Contributors Opinion Bold to predictions 2015 Time kick thosefor resolutions With news and business, A new year Business affords into Briefs gear it’s February,repeats after all more like..not-so-bold clear messages the best a new opportunity Business People Almanac to meet local needs THE he B BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES
PPAGE age 22 22
One of my tasks as editor of a business journal is to revise the news releases that are submitted to fit what I term newspaper style. Sometimes this process involves a proverbial wrecking ball — demolishing a news release and reconstructing it word by word. times, I’m relievedfortoapull outstart the and equivalent A new year almost alwaysOther brings an opportunity fresh polishing cloth. And with just a few light touches, copy is renewed ambition toofdoa things better. to appear on the of thecustomers Business better Times products as well as In business, thatready usually boils down topages providing on the website. and services faster and at lower cost than competitors. Part of the process must Don’t to getdetermine me wrong.what I’mthey happy to do it. Forand onethen thing, include listening to customers actually need it’s my For another, I’m any and opportunity meeting that need. After all,job. it does little good tograteful offer thefor latest greatest to if share local business news with readers. Any opportunity. nobody actually wants what you’re selling. The more thebelong better.to the group, the Grand Junction Area Just like the businesses that It’s usually a straightforward of editing news releases Chamber of Commerce invariably starts out the new matter year with a reassessment of Phil Castle to include the five and Ws of fundamental journalism. know: the services and resources it provides how well they match with You members what, when, where why. Although sure it’s not needs. Jeff Franklin,who, the new chairman of theand chamber board ofI’m directors, intentional, be surprised how oftenwhat the when and where omitted. For personifies you’d this approach in describing he considers hisare role for theOops. coming that who in thedetermine form of who to contact for then moremeet information is left It’s out aas year:matter, listen the to members, their needs and those needs. well. The what comes across morepresident of sales pitch than aofstory pitch. role with whichsometimes Franklin is familiar as as market of Bank Colorado. It also can bewill a matter of aextracting from copy business buzzwords and The process take on more structured approach in what the chamber corporate jargon. Like a of dentist pulling abcessed it cantobe a messy Under and even plans as the resumption a program aptly calledteeth, Listening Business. the painful enterprise. program, business owners participate in in-depth interviews to identify barriers to Andand here, at last, I get to myencounter. point. I’m not the only one who loathes growth other problems they buzzwords and jargon. As it turns out,toa join sizable of the people who read The new year offers a good time the portion proverbial club. and hear in the workplace are similarly disgusted. As anthem advertiser or reader, what do you need from the Business Times? According to thejournals results traditionally of a survey of moreand thanreport 1,500the American While business gather relevantworkers, news to one in five disliked the use ofnecessarily buzzwords aand jargonstreet. in a workplace setting. true as readers, communication isn’t one-way That’s especially frequently used Win-win, company culture and ASAP. WebThe sitesmost and e-mail make the buzzwords? dialogue more convenient than ever. Company also ranked among top three most annoying buzzwords, Good culture publications don’t exist in athe vacuum. They respond to the needs of along with new normal and back. Add needed. to the least wanted list the phrases advertisers and readers. Theycircle provide what’s bootsSoonwhat the ground, low-hanging fruit and move the needle. do you need? Ironically — at least to me — there’s belief using buzzwords makes people Is there additional news coverage thata would help keep you informed about look professional. Three out of four of those who responded to the survey local business developments? Are there features that would be interestingthought or so. While said they buzzwords and jargon, seven out of 10 admitted useful? Is people there advice thatdisliked would make your jobs a little easier? usingIt’s them. equally important to ask what you don’t need. With limited time to I’d contend journalist justin thewhich opposite holds true. I’ve time neverand managed a produce content as anda limited space to publish it, would space be business. But Itosuspect if I did, I’d argue the same case. better devoted something else? Keep mind What who you’re writingneeded? to and what What’singood? isn’t? What’s Whatyou’re isn’t?asking them to do. Consider or notusreaders and Comment listeners will understand what you’ve Let uswhether know. Send an e-mail. online on the Business Times Web written and said. People who’re adept whateven they write do sometimes can’t imagine site at www.thebusinesstimes.com. Youatcould an old-fashioned letter to others don’t know like. whatYour theyfeedback, know. Avoid andnegative, jargon and use instead the editor if you’d bothbuzzwords positive and is valued and examples. Aboveconsidered. all, keep it simple. I admit I’m tempted to write in a manner that will be carefully makes me appear more intelligent when farthe better off to obfuscation. Good publications are the result of I’d not be only efforts ofeschew their staffs, but also One otherefforts thing:involving Keep sending in thoseand releases. I’ll do my best to share your collaborative advertisers readers. news.Like any other good business, we want to listen to our customers, find out what they need and then meet those needs. Phil It’s Castle is editor of the Business a new year. Please help us toTimes. do so. Reach him at 424-5133 or phil@thebusinesstimes.com. ✦ F
THE BUSINESS TIMES
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Publisher/Owner: Craig R. Hall
Editor: Phil Castle
Reach advertising at: publisher@thebusinesstimes.com Reach the editor at: phil@thebusinesstimes.com.
Subscribe or submit press releases online at www.thebusinesstimes.com The Grand Valley Business Times, a subsidiary of Hall Media Group LLC, is published twice monthly and distributed throughout Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade. Advertising rates and deadlines are available upon request. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, editor, staff or advertisers. Copyright © 2015 — AllCopyright rights reserved. © 2022 — All rights reserved.
Wait, what? That’s favorite saying my buddy It’s thata time of year when Clark and I and recite. It usually comes out resolutions prognostications abound. when something obvious is to stated My favorite saying applied Newthat Year’s was being ignored or when either of us a resolutions is in saying they’re basically says something completely, bunchorofdoes promises to break the firstwell, week nonsensical. You’d think calling for New of January. And while I won’t predict a Year’s resolutions in February seems whole lot, I can pretty much accurately kinda onthat my without part. question nail a illogical few things it? news. You will see these are will But makeis the I’mwell, writing this pretty, predictable: column on Feb. 1 one: for ■ Prediction the issue There willscheduled be some for sortpublication of weather Feb. event,2. So that disaster makes Feb. natural or 1 an important date heinous occurrence on my someone calendar as where will both a deadlineand AND be interviewed say (for purposes of this the following: “I’ve column) what should never seen anything Craig Hall have always been a like that in my goal. As I It’s have the lifetime.” asfor if this CraigAlthough Hall past 20 isyears, I made deadline. person a required as usual, at a little close for comfort for attendee everytoo news my editor event. as he sends the last pages to reporting Whileup I understand most the printer. people’s perspective can indeed be limited for my resolutions, would by, orAscontained within, theirthis own personal would normally column experiences, it isbe tooa much to about ask tohow I’ve already themperspective up, reverted consult someblown historical before to my special of indifference saying such a version thing? Yes, this responseorcan just forgotten them. oddly in applyplain to some events. But But when it comes 2022, I’m actually hanging onto I’m a few to weather and natural disasters, pretty resolutions — surprisingly and joyfully sure this is simply history repeating itself. so. Same as it has for millions and millions of Let’s face it: Most resolutions are it! years. More important, the planet made work, and work despise. What didn’t werewe certain species. How’s What’s the No. 1 goal for most folks? that for perspective? Get into shape. Pardon the pun, but how’s ■ Prediction two: When it comes to a that out forthat you? crimeworking or something occurs between That’s good folks at health humans, thewhy otherthe required attendee at all clubs — like our advertiser, Crossroads news reporting events is the person who Fitness advisewe’re doing group classes says this:—“They just the nicest or working personal trainer people, and with in noaway did I see something in encouraging environment with likeanthis coming.” Exactly. No one does conveniences like childit care and most of the time when comes toother amenities available to make getting neighbors and acquaintances. People into should shape as positive an goes experience it to be surprised at what on fromastime can As I am sure the good folksand at timebe. in their neighborhoods, towns Crossroads those who makeare it with people will theyattest, know because people to Feb.And 1 have thetimes best chance to shouldn’t achieve good. for the that they their goals. — So,like congrats to those who’ve be shocked with politicians, repeat made it this And if — youwhere’s need some offenders andfar. terrorists the help, call that our advertiser. interview says, “This doesn’t surprise me inThat the said, least.”it’s difficult to compete in a market where people need to good get into ■ Prediction three:who Something shape are inundated with get-thin-quick, will happen economically, and the snake oil advertising 24 hours a day government will take credit for it. The on most their recentelectronic example isdevices. gas prices, where people You’ve thecredit ads. the Drink this orfor ask me why Iseen won’t president take that,prices. and the will just melt off and low gas Myfat answer is simple: you’ll be in Speedo shapethe in price no time. Government never makes of Let me ask this: gotsimply friendstakes who’ve something goAnyone down and credit been taken in by these gimmicks youto for good news. Gas pricing is subject want see in an itsy-bitsy-teenie-weeniemany to global factors. Now there are yellow-polka-dot anything? Yeah,some me of government answers to addressing neither. Here’s whatstable I’ve learned over the them to keep prices for Americans, past 20 government years when has my none indifference but our of them to in getting intoonly shape wasitwinning the war: place. The things has in place in the
ebruary 3-16, 2015 2022 JFANUARY 15-28,
It’s about diet and exercise. Period. And I learned indifference in another tried long runthat always hurt consumers. Another and fashion: Developing the habit fact true is that unemployment reaches a certain over days it’s ingrained into the our level 30 based onwhere the economy. And while noggins to become good bad. Inismy government might brag theornumber low, case, usually it’s more than bad. likely the government did Truth is, the only I everbeing reallylow something to cause thattime number lost weight and got into shape was after — and not in a good way. Conversely, when my separation. Theit’s “divorce over business picks up, because40” thetook people my andtoIbuy lost,widgets yes, 40who pounds. wholife need wereYou not know With everything going onwas in buyingwhy? widgets because the economy my head, I was something I didn’t contracting due doing to natural (or unnatural, realize: exercising eatingdecided right. Then government caused)and reasons, we Ibetter didn’t. And nowwidgets. I live with opposite buy some The the government “divorce 40”toright backthis. where I started. had nothing do with Why am I telling this? Honestly, ■ Prediction four:you In keeping with Ithings like tothesay I don’t know, I kindathe do. government does,but I predict Because I’mwill trying and working to extend government manipulate the numbers to one myclaim resolutions of reading a daily makeofthe the economy is getting devotional. And glancing over ato better because of not howjust hard it is working quick with an anecdote. I’m help allone-pager of us “working Americans.” Now really striving spendyou quality time you might say, to “Craig, always saywith this aabout partner in the Obama “gym” of life. Because President because you don’t like him.” Crossroads really You’rewould right inconfirm, a sense. it’s I don’t hard doman, it alone. Fact Iis, I doubt youand knowtothe but what know of him could find anyone his thinking, I don’twho like has it orwith him any one goal iota. they’ve realized. yeah, making Before you go off,So however, I didn’t Feb. like 1 with JesusBush at the wheel is a big stimulus thing this President and his bailouts, year. I’m happy to say jumped in to hissave ride and his abandoning the Ifree market this morning, and theI ride the free market. And don’twent knowgreat. him And it’sthe thegovernment ride that’s important. either. What does, and the Staying in itthe lane habits — only thing can do,of is good hurt the economy. which or or workout will in Unlessaitdevotional does nothing put criminals provide — of keeps the badwith habits at bay. jail instead partnering them, nothing And whether you usewill onehelp. of these or the the government does Always look other — way, or both — there’s no questionsays at it this whatever the government you’ll be inwhatever better physical and it is doing, the name ofmental the law it shape in theorlong run. Especially a of is passing, whatever the name orifgoal commitment to instilling this astoathe habit the bureaucracy it is presenting “experts” (actual takesto30occur. days. people, expect theones) polar say opposite Because the what only way to get to I guess I’m saying is March that 1 from Jan.it’s1 to gettotoget Feb. see perhaps time out1.ofAnyone our own aperspective. pattern? Yeah, don’t feel bad. it’s only There’s plenty of history taken years to research understand theto booksme and60 historical outit’s there only worth seeing beginpattern to understand that alland of doing. this has And that’s OK. After all,again, getting in happened before. And it will shape in the the topic gym is of people life takes work and whether or government. commitment. The snake oil salespeople The best recommendation is to find aren’t interested yourwhole health, just some books or tryinthat Google their The government? Please thing.profit. There’s a lot of information on the don’t me started. if you Great get Depression. TheBut truth is it need wasn’t aeven confirmation it feels a good oneabout untilhow the government got about individual just look at its involved. There’s health, also plenty of research messaging during the pandemic about on the medieval warm period when the the No. 1 comorbidity relatedthan to COVID 19 planet was much warmer today with and howlot seriously it affects victims: a whole less people (and its warmer well Not oneman peep about And yep, then before was hereobesity. at all). And look at have how it treated churches and people been killing other surprised health years. people clubs since during historythe waspast firsttwo written. Indifferent come close. Maybe doesn’t some research will help stop thoughts New Year’s all ofMy these trends.onOtherwise, we’ll be resolutions? fitness with like friends. saying we’veFaith neverand seen anything it in You’ll love hownot you March our lives. And in feel a good way.1. Craig Craig Hall Hall is is owner owner and and publisher publisher of of the the Business Business Times. Times. Reach Reach him him at at 424-5133 424-5133 or or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. F ✦
