Marketing, innovation important but sales skills critical
By Jim Cathcart In a recent discussion at a business school in California, it was pointed out that the curriculum had plenty of marketing and entrepreneurship courses, plus even some innovation courses, but none on sales skills. The rationale was, “Sales gets covered in the other courses so there’s no need for a separate class.” Read More →
Profit not a dirty word for businesses
By Gary Wechter I must say I was outraged after reading Steven Mintz’ op-ed, “Minimum wage hike a moral issue,” in the April 8 issue. “Outraged” when at the end of the article I learn that Mintz is a professor in the Orfalea College of Business at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. I asked Read More →
Rush developed CSUCI into source of pride
Call him the Socrates of Camarillo. That’s the clever phrase used by Sage Publications CEO Blaze Simqu in tribute to outgoing CSU Channel Islands President Richard Rush. And while the line got a big laugh from the 900 people who attended Rush’s retirement dinner in Simi Valley on April 9, it is more than a Read More →
Knowing public policy good business
By Loredana Carson As we go about our daily life, laws are being made, bills are being sponsored, government officials are grappling with problems and politicians are building their careers on issues that are of great importance to the business community. Everyone should pay attention to these public policy matters, but business leaders need more Read More →
New adviser rules may bolster retirement plans
New rules for financial planners advising retirement plans and Health Savings Accounts could have an unexpected benefit for small businesses. The rules, from the U.S. Department of Labor, place new “fiduciary” responsibilities on financial advisers and consultants. They must pick the most economical plans – without regard to their own compensation — when advising clients. Read More →
Minimum wage hike a moral issue
By Steven Mintz California is frequently a bellwether state with respect to workplace ethics issues. Exhibit A is the recently adopted law that mandates a minimum wage of $15 by the end of 2022. Under a deal reached with state lawmakers on April 4, the state minimum wage will rise to $10.50 on Jan. 1, Read More →
Forcing workers to save may be key to retirement
Taxes and savings are much in the news these days. Baby boomers aren’t saving enough for retirement. Millennials will need $2 million portfolios in order to achieve a decent level of retirement income. Federal income taxes are too high – and don’t get us started about California. Old-fashioned pensions are largely gone from the private Read More →
