Dear Executive,

While once unthinkable economic events are happening with daily frequency, most of the hard work of managing companies in this environment remains to be done. While volatility and economic difficulty radically “restack” competitive positioning in most industries, economically challenging times in and of themselves, do not cause corporations to stall. Rather, they set up the conditions for serious strategic opportunities or missteps that have lasting consequences.

Companies that experience improvement in relative performance have two key factors at play: 1) better tactical responses to rapidly shifting market conditions that secure financial self-determination and 2) relentless focus on, and continued funding for, a narrow set of key, strategic priorities.

While markets may get a bailout, corporate management will not. With many executives, this is the first and (likely) only shift of this magnitude they will confront “on their watch.” And, paradoxically, most of the “playbook” they have been handed up to this point turns out to be wrong.

CEB has always sat at the forefront of the critical issues facing our membership. Now, across all of CEB, we are providing daily insights for the executives and professionals we serve and a daily perspective on how the current conditions of the markets and the economy will impact your organization.

CEB was built to help you navigate uncertain times like these; use us often to help you move with confidence in driving decisions and change. We encourage you to stay in close dialogue with us and welcome your feedback.