If not the timing

[altmohammad00]

Hello
Could you please tell me what is the meaning of "if not the timing" in the following sentence?

"By listening to planners’ analysis of the global business environment, Shell’s management was prepared for the eventuality — if not the timing — of the 1973 oil crisis."

Source: (link)

 

[PaulQ]

even if they were not prepared for the timing of the crisis

Timing -> timing - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

1. the selecting of the best time for doing or saying something to obtain the desired effect: Asking the boss for a raise on the day that a huge loss was reported was an act of very bad timing.