Business Briefing: Only a third of CEOs believe their firms are prepared for long-term growth

A new report from The Economist Unit reveals a growing “worrying gap” in firms’ capability to maintain long-term growth.

According to the study, only 29 percent of company leaders believe their firms are positioned for long-term growth because of employees’ lack of skills. Of the respondents, 44 percent believe their companies lack ability to grow in three years.

***

Ford has announced plans to pay a $600 million fourth-quarter expense mainly for signing bonuses paid to union workers. The bonus is part of a new four-year contract with the United Auto Workers. The new deal limits labor cost increases to 1.5 percent per year. Read more here.

***

The National Retail Federation estimates that 183.8 million people were expected shop online this holiday season. But consumers should be wary of online sales scams that often appear at this time of year. Learn more here.

***

A new poll finds that a third of college students enrolled this semester say they plan to live at home following graduation because of crippling student loan debt. According to a Harris Poll conducted on behalf of the American Institute of CPAs, these students also anticipate taking a job outside their field of study after graduation. Find out more here.

-Will Buss, BND business writer

This story was originally published November 30, 2015 at 9:13 AM with the headline "Business Briefing: Only a third of CEOs believe their firms are prepared for long-term growth."