For better or worse, America’s business elite believe that the future matters more than the past.

A recent survey of 400 CEOs by professional services giant KPMG found that 65 percent believe that the next three years will be more crucial to their industry than the past 50 years.

The good news is that most CEOs believe that the crucial events that will take place in the coming years will be beneficial to their businesses. Eighty-three percent express confidence about the growth prospects of their companies in the next three years.

Perhaps that’s because most CEOs believe they will make a greater impact on the company than their predecessors. Thirty-nine percent of those polled, for instance, say that they plan to transform their companies into “significantly different entities” within the next three years. It would be interesting to check back with them in three years to see if they have realized that goal.

"Today's top business leaders understand that long-term success in this era of fast-paced technological change and global economic shifts requires a new way of thinking and operating," says Lynne Doughtie, CEO of KPMG. "In fact, the corporate playbook is being rewritten and replaced by one that takes business agility to a level we have never seen before."

But there are plenty of concerns for business leaders. Ninety-one percent cite cybersecurity as a concern. While businesses have long been aware of the threats of hackers, fears have undoubtedly grown in the wake of a number of successful cyberattacks on organizations expected to have air-tight security measures in place, including the federal government, hospitals, and major businesses, such as Target and Home Depot.

Businesses are also keenly aware of the importance of recruiting and retaining millennial employees. Eighty-six percent cite it as a top priority.

Employers trying to figure out how to woo and reward the young leaders of tomorrow is evidenced by the near-daily surveys published that show what millennial employees value in a job. Previous studies have shown that while young workers tend to prioritize pay and benefits to the same extent as their parents’ generation, they also express greater interest in working for an employer that they believe makes a positive impact on the world.

Instant Insights /

Survey: America's CEOs believe big industry changes are coming

More From HR Executive

Related Stories

Recommended For You