Launching into the Future: Middle Market Trends for 2025, with Doug Farren

Feb 11, 2025

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It’s been four years since we started In Good Companies and, as we look ahead, we feel that our vision for this show is complete. Together we navigated the forces shaping your business over the past six seasons, bringing in experts on culture, M&A, corporate security and so much more. We conclude this series with a special final episode. We’re keeping our promises and launching you into 2025 with a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Our final guest, Doug Farren, is a pioneer in business research and the co-founder of the National Center for the Middle Market at Ohio State University. A thought leader, researcher and educator, Doug joins us to share his insights into one of the most overlooked segments of the economy: mid-size businesses — a "forgotten third" that drives a significant portion of private sector growth.

In this episode, Doug sheds light on the challenges and opportunities facing middle-market companies in 2025. From technology adoption to talent retention, risk management and succession planning, we discuss how to help mid-sized businesses navigate the road ahead. We also break down the findings of the Middle Market Indicator – a cutting-edge study that Doug runs bi-annually, to outline the needs of mid-size businesses and connect leaders in the field. Together, we share important business stories, as we love them on this podcast.

If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur or visionary who wants to know what is shaping 2025, this episode is for you. Here’s to embracing the future – and being with us – one last time, on In Good Companies.

Highlights:

Introducing Doug Farren (01:59)
What is the Middle Market? (03:02)
Scaling up: Needs, Challenges and Opportunities for Midsize Companies (06:59)
Building a Network, with the Middle Market Indicator (10:46)
Understanding the Macro-Economic Environment in 2025 (14:38)
Technology and Innovation in the Middle Market (16:57)
The Issue with Middle Market Brand Visibility & Talent Retention (19:42)
Thinking Ahead: Governance, and Succession Planning (22:28)
The Climate Question: Assessing Risks for Business Growth (25:12)
Where to Find Resources for Middle Market Leaders (30:14)
Telling Business Stories, Making New Connections (32:44)
A Final World from In Good Companies (35:07)

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If you have questions about the show or its topics , email our producers Natalie.Barron@cadencebank.com or Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com.