Suzanna Alsayed, Founder and CEO of Evolutz Inc and Hilt International Security Inc shares her advice on how to prepare for uncertainty.
2023 was interesting. While thinking about what to write, I no longer know what else is left for us to face that we have not yet already collectively tackled.
Especially with how fast everything moves nowadays.
It’s as if we’re developing a resilience to the unexpected, handling challenges almost on autopilot.
I only think about the unknowns as I look ahead to 2024.
Here are the significant happenings I predict our industry is likely to face next year:
Navigating geopolitics: expressing opinions in the present geopolitical landscape can elicit irreversible reactions.
I will only address this topic from a marketing and branding angle: be aware of what you say, how you say it and how you express it. I am not saying to be silent.
I am saying know your audience. Communicate what you must diplomatically and factually and adhere to your chosen message.
Remember, your words will leave a lasting imprint on your professional and personal brand.
Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies: this year, we have immersed ourselves in AI tools, uncovering their potential and abilities.
However, we find ourselves in the early stages of pedagogy in understanding its impact on society and the security industry.
I anticipate that 2024 will be a pivotal year in revealing the trajectory of this technology.
I suggest you stay attuned to the trend and learn as much as possible while it is still in its early stages because it is not going anywhere. AI is here to stay.
Anxiety and disarray: many people are angry, fearful and discouraged. I foresee that 2024 will further challenge humanity and its ability to respond in unison.
No matter where we turn today, persistent images haunt our collective consciousness.
I anticipate this unsettling reality will be a prominent factor in shaping the industry in 2024 – it already is.
Cyber-risks and power outages: even our movies are now preparing us for the potential, perhaps unavoidable, consequences.
Our dependency on technology is so pervasive that functioning without it seems inconceivable.
What happens if we face an extended disconnection or worse, a blackout?
Are we adequately prepared for such scenarios?
The numerous alerts about potential solar blackouts in 2024 raise the question: will this be our defining disaster of the year?
Personal emergency readiness: recognizing the somewhat somber outlook above, as an Emergency Manager, I aim to take a proactive stance.
My suggestion is to consider acquiring units of your current currency ready for use in case of a technical collapse preventing access to online banking, stocking up on water bottles and canned goods, getting flashlights, candles, extra batteries, matches and even a compact generator, ensuring your prescriptions are refilled and building a supply of over-the-counter medications and also keeping all your documents and identifications in one place.
As an International Security Journal Influencer for three consecutive years, I tried to end the message with positivity and encouragement.
However, this year, I want to end it by urging you to be careful, aware and prudent.
We must stay composed while responding to and navigating the global terrain amid profound shifts.
We are all different, yet the same – a simple paradox.
As we enter 2024, a year with karmic implications, we’ll collectively witness its outcomes and what fruits it will reap.
Suzanna Alsayed is the CEO of Evolutz Inc., an independent agency specializing in branding and marketing.
She aims to raise and enhance branding standards across various markets so companies and professionals can maximize their ROI.
Suzanna is also the founder of Hilt International Security, a holistic security firm.
She is concurrently pursuing her PhD while establishing herself as an author, with her new book “One Failure at a Time”.
This article was originally published in the Special February Influencers Edition of Security Journal Americas. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.