Our M. AllenĀ Blog

Our latest thought leadership and insights with key strategies to win in a challenging market.

Is your business around in a decade?

Jun 25, 2025

Hey there, I’m Matt Slonaker, and as I dive into the latest insights shared by Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva, I can’t help but feel a sense of urgency—and opportunity—staring us all in the face. The PwC CEO Survey data she highlighted is nothing short of a seismic shift in the business world: 45% of CEOs, up from 39% just two years ago in 2023, now admit they don’t believe their current business will remain viable in a decade if they continue down the same path. That’s nearly half of the C-suite sounding the alarm! And it doesn’t stop there—almost half of all executives are also convinced their existing business models won’t survive the evolving landscape. These statistics aren’t just numbers; they’re a clarion call for reinvention, a reminder that standing still in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world is the equivalent of stepping backward.

At Firstsource, we’ve been watching these trends closely, and they resonate deeply with the mission we’ve embraced. The world is changing at an unprecedented pace—disruptive technologies, shifting consumer expectations, and global economic pressures are reshaping industries overnight. Clinging to outdated strategies is like watching a ship take on water while we debate whether to rearrange the deck chairs. That’s where our unBPO approach comes into play. We’re not here to slap a Band-Aid on old processes or simply outsource tasks for the sake of cost-cutting. Instead, we’re committed to reimagining how businesses operate, helping our clients pivot with agility and foresight to not just survive but thrive in this new era.

Dr. Nadya’s practical advice to set a 15-minute timer and tackle some hard-hitting questions really strikes a chord with me. She suggests asking, “Which part of my business will be irrelevant in 24 months?”—a question that forces us to confront the reality of obsolescence head-on. Then there’s, “What’s one offer my best client secretly wants but hasn’t asked for?” which opens the door to untapped potential in customer relationships. And finally, “Which part of my P&L needs to be reinvented before the market forces it?”—a prompt that demands a proactive look at financial sustainability. These aren’t easy questions to answer, and they certainly don’t come with immediate certainty. But that’s the beauty of her approach, and it aligns perfectly with what we do at Firstsource. We can partner with you to dig into these challenges, bringing our deep expertise in process optimization, cutting-edge technology, and customer experience to the table. Our team doesn’t just analyze; we collaborate to identify the weak spots, the hidden opportunities, and the areas ripe for transformation before they become liabilities.

The unBPO philosophy is at the heart of how we differentiate ourselves. Traditional outsourcing models often focus on efficiency within a fixed framework, but unBPO—unshackled Business Process Optimization—breaks free from those constraints. We work hand-in-hand with our clients, co-creating tailored solutions that address their unique challenges and unlock new possibilities. For instance, we might leverage AI and automation to streamline operations, reducing costs while boosting productivity. Or we could rethink your customer engagement strategies, using data analytics to uncover insights that lead to more personalized, profitable interactions. Maybe it’s identifying untapped revenue streams by reimagining your product or service offerings—whatever the need, we’re equipped to help you act with clarity, not perfection, as Dr. Nadya wisely emphasizes. Reinvention doesn’t wait for a perfect plan; it starts with taking that first bold step, and we’re here to guide you through it.

Let’s break this down further. The rise from 39% to 45% in CEOs doubting their business’s future viability over two years suggests a growing awareness of disruption, but also a lag in action. Many leaders know change is coming, yet they’re paralyzed by the complexity or the fear of missteps. That’s where Firstsource steps in as a true partner. We bring a wealth of experience across industries—healthcare, financial services, telecom, and more—to offer a 360-degree view of what’s working and what’s not. Our unBPO framework isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution; it’s a dynamic, flexible approach that adapts to your specific context. For example, if a part of your business is at risk of becoming irrelevant—say, a legacy process overtaken by digital alternatives—we can help you map out a transition plan, integrating new technologies and upskilling your workforce to stay competitive. If your P&L shows bloated costs in areas that no longer deliver value, we can pinpoint those inefficiencies and redesign them with a focus on long-term resilience.

And it’s not just about fixing what’s broken. Dr. Nadya’s question about what your best client secretly wants is a goldmine for growth. At Firstsource, we use advanced analytics and customer feedback tools to uncover these hidden needs, turning insights into actionable strategies. Maybe your clients crave a more seamless omnichannel experience, or perhaps they’d value a subscription model over one-time purchases—whatever it is, we can help you prototype and test these ideas quickly, minimizing risk while maximizing impact. This proactive stance is what sets us apart: we don’t wait for the market to force change; we anticipate it and act decisively.

The timing couldn’t be better, either. With today being June 25, 2025, and summer in full swing, Dr. Nadya’s mention of free Reinvention Sessions is a fantastic opportunity to kickstart this journey. These live, practical, and open-to-all events are a chance to connect with thought leaders, share ideas, and build momentum. At Firstsource, we’re thrilled to be part of this conversation, offering our expertise to help attendees turn insights into action. Whether you join us virtually or in person, our team will be there to provide real-world solutions, from optimizing workflows to rethinking business models entirely.

In the end, this is about more than just survival—it’s about leadership. The businesses that will lead in the next decade are the ones that embrace reinvention now. At Firstsource, we’re committed to being your ally in this process, leveraging our unBPO approach to turn challenges into opportunities. So, let’s not wait for certainty or perfection. Let’s start today—set that 15-minute timer, ask the tough questions, and let’s work together to build a future-proof business. I’m excited to see where this journey takes us, and I’m confident that with Firstsource by your side, we’ll navigate these waters with confidence and creativity. Let’s get started!