Smith Brain Trust

Elon Musk’s offer to proceed with a $44 billion acquisition of Twitter has the two sides working to close the deal ahead of the recently extended court deadline of October 28.

We’re less than 90 days away from the end of 2022, and though there have been astronomical changes in the way business is done, women continue to lag behind men in getting leadership positions.

Hurricane Ian is now a tropical storm, but estimates for the storm’s Florida landfall included a million-plus homes at risk for damage, with overall damages and losses expected to top $67 billion, according to Bloomberg.

We’re getting some relief at the gas pump, but having to dig deeper in our pockets to pay for groceries. The price of eggs is up about 40 percent since this time last year. We’re paying 20 percent more for milk, bread and a staple in many Americans’ diet - chicken.

Retailers have been working to reduce inventory to make room for holiday season items. Mishaps in planning dating back to last year are haunting them with excess stock of unwanted products, prompting tactics such as price-cutting, order cancellations and pack and hold.

Last week’s student loan forgiveness announcement by the Biden Administration leads to the question: How do borrowers initiate action? The White House has indicated that application is likely to open in early October. But what about the meantime? Borrowers can prepare for the process, says Smith’s…

Economic arguments for and against student loan forgiveness have streamed through the media since President Biden last week announced a three-part plan to cancel student debt for low- to middle-income borrowers. In responses to Brain Trust, Smith experts Michael Faulkender and David Kass give…

Facial recognition is the ability to scan, analyze, and recognize faces. It can come with complications – especially if you’re Black. That’s what Lauren Rhue, assistant professor of information systems at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business has found. Her research…

Negotiation at work is constant – whether with customers, colleagues or bosses. Professionals at all levels should be ready to “think on their feet” when the next situation arises to negotiate – whether in product pricing, partnership agreements or the next job offer, says Professor of Management…

It’s been about five years since Toys R Us filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and began liquidating its 700-plus big box stores in the United States. But a return to brick and mortar is under way – inside more than 400 Macy’s stores. Spaces, from 1,000 to 10,000 square feet, are combining…