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Low money market volatility benefits monetary policy transmission

18 April 2025By Fédéric Holm-Hadulla and Sebastiaan PoolCentral banks usually seek to align very short-term interest rates in the money market with their own policy rate. But money market rates fluctuate also for reasons other than policy. This blog shows that monetary policy is more effective if such fluctuations are small.Discussions about monetary policy usually centre on whether interest rates should go up, down or stay the same. The complexities…

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Alok Sama on corporate finance in the fast lane

Alok Sama spent years in corporate finance as a managing director at Morgan Stanley before joining Softbank as CFO and plunging into founder-CEO Masayoshi Son’s world of high-speed, high-risk decision-making. For Sama, the shift involved many eye-opening experiences, which he later shared in a memoir titled, The Money Trap: Lost Illusions Inside the Tech Bubble (St. Martin’s Press, 2024). In this episode of Inside the Strategy Room, Sama speaks with…

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Beyond automation: How gen AI is reshaping supply chains

Companies are striving for end-to-end visibility, efficiency, and agility in their supply chains. Yet outdated infrastructure, fragmented data, and supply chain disruptions make these goals difficult to achieve. Can gen AI bridge the gap? In this episode of McKinsey Talks Operations, host Daphne Luchtenberg speaks with Knut Alicke, author and leader of McKinsey’s Supply Chain Executive Academy; Alberto Oca, McKinsey partner and coleader of digital warehousing in North America; Asaf Somekh,…

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Amanda Lewis joins Q5 as Chief Financial Officer

Accelerating Q5’s growth through expert financial leadership We’re excited to welcome Amanda Lewis as our new CFO. With over two decades of experience, Amanda brings deep expertise in financial strategy, M&A, and scaling high-performing teams. She’ll play a crucial role in driving Q5’s global expansion and supporting our goal to double in size sustainably by 2030. Reading time: 2 minutes We’re delighted to announce that Amanda Lewis has joined Q5…

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Zeynep Inanoglu Ozdemir on marketing in product-led growth

In this episode of McKinsey on Building Products, McKinsey partner Rikki Singh sits down with Zeynep Inanoglu Ozdemir, chief marketing officer at Atlassian. With her varied background, Ozdemir helps her marketing team apply innovative, data-driven insights to their product-led-growth (PLG) approach. During their conversation, Singh and Ozdemir discuss the role marketing plays in Atlassian’s PLG efforts; how product, marketing, and sales teams can collaborate to achieve big goals; and how…

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KIPAC + Friends Community Day welcomes all to share in the magic of science discovery

The Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology (KIPAC) invites community members of all ages to the KIPAC + Friends Community Day on Saturday, April 19, from 1 to 5 p.m. This year’s event will be bigger and better than ever, thanks to involvement from KIPAC scientists and colleagues from across the Stanford science and engineering communities.“So many of us in KIPAC were inspired to study science because of a…

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Returning Spirit of Diplomacy: The Significance of the Bandung Conference Anniversary

In terms of geoeconomics, Asia has grown increasingly strategic. The emergence of China, India and other new economies like Indonesia has put Asia in a strong position to support global expansion and to encourage collaboration with African nations. The most recent development is the growing possibility of South-South cooperation through diplomacy in the spirit of the Bandung Conference. The engagement of Indonesia's younger generations will provide innovation and new perspectives.…

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Embracing innovation for outcomes-based delivery

A path to transformative Public Services As Diamond Sponsor of Innovation 2025, we engaged with leaders across government to explore the future of public service. In this article, five of our public sector experts share their key takeaways, covering leadership, strategy, culture, storytelling, and AI to offer practical insights on building a more agile, outcomes-focused state. Reading time: 6 minutes In today’s rapidly evolving public sector landscape, innovation can no…

  • Post category:Q5 Partners
  • Reading time:10 mins read
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German Federal Labor Court Finds Certain Virtual Stock Option Forfeiture Clauses May Unreasonably Disadvantage Employees

Quick Hits The German Federal Labor Court ruled on March 19, 2025, that certain forfeiture clauses in General Terms and Conditions of Business regarding the expiration of virtual stock options upon termination of employment are invalid. The court found that such forfeiture clauses unreasonably disadvantage employees by not adequately considering the work already performed and the associated entitlement to the options. International companies might benefit from decoupling employee ownership at…

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Offensive Terms to Avoid: What You Say Matters More Than You Think

According to SHRM, 66% of U.S. employees have experienced or witnessed incivility in their workplace. The most common forms include addressing others disrespectfully and interrupting others while they are speaking. Meanwhile, a Deloitte survey reveals that 84% of respondents prioritize improving their well-being, with 74% considering it more important than advancing their career. This underscores the growing emphasis employees place on workplace well-being and respect. Let that sink in: Respect…

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The US retirement industry at a crossroads

The past decade has been exceptionally favorable for US defined contribution (DC) retirement plans. The retirement solutions providers—also known as retirement recordkeepers—that administer DC plans on behalf of various employers have experienced consistent revenue growth over this period, as plans have become more accessible and equity market performance has been strong. Now, things are changing. The retirement industry is approaching a tipping point due to demographic shifts, industry developments, and…

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Mouse study suggests a common diabetes drug may prevent leukaemia

Around 3,100 people are diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) each year in the UK. It is an aggressive form of blood cancer that is very difficult to treat. Thanks to recent advances, individuals at high risk of AML can be identified years in advance using blood tests and blood DNA analysis, but there’s no suitable treatment that can prevent them from developing the disease.In this study, Professor George Vassiliou…

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Extreme drought contributed to barbarian invasion of late Roman Britain, tree-ring study reveals

The ‘Barbarian Conspiracy’ of 367 CE was one of the most severe threats to Rome’s hold on Britain since the Boudiccan revolt three centuries earlier. Contemporary sources indicate that components of the garrison on Hadrian’s wall rebelled and allowed the Picts to attack the Roman province by land and sea. Simultaneously, the Scotti from modern-day Ireland invaded broadly in the west, and Saxons from the continent landed in the south.Senior…

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Talking with Flywire CFO Cosmin Pitigoi

One of the key challenges finance departments face is connecting the various bits of data generated when money moves into or out of the business. This is especially true for small and midsize businesses. Although a profusion of digital payments providers has cropped up to help such companies, many systems generating data from money movement don’t talk to a company’s other systems—at least not well. In this episode of Talking…

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Update on Missouri’s Proposition A: Status of Earned Paid Sick Time Law

Quick Hits Proposition A requires Missouri employers to provide notice by April 15, 2025, summarizing employees’ entitlement to earned paid sick time, starting May 1, 2025. The Supreme Court of Missouri is reviewing a legal challenge to Proposition A that seeks to invalidate the law because it allegedly violates the Missouri Constitution. The Missouri General Assembly—Missouri’s state legislature—is considering multiple bills that would affect the paid sick time benefits provided…

  • Post category:Ogletree Deakins
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Building bridges toward career opportunities for millions of Americans

On this page: Opportunity | Solution | Impact 0Kworkforce developmentteam members0.7M people across the US & Canadasupported annually$0Bannual earningsgenerated by 2028 The Opportunity Addressing changing workforce needs The US labor market is rapidly evolving, driven by the rise of automation and AI, changes in federal spending, and demographic shifts including a swiftly growing aging population. The result is a fundamental shift in workforce priorities with the economy likely to see…

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New study reveals how to make prescribed forest fires burn safer and cleaner

Prescribed burns literally fight fire with more fire. Often referred to as a “beneficial fire,” they target areas at risk for wildfires and burn away material that could otherwise fuel a future blaze.However, all fires, whether accidental or planned, produce smoke that can cause health and respiratory issues, especially in nearby communities. Burning fires release harmful chemicals, like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), that are carcinogenic – PAHs can cause cancer,…

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From the War Against Russia to the War Against China. American vs. Russian ‘Nationalism’

Trump's Foreign and Military Policy  In a series of articles, even before the announcement of Trump's tariffs, we examined the foreign and military policy of the US President.  The contradictions in Trump's policy support the view that his goal, along with the faction of big Capital that has rallied behind him and Mr. Netanyahu, is a strategic retreat. They realise that the West is not capable of achieving the objectives…

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Does the Monroe Doctrine Work Above the Arctic Circle?

Greenland’s liberation from Danish colonial rule would inevitably lead to a new form of dependency. The United States has persistently positioned itself as Greenland’s next protector – a role its people will likely have no choice but to accept. The real question is whether Trump will accelerate this process to achieve his goals before his term ends, writes Valdai Club Programme Director Anton Bespalov. When Donald Trump first proposed purchasing Greenland from Denmark in 2019, many dismissed the idea as absurd.…

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Growing wildflowers on disused urban land can damage bee health

The metals have previously been shown to damage the health of pollinators, which ingest them in nectar as they feed, leading to reduced population sizes and death. Even low nectar metal levels can have long-term effects, by affecting bees’ learning and memory - which impacts their foraging ability.Researchers have found that common plants including white clover and bindweed, which are vital forage for pollinators in cities, can accumulate arsenic, cadmium,…

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New Illinois Labor and Employment–Related Laws Cover E-Verify, ‘Captive Audience Meetings,’ Noncompetition, AI, and More

Quick Hits Illinois Governor Pritzker signed several new labor and employment–related laws into effect, such as “E-Verify Limits Under Right to Privacy in Workplace Act” and the “Worker Freedom of Speech Act.” Amendments to current laws, such as the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Illinois Personnel Review Act, and the Illinois Wage Payment and Collections Act, expand the rights of employees. Most notably, the statute of limitations for actions brought…

  • Post category:Ogletree Deakins
  • Reading time:13 mins read
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UK Employment Rights Bill: Amendments Employers Should Know

Quick Hits On March 6, 2025, the UK government announced amendments to the Employment Rights Bill, which outlined updates to the bill relating to zero-hours and agency workers, changes to statutory sick pay (SSP), and expanded bereavement leave entitlements. The amended Employment Rights Bill proposes the establishment of a Fair Work Agency with the authority to enforce employment rights and issue underpayment notices, potentially imposing penalties for unpaid wages, holiday…

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How to Make Friends and Influence POTUS

MIT SMR | Getty Images Summary: The rules of corporate influence in Washington are changing dramatically. In President Donald Trump’s second term, power has shifted from Congress to the White House, turning lobbying into a personalized game of presidential access. At the same time, the use of AI tools is transforming lobbying efforts and posing ethical dilemmas. As the lobbying landscape shifts, executives must deal with the current situation with…

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President Trump Orders Closure of the Department of Education: What Schools and EdTech Companies Need to Know About FERPA

Quick Hits FERPA is a federal law that sets out a number of requirements educational institutions that receive federal funding must meet for the protection of student educational records. A recent Executive Order diminishes the federal government’s power to enforce FERPA, heightening concerns that EdTech vendors could use student education data in prohibited ways. However, vendors would do so at their own risk, as the legal landscape surrounding student education…

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Renegotiating terms of employment in light of the U.S. tariff effect: Avoiding constructive dismissal risks

A continuation in our series for Canadian employers addressing the U.S. tariff effect. For more information, check out BLG’s Tariffs and Trade Resource Centre. In the face of the changing economic landscape, employers are confronted with difficult decisions. As the impact of the United States’ tariffs are being felt across Canada, employers are having to take a hard look at their workforces, and search for ways to reduce their labour…

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Market Update 14 April 2025

By Investment Desk | 14 Apr, 2025 The past week has seen yet more swings in financial markets, following Trump’s announcement to postpone most reciprocal tariffs, while simultaneously increasing tariffs on Chinese imports. After an initial rally in equity markets post Trump’s announcement, equity indices have given back a lot of the gains. Global bond markets have not been immune to volatility either, with the benchmark US government 10-year bond…

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Scientists find evidence that overturns theories of the origin of water on Earth

A team of researchers at the University of Oxford have uncovered crucial evidence for the origin of water on Earth. Using a rare type of meteorite, known as an enstatite chondrite, which has a composition analogous to that of the early Earth (4.55 billion years ago), they have found a source of hydrogen which would have been critical for the formation of water molecules.Crucially, they demonstrated that the hydrogen present…

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New analysis of archaeological data reveals how agriculture and governance have shaped wealth inequality

Past societies are often presumed to be egalitarian, but our research shows that high wealth inequality could become entrenched where ecological and political conditions permitted. The emergence of high wealth inequality wasn’t an inevitable result of farming... It emerged where land became a scarce resource that could be monopolised.Professor Amy Bogaard, School of ArchaeologyThe study is published as part of a Special Feature of the Proceedings of the National Academy…

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President Levin expands on university’s guiding principles

President Jonathan Levin elaborated on the principles guiding the university’s approach to ongoing federal policy challenges and announced the launch of a committee to explore expanding the size of the undergraduate class during Thursday’s Faculty Senate meeting.The Faculty Senate adjourned to executive session following the president’s remarks and discussion.Opening remarks on university principlesExpansion of the undergraduate class"},"imageData":null}">p]:su-m-0 [&>p]:!su-mb-0 [&>p]:su-text-16 md:[&>p]:!su-text-19 last-of-type:[&>p]:!su-mb-0 su-p-20 md:su-p-36" readability="9.9642857142857">Texts of President Levin’s remarksIn addressing the…

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Dissecting the Impacts of Trump’s Trade Policy

Beneath the market turmoil, companies with strong defensive strategies significantly outperformed companies that are strong in other factors since the tariff announcement. Regardless of their industries, companies with the lowest risk profiles delivered cumulative returns of approximately 20 percent by the end of March. In other words, the most defensive companies within the technology sector outperformed those in the least defensive technology companies, and the same pattern is repeated across consumer…

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Course offers personal perspectives on cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common hereditary disease, which results in shortened lifespans and symptoms that can make daily life an intense struggle. It is a multi-organ disease caused by a mutation in a gene that controls how salt and water are transported across cells lining many of the cavities of our body, including the lungs, intestines, pancreas, and reproductive organs. Due to mutations in the CFTR gene, people with…

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Matthew Gentzkow named director of Stanford Impact Labs

Stanford University economist Matthew Gentzkow will become the next faculty director of Stanford Impact Labs (SIL), a university-wide accelerator housed in the School of Humanities and Sciences (H&S) that invests in teams of scholars and practitioners co-creating solutions to society’s most pressing problems.“Stanford Impact Labs has shown how the university can support social science research that takes ideas from the seminar room out into the world,” said Stanford President Jonathan…

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Wage and Hour Around the Corner: From Zoom to Room: Staying on Solid Legal Grounds with a Remote Staff or an Office Return

Wage and Hour Around the Corner: From Zoom to Room: Staying on Solid Legal Grounds with a Remote Staff or an Office Return | Wage & Hour Litigation Blog Skip to content

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The fashion industry faces a world in flux

Global trade turmoil, supply chain uncertainty, consumer jitters: 2025 is shaping up to be a challenging year for the fashion industry—and many brands are worried. But in the words of McKinsey Senior Partner Gemma D’Auria, “Yes, there are risks, but there are also opportunities to be captured.” On this episode of The McKinsey Podcast, D’Auria speaks with Global Editorial Director Lucia Rahilly about our latest State of Fashion research, including who’s…

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Navigating tariffs with a geopolitical nerve center

Tariffs and trade controls are expanding rapidly around the world. Macroeconomic uncertainty is growing. Second-order effects of government actions are multiplying.The first global economic shock since the COVID-19 pandemic has arrived. While geopolitical tensions have been rising for several years, the recent wave of trade controls and reciprocal tariffs has come on quickly and intensely. Not since the 1930s has the world seen this level of tariff activity. The impact on businesses…

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Georgia Governor Signs Bill to Strengthen Religious Exercise Protections, but Lawmakers Leave Anti-DEI Bill on the Table

Quick Hits Senate Bill 36, known as the Georgia Religious Freedom Restoration Act, aims to protect the free exercise of religion by imposing a “compelling interest” test for government actions that may burden religious practices. The bill has significant implications for Georgia schools, including state higher education institutions, as Georgia lawmakers seek to align the state with broader federal policies pushed by the Trump administration. Despite being advanced by the…

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The ultimate guide to Microsoft Security at upcoming RSAC 2025

So you just finished watching Microsoft Secure. That means by now, you’ve heard about our new protections for AI and Microsoft Security Copilot agents. These innovations will be the focus of Microsoft Security’s sessions and activities at RSACTM 2025 Conference (RSAC 2025).  The can’t-miss conference is just around the corner. Microsoft Security is bringing an exciting lineup of sessions, expert panels, and exclusive networking opportunities to empower security professionals in the…

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  • Reading time:34 mins read
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Global Lighthouse voices: A talk with LCFC CEO and Lenovo VP Xiaohui Ding

LCFC, Lenovo’s Hefei factory, was designated as a member of the Global Lighthouse Network in 2023. By accelerating the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies and committing to R&D and innovation, LCFC has crafted a “peak manufacturing” paradigm, achieving a leap in manufacturing capabilities. In a talk with McKinsey’s Forest Hou, LCFC CEO Xiaohui Ding shares insights into the factory’s digital transformation journey. Highlighting the challenges of managing a highly personalized…

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Two Oxford researchers awarded Quantum Technology Fellowships

The Fellowships are designed to accelerate researchers’ careers and fast track them towards world-leading positions in the future, ensuring the UK maintains its position as a global force in quantum technology. The investment provides an invaluable opportunity to advance their research and innovation, and will provide opportunities to build connections with industry and end-users, reducing the gap between research and commercialisation.Professor Charlotte Deane, EPSRC Executive Chair and a Professor in…

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Former trustees recognized for volunteer service

Two former Stanford trustees, Jeffrey S. Raikes, ’80, and Mindy Basham Rogers, ’84, MBA ’88, are this year’s recipients of the Gold Spike Award, Stanford’s highest annual honor for volunteer service. President Jonathan Levin conferred the awards on March 29 at a dinner held on campus. The Gold Spike Award is presented by Stanford Associates, an honorary organization of Stanford alumni who have demonstrated significant and long-standing volunteer service to the…

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