CEOs worldwide are abandoning traditional planning as structural uncertainty becomes the new normal. Business leaders across banking, energy, shipping, technology and manufacturing report that crises are no longer exceptional but baseline conditions. Supply chain disruptions, particularly in the Persian Gulf with thousands of vessels stuck, are driving costs higher for longer. Companies are shifting from just-in-time to just-in-case strategies, duplicating supply chains and increasing air freight despite higher expenses. The consensus among executives is clear: flexibility and continuous stress testing are essential for survival. As shipping costs surge and material prices climb, manufacturers warn these expenses will ultimately reach consumers through higher prices, testing consumer resilience in an inflationary environment.
