CFOs recognize value of diversity, inclusion
By Mark Riley Many middle market companies are considering ways to create a diverse and inclusive environment. But their employees aren’t the only ones to benefit. Companies are seeing the advantages of embracing the different ages, ethnicities, genders and education levels of their employees to create an inclusive, creative and collaborative workplace. Those currently entering Read More →
Our view: Minimum wage hikes are hurting workers
California appears to be headed toward a political showdown over the $15 per hour minimum wage law. A widening chorus of restaurant chains, individual eatery owners, small businesses, nonprofits and even municipal and county governments are joining the call for a rethink of the $15 per hour timetable. We editorialized in the June 23rd edition Read More →
Our view: Amazon’s bold bet will challenge tri-county farmers
It’s not immediately clear how disruptive the merger of Amazon and Whole Foods will be to the global food supply chain. So far, the e-commerce giant has wreaked havoc in asymmetric directions. It disrupted the chain store concept for book sales but strengthened local vendors and sparked a surge of interest in book buying. It Read More →
Days of ‘build it and they will come’ are over
By Sarah Fischbach In marketing, we often talk about product, price, place and promotion when it comes to the elements of the marketing mix used to help decision makers assess their product against the competition for a successful launch in the marketplace. One of the areas of the marketing mix that has been experiencing a Read More →
Our view: Reliable electricity a must for Highway 101 corridor
Southern California Edison work crews have been tearing up streets in and around Santa Barbara, finally delivering on a promise to provide more stable electric power to part of the region that’s been ignored for decades. The disruptions and occasional power outages — at the Business Times’s offices on Carrillo Street they always happen on Read More →
Women deserving of more respect in the workplace
By Ritch Eich In April, the Pacific Coast Business Times featured an article that focused on why women don’t attain more leadership positions. While I agree wholeheartedly with most everything in the article, as someone who has spent a lifetime working with, and for, strong women, I want to provide another perspective. Robert Mueller, a Read More →
Confidence key to successful negotiations
By Judith Richards Why are employees leaving unclaimed value on the bargaining table? How can individuals increase the likelihood of achieving their negotiation goals? Negotiation skills in the workplace play an essential role in facilitating the sales process, resolving conflict and ensuring career success. Unfortunately, the majority of employees have not been exposed to formalized Read More →
