Category: Economy
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You Ask, I Answer: Are We Entering a Recession?
Mohammed asks, “Are we entering a recession? Is a recession looming?” This was also the subject of a trending topic on LinkedIn. To understand the greater economic picture, we need to look at a basket of metrics. Watch the video for my analysis of almost two dozen economic indicators. Disclosure/disclaimer: I am in no way…
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Artificial Intelligence and Creative Destruction
I had the privilege to speak to college students recently at Wheaton College, thanks to Professor CC Chapman‘s invitation, about the role and impact of artificial intelligence on the marketing profession. During the Q&A, one of the students asked, “Shouldn’t we be focused on creating jobs for people instead of destroying them?” This is an…
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Economic Snapshot, Q4 2017
As is customary at the start of each quarter, I like to look at macroeconomic indicators to see how things are going. What’s the market like? For B2B marketers, what will the impact be to our budgets? For B2C marketers, how is the consumer that powers our businesses faring? Let’s dig in. Economic Indicators As…
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Why Macroeconomics Matters to Marketers
Marketers have traditionally been famous for not being mathematically-inclined. However, without an understanding of statistics and economics, marketers will be less effective in their work. In this post, we’ll explore why macroeconomics matters to marketers. Macroeconomics is Marketing’s Precursor What is macroeconomics and why should marketers care? Macroeconomics is the study of (and the corpus…
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2016 Q3/Q4 Economic Indicators Snapshot
As I do at the end of each quarter, let’s take a look at how the markets are faring. What could be on tap as we close out the year? How might we want to structure our B2B and B2C marketing efforts? Markets First, let’s check the broad markets. DJIA: S&P 500: NASDAQ: All three…
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The economic case for marijuana legalization and taxation
This fall, citizens of the Bay State face ballot question 4, the question of legalizing marijuana for recreational use. A Yes vote legalizes marijuana for recreational, non-medical usage (it’s already legal for medical use). A No vote keeps the law the same. A bit of background about me: I’m a Massachusetts resident and have been…
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Economic Snapshot: Post-Brexit Metrics
I take a look at common economic indicators once a quarter or so publicly, usually at the end of each quarter. Now that the UK has voted to leave the EU – and the ensuing economic shock has hit – I thought it would be a good time to examine those indicators again. A couple…
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On Brexit, Part 1: Measure to Mitigate Uncertainty
The UK referendum to exit the European Union creates a vast cloud of the worst thing for business: uncertainty. Article 50 of the EU constitution, the lawful secession of a member state, has never been exercised until now. How do business leaders and marketers consider this turn of events? The short answer: too soon to…
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Economic Conditions Snapshot for Q2
Remember how at the beginning of the first quarter, some economic advisors were shouting that the sky was falling, sell everything, and run for the hills? How are things shaping up? Was that warning warranted? Let’s take a look at the economic conditions of the first quarter and how the second quarter is shaping up.…
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Is business slowing down?
Is business slowing down? A handful of leading indicators may warrant concern. A theme I’ve heard repeated in many different business conversations is that business is slowing down. Customers aren’t buying as much. Executives aren’t signing contracts. Sales prospects are stalling in the pipeline. Are there economic indicators which could explain this phenomenon? Or are…