Contributors Opinion Bold predictions for 2015 Merry Christmas to all, A new affords I’ve gotyear goodBusiness reason more Briefs not-so-bold and alike curious newrepeats year a new opportunity to love this season Business People Almanac to meet local needs THE he B BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES
PPAGE age 22 22
I suspect I’m no different than any other child who grew up believing Christmas was the holiday around which the entire kid year revolved. Better than Halloween. Better even than birthdays. What’sbrings not to an love? The festive A new year almost always opportunity fordecorations. a fresh startThe and family The food. And, of course, the pile of presents renewed ambition togatherings. do things better. theboils tree. down Even the agonizingcustomers wait for Christmas In business, thatunder usually to providing better products morning was worth enduring because and services faster and at lower cost than competitors. Partofofthe thejoyous process must discoveriestoI determine knew awaited It was magical. include listening to customers whatme. they actually need and then stillit remember Christmas wasgreatest maybe 5. meeting that need. After Iall, does little agood to offerEve thewhen latestIand if I was snuggled into bed, but way too excited to sleep. nobody actually wants what you’re selling. Suddenly, wastoa loud thumpthe onGrand the roof above Area my Just like the businesses thatthere belong the group, Junction bedroom as if a heavy object landed there. A sleigh perhaps? Chamber of Commerce invariably starts out the new year with a reassessment of I squeezed shut eyes bigwell as saucers, fearful even a furtive the services and resources it provides andas how they match with members Santa outside window would send him away needs. Jeff Franklin,glimpse the new of chairman of the my chamber board of directors, Phil Castle beforeinhe deliveredwhat the goods. I concede the possibility it personifies this approach describing he considers his role for the coming wasn’t Santa. I their remain convinced year: listen to members, determine needs and thenotherwise. meet those needs. It’s a three years since then. I’m almost fossilized at this role I’ve with lived whichnearly Franklin is score familiar as market president of Bank of Colorado. point. I suppose don’t qualify as a kid anymore. I’d like in to what believe, The process Iwill take on a more structured approach the though, chamber I’m least at heart. way or the called other, IListening still loveto Christmas. forthe plansatas the young resumption of aOne program aptly Business.Just Under different program, reasons. business owners participate in in-depth interviews to identify barriers to Don’t meproblems wrong. I like But I’m more grateful these days for the growth andget other theypresents. encounter. love The and new thoughtfulness behind gifts. Presented choice, club. I’d rather give than year offers a good time to join the the proverbial receive. It’sadvertiser more fun.or reader, what do you need from the Business Times? As an Above all, I lovejournals Christmas for the opportunity holiday affords news to to While business traditionally gather and the report the relevant reflect the best gifts ofisn’t all — relationships. That includes family, friends true as readers,oncommunication necessarily a one-way street. That’s especially and othersmake of all the sorts. But that alsoconvenient includes those Websignificant sites and e-mail dialogue more than with ever.whom it’s a privilege work. Goodtopublications don’t exist in a vacuum. They respond to the needs of As editor a business blessed to work with a lot of people. advertisers andofreaders. Theyjournal, provideI’m what’s needed. A lot.SoGet this: actually what doI you need?get paid to meet people, learn about their endeavors and tell their stories. That’s news a tremendous there. Is there additional coveragegift thatright would help keep you informed about Print journalism with real print — and real I’dinteresting assert — or local business developments? Are there features journalism, that would be constitutes a team sport.that That includes myeasier? boss, Craig Hall, to useful? Is there advice would makeeveryone your jobsfrom a little thoseIt’s dedicated folks who to build paper and maintain website. equally important ask ads, whatprint you the don’t need. With limitedthe time to I consider especially editor it, to would work with produce contentmyself and limited spacefortunate in whichastoan publish timecolumnists and space be who generously their time better devoted toshare something else?and talents. I swear there are times when I’m almost giddy at the prospect sharingneeded? their advice. that good. What’s good? What isn’t?ofWhat’s What It’s isn’t? None it would though, wereonline it not for the Business businesses and Web Let usof know. Sendbeuspossible, an e-mail. Comment on the Times organizations that advertise in the Business Times. has never letter been to site at www.thebusinesstimes.com. You could even Your write support an old-fashioned more important —like. or, for that matter, more the editor if you’d Your feedback, both appreciated. positive and negative, is valued and most important people of all involved in this process are readers. will The be carefully considered. Those who carve time out schedules to read what appears pages and Good publications are of thebusy result of not only the efforts of theiron staffs, but also the website. You remain the reason I do what do. collaborative efforts involving advertisers and Ireaders. Happy Christmas to all. God bless us, every one.to our customers, find out Like any other good business, we want to listen 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
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Editor: Phil Castle
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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. © 2021 — All rights reserved.
Holiday wishes will when appear. But not It’s that time of year until after I and address a personal issue that resolutions prognostications abound. arose after my column was published in My favorite saying applied to New Year’s the last issue. resolutions is in saying they’re basically a I got a call bunch of promises to break the first week from a friend about of January. And while I won’t predict a cancelling whole lot, Ihis can pretty much accurately subscription. Granted, nail a few things that without question his was You will see these are willsubscription make the news. ending at thepredictable: end of pretty, well, the year. One wayone: or ■ Prediction the other, There willthe be timing some was perfect related to sort of weather event, the column and or this natural disaster matter. know this heinousIoccurrence because I do all will the Craig Hall where someone subscription billing be interviewed and say — tardy “I’ve and a the albeit following: little But I actually know when neverscattered. seen anything most subscriptions are coming due. Either like that in my that meansIt’s I am lifetime.” as ifkinda this smart or need way Craig more Regardless, I’mHall glad personsubscribers. is a required my friendatcalled. attendee every news I wantevent. readers to know this is a most reporting While I understand gentleman for whomcan I have the be greatest people’s perspective indeed limited respect. He helped me attheir someown of the by, or contained within, personal lowest pointsitofismy andto experiences, tooseparation much to ask divorce and stayed in touch with mebefore off consult some historical perspective and on such during my recovery. friendships saying a thing? Yes, thisAsresponse can go, ours to theBut point in which he apply to evolved some events. when it comes sought my and counsel on matters ofI’m concern to weather natural disasters, pretty to him. a genuine foritself. sure thisHe is has simply historyconcern repeating our community, is millions a man ofand faithmillions and — of Same as it has for obviously —important, not afraid the to get intomade the it! years. More planet mire speak hiscertain mind. species. Gee, it’sHow’s no Whatand didn’t were wonder we hit it off. that for perspective? He called metwo: to speak mind. to a ■ Prediction Whenhis it comes For those who don’tthat know me as well, it’s crime or something occurs between one of thethereasons I write. Iattendee truly enjoy humans, other required at all the conversations I have with folkswho who news reporting events is the person take the time to call write. says this: “They we’reorjust the Well, nicestmost of them.and More than a few people, in no way did Iare seesimply something folks ranting and, Exactly. yes, yelling at me for like this coming.” No one does stating in an opinion most ofmy the opinion time when it comes tocolumn. Selfishly, for a writer to know neighbors it’s andgood acquaintances. People should they’re beingatread. a healthy, be surprised whatThat goessaid, on from time to public is a good thing. Especially time indebate their neighborhoods, towns and when the public being abusedpeople like itare is with people they is know because today by our good. And forleaders. the times that they shouldn’t But I digress. be shocked — like with politicians, repeat Now and backterrorists to the phone call and offenders — where’s the why it’s stayedthat with me“This the past two surprise weeks. interview says, doesn’t It’s thethe why in why he wanted to cancel me in least.” his subscription. He said I went too far ■ Prediction three: Something good this time. Ineconomically, my defense, and I acknowledged will happen the in my column questions asked government willthe take credit forI it. The most might be “harsh, sarcastic over the recent example is gas prices,orwhere people top.” mostthe ofpresident you know, ask meI also why know, I won’tas credit for much my writing is layered with low gasofprices. My answer is simple: sarcasm. While it’smakes a talent, I really Government never the price of need to work ongo it down goingand forward. something simplyAnd takesjust credit what wasnews. over Gas the top, youisask? One for good pricing subject to word: hydroxychloroquine. A word, many global factors. Now there are according the toptomen in charge of of governmenttoanswers addressing some our COVID-19 themdisastrous to keep prices stable forpandemic Americans, response, we dare not but our government has speak. none of them in you’re youitknow a place.IfThe onlyme, things has inthat’s placefor in the
December 23, 2021-J anuary 5, 2015 2022 JANUARY 15-28,
good reason — in this case a good, really long run always hurt consumers. Another bad fact one. is that unemployment reaches a certain friend and I spent a good levelWhile based my on the economy. And while the amount of time talking about that word, government might brag the number is low, one thingthan waslikely missing our (and those it’s more the in government did yelling) phone call:that questions. caselow something to cause numberIn being you don’t the way. headline of my last — and notrecall, in a good Conversely, when column less traveled are businesswas: picksThe up, roads it’s because the people the never asked. whoquestions need to buy widgets who were not I love questions. And me, buying widgets because thebelieve economy was Icontracting question EVERYTHING to me. due to natural (orsaid unnatural, Literally everything. As soondecided as the sound government caused) reasons, we hits my ears, mywidgets. brain isThe already looking better buy some government at topic from hadthe nothing to do the withopposite this. point of view.■It’s asking where holes are. Prediction four: Inthe keeping with It wants know who,does, what,I when things thetogovernment predictand the where this information camethe from. It’s to government will manipulate numbers how And onisthe dark makemy thebrain claimworks. the economy getting side myof head the other question: betterinside because howishard it is working to Why? help all of us “working Americans.” Now Whilesay, I got my friend’s why,say what you might “Craig, you always this Iabout neverPresident got wasObama why the why from because you don’t his view.right Andinwhy the why likepoint him.”of You’re a sense. I don’t was regarding mine.ofEvery knowdismissed the man, but what I know him and reference from my like end itwas met one withiota. the his thinking, I don’t or him refrain stating no matter how muchlike we Before you go off, however, I didn’t talked, hisBush mindand wasn’t going to change. President his bailouts, stimulus That’s bugs me And, NO. It’s and hiswhat abandoning themost. free market to save not because I couldn’t change hishim mind. the free market. And I don’t know Another reason I write is not so much to either. What the government does, and the change people’s minds, butthetoeconomy. open them. only thing it can do, is hurt Why is onnothing my mind is not because Unlessthis it does or put criminals in I lost 25 bucks a year. Forwith the them, record, this jail instead of partnering nothing was about paying forwill mailing the paper, the government does help. Always look not reading it.theIt government was because at it stopping this way, whatever says Iitdidn’t make my friend curious enough is doing, whatever the name of the law it to look intoorwhat millions and millions is passing, whatever the name or goal of across the planetit have. If my friend the bureaucracy is presenting to the had taken roadthe lesspolar traveled, I would have people,the expect opposite to occur. had answers and gladly givenis them. I guess what I’m saying that But the questions were never perhaps it’s time to get outasked. of our own PerhapsThere’s my inability my perspective. plentytoofpique history friend’s interest is onresearch me. Maybe books and historical out I’m therenot to writing enough stoking begin toconvincingly understand that all oforthis has curiosity much And as I’dit hope. happenedasbefore. will again, Ask the mytopic youngest — who has a whether is people or government. VERY different world view thanis Itodofind — The best recommendation what alwaysorcome back to inGoogle our many some Ibooks try that whole conversations. about the thing. There’s aGet lot curious of information onother the side why someThe think differently. Greatand Depression. truth is it wasn’t At least she finally accepts it’s a sensible even a good one until the government got thing to do. involved. There’s also plenty of research It’smedieval my hopewarm over the pastwhen 21 years on the period the I’ve helped many warmer of you do thetoday same.with planet was much than After all,lot theless questions stop on well a whole people don’t (and warmer Dec. 2021. before31,man was here at all). And yep, Stay safe, healthy andother curious this people have been killing surprised holiday season. Thank you forwritten. making the people since history was first Business Times anresearch integral part your Maybe some will of help stop life. all of these trends. Otherwise, we’ll be In this season giving, curiosity saying we’ve neverofseen anything like is it ain most precious our lives. And gift. not in a good way. Craig Craig Hall Hall isis owner ownerand andpublisher publisherofofthe the Business Business Times. Times. Reach Reachhim himatat424-5133 424-5133or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. F ✦
