11/07/2023
The chaos of the 2020s has pushed leaders to act quickly and decisively. It has accelerated innovation and forced organizations to transform in ways that didn’t previously seem possible. And those that didn’t adapt have now fallen behind.
In 2023, rapid response is the new baseline. Uncertainty is expected and complexity is compounding. As threats materialize on multiple fronts, organizations must reduce the time from insight to action. Leaders need precise intelligence to dodge obstacles as they appear—and obstacles will be legion.
To prepare, executives must try to predict the future. Is a global recession around the corner? Will extreme weather events continue to wreak widespread havoc? Will geopolitical conflicts cool—or will battles move to entirely new fronts? How and where threats appear, as well as where they overlap, will have far-reaching implications for global businesses.
Unfortunately, we have no crystal ball to predict tomorrow. Conversely, through dialogue with our clients, we have a reasonably solid basis for pinpointing the trends that will shape 2023:
- Talent shortages and salary pressures cripple growth
- Privacy and personalization complicate customer relationships
- A confluence of supply chain threats demands continued resilience
- Sustainability strategies should be impactful — and realistic
- Cyberattack surfaces are expanding exponentially
HOW TO MOVE ON ...
Disentangling complexities can confound even the most skilled and savvy executives.
With so much in disarray, it can be difficult for leaders to decide where to begin. Prioritize the work that best aligns with business strategy—and will deliver measurable results. Invest in the skills and capabilities that are central to achieving key objectives and engage with partners that can offer support in key areas.
It’s also time to re-evaluate the organization’s changing sense of mission and make sure everyone agrees on what matters most. Focus on what can be controlled—and take confident and purposeful strides forward.
In an uncertain environment, success is based on dynamic factors, such as collaboration, innovation, and adaptability. This requires turning insights into outcomes, convictions into capabilities, and chaos into control.
In 2023, successful leaders will use a combination of technology and human ingenuity to seize the opportunities ahead.