Mercer’s 2025 Executive Outlook study, published on October 6, 2025, provides an insightful look into the strategies and priorities of business leaders as they seek to navigate the complexities of the current global business environment. Surveying 400 executives, including 175 CEOs and 101 CFOs, the study highlights the evolving priorities and approaches that organizations are taking to drive growth, productivity, and long-term success. As businesses face a combination of internal and external challenges, the survey reveals how leaders are adjusting their strategies to maintain momentum in a rapidly shifting marketplace.
A major theme that emerged from the study is the increasing reliance on data-driven decision-making. Business leaders recognize that in today’s world, where the amount of available data is overwhelming, making informed, timely decisions is essential to staying competitive. Executives are leveraging advanced analytics, AI, and machine learning to derive insights that drive operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and overall business growth. This emphasis on data is part of a broader effort to incorporate more precision and agility into decision-making processes across organizations. Leaders are also using data to track performance, measure risk, and ensure that their companies are aligned with both current trends and future opportunities.
Technology investment remains a central focus for many business leaders, as they understand that digital transformation is a critical enabler of long-term success. The study shows that executives are increasingly allocating resources to modernize their technology infrastructure. Cloud computing, automation, artificial intelligence, and other cutting-edge technologies are at the forefront of these investments. These technologies are expected to streamline operations, enhance product and service offerings, and create new opportunities for innovation. Technology is not just seen as a tool for operational improvement, but as a strategic asset that can help drive new business models, create efficiencies, and ultimately fuel growth in a competitive market.
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Another strategic priority for executives is enhancing organizational agility. In an era marked by volatility and rapid change, business leaders are focused on ensuring that their companies are flexible enough to respond to unexpected shifts in the marketplace. This includes redesigning organizational structures to be more responsive, creating more adaptable supply chains, and fostering a culture that encourages innovation and quick decision-making. Agility has become essential for companies to not only survive but thrive in today’s fast-paced business world.
While the study reveals an overall positive outlook for growth, it also highlights the various risks that executives are actively managing. These include misinformation, extreme weather events, and geopolitical uncertainties, which have become significant concerns in the global business landscape. The COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, has shown how interconnected the world is, and how risks that were once considered distant can quickly become global threats. Business leaders are proactively preparing for such challenges, strengthening their risk management frameworks and ensuring they have the capacity to adapt to a rapidly changing external environment.
As part of their strategies for growth, many executives are emphasizing the need for a contextual approach to business. This involves understanding and responding to the unique challenges and opportunities within specific markets, while also being mindful of broader global trends. Leaders are increasingly focused on sustainability and corporate responsibility, recognizing that long-term growth depends on the ability to address environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. Sustainability initiatives are no longer optional; they have become integral to how businesses operate and grow. Executives are investing in solutions that will help mitigate risks related to climate change and resource scarcity, while also ensuring that their companies contribute positively to society.
The study’s findings suggest that executives are taking a measured yet optimistic approach to the future. They are aware of the challenges and risks they face, but they are also confident in their ability to overcome these obstacles through strategic investments in technology, data, and organizational agility. The combination of these efforts, along with a strong commitment to sustainability and responsible growth, will enable companies to thrive in a rapidly evolving business environment.
Overall, Mercer’s 2025 Executive Outlook offers valuable insights into how business leaders are shaping the future of their organizations. The study emphasizes that growth is not just about financial performance, but about creating resilient, adaptable businesses that can respond to the changing needs of customers, markets, and the world at large. As the business landscape continues to evolve, the ability to make informed decisions, invest in the right technologies, and maintain organizational agility will be critical for ensuring sustainable success.
