Board directors are looking ahead with a strong focus on growth, operational effectiveness, and governance as companies pursue innovation through technology investments and transactions.

BDO recently polled over 200 public company board directors, revealing ongoing concerns with cybersecurity and data protection, the rapid pace of technological change, shifting demand for products and services, and macroeconomic unpredictability.

Here is a preview of the key findings:

What’s on Deck for Growth

Boards appear bullish about the opportunity for both deals (30%) and product/service innovation (31%). Success in these areas hinges on strong implementation and integration plans that consider culture, technology, and operational excellence.

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Where are Board’s Investing

Top strategic and compliance-related investment areas for the next 12 months include: 

Emerging Technologies



Product/Service Innovation (R&D)



Cybersecurity, Data Privacy & Governance


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Technology Readiness and Skillsets

Opportunities in Generative AI

Boards see significant opportunities in generative AI, particularly in product/service development (41%) and customer experience (34%) — notably both consumer-facing.

Time Consuming Implementation

Nearly 1/3 (32%) say advancing the use of emerging technology implementation will require the most board time and attention.

Lack of Skill/Experience

13% of directors and 12% of management teams do not have appropriate skill/experience to oversee emerging technology and cybersecurity.

Slow Implementation

23% somewhat or strongly believe their company is lagging in technological implementation.

External Help

44% plan to seek external assistance for oversight of technological innovation and implementation.

The Human Element

Directors also considering the skills and experiences that enhance their ability to govern and develop the C-suite to drive long-term strategy.

Only four percent of directors rank optimizing culture and workforce management as a priority and 11% plan to reduce workforce investments. Yet, talent retention and evolving workforce landscape emerge as in the top five most time-consuming risks.

Top 5 Skillsets and Experiences to Enhance Composition

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Board Members

1. Technology and innovation (42%)
2. Cybersecurity (35%)
3. Industry experience (34%)
4. M&A/transactional (28%) (tie)
5. Operational transformation/change management (28%) (tie)

2

Management Teams

1. Operational transformation/change management (44%)
2. Technology and innovation (38%)
3. International experience (30%)
4. People and culture (25%) (tie)
5. Industry experience (25%) (tie)

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Turning Oversight into Foresight

Boards continue to spend 2025 navigating regulatory changes, geopolitical conflicts, and rapidly changing economic news. Within such a dynamic environment, directors report opportunities for improvement in proactive risk management and planning. 

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Only 39% indicate high effectiveness at robust and timely C-suite succession planning; while 19% feel they are somewhat or highly ineffective.

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Only 28% believe their boards and management teams are highly effective at crisis management preparation; while 14% and 18%, respectively, are believed to be somewhat or highly ineffective.

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Only 41% say their management team is highly effective at-risk identification and mitigation; while 13% indicate somewhat or highly ineffective.

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Additionally, 50% believe the board is highly effective at challenging management’s judgments and estimates but 14% indicate room to improve management’s ability to provide accurate and agile forecasts and estimates.

The full results of the 2025 BDO Board Survey will be available this fall. Sign up here to receive your copy. 

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