Nearly 70% of Global Executives Are Optimistic About Growth Opportunities in Next 2-3 Years, Protiviti and NC State ERM Initiative Reveal in Global Survey

Rhea-AI Summary

Protiviti (NYSE:RHI) and NC State ERM Initiative released a global survey on Dec. 11, 2025 showing strong executive optimism despite uncertainty. The survey of more than 1,500 C-suite and board leaders found nearly 70% expect revenue growth opportunities in the next two to three years, and 62% plan to expand ecosystem partnerships.

Top near-term risks are cyber threats, third-party risk, emerging tech adoption and workforce upskilling, and legacy IT gaps. Top investment priorities for the next 2–3 years include cybersecurity, process improvement, infrastructure modernization, data privacy, customer experience and AI. 31% of leaders flagged AI data integrity and cybersecurity exposure as key implementation concerns.

Positive

• Nearly 70% of executives expect revenue growth next 2–3 years
• 62% plan to expand strategic partnerships and ecosystems
• Survey sample: more than 1,500 C-suite and board leaders
• 31% actively integrating AI into operations or flagging AI data risks

Negative

• Cyber threats are the top near-term risk by a wide margin
• Workforce upskilling rose into the top-three near-term risks
• Legacy IT and operational performance gaps increased in concern

Key Figures

Optimistic executives nearly 70% Leaders seeing significant revenue growth opportunities in next 2–3 years

Ecosystem expansion 62% Leaders expecting to expand strategic alliances and partnerships

Survey participants more than 1,500 C-suite and board leaders worldwide in Protiviti/NC State survey

AI risk concern 31% Leaders focused on data integrity and cybersecurity exposure tied to AI

AI implementation 31% Leaders actively integrating AI into operations

Current price $27.33 Pre-news share price vs 52-week range $25.22–$78.41

52-week drawdown -65.14% Price vs 52-week high of $78.41

Q3 2025 revenue $1.35 billion Service revenues, down 7.5% year over year from 10-Q

Market Reality Check

$27.66 Last Close

Volume Volume 2,560,732 is 1.11x the 20-day average of 2,298,150, indicating elevated interest ahead of this survey news. normal

Technical Shares at $27.33 are trading below the 200-day MA of $39.90 and remain far under the 52-week high of $78.41.

Peers on Argus

RHI gained 2.51% while peers were mixed: NSP +4.44%, MAN +3.16%, TNET +1.13%, KFY -0.43%, HSII 0.00%, suggesting a stock-specific response to the Protiviti survey rather than a uniform sector move.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Nov 18	AI partnership award	Positive	+0.4%	Recognition in Microsoft AI Business Solutions Inner Circle for Protiviti.
Nov 17	Brand marketing news	Positive	-1.9%	Brand ambassador golf win and related charitable meals donation campaign.
Oct 30	Dividend declaration	Positive	-1.4%	Board-approved quarterly cash dividend of $0.59 per share with set record date.
Oct 28	AI productivity study	Positive	-0.9%	Research showing AI use saves 7.5 hours weekly and boosts productivity value.
Oct 23	Workplace recognition	Positive	-0.7%	Inclusion on Fortune and Forbes lists as a top workplace for women globally.

Pattern Detected

Recent positive corporate, AI, and brand-related announcements often coincided with flat to negative one-day price moves, indicating a tendency for the stock to underreact or fade good news in the short term.

Recent Company History

Over the last several months, RHI news has focused on Protiviti’s AI recognition, brand marketing, dividends, AI productivity research, and workplace accolades. The Nov 18, 2025 Microsoft AI Inner Circle award saw only a 0.42% move, while positive branding and workplace items on Oct 23–Nov 17, 2025 were followed by declines between 0.68% and . Even the $0.59 quarterly dividend announcement on Oct 30, 2025 preceded a 1.39% drop. Against this backdrop, today’s broadly optimistic growth and risk survey fits an ongoing narrative of strategic positioning in AI and talent, with historically muted near-term trading responses.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights that nearly 70% of surveyed global executives expect meaningful revenue growth opportunities in the next 2–3 years, with cybersecurity, AI, and modernization as top investment priorities. For RHI, this dovetails with Protiviti’s positioning in risk, compliance, and technology consulting, but comes against a backdrop of softer Q3 revenues and a share price well below the 52-week high of $78.41. Investors may watch how AI adoption, workforce upskilling, and cybersecurity demand translate into future filings and earnings metrics.

Key Terms

cybersecurity technical

"Cybersecurity is the foundation of trust—and the leading investment priority."

Cybersecurity involves protecting computers, networks, and digital information from theft, damage, or unauthorized access. It is essential for safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining trust in digital systems, which matters to investors because strong cybersecurity reduces the risk of costly breaches and disruptions that can impact a company’s performance and reputation. Think of it as locking and safeguarding valuable information much like securing a safe to prevent theft.

AI technical

"AI is reshaping business models—and risk profiles."

Artificial intelligence (AI) is technology that enables machines to mimic human thinking and learning, allowing them to analyze information, recognize patterns, and make decisions. For investors, AI matters because it can improve how businesses operate, create new products, or identify opportunities faster and more accurately than humans alone, potentially impacting company success and market trends.

data privacy technical

"Top Investment Priorities (Next 2–3 Years):CybersecurityBusiness process improvementInfrastructure modernizationData privacy"

Data privacy is the practice of protecting people’s personal and sensitive information—like names, health details, financial records, or browsing habits—from unauthorized access or misuse. For investors, strong data privacy is like good locks and alarms on a business: it preserves customer trust and revenue, reduces the risk of fines and lawsuits, and lowers the chance of costly breaches that can hurt a company’s reputation and stock value.

workforce upskilling technical

"emerging tech adoption and workforce upskilling (which ranked 13th and 9th last year, respectively)."

Workforce upskilling is the process of teaching employees new skills or improving existing ones so they can handle more complex tasks or new technologies, like giving workers a software update that lets them do more. For investors, upskilling matters because it can boost productivity, reduce hiring costs, improve employee retention, and help a company adapt to market changes—factors that influence future revenue, margins, and long-term competitiveness.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Cybersecurity, AI and Transformation Dominate Risk and Investment Priorities

MENLO PARK, Calif., Dec. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and rapid tech disruption, global business leaders are looking ahead with confidence. According to the latest Executive Perspectives on Top Risks and Opportunities Survey from Protiviti and NC State University's ERM Initiative, nearly 70% of executives see significant opportunities to grow revenues over the next two to three years —a clear sign of optimism even in light of ongoing uncertainties.

Ecosystem partnerships represent another significant growth opportunity. Six of 10 (62%) leaders anticipate their organizations expanding their ecosystem of strategic alliances and partnerships to enhance how they go to market.

The survey of more than 1,500 C-suite and board leaders worldwide shows a decisive shift in their mindset: Companies aren't dodging risk—they're leveraging it. Transformation, innovation and strategic partnerships top the agenda for the next two to three years.

Top Near-Term Global Risks

1. Cyber threats
2. Third-party risk
3. Emerging tech adoption and workforce upskilling
4. Legacy IT and operational performance gaps
5. Economic conditions and inflation

Cyber threats remain the top concern by a wide margin, signaling that concerns about ransomware, supply chain attacks, and data breaches have moved beyond IT teams into C-suite boardroom conversations. Compared with the prior year results, there are greater concerns this year over legacy IT and operational performance gaps as well as emerging tech adoption and workforce upskilling (which ranked 13th and 9th last year, respectively). On the other hand, economic conditions have lessened somewhat in significance for board members and C-suite leaders (though this concern still sits in the top five).

"The greatest risk today is standing still," said Matt Moore, Global Leader of Risk & Compliance at Protiviti. "Leaders are modernizing infrastructure, advancing cybersecurity to strengthen resilience, and embracing innovation to unlock growth. Agility and foresight will define the winners."

Cybersecurity: The Top Global Risk and Investment Priority

Cybersecurity is the foundation of trust—and the leading investment priority. Overall, these investment priorities reflect an integrated, forward-looking emphasis on both growth opportunities and managing risk.

Top Investment Priorities (Next 2–3 Years):

• Cybersecurity
• Business process improvement
• Infrastructure modernization
• Data privacy
• Customer experience

AI: Growth Engine and Risk Frontier

AI is reshaping business models—and risk profiles. In terms of the most significant AI implementation concerns, nearly one-third (31%) of leaders are focused on data integrity and cybersecurity exposure tied to AI, while a similar share (31%) is actively integrating AI into operations. Workforce upskilling has jumped to a top three near-term risk.

"Human capability is the ultimate differentiator," said Fran Maxwell, Global CHRO Solutions and People & Change Leader at Protiviti. "Upskilling and reskilling will determine who captures AI's full ROI."

Looking Ahead: Long-Term Strategic Priorities

• Customer focus and competitive edge
• Security and privacy
• AI deployment
• Market resilience
• Talent strategy

Organizations are prioritizing customer and competition dynamics, security and privacy, and AI deployments in their long-term strategies. This indicates a shift toward integrated decision-making that encompasses both immediate and future opportunities and risks.

"Turning disruption into opportunity is the new mandate," said Dr. Mark Beasley, Professor and Director of NC State's ERM Initiative. "Managing uncertainties to drive innovation and customer-centricity will define sustainable growth."

Bottom line: Executives know waiting isn't a strategy. They're investing in cybersecurity, AI, and modernization to build resilient, growth-ready organizations. 

Resources Available 
The "Executive Perspectives on Top Near-Term Risks and Long-Term Risks" report from Protiviti and NC State University's ERM Initiative titled "Unlocking Opportunity," provides detailed results and analysis broken out across executive positions and industry groups.  

Join us at the 2026 Top Risks and Opportunities webinar on Dec. 16, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. ET or Jan. 22, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. ET to learn how you can position your organization to thrive in 2026 and beyond by turning today's challenges into tomorrow's opportunities. Don't miss this chance to gain actionable insights that can help you shape your path forward.

About Protiviti 
Protiviti (www.protiviti.com) is a global consulting firm that delivers deep expertise, objective insights, a tailored approach and unparalleled collaboration to help leaders confidently face the future. Protiviti and its independent and locally owned member firms provide clients with consulting and managed solutions in finance, technology, operations, data, digital, legal, HR, risk and internal audit through a network of more than 90 offices in over 25 countries.  

Named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list for the 11th consecutive year, Protiviti Inc. has served more than 80 percent of Fortune 100 and nearly 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies. The firm also works with government agencies and smaller, growing companies, including those looking to go public. Protiviti Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Robert Half (NYSE: RHI).   

About North Carolina State University's Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Initiative
The Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Initiative in the Poole College of Management at North Carolina State University provides thought leadership about ERM practices and their integration with strategy and corporate governance. Faculty in the ERM Initiative frequently work with boards of directors and senior management teams helping them link ERM to strategy and governance, host executive workshops and educational training sessions, and issue research and thought papers on practical approaches to implementing more effective risk oversight techniques (www.erm.ncsu.edu).

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nearly-70-of-global-executives-are-optimistic-about-growth-opportunities-in-next-2-3-years-protiviti-and-nc-state-erm-initiative-reveal-in-global-survey-302638340.html

SOURCE Protiviti

FAQ

What did Protiviti (RHI) and NC State release on Dec. 11, 2025?

They released a global executive survey showing nearly 70% expect revenue growth in the next 2–3 years.

How many executives participated in the Protiviti/NC State RHI survey?

The survey included more than 1,500 C-suite and board leaders worldwide.

What percentage of leaders plan to expand ecosystem partnerships, according to RHI survey?

62% of leaders anticipate expanding strategic alliances and partnerships.

What are the top investment priorities identified in the RHI survey for the next 2–3 years?

Top priorities are cybersecurity, business process improvement, infrastructure modernization, data privacy, customer experience and AI.

How significant are AI-related risks in the Protiviti/NC State survey (RHI)?

31% of leaders cited AI data integrity and cybersecurity exposure as primary AI implementation concerns.

When are the companion Top Risks and Opportunities webinars related to the RHI survey?

Webinars are scheduled for Dec. 16, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. ET and Jan. 22, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. ET.