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Business groups react to national-emergency declaration for border wall
Seth Sandronsky Civil & GovernmentSixteen states, roughly one of three in the U.S., are suing to block President Trump's decision to bypass Congress and declare a national emergency to access billions of federal dollars to fund a southern border wall with Mexico. Where do business groups stand on this matter? Garrick Taylor is senior vice president of government relations and communications for the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "The decision is a bad one," according to him. "It sets a terrible precedent and it once again punts to the courts a matter that should be legislated and negotiated with the executive branch."
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Training is an investment, not a cost
Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementThe race to attract skilled labor is on. Productivity may be slowing but it is still moving in a positive direction, and new unemployment applications are still declining. And according to a recent analysis by The Economist, American manufacturing, particularly among "agile smaller firms using advanced techniques" may be expanding. While this tight labor market may look different than the one before the recession, one thing is consistent: the most challenging staffing shortage is in skilled labor. Because of this, organizations across industries must recognize that training is an investment, not a cost.
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The future of hotel designing
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesNo one knows what trends will shape hotel design a decade from now. One thing seems certain, though. Hotel interiors will interact with guests in new ways and offer environments that will cater not only to their desire for rest and relaxation but also to their overall health and well-being. They will do this by combining the latest technological innovations and biological science with centuries-old traditions of providing excellent service and guest care.
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Travel2020: Ski season 2019 sees peak snow, peak prices
Lark Gould Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementU.S. ski resorts are having a very good year. Snowpack in California's Sierra Nevada is now at 100 percent of where it should be and ski areas from the Pacific to the Atlantic are reporting a good season so far. So where should skiers go to catch dream-quality powder in 2019? It depends on their pocketbooks. A recent survey of average day rates at popular ski resorts around the country shows that Deer Valley in Park City, Utah, takes the summit for top prices.
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Amazon scraps plans for HQ2 in New York City
Michelle R. Matisons Civil & GovernmentAmazon, which reported $11.2 billion in profits last year while paying no federal taxes, pretty much does what it wants, doesn't it? Well, not quite. In November, when the company announced its expansion plans, known as HQ2, to include Long Island City in Queens, residents, community activists, and those taking on Amazon immediately mobilized opposition. In the end, local character and vehement opposition to corporate welfare won. Amazon announced last week that it was no longer considering New York City as the location for its grand headquarters expansion.
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Jakarta, Indonesia’s new airport could be built starting in 2021
Matt Falcus Transportation Technology & AutomotiveIndonesia is one of the nations in the Asia-Pacific region at the center of a growing demand for air travel, which is putting immense pressure on existing airport facilities. With the likes of Bangkok, Beijing and Kuala Lumpur looking at solutions to increase their capacities, Indonesia’s main airport operator, Angkasa Pura II, has revealed plans to build a brand-new airport for Jakarta. Construction could begin in 2021. The announcement naturally raised a few uncertainties over how the project will proceed. A lot of ground needs to be covered before work can commence.
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Getting ready for and managing an on-site visit by OSHA
D. Albert Brannen Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementEmployers subject to an on-site inspection by OSHA or one of the state agencies that regulate workplace safety and health should take preventive steps to prepare for such an inspection and have a plan for handling it and any follow-up that may be necessary. This article outlines best practices for getting ready for and managing such an inspection.
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Will someone leave the light on for us?
Linda Popky Facilities & GroundsPG&E, the largest utility in California, recently announced its CEO would be resigning as the company declares bankruptcy. The utility has been beset with liability claims from wildfires started or fed by defective or malfunctioning electrical equipment. PG&E is being held responsible for 17 major fires in 2017, and likely is at fault for at least part of the Camp Fire that killed nearly 90 people in Paradise, California, last fall. The current situation presents a conundrum for California utility regulators and legislators.
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Negotiating commercial leases: What’s in a name?
Dale Willerton and Jeff Grandfield RetailFor many commercial tenants, negotiating a good lease or lease renewal against an experienced agent or landlord can be a challenge. While an entrepreneur focuses on marketing and managing, savvy real estate agents and brokers are specialized salespeople. Their job is to sell tenants on leasing their location at the highest possible rental rate. Whether you are leasing a new location for the first time or negotiating a lease renewal for your business, here are two money-saving tips.
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Visiting the Grand Canyon during winter
Dave G. Houser Recreation & LeisureGrand Canyon National Park celebrates its centennial season this year, and the nation's second most popular national park is expected to draw a record number of visitors — a figure that could top 6.5 million. So, if you'd like to join the 100th birthday celebration for the majestic canyon's national park, we'd strongly suggest you beat the crowds with a winter visit. While the canyon's North Rim closes to the public during the winter, the South Rim remains open, and the park's scenic drives, viewpoints, trails, lodgings and RV campgrounds are delightfully uncongested.
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