Blogs

Article | 5 min |
Employee meeting with HR rep
Once upon a time, most businesses could rely on wages and salaries to attract talented employees. Securing the services of strong candidates was often purely a question of money. But much of that has since changed—and quickly—in the post-COVID-19 hiring and retention landscape. For many job-seekers, money is no longer enough. As a result, some businesses needed to prioritize their benefits package to attract top talent. Multiple trends can be seen driving the shift in attention toward employee benefits. Inflation rates hit multi-decade highs in the early 2020s, prompting some job-seekers to...
Article | 5 min |
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve witnessed a revitalization in American industrial policy. The economic ripples of the pandemic highlighted the precarious nature of long-spread supply chains and outsourced labor; now having internalized these lessons, many firms are re- or nearshoring their operations instead. Accordingly, experts may believe US manufacturing is poised for growth in the coming years as jobs come back home. But the post-pandemic era isn’t the only thing paving the way toward growth. Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technology have allowed...
Article | 5 min |
The fragility of global supply chains was glaringly apparent after the COVID-19 pandemic ground everything to a halt. Inadequate supply chain capacity planning caused sweeping shortages of essential goods for consumers and manufacturers alike—some of which may still stand today. Just-in-time manufacturing may help facilities operate at maximum efficiency by eliminating high inventory costs. Yet the system builds in practically no fail-safe to rapidly respond to anomalies. Without predictive technology guiding production, or any stock to fall back on, there’s no room to adapt to unforeseen or...
Article | 5 min |
Anybody can make money in a thriving economy—but can they maintain profits during an economic downturn? As a small business owner, worries of an economic downturn might keep you up at night. Do you have enough cash on hand to cover your bills? Will next quarter’s product launch fall short of projections? Can you last for months on end if the market doesn’t recover quickly? Most likely, you want to avoid navigating economic uncertainty without a plan. One of the most proactive steps a business owner may take is to develop a strategic plan for challenging times. Imagine you’re a football coach...
Every business owner’s story is unique, yet many will reach a point where they ask the same question – how can I help my business grow? Sometimes the answer to that question is a loan, and knowing ahead of time what lenders will look for can help you simplify the process and secure financing faster. A business loan or line of credit could enable you to take on larger projects and manage business growth, while maintaining positive cash flow. Bankers want to know your plans for financing, followed by what your aspirations are for growing your business. Bankers also consider the “Five C’s,” which...