State impact would be significant but TTIP not all it’s cracked up to be
If the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership is finalized, the free trade agreement would be unprecedented. It aims to reduce or eliminate trade barriers and harmonize standards and regulations in the United States and the European Union for the mutual economic gains of the partners. TTIP would create a free trade area representing nearly Read More →
Sientra, Citrix execs learning hard lessons
Two major employers on the Central Coast are learning in real time that technology management does matter. For breast implant maker Sientra, the management of its global logistics chain and global regulatory regime appears to have gotten badly off track. Tiny particles that U.S. regulators deemed not harmful caught the eye of European regulators, who Read More →
Employers must find ways to plug national talent drain
The talent challenge — finding, engaging and keeping qualified employees for skilled positions — remains the No. 1 priority for U.S. employers, according to a recent Harris Poll. Problems in this area can cause organizations to miss market opportunities, delay or cancel key strategic initiatives and fail to meet growth goals and innovate effectively. There Read More →
Corporate social responsibility on hold when it comes to outrageous drug prices
Imagine you just went to your local pharmacy and were told that the cost of a life-saving drug was $22,500 for 30 tablets to treat AIDS or another infectious disease. Well, if you need the drug Daraprim, that is what you would have to pay. Turing Pharmaceuticals purchased the right to Darprim this past August Read More →
California needs reforms to create stable future
Now that California is back, maybe it’s time to think big. That’s the theme of a talk that economist Chris Thornberg has been giving up and down the coast. The founding partner of Beacon Economics gave the latest version of his remarks at the Central Coast Economic Forecast in San Luis Obispo on Nov. 6. Read More →
Crowdfunding great alternative to bank loan
The concept of “crowdfunding” was conceived in 2003 and has been gaining traction ever since. Essentially, it is an alternative way for companies and start-ups to raise money without going to a traditional bank. Money is raised through an Internet platform which allows companies, startups, entrepreneurs and various projects to seek monetary contributions from a Read More →
