Reducing the uncertainty: Embracing the new reality
- OneTeam
- Nov 7
- 3 min read
It’s a tough time to be in business. And especially so if you’re a mature, established business that’s finding it hard to keep pace in the rapidly changing and evolving market.
As an experienced owner, you possess both knowledge and expertise. However, you also encounter the emerging challenges of transformative AI technology, the threat of climate change, and a global economy that is becoming more unstable and unpredictable.
Why are these challenges so problematic? Let’s look at the potential impact.
A new business reality
When you started out, the business world was a more predictable beast to tame.
Technology was intended to support us, not take our place. Markets were steadier, and supply chains were dependable. Weather didn't significantly impact your business strategy or insurance policy.
But that cosy existence has changed – and it’s making it much harder to do business.
That’s bad news if you’re aiming to:
- Grow the business and increase sales revenue.
- Sell the business and get a good return on your investment.
- Hand the business to the next generation in good shape.
The challenges for mature businesses
Trading becomes challenging when the world around you is shifting. It presents specific obstacles that could significantly influence the future of your business.
A) Staying competitive and efficient:
Cloud tech, automation and now artificial intelligence (AI) have changed the technological landscape. If you aren’t abreast of this technology, you can quickly lose your competitive edge.
B) Protecting your business:
Severe weather conditions, extensive flooding, and the persistent threat of the climate crisis are complicating business operations and safeguarding efforts.
C) Planning your strategy:
The business landscape is no longer stable. Global events can change the economic outlook and the validity of your strategy in a heartbeat, making it hard to plan ahead.
Three ways to optimise your business in 2025
To overcome some of the potentially negative impacts, it’s important to remain agile.
Let’s look at three ways you can help to embrace the new reality.
1. Champion AI, automation and digital technology
Embrace AI and digital technology. AI can become either your greatest adversary or your most valuable asset. If you lag behind in technological advancements, your competitors will surpass you. By adopting the best aspects of AI, you can revolutionise your operations and enhance productivity.
When used well, and with a proper strategy behind it, AI has the potential to make your business more efficient and make it cheaper to run.
2. Focus on human skills and talent
Technology is excellent for accelerating the efficiency of your operations. However, it's equally important to acknowledge the value of key human skills and the talent within your team and workforce.
Your people are the face of the company and a large element in defining your brand. They’re the creative centre, the ideas hub and the humanity that brings your business to life. Never underestimate the impact of real, genuine, human customer service.
3. Balance your use of AI and human skills
AI can assist in managing the business, but a skilled team is also essential to lead the company.
The sweet spot is to balance these two different factors making sure you have human oversight over your AI. Maximise your use of AI, software automation and digital technologies, but also invest in people, raw talent and the capabilities that a human team brings to the table.
Talk to us about optimising your business
If you feel like the business world is rapidly advancing, leaving you behind amid technological, environmental, political, and economic shifts, you're not alone!
Numerous seasoned business owners share similar feelings and concerns about how they will sell their business or transfer it to their successor.
Come and talk to the team and we’ll walk you through some simple, straightforward steps to help you change course, optimise your business and embrace the new reality.
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