Maureen Harms, associate general counsel at 3M, has been playing out recession-related scenarios in her mind.

She’s thought about headcount and being strategic about filling open positions. She’s thought about deferring spending, leveraging new technology and reorganising the way in which work is handled. She’s considered what the company might do with its offshore legal services centre during the next financial downturn. 

Maureen Harms, associate general counsel of 3M Co.