| | DECEMBER 20208MAJOR CHALLENGES THAT CEOS COULD EXPECT IN 20212020 has proved to be quite taxing for almost every entrepreneur as their businesses had been suspended and the recovery is still in progress. In this scenario we are all set to bid adieu to this year and enter 2021 will a ray of hope for a brighter tomorrow. However, there is news that is making waves on the new variant of the virus and other issues steering up. With all these what could the CEOs expect from the New Year 2021?COVID RecoveryCOVID has been the greatest challenge faced by the CEOs in 2020 and its recovery is still doubtful. Thus, CEOs are preparing themselves to steadfast in the recovery stage. However, some are already envision-ing a different world as the pandemic comes under control, but this cannot be predicted with certainty. Likewise, many CEOs believe that the business envi-ronment would return to pre-pandemic conditions by the end of 2021, and 27 percent don't predict complete recovery by next year.Alongside, there are many categories that are pertaining to COVID-19 recovery, that include gov-ernance, communications, strategy, operations, workforce welfare, risk management, culture, and sustainability.Existing Chief ExecutiveThe CEOs take help from their exiting chief executive, who could aid in imparting observations and knowl-edge concerning the challenges of the role. Having said this, the current CEO should also consider avoid-ing co-CEOing their responsibilities. Particularly this scenario holds true when the exiting chief executive is conflicted about leaving or having difficulties de-taching. Thus, the new CEO must make it a point to clear out the timing and approach for the exiting chief executive's exit and also make sure that all the stakeholders are aware of the fact who's running the business at all times. All parties would benefit from a graceful transition. Incorporate a celebration of the exiting chief executive's achievements, but promptly mark the new insider CEO's leadership at the same time.Over BurdeningThe CEO insider gets to choose to pursue solutions for all the problems on the list. They might also view the resolution of these problems as the quickest way to make their mark. But if the changes are too much in a shorter duration, then they would induce the risk of changing fatigue, which could restrict agility if an urgent challenge were to confront the business.Therefore, they should avoid the temptation to do too many things at an early stage. Analyze how rapid-ness of the business could absorb change and estimate the appetite for innovation and risk among the board directors and executives. Do they prefer to curtail, or just retain their current success.Understanding Customers' RequirementsThe periods of unexpected change and leaders must seek to deeply understand how these developments are affecting their customers. Despite all the chaos of the pandemic-induced transformation, the customers' needs and preferences have most likely shifted as well. Realizing their new substance can result in opportuni-ties to offer better customer experiences and produce even greater value.However, other businesses could take a similar ap-proach to examine their customer behavior and think critically about how to satisfy their needs. Consider-ing all these, the businesses may find themselves able to provide more effectively adjust business plans and act decisively, especially when it comes to making lon-ger-term plans.The top challenges that the CEO is expected to en-counter in 2021 are obliged to bring, the best way to prepare for the upcoming year. Though we indeed live in a time filled with uncertainty and social distancing, the support isn't a hard thing to find in the business environment for the businesses to evolve and grow. IN FOCUSBy CEO Insights Team
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