Commentary
Editor’s Note They Might Be Giants
During last years presidential campaign, there was a great deal of talk about the importance of small businesses. Virtually every stump speech seemed to make some reference to the large proportion of jobs accounted for by the small business sector. Thats certainly true. But when it comes to job creationthe key concern of every regional…
…the Bad…
…THE BAD… RETAILING > Higher and HigherWashington voters who thought they would get a price break on booze when they voted to break up the state monopoly on liquor sales got an unpleasant surprise in June when private store sales went into effect. An unscientific Seattle Times survey indicated about half of 170 prices reported…
Editor’s Note: Roads to Recovery
Each year, the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce brings together regional leaders in an effort to build a consensus around the key issues that must be addressed for our region to grow and prosper. Last year, there was broad agreement on the need to keep production of Boeings next-generation 737 MAX airplane in our region,…
Virgin on Business: Windows of Opportunity
A year ago in this very space we opined that, as much as Boeing is a significant local business story every year, 2012 would be a critically important year for the company and for the region that economically depends upon it. Barely was the ink dry on the magazine when Boeing addressed several items on…
Final Analysis: Crowning Achievement
Welcome to the dark months. This is what Mick McHugh calls the period between the end of one baseball season in late September and the beginning of the next one in early April. McHugh owns F.X. McRorys Steak, Chop & Oyster House, which debuted in Pioneer Square in 1977, the same year the Seattle Mariners…
CEO Adviser: Conflict Avoidance
Businesses frequently use mediation to resolve employment disputes after a lawsuit has been filed, but a number of large local organizations believe they are better off using mediators to address workplace conflicts well before the lawyers have to be called in. Boeing and King County are doing just that, and the advantages are plenty. By…
Reasons to Celebrate
By now, the commemorative events have run their course, the books have been published, the articles written and the souvenirs moved to the discount table. Like Christmas decorations stashed in the garage in January, the banner, displays and accompanying gewgaws to mark the 50th anniversary of Seattles coming-of-age event, the Century 21 Exposition, are being…
Final Analysis: Corporate Identity
Youre an executive in a firm whose CEO says he is giving $5 million of his own money to assist the Hyperactive Gay Baby Whales Foundation. On learning this, you are: A. Outraged B. Delighted C. Perplexed that your CEO has $5 million in walking-around money and you havent had a raise since Jennifer Aniston…
Editor’s Note: Technologys Impact
Information technology has transformed our lives during the past half-century. It has eliminated thousands of boring jobs in places like the back rooms of banks, where rows and rows of clerical workers once manually entered millions of financial transactions. And it has enabled a new generation of entrepreneurs, who take full advantage of such basic…
Seattle, We Have a Problem!
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…
Just Do It
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,…