Marketers can be optimistic but they are feeling bullish about the rest of 2023
Every year this decade has been its own adventure. 2023 started with a panic. Business leaders were nervous about the world melting down once again. When that happens, finance teams do what they do, they cut expenses and hoard cash for a rainy day. As we spoke with leaders, they were worried about their teams, their jobs and budgets were getting slashed.
By spring break, most everyone realized there wasn’t going to be another 2008 meltdown. Rather, most businesses were seeing topline growth. Although most were quick to admit that overall growth has slowed because of the pullback in marketing investment.
Then after Memorial Day, people realized there was still a lot of work to be done this year and started cobbling together what they could to get work done including budget and resources.
“Assuming there isn’t a surprise disruption on the global stage, businesses could start investing again in fall of 2023. These will likely be modest investments that have higher potential for returns. Business leaders will be faced with a tough decision. If all the cash that finance teams are hoarding is allowed to drop to the bottom-line in 2023, it could cripple their P&L’s for years to come. Smart CEO’s know they have to start investing those reserves in 2023 to have a healthy P&L in the future. Of course, there will be businesses that go for the short term bonus and dividend payout. Those companies will be the targets in 2024 because they likely won’t have sufficient budgets to protect their market share.” – Jim Thompson, Founder and CEO of Digital Amplification
We’ve shared this hypothesis with hundreds of c-suite leaders. Most are quietly optimistic and only one has argued the point.
We recently asked marketers how they thought the 2nd half of 2023 was going to unfold and a whopping 95% of voters believe that the best is yet to come in the second half of the year.
Navigating the Rolling Recession
While the overall global economy shows signs of recovery, it’s important to acknowledge that certain sectors may experience rolling recessions. Factors such as shifting consumer demands, supply chain disruptions, and changing regulations can create pockets of economic downturn. It is crucial for business leaders to identify these sectors and develop strategies to mitigate potential risks.
What is a rolling recession?
A rolling recession refers to a cyclical economic phenomenon characterized by a sequence of regional or sectoral contractions within an otherwise stable economy. Unlike a general recession that affects the entire economy simultaneously, a rolling recession manifests in a staggered manner, with different regions or sectors experiencing downturns at different times. As economic conditions fluctuate, certain regions or sectors may become more susceptible to downturns while others remain relatively resilient. Consequently, the impact of a rolling recession is not evenly distributed, leading to a patchwork of economic performance across different areas or industries.
The first step for business leaders is to identify sectors that are more susceptible to a rolling recession. Market research, economic forecasts, and analysis of industry-specific data can provide valuable insights into which sectors might face potential challenges. Sectors such as travel and tourism, hospitality, retail, and energy are historically sensitive to economic fluctuations and may be at a higher risk during a rolling recession.
It’s important to note, in the face of a rolling recession, agility and flexibility become key attributes for businesses. It is essential to respond swiftly to market changes and adjust business strategies accordingly. This might involve reallocating resources, optimizing operations, and exploring new partnerships or collaborations.
The Return of Investments: Short and Long-Term Perspectives
After a period of cautious financial management, businesses are starting to regain confidence and shift their focus toward investing for growth. In 2023, we can anticipate a gradual increase in investments as leaders recognize the importance of seizing opportunities. However, the key lies in striking a balance between short-term gains and long-term sustainability. Wise business leaders will prioritize investments that not only deliver immediate results but also lay a solid foundation for future success.
When considering short-term gains, business leaders focus on activities that can deliver immediate returns on investment. These may include initiatives such as targeted marketing campaigns, product or service expansions, or efficiency-enhancing operational upgrades.
However, it is equally vital for business leaders to maintain a long-term perspective. Investments aimed at fostering sustainable growth and building resilience for the future are crucial for staying competitive in an ever-evolving market. This entails allocating resources to research and development, innovation, talent acquisition and development, and strategic partnerships. By investing in these areas, businesses can position themselves to adapt to emerging trends, seize new market opportunities, and weather future challenges.
As we anticipate the future of the market in 2023 and 2024, it’s clear that businesses need to adapt to the ever changing market. For business leaders setting their sights on 2023 and 2024, embracing the emerging market trends becomes a strategic imperative.
Looking to learn more about effective tactics to optimize in a rocky environment, check out or blog on Driving Growth in an Economic Storm. If an expert’s perspective on where to invest and how to optimize would help. Check out this blog on Evaluating A Marketing Consultant. Read more from The Digital Amplification team.
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