Economic downturn stories

Britain's organisations are being urged to tackle cloud waste before cutting jobs, as FinOps discipline and independent oversight could trim costs by up to 30%.

Australia's energy shock deepens pressure on sole traders and smaller firms, with CreditorWatch flagging higher tax defaults and insolvency risk.

Australian business and household sentiment slumped after fuel costs jumped, with CreditorWatch warning of rising insolvency risks if oil markets stay strained.

Business NSW says soaring fuel, freight and supplier costs are forcing 47% of surveyed firms to review staffing, with regional employers hardest hit.

Fractional Chief Marketing Officers say brands must ditch blanket discounting, sharpen value messages and tailor offers as households split into two wallets.

KPMG survey finds most executives will keep pouring money into artificial intelligence through a recession, with USD $186 million planned on average next year.

Entrepreneurs increasingly see AI as a tool for efficiency and cost-cutting, not a springboard to new markets or sustainability goals.

Once a 400-store giant of CDs and DVDs, Sanity has shrunk to a regional chain as downloads, streaming and rising costs reshape retail.

AI-powered contextual service is now make-or-break in Australia, with CX leaders warning one unresolved issue can lose a customer forever.

As AI reshapes marketing teams, experts warn of a global redundancy wave-and argue human experience is now the industry's rarest asset.

Companies appointing women CFOs see a 10% boost in shareholder returns, linked to broader experience and strategic leadership, a new report reveals.

Lightspeed's Asia-Pacific MD Nicole Buisson says AI and smarter tech are vital for Aussie hospitality to tackle inflation, labour costs and changing consumer habits.

Nearly half of 500 Australian workers surveyed by Humanforce have changed jobs in the past year, prioritising work-life balance and wellbeing over higher pay.

A recent Sendle survey reveals that 65% of Australian small businesses plan to tap into international markets for revenue growth amid rising costs.

Australia's fintech deal value sunk by 76% to US$587m in 2023, a six-year low, amid a worldwide investment downturn, reports KPMG's Pulse of Fintech.

Auvik's latest trend report highlights a surging interest in Wi-Fi 7, cloud security, and 'cloud cost' amid a complex tech landscape.

IT professionals' mental health impacted by reduced cyber security budgets, Integrity360 survey shows.

Equinix's latest report reveals Australian mining leaders maintain optimism amidst geopolitical and economic challenges, acknowledging technology's crucial role in industry adaptation.

Over 80% of Australian consumers rely on user-generated content to influence purchase decisions, finds Bazaarvoice.

With the economy in a state of flux, a proactive, a high-performing Finance and Accounting team is the best asset an organisation can have.