Embracing sustainability worth time, effort
By Valeria Makarova Conversations about the role of sustainability in a business organization can become heated. There are many supporters, but a number of skeptics as well. There is no argument that excessive use of hazardous materials, waste generated from production and consumption, and polluted land, air and ocean require proper attention and better management. Read More →
Financial advisers face higher bar
By Jim Wisdom Privately-held employers are already held personally liable for not meeting their fiduciary responsibilities regarding their company-sponsored 401(k) retirement plans. On April 1, 2017, this fiduciary responsibility will also be applied to financial advisers of 401(k)s and IRAs with the Department of Labor’s new fiduciary rule. This new rule will require financial advisers Read More →
Hill: Planning for a post-Diablo Canyon future
By Adam Hill As the news of the deal that will close Diablo Canyon continues to reverberate through our community, it’s critical that we begin to plan now for our post-Diablo future. We simply can’t afford to be apathetic or to behave like a broken-hearted lover bemoaning co-dependency. This is perhaps the best test yet Read More →
Sohn: Brexit will drag down global economy
By Sung Won Sohn The global financial tsunami has begun. The United Kingdom’s vote to split from the European Union marks the first divorce in EU history, so there is no precedent to estimate the magnitude of economic pain in store for the U.K., the EU or the rest of the world. Most likely it Read More →
Businesses must function autonomously
By Linda-Marie Sundstrom In 2015, point-of-sale computers at Starbucks went down — resulting in outages at 8,000 stores in the United States and Canada. Baristas were unable to accept payment for drinks so they either gave the product away or closed their stores. They couldn’t function autonomously. During disasters, businesses can find themselves without power, Read More →
Eich: Dedication to customers key to success
By Ritch Eich The Apple Farm in San Luis Obispo stuck with me after my last visit, and it wasn’t just the lovely antique furnishings or cozy country décor. The service and overall hospitality were second-to-none, leading me to correspond with several key staffers in an effort to learn how the Apple Farm achieves its Read More →
Policy normalization must continue
By Dan E. Hamilton Since 2008, the Federal Reserve has been engaged in an unprecedented experiment, one without any economic theory to recommend it. Its policies are internally inconsistent. Some work to restrict credit. Others ease credit. The 2007 failure of New Century Financial, a leading subprime lender, did not derail the economy. However, when Read More →
