Team AccNet takes a brief look at what businesses did right in 2022, and what we can expect in 2023.
No matter what’s happening in the world, the pace of change continues unabated. However, understanding major trends that are likely to shape the economy in the coming year can help you make informed decisions about strategies and operations.
Despite the significant economic challenges we face, there are many digital innovations, marketing opportunities and consumer trends that could help your business to succeed in 2023. In this article. we’re talking about affordable, actionable steps that can bring your potential to light and stay ahead of the competition.
Let’s start by addressing the hot-topic; Inflation.
The UK economy is forecasted in 2023 to grow by 1.6%, which is slightly higher than the 1.4% growth rate projected for 2022. However, this is still lower than the long-term average growth rate of 2.3%. The slower growth is expected to be driven by continued uncertainty surrounding Brexit, as well as weak consumer spending and business investment. Additionally, the global economy is expected to slow down in 2023, which will also impact the UK.
Small businesses are likely to be impacted by the same economic conditions as larger businesses. However, they may face additional challenges due to their size and lack of resources.
For example, small businesses may have difficulty accessing capital to invest in new products or services, or they may struggle to keep up with changes in technology. Additionally, small businesses may find it difficult to compete against larger businesses that have more resources and economies of scale.
So, is it all bad news from here?
It is scary stuff. Yet in periods of hardship, savvy entrepreneurs can innovate and thrive. In order to adapt to the changing economic conditions, businesses need to be agile and responsive. They should closely monitor economic indicators and make changes to their strategies as needed. Additionally, businesses need to be aware of the latest technological advancements and adopt them into their operations. This will help them stay ahead of the competition and improve their efficiency.
So how can we stay ahead of the competition?
Here are some key pointers you should get serious about.
1. Sustainability is not just a buzzword.
Despite the cost of living is soaring across the UK, people are not ready to part with their values.
Consumers are increasingly concerned about the impact of their buying decisions and they are looking for businesses that take sustainability and social responsibility seriously.
But don’t exaggerate – consumers are also fed up with greenwashing. Making small but significant changes, such as using recycled materials and cutting down on packaging, can attract conscious consumers that want to support a business that shares their values.
There’s a growing demand for durable products that can be repaired and reused. For an example, take the rise of ‘repair cafes’, where people help other people fix existing appliances rather than buy new ones.
2. Take time to understand your clients.
Getting your house in order is half the battle won. If you don’t know who your customers are, you are going to struggle to deliver the value they expect.
Businesses in 2023 will need to be taking a more customer-focused approach. What value are you really delivering to that person? With cost of living rising, canvassing about your customers will be more important, as people become more focused on spending money on what really makes a difference to their lives.
Use your time to get direct, honest feedback from your customers. This will give you the best idea of what you need to change to maximize the value you provide.
3. Keep up with the latest trends related to your target audience.
How people make purchases continue to change fast. However, this is an area where many businesses are often playing catch-up.
Key payment trends for 2023 include social commerce, digital wallets and Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL). According to research by Shopify, digital wallets such as Google Pay and Apple Pay will account for 30% of all POS payments in 2023 and Buy Now Pay Later will account for about 24% of ecommerce transactions by 2026.
4. Worker-employer dynamics have changed.
Growing cases of ‘quiet quitting’ and the post-pandemic phenomenon known at the Great Resignation reflects how employee attitudes towards work have altered over the past few years.
Whether it’s stagnating wages, lack of work benefits or inflexibility, many workers felt unsatisfied in the wake of the pandemic. As a result, business relationships between employee and employer are rapidly changing.
In its’ stead came new working expectations. Employees are now expecting extra perks- for instance a remote or hybrid working model, to keep them satisfied at their jobs and maintain a work-life balance. This is something that must be considered to keep your employees happy.
5. Transparency: more vital than ever.
No matter the scale of your company, there’s a way to tip the scales in your favour. Transparency and disclosure will continue to be one of the top priorities for customers in 2023. How a company communicates their targets, responds to crises, their methodology in achieving corporate goals will really differentiate them in terms of being a responsible company.
6. Staying social.
It may come as no surprise that short-form video is expected to grow into 2023. With a majority of Gen Z using video platforms such as TikTok and YouTube daily, utilising these platforms for marketing seems like a no-brainer.
But there’s no need to go out of your comfort zone; write about your area of expertise, share your knowledge and make sure the content is clear and easy to read (use sub-heads, bullet points and images to break up the text). Above all, try to answer your customers’ questions.
Finally…
The economy is ever-changing, and it can be difficult to predict what the future holds. But here at AccNet, we believe that staying organized with a concise brand strategy, keeping track of your numbers (the ground reality) and staying true to your values will help you stay ahead of the curve.
Conquering the litany of challenges this year poses, will also require skillful navigation. Refer our services to browse how our expertise can help your business get moving, the right way.