Manufacturing PMI® at 47.4%; January 2023 Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®

Manufacturing PMI® at 47.4%; January 2023 Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®

New Orders and Production Contracting; Backlogs Contracting; Supplier Deliveries Faster; Raw Materials Inventories Growing; Customers’ Inventories Too Low; Prices Decreasing; Exports and Imports Contracting This report reflects the recently completed annual adjustments to the seasonal factors used to calculate the indexes. TEMPE, Ariz., Feb. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in January for the third consecutive month following a 28-month period of growth, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM ® Report On Business ® . The report was issued today by Timothy R. Fiore, CPSM, C.P.M., Chair of the Institute for Supply Management ® (ISM ® ) Manufacturing Business Survey Committee: "The January Manufacturing PMI ® registered 47.4 percent, 1 percentage point lower than the seasonally adjusted 48.4 percent recorded in December. Regarding the overall economy, this figure indicates a second month of contraction after a 30-month period of expansion. The Manufacturing PMI ® figure is the lowest since May 2020, when it registered a seasonally adjusted 43.5 percent. The New Orders Index remained in contraction territory at 42.5 percent, 2.6 percentage points lower than the seasonally adjusted figure of 45.1 percent recorded in December. The Production Index reading of […]

Exothera Names Darren Leva as Chief Business Officer

Exothera Names Darren Leva as Chief Business Officer

Leva brings 20 years of broad commercial expertise to Exothera from a range of experiences with CDMOs, therapeutics, and software companies. Exothera S.A. , a full-service Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), has appointed Darren Leva as Chief Business Officer. Leva’s extensive commercial experience in biotherapeutics CDMOs will further extend Exothera’s business and commercial capability across existing and brand-new markets. Experience Leva brings 20 years of broad commercial expertise to Exothera from a range of experiences with CDMOs, therapeutics, and software companies. Most recently, he held leadership positions in Cell and Gene Therapy at Thermo Fisher Scientific while also being deeply involved in the manufacturing response to the Covid-19 pandemic. As Head of Commercial Operations, he helped build and lead both GMP Plasmid and GMP Cell Therapy businesses. Leva’s diverse experiences in the software industry have helped him develop a deep understanding of data-driven processes, which, combined with Univercells’ unique technologies and bioprocessing capabilities, will help Exothera realize its vision of making cell & gene therapy available to all. Prior to joining Thermo Fisher, Leva held various commercial roles at several start-ups and growth-stage companies, including IntroMaps, Althea Technologies (now Ajinomoto), Cerimon Pharmaceuticals, and Seven Bridges Genomics. In his […]

Deloitte's Legal Business Services Practice Adds Jonathan Jones to Leadership Team

Deloitte’s Legal Business Services Practice Adds Jonathan Jones to Leadership Team

Former legal business industry leader at Accenture will accelerate growth of contract lifecycle management services and financial services offerings NEW YORK, Feb. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Deloitte announced today that Jonathan Jones has joined its Legal Business Services team as a managing director based in New York. Jonathan, who formerly served as a risk and compliance senior industry leader at Accenture, brings over 20 years of experience working for and with large institutions to mature their contracting operations and their treatment of legal data. His knowledge in banking, technology and legal operations as well as in developing core process and technology transformations will help accelerate the growth of Deloitte’s rapidly expanding practice while offering enhanced data insights for clients. "With the pace of change in contract lifecycle management (CLM) transformation accelerating as companies seek out better processes, technology and skills to enhance their supply chains, and speed up time to revenue, CLM is finally getting the strategic investment attention its impact merits," said Mark Ross, principal and co-leader, Legal Business Services, Deloitte Tax LLP. "Jon brings incredibly deep CLM credentials in both technology as well as legal managed services that will be instrumental in enhancing our clients’ contracting transformation […]

Applications Now Open for Small Business Grant and Mentorship Program From Ladies Who Launch

Applications Now Open for Small Business Grant and Mentorship Program From Ladies Who Launch

The Launch Program will provide 20 women and non-binary small business owners with a $10,000 grant and six months of educational programming. SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Applications are now open for the Launch Program , a grant and mentorship program that will provide 20 women and non-binary small business owners with a $10,000 grant and six months of educational programming, from the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Ladies Who Launch . The 2023 Launch Program is open to women and non-binary small business owners who operate consumer packaged goods businesses, including businesses selling items like food and beverages, household goods, apparel and more—with an annual gross revenue between $100,000 and $499,000. The deadline to apply for the 2023 Launch Program is Friday, March 31. Continue Reading Each of the 20 women and non-binary small business owners selected for the Launch Program will receive: The Launch Program will provide women and non-binary small business owners with $10k grants and six months of education. Tweet this A $10,000 grant to help them scale their businesses. Six months of programming, including educational sessions from industry experts to answer their biggest questions and support the program participants’ growth. Mentorship and one-on-one coaching […]

SupChef social media influencer expands into Tops Friendly Markets

SupChef social media influencer expands into Tops Friendly Markets

A food-focused social media influencer is taking his business to the next level with a deal that will put his branded pizza dough in 150 Tops Friendly Markets. SupChef founder Alexander Dispence has partnered with Mark DiDomenico of Al Cohen’s Bakery to manufacture SupChef Pizza Co. branded dough, with distribution in about 150 Tops Friendly Markets sites slated to begin in mid-February. Dispence, who has racked up more than 1 million followers on TikTok and Instagram, said additional products could come through the brand, as well as potentially a brick-and-mortar operation. “I’ve worked with Tops for SupChef for probably close to a year now, and they’ve been an amazing partner, so it made sense for us to launch with Tops,” he said. “It’s just the start of something really fun and interesting that will probably lead to more things in the future.” While the 16-ounce pizza dough balls will start out exclusively in Tops, Dispence expects to take it into different outlets as well, to allow his followers to make their own pizza at home. The packaging – also produced locally – will also include QR codes that lead buyers to recipe ideas and video on other ways to […]

60 Second Business Tips: 3 Ways to Boost Confidence

60 Second Business Tips: 3 Ways to Boost Confidence

"As a business owner, you’re going to face all sorts of challenges," says business development consultant and Entrepreneur magazine writer Terry Rice . "But a lack of confidence will tank your chances of success faster than any real obstacle." So how do you shake off imposter syndrome when you’re attempting something new? Here are three ways to boost your confidence. 1. Realize confidence comes from past experiences, not pep talks. You don’t need motivational posters to remind yourself about what you can do. Jot down ten challenges that you’ve already won. Keep this list handy to remind yourself of what you’ve already accomplished and why you can take on new challenges. 2. Stop worrying about other people’s opinions. Most people are either rooting for you or ignoring you, so just focus on getting 1% better every day. 3. Learn to see failure as data. Think of every project, pitch, or sales call as an experiment. You’re testing something out, and if it works, great. If not, you’ve learned something and can improve your approach going forward.

Chipmaker AMD Beats Fourth-Quarter Targets But Sales Outlook Light

Chipmaker AMD Beats Fourth-Quarter Targets But Sales Outlook Light

Chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices ( AMD ) late Tuesday cleared Wall Street’s hurdles for the fourth quarter but set a lower bar for the current period. Still, AMD stock rose in extended trading on strong data center chip sales. The Santa Clara, Calif.-based company earned an adjusted 69 cents a share on sales of $5.6 billion in the December quarter. Analysts polled by FactSet had expected AMD earnings of 67 cents a share on sales of $5.51 billion. On a year-over-year basis, AMD earnings fell 25% while sales rose 16%. The acquisition of Xilinx boosted revenue and helped offset declining PC and gaming chip sales. In the fourth quarter, AMD’s PC chip sales dropped 51% year over year to $903 million amid weak personal computer demand. Gaming segment revenue slid 7% to $1.6 billion. Meanwhile, data center chip sales increased 42% to $1.7 billion, driven by Epyc server processors. AMD Stock Rises After Report For the current quarter, AMD predicted sales of $5.3 billion, down 10% year over year. Analysts were looking for $5.5 billion in the first quarter. In after-hours trading on the stock market today , AMD stock advanced 2.7% to 77.20. During the regular session Tuesday, […]

Scoular debuts new name for food ingredients business

Scoular debuts new name for food ingredients business

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, US — Scoular has introduced a new name for its food ingredient business: Scoular Food Innovation. According to the company the new name “showcases its capabilities in providing innovative ingredients to customers” and reflects its “food industry expertise and experience supplying on-trend ingredients to meet growing consumer demand.” “Scoular has long been a reliable partner delivering leading-edge food ingredients,” said Brian Hansen, general manager for Scoular Food Innovation. “The new name highlights the experience our customers get when working with us — access to custom, innovative ingredients, solutions and service.” Scoular said the new business will focus on delivering ingredients that provide superior function, texture and flavor. Scoular Food Innovation is expected to leverage in-house research and development to create and commercialize innovative product formulations. The new business also is expected to be able to maintain long-term relationships with top global food companies because of its experienced team, deep portfolio of high-quality, plant-based non-GMO and organic ingredients and commitment to strict food safety standards and on-time delivery.

Stirista Recognized as 2022 San Antonio Business Journal Business of the Year

Stirista Recognized as 2022 San Antonio Business Journal Business of the Year

Data-driven Marketing Leader Named Honoree in Prestigious List of Thriving San Antonio Businesses SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Feb. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Stirista, a data-driven marketing leader , today announced it was named as an honoree in San Antonio Business Journal’s Business of the Year list, highlighting top businesses who overcame challenges brought about by Covid-19 including lingering supply chain issues, worker shortage and higher-costs of goods and services. The list includes thriving local businesses such as general contractors, retail, real estate, health care, advertising, restaurants and more. "Despite changing economic realities, 2022 was an incredible year for Stirista and we are pleased to stand alongside so many impressive businesses in our community," said Stirista founder and CEO Ajay Gupta. "As we look into the crystal ball for 2023, we are proud to say that brand marketers will continue to turn to Stirista for critical data-driven digital marketing and identity solutions for core and emergent digital channels." Stirista’s success in 2022 is largely a result of the company’s ongoing development of important identity-driven and omnichannel execution solutions, including a new multicultural product and onboarding solution. Boasting continued growth in 2022, Stirista was honored as a fastest growing company in North […]

MBA Ranking: Business School Careers, Culture and Curriculum

MBA Ranking: Business School Careers, Culture and Curriculum

Most MBA applicants want a ‘name’ school on their resume. Who wouldn’t to be associated with brands like Stanford, Harvard, and Wharton? Such institutions convey expertise and leadership, confidence and connections, ingenuity and results. After graduation, that branding will be tied to an alum – for life . Open doors, instant credibility, immediate impact – that’s what investing in a big name brings, applicants think. Sometimes, they underestimate the experience, that sense of fit – the satisfaction that comes with finding the right place to learn and live. Many times, it isn’t the brand name programs that produce MBAs ready to embrace the world ahead. BEYOND THE BRAND That’s one takeaway from The Princeton Review ’s annual Best Business Schools Ranking, which was released on January 31st. Unlike most MBA rankings, The Princeton Review doesn’t stuff a series of variables into one ranking, replete with weights that are easy to manipulate. Instead, it strips student responses apart into 18 categories. In doing so, one pattern emerges: M7 schools have some work ahead of them. Take Faculty Excellence. Not one M7 program is found among the ten-highest averages scores. Dartmouth College’s Tuck School performed the best among historical powers at […]