They may not cause trouble in the short run. The longer term is a different story.
If the government is spending more than it’s taking in, it runs a deficit. Budget deficits can benefit the economy in certain circumstances but could be problematic in the long run.

Powerful tools give businesses greater insight into what customers want.
The methods necessary for effective external risk management are similar to overall risk management. Here are top considerations.

Treat risk management as a strategic tool.
The methods necessary for effective external risk management are similar to overall risk management. Here are top considerations.

A low-risk investment option for defined contribution plans.
Defined contribution plan sponsors considering low-risk investment options might benefit from adding a stable value fund to the lineup.

Why more companies are switching to renewable energy.
Businesses procured almost a quarter of renewable capacity in the U.S. last year, making them one of the major sources of demand.

Opportunities are coming to the CFO beyond the traditional power of the purse.
There’s a shifting dynamic in the C-suite. The image of the chief financial officer (CFO) as a career grinder, rising from faceless accountant to the head of a sprawling but narrowly defined group of like-minded financial professionals, is fading.

These ideas should keep you busy well into the next quarter.
 Cost-cutting is evergreen, but you could be overlooking opportunities to dig into the data, reexamine entrenched processes, or ask for insights from the front line.

Hear PNC’s economic and investment professionals discuss the pros and cons of two investing philosophies.
PNC’s investment and economic professionals discuss our economic outlook and provide information on how active and passive investing fits within PNC’s investment philosophy.

Sustainability is an increasingly essential criterion of sound investment strategy.
Find out how better data can help investors seize the opportunities for sustainable finance.

Generation Z brings a unique worldview and distinctive characteristics to work.
For years, you've been hearing about Millennials and all the ways they're shaking up the workplace. But now that the oldest Millennials are nearing 40, there's another new kid in town: Generation Z, which includes those born in 1996 or after.

Get ready to improve cybersecurity and reduce risk of fraud.
Find out how employee training and a corporate culture of security can reduce your organization’s risk.

Your greatest cyber risk could come as a surprise.
Over the last decade, Amercans have become used to the idea of cybersecurity breaches as billions of user records leak to malicious hackers in often highly publicized indicents. While some hacks succeed due to poor security practices, others could have been easily avoided with a few basic steps.

Transactions are shared and updated in near-real time by a group of participants.
A blockchain is a form of decentralized, digital ledger where a record of each event or transaction can be shared simultaneously across a network of computers to every participant.

Find out how technology will fill the gap created by retirements.
We are at the start of a demographic time bomb — in 2015, just one country, Japan, had a population where 30% were over 60. By 2050, 55 nations will. Wherever you are, this creates a range of issues for society.

Find out how the “digitized CFO” can stay relevant.
A nagging question keeps popping up in finance circles. If a chief financial officer spends a typical workday strategizing like a CEO, managing digital systems like a CIO, studying operations like a COO, and developing talent like a CHRO, then why does the C-suite need a CFO?

You should not rely on your water supply being consistent in the future.
Events from Hurricane Harvey to the multi-year drought in California have highlighted just how important a risk water is in the U.S., as well as in other markets around the world.

Reports of its death have been exaggerated.
Take a look at two signature programs of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) – the state health insurance exchanges (aka “ACA marketplace”) and Medicaid expansion.

Companies and their card issuers can reduce exposure to commercial payments fraud.
Payment fraud trends evolve in the same manner that payment innovation evolves. Certainly, fraudsters look to identify and exploit areas of vulnerability in both established and emerging payments systems, but they will also gravitate quickly to new areas when previously vulnerable sectors of the payments ecosystem have been made more secure.

Tips for planning for the life cycle of your equipment.
Effectively managing your company's capital equipment program is closely tied to managing the long-term growth and profitability of your company. Obtaining the right equipment at the right time and managing its useful life in conjunction with the needs of the entire organization can make a big difference in your company's long-term financial performance.

Eliminate results that perpetuate stereotypes and misdirect projects.
Many experts believed artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning would usher in an era of efficient, transparent and sound decision-making. However, bias continues to be a problem because humans create the technology and incorporate their prejudices and unconscious beliefs into it.

Tax implications that arise from evolving technology can change how your company does business.
Companies are incorporating the newest technologies into their businesses at a rapid pace. But neglecting the potential tax implications can drain your company’s cash flow.

Staying on top of trends can help you be more proactive in your field.
As a financial professional, you have to cover all the accounting basics, and you might have a hand in strategy – but do you really want to be doing the bare minimum? Get in the game by understanding what is coming next. Here are the most prominent trends that financial professionals need to watch in order to stay relevant.

Zero-based budgeting forces companies to revisit decisions made in the moment.
Companies grow and evolve. They respond to the market and adjust the best way they know how to — at the time. The problem is that few companies ever revisit the decisions that they made in the heat of the moment — and they should. Zero-based budgeting forces companies like yours to do just that.

Companies are putting sustainability at the core of their business models.
The concept of “sustainability” was once seen as not much more than a trendy buzzword. Businesses assumed it simply meant trying to find ways to be greener, such as recycling or reducing waste. But a cursory nod to green initiatives is no longer enough.

See how edge computing can impact everything from elevators to self-driving cars.
As the internet of things connects more machines and devices than ever before, the very structure of the internet is being challenged. Every device generates massive amounts of data, and routing that data to a corporate cloud or data center takes considerable bandwidth and time for processing and analysis.

Data lakes are much bigger and unstructured compared to data warehouses.
Many companies are turning to a “data lake,” a storage repository capable of holding vast amounts of raw, disparate data in its native form until it is needed. Data lakes are much bigger and unstructured compared to data warehouses, the typical large repository used by most companies.

Changes make it easier for employees with disabilities to navigate the workplace.
Since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, companies have added physical accommodations to their workplaces such as ramps, nearby parking, wider doorways and accessible restrooms. These changes make it easier for disabled employees to navigate the workplace and interact with co-workers.

Why industry insiders see blockchain as a natural fit to improve payment processing.
Industry insiders see blockchain, a distributed ledger system, as a natural fit to improve the trustworthiness and payment processing of the advertising supply chain, especially for digital and video advertising.

Find out how to distinguish your business.
Every touchpoint a customer has with a company's products or services should deliver experiences that delight, create positive memories and are consitent with the company's brand. But to get there, you first need to develop a strategy.  

In some industries the skills gap is severe and there are few available job candidates.
Companies continue to struggle to find employees with the right skills for today’s jobs. The U.S. economy is at full employment, and in some industries the skills gap is severe and there are few available job candidates.

Popularity of virtual assistants has spurred the creation of voice-activated devices for work.
Researchers estimate Amazon could gain more than $10 billion in revenues from voice-activated internet sales over that same time period. The popularity of virtual assistants (VAs) in the home has spurred technology companies to create voice-activated devices for workplace environments.

For businesses struggling to compete on pay, there are other ways to attract and retain talent.
Companies continue to struggle to find employees with the right skills for today’s jobs. The U.S. economy is at full employment, and in some industries the skills gap is severe and there are few available job candidates.

AI, analytics and machine learning are revolutionizing supply chains.
The success of Amazon’s operations has created higher expectations across the board for transparency and speed on every purchase transaction. Customers want to be able to place orders at any time of the day, track the movement of their purchases, and get delivery in just one day or even a few hours.

Leaders must  develop training and support to ease workers’ transition to automation.
Twenty-three percent of current work activity hours could be automated by 2030, displacing 39 million U.S. workers and forcing 13% of the workforce to switch occupational categories. Many jobs will be eliminated and new roles will be created.

Improving customer retention rates can boost profits. Learn how to build loyalty.
Consumers today have high expectations and easy access to online product information and customer reviews. They quickly switch brands if they have a negative experience or perceive they could have a better experience. Customers freely use social media tools to share bad customer experiences and warn friends and family away from a particular brand.

Many U.S. companies continue to actively seek ways to increase energy efficiency.
Researchers have found companies with high environmental, social and governance ratings tend to outperform the market in the mid- and long-term ranges. As many boards and corporate executives are finding, sustainability initiatives can be very good for business.

Blockchain is a technology platform that promises to revolutionize financial transactions.
Distributed ledger technologies record transactions in a decentralized network, which means that the record of each transaction is shared across a network of computers, as opposed to at a single entity (e.g., a bank or clearinghouse).

RFID is viewed as a functional way to connect tangible items to the digital world.
Wide area RFID systems are new applications using base readers mounted overhead to monitor the movement and location of inventory. The expansion of low-energy Bluetooth beacons and readers enables companies to track inventory as it moves through an individual site or supply chain. BLE also can be used to help navigate people or objects through a location.

Many U.S. companies with operations based in Britain wonder how Brexit will affect them.
With Brexit, seamless free trade access through Britain will end, and U.S. companies will need to establish new operations and offices in other EU countries. What’s more, as U.S. companies follow the Brexit process, many find they have new exposure to risks brought on by the upcoming separation.

AI promises greater efficiencies, reduced costs, higher profit margins and other benefits.
Most early investment in AI is being made by large technology companies, such as Amazon, Google and Facebook, that have invested heavily in digitization. The United States, China, South Korea and the United Kingdom lead in AI development and have created national strategic plans with substantial AI aspects.

Is it better to reward star performers on a team, or the entire team’s efforts?
Companies want their work teams to be effective and achievement-oriented. Well-functioning teams can lead to faster completion of goals and successful wins, as well as foster company loyalty, positive morale and higher productivity.

Companies with lower engagement scores tend to have a sizable engagement gender gap.
As they take on more responsibility and have more direct interaction with senior executives, employees tend to develop a greater emotional commitment to the organization and its goals. But researchers have found companies with lower overall engagement scores tend to have a sizable engagement gender gap among employees in senior positions.

The internal experience can help you find and retain qualified candidates.
The U.S. unemployment rate is at its lowest level since 2000, and the shortage of skilled workers has seldom been so severe. As baby boomers continue to retire, companies are struggling to find workers to replace them. ManpowerGroup found that 40% of global companies report having difficulty finding qualified candidates.

Make targeted hires who are recognized leaders in their discipline or industry.
Digital transformation requires technical staff with more advanced skills and multidisciplinary experience to understand the digital needs of the business at a deeper level. Technical staff must know and understand legacy IT systems and be able to creatively undertake the challenges inherent in digital conversion.

The trend toward wind, solar and other renewables has taken hold.
Despite potential obstacles, the renewable energy industry has gained significant momentum, to the point where it has eroded coal’s share of the electricity-generation market. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says the share of U.S. electricity generated by renewable energy sources, not including hydropower, steadily grew to 15% in 2016 from 10% in 2010.

This year, more workers may be tempted to explore other career opportunities.
Many workers, especially millennials, don’t want to be managed in a traditional way. They want coaches who help them develop professionally and leaders who challenge and engage them. They want the flexibility to work from home and determine their schedules. Many want opportunities to pursue their passions and engage their creativity. 

RPA software programs mimic the keystrokes humans make to complete rote processes.
RPA software sits on top of legacy information technology systems or more complex intelligent automation applications. Because it’s less complex, RPA is easy to implement for fast returns in efficiency and cost savings. It can be integrated smoothly with legacy systems for enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management and business process management.

The Internet of Things links devices and people, often without human intervention.
The Internet of Things generates data to improve operations and anticipate actions. Sensors, software, the cloud, computers and other devices can seamlessly merge physical and digital technology for greater efficiency, improved service and better process management.

Savvy companies understand that employees arecustomers too.
Researchers have learned it is profitable to view the overall employee experience in relation to the overall customer experience. Consulting firm Aon Hewitt found organizations ranking high on employee engagement realize a 4% increase in sales growth and a 2% increase in operating margin.

Noncompete agreements can dissuade employees from going to work for a competitor.
Proprietary knowledge is critical to business success and companies go to great lengths to protect intellectual property and trade secrets. For instance, many companies require employees to sign noncompete agreements upon their hiring to protect intellectual property from exiting the firm if the employee decides to leave.

“3-D printing,” is being adopted by many industries, from aerospace to chocolate.
Some economists view the rise of 3-D printing as a new industrial revolution. It can significantly cut the time to test and develop new products, speed delivery of custom parts and components, allow a higher degree of customization, and aid in refining prototypes for new, more complex products and designs.

Companies like Amazon and Google set the tone for customer experience standards.
This customer-centric approach is driven in large part by digital technology and social media that have empowered customers and changed the rules for purchasing goods and services. For example, researchers have found 75% of online customers expect service within five minutes of making contact with any vendor or supplier.

Employers must merge full-time, part-time and contingent workers into a cohesive team.
Growing ranks of contingent workers include consultants, freelancers, independent contractors, agency temps, day laborers and the self employed. individuals. These workers are not regular employees of a business but are engaged on an interim basis. They do not qualify for full-time work schedules, regular wages or company benefits.

Customers are open to using electronic and artificial intelligence (AI) applications.
Chatbots are increasingly being used to augment customer service. These technology applications use AI to process language, enabling them to understand human speech. They can decipher verbal or written questions and provide responses with appropriate information or direction. Many customers first experienced chatbots through dialogue boxes on company websites.

The team needs to be clear about the objectives and their roles in creating success.
To ensure the success of an innovation team, it’s best to go beyond professional credentials alone and consider drawing from a wide mix of personalities, experiences and skills. With roles and responsibilities clearly defined, innovation teams can bring about changes that profit their organizations.

Many employees and managers agree that annual reviews don’t fit today’s workplace.
Some analysts estimate that more than one-third of U.S. companies have thrown out the traditional annual performance review altogether. These businesses are experimenting with dropping traditional employee rating systems and replacing annual reviews with other ways to evaluate and reward performance.

Large companies and municipalities are utilizing these bonds.
A CAT bond is a high-yield debt instrument intended to provide funds in case of a specified natural disaster. These insurance-linked securities can be used to distribute risk from natural events across a wider scope. Pricing is based on CAT modeling that analyzes potential exposure to weather and other catastrophes.

Operations and supply chains can be disrupted any time from anywhere in the world.
Business continuity and disaster recovery plans can serve as the first response in the wake of a disruptive event. A well-documented business continuity plan can help organizations anticipate likely scenarios, outline response actions and react rapidly, thus increasing the likelihood of resuming normal operations quickly and with the least interruption.

Big data and advanced analytics are transforming the way companies market.
Sophisticated tools are being used to better understand consumer preferences, buying patterns and key influencers in decision-making, as well as to validate marketing approaches that yield the best results.

Seven trends are altering the $3.2 trillion healthcare sector in new ways.
Projections show positive signs of economic stability, yet a degree of uncertainty lingers with some corporate executives. Additional interest rate hikes are widely expected in 2016, and the U.S. dollar continues to be strong against major world currencies, both of which could increase borrowing costs and reduce revenues.

Gender bias exists in hiring, performance reviews and opportunities for advancement.
Although both women and men struggle to balance work and family commitments, the majority of childcare, caregiving and household responsibilities fall to women. Pulled in two directions, many women are at a disadvantage in the workplace compared to their male peers.

States target unclaimed property to gain revenue to address their budget shortfalls.
Unclaimed property held by a company may include unclaimed payroll checks, outstanding vendor checks, supplier credits, accounts receivable credits, gift cards, rebates and customer deposits. It also may include abandoned bank accounts or stock trading accounts, unpaid insurance claim payouts, unclaimed pension benefits, and real property.

A sound security plan can protect access, safeguard company data and mitigate risks.
IT security experts note that cloud servers face many of the same threats as in-house servers, as well as some additional risks. These include data breaches, shared vulnerability attacks, malicious insider threats, denial of service (DoS) attacks and data loss.

Outsourcing enables company executives to remain focused on their core businesses.
Outsourcing remains attractive for many companies because it offers several advantages in addition to cost savings, particularly in addressing talent gaps and shortages, exploiting Big Data capabilities and implementing new technology quickly. Yet many companies struggle to transition their IT and noncore operations effectively to an outsourcing model.

It’s getting easier to digitally market products and services to customers.
To remain competitive in today’s market, companies need to provide customers with mobile access to their products and services. Apps can simplify online and mobile purchases and help consumers find useful product information. An app that is easy to use can increase order quantities and improve customer loyalty and engagement.

Longer duration debt may cost more, but it can help you weather an economic downturn.
External factors impacting companies’ businesses and balance sheets can create a mismatch of assets and liabilities, if the latter come due too quickly. So the extra time provided by longer maturities can help companies through rough patches.

Industries face digital disruption due to fast adoption of mobile devices and apps.
Companies in the media, telecommunications, consumer financial services, retail and technology industries are the first being affected by digital disruption. But nearly every other industry will soon be impacted by new digital technologies that challenge their business strategies and how they interact with their customers.

New SaaS companies are relying on expensive financing around such as venture capital.
SaaS companies can lack the key measuring sticks that banks use to determine creditworthiness, namely inventory and receivables. Their inventory tends to be cloud-based and therefore a nontangible asset, and receivables are subscription-based and often amortized.

Honesty and transparency between lender and the borrower can deliver good outcomes.
Sometimes unflattering information such as shareholder lawsuits, past criminal activity, asset impairment, etc. are held back. This approach can affect your credibility and that of  your management team.

Intrinsic rewards motivate knowledge workers' creative thinking and risk taking.
It seems logical to pay incentives to employees for innovation in product development and research. However, behavioral economists have found that the opposite is true with knowledge workers such as software engineers, product developers, data analysts and consultants whose jobs are to develop original ideas and applications.

Technological innovation can improve the match of skilled workers to labor needs.
As more companies turn to digital labor platforms, global labor markets will draw in more workers and begin to optimize human resources processes and efficiencies. By 2025, $2.7 trillion could be added to global gross domestic product  from digital labor platforms and  employment could potentially increase by 72 million full-time equivalent positions.

Blockchain is a decentralized electronic ledger that grows as data is added.
Blockchain uses cryptography to enable each user to add to the ledger in a secure way. As a new transaction occurs, both parties must verify its authenticity by consensus before it is recorded in a block. This eliminates the need for a central authority to monitor and validate transactions, instead relying on the consensus of the participants.

The buying habits of the world’s population are undergoing a major shift.
Companies may need to rethink their business models. Future success will be built on an approach, where growth is based on per capita spending rather than on increasing the number of customers, and products and services appeal more to the needs of urban populations and new age groups.Companies also need to consider how they can add or expand services.

Virtual reality hardware could be an $80 billion industry by 2026.
The ways we communicate, collaborate, learn and create potentially will be transformed as workers use immersive technologies to perform tasks and collaborate in more meaningful, multi-sensory experiences.

Successful innovators share certain traits that make success more likely.
This in-depth research found that inventive companies tend to possess eight essential qualities in varying degrees that form an “operating system” for successful, sustainable innovation. Here’s a summary of those traits.

A variety of changes and challenges are affecting the ability and willingness of middle-market companies to finance new initiatives.
One of the troubling uncertainties is whether the Federal Reserve will continue to increase short- term interest rates throughout 2016. Rising rates will affect borrowers’ cost of capital and likely reduce their demand for funding.

Rapid advancements in technology have fueled faster change.
Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen describes disruption as the process in which a smaller company with limited resources successfully challenges more established and larger industry leaders. He notes that disruption “displaces an existing market, industry or technology and produces something new, more efficient and worthwhile

Millennials need the right work environment to become a high-performing generation.
Millennials want to be challenged as they progress through their careers, and that usually plays out in mobility — the average tenure of Millennials is two years. Many are not willing to hang around if they feel their job offers little personal growth or career benefit. Instead, they are unafraid to strike out for better opportunities.

You could deploy more and/or better revenue-producing equipment in service this year?
The Section 179 deduction can allow businesses of certain sizes (subject to specific limitations) to deduct up front, rather than depreciate over a number of years, the cost of equipment such as computers, vehicles, manufacturing equipment, farm machinery, office furniture, etc. Combined with the benefits of bonus depreciation and the incentive to acquire equipment and stay on the cutting edge of technology by continuing to buy equipment, this deduction can have a positive impact on your flexibility and growth.

Participation in the syndicated loan market was down 6% in 2015 compared to 2014.
Thomson Reuters reports that most of the new money supported M&A transactions, reaching an all-time record of $546 billion. Corporates borrowed $211 billion, and private-equity sponsors borrowed $120 billion. Investment-grade lending increased by 4%. Factors include high acquisition prices that took private-equity sponsors out of the market.

Data integrity can be compromised through cyber threats that manipulate data.
Quiet, insidious attacks may come in the form of planted malware or selective hacks that seize, modify or delete data or transactions in ways that benefit the perpetrators. For example, an attack could change a bank account’s direct deposit setting to channel deposits to another account.

2016 revenues are expected to increase in 16 manufacturing industries.
Projections show positive signs of economic stability, yet a degree of uncertainty lingers with some corporate executives. Additional interest rate hikes are widely expected in 2016, and the U.S. dollar continues to be strong against major world currencies, both of which could increase borrowing costs and reduce revenues

Factors pointing to the need for manufacturers to know their lenders.
Manufacturers found themselves in desperate financial straits because many lenders (especially those new to the market that had competed mostly on price) shrank their books or had to close them altogether.

Workplace wellness programs: What's the real ROI?
Employee wellness programs are a $6 billion industry in the United States. These programs have been touted for helping employees improve their health and prevent disease while lowering healthcare costs. Approximately 50% of all companies with 50 or more employees now offer wellness programs.

Best practices in cash forecasting
This article is condensed from The Treasury in Practice Series by Nilly Essaides, director of Practitioner Content Development at the Association for Financial Professionals, published October 2015 at AFPonline.org.

Indirect taxes are based on trade flows and transactions.
Because each country uses a unique mix of indirect taxes, companies are challenged to stay on top of tax requirements and liabilities. Government tax administrators may change their policies and rates very quickly in response to economic needs, and they expect international companies to respond immediately or face penalties.

Mobile wallet is a consumer-to-business payment technology that has become better known since the release of Apple’s iPhone 6/6 Plus and the Apple Pay™ mobile wallet.
A combination of the desire to reduce card fraud and the popularity of smartphones has led to the emergence of “mobile wallet” solutions for point-of-sale (POS) payments. However, the payments industry remains in the midst of the “mobile wallet wars,” as market entrants battle it out to see which technology approach and provider or providers will carry the day.

Challenges need to be addressed as the Internet of Things transforms our world.
We are in the early stages of transforming into an interconnected world of people and machines. Yet growth has been rapid, fed by the availability of broadband technology and the decreasing cost of connecting devices through the Internet. More equipment and devices are being designed and built with sensors and Wi-Fi capabilities and smartphone use continues to surge.

Corporate leaders are now viewing machines as talent to be fostered.
Human-machine collaboration allows humans and machines to combine their strengths and compensate for each other’s limitations, leading to better outcomes.  Intelligent machines can be partners that learn and improve their skills and abilities as they work alongside human workers. Meanwhile, advanced technology is extending human capabilities.

A shift to a circular supply chain can keep limited materials in use longer.
Most manufacturers use a linear supply chain that extracts raw materials, manufactures products and distributes them to customers. At the end of the products’ service life, little is done to recycle and re-use materials. However, as commodity prices continue to rise, many companies are beginning to re-think this traditional linear model.

It's no longer science fiction to use your palm or retina to verify your identity.
The use of biometric authentication is being accepted internationally, largely due to the adoption of smartphones. Technology research firm Gartner estimates that 50% of consumers in established markets will use smartphones or wearables for mobile payments by 2018, and analysts have forecasted that by 2024 biometric methods will be used to verify all online transactions.

Companies are evaluating the impact of increased interest rates on global trade.
The U.S. dollar strengthened throughout 2015 in anticipation of higher interest rates and stronger economic growth. Advanced and stable economies such as Europe, Japan and India welcomed the Fed’s move, but many emerging markets are struggling with the impact of the rate hike.

Millennials may lack the skills needed to meet today's global challenges.
The demand for advanced knowledge of science, technology, engineering and mathematics is projected to explode in the next few years. At the same time, 38% of global manufacturers report difficulties in filling vacancies for skilled trades. Even college-educated Millennials often lack the technical and soft skills required for 21st-century careers.

The TPP trade deal is the largest in history and covers 40% of the world economy.
TPP nations pose stiff tariffs and export barriers on U.S. goods and services. Passage of the TPP would phase out these barriers for more than 11,000 categories. Critics fear increased outsourcing of U.S. jobs and threats to legal protections. The hope is that passage of the TPP will improve U.S. competitiveness and help develop new markets.

Integrated teams of in-house staff and freelancers can work well together.
Many employers were initially suspicious of workers’ requests for greater flexibility, but the bet has paid off. A recent study found that some form of telework is offered by 88% of surveyed organizations, 82% offer flexible work hours, and 81% support part-time schedules.

Recent worldwide sluggish growth has tempered enthusiasm for global connectivity.
As an after-effect of the global recession, world trade is expected to increase only 3.3% in 2015 and 4.0% in 2016, still below the annual average growth of 5.1% since 1990. Prolonged sluggish growth in GDP, especially in the high-income countries, has been cited as the main reason for this slow recovery in trade.

The goal is to create “smart factories” that improve productivity and profitability.
Manufacturers of all sizes, all over the world, are being affected by this paradigm shift. Myriad stakeholders — manufacturers, suppliers, technology companies, universities, government agencies and laboratories — are working to seamlessly link intelligent machines, advanced analytics and workers in the next generation of manufacturing processes.

Whether you use EFT or Virtual Cards, electronic payments can get funds to providers quicker, at a lower cost and with less risk than paper checks.
Like many other sectors, the healthcare industry is continually looking for ways to improve efficiency and productivity. Electronic payments can support these goals by reducing costs, improving payments accuracy (resulting in fewer disputes) and optimizing working capital.

Business leaders must be flexible and responsive in navigating increased volatility while remaining focused on their organizations’ long-term business goals.
With change accelerating faster than ever before in human history, four major global disruptions are occurring that will have significant impact on businesses. Although these trends have been well-documented, what is not well-understood is the full extent of their impact or the collective effect of these trends as they collide and merge.

The explosion of the Internet, social media, technology devices and apps is creating a tsunami of data. The challenge for businesses is how to make the best use of the information.
Big data is being used to better understand consumer habits, target marketing campaigns, improve operational efficiency, lower costs, and reduce risk. International Data Corporation (IDC), a global provider of market intelligence and information technology advisory services, estimates that the global big data and analytics market will reach $125 billion in 2015.

With the growing adoption of electronic payments and emergence of new payment methods, the payments landscape will continue in its evolution over the next few years.
New technologies will play an increasingly important role in the management of payments. Trends include the continued decline of paperbased payments, the emergence of new payment methods, and the growth of corporate financial management technology.

Private equity firms have capital and corporate buyers have access to low-cost funding. It’s a sellers’ market for middle-market companies as baby boomer owners get ready to retire.
The market for middle-market acquisitions remains hot by historical measures, although it’s showing signs of cooling. The Lead Left, a capital markets newsletter focused on the middle-market space, reports that private equity funding fell in 2014 from the year before. Assuming the critical issues around monetizing a business have been addressed, why wait any longer?

The discipline that guided companies through leaner times should remain central to prudent T&E expense control as business travel picks up in response to increased sales.
With business activity increasing, it can be easy to let cost containment policies slacken. This is especially true for travel and entertainment expense policies, as business travel picks up in response to increased sales, hiring and training activities.

Integrated payables or “payables outsourcing” enables a business to send instructions for initiating multiple payment types to its bank in a single, consolidated file.
Integrated payables allows for end-to-end automation of the payables process. You can  receive back from your bank acknowledgments, confirmations and information reporting online or via secure file transmission. Integrated payables also facilitate migration from paper check disbursements to electronic payment alternatives.

Company growth often hinges on having the right talent in place and building bench strength. Many companies have found it smart to develop leaders at all levels of the organization.
Millennials are much more likely to job hop than Baby Boomers, who changed jobs infrequently throughout their careers. On average, Millennials change jobs every two years. As a result, moving forward, a human capital strategy that engages, recognizes, develops and retains talented employees will be critical to business success.

U.S. employers are having a hard time finding qualified workers. Many jobs now require technical knowledge and specialized skills that prospective employees simply don’t have.
Unfilled positions can be costly. The impact ripples through to lost production, poor customer service, delivery time delays, inferior work quality, low morale and higher turnover among those carrying heavier workloads. Business leaders and academics are rallying to address the skills gap with government program and a renewed focus on workplace development.

The business model for healthcare is reflecting changes driven by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), emphasis on cost containment, value, increased innovation and new technologies.
New care delivery options, robotics, remote monitoring, the use of big data, value-based models, the rise of health consumerism and an evolving healthcare workforce will transform the face of healthcare in the next 10 to 15 years.

Over the past eight years, we’ve seen more than a doubling in U.S. commercial card usage, which includes purchasing and corporate cards, along with small business card spending.
Growing business confidence and the improved outlook for the economy has led to increased travel and entertainment budgets to support traveling employees and sales executives. As these budgets grow, companies such as yours need to closely control their increased spending — another one of the many reasons for implementing comprehensive corporate card platforms.

One of the legacies of the financial crisis is that companies are increasingly focused on managing working capital. Supply chain finance programs can boost working capital metrics.
With supply chain finance, a buyer can enable its supplier to get paid faster while receiving financing from the buyer’s bank at the buyer’s lower cost of funding. In turn, the buyer can negotiate extended terms or a discount on the invoice. The buyer’s ability to extend terms with the supplier can help drive working capital metrics to new heights.

How significant are the economic problems in Cyprus?
Cyprus is a small country that has been getting a lot of press lately regarding its ongoing economic problems.  Its banking sector was significantly overloaded, forcing the country to seek bailout assistance, which was agreed to by the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under a deal struck in March.