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Like a bad dream that never seems to end, the economic outlook for builders and developers continue to remain in a slump that challenges even the best of the state’s entrepreneurs. “The construction industry in Nevada is experiencing depression-like conditions with construction unemployment at 28 percent and rising,” said Kevin Burke, president and CEO of Burke & … [Read more...] about Builders & Developers: Retreat or Advance?

This new year will forever be characterized as the year that began in one of the worst economic recessions in history.  With that discouraging note, many executives are choosing to focus on the possibilities evident in the future rather than the downfalls we’ve seen in the past couple of years.  In the eighth annual Power Poll executives surveyed had a much more realistic view … [Read more...] about Power Poll 2010

Unemployment hit 13 percent in Nevada in January, the second highest after September’s 13.3 percent. It’s not a good time to be an employee in the state of Nevada. That said, it’s not such a great time to be an employer, either. Much of the focus of the collective public attention is on employees and the statistically significant number of people out of work or … [Read more...] about Nevada’s Workforce in Today’s Economy

Dear Members and Friends,     Today, Southern Nevada is essentially facing the same challenge it has faced for over a decade; access to quality healthcare. There are many reasons that Southern Nevada is a premier place to live and excellent healthcare services need to become one of those reasons.     At the Southern Nevada Medical Industry Coalition, we have been lucky to … [Read more...] about Southern Nevada Medical Industry Coalition: A Collaborative Effort to Improve Southern Nevada’s Health

Nevada faces a budget shortfall because its government, once again, grew too much, too quickly. However, now that the boom is over and revenues are down, the usual suspects are once again clamoring for a “broader tax base.” In 2008, Terry Lanni, then-CEO of MGM Mirage, called for “broader” business taxes, asserting that “every large business that benefits from operating in … [Read more...] about What Could Have Been: What if Nevada had shown some restraint in education spending?

By now, the majority of businesses will have their books and records together from 2009, and are ready to meet with a CPA.  Many of have already signed tax returns and are looking into the future, wondering what changes Congress might throw at small businesses as the recovery slowly moves along.  Change was the message of the last election and it is something everyone deals … [Read more...] about The Times They Are A-Changin’: Managing Business Change

The industrial real estate landscape in Nevada has turned upside down over the last 24 months, going from too little to, thanks to the turbulent economy, too much. The result has not been pleasant. Nor is the situation expected to reverse itself any time soon. Nevada “is definitely suffering” from the overage, according to Doug Roberts, Senior Vice President/Project … [Read more...] about Industrial Market: From Too Little to Too Much

According to economists, only Michigan has suffered worse from the Great Recession than Nevada. Nevada’s too-heavy reliance on gaming, sales tax and construction led us to this situation and economic development is on everyone’s mind. But how do you build, grow and sustain diverse types of businesses in a state with no money? No Silver From the State Part of what has, for … [Read more...] about Raising Capital: Cultivating the “Benjamin’s”

Non-paying customers. Delinquent accounts receivables. Bad debt. All are a bane to businesses. Chances are good that your company has experienced them already. If not, it likely will at some point, particularly with today’s economy. “In these economic times, many companies are strained financially as their clients do not pay invoices or bills in a timely manner,” said Kevin … [Read more...] about Collections: Getting Paid For Your Work

Remember when Tax and Spending Control (TASC), a proposed constitutional amendment intended to limit the growth in state spending to inflation plus population growth, was mocked and ridiculed? The aim of TASC and similar provisions in other states is to prevent significant increases in inflation-adjusted, per-capita government spending without voter approval. That goal would … [Read more...] about About that TASC Amendment: Tax and Spending Control could have averted fiscal crisis

1.  Be Aware Besides keeping an eye on financial statements, are there other ways a business owner can sense theft/fraud in his/her business? Business owners can cover their bases by requesting backup documents to accompany unsigned checks and unapproved expense reports. Further, they should keep in mind that the largest percentage of fraud is related to billing schemes … [Read more...] about How to Prevent & Detect Theft/Fraud in your Business

It’s been said there’s nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come.  Sometimes that idea can reshape an entire industry.  In technology, it’s been described as the “killer app” (application).  In retail and marketing industries, it’s called the “category killer.” In the legal profession, some consider the legal service plan, especially those tailored for the small … [Read more...] about Legal Service Plans: An Idea Whose “Need” Has Come

As we embark on a new year, many Nevadan businesses continue to be affected by the economic slump and are scrutinizing their business practices. Many business owners are taking heed and still extending a great amount of caution when considering new information technologies. In doing this, they may be jeopardizing customer relationship management, affecting processes and … [Read more...] about Information Technology Implementation & Strategy: It should still be on the top of the list during tough economic times

The historical policies of many politicians inconveniently create statutory and regulatory environments that clash with their current campaign promises and pledges.  In the name of environmentalism, these politicians passed anti-business laws, which now act as legal barriers to their current campaign promises.  At a young age most of us were taught the principle of how actions … [Read more...] about When today’s promises of green jobs meet yesterday’s policies of red tape.

Welcome to the future of building and developing.  It’s here, and it’s green, and for those people who thought it was going to be selective, or at least elective, it’s quickly becoming not only the norm, but the required. Which is just as well.  The idea that building green is building expensive is a myth, at least now.  Overall, LEED certified buildings make good sense and … [Read more...] about Growing Up Green: LEED Certification in Nevada