Research

When times are good, expansion plans, future investments and revenue growth are the focus points in most industries. But during down times, organizations scrutinize spending. The current economic crisis is hitting the health care sector as hard as other industries.

"Victory is contagious, and food always tastes better when you win," says Ray Artigue, the former senior vice president of the Phoenix Suns, who is now a professor of practice in the marketing department at the W. P. Carey School of Business and director of the W. P. Carey MBA

Bad news is never welcome, and there is always plenty of it during recession. Research economist Lee McPheters, editor of Economy@W. P. Carey, concedes that while this recession lasts, more depressing headlines lie ahead.

The extreme appreciation that thrilled Phoenix area residents who bought their homes in the period just before the run up is gone — all gone. But the downward slide isn't over yet.

In the nation's hospitals, today's dread epidemics are Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium difficile. At the office, the scary "bug" is boreout, according to a new book from Phillipe Rothlin and Peter Werder.

We all know the Best Buy brand — the big-box stores have been around for 30 years, populated by employees wearing blue shirts, selling products emblazoned with the yellow tag. Around 10 years ago, services began taking center stage — derailing some industry leaders and empowering others.

What does it take to be a successful entrepreneur? Tom Blondi, who has been involved with several start-ups, says it takes more than a great idea. Much as you might like the cheerleaders, what you need more is someone who will ask tough, specific questions.

With the economy continuing to falter, consumer product and service companies are looking for every edge to bring in business.

For any shopper who noticed how the price of hamburger and lettuce jumped after gas prices soared last year, this should come as no surprise: Buyers eventually feel the pinch when their suppliers' expenses surge. The reason?

With a working title of "recovery and reinvestment," President-elect Obama's economic stimulus plan aims to "save or create" 3 million jobs by the end of 2010.