SBA honors military spouses, veteran heroes, and their entrepreneurial spirit
Across America, there are thousands of military veterans, spouses and transitioning service members looking to start their own businesses. These men and women are proven leaders, and we know that they make outstanding business leaders. Each year, there are over 250,000 service members transitioning out of our military. These veterans possess the unique skills, experience, […]
Is ‘sustainable marketing’ the future of marketing in a post-pandemic era?
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly influenced how individuals evaluate products or services that they receive. The influence may vary depending on products, but it is there. Our perspectives about sources and origins of what we purchase and the manner which we receive services has shifted. When a product is manufactured in some offshore location, if […]
Rochester small businesses deserve truth in lending
Here in Rochester, small businesses are doing all they can to stay afloat during the pandemic, changing their product offerings and taking out loans. Unfortunately, too many small businesses are still in the dark on the true cost of predatory lending. The federal Truth in Lending Act (TILA) requires standardized disclosures for consumer lending, including […]
Profits uber alles: Milton Friedman on business, Disney and Mulan
Fifty years ago, in September 1970, the prominent economist Milton Friedman famously argued that the social responsibility of business was to increase its profits. This was a remarkable statement because it suggested very plainly that corporate executives did not really have to worry about paying high wages, taking steps to protect the environment, or, for […]
How much information is enough?
Do we really need to know how many calories there are in the bag of popcorn that we just purchased while proceeding to a movie theatre? Do we really benefit by knowing how much time Uncle Sam thinks it should take us to complete a particular tax form? How exactly do we gain by knowing […]
Kodak’s pharmaceutical adventure and the fluidity of its brand equity
Kodak’s recent announcement about entering the pharmaceutical industry as a supplier for generic products has been met with mixed sentiments. While the initial reaction was overwhelmingly positive, with share prices tripling in the immediate aftermath, there have been skeptics who have expressed their doubts on whether Kodak’s competitive and operational capacities can be t[...]
A wealth tax can alleviate the ill effects of inequality in the United States
Let us begin with four stylized facts. First, the portion of national income that goes to paying the wages of workers has been declining in the last four decades in most western nations. Second, even when we restrict attention to just the earnings of labor, these earnings themselves have become more unequal over time. Third, […]
NY pharmacies depend on the state’s supply chain partnership
Since its peak in April, New York’s number of new COVID-19 cases has declined significantly, the figure ticking downward throughout the month of June. However, our state’s fight against COVID-19 is far from over, and our long-term recovery demands renewed protections and support for our at-risk health care industry. New York’s success in reducing new […]
Local students leading discussion on change, social issues
“You only understand people if you feel them in yourself.” — John Steinbeck When faced with racism, a non-racist stays silent. Anti-racists, because they feel the inflicted inhumanity themselves, call people up (not out) to model mutual respect and human dignity. This concept was explored by 180 Monroe County students in January 2016 with the […]
Government needs to save Upstate’s hospitality industry
Family vacations and restaurant date nights are among the many hospitality industry pastimes not likely to “return to normal” even as Upstate enters into phase 4 of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s planned reopening for the Finger Lakes Region. The economic impact resulting from the coronavirus has been unprecedented and the negative consequences will continue to disproportionately […]
Old principles for today’s police
We have all watched the events of the last few weeks unfold with high emotion. It started with George Floyd being stopped for, allegedly, passing a counterfeit $20. We know what happened next. The horrifying nine-minute video speaks volumes about racial bias, police brutality, the evil of complicity, and a broken law enforcement system that […]
Guest Opinion: Unfairness in society matters more than inequality
Even though the United States likes to think of itself as an exceptional nation, several aspects of this exceptionalism are completely uninspiring. For instance, even though many Americans without a college degree die every year from drug addiction, this scourge does not receive the medical attention it deserves because addiction is often seen as a […]