As 2023 comes to a close, we reflect on the year past and look forward to the year to come.
We think about some of the notable events of the year: a new King of England, the passing of music legends Tina Turner, Sinead O’Connor, and Fairytale of New York singer Sean McGowan. Barbie is released and the epic tale of Oppenheimer hit the movies. Twitter is rebranded to X, ChatGPT and Artificial Intelligence accelerates on the crest of the latest wave of innovation.
Tragically, earthquakes in Syria and Turkey with some 50,000 souls lost, wildfires in Maui devastating the island paradise, political turmoil around the world including in the United States, war rages in Ukraine with little end in sight, mass shootings continue as an epidemic, especially in the U.S., with the most this year since 1983.
Then the Israel-Hamas war breaks out.
2023 saw India matching China as the most populous country on the planet with close to 1.4 billion people – between China and India having some 35% of the global population.
We also reflect on the year gone by for 4xi, our partners and clients and we are proud to have navigated and grown in the dynamic landscape of 2023, including the challenges and opportunities before us:
Global Economic Rebound: In the aftermath of the challenges posed by the global pandemic, 2023 witnessed a remarkable economic rebound.
Climate Change Imperatives: The urgency of addressing climate change reached new heights in 2023 and will continue to increase in importance and as a global imperative.
Technological Advancements: 4xi, leveraging its expertise, with the forthcoming 4xAI generative platform, the re-launch of our Elevate© operations performance App, and DATAxi, our data visualization and dashboarding tool. We are also helping organizations explore the future with Workplace Apps.
Market Dynamics: Market dynamics continue to evolve, impacting businesses. 4xi's strategic insights and market reviews enable clients to make informed decisions, mitigating potential disruptions and capitalizing on emerging opportunities.
Rise of Remote Work: The rise of remote work became a permanent fixture in the business landscape. 4xi assisted clients in optimizing on-site and remote work structures, fostering employee engagement, and maintaining productivity in hybrid work environments.
Pressure on Real Estate: Long on the cards for retail real estate, post-pandemic, commercial real estate and office space is under pressure from over development and under occupancy with little hope that it will return to what it once was.
Evolving Consumer & Employee Behavior: Consumer and employee behavior continued with significant evolution, influencing market trends and demands. 4xi's expertise in the Human Experience (HX), empowered clients to adapt their offerings and experience strategies, with both CX and EX experiences that align with these evolving preferences.
Some of our most notable engagements in 2023 included:
Market Research: Healthcare and Senior Living: In response to the evolving needs of our healthcare and senior living clients, 4xi has delved into extensive market research endeavors. Our team has leveraged cutting-edge methodologies to provide actionable insights, enabling our clients to navigate the complexities of the healthcare sector and senior living communities with confidence.
Potential Acquisition Research: 4xi has played a pivotal role in guiding clients through potential acquisition strategies. Our rigorous research methodologies and comprehensive analysis have empowered organizations to make informed decisions, identifying lucrative opportunities for growth and expansion.
Global Amenities Framework: 4xi has crafted comprehensive global amenities frameworks. This strategic initiative elevates client's brand positioning by enhancing the overall employee experience. Our innovative approach has set a new standard, seamlessly integrating amenities into the core of the employee experience and employer brand proposition.
Hospitality Experiences for Multi-Tenant Properties: Recognizing the emerging need for multi-tenant properties to attract and retain tenants, 4xi partnered with property owners to activate these spaces through tailored hospitality experiences increasing tenant satisfaction and maximizing revenue potential of these dynamic environments.
Customer Experience and Employee Experience: 4xi has been at the forefront of shaping exceptional customer and employee experiences in airline lounges. Our strategic insights and execution have enhanced both customer satisfaction and employee engagement, creating a holistic approach that sets our clients apart in the market.
Innovation and Growth Strategies: Collaborating with innovators across industries, 4xi has facilitated the development and implementation of growth strategies. Our forward-thinking approach has empowered clients to stay ahead of the curve, embracing innovation as a catalyst for sustained success.
Service Providers Pursuits and Human Experience Enhancement: 4xi has played a pivotal role in supporting service providers in major pursuits and enhancing the human experience proposition for various clients. Our strategies have not only secured lucrative opportunities for service providers but have also enriched the overall experience for end-users.
In 2023, we launched CRITERION Benchmarking - a peer-to-peer learning platform with surveys, polls, and insights into some of the most relevant topics of the moment. An opportunity to learn from others and gain insights into thinking and trends in the market. This year so far, we have published reports on such matters as:
Return to Work Strategies
Workplace Technology
Health & Wellness
Sustainability
Foodservice Operations
We have also taken commissioned reports on the Healthcare and Senior Living Markets, What Employees Want? and the North American Foodservice Market. We believe that leaders and organizations yearn for data and insights, and CRITERION Benchmarking serves that need with world-class data, benchmarking, and reports.
Looking Forward to 2024
In 2024, 4xi Global Consulting is set to embark on new ventures with two new practices and two product launches early in the new year.
The launch of FoodCraft, our foodservice consulting practice provides audits and quality assurance reviews and tools, whilst CREATE., our creative design and marketing practice meets clients brand building and broadcasting needs.
Our 4xAI, generative platform, will further expand our capabilities into 2024.
Additionally, the introduction of the TRUE NORTH© virtual learning academy demonstrates our commitment to fostering continuous learning and growth for organizations of all sizes to win better, retain better business.
As we bid farewell to 2023, we remain dedicated to driving innovation, fostering strategic partnerships, and delivering unparalleled value to our clients. We look forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, confident in our ability to shape the future of global business.
We also pray for peace, love, and joy in the year to come. We pray for our planet, the children of the world, and all those impacted by hardship. We look forward to continuing our journey, better together, in 2024.
Simon Elliot is Managing Partner and co-founder of 4xi Global Consulting & Solutions and is focused on a people-first approach to enable optimum Human Experiences for people away from home: at work, in education, at rest, or at leisure.
Simon believes that Experience Matters! applies in many different ways and is the fundamental foundation of a successful business, no matter the business.
Simon is a global citizen, having lived, worked, and traveled to over 45 countries and six continents, and believes in the power of human potential. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors, a Member of the Institute of Leadership & Management, and the North America Chair of the WORKTECH Academy.
4xi Global Consulting & Solutions is a team of talented leaders from both the client-side and service provider side, impacting the Human Experience (HX) for people at work, in education, rest, and at leisure.
We believe in a people-first, experience-led philosophy. Whether client, employee, or guest – their experience is the fundamental foundation of success.
We work with corporations, service providers, and innovators:
Strategic Advisory & Special Projects (SPx)
Headquarters Fractional Support On-Demand
Evolving Experiences© - Employee (EX) & Customer Experience (CX)
Design4Life©: Environmental, Physical, and Experiential Design
Global Amenities Strategy, Design & Operations
TRUE NORTH©: Strategic Partnership & Growth
Explorers Innovation Directory: Gateway to Innovation
Sustainability Simplified©: Supply Chain & Innovation
Market Research Reports & Benchmarking
4xi is proud to be Chair of WORKTECH Academy for North America and a member of its Leadership Advisory Board. 4xi is a Global Ambassador for WORKTECH Academy.
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