CNN · 20 Sep, 10:00 · Business briefing

‘Crisis even bigger than Covid’: American business owners are barely getting by

Recent reporting indicates that American business owners are facing severe financial strain, with many struggling to sustain operations beyond basic survival.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

26%average salary uplift after a professional certificate

2.7xfaster promotion for certified professionals

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Recent reporting indicates that American business owners are facing severe financial strain, with many struggling to sustain operations beyond basic survival. The situation is described as potentially more extensive than the economic disruptions caused by the pandemic. This ongoing crisis highlights persistent challenges in cash flow, demand volatility, and operational resilience. For professionals, this signals suggest a broader economic tightening where efficiency and cost control become paramount. The data reflects a difficult landscape for small and medium-sized enterprises, implying that broader market conditions may remain unstable for the foreseeable future, affecting hiring trends and industry stability.

Employer demand for Crisis Management skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

You must pivot towards roles that directly protect revenue or reduce costs. In this climate, skills in financial modelling and risk management rise in value as companies prioritise survival over expansion. You should focus on demonstrating how your work contributes to bottom-line efficiency. If you are in leadership, you must prepare for potential restructuring or downsizing. Smart professionals will upskill in areas like crisis management and strategic finance to become indispensable. Do not ignore the signs of market contraction. Instead, position yourself as a problem-solver who can navigate uncertainty. Review your current skill set and identify gaps in financial literacy or operational risk assessment. Take immediate steps to learn these competencies, ensuring you remain employable even in a shrinking job market. Prioritise adaptability and resilience in your career strategy.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Crisis Management, Financial Modeling, Risk Management Strategies and Business And Management — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.