Almost half of CEOs wish to mandate staff again to the workplace. Here is the one holdup

To seek out out, Fortune ran a brand new CEO survey, performed in collaboration with Deloitte. We invited the highest govt at Fortune 500 corporations, Fortune International 500 corporations, and a few members of our international Fortune group to take part.

In whole, 121 CEOs representing greater than 15 industries responded to the survey. It was fielded between September 28 and October 6, 2022.

The numbers to know

76%

• … of CEOs have a “pessimistic” 12-month outlook for the worldwide economic system.

5%

• … of CEOs have a “pessimistic” 12-month outlook for his or her firm efficiency.

44%

• … of CEOs agree with the next assertion: “I would really like my staff to be again within the workplace, however I don’t really feel capable of mandate it, resulting from tight expertise competitors“

74%

• … of CEOs anticipate inflation to disrupt their enterprise over the following 12 months. Again in June, that determine was 82%.

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• CEOs are each bearish and bullish. Over the following 12 months, CEOs have a pessimistic outlook for the worldwide economic system. In the meantime, they’re pretty bullish on their very own corporations.

A number of deeper takeaways

Outlooks are weakening.

Again in June, 100% of CEOs stated their 12-month firm outlook might be described as “very robust, robust, or modest.” The most recent ballot has it all the way down to 85%.

On one hand, that’s hardly bearish. Alternatively, the trajectory is evident: CEO outlooks are weakening within the face of world uncertainty and financial tightening.

Inflation woes to hold over into 2023.

Whereas the Fed has moved into full-blown inflation combating mode, CEOs aren’t satisfied inflation will make a quick exit. Among the many CEOs we surveyed, 74% anticipate inflation to proceed disrupting enterprise technique over the approaching yr.

The silver lining? Again in June, 82% of CEOs advised us they thought inflation would disrupt their enterprise over the approaching yr.

Bearish and bullish?

The overwhelming majority of CEOs have a pessimistic 12-month outlook for the worldwide economic system (76%). Nevertheless, solely a tiny fraction of CEOs are bearish on their very own trade (17%) or their firm efficiency (5%).

Are CEOs merely seeing by way of rose coloured glasses? Or do present enterprise situations merely stay that robust?

Expertise stays high of thoughts.

Financial tightening has actually prompted ache in fee delicate sectors just like the housing market, nevertheless, it has completed little thus far to chill the recent labor market.

Among the many CEOs we surveyed, 71% agree that the expertise scarcity will proceed over the approaching six months.