Following last year’s popular episode, Ellen Davis of the National Retail Federation returns to talk about innovation. As a bonus, Bill Villano traveled to one of CT’s most personalized spaces – Colony Grill in Milford, CT – to talk with co-owner Ken Martin about how keeping elements of the building that was once the iconic Harrison’s Hardware store has endeared the restaurant to the community. Ellen and Bill go on to preview the first ever Retail Works Summit, and tackle hot-button political issues like tariffs and immigration.

What has been called the fourth Industrial Revolution is fundamentally changing the way we live, work and relate to one another. Host Bill Villano talks with scholar and author Darrell West of the Brooking Institution about his new book “The Future of Work: Robots, AI and Automation."

The best people may not want to work for you. They want to work WITH you as a freelancer. On this episode, Bill Villano continues with Nation 1099 founder and marketing expert Robert McGuire about how the gig economy impacts employers. Freelancers are business people too, so listen for what tools exist for collaborating.

Gig work, independent contracting, freelancing, project-based work – no matter what you call it, more people are making a living at it. Bill Villano talks with Robert McGuire, founder of the website Nation1099.com and also owner of a New Haven-based marketing agency that employs a stable of 1099ers. The percent of independent contractors in the Gig Economy by choice may surprise you.

Compounding the current skilled workers shortage is the potential loss of knowledge and skills as older, seasoned workers decide they are ready to retire. David DeLong literally wrote the book “Lost Knowledge” before the Great Recession put off many workers’ plans to retire. As the economy has improved and as other factors begin to affect longevity, what can employers do to soak up as much know-how from exiting workers, integrate a new workforce – and retain them?