Emergence of the ‘dependent contractor’
Op/EdsA recent decision by the state Division of Labor Standards Enforcement has greatly shaken the California business community. The ruling found that an Uber driver is an “employee” and not an “independent contractor” as the entire industry had previously presumed. Although this decision only pertains to that specific case, it could end up changing the Read More →
Personal finance really family finance
Op/Eds, OpinionPersonal finance has always been a family affair that involves the interests of children, parents and other relatives. Currently, many trends exacerbate situations where relatives’ assistance is needed, which makes family situations increasingly challenging and difficult to plan for. First, expanded life expectancy brings expanded financial challenges. A longer life does not only imply greater Read More →
Smart innovation key to business success
Op/EdsSmart business leaders know that there is an important distinction between risk taking and intelligent risk taking. It is the former that may make the headlines, but it is the latter that often leads to the greatest rewards. There is an increasing awareness within the business community of the world of difference between innovation and Read More →
Proposed peaker plant in Oxnard bad idea because of flood vulnerability
Energy, Op/Eds, West Ventura CountyReliability is the key point emphasized in the Pacific Coast Business Times editorial July 17 (Oxnard peaker plant should be approved). During the CPUC evidentiary hearings held in May regarding the NRG proposal, the city of Oxnard provided proof based on state of the art scientific evidence that storm surge patterns and sea level rise Read More →
For cybersecurity, ignorance is not bliss
Columns, TechnologyWith all of the talk about hacking of big business and government, it’s time for small business owners to access their own vulnerabilities and design a plan of action. If they do not tackle this head on, small business owners risk the possibility of significant financial loss, litigation or even business failure. Ignorance is not Read More →
Refugio oil spill shows companies haven’t learned lesson after 46 years
Columns, EnergyWhy does our collective memory seem so short? The gorgeous coast where we live and work was despoiled by a massive oil spill 46 years ago and we vowed never to let it happen again. That was in 1969, when a Union Oil Co. platform six miles off the Santa Barbara County coast suffered a Read More →
