The results of the latest Executive Outlook Pulse Survey, commissioned by Personiv, gives insight into the perspectives of 290 CEOs, CFOs, controllers, and senior finance leaders across industries. The findings highlight an executive landscape defined by constant change, where agility and foresight are no longer optional—they’re essential.
Key insights from the survey include:
- Macroeconomic disruption dominates. 64% of leaders reported an “extremely significant” impact from macroeconomic shifts in 2025, led by interest rates and global trade.
- Leaders are investing despite uncertainty. More than half of executives say they have already increased spending on technology, headcount, and operating expenses, and nearly a third plan to boost investment further in the next six months. This underscores a proactive growth mindset even amid economic headwinds.
- Finance leaders are spending big time on external forces. More than half of respondents reported dedicating greater than 20–40 hours per week of their finance teams’ capacity to navigating macroeconomic factors.
- AI adoption accelerates. 70% of firms already use AI—especially in compliance, payroll, and expense reporting. Another 25% plan adoption within 12 months.
- Forecasting is the number one priority. Across organizations of all sizes, leaders ranked improving budgeting, forecasting accuracy, and scenario planning as the top strategic priorities for 2025.
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“Executives today are navigating uncharted waters—shifting markets, evolving technologies, and new workforce realities,” said Megan Weis, VP & General Manager of FAO Services at Personiv. “Our survey underscores that the need for agility is the common thread. Whether you lead a ten-person startup or a multinational enterprise, embedding flexibility into your finance and operating models is the surest path to resilience in the next 6–12 months.”
The report also revealed differences by company size and industry. Smaller firms were more likely to increase headcount and operating expenses to support growth, while larger enterprises focused on cost optimization and technology spend. Additionally, leaders cited that talent shortages are still a top risk alongside cybersecurity threats and regulatory pressures, underscoring the continued importance of upskilling and retention.
The full Executive Outlook Pulse Survey Report is available now on Personiv’s website.
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