In this 2019 edition of FOX Foresight, we review how business owners need to shift shift to an enterprise mindset, and how family offices seek to redefine their role, and as a new generation of family members prepares for leadership in a time of great transformation. FOX Foresight is presented in 7 chapters:
In this year’s global CEO survey, the prevailing sentiment is one of caution in the face of increasing uncertainty. Unlike the past year, CEOs are less bothered by the broad, existential threats like terrorism and climate change, and are more ‘extremely concerned' about factors that affect the ease of doing business in the markets where they operate.
Despite ongoing discussions meant to defuse tensions and a 90-day “truce” between U.S. and China, the trade tariff issue has not gone away. Well-entrenched globalization trends are unlikely to be reversed, but protectionism could weigh on growth. Other global and non-U.S. economic overview includes share declines in oil and other commodities combined with tightening global financial conditions may pressure emerging markets.
Allocations to listed infrastructure have been on the rise in recent years amid growing demand for real assets offering relatively predictable cash flows and the potential for attractive real returns. A case for this asset class is made through an examination of its historical investment characteristics and the secular themes driving significant capital formation in infrastructure globally.
Preferred securities play a unique role in capital markets and have unique investment attributes. They are fixed-income investments, but with certain equity characteristics such as deeper subordination in the capital structure. Investors are compensated with notably high rates of income. Despite preferreds’ long stated lives, abundant fixed-to-floating-rate preferred instruments can significantly diminish interest-rate risk in diversified portfolios. Since many preferred pay legal dividends, preferreds can also offer significant tax advantages.
When it comes to the family, dynamics are changing. There is no longer one dominant family form in the U.S., according to Pew research. Parents are waiting longer to have children, and many millennials are living at home or taking a less direct route to adulthood. These shifts will continue in 2019 and shape how affluent families tackle interpersonal issues. As wealthy families move forward, there are three trends they should keep a close eye on and discuss with their family office or other advisors.
The reality today is many companies have relied too much on conducting just a cybersecurity compliance checklist assessment and framework. While compliance with government and industry documentation standards is good, it is not sufficient, nor does it ensure real information security. Organizations need to take appropriate action both before and after a cyber data breach to mitigate the potential negative impacts and optimize business performance results.
Your organization’s people strategy should align with your business strategy, and every people-related initiative should result in something that your customers value. Knowing how to find the right people and get them to want to work for you and stay is the secret to competitive advantage. Leverage your human capital and take advantage of these tips to keep your employees engaged within your organization.
While the headline index reading continues to indicate middle market conditions are robust, the forward-looking Middle Market Business Index (MMBI) subindices imply that inflationary pressures and a tight labor market may in part account for reduced enthusiasm and uncertainty heading into 2019. Clouds are forming on the horizon related to declining fiscal outlays later in 2019, inflationary pressures, and an uncertain outlook for tariffs and trade policy. As operating margins become tighter, companies are evaluating their ability to pass through cost increases to their customers.
Whether it’s dealing with a growing number of regulations or shoring up data privacy measures in response to heightened scrutiny, the tech industry is facing both opportunities and challenges as companies decide on how to scale sustainably without sacrificing their business goals and ambitions. How they respond will dictate its fate in the years to come. Here are 10 trends that will likely shape tech in 2019 and beyond.