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Business Balancing Act

Business Balancing Act

Balancing growth and challenges in the year ahead

In the post-pandemic, rising inflation environment, middle-market enterprises (MMEs) – firms with a turnover of between US$10 million and US$500 million – remain under pressure.

To understand how it’s affecting them, and their plans for the future, we surveyed more than 2,100 MMEs globally as part of our Business Balancing Act research.

The results paint a picture of relative positivity and growth. However, companies are facing a balancing act between finding opportunities for growth and managing a combination of challenges in the year ahead.


Findings from the survey below

Australian mid-market companies are targeting growth next year

84%

are targeting growth in 2023

58%

plan to expand internationally in 2023

An uptick in sales revenue is expected to underpin the growth

35%

Forecast sales to grow by 10-14%

40%

Forecast growth of 15-20%

9%

Forecast growth by more than 20%

Other key drivers will support strategic ambitions

40%

Strong balance sheet / steady cash flow

34%

Introducing new products and services

Several factors may be impediments to business growth

32%

Inflation and cost of living

26%

Rising interest rates

25%

Skills shortage

Growing while managing volatility - the balancing act

Beneath the ambitious growth forecasts, Australian firms face a balancing act between finding opportunities to drive growth and managing a combination of challenges next year.

International trade

58%

of Australian companies plan to enter at least one new foreign market in 2023

58%

also expect international trade to be more difficult

Supply chains

47%

will focus on making their supply chains more secure

18%

are concerned about a lack of quality suppliers and goods

Digital platforms

31%

will expand to new digital platforms and channels

15%

are concerned about the decrease in demand and reduced consumer spending

Business changes and investment

40%

Are looking to see all or part of their business

33%

Seeking external investment

22%

Planning to make an acquisition

Investment priorities over the next 12 months are clear

56%

Customer experience

55%

Employee well-being

51%

Cybersecurity

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