Inflation slows to lowest rate in 2 years, with CPI up 3% | Labor minister says deal "within reach" to end port strike | Financial conditions not as tight as they seem
The consumer price index in June came in up 3% from a year earlier and 0.2% from the previous month. This marks the 12th consecutive month of slowing inflation and the lowest rate of inflation since March 2021. The producer price index is also slated for release this week and will provide a broader picture of US inflation.
Negotiators have made progress in resolving the dockworkers' strike affecting more than $375 million in daily trade at major Canadian ports, according to Canadian Labor Minister Seamus O'Regan. The strike, which started July 1, is significantly impacting economic activity, disrupting the flow of commodities, manufacturing materials and other goods through maritime hubs such as the Port of Vancouver and Port of Prince Rupert. O'Regan requested a mediator to finalize an agreement and is seeking a written proposal within 24 hours.
Despite the fastest pace of interest-rate increases in four decades from the Federal Reserve, economic data and markets reflect loose financial conditions. "It simply has not been that hard for businesses to get access to capital this year and particularly at fairly reasonable rates," says Joe Lynch, Neuberger Berman's global head of non-investment-grade credit. "When you're looking at where deals are pricing, it is simply not that onerous on borrowers."
Blank sailings from Asia and North America's West Coast are now less than 10%, which marks the lowest point since the COVID-19 pandemic when 25% were being canceled, according to Sea-Intelligence. Alan Murphy, Sea-Intelligence CEO, says "this is as good as it gets," but SEKO Logistics' Akhil Nair warned of potential disruptions associated with the ILWU strike in Canada.
Security teams can leverage data-driven security assessments to better gain insight into security programs, identify vulnerabilities and improve accuracy, write Karthik Sridharan, Jyothsna Chalasani and Pradeep Sekar. DSAs can handle large amounts of data from a variety of sources and complement qualitative analysis to mitigate risks.
Wearable and data-driven technology are making for safer workplaces by tracking both the physiological status of workers and their surroundings. Toni-Louise Gianatti explores how these devices and artificial intelligence vision are being employed to reduce injuries and create safer environments.
Ali Schwanke, founder of Simple Strat, discusses how business-to-business marketers can use YouTube to become top-of-mind with buyers and foster a loyal audience. Schwanke discusses the importance of creating interesting content to win audiences' attention and time, the importance of featuring people comfortable on camera and how to accelerate relationships by personalizing YouTube journeys.
Generation Alpha (born between 2010 and 2023) is emerging as the newest targeting cohort that's best met through digital and virtual interactions and gaming environments, writes Brian Pittman. Web3 strategist Cathy Hackl suggests starting by studying Fortnite, Roblox and other relevant gaming platforms, "cultivating a community around your brand and linking what you do in the physical world" and employing augmented reality tools such as AR try-ons, which are a "must-have" for this generation.
Leadership is about developing an environment where people work well together to be most effective,
writes Scott Cochrane, author of "Your Creative Mind: How to Disrupt Your Thinking, Abandon Your Comfort Zone, and Develop Bold New Strategies." "Many powerful and innovative companies take their cues from their competitors," Cochrane says.
Strategic decision-making and governance should be connected within an organization, but companies sometimes overlook the need to foster this link. To accomplish this synergy, directors and top management teams must develop certain skills and traits, which include cognitive flexibility and the capacity to handle ambiguity while addressing difficult problems.
