Connect with us

Technology

Middle-Market CEOs Sound Alarm on Tariff Impacts and Tax Policy Uncertainty

Published

on

53% of CEOs Fear Tariffs’ Financial Impact, Prompting Price Increases, Workforce Reductions and Delayed Investments

CLEVELAND, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The latest CBIZ-Hofstra University CEO Survey highlights pressing concerns for middle-market CEOs as they navigate the dual challenges of proposed tariffs and uncertainty surrounding U.S. tax policies. The survey sheds light on how these factors are shaping business strategies in a shifting economic environment.

Tariffs emerged as a dominant issue, with 53.2% of CEOs expressing strong concern over their financial impact.

Tariff Concerns Force Strategic Adjustments

Tariffs emerged as a dominant issue, with 53.2% of CEOs expressing strong concern over their financial impact. In response, many companies are preparing for significant operational changes:

80.9% are considering relocating production to mitigate tariff-related costs.75.4% may reduce their workforce.72.3% plan to delay investments.66.4% are exploring new supplier options.50.0% are contemplating price increases.

“Our findings highlight the profound ripple effect that even the discussion of tariffs is having on the middle market, forcing CEOs and management teams to rethink their strategies at every level,” said Jerry Grisko, President and Chief Executive Officer of CBIZ. “These economic factors compel businesses to be more agile, re-evaluate their operational frameworks, and seek innovative solutions to maintain resilience and competitiveness. Understanding and anticipating these shifts are crucial for CEOs. “

Mixed Impacts of U.S. Tax Policies

The survey also reveals divided perspectives on the benefits of recent and proposed tax reforms:

42.6% of CEOs reported moderate benefits from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), including reduced corporate tax rates and bonus depreciation.51.9% anticipate positive effects if TCJA provisions are extended, though 30.1% expect no impact.43.3% have benefited from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), but nearly half (47.7%) reported no tangible gains.

“While tax reforms have provided relief for many, the overall impact remains uneven across industries,” said Bill Smith, National Director of Tax Technical Services at CBIZ. “The survey underscores the complexity of tax-driven economic policies and the need for individually tailored strategies to address them.”

Key Takeaways on Business Confidence and Planning

Beyond policy concerns, the survey reveals broader trends influencing CEO decision-making:

Economic concerns: Consistently the top issue, cited by 55.1% of CEOs.Talent availability: Ranked among the top three influences by 37.5%, reflecting persistent hiring challenges.Cybersecurity concerns: Growing in importance, increasing 6.7% since September.

Despite these challenges, optimism among CEOs rebounded in December, with 45.0% rating their outlook as highly positive, up from 34.5% in September.

The survey was developed, conducted, and analyzed by Zarb School MBA students, led by Dr. Andrew Forman, associate professor of international business and marketing, in partnership with CBIZ.

“The data from our latest survey underscores the heightened sensitivity of middle-market CEOs to both tariffs and tax policy uncertainties,” shared Dr. Andrew Forman. “As such, businesses are making difficult but necessary decisions to safeguard their profitability and maintain competitiveness.”

“Learning to adapt and adjust during uncertain times is an essential lesson for business students,” stated Janet A. Lenaghan, Dean of the Zarb School of Business. “Embracing change with a growth mindset empowers leaders to transform challenges into opportunities, drive innovation, solve problems effectively, and strategically position their businesses for long-term success.”

About the Survey

The CBIZ-Hofstra Survey is a periodic gauge of mid-market CEOs’ outlook and priorities for the next 12 months. The survey polled the leaders of companies with revenues ranging from $5 million to $1 billion-plus and was conducted the week of December 9, 2023. Two hundred fifty-six mid-market CEOs and leaders participated. Previously known as the Marcum – Hofstra Survey, the name was changed following CBIZ’s acquisition of Marcum last year.

About the Frank G. Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University

Hofstra University’s Frank G. Zarb School of Business prepares students to become tomorrow’s global leaders. Located just 25 miles from New York City, Zarb students have access to internships and networking opportunities across every industry. The Zarb School combines entrepreneurial, hands-on learning and research with real-world experience and mentorship in state-of-the-art facilities, including a Behavioral Research Business Lab, Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Core Skills Lab, and academic trading room. Our undergraduate and graduate programs in accounting, management and entrepreneurship, marketing and international business, finance, and business analytics are ranked and recognized by US News & World Report, Princeton Review, and Poets & Quants. Visit hofstra.edu/zarb for more information.

About CBIZ

CBIZ, Inc. (NYSE: CBZ) is a leading professional services advisor to middle market businesses and organizations nationwide. With unmatched industry knowledge and expertise in accounting, tax, advisory, benefits, insurance, and technology, CBIZ delivers forward-thinking insights and actionable solutions to help clients anticipate what’s next and discover new ways to accelerate growth. CBIZ has more than 10,000 team members across more than 160 locations in 21 major markets coast to coast. For more information, visit www.cbiz.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/middle-market-ceos-sound-alarm-on-tariff-impacts-and-tax-policy-uncertainty-302345166.html

SOURCE CBIZ

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

Vivalink Recognized with 2024 Global Healthcare IT Solutions Award by Frost & Sullivan

Published

on

By

Vivalink honored for enabling technology leadership with its innovative remote patient monitoring solutions

CAMPBELL, Calif., Jan. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Vivalink, a leading provider of digital healthcare solutions, receives Frost & Sullivan’s 2024 Global Healthcare IT Solutions Enabling Technology Leadership Award. This distinction highlights Vivalink as a leader in the global remote patient monitoring (RPM) market for worldwide clinical applications of hospital-at-home, cardiac monitoring and clinical trials.

Frost & Sullivan’s Enabling Technology Leadership Award recognizes companies that apply their technology in new ways to improve existing products and services and elevate the customer experience. Its primary criteria includes Vivalink’s leveraging of technology to improve efficiency, application diversity and creativity, as well as its customer impact through performance, customer experience and brand equity.

Vivalink’s medical-grade wearable technology enables providers to deliver patient-centered care for hospital-at-home services, ambulatory cardiac monitoring, and remote clinical trials. Unlike traditional RPM systems, Vivalink offers continuous, real-time monitoring for a variety of specialties, including cardiology, oncology and neurology, while supporting chronic condition management, early interventions, and specialized applications.

“Frost & Sullivan commends Vivalink for its strategic focus on addressing critical unmet needs and limitations within traditional remote patient monitoring systems, thus accelerating its leadership in the increasingly competitive space,” said Dr. Rishi Pathak, research director at Frost & Sullivan. “With its flexible, versatile, and scalable Biometrics Data Platform and unique business model, the company strategically positions its platform as a convenient, cost-effective, and advanced solution, helping Vivalink capture significant market share.”

This award highlights Vivalink’s commitment to innovation, creativity, and ability to launch new solutions with far-reaching impact and application. Through its evolving solutions, Vivlink enables the integration of RPM technologies for modern healthcare delivery and optimized patient care.

“It is an honor to be recognized as a global leader of health IT solutions, highlighting our commitment to providing informed, continuous data that drives modern healthcare delivery models,” said Jiang Li, PhD and CEO of Vivalink.

For a copy of the detailed award write-up, see: www.vivalink.com/HealthIT_Award

About Vivalink
Vivalink is a provider of digital healthcare solutions for remote patient monitoring in healthcare and clinical trials. By combining medical wearables, advanced algorithms, and clinical applications, we provide a more effective and accessible approach to patient care worldwide.

About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan is the Growth Pipeline Company™. We power our clients to a future shaped by growth. Our Growth Pipeline as a ServiceTM provides the CEO and the CEO’s growth team with a continuous and rigorous platform of growth opportunities, ensuring long-term success. To achieve positive outcomes, our team leverages over 60 years of experience, coaching organizations of all types and sizes across 6 continents with our proven best practices. To power your Growth Pipeline future, visit Frost & Sullivan at http://www.frost.com.

Media Contact:
pr@vivalink.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vivalink-recognized-with-2024-global-healthcare-it-solutions-award-by-frost–sullivan-302347191.html

SOURCE Vivalink

Continue Reading

Technology

IDEMIA Awarded 10-Year Blanket Purchase Agreement from the General Services Administration for Next-Generation Identity Proofing for Login.Gov

Published

on

By

IDEMIA offers trusted identity proofing and verification platforms backed by decades-long history of partnership with government agencies.

RESTON, Va., Jan. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — IDEMIA Public Security North America, a leader in identity security and authentication services, has been awarded a 10-year blanket purchase agreement (BPA) worth up to $194.5 million from the General Services Administration (GSA) for its identity proofing capabilities. IDEMIA is one of 8 technology providers selected by GSA to accelerate the deployment of next-generation identity proofing technologies for Login.gov, a secure sign-in platform used by the public to create a single digital account that can be used to access multiple federal, state and local government agency sites.

After a rigorous qualification process by GSA, IDEMIA was selected for its robust and trusted identity proofing and verification technology, designed to ensure that individuals are who they say they are and prevent identity-related fraud, and its long-standing history of more than 60 years serving government agencies. IDEMIA’s Identity and Verification (ID&V) solution incorporates document authentication technology with comprehensive checks, such as digital tampering detection, document identification, font anomaly detection, liveness detection, and face capture. It complies with the highest security standards and is certified by the Kantara Initiative as compliant with NIST SP 800-63 rev. 3 Component Service at Identity Assurance Level 2 (IAL2).

IDEMIA’s identity proofing technology supports both active and passive facial liveness detection during authentication to ensure the person behind the camera is an actual individual. This technology has been awarded Level 1 and Level 2 compliance by iBeta in accordance with the ISO/IEC 30107-3 standards and most recently the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Department (DHS S&T). In addition, IDEMIA has incorporated accessibility and usability design feedback from Applause, a world leader in testing and digital quality, to ensure that IDEMIA’s identity proofing technology conforms with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

“We look forward to serving GSA as a committed technology partner, supporting their digital transformation efforts to improve identity verification and customer experience of Login.gov, which is accessed by millions of users,” shared Donnie Scott, CEO, IDEMIA Public Security North America.

IDEMIA’s ID&V solutions are trusted by public and private organizations across the globe. It serves as the backbone of IDEMIA’s Mobile ID issuance technology, which has been rolled out in New York, Arizona, Delaware, Iowa, and Mississippi, with more states to launch in the coming months.

To learn more about IDEMIA’s Identity and Verification solutions, click here.

About IDEMIA Public Security North America
IDEMIA Public Security North America is a leader in identity security and authentication services to governments and private companies operating in North America. Our mission is to Unlock the World, Make It Safer – helping people access what matters most, more quickly, more safely, and more securely, in both the physical and the digital worlds. Our best-in-class technology helps to authenticate and secure physical and digital transactions. IDEMIA is recognized by the National Institute of Standards (NIST) as a top-ranking participant in the Institute’s passenger facilitation simulation testing as well as in its regular Biometrics Technology Evaluations rankings, reinforcing the trustworthiness and reliability of IDEMIA’s facial recognition solutions for government and consumers alike.  

Learn more at www.na.idemia.com / Follow @Idemia_NA on Twitter and on LinkedIn.

Media contact:  
Genevieve de Vera
IDEMIA Public Security North America
(978) 808-7047
genevieve.devera@us.idemia.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/idemia-awarded-10-year-blanket-purchase-agreement-from-the-general-services-administration-for-next-generation-identity-proofing-for-logingov-302347160.html

SOURCE IDEMIA Identity & Security USA LLC

Continue Reading

Technology

Topaz Labs to Expand Addison, TX Headquarters from 7,000 to 27,000 Square Feet; Add 130 High-Tech Jobs

Published

on

By

The Town of Addison secures Topaz Labs with a $200,000 grant to build amenities and collaborative spaces for a new office.

ADDISON, Texas, Jan. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Topaz Labs, the leading provider of AI-powered photo and video enhancement technology, and the Town of Addison announce an award of a $200,000 Amenities and Collaboration Grant to Topaz Labs to support the expansion of its headquarters, nearly tripling its current size.

” Topaz Labs is exactly the kind of company we love to see grow here in Addison,” said Wayne Emerson, Director of Economic Development at the Town of Addison. Their innovative work in AI and commitment to the Town make them the perfect partner.

The company will lease 28,208 square feet of office space — up from their current 7,000 square feet and expects to invest at least $2.5 million to customize the space with innovation labs and collaborative workspaces for staff. Topaz Labs will become the sole office tenant at Building 900, the newest building in Village on the Parkway, a vibrant mixed-use destination offering premier shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences.

As AI continues to be a booming industry nationally and locally in DFW, Topaz Labs expects to add 130 high-tech jobs by the end of 2027, further contributing to Addison’s reputation as a hub for innovation and technology.

” Topaz Labs is exactly the kind of company we love to see grow here in Addison,” said Wayne Emerson, Director of Economic Development at the Town of Addison. Their innovative work in AI and commitment to the Town make them the perfect partner. We’re also thrilled for their employees, who will enjoy working in a brand-new, highly amenitized building surrounded by great restaurants, entertainment options, and walkable amenities at Village on the Parkway.”

” We’re so excited for the future of Topaz Labs in Addison,” said Eric Yang, CEO at Topaz Labs. “We sought a vibrant, safe, and energetic community with like-minded professionals doing their best work. We’ve found all of that in Addison.”

” This transformative lease aligns seamlessly with Topaz Labs’ rapid growth in the AI industry, as well as our partnership with the Town of Addison. We are honored to have represented them in securing this exceptional space for their headquarters,’ said Nick Lee, President – Office Division and Principal at NAI.

Topaz Labs will begin occupying its new office space in May of 2025.

About Addison

Addison, Texas, is the Address for Success—a vibrant 4.4-square-mile urban hub offering over 200 restaurants, 22 hotels, 12 million square feet of office space, and upscale residential options. Home to Addison Airport, one of the busiest general aviation airports in Texas, and providing prime access to a diverse and highly skilled workforce, Addison is a strategic location for businesses to thrive. Addison is a premier destination in North Texas, known for its world-class special events and exceptional amenities. Learn more at http://www.addisoned.com/

About Topaz Labs

Topaz Labs is the innovator in AI image and video enhancement software for enterprise-scale and professional videographers, cinematographers, post-production specialists, and consumer photographers alike to improve images and video at a speed and scale never before seen. Topaz Labs allows users to upscale, sharpen, and remove noise from blurry or otherwise imperfect images and videos. The company has 1.5 million customers worldwide. For more information, please visit www.topazlabs.com.

About NAI

NAI Robert Lynn, established in 1962, is a leading commercial real estate firm specializing in Dallas/Fort Worth. With a comprehensive range of services—including office, retail, industrial, property management, capital markets, corporate services, site selection, land, and consulting— the firm combines local expertise with global reach to deliver tailored solutions for clients. Their deep-rooted presence and proactive market approach have solidified their reputation as industry leaders. For more information, please visit www.nairl.com.

Media Contact

Wayne Emerson, Town of Addison, 1 9724507076, wemerson@addisontx.gov, addisoned.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/topaz-labs-to-expand-addison-tx-headquarters-from-7-000-to-27-000-square-feet-add-130-high-tech-jobs-302346695.html

SOURCE Town of Addison

Continue Reading

Trending