Can the domino effect be avoided?

Every time a major company fails, smaller suppliers and associated companies are at risk of the domino effect—of becoming a statistic themselves. It's through not fault of their own, save choosing to do business in good faith with the failed company. This was highlighted in fairly stark terms in the last week, when companies either sub-contracted to, or associated with, New Zealand's third largest construction company, Mainzeal, started suffering.

The domino effect has major implications on economic performance and the wellbeing of communities. When major companies succeed and grow strongly, many smaller and associated companies also gain considerable benefit. Sadly, the domino effect also applies when major companies struggle or, worse still, fail.

While suppliers are generally very happy to benefit from upswings, downsides are something to be avoided. But can the downside of the domino effect be avoided? Thankfully, suppliers do have options. Here's two for starters:

• Diversify their customer base, so that they are not reliant any one customer for a major portion of their business. 
  
• Negotiate more favourable commercial terms, which may well include fortnightly invoicing and payment cycles (although this can be very difficult to achieve).
  

What other "defence" mechanisms can put in place to avoid the domino effect?