Recent Articles
-
Making the hard choices in leadership
Betty Boyd Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementLeadership is difficult, but you were chosen because you know how to get things done. However, there will be tough choices to make and these times will not be glamorous or liked. Here are some of those hard choices that all leaders will make.
-
Soda company sponsorships impede obesity epidemic cures
Dr. Diane Carson Food & BeverageThe American Journal of Preventive Medicine recently published a troubling article regarding the sponsorship of national health organizations by two major soda companies. According to the article, many health organizations — including ones run by the federal government — accepted sponsorship money from the Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo or both between 2011 and 2015.
-
Marijuana laws increase chance of dangerous mold in homes
Dr. Denise A. Valenti Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityHomes are not designed to be used as grow operations for any plants. The result of growing an excess amount of vegetation inside private homes is damage to the walls and other structures with the potential for unhealthy mold.
-
Business buzzwords: News media trending to ignore margin of error
Paul Zukowski CommunicationsSome buzzwords don't really bother me until someone points them out. That's certainly the case with "trending." At first it seemed innocent enough, just adding an "-ing" to "trend" — the kind of thing we see in a sentence like, "The market is trending downward." But then I noticed another usage, where something is said to be trending, not up or down, just showing up a lot as if it were a new fashion trend, i.e. "Bermuda shorts are trending this week."
-
More pod hotels on the horizon
Bambi Majumdar Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementIs there a real threat to Airbnb now? Could be. It seems more pod hotels are popping up across the globe, with New York and London joining the bandwagon. Pod hotels, if you have never heard of the term before, are inexpensive hotel rooms that are quite tiny in size — hence the term pod. They take up less space, use fewer resources and cost way less than a regular hotel.
-
Cold weather pest control: The icy reality of winter infestation
Doug Haymore Facilities & GroundsDuring the winter season, humans are not the only ones affected by the cold weather. The pests outside your facility are also feeling the nip in the air. Like many others, you may have thought these critters die off when the cold weather comes around. However, pests can survive throughout the season and make their way into your facility. Insects like earwigs, carpenter ants and oriental cockroaches will look for moist, warm areas with a food supply as it gets cold out.
-
It’s time to get back to basics under a Trump presidency
D. Albert Brannen Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementDonald Trump will soon be our 45th president. A lot of uncertainty is swirling around what changes his administration may bring in the world of labor and employment law. As discussed last month, we expect to see changes in a wide range of areas, including judicial appointments, immigration, wages and hours, labor relations and more.
-
Why I’m now a 1911 guy
Joshua Fry Law Enforcement, Defense & Security"I'm not a 1911 guy." This is a phrase I have uttered at least 100 times whenever someone asks me if I'm a user of the famous John Moses Browning pistol. As a law enforcement officer, I have been carrying a Glock for almost the entire run of my 12-year career with the federal government. I love Glocks for their simplicity and their seemingly imperviousness to the worst abuse law enforcement can throw at them. I don't have to worry about thumbing down a safety or making sure my grip engages the second safety (how many safeties does one gun need actually?).
-
Your strategic plan needs a champion
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementThe board wrapped up its retreat, drafted a strategic plan and intended to officially adopt it at the next meeting. That's often where plans die. Upon adjournment of the retreat, busy schedules take over. The plan is shelved or filed. The saying "out of sight, out of mind" applies.
-
Interior designers should be meaningful about their marketing
Fred Berns Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesSo, you say you'll market your interior design business more in the year ahead? Why? Marketing is meaningless unless you have a specific reason in mind. Too many design professionals don't. Sure, they have a vague notion that they should promote themselves though social media and other channels as a way to "get more recognition." Right idea. Wrong reason.