Notebook: Same Day Delivery Makes Its Move

Today’s delivery methods require companies to be closer to their customers than even five years ago. “What some call the ‘Amazon effect’ is driving rapid growth in direct-to-customer fulfillment centers and significant demand for large-scale logistics facilities around major populations centers, particularly in retail, consumer products…

July-August 2014 Editor's Letter

Investments in Infrastructure and Surroundings Take on New Meanings
“Successful communities are attractive to successful companies,” says Jason Bechtold, economic development administrator, city of Westerville, Ohio. When the city’s officials established the WeConnect community data center, they were making an investment in themselves. “Businesses like to see this — there…

Does the Economic Big Picture Drive Your Decisions?

On any given day, business leaders have a wide variety of decisions to make. But there’s one key factor — context — business leaders don’t take into consideration often enough.
The corporate world can feel like a pressure cooker. Shareholders want higher returns. Employees push for pay increases. New regulations…

The Three Flavors of Employees

By Kim Seeling Smith

Mike was the CFO of a large manufacturing company in Texas. He was an outstanding executive and he accepted this position because it suited his strengths to a tee. The company was looking for a very strategic head of finance who could work in partnership with…

June Editor's Notebook: The Future Lies in STEM

Shifts in consumer tastes and rebounding global markets are behind the success of food processing and agribusiness clusters throughout North America. Consumers are demanding more organic and sustainable foods, expanding the specialty foods market. Consumers are also calling for improved food safety and animal health practices. “Appetites Return to Food…