Page 13 - BusinessWest January 6, 2025

2025 Snapshots
Peter Picknelly, Chairman, Peter Pan Bus Lines
The future of public trans- portation, particularly inter- city buses, appears bright. Fewer new driver’s licenses were issued last year than in the past 50 years, indicating a preference for public transportation. Inter-city buses are becoming increas- ingly popular due to their
high frequency of service, reasonable fares, and onboard amenities that allow passengers to work, relax, and entertain themselves while traveling.
With rising fuel, insurance, and toll costs — and the introduction of congestion pricing in major cities like New York City and Boston — buses are becoming an even more attractive option. Additionally, apps like Uber make it convenient for passengers to get from the bus terminal to their destination.
As affordability, convenience, and sustainability take center stage, intercity bus travel is well-posi- tioned to thrive.
Nicole Polite, CEO, the MH Group
In 2025, workplaces will highly value being adaptable and open to learning so employees can quickly han- dle changes in their indus- tries. Knowing how to use digital tools will be impor- tant as technology becomes part of daily work. Being able to think critically and
solve problems will be essential for tackling complex challenges, working alongside AI and automation.
Understanding emotions and managing relation- ships will help with teamwork and leadership. Com- panies will encourage creativity and new ideas to stay ahead. Being able to communicate clearly, both digi- tally and in person, will remain crucial for effective collaboration.
Strong leadership and the ability to work well in teams will be needed to guide diverse groups. Under- standing different cultures will be valuable in work- places that are becoming more global, helping them work well with various perspectives. Lastly, being skilled at using data to make informed decisions will become crucial as data plays a bigger role in shaping business strategies.
Meghan Rothschild, President, Chikmedia
The world of marketing and public relations has been ever-changing since its beginning, and this upcom- ing year will be no excep- tion. Right now, we’re seeing a boom in the podcast indus- try and utilizing hosts as influencers and collabora- tors on social media to
advance our clients’ expert positioning. Authenticity, ‘edutainment,’ and storytelling continue to be the pri- ority for online content, with a heavy emphasis on video.
Perhaps one of the most concerning trends I
see coming down the pipeline is a cut to marketing spends. I cannot stress this enough: cutting your marketing budget in a time of low sales is the kiss
of death. You must prioritize sharing your company services to the public so you can build your customer database. As a general rule, 5% to 10% of your net revenue should be invested back into marketing efforts.
Quality over quantity continues to lead, and every post, advertisement, or blog entry should have inten- tion behind it. Applying strategy to your external com- munication will be key in the new year, so reserve some time in Q1 to outline a plan.
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