Key Business Services CEOs Can’t Ignore: October 2024

October 2024 Business Trends

As CEOs navigate today’s complex business environment, adapting and responding to challenges is crucial. Professional design is key, so companies are looking into their options for resources and tools. Corporate messaging regarding brand identity and crisis management is also a key factor for business success.

Current trends on Clutch and Google for October show that three key areas are trending upward, showing the need for growing companies to supplement their business efforts by finding opportunities to improve their positioning:

To sustain success, business leaders must determine which services can build their brand in competitive markets.

From Sketch to Screen: The Impact of AI on Design Creation

Design remains a requirement for businesses - even with the influx of AI-powered design tools. Business owners are looking for guidance when it comes to crafting specialized designs for their company. Clutch data shows a 24.5% MoM increase in demand for design services in September 2024, citing heightened interest in the service.

Interest in the term “logo design ai” has hovered around peak popularity (between 84-92%)  worldwide over the past month, showcasing the need business owners have to supplement their design needs either through specialized AI tools to save time, resources, and money, or by making the call to outsource design support externally.

Professional design helps build a cohesive and memorable brand identity, which increases engagement and can help gain a competitive advantage. While marketing teams will help develop a new logo design or similar project, business leaders will decide on what represents their vision.

Another consideration is whether a team should look externally for design services or find ways to mass-produce design initiatives in-house. While AI-powered design tools can help teams avoid repetitive tasks, use analytics to create personalized designs, and generate prototypes quickly for feedback, research shows that they are still in the early stages and likely won’t replace outside design support anytime soon.

Ideally, a design agency will provide any context your team needs that a tool lacks. Professional designers stay updated on industry trends, which ensures all materials remain current and relevant. Design agencies can supplement production tools or products, making them a valuable resource.

By investing in design services, business owners can enhance their brand, improve customer interactions, and ultimately drive growth.

Why Investing in Corporate Messaging Matters

As a business leader, controlling your company’s reputation is important. However, this can be harder in the age of social media, when smartphones can capture any employee’s public embarrassment and impact your standing. As companies grow, this becomes increasingly of a concern.

How the public perceives your company matters—this is proven in the spike of queries (hovering between 50% and 100% peak popularity) for “business corporate identity” in search. Clutch data is seeing a similar pattern—interest in corporate identity and corporate communications services has increased in demand by up to 30% MoM in September 2024.

Your marketing team will primarily focus on crafting the right messaging when you go public or launch a new service, but as the company leader, you will be making the final call.

A well-defined corporate identity conveys credibility, which instills trust in stakeholders and customers. There are also internal benefits – a strong corporate identity boosts employee morale.

Hiring an experienced corporate communications firm offers several advantages, such as delivering an objective perspective and offering innovative solutions not found in-house. Outsourcing this work allows your team to focus on core business functions, saving resources while ensuring high-quality results.  

But what happens when your corporate identity does hit a snag? This is where crisis communication comes into play.

How Transactional Approaches Enhance Crisis Communication

If a high-stress situation occurs, business owners must be alert to protect and enhance their company’s reputation. Crisis communications firms work with their clients on media relations, strategic guidance, messaging, and, of course, crisis management.

Clutch data shows an over 23% MoM increase in demand for crisis communication services in September 2024. In a world where information spreads rapidly, having a crisis communications firm on your side can make a significant difference in how a crisis or transition is managed.

Over the past year, “transactional leadership” has been trending between 80% and 100% peak popularity on Google in the United States. As organizations seek effective leadership strategies, there’s growing interest in understanding different management styles.

Transactional leadership is a management style focusing on structured tasks and clear roles. When situations arise, transactional leadership is more reactive in addressing problems, which relates directly to crisis communication services.

Organizations with transactional leaders will likely have established crisis communication plans, but an expert firm specializing in crisis management can help with their preparation.

Essential Business Services Trending in October 2024

Emerging trends in design, corporate identity, and crisis communications are reshaping how organizations connect with their stakeholders while managing their reputations. CEOs should look to invest in compelling design to not only enhance their brand’s visual identity but also foster emotional connections with customers.

A strong brand presence can help in crowded marketplaces, while effective crisis communications strategies ensure your organization can swiftly address issues in turbulent times.

By prioritizing these areas, CEOs can build a resilient brand identity that thrives in the face of challenges while ultimately driving growth in today’s business landscape.

Use Clutch as a resource to find the right service providers that will provide these outputs for your business.

About the Author

Anna Peck Content Marketing Manager at Clutch

Anna Peck is a content marketing manager at Clutch, where she crafts content on digital marketing, SEO, and public relations. In addition to editing and producing engaging B2B content, she plays a key role in Clutch’s awards program and contributed content efforts. Originally joining Clutch as part of the reviews team, she now focuses on developing SEO-driven content strategies that offer valuable insights to B2B buyers seeking the best service providers.

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