Only 6 weeks into the new administration and many small and mid-size business leaders are giving up on planning.  With Musk at DOGE sending out cost cutting measures, while other real department heads appear to be doing nothing – or doing something equally outrageous – it’s easy to say “there’s no reason to plan. Who knows what will happen next?”

That would be wrong. This podcast explains how the big trends have not changed. On the surface it may appear different, but if you know your customers’ needs you know to continue pursuing them.  What’s happening around you is not “disruption, “ but in fact chaos.  And during chaos opportunities abound. Surely you can see through the chaos to identify customers’ needs and how the cuts being made only create more opportunities to fill those needs.

Don’t be paralyzed by the loudness and outrageousness.  Don’t let poorly defined terms like “swamp” confuse you.  Instead recognize that chaos has happened before, and you can manage your way through it with good planning.  Lead like a winner during this period and you’ll be a winner as things reach a “new normal.”

Thinking Points:

• Did you do scenario planning back in November, after the election, to prepare for what’s happening now?
• Are you recognizing how the big trends have not changed?  Just how you can react to them in some markets.
• Chaos creates opportunity - by definition.  Do you see it that way, or are you choosing to be paralyzed?
• Do you realize great leaders create. They don’t tear apart. Are you ready to help your customers grow during their feeling of fear?

‍