Perspectives

This month marks ten years that I have been leading the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series. Like most anniversaries with nice round numbers, it has caused me to pause and reflect. There are so many incredible leaders doing critical work across Indiana, and I have been privileged to have a front row seat to witness the impact of many of them. If I had to sum up my observations from the past decade in a few words, it would be this: relationships matter.... Read More

While numerous types of risks are associated with an investment portfolio, most investors are focused on the risk of a large stock market decline and its impact. What can be done to hedge those risks?... Read More

With the first installment of property taxes due May 10, residential taxpayers are feeling the tremendous impact of the recent spike in housing values. Regardless of whether or not they have a mortgage or pay their taxes through a lender, property tax assessments have skyrocketed. ... Read More

As spring arrives, many embrace the warmer weather as an invitation to spend more time outdoors. For others, it’s an opportunity to do some deep cleaning around the house. If you’re among those who participate in spring cleaning, you might want to use this time to freshen up your finances, too.... Read More

Businesses have always been challenged to engage and retain their best employees. However, in the evolving job market, retention and culture building are more difficult than ever. Employee expectations are changing, gaps are broadening in the skills required to perform and deliver value to businesses, and more people are working remotely and are less connected to their work... Read More

In the United States, there are around 7.3 million students with disabilities, accounting for 15% of the K-12 public school population. Of these, 12% are children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)—a figure that has risen from 1.5% in 2001 and is expected to continue growing.... Read More

The housing market remains a puzzle in 2024. While headlines focus on rising interest rates and a potential cooling-off period, there's a hidden force impacting the market: millions of homeowners are locked into incredibly low mortgage rates from the pre-2023 era. This creates a unique situation where many people hesitate to sell, impacting buyers and sellers.... Read More

In June 2022, the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, ending 50 years of federally protected access to abortions. One by one, states began to enforce abortion bans across the nation, severely limiting access to safe abortion care. Indiana Republicans were swift to act, stripping Hoosiers of their access to abortion that August.... Read More

Certainly, there are potholes to avoid on the road to higher-scoring grant applications. On the flip side, my experience as a reviewer has shown there are key components of a successful grant proposal narrative. A few proactive community foundations around the State see the benefits of helping organizations within their communities become stronger and more sustainable. In partnering with them on capacity-building workshops, I’ve shared the following “four captivators."... Read More

Taylor Swift is a recent example of achieving scalability. She made some very savvy, yet intentional, business decisions that took her to the top of the entertainment industry. Here is what she did and how she did it, in order to expand and grow her brand.... Read More

Each time a new digital channel captures the public’s imagination, plenty of business leaders scoff. “Our company isn’t about funny cats or dance moves,” they groan as they brush some eager employee’s idea aside.... Read More

Do you have a high school or college-age child? Knowing what you know now, I bet you would like to give them a head start on retirement savings, right? The good news is, if your child works, you might be able to do just that. ... Read More

In Indianapolis and its surrounding counties, signs of the ongoing struggles in the office real estate market can be seen from the years-old “For Lease,” signs outside the office towers to continuous news of foreclosures and high occupancy rates. It is clear that challenges in the office market will continue for years and even decades to come.... Read More

Mention spelling, and most of us feel our hearts skip a beat. It’s a throwback to our anxiety about those word lists we were quizzed about every Friday morning as children, and we still become embarrassed when someone points to an error in our writing.... Read More

Sourcing and securing top talent remain top priorities in 2024. In the world of talent acquisition, passive candidates—those not actively seeking jobs—represent a goldmine for companies. Securing these individuals requires a nuanced approach. While the U.S. Labor market was projected to slow in 2024 and employers are being more discerning about who they hire, the need for key positions and general positions in 2024 is still strong.... Read More

Do you love your job? Do you love it so much you would not leave your employer for any reason? If so, you are in the minority. According to a recent survey by Yoh, only 28% of employees say they love their job with a loyalty so strong they would not leave under any circumstance. However, at the opposite end of the spectrum, Yoh reports that 1 in 7 employees (14%) would like to leave their current job for a new one in the next 12 months. ... Read More

Retirement can be a daunting topic—the idea of not receiving a paycheck anymore and starting to spend down your life savings can cause fear and anxiety. However, what if I told you that not receiving a steady paycheck is the best thing to happen to your tax planning options? ... Read More

Growing up in Madison in the 1980s, I was a typical kid in small town Indiana. While my high school offered a number of opportunities to explore potential careers, it was the community’s fierce commitment to historic preservation that introduced me to the important role an architect plays in building an environment that is accessible, equitable and safe. ... Read More

Most prosecutors would agree that sex crimes cases are among the most difficult criminal cases to prove at trial. They are difficult for a variety of reasons: extremely sensitive subject matter, victims who are terribly traumatized, and juries who tend to be skeptical of the allegations.... Read More

What financial decision have you avoided because you don’t know what to do? Maybe you’re hesitant to invest, intimidated by the intricacies of the market. Or you’ve delayed saving for retirement, uncertain of where to begin? You’re not alone. Across the nation, there exists a pervasive gap in financial confidence—a gap that hinders individuals from managing their finances confidently.... Read More