Do you wonder how the coronavirus pandemic is going to affect the economy and our businesses? Not how it will affect unemployment next week, or GDP this quarter, or even the stock market. Those effects are temporary and surprisingly unimportant. ...
Read More »The effect of the coronavirus on the U.S. economy
Impact of ACEs needs to be understood in all aspects of society
As the story of COVID-19 unfolds and we see the impact on families and communities across the country, there is a closely woven thread connecting Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the effect on physical and emotional health outcomes. ACEs are ...
Read More »New York state businesses key to defeating COVID-19 and reopening economy 
While President Trump and governors across the country may disagree on the timetable and best way to reopen our economy, areas where nearly everyone is in agreement are the need for widescale testing, the development of effective treatments and vaccines, ...
Read More »Commencements ‘undeniably different’ in the era of coronavirus 
I’ve told my friends and family for the 20 years that I have been a college professor that my unqualified favorite day of the year is commencement. At the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School, the commencement ceremony is held ...
Read More »The rise of market mavens during COVID-19 pandemic 
The impact of COVID-19 on business operations has been devastating, at the very least. With social distancing being the new norm, businesses need to find more creative ways to reach their customers and market their products and services. However, with ...
Read More »How to lead in the time of COVID-19
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” —Martin Luther King Jr. Let’s face reality: It is pretty easy to be ...
Read More »Support for business owners facing COVID-19 challenges
Business owners: Over the last few weeks, you have faced many difficult decisions and undoubtedly, there will be more in the weeks and months to come. You already know that owning a business and being responsible for the welfare and ...
Read More »Coronavirus is the latest test of character
As I write this, much of the country is on lock-down due to the coronavirus. Schools, bars and restaurants are empty; people not in essential services are staying home and avoiding even small gatherings; the stock market has lost over ...
Read More »We need to reduce the great dependence of supply chains on China 
In a noteworthy article in the New York Times Magazine in 1970, the prominent economist Milton Friedman argued that the social responsibility of business is to increase its profits. Even though many would now disagree with this contention, there is ...
Read More »State has opportunity to accelerate renewable energy growth 
A large majority of New Yorkers are now concerned about climate change and believe it is a crisis requiring urgent action. CEOs, for example, are beginning to take note and take action. Over just the last few months, some of the ...
Read More »The ban on plastic bags: From explorer shoppers to snipers 
March 1 is just around the corner and by that time the ban on carryout plastic bags will go into effect in New York State. Some of the major local businesses, such as Wegmans, took steps ahead of time to ...
Read More »Comprehensive education reform requires parent leadership 
Over the last month, I have had the opportunity to hear from parents across Rochester. These parent voices are unified in one very clear way—keep the conversation focused on what is best for our children. The voices, from a group ...
Read More »We need to bolster antitrust enforcement 
Form a historical standpoint, there is no gainsaying the fact that the United States has been a salient promoter of antitrust laws and institutions. Beginning with the Sherman Act in 1890 and then ending in 1914 with the Clayton and ...
Read More »Building an upstate workforce for the next generation
Recently, a new economic review and plan was completed by the Boston Consulting Group. This report showed our region lags behind our peers in almost all economic terms. The bottom line is we need economic growth for Rochester to remain ...
Read More »T-Mobile/Sprint merger means new jobs for New York 
Nearly two years ago, T-Mobile and Sprint announced plans to join forces and bring more competition to the wireless industry. Two federal agencies and dozens of state regulators, including New York’s Public Service Commission, have already acted favorably on the ...
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