Prepare Your Business for 2025: Changes You Need to Be Aware Of
- Anhinga Development
- Jan 20
- 7 min read
As 2025 is here, businesses must gear up for a whirlwind of changes if they have not already—from technological advances to policy shifts—that will shape the economic landscape. Here are the key developments to watch out for and how to prepare your company to thrive in the face of untelling transformations.
1. The Trump Administration 2025 Change: Small Business Boon or Bust?
With President Trump’s reelection, policy shifts are expected to heavily impact small businesses. Historically, Trump has championed tax cuts and deregulation, which may favor entrepreneurs. However, his stance on immigration and trade policies could disrupt industries reliant on immigrant labor and international supply chains.
How to Prepare:
Stay informed about proposed policies. Here are a few resources and ways business owners can stay informed about proposed policies:
Industry-Specific Associations: Join trade associations or professional organizations related to your industry. They often provide members with tailored policy updates and advocacy efforts.
Government Websites and News Alerts: Monitor government resources like congress.gov for legislative updates, and sign up for Google Alerts with keywords like "small business tax policy" or "labor laws."
Chambers of Commerce: Engage with your local chamber of commerce to receive region-specific updates on policies, regulations, and economic developments.
Business-Oriented Media Outlets: Follow reputable business news outlets such as Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, or Inc. for expert analysis and insights on how policy changes may impact businesses.
Diversify your workforce and supply chain to reduce dependency on vulnerable areas in the face of challenges. Recruit talent from a variety of geographic regions, industries, and backgrounds to bring fresh perspectives and skills to your team. Hedge - partner with multiple suppliers across different locations or countries to minimize risks associated with regional disruptions, such as natural disasters, political instability, or trade tariffs. Building strong relationships with local suppliers and investing in technology, like supply chain management tools, can also improve flexibility and adaptability when unexpected challenges arise.
Adjust financial strategies to capitalize on tax benefits while mitigating risks from trade tariffs. Leverage Tax Credits and Deductions. Work with a tax advisor to identify and maximize available tax credits, such as research and development (R&D) credits or energy-efficiency incentives, and deductions like those for business expenses or equipment depreciation. Reevaluate Pricing and Sourcing Strategies. Adjust pricing models to account for increased costs from tariffs and explore alternative sourcing options in countries not subject to high trade tariffs to maintain profitability. Establish a Contingency Fund, allocate a portion of revenue to a contingency fund to offset unexpected costs from tariffs or other trade-related disruptions, ensuring financial stability while capitalizing on tax planning opportunities.
2. Widespread Adoption of AI in 2025
Artificial intelligence is no longer a luxury but a necessity. From automating customer service with chatbots to streamlining operations with predictive analytics, AI will redefine business processes. Companies that fail to adopt AI risk falling behind.
How to Prepare:
Identify affordable AI tools that align with your business goals. Who are we to not admit that we love a good AI tool that makes business production just a bit easier, allowing our focus and time to go towards business strategizing, marketing and client services. OpenAI provides advanced AI tools for content creation, customer service, and business communication. Small businesses can use OpenAI's ChatGPT to generate marketing copy, draft emails, answer customer inquiries, and brainstorm ideas. The API also allows integration into apps for custom automation.
Others like: Zapier automates workflows by connecting apps and services like Gmail, Slack, QuickBooks, and more, saving time on repetitive tasks; Jasper AI, an AI-powered writing assistant for generating high-quality marketing copy, blog posts, and social media content; and Canva Pro with Magic Studio that offers AI-enhanced graphic design tools to create stunning visuals, presentations, and marketing materials quickly and affordably.
Train your team to work effectively with AI technologies and integrate AI into critical workflows to enhance efficiency and innovation to your companies operation.
3. Changes to Corporate and Federal Taxes
Tax reform remains a hot topic. While specifics are uncertain, potential changes could affect corporate tax rates and deductions.
How to Prepare:
Cut and dry -
Be sure to consult with a tax advisor to ensure compliance.
Explore strategies to optimize your tax obligations.
And again - Stay updated on policy changes that impact your industry!
4. The Evolving Work Environment
Morgan Stanley’s recent shift to a fully in-office policy has sparked debates about workplace models. As companies reassess their hybrid and remote work arrangements, it’s crucial to balance employee satisfaction with productivity.
How to Prepare:
Conduct employee surveys to understand preferences and concerns.
Evaluate operational needs to determine the best model for your business.
Communicate changes clearly and provide support during transitions.
5. Cybersecurity
With cyber threats on the rise, robust cybersecurity measures are non-negotiable. Small businesses, often seen as easier targets, must prioritize data protection.
How to Prepare:
Invest in managed IT services and cybersecurity tools. Managed IT services are essential for small businesses providing easily accessible, round the clock expert support and proactive management of technology systems, ensuring smooth operations and minimizing downtime. By outsourcing IT needs, businesses gain access to advanced tools, cybersecurity measures, and 24/7 monitoring without the cost of maintaining an in-house IT team. This allows small businesses to focus on their core operations while staying protected from cyber threats and ensuring their technology infrastructure scales with their growth.
6. Online Marketing Trends
Digital marketing is constantly evolving, and 2025 will demand innovative strategies. Embrace short-form video content, leverage social media algorithms, and optimize your website for voice search.
How to Prepare:
Invest in SEO and social media marketing —it’s essential for survival. With consumers glued to their screens, your business needs to meet them where they are: at the top of search engine results and in their social feeds. SEO ensures your website gets noticed, while social media builds relationships and trust with your audience. Together, they’re the ultimate power duo for driving traffic, boosting brand visibility, and staying ahead of competitors. If your business isn’t online, are you even in the game? Set goals with your team, track analytics to measure campaign performance and adjust strategies.
7. Accounting and Payment App Taxes
New regulations require businesses to report income over $600 from payment apps like Venmo and PayPal.
How to Prepare:
No! Square, Clover and Toast are not accounting software nor do they manage your bookkeeping, although they are a few of our favorite POS (Point of Sale) systems. Maintain meticulous bookkeeping practices, leveraging reputable accounting software like Quickbooks, Sage, NetSuite and other accounting software to track and report income accurately.
8. Inflation: The Wild Card
Inflation continues to be a major concern for businesses. Rising costs of goods and services can squeeze profit margins.
How to Prepare:
Inflation is the wild card that keeps small business owners on their toes—sometimes it’s a slight nudge, and other times it feels like a full-blown uppercut. Rising costs for goods, labor, and utilities can shrink profit margins faster than you can say "supply chain disruption." Suddenly, the same dollar doesn’t stretch as far, forcing tough decisions on pricing, spending, and inventory. For small businesses, navigating inflation requires creativity, agility, and a willingness to adapt. Conduct regular pricing reviews to ensure competitiveness. Negotiate with suppliers for better terms. Explore cost-effective alternatives and streamline operations.
Think of it as a game of economic dodgeball: stay alert, stay nimble, and don’t let those rising costs knock you out!
9. SBA Under Kelly Loeffler
With Kelly Loeffler at the helm of the SBA, expect changes aimed at small business.
How to Prepare:
Regularly visit the SBA (Small Business Administration) website and subscribe to their newsletters for updates on policies, grants, and programs relevant to small businesses.
Take advantage of existing programs, grants, and loan opportunities while they still exist.
Build relationships with local SBA offices.
Leverage SBA resources to fuel growth initiatives.
10. State Overtime Rules and Minimum Wage Changes
States are revising overtime and minimum wage policies. Ensure compliance with local laws to avoid fines and maintain employee satisfaction.
How to Prepare:
First and foremost update payroll systems to reflect new regulations. Even though Trumps administration may lean toward deregulation at the federal level, many states are likely to continue pushing for higher wages and stricter overtime rules. Companies must prepare and budget for increased labor costs to remain compliant with these evolving regulations. Adjusting pricing strategies is crucial to absorb these costs without compromising profitability. Planning ahead ensures businesses can retain employees, maintain competitiveness, and avoid costly penalties while navigating the dynamic labor landscape.
11. Mass Deportations and Workforce Challenges
The threaten of an immediate mass deportation and stricter immigration policies will result in labor shortages for industries relying on immigrant workers, like pulling the rug out from under small businesses that rely on immigrant workers to keep their operations running smoothly. Industries like agriculture, construction, hospitality, and even tech could face sudden labor shortages, leaving business owners scrambling to fill gaps.
How to Prepare:
For this potential shakeup in 2025, companies should focus on diversifying their workforce, investing in automation where possible, and creating training programs to upskill current employees. Think of it as building a safety net for your business—because losing access to a loyal, hardworking talent pool can throw even the most solid operation into chaos. Develop your company's contingency plans. Don’t wait for the policy hammer to drop; start planning now.
12. Tariffs on Goods from China
Rising tariffs on goods from China are expected to hurt small businesses reliant on imports, increasing costs and affecting profitability.
How to Prepare:
Explore alternative suppliers from non-tariff countries. Start by researching countries with favorable trade agreements and a reputation for reliable production. Leverage global sourcing platforms, trade shows, and industry networks to connect with potential suppliers. And diversify your supplier base to reduce dependency on any single region, and ensure that new suppliers meet quality and delivery standards through thorough vetting and trial orders. Pass some costs to customers strategically by emphasizing product value and diversify product lines to include less import-dependent goods.
The year 2025 will bring significant opportunities and challenges. By staying proactive and informed, your business can adapt and thrive. Whether it’s embracing AI, navigating tax reforms, or adjusting to workforce changes, planning ahead is the best way to ensure a successful future. Let 2025 be the year your company not only survives but excels.
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