Making Fast Business Decisions Under Pressure: Lessons from the Frontline
When running a business, you expect the occasional curveball—but what happens when multiple challenges hit all at once? From supplier shortages to contractor issues, last-minute changes to high-stakes decisions, this past week has been a masterclass in problem-solving under pressure.
While I shared the how of navigating this chaos in my latest episode of Storefront Strategies, this blog will focus on the why—why resilience, adaptability, and supplier relationships are critical to long-term success in business.
Why Fast Decision-Making Matters in Business
No matter how carefully you plan, things will go wrong. The businesses that survive—and thrive—are the ones that can pivot quickly. Here’s why being decisive is crucial:
Time is Money – Delays cost money, whether it’s lost sales, wasted materials, or stalled progress. The faster you find a solution, the less impact it has.
Customers Expect Reliability – Even when things go wrong behind the scenes, customers still expect seamless service. They don’t need to know the challenges—only that they got what they needed, when they needed it.
Opportunities Disappear Quickly – If you hesitate too long, better solutions may slip through your fingers. Whether it’s securing alternative stock or locking in a new contractor, speed matters.
This week, I had to make multiple quick decisions—some of which felt risky. But looking back, they were necessary to keep things moving forward.
The Contractor Crisis: A Lesson in Plan B Thinking
One of the biggest challenges this week was dealing with a disappearing contractor—one who, unfortunately, was a named supplier on a grant application.
When I stopped receiving responses, I had to:
✔️ Confirm what was happening (or not happening).
✔️ Reach out to the grant provider for approval to switch contractors.
✔️ Quickly negotiate a replacement, all without raising alarms.
Lesson learned? Always have a backup plan. Even if everything seems secure, never rely 100% on a single provider.
The Shop Fittings Drama: When the First Plan Fails
Ordering shop fittings should have been simple. I had my selections lined up, my budget set—then suddenly, the items were out of stock.
Now, I had two choices:
🚀 Wait for my first choice to be available (delaying everything)
✅ Find an alternative and adapt to the situation
I went with Plan B, and it turned out to be even better! The new fittings are completely freestanding, meaning no drilling into walls—ideal for flexibility in the future.
Key takeaway: Sometimes, unexpected changes lead to better outcomes. Stay open to alternatives.
Why Supplier Relationships Matter More Than Ever
One of the biggest highlights of the week was Kyle, a rep from AWDis Hoodies, visiting us. His insights into stock levels, new products, and industry trends were invaluable.
When I later ran into stock shortages for an important Leavers Hoodie order, I was able to quickly find a high-quality alternative—partly thanks to that earlier conversation.
Why this matters:
Having strong supplier relationships means you get help when problems arise, not just excuses.
Face-to-face interactions give you a better understanding of what’s happening behind the scenes.
Knowing your options in advance makes problem-solving easier when things go wrong.
Had I not had that initial meeting with Kyle, finding an alternative would have been much more stressful.
Bringing It All Together: Business Lessons from the Week
When I step back and look at the bigger picture, the events of this past week perfectly sum up the core lessons of my upcoming book. Business isn’t just about making sales—it’s about solving problems, building relationships, and staying adaptable.
💡 If you’re enjoying this journey, you’ll love the book! Pre-order your copy here: www.leemidlane.com/books.
In the meantime, I’d love to hear from you: What’s the biggest business challenge you’ve had to solve on the fly? Drop your story in the comments!
Final Thoughts
This week was exhausting, but it was also a powerful reminder of why I love what I do. The highs and lows, the quick thinking, and the satisfaction of finding solutions—it’s all part of running a business.
If you’re going through something similar, remember:
✅ Stay flexible.
✅ Build strong relationships.
✅ Trust your instincts when making fast decisions.
And, of course, tune into this week’s episode of Storefront Strategies for the full story! 🎧
Watch here: https://youtu.be/Ay9zW1pkKds
Listen here: https://www.leemidlane.com/podcast/038-business-curveballs-and-problem-solving-under-pressure
Or search for Storefront Strategies on your favourite podcast platform.
