Oil prices stuck between geopolitical worries and expectations for surplus

Entrepreneur contributors emphasize the importance of emotional intelligence for modern leaders, highlighting its role in building trust, aligning purpose with motivation, and navigating conflict with resilience. They outline the five components of emotional intelligence in leadership and provide strategies for developing EQ skills. Leaders who prioritize emotional intelligence see improvements in retention rates, team performance, client relationships, and resilience. As the digital era progresses, emotional intelligence becomes even more crucial for leaders of hybrid and...

Entrepreneur contributors advocate for robust training programs for franchisees, emphasizing the need to cater to individuals with varying levels of industry knowledge and skills. Training typically begins at the franchisor's headquarters, featuring classroom sessions, hands-on activities, and testing. On-site training follows, focusing on day-to-day operations and tailored to each franchisee's needs. Ongoing training is essential for long-term success, with requirements for recertification and continual education included in franchise agreements. Full Article

Russia carried out a Christmas Day attack on Ukraine's energy system, leaving over half a million people without essential services. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy condemned the deliberate assault, marking the 13th large-scale attack of 2024. The attack resulted in significant damage to power stations and casualties, with Ukraine urging consumers to conserve energy as the system recovers from previous attacks. Full Article

Private equity funds have struggled to meet investor expectations, with payouts falling short for the third consecutive year due to a deal drought. Cambridge Associates estimated a $400bn shortfall in payments over the past three years, prompting firms to explore new ways to return cash to investors. While there is optimism for increased merger and acquisition activity in 2025, concerns remain about the industry's ability to sell assets at realistic valuations, with some assets being...

Entrepreneur contributors express their own opinions through curated themes found in books of the year, highlighting topics like calming anxiety, math-mindedness, good aging, rethinking higher education, generosity-first leadership, saving humanity in the age of AI, the female lens in history, finding purpose, climate solutionism, the citizenship imperative, quiet leadership, and the importance of friendships as an antidote to loneliness. These books offer insights into relevant issues for entrepreneurs and professionals heading into 2025 and beyond....

Trade groups representing major U.S. banks have filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking increased transparency in the Federal Reserve's stress tests post-2008 financial crisis. The Fed has already proposed changes to the annual process, indicating potential adjustments to address the concerns raised by the banking industry. This legal action highlights the ongoing debate over the regulatory framework governing the U.S. banking sector. Full Article