4 anticipated trends of 2025 and how to prepare

Here are four anticipated trends for 2025, along with tips to help you prepare from Provide Advisory Network members: Dr. Sarah Baker, DVM, MPH, owner of Lane Veterinary; Dr. Dan Dinowitz, DMD, owner of Voorhees Pediatric Dentistry; Dr. Chriska Mustafa, DDS, co-owner of Root Modern Dentistry; and Dr. Amrita Patel, DDS.

Navigating 2025’s complex economic environment will be essential for long-term success, and understanding key factors — such as inflation and rising costs — can help you stay ahead. As a business owner, you're in the driver's seat to tackle these challenges by using data and strategic planning to make informed decisions and maintain profitability. 

No matter your industry or area of specialty, management groups, consultants, and financial partners are excellent resources, as they keep a close pulse on economic shifts. For example, Dr. Baker recommends her fellow veterinarians look into the Veterinary Management Group (VMG), which stays current on economic trends and provides valuable insights to help veterinary hospital owners stay informed.

“The economy will always ebb and flow. It’s easy to get stressed by day-to-day challenges, but it’s important to keep the larger picture in mind,” says Dr. Baker.

The adoption of new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), will remain a topic for business owners across industries. The conversation often revolves around balancing the need for human expertise with the potential for more streamlined, efficient services. By investing in understanding and implementing AI and other technologies, you can optimize operations, save time and money, and enhance your overall customer experience. Businesses that adopt and integrate new technologies effectively will likely be better positioned for growth and success.

Dr. Baker recently implemented AI-powered scribes in her hospital and shared that they have significantly improved both efficiency and thoroughness in their charting. To further explore the impact of AI tools on small businesses, Joseph Ours, leader of the AI Strategy Practice at Centric Consulting, joined The Path to Owning It. You can stream the episode here for his tips on weighing the potential costs versus benefits of AI.

Across industries, there are significant workforce shortages. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, professional and business services face the highest labor shortages of any industry (50%). For businesses struggling to recruit new talent, in addition to offering competitive compensation and opportunities for professional development, hiring for both technical skills and culture fit can help build a team with a shared passion and commitment to going above and beyond for customers. 

Dr. Patel recommends prioritizing diversity and inclusivity in the hiring process while emphasizing your business’s unique qualities, such as specialization or modern technology, to make your business more appealing to potential employees. To grow her team, she actively networked with local dental schools and used job boards to attract both experienced professionals and new graduates who not only had the necessary technical expertise but also shared a passion for patient care and collaboration.

Dr. Baker started with a very small team and had to let a few people go along the way to maintain the positive and empathetic work environment she and her team were striving for. “By maintaining a positive workplace culture, using word-of-mouth to recruit new talent, and practicing the highest level of medicine and customer care, recruiting new talent has become easier,” says Dr. Baker.

Dr. Dinowitz turned to social media, where he asked applicants to submit short videos introducing themselves and answering questions such as: “Tell me a little about yourself,” “What’s your favorite emoji, and can you recreate it with your facial expression?,” and “What’s your favorite accessory to wear at work?” (His favorite is his pink Nike shoes!). 

This unconventional strategy helped him identify candidates who not only had the necessary experience but also aligned with his practice’s culture. It allowed him to quickly screen for personality, creativity, and the ability to follow directions, all while keeping the process lighthearted and engaging. “Personality plays a huge role in pediatric dentistry, as creating a welcoming, fun environment for children and their families is just as important as providing top-notch dental care. Our approach made the hiring process enjoyable and ensured we attracted candidates who were excited about working for a boutique practice like ours,” says Dr. Dinowitz.

“Hiring is about more than just filling a position— it’s about building a group of people who will support your vision and make your business stand out,” says Dr. Dinowitz.

Implementing sustainability into business practices remains a growing concern among business owners and their consumers. Aligning with customers’ calls for corporate social responsibility can help your business appeal to a growing base of consumers. Committing to sustainable practices can also lead to cost savings (i.e., energy efficiency). Answering your customers’ sustainability concerns also helps you get ahead of backlash from not only your customers but also potential sustainability regulations, leading to possible legal, reputational, and financial issues.

For some businesses, there's a recognition that their industry generates a significant amount of waste. For example, take dentistry, a field that relies heavily on single-use products, making it challenging to reuse materials. As someone who loves the outdoors and values fresh air, Dr. Mustafa wanted to support sustainability and find a way to positively impact the environment by doing something meaningful. That’s when she discovered One Tree Planted and a partnership was born. The idea was simple yet powerful: Plant trees.

Throughout the year, Root Modern Dentistry purchases trees and dedicates them to its patients. Each patient receives a certificate with their name on it, letting them know a tree has been planted in their honor. It’s a small gesture with a big impact, it sets Root apart from other dental practices, and patients love it. They feel special knowing that their visit helps contribute to the planet’s well-being. On Earth Day, Dr. Mustafa and her team come together for a local tree-planting event, making it a community effort. For her business, it’s more than just a thank-you for a referral; it’s about making a real, meaningful contribution.

According to Statista, the number of cyberattacks in 2022 increased by over 90% compared to 2016. As businesses become more digitally dependent, they grow increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks. Keep your business and customers safe by investing in quality cybersecurity defense systems. This includes training your team with the latest information. Fifth Third Bank has several suggested reads for fraud and cybersecurity tips here.

Staying ahead of trends can keep your business safe and thriving in the new year and beyond.