The U.S. unemployment rate for May jumped 0.5 percent, rising to 5.5 percent. This jump sent a signal that economic conditions remained weak and future conditions would not improve quickly. This prospect sent currency traders scrambling to realign portfolios with fewer dollars. The declining dollar sent crude-oil prices up by more than $11, a one-day increase greater than oil … [Read more...]
Archives for July 2008
Sky-High Gas Prices? Hope is on the Horizon
Everywhere you go these days, people are discussing the high price of gasoline. Some are changing their driving habits, others have planned “staycations” instead of vacations this summer, and voters are demanding that the government take some action. Developing alternative ways to power our vehicles has become more important than ever, not only because of rising gasoline … [Read more...]
Nevada’s Hidden Spending: Transparency Should Be Priority
Subpar accounting practices in Nevada government are making it difficult for taxpayers to learn how hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars are spent. Months of inquiries by the Nevada Policy Research Institute found that off-budget spending practices are chronic at both the state and local government levels in Nevada. In the largest area of covert government spending, … [Read more...]
July 2008: Nevada Briefs
Piedmont Mining Company Obtains Funding Piedmont Mining Company recently received $480,500 of private funding. The funding was arranged and managed by IBK Capital Corp. of Toronto. The offering totaled 3,203,331 units, with each unit consisting of one share of common stock and one two-year warrant exercisable at $0.26 per share. Net of commissions, the company has received … [Read more...]
Land Developers: How Much is Nevada’s Land Worth?
Las Vegas-based LaPour has been purchasing and developing land into offices, industrial buildings and hospitality facilities for 16 years. Yet, the company’s executives have chosen not to purchase property for the past two years because of its high costs. “It’s a difficult land environment due to pricing and parcels,” said Jeff LaPour, the president and chief executive … [Read more...]
July 2008: Business Up Front
401(k) Participants Invest in Equities The average U.S. household invests about 55 percent of its 401(k) or other defined contribution plan assets in common stocks. Many Americans are investing all or nothing in equities, due to a host of factors, including education level and marital status, according to a new analysis of government data by Watson Wyatt Worldwide, a … [Read more...]
Retail Market Summary: 1st Quarter 2008
Las Vegas According to the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, 101,500 retail jobs were recorded in March 2008 in Clark County, an increase of 3.5 percent, from March 2007. During this 12-month period, the largest contribution came from the General Merchandise & Clothing sector, with 3,000 new jobs added; followed by the Food & Beverage Stores … [Read more...]
July 2008: Face to Face
Pamela Hollister Owner The PEOPLE Process Las Vegas Number of Employees: 2 Years in Nevada: 18 Years with Firm: 20 Type of business: Personality-Type Trainings and Products Describe your leadership style: Analytical and innovative, recognizing ideas and possibilities. Biggest Business Challenge: Getting the word out about the company. Best Business … [Read more...]
Nevada’s Best Companies: Where People Come First
Although benefits and salary are important aspects in any employment situation, the most important consideration in job satisfaction is how people are treated in the workplace, according to employees of Nevada’s Best Companies to Work For. When asked why they enjoy going to work everyday, workers unanimously talk about corporate cultures that value everyone by promoting … [Read more...]
Security in the Workplace: Technology Issues Threaten Business Prosperity
No business owner would leave work for the day without locking up the office first. However, they might not think twice about leaving a workstation unsecured at lunchtime or ensuring their firewall is still doing its job. With malware, spyware, adware, viruses, Trojans, worms, phishing and internal risks – it’s time for every business to review its IT strategy and security … [Read more...]
Industry Focus: Staffing Firms
Recently, a group of Nevada-based staffing firm executives gathered at Cili Restaurant in Las Vegas to discuss current challenges within the industry, including the recruitment of qualified candidates, out-of-state recruitment, generational issues and the impact of the economic downturn. Connie Brennan, publisher of Nevada Business Journal, served as moderator for NBJ’s monthly … [Read more...]
Make Your Business Better: With Business Management Technology
Business technology can be the key to a well-run office, or technology can be its Achilles heel. Most use some kind of business management system whether it is QuickBooks or a more sophisticated system which combines accounting, inventory management, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), point of sale, or an industry specific processing system. The key to getting the most … [Read more...]
