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As hospital profits fall, outpatient pharmacies should help

Jason Poquette Pharmaceutical

The Wall Street Journal recently published a somber-sounding article sure to send shivers down the spines of hospital investors. It reported a margin decline to 8.1 percent last year, from 9.5 percent the year before. This is grim news for health systems which are already struggling to maintain their market share amid growing competition from clinics and outpatient services. Since this week is National Hospital Week, and I care deeply about the services and financial stability of the hospital systems in our country, I wanted to share some thoughts from the perspective of a pharmacist.

What to know about halal personal care products and certifications

Cherie Buziak Retail

Ethical consumerism, along with the growing Muslim population, continues to push the boundaries of the appeal of halal certified beauty products. To better understand this untapped market, one would have to ask themselves, "What exactly does halal certified mean when it comes to personal care products?" Bringing clarity to this category was the New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists (NYSCC), who hosted an all-day event with qualified speakers on the topic.

Can Blockchain bring back trust to the food industry?

Bambi Majumdar Food & Beverage

Four food companies from Australia and New Zealand recently formed a consortium with online retail giant Alibaba. They have announced the launch of a new food-tracking system that uses Blockchain technology. Using the technology widely known from cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, the companies will offer improved supply-chain traceability and transparency. Blockchain’s immutable central ledger will help them build a trusted platform for cross-border trade. In the process, they stand to rebuild and enhance consumer confidence.

Urban design gone wrong: Lazy frontages

Lucy Wallwork Construction & Building Materials

With a generation of city planners brought up reading Jane Jacobs, another term you are likely to find peppering their documents today is "active frontages." However, walking in the shadow of blank walls in many of our cities today, it becomes clear that we are not always living up to Jacobs’ aspirations. Active frontages are designed to make a street more visually engaging. That does not necessarily mean the bohemian café-lined streets of Paris or Brooklyn but can be much more prosaic — it might be a handyman’s store, a gym or even a house frontage.

4 ways to help your staff cope with nasty customers

Anne Rose Retail

You’ve hired cheerful and flexible staff to interact with your customers. But even the most cheerful team member can get rattled, defensive, or angry when confronted by a belligerent customer. And yes, belligerent customers do exist. They are the people having a lousy day (or a lousy life) and feel better about themselves by berating and bullying others, especially those who aren’t in a position to fight back. So, what to do?

Spa client misconceptions that are hindering their results

Elizabeth Donat Retail

How we communicate and set expectations for our clients in the spa really matters. It's common in the spa and medical spa setting to find that clients may have several misconceptions about how to properly take care of their skin. If you are finding that your clients have any of these mistaken beliefs about their skin care regimen, then read my expert advice today.

Negotiating commercial leases: Cap your operating costs

Dale Willerton and Jeff Grandfield Retail

For 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.

Is a higher minimum wage worth job losses?

Seth Sandronsky Business Management, Services & Risk Management

While the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour has remained unchanged since 2009, 21 states have changed their minimum wage laws since January 2014, according to the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, 41 localities have adopted minimum wages above their state minimum wage.

Small businesses closely watching Supreme Court sales tax case

Shawn Smajstrla Retail

The Supreme Court has yet to rule on South Dakota v. Wayfair — a case that effectively determines how retailers collect sales tax on internet purchases — but most small business owners supporting the current policy probably felt good about the proceedings in Tuesday's oral arguments.

How will Chinese tariffs affect manufacturing?

Delany Martinez Manufacturing

It's often said that in war, there are no winners — and in trade wars, that axiom tends to ring particularly true. In an escalation that leaves manufacturers caught in an unenviable position, the administration's struggles with China are starting to lap at the edges of the loading dock.

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