As Seattleites, we can proudly say we have an awesome city for innovation. Our companies, our tech sectors goods and services, and our lifestyle are coveted the world over. But we have a major problem brewing when it comes to our regions competitive advantage in the new innovation economy: a talent deficiency. We need to…

When looking at a traditional corporate training classroom, its tempting to ask why this environment hasnt changed in centuries. The traditional model of students at desks with an expert imparting knowledge is the industry standard for most corporations. But is it effective? When is the last time you truly learned something sitting in a classroom,…

For a time, economic development history in Grays Harbor County could best be summed up by a line from the ruefully philosophical song Gloom, Despair and Agony on Me from that underappreciated television treasure, Hee Haw: If it werent for bad luck, Id have no luck at all … Such was the lot in life…

In 1994, downtown Seattle was in critical condition. The departure of the Frederick & Nelson department store, closed and boarded up for two years, was followed by the shuttering of I. Magnin. Downtown streets were empty after dark. As luck would have it, Jeff Rhodes, a veteran shopping center developer who helped create Bostons Copley…

Scoping out an employees or a potential employees social media life online has become common practice for employers who believe sound reasons exist for requesting this type of information. But requesting a Facebook password or other personal access codes crosses a line that many experts think should not be crossed. Before entering these murky waters,…

The continuing lament of Canadians about their southern neighbors is that when Americans pay attention to them at all, it is done in patronizing cliches usually involving hockey and Mounties. Which would be a wounding comment, were it not uncomfortably true and were we actually paying much attention to what Canadians think. If we were…

Last September, when the Seattle Paid Sick Time and Safe Time Ordinance was approved by the Seattle City Council, most Puget Sound area businesses were not spurred to take action. The ordinance wasnt scheduled to take effect for a year, and many businesses not based in Seattle city proper assumed the ordinance did not apply…

Those who understand the important role corporate turnarounds can play in job retention and a healthy economy know its disturbing to see turnarounds become, in this divisive political year, a disparaging synonym for heartless greed. Mitt Romneys background with Boston-based Bain Capital has served as the object of criticism and negative comments from his opponents…

Last year, there was excitement in the offices of Seattle Business magazine when a crew moved in for a few days to do some filming on Safety Not Guaranteed, an indie film by the producers of the Oscar-winning Little Miss Sunshine. We caught glimpses of familiar television stars such as Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation),…

The Washington State Department of Commerce recently announced it was sponsoring a delegation of companies to attend a trade conference in Europe, part of a broader effort to build, and build recognition for, Washingtons cluster of businesses in composites and advanced materials. That the state was doing so and that it has targeted the composites…

Kevin Phelps, Pierce County deputy executive, dropped out of college 36 years ago to go into business. Last year, he went back to school, enrolling in Western Governors University (WGU), a nonprofit, online university. He passed one course in business law in just one week because he was already familiar with most of the curriculum….