An organization’s culture of innovation can be a robust predictor of financial performance, which highlights the importance to companies of measuring intangible assets. With intangible assets growing exponentially as a component of enterprise value, it is unproductive to allow them to go unmanaged.

Corporate volunteering is now a global practice that was boosted by President George H.W. Bush's founding of Points of Light and the National Council on Workplace Volunteering. As the country remembers the 41st President, reflecting on his work to encourage employees to use their expertise in service to their communities can help motivate companies and their employees to continue his legacy.

Total corporate giving has increased more than 15 percent over three years to a record $23.8 billion, as companies have become more generous. The growing economy and favorable tax cuts have left some companies with healthy cash reserves and many have promised to direct a portion to their communities.

For companies embarking on the practice of sustainability reporting it can be challenging to discern between the various reporting frameworks and guidelines. To ease this process, The Conference Board developed a table comparing some of the leading sustainability reporting frameworks.

Inflationary pressures will rise in the coming year even though we project the US economy to slow down in 2019. Rumors that the Philips Curve (low unemployment rate = faster inflation) is dead have been greatly exaggerated. A continuing tightening of the labor market and further demographic slowdown will result in higher producer prices and wages. The likelihood for above two percent inflation rate is higher in 2019 than at any other time in the past 25 years.

Until there is a strong line of sight between internal communication and business results, internal communication will continue to be seen primarily as a support function, not a management function. The internal and external communication functions may be converging, but both disciplines appear to remain distinct for now. However, tighter alignment between internal and external functions will improve reputation and brand.

As we think about Thanksgiving and being thankful for all that we have in our lives, what are you doing to engender a spirit of generosity among your coworkers? How can you make someone’s day by doing something unexpected, out of the ordinary? How can we make kindness the ordinary? Do Good. Be Kind.

Eighty-two percent of board members, business owners, and corporate executives say it's necessary for companies to advocate for or take a stand on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, as employees and customers increasingly demand that companies become more vocal. A majority also believe that advocacy by CEOs will increase in the next 18 months, following in the footsteps of recognizable leaders whose brands have inspired blue chip companies to use their voices.

Overall spending growth has remained strong and can stay strong in 2019 as long as a strong labor market and consumer confidence remain in place, and policy surprises like dramatic changes to trade policy are kept to a minimum.