We may not timely and effectively scale and adapt our existing technology and business to meet the expectations of our Business Partners, which would adversely affect our business, reputation, financial performance, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
It may become increasingly difficult to meet our Business Partners’ expectations and maintain, improve and scale our platform and services due to factors beyond our control. If our services are unavailable when Business Partners and Consumers attempt to access them, or if we fail to meet their expectations, Business Partners and Consumers may seek other service providers, and may not return to our platform as often in the future, or at all. This would adversely affect our ability to attract Business Partners, Consumers, and Experts, and decrease the frequency with which Business Partners and Consumers use our services. To the extent that we do not effectively address capacity constraints, upgrade our services as needed, or continually develop our logistics systems to accommodate actual and anticipated changes in technology, our business, reputation, financial condition, and results of operations would be adversely affected.
We rely on consumer discretionary spending, which is adversely affected by economic downturns, including economic recession or depression, and other macroeconomic conditions or trends.
Our business and operating results are subject to global economic conditions and their impact on consumer discretionary spending, particularly in the consumer electronics market. One of the factors that may negatively influence consumer spending on consumer electronics is economic downturns, including economic recessions or depressions, high levels of unemployment, higher consumer debt levels, inflation rates, reductions in net worth, and declines in asset values and related market uncertainty, home foreclosures and reductions in home values, fluctuating interest rates and credit availability, fluctuating fuel and other energy costs, fluctuating commodity prices and general uncertainty regarding the overall future political and economic environment. Many of these factors have occurred, and may continue to become more prevalent, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Economic conditions in certain regions may also be affected by natural disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, and threats to public health, such as the current outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. Consumer purchases of new electronics may decline during periods of economic uncertainty, when disposable income is reduced or when there is a reduction in consumer confidence.
We depend on our highly skilled employees to operate our business, and if we are unable to hire, retain, manage, compensate appropriately, train and motivate our employees, or if our new employees do not perform as we anticipate, we may not be able to grow effectively and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Our business depends in part on the continued service of our founders, senior management team, key technical employees, and other highly skilled employees, including Ron Johnson, our co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, and on our ability to continue to identify, hire, develop, motivate, compensate appropriately, train and retain talented employees. We may not be able to retain the services of any of our employees or other members of senior management in the future. Also, all of our U.S.-based employees, including our senior management team and Mr. Johnson, work for us on an at-will basis, and there is no assurance that any such employee will remain with us. Our competitors may be successful in recruiting and hiring members of our senior management team or other key employees, and it may be difficult for us to find suitable replacements on a timely basis, on competitive terms, or at all. If we are unable to attract and retain the necessary employees, particularly in critical areas of our business, we may not achieve our strategic goals. In addition, from time to time, there may be changes in our senior management team that may be disruptive to our business. If our senior management team fails to work together effectively and to execute its plans and strategies, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We face intense competition for highly skilled employees. To attract and retain top talent, we have had to offer, and we believe we will need to continue to offer, competitive compensation and benefits packages. Job candidates and existing employees often consider the value of the equity awards they receive in connection with their employment. The trading price of our common stock is likely to be volatile and could be subject to fluctuations in response to various factors and may not appreciate. If the perceived value of our equity awards declines for this or other reasons, it may adversely affect our ability to attract and retain highly qualified employees. Certain of our employees have
16