In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, success isn’t about surviving—it’s about strategically thriving. As a seasoned executive and growth strategist, I’ve learned that understanding economic trends isn’t just an academic exercise; it’s the difference between being a market leader and a market follower.
The Economic Insight Advantage
Most businesses operate reactively, waiting for market shifts to dictate their strategy. But what if you could anticipate these shifts? The key lies in becoming what I call a “Person of Issachar”—someone who understands what’s happening inside your business and outside in the marketplace as well. The tribe of Issachar is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 12:32, which describes them as men “who understood the times and knew what Israel should do.”
If you were the new king of Israel, would advisors like this be valuable? The Men of Issachar serve as a credible metaphorical model for business leaders, emphasizing the unique characteristics of:
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Having a deep understanding of current circumstances within the four walls of the business
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Possessing data-driven knowledge about the state of the marketplace, especially how it stacks up economically
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Developing sound strategic insight based on this knowledge and understanding
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Knowing the appropriate action to take as a result
Like the Men of Issachar, business leaders need to stay informed about economic trends, look beyond current conditions, anticipate future market changes, make proactive and strategic decisions, and avoid reactive management.
Sounds easy, right? Not if you don’t have a solid growth engine to propel the ship.
With the sort of insight the Men of Issachar could provide your kingdom, you’d have a good grasp on gear one of The Growth Gears: Insight/Knowledge. Business leaders need to be more than just operational managers. They must be strategic visionaries who can “read the times” and position their businesses for success.
The Three Gears of Business Growth
Imagine your business growth as a sophisticated machine whose engine is driven by three critical gears, all working together:
At Chief Outsiders, we call these The Growth Gears. Most companies in the lower mid-market focus primarily on the last gear, executing tactics without a comprehensive understanding of the marketplace that informs a documented strategic growth plan. This approach is akin to navigating a ship without a compass—you might move, heck, you might even traverse the Seven Seas, but you’re unlikely to reach your intended destination.
Decoding Economic Phases
Every business exists in one of four economic phases:
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Accelerating Growth
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Slowing Growth
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Recession
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Recovery
The game-changer? Knowing which phase you’re in and, more importantly, understanding where you’re heading. This is the nautical compass all good sailors must have in their business boats.
Beware the Traps
Two significant obstacles can derail your ship’s sailing strategy. One is Confirmation Bias: Only accepting information that confirms your existing beliefs. The other is Water Cooler Economics: Relying on rumors and unsubstantiated gossip. The Dow might be in the tank, but it’s not driving the economy. Does that sort of news affect how you run your business?
It shouldn’t.
Both of these problem-children can lead you to shore, but you’ll never see the rocks lurking beneath the surface. A shipwreck is just as bad as a train wreck, and that’s where you’ll likely end up when embracing these harmful practices.
The Current Economic Landscape
According to the most recent ITR Economics Trends forecast (June 2025), the US economy is positioned for mild but steady growth through 2027. Key insights include potential labor cost increases of up to 28%, emerging opportunities in manufacturing, and challenges in supply chain and trade policies. And let’s not forget the “T Word”—tariffs.
Your Strategic Playbook
You need a broader perspective, and you can’t just rely on snapshot data—comparing one year to the previous one, or quarter-over-quarter revenue growth. Looking only at the trailing 12-month moving trend (12MMT) is also a flawed data point. The better approach is to track your business metrics using two key Rates of Change indicators, in particular the 3/12 (leading indicator) and 12/12 (lagging indicator), to understand your current position and future trajectory. This will dictate which economic phase your business and marketplace are in while revealing what’s on the horizon.
Document Your Strategy and Measure Outcomes
With all this information in hand, you need to create a written plan that incorporates business and market insights, defines clear objectives, and allows for flexible adaptation. Provided that you measure everything, you’ve got the right approach.
From marketing tactics to operational efficiency, sales results, geographic results, and product performance, you must ensure that every key driver and tactic is measurable and aligned with your growth goals.
If it’s not worth measuring, it’s not worth doing.
Practical Next Steps
Let’s put all this into play. It’s not difficult, but it’s essential.
1. Assess your current business growth strategy
2. Obtain granular market data
3. Align your executive team
4. Be proactive, not reactive
A Final Word
Remember, doing nothing is not a strategy. The businesses that will thrive in the coming year are those willing to understand market dynamics, plan strategically, and execute with precision. Your competition? They’re likely sitting on the sidelines, worried about business and market economics they don’t understand, hoping things will improve.
Your opportunity is now.
Are you ready to become a Person of Issachar in your industry?
