Most major banks call for a third consecutive year of strong returns for the S&P 500, the benchmark stock index tracking 500 of the largest public American companies, offering a welcome bullish signal for investors already enjoying a historic bull market.

All businesses and those who own them face challenges at various points in their life cycles. These encompass things like talent acquisition, resource and cash flow management, growing competition, increasing regulation and fluctuations in not only the economic environment but consumer spending and loyalty.