Archive By Section - Business Columns
Keri Aaver: Employers need help too
At the Santa Clarita WorkSource Center it's not uncommon for us to hear, "Where are employers looking for their employees?" Frustrated job seekers hear tales of the newly employed filling positions that weren't even posted. So what's going on?
Ken Keller: Addressing the default position of negativity
I don't make a habit of reading obituaries but last weekend while flipping through the newspaper one caught my eye.
Carl Kanowsky: Boundaries, neighbors and disputes
Jim and Joan Sunset came to see me the other day. It seems that they were in a major argument with their neighbors, Kyle and Katy Moonlight. The battle was over exactly where the fence dividing their two properties should be located.
Short sale rules aid borrowers
New rules that take effect Nov. 1 align guidelines for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac short sales, which should allow lenders and servicers to quickly and more easily qualify borrowers for a short sale.
Jerry Citarella: Which strategy is right for you?
I had two meetings today, both relating to investment strategies. You wouldn't believe how different they were. Ironically, each person assured me that the strategies were the best answer for my clients.
Company culture drives success
What can a strong organizational culture do for your small business? A study by Harvard Business School Professor James L. Heskett found that up to half of the difference in operating profit between some companies could be attributed to the difference in their organizational cultures.
Encouragement, wisdom don’t cost a penny but garner high rewards
The night before our son was married we hosted a rehearsal dinner. Friends and family from all over the county were present, joining us in celebration and happiness.
July home sales rise 8.6%
The Santa Clarita Valley's housing market continued its remarkable rebound during July - there is virtually nothing to sell.
Janice France-Pettit: Planning for retirement
The decision of when to retire is an individual one and depends on a number of personal factors. According to a 2012 survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, only 14 percent of American workers feel very confident they'll have financial security in retirement, and among current retirees, only 21 percent report feeling very confident in their financial situation.
Jerry Citarella: An important reminder of needs, wants
You'll probably read this week's column and think to yourself - "I know, I know." We all know many things, but are we using that knowledge effectively? If this strikes a chord, be sure to take action and don't just say, "I know." We live in a world of temptation, greed, competition and jealousy. It's rough out there, but with a qualified adviser, you can more successfully plan your financial future. Do it for you, ...
Ken Keller: Succeed with goals, plan
I woke up to the sound of my dad and my older brother Tom talking. It was a warm summer night in the summer of 1969. Tom had just graduated from high school and I was going to start in a few weeks.
Carl Kanowsky: Apple, Corn Flakes and copying
Breaking News! This just in! Following on the heels of Apple's billion-dollar verdict against Samsung, Frosted Flakes announced today that it is suing Corn Flakes for $100 million (I guess the cereal market doesn't compare to the mobile phone one) for infringement.
Carl Kanowsky: When smart people make poor Internet decisions
Sometimes really smart and well-educated people make stupid decisions. The University of Kentucky can testify to that.
John Milburn: Strategic partnering: A new kind of teamwork
Earlier this year I attended the 2012 West Coast Manufacturing Conference in Los Angeles. The theme of the conference was "An Industry in Transition," and much of the conference focused on the need to optimize the supply chain beyond what past optimizations have achieved in terms of costs, quality, and delivery time.
Jerry Citarella: The heat to perform is on
Here in the Santa Clarita Valley it's been hot, hot, hot. "The heat is on." With temperatures consistently in the high 90s and recently soaring into the 100s on a number of days, we've gotten to feel what it's like to be slow roasted.
Articles by Section - Business Columns
Ken Keller: Getting crystal clear about your business
There is a terrific exchange in the courtroom drama "A Few Good Men." Colonel Jessup, played by Jack Nicolson, turns from being a witness in a court martial to being the prosecutor when he asks Lieutenant Kaffee, played by Tom Cruise: "Have you ever spent time in an infantry unit, son?"
Disaster recovery — is your business prepared?
Is your business prepared for a disaster? While it is not something any of us like to think about, businesses should have a disaster plan in place.
Joe Klocko: The conundrum: supply and demand, wages and the skills gap
Most people understand the basic economic principle of supply and demand and incorporate it into their daily decisions. They may not do it consciously, but economic decisions are made every day by each and every one of us.
Ken Keller: Learning from the Pumpkin Patch
Last week I provided the Pyramid of Business Success, a nine layered structure. Layer seven was the Growth Plan.
Bob Khalsa: State’s pending sales at four-year high, share of distressed sales drops
The recent rise of pending home sales to the highest level in nearly four years supports experts who believe California's home resale market will achieve full bloom this spring.
Ken Keller: The Pyramid of Business Success
I've long admired Coach John Wooden's "Pyramid of Success." In business, whatever blueprint, instructional manual or paint by number kit being used before the enterprise launches is quickly tossed aside once the doors open. After that, it becomes a freelance-thing or a free for all, for those lacking mentors, a Sherpa or the time to figure it out.
Peter Bellas: Now that we’ve been forecasted
Once again we are upon the season of forecasts. A quick perusal of any investment website will turn up some very rosy and optimistic forecasts for the coming year and a least a few doom and gloom predictions.
Ken Keller: Keeping yourself motivated
One challenge of being a business owner or holding a position of leadership is keeping motivated.
Bob Khalsa: Real Estate Talk
January is typically a dormant time of year for the residential real estate market in the Santa Clarita Valley, yet this market recovery is so unusual that no one was surprised when statistics showed January posted the highest sales total for the month in six years.
Buying distressed properties
Real estate development during the Great Recession has proven to be a very challenging endeavor. Even seasoned professionals have found themselves struggling to service debt on projects that are producing monthly net negative cash flows.
Ken Keller: Do the right thing, quickly
Last week I wrote about the 2012 Gallup Poll where only 21 percent of U.S. adults rated business executives with high or very high in honesty and ethics.
Ken Keller: What is it that you believe in?
In the course of working with business owners and leaders, I have observed that the organizations that are the most successful over the long run are the ones that have a strong focus.
