FINANCE
Navigating Uncertainty: A Practical Guide to Business Resilience
By EDDI TAYLOR, PARTNER AT AZETS, Eddi. taylor @ azets. co. uk
Many business leaders are finding it tougher than ever to run and grow their business while facing pressures such as rising costs, supply chain disruption, economic uncertainty and tighter margins. These challenges can impact profitability, efficiency, decision-making and growth potential.
Despite these challenges, proactive and practical changes across different areas of the business can help ease pressure and strengthen resilience.
We’ ve highlighted six areas to explore that could make a difference.
1. Strengthen financial management and planning Robust financial planning is critical for long-term sustainability. Business leaders should actively manage cashflow and forecasting- not just to track liquidity, but to anticipate pressure points and prepare for uncertainty. Regularly reviewing expenditure helps to reduce costs and also ensures alignment with strategic goals and identifies opportunities for efficiency. For businesses undergoing structural change, refinancing or restructuring can offer more suitable financial arrangements. Where capital is a constraint or opportunity, seeking debt and funding advice can help weigh up the options, understand lender expectations and secure funding that supports both resilience and ambition.
2. Review business structure and long-term strategy Take time to review whether your current business structure still serves your longterm goals. As businesses grow or change direction, structures that once worked well can start to create friction- whether that’ s around decision-making, tax efficiency, risk exposure or succession. Future business proofing with a long-term view also includes ensuring you don’ t consider succession planning too late. Whether you’ re preparing for leadership transitions, future exits or ownership changes, early planning allows for smoother handovers, protects business value and gives future leaders the support they need to step up with confidence.
3. Effective tax planning Another key area to business resilience is tax planning. As well as ensuring compliance, it is important to consider how the timing of investments, the structure of operations and available reliefs can be used to support wider business objectives. There are many tax reliefs available to businesses in the UK, such as reliefs designed to encourage innovation, reduce operational costs, support expansion or investment and improve cashflow. Being aware of all tax reliefs available to you ensures you can plan accordingly and that you aren’ t paying more tax than you should be.
4. Maximise people strategy Getting the most from your team isn’ t only about salaries. Consider performancelinked incentives, tax-efficient benefits and referral rewards to keep costs down while boosting motivation. Simple steps like offering staff bonuses tied to business growth, introducing share options or running salary sacrifice schemes can improve take-home pay at minimal cost. At the same time, focusing on retention through career development, flexibility and a strong workplace culture reduces staff turnover.
5. Protect data and embrace technology Treating data as a strategic asset starts with getting the basics right: make sure your data is secure, access is controlled and policies are regularly reviewed- especially as cyber risks continue to evolve and become more complex. Protecting sensitive financial, customer and employee data is a business-wide responsibility with legal and reputational implications.
Once the foundations are in place, consider whether you’ re making full use of the data you already have. Where appropriate, use technology to automate tasks, free up time and reduce the strain caused by staff shortages and heavy workloads.
6. Enhance operational efficiency through outsourcing As your business grows, it’ s worth considering where your internal resources are best focused. Outsourcing non-core functions, such as payroll, bookkeeping or IT support, can free up valuable time and reduce overheads without compromising on quality. A strategic review of your operational pain points can help identify which functions could be outsourced effectively while maintaining control, compliance and continuity. The key is to treat outsourcing not just as a cost-saving measure, but as a tool to enhance agility and focus.
You don’ t have to face business challenges alone. Working with a trusted business adviser can help you spot opportunities to ensure your business remains resilient for the future and for its next stage of growth.
We’ re here to help. If you have any questions, or are unsure on how to navigate any challenges your business may be facing currently, please get in touch.
Local Offices: Ashford: 01233 629 255 Canterbury: 01227 454 861 Maidstone: 01622 690 666 Sidcup: 01689 827505
www. azets. com
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