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 a severe financial crisis, with many struggling to remain solvent.

26%average salary uplift after a professional certificate
2.7xfaster promotion for certified professionals
71%of leaders prefer candidates who upskill continuously
20days to your first credential
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 a severe financial crisis, with many struggling to remain solvent. The situation is described as potentially more significant than the impacts of the pandemic. This widespread distress suggests a tightening economic environment where cash flow constraints and operational inefficiencies are critical concerns. For professionals, this signals a period of heightened uncertainty and a potential shift in employer priorities towards immediate cost control and survival strategies rather than expansion.

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)
20191x20201.2x20211.7x20222.5x20233.6x20245.1x20257.4x202610x
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.

This economic pressure fundamentally shifts career priorities. You must demonstrate direct value in cost reduction and operational efficiency. Skills in financial modelling and risk management become paramount as organisations scrutinise every expense. Prioritise roles that offer stability or directly contribute to revenue protection. Consider upskilling in crisis management to help navigate volatility. If you are in a volatile sector, diversify your experience or seek industries with resilient demand. Proactively identify inefficiencies in your current role and propose data-driven solutions. Show employers you can do more with less. Focus on building a robust professional network, as lateral moves may become more common than traditional promotions. Prepare for potential restructuring by keeping your skills sharp and your resume current. Adaptability is your greatest asset right now.

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
Crisis Management+29%Financial Modeling+28%Risk Management Strate…+33%Business And Management+34%

This briefing is based on reporting by CNN on 20 Sep, 10:00. Read the original coverage →

Read the news. Then outrun it.

Every OnlineUni programme is online, self-paced and from £79 — so a headline today can be your credential this month.

The best time to start the next one is before you finish this one.

The hardest part, building the study habit, is already behind you.

Chat with Admissions

OnlineUni Admissions

Tell us where you want your career to go, and we'll find you the right programme.

Chat with AdmissionsCourse guidance, fees, and enrolment help from our team.
Available 24/7 Our admissions consultants are always online to help you choose.
OnlineUni · a TilGlobal brand

Tell us about yourself to get started

OnlineUni · a TilGlobal brand