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December 23, 2008
Riding out the Tail-end of an Unpredictable 2008
Another productive year is coming to an end. It's been our pleasure bringing you the trends that are changing the way the world does business, and solutions to help keep up. No doubt 2009 will be as heavy in industry-transforming developments, and we look forward to delivering the information you need to succeed.
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December 22, 2008
Weekly Industry Crib Sheet: Bailed-Out Automakers to Idle Factories...
...Trade Barriers Toughen Up, Airbus and Boeing to Prop Up Carriers, Fed Sets Record Rate Cut and Firms Make Fewer Layoffs.
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December 19, 2008
Light Friday: Office Gift Giving and DIY Gadgets
Plus: Budget-Friendly Holiday Decorations for the Cubicle, and Christmas Songs Sharks Prefer.
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December 18, 2008
2008 Advances and Challenges in CAD
Manufacturers today face increasing pressure to accelerate product time-to-market, reduce costs and deliver more high-quality products to customers. Achieving these goals requires companies to enhance communication and CAD collaboration across a widely dispersed supply chain.
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December 17, 2008
How and When Will Obama Approach NAFTA?
Trade and globalization policies played an enormous role in the latest presidential election. Now that Barack Obama has been elected the next president of the U.S, how and when will the president-elect address trade - particularly NAFTA - after being sworn into office next month?
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December 16, 2008
China Loses Appeal Over Car Parts Ruling
In a bit of good news to U.S. auto parts suppliers who are dreading the ripple effect of a possible Detroit Three downfall, the WTO has determined that China's auto parts tariffs to be in breach of international trade rules.
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December 15, 2008
Weekly Industry Crib Sheet: Detroit in Purgatory...
...U.S. Trade Deficit Grows, Cost Pressures for Manufacturers, European and UK Output Outlook, a Global Economic Recession and the Euro's 10th Birthday.
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December 12, 2008
Light Friday: Happy 40th, PC and Mouse; RIP Instant Film...
...Building Brainy Computers, Cooling with Fire, (Mis-)Predicting the Future and MORE.
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December 11, 2008
What exactly is a Car Czar?
Though we're not precisely sure what the final bailout legislation for Detroit's automakers will look like, we do know it will come with quite a few strings attached, one of those being the probable inclusion of a "car czar."
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December 10, 2008
Glimmer of Hope: Now's a Good Time to be a Buyer
From above-average compensation to an increased role in a company's business strategy, now is a good time to be a buyer — despite the credit crunch.
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December 9, 2008
Need-to-Know Pack Trends
The No. 1 development on packaging manufacturers' minds is going "green." Here we look at sustainability's impact on the packaging world, along with other notable trends.
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Packaging Machine Market to Grow Through Recession?
The packaging machinery market has seen steady growth in the past few years, but can it remain robust despite the recent economic downturn?
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Less Time to Open, More Time to Enjoy
A small but growing number of companies are introducing product packages that are not only easier to open, but manufactured more efficiently with sustainability in mind.
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Backlash against Deceptive and Excessive Packaging
Consumers are getting savvy to, and vocally critical of, manufacturers downsizing products. Meanwhile, overpackaging creates industrial waste and consumer headaches.
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Branding the Complete Package
It takes more than just a pretty package to sell a product. To differentiate themselves from the competition, companies must develop a complete brand that resonates with consumers.
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Economy's Latest Victim: The Holiday Office Party
A record number of companies have dropped holiday parties this year while others are scaling back how much they spend, what they serve and/or how many people they invite.
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5 Advanced Designs in Emergency Architecture
Natural disasters can be unpredictable and devastating, but some inventive emergency-shelter designs are proving that resourcefulness can triumph over seemingly insurmountable challenges.
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Stick to New Year's Resolutions
The time is fast approaching for New Year's resolutions. Whether you want to be more productive at work or lose weight, here are some lessons in self-discipline to help you meet your goals.
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Recommended Reading
Buying In reveals why now, more than ever, people are embracing brands - creating brands of their own and participating in marketing campaigns for their favorite brands in unprecedented ways.
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December 8, 2008
Weekly Industry Crib Sheet: Detroit May Get Half its Bailout
Plus: Jobless Claims Low, Job Losses High, More Rate Cuts in EU and Asia, a Potential Global Airline and MORE.
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December 5, 2008
Light Friday: Robot Programmers Get Bored and Retention Cash Awards...
Plus: the Things Online We Looked for Most, a Crystal Ball for Your Health, and MORE.
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December 4, 2008
Steel Production Slowdowns Idle U.S. Plants
The combined drop-off in steel demand and orders has forced many steel mills to reduce production to keep prices from plummeting even more. As a result, the nation's largest steel producer has temporarily halted production at three facilities.
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December 3, 2008
The 411 on 10+2 in 2009
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection recently announced its long-awaited interim final rule on the Importer Security Filing, also known as the "10+2" rule. Here's what the new rule - with significant "enhancements" from the original proposal - means for importers and carriers.
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December 2, 2008
New Equipment Tax Incentive Ends in 29 Days
The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 enables businesses to expense up $250,000 for new equipment purchases and write-off up to 50 percent of the equipment's cost, but they must act before the end of the year to take advantage of the federal government's offer.
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December 1, 2008
Weekly Industry Crib Sheet: Fed Announces New Intervention and Detroit Plans a New Plan...
Plus: If you didn't think the U.S. has been in a recession for a while, it has now been confirmed. . .that we've been in one for a year. Meanwhile, other developed economies also face a protracted recession and a sharp increase in unemployment. But, hey, we bought stuff on Friday, so that helps a bit.
