Recent Articles
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Is hog hunting ammo merely a gimmick?
John McAdams Recreation & LeisureOver the past few years, gun and ammunition manufacturers have attempted to capitalize on the growing hog problem in the United States by selling products designed and marketed specifically for hunting hogs. Now, there's nothing wrong with that. After all, that's how capitalism works. However, the question remains: Is it necessary to use special hog hunting ammunition when you're afield after feral swine? Or are these types of ammo just a marketing gimmick?
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Business innovation: Visa urges small merchants to go cashless
Seth Sandronsky RetailVisa is calling on small restaurants, cafes and food truck owners in the U.S. to put dollar bills down and embrace digital payment technology. To sweeten that switch away from paper currency, the global credit card and payment giant is offering 50 domestic-based food service businesses up to $10,000 each to commit to going entirely cashless.
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3 potential problems with a diverse workforce
Simma Lieberman Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementA culturally diverse workforce can be more creative and innovative than a homogeneous workforce. However, it's not automatic. Just having a bunch of people from different races, cultures, ages, etc., does not automatically result in innovation and love and happiness in the organization.
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Remodeling activity increases as home equity grows
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesRemodelers are riding the rising tide of home values. According to recent industry polls, home improvement and remodeling professionals in all sectors, as a group, experienced increased business in the second quarter, compared to the first, and are seeing a higher number of inquiries than they did at the same time last year. Despite some challenges to meet demand, expectations for continued growth in the second half of the year remain strong.
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SWOTs suck — How can we improve them?
Robert C. Harris Association Management"SWOTs suck!" That's a direct quote from an association executive in a class discussing strategic planning. I may have agreed, probably smiled, but I would not have said it quite like that. SWOT is a euphemism for a process to analyze the environment affecting an organization. The acronym stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Its purpose is to examine the current situation of an organization by considering internal and external factors. An environmental scan supports better decision-making.
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A shift back to home: US exports are up
Delany Martinez ManufacturingIn addition to the raw materials that comprise the manufacturing process — plastic, metal, wood, and so on — there's an invisible ingredient that can be found on every assembly line if you know where to look: politics. From the restrictions that artificially drive up scarcity for some components to the freedoms that make others easily available, the decisions of the U.S. government have an outsized impact on manufacturing as a whole. Recent trade metrics highlight a move toward self-reliance, albeit at a pace that some would say rivals a particularly patriotic glacier.
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Help from above: Drones may one day save lives
Lynn Hetzler Medical & Allied HealthcareDrones are currently useful for capturing breathtaking pictures and video from the air, and in a variety of military capacities. As the capabilities and technology of drones expand, Amazon and other companies are looking into using these unmanned aerial vehicles to deliver packages.
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How smart people conquer anxiety
Gip Erskine Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementMany of us dislike engaging in conflict, having difficult conversations or tackling dreaded tasks. Yet there's no escaping these circumstances from time to time — either personally or professionally. On one occasion or another, situations will call for us to take action.
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How to support a visionary leader
Deborah Ike Religious CommunityHave you ever felt the tension of appreciating your pastor's vision while being frustrated by rapid-fire requests and changes in direction? You value his desire to reach people with the Gospel, make disciples and lead a thriving church. You want to support him in those efforts, but you're exhausted trying to keep the day-to-day stuff running smoothly and making his latest idea happen.
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Aviation industry divided over ATC privatization
Ryan Clark Transportation Technology & AutomotiveAt the end of June, the U.S. House and Senate moved two forms of FAA reauthorization legislation through committee and one step closer to votes on their respective floors. With the battle for air traffic control (ATC) privatization apparently coming to a head — possibly within days — GA groups are unifying and firmly standing in opposition.