SMB CEO confidence saw a modest uptick in Q3 2023, according to the latest CEO Confidence Index from CEO coaching and peer advisory organization Vistage. The small gain was driven by an increase in revenue projections and stabilization in profit expectations, as a good proportion of SMBs are experiencing some levels of growth while still facing the headwind of increased costs that negatively impact profitability. Vistage has measured SMB CEOs' sentiment on a variety of economic and business factors every quarter since 2003. In Q3 2023, the Vistage CEO Confidence Index continued to trend upward to 76, a slight but continued increase from 74.2 in Q2 2023 and 72.6 in Q1 2023. Joe Galvin, Vistage's chief research officer, said the top challenge we're hearing from CEOs across the board is managing growth. Sluggish demand due to hesitant customers, a desire for profitable growth, and the need to scale for future growth cycles indicate that the new abnormal has become the status quo.