The Federal Reserve has raised its benchmark interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point, the biggest increase since 1994, as the central bank moves to curb inflation, which is at the highest level in decades. Fed Chair Jerome Powell says he expects the central bank to raise the benchmark rate again in July by 50 or 75 basis points.
Airgas will unveil its latest digital safety catalog and conduct educational safety talks at the 2022 American Society of Safety Professionals show later this month as part of a push for worker and plant safety. "We're excited to ... provide informative safety talks about industry challenges, and present leading safety products and PPE from our valued suppliers -- all designed to encourage best practices and help mitigate risks," said Diane Butchart, Airgas' director of business development and safety.
Retail sales dropped in May, the first decline in five months, as high gasoline and food prices dragged down consumer spending in other areas. Commerce Department data shows retail sales fell 0.3% compared with April, alongside a 4% increase in spending at gas stations and a 1.2% increase in grocery spending.
The trucking industry is discussing cybersecurity standards as the use of technology and electric vehicles grows. Potential cyberattacks on trucks as well as maintenance equipment, laptops and interface devices are being factored into new standards.
It appears unlikely that the unions representing the over 22,000 dockworkers at 30 West Coast ports will reach an agreement on wages with employers before the July 1 deadline, but the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association say they're not preparing for a strike or lockout. Both sides say they're committed to maintaining operations during the talks, which would avoid delays seen during negotiations in 2014-15.
During the next 18 months, 77% of firms globally plan to increase their digital ad budgets, and 70% are concentrating on a digital-first model, according to a Clevertouch survey conducted with the UK's Southampton Business School. The study also revealed the US is lagging behind other regions in delivering "digital experiences that customers are now demanding" but is ahead in terms of technology adoption.
Marketers tapping into emerging technologies are finding that chatbots, augmented and virtual reality, and artificial and machine learning are yielding strong returns, but 58% say tried-and-true strategies such as social media and marketing automation are better, according to GetApp's research. Launching new technologies requires "the right people on board, the right infrastructure and some time for those tech investments to yield a positive ROI," says Meghan Bazaman, GetApp's senior content analyst.
Audiences want to know that you care about their success and have the knowledge, experience and skill to passionately tell them how to overcome the challenges they face, writes Nick Morgan. "For an audience, passion demonstrates 'skin in the game,' and that's essential or we won't take the answers we hear seriously and personally," Morgan writes.
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