Archive By Section - Business Columns
Janice France-Pettit: Six considerations when preparing for a loan
If you plan on purchasing a home or car, or paying for college, it is probable that at some point you may need to apply for a loan. Taking out a loan is a significant responsibility, so it's important to follow steps to prepare before applying for a loan, not only to help ensure that a lender will consider loaning money to you, but to make sure that the loan has a positive impact on your finances.
Signal Sales Beat - Dec. 11, 2012
MARIE The holiday season is in full swing and so are the many wonderful opportunities for entertainment. Many of our local churches are having concerts, snow days and a variety of other festive events for the whole family. Starting now, The Signal will be filled with ads for these events; so be sure to check out the paper every day so you don't miss something great. Our December 16th Faith section will have a special ...
Jerry Citarella: Beware of 2013 taxes
There are times in life, when we look at a situation and simply have to ask, "what happened?" Sometimes we were in control of those situations and sometimes we were not. In the "what happened" example that is quickly approaching us, I can't really identify whether we were in control of the situation or not. Either way however, we will all be affected. Many will be affected greatly and negatively.
Ken Keller: My List for the Holidays
This is the time of year when children of all ages create a list for Santa. These lists consist of "wants" and "nice to haves" but not always "what's really needed."
Erika Kauzlarich-Bird: Home equity sales highest in four years
A trend that Realtors first started noticing back in February was confirmed this October as home sales took off statewide, shooting up throughout the Santa Clarita Valley by 23.3 percent compared to a year ago.
Nancy Karas: Christmas cheer for careers
Whether you're job hunting or looking to advance your career, don't stay home this holiday season. Attend company parties and accept invitations from clients/vendors, community groups, associations and charities. All provide ideal opportunities for networking.
Jerry Citarella: Reflections of this year
As we approach the end of 2012, I thought it might be good to review. I was looking at some of my past columns and found some lines I either liked or thought were important. This year went fast, as they all seem to pass quickly lately. In case you missed my columns, here are some excerpts I'd like to share again.
Ken Keller: People fail without clear direction, so be specific
The day after Thanksgiving I visited the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. I stopped at one of the exhibits where Reagan was quoted as saying, "Trust but verify." At that moment I had a flashback to a meeting I participated in that took place about 20 years ago. A group of five managers were invited to the conference room to discuss how the organization could be more efficient, more productive and reduce costs. ...
Carl Kanowsky: Social media pages and employers: The new reality
George came in for an interview at Hard Bodies, a combo auto body repair/dance revue studio. Mary, head of human resources, checked out George's qualifications for both aspects of the job. In her own words, "He looked good."
Ken Keller: The choice is to improve or remove weak employees
Not long ago, I was given a list of books by someone who had spent his vacation reading about the acquisition and retention of top talent.
Janice France-Pettit: Establishing and maintaining your credit
Having a favorable credit score can be a useful financial tool. When you apply for a credit card, a mortgage or other loan, the lender will check your credit rating.
Erika Kauzlarich-Bird: Single-family home price hikes offset low interest rates
We have much to be thankful for here in the Santa Clarita Valley where, like elsewhere in California, rising resale prices benefit the one out of five homeowners statewide who owe more than the current resale value of their home.
Ken Keller: How to grow others in your organization
Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of interviewing a very nice, young man for a key opening at one of my clients. During our conversation, he said something that made me really think.
Joe Klocko: Entrepreneur, leader, strategist
If you are an entrepreneur, you realize that the vast majority of entrepreneur-led businesses have less than 200 employees.
Jerry Citarella: It’s nice to have answers
Making decisions is difficult, especially when you're not sure of the rules. When there are no answers to your questions, how can you possibly come to a conclusion? Sometimes you're forced down a path or must head in a particular direction without feeling totally confident. One thing I know for sure is being forced into these types of decisions typically doesn't feel good and often doesn't end well.
Articles by Section - Business Columns
Hey dude, where’s my revenue?
It is the middle of June, mid-year; and it is likely past time to take a hard look at those things that are standing in the way of increased revenue in 2013.
Keri Aaver: Where are all the potential employees?
magine two individuals standing back to back in the middle of a large crowd looking for each other. This is the current scenario of employer and jobseeker. They are closer than they realize but can't find each other. The distance between them is just a simple connection away. So, how can they connect? Networking and training.
The Company Without Consequences
In junior high I was late to school exactly once. Every student knew that if you were late to class you had the dreaded "seventh period." Sitting motionless, in total silence for an hour, on the day the infraction occurred, was the consequence for arriving late to class.
Janice France-Pettit: Funding a company’s philanthropic causes
You don't have to be a large, multi-national company to support a cause or charity, and many small business owners are finding that incorporating philanthropy strategically into their business plans can result in customer loyalty, happy employees and tax advantages.
Bob Khalsa: Santa Clarita Valley home sales and prices jump higher
After multiple years of gloomy to dismal news, it sure is fantastic to report that the local home resale market is taking giant strides forward.
Your employees and processes are the brand
I have had the pleasure of spending time with Rick McPartlin, the CEO of The Revenue Game. Rick gets companies focused on revenue growth and helps to get rid of what stands in the way of profitable sales.
Your employees and processes are the brand
I have had the pleasure of spending time with Rick McPartlin, the CEO of The Revenue Game. Rick gets companies focused on revenue growth and helps to get rid of what stands in the way of profitable sales.
Janice France-Pettit: Financial planning for small business growth
Owning a small business can be challenging at times, but the appeal of being your own boss and reaping the rewards of your creativity and hard work can be a powerful motivator to strike out on your own.
Peter Bellas: The Power of Collaboration
We all know that collaboration is a powerful tool. We know that synergies make the partner organizations capable of accomplishing more than the sum of our individual efforts.
Ken Keller: Looking for blame: try the mirror
When I first joined the company, I wasn't sure what to make of what I saw.
Bob Khalsa: Rising Home Sales Boost Economy
With the return of traditional homebuyers in ever-greater numbers, the powerful impact of an improved housing market on the local, state, and national economies is, quite frankly, palpable.
Ken Keller: Here are ten mistakes that business owners make
A former leader of a large Fortune 500 company was quoted in an interview that "People who do things make mistakes. The biggest mistake is doing nothing."
Ken Keller: Front line makes bottom line
Once a month, like clockwork, a gentleman comes to my house in the early morning and sprays for insects and bugs. We've spoken a few times and he always hands me his card, telling me to let him know if he needs to come back between visits. I think I have called him once in the last decade.
Bob Khalsa: Rising prices lift sinking homeowners
Local home resale prices last month hit the highest level in five years, with each leap up in prices rescuing legions of underwater owners, in effect, throwing them a life preserver and pulling them to dry land.
Ken Keller: Lessons learned in college apply to business
Thirty-six years ago this month I graduated from college. I didn't study a major that paid immediate dividends, meaning a job, and I wasn't ready for graduate school.
