What We’re Watching: Supply Chain Disruptions, Business Resilience, and the Importance of Planning Ahead
Two weeks ago, Cristy and I attended a WBEC West session featuring insights from Whitney Luckett (CEO of Simko North America) and Kyle Henry (Procurement Manager at Turner Construction). While the conversation focused on construction and global shipping, we left with a clear message that applies to every industry and every business: now is the time to prepare for what’s coming next.
We’re sharing what we learned not as supply chain experts, but as strategic advisors who see the ripple effects of these disruptions showing up in finance, operations, hiring, and long-term growth. If your business relies on physical goods, packaging, imports, subcontractors, or even just predictable pricing and delivery timelines—this affects you.
What’s Happening Now
Here are some of the key insights we brought back from the event:
Shipping delays are intensifying. There were 81 blank sailings in April 2025—ships that simply didn’t leave port. That number is higher than what we saw during the worst of COVID. Fewer ships moving means more congestion, delays, and missed delivery windows.
Tariffs are changing quickly and often. Businesses are being caught off guard with sudden price increases as containers cross borders. In some cases, products shipped in March are arriving now with 100%+ unexpected duties attached.
Small businesses are particularly exposed. One owner had to cancel a shipment and pause her operations entirely because the cost of bringing her product in doubled overnight. This isn’t just a supply chain issue—it’s a survival issue.
The full impact hasn’t landed yet. Most of what was set in motion in April will start showing up at the end of May and into June. If things seem stable right now, that may not last.
What This Means for You
Even if your business doesn’t import containers or manage multimillion-dollar projects, these disruptions matter. They show up in your:
Vendor costs and reliability
Production and delivery schedules
Customer experience
Margins and pricing strategies
Cash flow
Team capacity and stress levels
This is not the moment to operate on assumptions. It’s the time to double down on preparation.
Lessons Learned and Actions to Take
Here’s what we’re urging all of our clients to do:
1. Recession-Proof Your Business Now
We’ve talked about this before, but it's worth repeating: resilience comes from flexibility, clarity, and proactive decision-making. That means:
Understanding your breakeven point
Knowing which clients and offers are most profitable
Creating cash flow buffers
Keeping overhead lean and sustainable
Securing financing before you need it
2. Audit Your Supply Chain
Even if you don’t think you have one, you do. Ask:
Where are my key materials or products coming from?
What happens if that lead time doubles?
Do I have backup vendors?
Are my contracts structured to account for cost increases?
Am I communicating with partners early enough to avoid surprises?
3. Stay Close to Your Numbers
This includes both financials and operational KPIs. Can you spot when a margin is eroding because of cost creep? Do you know how long you can operate with reduced revenue if a shipment is delayed or a large invoice goes unpaid?
4. Prioritize Transparent Relationships
Whether it's your suppliers, your clients, or your financial partners, the businesses that are communicating early and clearly are building trust that will carry them through difficult cycles. Silence is expensive. Transparency earns you flexibility.
5. Don’t Wait for Clarity—Make Plans Anyway
The economy, tariffs, elections, and global conflicts are all creating uncertainty. But that doesn’t mean you have to wait. Businesses that think ahead, stay flexible, and move with intention are the ones that not only survive but find ways to grow during uncertain times.
Looking Ahead
We’re continuing to track the trends discussed this week, and we’ll keep surfacing them in upcoming strategy sessions and check-ins. If you have concerns about supply chain impact, pricing models, or upcoming cash flow challenges, now is the time to talk about them.
This is the kind of uncertainty that can derail a business—or become a catalyst for strengthening it. Preparation is not about panic. It’s about building a business that can weather volatility, adjust in real time, and still hit your goals.
Let’s make sure you’re set up to do that.
