Wheel of Risk: A podcast by Allianz Trade

Bringing Baltimore Back

How could initiatives and programs aimed at rejuvenating Baltimore serve as positive examples to other cities across America? After all, it’s the birthplace of the nation’s oldest railway. It’s where the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner were written. It’s home to some of the earliest National Historic Districts in the country. And it’s the most populous independent city in the country. But for all its beauty, history, and diversity, Baltimore often gets a bad rap in TV shows, movies, and the media. That’s why this special season finale episode of Wheel of Risk is dedicated to the city we call home here at Allianz Trade in North America. Host Alix McCabe is joined by two leaders from Baltimore City Hall — Charlyn Nater, the Director of Main Streets in the Mayor’s Office of Small Minority Business Advocacy & Development, and Christopher R. Lundy, the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Small and Minority Business Advocacy & Development, for a comprehensive conversation about efforts to reinvigorate the local economy. They also discuss what they love the most about the city, which stereotypes they can’t stand, and share invaluable advice for business owners in both Baltimore and beyond.

Beyond Swiftonomics: The Effect of Marquee Events

When even The Federal Reserve takes note of your economic impact, you know you’re a big deal. And that’s just one of the many accomplishments attributed to Taylor Swift, whose 2023-2024 Eras tour has become the highest-grossing of all-time, and the first ever to rake in more than $1-billion in revenue, boosting local businesses across the country. But Swift isn’t the only musician, athlete, or organization with an oversized impact on the economy.On this episode of Wheel of Risk, host Alix McCabe sits down once again with Dan North, the Senior Economist for North America at Allianz Trade, for a deep dive into the ripple effect that occurs whenever a famous musical act, high-stakes playoff game, or big business conference comes to town. They explore how — ticket sales aside — these marquee events also generate spending on everything from lodging and transportation to restaurants, retailers, and much more. They also discuss what local businesses can do to ‘get on the bandwagon’ and take advantage of all those juicy opportunities when they do arise.

Beyond the Glass Ceiling: Women in Leadership

“An intangible barrier within a hierarchy that prevents women or minorities from obtaining upper-level positions.” That’s how Merriam-Webster defines the term “glass ceiling”, which was first coined by writer, consultant, and diversity advocate Marilyn Loden during a speech way back in 1978. But even today, despite decades of effort and attention, the glass ceiling remains a clear obstacle to women vying for leadership positions. On this episode of Wheel of Risk, host Alix McCabe is joined by two women with compelling stories about their own experiences climbing the corporate ladder: speaker, talent coach, and author, Roberta Matuson, and Allianz Trade’s CEO for UK & Ireland, Sarah Murrow. Over the course of their conversation, they discuss both the progress that’s been made in recent years as well as the societal norms that are still holding women back. They also explore how having women in leadership roles can benefit a company both financially and culturally, why underperforming organizations tend to have fewer female leaders, and why companies that ignore gender diversity do so at their own peril.

Artificial Intelligence / Natural Opportunity

Ready or not, the AI revolution is upon us. Global spending on artificial intelligence in e-commerce is expected to top out at $8 billion this year, with companies large and small rushing to explore the productivity gains and cost reductions they could achieve by automating repetitive tasks and data entry. The rise of generative AI in particular also represents an unprecedented opportunity to improve the way businesses understand and interact with their customers. On this episode of Wheel of Risk, host Alix McCabe is joined by Aaron Lindstrom, the Regional Head of E-Commerce for Allianz Trade Americas, to discuss the impact AI is having on business operations, as well as the potential it holds for enhancing engagement, effectiveness, and resilience. They explore how companies can shore up their defenses against evolving cyberthreats that are also AI-powered, and why business owners and leaders shouldn’t sit on the sidelines as the technology becomes more ubiquitous. You can even play along as Alix and Aaron test their ability to distinguish AI voices from real ones, in a special quiz at the end of the episode.

Unsung Heroes: Surety Bonds

They’re a form of insurance that’s been around for millennia. Here in the U.S., they’ve been mandatory on all federal public works projects since 1894. They’re also integral to the importation of goods by foreign companies and ensuring that essential public services like garbage collection keep running smoothly. But despite how much we depend on surety bonds every day, most people don’t know much about them.On this episode of Wheel of Risk, host Alix McCabe explores the often-overlooked offering with the help of three members of Allianz Trade’s “surety squad”; Nick Verna, Regional Head of Surety for Allianz Trade Americas; Nicole Beck, Underwriting Director, Commercial Surety at Allianz Trade in the U.S.; and David Brehm, Underwriting Director, Contract Surety at Allianz Trade in the U.S. Together, they explain the role of surety bonds across a variety of industries, answer the most commonly-asked questions, and arm business owners and contractors with the knowledge they need to decide if a surety bond is something they should talk to their broker about.