New financial firm offers goal-based approach

Phil Castle, The Business Times Of all the metrics tracking investment performance, Alex Maurer considers one outcome more important than all the others: Do clients outlive their money or does their money outlast them? It’s part of a goal-based approach Maurer brings to investment and retirement planning as one of two managing partners of Avera […]

Company touts “future proof” fiber network

Phil Castle, The Business Times Stuart Howerter touts the benefits of a high-speed broadband network built to not only meet the needs of businesses now, but also accommodate whatever they might need for years to come. “It’s future proof,” said Howerter, vice president of business and market development for Unite Private Networks. The company installed […]

Business still makes the cut: Customer service remains in style after 50 years

Business still makes the cut: Customer service remains in style after 50 years

Phil Castle, The Business Times April Harrison has seen hairstyles come and go and come back again — from those feathered locks made famous by Farrah Fawcett in the 1970s to Jennifer Aniston’s quintessential 1990s layered look dubbed, simply, the Rachel. What hasn’t changed over that time, Harrison says, is the fun, friendly and professional […]

Apprenticeships develop careers and work force

Apprenticeships develop careers and work force

Phil Castle, The Business Times Will Jessop initially decided to participate in an apprenticeship program because he thought the experience would look good on a college admission application. What Jessop discovered over the course of the following two years was he enjoyed working on computer software at ProStar Geocorp in Grand Junction — and was […]

Competing protections raise workplace issues

Phil Castle, The Business Times Employers that set and enforce standards for professionalism in the workplace are better positioned to deal with conflicts between employees with protected statuses. “It just needs to be constantly reinforced,” said Melanie Daly, a staff attorney with the Employers Council. Daly was among the speakers scheduled to lead presentations as […]

Catering firm offers fare with a tasteful difference

Phil Castle, The Business Times Jacqueline and Jose Calvillo pay close attention to the ingredients that go into the food they prepare for their catering business. That includes fresh tomatoes and jalapenos and the roasted chilis used to make traditional New Mexico-style cuisine. “You can taste the difference,” Jose said. The couple operates Mesa Feliz […]

Pilots and climbers and jocks, oh my: What businesses can learn from overachievers

If nothing else, I’ve learned over the past 20 years successful entrepreneurs have a lot to teach business owners and managers. It’s why I remain hell-bent as editor of the Business Times to report stories about entrepreneurs, the needs they recognize in the marketplace and innovative ways they go about meeting those needs. For one […]