George W. Bush, Aubrey McClendon, and T. Boone Pickens. The three names bear commonality in that each immediately brings to mind patriotism, capitalism, and wealth. They also share another common element, in that each spent time in the early stages of their careers as petroleum landmen. What exactly is a landman? Spend enough time in […]Read More
Over the past year, Texas employers have faced extraordinary workplace safety challenges. Use this Plan-Train-Analyze process to create a customized safety program that protects your employees and your business—well beyond COVID-19. By following these simple steps, you can create a strong plan, develop more effective training measures, and ensure consistency and continuity in your safety […]Read More
Since March 2020, global supply chains have been significantly disrupted in almost every industry. Surveys conducted in March by the Institute for Supply Management revealed that a staggering 75 percent of companies report supply chain disruptions.1 The US healthcare industry, representing 17.7 percent of GDP,2 has been broadly impacted. In addition to the well-publicized concerns […]Read More
“This is a wonderful time to be talking about the future,” said international strategist Dr. George Friedman, “because the present ain’t that great.” This statement kicked off Dr. Friedman’s online forecasting session with Texas CEO Magazine, sponsored by Texas Mutual Insurance Company, on September 29, 2020. Over the following hour, he discussed the tumultuous times […]Read More
If you’re an executive, you’ve probably got a Patrick Lencioni book on your shelf (or in your e-reader). Lencioni’s works, which include The Five Dysfunctions of a Team and Death by Meeting, have sold over six million copies worldwide — and it’s easy to see why. Each is a marvel of simplicity, embedding sharp, practical […]Read More
Harry Truman famously said he wanted a one-handed economist—one who wouldn’t constantly alternate between “on one hand . . .” and “on the other hand . . .”. It is certainly true that we economists are a group that is very insistent on weighing both costs and benefits of any particular decision. In our field, […]Read More
The Fundraising Toolkit – Startup Success: A Startup Fundraising Series
The previous Startup Success column focused on planning out a fundraising campaign in such a way as to optimize for both efficiency and effectiveness. Armed with the plan, you are almost ready to launch the campaign. Some key tools will be needed for that. A fundraiser’s most important tools are their elevator pitch, pitch deck, […]Read More
The extent of COVID-19’s impact on businesses and local communities is still unknown. Although there is uncertainty, we do know that the business community will have to adapt and find creative solutions to remain agile in an ever-changing business environment. The manufacturing sector is no exception. The pandemic has forced manufacturing industry leaders to rethink […]Read More
The COVID-19 pandemic has swept across the country and had a widespread impact on the economy. In Texas, and especially in Houston, we are experiencing the painful compounded effect of the virus and a decline in oil prices, which have resulted in significant jobs losses, facilities closures, and bankruptcies. Yet to be determined are the […]Read More
As the saying goes, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. During this pandemic, it’s triply tough: lockdowns, economic slowdowns, political and social outcries. With anxiety through the roof and many companies’ very business model in danger, it is crucial that business leaders are prepared to adapt. I’ve been in the software space […]Read More