The last 12 months were tough on U.S. manufacturers, with economic pressures, instability in global markets, and uncertainty about domestic policies taking a heavy toll on business growth. But with the start of a new year, many manufacturers are hoping for a strong rebound. Can U.S. industrial firms expect brighter prospects in 2013? Read more

Now that some of the fiscal cliff issues that would have impacted smaller firms have been resolved (albeit temporarily), it’s natural to wonder whether 2013 will deliver better market conditions for the small businesses that drive the U.S. economy, particularly when it comes to growth and employment. Read more

Manufacturers are navigating rough waters in today’s uncertain market, with severe volatility around demand and input costs for their operations. However, hard-won experience – and recent research – shows that manufacturers who place priority on flexibility, as well as make smart investments, can weather the storm more successfully than their rivals.

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No one can see into the future, but author and master forecaster Nate Silver examines why some predictions are more accurate than others, what makes successful forecasting work, and how overconfidence about the future is often the reason for failure. Read more