'Would You Hire This Person Again?'

Yes, you should check references, and Jason Fried has a list of questions he likes to ask a supplied reference when trying to dig a little deeper.

Good Morning! And a big thank you to all who have joined the 21 Hats community by taking a paid subscription to the Morning Report. I am truly honored, and I am truly excited about where this will lead.

Meanwhile, here are today’s highlights:            

• The across-the-board surge in insurance rates is forcing business owners to make tough calls.

• Gene Marks finds a handful of businesses making productive use of AI.

• Younger workers may be losing their taste for “compliment sandwiches.”

• Even MBAs and Wall Streeters having been diving into blue-collar businesses, but that may be changing.