How Today's CEOs Are Leveraging Tech to Survive Market Shifts

Recently, our CEO, Mat Rule, joined a round table discussion hosted by Ernst & Young and facilitated by Nicky Godding of Business Insider. The room brought together leaders from a remarkably diverse spread of sectors: music, luxury retail, FinTech, cybersecurity and construction.

At first glance, a luxury fashion house and a heavy construction firm might seem to operate in entirely different worlds. But as the conversation unfolded, the industry silos quickly dissolved. Regardless of sector, company size or growth stage, every leader in that room was grappling with the exact same core challenge: how to navigate fast growth while building a resilient, adaptable business.

Here are the key takeaways from that discussion and what they mean for companies scaling in today’s market.

1. Technology is no longer optional: it’s the engine of efficiency

Across every industry represented, technology was the central thread. However, the focus wasn’t just on adopting the latest shiny tool; it was about leveraging tech to drive tangible business outcomes. Whether optimising supply chains in retail, automating risk assessments in FinTech, or streamlining project management in construction, the universal goal remains the same: maximising efficiency and protecting profitability.

2. Adaptability beats rigid planning every time

If the past few years have taught business leaders anything, it’s that long-term rigid plans rarely survive contact with reality. The leaders at the table emphasised market adaptability as a primary driver of success. Fast-growing companies must build operational flexibility into their DNA so they can pivot quickly when conditions shift or new customer demands emerge.

3. Common challenges require cross-sector thinking

Silos limit innovation. One of the most valuable aspects of the EY round table was seeing how solutions from one industry could solve problems in another. A cybersecurity framework might offer fresh thinking for FinTech compliance, while luxury retail’s focus on customer experience offers lessons for digital platforms. Looking outside your immediate vertical is often where the best strategic breakthroughs happen.

Looking ahead

Managing rapid growth while maintaining operational control is a continuous balancing act. A huge thank you to EY for hosting and to Nicky Godding for guiding such a rich, candid conversation.

As we move further into this year, taking these cross-industry insights and applying them to our own strategy will be key. The environment will keep shifting, but rooms like this prove that we don’t have to figure it out alone.

To learn more about how Toca helps organisations build the flexibility to adapt, visit toca.io.