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Intellectual property protections grow under USMCA

Seth Sandronsky Civil & Government

A revised 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement, dubbed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, pleases the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). "The successful conclusion of the USMCA is a significant step toward leveling the playing field with our trading partners by delivering strong IP (intellectual property) protections for American manufacturers and innovators," said PhRMA President and CEO Stephen J. Ubl. Public Citizen, based in Washington, D.C., takes a less cheery view of the renegotiated IP for biologics under the USMCA.

What you need to know before your next Facebook ad campaign

Emma Fitzpatrick Marketing

From January to May of this year, average monthly spending on Facebook ads dropped a staggering 85 percent.

How customers buy, why they don’t, and how you can change their minds

Terri Williams Marketing

If your company offers a great product or service, it can be difficult to understand why everyone isn’t lining up to buy it. Who wouldn’t want something this great? What possible reason could anyone have for not purchasing what you’re selling? It turns out that there are a lot of reasons customers — both individuals and companies — choose not to make a purchase. Understanding these reasons requires understanding how they make buying decisions, and armed with this information, you’re in a better position to overcome any objections.

3 tips to unleash the creative entrepreneurs in your community

Alice Loy Business Management, Services & Risk Management

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is upon us. If you are wondering how to take on the challenges of a shifting global economy, investing in creative entrepreneurs tackles economic, civic, and social challenges and is found in every community in every corner of the globe. From Boston to Bangladesh, creative entrepreneurs are building companies at the cutting edge of digital fabrication, augmented reality, design and entertainment. The creative economy is huge. And growing. It generates close to $3 trillion in economic output annually. That’s more than the global telecommunications industry.

Mistakes to avoid with holiday marketing emails this year

Emma Fitzpatrick Marketing

Fa la la la la! It’s the most wonderful time of the year: holiday marketing planning. It’s time to draft those email subject lines, finalize the copy for your social posts and decide what deals to highlight. Ah, the magic of the season! Already, 40 percent of people have started their holiday shopping, according to research from the National Retail Federation. More people will be choosing to shop online this year, as eMarketer predicts e-commerce sales will increase 15.3 percent.

September nonfarm payrolls grow by 134,000; jobless rate drops to 3.7 percent

Seth Sandronsky Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Nonfarm payroll jobs increased by 134,000 in September vs. 201,100 in August, as the unemployment rate dropped to 3.7 percent from August’s 3.9 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. In September, the number of unemployed workers declined to 6 million compared with 6.2 million in August. September’s BLS data does show growth in wage income, though with room for improvement, according to economist Elise Gould of the Economic Policy Institute.

How new US tariffs will affect big business and consumers

Dr. Samantha Bietsch Civil & Government

We have heard a lot recently about the new U.S. tariffs on imported goods and services and how they will affect American business. While some in business favor the new tariffs, others do not. Some of these opinions are based on facts; others are not. Although improving the domestic economy sounds like a great idea, increasing tariffs on U.S. imports does not come without retaliation from other nations. Just as Americans buy foreign products, other nations buy American-made products and crops.

As Amazon raises minimum wage, not everything is good news for its workers

Michelle R. Matisons Retail

As more pressure mounts to raise the federal minimum wage to a $15 living wage, Amazon announced on Oct. 2 that its lowest paid workers will make $15 per hour. However, Amazon’s much-scrutinized workplace practices leave people scratching their heads about its influence and long-term goals. On one hand, the embrace of the Fight for $15 goal is lauded. But the company remains embroiled in controversies like high-pressure work cultures for its white-collar employees and surveillance-style tracking of its warehouse workers.

Negotiating commercial leases: Don’t forget the parking

Dale Willerton and Jeff Grandfield Retail

For many commercial tenants, negotiating a good lease or lease renewal against an experienced agent or landlord can be a challenge. While an entrepreneur focuses on marketing and managing, savvy real estate agents and brokers are specialized salespeople. Their job is to sell tenants on leasing their location at the highest possible rental rate. Whether you are leasing a new location for the first time or negotiating a lease renewal for your business, here are two money-saving tips.

When it’s time for an employee to go

Anne Rose Business Management, Services & Risk Management

An old Buffy Sainte-Marie love song crooned about staying until it’s time to go. That applies to the work world, too, when a longtime, valued employee, seemingly out of the blue, announces he’s quitting because, "it’s time to go and move on." Why, you ask, stunned? Because it’s just time, is the vague answer. When is it time to go, and is there a way to delay that time, and should you even try?

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