What We’re Hearing Across the Network Right Now
Over the last month, our Leadership Hubs had one of the most honest and practical conversations we’ve had in some time. We asked the question:
What are leaders actually seeing on the ground right now when it comes to economic uncertainty?
The feedback was clear: while headlines are increasingly pointing to prolonged economic pressure, inflation risks and even potential recession, the experience across our network is far more nuanced. The International Monterey Fund recently downgraded growth forecasts and warned that prolonged global instability and rising energy costs could push economies closer toward a more adverse scenario. Australia won’t be immune.
Across our commercial members – particularly B2B service businesses – many are already feeling a slow squeeze. This isn’t being driven solely by recent global conflict. For many, this pressure has been building for 6-12 months through shrinking pipelines, slower sales cycles and clients delaying non-essential projects such as marketing, digital transformation, consulting and impact work. Several leaders shared they’ve already responded through hiring freezes, modest layoffs and strategic pivots.
At the same time, larger corporates appear more confident and continue to invest, while smaller businesses and “nice-to-have” service providers are feeling the greatest pressure as customers become more cautious with spending.
Across the NFP and social enterprise sector, the feedback was equally interesting. Many leaders shared that they feel like they are permanently operating in Scenario 2: Prolonged Pressure. Constraint has become normal. Funding pressure, workforce burnout, rising costs and increasing service demand are ongoing realities.
This raised an important question in several Hubs:
Are enough Boards and leadership teams proactively planning for what could be ahead – or are many simply reacting to today’s pressure?
Interestingly, not every business is feeling disruption yet. In our Northern Rivers Hub, many described conditions as largely “business as usual.” Rising fuel costs were noted, but not yet materially impacting most businesses. Their biggest concerns remain the everyday realities of growth – cashflow, people, capacity and investment.
And importantly, uncertainty doesn’t create challenges for every business. Some members are seeing opportunity. Fundraising activity has increased for some organisations. Legal and advisory businesses are seeing increased demand, and some businesses are forecasting growth opportunities.
That’s the reality of uncertain markets – pressure doesn’t land equally.
But one message was consistent across every Hub: The leaders performing best right now are not waiting for certainty. They are scenario planning early, protecting cash, strengthening customer relationships, improving efficiency and making deliberate decisions before pressure escalates. As well as looking for key opportunities.
This month’s IMPACT Play has been designed to help you do exactly that.
Use it to assess which scenario you may be operating in, where your biggest risks sit, and what actions you should be considering across strategy, financials, people, systems and governance.
Because right now, the biggest risk isn’t choosing the wrong scenario.
It’s not preparing for any of them.
Explore how this month’s IMPACT Play – Leading Through Uncertainty: Planning for the Next 3-6 Months – can help you prepare proactively for any scenario.
Download IMPACT Play – Leading Through Uncertainty: Planning for the Next 3-6 Months
