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EMPLOYEES NEED TO FEEL TRUSTED TO ACT FAST AND TAKE CALCULATED RISKS, OTHERWISE, EVEN THE BEST DIGITAL SYSTEMS WILL FAIL TO DELIVER THEIR PROMISE. authority outwards, empowering teams closer to the action to make rapid decisions. This decentralisation is key: when conditions shift unexpectedly, waiting for approval from the top can cost valuable time.

Equally important is the ability to harness real-time data. Static forecasts and longterm predictions are increasingly unreliable. Instead, ultra-resilient organisations invest in digital infrastructure that provides instant insight into performance, risk and opportunity, enabling them to pivot immediately when the world changes.

Supply chains, once built for efficiency above all else, are being redesigned for flexibility and durability. Companies are diversifying their sourcing, moving beyond singlecountry dependencies and embracing‘ China plus one’ or nearshoring models. These strategies don’ t just reduce risk; they enable organisations to respond with agility to regional disruptions, shifting demand or sudden regulatory hurdles.

The cornerstone of modern resilience

Digital Transformation isn’ t an option, it’ s a necessity. Ultra-resilient businesses are those that have woven technology into their operational DNA. Cloud platforms, AI-powered analytics and automation tools aren’ t just niceto-haves; they’ re essential for sensing threats and opportunities as they emerge.

AI, in particular, is already a backbone for resilient organisations. From automating routine tasks to predicting market movements, it frees up human talent for higher-level problem-solving and innovation. But technology alone is not enough. The real differentiator is a workforce that is not only technologically capable but empowered to use these tools to their full potential.

This shift requires both investment in training and a cultural overhaul. Employees need to feel trusted to act fast and take calculated risks, otherwise, even the best digital systems will fail to deliver their promise.

Culture at the heart of ultra-resilience

At its core, ultra-resilience is a mindset. It’ s about building a culture where speed is valued over perfection and where crossfunctional collaboration is the norm. In such organisations, ambiguity is embraced rather than feared, and learning from failure is seen as essential to growth.

Leaders play a crucial role here. They must foster transparency, encourage

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