Competitive benefits packages remain essential for attracting and retaining quality employees, but continuing to offer benefits can be difficult with the rising cost of health care squeezing already tight budgets. Cutting benefits might seem like a necessary reality for some companies, but could pose serious long-term consequences. Retaining employees throughout these rocky economic times is […]
There’s a big difference between competition intelligence and being intelligent about competition. You should learn as much as possible about your competitors. But you don’t gain anything from expressing negative things about them — in writing or in person. Sure, you strive to be “better” than the rest. You want your customers and clients to […]
In my previous column, I outlined the problems that occur when people bring their personal baggage to work. I described how even top performers stumble when they’re unable to effectively manage personal issues and the effects these issues exert on customers, other team members, workplace culture and, ultimately, the business. In this column, let’s consider […]
After a snowy — at least by Grand Valley standards — winter, spring and proposed legislation are in the air. The Colorado Legislature has introduced numerous bills that could affect employers. Here’s a look at a few of the most significant measures. House Bill 23-1118 would have required predictive pay and scheduling by large retailers […]
Although the world population continues to grow, the pace has slowed in most developed countries. That’s raised concerns for economists, demographers and other social scientists. Some studies seek to determine if a population plateau is coming, followed by population aging and collapse. A population plateau occurs when the population remains constant without growth and the […]
As of December, the latest month for which estimates are available, the seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.1 percent in Mesa County. Why do unemployment rates matter? The ability to find employees presents one of the biggest obstacles limiting small business growth. When a business and its resources are stressed due to lack of […]
Some people believe a barrier separates their personal and professional lives. An honest and discerning look at your experiences and those of others you’ve worked with reveals this isn’t the case. It’s quite common, in fact, for people to carry their personal baggage through the front door of a business, unpack and spread the contents […]
Would your business benefit from outside advice? Do you sometimes wish you had help making difficult or confusing decisions? Have you considered seeking support from a group of professionals to help with these hard choices? If you’ve been thinking about outside counsel, your choice has likely come down to a board of advisors or board […]
Despite all the headlines about the effects of higher interest rates on real estate, the commercial market in Mesa County performed better than expected in 2022. Demand for retail lead the way. Notable sales in the fourth quarter included the Monument RV Park in Fruita for $6.4 million, the vacant building that previously housed the […]
Disclaimer: This column should not be construed in any shape or form as a statement or philosophy about marriage. Striking a balance between work and home is no easy task. But I’ll try a comical approach to drive a few points home, pun intended, as well as offer some suggestions. Lack of communication jumps to […]