Opinion

In search of post-pandemic professionalism

To be certain, much has been written in the past four years about the various ways that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted all of our lives. As a professor at Texas…

Human skills

It drives me a little crazy when we refer to the necessary workplace skills as a combination of hard and soft. I think what trips me up is the language….

Riff Raff: The Hotz hot seat

It might be easy to have some empathy for Sebastian County Judge Steve Hotz in having the full responsibility for the general election fall hard in his lap less than…

What you need to know about the fast-approaching noncompete ban deadline

On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued its Final Rule banning almost all noncompete agreements nationwide with few exceptions for employers that fall under the FTC’s jurisdiction. …

‘America First’ means hitting China where it hurts – their pollution

As conservative members of the Arkansas General Assembly, we are committed to advancing policies that strengthen our nation’s economic foundation, protect American jobs, and uphold the principles of fairness laid out in the…

Eighth Circuit nixes ‘no harm, no foul’ in arbitration cases

Earlier this month, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals revised the applicable analysis regarding when a party waives their right to arbitration. Arbitration clauses have long been critical components of…

Artificial intelligence: Hype or help?

Throughout history we have seen the introduction and subsequent life-altering impact of technological advances, from personal computers and the internet to mobile phones. Is artificial intelligence (AI) the next tool…

Political curve balls

In early February of this year, I wrote a column that described how quickly the 1992 national campaign shifted in favor from incumbent Pres. George H.W. Bush with a 90%…

Cancer control begins with risk reduction

Health is our greatest asset. Not only does good health enable us to engage in and enjoy our daily lives, but it also leads to significant lifetime cost savings for…

Riff Raff: ‘Symbols matter’

One will encounter a good number of jerks in this journalism work, especially if you do it long enough. Or maybe even if you do it for a day or…

Our noise problem

“Wherever there is judgment, there is noise and more than you think.” This quote comes from the book, “Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment” by Daniel Kahneman, Olivier Sibony and…

Attributes of a world-class supplier team

From my career as a retail merchant and e-commerce executive to my more recent assignments in academia and with two Northwest Arkansas-based solution providers, I’ve had the opportunity to interact…

Making the case for entrepreneurship in an election season

As we enter the final months of this election season, what divides us is often in the forefront of public debate. But it’s vital that we make clear as Americans…

Understanding the basics of early-stage financing for startups

Many emerging growth companies will need to raise outside capital at some point in their development. Investors may also have questions about how investments in these companies are commonly structured….

Riff Raff: Water, money, and lawyers

It’s safe to say a majority of frustration with a water rate hike for Fort Smith residents and tens of thousands of residents in nearby cities is the size of…

A warning shot for traditional higher education

Arkansas’ traditional higher education institutions may be in for a rough ride in the coming years. State leaders, including the legislature and Gov. Sarah Sanders, are calling for greater belt-tightening…

The crucial role of the steel industry in Northeast Arkansas

At Lexicon Inc., our dedication to the steel fabrication and construction industry goes beyond building structures; it’s about creating a foundation for economic growth in Northeast Arkansas, the state of…

Empowered educators lead to better student outcomes

When making tough decisions that affect our children, many of us have been told to “trust our gut” or “lean into what feels right.” Parental intuition isn’t just a catchphrase…

The science of marketing

If there is one common thread among small business owners I have observed over the past 44 years of my career – especially those who aren’t very successful — it…

Loss of labor and delivery services at rural hospitals raises risk for Arkansas moms

After learning of the impending closure of the maternity ward at a rural hospital in his state, U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden of Oregon introduced a bill last week that…