Real Clear Politics: The Fed’s Job Isn’t Finished Until Hiring Comes Back

January 16, 2026

The hard work of stabilizing the economy is beginning to pay off. Inflation has eased, productivity has strengthened, and cost pressures are receding across key sectors. The next and more consequential test is whether that progress translates into jobs. Small businesses, the engine of private-sector employment, are prepared to invest and hire, but only if capital becomes more accessible and affordable. The Federal Reserve’s next policy decision will determine whether this expansion reaches Main Street or stalls just short of it.

The labor market is sending a clear warning. Payroll growth averaged just 49,000 jobs per month in 2025, down sharply from 168,000 jobs per month in 2024. Private-sector hiring was among the weakest of any non-recessionary year in more than two decades. Subsequent revisions erased tens of thousands of previously reported jobs, revealing a labor market weaker than initially believed.

Rethinking Economic Growth: How Small Businesses Hold the Key to America’s Future

September 25, 2025

For decades, America’s economic growth has been erratic, surging in some years, stagnating in others. Despite being the largest and most productive economy on Earth, we’ve consistently failed to sustain the 3% annual growth rate economists agree is essential to maintain prosperity, global leadership, and rising living standards. The United States can and must do better.

The solution is hiding in plain sight: America’s 33 million small businesses. They employ nearly half the workforce, generate two-thirds of new private-sector jobs, and contribute almost 44% of U.S. GDP. They are the heartbeat of our communities, the backbone of our economy, and the engine of innovation and resilience. Yet policymakers continue to overlook their potential or worse, undermine it through outdated policies and bureaucratic neglect.

2024 Trade Association Strategic Planning Must Align Organizations With Members

September 26, 2023

Regardless of Company size, there are concerns around a possible economic downturn in 2024. Every Industry is increasing its scrutiny on how they spend time and money on outside resources. This is nothing new as Trade Associations continue to evolve their value imperative. From the Global Pandemic through today, CEO’s are reinventing themselves to look, think, and act more like the Industry they serve, and focused on delivering the greatest possible return on every dollar spent. In many cases, Boards see their Trade Associations as the Industry and they do because their organization is aligned with their “Awake at night” challenges and business outcomes.

Streamlined Governance Drives Engagement

September 13, 2023

Board Members need to see the business reason to continue or increase their engagement on a Trade Association Board of Directors. They want their time and money invested in solutions that shape a more favorable business environment. Sometimes complex or even routine Governance gets in the way, and some Board leaders will pull back or leave. If this is the case and the timing is right, it could make sense to invest time and resources into streamlining Governance.

Unknown Unknowns Reshapes Strategic Planning

August 30, 2023

CEOs aren’t just focused on the current disruptions anymore, they are leaning in and identifying the unimaginable (unknown unknowns). For company Executives and Trade Association CEOs, it’s imperative to account for the unimaginable, and this happens by incorporating Scenario Planning into Strategic Planning efforts. Scenario Planning broadens Strategic Planning deliberations, and it forces consideration of most eventualities. In a marketplace defined by disruption and chronic uncertainty, the unimaginable must be addressed in every Strategic Planning process.

EIFS Industry Thrives on Strategic Partnerships

August 16, 2023

Strategic Partnerships work and they really matter. In a time of constant change and uncertainty, Industry Executives seek new ways to create a better business environment and drive top line growth. Industries ranging from the Vertical Aviation Industry (Helicopter Association International)  to the Frozen Food Industry (American Frozen Food Institute) are building Strategic Partnerships with their Trade Associations. They are utilizing research, convening Industry leaders and transforming Trade Associations into Strategic Business Units of the Industry. While the outcomes vary from one Industry to the next, its clear that these partnerships are making a difference. The latest success story comes from the EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems) Industry. Executives convened at EIMA, the Industry Trade Association, to identify common challenges and business outcomes in a Strategic Industry Planning Process.

Association Reimagination: Speak From the Voice of Members

August 1, 2023

What’s clear is that Association Members don’t hesitate to vote with their feet and go somewhere else. Business challenges and an uncertain economy are causing professionals to evaluate how they invest time and money. Recognizing this trend, Boards seize upon the opportunity to reimagine their Association through their Strategic Planning Process. Reimagination occurs through the eyes of the Member in what is identified as “outside in” strategic planning. A highly successful example of this type of approach was utilized by the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association.

Strategic Partnerships Can Help Transform Industries

February 28, 2023

 

As change, disruption and technology take hold, companies are banding together with their supply chains to build a new future. These efforts are happening between industries and their trade associations, and they are building robust strategic partnerships. One of the more visible successes is between the Helicopter Industry and HAI (Helicopter Association International). This strategic partnership is helping a disrupted industry transform itself from the Helicopter Industry to the Vertical Aviation Industry. The broader definition incorporates all companies engaged in vertical take-off and landing aircraft that can operate without a runway.

Strategic Partnerships Essential Role in Reducing The Carbon Footprint

February 15, 2023

The public concern about energy affordability, the environment, and global conflict has required America to create a pathway to address and solve the persistent hard times we face. Throughout its history, the U.S. scientists, researchers, and private companies routinely demonstrated that when faced with stiff challenges, this country is capable of overcoming adversity and achieving lofty and heroic breakthroughs. Realistically, we know there is a unfortunate political divide, record high energy prices, and a strong desire to reduce the carbon footprint. It’s time to reimagine how strategic partnerships between industry associations and their member companies solve the issue of reducing the carbon footprint. As we have seen, no other solution can make as great an impact.

Strategic Partnership Drives Frozen Food Growth

January 31, 2023

Strategic partnerships continue to play an important role in helping industries position for growth. The most fertile ground for nurturing strategic partnerships within any given industry is through trade associations. That assertion should be obvious to all industry leaders, but if widespread adoption is a fair indicator, the results are not there. The good news is that several industry and trade association strategic partnerships are taking hold and they are changing the game. One of the more effective collaborations is between the Frozen Food Industry and the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI), their relationship demonstrates that this strategic partnership drives Frozen Food Growth.