Opinion

The case for cancer genetics

When contemplating an expensive purchase or significant life change like a new career, we may ask ourselves, “Should I, or shouldn’t I?” We weigh the factors at our disposal —…

IP protection advice for startups

We’ve all likely seen them: the common law trademark symbol (™), the registered trademark symbol (®) and the registered copyright symbol (©). These are the symbols for trademark and copyright,…

Portfolio diversification is key to retirement nest egg

Every day in the United States, 10,000 people turn age 65, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Census data indicates that in 2024, there will be…

Fort Smith will benefit from a Brick Yard Park

In 2007, Bentonville city leaders built five miles of mountain bike trails in a valley that was previously used for butchering cattle. Slaughter Pen Mountain Bike Park was the spark…

Keep the money you make

I have always owned more than one business and have been a minority investor in other privately held companies. My experience is that even if you know how to make…

Let your voice be heard on Arkansas’ energy and environmental future

Driving future energy and environment innovations throughout our state starts with you. That’s why Metroplan has collaborated with the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment’s Office of Air Quality, the…

Maximize business efficiency with computer hardware lifecycle planning

It’s essential to approach computer hardware lifecycle planning (CHLP) with a proactive mindset since it plays such an important role in driving success. Since technology is evolving at breakneck speed,…

Riff Raff: Extension suspension

Infrastructure is, mostly, good. Roads, utilities, runways, bridges, drainage, water systems. All that and more. Most officials of any city want smart, robust infrastructure at all levels. As do most…

Solution selling in modern retail

My first retail job was as a commissioned salesperson in a suburban Denver consumer electronics specialty store. During this time, my colleagues and I were taught about “solution selling” and…

Space issues

It’s a reasonable assumption that humans have been looking skyward since they first were aware of their place on this planet. Given our fascination with all things celestial, it’s no…

Why core values are more than just rhetoric

There are so many books, articles, conferences and podcasts on creating a strategic business plan that one might ask what I must add to this body of knowledge. Most strategic…

Unity Health empowering high schoolers to consider careers in health care

At Unity Health, our people, our patients and our communities are our top priorities, and every decision is made with them in mind. This focus continues to drive our decisions…

The Freedom of Information Act works on behalf of 3 million Arkansans

I accepted a temporary assignment from Gov. Mike Beebe in 2007 to become his interim communications director, and to this day, I remember the only thing he said when he…

Better FOIA laws mean a better business climate

When the public and private sectors work together seamlessly, the sky’s the limit for Arkansas’ economy. I saw it at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, where I worked to bring…

Arkansas needs a Farm Bill

I always look forward to this time of year when harvest is in full swing. We see the American farmers’ hard work, entrepreneurism and innovation paying off as bushels and bales leave…

Unemployment insurance that’s better for business

Several months ago, the U.S. was in a staring contest with an impending recession, and we all waited to see who would blink first. Fortunately, recent economic forecasts predict that…

What happens in Europe doesn’t stay in Europe

Here’s a quick quiz, for entertainment and amusement purposes only. Prizes are definitely not a part of this project. The rules are simple: no cheating by using Wikipedia or other…

Profit vs. growth

Eight to 10 years ago, I got a call from a client of our firm who wanted my help setting up an actual board of directors (BOD) for their privately…

Why ‘Make a Will Month’ matters

August is national “Make a Will” Month. Maybe you weren’t aware of that because you don’t pay attention to the seemingly endless number of official month and day observations each…

Hopes and fears of the FOIA review

When the Attorney General’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) working group meets to “modernize” and “balance” FOIA, I hope they appreciate that “We the People” established the government, and therefore,…