In this article, we look at the seven biggest challenges businesses will be facing in 2023. We discuss challenges in relation to the economy, supply chains, consumer expectations, digital transformation, cyber security, sustainability, and finding the right talent.

1. THE 7 BIGGEST BUSINESS
CHALLENGES EVERY COMPANY
IS FACING IN 2023

2. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
THE 7 BIGGEST BUSINESS CHALLENGES EVERY
COMPANY IS FACING IN 2023
In this article, we look at the seven biggest challenges businesses will be
facing in 2023. We discuss challenges in relation to the economy, supply
chains, consumer expectations, digital transformation, cyber security,
sustainability, and finding the right talent.

3. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
As a futurist specializing in the intersection of business and technology, it’s
my job to look ahead and advise companies on how they can prepare for a
rapidly changing world.
Here are the seven greatest challenges every company should be ready for in
2023:

4. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
1. INFLATION & ECONOMIC DOWNTURN
The headlines are already filled with talk of skyrocketing inflation, and that trend will likely
continue in 2023. Many economies will stagnate or shrink, and businesses need to prepare
for that reality.
The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva,
reported that the organization had downgraded its forecast for 2.9 percent global growth in
2023. The IMF cited rising risks of financial instability and recession.
Companies can face inflation by establishing end-to-end, actionable visibility of spending by
business process, function, cost category, and business unit, as well as reducing spending.

5. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
2. SUPPLY CHAIN SECURITY
Supply chain security is another key issue. Challenges began with COVID-related backlogs and
have been made worse by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and labor shortages due to the Great
Resignation. This has made parts and products harder to obtain, as well as pushed prices up
(e.g., energy, grains, computer chips, oil, and so on).
According to a report by Accenture, supply chain issues could result in a potential €920 billion
cumulative loss to the gross domestic product (GDP) across the Eurozone by 2023.
Companies should resist the urge to over-order to compensate for backlogs, which could worsen
the situation. Instead, focus on long-term recovery and restructure your needs to prevent similar
shortages in the future.

6. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
3. INCREASING CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS
Customers are demanding more immersive customer experiences in the real world as well as in the
metaverse.
Customers entering brick-and-mortar stores aren’t just looking to buy products — they want memorable in-
store experiences. If your company has physical shops, consider adding more immersive experiences.
Online retailers should consider adding extended reality (XR) experiences like virtual dressing rooms that
allow customers to “try on” clothing, accessories, and makeup without leaving their homes.
No matter how you engage with consumers (online, offline, or a mix of both), ask yourself, “How can we
add even more value for our customers by turning this interaction into an experience?”

7. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
4. ACCELERATED DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
Artificial intelligence (AI) is already starting to augment all of our businesses, and that trend
will continue to accelerate next year. At the same time, other technologies like 5G,
blockchain, the cloud, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are building and speeding up AI, and
all of them are enhancing each other.
This is rapidly creating a world of ever-faster technological developments. In response,
every business must think of itself as a tech business. Companies need to re-design their
processes and ensure their people have the skills needed for a world where we increasingly
collaborate with and work alongside capable and intelligent machines.

8. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
5. THE WAR FOR TALENT WILL INTENSIFY
Speaking of workers — companies in 2023 must be ready to cope with a continued talent shock. We’ve
been hearing about the “War for Talent” for years, but now it feels like the war is deepening.
Companies across industries are facing massive gaps for vital future skills, and they will need to re-skill or
upskill massive sections of their workforce to get ready for the 4th industrial revolution. Companies can and
should take on the onus of training talent by taking steps like hiring people straight out of school, employing
low-code or no-code software for critical needs, and instilling cultures of continuous learning.
On top of that, the pandemic has made many people reevaluate their jobs, leading to mass resignations in
many sectors.
To attract top talent, employers must offer a working environment that is appropriate for the new world of
work, including job flexibility, authentic leadership, diversity, etc.

9. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
6. DATA & DEVICE SECURITY
Cyberattacks are on the rise, and ransomware and phishing scams are now a common
occurrence. As businesses become more digital, they accumulate more data, which becomes
highly attractive to cybercriminals that intend to steal it and hold organizations hostage to
monetary demands.
Mobile and IoT devices are not immune to cybersecurity threats. Additionally, quantum computing
is now emerging, which could render existing security systems obsolete.
Companies can take steps to protect themselves by taking proactive measures like evaluating
their data backup and recovery processes, conducting penetration testing and vulnerability
scanning, and taking proactive steps to protect sensitive data and prevent cyberattacks.

10. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
7. SUSTAINABILITY
Climate change is the world’s largest business challenge, and consumers are demanding
transparency in sustainability practices as well as more eco-friendly products and services.
Companies can respond by viewing the whole picture of their business practices and auditing
their full supply chains. They should also consider switching to renewable energy, moving to
more sustainable packaging, and allowing people to work remotely when appropriate (which
can help lower emissions).
Becoming demonstrably more sustainable can not only satisfy consumers’ needs but also
help you spot efficiencies and savings that can have a positive effect on your bottom line.

11. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
To stay on top of the latest on new and emerging business and tech trends,
make sure to subscribe to my newsletter, follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and
YouTube, and check out my books ‘Tech Trends in Practice’ and ‘Business
Trends in Practice, which just won the 2022 Business Book of the Year award.

12. © 2021 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker,
futurist, and a strategic business & technology advisor to governments and
companies. He helps organisations improve their business performance, use data
more intelligently, and understand the implications of new technologies such as
artificial intelligence, big data, blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is
a frequent contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for
Forbes. Every day Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers
and shares content that reaches millions of readers.

13. hello@bernardmarr.com
www.bernardmarr.com