Selfish is a word commonly used in a derisive manner. When Gordon Gekko says, “Greed is good,” we tend to not empathize with him and instead opt to scorn his “all for me” mentality. Furthermore, we have been counseled from an early age about the virtues of sharing and giving, albeit for some of us it was a forced lesson. But is this really the best lesson? There is a common … [More]
Standardized People Won’t Win America’s Future
Ever since the No Child Left Behind Act amped up standardized testing throughout the nation in 2002, critics say results have been negative. The bottom line is, there is no clear correlation between standardized testing and the knowledge and skills kids will need to prosper in the 21st-century world of work. It seems we’re more interested in creating a homogenized work force … [More]
Is it Time to Change Standards for Banking’s Assessment of Risk?
Banks are the underpinning of commerce. One of their key roles — if not the key role — is to intermediate financial risk among individual businesses and broad sectors. Health of the banks, as recent events have underscored, is of vital concern to those outside the banking industry as well as those in it. The Dodd-Frank Act has been variously touted or maligned as an answer … [More]
Women Are Changing the Face of Business
Women are making a powerful difference in business, in today’s economy and in family life. The adage that there is power in numbers definitely applies. The United States Census Bureau states that women currently outnumber men in the U.S. by six million. Their impact in the marketplace, therefore, must not be underestimated, and, with that incredible power in their hands, women … [More]
Hiring Military in the Civilian Work Force
They come into the work force with a strong goal and task orientation, bringing an ethic of hard work, discipline and the ability to lead a team. This, explains Mike Hadley, financial advisor talent acquisition recruiter for Edward Jones, is why his company actively seeks out returning military men and women. “Edward Jones puts the needs of the client first, and where else but … [More]
The Life, Death & Rebirth of America’s Global Leadership
One of the main challenges of the U.S. economy is mind-set. As trade borders become seamless and the world becomes more dependent on technology, U.S. companies and their executives must scramble to acquire the tools and skills necessary to survive and thrive in the increasingly competitive global market. The basic reason for our nation lagging behind and suffering from a … [More]
Seek and Defuse: How to Recognize Anger in the Workplace
Workplace violence in the U.S. is a persistent and dangerous problem. How bad is it? A statistic from the U.S. Department of Labor indicates that homicide is the fourth-leading cause of occupational injuries. And it is the leading cause of death for women in the workplace. But the real tragedy is, so many of these violent incidents could be avoided if employees and leaders … [More]
Online Sales Tax: Can Retail Make a Level Playing Field?
Online sales tax “is a different political issue now than it was 15 years ago,” says Kevin McCarthy, president of the Arizona Tax Research Association, a statewide taxpayer organization that represents Arizona individuals and businesses. Then, online sales tax was viewed as a hindrance that would cripple the Internet; now, it’s the center of a debate on what many view as a huge … [More]
Who Can Lead the Economy to Recovery?
It’s time we stop the cycle of complaining — politicians complaining about President Obama, Obama complaining about Congress and Congress complaining about taxes — when it comes to the stuttering economic recovery. The truth is, none of these people have that much to do with the growth of our economy. Tax and monetary policy can influence growth, but the onus is on business … [More]
