Business Leaders Identify Supply Chain Resilience as Their Foremost Concern

A recent study by Cleo reveals that business leaders are now prioritizing supply chain resilience wiht the same urgency as cybersecurity. The 2025 Global supply Chain Executive Report indicates that a whopping 83% of executives view resilience as crucial for maintaining operational continuity.This shift is prompting many organizations to ramp up investments in automation, real-time analytics, and artificial intelligence.

The driving force behind these changes? Customer expectations. The survey highlights key demands: enhanced product quality (79%), quicker delivery times (75%), and superior customer service (66%). Tushar Patel, CMO at Cleo, emphasizes that businesses must not just react to these rising expectations but actively anticipate and adapt to them.

Geopolitical tensions are also creating additional challenges. A meaningful 75% of executives express concern over how global conflicts, inflation rates, tariffs, and shifting regulations might disrupt their supply chains in the near future. In light of this uncertainty, an remarkable 93% are either utilizing or planning to implement automation solutions; meanwhile, 66% beleive that real-time data enhances decision-making processes and customer interactions.

Artificial intelligence is making waves too—almost half of the surveyed executives (47%) see AI as a tool for streamlining operations, forecasting issues before they arise, and facilitating smarter choices.“Harnessing automation alongside real-time data integration and AI can give businesses a leg up on their competition,” Patel notes.

Sustainability is another hot topic on the agenda. With nearly half of consumers pushing for greener practices from brands they support, it’s no surprise that 97% of companies have initiated sustainability programs. Their motivations? To position themselves as responsible industry leaders while also trimming costs.today’s business landscape demands agility in response to evolving customer needs and external pressures—whether through technology adoption or sustainable practices—to thrive in an increasingly complex environment.