A global report on what drives business decisions was launched by CNN International Commercial (CNNIC). Almost 2,000 company leaders across 14 different countries, including over 150 from UAE and Saudi Arabia,were surveyed by B2B International to reveal their motivations, fears and priorities which feature in The Business Decision Makers’ Mindset whitepaper.  

With insight from C-suites, business owners, board members, executives and divisional heads, the comprehensive data set derived from leaders spanning a variety of sectors including Foreign Direct Investment, Logistics and Supply Chain, Business Technology Solutions and Energy, Environment, Social and Governance, to evaluate the nuances and triggers that inform their medium to long term strategies.   

The research uncovered distinct trends for the Middle east, including:  

• Optimism fuels growth – 92% senior business decision makers (BDMs) are confident in delivering revenue growth for the year ahead. 
• Beyond profitability and delivering better customer experiences, the other top business priorities for the year are digital transformation, attracting global talent,market expansion, increasing focus on sustainability and ESG and DEI initiatives.
• With topics around AI and advanced technology growing in importance, priorities and concerns reflect this as 87% cited digital transformation as an important business objective for the year and 70% are concerned about cybersecurity and emerging technologies.
• Sustainability is shifting from an echo to an action chamber –80% BDMs are changing partnerships with suppliers due to poor ESG performance or unethical practices. 
• Brand image, perception, reputation, and trust are key in decision making with 9 in 10 preferring to work with partners whose values align with theirs. 
• A global outlook is vital to business leaders in the Middle East. 96% agree that international news is important for informing business decisions with 65% considering it ‘extremely important’.

Jo Tenzer, Director of Audience Insight at CNNIC, who commissioned and produced the report, said, “Delving into the macro and micro influences on the decision-making process and the impetus that determine an organization’s roadmap has been fascinating. After navigating unprecedented challenges from technological shifts to managing growing expectations on sustainability, senior business decision makers are maintaining a positive mindset. Through this research, we have certainly seen a blurring of where priorities sit. AI and emerging technology continue to be a focus and now cybersecurity – which could once have been considered a concern of the IT department but encompasses reputational damage and consumer trust – is a top business priority.”

To read the full whitepaper, download The Business Decision Makers’ Mindset here.