State of Business 2025 – Challenges and Priorities

For 40 years, The AME Group has been at the forefront of IT Managed Services, empowering businesses like yours to thrive in an ever-evolving technological and threat landscape.  Our efforts to partner with our clients goes beyond hardware and software.  We strive to be a strategic partner who seeks to build better businesses.  With that goal in mind, we want to better understand our client’s business challenges and priorities.  It is also a great way to commemorate a milestone anniversary – launching our first annual client business survey.  Last fall, 171 of our client’s executives participated in a survey asking, “What will impact your business in 2025?”

As we respond to our client business challenges and priorities, we are thrilled to announce a series of symposiums designed to address some top concerns and help businesses thrive in the year ahead.

This quarter, we are heading to 7 of our local offices to give our clients and guests some practical ways to tackle two common business challenges – talent shortages and cybersecurity management. We invite you to join us for the 2025 Business Symposium: Addressing Top Business Concerns.


Survey Respondents

Business Industry

Business Locations

Louisville, KY
Nashville, TN
Lexington, KY
South Bend, IN
Vincennes, IN
Bloomington, IN
Fort Wayne, IN
Indianapolis, IN
Baton Rouge, LA
Findlay, OH
Evansville, IN
Jasper, IN
Terre Haute, IN
Columbus, IN


Top Business Challenges and Concerns for 2025

Economic uncertainty emerged as the most pressing issue, cited by 112 respondents (65%), reflecting widespread apprehension about market conditions and financial stability.

The talent shortage, identified by 90 respondents (53%), is another significant concern, underscoring the ongoing struggle to attract and retain skilled workers in a competitive labor market. Competitive pressures, cited by 68 respondents (40%), round out the top three challenges, emphasizing the need to stay ahead in increasingly crowded industries.

Other notable concerns include business disruptions impacting technology, cybersecurity and supply chain also weigh heavily on decision-makers, highlighting vulnerabilities that could impact operational continuity and business resilience.

These findings illustrate a challenging landscape, with organizations needing to balance internal preparedness with external adaptability to thrive in an unpredictable environment.

Anticipated Organizational Outlook for the Next Year

Most respondents (94 out of 171, or 55%) anticipate moderate growth, reflecting a sense of cautious optimism among our clients. Additionally, 8 respondents (5%) foresee significant growth, indicating that some organizations are preparing for robust expansion.

At the same time, 60 respondents (35%) predict their organizations will remain stable with no growth, suggesting a sizable portion are maintaining a steady course amidst economic uncertainties.

On the other end of the spectrum, 8 respondents (5%) foresee moderate contraction, while just 1 respondent (<1%) anticipates a significant contraction in their business.

These figures highlight the resilience and confidence that many businesses have in navigating potential challenges.

Cybersecurity Strategy in Response to Increased Threats

The survey results highlight cybersecurity being a business priority. Businesses are taking proactive measures to address the growing landscape of cybersecurity threats. The most common response was the implementation of new security controls, with 92 respondents (54%) prioritizing enhanced defenses to protect their businesses.

However, 36 respondents (21%) indicated that they have made no changes, underscoring an opportunity for increased awareness and action in these organizations.

These findings suggest that while many organizations are taking steps to adapt to the evolving threat landscape, there remains room for improvement, particularly in encouraging the adoption of robust cybersecurity measures across all businesses.

Compliance Pursuits Among Organizations

The most common focus is on industry-mandated compliance, with 28% of respondents aligning their efforts with specific industry standards and requirements. Close behind, 25% of respondents are pursuing regulatory-mandated compliance, reflecting adherence to government regulations and legal obligations.

Insurance-mandated compliance, cited by 21% of respondents, underscores the growing role of insurers in influencing business practices to manage risk. Similarly, 17% of respondents are driven by customer-mandated compliance, showcasing the importance of meeting client expectations to maintain trust and partnerships.

These results emphasize that most compliance efforts are driven by external requirements, with only a small portion of organizations taking the initiative to self-regulate.

This demonstrates the importance of maintaining strong partnerships and aligning with broader industry and regulatory expectations.

Projected Changes in Work Environments

The survey revealed an interesting response to recent events that proved how well remote staff worked, or didn’t work to meet business needs. Some business services just can’t be remotely performed. Remote work appears to be a business challenge for some and a priority for others. The survey shows an equal percentage of businesses expanding their offices as those increasing remote work.

The survey reveals a variety of trends regarding anticipated changes in work environments. 31% of respondents foresee increasing the size of their office locations, signaling growth and potential expansion in their operations to accommodate a larger workforce or increased activity. Conversely, 11% plan to reduce office size or locations, reflecting potential cost-cutting measures or a shift toward more flexible work arrangements. Similarly, 11% anticipate moving office locations, possibly for better market alignment or operational efficiency.

Remote work continues to play a significant role in workplace strategies. Perhaps a priority, perhaps a challenge. The results 30% of respondents expect to increase remote work, indicating a sustained focus on flexibility and adapting to evolving workforce preferences. On the other hand, 13% plan to decrease remote work, suggesting a return to more traditional, office-centered models for some organizations.

These findings highlight the dynamic nature of workplace planning, with businesses balancing growth, flexibility, and cost considerations as they adapt to shifting operational needs.

Planned Investments in New & Expanded Investments

The replacement of outdated hardware and software emerged as the top priority, with 117 respondents (68%) indicating plans to modernize their foundational systems. This reflects a widespread need to address aging infrastructure to maintain operational efficiency and competitiveness.

Cybersecurity ranked second, with 53 respondents (31%) planning to strengthen their defenses against evolving threats. This reinforces the growing recognition of security as a critical business investment.

Emerging technologies are also on the radar for many respondents. Artificial intelligence (AI), cited by 35 respondents (20%), represents a significant focus for innovation and efficiency gains. Similarly, cloud applications and Software as a Service (SaaS) were highlighted by 30 respondents (18%), demonstrating continued interest in leveraging scalable, cost-effective solutions.

These findings suggest that organizations are both modernizing legacy systems and exploring innovative technologies to drive future growth and resilience.

Beyond IT, Other Areas to Invest in or Develop

Marketing and sales emerged as the top focus, with 67 respondents (39%) planning to strengthen their efforts in attracting and retaining customers. This aligns with the growing need to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Close behind, customer experience garnered the attention of 63 respondents (37%), emphasizing the importance of improving client interactions and satisfaction as a strategic priority.

Similarly, human resources and training ranked highly, with 60 respondents (35%) aiming to develop their teams and build workforce capabilities.

These findings demonstrate a balanced approach, with organizations prioritizing both immediate customer-facing enhancements and longer-term initiatives for growth and responsibility.


What Our Clients Say About Us

In addition to the business challenges and priorities for 2025, we also wanted to know where we stood from our client’s perspective. Overall, our Net Promoter Score showed good client satisfaction and loyalty. 

On a scale of 0 – 10, how likely are you to recommend The AME Group to organizations seeking IT Support and Cybersecurity Services?

Net Promoter Score (NPS) is a widely used metric to measure customer loyalty and satisfaction. An NPS above 50 is considered excellent.

promoters (a rating of 9-10) minus detractors (0-6)

While we’re proud to exceed industry standards, our vision extends beyond metrics. We’re driven to reach new heights by continuously monitoring and transforming our service delivery, showing value beyond tasks and transactions, and solidifying a true business partnership with our clients. By delivering deeper value and becoming strategic allies to our clients, we’re not just aiming to raise numbers – we’re reimagining what exceptional service means in our industry.


2025 LOCAL BUSINESS SYMPOSIUMS

Session 1: Harness The Power of Your Herd

Session 2: Taming The Cyber-Threats Haunting Your Business

LOCATIONS & DATES

February 12, 2025 – Louisville, KY

February 13, 2025 – Lexington, KY

February 18, 2025 – Fort Wayne, IN

February 19, 2025 – Indianapolis, IN

March  4, 2025 – Nashville, TN

March 12, 2025 – Vincennes, IN

March 13, 2025 – South Bend, IN


For our clients

Thank you for choosing The AME Group. We value your business partnership and look forward to growing with you.

Looking for a great partner?

Get to know us by attending one of our events – or reach out and let’s talk at your convenience.

CONTACT US