Requests for proposals overlook value of face-to-face communication
I’ve been in business for more than 30 years and in that time I’ve hired quite a few people. But in all that time, not once, did I hire a person based strictly on their resume and certainly I’ve never hired anyone without having met them first. In every instance, I felt it was important, Read More →
Ojai company leads way to reliable, clean energy
By Jan Dietrick The Feb. 10 article in the Pacific Coast Business Times, “Power to the people: SimpliPhi to double production at Ojai battery storage plant,” about how the Ojai company is positioning itself for growth, can be viewed through the lens of current trends in energy policy. Policy-makers in California and Washington, D.C., should Read More →
Profits should not be considered a dirty word
By Lee Schuh My wife and I recently overheard a boisterous group of 20-something women bemoan the evils of profit while we ate an early dinner at our favorite restaurant. They blamed their poor-paying jobs on those who get the profits. They complained that these profit-takers are the only ones benefiting in this society. The Read More →
Estate tax changes threaten small businesses
Jim Lisi By Jim Lisi In addition to the disproportionate effect of the estate tax on family farms highlighted by Business Times staff writer Marissa Nall, other estate tax issues are also lurking. In December, the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service held hearings on proposed regulation changes to Section 2704 of the tax code. The Read More →
Organizational politics key to results
By Bruce Gillies Organizational politics have a bad reputation. As a leadership coach, I’ve heard many employees describe them as an impediment to getting things done. For some, the joy of receiving a promotion is tempered by the fear of getting pulled into workplace politics. In reality, organizational politics are a powerful, and almost always Read More →
Globalization vs. isolation for American business
By Gil Cisneros The Chamber of the Americas participants have been in an ongoing conversation about the future of international trade and business, especially as it relates to the Western Hemisphere, an area that has been largely neglected as our country attempts to reestablish its economic footing after the Great Recession and engages in a Read More →
Public relations perspective helps boards of directors be successful
By Ross K. Goldberg Boards of directors are a curious lot. Some are comprised of investors who administer with short-term vision, accountable to shareholders’ quarterly earnings. Some serve in strictly an advisory capacity to a parent company that retains ultimate power. Some organizations have boards comprised of publicly elected officials who govern in accordance with Read More →
