If you want to know something, ask

From the onslaught of AI to all that is happening economically and geopolitically, it’s been a roller-coaster of a ride over the last six months. And despite the economy still hanging on, all these events are having an impact on businesses and creating uncertainty across the country, particularly when it comes to budgets and discretionary spending. I wanted to know how much of an impact, so I asked a few corporate communications executives in my network what they were seeing in their organizations. 

Pulse checks are good checks 

The timing of this quick survey aligned with my preparation for a panel I was on last month about the evolution of marketing teams. The information gathered would be relevant to the conversation and allow participants to compare the results with what they see in their world.  

More than that, however, I have a keen interest in discretionary budgets. I think businesses should use them more to temporarily augment those internal teams that are light on headcount yet heavy on work and demands. This should come as no surprise as Evo’s business model is filling temporary communications roles with highly qualified and experienced independent consultants.  

I tapped my network via email and LinkedIn, and asked just three questions:  

1. How has your headcount budget been impacted in 2025? 

2. How has your discretionary budget been impacted in 2025? 

3. How are you using independent consultants or fractional experts to support your business goals in 2025?  

   
   

I also left a space for any additional comments. Here’s what I found out: 

About 49% of respondents said their headcount budget was frozen or had been reduced, while 51% said there was no change, or it had increased.  

As for the use of consultants, 55% of respondents said they either rely heavily on or use them for short-term projects, while 37% don’t use them or are reducing their use of consultants.  

And finally, when asked about discretionary budgets, 42% said it has increased or hasn’t changed, while 53% said it has been reduced or frozen. 

Click image to expand: Pulse Check – 2025 Hiring & Budget Trends

So, what does it all mean?  

Perspective is everything 

You could look at the responses and think the sky is falling, or you could look at them and think it sounds about right. Given all the uncertainty in the world right now, the fact that less than half of the respondents said their headcount budget was cut or frozen isn’t bad. That number could be a lot higher.  

And 55% said they use independent consultants. That’s a good stat and a number I suspect may rise if headcount budgets remain frozen. The companies that have increased their discretionary budgets could tap into money to temporarily fill some contract roles if they don’t want to add to their payroll.  

When you want to know, ask 

This exercise not only satiated my curiosity about budgets; it also was a hit at the event. We presented the findings in a PowerPoint slide, which was kept posted throughout the entire conversation. People kept referring to it, and it proved that people are interested in what’s happening with budgets right now.  

But it also proved a separate point, which is to tap my network when I want to get a pulse check on what’s happening. My colleagues and clients—the people in the trenches—are the best source of information, and I bet that’s true for you, too. Your network is the best source of information for you.  

People inherently want to help, and if you go to your network asking for assistance, chances are you’ll get it. Which brings me to one final point: how do you feel about the results from the pulse check: the sky is falling, sounds about right or somewhere in between?