December 2021
Economics
Can Larger Loans Help Small Firms Grow?
Sometimes. But it turns out that lenders are bad at figuring out which businesses will benefit.
November 2021
Leadership
Podcast: Businesses Can Slow Climate Change. Here’s How.
Individual actions won’t be enough to slow global warming. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, learn how companies—and the people who lead them—need to get involved.
Marketing
How You Can Make a More Positive Social Impact
A 3-step guide to becoming a more thoughtful consumer and donor.
Podcast: The Art of Giving Good Feedback
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: how to talk so that your team (and boss) will listen.
Data Analytics
4 Phases of Analytics Evolution: From Spreadsheets to AI Workbenches
What lies ahead for business leaders looking to incorporate data analytics?
Organizations
When It Comes to Morally Dubious Behavior, Do Startups Get a Pass?
Transgressions, such as treating workers badly, resonate differently when it’s a startup versus an established company.
Policy
The Health Department Gave Your Favorite Restaurant an 85. What on Earth Does That Mean?
Regulators should consider tweaking their scoring systems to make food-safety ratings more informative.
Organizations
What Businesses Must Do to Curtail Climate Change
We need to dramatically reduce carbon emissions. This will require a new system of incentives.
Leadership
3 Skills New Managers Need to Succeed
To start, recognize that entire teams—and not just individuals—require clear feedback.
Organizations
Evolution Has Shaped How We Relate to Our Families. What Does This Mean for Family Businesses?
Gaining a better understanding of family conflict can help both family firms and the larger economy.
Marketing
How Much Do Campaign Ads Matter?
Tone is key, according to new research, which found that a change in TV ad strategy could have altered the results of the 2000 presidential election.
Finance & Accounting
A Surprising Reason Why Currency Exchange Rates Fluctuate
New research suggests an answer to a longstanding economic puzzle.
October 2021
Careers
Take 5: How to Become an Expert in Something New
Turns out, there’s a “special sauce” that can help you get there. But expertise can also come with a curse.
Marketing
Is It Time to Raise Your Prices?
4 things for brands to consider as inflation provides more opportunities for growth.
Social Impact
Podcast: Why Conspiracy Theories Abound—and How to Push Back
COVID conspiracies have a powerful psychological allure. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we explore how to combat them.
Leadership
Leading Is Tough Right Now. But You’ve Got This.
It’s not about changing your style—you’ll just need to kick things up a notch.
Policy
How Companies Can Do Data Privacy Better
Not all efforts are costly, and being known for strong protections could give firms a competitive advantage.
Marketing
Yes, Consumers Care if Your Product Is Ethical
New research shows that morality matters—but it’s in the eye of the beholder.
Careers
Why Are Some People More Reluctant to Network Than Others?
The key seems to be how people perceive their own success and professional value.
September 2021
Podcast: How One CEO Is Making Tough Decisions about In-Person Work
Some employees moved out of state. Others don’t want to be in the office. And not everyone is vaccinated. On this episode of The Insightful Leader: What happens now?
Marketing
7 Sins of the Creative Brief
Why having a bad creative brief—or no brief at all—can sink an advertising campaign.
Marketing
See an Exciting Trend in That Chart? Proceed with Caution.
Some data-visualization techniques lead us to assume causality where it doesn’t exist.
Careers
Podcast: Now’s the Time to Negotiate for the Job—or Salary or Flexibility—You Want
Tips from an expert negotiator on how to ask without fear.
Social Impact
How Did COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories Get So Out of Control?
Misinformation is thriving in an environment where people feel disconnected. Social media isn’t helping.
Marketing
How to Turn Your Pandemic Regrets into a Force for Good
Ruminating on all the things you didn’t accomplish? An expert on the psychology of regret explains why you should give yourself some grace.
Marketing
Marketers: Stop Dragging Your Feet and Start Using AI
Speed is a competitive advantage. A coauthor of the new book “The AI Marketing Canvas” explains why—and how—to get started.
Marketing
Expertise Can Be a Buzzkill
Becoming a subject-matter expert could dim your passion for the things you love.
Economics
In Some Markets, Competition Can Do More Harm Than Good
A study of the Rwandan coffee industry shows how informal contracts can break down as new competitors enter, resulting in higher costs and lower quality products.
August 2021
Innovation
Podcast: Got a Great Idea? Here's How to Get People on Board.
On this episode: You’re going to have to do more than sell it.
Data Analytics
3 Ways AI Can Help You Improve Diversity
Your company already holds the data that can lead to sustainable change.
Careers
Now’s the Time to Negotiate for the Job—or Salary or Flexibility—You Want
Tips from an expert negotiator on how to ask without fear.
Policy
Trust Usually Helps Communities Thrive. During a Pandemic, Not So Much.
Places with high levels of trust are worse at social distancing.
Economics
COVID Has Accelerated These 4 Labor Market Trends
From greater flexibility to higher wages, the workplace is never going to look the same.
Economics
Should Americans Be Worried about Inflation Right Now?
Three economists with opposing views weigh in.
Marketing
Cannabis Now Comes in Coffee Pods and Peppermints. How Has That Changed Consumer Perceptions?
The answer has implications for both cannabis companies and policymakers.
Economics
To Better Measure Economic Uncertainty, Look Beyond the Stock Market
Incorporating news sources, surveys, and even Twitter conversations can help give policymakers more nuanced data.
Finance & Accounting
Does Positive ESG News Help a Company’s Stock Price?
A comprehensive new study finds that investors reward some—but not all—efforts.
Data Analytics
Gig Workers Are Increasingly Rated by Opaque Algorithms. It’s Making Them Paranoid.
These systems can create an “invisible cage” for freelancers.
Organizations
How One Startup Is Approaching Its Return to the Office
Employees have moved out of state. Job responsibilities have changed. Bringing teams back will be complicated.
July 2021
Strategy
Podcast: How Should Companies Engage with Social Movements?
The stakes have never been higher. Learn more on this episode of The Insightful Leader.
Marketing
3 Mistakes Brands Make When Targeting Customers
How to avoid common pitfalls like the “popular kid target” and other advice from the authors of the forthcoming book, The Creative Brief Blueprint.
Economics
The U.S. Economy Is Still Finding Its Footing. But States Are Doing Pretty Well.
Why California is thriving—and even Illinois is on the upswing.
Careers
Discovering Purpose in the Pandemic
A Kellogg professor and pastor explains how to avoid being handcuffed to the habits of yesteryear.
Innovation
How Has Covid-19 Shaped Scientists—and the Future of Science?
The global pandemic has changed how researchers work. The impacts will be felt for years.
Finance & Accounting
Employers Are Struggling to Hire Workers. Here Are 4 Things They Can Do about It.
Companies will need to address employees’ needs differently going forward.
Marketing
Are Customers Skeptical of Eco-friendly Products?
New research pushes back on the idea that consumers reflexively distrust the performance of these products.
Entrepreneurship
Private-Equity Firms Are Back at the Deal Table. Here’s What to Expect.
Funds are flush with cash and ready to buy. But they’ll have competition.
Organizations
Do Diverse Hiring Committees Choose More Diverse Leaders?
The answer comes down to organizational culture.
Organizations
6 Evidence-Based Strategies for Improving Diversity in Your Organization
“Trainings are only the beginning.” Here’s what to consider next.
Economics
Measuring COVID’s Devastating Impact on Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Global surveys of more than 30,000 people revealed widespread drops in income, rising food insecurity, and an increase in domestic violence.
June 2021
To Sell Your Innovative Ideas, You Must Overcome These 4 “Frictions”
Simply making your idea sound attractive typically won’t cut it, according to the authors of the forthcoming book, “The Human Element.”
Healthcare
How Did “Big Med” Get So Big—and So Expensive?
Two economists explain how the American healthcare system evolved into the behemoth it is today—and what can be done to lower costs and improve patient care.
Operations
Looking to Further Digitize Your Operations? This Tool Can Help.
There’s no single solution or easy answer. But you can use this framework to audit your efforts and figure out your next move.
Healthcare Megaproviders Have Become a “Megaproblem”
An excerpt from the new book “Big Med” explains how hospital systems have ballooned—and how that may be hurting patients.
Finance & Accounting
How Green Are Green Bonds?
Large companies issuing green bonds may have more to do with interest rates than altruism.
Healthcare
Nursing Shortages Cause Real Harm to Patients. Policymakers Should Pay Attention.
During COVID, governments eased hiring restrictions. A Kellogg economist explains why the labor market should stay flexible.
Organizations
Laws Requiring Board Diversity Are Becoming More Common. Here’s What to Know.
“Companies want to be ahead of the curve on this.”
Politics & Elections
Civil Servants Often Work for Administrations They Disagree with Politically. How Does This Affect Their Job Performance?
While the benefits of insulating career bureaucrats are clear, new research explores whether there are downsides, too.
Social Impact
Why Do Some People See Inequality Where Others Don’t?
A new study helps explain societies’ deeply polarized views on bias and discrimination.
Strategy
How to Design Contests That Motivate Employees
From innovation challenges to sales competitions, contests offer a powerful way to incentivize teams and individuals.
Economics
U.S. Firms Are Investing Heavily in Innovation, Yet Economic Productivity Has Slowed. Why?
The answer may lie in how pharmaceutical companies are targeting their R&D spending.
May 2021
Healthcare
Taking the Pulse of the Changing U.S. Healthcare Ecosystem
As healthcare gets more complex—and more expensive—business models are adapting to address misaligned interests and incentives.
Organizations
4 Ways Leaders Can Defend Their Organizations Against Cybersecurity Threats
Former NSA Director Adm. Michael Rogers on why your company could be a target—and what you should do about it.
Healthcare
How Regulating Hospital Prices Can Impact Patient Care
There are tangible benefits for quality of care when hospitals compete for higher-paying patients.
Policy
Why Spending Big on U.S. Infrastructure Makes Sense
A Kellogg professor explains the new appetite for large public investment—and how the American Jobs Act would deliver.
Operations
How the Pandemic Will (and Won’t) Change Companies’ Operations
From stocking grocery store shelves to pricing plane tickets, here’s what to expect.
Marketing
When It Comes to Investing in Product Innovation, Large CPG Companies Could Learn a Lot from Their Smaller Competitors
New research suggests that, instead of aiming for big breakthroughs, large companies should focus on incremental but meaningful improvements.
Organizations
Why Highly Esteemed Leaders Are Surprisingly Likely to Fumble Their Next Project
Organizations should be leery of putting high-status leaders beyond scrutiny.
Social Impact
How Do Immigrant Students Affect Their Classmates' Academic Performance?
While previous studies suggested a negative impact, new, more precise research shows these students often boost their U.S.-born peers’ test scores
Organizations
Companies Are Adding More Women to Their Boards. What’s Driving the Change?
“When your largest shareholders create a ruckus, you listen.”
April 2021
Social Impact
Why Companies Should Engage with Activists
As calls for social change grow louder, corporations that stay silent risk alienating both customers and employees.
Finance & Accounting
Bonds. Corporate Bonds.
Corporate bond markets have proven remarkably resilient during the pandemic—and companies with strong credit are poised to benefit.
Finance & Accounting
It’s Time for Central Banks to Start Issuing Their Own Digital Currencies. Yes, Even the Fed.
The case for why central banks and policymakers must jump in the race now or risk getting left behind.
Organizations
How Leaders Can Truly Improve Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Their Organizations
Two professors share research-backed tips for rethinking your recruiting efforts and getting the most out of diversity training.
Marketing
Podcast: How to Tell Compelling Stories with Data Visualizations
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: a blueprint for making strong (and honest) arguments with data.
Innovation
Keep Brainstorming—Your Best Ideas Are Still to Come
The common (and mistaken) belief that we generate our best ideas early can actually squash creativity.
Economics
To Escape Jim Crow–Era Discrimination and Violence, Some Black Men Passed as White. But How Many?
Hundreds of thousands, according to a new study of Census data. Doing so provided some economic benefits but came at a great personal cost.
Policy
How Debit Cards Are Helping Low-Income Households Save—and Benefiting Their Neighbors Too
A federal initiative in Mexico had huge spillover effects.
Operations
One Healthcare System’s Race to Distribute the COVID-19 Vaccine
A chief medical officer and a supply-chain expert discuss the nuances of the rollout.
March 2021
Organizations
How Does a Polarized U.S. Move Beyond Its Current Conflicts?
A discussion about the psychology of group conflict, the risks of rampant misinformation, and the importance of resilient institutions.
Data Analytics
So Your Company Isn’t Getting the Most out of Analytics and AI. Here’s What to Do.
These tools have the possibility to transform your business. If you know how to harness them.
Finance & Accounting
How Useful Are ESG Ratings for Sustainable Investors?
These ratings are proliferating. Now there may be a better way to assess them.
Innovation
The Pandemic Could Accelerate Job Automation—and Inequality
Consequences for workers and cities could be bleak.
Policy
With More Stimulus Relief on the Way, Here’s a Look at America’s Covid Economy
A former Treasury official discusses where things stand now—and what the future might bring.
Innovation
Podcast: How Can We Ramp Up Innovation?
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: what the data say about successful entrepreneurs and the types of policies that best support them.
Careers
Conservatives and Liberals Differ in How Aggressively They Recruit Women for Leadership Roles
But companies take note: a new study offers a simple intervention to curb gender bias early in the hiring process.
Social Impact
There’s an Education Gap Between Rural and Urban Communities. Can Technology Bridge It?
Researchers identified a program that helps rural students learn—and improves their incomes later in life.
Operations
2 Ways to Improve Rideshares for Drivers and Customers
Research suggests there are ways to reduce costs and emissions, as well as help customers get picked up more quickly.
Marketing
TV Advertising Is Usually Not Worth It
Companies spend vast sums on commercials, but it’s been difficult to gauge their effectiveness. A new study offers a more reliable method—and some bad news for many brands.
Policy
Contact Tracing Is Failing in the U.S. Here’s How to Fix It.
For starters, turn responsibility over to local organizations and communities, where trust is higher.
February 2021
Leadership
Executive Presence Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All. Here’s How to Develop Yours.
A professor and executive coach unpacks this seemingly elusive trait.
Marketing
How Has Digital Film Changed the Moviegoing Experience?
In a world where movie theaters went digital … consumers got more options.
Finance & Accounting
Understanding the Rapidly Evolving World of Sustainable Finance
It’s no longer a niche investment strategy—and it has the potential to deliver strong returns.
Leadership
Podcast: How to Boost Your Emotional Intelligence
Strong leadership is about more than being the smartest person in the room. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we offer tips to become more aware of yourself and those around you.
Marketing
When Do People Take Huge Risks?
As a species, we’re cautious … except when the stakes are life-altering.
Social Impact
Big-Time College Athletes Don’t Get Paid. Here’s How This Amplifies Racial Inequities.
A new study finds that much of the revenue from football and basketball, which have a high proportion of Black athletes, gets funneled to predominantly white teams.
Innovation
In 2021, Consumers Are Craving Products That Deliver Novelty and Fun
After a year of buying boring staples in bulk, everything is about to change—and brands need to be ready to innovate.
Finance & Accounting
Rules to Limit Short-Term Trading Can Have Unintended Consequences
New research suggests that regulators should instead focus on broader investor access to information.