Women in leadership roles have seen recent gains, but there are more ways businesses can help increase opportunities for inclusion. The challenge isn’t the proverbial glass ceiling. Research from the consulting firm McKinsey shows it is a broken rung on the career ladder, where women make the first step into management at a disproportionately lower rate than their male peers. The 2023 Women in the Workplace report states that for every 100 men who take that step on the ladder, just 87 women…

During 2023, healthcare systems, hospitals and practices made progress rebounding from the pandemic’s many disruptions. While momentum remains positive, significant headwinds persist. Overall observations Provider finances are healthier, but there is considerable variability among organizations and the gulf between stronger and weaker performers may be widening. Many trends and forces intersect and often conflict, rendering decision-making more complex, with high stakes. Affordability, patient…

During 2023, healthcare systems, hospitals and practices made progress rebounding from the pandemic’s many disruptions. While momentum remains positive, significant headwinds persist. Overall observations Provider finances are healthier, but there is considerable variability among organizations and the gulf between stronger and weaker performers may be widening. Many trends and forces intersect and often conflict, rendering decision-making more complex, with high stakes. Affordability, patient…

As consumers continue to swap their cash and paper checks for digital payments, businesses are taking note. Convenience, speed and security are driving the use of digital payments across all categories: online, inside a mobile app, through a peer-to-peer payment platform, and in-store via a digital wallet. They have become so ubiquitous that more than 90% of consumers said they used some form of digital payment over the course of a year, according to McKinsey’s 2023 Digital Payments Consumer Survey.…

Year-end planning doesn’t need to wait until December. In fact, small business owners who start the process in the summer or fall give themselves an edge that can set them up for stronger performance in the new year, said Hank Koehly, small business banking sales manager for Commerce Bank. “Around this time of year,” Koehly said, “it’s good to sit down with both your CPA and your banker to say, ‘These are the goals we set early in the year. Where are we toward those goals? What can…

As Commerce Bank proudly sponsors the 25th anniversary of Kansas City Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business awards program, we reflect on the remarkable women driving progress and innovation in Kansas City. This milestone celebration not only honors the outstanding class of 2024 but also highlights the broader impact of female leadership. In this article, we explore how women are paving the way for future generations, exemplifying excellence and shaping a brighter future for our community. In…