With the economy slowing and many companies beginning to layoff workers, small businesses are in a tight spot as they continue to face staff shortages but are having a hard time competing with larger companies when it comes to offering higher wages.  Small businesses are also reporting that about 90% of open positions are seeing few to no qualified applicants.  Cheryl Winokur Munk, contributor to CNBC, joins us for how they can attract top talent by highlighting more than just wages.

 

Next, a look at what the latest news surrounding Taylor Swift fans and the huge demand for her concert tickets says about the economy.  Despite uneven economic times, these turbocharged consumers are willing to pay almost anything to see their favorite artist, for them, there is no substitute.  The pent-up demand over the pandemic and limited supply sent die-hard fans to crash the Ticketmaster website.  Augusta Saraiva, economics reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for what to know about “Swiftonomics.”  

 

Finally, it was once a given at many live concerts, the band would end their show and spend a couple of minutes off-stage before coming back for a roaring encore.  Now, some artists are doing away with them saying they just feel forced.  They’d rather just play out a whole set, and not waste anyone’s time leaving a potential encore only for something memorable and not expected.  Travis Andrews, features writer at The Washington Post, joins us for what to know.

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