Macro Trends
Macroeconomics can be a daunting subject matter but it is too important to be left to specialists. All senior managers need to be able to understand and interpret the macroeconomy, and reflect on the factors that cause it to change. This page gathers material that equips participants with a foundation in the models and frameworks needed to make sense of our context and policy responses, and develop an awareness of several key risks. They will help you to become familiar with with global growth forecasts and identify the key challenges facing policymakers.
And the best part is that the lecture is live!
| Lecture handout: Macro Trends. Here is the quiz. |
My attempt to provide some theoretical background to core macro concepts is my video on “The emoji equation of exchange“. See here for a quiz.
You can find the latest global growth forecasts from the institutions mentioned in the lecture here:
What you should be reading
Newspapers: The Economist • Financial Times
Business press: Harvard Business Review • McKinsey Quarterly • Knowledge@Wharton
Suggested podcasts
- The Economics Show with Soumaya Keynes by the Financial Times – punchy and timely interviews and a range of FT experts as host
- Planet Money by NPR – short introductions to key topics
- Macro Musings by David Beckworth at the Mercatus Center – interviews with relevant academic and policy experts
Where to look for good charts
What I’ve been reading:
- “Five macro themes that will shape the world in 2026” Capital Economics
- “Trends to prepare for in 2025: Navigating the key economic signals”, November 28th 2024
- “Grading the economic schools of thought”, by Noah Smith, July 13th 2023
- “Agustín Carstens speaks about inflation, global growth and a rethink of fiscal and monetary policy“, interviewed by Mr Mark Schrörs, 5 May 2023
- “The demise of silicon valley bank“, Marc Rubinstein, March 10th 2023
- “Late to disinflate”, The Economist, April 2nd 2022
- “The end of free-lunch economics” Rajan Raghuram, Project Syndicate, January 31st 2022
- “How to implement strategic foresight (and why)” by Behar, A. and Hlatshwayo, S.,, IMF Guidance notes, December 2021
- “Experts are Making Their Bets on Inflation. Here’s Mine” Bruce Yandle, November 23rd 2021
- “Macro disruptors: 7 themes that could reshape the global economy” Harvard Business Review, May 2021
What I’ve been writing:
- “Assessing Milei’s impact” Kaleidic Economics, January 2025
- “Have the Bank of England lost control?” Kaleidic Economics, June 2023
- “A quick and clear growth recipe” Kaleidic Economics, October 2022
- “Does the UK look on the verge of a currency crisis?” Kaleidic Economics, October 2022
- “Verdict on the mini budget” Kaleidic Economics, September 2022
- “The higher inflation survival guide” Kaleidic Economics, December 2021
Also:
- To keep up to date with my thoughts on economic issues either follow me on X/Twitter or see Kaleidic Economics.
- Evans, A.J., 2020, “Economics: A Complete Guide for Business” London Publishing Partnership – my managerial economics textbook is intended to provide a thorough but readable overview of the most important elements of macroeconomics.