Stock markets, bull runs and crashes. Losses, China, and corporate earnings. Any financial conversation going on right seems to be peppered with these buzzwords.

Everyone seems to be collectively holding their breath, waiting and watching for what’s coming next. Is China’s terrifying crash headed west? Are the two markets even related? We have seen stock markets all over the globe run the gamut. From incredible jumps and equally terrible drops, with China reporting the lion’s share of the losses (a whopping 40% plummet in 10 weeks). Let’s dig a little deeper into some of these terrible headlines and see if everyone is crying wolf or if we really need to start to worrying.

The chicken or the egg, it’s an age-old question. But today I’m talking about marketing and culture, which comes first? Are marketing campaigns the result of cultural influence, or does culture adapt based on marketing?

Andy Badalamenti, creative director, copywriter and content developer, recently contemplated this idea in his LinkedIn blog post “Is marketing driven by culture, or is culture driven by marketing?”

Do you feel like a valued member of your company? If you do, you are likely in the minority.

More than 70% of employees don’t feel valued by their employer according to Gallup-Heathways Well-Being Index. Clearly in this case it’s a problem. In fact, Gallup estimates that it’s a $300 billion a year problem. I’d say if any problem is worth looking into, it would be one with a price tag like that.

As a business owner, you’re likely very passionate about your company and believe it's an amazing place to work, but how do you communicate that to potential employees? Or, maybe you’re hiring for a new position, but can’t quite put into words what you need from your next employee, so you write a less than stellar job description and get exactly that – mediocre applicants.

It may seem hard, but with a few tips we can have that job description bringing in the talented prospects that are excited to work for your company.

Today’s consumers are truly eating more at restaurants. This has resulted in a level of spending that just overtook grocery sales for the first time in history. 

Interest in professionally prepared food is piquing, helping new restaurateurs get their businesses off the ground. Bigger restaurants and food service corporations can offer indirect lessons on how to succeed in the market. Here are three lessons gleaned from industry leaders.