Opinion

In defense of PBMs

In Arkansas, Washington, D.C. and state capitals across the country, there have been heated discussions over the role pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) play in today’s health care marketplace. Simply put,…

Smart contracts in blockchain explained

Blockchain. It’s persistently in the tech news. And on July 23, Arkansans can start signing electronic contracts and records using “smart contracts,” or computerized legal transactions using blockchain. But before…

It’s complicated: advertising cannabis

The Green Wave is sweeping the country. And, no, I’m not talking about Tulane University athletics. It hasn’t been newsworthy in decades. According to Pew Research Center, 62% of Americans,…

Dare to compare: finding our ‘peers’

Editor’s note: Jamie Gates, executive vice president of the Conway Development Corp., is a new monthly Talk Business & Politics contributor with his column, “Data Points.” Gates will explore data…

Cycle of foreign investment affected by forces within our control

Back in 2006, the foreign direct investment picture looked bright in the Arkansas Delta. Toyota looked at Marion for an assembly plant, and Hino Motors put a big Toyota parts…

Too much of a good thing

As if we needed confirmation, headlines around the U.S. accompanying a recent national weather story provided it. Yes, indeed, if we hadn’t figured it out already, we were told “The…

Boosting business through responsible growth

Northeast Arkansas has generated sustained economic growth during the past four decades, Talk Business & Politics noted in coverage of the City of Jonesboro’s and Craighead County’s recent tax collection…

The 15 people you need on speed dial

What I know for sure is that getting through life takes a village. Humans weren’t meant to go it alone. The road is long and the tests are hard. We…

Arkansas’ strategy to reduce maternal deaths

Women in the United States are more likely to die from childbirth or pregnancy-related causes than women in all other developed countries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and…

Making an impact with infrastructure

This week is national infrastructure week. We all want better roads and bridges, but fixing our infrastructure isn’t that simple. Our approach must focus on developing and fielding new technologies…

Does amendment to change amendment process strike the right balance?

The 2020 election in Arkansas is shaping up to be a real barn burner. Obviously, it’s a presidential year and that will be front and center. In addition to that,…

Riff Raff: A fortunate, and still grateful, son

Editor’s note: This essay was first posted May 10, 2009. Happy Mother’s Day! A lot has changed in Mom’s world. The world in 1949, the year of her birth, was…

Car tags and carbon

And miles to go … Is it too soon? Too soon for what, you might ask. Too soon to be thinking about the November 2020 elections, of course. If it…

Why does tobacco cessation matter?

Reducing tobacco use in Arkansas would save lives, reduce the cost of public benefits and improve the health of all Arkansans. Legislatively, Arkansas has made great strides in reducing smoking…

Don’t let 206 miles divide us

The now completed 2019 Arkansas General Assembly session was historic for Arkansas roads and bridges as lawmakers passed a funding package that will exceed $400 million annually if voters agree…

Events, remote work create career opportunities in rural locales

In early April, events professionals around the world observed Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID), an annual celebration focusing on the impact of business meetings, conventions and trade shows on events,…

The coaching-style leadership

International Coaching Week is celebrated April 29-May 5. Professional coaching has gained additional exposure over the years and continued growth is estimated to be a $2 billion global industry. The…

Daisy Bates, Johnny Cash give Arkansas history a fresh face

After three months of hard work that produced historic and much-needed legislation, the 92nd General Assembly has adjourned. Together, we cut taxes. We raised teacher pay. We funded roads and…

What is the customer experience?

The term “experience” is a word you hear more and more these days in the business world. Trying to define what it means and understanding it from a customer’s point…

What are the odds?

Let the games begin on April 1 at the state’s two race tracks, decreed the Arkansas Racing Commission last month. The two, as anybody who’s been around here even a…

Opinion

Tina Alvey Dale

Michael Tilley