Hiring in the automotive aftermarket was challenging in 2025, due in part to slow growth (1% according to SEMA), as well as widespread changing employer requirements and hiring processes. SEMA projects 3-4% growth in 2026, which is more in line with (non-COVID) historic growth trends. A number of factors will affect...

With the current trend of rising food prices, I decided talk with some of my food ingredient manufacturer clients to see if I could get their perspectives on what might be causing this. One of my flavor manufacturers told me that the hardest part of doing business recently has been the...

Industrial & Traditional Banks As we begin the new year, I wanted to share what I am seeing going on in the banking industry in Utah, Idaho, and Colorado. First off, regarding new industrial bank charter applications, PayPal has recently applied for an industrial bank charter. They join others like Nissan,...

Why Your People (Not Just AI) Are the Solution As we look toward 2026, a significant perception gap is emerging between leadership and staff: while many executives believe job satisfaction is rising, only a small fraction of workers agree. This disconnect, paired with an accelerating wave of Baby Boomer retirements, threatens...