by Nancy Napier As seen in the Idaho Statesman Business Insider on May 2, 2012 Here we sit with 8 percent unemployment across most of the U.S. I don’t see the full range of people out of work — but I do see a lot of smart and ambitious students who’ve worked hard for several [...]
Category Archives: Statesman Series
Subtle Shifts Change Roles for Workers and Companies
February 22, 2012 – 4:34 pm
by Nancy Napier As seen in the Idaho Statesman Business Insider on February 15, 2012 Even on clear nights, I see only a few stars distinctly when I look at them straight on. When I turn my head sideways or squint, I see more, including those on the edges. And only then can I connect [...]
Businesses Can Learn a Thing or Two from Black Holes
February 14, 2012 – 4:33 pm
by Gundars Kaupins As seen in the Idaho Statesman Business Insider on February 8, 2012 The Hubble and Kepler space telescopes have allowed astronomers to have many recent discoveries about black holes, the expanding universe and new planets. Many of these discoveries also can provide some important business lessons for top management. Among the greatest [...]
Adding Sales Taxes to Services would Hurt Poor Idahoans
February 1, 2012 – 4:32 pm
by Brian Greber As seen in the Statesman Business Insider on February 1, 2012. State Rep. Shirley Ringo, D-Moscow, is backing a plan to broaden the application of the state’s sales tax by eliminating a few minor exemptions and extending the sales tax to services. Setting aside the question of how much money should be [...]
Taiwan, Idaho Forge Strong Link in International Markets
January 25, 2012 – 4:31 pm
by Meredith Taylor Black and Vera Zdravkova As seen in the Idaho Statesman Business Insider on January 25, 2012 What does the recently signed $500 million trade agreement between Idaho’s wheat growers and Taiwan mean to Idaho’s greater business community? It not only highlights the importance of international trade and export-led growth, it also illuminates [...]
Don’t Just Talk About Offering Good Service – Measure It
January 18, 2012 – 4:31 pm
by Gary McCain As seen in the Idaho Statesman Business Insider on January 18, 2012 Boise State’s capstone marketing class provides marketing-planning assistance for small businesses. I can’t count the number of times owners of these businesses say their competitive advantage is that they have better service. Few can actually point out any service they [...]
How Motorola Made the Accelerometer a Winner
January 11, 2012 – 4:30 pm
by Leon Maynard As seen in the Statesman Business Insider on January 11, 2012 Most of us really take our accelerometers for granted these days. Yet the invention, development and deployment of these extremely small devices did not come easily. An accelerometer is a motion sensor. Our automobiles use them to detect collisions and deploy [...]
Want to be an Entrepreneur? Here’s a Quick Checklist
January 4, 2012 – 4:29 pm
by Kent Neupert As seen in the Statesman Business Insider on January 04, 2012 Do you have a good idea for a new product or business? Are you now or do you want to be an entrepreneur? How do you know whether you have an opportunity? Webster’s Dictionary defines “entrepreneur” as “one who organizes, manages [...]
The Rewards of Risk, Courtesy of Broncos, Steve Jobs
December 7, 2011 – 4:28 pm
by Gundars Kaupins As seen in the Idaho Statesman Business Insider on December 7, 2011 Remember Boise State’s first Fiesta Bowl? The hook and lateral, option pass, the Statue of Liberty and a marriage proposal. That was risk-taking. Late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs was all about risk-taking going into hyperspace. The Apple, Apple II, MacIntosh, [...]
Organizational Success Lies in Asking Good Questions
November 9, 2011 – 12:55 pm
by Nancy Napier As seen in the Statesman Business Insider on November 9, 2011 How many questions do you ask in a day? When do you ask questions? And why do you ask them? Many CEOs say asking questions is one of the most important aspects of their jobs. So give yourself a challenge: [...]