Contingency is defined by a possible future event or circumstance that cannot be predicted.
In response, contingency plans often consist of reserves that can be tapped into during turbulent times. Much like life in general, we can plan for disruption but not necessarily for the particulars. But what if we began seeing contingency as a mindset rather than a back-up plan?
Nothing in life is constant - employees, leadership, technology, business models, products and services - they all change and evolve over time. So what if we sought change rather than avoiding or struggling to ride it out? When change becomes something you can count on and use as a launchpad for growth, the word contingency transforms into a source of strength and excitement!
Here are our tips for building contingency into regular practice:
Reach out to your clients in new and interesting ways. Don't wait for creative touchpoints to be necessary, be the company that is good at connecting no matter the format.
Become skilled at leveraging tools while always seeking the next best thing. Just like in school, the most important skills are transferable. Rather than engaging experts on a specific program or skillset, prioritizing quick learning and adapting to new technology.
Spend as much time thinking about your next big pivot to advance your cause as you do perfecting the current state.
Make time to invest on the business and in the business. Every employee should be improving tasks while completing them.
Find like-minded industry colleagues and collaborate. Coopetition means working with competitors you respect, whom you share core values with and have something to gain by working together. Evolution is a product of collective movements forward and that doesn't have to stay siloed to your business. Learn more about coopetition here!
Each of these tips involve existing in a state of contingency. Accomplishing tasks while anticipating change. This approach leads to constant innovation, flexibility and adaptation. It's like trail running - staying on your toes, alert, ready for barriers and with all the skills to navigate every obstacle as it comes.
Get out there and make an impact!