What are the most common mistakes businesses make during a recession?

In my experience: 1. Too slow to cut costs 2. Too slow to recognise this is not short term 3. Not having built up sufficient reserves to ride out the storm

One practice I have noticed is that some businesses shelf their medium to long term strategic plans in the wake of a recession. This makes them lose their strategic edge in the long run. It's just like throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

In tough times like recessions, businesses commonly make mistakes by reacting too quickly without thinking long-term, cutting back on innovation and customer service, neglecting to adapt to changing market needs, slashing marketing efforts, overlooking talent retention, mismanaging cash flow, disregarding competitors, lacking transparent communication, and waiting for things to get better instead of actively seeking opportunities. Finding the balance between cost management and maintaining essential aspects like innovation, customer satisfaction, and talent retention is crucial for businesses to weather economic downturns more effectively.

Not only in hard times, it is quiet sound to drive a Zero Based Budgeting (ZBB) exercise, as long as it remains a strategic and not short term exercice. This allows for ressource optimisation, increased accountability, flexibility and adaptability and of course, cost reduction. Preserving cash-flow is of course key during recessions, and if this is well prepared, it can even allow to go for strategic investments while competitors can't afford it, permitting to gain competitive hedge for the future. Hence cost cutting exercises, like ZBB, should occur preferably before recessions and on a regular basis in order to guaranty the resilience of the company and its agility. When the recession hits, its to late.

The firm needs to have anticipated a turning in the business cycle and should have been very prudent in terms of where to spend much before any recession.

In a recession, customers might want different things than they did before. They might care more about finding good deals, being careful with their money, or getting extra value. Some businesses make a mistake by not paying attention to what their customers need and want. Imagine you have a toy store, and you've always sold expensive, high-end toys. But during a recession, parents might be looking for more affordable toys that still bring joy to their kids. If you ignore this and keep selling expensive toys, you could lose customers. Instead, it's essential to listen to your customers and understand what they're looking for. By adapting to their needs, you can keep your customers happy and your business thriving, even in tough times.

Common mistakes are: Not having a solid loyalty program and / or active referral network in place before the recession occurs Carrying too little "evergreen" inventory and too much fad / trendy inventory. Discontinuting customer relationship marketing programs like newsletters and sending cards for cusomers' birthdays and on holidays. Reminding customers in marketing messages about what makes your company unique - I often tell the story about the company that builds decks onto houses and the promise that makes them the #1 choice is that they will go over the construction site with a big magnet when the job's done to pick up every stray nail, screw or bit of metal that you or your barefoot kids could step on.

During a recession, it is critical to reassess and adjust their budget promptly. I found cash flow management like maintaining a sufficient cash reserve, making a critical success factor. Additionally, I found corporates those not reducing marketing and advertising budgets during recession, limiting their ability to stay visible in a competitive market. Lastly, orgnaisations keep ignoring technological advancements or failing to innovate which can hinder long-term resilience. I believe companies should prioritize flexibility, strategic planning, and proactive measures to navigate recessions successfully rather than focusing on reducing employees for short-term cost benefit.

During a recession, customer needs may change. It is important to be aware of these changes and adapt your products and services accordingly. For example, if your customers are on a tight budget, you may need to offer lower-priced options. Or, if your customers spend more time at home, you may need to provide online services. A restaurant specializing in fine dining may need to offer a more affordable menu or delivery options during a recession.

Any kind of transformational change comes during difficult times. But for that leadership needs to be agile and visionary to prioritize innovation, employee well-being, and customer satisfaction. Now, this comes from a strong work culture which organizations need to nurture and preserve early on.

You're spot on. Recessions, while challenging, can actually be breeding grounds for innovation and experimentation. When the going gets tough, it's a natural instinct for businesses to play it safe and stick to the tried and true. But this approach can mean missing out on potential opportunities that arise in times of change.

ChatGPT During tough economic times, some businesses get scared and don't want to try anything new. They think, "Let's stick to what we've always done; it's safer." But this cautious approach can also mean missing out on exciting opportunities. Imagine you have a bakery, and you've always sold the same types of bread and pastries. During a recession, people might be looking for more affordable, healthy options. If you avoid trying new recipes or experimenting with different ingredients, you could lose customers to competitors who are offering what people want. Instead, consider embracing innovation and trying new things. Maybe you can develop new, budget-friendly products or unique flavors that cater to changing customer preferences.

A recession is not the time to rest on your laurels. It is important to continue to innovate and experiment with new products, services, and marketing strategies. This can help you to stay ahead of the competition and attract new customers. A company that manufactures toys may need to develop new and innovative toys to stay ahead of the competition during a recession.

Your employees are your most important asset. It is important to keep them motivated and engaged during a recession. This can help you to retain your best employees and avoid costly turnover. A company that offers generous employee benefits and opportunities for training and development is more likely to retain its best employees during a recession.

Absolutely, the well-being of employees is crucial, especially during a recession. Economic downturns can indeed heighten stress and anxiety among staff, as they worry about job security, pay cuts, or increased workloads. Neglecting employee needs during such times can lead to a host of problems for a business, including reduced productivity, high turnover rates, and a decline in service quality, which can further impact customer satisfaction.

Every business owner should run quarterly fire drills by asking what hard choices they would make if their revenue was reduced by 20% in the next 3 months. Knowing the decisions in advance will reduce panic and emotional decision making if it becomes necessary.

In my opinion, businesses should not solely rely on external factors, such as the economy, to determine their success. It is crucial for businesses to constantly assess and improve their internal processes, strategies, and customer relations. This will not only help them during a recession, but also set them apart from competitors in the long run. A proactive and adaptable mindset is key to navigating through challenges and thriving in any business environment.

In a VUCA environment recession is only one of the external risk factors. Building resilience for recessions and other risks to be met, a strong risk management policy and review process must be effective. SWOT, PESTEL or Porter analysis are not enough. A periodic assessment of risks defined as Likelihood X Consequence X Detectability is crucial. Risk mitigation measures need to be also periodically reviewed as in a volatile environment, they change all the time. Another path to follow is increasing the company's risk tolerance, for instance by deleveraging it's balance sheet, diversifying supply chains (remember COVID, or wars), diversifying markets, and of course putting a huge accent on innovation capabilities.

Not proactively doing a deep dive review (per unit cost from MVP to Scale, no detail over looked) on the cost models that support their strategic products and services.

A recession is not a surprise. There are always warning signs. It is important to have a plan in place for how you will respond to a recession. This will help you to avoid making rash decisions that could damage your business. A company that has a plan for how to cut costs, manage inventory, and communicate with customers during a recession is more likely to weather the storm.

It is important to remember that a recession is temporary. Don't make decisions that will hurt your business in the long run. For example, you may need to make some short-term sacrifices, such as cutting your marketing budget, but you shouldn't abandon your long-term strategy. Example: A company that focuses on building customer relationships and brand loyalty during a recession is more likely to emerge stronger from the recession.

Underestimating impact and overestimating duration. Both lead to ineffective business decisions and stifles maneuverability. It is important for businesses to continue viewing cycles through dual - short and long term lenses. What's more important during recessionary trends is to be alert, responsive and nimble without losing sight of the bigger picture.