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 The banking industry has a long and interesting history in the Silver State. Nevada, which began as a mining state has grown into what had been one of the fastest growing states in the country.  The state’s colorful past includes a rich history of mining, gaming and support services.  The Nevada Bankers Association (NBA) is a big part of that history.  The association was … [Read more...] about Nevada Bankers Association: Strength In Numbers

Do you see the advantages? Business executives throughout Nevada have been forced to rethink the way they do business and re-evaluate all aspects of their business plans.  With the most challenging economy in recent history, smart business leaders are finding ways to take advantage of opportunities unique to this market. These opportunities include such things as reduced … [Read more...] about Winning in Today’s Market: Engaging Your Senses

With 400,000 of their patented Oxygenics showerheads shipped annually to customers around the world, owners of ETL (originally named Energy Technology Laboratories) say their business is thriving despite the economic recession. For 20 years the small technology company has identified niche markets and produced products to enhance personal lifestyles. However, when faced with … [Read more...] about Economic Development: The Silver State Gets Strategic

Individuals at all levels of higher education, career experience and even those in search of employment can benefit from executive education or a Master of Business Administration (MBA).  This important next step in a business person’s growth can benefit them in both the long and short-term. Today’s economic climate has affected executive education as many see the opportunity … [Read more...] about Executive Education & MBA Programs: It’s Never too Late to Learn Something New

Nevadans are accustomed to balanced budgets.  Indeed, they are required by the Nevada Constitution.  And while the Governor and Legislature balanced the 2009-2011 budget, they did so with over $1.5 billion in one-time revenues and taxes that will sunset.  The next Legislature could face having to require new or increased tax revenues to maintain the status quo in spending … [Read more...] about Trouble Brewing: Nevada’s 2011-2013 Budget Doesn’t Add Up

Many small and mid-sized business owners believe that their accountant, or accounting software, tells them everything they need to know about their financials. Not true. Accounting tells how much profit was made. However, what a business owner really needs to know is how much profit they should have made. How is that accomplished? The answer is to consistently measure business … [Read more...] about Is Your Company Leaking Cash?

The current form of Chapter 11 bankruptcy has been law in the United States since 1978.  From a large business like a manufacturing company to a small business like a restaurant, Chapter 11 bankruptcy can provide effective tools for all stakeholders to fare better than they would have in state court or foreclosure.  Sometimes the benefits outweigh the unavoidable cost, delay … [Read more...] about Business Bankruptcy: A Last Resort

Is it possible to be anti-business but pro-jobs?  Imagine a small island with a community of people living on it.  This community and their economic system are based on the production of oranges.  The community has a democratically elected two party system of government that is full of leaders elected on the platform of protecting oranges and increasing their production. One … [Read more...] about Oranges Without the Trees!

There’s a saying in commercial real estate, “Retail follows rooftops,” meaning residential homes get developed and sold before retail services follow to support the new neighborhoods. It works the same whether the economic forecast is sunny or cloudy. When the new housing bubble broke and the feeding frenzy didn’t just abate but disappeared completely, residential … [Read more...] about Bank-Owned Properties: Opportunity In Adversity

“Building a strong economy is a collaborative effort of the public and private sectors, including all businesses and educational institutions.” Larry Mosley, Director for the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation “Nevada needs to refocus its view of education and secure top-down endorsement when it comes to advocating the importance of education,” … [Read more...] about Education: The Key to Nevada’s Future

As we prepare to close the book on 2009, we Nevadans find ourselves in a long, dark tunnel. Our unemployment rate is over 13 percent; only Michigan’s is worse. We have the highest deficits, and have experienced the greatest fall in personal income. Nevada’s foreclosure rates are the highest, and its homeowners the most under water. Moody’s Ratings calls Nevada’s recession the … [Read more...] about Economic Forecast 2010: Light at the End of the Tunnel?

Has the constant drumbeat of negative talk about the dismal state of the national and world economy made you fearful about coming to terms with your own state of affairs? Without a doubt, navigating these tricky waters takes a bit of doing now, especially when you may be contemplating retirement. For sure, retirement is a place without clear borders, although 83 percent of … [Read more...] about Exit Strategy: When You’re Ready to Retire

Whether a person works in an office, hospital or on a construction site, back pain can have a major impact on their career. Knowing the true source of back pain will ensure support through all of life’s heavy lifting. There are four main causes of back pain at work: staying still too long, repetitive movements, heavy lifting and fatigue. 1. Prolonged sitting or standing … [Read more...] about Back Pain at Work: Making Small Changes Can Have a Lifetime of Payoff

Any business that has creditor relationships with customers will be faced with the burden to implement an identity theft prevention program or face a $3,500 fine from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).  According to the FTC’s Red Flags Rule, which was originally to go into effect Nov. 1, but has been postponed until June 1, 2010, businesses must have a written identity theft … [Read more...] about FTC’s Identity Theft Policy “Red Flag Rules” Will Catch Businesses Off Guard

In an unpredictable economy, when a company’s revenue chart can closely resemble that of a roller coaster, most businesses are focused on efficient practices and establishing strong customer relationships. Other tasks, like protecting proprietary business data, are often neglected, but should remain top priorities. Threats to data are usually placed in one of two categories: … [Read more...] about Safeguarding Your Work in a Not-So-Safe Environment: Focusing on the fundamentals can help keep your business data where it belongs – with your business