Archive By Section - Business Columns
Jerry Citarella: Women in the workplace
There has been a good amount of time spent at the Presidential debates on the topic of women and the workplace. I'm not going to turn this article into a political debate, but I do think that it's worth looking into the facts regarding women, the workplace and retirement.
Ken Keller: It’s time to start capturing value
I had the pleasure of spending three days recently in an Executive Education course. One of the first concepts covered was that the role of leadership in the organization is not only the obligation to create value, but to capture it.
Janice France-Pettit: Saving for higher education in today’s economy
Saving for a college education is an investment for the future, whether it is for your child, your spouse or yourself.
John Milburn: Utilizing state-funded training
In order to keep California's businesses competitive with out-of-state and international companies, the state provides several sources of funding to help support a trained workforce. One such source is the Employment Training Panel.
Signal Sales Beat- October 16, 2012
Marie mcooper@the-signal.com 661-287-5548 I can't believe the holiday season is upon us already; with decorations changing in the stores almost overnight. There are many things to do during this time of year. Every week we have the Connect SCV magazine that comes out and has great articles, fun anecdotes and local and out of town calendars of upcoming events. The season is starting now with the Harvest/Halloween events. Lombardi Ranch is offering a fun family ...
Jerry Citarella: The danger of chasing returns
Something amazing happens on a regular basis. I understand why it happens, but in reality it can be devastating. Most people would say it sounds like a bad idea, but two major factors make this event happen over and over.
Ken Keller: The seven levels of leadership
In Jim Collin's bestselling book "From Good to Great" he writes of five levels of leadership; I believe that there are seven levels of leadership, described below.
Carl Kanowsky: Gas prices gouging state
In the past year or so of writing this column, the editorial staff at The Mighty Signal have on occasion slashed some of the product of my pen (actually, it's a computer). Their rationale was sometimes I went into territory "unfit for a family paper."
Ken Keller: Entitlement and enabling; Who is at fault?
I met with Ted to discuss his career options. Ted has been employed by his company for a number of years.
Ken Keller: Building confidence in your sales team key
I recently reread the book "Moneyball" so I could gain better insight into the background story, the thinking and the performance of the characters in the movie of the same name.
Carl Kanowsky: Garlic by any other name would still stink
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
Despite tight inventory, August home sales rise
I'm happy to note that existing home sales continued to improve in August nationwide and throughout California while the national median price rose on a year-over-year basis for the sixth consecutive month.
Jerry Citarella: Time to take a reality check and inventory
Do you remember when we were younger and we watched cartoons? People reading this likely remember Saturday morning cartoons. That was when we would sit down and get our fix for the week.
Ken Keller: How to take customer service to the next level
I believe that Disneyland has it right when it comes to fulfilling its goal to be "the happiest place on Earth." In the many times I have been there, I have not been disappointed at the experience. This is a key reason I keep returning, despite rising ticket prices.
Running a restaurant presents a challenging recipe for owners
You have to wonder, do folks who own restaurants feel like they have a target on their back? I'll explain.
Articles by Section - Business Columns
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.
Ken Keller: Permission to argue is granted
Peggy Noonan wrote a column in the Wall Street Journal on April 20 about her attendance at Margaret Thatcher's London funeral service. She commented that Mrs. Thatcher was often frustrated with her staff. Thatcher once said to her aides, "I don't need to be told what, I need to be told how."
Bob Khalsa: Statewide median home price at five-year high
Heated market conditions fueled by a tight inventory and strong sales in higher-cost coastal regions drove California's median home price in March to its highest level since May 2008. Local prices, right here in the Santa Clarita Valley are headed higher, too.
Ken Keller: How one company turned it around
This week I'd like to introduce a company in a far different place compared to just a year ago. The organization has gone from despair to celebrating success. At the end of the first quarter of 2013, the owner said his company had "…Increased sales, reduced costs and improved our overall financial position in terms of positive cash flow and profitability, as well as reduced debt."
Steven Tannehill: What do businesses want, anyway?
This is part two of a two-part column.
Bob Khalsa: Feds ease loan modification rules
Some homeowners who are still struggling to avoid foreclosure may soon benefit from streamlined rules that offer an easy way to lower monthly payments and modify their mortgage without requiring financial or hardship documentation.
Ken Keller: Here are the vitamins a leader must distribute
Looking back on those individuals who were my bosses, a clear distinction comes to mind.
Holly Schroeder: New homes benefit more than just buyers and builder
The only people who benefit when a house is built are the family members who get to live there, and the builder who constructed and sold the home, right?
Steven Tannehill: What do businesses want anyway? Part I
This column is part one of a two-part column.
Ken Keller: Lessons to be learned from lack of feedback
In 1970 I started my first official job. I worked nine hours a week at a small grocery store. For the next two years I grossed $11.25 a week.
Bob Khalsa: Prices, sales rise as SCV’s housing market continues its recovery
The residential housing resale market in the Santa Clarita Valley continued to recover during February, with sales and prices up to their highest levels in years.
