October - Chicago Business Barometer™
The Chicago Business Barometer™ progressed 3.2 points to 43.8 in October. The index is now back above the 2025 average of 43.1. However, the index has remained below 50 for twenty-three consecutive months.
The increase was mainly driven by a rebound in New Orders, alongside rises in Production and Order Backlogs. All Business Activity subcomponents increased in October.
October special question asked: "With the revival of 100% bonus depreciation under the Accelerated Depreciation Policy, how is your organization planning to respond to this opportunity for immediate expensing of qualifying capital investments?" The top two answers 42.9% responded "We will evaluate our capital expenditure strategy but do not anticipate major changes at this time." and "We are still analyzing the policy's impact and will decide once we understand the full financial and tax implications." See report for full details.
Released October 31, 2025.
3 Leadership Lessons From Surfing
Standing on a moving board in the ocean isn’t easy, and neither is leading other humans.
Surfers can't control the ocean, but can learn to read and ride its waves, which mirrors a skill leaders must learn about their business as well, writes Steven Gonzalez, the president & CEO of HealthView Home Health and Hospice & Palliative Care, who notes that waiting for perfect conditions leads to missed opportunities, especially in fast-moving areas like AI. "The goal is not to surf faster, but to stay on the wave longer, guiding others with clarity and purpose," Gonzalez writes.
Full Story: INC. (10/28)
Friend or Foe? Artificial intelligence (AI) and negotiation
A New Kind of Negotiation Partner: AI at the Table
For years, procurement professionals have focused on one core challenge: how to negotiate deals that create more value for both sides. Now, that landscape is shifting fast — thanks to artificial intelligence.
Recent research explored one of the first real-world tests of how generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, influence negotiation strategies and results. The findings were eye-opening — not only in the outcomes achieved, but also in how negotiators approached discussions, shared information, and built value.
The studies, detailed in Friend or Foe? Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Negotiation, show that AI isn’t just another tool — it’s a new type of negotiation partner that’s reshaping how buyers and suppliers engage.
For procurement leaders, the takeaway is clear: as AI enters the negotiation process, understanding how to leverage it effectively — or negotiate against it — will be a critical skill in the next evolution of strategic sourcing and supplier management.
Full Story: AALBORG University, Published in International Journal of Commerce and Contracting (10/2025)
