Exports: Risk of Recession Rising
Maybe I’m a little jumpy, having just created a series of videos about business planning with a risk of recession. Today’s foreign trade data worry me. If the United States economy is going to turn …
Business Planning With a Risk of Recession: Strategic Initiatives
I posted a video about how to do economic contingency planning for the risk of recession with respect to your business's strategic initiatives on my Forbes.com page. Here's the introduction: The economic forecast has a …
Business Planning With a Risk of Recession
I've posted a new video on my Forbes.com page on the subject Business Planning With A Risk of Recession. Here's the introduction: We economists are predicting light to moderate growth this year, but we’re also …
An Economic Forecast for the Timber Industry, 2012-2013
Wood products demand is far more sensitive to the economy than demand for almost any other product. The outlook for the next two years is moderately positive, at least compared to the weak domestic markets …
The Making of an Economist
Courtesy of Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal (Hat tip to Peter Conerly.)
Vendor Performance a Continuing Problem as Economy Grows
Although the economy is not growing rapidly, some companies are anticipating strong growth and recognizing the challenges that growth can present. Yes, growth is not always easy. There can be challenges to financial resources, labor …
South Korea Economic Forecast, 2012-2013: A Business Perspective
United States businesses sold nearly $40 billion worth of goods to South Korea last year, a record volume. Over the first three quarters of 2011 we’re running 13 percent above last year’s pace, so South …
Japan’s Economic Forecast, 2012-2013: A Business Perspective
Japan has had some difficult times, but its economy is still vitally important to many American businesses. Our exports to Japan totaled $60 billion last year, and so far this year they are running 10 …
China’s Economic Forecast, 2012-2013: A Business Perspective
China’s economy is increasingly important to many American businesses. Even if your company doesn’t export, you may be selling to another company that depends on China for a significant portion of its revenues. I’m not …
Consumer Spending: Lesson from the Telecom Industry
Consumer spending fell and gradually recovered–-but that’s not the whole story. Stressful times change the composition of spending as well as the total level, a lesson that all business leaders should understand. Earlier this year …
Should a Business Buy Its Own Building in This Real Estate Market
Should a business buy its own building in this market? A small business owner recently asked me that very question. I think it’s a great idea to consider in many areas, given the weak real …
Real Estate Outlook 2012-2013
Real estate markets are unbalanced in most parts of the country: vacancy is too high, but construction is too low. That sounds contradictory, because construction should be low when vacancy is high. Looking forward, however, …