You might be having the best year ever, or your pipeline might feel worryingly empty at the moment. No matter the state of your firm, it’s important to prepare for the possibility of a downturn, especially in today’s unpredictable economic climate. One of the best ways to face the unknown? Take your cues from those who have already weathered a storm.

Case study #1: THE RISK MANAGERS

Gaming out various options, outcomes and opportunities has always been part of Mabley Handler’s DNA. Over the course of 23 years, the firm’s husband-and-wife co-founders, Austin Handler and Jennifer Mabley, have created a blueprint for their business—which is based in the Hamptons, with outposts in Manhattan and West Palm Beach—that centers on a careful approach to dreaming big. “We don’t assume that because last year was busy, the following year will be busy,” explains Handler.