Do professional issues hurt your personal life?

In my last column, I elaborated on several potential negative side effects associated with bringing personal baggage to work. I described how even long-term top performers can stumble and fall when they’re unable to effectively manage personal issues in the workplace. I also explored the domino effect these uncontrolled issues can have on fellow team […]

Who likes to bike? Observance peddles benefits of pedaling

Don’t miss your opportunity to experience the fun and freedom of using a bicycle for transportation and recreation. Grand Valley Bike Month in May offers a chance to ride to work, to school, and on errands. Bike month encourages bicycle riding as an alternative to driving. The observance offers activities for the entire family at […]

Merger and acquisition environment changing

The merger and acquisition (M&A) environment constitutes the end result of many decisions made by individuals and companies. In reviewing recent history, we can try to identify trends that will affect the market in the future. Since the 2008 downturn, companies have struggled to remain profitable, and there wasn’t much in the pipeline for the […]

Employers play a role in lowering health care costs

The high cost of employee health care benefits appears on most employers’ radar. In fact, roughly 32 percent of total compensation costs are allocated to employee benefits, according to the Society of Human Resource Management. Newspapers feature headlines similar to the ones that warn: “For 2018, expect steeper health plan premium increases” and “Jump in […]

Cap rates offer real estate valuation tool

Understanding capitalization rates and how to use them has become an important skill in fast-paced commercial real estate markets. Investors must know how to valuate a property quickly and accurately to take advantage of opportunities before they disappear. A capitalization rate, or cap rate, helps in making an informed decision. What is a cap rate? […]

Do personal issues sabotage your professional success?

Some like to believe a distinctive barrier separates our personal and professional lives. If you step back and take an honest look at your experiences and those of others you’ve worked with, that’s clearly not the case. It’s common, in fact, for people to lug their personal baggage through the front door of a business, […]

Fatal distraction: Cellphone use contributes to car crashes

I have a confession to make: I’ve used my cellphone while driving. Although I don’t text, I’ve engaged in conversations with and without a hands-free device. Perhaps you’re like me and have justified this behavior by thinking to yourself, “What harm can it do? I’ve got my eyes on the road. And hey — I’m […]

Do your customers enjoy a quality experience?

With every transaction and interaction, a business gives its customers a good, neutral or bad feeling. The last two have no place in a thriving company. The first is a necessary component to happiness and success. In all likelihood, you can recall some experiences as a consumer that left you with good, if not a […]