Most people assume they know what drives business decisions. The data, the market, the numbers. But behavioral science researchers will tell you something different — it's perception.

It's the story you tell yourself about your chances, your options, your worth. And that story has consequences.

That's the kind of question FAU's Behavioral Insights Lab was built to answer. This week we talked to the lab's director and one of its lead researchers about how the lab works, what they're finding, and why understanding the psychology behind business decisions matters a lot more than most people realize.

Recorded April 21.

Business.fau.edu

Recorded 4.10.26

South Florida's hospitality industry is booming, but with labor costs up, margins thinning, and operators being told AI is the answer, the question is where to actually start.
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Anil Bilgihan, professor of marketing and hospitality management at FAU's College of Business, to break down what AI is actually delivering for hotels and restaurants right now — and what it means for the workforce and the jobs most at risk.
If you're a South Florida operator who hasn't started thinking seriously about AI, this one's for you.

Business.fau.edu

For decades, Akhil Agrawal has been building companies, allocating capital, and making bets on founders. And every time he met the right one, he'd say the same thing: "this person's got it." But what is "it," exactly? Now five years into FAU's Executive PhD program, Akhil is researching the answer to that question. We talk about what brought a serial entrepreneur back to the classroom, the courses that changed the way he thinks about business, and the surprising direction his dissertation research is heading.

Recorded 3.2.26

Business.fau.edu

You've probably heard the term "K-shaped economy," but what does it actually mean, and why should business leaders care?

In this episode of Matters of Business, host Amber sits down with Dr. Bryan Cutsinger, faculty economist at Florida Atlantic University's College of Business, to unpack the forces driving economic divergence in the U.S. and what it means for businesses and consumers right here in South Florida.

If you're navigating today's fast-moving financial landscape, this is a conversation you don't want to miss.

Recorded 2.26.26

Business.fau.edu

A classroom capstone turned into a published case study, and real operational change for a budding South Florida construction company.
Florida Atlantic Executive MBA students and Dr. Tres Bishop walk through how Lean Six Sigma was used to diagnose process breakdowns, reduce cycle time, and reposition the business for more sustainable growth.
Listen for practical lessons that translate beyond construction, offering tools that entrepreneurs and professionals can use across industries.

Epiode Recorded January 29, 2026

Business.fau.edu

What happens when you bring deep academic research to the market's day-to-day realities for a real estate agent? This episode follows Dr. Trishanna Gifford, a real estate agent and owner of a construction company, who blended her extensive professional background with academic research in FAU's Executive Ph.D. programs.

Recorded November 7, 2025

Business.fau.edu

We sit down with Anna Agapova, finance professor at Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business, to unpack the world of ESG, Environmental, Social, and Governance. Whether you’re a business leader, investor, or simply curious about sustainable finance, this conversation will help you understand why ESG is shaping the future of business and how companies can build trust through transparency and storytelling.

Recorded September 2025

Business.fau.edu

Lean Six Sigma has helped manufacturers cut costs and boost efficiency for decades, but its real power lies in its adaptability.

In this episode, Dr. Tres Bishop shares how service industries like healthcare, education, and government can use these tools to solve big problems. We talk about the importance of leadership buy-in, the role of training, and how even small process changes can lead to major results.

Recorded September 12, 2025

https://business.fau.edu/newsroom/podcasts/matters-of-business/

Business.fau.edu