Business leaders bracing for tough year

Executives at large companies are operating with more stress, more risk and fewer expectations for growth — and they’re asking more of their workers to weather the storm, according to a new report.

Business insurer Sentry found that 60 per cent of executives at large companies expect their businesses to either stay flat or shrink this year. The findings, based on a survey of 1,100 business leaders, painted a picture of cautious leadership in the face of economic and operational uncertainty.