Grand Junction conference to address HR issues

An upcoming conference in Grand Junction will cover a number of topics related to human resource management. The Western Colorado Human Resource Association has scheduled its fall conference for 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at Two Rivers Convention Center, 159 Main St. Admission to the full conference is $159 for WCHRA members, $179 […]

Limitations sharpen focus on what’s important

I recall that as a young man, I was always dealing with what I perceived as limitations imposed on me by myself or others. It seemed to me others were simply creating obstacles even as I thought I could do anything I wanted to. It took me a long time to gain an understanding and […]

Manage perceptions in the workplace

It’s been said that perception is reality. In the workplace, perceptions that aren’t managed become rumors, then gossip and then backbiting, which leads to destruction. Unmanaged perceptions become a reality that wasn’t intended. Since most people are uncomfortable providing direct feedback, we often don’t know how we’re perceived. That makes our reputation — how others […]

Small business optimism mired at recessionary level

A monthly measure of confidence among small business owners edged up for a second straight month, but continues to reflect conditions typical of an economy mired in recession. “The downturn may be officially over, but small business owners have, for the most part, seen no evidence of it,” said William Dunkelberg, chief economist for the […]

Mesa County budget cuts continue

Declining tax revenues have forced Mesa County officials to extend budget cuts for another year. The proposed 2011 budget comes in at 10.3 percent below the adopted 2010 budget, which in turn was 8.4 percent less than the 2009 budget. The proposed 2011 budget includes staffing reductions, a salary freeze, the closure of some county […]

SBA-backed lendig activity rebounds

Financing under loan programs backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration rebounded in the 2010 fiscal year under provisions of federal stimulus legislation that increased guarantee levels and waived fees. The SBA reported that a total of 54,833 loans worth a collective $22 billion were backed through its two primary lending programs during FY 2010, […]

Government payrolls down, private-sector payrolls up

U.S. payrolls shrank again in September as government layoffs more than offset private-sector hiring. According to the latest Labor Department estimates, nonfarm payrolls declined 95,000 as the U.S. unemployment rate remained unchanged at 9.6 percent. Initial estimates for job losses in July and August were revised upward to 66,000 and 57,000 respectively. After a surge […]