21 minute read
Opinion
Page 26 PAGE 22
The Business Times Contributors THE BUSINESS TIMES June 23-July 6, 2022JANUARY 15-28, 2015 Opinion Opinion Business BriefsA new year affords Business Peoplea new opportunity to meet local needs Almanac
A new year almost always brings an opportunity for a fresh start and renewed ambition to do things better.
In business, that usually boils down to providing customers better products and services faster and at lower cost than competitors. Part of the process must include listening to customers to determine what they actually need and then meeting that need. After all, it does little good to offer the latest and greatest if nobody actually wants what you’re selling.
Just like the businesses that belong to the group, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce invariably starts out the new year with a reassessment of the services and resources it provides and how well they match with members needs. Jeff Franklin, the new chairman of the chamber board of directors, personifies this approach in describing what he considers his role for the coming year: listen to members, determine their needs and then meet those needs. It’s a role with which Franklin is familiar as market president of Bank of Colorado.
The process will take on a more structured approach in what the chamber plans as the resumption of a program aptly called Listening to Business. Under the program, business owners participate in in-depth interviews to identify barriers to growth and other problems they encounter.
The new year offers a good time to join the proverbial club.
As an advertiser or reader, what do you need from the Business Times?
While business journals traditionally gather and report the relevant news to readers, communication isn’t necessarily a one-way street. That’s especially true as Web sites and e-mail make the dialogue more convenient than ever.
Good publications don’t exist in a vacuum. They respond to the needs of advertisers and readers. They provide what’s needed.
So what do you need?
Is there additional news coverage that would help keep you informed about local business developments? Are there features that would be interesting or useful? Is there advice that would make your jobs a little easier?
It’s equally important to ask what you don’t need. With limited time to produce content and limited space in which to publish it, would time and space be better devoted to something else?
What’s good? What isn’t? What’s needed? What isn’t?
Let us know. Send us an e-mail. Comment online on the Business Times Web site at www.thebusinesstimes.com. You could even write an old-fashioned letter to the editor if you’d like. Your feedback, both positive and negative, is valued and will be carefully considered.
Good publications are the result of not only the efforts of their staffs, but also collaborative efforts involving advertisers and readers.
Like any other good business, we want to listen to our customers, find out what they need and then meet those needs.
It’s a new year. Please help us to do so. ✦ THE BUSINESSTIMES 609 North Ave., Suite 2, Grand Junction, CO 81501
TEL (970) 424-5133 • FAX (970) 424-5134
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 — All rights reserved.
It’s that time of year when resolutions and prognostications abound. My favorite saying applied to New Year’s resolutions is in saying they’re basically a bunch of promises to break the first week of January. And while I won’t predict a whole lot, I can pretty much accurately nail a few things that without question will make the news. You will see these are pretty, well, predictable: ■ Prediction one: There will be some sort of weather event, natural disaster or heinous occurrence where someone will be interviewed and say the following: “I’ve never seen anything like that in my lifetime.” It’s as if this person is a required attendee at every news reporting event. While I understand most people’s perspective can indeed be limited by, or contained within, their own personal experiences, it is too much to ask to consult some historical perspective before saying such a thing? Yes, this response can apply to some events. But when it comes to weather and natural disasters, I’m pretty sure this is simply history repeating itself. Same as it has for millions and millions of years. More important, the planet made it! What didn’t were certain species. How’s that for perspective? ■ Prediction two: When it comes to a crime or something that occurs between humans, the other required attendee at all news reporting events is the person who says this: “They we’re just the nicest people, and in no way did I see something like this coming.” Exactly. No one does most of the time when it comes to neighbors and acquaintances. People should be surprised at what goes on from time to time in their neighborhoods, towns and with people they know because people are good. And for the times that they shouldn’t be shocked — like with politicians, repeat offenders and terrorists — where’s the interview that says, “This doesn’t surprise me in the least.” ■ Prediction three: Something good will happen economically, and the government will take credit for it. The most recent example is gas prices, where people ask me why I won’t credit the president for low gas prices. My answer is simple: Government never makes the price of something go down and simply takes credit for good news. Gas pricing is subject to many global factors. Now there are government answers to addressing some of them to keep prices stable for Americans, but our government has none of them in place. The only things it has in place in the
Bold predictions for 2015 more like not-so-bold repeats long run always hurt consumers. Another fact is that unemployment reaches a certain level based on the economy. And while the government might brag the number is low, it’s more than likely the government did something to cause that number being low — and not in a good way. Conversely, when business picks up, it’s because the people who need to buy widgets who were not buying widgets because the economy was contracting due to natural (or unnatural, government caused) reasons, decided we better buy some widgets. The government had nothing to do with this. ■ Prediction four: In keeping with things the government does, I predict the government will manipulate the numbers to make the claim the economy is getting better because of how hard it is working to help all of us “working Americans.” Now Craig Hall you might say, “Craig, you always say this about President Obama because you don’t like him.” You’re right in a sense. I don’t know the man, but what I know of him and his thinking, I don’t like it or him one iota. Before you go off, however, I didn’t like President Bush and his bailouts, stimulus and his abandoning the free market to save the free market. And I don’t know him either. What the government does, and the only thing it can do, is hurt the economy. Unless it does nothing or put criminals in jail instead of partnering with them, nothing the government does will help. Always look at it this way, whatever the government says it is doing, whatever the name of the law it is passing, or whatever the name or goal of the bureaucracy it is presenting to the people, expect the polar opposite to occur. I guess what I’m saying is that perhaps it’s time to get out of our own perspective. There’s plenty of history books and historical research out there to begin to understand that all of this has happened before. And it will again, whether the topic is people or government. The best recommendation is to find some books or try that whole Google thing. There’s a lot of information on the Great Depression. The truth is it wasn’t even a good one until the government got involved. There’s also plenty of research on the medieval warm period when the planet was much warmer than today with a whole lot less people (and warmer well before man was here at all). And yep, people have been killing other surprised people since history was first written. Maybe some research will help stop all of these trends. Otherwise, we’ll be saying we’ve never seen anything like it in our lives. And not in a good way. Craig Hall is owner and publisher of the Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 Copyright © 2022 — All rights reserved. F or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. ✦
And it’s only the primaries. Right now, candidates are only eating each other — unless, of course, you count all the Democrats running ads talking bad about certain Republicans. Because Democrats’ appetite for power apparently includes eating any and everything on the table.
After all, Democrats nominated Joe Biden after Kamala Harris called him a racist and a sexual abuser in a debate. Then again, Democrats let her be the nominee for vice president. Apparently, Democrats live in denial of truth, slander, misogyny and irony.
But this column isn’t solely about Democrats — no matter what levels of worse they take things to in politics. This is about politics and how it permeates every aspect of out lives. Because it does, the lust for holding power is so pervasive it attracts the worst in our citizenry at almost every level to run for office.
Of all the lessons I’ve learned in my 60 trips around the sun, this one applies to politics the most: There’s good and bad people in every aspect of life — every race, every business, every church, every family and … every everything. That means in politics, there’s good and bad going in every election as well. You know how I know the good and bad comparison is an absolute, eternal truth? Trump said it about Charlottesville, and Democrats went apoplectic — no better truth meter than that.
Except as my years on this orb continue to add up, I find less good and more and more bad. If you need proof beyond the Democrat debates of 2020, just look at the ads running in our local primaries. Sure, you hear a few about what so-and-so and such-and-such will do once elected. On a personal note, I never vote for someone promising to fight for me or put a stop to reckless spending because they’ve never spoken to me as to what to fight for. And let’s be honest, reckless spending is all they do in Washington and Denver. Once elected, they’re now an exclusive, omnipotent member of the reckless spending club. Because other than a select few who actually do constitutional things once in office, it’s already about the next election.
This is why we get ads between Republicans telling us how bad their primary opponents are. Heck, we now have Democrat ads telling us how bad Republicans are. And everyone has an ad about protecting the integrity of our elections — the worst being all of those
Really want to take flight? Under promise, over deliver Going by their ads, none deserve election running for positions that protect election
Of all the advice I’ve heard in interviewing business owners and managers integrity — because it’s so sacred both over the past two decades, some of the best boils down to two propositions: under sides have been screaming about it while promise and over deliver. doing nothing about it for decades. It’s so And though I’m only an interested observer myself, I’d bad we even have court cases today along add a third suggestion: Communicate early and often with with a state takeover of counties it doesn’t customers. like for how things are being run. The whole promising thing plays an essential role in It’s hard to find an election integrity business. It’s the basis of marketing. A business promises to solution there. And even harder to expect one provide a product or service that meets a need. Then it’s a given the folks running for the office are the matter of delivering on that promise. To provide the product ones in court or the ones doing the takeovers. or service when and where you say you will. To provide a Like almost all government positions, it’s product or service that does what you say it will do. always about control and not solutions. I’ve In a competitive environment, businesses must promise never seen such image-driven campaigns as Phil Castle as much as they can to entice customers and differentiate operations. But never more than they can actually deliver. I have over voting integrity at every level of government. If you have to convince people To do otherwise disappoints customers and damages through public relations you have integrity, credibility. It’s better to promise a bit less, then deliver a bit more. To exceed expectations, delight customers and, in the process, develop a loyal clientele. Craig Hall you probably don’t. The solutions to having safe and secure elections are simple.
All of this comes to mind after an experience in which a large corporation Make election day a holiday with strict from which I purchased a service — at a dear price, mind you — over promised hours — no votes allowed after. Make and under delivered. Did I mention I’m a consumer of commercial air travel? people register annually and include a way Then I expect most people will commiserate. for shut-ins to be registered. End mail-in
I recently enjoyed a trip to San Francisco to visit my son and his lovely wife voting and ballot harvesting. And for the and finally meet my new granddaughter. Connections took me through Phoenix love of all that’s holy, get rid of the idiotic coming and going. I scheduled long layovers in the Valley of the Sun in the event laws like the one Colorado has where any of my flights were delayed. They were, but even longer than I anticipated. someone can rescind party affiliation and Coming back, a flight scheduled to leave Phoenix at 6:30 p.m. was pushed back to vote against a candidate in the primaries. 7:30 — as in 7:30 a.m. the next morning. Make the parties pay for primaries and
Given the shortage of flight crews and other issues airlines face, I wasn’t hold them separate from general election surprised or even that upset. What did make me angry was the way the problem was days. Let the cheating and infighting remain communicated to passengers. I swear, I received messages on my cell phone every private until they come up with a candidate 10 minutes assuring me my flight was on time. The display at the gate counted to put on the general election ballot. down the minutes to the time boarding would begin. It was at that very moment the If anyone else wants on, let them meet the announcement was made the flight was postponed until the next morning. requirements on their own. Forensically
I concede I know nothing about airline operations. But I have difficulty audit each ballot, announce winners at the believing the airline didn’t know it would have to postpone the flight until the end of the week and get rid of makeuptime came to board. Was somebody frantically calling pilots until the last possible slathered talking heads calling races. minute and trying to convince them to come to work on a Sunday? This current system is set up to put
If I’d have known my flight would be postponed, I would have spent another into place more bloated, progressive day in San Francisco. For that matter, I could have visited a dear aunt in Phoenix. bureaucracies and laws leading us toward the
The business advice from this dissastisifed customer? If you can’t deliver on end of freedom. After all, Republicans need your promise, at least let me know. As soon as possible. to be squeaky clean and they aren’t. Just look
I’m aware probably more than most that bad news stinks. But the smell only at the ads. And Democrats can be as dirty as gets worse the longer you try to withhold it. they come. Just look at who they nominate. The hard truth is simple. Our elected Phil Castle is editor of the Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or officials are out of touch with the people. phil@thebusinesstimes.com. They live in a different world. They F rule, not govern. I can only make a knowledgeable choice in those I actually know and have vetted beyond ads and smears. And this time around, Lauren and Bobbie have my vote. I might just write in myself for the others, even though I’m afraid of what ads would say about me. How in the world are we going to elect good people in the system we have today? Let’s face it, we can’t. The only real way is to remove the unconstitutional power from all levels of government that’s the root cause. But who’s running on that? That candidate can’t get a word in, let alone a vote. Craig Hall is owner and publisher of the Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com.
Founder of HopeWest leaves enduring legacy
To sustainably and successfully grow, especially in the health care business, you need an inspiring leader who’s willing to take thoughtful risks, solve complicated problems and cast an infinite vision people follow. We believe HopeWest’s founding president and chief executive officer, Christy Whitney, has done just that.
As she announces her retirement after almost 30 years of service to the organization she started, we want to celebrate what she’s accomplished with the support of so many and to warmly usher in her successor, Cassie Mitchell.
Christy’s passion to provide access to hospice and palliative care in support of the ideal of dying with dignity is noble. We know it hasn’t been an easy feat to destigmatize hospice. Death is still a concept people have a hard time talking about and dealing with. Yet, we believe HopeWest has successfully done just that under her leadership. In fact, we’ve witnessed people embrace hospice, palliative care and grief counseling because they’ve seen it transform serious illness and death into a beautiful, honoring and sacred journey for each family HopeWest serves.
As a testament to Christy’s leadership and HopeWest’s role in changing the way people think about hospice care, consider the first experience our community has with HopeWest. In what other community would you find people willingly scheduling lunch dates at an operating hospice? Every single day, Spoons Bistro & Bakery is packed with locals who’ve made the choice to support the organization by dining there among the gorgeous flowers and peaceful fountains. The Artful Cup bustles to make gourmet coffees for its regulars each morning. And Heirlooms for Hospice hums with community members who love a “new” treasure as much as they’re committed to financially backing HopeWest.
Not even Christy could have dreamed of the scope of HopeWest almost 30 years after its inception. When HopeWest was founded in 1993, it operated out of a home donated by Veterans Affairs. It cared for five patients and their families. No one could have imagined how HopeWest would grow to become such an ingrained — maybe integral — nonprofit within our community.
Today, HopeWest has served more than 29,000 patients in hospice care alone; operates 19 lines of business; and has offices in Grand Junction as well as Delta, Meeker, Montrose and Plateau Valley in serving an area of more than 10,000 square miles in Western Colorado.
Christy cast a vision, held it to an infinite ideal and inspired people around HopeWest’s noble cause. Its growth is because of grassroots support from the communities it cares for every day. In fact, the philanthropy that so generously began each community office has kept each one going — signs of an organization truly embedded in the areas it serves. Christy has always considered HopeWest to be community owned. In the age of expanding for profit hospices, it’s a unique gem in providing compassionate care in Western Colorado.
As Christy retires after 30 years of dedicated service to hospice, palliative care and our community, we’re also incredibly thankful she was able to actively work with us to select her successor.
Cassie Mitchell is as brilliant, community minded, people focused and mission driven as Christy. Even her tenacity matches Christy’s. Cassie hails from Kentucky. Of her 27 years in health care, she’s spent 20 of them serving thousands of patients and their families through hospice care. Before joining HopeWest, she served as chief operating officer at Bluegrass Care Navigators, which serves a third of Kentucky and delivers care to more than 20,000 patients annually. Cassie is dedicated to continuing the mission of HopeWest, setting us up for success as we establish our newly launched PACE Program and working closely with each community HopeWest serves.
We’re excited for the next chapter at HopeWest. As members of its board of directors, we’re humbled to be part of a necessary and wonderful organization that truly serves Mesa County and the Western Slope beyond.
Thank you, Christy Whitney, for your fearless vision, your compassionate leadership and the legacy of hope you created in HopeWest.
HopeWest Board of Directors. Donald Nicolay, chairman; Peter Jouflas, immediate past chairman; Mark Francis, vice chairman; Noni Bacon, secretary; Carter Bair; Joseph Breman; Penny Brown; Carolyn Payne; Jim Pedersen; Tom Y. Sawyer; Barbara Seelye; Monique Serra; Michelle Shiao; Chris Thomas; Ashley Thurow; Monika Tuell; Laurel Walters; and S. Todd Young F
SBA offers assistance with disaster recovery
Colorado is no stranger to disasters, both natural and man-made. The state has a long history of natural disasters, including floods, wildfires, tornadoes and drought. The recent Marshall Fire in Boulder County offers an example of this problem.
It’s more important now for residents and small business owners to remember the best course of action to limit damage from natural disasters is to prepare before the disaster strikes. The Joe Biden administration and U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman have been at the forefront of ensuring small businesses and nonprofits as well as individual homeowners and renters affected by natural disasters around the nation have the support and recovery relief they need and the tools to build resilience. Aikta Natural disasters are not just more devastating. They’re also coming faster, more frequently and often rapidly Marcoulier changing in their complexity and scope. In 2020, the United States suffered 22 separate billion-dollar disasters — the most in our history. But experts expect that number to continue to climb.
As the anchors of our communities, small businesses rely on resilient neighborhoods for their customers and employees. SBA disaster relief loan programs help communities recover swiftly. n The SBA disaster loan program is the only federal assistance program that provides private property owners an affordable way to mitigate the effects of disasters and protect their homes, families, businesses, employees and livelihoods against the next disaster. n SBA disaster loan funds can be used to cover insurance deductibles, refinance an existing mortgage, pay for mitigation and protective upgrades, relocate to a safer and lower risk areas and more. These loans offer fixed interest rates amortized over 30 years for low monthly payments as well as an affordable way for property owners to fully repair or replace disaster losses not covered by other resources. n Borrowers using SBA physical disaster loan programs are also eligible for up to 20 percent of their total physical losses, as verified by SBA, to incorporate additional protective measures to mitigate future damage and losses against the next disaster. n SBA offers non-pandemic related economic injury disaster loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private nonprofit organizations located in a declared disaster area rebuild after suffering substantial losses. n The SBA has several local resource partners to assist business owners develop a disaster continuity plan — whether your business is in the relief, recovery or continuity phase. In Colorado, multiple resource partners located statewide include Small Business Development Centers, SCORE, a Veteran Business Outreach Center and a Women’s Business Center to assist you with your disaster planning. The best way to mitigate the effects of a disaster is to create a disaster continuity plan. This plan should cover how you will contact family, friends, employees and first responders following a disaster. You also should review your insurance coverage to make sure it’s current and covers all necessary costs. Most importantly, practice and evaluate your plan with family members, managers and staff to make sure it works.
For more information on SBA disaster programs, visit www.sba.gov/disaster, and remember to follow us on Twitter @SBArockymtn.
Aikta Marcoulier is administrator of U.S. Small Business Administration Region 8. Marcoulier oversees the programs and services of the federal agency in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. For more information about the SBA, visit www.sba.gov.
F
SHARE YOUR VIEWS
The Business Times welcomes guest columns and letters to the editor on issues affecting businesses in Western Colorado. Submissions should be emailed to phil@thebusinesstimes.com and include names and telephone numbers for verification.
