Business Better

Hosted by Ballard Spahr LLP

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Oct 2025

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About the show

Business leaders are striving to keep their workplaces healthy and productive, tackle issues of equity, and address unprecedented economic challenges. Succeeding in this ever-changing environment requires grit and ingenuity. Welcome to Business Better, a podcast that helps businesses navigate the new normal.

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60 recent

October 20, 2025Episode 1228 min

Sustainability Spotlight – A Conversation With Saint-Gobain

On this episode of Sustainability Spotlight, Saint-Gobain's Dennis Wilson, Vice President of Environment, Social, Governance (ESG) and Managing Director of Circular Economy Solutions, discusses this global building products company's goal to be the world leader in light and sustainable construction, and how that commitment manifests itself in operations and investments. Dennis also talks about one of the company's biggest sustainability investments: a zero-carbon drywall production facility that recently opened in Montreal, Canada.

May 27, 2025Episode 1134 min

Sustainability Spotlight – A Conversation With Chart Industries, Inc.

This episode is part of our Sustainability Spotlight series, which highlights the sustainability efforts that businesses are making to combat climate change and other environmental challenges. This episode features a discussion with John Walsh, Senior Vice President of Investor and Government Relations, and Ali Snyder, Director of Sustainability and Marketing at Chart Industries, Inc. Chart Industries, Inc. is a global leader in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of process technologies and equipment for gas and liquid molecule handling for the Nexus of Clean™ — clean power, clean water, clean food, and clean industrials, regardless of molecule. The company's unique product and solution portfolio across stationary and rotating equipment is used in every phase of the liquid gas supply chain, including engineering, service and repair, and from installation to preventive maintenance and digital monitoring. Brendan K. Collins, a partner in Ballard Spahr's Philadelphia office and leader of the firm's Manufacturing and Consumer Products Industry Team, hosts the discussion.

May 7, 2025Episode 1033 min

Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation – Labor, Employment, and Benefits

This episode is part of our "Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation" series, where we discuss trends in higher education consolidation and closures, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. In today's episode, we consider the importance of advanced planning in relation to labor, employment, and benefits, to comply with legal obligations and navigate obstacles. We discuss unionization and collective bargaining agreements, the risks of failing to properly administer employee benefit plans, and the differences between affiliations and mergers in terms of the impact on employee benefit plans. Bill Rhodes, a partner and leader of Ballard Spahr's Education Industry Team, hosts the discussion. Bill is joined by Meredith Dante, a partner in Ballard's Labor and Employment Group, and Finn Pressly, a partner in Ballard's Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Group.

April 30, 2025Episode 914 min

Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation – Privacy and Data Security

This episode is part of our "Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation" series, where we discuss trends in higher education consolidation and closures, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. In today's episode, we discuss rapidly evolving state privacy laws, and compliance regulations such as FERPA and GLBA, that are creating a complex landscape in higher education. We also consider post-consolidation integration challenges, as new cybersecurity requirements need to be implemented across combined organizations. Laura Giles, a partner in Ballard Spahr's Mergers and Acquisitions Group and a member of the Education Team, hosts the discussion. Laura is joined by Greg Szewczyk, a partner and leader of Ballard Spahr's Privacy and Data Security Group.

April 23, 2025Episode 818 min

Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation - Intellectual Property

This episode is part of our "Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation" series, where we discuss trends in higher education consolidation and closures, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. In today's episode, we focus on intellectual property developed at and managed by systems of higher education. We discuss how universities can best manage and leverage their portfolios, including intellectual property assets that they can package together to optimize and increase value of these assets. We also review federal funding and policies that could impact universities, such as potential changes to Bayh-Dole and diversity initiatives. Laura C. Giles, a partner in Ballard Spahr's Mergers and Acquisitions Group and a member of the Education Team, hosts the discussion. Laura is joined by Scott D. Marty. Ph.D., a partner in Ballard Spahr's Intellectual Property Group and co-leader of Ballard Spahr's Life Sciences Industry Team.

April 22, 2025Episode 729 min

Manufacturing Moment: How State Associations Navigate the Policy Landscape

This episode is part of our "Manufacturing Moment" series, where we discuss important developments in the manufacturing space, and provide insight on how these major changes will affect the industry. In today's episode, we're joined by two special guests; Michele Siekerka, President and CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, and Angela Wilhelms, President and CEO of Oregon Business & Industry. We discuss the manufacturing landscape in their respective states; including providing data driven research in the policy-making processes, the complexities of navigating federal, state, and local regulations, and perspectives on the new administration's executive orders and the potential impacts on the manufacturing industry. Brigitta Glunk, an associate in Ballard Spahr's Environmental and Natural Resources Group, hosts the discussion.

April 16, 2025Episode 635 min

Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation - Public Finance

This episode is part of our "Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation" series, where we discuss trends in higher education consolidation and closures, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. In today's episode, we discuss financial challenges facing many colleges and universities, such as declining enrollment, decreased funding, and restrictions that are associated with tax-exempt financing. We consider the tax and legal implications of a merger or acquisition, and the liquidation of assets in the case of university closures. Laura Giles, a partner in Ballard Spahr's Mergers and Acquisitions Group and a member of the Education Team, hosts the discussion. Laura is joined by Bill Rhodes, a partner in the firm's Public Finance Group and leader of the firm's Education Industry Team, and Valarie Allen, a partner in the firm's Public Finance Group.

April 9, 2025Episode 515 min

Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation - Real Estate and Tax

This episode is part of our "Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation" series, where we discuss trends in higher education consolidation and closures, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. In today's episode, we focus on real estate and tax in education consolidation. We discuss the value and marketability of excess real estate, and factors to consider in consolidation transactions such as zoning, historic preservation, and local real estate market dynamics. We also discuss tax issues, including transfer taxes, property tax exemptions, and more. Bill Rhodes, a partner and leader of Ballard Spahr's Education Industry Team, hosts the discussion. Bill is joined by Chris Jones, a partner and leader of the firm's Tax and Tax Controversy Teams, and Sara McCormick, a partner in the firm's Real Estate Department.

April 2, 2025Episode 424 min

Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation – Mergers, Acquisitions, and Antitrust

This episode is part of our "Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation" series, where we discuss trends in the consolidation and closures in higher education, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. To kick-off this series, we focus on mergers and acquisitions, and antitrust considerations in the higher education industry. We explore obstacles that institutions face when considering consolidation, such as cultural and academic alignment, and regulatory approvals. We also discuss the impact of antitrust regulations, including changes to the Hart-Scott-Rodino filing requirements. Bill Rhodes, a partner and leader of Ballard Spahr's Education Industry Team, hosts the discussion. Bill is joined by Laura Giles, a partner in Ballard Spahr's Mergers and Acquisitions Group, and Liz Weissert, an associate in Ballard Spahr's Antitrust and Competition Group.

April 1, 2025Episode 313 min

An Introduction to Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation

This episode is an introduction of our new series "Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation," where we will discuss trends in the consolidation and closures in higher education, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. In today's episode, we focus on key factors driving these trends, including declines in demographic and enrollment, and the outline the challenges institutions face in making difficult strategic decisions due to competing interests of various constituencies. Bill Rhodes, a partner and leader of Ballard Spahr's Education Industry Team, and Laura Giles, a partner in Ballard Spahr's Mergers and Acquisitions Group, host the discussion.