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May, June, and July 2015 were rough months for businesses in Greece due to political unrest. The banking system has been facing collapse, causing myriad problems in manufacturing and distribution. Greek banks were closed between June 29 and July 20 to prevent money from flooding out of the country, but this also prevented businesses from […]

2015 has seen the biggest bird flu outbreak in history. Countries around the world have been affected, but the U.S. is feeling it the hardest. More than 1.2 million birds have been killed by the disease already, and authorities are baffled on how to contain it. The bird flu outbreak has also been a supply

Even though the U.S. has a primarily service-based economy, agriculture is still an important industry. The U.S. cannot rely solely on agricultural imports, which is why there are still thousands of working farms in operation across the U.S. They produce everything from apples and oranges to alfalfa and sprouts. New innovations in farming operations are

Perishables cause a headache for supply chains because of the need for refrigeration. However, consumers want fresh foods and companies must learn how to deliver with a cold chain to stay competitive. Let’s take a look at the delicate balance companies must achieve between costs, regulations, and speed.

Nobody likes to make predictions about the price of oil because it is such a volatile market. Oil prices are affected by the climate, politics, and other industries. As a matter of fact, the price of a barrel of oil can easily double in only a few months depending on what’s happening in the world.

All successful businesses reach a point where they need more than a handful of employees. At that point, it’s time to consider outsourcing. However, it’s not a decision that should be based purely on labor costs. There are hidden costs not to overlook.

Countries around the world are adding more capacity for renewable energy at an incredible rate. It is a race to see who can lower their dependence on fossil fuels, coal, natural gas, and oil first by implementing solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources. Some of the leaders around the world include East Africa and

Most of the clothing, electronics, and agricultural goods you buy are not made in the U.S. They are imported from developing countries, such as China. The Obama administration is pushing for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to create fair competition in the Asia-Pacific region. Their goal is to create an environment where “Made in America” goods

China’s economy has been booming for the past 15 years, but things are really slowing down. The auto industry is feeling the slowdown, too. New-vehicle sales in China are only half of what they were a year ago. Surprisingly, automakers are not slowing down production to match demand, and dealers in China are speaking out

India wants to become a solar-powered super country. They have plans to improve their solar capacity 30-fold by 2020. One of the biggest plans is to promote the use of domestic solar panels and make them affordable for consumers. However, India’s buy-local rules could jeopardize their ability to do so because of World Trade Organization

West coast ports faced a nine-month long work slowdown because of labor disputes between the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. There was even a short period of time where the ports closed. Thousands of companies had to make adjustments to their supply chains to keep business moving around the country.

Robots have been replacing human workers for decades, but research shows that there’s going to be a revolution in the supply chain industry. That’s because robots are getting smarter and cheaper. They can be programmed to do just about anything a human can do on the assembly line, packaging station, and many logistics maneuvers.

Online grocery shopping is not a new thing — shoppers place their orders, and then someone physically shops and delivers the goods. However, several businesses have popped up that offer meals in a box. These businesses do not use local fulfillment. This raises concerns because of supply chain restraints in terms of keeping food good

There has been a lot of news coverage surrounding the Ebola outbreak in Africa. About 7,000 people have been killed so far with nearly 19,000 infected. Only a couple of cases have been reported in the U.S., but it still makes people wonder why “Big Pharma” hasn’t solved the Ebola epidemic yet. Currently, there is

At the beginning of September, Nevada Legislators approved Tesla’s $5 billion Gigafactory to be built in Reno. The state wooed Tesla with a $1.25 billion incentive package. The package included several tax credits and abatements as well as a discount on electricity and free land. The state beat out competitors such as California, Arizona, New

Outsourcing the production of goods is not a new thing. Companies know they can manufacture most products for cheaper overseas and still charge consumers high prices. Consumers don’t blink an eye because it is a common business practice that they’ve come to accept. Outsourcing is a business decision — cheaper labor means more profits for

South Africa’s economy is struggling to recover after a five-month strike by platinum miners. However, the effects of the strike are more far reaching than that. The price of precious metals around the world has gone up, and it is affecting the global economy. It could take several months for the market to return to

The Apple Watch hasn’t made its debut yet, but many believe it has already cornered the market on smart watches. Why? Because everyone anticipates that the Apple Watch will be more functional and fashionable than any other smart watch already on the market. Everyone is eagerly awaiting for the Apple Watch to be available in

What could a virtual reality device and a smartphone possibly have in common? A lot, actually – including assets. Two tech giants are teaming up and the result could actually change the way we perceive the world. Read on for the latest on why Samsung and Oculus VR are sharing resources.

Reputable companies avoid gimmicks at all costs – including counterfeit goods. However, trustworthy businesses that sell on third-party sites might get “knocked off” the market without even trying.

Recalls are common, however, cases where products caused loss of life are rare and should be treated carefully. There’s no greater PR nightmare than a product that causes death – and decapitation, no less.

Tech companies are vulnerable. They’re a part of an industry that’s already tasked with remaining competitive in an ever-changing market. Not only do they face the pressure to fulfil orders while ensuring supplier costs are low, they also experience external threats as well.

The latest U.S. Export Promotion Program features benefits for small businesses. However, recent news shows the program will also take strides to help bigger companies. The program will enter its next phase this year as the latter half of the mission that began in 2010. Read on for more on the next stage of the

With sound cannons on the streets, speeding may no longer sound like a good idea. Several states are considering introducing sound cannons to their roads, but are these interposing devices worth the risk?

Consumers rarely notice the glass on their phone until they crack it. Yet companies are constantly aware of the thousands of hours they’ll spend on support and customer service for the same issue – regardless of the device’s warranty. Finding a durable alternative screen option is beneficial for all parties.

The world is watching Brazil as it rushes to put the finishing touches on its FIFA World Cup 2014 accommodations. Businesses could learn a thing or two from this world cup crunch. It’s the perfect metaphor for the grand opening of a storefront or even a product launch.