Opinion

Computer coding enthusiasm

If everything about my job was as easy and as much fun as encouraging students to learn to program a computer, I wouldn’t call it work at all. My granddaughter…

Ending poverty one judgment at a time

While making final remarks during the recent debate on changes to Arkansas Works – Arkansas’s version of Medicaid expansion that provides affordable coverage to adults earning very low incomes –…

15 skills to build

In 1997, a fascinating read hit the bookstore shelves titled “The Future Ain’t What It Use To Be” (Abrahamson, Meehan, Samuel). It examined not only the cultural trends that were…

Riff Raff: Camel backs and last straws

A friend wanted to know if the fiasco with Fort Smith’s recycling program is the result of fraud or stupidity. Yes. In spades. And then some. Let’s consider why the…

In defense of Goldilocks

If the old fairy tale character Goldilocks were a candidate for political office, it’s fair to assume she’d be considered moderate. Of course, she’d be criticized on social media by…

Deceptive Trade Practices Act changes will harm Arkansas consumers

The Arkansas General Assembly made national news this year over the prospect of allowing spectators to arm themselves at college sporting events. Many of those who supported the idea argued…

Changes to Deceptive Trade Practices Act will make Arkansas more business-friendly

Arkansas has taken a big step toward creating a more business-friendly climate by amending the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (ADTPA). The ADTPA was originally enacted in 1971 to give…

Reviewing the ‘bargain branding’ rules

Is branding really worth it? The short answer is yes. Where it gets tricky is figuring out how much to invest in your business’ brand activation strategy. Whether you’re a…

Recruiting ‘outside the box’

Every company, regardless of size or industry, wants to skim the best recruits off the top of the talent pool. The fact is, though, if you want employees who think outside…

Riff Raff: Observations, drug money, ‘far away eyes,’ and gum and trinkets

There is this guy dressed as a clown singing The Who’s “Pinball Wizard” to the music of Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.” Genius. America is great again, already. Even if we…

Delegation can boost enterprise value

I recently had the chance to listen to a Vistage presentation by a fellow M&A adviser. In addition to nodding my head in agreement at pretty much every word, I…

The future of advertising

Marketing experts from across the world gathered at the annual South by Southwest (SXSW) Digital Conference in Austin, Texas, recently to share views on the trends guiding and shaping the…

Riff Raff: Observations, corporate pieholes, and the ultimate halftime show

It’s been one of those weeks where one feels they drew the short straw on a United Airlines flight. Hell, not even the Luftwaffe had passengers removed by Hitler. Or…

Previewing Arkansas’ amendment debates ahead of the 2018 election

There were 31 resolutions filed in 2017 proposing amendments to the Constitution. Only two of them made the cut. Both of them will be subject to a lot of debate…

‘The food’s the thing,’ but not everything

“My friends say I make the best barbeque ribs ever and should open my own restaurant …” were words I often heard in initial calls from potential small business owners…

Riff Raff: Observations, germ wagons, and getting state-ified

Should have been at the gun range this week getting some religion as the Lord R. God intended. What follows are musings that might have occurred between busting caps for…

What we’ve done in the name of national security

The first few months of Donald Trump’s presidency has seen a flurry of activity. Much of this has been enacted through the president’s power of executive orders. Of course, as…

Gov. Hutchinson: Legislative accomplishments and ‘greater milestones’

After nearly three months, the work of the Arkansas General Assembly is nearing completion. And while there is more work to be done, I am very pleased that all of…

Estate planning and potential pitfalls

Estate planning is a blueprint for the accumulation, conservation and distribution of assets that accomplish your personal tax and nontax objectives. Action now can strongly influence, if not determine, what will…

Laws that apply to liability lawsuits are changing

Arkansas employers have reason to breathe a sigh of relief. Twenty-four years after the passage of the Arkansas Civil Rights Act, the General Assembly has finally closed some significant loopholes…