Massimo Acquaviva, 2R Capital Investment Management Limited co-founder and co-CEO, is an alumnus of Colombia Business School who takes a particular interest in investment training and talent acquisition. This article will provide an overview of prominent business trends in 2025, a year marked by rapid acceleration of AI, automation and technological innovation.
From automated financial reporting to AI-powered customer support, the onus is firmly upon modern businesses to embrace emerging technologies to cut costs and boost operational efficiency. Whether leveraging AI for data analysis or automating repetitive tasks, embracing tools that align with their needs helps businesses to create and maintain a competitive edge.
AI is having a game-changing impact on numerous industries today. Nonetheless, there are some aspects where artificial intelligence falls short. According to Gartner’s June 2024 survey, reliance on algorithms by management in processes such as performance reviews, scheduling, feedback, and promotion and hiring decisions may be alienating employees and having a detrimental impact on workplace cultures.
The poll also suggested numerous upsides for AI, particularly in terms of eliminating discrimination and bias, with the majority of respondents admitting that they trusted algorithms to be fairer than human managers. 57% of respondents agreed that humans are more biased when it comes to making compensation decisions. In Gartner’s October 2024 survey, 87% of respondents agreed that algorithms give fairer feedback than their managers. Gartner’s research suggests that employees are coming around to AI, embracing the idea that AI tools can increase fairness in the workplace rather than eroding it. Although human managers will still be necessary to oversee operations and finalise major decisions, bots appear poised to take on an increasing share of management tasks, particularly for work that is easily quantifiable or digitally based.
Many employees continue to show a preference for remote and hybrid work arrangements. Moving through 2025, employers are refining their remote work policies and investing in their digital infrastructure to support a more flexible workforce. Providing flexible work options helps organisations to attract and retain talent in competitive job markets. Nonetheless, it is vital for companies to ensure their employees have all the tools they need to stay productive and connected.
With an ever-increasing emphasis on the customer journey, understanding and adapting to changing customer needs is integral to the survival of any business. SMEs that engage in dialogue with customers about their future concerns and needs can align their strategies with evolving market needs, enabling them to stay ahead of competitors.
In the world’s largest economies, more workers will reach retirement age this year than any other on record. This mass exodus from the labour force leaves companies at risk of losing key workers and their vital skills before they can be replaced.
Simultaneously, however, technology is transforming the relationship between novice and expert employees across industries, with AI absorbing many of the functions previously undertaken by interns and support teams. This shift has left junior employees lacking opportunities to learn and build expertise, a problem that is only being compounded by a growing lack of hands-on training. A Gartner survey from May 2024 revealed that 6 out of 10 employees felt they were not receiving the on-the-job coaching necessary to support their core job skills. To address this urgent issue, businesses will need to build their collective intelligence, leveraging technology to ensure a transfer of knowledge between expert employees and the next generation of workers.
Sustainability has become a key concern for forward-looking businesses large and small as consumers, governments and investors push for more sustainable business practices. Businesses that fail to adapt to evolving societal expectations leave themselves vulnerable to losing their market share or falling foul of increased regulatory pressure. Meanwhile, many businesses are already reaping the benefits of adopting greener practices, chief among them attractive cost savings, enhanced brand reputation, improved resilience and, ultimately, increased profitability.
