12 Proven Strategies to Help Future-Proof your Business

12 Strategies to help future-proof your business

#Blog#Capability#Change Management#Learning Strategy#Organisational Learning#Professional Development#Wellness

In an ever-changing business world, it’s extremely beneficial for your business to future-proof and keep on top of what’s new. An innovative learning provider is a valuable resource in ensuring your business stays ahead of competitors, improves efficiency and continues to grow. Above all else, having a learning provider on your side will ensure your staff have all the tools required to future-proof your business.

Let’s take a look at how to future-proof a business, why future-proofing is so important, and how else you can encourage a growth mindset to set your business up for success.

Invest in professional development

Investing in training to ensure your staff continues to grow their skills and knowledge is imperative in future-proofing your business. Continuous professional development should play a role in every business, as it allows business leaders to encourage employee engagement, upskilling and the exploration of new ideas.

By encouraging continuous professional development, business owners can ensure their team members have the highest level of competency in an ever-evolving world with new technology, new products and new strategies popping up all the time.

Formal training doesn’t need to be time-consuming, and can be as simple as virtual training for employees, where the team can complete their training online at their desk, or remotely from home.

Future-proofing a business should not be the responsibility of management alone. Staff all across the business should support and assist in the implementation of new strategies. Educating your staff in a forward-thinking philosophy from the outset will allow your business to seamlessly transition to change as it occurs. Incorporating future-proofing values into your business culture will enable your staff to quickly adapt to change and reduce interruptions.

Invest in the well-being of your staff

As much as training is an essential component of future-proofing, so is investing in the well-being of your staff. Important factors to consider are the mental and physical health of your staff, and a healthy work-life balance. Factors such as career growth opportunities, ongoing training, and flexible working arrangements can all impact significantly on the morale within the workplace. By offering these simple allowances, you will ensure your company is a great place to work, where your staff will be happy and productive.

Hiring new staff can be costly and time-consuming; investing in the staff you already have is a great way to improve morale and inspire loyalty. In addition to making your business more enjoyable to work for, this will greatly improve staff retention.

12 Strategies to help future-proof your business | MCI Solutions

Take time to research and forecast for the future

Technology is advancing at a rapid rate. Consequently, the systems and tools you use today may be a thing of the past in just a few years. A business process optimisation consultant can provide insight into the tools you need to prevent your business from being left behind. Offering research in new systems and processes will greatly improve the efficiency and productivity of your business. 

Business leaders should keep track of new systems, methodologies and practices. You will need to review articles, search for new competitors and speak regularly with other people in the industry. So, developing a schedule that allows time to do this will complement a future-proof mentality. However, you can remove some of the burden of this demanding task by linking up with a business consultant. They will guide you with the research and learning tools, which will save you time and increase efficiency.

Risk management

Loss of business data can be a very costly mistake for a business. Not only can it halt operations, but there can be huge ramifications if customer data is leaked.

Keeping your business and client information secure is a standard requirement in today’s business landscape. Certainly, staff employed specifically to ensure data and security are up to scratch should be a standard in most organisations. Having a dedicated focus on ensuring your information will be safe in the event of an attack will ensure the future sustainability of your business. Additionally, in the event of big data loss or corruption, knowledge in this area will minimise disruption to the business. 

Innovative learning providers can educate your team on how to better store data, secure it against attackers and easily retrieve the information. Importantly, regular backups of data along with staff training on the correct storage and accessing of business data, will provide great security in the effort to mitigate this risk.

Monitor customer feedback

Performing a regular review of your customer experience can be a valuable way to future-proof your business. Feedback provides insight into your client’s mindset which may include frustrations or problems that you can then address. 

Reviewing client feedback is a worthy investment of your time and a smart strategy in how to future-proof your company and look at working in a new way. Monitoring your client’s satisfaction will contribute greatly to the continuous improvement of your business.

At the end of the day, your customer is the person you need to impress. The best companies are the ones that listen to their customers, and adapt to their needs.

Observe customer behaviour

The way that consumers interact with businesses has evolved throughout the global pandemic, and continues to change in the post-COVID world. Observe customer behaviour to see how your ideal customer is interacting with your business and your competitors. Are they no longer responding to a particular business strategy?

With more emphasis on digital technology than ever, look at how you can adopt it into your business processes. The digital transformation we are seeing at the moment isn’t going to go away – it’s important you lean into it and learn how to utilise digital technology in your business strategy.

Attracting new customers is vital in future-proofing your business, and observing how customers interact with your company and competitors is a great way of figuring out how to interest new customers in your business.

Examine Trends

Importantly, keeping tabs on the latest trends can provide you with an advantage when providing information and recommendations to your clients and staff. Whether it’s a new product or the latest marketing tool, software, methodology or platform, reviewing current trends will help you stay ahead of competitors.

Read articles, check Google trends, keep on top of social media trends and analyse online environments to give you an advantage in future-proofing your business.

Monitoring customer feedback is a worthy investment of time

Observe your competitors

Your competitors can give you valuable insight into what your business is doing right, and where it can improve. However, it’s not always possible to have an uncensored view of another company’s business strategies, methodologies and tools. A great way around this is by engaging a business analyst. Utilising their valuable input, whilst it may not exactly replicate your competitor’s strategy, will provide you with the competitive edge of continuous improvement opportunities.

Watch your competitor and what they offer. You may discover your competition is offering something that you had not considered, or they may provide a similar product or service at a more economical price. Take a look at how you can adjust your business strategy to gain a competitive advantage.

Open the door to innovation

Flexibility is a key component in how to future-proof your company. Systems and processes that are not robust and scalable can leave your business way behind. Therefore, investing in software that is scalable and always striving to improve will complement innovative business practices. Aligning your business with forward-thinking strategies can give you the edge over other business models and competitors.  

Adapting to new technologies and new products on the market that increase productivity, profit margins and business growth should be a focus. A specialist learning provider can help staff through the acceptance of, and education in, how to adapt, change and innovate, and the importance of technology investment.

Opening the door to innovation for future proofing your business

Don’t just stick to what you know

A growth mindset is so important in business. Don’t be afraid to let go of past strategies if they are no longer serving you and your business. Just because something has worked in the past, it doesn’t mean you should continue to invest time and resources into it.

Your business strategy should be able to adapt to compete with future demands within your industry, to give you a competitive advantage in the long run.

Invest in new talent

New talent can drastically improve the future development of your business. Therefore, hiring staff based on their flexibility and particular skill sets will provide positive results in future-proofing your business. Employ forward-thinkers who are enthusiastic and have a history of working within constantly evolving environments. This can provide a solid foundation for adapting to change. 

At times, it can be difficult to find a new staff member perfectly suited to your business. In these instances, it may be more beneficial to re-train existing staff to enhance their skill sets and reinvigorate their enthusiasm. This is why continuous professional development is so important within any business strategy.

Financial Planning

The need for financial planning is a no-brainer in the business world, but not all business owners know how to do it effectively. If you’re not sure about financial planning for your existing business or a new business in the early stages, don’t be afraid to reach out for support.

How to future-proof your company

Making the decision to future-proof is an important step for the direction of your business. A business that is not accepting of or prepared for change can be left behind, and watch as their profits or client-base dwindles. Business leaders who are proactive and research topics relating to future-proofing set a standard within their business of continuous improvement. This enthusiasm will flow through to other employees and create a dynamic and positive working environment with a great team.

There are a wide range of ways to future-proof your business. Keeping your finger on the pulse of new systems and technology is just the beginning. Choosing the right employees, setting the expectation of a forward-thinking business, and training staff on up-to-date technology are also important strategies to ensure future growth. 

Above all else, engaging an innovative learning provider will set your business up to accept, adapt and seamlessly transition to change. As a result, your business will stay efficient, productive and prepared for the ever-changing world of business.


May 23, 2022

By Dr. Denise Meyerson

Dr. Denise Meyerson is the founder of MCI and has 30 years' experience in vocational education. In that time, she has developed deep expertise in the design and delivery of a range of qualification programs to major corporates and to job seekers via in-person learning methodologies as well as innovative digital learning experiences.