic. Just proactive steps to help you stay steady when things get rough – and move faster when opportunities appear. |
1. Strengthen your financial foundations
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If your financial records are murky, outdated, or overly complicated, it becomes harder to make fast, smart decisions in a crisis. Our internal data shows that 38% of businesses don’t prepare a monthly budget. As such, it’s important that you know a few key metrics at all times:
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What is our actual runway? Which costs are fixed vs. flexible? How quickly can we access funding if needed?
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Start by tightening your core reporting. Ensure your books are clean, reconciled, and easily reviewable. Use rolling forecasts instead of static budgets. Build a cash buffer (even a modest one) so you’re not constantly making decisions with your back against the wall.
Financial resilience doesn’t necessarily mean having all the answers. It means knowing exactly where you stand – and having a system in place to adapt quickly.
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2. Diversify your revenue streams
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If 80% of your revenue comes from one client, one product, or one sales channel, you’re exposed. Our internal data shows that 29% of businesses are critically reliant on key clients.
It might be working today. But what happens if that client leaves? If your product becomes obsolete? If your primary marketing channel stops delivering?
Diversification is one of the most underrated forms of business insurance. That doesn’t mean chasing every shiny object or launching ten things at once. It means exploring new verticals, testing alternate pricing models, or developing complementary services that could help smooth your income over time.
The goal is to make sure that one wave doesn’t capsize the whole ship.
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3. Document key processes
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If your business were to grind to a halt tomorrow because one person called in sick or left for a new job… that’s a red flag. Our internal data shows 61% of businesses do not have a systemised sales process. Even small teams can operate with high resilience if they invest in knowledge sharing and systemization.
Start by asking:
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What are the top 5 processes that only one person knows how to do? Are there critical tasks dependent on a single login, spreadsheet, or contact Have we documented what “good” looks like for key workflows?
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You don’t need to write a 200-page ops manual. Just start with simple checklists, how-to guides, and shared folders. Use tools like Loom to record walkthroughs. Cross-train your team. It’s not about expecting the worst, but rather it’s about setting your business up to run smoothly no matter what happens.
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4. Know what your business is worth (even if you’re not selling)
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Valuation isn’t just about selling your business – it’s about understanding it.
When you know your business’s value, you have a clearer view of what’s working, what’s vulnerable, and where the real drivers of success are. That’s useful in more situations than you might expect, such as when: |
You’re approached with an unexpected offer and need to respond quickly. You’re seeking a loan, investor, or partner. You want to create a succession or exit plan, even years in advance. You’re navigating a dispute or legal situation that requires a formal assessment. |
And yes, sometimes it’s just about peace of mind.
We’ve found that for many founders, a valuation acts like a mirror. It reflects the business’s health in a way that sparks smarter financial and strategic decisions.
If you’re curious, here at bizval we offer simple, founder-friendly valuations designed for SMEs. None of the fluff, just the data and insights you need to move forward with confidence. Check out our offerings here. |
5. Build a resilient team culture
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People are the engine that powers your business and, in turbulent times, culture becomes your shock absorber. A resilient team isn’t one that never faces stress. It’s one that adapts, communicates, and collaborates under pressure.
Here’s what we’ve seen work in our experience with clients all over the world: |
Transparency: Keep your team informed about what’s happening and why. Surprises erode trust.
Autonomy: Empower people to make decisions without bottlenecks. This creates responsiveness in a crisis.
Feedback loops: Make it easy for employees to surface concerns, ideas, and risks early.
Shared purpose: Connect day-to-day work with long-term goals. Resilience comes more easily when people care. |
You don’t need a big HR budget to build a strong culture. You need consistency, empathy, and a commitment to treating people like adults. Because when things get tough, your team will remember how you made them feel. |
The bottom line
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There’s no such thing as a future-proof business, but there is such a thing as being prepared. Resilience isn’t just about survival. It’s about agility, opportunity, and peace of mind. It gives you the space to lead calmly, act strategically, and adapt quickly – no matter what the weather brings.
So here’s our challenge to you: pick one small thing to improve this week. Maybe it’s running a quick cash flow analysis. Maybe it’s writing up that onboarding checklist. Maybe it’s finally getting your business valued.
You don’t need to do everything at once. But doing nothing? That’s the riskiest move of all. |
How Kirsten Dixon turns Marketing into measurable value
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In this week’s episode of the bizval podcast, we dive into The Pink Soda Effect with Kirsten Dixon—fractional CMO and brand strategist known for transforming marketing from a cost centre into measurable value. If you're a founder, marketer, or investor who’s tired of vague marketing metrics and wants real ROI, this one’s for you. Tune in to discover how Kirsten builds marketing machines that actually move the needle. |
| Watch Here |
