Energy industry slowdown illustrates need for diversity

One doesn’t have to look far to see the positive developments that have occurred in the Grand Valley in the aftermath of the energy boom. Since 2000, energy exploration and development have brought in extra dollars to build highway infrastructure, whole new retail developments and a housing boom that lasted until 2009 — not to […]

Make time now for a retirement reality check

Decades ago, there was a popular book titled “What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School.” Perhaps someday, another book will appear to detail certain aspects of the retirement experience that go unrecognized — the “fine print,” if you will. Here are some things that can be frequently overlooked: How will you save in […]

Does your business give people a good feeling?

With every transaction and interaction, a business gives its customers — and the team members who serve them — a good, neutral or bad feeling. The last two have no place in a thriving company, while the first is a necessary component to success. Surely you can recall those experiences as a consumer that left […]

Communication key to successful benefits enrollment

A recent study of employee benefits trends conducted by Metropolitan Life Insurance found that employees who understand their benefits packages are three times more likely to respond they’re highly satisfied with their current jobs and employers. So what is good employee communication? Most of the benefit communication offered by employers occurs during an employee’s initial […]

Employers face rising unemployment costs

If you’re a business owner and not dead, you undoubtedly noticed your cost of employment went up by a significant margin this year. There are good reasons for the increases. In 2009, the administration in Washington, D.C., extended the term of unemployment benefits from 26 to 99 weeks. This was obviously going to cost a […]

Develop a business strategy one step at a time

As the cottonwoods in my neighbor’s yard drift from green to yellow, fall winds push away the feel of our long, hot summer. This time of year brings reminders of change and signs of transition all around us. From a business standpoint, this a great time to reflect on the tremendous changes we’ve seen recently […]

Are you a boss, or are you leading your team?

Chances are, you’ve worked for a variety of different people in your life. Certainly, some clearly stand out in your mind as people you enjoyed working for, while others seemed to suck all the pleasure out of the experience. There’s probably no doubt about the type of person you’d rather work for, and why. There’s […]

Functional Fitness Training

Think of the activities and movements that you do every day.  These movements include things such as getting into and out of your car, reaching for an item on the top shelf at the grocery store, or bending down to pick up a child.  Most of time, we don’t even think about these movements . […]

Are you paying attention to the loyalty factor?

If you have been a business owner for any length of time, you know the tremendous benefits loyal team members bring to you and your customers. You also understand the detrimental effects the lack of loyalty can have on the success of your business. As the leader of your company, team member loyalty begins and […]

Consider capitalization rates when buying

Real Estate Investors for any form of income property should consider capitalization or cap rates when making purchase, finance and valuation decisions.     In general a cap rate can be defined as the ratio of the net operating income produced by an asset to the purchase price or value of that asset. For instance if […]