One of the keys to making smart business decisions is to have a good grasp of the current situation, and some reasonably grounded expectation of the future.
PODCAST —In a little over a week Steve Caldeira will reach his first anniversary as president and CEO of the 51-year-old International Franchise Association. The IFA's mission is to protect, enhance and promote franchising through government lobbying, public relations and educational programs. 9:57 minutes (4.56 MB)
Thomas Sowell, economist and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, writes that Washington is playing havoc with the recovery.
Food inflation may reach four percent this year, according to the Department of Agriculture. And pork prices may increase seven percent, the most of any of the foods.
1.5 Million more jobs will likely result in greater lodging demand and raised hotel profits from the newly passed tax plan. After suffering through the all-time worst year of performance in 2009, U.S. hotel owners and operators are eager for growth.
