Case Studies
A collection of real-world scenarios that demonstrate how Gordian helped actual organizations take strategic, decisive action to protect their people, operations, and reputations.
Geopolitical Conflict
Scenario 1
In February 2011, you’re in Alexandria, Egypt, during the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak. Protests erupt in the streets, and chaos unfolds around you. Confined to your hotel room, you’re unable to reach your local contact, don’t speak the language, and struggle to map a route to the U.S. consulate. As the situation escalates, you’re left questioning the risks of conducting business in politically volatile regions.
Scenario 2
It’s October 2023, and conflict in the Middle East spreads beyond the region, creating ripple effects in unexpected places. One business in your local industrial park is targeted by a proxy of a nation-state. Heightened security forces authorities to search vehicles across the area, causing delays for all nearby businesses. Though your organization has no international presence, the disruption reverberates, impacting employees and business operations.
Scenario 3
In Eastern Europe, your factories face the fallout of an invasion. Employees are displaced, conscripted, or fleeing the country. Basic services like electricity and communication are disrupted, while border delays cripple exports. Leadership grapples with a critical question: is it sustainable to continue operations amid prolonged conflict?
Scenario 4
Armed conflict isn’t the only geopolitical challenge facing multinationals; the Great Power Competition coupled with hard lessons learned from the pandemic around globalization fueled a focus on regionalization and decoupling of supply chains. You are part of the semiconductor industry supporting the manufacture of bleeding-edge chips below 7nm and your company now faces strict and enforceable regulatory requirements that limit markets and require an out-of-box approach to sourcing constrained components, forcing new investments in one market while divesting in others.
Threats
Armed conflict displaces employees, disrupts infrastructure, and destabilizes operations.
Indirect threats and heightened security measures create widespread operational delays.
Decoupling markets and sourcing constraints force businesses to rethink strategies.
Solutions
Gordian employs strategic expertise to address these diverse challenges:
Identify risks specific to political unrest, invasions, or localized disruptions and create actionable contingency plans.
Safeguard employees, maintain basic services, and ensure continued communication and production.
Rethink supply chains and compliance strategies to remain agile in shifting geopolitical landscapes.
Outcome
By combining accountability, empathy, and strategic crisis management, Gordian Risk Solutions achieved the following:
Operations are maintained even in high-risk conflict zones, minimizing downtime.
Employee safety is prioritized, ensuring loyalty and confidence during crises.
Regulatory requirements are navigated successfully, supply chain investments are optimized, and innovative partnerships are fostered despite global uncertainty.
Navigate Global Instability with Confidence
Contact Gordian Risk Solutions to learn how to protect your people, operations, and reputation in an unpredictable world through strategic preparedness and disciplined execution.
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