Leaders and companies have emerged from the COVID pandemic recognising that reaping the benefits of a strong economy requires embracing innovation, Aon says.

Aon surveyed more than 800 CEOs and other top executives in the US, UK, EU and Canada and found 50% are now open to investing in new technology and that “fundamentally, they are seeking support on how to best integrate data and expertise to make better decisions”.

Aon says that across industries, surveyed C-suite leaders and senior executives are reporting a greater willingness to take on risk and make investments to build resiliency for the future.

Stronger companies valued analysis and expertise alongside data, it found, with top executives looking “beyond the numbers” to garner actionable insights from the data.

Aon’s survey found more reliable data was key to understanding risk, and that analysis of this data – not just access to it – was key.

“Expert analysis and experience are critical to better understand what the data show, and stronger companies are able to reach beyond the bounds of a spreadsheet,” it said. “What separates companies in a position of strength from those who feel weakened by the pandemic is this: the understanding that better decision making is data-driven but not data-only.”

Those reporting success during COVID saw patterns in the data and leveraged expertise, helping them make better decisions.

Insights driven by data, paired with expert analysis and advice, was critical to navigating a path forward in a world of interconnected risk, Aon says, adding that resilient companies valued data while weaker companies valued stakeholders.