Business Forward: Recent Episodes
Business Forward
Looking to make a difference but don’t see how you can have an impact on your own? Business Forward helps tens of thousands of business leaders brief policymakers on how best to accelerate the economy and create jobs.
With the help of more than 50 of the world's most respected companies, Business Forward is making it easier for tens of thousands of business leaders from across America to advise Washington on policy issues that affect their businesses. Business Forward is active in over 100 cities and works with more than 450 senior Administration officials, Members of Congress, mayors, and governors.
www.businessfwd.org
In this episode, Business Forward welcomed officials from the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor for a conversation on current labor shortages, including school staffing shortages and apprenticeship programs.
In this episode, Business Forward hosted a discussion on digital equity in education. In this conversation with Business Forward Executive Director Liz Fairchild, officials from the U.S. Department of Education discussed the Department of Education’s Advancing Digital Equity for All program, White House initiatives for advancing digital equity, and the steps business leaders can take to help advocate in their communities.
In this episode, Business Forward and the Walton Family Foundation hosted a discussion on innovation in education and workforce development. In this conversation with Business Forward Executive Director Liz Fairchild, a panel of employers and leading innovators in education explored the role of education in connecting learners with in-demand skills, best practices for career-connected learning, and how business leaders can support career pathways in their own communities.
In this episode, Business Forward hosted a briefing with former CIA officer and national security advisor Evan McMullin for a discussion on climate action and severe weather in Utah. In his conversation with Business Forward Executive Director Liz Fairchild, McMullin answered tough questions on topics ranging from inflation, to rule of law, and how severe weather affects small businesses all over the country.
In this episode, Business Forward co-hosted a briefing with Small Business for America’s Future on the Inflation Reduction Act with Zach Butterworth, White House Director for Private Sector Engagement, and Aviva Aron-Dine, National Economic Council Deputy Director. In conversation with our Executive Director, Liz Fairchild, they answered questions on health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, prescription drug prices, and ways business leaders can get involved.
In this episode, Business Forward hosted a briefing with Assistant Secretary Amy Loyd and Assistant Secretary Roberto Rodríguez from the U.S. Department of Education for a discussion on the Pathways to Success initiative. In their conversation with former Business Forward Executive Director Bert Kaufman, they answered tough questions on topics ranging from apprenticeships, to upskill programs, and how business leaders can support students with available educational and training opportunities.
In this episode, Business Forward hosted a briefing with Rachel Pryor, Counselor for Health Policy and Jesse Cross-Call, Deputy Director of External Affairs, with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for a discussion on the Affordable Care Act. In conversation with Business Forward President Jim Doyle, they answered tough questions on topics ranging from the current state of ACA, and how business leaders can advocate in their communities.
In this episode, Business Forward President Jim Doyle joined the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Chief Economist Ronnie Chatterji for a discussion on the state of the small business economy, public policy that can impact small and mid-sized businesses, and how small business owners can stay involved.
In this episode, Business Forward hosted a briefing with Dr. Laurie Locascio, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), for a discussion on the Bipartisan Innovation Act. In her conversation with Business Forward Executive Director Liz Fairchild, Dr. Locascio answered tough questions on topics ranging from supply chains to diversity and inclusion in our innovation environment, and how business leaders can support the BIA.
In this episode, Business Forward hosted a briefing with environmental and financial experts for a discussion on financial supply chains. In their conversation with Business Forward Executive Director Liz Fairchild, these experts answered tough questions on a new report that provides analysis of the hidden climate impact of corporate finances, how the financial system is undermining the sustainability efforts of climate-conscious companies, and steps business leaders can take to help advocate for change.
Guests included James Vaccaro, Executive Director at the Climate Safe Lending Network (CSLN), Paul Moinester, Founder and Executive Director of The Outdoor Policy Outfit (TOPO), Peter Gill Case, Co-Chair of BankFWD, and Vanessa Fajans-Turner, Executive Director of BankFWD.
To learn more about the Carbon Bankroll report, please visit https://www.carbonbankroll.com/
In this episode, Business Forward hosted a briefing with officials from the U.S. Department of Treasury for a discussion on the State Small Business Credit Initiative. In their conversation with former Business Forward Executive Director Bert Kaufman, Deputy Assistant Secretary Adair Morse and the Director of the Office of Federal Program Finance, Jeff Stout, answered tough questions on topics ranging from job creation to how business leaders can support the SSBCI.
In this episode, Business Forward hosted a briefing with Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration and the voice for America’s 32.5 million small businesses in President Biden’s Cabinet, for a briefing on the Biden-Harris Administration’s reforms to the federal procurement process. Administrator Guzman answered tough questions on topics ranging from procurement opportunities, COVID relief, and leveling the playing field for business owners.
In this episode, Business Forward hosted a briefing with White House Nomination Advisor for Engagement, Minyon Moore, White House Nomination Advisor for Communications, Ben LaBolt, and Special Assistant to the President and Senior Counsel, Paige Herwig for a discussion on the Supreme Court confirmation process. In their conversation, Moore, Herwig, and LaBolt answered tough questions on topics ranging from the confirmation process, Judge Jackson’s qualifications, and the steps business leaders can take.
In this episode, Business Forward hosted a briefing with Senior Advisor to the Secretary, U.S. Department of Education, Lexi Barrett, and Acting Deputy Director of Policy to the Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce, David Langdon, for a discussion on building an equitable workforce. In their conversation, Barrett and Langdon answered tough questions on topics ranging from skills gaps in the labor market, to education reform, and gender equity in the workplace.
In this episode, Business Forward hosted a briefing with Jared Bernstein, member of President Biden’s Council of Economic Advisers for a discussion on the economic impacts of Build Back Better and the Federal Reserve nominations. In his conversation with NewDEAL leader and Nevada State Treasurer Zach Conine, Bernstein answered tough questions on topics ranging from inflation, supply chains, to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
In this episode, Business Forward hosted a briefing with the U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh for a discussion on what workforce development and the labor components of Build Back Better means for small businesses. In his conversation with NewDEAL leader and Denver Colorado, Mayor Michael Hancock, Secretary Walsh answered tough questions on topics ranging from COVID relief to technological innovations and workforce recruitment.
In this episode, Business Forward hosted a briefing with former U.S. Secretary of Education John King for a discussion on what K through 12 education and workforce development means for small businesses and local economies. After a brief introduction and opening remarks, Secretary King answered questions on topics ranging from pandemic learning loss to preparing students for success and the future of workforce development.
Resources mentioned in the briefing:
K12 Climate Action: https://www.k12climateaction.org/
A coalition organizing for environmental sustainability in the school system by shifting schools to clean energy, sustainable food use, and clean transportation within the next decade.
Podcast: Hiring for Skills and the Future of Work
https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/businessfwd/episodes/2021-04-05T17_53_07-07_00
Byron Auguste, CEO and Co-founder of Opportunity@Work, and David Sutphen, Chief Strategy and Engagement Officer for 2U, joined us for a discussion of skills and opportunity gaps, the public and private sectors’ roles in the future of work, and how the small business community can connect with workforce talent.
On October 15th, Business Forward, Small Business for America's Future, American Sustainable Business Council, and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce hosted a briefing with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo for a discussion on the Build Back Better agenda. After a brief introduction and opening remarks, Secretary Raimondo answered questions on topics ranging from climate to workforce vaccination mandates.
On September 30th, Business Forward hosted U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm for a briefing and Q&A moderated by Executive Director of Business Forward Liz Fairchild on the Build Back Better agenda and how bold climate action will help business leaders across the country. Secretary Granholm answered questions on topics ranging from reconciliation to clean energy to what tax reform means for small businesses. She also discussed the importance of business leader support and how they can get involved.
On September 23, Business Forward President Jim Doyle and Spitfire Strategies Director Annabelle Gardner hosted a media training on best practices when speaking to the media about voting rights and the Freedom to Vote Act. They also discussed how small businesses can help advocate for stronger voting reforms in their communities and best practices for writing an op-ed or letter to the editor.
On September 9th, Business Forward hosted Special Assistant to the President for Criminal Justice and Guns Policy Chiraag Bains for a discussion on the Administration’s plan for gun violence prevention. After a brief introduction and opening remarks, Chiraag answered questions from business leaders across the country covering topics from gun violence as a public health issue, criminal justice reform and second chance hiring, and ways to engage their communities.
On July 29, Business Forward hosted Don Graves, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, for a briefing on workforce development and K-12 & adult skill building. In his conversation with NewDEAL leader and Montgomery, Alabama, Mayor Steven Reed, he answered questions from business leaders across the country on topics ranging from education to equity and workforce recruitment. They also discussed how business leaders can get involved with workforce development in their communities.
On July 14, Business Forward hosted former IRS Commissioners Fred Goldberg Jr. and Charles Rossotti for a briefing and Q&A on modernizing the IRS and shrinking the tax gap. They answered questions from business leaders across the country on topics ranging from the unequal distribution of the tax gap to what an updated IRS would look like. They also discussed how business leaders can get involved with the proposals covered in the briefing.
On June 29, Business Forward hosted a briefing with Chair Brenda Mallory, and Director of Public Engagement David Kieve, both at the White House Council on Environmental Quality, for a discussion on the Administration’s plans for climate change and environmental justice.
After opening remarks and a brief Q&A with Chair Brenda Mallory, David Kieve answered additional questions from business leaders across the country, covering topics ranging from emerging clean energy technologies to emissions regulations.
On June 28, Business Forward hosted Amy Martin, President of Tennessee Cable & Broadband Association, Tom Schatz, President of Citizens Against Government Waste, Cassandra Denton, Owner of SanSational Creations, and State Representative Martin Daniels for a roundtable moderated by Jim Doyle, President of Business Forward, on the digital divide and Knoxville Utility Board proposal. Panelists discussed what a government-owned network would mean for business leaders, the importance of public-private collaboration, and how business leaders can get involved.
On June 16, Business Forward hosted U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm for a briefing and Q&A moderated by NewDEAL leader, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego on the American Jobs Plan and building our energy infrastructure back better. Secretary Granholm answered questions from business leaders across the country on topics ranging from the security and resilience of our energy system to American competitiveness in the clean energy sector. She also discussed the importance of public-private collaboration and how business leaders can get involved.
On June 8th, Business Forward hosted a discussion with Natasha Sarin, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy at the U.S. Department of Treasury, and Zach Butterworth, Director of Private Sector Engagement at the White House Office of Public Engagement.
After opening remarks from Butterworth on the American Families Plan, Sarin discussed the IRS and tax provisions of the Plan -- including its efforts to revitalize IRS enforcement and technology, how to increase fairness in the tax system, and the steps business leaders can take to help advocate in their communities.
On June 3, Business Forward President Jim Doyle and Spitfire Strategies Director Annabelle Gardner hosted a media training on best practices when speaking to the media about the anti-corruption and voting rights provisions of the For the People Act. They also discussed how small businesses can help advocate for stronger voting reforms in their communities and best practices for writing an op-ed or letter to the editor.
On May 27, Business Forward hosted a discussion between Managing Director of the Clean Slate Initiative Sheena Meade and Director of Justice Reform and Racial Equity Policy at Microsoft Danyelle Soloman on the power of enacting clean slate policies for economic and workforce development. Chiraag Bains, Special Assistant to the President for Criminal Justice & Guns Policy at the Domestic Policy Council at the White House joined for introductory remarks.
On May 20, Jim Doyle hosted a media training on best practices when speaking to the media about gun safety and strengthening background checks. He also discussed how small businesses can help advocate for stronger gun safety legislation in their communities and best practices for writing an op-ed or letter to the editor.
If you want to sign on to our statement calling for the Senate to pass bipartisan federal legislation to strengthen background checks, you can add your name here: https://www.businessforward.org/bipartisan-background-check-legislation/
Business Forward also released a media training manual on gun safety and background checks that you can access here: https://www.businessforward.org/press/new-training-manual-on-gun-safety/
On May 14, Business Forward and Small Business for America’s future hosted Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman of the U.S. Small Business Administration, and Bharat Ramamurti, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council for a briefing and Q&A on the American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan. They answered questions from business leaders across the country on topics from procurement opportunities in infrastructure investment to making the tax code fair for small businesses.
On May 12, Business Forward hosted a briefing and Q&A on passing federal background check legislation for all gun sales with Sarah Trumble, Senior Director of Federal Affairs at Everytown for Gun Safety.
Trumble outlined what federal background check legislation for gun sales would do, how it helps, its chances of passing in Congress, and the steps business leaders can take to help advocate in their communities.
On April 22, Business Forward hosted a briefing and Q&A on the cost of restrictive voting laws with Charles Phillips, Managing Partner and Co-Founder at RECOGNIZE, and David Clunie, Executive Director of the Black Economic Alliance.
Phillips and Clunie answered questions about the role of business in the voting rights debate, recent state-level efforts to pass anti-voter legislation, and discussed their observations while recruiting executives to speak up on this issue. They also outlined how business leaders can advocate in their communities.
On April 21, Business Forward, Small Business for America’s Future, and other partners hosted a briefing and Q&A on building our infrastructure back better with Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.
Secretary Buttigieg and NewDEAL Leader Mayor Woodfin of Birmingham, Alabama discussed integrating racial and regional equity into the American Jobs Plan rollout, creating good jobs, and providing opportunities for small businesses to get involved in infrastructure projects.
This briefing is the first in our Build Back Better briefing series. This series will cover the Biden administration’s policy priorities across a range of topics, including those covered by the American Jobs Plan and the recently passed American Rescue Plan.
On April 13, Business Forward and Small Business for America’s future hosted a briefing and Q&A on the American Jobs Plan with Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Bharat Ramamurti, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, Joelle Gamble, Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and Zach Butterworth, Director of Private Sector Engagement for the White House. It covered topics ranging from opportunities for small businesses in federal contracting to the ways in which the plan will help the U.S. stay globally competitive.
This briefing is part of a series of briefings Business Forward and our partner Small Business for America's Future will conduct with Biden officials on critical economic, climate, and health care issues.
Byron Auguste, CEO and Co-founder of Opportunity@Work, and David Sutphen, Chief Strategy and Engagement Officer for 2U, joined us for a discussion of skills and opportunity gaps, the public and private sectors’ roles in the future of work, and how the small business community can connect with workforce talent.
On April 1, Business Forward hosted a briefing on manufacturing in the Heartland. White House Associate Director of Public Engagement Will McIntee joined for introductory remarks on how the Biden Administration’s American Jobs Plan will impact the Heartland. After these remarks, Mayor Nan Whaley of Dayton, Ohio moderated a discussion between CEO of Heartland Forward Ross DeVol and CEO of Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority Rick Platt on manufacturing in the Heartland, answering questions from business leaders on entrepreneurship, reshoring jobs, and how climate concerns affect electric vehicle suppliers and the manufacturing sector, overall.
01:12 - Will McIntee's remarks
13:47 - Ross DeVol's opening remarks
18:22 - Rick Platt's opening remarks
20:35 - Q&A moderated by Mayor Nan Whaley
On March 24, Business Forward welcomed New York business leaders Daphany Rose Sanchez, Executive Director and Founder of Kinetic Communities Consulting, and Susannah Bradley, Marketing Director for SunCommon, to discuss recent climate legislation and funding a just clean energy transition.
During the conversation, our guests discussed New York’s climate leadership and the Climate and Community Investment Act. They addressed the impact of a clean energy transition on local jobs, investment, and businesses, and how small businesses can get engaged.
Interested in telling Albany to fund the clean energy transition? Sign on to our business leader statement: https://secure.everyaction.com/9ZUL8_vIkUK7cFqS9hlo7g2.
Resources
NY Renews: https://www.nyrenews.org/
Climate Works For All: https://alignny.org/campaign/climate-works-for-all/
On March 18, Business Forward welcomed Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, who represents Washington’s first district, for a briefing on H.R. 1, the For the People Act.
During the briefing, the Congresswoman outlined the various pro-democracy reforms proposed in H.R. 1, including the creation of a nationwide standard for early voting, the expansion of opportunities to vote by mail, and increased protection from misinformation and cyber attacks that interfere with our elections. She also discussed the importance of a well-functioning democracy for the business community.
On March 16th, Business Forward and Small Business for America’s future briefed Bharat Ramamurti, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, on the American Rescue Plan. He answered questions from business leaders on the plan’s industry-specific provisions, how small businesses will benefit, and what is coming next.
This briefing is part of a series of briefings Business Forward and our partner Small Business for America's Future will conduct with Biden officials on critical economic, climate, and health care issues.
On February 24, our network briefed Biden officials on the American Rescue Plan. Biden’s Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, Congressman Cedric Richmond joined us for introductory remarks, and Bharat Ramamurti, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, answered questions from business leaders on economic recovery, the plan’s equity components, and PPP loans.
This briefing was part of a series of briefings Business Forward and our partner Small Business for America's Future will conduct with Biden officials on critical economic, climate, and health care policy.
On January 15, Co-chair of the Biden-Harris transition team and Biden’s Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, Congressman Cedric Richmond joined us for introductory remarks. Governor Gina Raimondo, President-elect Biden’s nominee for Secretary of Commerce, and Isabel Guzman, his nominee for Small Business Administrator, talked with Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck of Washington, and answered questions from business leaders on economic recovery, racial and gender equity, health care, helping rural America, and climate change. Both nominees discussed how the COVID-19 crisis has impacted small businesses across the country, and their plans to help business leaders build back better.
This briefing was part of a series of briefings Business Forward and our partner Small Business for America's Future will conduct with President-elect Biden’s nominees for critical economic, climate, and health care posts.
On Wednesday, January 6, Business Forward and Small Business For America’s Future welcomed Neera Tanden, President-elect Biden’s nominee for Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Tanden discussed her background and OMB’s role in President-elect Biden’s Build Back Better agenda, and answered questions from our network of business leaders.
On Wednesday, October 28, Business Forward welcomed Ben Harris, Former Chief Economist to Vice President, Obama-Biden Administration, for a briefing on Vice President Biden’s plan to create jobs and investment in the Heartland.
On Thursday, October 15, Business Forward welcomed National Rural Engagement Director Will McIntee at Biden for President for a Solutions 2020: Real-world Recommendations for the Next President briefing. This briefing focused on the Vice President's plan for agriculture and sustainable infrastructure development.
On Wednesday, September 23, Business Forward welcomed National Rural Engagement Director Will McIntee at Biden for President for a Solutions 2020: Real-world Recommendations for the Next President briefing as part of small business week. This briefing focused on the Vice President's plan for engaging small businesses located in rural communities.
Jim Doyle, president of Business Forward, offers advice on how business leaders can communicate their ideas on transitioning to a green job economy with local media. Business Forward has helped more than 175,000 business leaders brief policymakers and work with local media, publish op-eds, testify at public hearings, lobby members of Congress and the White House, and advocate online.
On Thursday, July 30, Business Forward and Small Business for America's Future welcomed Biden for President Senior Policy Advisor Seema Sadanandan and Deputy National Coalitions Director Jason Rodriguez for a Solutions 2020: Real-world Recommendations for the Next President briefing focused on the Vice President's plan for advancing racial equity in America.
On Tuesday, July 28, Business Forward Foundation welcomed John Bailey, visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, for a briefing on steps Congress can take to close the homework gap.
On this call, Bailey outlined the causes of the homework gap, its impact on students during Covid-19, policy options, prospects for action in Congress, and steps local business leaders can take to help.
On Wednesday, July 22, Business Forward and Small Business for America's Future welcomed Biden for President Policy Director Stef Feldman and Deputy National Coalitions Director Jason Rodriguez for a briefing focused on the Vice President's plan for building our caring economy. They discussed the campaign's plan to mobilize American talent to build a 21st century caregiving and education workforce to ease the burden of care for working parents, especially women.
On Thursday, July 16, Business Forward welcomed Larry Levitt, Executive Vice President for Health Policy at the Kaiser Family Foundation, for a briefing on how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) serves as a safety net for those who have lost their employer-sponsored health insurance during the pandemic.
Larry discussed the extent to which job losses have increased the number of uninsured Americans, and how the ACA provides coverage options for many of these Americans either through the marketplace exchange or through Medicaid. He also explained how Covid-19-related layoffs have worsened the coverage crisis for Americans living in 13 states that have yet to close their “Medicaid gap.”
On Wednesday, July 15, Business Forward and Small Business for America’s Future welcomed Biden for President Policy Director Stef Feldman for a Solutions 2020: Real-world Recommendations for the Next President briefing focused on the Vice President’s plan for modernizing our energy economy and building a sustainable infrastructure.
On Thursday, July 9, Business Forward and Small Business for America's Future welcomed Biden for President team members Jason Rodriguez, deputy national coalitions director, and Jake Sullivan, policy advisor, for a Solutions 2020: Real-world Recommendations for the Next President briefing focused on economic policy.
Our guests from Biden for President discussed the campaign's commitment to small business growth, its plan for collecting recommendations from small business owners, the Vice President's 2020 economic agenda, and its focus on helping small businesses manage the COVID-19 crisis.
Jim Doyle talks with Jennifer Anastasoff, executive director of the Tech Talent Project, about how to mobilize technology for a 21st century government. Anastasoff discusses the current state of technology used by government agencies and opportunities to upgrade systems and create new government tech roles.
Jim Doyle, president of Business Forward, offers advice on how business leaders can communicate their ideas on education reform with local media. Business Forward has helped more than 175,000 business leaders brief policymakers and work with local media, publish op-eds, testify at public hearings, lobby members of Congress and the White House, and advocate online.
Jim Doyle, president of Business Forward, outlines the eight rules business leaders should follow when they talk to local media. Business Forward has helped more than 175,000 business leaders brief policymakers and work with local media, publish op-eds, testify at public hearings, lobby members of Congress and the White House, and advocate online.
Ed Meier talks with Natalie Gould, Co-Founder and COO of Washington Leadership Academy (WLA), about reforming high schools to prepare students for the future of work. They discuss WLA’s mandatory four-year computer science progression, its internship program, and what policymakers can do to encourage high schools to teach more technical skills.
Taxpayers spend billions of dollars each year subsidizing coal companies, even though coal jobs are disappearing due to automation, surface mining, and natural gas. Despite clear market forces, Trump continues to protect coal plants and promise he will bring mining jobs back. Featured guests include Ohio business leader Myles Murray, director of communications at Better Together Solar, and David Hayes, former deputy secretary of the interior and current executive director of the State Energy and Environmental Impact Center at NYU.
President Trump once claimed that trade wars are "good and easy to win," but in his clash with China - American companies are paying the price. In trade wars with no strategy, there are more losers than winners. Featured guests include business leader and serial entrepreneur Robert Roche, founder and president of Roche Enterprises, and Jen Harris, former State Department official in the Obama Administration.
Business Forward Foundation welcomes Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11), New Democrat Coalition Future of Work Task Force Co-Chair, for a conference call briefing on closing the skills gap, investing in STEM education, and preparing young Americans for an economy in which they will need to operate as lifelong learners.
Small businesses employ nearly half of America’s workers and generate most of our new jobs. However, fewer new small businesses are being established, especially in rural areas. What’s to blame? Student debt and the lack of fair access to capital. Featured guests include Illinois business leader Robin Simmons, director of innovation and outreach at Sunshine Enterprises, Illinois business leader Eya Louis of SOUL Works L3C, and Michael S. Barr, Dean of the Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan.
Business Forward welcomed Cameron Kerry, visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution’s Center for Technology Innovation and former acting Secretary of Commerce, for a briefing on the state of consumer privacy reform. He discussed the surge in data collection, new data uses, key players in Congress, and what a bipartisan deal might look like.
President Trump’s focus on the wall has divided the country and derailed bipartisan legislation on infrastructure. In reality, there are better and cheaper ways to protect the U.S. and those dollars would be better spent fixing America’s roads, bridges, rail, and waterways. Featured guests include Ohio business leader Kevin Burch, Lansing Mayor Andy Schor, Michigan business leader Pat Gillespie, and former Deputy Secretary of Transportation and WSP President John D. Porcari.
Under President Trump, “America First” means “America Alone” – this is bad for business. Featured guests include Michigan business leader Cornelius Harris, founder of Alter Ego Management and Jake Sullivan, Distinguished Montgomery Fellow at Dartmouth College.
Women remain overrepresented in low-paying jobs and underrepresented in high-paying jobs. By simply helping women match men’s labor force participation, America could grow its economy by $1 trillion. Featured guests include Colorado business leader Denise Burgess, President and CEO of Burgess Services and Betsey Stevenson, Professor at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan.
Automation creates and destroys jobs simultaneously, changing the future of work. We can't go back. We must reskill. School reform must prepare our students for the skills and qualities tomorrow’s employers will need. Featured guests include Michigan business leader Michael Guthrie, founding design principal of inFORM Studio and Alastair Fitzpayne, Executive Director of the Future of Work Initiative at the Aspen Institute.
On Wednesday, January 22, Business Forward Foundation welcomed Ivan Frishberg, director of impact policy for Amalgamated Bank, and Gregg Gelzinis, senior policy analyst at the Center for American Progress, for a briefing on sustainable banking. They discussed new commitments from leading banks to disclose their climate change risk and the carbon emissions they finance; the impact this new disclosure could have on renewable energy investment; and, how new regulations could speed this process.
On Wednesday, January 15, Business Forward Foundation welcomed former Acting Solicitor General of the United States Neal Katyal for a briefing on the facts and legal theories behind the impeachment of President Trump, as well as other threats to rule of law in the U.S.
By favoring types of income that only the richest Americans earn, President Trump's tax cuts skipped the middle class by design. Now, he wants to cut health care and social security by $1.7 trillion to pay for it. Featured guests include Tennessee business leader Stephen Prince, Owner of National Business Products and David Kamin, Professor of Law at New York University School of Law.
By protecting coal plants and cutting funding for solar and wind R&D, President Trump is fighting market forces beyond his control. The U.S. should be leading on energy, but we are at risk of falling behind. Featured guests include Pennsylvania business leader Kjerstin Klein, Owner of Willi’s Ski Shop, Inc. and Kristina Costa, Climate and Energy Policy Adviser.
President Trump argues that America is being overwhelmed by immigrants. The truth? Many communities are aging, shrinking, and losing their young talent to larger cities, creating a negative cycle that hurts local jobs, property values, and investment. Immigrants can break this cycle. Featured guests include Wisconsin business leader Ryan Clancy, Owner of Bounce Milwaukee and Marshall Fitz, Managing Director of Immigration at the Emerson Collective.
On Monday, December 16, Business Forward welcomed Michele Jolin, CEO and Co-founder of Results for America, to kick off the Solutions 2020 Government Innovation Policy Working Group. On this podcast, we discussed how data can improve government performance.
On Thursday, October 17, the Business Forward Foundation welcomed Congressman Don Beyer (VA-08) for a conference call on the New Democrat Coalition climate priorities. He talked about how investing in renewable energy strengthens our national security, makes our economy more competitive, and increases economic opportunity.
Business Forward welcomed Doug Rand, Senior Fellow and Director of the Technology and Innovation Initiative at the Federation of American Scientists, and co-founder of Boundless. Rand discussed the Department of Homeland Security's "public charge rule" that will go into effect next week. He talked about the rule's negative impact on businesses and how it reduces the talent pool availability to U.S. employers, imposes substantial paperwork burdens on immigrants and their employers, and overall financial burden to the American economy.
Business Forward is joined by Franz Litz, Principal at Litz Energy Strategies, LLC, for a webinar on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the market-based CO2 reduction program run by Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Litz explains how RGGI works, how states and local businesses benefit, how falling wind and solar prices are helping, and which states are likely to join.
On Tuesday, September 17, Business Forward welcomed Montana Governor Steve Bullock for a Solutions 2020: Real-world Recommendations for the Next President conference call. Governor Bullock discussed his 2020 agenda for growing our economy and improving economic opportunity.
On Tuesday, July 16, Business Forward welcomed Michael S. Barr, Dean of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan for a Solutions 2020 Policy Working Group call on small business.
This is the second of the Solutions 2020 Small Business Policy Working Group series. This call focused on consumer protection for small businesses.
On Tuesday, June 25, Business Forward welcomed Al Fitzpayne, Executive Director of the Aspen Institute Future of Work Initiative, and Massachusetts State Senator Eric Lesser, for a Solutions 2020 Policy Working Group call on the future of work.
This is the second of the Solutions 2020 Future of Work Policy Working Group series. On this working group call, policy experts and business leaders outlined the future of work challenges facing our country and begin discussing policy solutions. This webinar focused on designing portable benefits to bring financial security to workers in a changing economy.
On Tuesday, June 18, Business Forward welcomed Laura Rosenberger, Director of the Alliance for Securing Democracy and Senior Fellow at The German Marshall Fund of the United States, for a Solutions 2020 Policy Working Group call on foreign policy.
On Friday, June 14, Business Forward welcomed Congressman Seth Moulton for our seventh Solutions 2020: Real-world Recommendations for the Next President conference call.
On Thursday, June 13, Business Forward welcomed former Deputy Secretary of Transportation John D. Porcari, Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, and former Assistant Secretary of Transportation Carlos Monje for our second Solutions 2020 Infrastructure Working Group. On this working group call, policy experts and business leaders discussed the state of play on the $2 trillion infrastructure package being discussed in Washington and the different infrastructure proposals outlined by the 2020 presidential candidates. The group focused on areas of agreement and disagreement between the proposals, including how to pay for them.
On Tuesday, June 4, Business Forward welcomed Christy Goldfuss, Senior Vice President of Energy and Environment Policy at the Center for American Progress, for a Solutions 2020 Policy Working group call on climate and clean energy.
On Thursday, May 30, Business Forward welcomed Lanae Erickson, Senior Vice President for the Social Policy and Politics Program at Third Way, for a webinar on higher education. This is the first in our Solutions 2020 Education Policy Working Group series. This working group call discussed the cost of wasted taxpayer dollars at low-performing higher education institutions.
On Wednesday, May 22, Business Forward welcomed Congressman Ron Kind (WI-03) and Phil Waldeck, President of Prudential Retirement, for a conference call on the bipartisan effort to increase access to retirement savings.
Business Forward welcomed Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01), for a conference call on protecting and supporting a health care system that reflects the needs of working women and their reproductive rights.
On Monday, May 20, Business Forward welcomed South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg for our sixth Solutions 2020: Real-world Recommendations for the Next President conference call.
On Thursday, May 9, Business Forward welcomed Al Fitzpayne from the Aspen Institute and Massachusetts State Senator Eric Lesser for a conference call on the Future of Work.
On Thursday, May 2, Business Forward welcomed Michael Barr, Dean of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan and former Assistant Secretary of Treasury, and Marie Johns, Managing Member of Leftwich LLC, former Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, for a conference call on small business policy.
On Tuesday, April 30, Business Forward welcomed Jake Sullivan, Co-Chair at National Security Action for a conference call on foreign policy.
On Thursday, April 18, Business Forward welcomed former Deputy Secretary of Transportation John D. Porcari, Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, and former Assistant Secretary of Transportation Carlos Monje for a conference call to kick off the Solutions 2020 Infrastructure Working Group.
The fifth installment in our Solutions 2020: Real-world Recommendations for the Next President.
On Thursday, March 21, Business Forward welcomed Tom Steyer, noted investor, philanthropist, and activist, for our latest Solutions 2020 briefing. Steyer focused on the cost of the Trump presidency to our global economic competitiveness. He discussed fiscal policy, clean energy, and national security. Tom offers an extraordinary perspective on these topics, and is interested in working with local business leaders on solutions.
The third installment in our Solutions 2020: Real-world Recommendations for the New Congress and the Next President
The second installment in our Solutions 2020: Real-world Recommendations for the New Congress and the Next President
On Thursday, February 14, Business Forward welcomed Congressman John Delaney, for our first Solutions 2020: Real-world Recommendations for the New Congress and the Next President conference call. Congressman Delaney focused on his 2020 agenda for growing our economy and improving economic opportunity. Business leaders like you understand the importance of a business-minded approach to policy and can provide workable solutions that create jobs and foster economic growth.
On Tuesday, February 5, Business Forward welcomed Congressman Jim Cooper (TN-05), for a conference call on health care reform and the path forward in the new Congress. He discussed suggested reforms to the Affordable Care Act, as well as his work on expanding health insurance coverage to more people.
On January 16, Business Forward welcomed Steve Tobocman, Co-Chair of the Welcoming Economies Global Network and Director of Global Detroit, for a webinar on the importance of immigrants in stimulating business and making local economies competitive. He will discuss the best practices for attracting, retaining, and integrating their talent, as well as talk about how business leaders can help lead on these issues in their own communities.
Business Forward is joined by Congressman Kurt Schrader (OR-05), for a conference call on health care reform and the path forward in the new Congress. He discussed bipartisan solutions on how to stabilize the individual market, improve access to high-quality care, and lower prescription drug costs.
Business Forward is joined by Carmel Martin, Managing Director of XQ Institute for a discussion on the future of work and how high school redesign can help students and their employers compete.
Business Forward is joined by Nat Wood of Rational 360 for a discussion on how to make the best case in support of the ACA, whether you're talking to the media, a Member of Congress, or your neighbors.
Business Forward is joined by Jake Sullivan, Co-Chair at National Security Action, for a discussion about the importance of protecting the independence of our courts and the Justice Department.
On November 12, Business Forward welcomed Congressman Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Vice-Chair of the New Democrat Coalition, for a discussion on what the election results might mean for the new Congress.
On Wednesday, October 24 Business Forward welcomed Arielle Kane, Director of Health Care at the Progressive Policy Institute, for a discussion on the current state of health care access in America. Kane discussed how improvements to the ACA are more beneficial than repealing the law and moving to a single-payer system.
Tara Leigh Grove, Professor of Law at William and Mary Law School, and Sarah Turberville, Director of the Constitution Project at the Project on Government Oversight, join Business Forward to discuss defending America's federal courts
Dariely Rodriguez and Arusha Gordon of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law discuss how to prevent, recognize, and respond to discrimination in the workplace, including among colleagues, clients, and customers.
On Thursday, September 6, Business Forward welcomed Carrie Irvin, CEO and Co-Founder of Charter Board Partners for a webinar to discuss the importance of quality schools, including charter schools, and how to create a cohesive school board that allows local businesses to be involved.
Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. joined Business Forward to discuss his work to protect and improve the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Congressman Bera is a physician with more than 20 years of experience in health care. Rep. Bera has long worked with both sides of the aisle to improve health care and cut costs for consumers.
President Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum are affecting manufacturers across the U.S., but his threat to impose new tariffs new automobiles and auto parts could wreck one of America’s most important industries.
On Tuesday, August 21, Business Forward welcomed Kristin Dziczek, Vice President of Industry, Labor & Economics for the Center for Automotive Research, for a conference call to discuss the impact of steel and aluminum tariffs on manufacturers and the potential impact of imposing tariffs on autos.
Robert Kaplan, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, discusses his recent research into key near- and long-term factors that will affect the U.S. economy.
On Friday, July 27, the U.S. Department of Commerce released its first estimate of U.S. economic output for the second quarter of 2018. That afternoon, we held our quarterly webinar about the economy.
Paul Bishop, Vice President of Research, National Association of Realtors, discussed the fundamentals of the economy, consumer trends, and areas of potential growth, with a special focus on the housing market.
To view the slides, click here: http://bit.ly/GDP-Q2-2018
Business Forward welcomed Senator Michael Bennet for a conference call with business leaders both from Colorado and across the country. The senator discussed current business taking place in the Senate and shared lessons he learned as superintendent of Denver Public Schools about what makes business leaders effective advocates for reform.
Join us in conversation with David Foster, Distinguished Associate with Energy Futures Initiative and is the former Senior Advisor for Industrial and Economic Policy at the U.S. Department of Energy. David also serves on boards of Kaiser Aluminum and Evraz North America.
To view slides from the webinar or download the U.S. Energy and Employment Report, visit bit.ly/energyjobswebinar
America’s trading partners are negotiating regional and bilateral agreements without us, making it harder for American companies to export competitively. Tourism to the U.S. is down, entrepreneurs are building their businesses in other countries, and colleges are losing out on the tuition dollars from international students who help keep costs down for local students. Experts say America’s foreign policy is to blame.
Jake Sullivan, Co-Chair of National Security Action, joined us for a conference call to discuss how American leadership affects our national and economic security and what business leaders can do to encourage open markets, create jobs at home, and promote American innovation and industry.
How can the U.S. boost GDP by 10%? According to a recent study by S&P Global Ratings, the answer is women. Joining us in conversation this week is Beth Ann Bovino, Chief U.S. Economist at S&P Global Ratings. Listen to our discussion of the demographic and economic conditions that have led to a lag in U.S. workforce participation by women.
Climate change is a growing concern for business leaders and policymakers alike. What should society do and spend today to protect future generations against the risks of carbon emissions?
Robert Litterman, founding partner of Kepos Capital, formerly led risk management at Goldman, Sachs & Co. He joined us to discuss the economic risks associated with climate change and market solutions for reducing carbon emissions.
On Friday, January 26, the U.S. Department of Commerce released its estimate of U.S. economic output for the last three months of 2017, as well as its year-end 2017 GDP numbers. That same day, Business Forward held our quarterly webinar on the U.S. economy.
Ed Keon, Managing Director of QMA, a PGIM Company, joined us to discuss the fundamentals of the economy, consumer trends, and areas of potential growth. Listen in on our conversation below, and follow along with the slides.
This week, Business Forward welcomed pollsters Christine Matthews and Margie Omero to discuss our survey on eliminating obstacles for women in the workplace.
As the nation turns its eyes toward the real and problematic harassment women face in the workplace, employers across the country are trying to understand the challenges – workplace, systemic, legal – that make it harder for women than men to advance professionally. A recent study by S&P found that the U.S. could add five to 10 percent to the GDP by making it easier for women to stay in the workforce. But how?
Our conversation with Omero and Matthews offers insights into policies that would help professional women advance their careers.
Now that the U.S. Senate and House have passed their own tax bills, a conference committee will reconcile differences before each chamber votes again.
Mark Mazur from the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center discusses the differences between the two bills and how they would each affect small, medium, and large businesses and the economy in general.
Today’s workplace thrives on innovation, empowerment, and an open dialogue. But what happens when social discord and discussion seeps into the workplace, bringing with it polarizing views and sometimes intolerance? How are these trends affecting the workplace and how are organizations responding to this atmosphere? How can you ensure that your workplace enhances employee engagement and capitalize on your employees’ unique differences and experiences?
Bettina Deynes, Vice President of Human Resources for the Society of Human Resource Management, America's largest society of Human Resource professionals, discusses workplace trends and case studies and share strategies you can use to manage differing views and conflict among your employees, while promoting diversity of thought and inclusion.
EY Principal Robert Carroll discusses the fundamentals of the economy, consumer trends, and areas of potential growth. He also covers policy issues that affect the economy, like tax reform, and take your questions. This webinar is the latest in Business Forward's series on economic indicators.
Gregg Sherrill discusses how a carbon fuel fee would work and how it would affect American companies' bottom lines. He is executive chairman of Tenneco, an $8.6 billion global manufacturing company and immediate past chair of the National Association of Manufacturers. Gregg will
If Congress and the White House want to reform the tax code without increasing the deficit, we will need additional revenue to offset cuts to the corporate rate. One possible solution is a fee on carbon. Proponents say a fee on carbon fuels would generate $1 to $2 trillion over a decade, allow for substantial deregulation, and provide a market-based solution to reduce the leading cause of climate change.
One of the country’s most respected experts on the budget and fiscal responsibility, Maya MacGuineas joins Business Forward to discuss discuss federal spending and tax reform. She also covers the nuts and bolts of the recent agreement to extend the federal government funding deadline and raise the debt limit.
Congressman Kurt Schrader from Oregon, co-chair of the New Democrat Coalition’s Affordable and Accessible Healthcare Task Force, will discusses new proposals to improve the Affordable Care Act and stabilize the individual health insurance marketplace.
Representatives Tom Reed (NY-23) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) discuss their work as co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Problem Solvers Caucus. The Congressmen share their views on the current state of fiscal and economic policy in Washington and their bipartisan work on issues such as infrastructure and tax reform.
Mark Mazur from the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center discusses current tax reform proposals and why tax reform is so difficult politically.
Margaret Hawley-Young, Acting Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, discusses how CBA and the rest of the State Department's Economic Bureau supports U.S. business interests abroad.
Delaware Governor John Carney discusses the innovation economy, his state's economic development efforts, ideas to retain and support startups, and how other states and the federal government can help spur innovation.
Fred W. Volcansek, Sr., the Executive Director of the U.S. Department of Commerce's SelectUSA program, discusses how foreign direct investment contributes to the U.S. economy and how SelectUSA helps businesses of all sizes.
For the fifth year in a row, global business executives named the United States as the top destination for business investment, according to A.T. Kearney’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Confidence Index. Foreign-owned businesses spent $57 billion on research & development (R&D) in the United States in 2014 alone.
A former chief economist of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors and former director of the Congressional Budget Office, Douglas Holtz-Eakin is one of the country’s foremost experts on tax policy.
We discuss how changes could affect businesses and the economy.
U.S. Representative Elizabeth Esty, Vice-Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure discusses her ideas for investing in infrastructure and the legislative priorities of the committee this year and next.
The Commerce Department announced that the U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 0.7 percent in the first quarter of 2017.
What does this mean?
PGIM Managing Director Ed Keon discusses the fundamentals of the economy, consumer trends, and areas of potential growth.
This webinar is the latest in Business Forward’s series on economic indicators. We provide this programming to help you stay up to date on the latest information about the economy and how it may affect your business.
Congress needs to approve a federal spending plan—or pass a short-term continuing resolution—by Friday, April 28 or the federal government will shut down.
Budget expert Jacob Leibenluft gives an overview of what to expect around this appropriations deadline and what the coming debate over the budget means for the economy.
Congressman Scott Peters from California, a former economist at the EPA and San Diego port commissioner, discusses changes the Trump Administration has proposed to EPA rules and regulations.
Cyber-attacks on American companies by foreign state actors are on the rise. With the increased use of email, cloud software, and electronic payments, businesses of all sizes are at risk of cyber espionage.
In this episode, we discuss cybersecurity policies and the possible effects of nation-state cyber-attacks on American businesses. Congressman Jim Himes from Connecticut is the ranking member of the NSA and Cybersecurity Subcommittee of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
David Kendall, Senior Fellow for Health and Fiscal Policy at centrist think tank Third Way, discusses the likelihood of future health care legislation. He also explains what the Trump Administration can do to change U.S. health care policy without congressional action and how those changes could affect American businesses.
Is your business prepared for a cyber attack? Are you taking sufficient action to protect your data and your customers?
Anil Markose, a Principal and Cyber Threat Management Leader at EY, discusses EY’s recent Global Information Security Survey and best practices for risk management and how to sense, resist, and react to cyber attacks on your company.
Congressman Rick Crawford from Arkansas and Engage Cuba and President James Williams discuss opportunities for American businesses in Cuba, and what lifting the remaining trade and travel embargo would mean for them.
s a member of the bi-partisan Cuba Working Group in the U.S. House of Representatives and author of the Cuba Agricultural Exports Act, Congressman Crawford is a key leader in Congress on the U.S. relationship with Cuba. James Williams founded and leads Engage Cuba, a coalition of private businesses and companies working to lift the travel and trade embargo on Cuba.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler discusses with business leaders about how various proposals would affect local businesses and the U.S. economy.
As the fastest growing city in the country and home to a major tech center, companies in Austin employ many workers that were born abroad. The mayor shares his city's approach to immigration policies and business leaders offer their experiences and views.
Congressman John Delaney, a member of the Joint Economic Committee, and Wayne Best, the chief economist from Visa, discuss the GDP report released this morning.
As the Obama Administration works with Congress to finalize implementing language for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and Trade Ambassador Michael Froman discuss the trade agreement and the potential timeline for Congressional action.
Drone policy expert Lisa Ellman discusses new FAA rules went into effect several weeks ago that allow the commercial use of drones under certain circumstances.
With this change, businesses can deploy unmanned aircraft for a multitude of purposes, possibly generating more than 100,000 jobs and at least $82 billion in revenue in the next decade.
Constitutional attorney and former U.S. Supreme Court Clerk Simon A. Steel discuss the arguments and impact of federal litigation of the Clean Power Plan.
This episode covers the basics of the current case, the steps likely to lead to review by the Supreme Court, and how business leaders can weigh in on the merits of CPP. We will review how business groups and individual business leaders traditionally file briefs with the Supreme Court, and what arguments are likely to have the biggest impact on this case.
The U.S. General Services Administration oversees $66 billion of procurement annually for the federal government, and 80 percent of all GSA contractors are small businesses.
GSA Administrator Denise Turner Roth discusses how GSA works with small businesses and startups.
Joe Hockey discusses the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement and the future of trade in the Asia-Pacific.
Australia is one of the United States’ most trusted trading partners and allies. This year marks 11 years since the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement entered into force. The United States ranks as Australia's second-highest two-way trading partner with good and services trade reaching $65 billion last year. The United States is the largest source of foreign investment into Australia, totaling just over $700 billion in 2014.
Recently, the United States and China formally joined the Paris Agreement on climate change, a historic and enduring agreement, which was adopted by all countries in December 2015 at COP-21, and signed in April of this year by nearly 180 governments. For the first time, we have an ambitious and durable climate regime that sets the world on a course to a low-carbon future, where all countries are committed to take real action on climate change. The American business community played a key role in generating the momentum that enabled adoption of this landmark agreement.
U. S. Department of State Special Envoy for Climate Change Dr. Jonathan Pershing discusses the next steps for the United States in implementing the Paris Agreement both at home and abroad. He also explains the role of the business community in helping these efforts succeed.
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson from Florida and Amy Pope from the White House discuss how federal, state, and local governments are responding to the Zika outbreak and what the business community can do to help.
With the use of technology and real-time data, smart cities can improve quality of life, reduce waste, increase efficiency, and lower costs for local governments, businesses, and residents. But unlocking the potential of smart cities will require a joint commitment from both the public and private sectors to invent, finance, and implement new infrastructure.
Mark Dowd, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology at the U.S. Department of Transportation, discusses the federal government’s efforts to spur smart city development through public-private partnerships, specifically those involving small and medium-sized businesses.
The Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office has more than $40 billion in authority to finance innovative clean energy projects and advanced technology vehicles manufacturing.
Mark McCall, the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office Executive Director, discusses how the federal government’s financing is accelerating clean energy technology development, the types of programs that receive funding, and how to apply for loans and loan guarantees from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Kirsten Gillibrand joins a conference call with business leaders from across the country to discuss the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act.
The FAMILY Act would create a national family and medical leave insurance program. Qualified workers would be able to receive partial income for up to 12 weeks so that they can stay at home to take care of a newborn, sick loved one, or to tend to their own serious medINVITE: Join our conf. call with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrandical needs. The program would be self-funded by small employee and employer payroll contributions, similar to health or dental insurance.
Senator Gillibrand talks about how the program would work—specifically, how it would affect businesses of different sizes, their employees, and the economy as a whole—and take your questions.
Current laws about email privacy are two decades old. Bipartisan legislation, passed unanimously by the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year, would modernize these rules so that a government agency must get a warrant to search Americans’ online communications or data in cloud storage. The bill, now awaiting action in the Senate, would close an outdated loophole allowing authorities to obtain data older than 180 days without a judicial warrant.
Rep. Jared Polis (Colo., 2) is the founder of several startups and tech companies and the co-author of the Email Privacy Act. In this episode, he talks with business leaders about how the bill would affect American businesses and answer your questions.
USDA Acting Deputy Secretary Michael Scuse discusses recent changes to import and export policies with Cuba, specifically for the U.S. agricultural industry.
Are you thinking about expanding your business overseas? The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the U.S. government’s development finance institution, provides financial products such as loans and guaranties, political risk insurance, and support for investment funds to help American businesses expand into emerging markets. OPIC President and Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Littlefield discusses the services OPIC offers.
In this episode, Steve Case talks about his new book The Third Wave: An Entrepreneur’s Vision of the Future.
Steve discusses his theories about how rapid advances in technology will transform sectors like health, education, transportation, energy, and food. He also shares lessons he's learned as an entrepreneur, starting AOL and building it to one of the largest companies in the world.
U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman discusses the findings of the United States International Trade Commission’s report on the likely impact of the Trans-Pacific Partnership on American small businesses.
Sylvia Burwell, Secretary of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Dr. Meena Seshamani, Director of the Office of Health Reform join a call with business leaders to discuss insurance costs, delivery system reform, and how the public and private sectors can work together to improve the cost and quality of health care.
The Commerce Department announced that GDP increased at an annual rate of 0.5 percent in the first quarter of 2016.
Commerce Department Chief Economist Dr. Ellen Hughes-Cromwick and PGIM Managing Director Ed Keon discuss what the numbers mean for the economy and for American businesses.
Mark Walsh, Associate Administrator for Investment and Innovation at the U.S. Small Business Association discusses resources to help small businesses and startup access the outside capital they need to grow.
Representative Ron Kind (WI-3) discusses the New Democrat Coalition's American Prosperity Agenda, a collection of 200 bills and initiatives to grow the U.S. economy.
The Agenda includes strategies to fix the tax code, make it easier to raise capital, invest in infrastructure, and increase exports, among other ideas and solutions.
Founded in 1997, the New Democrat Coalition is a key group of Democratic legislators dedicated to maintaining America's status as the world's strongest, most successful nation. Over the eighteen-year history of the Coalition, the group has grown in influence and size, currently covering roughly one-fourth of the House Democratic Caucus.
In March 2015, the New Democrat Coalition released the American Prosperity Agenda, which outlines how we can grow our economy, preserve the American Dream, and make government work better for the people. These principles represent ideas anyone – Democrat, Republican, or Independent – can support. The Agenda is a list of policies to keep America the most competitive, creative, and innovative country in the world.
This El Niño season is on track to be the strongest in six decades and is expected to bring abnormal weather patterns well into spring.
Elizabeth Zimmerman, Associate Administrator of the Office of Response & Recovery at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) talks about the expected weather patterns for the coming months, the effect El Niño is already having on different industries and regions, and resources to prepare your business for weather events.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack talks with business leaders across the country about the President's remarks, emphasizing international trade and climate change.
Drones have the potential to transform American businesses as we know it. Yet, as innovation for the commercial application of unmanned aircraft has quickly taken flight, so too have concerns about privacy and public safety in the wake of this new technology.
Lisa Ellman, one of the nation’s top experts on drone policy, discusses the impact drones could have on American businesses and what’s on the horizon for federal regulation of unmanned aircraft.
As economists speculate whether the Federal Reserve will raise its benchmark interest rate for the first time since 2006, Andrew Lyon from PwC US and Lawrence Yun from the National Association of Realtors® discuss how various scenarios could affect your business, consumers, and the broader economy.
The U.S. Department of Treasury just released myRA, a new retirement savings plan designed for those who might not be eligible for existing programs. It’s a way for businesses to help employees save for their future—at ZERO cost to employers.
Business Forward for a webinar focused on myRA and what it can do for both businesses and employees.
On our conference call with author and founder of Little Pim, Julia Pimsleur offered tips and tactics to access capital and grow your business.
Pimsleur raised over $26M in for-profit and non-profit dollars and is the author of Million Dollar Women: The Essential Guide for Female Entrepreneurs Who Want to Go Big.
This conference call is part of our women in business series, but it will provide great advice for anyone looking to grow their company.
Director of Industry Engagement and Resilience Kevin Coleman and Cybersecurity and Technology Business Liaison Hala V. Furst will unpack DHS’s cyber toolkit designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses. You’ll learn best practices for risk management, including how to identify the most common cyber vulnerabilities and how to conduct your own cybersecurity resilience review.
NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden Jr. joins Business Forward to talk about about NASA’s resources for small and medium-sized businesses.
From free access to all of its patents to programs and award competitions that spur innovation, Administrator Bolden discussed how American businesses can take advantage of the many resources NASA provides, and how businesses of all sizes can be part of NASA’s journey to Mars.
The U.S. Small Business Administration recently launched its second annual InnovateHER challenge to encourage businesses to develop innovative products and services that improve the lives of women and families. Last year, the challenge reached 1,000 entrepreneurs through 100 local competitions. This year, the entrepreneurs have the opportunity to compete for prize money totaling $70,000, provided by Microsoft.
Erin Andrew, Assistant Administrator for Women’s Business Ownership, talks about the SBA’s national InnovateHER challenge. This call is as part of our women in business series.
The United States is transitioning to more secure payments. Debit and credit cards are being issued with chips on them, which will increase security and could boost consumer confidence. The new chip cards require everyone in the payment ecosystem to adopt new technology—including point of sale terminals—to protect from fraud.
Is your business prepared for the change?
Stephanie Ericksen, Vice President of Global Risk Products at Visa, talks about the move to EMV cards, the effects the switch will have on businesses large and small, and the upcoming liability shift for in-person transactions.
This event is part of Business Forward’s series that connects you with the latest business practices that you may want to integrate into your own operations.
Neal Katyal, former acting solicitor general, joins a conference call with business leaders to discuss the recent Supreme Court term and its decisions, including those on the Affordable Care Act, housing discrimination, marriage for gay and lesbian couples, and patent reform.
Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx talked with business leaders on Wednesday, May 14 to discuss the future of federal transportation infrastructure investment and its effect on businesses across the country. Unless Congress acts in the next three weeks, federal funding for transportation projects across the country will come to a halt. Construction projects already underway—from highway expansions to bridge repairs—will be in jeopardy.
After brief remarks, the Secretary gathered input from business leaders our nation’s transportation system. He was also joined by Acting Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, Greg Nadeau.
U.S. Senator Tom Udall and Dr. Lynn R. Goldman talk with business leaders about Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, legislation that would update the country’s chemical management system.
Nearly 96 percent of manufactured products contain chemicals, but a patchwork of inconsistent regulations raises obstacles for companies doing business across state lines, threatens public health, and creates uncertainty for business and consumers across America.