The U.S. economy continues a slow and uneven pace of recovery from its deepest recession since the Great Depression. Estimated growth of real GDP was 2.5 percent at an annualized rate for third quarter 2010—stronger than the 1.7 percent figure for second quarter 2010. U.S. nonfarm employment rose by a moderate 103,000 jobs (seasonally adjusted) in December, marking the third … [Read more...] about February 2011: Business Indicators
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What is your favorite mobile app?
“My favorite Mobile App is ‘Visible Vote’ - it is a non-partisan app that allows you to vote on issues and bills. It sends the votes to your elected officials. It also shows you how they voted, their approval rating, and how your votes coincide with theirs. It is very interesting, educational, and informative.” Valerie J. Clark, BSN, RHU, LUTCF • President, Clark & … [Read more...] about What is your favorite mobile app?
Nevada Offers Great Value: Golden Opportunities in the Silver State
Folks who have lived in Nevada at least five years will remember times when the state’s biggest challenge was keeping up with growth: we couldn’t build houses or commercial buildings fast enough to keep up with demand, prices for residential and commercial real estate were spiraling out of control and infrastructure like roads and utilities lagged far behind the growth curve. … [Read more...] about Nevada Offers Great Value: Golden Opportunities in the Silver State
Powerful Communication: Nevada’s Leading Telecom Companies: You Can Hear Them Now
Years ago, most homes were equipped with one dial-tone phone and a television that actually required someone getting up off the couch to change a channel or turn up the volume. Meanwhile, office phone systems required an operator, of the human sort, to take and direct individual calls for all company employees. Today, thanks to frenetic technological advances in the … [Read more...] about Powerful Communication: Nevada’s Leading Telecom Companies: You Can Hear Them Now
Utilities: The Backbone of the Silver State
The Silver State’s utilities, like almost every other industry, have seen some rocky times. New competition, shrinking customer bases and fewer move-ins have all resulted in Nevada’s utilities having to make some tough choices. “Utilities” is a catchall phrase for services everyone needs every day: water, power, natural gas. The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUC) … [Read more...] about Utilities: The Backbone of the Silver State
Lean Manufacturing: What is it and why do it?
U.S. manufacturing and technology is what made our nation a great global power. Unfortunately, our global rank in manufacturing has been eroded by foreign competition, especially in the last 20 years. U.S. companies (large and especially small) who implement lean manufacturing practices in the U.S are now showing that we have the ability to turn the tide and become more … [Read more...] about Lean Manufacturing: What is it and why do it?
Achieve Success: Marketing Tactics for 2011
2010 proved to be yet another year filled with reports of failed business, continued cutbacks and droves of people wondering…”have we hit bottom yet?” As the economic tsunami continues to roll through our economy, it carries with it an entire generation’s worth of historical reference with regard to marketing and business development as we know it. Not one single industry is … [Read more...] about Achieve Success: Marketing Tactics for 2011
Retail Summary: Third Quarter 2010
Las Vegas Vacancies declined for the second consecutive quarter, and average asking rents among anchored-retail centers showed signs of continued weakness. At the close of the third quarter of 2010, the vacancy rate fell a modest five basis points to 10.7 percent compared to the previous quarter. Compared to the same period of the prior year (Q3 2009), the vacancy rate … [Read more...] about Retail Summary: Third Quarter 2010
Economic Forecast: Mostly Cloudy with a Chance of Improvement
Business leaders across Nevada are saying they expect 2011 to be slightly better than 2010, which should thrill absolutely no one. Still, better is… better. Viewed from a variety of perspectives – employment, tourism, real estate, gaming, retail and more -- our state’s economic outlook could be worse, and in fact may already have taken its initial steps on the road to … [Read more...] about Economic Forecast: Mostly Cloudy with a Chance of Improvement
The Reality of Lending: The New “Norm”
A Nevadan needs $120,000 to open a used sporting goods store but can’t get a loan from a bank. Either he gives up the idea or resorts to creative financing, if possible. In the end, he puts up $40,000 of his own money, gets his landlord to cover $15,000 of tenant improvements, and obtains a $40,000 loan from the state’s micro-loan lender and a $25,000 loan from a Florida … [Read more...] about The Reality of Lending: The New “Norm”
Now, the Real Fun Begins: What the 2010 elections mean for Nevada’s public policy
Future psephologists (sociologists who study election trends) will undoubtedly look back in puzzlement at how the massive, pro-Republican wave that swept most of the country in 2010 never quite materialized in a few select states, including Nevada. Instead, what the Silver State got was more of a soft ripple. The phenomenon wasn’t limited to races for federal office, … [Read more...] about Now, the Real Fun Begins: What the 2010 elections mean for Nevada’s public policy
The Show Must Go On: A Look at Nevada’s Public Projects
Public works is a “the show must go on” proposition. Even with the economic downturn of the last three years, there are public projects that continue to be funded and completed. “The economy doesn’t change our need for modernizations and improvements to Nevada’s roads, schools and public facilities,” said Randy Highland, president of the Las Vegas chapter of Associated … [Read more...] about The Show Must Go On: A Look at Nevada’s Public Projects
Constitutional Challenge: The ObamaCare Battle Continues
On October, 23, 2009, in the midst of Congress’s healthcare legislation efforts, Speaker Nancy Pelosi was irritated by a question posed by a reporter. “Madam Speaker, where specifically does the Constitution grant Congress the authority to enact an individual health insurance mandate?” Speaker Pelosi condescendingly responded, “Are you serious? Are you serious?” When the … [Read more...] about Constitutional Challenge: The ObamaCare Battle Continues
Be in the Driver Seat of Your Own Career
As the calendar year winds down, you’re no doubt setting company objectives for next year, but what about your personal goals? How can you take charge of your career and put yourself in good hands—your own? With today’s competitive job market, it’s important to keep your skills finely tuned to meet the needs of your employer and position yourself as an indispensible member of … [Read more...] about Be in the Driver Seat of Your Own Career
Healthcare Check-up: Hospitals Feel the Pain
Due to the stagnant, unfavorable economy, fewer people are obtaining healthcare, to avoid incurring costs and payments. They’re cancelling appointments, not picking up their prescriptions, self-treating and postponing medical visits, surgeries, treatments and other services. For Nevada’s hospitals, generally this means fewer admissions, emergency room visits and … [Read more...] about Healthcare Check-up: Hospitals Feel the Pain