War. Life. Business. How Ukrainian Companies Lead and Make Decisions When There Is No Playbook

Before we begin, you can already purchase the book “War. Life. Business.” here and discover real stories of how Ukrainian companies continue to operate and make decisions during wartime.

A full-scale war has changed Ukraine’s economic reality faster and more profoundly than any crisis in recent decades. What was previously considered a strategic risk has become a daily operational reality. Businesses operate in an environment where power outages, damaged infrastructure, team relocations, unstable supply chains, and constant uncertainty about the future coexist.

However, even in such conditions, Ukrainian businesses have not stopped. On the contrary, many companies have demonstrated the ability to adapt quickly, change business models, and find solutions where none existed yesterday.

It is this experience that formed the basis of the book “War. Life. Business.”, written by Anastasiya Shevchenko. It collects 20 real stories of Ukrainian companies that continue to operate during the full-scale war.

This is not a theoretical guide to crisis management. It is the practical experience of managers and teams who make decisions every day in conditions where there are no ready-made instructions.

International Recognition & Global Exposure

Freshly published in 2026, War. Life. Business. has already attracted attention at major international events and among influential leaders shaping global conversations about Ukraine, resilience, and reconstruction:

• Presented at the Ukrainian National Stand at the London Book Fair, one of the world’s most influential publishing industry events, officially opened by Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom.

• First copies presented in Washington, DC, during the Ukraine Reconstruction Summit, where the book was introduced to an audience of policymakers, investors, and international partners engaged in rebuilding Ukraine’s economy. A copy was personally presented to John Mark Burns, a prominent U.S. pastor, advisor to political leaders, and influential advocate for international support of Ukraine.In March 2026 – The book has received a Special Award at the KBU Awards, often referred to as the “Book Oscar” of Ukrainian non-fiction.

• In March 2026 – The book has received a Special Award at the KBU Awards, often referred to as the “Book Oscar” of Ukrainian non-fiction.

• Featured as part of the Ukrainian delegation at the Silicon Slopes Summit in Salt Lake City, one of the largest technology and innovation gatherings in the United States, connecting global entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers.

• Selected among the TOP 10 titles at the Ukrainian national stand at the Frankfurter Buchmesse, the world’s largest and most influential book fair, where global publishers and media discover important new voices.

Business in an Environment of Constant Uncertainty

In most business schools around the world, crisis management is studied through cases, scenarios, and risk models. But the reality of war changes the rules of the game. Ukrainian companies are forced to work in an environment where:

• markets can change within days;
• teams work from different countries and time zones;
• logistics routes are rebuilt almost every week;
• access to resources depends on the security situation.

In such conditions, traditional strategic planning often gives way to rapid management decisions. Flexibility, speed of adaptation, and the ability to act without complete information have become key competencies for managers of Ukrainian companies.

Leadership Without Guarantees

One of the main themes of the book is the transformation of the role of the leader. In a stable environment, management is often based on long-term forecasts and careful risk analysis. During wartime, the situation looks very different.

Leaders have to make decisions when:

• information changes daily;
• risks cannot be accurately predicted;
• teams need stability even in an unstable environment.

The book provides examples of leaders who were able to preserve their teams and ensure business continuity even during the most difficult periods. Their experience demonstrates that modern leadership is increasingly based on trust, transparent communication, and the ability to make decisions quickly.

Teams That Work Despite Circumstances

The war has changed not only the economy but also people’s lives. Some employees were forced to move to other cities or countries, some joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and others combined their work with volunteer activities.

For companies, this meant rethinking their approach to team management. Flexible work formats, employee support, and attention to psychological well-being have become just as important as operational performance indicators.

The experience of Ukrainian companies shows that people remain the main foundation of business resilience. It is teams that allow companies to continue operating even when external circumstances constantly change.

Operational Resilience in Crisis Conditions

Another important aspect revealed in the book is the ability of businesses to remain effective even with limited resources.

Ukrainian enterprises were forced to adapt to new challenges, including the following:

• prolonged power outages;
• internet disruptions;
• disrupted logistics routes;
• damaged infrastructure.

In order to continue operating, companies began actively investing in backup energy sources, alternative communication channels, and new logistics solutions.

As a result, many enterprises became significantly more flexible and better prepared for external risks than ever before.

Ukrainian Business as Part of the Global Economy

Despite the war, many Ukrainian companies have not only maintained their operations but have also expanded their international presence. For some enterprises, entering global markets became a key factor in maintaining stability.

This experience demonstrates an important principle of modern business: resilience is formed not only within a company. It also depends on international partnerships, market diversification, and the ability to integrate into the global economy.

That is why the book is of considerable interest to an international audience. It offers insight into how Ukrainian companies operate in an environment that has become a unique example of management under extreme uncertainty for many business schools around the world.

Why This Book Is Interesting for International Readers

The book “War. Life. Business.” attracts the attention of international audiences for several reasons.

Firstly, it shows the real experience of managing businesses during a crisis that cannot be replicated in traditional business school case studies.

Secondly, it helps readers understand how the Ukrainian economy continues to function even in extremely difficult wartime conditions.

Thirdly, these stories demonstrate universal management principles that can be valuable for entrepreneurs in any country, including:

• speed of decision-making;
• flexibility of business models;
• strong and resilient teams;
• responsible leadership.

In this sense, the book becomes a practical guide to resilience for businesses operating in an increasingly uncertain world.

A Book That Tells the Story of the Country’s Economy During Wartime

An important milestone for the book was its presentation at Frankfurter Buchmesse, the largest book fair in the world. This allowed international audiences to learn about the experiences of Ukrainian entrepreneurs and their work during wartime.

In addition, the book was presented at the Ukraine Reconstruction Summit in the United States, where discussions focused on Ukraine’s economic recovery and the role of business in rebuilding the country after the war.

These events highlight that the experience of Ukrainian entrepreneurs is now viewed not only as a national story but also as an important case study for the global business community.

The Social Mission of the Book

A distinctive feature of the book is its charitable component. 100% of the proceeds from book sales are directed toward supporting Ukrainian veterans. These funds help veterans find employment or start their own businesses after returning from the front.

Therefore, purchasing the book is not only an opportunity to learn about real stories of Ukrainian businesses but also a way to support those who defended the country.

Experience That Cannot Be Learned in a Classroom

The stories collected in the book “War. Life. Business.” demonstrate a unique managerial experience—making decisions in situations where there are no ready-made scenarios or instructions.

These are stories about:

• rapid adaptation to change;
• responsible leadership;
• strong teams;
• businesses that continue to operate even in the most difficult conditions.

That is why many readers call this book “an MBA in resilience from Ukrainian frontlines”—one obtained not in a university classroom but on the real economic front.

If you want to understand better how Ukrainian businesses operate during wartime and which management decisions help companies remain resilient, buy the book “War. Life. Business.” and support initiatives that help Ukrainian veterans.