by Steve Dust, CEO, Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber

 

One: The Next Industrial Revolution

Joe Kaeser knows manufacturing: he has a high perch from which to view the industrial landscape at Siemens. This is a lengthy, but thought-provoking interview with the Siemens CEO.

Siemens CEO Joe Kaeser on the Next Industrial Revolution, Daniel Gross, strategy+business, February 9, 2016

Two: Dalio on the Two Economies

Honestly, I didn’t really know much about Ray Dalio/Bridgewater until he recently hit the tour circuit for his new book, Principles. I’m about one-third through that book – it’s really good — but recently came across this article he posted on LinkedIn, dealing with what Dalio sees, as many do, with two economies.

Our Biggest Economic, Social and Political Issue The Two Economies: The Top 40% and the Bottom 60%, Ray Dalio, LinkedIn, October 23, 2017

Three: Impact of a Federal Tax Rate Reduction

There’s a lot of rhetoric being thrown – well, shouted — about the proposal to drop the corporate tax rate. When the noise gets too goofy, dive into the data. How many people would get hired or how much of the savings goes to employees? Savings from lower tax payments go to the bottom line, where it is redistributed to investment in productivity – technology, training, and facilities as needed; and shareholders, and employees.

Here’s a short but technical observation that plays off another by Greg Mankiw, with a link to that content in the article linked below.

It’s All About the Rectangles, Steve Landsburg, The Big Questions, October 22, 2017

Four: Nebraska State Budget Woes

Iowa budget issues, attributed in large part to the farm slump, are shared by our neighbors. Here’s a story on Nebraska’s work to identify both the scope of the problem and the priorities needed to adjust spending. Thanks to Jim McKernan for passing this along.

Tough decisions on horizon, senator says, after $195 million drop in projected Nebraska tax revenue, Martha Stoddard, World-Herald Bureau, October 28, 2017

Five: It’s the Halloween Edition

Here’s insight and career advice to a witch who doesn’t want to be a witch anymore. Courtesy of The Muse blog.

Ask a Witch: What Do I Do if Brewing Potions Doesn’t Excite Me Anymore? Jenni Maier, Break Room, The Muse

“5 on Friday” is a two-way street: please send me recommendations on books, reports, articles, blogs, videos, or anything you’re reading or watching that impacts business and the economy.