Indications From The Conference Board

With unemployment remaining low, and wages finally on the upswing, 2016 has been a good year for American consumers. Why then has U.S. growth been relatively weak? In a word, investment. Over the past two years, businesses have been reluctant to put funds into new equipment and structures that could enhance productivity. Economists Gad Levanon and Brian Schaitkin discuss whether firms' reticence to invest is based on election-related anxiety or reflects a deeper pessimism about future business conditions. They are then joined by human capital researcher Sherlin Nair to examine a form of investment not captured in government statistics—executive coaching. Does increasing the funds and devoted to leadership development bolster, parallel, or distract from more tangible investments? Indications 2 reading list: Global Economic Outlook 2016: What Lies Ahead for Corporate Profits in Mature Economies? (The Conference Board) Global Executive Coaching Survey 2016: Developing Leaders and Leadership Capabilities at All