We asked seven successful founders to gaze into their crystal balls and reveal the trends they think will rise to the top in 2023.
Nicho Plowman, co-founder of meditation app Insight Timer and Vedic Meditation teacher
“Hybrid working will remain extremely important to employees next year, and so boundaries will be essential – as the workplace continues to move into the home it’s about making sure employers don’t take advantage of this ‘always on’ culture.
“An organisation’s responsibility to a person’s wellbeing doesn’t stop when they leave the office, and I think this will be really important for businesses to focus on.”
Alex West, CEO, Swoop
“From a small-medium business perspective, we will struggle with the ongoing hybrid work model. There is no right or wrong strategy but businesses just need to remain flexible. We want to work with the team to learn what they want and how to ultimately get the best out of the business.”
Aaron Bassin, CEO and co-founder, Bridgit
“There’s growing uncertainty in terms of the economic outlook. Interest rates are going up, property prices are going down, investor capital is shallowing. A challenge and big focus area for Bridgit will be making sure that businesses continue to follow strong economic foundations with enough capital runway to grow, retain and support good staff, provide the best support to our customers, and to come out of next calendar year stronger than ever.”
Arjun Paliwal, Head of Research and founder, InvestorKit
“I predict there will be a softening of businesses making new hires in 2023, with a more cautious approach to spending by consumers and businesses due to the engineered slow-down by the RBA.
“Those who nail long-form content and focus on enriching their customers and communities with value will get ahead. In business, we are often taught to be more concise in speaking, emailing and more. However, as I analysed everything that worked very well in late 2022, going into 2023 it’s clear that long-form content was a key difference maker for my business.
“I also foresee the local economy still remaining strong and confidence returning in 2023.”
Angus Stevens, CEO and co-founder, Start Beyond
“In 2022 we were reactive and tried to accommodate the needs presented to us. In 2023 we will be proactive and embed these initiatives into our structure. Investing time into personal projects is a big one for us, we find that their personal creative projects inspire their work and invigorates the business.”
Dean Hawkins, CEO and co-founder, eo
“Speaking at a conference for Macquarie Bank about 12 years ago, I closed with this comment: ‘All roads lead to the mobile’. It was glaringly obvious the mobile phone was going to become your wallet, your music player, your recording device, your record keeper and much more, despite that trend being in its infancy.
“For me, I see a rising tech trend in the sports industry that will lead 2023 and beyond. Sports is set to see a data explosion, and we’re only in the early stages here as well. Some sports are already highly technical and awash with data – think F1. Others however are still at the starting blocks – think swimming.
“Data in sport is not just about the ‘Moneyball’ film angle, or just performance data for the elite; it is going to be for all of us, and available to all of us.”
Maria Halasz, CEO, Stride Equity
“Everybody can hear us (and knows everything about us). Surveillance by everyone will become the new normal. Siri is constantly listening and we no longer even care. Siri interrupts conversations with ‘I’m sorry, I couldn’t understand what you are saying’. Well, because I wasn’t talking to you, Siri.
“What would have enraged us and made us change mobile phones in 2018 is just a bit annoying in a post-pandemic era. All our data is in the Cloud, private companies manage our communications, and our data is collected and used with impunity. It’s pervasive, and it will be more so in 2023. The question is, will the benefits outweigh the downsides in the long run?”
Want more? Get our newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! Follow Kochie’s Business Builders on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Now read this:
Trending
Weekly business news and insights, delivered to your inbox.