WebCE's Weekly Wrap-Up: August 17-23, 2024

Welcome to the first installment of WebCE’s Weekly Wrap-Up, a review of the week’s top stories from across the many industries we serve. Each week, we’ll offer a list of the biggest news, resources, and best practices across a variety of industries to help you stay at the top of your game. Here, you’ll find stories on insurance, finance, real estate, accounting, funeral, professional development, and more.

This week is a doozy, with major developments across several industries. Just today, the U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit against RealPage, accusing the property management software company of colluding with landlords, while Fed Chair Jerome Powell signaled coming rate cuts, saying “The time has come for policy to adjust.” Earlier this week, job growth numbers were revised down by 818,000—the largest downward revision since 2009.

See the complete list of the week’s top stories below. If there’s a link you’d like to share or a news topic you think we should cover, let us know!

This Week's Top Stories

How to Turn Professional Services Into Products (MIT Sloan Management Review)

"Product-based business models can help services firms achieve greater scale and profitability. But the transformation can be challenging."
U.S. Justice Department Accuses RealPage of Driving Up Rents (Reuters)

"The U.S. Department of Justice and eight states sued RealPage on Friday, accusing the property management software company of using algorithms to help landlords illegally collude and drive up rents for apartments."
How Buyers and Sellers are Navigating Real Estate's Seismic Shake-Up (CNN)

"Many experts predict the new rules may eventually spur increased price competition in the real estate industry, opening up the possibility for Americans to save thousands of dollars on Realtor commissions in the future."
5 Communications Best Practices for Enhancing Client Retention (Insurance News Net)

Frequent (monthly) contact could not only improve retention and referrals, but can improve client comprehension of advisor communication.
NAIC President Andrew N. Mais: No Generation Can Go It Alone (NAIC)

An NAIC survey of 1,000 Gen Z adults found 54% were "overwhelmed or anxious" at the thought of dealing with insurance.
Medicare Beneficiaries Facing 'Perfect Storm' for Enrollment, Insurance CEO Warns (Newsweek)

"We're facing a 'perfect storm' of challenges—a presidential election that will distract beneficiaries during the critical early weeks, a late Thanksgiving that compresses decision-making time, and significant market changes."
After Health Care Attacks, Tech Giants Will Help Small Hospitals with Cyber Defenses (NPR)

"Keeping up with the latest cybersecurity tools can be expensive, but it’s crucial for hospitals big and small. They’ve recently become prime targets for malicious hackers because of valuable patient data that can be sold or held for ransom."
Fed Chair Powell Indicates Interest Rate Cuts Ahead: 'The Time has Come for Policy to Adjust' (CNBC)

"Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell laid the groundwork Friday for interest rate cuts ahead, though he declined to provide exact indications on timing or extent."
IRS Releases 401(k) Employer Match Guidance for Student Loan Repayments (CPR Practice Advisor)

"The IRS on Monday issued interim guidance on employer matching contributions made to retirement plans—including 401(k), 403(b), and similar plans—for student loan payments made by their workers."
Revised Annual Figures Show Annual U.S. Job Growth was Much Lower Than Previously Reported (Los Angeles Times)

"U.S. job growth was probably far less robust in the year through March than previously reported, according to government data out Wednesday."

This Week's Top Podcast

Swim Towards the Shark (This American Life)

In a crisis, when all logic suggests that you get away from the dangerous thing, how will you respond?