Guest commentary: The mixed blessing of large group meetings
By Gerhard Apfelthaler Do you ever feel that you spend too much time in meetings where nothing gets done? You are not alone. In a 2019 Harvard Business Review Article, it is estimated that every day about 55 million meetings are held in the United States alone. Considering that a typical number of meeting participants in the Read More →
Guest commentary: The myth surrounding the digital natives
By Gerhard Apfelthaler In recent years, millennials and GenZ-ers have often been referred to as “digital natives” — a whole generation of people who excel in their command of computers, iPhones, digital platforms, media, and tools. Indeed, in an era where smartphones are ubiquitous and social media platforms dominate daily interactions, it is easy to assume that today’s youth are inherently tech-savvy. Read More →
Guest commentary: Sky-high consumer confidence is not a good omen for stocks
By John Grace Consumer confidence is higher than ever, which is not good news for stocks. Higher consumer confidence is often a contrarian indicator. When consumers are as confident as they indicate today, “they may have already maxed out their discretionary expenditures like trading up homes, furnishings, and cars, etc.” says Harry Dent, an American Read More →
Guest commentary: With Ventura County budgets looming, nonprofits will play a more critical role
By Heidi Allison The County of Ventura recently announced its Fentanyl is Forever awareness campaign, releasing a series of pretty staggering stats related to the increase of Fentanyl found on our Ventura County streets. According to the county, there is five times the amount of Fentanyl found on the streets from just five years ago. Read More →
Guest commentary: Too much fruitcaking could lead to a terrible networking experience for all
By Gerhard Apfelthaler and Kelly Kimball The Christmas season is upon us, and with that the eternal challenge of selecting, giving, and receiving gifts. Some of you might remember — or still practice — the tradition of gifting fruitcakes. The Christmas tradition of gifting fruitcakes — dense cakes containing nuts, dried fruits, and spices — is a Read More →
Guest commentary: Don’t rush open enrollment
By Dr. Micah Dickey Are you spending 30 minutes or less choosing your healthcare plan? You might be missing out on significant savings and better coverage. Although the annual selection of a healthcare plan may seem daunting, it is imperative to reassess your coverage each year rather than automatically renewing your existing plan. Whether you Read More →
Guest commentary: Excessive regulations a threat to California’s family businesses
By Ken Monroe Family businesses are the backbone of California’s economy. From family farms to shops and restaurants to manufacturing companies, our businesses don’t just provide goods and services; we create jobs, support communities and carry on legacies built over generations. How important are family businesses to the state’s economy? Our state’s 1.4 million family businesses employ Read More →
