? Aligning PwC’s 27th CEO Survey with BusinessGPS.ai: A Smarter Path for SMB Reinvention, Powered by Athena

PwC report 2025 analysed against BusinessGPS

Reference: PwC 27th Annual Global CEO Survey (2024) The 2024 PwC CEO Survey delivers a sobering message: nearly half of global CEOs believe their company won’t survive the next 10 years without significant reinvention. Small and mid-sized business (SMB) leaders are especially vulnerable—often held back by cost constraints, limited internal capability, and scarce time or capacity to drive transformation. But there’s a better way forward.  

Meet Athena & the BusinessGPS.ai System 

BusinessGPS.ai offers a practical, AI-powered framework designed specifically for SMB leaders. It focuses on building adaptive, investment-ready organizations using a proven “Adopt, Adapt, Ascend” approach that starts with a simple, fast, and free strategic assessment powered by Athena Executive — your digital transformation coach. We’ve engineered this model to break the “one big transformation every 5 years” cycle, and instead build a habit of continuous improvement, smarter decisions, and faster execution — without overwhelming teams or draining budgets.  Here’s how BusinessGPS.ai, Athena Executive, and our Opportunity-to-Operations (O2O) transformation method score against PwC’s nine strategic focus areas, grouped by theme:  

? Theme 1: Reinvention & External Pressure 

    1. Long‑Term Viability & Reinvention

Score: 9/10CEO Problem: Doubts about long-term survivalSMB Advantage: 

      • Adopt a clear, actionable strategy fast 
      • Adapt using Athena-guided prioritization 
      • Ascend with an always-ready business modelResults: Better visibility, lower cost of trial-and-error, strategic confidence 
    1. Pressure from Megatrends (Tech, Climate, Customer Shift)

Score: 8/10CEO Problem: Overwhelmed by changeSMB Advantage: 

      • Scenario-model with AI to stress-test decisions 
      • Use CIO avatars to add board-level insightResults: More agile budgeting, better timing, less rework 
    1. Efficiency Drain & AI Potential

Score: 9/10CEO Problem: 40% of CEO time is wastedSMB Advantage: 

      • Automate reports, workflows, and tracking 
      • Focus leadership time on high-leverage tasksResults: More strategic time, less burnout, faster progress 

 

? Theme 2: Sustainability & Resource Reallocation 

    1. Climate & ESG Trade-offs

Score: 7/10CEO Problem: ESG seen as a costSMB Advantage: 

      • Link ESG to measurable ROI 
      • AI advisors help justify green investmentsResults: Attract investors, improve brand, avoid wasteful compliance 
    1. Resource Reallocation

Score: 8/10CEO Problem: Inertia in shifting budget/timeSMB Advantage: 

      • Athena flags stuck initiatives 
      • O2O identifies high-ROI pivotsResults: Faster reallocation, higher return on effort 
    1. Regulatory & Talent Shortfalls

Score: 8/10CEO Problem: Skills and rules change too fastSMB Advantage: 

      • Digital avatars bring affordable expertise 
      • AI tracks compliance and skills readinessResults: De-risked scaling, smaller learning curve 

 

? Theme 3: Technology Adoption & Risk 

    1. Generative AI Strategy

Score: 9/10CEO Problem: Lots of promise, little planSMB Advantage: 

      • Use Athena to map where AI fits your business 
      • Learn by doing with low-risk pilotsResults: Competitive edge, smarter operations, lower entry cost 
    1. Cybersecurity & Misinformation

Score: 8/10CEO Problem: Rising risks with limited defenceSMB Advantage: 

      • Embedded security planning 
      • Avatars guide safe data useResults: Fewer breaches, investor confidence, governance readiness 
    1. Strategic Risk Management

Score: 8/10CEO Problem: Risks are growing—but strategies lagSMB Advantage: 

      • Always-on oversight through Athena 
      • O2O planning anticipates scenariosResults: More informed boards, fewer blind spots, agile pivots 

 

? Summary Table 

BusinessGPS impact on PwC Strategic focus for SMBs

? Overall Impact Synopsis 

Average Score: 8.4/10Top SMB Outcomes: 

  • An adaptive company that's easier to fund, partner with, or sell 
  • A CEO reputation that reflects agility, foresight, and strategic clarity 
  • A transformation model that builds capability over time without overwhelming the business 

With BusinessGPS.ai, SMBs no longer need to bet everything on “one big change.” Instead, you move with confidence—one smart step at a time.  

? Take the First Step Today — It’s Free 

Athena Executive is your AI-powered transformation strategist, ready to: 

  • Diagnose your current strategy 
  • Create a custom roadmap in one day 
  • Guide your company from where it is to where it needs to go 

✅ No consultants. No complexity. No cost. ✅ Just you, your business, and the tools to win the future. 

? Start now with your FREE Athena Executive Success Map Assessment

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