On Tuesday morning, new data was released by the Census Bureau on housing starts in the U.S. And the picture is rather bleak. April privately-owned housing starts were at a seasonally adjusted rate of 891,000, which is a 30.2 percent drop from March of this year. It is also 29.7 percent below the April 2019 rate.

The U.S. economy gets a lot of attention — and rightly so. Since 1871, the U.S. has maintained its position as the largest in the world with economists estimating it will reach $22.3 trillion this year. This is partly because our currency is favored around the world, and we are graced with vast natural resources, but it’s also because of...

Earlier this week, I shared with you the detrimental financial impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the healthcare sector. It is somewhat counterintuitive that hospitals that are overflowing with coronavirus patients would be losing money. As I explained, however, many healthcare organizations have had to sacrifice more lucrative...

Last week, I shared with you some of the industries that have been hardest-hit by the COVID-19 crisis, including restaurants, childcare centers, and construction. The negative impacts to these industries seem fairly logical given the temporary regulations and shutdowns put in place to help prevent the spread of the virus. But amid the...

As we all experience the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of people are feeling the anxiety of uncertainty. Perhaps it’s worries about their job or finances. Maybe it’s health concerns — be that physical or emotional health. Or it could be uncertainty about the future and what it holds. Where you are on the spectrum is your starting place; the...

With the economic peril caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, every small and medium-sized business (SMB) owner finds him or herself in a different situation. Some are wondering if they will survive closures or this downturn. Others are having to reinvent what they do and how they do it. Still others are tweaking their budgets to adjust to...

At Vertical IQ, we recently have focused our research efforts on monitoring the industries most affected by COVID-19. On our free COVID-19 webpage, you’ll find economic updates, sector updates, and details on how specific industries are being impacted.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted nearly every aspect of people’s lives. Countless small to medium-sized business (SMB) owners also are struggling to stay afloat as they deal with closures, layoffs, and supply chain issues. There’s little doubt this pandemic is going to impact these SMBs in both the short- and long-term.

…and the opportunity (necessity) to build trust with your clients and prospects during and after COVID-19 through industry, company, and executive research

You’ve heard of the 5-second rule, whereby food that has been dropped may be eaten without any stigma. But are you familiar with the 10-second rule? If you are a professional services provider who works directly with clients, you should learn about this important principle.