Why Education and Writing Still Matter in Business—More Than You Might Think
In an increasingly global work environment, understanding where someone comes from educationally can give you important clues about how they work. That's the core message of a thoughtful piece from French Quarter Magazine titled 'A Closer Look at the French and American Education Systems'. In the article, writer Hannah A. Blackwood breaks down how these two countries—both democratic and culturally rich—approach schooling very differently.
In the U.S., students are typically encouraged to explore a variety of subjects, participate in extracurriculars, and develop their own learning paths. The system promotes creativity, initiative, and individual problem-solving—skills that show up later in entrepreneurial environments and innovation-focused industries.
France, on the other hand, favors a centralized, structured model. Students follow a nationally regulated curriculum, with rigorous testing and early specialization culminating in the baccalauréat exam. This produces graduates who are often disciplined, focused, and comfortable working within formal systems—valuable traits in industries where consistency and process matter most.
For professionals managing multicultural teams or hiring international talent, understanding these differences is more than trivia—it's strategy. Knowing how someone was trained to think can explain how they respond to structure, feedback, or ambiguity. You're not just hiring resumes; you're hiring mindsets shaped by entire systems.
But what happens after education—when we start communicating ideas in real-world settings? That's where another French Quarter article comes in. 'Mastering the Art of Academic Writing: Understanding MLA and APA Outlines' may sound like it belongs in a college classroom, but it's highly relevant for professionals who want to improve how they organize reports, proposals, or internal communications.
The article explains how two dominant writing formats—MLA and APA—aren't just school exercises; they're frameworks that can elevate business communication. MLA (commonly used in the humanities) focuses on clarity and topic flow, while APA (used in social sciences and business fields) is more formal, with a structured layout ideal for data-driven content.
In practical terms, if you're preparing a grant proposal, business pitch, whitepaper, or even a quarterly report, knowing how to outline your ideas effectively could be the difference between being heard or overlooked. Clients, partners, and investors are more likely to engage with messaging that's clear, confident, and well-organized.
These two articles—one on education systems, the other on writing structure—complement each other in a surprising way. One gives us insight into how people learn to think; the other shows us how they're taught to express those thoughts. For small business owners and professionals who wear multiple hats—from hiring manager to content strategist—this knowledge can strengthen everything from internal productivity to public-facing branding.
So whether you're mentoring a young intern, preparing a client proposal, or trying to understand why one team member thrives with direction and another struggles without flexibility, consider these deeper layers. Education isn't just background—it's a blueprint. And writing isn't just a task—it's your voice in the market.
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Hamilton Spectator
9 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Disappointment, but no shock in Hamilton as tariff deadline passes without a deal
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Hamilton Chamber of Commerce CEO Greg Dunnett said Hamilton may be the community that is 'getting hit the hardest' in Canada, due to the continued steel and aluminum duties — in addition to the new 35 per cent tariffs. He noted creating a fair long-term deal is 'very, very difficult' due to the 'moving goalposts' from Trump. 'I think it is imperative of our government right now to be strategic,' he said, adding the government should work to strengthen the economy, diversifying trade within the country to move Canada forward in the long-term without a dependence on the U.S. 'Escalation is risky, but so is inaction.' He said the tariffs have been disruptive, bringing uncertainty and cost increases across the board — which is impacting jobs, investment and trade relationships. While he said Hamilton is 'resilient,' the longer the trade war drags on, the more difficult it will get for businesses. 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Yahoo
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Chicago Tribune
an hour ago
- Chicago Tribune
President Donald Trump removes official overseeing jobs data after dismal employment report
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Friday removed the head of the agency that produces the monthly jobs figures after a report showed hiring slowed in July and was much weaker in May and June than previously reported. Trump, in a post on his social media platform, alleged that the figures were manipulated for political reasons and said that Erika McEntarfer, the director of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden, should be fired. He provided no evidence for the charge. 'I have directed my Team to fire this Biden Political Appointee, IMMEDIATELY,' Trump said on Truth Social. 'She will be replaced with someone much more competent and qualified.' Trump later posted: 'In my opinion, today's Jobs Numbers were RIGGED in order to make the Republicans, and ME, look bad.' 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McEntarfer was nominated by Biden in 2023 and became the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics in January 2024. Commissioners typically serve four-year terms but since they are political appointees can be fired. The commissioner is the only political appointee of the agency, which has hundreds of career civil servants. The Senate confirmed McEntarfer to her post 86-8, with now Vice President JD Vance among the yea votes. Trump focused much of his ire on the revisions the agency made to previous hiring data. Job gains in May were revised down to just 19,000 from a previously revised 125,000, and for June they were cut to 14,000 from 147,000. In July, only 73,000 positions were added. The unemployment rate ticked up to a still-low 4.2% from 4.1%. 'No one can be that wrong? We need accurate Jobs Numbers,' Trump wrote. 'She will be replaced with someone much more competent and qualified. Important numbers like this must be fair and accurate, they can't be manipulated for political purposes.' Trump has not always been so suspicious of the monthly jobs report and responded enthusiastically after the initial May figures came out on June 6 when it was initially reported that the economy added 139,000 jobs. 'GREAT JOB NUMBERS, STOCK MARKET UP BIG!' Trump posted at the time. That estimate was later revised down to 125,000 jobs, prior to the most-recent revision down to just 19,000. The monthly employment report is one of the most closely-watched pieces of government economic data and can cause sharp swings in financial markets. The disappointing figure sent U.S. market indexes about 1.5% lower Friday. The revisions to the May and June numbers were quite large and surprising to many economists. At the same time, every monthly jobs report includes revisions to the prior two months' figures. Those revisions occur as the government receives more responses to its survey, which help provide a more complete picture of employment trends each month. In the past decade, companies have taken longer to respond, which may have contributed to larger monthly revisions. The monthly jobs report has long been closely guarded within the BLS, with early copies held in safes under lock and key to prevent any leaks or early dissemination.
