CEOs' curbed confidence spells caution
22nd Annual Global CEO Survey
Last year, our survey revealed record-breaking CEO optimism. This year, chief executives tell a different story. Trade conflicts, political upset, and a projected slowdown in global economic growth have increased uncertainty and decreased confidence in revenue prospects. Explore the strategies organisations are using to navigate this new environment.
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CEOs' prospects for growth in 2019
Duration: 00:01:53
Our story
Reality check
Last year saw a record jump in optimism regarding global growth prospects. This year saw a record jump in pessimism, with nearly 30% of CEOs projecting a decline in global GDP growth, up from a mere 5% last year. CEOs also reported a noteworthy dip in confidence in their own organisations’ revenue prospects over the short (12-month) and medium (three-year) term.
Look inside-out for growth
Across the survey rang a general theme of hunkering down as CEOs adapt to the strong nationalist and populist sentiment sweeping the globe. The threats they consider most pressing are less existential and more related to the ease of doing business in the markets where they operate. When asked to identify the most attractive foreign markets for investment, CEOs are narrowing their choices and expressing more uncertainty.
Mind the information and skills gaps
In addition to the fault lines developing geopolitically, CEOs are working to bridge the gaps in their own capabilities. Organisations are struggling to translate a deluge of data into better decision making. There is a shortage of skilled talent to clean, integrate, and extract value from big data and move beyond baby steps toward AI.
Inside the Mind of the CEO
The Inside the Mind of the CEO interview series explores a wide range of critical decisions chief executives around the world face in today's dynamic society.
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