2025 Executive Outlook Study: Invest with intent 

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How executives can connect risk, strategy and people for greater returns 
Despite myriad economic and geopolitical tangles, executives are approaching 2025 with greater adaptability. They’re more familiar with uncertainty, and ambitious (yet cautious) about the next stage of AI. Their business plans signal a more calculated approach, with an emphasis on agility, efficiency and innovation to unlock new opportunities.
There is no appetite to deliver in the long-term, if it means at the expense of the near-term. Management teams’ credibility will be based on balancing both.
Mark Elliott

CFO, Mercer

Near-term threats such as misinformation, extreme weather and armed conflicts top the charts in the 2025 Global Risks Report , and the public is losing trust in our institutions to mitigate them. Despite the risks, executives are targeting growth and productivity — but these goals require a contextual, data-driven approach to be sustainable.

Mercer’s 2025 Executive Outlook study reveals insights from 400 business leaders — including 175 CEOs and 101 CFOs — regarding their growth strategies and priorities. And while views differ by sector, region and role, the overall message is clear: to sustain business success, companies need to reassess and course-correct on where they spend their time and money.

Key findings:

  • Executives’ #1 priority is augmenting systems and processes with AI
  • The most-cited risk to growth is the need for reskilling/upskilling
  • 71% of executives say communicating a clear vision is crucial for effective leadership

Shaping the 2025 leadership agenda

How can leadership embrace and steer the transformative changes needed to succeed in 2025 and beyond?  Our research identified four areas that executives are focusing on to meet their business goals.

  • Focusing on business fundamentals

    How can executives do more with less without compromising long-term success? How can they build the org structure to support this vision?

  • Exploring new pathways to growth

    How can executives build the strategic clarity needed to make smart investment decisions? How are they diversifying for sustainable growth?

  • Delivering vital transitions with skills

    How can executives build workforces and organizations fit for vital transitions (technology, workforce, energy, etc.)? How do upskilling and talent strategies help?

  • Unlocking the longevity economy

    What strategies and processes can executives put in place to effectively manage the longevity economy? What insights do they need to navigate this?
2025 Executive Outlook Study

Invest with intent

Master  the four areas of intent and learn how executives are planning for business success this year.
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