The CEO Pulse: Inflation Resource Center

What’s top of mind for CEOs? Inflation

Introducing The CEO Pulse, a new initiative from the Vistage Research team that brings together expert insights and peer perspectives to help you navigate decisions around some of the most pressing, complex issues facing small and midsize businesses right now. Our first focus: inflation.

Inflation has surged as an unanticipated consequence of the economic shutdown during the pandemic with no predictable end in sight. Pent-up consumer demand, fueled by the government’s infusion of $4+ trillion in economic support has unleashed a wave of inflation that is challenging for CEOs to plan for and understand. Supply chain challenges, increased wages to compete for talent, price increases from suppliers, and now the Russian-Ukraine war, all contribute to the rising cost of everything. Here’s the latest from Vistage Research on inflation’s continuing impact on small and midsize businesses [updated November 22, 2022]. 

To help with decision-making, we have curated:

1. Insights on inflation from trusted experts 
2. Real-life approaches to inflation from CEO peers
3. Join discussions about inflation in Vistage networks
4. Third-party resources on inflation

Insights on inflation from trusted experts 

How 3 CEOs use wages and compensation to drive retention
Recapping our most recent member roundtable (password required), a trio of CEOs shares their unique strategies for adjusting wages, benefits and other forms of compensation to hire and retain top talent [Feb. 10, 2023 update]

7 questions about pricing strategy with Casey Brown
More than half of CEOs plan on raising prices in the next 12 months. In a follow-up to her August 2022 webinar, pricing strategy expert Casey Brown answers questions from CEOs on how to tackle this challenge. [Oct. 27, 2022 update]

Strategic pricing when inflation crashes into recession
Boost Profits President Casey Brown breaks down the best pricing strategies to manage ongoing inflation in a slowing economy. [August 26, 2022 update]

Recession’s red lights flashing? How to get ahead of the curve
Balentine CEO Dr. Adrian Cronje returns to update on the current economic landscape from a capital markets perspective. [June 17, 2022 update]

Why Inflation Can Be an Opportunity
In an article for Inc. magazine, Vistage speaker and strategy expert Marc Emmer argues that inflation is an opportunity to reorganize supply chains, redefine customer relationships and embrace trends such as dynamic pricing and digital transformation. [April 28, 2022 update]

UBS Americas David Lefkowitz and Shane Lieberman on the federal response to inflation
Vistage Chief Research Officer Joe Galvin speaks with Shane Lieberman and David Lefkowitz of UBS Americas about inflation and the Federal Reserve’s response. [April 25, 2022 update]

Compensation consultant Somersan on wage compensation in the face of inflation
Vistage speaker and Compensation Consulting Services Managing Partner Rena Somersan examines why CEOs are raising wages and offering higher signing bonuses to stay competitive. [Dec. 22, 2021 update]

Real-life approaches to inflation from CEO peers  

To cope with surging prices, wage increases, supply chain bottlenecks and other inflation-related challenges, many CEOs are rethinking how they compensate their employees, structure their investments and deal with unexpected costs. We spoke with four Vistage CEO members from construction and manufacturing — industries particularly hard-hit by inflation — to understand how they’re addressing these challenges. Read their points of view 

While the pandemic has left some scars on businesses, Vistage members remain optimistic. They’re finding silver linings and creative solutions to drive revenue, retain employees and change customer relationships. Learn more from our recent member roundtable and gain 5 tips for leading through inflation.

Join discussions about inflation in My Vistage Networks

Have a question? Need a recommendation? Want a referral? Ask your peers in My Vistage Networks or join an existing discussion. [MyVistage password required]
Ask a question
Or join a discussion:

• Merit increases, COLA adjustment for higher inflation [Talent Strategies Network]
• Inflation concerns and how to prepare? [Wholesale and Retail Network]
• Inflation and your investments: What you need to know [Financial Services Network]
• What do all of you feel about inflation being up 100% from a year ago? [Financial Services Network]
• Salary trends – last year to this year [Nonprofit Network]
• Wage inflation [Midwest Network]
• Salary increases for 2022 [West Network]
• Annual rate increase [Professional Services Network]

**You must be a Vistage member of the Network to view the discussion. It takes less than a minute to join.**

Third-party resources on inflation

• Interest rates and inflation [ITR Economics — July 25, 2022]
• Larry Summers on Inflation and the Fed’s Attempts to Cool the Economy [Kellogg Insight — May 3, 2022]
• Talking to Your Customers About Prices [HBR — March 31, 2022]
• Gas Prices Upend Small Business — ‘It’s Keeping Me Awake’ [The Wall Street Journal — March 20, 2022. Subscription req’d]
• The Economic Disruption of the Ukraine War: Further Analysis [ITR Economics — March 14, 2022]
• How to Finance Your Business & Stay Profitable in an Inflationary Environment [TGG — Feb. 22, 2022]
• Inflation, Interest Rates, and Secular Cycles [Balentine — Jan. 12, 2022]
• Three concerns for 2022 [ITR Economics — Jan. 10, 2022]
• 6 strategies to help your company weather inflation [HBR] 
• Top 5 Small Business Inflation Strategies [CFOshare]
• Supply chain issues and what to do [ITR Economics] 
• Center for Inflation Research [Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland]
• Hiring and Benefits Costs Hit 16-Year Highs [SHRM]
• 2022 Salary Increases Look to Trail Inflation [SHRM]
• Pay compression: What it is and how to fight it [Insperity]
  
  

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