Economic cycles and trends

Is America headed for a lost decade? And is that why I relentlessly propose that the days of industrial age business as usual are numbered? Yes — and no. In this short video post, here’s what I advance: America just had a lost decade (I’ve also compiled four troubling charts, available here, that lend credence […]

Historian Walter Friedman on the pioneers of forecasting, and why we haven't gotten better at it.

During boom times, deal-making is relatively easy. A rising tide lifts all boats … and the knowledge that there are lots of opportunities out there makes some negotiators forget that the deal is a way to get value, not an end in itself. You don’t have to look as far back as the excesses of […]

Can companies actually grow stronger during a recession? What can they do to capitalize on the problems that their rivals encounter during tough economic times? Suppose you have a sturdy balance sheet, low debt, and plentiful amounts of cash. How can you employ these strengths to take on rivals who have been weakened considerably? I’m […]

On Friday, the New York Times breathlessly declared in a cover story that during the recession, "As Consumers Cut Spending, 'Green' Products Lose Allure."...

Four ways leaders from the global South have an edge in today's economy.

New research from economists at LinkedIn suggests that conventional metrics may be misleading.

Three strategies to embed DEI into your core business practices — and make your efforts recession-proof.

Difficult business environments can offer rich opportunities to entrepreneurs.

When times are good, businesses tend to stick with what’s working. “It’s served us well so far,” goes the reasoning, “so why mess with success?” We fall into ruts where we don’t question whether the approach we’re using is truly the best one—we just work to push it further. It’s during these periods that needless […]

Three strategies that will help you save your accounts.

During economic slowdowns, consulting, law, and accounting firms often start offering services and taking on clients they really shouldn't, just to keep...

They need to reexamine the goals of the modern corporation - and the role executives play in achieving them.

The Gulf oil spill looks like it might be capped. U.S. financial regulation is underway, plugging holes of another kind, which won't allow sub-prime mortgage...

Research says we've been massively underestimating the number of jobs that would become available.

In many ways, the biggest business developments of 2010 were the things that didn't happen. Big companies with cash didn't spend it. Banks with cash didn't...

On June 1st, Canada's Institute for Competitiveness and Prosperity released a new, large report on Canada's Innovation Imperative. The report came from...

If a Republican had been in office the past four years, the economy wouldn’t look much different.

"Sunlight is the best disinfectant." - Justice Lewis Brandeis A day before Lehman went bankrupt, they carried an A rating from Moody's on their debt....

As free trade agreements become more popular, they present global executives with thorny strategic and operational decisions.