This episode of Signal Strength looks at the importance of risk and crisis planning as a means of building resilience inside organisations.

We are lucky to be joined by risk management expert Wendy Shand, founder of Impact Resilience, an organisation that helps businesses to map and manage potential risks and build resilience through the process. 

Our conversation covers:

• An introduction to Wendy, her very personal story, and the story of Impact Resilience.
• Why planning for and getting ready for risks is critical, regardless of the size of your business.
• Why brands are on the frontline of building resilience and their role in helping forge a stronger society.
• The importance of horizon scanning and seeing what’s coming at you.
• The role of strategic scenario planning and why being an anticipatory leader is key.
• The role of brand reputation – and how trusted brands can maintain themselves through a crisis and come out of it faster and better.
• How we lean into uncertainty, what we can strategically and practically do and some final thoughts about how to get started.

Dr Elizabeth Stephens talks to Selbey Labs CEO, Gerry Hopkinson and reveals how the geopolitical landscape is reshaping Europe for brands. She highlights the risks and opportunities for businesses in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and looks to the future.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Understand how geopolitical events should shape your business strategy
• Identify lucrative green energy ventures
• Handle the linguistic and cultural obstacles faced by European enterprises
• Explore the power of technology in overcoming workforce deficiencies
• Grasp the importance of worldwide collaboration for business growth

Say hello to Dr. Elizabeth Stephens, a renowned geopolitical analyst with a knack for forecasting global shifts. Her expertise has been sought after by governments and corporations alike, as she helps them navigate the complex world of geopolitics.

With her finger on the pulse of global trends, Elizabeth's insights are invaluable for business executives looking to stay ahead in an unpredictable world.

• Businesses and brands should be mindful of their footprints, supply chains, and where they derive value from, as policies of host governments can change quickly, potentially leaving them with liabilities in a country where they legally could do business.
• Look at markets where the values of host governments are more closely aligned, such as India, many other Asian countries, and South America.
• Consider opportunities in the US, particularly in the manufacturing and industrial sectors, as well as in consumer goods.
• Consider taking advantage of the US Inflation Reduction Act to invest in green technologies. EU and UK companies can also benefit from the subsidies, as long as the product has a high Made in America component.
• Nuclear power will likely see a move back in the UK and France, and gradually in Germany, as it is a way to generate sufficient power to consume energy in the way we do now.
• Wind power and solar power will also see considerable investment, particularly in the UK and certain

LinkedIn: Dr Elizabeth Stephens | Gerry Hopkinson | Dom Hawes

Websites: Geopolitical Advisory | Selbey Labs

Signal Strength is a podcast series that introduces listeners to the emerging opportunities and threats they need to think about and create a safe space to learn how to respond to them.

We will talk to leading thinkers, experts and pioneers in their fields who are defining the best new playbooks and approaches to solving near future problems and exploiting near future opportunities.

Think geopolitics, anticipatory leadership, social science, behavioural science and much more - all from a brand's point of view.