Navigating Turmoil: Leading a Resilient Business in a Tariff War

Description

Navigating Economic Volatility: Practical Strategies for Business Leaders
Presented by Symplicity Designs

Recent tariff and counter-tariff announcements have created a wave of uncertainty for Canadian businesses—particularly those with direct or indirect ties to U.S. customers and supply chains. Many leaders are now facing heightened volatility, supply risks, and the need to adapt quickly.

To support the business community during this challenging time, Symplicity Designs is offering targeted guidance based on proven experience.

During the pandemic, Symplicity helped over 1,800 businesses stabilize and grow amidst disruption using their Chaos Playbook—a strategic framework designed to support leadership through crisis. Today, that playbook has been updated and supercharged with AI to help businesses navigate this next wave of uncertainty.

This isn't about politics—it's about giving business leaders the tools, insights, and confidence to make smart, informed decisions in the face of change.

What You’ll Learn:

Big corporations have long had access to scenario planning and predictive models—but now, AI is leveling the playing field for small and mid-sized businesses. If you know how to use it, AI can help you rethink and future-proof your business model:

• Customer Mix: Diversify and reduce dependency

• Procurement Strategy: Secure supply and build resilience

• Strategic Partnerships: Align with those designed to weather volatility

This is wartime strategy for businesses navigating exposure to the U.S. market—and it’s essential now more than ever.
 

Each session is designed to equip business leaders with immediate, actionable insight.

Session Format:

• 30 minutes of focused strategies: Practical frameworks for navigating disruption and making strong decisions

• 30 minutes of live Q&A: Addressing real-world challenges your members are facing

These sessions are delivered by Matt Symes, CEO of Symplicity Designs, known for cutting through the noise and offering no-fluff, real-world advice that leaders can put into action right away.



 

Matt Symes is a serial entrepreneur, a recovering academic, and a marathoner. As a founding partner of Symplicity Designs, Matt has been the organization's CEO for ten years. Matt has helped over 500 organizations and institutions both scale and recover from some of their darkest moments. He brings a reality check to leadership teams, works with them to confront the brutal facts, and specializes in developing sound strategies to navigate through uncertain times. 

In addition to Symplicity Designs, Matt also manages a portfolio of companies of which he holds a majority or minority stake, including bio-tec, signage and vehicle wrapping, meal prep and delivery, geospatial building modeling, bookkeeping, online learning, and an experiential retail coffee shop. Matt has a unique ability to bring clarity to chaos, which has earned him the honour of being named Business Leader of the Year (2020) from the Halifax Chamber of Commerce and one of Atlantic Canada’s Top 50 CEOs (2022, 2023) with Atlantic Business Magazine. He sits on the Board at Groupe Savoie and is a Strategic advisor for an 80M IT firm.