SBF Launches Future Ready Business Index, Targets 500 Firms by 2027

New Tool for Business Transformation

The Singapore Business Federation (SBF) introduced its Future Ready Business Index (FRBI) today, 21 September 2026, at the inaugural Future Ready Business in Action 2026 event. Developed with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and supported by DBS, Enterprise Singapore, and RSM Singapore, the FRBI serves as a diagnostic tool.

Its primary goal is to assist companies in evaluating their preparedness for future challenges, pinpointing areas where capabilities are lacking, and guiding their transformation initiatives.

Comprehensive Assessment Framework

SBF CEO Kok Ping Soon stated the FRBI offers a “business readiness check” across six key dimensions.

These include 'success driven' for strategy and financial strength, 'scaled globally' for international growth readiness, 'smart-enabled' for technology adoption and cybersecurity, 'skills empowered' for workforce development, 'sustainable centric' for green opportunities and emissions tracking, and 'socially impactful' for purpose and governance.

The index incorporates 11 quantitative measures and 39 qualitative metrics, ensuring an objective assessment of maturity rather than just activity.

Pilot Programme Findings and Impact

Over 100 companies have already completed the FRBI, with 102 participating in a pilot programme. Of these, 70 were firms with revenues below S$10 million. Mariam Jaafar, managing director at BCG Singapore, noted that approximately 80 per cent of pilot respondents were in nascent or emerging stages of readiness.

However, 77 per cent expressed an ambition to reach 'progressing' or 'future ready' status by next year. Findings also show that companies with higher FRBI scores demonstrated better business outcomes, with progressing companies achieving median revenue growth five percentage points higher than nascent ones.

Targets and Strategic Priorities for Firms

The SBF aims for 200 companies to complete the FRBI by the end of 2026, with a further goal of 500 firms by the end of 2027. Current assessments indicate companies are most prepared in 'success-driven' and 'skills-empowered' areas, while 'sustainable centric' and 'socially impactful' dimensions lag.

The largest ambition gaps, reflecting the difference between current and target states, were identified in 'smart enabled' and 'skills empowered'. The FRBI provides a structured pathway for Singaporean businesses to identify and address these critical capability deficits, fostering resilience and growth in a competitive environment.