Lessons Learned from Leading a Company’s Resilience Plan During Crisis

Niche Product Engineering Firm Successfully Navigates Risks Amidst War in Ukraine

As 2021 came to a close, a niche product engineering firm under Recognize’s portfolio of companies found itself facing a serious risk to its business and its people. With some staff based out of Ukraine, the management team had to confront a series of adverse events. While many in the technology services ecosystem chose to focus on growth and ignore the looming risks, the Recognize team in New York took a different approach, prioritizing the safety and resilience of their company.

The company’s journey through this challenging time taught them valuable lessons in crisis management and resilience planning. Here are some key takeaways from their experience:

1. Prepare for the worst-case scenario: While hoping for the best, the company made sure to plan for the worst. By considering all possible scenarios and pre-planning mitigants against risks, they were able to create a solid resilience plan with no detail left unaddressed.

2. Listen to diverse perspectives: Engaging with individuals with contrasting views helped the company gain a broader perspective and identify potential hurdles that might have been overlooked in resilience planning.

3. Employees are key decision-makers: The mindset of individuals plays a crucial role in executing a resilience plan. Building buy-in from employees and ensuring their trust and engagement are essential for successful crisis management.

4. Be prepared to stand alone: In some cases, companies may find themselves swimming against the current when it comes to resilience planning. It’s important to stay committed to building a strong plan, even if others in the industry are not taking similar actions.

5. Embrace agility and adaptability: While detailed planning is crucial, companies must also foster a culture of agility and provide training to help employees make quick and efficient decisions in the face of ambiguity.

Despite the challenges posed by the war in Ukraine, the company’s early and proactive approach to resilience planning paid off. By prioritizing the safety and well-being of their employees, they not only survived the crisis but also thrived and flourished in the years that followed.

As the company continues to grow in revenue and headcount, their story serves as a testament to the importance of resilience, agility, and proactive crisis management in navigating uncertain times.