ABC7 Chicago · 14 Sep, 23:03 · Business briefing

Gas prices squeeze small businesses like Rooney Landscape on Chicago's Northwest Side as Iran war continues, forcing tough choices

Rising fuel costs, exacerbated by ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Iran, are significantly impacting small enterprises such as Rooney Landscape on Chicago’s Northwest Side.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

26%average salary uplift after a professional certificate

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71%of leaders prefer candidates who upskill continuously

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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.

Rising fuel costs, exacerbated by ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Iran, are significantly impacting small enterprises such as Rooney Landscape on Chicago’s Northwest Side. This economic pressure forces business owners to make difficult operational and financial decisions. The report highlights how external macroeconomic shocks directly affect local commercial viability, illustrating the vulnerability of small businesses to global supply chain disruptions and energy market volatility. Professionals should note how such events necessitate immediate strategic adjustments to maintain profitability amidst escalating overheads and uncertain market conditions.

Employer demand for Finance and Accounting 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 adapt to volatile economic conditions where external shocks directly threaten business continuity. Professionals skilled in financial resilience and operational agility are now more valuable than ever. Focus on mastering cost-control strategies and risk mitigation to help organisations navigate uncertainty. If you manage teams, develop crisis communication skills to maintain morale during tough decisions. Consider upskilling in financial modelling to forecast impacts accurately. Small business owners should prioritise efficiency audits immediately. Look for roles that emphasise strategic planning under pressure. Proactively learn how to diversify revenue streams and reduce dependency on volatile inputs. Your ability to translate macroeconomic data into actionable business tactics will distinguish you in a crowded job market. Stay agile and financially literate.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Finance and Accounting, Risk Management Strategies, Crisis Management and Small Business Marketing — 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.