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Go Time? Or Just Another Head Fake? How Mid-Market CEOs Should Move Forward Now
Six months ago, we diagnosed a condition gripping mid-market companies across the country:Waitflation. Leaders were holding back—not because of financial hardship, but because of economic ambiguity. Interest rates were high, forecasts were fuzzy, and confidence was low. The result? A national game of “wait and see.”
Now, as we enter a volatile summer, it’s time to ask:Is it go time?
Navigating Economic Headwinds in the Consumer Products Industry
Tue, Apr 15, 2025 — Strategic Moves to Weather Uncertainty with Confidence The U.S. consumer products industry is contending with a convergence of headwinds: elevated inflation, shifting consumer priorities, and a volatile macroeconomic environment. While the instinct in challenging times may be to pause or retreat, the companies that endure and evolve are those that lean in — making strategic choices rooted in clarity, purpose, and value.
Waitflation: The Hidden Cost of Economic Paralysis
Fri, Apr 11, 2025 — The New Economic Fog We’re not in a recession. Not in a boom. Inflation isn’t gone, but it’s no longer spiking. And yet, everywhere you look—executives are hesitating. The markets are twitchy, customers are cautious, and leadership teams are frozen in Waitflation: the tense, uncertain space between reaction and resolution.
From Crisis to Competitive Edge: Leveraging Digital Transformation in Tough Economic Times
Wed, Apr 9, 2025 — In today's unpredictable economic climate, small and medium-sized business (SMB) owners face numerous challenges, including fluctuating market conditions, supply chain disruptions, and evolving consumer behaviors. These uncertainties can be daunting for business leaders striving to maintain stability and growth. However, by reframing economic downturns as opportunities for transformation, SMBs can leverage digital technologies to not only survive but thrive amid these challenges.
Financial Resilience: ITR Economics’ 15-Year Forecast to Help You Through the 2030s
Thu, Nov 14, 2024 — The below article from ITR Economics, a valuable and trusted resource for Chief Outsiders, details steps you can take to prepare for the economic depression coming in the 2030s. If you aren't confident that your business can weather the downturn, it may be a good time to reach out to one of our Fractional Chief Marketing Officers and Chief Sales Officers. They can provide the agile, adaptable support required to quickly pivot marketing and sales strategies as economic conditions evolve.
Preparing for Tomorrow: How to Thrive Amid 2024’s Economic Uncertainty
Wed, Aug 7, 2024 — It is no secret that the US economy is experiencing more turbulence than most jetliners – and that is saying a lot! If you have been following ITR Economics' monthly Trends Report™, you are probably aware of ITR’s mild recession forecast for the industrial sectors and slower growth forecast for GDP this year. ITR is also predicting a 3.0% rate of inflation in 2024. Now here is the big question: Should you be worried? Regardless of the projected intensity, our economy is nonetheless experiencing a choppy season. Though having a plan is crucial, keeping your eye on the bigger picture is paramount. ITR forecasts that the US economy will shift back into broad-based growth, moving from a downward economy at the end of 2024 to a period of sustained growth during 2025. The transition from sluggishness to accelerating rise over 12 months is noteworthy.
Winter is Coming: How Economically Healthy Are You?
Tue, Jul 18, 2023 — If you are a fan of the hit show “Game of Thrones,” you’ll appreciate where I’m coming from: The ominous pronouncement, "Winter is Coming," always managed to capture my attention since I could see through the fictional seasonal meaning it foretold and apply it to events in everyday life. The first time I heard those words, I couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. But as time went on, winter never actually arrived in Westeros. A similar mindset has taken hold in the U.S. business world, where we have been hearing for the past two years that we are in a recession -- when in reality, we are not and have not been.
Wizard or Witch? How to Keep Your Business Ahead of the Tornado
Tue, Mar 21, 2023 — My little sister, the owner of an upscale hair salon in Georgia, called last week. Twice. No message. In our family that means a twister has touched down in the backyard, so “call me back – now.” I eventually reached my dear sis and she spat, in a Wizard-of-Oz-Lions-and-Tigers-and-Bears-Oh-My tone of voice, her concerns over the economy. The collapse of two banks. Rampant inflation.