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
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.
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.
