40 Under 40: This class leads the charge for change

Change is never linear. But often there are recognizable guideposts along the way to indicate change is coming.

Labor market liberty: Where do Michigan cities rank?

Grand Rapids-Wyoming ranks third among Michigan’s 14 metro areas in a new index of economic freedom, suggesting a bullish future for the region’s business and employment growth.

Degree-holders outpace other workers in wages, promotions

Our public conversation increasingly is dominated by claims that workers can do just as well without a four-year degree as with one.

Many are teetering on the edge of homelessness

World Homeless Day was Oct. 10, but instead of talking about people experiencing homelessness, I want to offer you a broader perspective.

Today’s young professionals fuel tomorrow’s achievements

Taking on diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s requires innovation.

Who is to blame for an incompetent sales force?

People from outside the industry who move into a new position often comment, “I am accustomed to a much more professional sales force than what I currently have. Am I off base in expecting a professional group of salespeople, as opposed to the ‘nice guys’ that I inherited who don’t seem to take their professions seriously?”

COVID-era K-12 learning loss demands urgent response

For anyone concerned about the impact of the pandemic on schoolchildren, a pair of new reports has confirmed our worst fears.

Land banks prove their power — if used correctly

Land banks have proven to be a powerful economic development tool since the Michigan Legislature’s adoption of the Land Bank Fast Track Act nearly 20 years ago.

Crain eager to enter Grand Rapids market

The story of Michigan business doesn’t end with a single market.

ArtPrize delivers a sense of community pride for all of us

As much as we enjoy summer in Michigan and wistfully watch it fade away into the western horizon each September evening, we are comforted by the knowledge of what lies ahead.

Minnesota’s economic policies create path to prosperity

In June, Minnesota recorded the lowest state unemployment rate ever — an astonishingly low 1.8%. In July, Minnesota’s unemployment rate remained 1.8%, again the best in the nation since unemployment rates were tracked beginning in 1976.

Consumers still holding up despite economic turmoil

The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index fell 0.1% in July from June, the first drop in overall prices since April 2020, when the pandemic first hit the U.S. economy. After months of very high inflation, the small drop in prices was welcome.

Slow and steady wins the race

For an investor, this famous proverb referenced above can be broken down into three parts:

Health equity should be our mission and our purpose

It is a bold and audacious thing to believe that every single person, regardless of their ability to pay, has a right to quality health care. While access to health care is taken for granted by some, many of us struggle to meet our basic needs.

Economic development strategy needs overhaul

Since General Motors in 1992 chose Arlington, Texas, over Willow Run for a motor vehicle assembly plant, Michigan’s economic development priority has been to compete for auto assembly and auto parts plants. That strategy has failed.

Will your company survive a recession?

Recessions force consumers to choose between perceived needs and perceived wants.

NFT purchase doesn’t bring automatic copyright ownership

Non-fungible tokens are all the rage these days, with buyers scooping up these digital assets — often motivated by inaccurate assumptions about what legal rights they are obtaining.

Amount of time spent on call should equal sale value

I am often asked how many appointments or conversations per day or per week should a salesperson make to be successful?

Modernize programs supporting small business

I’ve always believed that every crisis offers opportunity.

DEI and data governance: maintaining a fairer work environment

Debates involving data governance typically center around issues of privacy. What user data can be shared? Who should it be shared with? How do we keep our private data secure? These are uniquely human concerns — ethical problems no machine was designed to solve.