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 →
Our view: Amgen’s smart moves keep it poised to grow
From its perch in Thousand Oaks, Amgen continues to be one of the savvier companies in the biopharma space when it comes to navigating drug policy and drug pricing. It continues to win the battle to keep copycat biosimilars from eroding its core franchises while gaining approval for new drugs – the latest is for 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 →
Our view: Tariff on goods from Mexico would hurt avocado growers
The avocado was relegated to the ranks of niche agricultural products until some clever growers from Ventura County figured out how to grow, harvest and ship them into U.S. markets year round. By outsourcing operations to Mexico and Latin America, Calavo, Mission Produce and others extended the four-month growing season in California to 12 months Read More →
Our view: Chumash deserve chance to develop Camp 4 land
The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians took a big step toward self-sufficiency on Jan. 23 when the Bureau of Indian Affairs placed a prime Santa Ynez Valley property into a trust that clears the way for housing, vineyards and open space development. Technically known as Camp 4, the 1,390-acre property is scheduled for 143 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 →
