Executive Perspectives on Top Risks for 2021 and 2030

Key issues being discussed in the boardroom and C-suite

The range of uncertainties facing business leaders around the globe in 2021 is overwhelming.

Challenges triggered by a rare airborne virus creating a global pandemic continue unfold, combined with numerous other risk issues, such as growing social unrest and polarization, and ever-present challenges ranging from new technologies and digitization innovations to ever-changing markets, strategies and business models. Staying abreast of emerging risk issues and opportunities is becoming increasingly difficult.

Protiviti and NC State University’s ERM Initiative are pleased to provide this report focusing on the top risks currently on the minds of global boards of directors and executives. This report contains results from our ninth annual risk survey of directors and executives worldwide to obtain their views on the extent to which a broad collection of risks is likely to affect their organizations over the next year – 2021. Also, for the first time, this year we asked respondents to consider how these risks will affect their organizations a decade from now (in 2030).

We are pleased with the global reach of our survey this year, with strong participation from 1,081 board members and executives across a variety of industries. Our survey captures insights from C-suite executives and directors, 39% of whom represent companies based in North America, 19% in Europe, 17% in Asia and Australia/New Zealand, and the remaining 25% from Latin America, India, Africa and the Middle East.

Resources and Download Materials

Read Our Industry Specific Perspectives on Top Risks 2021 & 2030

Podcast and Top 10 Risks

The Top 10 Risks for 2021

  1. Pandemic-related policies and regulation impact business performance
  2. Economic conditions constrain growth opportunities
  3. Pandemic-related market conditions reduce customer demand
  4. Adoption of digital technologies may require new skills or significant efforts to upskill/reskill existing employees
  5. Privacy/identity management and information security
  6. Cyber threats
  7. Impact of regulatory change and scrutiny on operational resilience, products, and services
  8. Succession challenges, ability to attract and retain top talent
  9. Resistance to change operations and business model
  10. Ability to compete with “born digital” and other competitors

The Top Risks for 2030

  1. Adoption of digital technologies may require new skills or significant efforts to upskill/reskill existing employees
  2. Impact of regulatory change and scrutiny on operational resilience, products, and services
  3. Rapid speed of disruptive innovation may outpace our ability to compete
  4. Succession challenges, ability to attract and retain top talent
  5. Privacy/identity management and information security
  6. Substitute products or services may arise that affect our business model
  7. Sustaining customer loyalty and retention may be difficult as customer preferences and demographic shifts evolve
  8. Ability to compete with “born digital” and other competitors
  9. Inability to utilize data analytics and “big data” to achieve market intelligence and increase productivity and efficiency
  10. Cyber threats

In this podcast (33 min.), Dr. Mark Beasley with NC State University’s ERM Initiative and Protiviti Managing Director Jim DeLoach discuss the key themes and trends from the latest Top Risks Survey.

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