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Axios
2 days ago
- Business
- Axios
What to do when you're a Trump target, corporate edition
In an instant, a company can get caught in the crosshairs of a Truth Social post from President Trump, and suddenly that business is on the hook for changing its flagship product, brand name, supply chain — or else. Why it matters: These posts can throw businesses off course by threatening their revenue streams and confusing their employees and customers. The big picture: Business leaders have developed coping strategies in response. Here's what works (and what doesn't): Don't lash out. Companies are a lot more careful about being publicly critical of this administration. Do meet privately. The savviest CEOs "don't humiliate Trump, they talk with him privately," says Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a professor at the Yale School of Management. Also helpful: Saying nice things about the president publicly. Do something that looks like appeasement. Get out in front of the White House by taking steps to please Trump — ditching DEI, announcing new factories or making approving statements. "Giving the White House a win on something has forever been a good strategy," says Michael Robinson, CEO of the Montgomery Strategies Group, a strategic communications and public affairs firm. And it is particularly true in this administration. "Let them take the victory lap," he says. Where it stands: Trump has made a habit of front-running corporate announcements or forcing the hand of some of America's largest companies, whether on social media or through sweeping proclamations and executive orders. He's declared the arrival of cane-sugar Coca-Cola, demanded the Washington Commanders change their name and taken credit for Apple's re-shoring announcement. "Every company is just one Truth Social post away from being thrown into the political crosshairs," Robinson tells Axios. "I've known three generations of CEOs. This is the toughest administration to work with," Sonnenfeld says. Between the lines: There's been building frustration and resentment among businesses, particularly over how erratically tariff policy has unfolded, according to a senior consultant who asked to be anonymous because the consultant represents multiple companies at the White House. There's a growing belief that negotiations with the administration don't hinge on business imperatives, but are instead "all about quid pro quo." "There's very little policy or substantive discussions happening, two issues that matter most for many businesses." Friction point: The transactional, deal-making nature of this administration is chipping away at corporate reputation and trust. For example, CBS says the decision to end " The Colbert Show" can be attributed to financials. Others say it's actually a way to appease the administration — and regulators — ahead of its parent company's merger with Skydance Media. Reality check: This isn't a new strategy — companies have long tried to please the White House. Administrations have picked winners and losers before — the Biden administration favored labor unions, for example, and put roadblocks up in front of the crypto industry. The other side: The only factor guiding the President is what's in the best interest of Americans, says Kush Desai, a White House spokesman. "The Administration is working hand in glove with the private sector to deliver for the American people. American companies voluntarily dropping artificial ingredients, ending racist DEI policies, and investing in American manufacturing is reflective of how this close cooperation is delivering mutually beneficial wins." Zoom out: It's one thing for a president to make asks of companies, but this has been going further — with a White House delving into minutiae and issuing explicit threats. That's particularly challenging for small companies, says Peter Cohan, a management professor at Babson College who has been interviewing executives on how they're dealing with tariffs. "Most businesses can't get to the White House."
CNBC
11-07-2025
- Business
- CNBC
Yale's Jeffrey Sonnenfeld: Tim Cook's leadership still warranted at Apple
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Yale School of Management senior associate dean, joins CNBC's 'Squawk on the Street' to discuss whether Apple should consider replacing Apple CEO Tim Cook, Elon Musk's potential ambitions for a new political party, and more.
Miami Herald
30-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Fed vs. Trump on tariffs impact will soon be put to test
It's a widely held belief among economists that President Donald Trump's tariffs will boost inflation notably over the next few months. But muted price increases so far have called that assumption into question, emboldening the White House and opening up divisions at the Federal Reserve. Anticipation of firmer inflation has kept the U.S. central bank from delivering interest-rate cuts this year as it waits to see what happens. The Trump administration is applying intense pressure on Fed Chair Jerome Powell to bring down borrowing costs, and two Fed governors in recent days have publicly diverged from Powell by asserting a cut could be appropriate as soon as July. A pair of key reports in the coming weeks - the monthly jobs report due Thursday and another on consumer prices due July 15 - will be critical in determining the central bank's next steps. Both are expected to finally begin reflecting the impact of tariffs, but any surprises could change the schedule for rate cuts. "One of the things that makes it such a difficult situation is that we simply haven't done this sort of experiment in the past," William English, a professor at the Yale School of Management and former high-ranking Fed economist, said of the tariffs. "We're outside the range of experience for a modern U.S. economy, and so it's very difficult to be confident about any forecast." Trump and his allies have escalated attacks on the Fed and Powell in recent weeks, motivated by data showing inflation remained tame through May despite the tariffs put in place. The president has lobbed several insults at Powell, calling him a "numbskull" and "truly one of the dumbest, and most destructive, people in Government." Other Trump administration officials and some congressional Republicans - oftentimes more reticent to weigh in on monetary policy - have joined in as well. Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, said on June 23 that there is "no reason at all for the Fed not to cut rates right now." Hassett, who is seen as a possible replacement for Powell when the Fed chair's term expires next year, emphasized data due in the coming weeks: "I would guess that if they see one more month of data, they're going to really have to concede that they've got the rate way too high," he said. And Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday on Bloomberg TV that Fed officials "seem a little frozen at the wheel here" after having made "a gigantic mistake" letting inflation run too far in 2022. The debate reflects the delicate situation the Fed is in as it aims to avoid a policy mistake. Should officials cut rates just as tariff-induced price pressures kick in, they may have to resort to more aggressive measures later on. But holding rates at an elevated level to combat inflation that never materializes risks restraining the economy unnecessarily, potentially damaging the labor market in the process. Forecasters expect inflation to accelerate in the coming months. Powell told Congress in testimony last week he expects "meaningful" price increases to materialize in June, July and August data as the levies work their way through the economy. But he added Fed officials are "perfectly open to the idea" the impact could be smaller than feared, "and if so, that'll matter for our policy." The Bureau of Labor Statistics will publish its report on consumer prices for June on July 15, two weeks before the central bank's next policy meeting. Fed Governors Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman - both Trump appointees - have broken step with Powell and their other colleagues to raise the possibility of a rate cut next month if the data cooperate. "I think we've got room to bring it down, and then we can kind of see what happens with inflation," Waller said in a June 20 CNBC interview, adding the central bank could always bring a halt to rate cuts again if necessary. "We've been on pause for six months to wait and see, and so far the data has been fine." Still, investors currently see only about a 20% chance of a July move and are instead betting the next cut will come in September, according to federal funds futures. Tariff math Benign inflation readings through May suggest companies are finding ways, at least for now, to avoid price hikes despite Trump's tariffs on dozens of U.S. trading partners - and widespread uncertainty over how long the duties will last and the level where they'll ultimately settle. One potential explanation is companies are working through inventories of imports they frontloaded in the first quarter to get ahead of the levies, said Josh Hirt, a senior U.S. economist at Vanguard Group. Hirt's calculations suggest that, on average, importers this year have paid an effective tariff rate lower than what Trump has put in place, largely because so much was brought in before they took effect. Another source of uncertainty Powell discussed in his testimony is just how the costs of the tariffs will be split between exporters, importers, retailers, manufacturers and consumers. "In the beginning, it will be the importer that pays the tariff, but ultimately it will be spread out among those five," Powell said, adding that data suggests at least some of the impact will fall on consumers. Before the July 15 inflation report comes equally consequential monthly data on employment, due from the BLS on July 3. So far this year, there's been little indication that tariffs have put a dent in hiring, which has allowed the Fed chair and many of his colleagues to maintain that a solid labor market means there's no rush to cut rates. But as with the inflation data, forecasters have largely maintained that any potential labor-market impact of the trade policy upheaval wouldn't be visible before the release of the June figures. In a Bloomberg survey, economists said they expect the this week's report will show the unemployment rate in June crept up to 4.3%, which would mark the highest level since 2021. Bowman, in a June 23 speech, said Fed officials should "recognize that downside risks to our employment mandate could soon become more salient, given recent softness in spending and signs of fragility in the labor market." Monthly consumer spending figures published Friday by the Bureau of Economic Analysis showed a drop in outlays in May as households pulled back on discretionary services like travel and dining, and forecasters warned higher prices in the months ahead would put more pressure on consumption. English, at Yale, said the impact of tariffs will depend on factors which are difficult to measure. But "the kind of intuition that there's going to be some pass-through of the tariffs to prices just feels right," he said. "I am not yet thinking that the basic story is wrong." (With assistance from Sonali Basak.) Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Scroll.in
28-06-2025
- Business
- Scroll.in
Not your ‘inspiration': A disabled writer's practical guide to meaningful conversations
At twenty-three, I had just left my job at Morgan Stanley in New York City, trading spreadsheets and skyscrapers for purpose and possibility. I took a steep pay cut and moved to Kampala, Uganda to work on improving livelihoods for smallholder farmers. Every nerve ending sparked to life, raw and electric, at the thrill of doing something that mattered. I couldn't have known what lay ahead: a motorcycle taxi accident, a traumatic brain injury, three months in a coma, and the beginning of life with permanent disabilities. I am now a wheelchair user. In a rush to reclaim a version of the life I'd lost, I returned to something I was planning just before the accident took place – I applied to Yale School of Management in the US. I graduated with an MBA in 2020, have held three jobs since, and now, I've written a book about this journey. You can probably guess that I get called 'inspiring' a lot. But here's the funny thing – it's most often by people I've just met. It usually comes wrapped in good intentions. But it makes me uncomfortable. Especially when it's used as a placeholder for a real interaction. When that word lands, it often feels like my entire identity has been flattened into a wheelchair and a struggle, my story reduced to a motivational moment for someone else's day. So here's what I'd really like instead. If you're unsure how to act around someone with a visible disability, this is my request: don't overthink it. Skip the performance, choose a more genuine connection. It's not complicated, but it does take a little thought. Here are a few things that can help: Rule 1: Talk to us like adults After my accident led to my becoming a wheelchair user, I encountered a strange shift – acquaintances started speaking to me as if I were a child. Their heads tilted, their sentences simplified, their eyes flitted toward whoever I was with, as if I'd stopped being the primary person in the conversation. It's disorienting and frankly, demeaning. I might have a speech disability, really just a difference, use a wheelchair, and need a bit more time than most, but I'm still the same person I was before the accident: a grown woman who enjoys crappy rom-coms, Money Heist, strategic debates, and MAC eyeliner. I've written a book. I've also planned a professional workshop from scratch. I enjoy literary fiction and am a massive overthinker. Treat me as you would any adult – with respect, curiosity, and most importantly, a little humour. What you can ask instead: 'Which book do you really love?' 'What are you writing these days?' 'Seen anything good lately?' 'You mentioned you work in higher ed – what do you like most about your job?' These questions open doors. 'How are you feeling?' followed by quickening your pace or 'you're so inspiring' doesn't always. Rule 2: You don't have to praise our courage Disability isn't a heroic story. It's life. Some days are hard. Some are ordinary. Sometimes we're tired or cranky or excited or funny – just like anyone else. When someone tells me I'm 'inspiring' or 'brave' just for showing up to my life, I know they're trying to be kind. But honestly, it creates distance. It suggests that my existence is exceptional simply because I have disabilities. The truth? Yes, my story includes struggle – but also ambition, joy, and deep relationships. Much like everyone. What makes me feel seen is when people recognise the full picture. Rule 3: Don't be afraid to ask. And please, do ask. Just be respectful Many people freeze up around physical or speech-related differences. I can tell when someone is avoiding eye contact because they're unsure how to respond to my speech or are waiting for someone else to speak on my behalf. That silence? It can feel louder than words. Here's what I wish more people understood: Yes, I speak slower than you. That's okay, many do. You don't need to shift your eyes toward my companion. Just give me a moment. I'll get there. If I'm unclear, you can always ask me to repeat myself to make myself understood. Repetition is a small price to pay for being heard. And if I'm manoeuvring in a tight corner or need help opening a door, either I'll ask for your help, or it's alright for you to ask: 'Would you like a hand?' – not assume, not rush in, just ask. I'll say yes or no. That's it. Real moments: A woman once grabbed the back of my power wheelchair without asking and started steering. That's a no. A friend once crouched beside me to talk eye-to-eye, instead of standing and towering. That's a yes – much appreciated. A chemist waited patiently as I stuttered and stumbled over words while ordering my medicines, never interrupting. That's a yes. Final thought: See us, fully Empathy doesn't mean pity. It means curiosity, listening, and showing up. It's friends who ask if a venue has a ramp before making plans. It's someone helping me get settled at a restaurant without making it awkward. It's talking to me, not about me – even when I'm accompanied. My disability is part of my life, but it isn't my entire identity. I'm a daughter, a sister, a friend, a writer, a strategist, a higher education professional, a disability rights advocate, and a rom-com enthusiast. Above all, a silly human. I still dream big, worry lots, and laugh easily. And like you, I want to be seen – not as a symbol, but as a person. And if, after all this, the word you still choose is 'inspiring,' I promise to let it land with a polite smile and a blush creeping up my cheeks. But what I'd appreciate most is if you refrain from dropping that word entirely or tell me what you actually mean – 'I'm inspired by you because…' Just remember: I'm not a headline or a hashtag. I'm a whole person – silly, stubborn, and maybe a little inspiring…depending on the day. Tarini Mohan is the author of Lifequake: A Story of Hope and Humanity, published by Juggernaut Books. You can also follow Tarini on Instagram here.
Boston Globe
31-05-2025
- General
- Boston Globe
Why boys are behind in school from the start
But over the last two decades, as those gaps have narrowed, the gender gaps have become more consequential. Kindergarten has become significantly more academic because of a national law passed in 2001, with children expected to spend more time sitting still and learning math and reading — and many boys do not enter with the skills to meet those expectations. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Adding to that, childhood has changed in recent years in ways that could have set back boys further. The isolation of the pandemic delayed young children's development, parents are increasingly stressed, and children are spending more time on screens. These factors affect all children, but they may have been particularly hard on boys, who scientists have shown are more vulnerable to hardship. Related : Advertisement Taken together, these changes set boys on a disadvantaged path throughout school. Jayanti Owens, who studies inequality in schools at the Yale School of Management, has found that boys' behavior at ages 4 and 5 predicted the amount of schooling they finished by their mid-20s. Advertisement Skills build on themselves, so children who don't master kindergarten phonics or counting could remain behind in future grades. And children who struggle with academics or behavior risk developing negative perceptions of themselves as learners. 'That instigates a cycle where a boy doesn't think, 'I'm smart,' doesn't think, 'I'm good at school,' and if you're told enough times that you're not good at what the teacher is expecting of you, you start to manifest that,' Owens said. Two first grade students work on a computer exercise in a dual language classroom at Alfred J. Gomes Elementary School in New Bedford, Mass., on May 9. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Kindergarten readiness data show that many children enter unprepared. But consistently, fewer boys are ready than girls, by about 10 percentage points. The newest national data come from the federal government's National Survey of Children's Health, which since 2016 has included a survey of parents of children ages 3 to 5. It asks such questions as how many letters children can identify, how long they can focus on a task and how often they lose their temper. In 2022 and 2023 combined, 58 percent of boys and 71 percent of girls were considered on track. Some states test children at the beginning of kindergarten and generally find that fewer than half of students are ready for kindergarten, and often only about a third of boys. Test scores from Ohio show how big a role race and family income also play in kindergarten readiness. White girls were most likely to be ready, and Hispanic boys least likely. Just over half of children from economically stable families were prepared, but only a quarter from low-income families. Advertisement Perhaps the most comprehensive study, the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, gathers information from children, parents, and teachers, and follows children over time. It has found that when children start school, cognitive gaps are small — slightly favoring girls in reading and boys in math — but that gaps in skills like studiousness, persistence, and self-control are bigger. (Data about the latest cohort of children in the study, which is conducted by the Education Department, have not been released, and a contract for the study was canceled by the Trump administration.) Related : Researchers at the University of Virginia compared kindergarten in 2010 and 1998. They found that in just over a decade, teachers had allocated much more time to academic subjects and desk work, and less time to art, music, and activities like blocks or dramatic play. The share who said students should learn to read in kindergarten increased to 80 percent from 31 percent. Amanda Nehring, a kindergarten teacher in Crystal Lake, Ill., said the expectations for kindergartners had become more like what had been asked of first or second graders. Third grade students work on a problem at the Brooke Roslindale Charter School, in August 2023. David L. Ryan/Globe Staff She's had to give up playtime for math and literacy because that's what students are tested on. But some students, often boys, now struggle so much that support staffers pull them out of class for 'movement breaks.' In report cards in May, she had to record whether students could write the alphabet with a pencil. Nearly all the girls could, but just a quarter of the boys. Yet they knew their letters, she said, and could build them with Play-Doh or write them with a crayon. 'It's not that they don't get it,' Nehring said. 'Boys are just as capable, but we don't provide them with the means to show this.' Advertisement Faced with these pressures, some teachers seem to have less tolerance for boys' behaviors, researchers said. They rate boys below girls -- even when they perform similarly on tests or exhibit the same behaviors, and especially if they are Black or Hispanic. And since the pandemic, children are entering kindergarten with fewer skills than before. Young boys' development seems to have been particularly affected. A big change is increased time spent on screens. While it affects all young children, kindergarten teachers said that boys are having more trouble than ever paying attention. Nehring has always rewarded her class with pajama and movie days — but in recent years, she said, kindergartners had lost the ability to sit through a movie. 'They only want quick little YouTube shorts or TikTok,' she said. 'You get 10 minutes max. We had to show 'Encanto' in three parts. It's boys and girls, but much more often my boys are the first to go.' Researchers say there are ways to support young boys. Starting them in kindergarten a year later could help close gender gaps in maturity. Male kindergarten teachers could be role models who know what it's like to be a boy in school. A powerful way to help boys — and girls too — is to bring back more play into the early years of school, because it's how young children learn best, researchers and teachers said. Movement, music, time outside, games with peers and activities like puzzles all help children build skills like self-regulation and executive function. Play-based preschool has been shown to shrink gender gaps. Advertisement Pat Shaw, the director of a bilingual preschool in Davidson, North Carolina, said she gets pressure from local kindergartens to teach academic topics. Instead, her students make butter when they learn about cows, cover the floor with an art project when they learn about the solar system, and dig for bones in the sandbox when they learn about dinosaurs. 'Everything is very hands-on, and boys like that,' she said. 'Which isn't to say girls don't — girls do too — but girls come with those kinds of traits that teachers like. Boys need more time to play. So I just love to keep them engaged.' This article originally appeared in .
