Alan Beaulieu, principal of ITR Economics, took us on a fast-paced, data-filled tour of the U.S. and global economy for FEI Kansas City?s annual economic update, co-sponsored with the Association for Corporate Growth. The ?macro? picture? Beaulieu says companies need to get past the worries of geopolitics and 24-hour news cycles. ?You have to get over the fear of the Great Recession and what caused it,? he says, noting the financial crisis came on seven years ago. He?s confident that expansion in the broad economy, while less rapid than might be desired, now provides ample runway for growth. Beaulieu recommends getting in shape to grow: investing in CapEx for growth projects, hiring the right people and improving processes.