Blogs

Quarterly Market Review: Q1 2024 By: Paul Dickson, Director of Research and Giri Krishnan, Senior Portfolio Manager Could there be “no landing” for the U.S. Economy? In defiance of the expectations of many economists, the U.S. Economy continues to show remarkable resiliency. The surprisingly strong economy of 2023 appears poised to continue into 2024, pushing back forecasts for Federal Reserve rate cuts. This raises expectations that 2024 could avoid a significant slowdown altogether. If the eventual end of this business cycle is extended much further, pundits will claim it as evidence of a...

A firm grasp of generational differences can help you pinpoint your target audience. It’s important to consider the product or service you’re selling and the age groups they’re meant for. Business demographics span the gamut, so brands need accurate marketing and advertising strategies in order to grow. Will Gen X or Gen Z benefit more from this particular product? Are you looking to corner the baby boomer market, or are millennials more in your wheelhouse? Let’s unpack everything you need to know about leveraging age demographics in a world full of drastic generational differences. Age...

The professional services sector is a critical component of economic development and productivity. The skills and knowledge of specialized professionals drive innovation and keep daily operations on track across multiple markets. We often assume professional services are safe from fluctuating economic variables—but the truth is, unfortunately, more complex. There are ongoing challenges that plague those working in professional services, and these issues are posing a notable threat to the viability of even the most skilled professionals. By facing these issues head-on and addressing them before...

Keep your A-team on board! Dive into these proven retention strategies in professional services and cultivate a workforce that thrives. Due to factors like economic uncertainty, a shift to remote work, and early retirement, service-based companies have a new incredibly high turnover rate of 13.4%. Professional services like accounting, legal work, and marketing have chronically had lower retention rates, but the current state of the market has catalyzed a turnover spike. Employee turnover doesn’t have to be a casualty of recent shifts in professional services. Improving retention may be an...

As 2024 continues on, many business leaders are looking for ways to remain resilient due to economic uncertainties. According to recent SAS data, 97% of executives view resiliency as an important factor—and 87% are confident about increasing resiliency in their companies in the future. Part of their efforts to increase the sustainability and buoyancy of their organizations may be to trim expenses; incorporating best-fit technology and applicable automation strategies into your day-to-day can open up cost management opportunities and support process optimization. Here, we provide tips for using...