PwC’s 29th Global CEO Survey, which gathered views from 4,454 chief executives in 95 countries and territories, found that confidence has fallen to its lowest level in five years. Only 30% of CEOs are confident about revenue growth over the next twelve months, down from 38% a year earlier and 56% in 2022.
Where CEOs spend their time
The most striking finding concerns attention. CEOs say they spend 47% of their time on issues with a horizon of less than a year, and only 16% on matters more than five years out. Just one in four say their company tolerates high-risk innovation, has disciplined ways to stop weak initiatives, or runs a dedicated innovation or venturing function.
Those who are reinventing
Not everyone is standing still. 42% say their company has started competing in new sectors over the past five years, and 51% plan international investments in the coming year. The top concern, named by 42%, is transforming fast enough to keep pace with technology. PwC Global Chairman Mohamed Kande warned: “In periods of rapid change, the instinct to slow down is understandable — but it’s also risky.”
A question for every leader
How much of your own calendar goes to the next five years? If the answer is close to the global average, the most valuable decision you can make this quarter may be to protect time for the long term.
Sources
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