The economic downturn in 2007 left both residential and commercial developers and builders in the Silver State scrambling for work. Many were forced to downsize their staffs, and some even closed their doors. “Since 2008, the development business has been a fraction of what it was,” said Doug Kiersey, president of Dermody Properties, a Reno-based industrial … [Read more...] about The Survivors: Builders and Developers in Nevada
Gaming: Betting on a Comeback
Nevada’s gaming industry today continues to recover, with some regions faring better than others. “Both Southern and Northern Nevada markets are struggling right now,” said John Farahi, CEO of Monarch Casino & Resort Inc., which owns Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, in Reno. State gaming revenue has been picking up slowly since it took about a $2.4 billion hit when the … [Read more...] about Gaming: Betting on a Comeback
Branding: Managing and Defining Your Company’s Image
Every Nevada company, whether a one-man operation or a large corporation, has a brand. The difference is some businesses have defined and continually reinforce theirs whereas others haven’t and don’t. “You’re brand is a living, breathing thing that you work on every day,” said Dave Kirvin, partner at Las Vegas-based Kirvin Doak Communications, which specializes in public … [Read more...] about Branding: Managing and Defining Your Company’s Image
What is Paper? Nevada Embraces Technology and the People that Create It
Remember when businesses relied on rotary phones, typewriters and snail mail, when sales were done face to face and clients paid by cash or check? Today’s essential work tools are a cellphone, laptop or tablet and the Internet. We have e-mail, videoconferencing, telecommuting, e-tail, PayPal, apps and so much more. “There are so many technologies to choose from,” said Dave … [Read more...] about What is Paper? Nevada Embraces Technology and the People that Create It
Social Media: Get in the Game
Eight out of 10 U.S. companies use social media, according to data from eMarketer, a digital marketing researcher. Is yours one of them? “It’s necessary to have some type of social media presence. If you can dedicate some time to it, there’s going to be a return,” said Adam Carter, Web and social media manager at Bauserman Group, a Reno-based communications agency … [Read more...] about Social Media: Get in the Game
Financing: It’s a Jungle Out There
A year ago, Ed Brown said Nevada’s business financing picture in 2010 was the worst he’d seen in his 35 years of administering small business loans for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), describing it as “a bad time” and “depressing.” Minimal loans of any kind were being made. Funds were being pieced together from various sources. Some groups had no money to … [Read more...] about Financing: It’s a Jungle Out There
Nevada Engineers: The Long Haul
Nevada resident David Frohnen had worked eight years as a managing principal for a global engineering firm when it laid him off in 2010 to downsize. He then started his own engineering firm, Frohnen Consultants, specializing in engineering and business and financial management consulting. To supplement that, he took a job with Silver State Analytical Laboratories Inc., which … [Read more...] about Nevada Engineers: The Long Haul
Office Space: Embrace the Positivity
In its third year of being depressed, Nevada’s office space market continues to experience high vacancy rates, lease rates comparable to ones ten years ago, several distressed properties, no new construction and few sales. However, some activity is taking place, positive signs of a stabilizing market. In Southern Nevada, office space is “bottoming out, sluggish but also … [Read more...] about Office Space: Embrace the Positivity
Security at Work: How to Protect All of Your Company’s Assets
Embezzlement. Identity fraud. Data loss. Copyright infringement. Hacking. Robbery. These are only a sampling of potential threats to a business—the list is long. “There are so many different opportunities for crooks to take advantage. Everything has changed from what it was 20 years ago,” said Joe Martin, Jr., chief executive officer and co-owner of Reno-based Martin-Ross … [Read more...] about Security at Work: How to Protect All of Your Company’s Assets
Employee Benefits: Companies Get Creative
The benefits afforded to employees today are far different from those offered earlier this decade when the economy was strong. Similarly, those that will be offered five years from now will vary from those being provided today. “From an employer’s perspective, fewer employers are excited about offering benefits and taking a wait-and-see attitude,” said Bill Rosado, president … [Read more...] about Employee Benefits: Companies Get Creative
Tourism: The Return to the Silver State
Tourism in the Silver State, which was hard hit during the peak of the recession, is improving, experts say. “I wouldn’t say it’s healthy, I wouldn’t say it’s recovered or robust. All of those would be an over-exaggeration,” said Jeremy Aguero, principal analyst with Applied Analysis, a Las Vegas-based consulting and advisory services company. As Nevada’s number one … [Read more...] about Tourism: The Return to the Silver State