Managing Your Business in Uncertain Times

In today’s rapidly changing environment, SMEs face a complex mix of challenges and opportunities driven by economic uncertainty, technological disruption, and shifting customer expectations. In this session, Stuart Hartley will guide founders and business leaders through a structured approach to identifying external threats and internal capabilities, and turning those insights into actionable growth strategies. The workshop will guide businesses to ways they can stop roadblocks ahead, horizon scanning, and then review their business to identify how they can use their strengths to either move away from these roadblocks or minimise the effects of them.

What We’ll Cover:
• Strategic identification of macro-environmental challenges using PESTLE analysis, competitor review, and the threat of new entrants.
• Assessment of your company’s internal strengths and weaknesses.
• Application of SWOT and TOWS frameworks to develop strategies that help you grow, sustain, protect, or steer away from threats.

Key Takeaways:
• A clear process for mapping external risks and internal capabilities.
• Practical tools to turn strategic analysis into confident decision-making.
• A set of tailored strategies to help your business thrive in uncertain times.

About Stuart Hartley:
Stuart is a strategic planning specialist who has worked with hundreds of startups and scale-ups to help them navigate complexity, align teams, and unlock growth. His approach blends proven frameworks with real-world insight, enabling SMEs to build clarity, resilience, and momentum in fast-changing environments.