Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. The US economy is crushing it compared to other rich countries The US economy is expected to outpace Canada and Germany in 2024 despite inflation and interest rate hikes. Growth is fueled by consumer spending and business investments, while the Fed’s aggressive rate increases aim to control inflation. The… Read more
Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Fed’s Powell sees lower rates on the horizon as inflation ebbs, economy bounces ahead Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, in a sweeping endorsement of the U.S. economy’s strength, said on Wednesday that interest rates had peaked and would move lower in coming months, with inflation continuing to fall and… Read more
Getting caught up on a week that got away? Here’s your weekly digest of some stories relevant to business and the economy. By the numbers: U.S. Economy grows faster than expected for year and final quarter of 2023 The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported fourth quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 3.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023 exceeding expectations.… Read more
As a business owner, you often find yourself pulled in different directions by competing responsibilities. It can feel daunting to classify tasks and tackle the most time-consuming ones first. But why is it so hard for us to start – or even finish – seemingly insignificant tasks? Why do these tiny tasks become the bane of our existence, tempting us into procrastination limbo? Let’s explore why we get stuck on… Read more
Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Top 8 Global Business Trends for 2024 The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s International team carefully tracks the top geopolitical, economic, and policy trends affecting global business. Here are eight to watch in 2024. How copyright lawsuits could kill OpenAI Late last year, the New York Times sued OpenAI and Microsoft,… Read more
When you’re ready to take your business to the next level, you might start thinking about “scaling”. No, it’s not just a fancy term for growth, it’s about doing more with less. Scaling is about increasing your revenue without needing to proportionately increase your resources—pretty cool, right? It’s like sending an email: whether you send it to 100 people or 100,000, your effort is the same. The trick to scaling… Read more
Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Why the U.S. may extend its run as the world’s leading economy The U.S., China and India may take turns leading the global economy this century, according to an analysis from the Centre for Economics and Business Research. US economy starting to look ‘more like the 1970s,’ JPMorgan Chase’s… Read more
So, we’re officially in the thick of a cost of living crisis. This presents a challenge for entrepreneurs and is a nerve-wracking time for many small business owners. If you’ve had sleepless nights worrying about how you’re going to pay your suppliers or support your staff, you’re not alone. It’s likely you’ve already looked at where you can cut costs, but it seems like an impossible task when suppliers are… Read more
Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Poll finds fewer Americans expecting economic slowdown now Most Americans continue to rate the economy negatively, but sentiment has been slightly improving of late, and Americans now think the longer-term outlook appears more stable. Initial US employment reports overstated by 439,000 jobs in 2023 The government erased 439,000 jobs… Read more
Inflation – it’s a word that’s been on everyone’s lips recently. Rates are on the rise, and our small business community is feeling it the most. Increased supply costs, a lack of workforce, and dwindling profits are among the challenges faced. Let’s demystify inflation and delve into its impact on small businesses. Grasping Inflation In essence, inflation is the uptick in the cost of goods and services. Whether it’s a… Read more
When starting a business, you often wear all the hats – CEO, salesperson, marketer, and even janitor. But as your business grows, you’ll eventually hit a wall. There’s only so much you can do on your own. That’s when you might need to consider hiring your first employee. Hiring someone brings many benefits. It can double your workforce, free up your time to focus on the business, and introduce new… Read more
As the holiday season draws near, finding a way to balance business responsibilities and festive joy is crucial. Your CFO To Go, your trusted financial partner in Brentwood, Tennessee, presents the advantages of cloud accounting to make your holidays seamless. Explore how cloud accounting can transform your holiday experience, providing you the freedom to unwind while staying on top of your finances. Anywhere, Anytime Access With Your CFO To… Read more
Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Fed keeps interest rates flat again—but barely budges on 2024 rate cut forecasts The Federal Reserve opted to hold interest rates at the same level they’ve sat since July, as the central bank’s impactful rate-hiking cycle appears all but over, though the Fed remains coy about doing a complete… Read more
For small businesses in today’s competitive market, outsourcing can offer a range of advantages. Not only does it reduce costs and free up valuable time for owners to focus on growing their business, but it also provides access to skills and expertise that may be unavailable in-house. By working with external professionals or firms who work in certain areas, small businesses have the opportunity to streamline operations, increase productivity and… Read more
Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Americans feeling inflation’s impact on living standards, opportunities A CBS News poll reveals that inflation is significantly impacting Americans, even amid stronger jobs reports and economists’ talk of “soft landings,” people say they still pay more attention to their own experiences than to macroeconomic measures — and an overwhelming… Read more
As a small business owner, it can be incredibly difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance. The obligations and responsibilities of running your own business often take priority over any personal pursuits, no matter how important they may be for your overall well being. But, with the right strategies and mindset in place, it is possible to strike an effective balance between working hard on your business and making time… Read more
Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. US economy grows 5.2% in third quarter; higher interest rates eroding momentum The U.S. economy grew faster than initially thought in the third quarter as businesses built more warehouses and accumulated machinery equipment, but momentum appears to have since waned as higher borrowing costs curb hiring and spending. Jerome… Read more
AI (Artificial intelligence) has been both a huge disrupter and enabler for businesses of all shapes and sizes. (AI) is no longer just a pipe dream of science-fiction. It has become a vital aspect of today’s world and has meant businesses or employees can and are becoming more productive by leveraging the many AI tools for business activities. In the past, the application of AI was limited to big corporations… Read more
Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Americans expected to increase spending this holiday season According to one survey, American shoppers are expected to spend 14% more this holiday season than they did in 2022, this despite inflation and high interest rates. Roxana Saberi has more. The looming office space real estate shortage. Yes, shortage There… Read more
In today’s digital age, online reviews can make or break a small business. With the ease of access to social media and review websites, customers can easily voice their opinions and experiences with your business online. As a small business owner, it’s essential to understand the importance of online reviews as they will impact your brand image, sales, and customer loyalty. Boost your brand image Online reviews are the first… Read more