Insights for Success in a Changing Business Landscape
This survey presents key findings from 53 business leaders across Northeast Ohio, supplemented by seven in-depth interviews exploring leadership strategies, decision-making processes, and approaches to business resilience. By analyzing diverse perspectives, this report highlights actionable strategies for growth, adaptability, and long-term success in today’s dynamic economy.
We explored how business owners make decisions, drive growth, and strengthen resilience in an increasingly complex environment. By analyzing survey data and interviews, we tested 3 core hypotheses to uncover strategies for lasting business success.
Key Findings and Trends
Our survey revealed critical challenges and opportunities for business leaders, from decision-making habits to workforce engagement and succession planning. Here are the most impactful insights.
- Gut Feelings Over Data: 64% of surveyed leaders rely primarily on intuition to make decisions, even when data-driven tools are available.
- Untapped Workforce Potential: 62% struggle with talent retention yet often overlook employee feedback in decision-making.
- Planning Gaps Create Risks: 34% of participants lack a formal succession plan, leaving them vulnerable to leadership disruptions.
- Missed Profit Opportunities: Many leaders admit their company’s values are not consistently reflected in daily operations, leading to hidden profit leaks.
These findings suggest that many business leaders encounter obstacles that prevent them from fully realizing their growth and success potential.
💡 Ready to dive deeper?
Download the Full Report and Summary
- Download the Full Report of Ohio Business Leaders Survey – A deep dive into all findings, trends, and recommendations.
- Get the 2-Page Summary – A quick-reference guide with key takeaways and practical insights.
Strategies to Strengthen Business Profit & Growth
From smarter decision-making to crisis management, our study identified strategies that can help business leaders navigate uncertainty and drive long-term profitability. Here’s a quick snapshot of some key findings from the survey:
- 📊 Smarter Decisions: Use data-driven insights to improve profitability and agility.
- 📅 Long-Term Planning: Conduct regular strategy reviews to strengthen market positioning.
- 🛡️ Proactive Crisis Management: Build safeguards that speed recovery and minimize disruptions.
Explore these topics in our exclusive 22-Video Series and Blog Articles, each aligned with survey findings.
7 Powerful Insights from Business Leaders
In addition to a survey, we invited leaders to share their perspective on leadership, growth, and financial strategy that can reshape how to approach success. Here are the themes identified from those discussions:
- Innovation Isn’t Optional—It’s Survival
- Growth Doesn’t Always Mean Bigger
- Debt is Not a Badge of Honor
- Leadership Isn’t About Control—It’s About Trust
- Invest in People, Not Just Profits
- Legacy is Messier Than You Think
- The Price of Success Can Be Too High
Explore the Full Video Series for real-world lessons from business leaders.
Final Insights
This study provides insights into the perspectives of leaders who agree with the need for employee engagement, long-term planning, and proactive crisis management to build a sustainable business. By addressing decision-making gaps and strengthening workforce engagement, leaders can drive long-term resilience and success.
Download the Full Survey Report or the 2-Page Summary to explore these insights further.
Explore Student Toolkits
Curious about how to apply these survey results? Students from Kent State University developed 7 different toolkits designed to assist leaders in making strategic, risk intelligent decisions.
Next Steps for Your Business
Curious whether hidden profit leaks or missed opportunities exist in your company?
Learn About the Free Profit Leakage Assessment Process to discover how small shifts can unlock big gains. After reviewing the details, you can schedule your free assessment at a time that works for you.