We may be living in the age of Uber and "Shark Tank," but American entrepreneurship is in the midst of a prolonged slump. And it could have serious economic ramifications.

As the restaurant industry struggles through the pandemic, two industry veterans are using a new financial model to go public. The new SPAC, called Tastemaker, received $276 million via IPO on Jan. 12. Its founders, Andy Pforzheimer and Dave Pace , told me that the restaurant business is ready for a reset. …see more

The consumerization of payments across a range of verticals is underway – #healthcare is no exception. John Talaga , EVP and GM Healthcare at Flywire and I discuss the recent introduction of Amazon ’s Halo, where it fits into a longstanding trend in digitizing a huge payments (and care) pain point in the U.S. health system – and what’s next in crafting personalized payment plans. …see more

In 1973, President Nixon capped the price of gasoline for consumers, and rationed when they could buy it during the energy crisis. The result was predictable: long gas lines and station operators that rationed supply. Consumers paid more, but in different ways. It’s also the predictable outcome should the Loan Shark Prevention Act, proposed by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, come to pass. Price caps always hurt the very consumers they are intended to help. Dig into today’s history and economics lesson rolled into one. …see more

As financial services grasps the massive impact that artificial intelligence and machine learning will have on the industry, the question of how to prevent bias in supercomputers becomes more important. Sunil Madhu, founder of Socure, talks with me about how machines can get past the hurdles found in the human brain. …see more

If control is everything in data security, SOC 2 Type II certification is about proving that service providers can maintain, manage and control enterprise customer data at the highest of levels. Flywire  CISO Barbara Cousins tells me that part of the value of SOC 2 Type II certification lies in audits needed to prove that data control procedures meet the trust service principles that are its foundation. Here’s why. …see more

Things that keep SMBs expanding globally up at night? It’s not a hack attack. AFEX explains. https://lnkd.in/eRm9-YZ

Just out. The PYMNTS Faster Payments Tracker via NACHA on Blockchain’s impact on faster payments. Get the details: https://lnkd.in/enuuBtv

It’s time that luxury gets a makeover for affluent customers. Juan Pablo Vivas of Mastercard tells me how and why. https://lnkd.in/e5xdE8K

The “Pays” looking to bring down the rent check. PayPal and PayLease . PYMNTS Data Dive: https://lnkd.in/eUynYbk

Want the lay of the land in consumer authentication? Check out the Digital Identity Tracker™ via Socure . Featuring the top 20 players in the space: https://lnkd.in/edyXNCd

Let's Get Radical ... LIVE! | Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021 | 12:00 EST | LinkedIn & Facebook As CPAs, we did a great job of maintaining client relationships while adjusting to a remote environment. Should we continue to adapt our customer service experiences in a post-COVID world? Tomorrow, I'm talking with Daniel Richards of MyFirmsApp to find out what we should be doing differently. Tune in right here on LinkedIn at 12 noon EST. Shout out to Botkeeper for sponsoring! …see more

If diversity, equity, and inclusion are on your firm's radar for 2021, you won't want to miss my interview with Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk tomorrow at noon EST. Tune in right here on LinkedIn. Special thanks to Botkeeper for sponsoring! #CPAs #accountants #CPAfirm #accountingfirm #RadicalCPA #RadicalCPALive #CPALove #accountantlove #diversity #diversityandinclusion #diversityequityinclusion …see more

Did you miss my live presentation last week w/ ADP on "Getting Back Time for Tax Season and Beyond?" It's available on demand here:

Agree with Zach Boren , Johns post highlights the importance of finding opportunities for young people #apprenticeshipworks

Why did Denver media ignore the heart of the issues that teachers went on strike for in February 2019? One neighborhood newspaper got it right.

Participate in this free event on Jan. 27th on whether schools can be places for healing trauma. And we most assuredly need to heal....5:00 pm. so it works for educators. Take care and be safe.

Here's a new podcast on my new book. Enjoy. Comments welcome. Book available at Amazon and https://lnkd.in/eCgEc8J . Jethro Jones did a great job. https://lnkd.in/etGtp8N …see more

Help me here. My alma matter wrote a plan creating a “culture of care” regarding reopening. But, it was silent on mental health issues. No recognition of the psychological toll of Covid, racial tensions and massive uncertainty about the future. The President of Smith has not answered my concerns, and I’m an alum. Think about this: all reopening schools need to focus on trauma and create themselves as trauma responsive institutions. It is critical to learning and culture and future success. I have written about this. I have done webinars on this. I have a book dealing with this (newly released): https://lnkd.in/eCgEc8J . It is what I do and I remain prepared to help ALL our children... I guess Smith College will remain distant and yet again, miss the proverbial boat. My hope for other colleges and schools and businesses: Take a lead here; do the opposite of Smith. Introduce trauma responsiveness when you reopen. Even some micro efforts help. So will concrete strategies raised in my book that can be replicated, transported and adapted. See that there is a clear connection between physical and mental wellbeing. Reopen in ways that recognize the psychic toll of the last few months. As to Smith, listen to their continued silence. Then speak up and out — loudly. …see more

Educators at all levels, you won't want to miss this panel discussion on school trauma. The event will feature a 30-minute panel discussion of this new book and its potential to facilitate student success. The event will be hosted by Brian Ellerbeck, the Acquisitions Editor at TC Press. Panelists will be Marie Cini, Allyson Hoffman and Gill Hunter, each extraordinary educators representing different segments of the academic pipeline from elementary school to adult education. The date is June 22 @ 5 pm EST. See the link below to access at 5 pm or email me for an invite. …see more