KPMG’s latest annual survey of 400 Australian business leaders, reported five top challenges for 2023 and predictions for the next 3–5 years, as our “new normal” is impacted by a rapidly escalating cost of living, the war in Europe, and a global economic downturn.

Exploring the challenges Australian Associations are facing in 2023 with a group of around 25 CEOs recently, the themes identified in the KPMG report resonated; however, the following top five issues are keeping these CEOs up at night:

1. Sustainability, in particular sustainable funding, fundraising, income diversification, and investment portfolios indicative of a strong focus on securing financial resources to support the organisation's activities and concern with ensuring the long-term viability.

2. Member engagement and retention, including keeping members informed and growing membership, relating to the perennial need to focus on building relationships with members and increasing their participation in the organisation.

3. Digital transformation through updating technologies and adopting emerging digital technologies to increase efficiency and reach to a broader audience as well as assisting with future-proofing the organisation.

4. Talent acquisition and management through attracting and retaining skilled employees, as well as the need to consider board composition and skill mix, to support the organisation's current and future needs.

5. Advocacy to influence public policy or public opinion to support the organisation's goals and affect real and lasting change, remaining relevant, getting in the room with government, and managing external threats.

Themes from my small CEO focus group represent perennial and emerging issues for associations. Overall, this suggests the key challenges in 2023 for Association CEOs in Australia include building strong relationships with members, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the organisation, adopting digital technologies, and securing and supporting talented staff and capable directors.

View the KPMG survey here. 

Do these challenges reflect your experience in 2023? 

An Opinion Piece by Andrew Gosbell, Associations Advisor, Associations Forum written 29 March 2023.