The Manager's View

All of us try to improve our productivity. Most often, this means managing “kitchen table” issues — trying to have more money left at the end of the month. Really, there are only two ways to make that happen: earn more income or spend less money (or a combination of both). Each month, we look at our income and expenses and try to keep them in balance or ideally produce a surplus. This is a form of household productivity. We think about how to increase income (get a raise, work a second job, or change jobs), and we think about how to cut or delay expenses (reduce discretionary spending, delay repairs, downsize housing, etc.). If expenses rise, we have to adjust on both sides of the ledger. Businesses operate in much the same way. When costs rise or revenues fall, firms must adapt. Revenue can be increased by raising prices (though this risks losing customers), expanding advertising, or adding new product features. Expenses can be reduced by layoffs, process efficiencies, cheaper materia...

What does marketing mean to you? For the past 13 years, I’ve asked this question to my students at the University of Houston’s C.T. Bauer College of Business. Most answers center on  advertising  or  selling more products . While not wrong, those answers only scratch the surface. Marketing is not just messaging—it’s the  study of trade and commerce.  At its core: A product exists because it fills a need ( Product ) People know it exists and understand its benefits ( Promotion ) It’s available where and when it’s needed ( Place ) Its value matches or exceeds the price asked ( Price ) Marketing, then, is about how customers, companies, and collaborators come together to create value. Each of these groups often has competing goals—customers may want customization, while companies and collaborators may push for standardization. Balancing those tensions is where real strategy happens. As a business executive, I saw firsthand how success came when I kept these fundame...

The University of Houston’s C.T. Bauer College of Business is now offering a certificate class based on my book,  Winning Marketing Strategies Using Generative AI . I’ve taught this approach for years in my marketing strategy classes at Bauer, and I’ve applied it successfully in the business world. Now, you can gain the same practical skills and earn a recognized certificate from Bauer’s Executive Education program. This October, join us for an immersive, hands-on learning experience designed for business leaders, marketers, and innovators who want to harness the power of generative AI to create winning strategies. Register today  to secure your place: https://www.bauer.uh.edu/executive-development/course/winning-marketing-strategies-ai.php

 I recently had an engaging conversation with a friend about the U.S. economy—specifically about tariffs and their potential effects on both the national economy and individual households. My friend argued that tariffs would drive manufacturing back to the U.S., since importing goods would become more expensive. There's a kernel of truth in that: tariffs can make offshoring less attractive. But this view often overlooks the  higher costs associated with domestic production , including building new facilities and paying U.S. wages. These increased costs may ultimately raise the prices of goods and services, fueling inflation. There’s no question that certain strategically vital goods—such as those tied to national defense—should be manufactured domestically. Still, producing these goods on U.S. soil often comes with a price premium, which could lead to higher government spending and, possibly, higher taxes. The conversation then shifted to immigration. My friend suggested that ...