Trends on the frontline

By Nikita Tomlinson

At Sudburys, we have the privilege of working closely with business leaders across a wide range of industries, both here in New Zealand and internationally. This often involves open, honest, and straight up conversations—ranging from tackling the toughest business challenges to identifying and seizing the next big opportunity.

This year, as businesses navigate a landscape that blends uncertainty with optimism, we've noticed a return to more traditional conversations around resilience and strategy. Here are some of the key trends and strategies we’re seeing emerging from these discussions—insights that might resonate as you steer your own business forward.

Early Bird Gets the Worm

Success, more often than not, favours the proactive. The businesses we see ‘surviving to 2025’ are those that acted early: scrutinizing their numbers, forecasting their pipelines, and making tough decisions before the storm arrived. Whether by addressing cashflow concerns head-on or assessing the depth of potential challenges, these “early birds” are the ones sleeping better at night. The takeaway? Proactive action beats reactive scrambling every time.

Unsubscribe from the Noise

This time of year often sparks the urge to declutter—be it clearing inboxes or reevaluating commitments. For business leaders, unsubscribing takes on an even greater significance. It’s about focusing on what truly matters to your business outcomes and stepping back from distractions that drain time and energy. While you may still feel stretched thin, prioritizing what’s critical can shift you from overwhelmed to focused, ensuring your efforts go where they’ll make the biggest impact.

Look Both Ways Before Deciding

The best decisions come from a balanced perspective. Whether your year started strong but is now encountering challenges, or you’ve felt early pain and are beginning to see relief, it’s essential to evaluate both the past and the future. Financial reports provide a “rear-view mirror” snapshot of your business, but a forward-looking lens—encompassing enquiries, leads, and pipeline trends—is what ensures your strategy is built for what lies ahead.

Doing Nothing Is Still a Choice

A gentle reminder: inaction is, in itself, a choice. While it can feel paralyzing to face mounting challenges or sift through complex situations, standing still means defaulting to the status quo. Choosing to act, even incrementally, can start the momentum needed to push through uncertainty and take control of your direction.

The trends we’re seeing from the frontline reflect both the challenges and opportunities that define today’s business environment. From proactive planning to disciplined prioritization, and from balanced decision-making to the courage to take action, the path forward requires resilience, focus, and adaptability. At Sudburys, we’re here to help you navigate these complexities and make sure your business is empowered to make great decisions that mean you not only survive, but thrive - regardless of the landscape.