How to Futureproof Your Business For 2026
Thinking about long-term sustainability for your business might sound like an assumed part of daily entrepreneurship, but the future feels more tumultuous right now than usual - impacts of the pandemic, combined with both political and economic uncertainty, rapid shifts in technology, and a crazy number of layoffs. Strengthening your business foundation is paramount to riding out the current turbulence we are surrounded by. Let’s focus on how to futureproof your business for 2026.
I have observed so many business owners who look externally at how other businesses are running their operations. What really matters is investing that time looking internally:
Are your systems strong and reliable?
Do you have a clear and realistic strategy?
Is your mindset adaptable - ready to change directions if necessary?
Let’s target specific areas where you can prepare for a successful 2026, despite the unknown.
Diversify your revenue stream - strategically.
The best strategy is to have more than one type of client, and more than one offer. There should be a simple flow that can take your client through your different offers for varied levels of service. Your offers should have flexibility when it comes to how much of your face time is required, which increases scalability.
I have a client who was leaning on one customer for most of her business, so whatever was happening in that customer’s business was affecting my client. She needed to take control of her business. We focused on increasing her business development activities and creating a strategy for broadening her client base. She resisted at first. Then she realized it was putting her back in the driver’s seat. Now her income comes from different sources, and if that one client left, her business would be fine.
Tighten operations and streamline systems.
Where can you save time and offer a better experience for your clients?
Create a smooth client journey.
Automate steps instead of starting fresh with each client.
Build efficient processes.
Review and update systems.
Clean up your tech stack.
Then use your foundational framework to track and document everything. Do not leave anything on scrap paper or in your brain. Having the back end of your business in order impacts your ability to scale, make changes easily, and weather difficult times.
I have taken many clients from completely manual processes to automated and online processes, and the results are almost always immediate. This helps my clients get into a stronger position where they are capable of navigating future changes.
Strengthen your mindset.
You didn’t start a business without believing you could do it. You need that same confidence to figure things out. Self confidence is the backbone of facing the unknown when you can’t predict the future. There’s no comfort zone in business ownership if you want to be successful.
So what helps? Being open and ready for change.
You also need to be adaptable. There are so many factors we don’t control that can affect our businesses - pandemics, politics, economy, technology, business trends, our own personal life challenges. So adaptability is non-negotiable. There are business owners who actually started by taking advantage of changes and trends.
I worked with one client who started her business due to the growth of one particular business platform. I have worked with another client who is building a business around new opportunities that have arisen due to changes in patient care in the healthcare industry.
There’s a lot of things going on in the world to keep track of, so discernment is a skill that will keep you from going down the rabbit hole. Not every change or trend pertains to you and your business. This is the time you need to go back to your mission, vision, and business foundation. Many things can change in the moment - social media and marketing trends, fads that you see other people jumping on like creating courses or replacing yourself with AI. You need to do what’s best for you and your business, not someone else’s.
Strengthen brand awareness and messaging.
You may work for yourself and by yourself, but don’t lose sight of all of the other business owners out there competing for the same market. People buy the opportunity to work with YOU - so who you are, what you do, and how only you do it has to be as clear as a freshly windexed window on a sunny day. They need to understand your unique value, trust you, and like you. If people don’t really understand how you help and what their investment will get them, they won’t hire you, or worse drop you for someone else with a clearer message. Ouch!
Consistent visibility is a considerable component of futureproofing. Clear messaging will help you hold steady through changes in the marketplace.
Focus on networking and relationships.
Your network is your lifeline. Strong referral partners, clients, and collaborators you connect with provide the stability you need to maintain and grow your business. People hire people they trust, and they hire people recommended by colleagues they trust. Especially if times are hard and potential clients are hesitating to take risks and make investments in themselves or their businesses.
If you’re unsure where to start, or overwhelmed with the time this will take, you don’t have to do it alone. Grab a spot on my calendar and we can talk about what steps will futureproof your business for 2026 and beyond.
FAQs
Is there anything else you should do to futureproof your business?
Yes. Have a financial cushion if revenue takes a temporary dip.
Won’t all of these things take a lot of time?
When you implement processes and systems, establish routines, and set and honor boundaries to protect your time, you can actually end up with more time in your schedule.
Do I have to do all of this work myself?
No. There are a variety of experts who can help, including me. Anything I don’t do I can refer you to my trusted experts that I choose to work with.