Trusted Advisors Give Businesses a Strategic Edge

In Q4, companies across the economic spectrum are planning for the year ahead. Preparing for next year means considering cash flow and profitability, tax planning, logistical updates and improvements, and workforce needs. There is a lot to plan for – but you don’t have to go it alone.

What Successful Businesses Have in Common

“The most successful companies in every industry are the ones that are the most prepared,” said Chris Grassa, Head of Commercial General Industries at Western Alliance. “And what high-performing businesses often have in common is ready access to a small group of trusted advisors they can turn to for planning and making key decisions. This cabinet of advisors includes attorneys, CPAs, insurance brokers, and commercial bankers.”

The need for smart advice and counsel is greater still when the business landscape has as many “known unknowns” as it does today. Nearly half of executives surveyed by the Atlanta Fed report that their firm is currently facing high or very high levels of uncertainty.

Mitigating Risk, Maximizing Opportunity

“Overall, there is just a lot of economic uncertainty right now, in terms of where we land on tariffs and how this will impact supply chains and other key costs, as well as what happens next with interest rates,” said John Maguire, Head of Market Banking at Western Alliance, leading regional Commercial Real Estate lending teams across the bank’s multi-state footprint. “Many businesses have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for a clear economic picture to emerge, but companies still need to move forward. With visibility into a wide range of industries and trends, an experienced commercial banking partner can bring clients a great deal of insight to help them mitigate risk and maximize opportunity as they plan for the future.”

One factor creating exponential change across the globe is artificial intelligence (AI), which amplifies existing uncertainties and opportunities. “Technology companies certainly are thinking about AI – how to take advantage of it and how to defend against it – and for some, this is an existential issue,” said Bob Curley, Western Alliance’s Deputy Chief Banking Officer, who has been based in Silicon Valley for many years and oversees the company’s Innovation Banking Group. “But AI considerations apply to companies all across the business landscape and touch every industry.”

How Your Bank Can Help You Prepare

A seasoned commercial banking partner can help you anticipate and prepare for a variety of different outlooks and outcomes.

“Western Alliance offers clients a valuable – and unique – combination of benefits as they plan ahead for their businesses,” added Curley. “This includes deep market expertise, seasoned leadership through various economic cycles, and the proven ability to unite the Bank’s resources to seamlessly deliver optimal solutions to clients across industries.”

In today’s highly complex environment, you want the best advice you can possibly have to synthesize sometimes-conflicting data as you plan for the year ahead and make decisions for your business.

Ready to add to your cabinet of advisors? Consult with our smart and experienced commercial bankers today.