Briefings: The Dark Side of Pay Raises

By SIMON CONSTABLE

The word is out and it is surely much-needed news for workers at all levels: After a decade of barely keeping pace with inflation, experts say, wages are poised to rise significantly in the United States. That matches what countries in emerging markets have already seen, and is expected to help nudge paychecks in Europe up as well. But for companies, of course, there’s a bottom line and talent-jarring impact from any increase. The big question is how disruptive the Year of the Pay Raise will turn out to be. Read more here.

Photo by Emilio Takas on Unsplash

PJ Media: Identifying Drive is Critical to Job Retraining Initiatives

By SIMON CONSTABLE

When it comes to retraining displaced workers, President Trump hit the bull's-eye on a target at which few politicians take aim.

“Let's invest in workforce development and let's invest in job training, which we need so badly,” he said January’s State of the Union address.

Retraining is needed badly, which will become increasingly evident as technology displaces jobs in field after field. The need to constantly upgrade skills has become a reality among professionals as well as factory workers.

Can we teach old dogs new tricks? Yes, we can. Read more here.

Forbes: Venezuela's New Cryptocurrency Is An Even Worse Investment Than Bitcoin

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Just when you thought the cryptocurrency craze couldn't get stranger, up pops its most absurd proposition yet: the Petro.

It is Venezuela's version of bitcoin, which is perhaps the best-known cryptocurrency. The Petro's "presale" launched February 20 and is expected to run through March 19. The goal is to raise up to $2 billion according to a recent report from geopolitical consulting firm Eurasia Group. Read more here.

Forbes: Why Is The Gig Economy Portrayed So Badly?

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Why is the press coverage of the gig economy so negative when the people living the gig-life overwhelmingly seem to love it?

It's a strange phenomenon because the two things just don't seem to fit. Read more here.

WSJ: Doctors Turn to Poetry to Relieve Stress

By SIMON CONSTABLE

What is a good gift for a freshly minted physician? In Scotland, it is a book of poetry.

Each year, the 900 or so graduating medical students in Scotland receive a free copy of a poetry book titled “Tools of the Trade: Poems for New Doctors.” It’s a pocket-size book with fewer than 100 pages, so doctors can easily carry it while on duty. Read more here.

NewsMax TV: Are We In A Bubble

By SIMON CONSTABLE


Watch here.

Barron's: Venezuelan Free Fall Would Give Oil a Pop

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Investors in the oil market should keep a keen eye on Venezuela. an upcoming election and the prospect of U.S. sanctions will likely send the country’s wounded energy sector into a tailspin, at least temporarily. It could happen before the summer. And when it does, expect oil prices to jump by up to $10 a barrel.

“Venezuela is headed down, falling off a cliff,” says Victor Sperandeo, chief executive and general partner EAM Partners, a commodity trading advisory firm. “The place will go into chaos and won’t be able to pump oil.”

Such a move could push prices for Brent crude to as much as $75 a barrel from roughly $65 a barrel. Read more here.

Photo by David Thielen on Unsplash