Just as aviation is ruled by gravity, so is the trajectory of your business venture. The harder gravity pulls, the more difficult it is to grow your startup and reach exit velocity. Perhaps now more than ever, successful startups are the ones that learn to generate lift on their own and maximize any boost they gain from outside investors. For most successful startups, there are a few essential strategies that can help generate lift where they need it the most — to counteract gravity before it pulls them back down to earth.

The key to growth and innovation lies in adapting effectively to changes in the business environment. Here’s how to design your systems for flexibility.