Businesses entering 2026 face a landscape of complexity, volatility, and accelerating change – from persistent inflation, continued supply chain disruptions, to technological transformation and regulatory and tax shifts. These challenges may seem relentless, but with the right preparation, approach, and response, they can also create opportunities for growth.
Recent forecasts from the IMF, OECD, and World Bank paint a stark picture: subdued global growth, elevated costs, and ongoing policy uncertainty will define the business environment in 2026. Global GDP growth is projected at 3.1% – below the historical average of 3.6% – while inflation, though easing, will remain above pre-pandemic levels and well above most central banks’ 2% targets.
Beyond economic uncertainty, businesses face a web of interconnected issues. Ongoing geopolitical tensions and regulatory shifts continue to create a fog of uncertainty, while supply chains are becoming increasingly vulnerable to shocks from natural disasters, trade disputes, and cybersecurity threats. At the same time, the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence and digital technologies is transforming industries and how business and consumers behave and operate – offering great opportunities for transformation and growth but also introducing new risks if organizations fail to adapt.
Changing workforce dynamics – such as persistent skills shortages, evolving employee expectations, and demographic shifts in labor markets – add another layer of complexity, with the IMF warning that supply shocks could continue to weigh on global growth in 2026.
Regulatory and tax landscapes are also becoming more complex. The pace of change, the layering of new requirements, and the rising cost of compliance are being felt by businesses across the globe.
The message is clear: resilience is no longer optional. It’s the new imperative for business success.
Resilience is not just about surviving disruption – it’s about anticipating change, adapting quickly, and using uncertainty as a catalyst for growth. In 2026, finance teams need to lead the charge on resilience by preparing for emerging risks and leading the organizational response when challenges arise.
The finance team’s role is both strategic and operational: equipping the organization with insight, tools, and foresight before disruption strikes, and enabling swift, informed action when volatility becomes reality. This means fostering a mindset that looks beyond immediate threats to identify new opportunities and build agility into every decision.
Here are six essential actions for finance teams and business leaders – each designed to anticipate risks, build resilience, and prepare for the challenges of 2026:
Horizon scanning enables finance teams to monitor the external environment for early signals of change and known risks – across suppliers, regulators, customers, competitors, technology, and the broader economy. By anticipating risks and opportunities before they materialize, finance teams can help their organizations stay ahead of inflation spikes, regulatory changes, and market disruptions. In a world where business conditions can change in an instant, this capability is vital.
Scenario planning is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies, tactics, and plans against a range of plausible scenarios a business may face. In 2026 this could be economic downturns, supply chain shocks, cyber incidents, or regulatory upheaval. By planning for these different scenarios, finance teams can identify vulnerabilities, build contingency plans, and ensure their organizations are ready to respond.
Finance teams should use risk heat maps alongside horizon scanning and scenario planning to provide a visual and strategic way to prioritize and communicate the likelihood and impact of key risks to the leadership team. This ensures that the most significant threats – whether from compliance failures, supply chain breakdowns, or market volatility – are addressed proactively and efficiently.
As businesses continue to face persistent inflation, rising compliance costs, and margin pressure, finance teams should foster a cost-conscious culture and leverage data-driven insights to identify savings and support sustainable growth. Effective cost control not only protects financial stability but also frees up resources for investment in innovation and resilience.
Reviewing and reinforcing supply chain strategies is essential in an era of volatility. Diversifying suppliers, exploring onshoring or nearshoring, and using scenario planning and stress testing to identify vulnerabilities can help organizations withstand tariff shocks, climate events, and geopolitical disruptions.
Continuous adaptation of pricing strategies, product offerings, and customer engagement is vital as market conditions shift. With inflation, wage pressures, labor shortages, and changing consumer behavior all in play, finance teams should use forecasting, market analysis, and scenario planning to guide these adjustments. This ensures the business remains competitive, responsive, and able to seize new opportunities.
2026 will demand more than just survival – it’ll require adaptation, collaboration, and strategic foresight. Finance teams sit at the heart of this journey, empowering organizations to anticipate change, respond with agility, and create lasting value. By making resilience a strategic priority, finance teams can turn uncertainty into opportunity and shape future-ready organizations that thrive even in the midst of the unexpected.
Explore CIMA’s Business Resilience Toolkit for practical frameworks, checklists, and real-world examples to turn uncertainty into opportunity.