This year’s global C-suite barometer indicates a business world optimistic for the future, confident about growth and ready to take on the challenges ahead.
An optimistic outlook for growth
Competition for talent is set to continue and leaders believe offering opportunities for learning, training and development will help them attract talented people. The C-suite ranks new or revised talent strategies as a top priority and recognises recruitment is a challenge.
The new ‘laws’ of talent attraction
are increasing investment for transformation and growth.
66%
C-suite executives remain invested on the technological advances that will transform business opportunities and establish more robust operations. As with all innovations, there are investment considerations and ethical responsibilities. Leaders know they need to be ready – and they think they are.
Transformation in a digital world
are confident their business is prepared for trends delivering long-term solutions, including the rapid advances of generative AI and more robust security measures to tackle cyber threats.
87%
Leaders see enormous potential to transform their businesses.
The biggest strategic priority remains technology transformation and, alongside this, leaders are equally focused on international expansion, sustainability and talent strategies.
Topping the C-suite agenda
Building global ambition
C-suite barometer: outlook 2024
Confidence in tackling
the key trends
Our annual C-suite barometer gathers the views of leading executives from all over the world. With insights from around 800 executives across 30 countries, we uncover the strategic priorities on the C-suite’s agenda and the market trends and transformations expected to impact businesses in the years ahead. 2024 is set to be a bounce forward year: a year of increasing investments to transform businesses and support growth ambitions.
struggle to hire talent into their organisation.
Download
the report
While leaders seek to shape a positive future for their businesses, they can’t take their eye off the big external trends all organisations will need to navigate.
Economic factors (including inflation/cost of living)
Energy prices and/or shortages
Emergence of new technologies
37%
33%
33%
Leaders are most confident in their ability to manage emerging technologies, over half say they are very confident.
54%
Just over a quarter of leaders feel very confident managing energy prices/shortages.
27%
A third of businesses are very confident tackling economic trends.
33%
Just under a third of leaders say they are very confident handling the scarcity of talent.
32%
Businesses are least confident managing geopolitical instability, less than a quarter are very confident.
23%
read more on the issues that matter to business leaders
Find out more about the C-suite:
Read more
The rise in international growth as a strategic priority
Businesses are approaching 2024 with international growth front of mind. Leaders are planning for opportunities to expand internationally and assessing the regions of the world most attractive to the deliver their plans.
China, Germany and the US are the top destinations leaders are considering expanding into
emerge as the second and third top destinations for international expansion
France
and the UK
also features in the top five destinations businesses plan to expand in 2024
Canada
and Brazil
More organisations are producing a sustainability report than in previous years
The wave of sustainability expectations and responsibilities are rising as the business world continues to expand. Regulation is becoming increasingly complex, but C-suite executives are committed to meeting this challenge.
Recognising greater sustainability commitments
71%
are factoring this into budget planning
72%
76%
44%
L&D opportunities are essential or very important to attract talent.
39%
attracting the right candidates is the biggest recruitment challenge.
anticipate higher revenues.
89%
expect growth in 2024.
94%
Overall leaders are ready. Businesses feel they are ready to manage these trends and our Confidence Index shows an average of 44% “very confident”.
China, Germany and the US
Technology transformation remains the biggest priority for the coming 3-5 years.
International expansion appears in the top 3 strategic priorities for the first time.
32%
25%
New or revised sustainability strategies remain high on the agenda.
25%
Talent attraction and retention remains a key focus.
25%
Download the report
Download the report
Building global ambition
C-suite barometer: outlook 2024
Download the report
Download the report
Want to know more?
Mark Kennedy
Contact
Partner & Group Executive Board
Download the report
Building global ambition
C-suite barometer: outlook 2024
Want to know more?
Mark Kennedy
Contact
Partner & Group Executive Board
Download the report
Read more
Read more
Find out more about the C-Suite:
read more on the issues that
matter to business leaders