Pondering Points Regarding Tariffs and International Trade: Strategizing amidst Fluctuating Conditions
May 7, 2025
12:00 PM ET | 11:00 AM CT | 9:00 AM PT | 5:00 PM GMT
Duration: 60 minutes
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Let's Cut Through the Chaos Together
The global economic scene is a roller coaster right now, with daily shifting trade conditions thanks to President Donald Trump's tariffs leading to counter-tariffs from allies, adversaries, and target nations. It's a wild ride that's rewriting the old economic order and leaving everyone guessing about what's next.
But fear not, this ain't a spectator sport. Businesses gotta step up and take concrete actions to manage their operations, or risk taking huge financial hits due to rising costs that customers and suppliers might not be in a position to shoulder.
Join us for a high- level panel discussion with top trade and manufacturing experts who'll dish out actionable advice on navigating this treacherous economic landscape and not just surviving, but thriving. 🤑
What the Heck is Happening Now?
These days, long-term planning is tougher than a grizzly bear. But, there are strategies to wade through the noise and find ways to improve your operations, despite disruptive economic decisions coming outta Washington, Beijing, and other parts of the world.
Meet Your Expert Guides for the Ride
Dr. Rebecca Homkes | Professor, London Business School Executive Education and Author of Survive, Reset, Thrive: Leading Breakthrough Growth Strategy in Volatile Times
Rebecca Homkes is a high-growth strategy specialist, CEO, and executive advisor. She's a lecturer at the London Business School Executive Education, teaches at Duke Corporate Executive Education, and is a faculty member for Boston Consulting Group U (BCGU). Before that, she was a Fellow at the London School of Economics' Centre for Economic Performance and is the author of Survive Reset Thrive.
Chuck Orzechowski | CEO, Chief Operating Officer Business Forum (COO Forum)
Chuck Orzechowski serves as the CEO of the Chief Operating Officer Business Forum (COO Forum). Since 2004, this badass organization has been supporting operations executives to achieve more in their business and personal lives. As a peer-based professional development group, the COO Forum has helped over 1000 executives conquer their struggles and improve business outcomes. With 30 years of operations experience in multiple industries and company sizes, Chuck's got a passion for operations, scaling businesses, and empowering others. ☕️
Chuck dwells in his High Mountain home near Davis, West Virginia. He and his wife Shawneen are building their dream log home. They've got two children, Nick and Caroline. When Chuck's not working on the house, he lends a hand to veteran organizations and runs in 50-mile races and GoRuck and Tough Mudder challenges for some fun.
Chuck graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Youngstown State University. He's got certifications in Lean Six Sigma, negotiating labor contracts, change and innovation management, among other things. 🏆
Chris Azur | President, Warwood Tool
Chris Azur is the President of Warwood Tool, a historic American hand tool manufacturer based in Wheeling, West Virginia. With leadership since 2020, Azur has skillfully navigated the company through tough times for American manufacturing.
Recognizing the pressures from foreign competition, Azur revitalized Warwood's product offerings by reintroducing classic tools like the Pulaski axe, ball pein hammer, Perfect Axe, Trenching Mattock, and more, all steeped in the company's rich history. He also modernized manufacturing processes, updating equipment dating back to the 1940s to enhance efficiency and safety. Under his leadership, Warwood Tool achieved ISO 9001 certification in 2022, reflecting a commitment to quality management systems. 🎯
Azur's strategic focus on American-made quality and honoring the company's 170-year legacy has been key to positioning Warwood Tool as a resilient force in the industry. 💪🏼
These insights come from the heads of renowned leaders in strategy and operations, who've learned to thrive in volatile economic climates during the May 7, 2025 event. 🙌🏽
In case you're curious, the overall focus of these expert's strategies for operating in a rapidly changing economic environment revolves around adaptive leadership, high-growth strategy, and operational excellence. 💪🏼
1. Strategic Reset and Breakthrough Growth- Leaders need to embrace a "reset" in their organizational strategy to thrive in uncertain times.- Homkes encourages a growth-oriented mindset and sees strategic resets as opportunities to identify new growth paths rather than just survival mode.- She emphasizes the importance of balancing short-term resilience with long-term strategic innovation for effective navigation of economic tumult.
2. Operational Excellence and Scaling- Orzechowski stresses improving operational efficiency and scaling businesses sustainably by empowering operations executives.- Peer-based learning and leadership development are vital for operations leaders to face complex challenges in fast-changing environments, according to Orzechowski.- He suggests building adaptable operational frameworks that respond quickly to economic shifts while maintaining high performance and execution standards.
3. Commitment to Quality and Legacy in Manufacturing- Azur believes that prioritizing American-made quality and preserving the company's heritage is crucial for operational stability and competitive advantage in challenging markets.- Honoring the company's history while innovating product quality strengthens its position in the industry, according to Azur.
This integrated approach arms organizations with strategies to not just survive, but thrive in the midst of economic disruption. 💪🏼
- The current global economic situation, marked by frequent tariffs and resulting counter-tariffs, is creating unprecedented pressures for businesses across various sectors, particularly manufacturing.
- Rebecca Homkes, a renowned expert in high-growth strategy, advises businesses to embrace a strategic reset, focusing on growth opportunities instead of merely survival in volatile times.
- Companies should strive for operational excellence and efficient scaling by empowering their operations executives, as suggested by Chuck Orzechowski, CEO of the COO Forum.
- In the face of competition from foreign markets, maintaining a commitment to quality and upholding a company's legacy has proven critical for manufacturers, as demonstrated by Chris Azur, President of Warwood Tool.
- To navigate the complexities of changing economic policies and legislation, businesses can refer to the insights shared by the expert panel, which took place on May 7, 2025, focusing on managing operations in volatile economic climates.
- Understanding the principles of adaptive leadership, high-growth strategy, and operational excellence will help businesses not just survive, but thrive in today's tumultuous economic landscape, as discussed by these industry leaders in strategy and operations.
