A couple of years ago, Dave Carson decided to transition out of his leadership role at Chem Group, a specialty chemical processing company he had built from the ground up. It was time to reap the rewards of his hard work and get a bit more balance in his life. But he definitely wasn't ready to retire. Like most successful entrepreneurs, Dave couldn't imagine going from 100 miles an hour to zero and he definitely wasn't ready to relinquish control of his “baby” – the company he had lovingly grown from a small startup into a multimillion-dollar enterprise.

In times of economic uncertainty, where there is challenge, there is also opportunity. Now is an excellent time for organizations to look for ways to grow and take advantage of opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t be available in a thriving economy. Shifts in risk profiles have opened up the competitive landscape for strategic partnerships and acquisitions, which can be a smart way to get ahead and set your company up for success coming out of this cycle.