Search Results

America This Week. The latest trends in culture and society from The Harris Poll. As of this posting, the outcome of congressional control remains uncertain. But over the weekend, Americans told us they hold little illusion much will change for the better anytime soon. In our America This Week survey fielded November 4th to 6th, 2022, among 2,007 U.S. adults, three-quarters worry about political divisiveness. And on key midterm issues, Republicans are slightly more concerned about the economy/inflation (92%) and crime (91%) vs. Democrats (89% and 83%, respectively). But Democrats are more worried about Ukraine (79%) and new COVID variants (75%) v. Republicans (67%, 47%). Here's what else you need to know this week: With Bloomberg, many job seekers regret not starting earlier when the economy was brighter. Then with USA Today, The Hill, and WSJ, we ask what Twitter users are thinking about Musk's future impact on freedom of speech (and if they'll accept a paywall). Also, our CEO John Gerzema and CSO Libby Rodney gave a talk at the Forbes 2022 CMO Summit on the underlying values and needs driving everything from the Metaverse to Quiet Quitting. Lastly, we examine urban residents' awareness and usage of smart city tech with Emerging Tech Brew. To hear about these stories and more, check out our America This Week: From The Harris Poll podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, where our CEO John Gerzema and CSO Libby Rodney dive into the numbers. For any polling ideas, reach out to atw@harrispoll.com. Lastly, check out the America This Week monthly summary slide deck and tabs for more insights into inflation and the state of America. Download the latest report here. - John Gerzema & Will Johnson 1. Job Switching FOMO: Bloomberg-Harris Poll In a new Harris Poll study with Bloomberg, American job seekers regret not starting their job searches sooner as layoffs and freezes in tech threaten to spill out into other sectors. More than 7 in 10 (71%) of those looking to switch jobs say the job search is more complicated than anticipated. Close to two-thirds (63%) say they've searched for a new job for over six months, and nearly half (48%) report applying to more than fifty positions. Frustration mounts as nearly three-quarters (72%) of job seekers say that companies are acting like they don't want to hire anyone (e.g., ignoring applications, failing to schedule interviews, etc.). This leaves two-thirds (66%) to say they regret not starting the search sooner, while (63%) believe it would have been easier to switch jobs a year or two ago. They'll take anything: Half (51%) of job seekers agree that, at this point, they would take any job offer. Takeaway: "As the Federal Reserve raises interest rates to combat inflation, the U.S. economy is showing mixed signals. Businesses reported strong hiring and wage increases last month, but unemployment is ticking higher, and firms including Twitter Inc., Intel Corp., and Lyft Inc. are cutting staff. For those on the ground, the current economic conditions are surprisingly challenging – a big change from last year when workers had all the leverage" (Bloomberg). 2. Cheering (and Jeering) Musk's Takeover: USA Today-Harris Poll, The Hill, and WSJ In light of Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover, we find both critics and fans, something advertisers need to keep in mind as they consider pausing spending on the platform. Something companies may need to keep in mind as they consider marketing pauses. In a new Harris Poll with USA Today and also covered in The Hill and the Wall Street Journal, we delve into both sides of the debate. First, the critics start with female Twitter users, who are less likely to support Musk's ownership (63% v. men: 70%). Gen Z users are also more likely to believe Musk will hurt Twitter's product quality (53%), freedom of the press (44%), and free speech on the internet (37%) compared to older users. And both women and Gen Z users are less willing to pay a monthly subscription compared to men (28% v. 44%) and Millennials (35% v. 53%). However, there are also fans of Musk's takeover: Two-thirds (67%) of Twitter users support Musk owning Twitter, especially Republicans (79%), parents with minor children (74%), urban residents (72%), men (70%), and Millennials (70%). Additionally, Twitter users believe Musk will positively impact increasing free speech on the internet (70%) and freedom of the press (65%). And while over 8 in 10 (84%) Americans find free speech on social media important, the majority of Republicans (57%), men (56%), rural (55%), and white Americans (53%) find it "very important." Lastly, more of these frequent Twitter users, such as Republicans (42% v. Dems 32%), Millennials (40% v. Gen Z: 26%), Men (36% v. Women: 26%), and Black Americans (36% v. White: 32%) say they'll now spend more time on the platformthat Musk owns it (v. all Twitter users: 31%). Takeaway: While a paywall looks challenging (in people's stated opinions), when we look at the Twitter advertising pause, it's important to listen to both narratives. Despite critics, many Twitter users are excited about Musk's ownership and the prospects of greater freedom of speech. As a result, the overall profile might move to more male, older, and slightly more conservative. But whether brand safety (bots, trolling, misinformation) assures advertisers is another story. 3. Not What You Think: Forbes CMO Summit Harris Poll CEO John Gerzema and CSO Libby Rodney were in Miami to give a talk at the 2022 Forbes CMO Summit on how human values and needs are what matters when you look at trends like quiet quitting, cryptocurrencies and social media. (Here’s a link to the video) Three-quarters (76%) of business leaders believe that changing generational values will impact their business operations in the coming year. Yet, these same leaders paid less attention to NFTs, cryptocurrencies, and the metaverse despite these movements garnering greater interest among younger Americans. TikTok's undercover learning: (81%) of Gen Z and Millennials think ongoing education is core to their ability for financial stability, which points to TikTok as a driver of information: "TikTok is an undercover learning channel" with over 6 in 10 (63%) Gen Z users regularly visiting the app to learn something. Making money in the metaverse: Three-quarters (73%) of Millennials think the metaverse will provide lucrative career paths and money-making opportunities – and as a result, companies are investing in metaverse expansions and research. Web3 is about access and ownership: (87%) of Americans want increased control of personal data, decentralized social media platforms (77%), and an open web free from walled gardens (77%) in the next iteration of the internet. Takeaway: "It’s important to understand what these generational values are,” said Harris CSO Libby Rodney. Values drive how leaders operate – and thus their marketing strategies. Catch up on the full discussion here. 4. Cities Get Smart: Emerging Tech Brew-Harris Poll In partnership with Emerging Tech Brew, we asked what the average city resident thinks about intelligent city tech. We found that most (87%) of city residents found it essential for their city to invest in emerging technologies – but not every resident supports each initiative equally. Most intelligent city technologies had solid support from city residents – except for autonomous robotaxi services, with less than half in support (42%): Overall, Gen Z and Millennial city residents reported being more aware of smart city tech, as well as much more likely to use the tech weekly compared to older residents (Gen Z: 44%, Millennials: 51% v. Gen X: 37%, Boomers: 16%). When it comes to smart city preferences, city size seems to play a role: Those in cities with metro areas of under 1 million tend to view such tech as less criticalthan their larger-city counterparts, and they were also less engaged with or awareof smart city tech in their cities. Perhaps unsurprisingly, smaller-city residents were also less likely to view their cities as particularly innovative, with just (16%) saying they find their city very innovative, compared to (43%) for larger cities. Takeaway: "These days, a smart city professional is more likely to talk your ear off not about cutting-edge technology but something much more analog: the average city resident's wants and needs. That's because some experts say there's been a shift in posture recently from flashy to functional. Gone are the days when would-be smart cities dream only of electric sheep, the new conventional wisdom goes" (Emerging Tech Brew).

The Insight. The latest trends from The Harris Poll. So far, it’s a September to not remember. All three major U.S. indexes, The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq, are careening towards their worst performance since 2002’s dot com bubble. This isn’t lost on the American public: In our new survey fielded from September 23rd to 25th, 2022, among 1,992 U.S. adults, over eight-in-ten (83%) are concerned about the economy and inflation, and (81%) of a potential U.S. recession. This week nearly three-quarters (74%) worry about affording their living expenses. Here's what else you need to know this week: In critical new data released from The CVS-Harris Poll National Health Project, American teens talk candidly about mental health and suicide prevention and what they see as a lack of resources and conversation from the world around them. And maybe you're being coaxed (or dragged) back to the office. New Harris data shows a higher tolerance level for your coworker's links to hybrid working. (Apparently, switching it up between the office and home makes you a more sociable person to work with). Also, as companies increasingly stress their mission and culture, new data shows that articulating purpose correlates with employee retention. And while quiet quitting is all the rage (we wrote about it early on), your employees might have a telling sign: Harris employee surveying shows that upskilling is code for looking for a new job. Check out our America This Week: From The Harris Poll podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts with Harris Poll CEO John Gerzema and CSO Libby Rodney on this week’s data and more. - John Gerzema & Will Johnson1. America’s Teens Have Ideas on Suicide Prevention: CVS Health-Harris Poll National Health ProjectNew data from the CVS Health - Harris Poll National Health Project reveals that teens have a unique perspective on the suicide crisis affecting their generation that is different and more nuanced than the more prominent U.S. adult population. And their insights are critical to helping understand the catalysts and crisis points, which could help prevention. Social isolation: More than any other age group, two-thirds (66%) of American teens (13-17) point to the loss of social relationships during the pandemic as a significant contributor to rising teen suicide rates among their generation (v. gen pop 18+: 58%). Strife in their social and home life environments: Teens are also more likely to report increased relationship problems (59%) and family financial struggles (58%) (v. gen pop 18+: 46%, 47%, respectively) Bottling up: While nearly (75%) of teens say they have people in their social circle they could talk to about their mental health, a third (34%) say they don't talk to anyone about their mental health. Failure to communicate: Close to half of teens (44%) report that no one has ever reached out to them to discuss suicide and suicide prevention, and nearly 6 in 10 (59%) teens say they have never talked about suicide and suicide prevention with their parents. Friends in need: Over half (54%) of teens report knowing people in their social circle who are struggling with mental health (v. gen pop (18+): 49%), yet close to half of teens (44%) also say that no one has ever reached out to them to discuss suicide and suicide prevention. A generation interrupted: Harris's research with The CDC on teenage mental health during the pandemic shows the profound, structural dislocations in their lives from identity to education, economics, and more. But teens are breaking the stigma in seeking mental health: Our long-standing APA/Harris Poll Stress in America Report reveals that teens are the generational cohort most likely to say they are in therapy and see it differently than older Americans –– as a proactive means of health and wellness. Takeaway: "We want to be laser-focused on intervening with this age group and customizing the kinds of interventions that are going to be effective in changing this trajectory," says Flora Vivaldo, head of clinical strategic initiatives at Aetna Behavioral Health, such as proactive outreach of support and resources along with youth-nominated support teams. 2. Hybrid Work is Happy WorkDoes Gene in accounting get on your nerves more than usual? It might have to do with where you work. New Harris Poll data finds that hybrid workers are the most tolerant of their coworkers: While (58%) of full-time office and (57%) of fully remote workers say their coworkers are annoying, less than half of hybrid workers think so (47%). Similarly, (58%) of full-time office and (56%) of fully remote workers think their coworkers are lazy, yet only (45%) of hybrid workers say the same. Similarly, both full-time office and remote employees were more likely to report having coworkers that are incompetent (53%, 50%) and bad at their job (53%, 49%) compared to their hybrid peers (46%, 39%, respectively). While half of American workers (51%) say they have coworkers who are hard to work with, more than two-thirds say they genuinely like most or all their coworkers (67%). American workers split into thirds on where they prefer to work: A third (34%) want to work from home permanently (-2%-pts Jan' 22); another third (33%) in the office permanently (+2%-pts), and the last third (33%) want to split time between the office and home (unchanged from Jan). Women and BIPOC workers favor remote work: Employed women (38%) and BIPOC women (48%) want to work remotely, as do Black employees (42%). Gen X prefers remote work (41%), Gen Z the office (44%), and Millennials hybrid (39%). (See our Bloomberg story on summer interns in empty U.S. offices). Takeaway: Look, we like to complain about our office mates. More than half of all American employees say they have annoying (55%), lazy (55%), and even weird and awkward (54%) colleagues. But hybrid working seems to bring more perspective or at least a change of pace which allows us to focus less on what bothers us and more on what to get done. 3. Purpose Leads To Retention: Kumanu-Harris Poll; Google Cloud-Harris PollIn a tight labor market, purpose in company values, principles, and ethics affects retaining talent and customer bases, according to multiple new Harris surveys. A Kumanu Harris Poll featured in Forbes reports that American employees are two times more likely to stay at a purpose-driven organization and four times more likely to be more engaged at work. Similarly, our PURPOSE Under Pressure report finds that (86%) of employees said having "meaning" in their work is more important than ever before – and (84%) even say they would only work at Purpose-driven companies and brands. Purpose retains customers as well: In partnership with Google Cloud, featured in Forbes, we found that (82%) of shoppers want a brand's value to align with their own and that three-quarters of shoppers (75%) have parted with brands over value conflicts. Takeaway: In our America This Week podcast, CEO John Gerzema and CSO Libby Rodney voiced a strong belief that HR is an untapped source of innovation in the twenty-first-century corporation. Think about it: What if human resources were elevated to the c-suite, becoming both a listener and catalyst of talent and, in turn, a connector of personal esteem and identity at work with the stated purpose and values of an organization? All these studies say the same thing: HR is needed now more than ever, not as a tactic but as a central strategy to a company's plan for growth. 4. Upskilling Is EscapingWhile most (72%) of American workers are satisfied with their job, it doesn't mean that people aren't actively looking to invest in themselves to move to bigger and brighter positions. But new Harris data shows that learning more skills and knowledge is often the first step among many would-be-job switchers. Two-thirds of employees (65%) say the main reason they are learning new skills and doing professional development is to advance their careers or switch positions; especially so among Millennials (74%), Black (71%), and Hispanics: (71%) professionals. At the same time, six in ten (60%) employees say they are exploring new opportunities (Black: 76%, Millennials: 72%, Hispanic: 65%), And (45%) say they actively seek a new job (Hispanic: 58%, Black: 53%, Millennials: 55%, Gen Z: 53%). The quiet quit continues: Close to half of employees (45%) agree they have stopped going above and beyond at their companies (Millennials: 55%, Gen Z: 53%). Wages are falling behind expenses: Over two-thirds (69%) report their salary isn't keeping up with inflation, and they could readily seek a job with higher pay (62%). Takeaway: What's driving the learn and leap trend? Risk management, for one: Four in ten Americans (42%) are anxious about losing their jobs (+4pts from last week). Meanwhile, in our data, employers have been criticized for not keeping promises to workers on training and development. As a result, American corporations need to hit the 're-set' button when investing in their workers and designing more customized pathways for talent to develop and thrive without leaving the hive. As a public service, our team has curated key insights to help leaders navigate COVID-19. Full survey results, tables, and weekly summaries can be accessed for free at The Harris Poll COVID-19 Portal. We will continue to actively field on a regular cadence to track the shifts in sentiment and behaviors as the news and guidelines evolve.

The Insight. The latest trends from The Harris Poll. In The Harris Poll Tracker (Week 134) fielded from September 16th to 18th, 2022 among 2,011 U.S. adults, Americans’ concern about the economy and inflation keep creeping up. Among their worries: (89%) the economy and inflation (+2% pts from last week) (86%) a potential U.S. recession (+3% pts) (73%) affording their living expenses (+4% pts) And these attitudes show signs of beginning to impact consumer spending confidence as half of Americans (49%) report feeling less comfortable splurging on the things they want to buy and are even spending less this month overall compared to last (44%). Here's what else you need to know this week… If Netflix wants to find a culprit for its business woes, it might look no further than young Americans. New Harris polling finds that Gen Z is America’s largest streaming stealers. And if you joined Kim Kardashian in calling out Instagram for changing its algorithm to be more like TikTok, you need to read how young people use social for learning and discovery instead of just cute friend photos. Young people have different attitudes toward customer service as well. New polling with Protocol finds Gen Z will be much more amenable to CX tech tools even if most older Americans clamor to press “0” for a real human being. Also, the labor market is strong for workers, with temporary workers and younger workers in high demand. And as a hedge against inflation, our new Roku and Harris Poll 2022 Holiday Survey finds holiday shoppers expect to increase spending on gifts and shop earlier. And finally, don’t miss our new polling on student loan attitudes in America, with Harris Poll CEO Will Johnson in Newsday. Check out our America This Week: From The Harris Poll podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts with Harris Poll CEO John Gerzema and CSO Libby Rodney on this week’s data and more. - John Gerzema & Will Johnson 1. Gen Z Are Dirty, Rotten, Streaming Stealers According to this weekend's Harris data, one-third (33%) of Americans are mooching off of family and friends for their streaming logins – which would be around 100 million individuals streaming content under someone else’s account. But Gen Z (ages 10-25) take password grifting to a new level: Young streaming criminals: Nearly two-thirds (63%) of Gen Z are using family and friends’ streaming logins to watch content (v. Millennials: 45%, Gen X: 30%, Boomers: 16%). Gen Z also steal passwords across most platforms: (62%) of Gen Z also admit using one to five of their family’s or friends’ streaming logins (v. gen pop: 39%) – and among those Gen Z’ers using family’s and friends’ logins, they, on average, are using two logins. Gen Z’ers are even streaming on ex’s accounts: It seems login pilfering is the modern equivalent of not returning your ex’s vinyl records. Close to 4 in 10 (37%) Gen Z report having used an ex-partner’s streaming login after a break-up (few weeks: 12%, few months: 13%), with over a tenth (12%) saying they still do currently. Takeaway: While Harris Poll data has previously found Gen Z to be both fiscally responsible and driven by values and ethics, it may not come as a surprise that they are sneaking on others' logins, as three-quarters of Gen Z Americans (79%) are worried over affording their living expenses and half (42%) report feeling less confident in spending money overall this month. Tough times seem to bring tough trade-offs. 2. Say Goodbye To Your Friends, The Algorithm Is Here To Stay While Boomers would prefer to keep their friends and family in their social media feeds, Gen Z is leading us into a new world of social media algorithms, according to our recent polling this week. Gen Z social media users say they would rather see the greater world’s contentwhen active on social media instead of their own family’s and friends' content (56% v. Gen X: 42%, Boomer: 31%). Two-thirds of Gen Z (65%) say that social media algorithms have increased the content they like to consume and be entertained by (v. Gen X: 48%, Boomers: 25%). Gen Z believes that algorithms have the potential to share more perspectives(57%, Boomers: 23%), while Boomers are more fearful about algorithms spreading misinformation (77% v. Gen Z: 43%). Gen Z is more likely to think TikTok will set the vision for the future of social media (58% v. Boomer: 42%), while Boomers think Instagram will set the vision (58% v. Gen Z: 42%). Takeaway: Algorithm tweaking has outraged everyone, including Kim Kardashian, who posted, “Make Instagram, Instagram again (stop trying to be TikTok, I just want to see cute photos of my friends).” But Kim’s a Millennial, and Gen Z is using social for search and discovery, not just party pics. This goes to the heart of a changing value system and style of learning focused on video-based education and micro-peer network credibility for news information. Make sure to check out our America This Week: From The Harris Poll podcast this Friday, where CEO John Gerzema and CSO Libby Rodney will dive into how Gen Z will shape future iterations of social media. 3. Operator Please, I Want to Talk to Someone: Protocol-Harris Poll In our latest survey with Protocol, we asked Americans what they want from their experiences as customers: talking to someone on the other end of the phone. A large majority of customers (70%) said they still prefer real-time communicationover chatbots and asynchronous communication (7%). When asked which factors contributed to a good customer experience, two-thirds (67%) said being able to speak to a customer service representative. In contrast, just a fifth (20%) chose chatbots and automated customer assistance systems (16%). (50%) feel that their customer service experiences have not changed comparedto the start of the pandemic, yet more/over a quarter (27%) say it’s gotten worse (v. better: 21%). Takeaway: “But if you’re a CXO reading this who just invested in a ton of automation technology, don’t panic just yet. Hope lives with the next generation. Our findings revealed that adults between the ages of 18 and 25 under-indexed on citing the availability of customer service agents as a contributing factor to good customer service. Less than half (45%) cited this, compared to (67%) of all U.S. adults and (77%) of those ages 50 and older. These results indicate that Gen Z will be much more amenable to CX tech tools and may even be ready to say goodbye to the customer service agent — or at least the human version.” (Protocol) 4. Booming Market for Temporary Workers: Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll Even with a cooling economy, hiring efforts in the U.S. continue to climb as hiring decision-makers look to fill empty positions, as we found in a new Harris Poll with Express Employment Professionals: Open positions skew to middle management/entry level: Those hiring told us that mid-level (55%) and entry-level (52%) open positions are most needed, with just around three in ten companies planning to hire senior-level employees (31%), individual contributors (26%), and C-suite executives (20%). U.S. hiring decision-makers will turn to recent grads, as more than half (51%) say their company plans to hire applicants from this group. Yet, given the current labor shortage, some companies may consider more temporary hires: A quarter of hiring managers (24%) report their plans to hire seasonal, temporary, or contract workers – an increase compared to 2021 (20%). Takeaway: "Today's workers are searching for flexibility, and with the severe skilled worker shortage, these assignments allow individuals opportunities to gain experience in various environments," Express Employment International CEO Bill Stoller said. "These shorter working stints can often lead to permanent employment, creating the perfect solution for today's tight labor market." 5. Spending is Steady/Earlier as Americans Prep For Holiday Shopping: Roku-Harris Poll According to our latest Harris Poll Weekly Tracker data and a recent survey with Roku, even in midst of record inflation, Americans are preparing for the holiday shopping season by saving now. We found over three-quarters of Americans (78%) report prioritizing more on saving and staying within their budget because of rising inflation rather than spending their money typically (22%). Close to half (44%) even reported spending less money overall this monthcompared to last, especially on big-ticket purchases (less: 48%). Yet despite inflation this holiday season, Americans plan to spend an average of $993 on holiday gifts, a (6%) increase from 2021. And more than half of the holiday shoppers (56%) either started or will start saving earlier this year to prepare for the holiday season, including (70%) of Millennials. Takeaway: "We see that holiday shoppers are not only spending more time streaming content but also looking up brand or product reviews after seeing an ad at record rates. This offers brands the opportunity to differentiate and engage with their audiences in ways that don't exist on traditional TV," said Connie Xu, Director of Brand Strategy at The Harris Poll. 6. Finding Common Ground on Student Loan Debt: New York Daily News-Harris Poll According to our CEO Will Johnson, in his latest op-ed for New York Daily News, nearly three-quarters of Americans say that the country’s $1.62 trillion in outstanding student loans qualifies as a crisis – but the closest thing to philosophy the public displays when it comes to addressing that crisis is informed self-interest. (54%) of the public supports the Administration’s plan to forgive up to $20,000 in federal loans, halving the minimum monthly payment from 10 to 5 percent (68%), and extending the COVID-era moratorium on loan payments through year’s end (63%). There is a healthy element of self-interest at work: Nearly four in five current loan-holders support the debt-forgiveness, yet, the figure drops to (54%) among those who no longer have loans. But self-interest can lead to contradictory and even incoherent beliefs: Solid majorities say both that forgiving loans now is unfair to those who have already paid off their debts (73%) and also that Biden’s proposal does not go far enough to help borrowers (61%). Two-thirds of Americans – including (65%) of Republicans and Democrats alike – favor giving those who have already paid off their student loans a refund equivalent to the debt forgiveness current debtors are in line to enjoy, for example. Takeaway: According to Johnson, “The area on which Americans most agree, however, has largely been unaddressed by the debate thus far. More than four out of five Americans (including 82% of Democrats and 86% of Republicans) said that lowering the cost of tuition is more important than forgiving student debt – which only makes sense. Debt forgiveness is ultimately just a bandage if the underlying cause is not addressed – and there’s a legitimate concern that paying debt down now will only send the cost of college higher.” As a public service, our team has curated key insights to help leaders navigate COVID-19. Full survey results, tables, and weekly summaries can be accessed for free at The Harris Poll COVID-19 Portal. We will continue to actively field on a regular cadence to track the shifts in sentiment and behaviors as the news and guidelines evolve.

The Insight. The latest trends from The Harris Poll. In The Harris Poll Tracker (Week 133) fielded from September 9th to 11th, 2022 among 2,046 U.S. adults, Americans are still fretting over the economy and inflation (87%, +1%-pt), a potential U.S. recession (83%, +3%-pt), U.S. crime rates (82%, +3%-pt), and even political divisiveness (75%, -1%-pt). Yet, at the same time, the new Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll (see below) reveals glints of optimism. Here's what else you need to know this week… Americans admire Queen Elizabeth II's leadership traits in new Harris polling. Also, people are skittish to admit that social media is their new Wikipedia. Then with the Transamerica Institute, we investigate the 'growing benefits bubble' as employee expectations and company policies widen. Lastly, new surveying with Google Cloud shows that nine in ten American consumers abandon their digital shopping carts for a straightforward reason. Check out our America This Week: From The Harris Poll podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts with Harris Poll CEO John Gerzema and CSO Libby Rodney on this week’s data and more. - John Gerzema & Will Johnson 1. The Slow Creep of Economic Optimism: Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll According to the September Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll in The Hill, our Harris Poll Chairman (and Stagwell Chairman/CEO) Mark Penn reports a cautious increase in optimism for the American economy. (Download the full report and listen to Mark/The Hill’s Bob Cusack podcast). It's not great, but getting better: While just a third of U.S. voters (32%) believe the country is on the right track (v. wrong track: 61%), it's an (8%-pt) increase from June's low where just (24%) felt the country was on the right track. And while just (30%) of voters believe the U.S. economy is on the right track (v. wrong track: 64%), this is also up for the third consecutive month from June's low (21%). And while there is a (7%-pt) increase in voters who report their financial situation as having improved and a (10%-pt) decrease in those reporting it as getting worse when compared to June, (54%) still see their situation worsening. Takeaway: As Mark Penn reports, the midterms remain nearly a dead heat even though President Joe Biden's approval rating is still underwater at (41%). Inflation remains thebiggest concern for voters, over half of whom say the Inflation Reduction Act is more likely to increase rather than decrease inflation. Finally, while student debt relief is having little net effect on Democrats' outlook, the overturn of Roe v. Wade is increasing the likelihood of voting Democratic. 2. Her Majesty’s Leadership Lessons Queen Elizabeth II's passing has brought a global outpouring of tributes to her life and legacy. And in new Harris polling, Americans unanimously agree her reign had a positive impact not only on the U.K. (88%) but in the world itself 75%). Among those Americans familiar with the Queen, more than half (56%) say her best trait was her selflessness in serving the people, followed closely by her elegance (53%) and her diplomacy (49%) – especially Boomers (75%, 64%, 59%). And four in 10 (41%) say she best represented a strong female leader who projected loyalty and duty, while a third (36%) said she represented a cultural icon in the U.K. and globally. Nearly six in 10 (58%) familiar with her reign say her most significant legacy is her resilience and endurance in her accomplishment as the longest-serving monarch over the U.K., followed by her service during World War II (13%). Four in ten (40%) of those familiar with Queen Elizabeth II say if they had to sum her up in one word, it would be "graceful." Takeaway: In these survey responses are lessons in her leadership. How do you manifest your sense of duty and service as a leader? How are you projecting empathy to others? And perhaps most importantly, how do you communicate and act in a way that engenders trust and respect, even when some (or many) disagree with you or the institution you represent? Take The Queen's example to heart. 3. Truth, Lies, and Social Media Before the world went all 'truthiness,' we were socially conditioned to arm our opinions with facts (or at least a reputable news source). But new surveying shows many Americans don't tell the truth about where they glean their facts from (they say TIME when they mean TikTok.) Younger Americans get their news from social media: Gen Z and Millennials report getting their information predominantly from social platforms (66%, 58%), compared to Gen X and Boomers, who say local news (54%, 61%). Yet, most Americans are lying about what they learn on social media: While (65%) say they have learned something from social media (e.g., a new fact, a skill, etc.), close to a third (31%) of Americans have told someone they learned it elsewhere, significantly younger Americans (Gen Z: 59%, Millennials: 53%). One reason? Americans admit screen time is becoming more harmful: A third of Americans (34%) report feeling more anxious now than six months ago (v. less: 21%), while at the same time, those who report engaging more in screen time directly than before have nearly tripled. Takeaway: The trust gap between Americans and social media platforms is substantial. Specifically, the recent September results of the Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll survey found that less than half of older Americans found Facebook (50-64: 44%, 65+: 36%) and Twitter (28%, 16%) favorable – which may explain why younger Americans are so willing to skirt the truth of where they find their information. *For more insights and implications of the evolution of social media for younger Americans, make sure to listen to the America This Week: From The Harris Poll podcastthis Friday. 4. The Benefits Bubble: Misaligned Worker Expectations & Company Policies: Transamerica-Harris Poll According to our latest report with Transamerica Institute and its Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, we find that employers are coming up short on providing benefits that are important to workers. Companies say they care: 8 in 10 employers (81%) feel responsible for helping employees maintain their long-term health and well-being. Employers (64%) believe health insurance, retirement, and other benefits are critical in attracting and retaining employees. Yet, there is here is a sizable shortfall between what workers find important and what benefits are being offered: While workers find health insurance, a 401(k) plan, and life insurance to be the most important benefits (93%, 89%, 83%), many employers are lagging in providing these benefits (56%, 55%, 36%). Employees are evaluating their employers: In partnership with Franklin Templeton, we found that two-thirds of workers (67%) had assessed what they want from their employers, and (44%) even considered leaving or having already left their job in the past year. More work needed: Back in February, in partnership with Fortune, we found that only half of the workers (51%) reported their employers had added new or increased their existing benefits over the last six months. Takeaway: "In the wake of the pandemic, employers have been navigating complex issues in a rapidly changing environment," says Catherine Collinson, CEO and president of Transamerica Institute and TCRS. "A full compensation and benefits package is a win-win situation in the workplace. It can help employers attract and retain talent while providing employees income, work-life balance, and the ability to save for retirement while protecting their health, well-being, and financial situation." *Want to learn more? Tune in Friday for the ATW podcast, where Transamerica CEO Catherine Collison will join John and Libby to discuss the findings and what they might mean for the future of work and talent acquisition. 5. Nine in Ten Americans Abandoned Their Digital Shopping Carts For One Simple Reason: Google Cloud-Harris Poll Retailers poured millions of dollars into e-commerce during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic but have since struggled to maintain the pandemic-induced online shopping spike, and search abandonment may be to blame, according to a report with Google Cloud as covered by Axios. About (94%) of American consumers dropped their online shopping sessions because of irrelevant search results. Three-quarters (76%) reported that an unsuccessful search resulted in a lost sale for that retail website, with half (48%) purchasing the item elsewhere. More than half (52%) say they typically abandon their entire cart and go elsewhere if there's at least one item they can't find. Poor product discovery is a costly mistake as the survey estimated that retailers lose out on more than $300 billion annually when shoppers can't find what they're looking for on a retailer's website – yet two-thirds (64%) of U.S. retail website managers have no clear plan for improvement. Takeaway: According to Google Cloud Vice President of Retail and Consumer Solutions Carrier Tharp, "this matters on an ongoing basis as (85%) of those say they viewed brands differently [when consumers have difficulty finding products]" Tharp says – and this hurts a retailer's connection with consumers. Retailers need to consider boosting the use of the cloud, data and analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to improve theonline shopping experience, which will drive sales. As a public service, our team has curated key insights to help leaders navigate COVID-19. Full survey results, tables, and weekly summaries can be accessed for free at The Harris Poll COVID-19 Portal. We will continue to actively field on a regular cadence to track theshifts in sentiment and behaviors as the news and guidelines evolve.

The Insight. The latest trends from The Harris Poll. In The Harris Poll Tracker (Week 132) fielded from September 2nd to 4th, 2022 among 2,025 U.S. adults, nearly 9 in 10 Americans (86%) remain concerned about inflation and (80%) a potential U.S. recession. Also, two-thirds (65%) say inflation and rising prices are the most important issue facing their family today; more than double that of other issues in America like guns, crime, and safety (38%), climate change (35%), and COVID (34%). And soberingly, nearly three-quarters (72%) believe that the worst of inflation is still ahead of us (v. behind: 28%). Here's what else you need to know this week… New polls below include a study of summer interns (by Harris interns) on their lonely summer in empty offices. This new study featured in Bloomberg this morning finds that young people feel remote management isn’t managing at all. Speaking of back to work, we have two pieces showing the effects of inflation on the American worker; one looking at a return to work and frugality after a summer of FOMO. And the second story finds workers settling into the job they have rather than risk looking in what they feel is an ever-uncertain economic environment. And what good did you do during COVID? Harris' co-CEO Will Johson led new research finding that young Americans donated their time; older Americans their money. And our last survey finds that inflation is changing our diets in interesting ways. Check out our America This Week: From The Harris Poll podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts with me, John, and our CSO Libby Rodney on this week’s data and more. - John Gerzema & Will Johnson 1. A Lonely Summer for America’s Interns: Bloomberg-Harris Poll One undiscussed downside of remote working is the effective management of young people. This was brought into stark contrast in a new Harris Poll with Bloomberg showing that young workers found it difficult to make connections, get feedback, and learn company culture while encountering half-empty offices, absent managers, and sporadic networking opportunities. Remote work makes for lonely young workers: More than half of Gen Z interns/newly hired workers said working remotely makes it difficult to establish connections. In contrast, (55%) said they feel like they’re missing out on an important step into adulthood because of how the pandemic affected office culture. Two-thirds of respondents said that understanding corporate office culture is essential to their career. Still, remote and hybrid work models make it difficult to understand and participate in their workplace culture (56%). And for those in fully remote or hybrid roles, (37%) said they feel like they’re falling behind their counterparts who work in the office full time. A disconnect in working arrangements is part of the reason why: While (46%) of interns worked remotely, over a third said their managers were in the office. And for the (33%) of interns who worked in-person, nearly a quarter said their managers worked remotely. Takeaway: In all the debate about the return to the office, CEO John Gerzema says, “we’re overlooking what the future of work really means – our collective role as managers of future talent. We forget we’re dealing with an interrupted generation – first at school – and now at work. And if this past summer is any indication, young people have lost faith in us as managers to mentor, listen and create a workplace where they can launch their careers. Remote work doesn’t mean remote management.” 2. Americans Blame Inflation on a Failure in Leadership As spending data shows, Americans took the summer to YOLO, indulging in revenge travel, concerts, and rescheduled weddings. But as they go back to work, persistent inflation is damping their outlook, according to new September Harris polling: 7 in 10 (71%) say rising inflation is negatively impacting their ability to afford their monthly budget, leaving (69%) to say they are likely to cut back on spending right now and more than half (56%) to adjust the rest of their 2022 financial plans. This is because less than a third of Americans (32%) feel confident in their finances and, in turn, feel upset that leaders aren’t doing enough for the economy (55%), angry that they don’t know when economic upheaval will end (44%), and even regret in missing out on experiences that they can’t afford to participate in now (40%). Less than half of Americans (48%, +4%-pts from March 2022) think inflation will likely taper off by 2023. Younger Americans are more optimistic: More Millennials and Gen Z think it’s likely to taper off (58%, 53% v. Gen X: 46%, Boomer: 41%). Takeaway: Inflation is now like another more powerful variant of COVID, aiming at Americans' budgets and lifestyles. But leaders steeped in the economic numbers and talking points forget that inflation is highly personal. Rising prices mean painful tradeoffs and people missing out on things they want to do and experience, making this all feel like the third year of a seemingly never-ending interrupted life. The midterms could be a referendum on whom Americans feel most likely to give them back control over personal happiness. 3. Back to Work And Staying Put Earlier in the year, all talk was of The Great Resignation. Then Harris Poll data found The Great Regret: job-switchers who found the grass was not greener. And now, as Americans return to work, six-in-ten are saying they are settling back into the jobs they have, regardless if they really want to or not. Four in ten Americans feel their overall financial health is worse, and nearly 3 in 5 (59%) say the current economy has killed their confidence in their personal finances, according to a recent survey with NerdWallet. A rocky economy is keeping employees where they are: A recent Harris survey with Bloomberg found that (62%) of employees said current economic conditions are a key reason why they plan to stay at their current jobs and that companies have more leverage in the job market these days than employees (58%). It doesn’t mean those choosing to stay are happy with their pay, as a recent survey with CareerBuilder, featured in BizWomen, found that less than half of employees (46%) report that fair pay is what attracts them most to their current roles. Takeaway: The Great Resignation is suddenly now The Great Lay-Low. But don't count on employers to have the upper hand for long. Akin to Harris polling on quiet quitting, employers must recognize their employees might be staying put, but not because they love their jobs. If the pendulum swings, those not willing to risk their job security for the unknown in this economic climate might be the first out the door. Complacent managers using the economy as a crutch for talent management will be the first to find this out. 4. The Economy Is Changing, and So Is Philanthropy: Fortune-Harris Poll According to co-CEO Will Johnson’s latest op-ed in Fortune, when it comes to philanthropy, Americans rose to the occasion during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there were distinct differences between Americans in time and money given. Younger Americans give their time, older Americans give their money: (49%) of adults under 45 volunteered in the last year (v. ages 45+: 31%) and more often attended a fundraiser, rally, or other supporting events, yet those 45 and up more often made a financial contribution. Younger Americans were more likely to give financial contributions to educational charities than their older counterparts (28% v. 15%), perhaps because of their recent school experiences, their school-aged children, and their support of government action on student loan debt. Women have more brand loyalty to specific organizations, while men are more cause-oriented: While women report being more likely to support a specific organization for their charitable contributions, men were more motivated by donating to a cause they want to support. Takeaway: Charitable organizations will need to be wary of potential dips in charitable donations as inflation continues to undercut American finances and their generosity. Johnson writes that "nonprofits must shift the focus of their messaging as they appeal for support in this inflation-battered economy. If charitable dollars become scarce, nonprofits should step up their appeals to younger Americans who are more inclined toward in-kind contributions of their time and skills." 5. How Inflation Is Changing Our Diet First, COVID created shortages at the grocery store, and now the highest inflation in forty years is prompting people to shift their eating habits again, according to recent Harris Poll data. More than three-quarters (76%) of Americans say that grocery prices are where they feel inflation most in their daily lives, and over 4 in 10 (42%) say they feel it in eating/drinking out at restaurants. But inflation is also changing eating habits: Back in May, a Harris/Alpha Foods study covered by CNBC found 4 in 10 Americans (40%) reported entertaining at home more than going out to combat food inflation. Going out less: We also found a third of Americans (33%) are still willing to spend on eating out given the state of the economy, and 3 in 10 (29%) would rather spend money on local experiences such as trying a new restaurant (v. travel experiences: 37%, physical products: 34%). It’s all about convenience and experience as we found in our latest Harris Brand Platform data, consumers were more likely to purchase from Panera (usage +8.9)and recommend the restaurant (+5.1) after the company focused on convenience, dining experience, and even their logo in their rebranding efforts. Takeaway: Inflation is tightening American budgets and causing Americans to be more mindful of where and when they spend their money, especially regarding restaurant meals. Companies must be cognizant of their advertisements, promotions, and overall experience to keep consumers interested and coming back. As a public service, our team has curated key insights to help leaders navigate COVID-19. Full survey results, tables, and weekly summaries can be accessed for free at The Harris Poll COVID-19 Portal. We will continue to actively field on a regular cadence to track the shifts in sentiment and behaviors as the news and guidelines evolve.

The Insight. The latest trends from The Harris Poll. In The Harris Poll Tracker (Week 131) fielded from August 26th to 28th, 2022 among 2,013 U.S. adults, here’s a number that may surprise you: Nearly as many Americans are concerned about monkeypox (55%) as another wave of COVID-19 (56%). Never has any other public health concern competed this closely with the coronavirus since our weekly data collection began in mid-March of 2020. Check out our America This Week: From The Harris Poll podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts with me, John, and our CSO Libby Rodney on this week’s data and more. - John Gerzema & Will Johnson 1. Gen Z Win Participation Trophy For Labor Day Shopping: AdAge-Harris Poll According to our co-CEO Will Johnson’s latest op-ed in AdAge, younger Americans may not know much about Labor Day, but they do know they like it. Nearly 7 in 10 Americans say that they understand the meaning of the holiday, but Gen Z is the outlier, with only (52%) understanding it and a surprising (48%) confessing to not. And while (56%) of Americans overall plan to shop this Labor Day weekend, Gen Z and Millennial consumers are the most enthusiastic (69%, 71%, respectively). Better than Black Friday shopping? Three in 5 Millennials believe the deals offered during Labor Day sales events are better than those offered during other sales events throughout the year – a sentiment shared by more than half of Gen Z (53%). Takeaway: Marketers take note: Knowing who is poised to make a holiday spending splash – and on what – should help tailor their promotions for one of the largest retail days of the year. For example, “Back-to-school buying and dorm decorating are top-of-mind for youngsters. As schools reconvene for the start of the academic year, seasonal inventory, of course, must be offloaded, and young consumers making it through a hot summer of scorching inflation are ready to find some deals,” says Johnson. 2. TikJobs: Over Half of Younger Workers Are Finding Jobs on Social Media: CareerArc- Harris Poll The labor shortage remains a vexing problem for employers and the economy at large. But new data suggests companies should be turning to social media to attract new talent, according to our latest survey with CareerArc. Younger Americans use social media to job search: Nearly two-thirds (62%) of Gen Z and (56%) of Millennials have discovered job opportunities on social media. That’s nearly twice as many as Gen X ( 31%) and fifty percentage points higher than Boomers: (12%). Social media also brings a wider audience of applicants: Hispanic and Black Americans were more likely to report having discovered job opportunities (49%, 46%), apply to jobs (42%, 39%), and connect with recruiters/employees at prospective employers (42%, 35%) via social media compared to white Americans (28%, 21%, 21%). Employers will need a social presence to showcase their culture and build the company brand: Half of employed Americans (50%) say they would share their company's social media content (66% Gen Z), which will be central to a company’s success in recruitment as jobseekers turn to social media in their job hunt. Takeaway: "The value candidates are placing on a company's social media content and presence makes social recruiting and employee advocacy more important than ever," said Jim Bramante, Chairman and CEO at CareerArc. "It's clear that when it comes to hiring, Gen Z and Millennials are turning to social media, whether it's to find job openings or to assess what your company culture is like, and they're willing to get involved in company social media if employers simply ask." 3. Inflation Is Creating a Wave of “Boomerang Retirees”: American Staffing Association-Harris Poll Inflation is a worry among most Americans these days, but especially to those living on fixed incomes. And new data shows nearly half of American retirees say they would be motivated to rejoin the workforce if inflation continues to eat into their savings, according to our latest survey with the American Staffing Association. Flex/remote work ideal: (41%) of current retirees said they would look for a job if they could have a flexible work schedule, and (35%) if they could work remotely. Aged out? However, (43%) said their age would be the number one barrier to them getting a job. But why not stay in part-time work longer than retire? In a recent Harris survey with Express Employment Professionals, half of workers aged 57 to 75 years (48%) reported their company had adequate successors in placewhen their own retirement comes – yet three-quarters of workers (57-75) would rather be semi-retired than leave the workforce entirely (78%). Takeaway: “At a time when more retirees need additional income and employers need their expertise and experience, older workers continue to face hiring barriers,” said Richard Wahlquist, president, and chief executive officer at the American Staffing Association. “Employers that take steps to embrace flexibility and diversity across their entire workforces will be more productive and have higher levels of employee engagement.” 4. QSR & Fast Casual: An Industry Snapshot - Harris Brand Platform Building off our latest out-of-home (OOH) advertisement survey with OAAA and a recent report from our Harris Brand Platform, we find that quick-service restaurants (QSRs) are a long-standing favorite among consumers that can use the power of ads to keep loyal customers and bring in new customers. There is strength in advertising for QSRs, as according to our recent survey with OAAA, two-thirds of those who had seen a QSR OOH ad went on to make a purchase at a physical store. Price, products, and promotions: Among those interested in seeing OOH QSR ads, price (42%), new product offerings (39%), and limited-time menu offerings (31%) drive the most interest. Convenience and affordability keep customers coming back: According to our Harris Brand platform report, among those who place an order at a QSR at least once a week, they indicate convenience (59%) and affordability (51%) as the most enticing reasons why they keep returning. Limited time offers (LTOs) can be a significant draw: (47%) of daily and (38%) of weekly QSR consumers report being more likely to place an order with an LTO – like Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte or McDonald’s BTS and other celebrity-endorses meals. The QSR favorites: McDonalds (+1.9%), Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers (+1.8%), and Marco’s Pizza (+1.6%) experienced the greatest growth in brand equity from Q1 to Q2 2022. Takeaway: While QSRs have been a staple of American culture since the 1920s due to their affordability and convenience, consumer eating habits are constantly evolving. QSRs must keep abreast of ongoing trends to ensure long-term customer retention and growth. 5. Will New Boosters Also Boost Pharma’s Reputation? As COVID-19 concerns are fading in the US, so is biopharma visibility, according to our latest The Axios Harris Poll 100, as covered by Endpoint News. However, with the FDA expected to authorize new omicron-specific COVID boosters this week, could pharma have a reputation renaissance? While Moderna and Pfizer ranked 3rd and 7th, respectively, in the Axios Harris Poll 100 in 2021, Pfizer dropped to #44, and Moderna didn’t even make the initial cut to be included this year. Rankings naturally drop as Americans are less concerned with COVID today: Americans are more concerned about the economy and inflation (83%) along with a potential U.S. recession (81%) compared to just (56%) concerned about a new wave of COVID. Yet back in April, our Harris Poll Weekly Tracker found that the majority of Americans (70%) believed that we would be living with COVID in some form forever (v. COVID being eradicated: 30%). Omicron boosters may bode well for Americans (and pharma): The majority of vaccinated Americans (60%) would, in general, receive a second booster shot if it became recommended, while just a fifth (18%) had no plans to back in March. Takeaway: The major change is consumer concerns. Instead of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are worried about inflation, rising prices of consumer goods, and the economy. “When people think about Pfizer, they think about it generally favorably, but they don’t think about it nearly as much as they think about going to the grocery store or filling up on gas,” says Rob Jekielek, managing director at Harris Poll. Yet, don’t count pharma out quite yet with the upcoming booster announcement. 6. Politics in The Classroom: Parents Are Mobilizing For a Fight: USA Today-Harris Poll As school boards fight over what to teach children in the classroom, our new study in partnership with the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools covered by USA Todayfinds the pandemic unleashed a new generation of more involved and politically-active parents. Nearly eight in ten (79%) of parents said they became more interested in their kids' education because of what they saw when schooling became virtual and at home during the pandemic, and even more (84%) said they learned more about their children's education during the pandemic. The vast majority also said education is a top priority for parents as voters, with (83%) saying education is more important to them politically now than before. (82%) of parents even said they would be willing to vote outside their self-identified political party based on educational platforms. Interestingly, this has consensus among Independents: 88%, Democrats: 81%, and Republicans: 79%. Takeaway: The Midterms will likely revolve around the classroom and what stands for education vs. indoctrination. In Florida, at least 20 of the 30 school board members endorsed by Gov. Ron DeSantis won or advanced in their races, campaigning on parental rights, transparency, school choice, and safety. And Republican Glenn Youngkin made schools his closing issue in his upset win over Democrat Terry McAuliffe in the Virginia governor's race. As a public service, our team has curated key insights to help leaders navigate COVID-19. Full survey results, tables, and weekly summaries can be accessed for free at The Harris Poll COVID-19 Portal. We will continue to actively field on a regular cadence to track the shifts in sentiment and behaviors as the news and guidelines evolve.

New exclusive survey finds C-suite executives are turning sights from today’s challenges to the longer-term disruptions of a changing consumer, worker and requirements of business. LOS ANGELES MAY 2, 2022 — At the Milken Institute Global Conference today, the Milken Institute and The Harris Poll released findings from their third annual Listening Project, in which, despite widespread geopolitical and global market volatility, business leaders expressed optimism in their own company’s future financial performance and in the strength of the U.S. economy. The Listening Project’s peer-to-peer survey of Milken Institute Global Conference participants, comprised of Fortune 500 executives, founders, investors, innovators, and other experts, reveals nearly two-thirds (63%) are optimistic about their company’s future financial performance. And (68%) describe the U.S. economy as ‘strong’, even as two-thirds (67%) feel the global economy is ‘weak.’ “The one trait which the best leaders demonstrated most through the pandemic was resiliency, that ability to bounce back up and lead through uncertainty. The optimism evidenced by the global business community charts a refreshing new chapter as we climb out of the pandemic, having learned much about our workplaces, our stakeholders and ourselves. Despite navigating the current headwinds of inflation, supply chain issues, and rising interest rates, leaders are still focused on progress in their businesses and society overall,” said Richard Ditizio, president of the Milken Institute. The surprise findings signal confidence in a resilient economy at a time when businesses worldwide continue to face supply chain constraints, labor shortages, rising consumer prices and interest rates, all of which have shaken investors and sent markets tumbling over the past quarter. Yet, the Listening Project findings suggest that while Americans overall remain worried, conference participants are already seeing past current volatility: Among the issues significantly impacting their business operations today, (43%) of respondents cite inflation; however, only one in ten (11%) feel inflation will get even higher than today (v. nearly half [43%] of American consumers). Additionally, one-third (33%) believe today’s rising inflation “will taper off,” twice the level of optimism compared to the (17%) of consumers. And while the markets have reacted negatively to rising interest rates, the surveyed conference participants have a resilient mindset and faith in a swift and robust business rebound. This may be partly attributed to their trust in banks, big business, and the presidency (69%, 58%, 55%, respectively). In fact, most respondents (57%) are confident that their operations could quickly get back to ‘business as usual’ in less than three months when inflation halts (82% within six months). The same is true of labor shortages, where (45%) cite near complete business recovery within three months, and (71%) within six months. As such, most businesses are not over course-correcting to today’s volatility: Nearly seven-in-ten (69%) report that their companies are not adjusting their outsourcing strategy, resources, or operations in response to their current supply chain challenges. “Business leaders see near term pain, but long-term gain. To a large extent they have already priced in a volatile economy and are moving past it to capitalize on underlying disruptive forces that they feel will have an even-greater impact on their long-term competitive advantage,” says John Gerzema, CEO of The Harris Poll. “These include changing demographic and social attitudes emerging post-COVID which add urgency to business leadership on topics ranging from climate change to hybrid-working.” Indeed, the survey findings from The Milken Institute-Harris Listening Project reveal a new strategic outlook for business where near term turbulence cannot cloud major structural forces in society that pose as both catalysts and challenges. Three major disruptors reshaping consumption, corporate and brand reputation, and the future of work cited by survey respondents were diversity and equity & inclusion (DEI); environmental, social and governance measures and investing (ESG); and changing generational values. New Generational Values and Hybrid Working Three-quarters of participants (76%) believe that changing generational values will have an impact on their business operations, with close to a third (30%) predicting it will have a lot of impact. Close to two-thirds (63%) believe that hybrid and remote work will also impact their business operations. While nearly eight in ten (77%) would prefer to have their employees work in a hybrid environment (v. 15% office, 8% remote), a recent Harris Poll survey found that American workers are split in their preferences (32% hybrid, 29% office, 39% remote). Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Three-quarters of participants report their companies are prioritizing DEI progress, with both internal (75%, high priority: 50%) and external (69%, high priority: 35%) initiatives. Two-thirds report their organizations have implemented new DEI initiatives within the last year. Four in ten (39%) have implemented a “few” and a quarter (28%) adopted “many.” Additionally, while (34%) have not implemented any new initiatives in the last year, (19%) already had initiatives in place. Environmental, Social & Governance Investing Three-quarters (74%) share that their companies are prioritizing ESG investments, with more than four in ten (43%) characterizing ESG as a high priority. Half of the participants surveyed reported that their company has as much as a quarter of their portfolio dedicated to ESG investments (51%), while close to a fifth report that more than a quarter of their company’s portfolio are ESG investments (17%). Only a third report a lack of ESG investments entirely (32%). Of those with ESG investments, close to half have even created their own metrics and frameworks to evaluate the efficacy of their ESG investments (43%), a fifth utilize external measures to track efficacy (22%), and the remaining third (35%) have no formalized evaluation metrics. Leaders surveyed are largely moving forward from today’s malaise: In fact, only (4%) believed that “COVID-19 will be eventually eradicated” vs. (96%) who felt that COVID is “now a part of daily life and will last in some form.” And business has the global respect to do so: Just last October, (60%) of global citizens told us “Companies have been more reliable than the government in keeping my country running during COVID.” The Milken Institute and The Harris Poll will announce results from “The 2022 Listening Project” during the opening plenary for the Milken Institute Global Conference on Monday, May 2. To watch Monday’s session, please click here. To download this year’s report, please click here. Methodology The peer-to-peer survey among Milken Institute Global Conference attendees was conducted online between March 31st to April 20th among 175 registered Milken Institute Global Conference attendees from 16 countries (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Japan, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, and eight others). The confidential peer-to-peer survey was among CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CSOs, directors, founders, investors, managers, presidents, vice presidents, and other business roles. Respondents represent 13 different sectors including agriculture, asset management, biotechnology, consulting, education, energy, finance, food and beverage, government, healthcare, hospitality, insurance, law, logistics, manufacturing, non-profit, pharmaceutical, real estate, and transportation. Survey responses were aggregated to generate data for public release to ensure confidentiality among Milken Institute Global Conference participants. No personal information was collected that could be used to identify survey respondents. Previous Listening Project surveys conducted in 2020 and 2021 surveyed over 45 thousand citizens across 27 countries (Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, and Venezuela). The purpose of the Listening Project is to better understand the most urgent needs and challenges people are facing globally and identify the characteristics deemed essential in an effective post-pandemic leader to both drive growth and foster a more just world. For more information on the Listening Project and the previous reports, see The Harris Poll. About the Milken Institute The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank focused on accelerating measurable progress on the path to a meaningful life. With a focus on financial, physical, mental, and environmental health, we bring together the best ideas and innovative resourcing to develop blueprints for tackling some of our most critical global issues through the lens of what’s pressing now and what’s coming next. For more information, visit https://milkeninstitute.org/ About the Harris Poll The Harris Poll is one of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., tracking public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963. It is now part of Harris Insights & Analytics, a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. We work with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. Our mission is to provide insights and advisory to help leaders make the best decisions possible.