Global Executive Outlook 2014: Continuing Economic and Business Improvement – Not Unbridled Optimism

TROY, Mich. (April 4, 2014) – KellyOCG(R), the Outsourcing and Consulting Group of Kelly Services(R), recently released the results of its annual Executive Outlook Survey, conducted in partnership with its specialized consulting practice, BTI Consultants. The 2014 global survey results indicate that while there is widespread agreement about continuing economic and business improvement, unbridled optimism does not exist.

The 2014 survey captured the opinions of 326 leaders and executives representing organizations of all types, sector, size and location. A total of 89 percent of the respondents are based in Asia Pacific with 11 percent residing in the Americas and EMEA. Industry sectors represented in the survey cover a broad sweep of business activity, including manufacturing, ICT, consulting, health & pharmaceutical, financial services & insurance, property, infrastructure, transport & logistics, and oil & gas.

“The business outlook for Asia appears positioned for a positive trajectory this year, however, there are a number of uncertainties that will have many business leaders watching over their shoulders,” said Pam Berklich, Senior Vice President, KellyOCG, Direct Hire Practices. “Hence the cautious optimism that is evident in business today and the anxiety that accompanies even slight bumps along the road to recovery.”

The current Executive Outlook Survey shows that global economic events and local Asian business sentiment are coalescing in 2014 to produce a whirlwind of possible scenarios for the world economy.

“There is no question that economic recovery is underway in the United States and some of the key economies in Europe,” Berklich added. “However, 2014 has kicked off with renewed concerns about slowing Chinese growth and fears about debt and currency instability in emerging economies.”

Survey highlights include:
– 67 percent of business leaders are optimistic about new business development. However, those in the APAC region are far more optimistic than their U.S. and EMEA counterparts (69 percent compared to 52 percent in the U.S. and EMEA are optimistic).

– Smaller organizations are far more upbeat about the economic outlook than larger ones –39 percent of organizations with fewer than 250 employees predict significant revenue growth, compared to just 13 percent of those with 1000 or more employees

– 77 percent of respondents believe that a Social Intelligent Organization allows the organization to constantly engage with the existing workforce in promoting compelling common goals.

“The 2014 Executive Outlook has allowed BTI Consultants and KellyOCG to deepen their insights into the big trends shaping the business landscape this year, and to better understand the perspectives of our senior clients,” said Anthony Raja, Vice President of KellyOCG’s APAC region.
Complete findings are published in a new report, Executive Outlook 2014.

About BTI Consultants

Specializing in global and regional C-level and senior executive searches, BTI Consultants leverages on the ability to align ourselves with the changing face of leadership. The organization’s deep network of proven consultants extends across specific industry sectors and disciplines. BTI operate on the premise that every leader has the ability to make a positive impact on the business entered, the people interacted with, and the community at large. BTI Consultants is the specialist consulting practice of KellyOCG, the Outsourcing and Consulting Group of Kelly Services. Visit www.bticonsultants.com

About KellyOCG

KellyOCG is the Outsourcing and Consulting Group of workforce solutions provider, Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: KELYA, KELYB). KellyOCG is a global leader in innovative talent management solutions in the areas of Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Contingent Workforce Outsourcing (CWO), including Independent Contractor Solutions, Human Resources Consulting, Career Transition and Executive Coaching & Development, and Executive Search.

KellyOCG was named to the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals(R) 2014 Global Outsourcing 100(R) list, an annual ranking of the world’s best outsourcing service providers and advisors.

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Media Contact:

Jane Stehney
Kelly Services, Inc.
[email protected]
248-244-5630