Strategy 4 Saturday Blog (<4 minute read)
Surviving the Shakeup – What Tariffs, Labor Shortages, and Uncertainty Mean for Your Business
It’s been a roller coaster week for the stock markets. Stock prices tumbled last week after new U.S. tariffs were announced — some as high as 40%. JP Morgan’s Jamie Diamond warned of a significant recession and then reciprocal tariffs were delayed by President Trump for 90 days, except for 10% on all incoming trade, with exceptions. And then the stock market rebounded sharply. China has raised tariffs on the US to a laughable 125%. Are you keeping up?
While headlines swirl and emotions rise, the most important move right now for business leaders is to stay calm and act strategically.
This week’s Measure Success Podcast, I spoke with economist, Forbes contributor, and author Dr. Bill Conerly, about the ripple effects of these economic shifts—and more importantly, what leaders should do next.
Here’s your Strategy 4 Saturday takeaway.
Strategy: Don’t Wait to React—Prepare with Purpose
If you’re waiting to “see how it plays out,” you’re already falling behind. The new tariffs are a tax on imported goods. That means your costs may rise, your suppliers may shift, and your customers may push back on higher prices.
It’s time to:
- Assess your supply chain: Where are your materials really coming from? Are you buying from U.S. vendors who source from overseas? Don’t assume anything—dig in.
- Check your contracts: If you export goods, do your deals cover tariff-related cost changes? If not, you may be absorbing more risk than you think.
- Talk to your customers and suppliers: Prices are changing fast. Transparency and communication can preserve relationships—and give you early signals others might miss.
Insight: Tariffs Hurt, But the Bigger Risk Is Uncertainty
Bill reminded us that tariffs are rarely absorbed entirely by overseas sellers. Most of the cost gets passed to U.S. consumers. But that’s not what scares markets the most—uncertainty does.
Uncertainty makes leaders pause investments. And when everyone pauses, the economy slows.
If you’re a manufacturer, a distributor, or even a service provider who depends on imports, this is the moment to lead—not stall.
Risk: Labor Shortages Are Here to Stay
There’s another slow-burn crisis brewing: labor. We’re in the lowest growth period of the working-age population since the Civil War. Baby boomers are retiring. Fewer people are entering the workforce. And immigration is slowing down.
If your business relies on skilled workers, you can’t afford to ignore this.
Bill’s three-part labor strategy:
- Boost productivity – Give your people better tools and systems.
- Retain who you have – Keep your good people by treating them like gold.
- Have a hiring plan – Don’t wait until you’re short-staffed to recruit.
Opportunity: Use AI as a Tool, Not a Trend
Amid the doom and gloom, there’s hope—if you’re willing to change.
Bill shared how his own doctor is saving 10 minutes per patient using AI-powered transcription. That’s one example of a growing trend: AI quietly making work faster, not flashier.
The best AI tools work in the background. If you haven’t reviewed where your team is doing repetitive, manual tasks—now is the time. AI can help close the labor gap and increase productivity at a time when both matter most.
Final Thought: Strategic Action Beats Fear
Yes, things are uncertain. Yes, prices are rising. And yes, some customers may cut back. But this isn’t the time to freeze. It’s the time to lead.
Your best move? Focus on what you can control:
- Supply chain clarity
- Pricing strategy
- Labor efficiency
- AI-enabled productivity
And above all, stay close to your customers.
The businesses that act with clarity and calm now will be the ones that thrive later.
Monday, 4/14 is the airing of the final $4M Strategies podcast. I want to extend a special THANK YOU to all of the guests who shared their insights and gave their time to share with you their areas of expertise! Thank you to the listeners who have reached out because something resonated with you! I am grateful to be surrounded by such engaged partners and collaborators.
Stay tuned for some more exciting news from 40 Strategy soon! You’ve asked, we listened……
Links to Podcasts:
