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February 27, 2009

Light Friday: Top 3 Rants of the Financial Crisis (So Far)

Plus: The Math Formula that Ruined Our Economy, the Short and Simple Story of the Credit Crisis, Offshoring Childcare and MORE.

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February 26, 2009

Microloans Serve as Small-Biz Lending Alternative

With commercial bank loans now a distant memory for many small businesses, many start-ups can still turn to nonprofit microlenders for financial support.

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February 25, 2009

President's Address on Economy: Seize Opportunity from Ordeal

In a speech that highlighted hope and hardship, and was devoted almost exclusively to the economy, President Obama last night asked both houses of Congress to address energy, education and health care quickly.

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February 24, 2009

Data Theft Rises with Downturn

Almost 60 percent of employees stole company data upon leaving their jobs last year. As the economy worsens and more people are laid off, more insider theft is expected to occur.

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February 23, 2009

Weekly Industry Crib Sheet: Ink Dries on $787 Billion Stimulus Package...

...Trying to Slow Foreclosures, Eurozone Downturn Picks up Pace, Producer Prices Rebound, Potential for Economic Improvement in 2009 and MORE.

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February 20, 2009

Space Junk Friday: Gene Roddenberry's Ashes...

...and Other Items Stuck in Space. Plus: the International Year of Astronomy, Human Consumption in Perspective and MORE.

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February 19, 2009

January Manufacturing Results a Mixed Bag

Despite overall decreases in industrial production and shipments last month, the recession's intensity is expected to ease slightly due to increased manufacturing orders and decreased steel inventories.

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February 18, 2009

How Nations Measure Up: Global Rankings

Annual rankings show a frantic race among the world's top economies, with gaps shrinking year over year. Has the United States lost its competitive edge?

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Countering Your Competitors' Moves

Despite potential losses, companies are not tracking their competitors' actions - making them unable to respond before their competitors' changes hit the marketplace.

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The Worldwide Time-to-Market Race

A country's capacity for innovation, a seemingly immeasurable trait, can be gauged by how long it takes to launch new products, according to new findings.

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Reclaiming Wasted Time

Companies will leave behind 30 percent potential productivity gains in the next two years, a new report reveals. Managers cite improving workers' skills as a way to recover lost productivity.

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6 Big Business Rivalries

Healthy competition can sometimes devolve into full-blown feuding. Here we explain how six well-known business rivalries began and where they are now.

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Does U.S. Infrastructure Make the Grade?

All signs in the American Society of Civil Engineers' newly released 2009 Report Card for America's Future point to a national infrastructure that is unable to meet current and future demands.

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Defining "American-Made"

"Buy American" is back on the agenda in Washington. Yet buying American-made products, particularly automobiles, has become an ambiguous, complicated challenge.

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Are Executive Pay Caps the Solution?

Debate continues over whether compensation limits will keep executives in check or will force out the best and the brightest just when we need them most.

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Recommended Reading

As timely as ever, the recently expanded edition of Winners Never Cheat drills down on a number of universal principles to remind us the values learned in our childhood are applicable in business and life.

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February 17, 2009

Weekly Industry Crib Sheet: What's in the Stimulus Bill for Biz

Plus: Automakers to Submit Restructuring Plans, "Car Czar" Idea Abandoned, Eurozone and Indian Economies Slow, and More.

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February 13, 2009

Light Friday: Twofer Holiday Weekend...

Plus: Perspiration and Prostheses, Internet Dog Feeder and MORE.

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February 12, 2009

The Right Tools Fuel Ongoing Innovation

In the face of deep economic turmoil, developing innovative ideas into usable, marketable products is particularly difficult to master. How do organizations identify the most promising ideas and translate them into successful products?

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February 11, 2009

Aerospace and Defense Braces for Budget Cuts

Aerospace and defense industry observers and insiders are concerned about possible downward pressure on defense budgets, with more than half thinking the U.S. will spend less in 2009.

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February 10, 2009

8 Industry Trends for 2009

Based on responses from vendors, consultants and buyers, new research provides insights into manufacturing and supply chain developments expected for 2009.

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February 9, 2009

Weekly Industry Crib Sheet: The Stimulus Package So Far...

...Capping Pay of Bailed-Out Executives, January Job Losses, Chinese Manufacturing's Recovery Signs, Automaker Sales and UK Factory Output.

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February 6, 2009

Light Friday: Steelers Super Bowl Win a Stimulus for U.S. Economy?

Plus: Stock Charts as Sheet Music, a Human-Powered Submarine and MORE.

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February 5, 2009

U.S. Protectionist Clause Sparks Loud Protest

Numerous trading partners warn that a "buy American" clause in the nearly $900 billion U.S. economic stimulus bill would set off a retaliatory trade war worldwide.

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February 4, 2009

Alternatives to Employer-Provided Training

During times of recession, workers often look to increase or improve their skills to gain some job security. Many employers, however, are trimming training budgets to save their bottom line.

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February 3, 2009

The State of U.S. Rail, Air and Sea Shipping

As the economy continues to hinder global trade activity, most transportation modes are facing challenges of rising costs and networks that can't support projected traffic growth.

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Spotlight: Trucking Trends

With consumer spending so low and credit so tight, leveled-off gas prices offer little respite for trucking fleets, truck makers and truck-part manufacturers.

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How an Executive Order Could Transform the Auto Industry

During his first week in office, President Barack Obama announced a major move aimed at improving fuel economy and lowering tailpipe emissions. Here's what it could mean for automakers.

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Can Cheap Oil Fuel the Aerospace Sector?

Due mainly to recently fallen oil prices, the U.S. aviation industry shows improved earnings potential. Yet with tumbling demand alongside it, cheap oil may not be enough to keep the industry flying.

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Business Travel Hits Turbulence

The economic climate has had a dramatic impact on work-related travel. Understanding the new environment can help you plan your next cross-country business trip.

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How Airplane Black Boxes Work

Because an airplane's black boxes are often the sole survivors in a crash, the recording devices reveal clues that would otherwise be impossible to obtain. Here's how they work.

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10 Lesser-Known Firsts in Flight

You may know about the Wright brothers' first plane flight - but what about the first blind flight or the first aerial combat?

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The Rise of Digital Nomads

"Digital nomadism" combines the autonomy of telecommuting with mobility for an even more flexible work style. Now more people are ditching the office and using the world as their workspace.

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Recommended Reading

The Game-Changer reveals how largely successful companies have taken steps to create fresh products and new markets by making innovation a key corporate strategy.

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February 2, 2009

Weekly Industry Crib Sheet: Ford Exits Bailout Line...

Plus: Automakers Welcome Tighter Regulations, U.S. Economy Contracts Sharply, Consumers Raise Confidence Slightly and MORE.

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