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Most of Bill’s current writings appear on Forbes.com where he is a Senior Contributor.

1 Aug 2006

Non-Residential Construction Booming

Economy
Although the housing construction boom has slowed, the non-residential construction sector has started to boom.  After a few years with public construction besting private sector non-res activity, that pattern has reversed.  Especially strong are office …
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31 Jul 2006

Great Blog Tool

Business Strategy
I sometimes post comments on other people’s blogs, then forget whose blog I’ve commented on, and on what topic.  It would be nice to be able to go back and see if anyone is replying …
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28 Jul 2006

Economic Growth Slowing

Economy
The overall economy is expanding at a much slower pace. Growth rates of consumer spending and business equipment spending were both down.  Housing construction was also down, as was government.  The business equipment drop surprised …
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28 Jul 2006

More High-Pay Jobs Being Added

Economy
Wages are rising, with more high-pay jobs being added.  Here’s the picture: By either measure, wage rates are rising.  (However, the Employment Cost Index, ECI, shows a slower growth rate for benefits expense.) The two …
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25 Jul 2006

Consumer Confidence Is . . . What?

Economy
We have conflicting trends from the two major surveys of consumer attitudes.  The Conference Board’s survey of consumer confidence is moving up, while the University of Michigan’s Survey Research Center survey of consumer sentiment is …
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25 Jul 2006

Home Sales Weakening

Economy
Home sales are declining, according to the National Association of Realtors report on existing homes, townhouses and condos.  Not only is the number of home sales down, but prices have gained less than one percent …
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16 Jul 2006

Retain Your Brains

Business Strategy
That’s the title of a great article in Fortune Magazine (July 24, 2006, p. 49).  Employee retention is a key issue for businesses, both in the short-run with tight labor markets, and in the long-run …
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15 Jul 2006

Retail Sales Softening

Economy
It’s starting to get scary: no progress in retail sales excluding gasoline since January. With gasoline, retail sales have risen at an annual rate of only three percent (not adjusted for inflation) in the last …
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30 Jun 2006

The Fed: Time for a Vacation.

Economy
What will the Fed do next?  They are scheduled to meet again in August.  In thinking about their next move, I ask myself, what would I do if I had Bernanke’s job?  I’d ponder two …
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