Uncategorized

Remember that story of the little Dutch boy who put his finger in the dike and saved his town from disaster? Great lesson. One person, knowing just where to apply the fix, can save everybody. For most of the last three decades, Carole Vilardo has been a grown-up Dutch lady protecting us from a flood of bad tax policies. Vilardo, longtime president of the Nevada Taxpayers … [Read more...] about New Tax Solutions? Let’s Get Back to Basics

One year ago, I shared with the Nevada Business Journal and its readers my thoughts about the importance of improved education to the future of Nevada’s economy. Today, education reform is a reality, and Nevada schools will see an additional $33 million in education funding from the federal government next year alone. During these challenging economic times, investing in … [Read more...] about Stimulating Our Economy: An Effort on Many Fronts

Nevada is changing its image in the technology world. While Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and other business professionals strive to create Nevada’s first-ever "technology sector," their vision may not be too far away from reality. Many technology professionals once employed at successful firms in other parts of the nation have found technology positions in those areas have … [Read more...] about Nevada Welcomes IT Consultants: Technology Experts Find a Home in Las Vegas

William W. Plise founded Las Vegas-based Plise Development & Construction (now PD&C LLC) in 1994. Plise’s expertise and experience in construction and business management continue to provide the leadership and knowledge that forms the foundation of the firm’s success. PD&C - established as a general construction, design/build and tenant improvement company - … [Read more...] about PD&C: Building Business in Southern Nevada

"Shameful and dishonest, tragic and appalling – the waste of our hard-earned tax dollars is the single most scandalous part of American politics." --Bill O’Reilly I’ve been reading a book I got for Christmas - The No Spin Zone, by Bill O’Reilly. It’s one of those books that’s full of facts you’d rather not read because they make you so darn mad. On the other hand, I … [Read more...] about Where Are Our Tax Dollars Going – And What’s That Flushing Sound?

Charity covers a multitude of sins, but it also reveals a multitude of virtues. --Mark Twain, 1907 One has only to open a newspaper or watch the evening news to see that Mark Twain is still correct. Even now, there is so much work to be done. America has been and always will be the land of opportunity, thanks in large part to American businesses. They have many great … [Read more...] about The Business as Benefactor: Helping the Community Provides Benefits

Real estate, diamonds and gold coins were once considered good investments. Today however, one of the most important business investments one can make is a professional wardrobe. Anne Yendrek, public relations manager for Neiman Marcus in Las Vegas calls it investment dressing. "Smart business professionals will spend a great deal of money on classic suits in timeless cuts and … [Read more...] about Investment Dressing for Today’s Business Professional

Big changes are brewing at the Fashion Show. But this won’t be the typical mall expansion, with "Here We Grow Again!" signs preceding the addition of a Dairy Queen to the food court. Plans are underway for redevelopment on a dramatic scale, the kind of top-to-bottom makeover that until now had only been undertaken by the megaresorts along the Las Vegas Strip. The $350 … [Read more...] about Nevada’s First Super-Regional Center: Rouse Transforms Fashion Show Mall

At this point, the race for Governor of Nevada couldn’t be more competitive. Candidates are jockeying for position, making moves and lining up support. There’s only one problem: the race these people are gearing up for won’t happen for four years. With the 2002 election for Nevada Governor all but over (barring a major development, Kenny Guinn will easily win re-election), … [Read more...] about A Close Race for Governor – But Not This Year

Luther Mack knows what hard work is all about. As a teenage ranchhand, he bucked hay and shoveled pig manure. He has worked as an auxiliary police officer and as an assistant manager in a department store. He has held positions in several government agencies, including the Nevada Department of Employment Security, the Department of Highways and the Small Business … [Read more...] about Big Mack: Hard Work Spells Success for Reno Businessman

Close behind the fear of heights and the fear of public speaking is the fear of the IRS. That phobia was fueled even more by Senate hearings a few years ago that uncovered case after case of unscrupulous behavior on the part of some IRS agents as they acted on incorrect information. Sadly, that fear of the IRS can keep people from taking the legal deductions that are rightfully … [Read more...] about How to Reduce Your Risk Of An IRS Audit

A power lunch is like boxing. You try to control the action, lead the conversation, dodge comments and perform a combination of skills. It requires timing, finesse, integrity and credibility. Make a wrong move and you can kiss the deal goodbye. You must control the meeting from the opening bell to the finish. What separates a business meal from a power lunch? Must a power … [Read more...] about Saved by the (Lunch) Bell: 10 Restaurants That Put The Power in Lunch

As the largest city in northeastern Nevada, often called Cowboy Country, Elko is a hub of western activity. Home to a wide variety of settlers — from mining executives to cowboy poets — Elko’s population has grown to nearly 30,000 residents (including those who have settled just over the summit in the bedroom community of Spring Creek). The gold mining boom of the late 1980s … [Read more...] about The Heart of Cowboy Country: Elko Offers Something for Everyone

The number of wireless broadband connections doubled last year as the popularity and need for wireless Internet among both small and large businesses expanded across the nation. Customer demand for broadband technology is strong despite the struggles of the economy and the failures of some prominent Internet service providers (ISPs). There are several clear reasons why a … [Read more...] about Broadband Wireless Offers Advantages for Business

With the downturn in the economy during 2001, it would be reasonable to expect that a fledgling high-tech state like Nevada might be down for the count, but high-tech in Nevada is alive and kicking into gear. In Southern Nevada, known throughout the world primarily for gaming, the word is out that the Las Vegas Valley is going high-tech. TBAN – the Technology Business Alliance … [Read more...] about TechnoNevada: A Look at High-Tech, North and South