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Navigating uncertainty with confidence: A roadmap for C-suite leaders in 2025

Wendy Koh
Jan 23, 2025

2025 demands audacity from C-suite. The global economy remains in flux, with policy shifts, technological leaps, and the green transition creating both opportunities and roadblocks.

For APAC businesses, these forces feel even more acute, with supply chain vulnerabilities and evolving regulatory landscapes demanding urgent attention. In this environment, resilience is not just about surviving the storm, it is about finding ways to grow through it.

Business leaders must confront these dynamics head-on to stay competitive. As highlighted in our latest Investment Trends CRI Report, CEOs must prioritize technology-driven supply chains, sustainability, and digital transformation—not as buzzwords but as survival imperatives.

One standout finding is the growing optimism among Singaporean business leaders, with 57% expressing confidence in their growth potential for 2025. However, this optimism is balanced by a strong focus on cost efficiency, driven by the need to ensure both survival and resilience. The numbers highlight this shift, as 54% of leaders plan to prioritize cost reduction in 2025, compared to 46% in 2024. Technology remains at the center of this transformation, with 58% increasing their investments and only 23% planning to scale back. This underscores that technology is not just an enabler but a critical foundation for future growth.

I am particularly inspired by how businesses in this region prioritize investments in customer experience, manufacturing/operations, sustainability, and supply chain. It is encouraging to see that 70% of leaders are increasing investments in sustainability, a notable rise from 58% in 2024. This is a clear step in the right direction, but I believe we must ensure this momentum continues, especially as we face pressing global challenges. While regulations are certainly helping to drive progress, the real opportunity lies in integrating sustainability into every facet of business strategy. By doing so, organizations can unlock long-term value that goes beyond mere regulatory requirements.

At this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, the discussions on climate tech, biodiversity, and water security highlighted the urgent need for visionary leadership. As we enter 2025, it is no longer enough to react to challenges—we must anticipate and act. Reimagining supply chains with friendshoring, leveraging AI and Gen AI to solve complex problems, and addressing the digital talent gap are essential steps toward shaping the future. The real opportunity, however, lies in forging meaningful connections across industries, regions, and ecosystems. These connections will drive innovation and sustainable growth.

Our author

Wendy Koh

Managing Director Capgemini Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan