Business Survival 2023
BY JOSEPH AMATO
2023 is a testament to an evolving business landscape shaped by unprecedented changes and challenges caused by hyperinflation, rising interest rates, politics, fear of a recession, and an ongoing Covid hangover affecting all areas of the business community. There are too many distractions and obstacles causing concern and panic among the working class and small business owners everywhere. Although we have had many technological breakthroughs in many areas of business, the economic uncertainties, the higher cost of doing business, and drastic shifts in consumer behavior, are causing businesses today to believe the worst is yet to come. Business organizations need to adapt and innovate continuously to survive and possibly thrive in this dynamic environment.
First and foremost, every business owner must do all they can to conserve cash and eliminate unnecessary or redundant operational expenses to maintain fiscal control as future economic conditions worsen before they get better. Access to capital will remain a significant part of any business’s survival. Be sure that you maintain a close relationship with your banker, especially that they know your financial situation. You want to ensure that your bank will respond in earnest if there is a cash need over and above the company’s normal cash flow. I will share with you that the business and commercial credit window is tightening already with rising interest rates. The larger banks are already tightening credit opportunities and not accepting many new loan applications as a regular course of business. The regional and community banks are also slowing the pace of lending as rates increase and their client company’s cash flow does not support any new debt. National non-bank lenders are also taking a longer and more intense look at credit offerings for new applications. It’s not a pretty picture, and there will need to be several positive economic factors that must take effect before the current trend reverses.
The remainder of this article will focus on other business survival tools and methods that you must take very seriously to ensure you can withstand the business unknowns and pitfalls we will face in the next 12 to 24 months.
In the ever-evolving digital arena, technology has become integral to almost every business operation, whether part of your marketing efforts, sales, or regulatory oversight. Digital tools such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud computing have become integral in driving operational efficiency and customer-centric services. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this trend as companies moved to online services to continue their operations. It became apparent that digital transformation was no longer just an option but a necessity for survival. In 2023, businesses must continue to leverage technology to improve their operations, customer experience, and competitive standing.
Commercial real estate utilization has been thrown for a loop affecting CRE Investors and businesses alike as the traditional office-based work model has been completely disrupted since COVID, giving way to more flexible occupancy models, including remote and hybrid work arrangements affecting CRE occupancy rates throughout the country. These changes were initiated by the pandemic but have since been embraced as the new standard due to the supposed benefits that working remotely offers both employees and employers.
Businesses in 2023 need to adopt flexible work models to attract employees who refuse to return to the traditional work environment (if they want to return to work at all) and retain talent, promote work-life balance, reduce operational costs, and ensure business continuity during a crisis. The fact that employees are refusing the older way of working in an office environment on a full-time basis proves that the work environment of the past may never return.
Increasingly, larger businesses are expected to impact society and the environment positively. This shift is driven by rising consumer consciousness about sustainability and corporations’ role in addressing social and environmental challenges. While some companies believe that prioritizing sustainability and social responsibility is more likely to attract socially/environmentally conscious customers, investors, and talent, other companies cannot afford the excess costs associated with these altruistic efforts, especially during an economic crisis.
Economic uncertainties, supply chains, and other global disruptions underscore the importance of business flexibility. One way to build flexibility is through diversification, whether in terms of products, services, markets, or developing other associated revenue streams. Diversification can help businesses manage risks and take advantage of new business opportunities, ensuring their survival in a volatile business environment. The fast-paced nature of today’s business environment requires companies to constantly learn, grow and innovate. This extends beyond product and service innovation to include processes, business models, and workplace practices.
A culture that emphasizes continuous learning and innovation can help businesses stay ahead of the curve, adapt to changes, and drive growth. In an increasingly competitive market, customer experience has become a business’s key differentiator. Companies need to understand and anticipate customer needs and deliver personalized, seamless experiences across various touchpoints. Prioritizing the overall customer experience can lead to higher customer loyalty, improved reputation, and increased profitability.
As the business world continues to change rapidly, businesses must stay on their toes, ready to adapt and innovate. Surviving in the business landscape of 2023 requires agility, resilience, and a forward-thinking mindset. Whether leveraging digital technology, fostering sustainability, implementing flexible work models, diversifying operations, cultivating a learning culture, or prioritizing customer experience, the strategies for business survival are diverse yet interconnected. Ultimately, the key to survival lies in business owners’ ability to align these strategies with their business’s unique goals, capabilities, and evolving demands.
Truth be told, I must disclose that for the first time in my writing career, I used artificial intelligence (“AI”) as research for approximately 50% of this article. In my past writings, I would use my extensive business background, experience, and twenty-five-plus years of business knowledge to write business-related articles for various publications. My additional research was almost always accomplished through Google, IXQuick, and other metasearch engines to provide additional context in writing my articles. Now with the emergence of “AI,” I can cut that research time to less than half the usual time it takes for me to write an article and still make the information my own.
When providing information to the general public, I now believe that “AI” can be a valid addition to the content provided. But I also think it can be a very slippery slope if used to offset more intense research or in an academic setting when plagiarizing the content of an “AI” search could be considered cheating if not fully disclosed as a source or reference material.
I will leave this entire “AI” subject for a later article, so there will be more to come.