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Fears of economic downturn temper optimism in the middle market
Heading into the third quarter of 2022, the economic headwinds felt strong in the middle market. U.S. inflation levels were climbing to record highs and the Federal Reserve was moving forward with a series of interest rate hikes. In its June survey of 400 owners and executives of middle market businesses, defined as those with $10 million to $2 billion in revenues, KeyBank found that most remain o[...]
A note from the editor Oct. 28
[caption id="attachment_274175" align="alignright" width="168"] Stevens[/caption] I’ve heard a lot of forward thinking this week, across a number of industries and business-related sectors. Health care professionals are open to working with entrepreneurs to innovate health care practices. Post-secondary and collegiate institutions are eager to connect with industry partners. En[...]
How small business owners can prepare for changes in consumer behavior and higher rates on loans
The Federal Reserve is expected to continue raising interest rates in 2022 to counteract inflation. The prospect of rising rates may seem daunting for small business owners, but the reality so far may have been less worrisome. Small businesses’ exposure to rising rates may be direct (for example, if you have a loan with a variable rate) or indirect (if your business is affected by changing purc[...]
The truth behind 5 credit union myths
On Oct. 20, credit unions worldwide celebrate the credit union movement with International Credit Union (ICU) Day. The day focuses on celebrating and raising awareness of the work credit unions and financial cooperatives do to help people around the world achieve their financial goals. [caption id="attachment_285968" align="alignright" width="250"] Tim Toy[/caption] Credit unions are not-f[...]
Idaho’s broadband infrastructure is lacking
As school board members, we are invested in preparing students to enter the world and believe their success is not only critical for them, but also for the health of our communities. We are lucky to have passionate and excellent educators here in Idaho, but they can’t do their jobs without reliable internet access. [caption id="attachment_285898" align="alignright" width="214"] Jason Knopp[/c[...]
Idaho teachers need wider range of support from the state
For many years, Idaho’s policymakers have attempted to address problems related to “the teacher pipeline” by focusing on recruitment: reducing professional certification requirements, increasing ‘alternative route’ teacher preparation programs and providing one-time incentives like Senate Bill 1290, which distributes payments for teachers who choose to teach in rural districts. [capti[...]
A note from the editor Oct. 14
Did you see we have more than a few tech pieces this week? [caption id="attachment_273476" align="alignright" width="168"] Stevens[/caption] In addition to our articles featured in our technology focus section — with a first-of-its-kind machine at Idaho National Laboratory to a 3D product configuration company — we also share some highlights from our last Breakfast Series panel discussi[...]
Advice for hiring a freelancer
The past two years have left a lasting impact on small businesses — from extended labor shortages and inflation to supply chain issues that have shattered “the old ways” of doing business. In an uncertain economy, freelancers can be a smart choice for small businesses that can’t afford, or simply don’t need, a permanent staff member. New trends show project-based “gig” work exists in[...]
Making tomorrow better for the next generation of legal professionals
You may have heard the term “next generation law firm” floating around. But what does that really mean? Numerous psychological studies show that prioritizing work-life balance pays off for both employers and employees. Nearly 80% of employees have experienced burnout in their careers. This isn’t surprising since long hours and strenuous work have become common, especially in the legal field[...]
Investing in commercial real estate may be a smart move for your business
If you’re a business owner who has been renting your real estate space, you may have been putting off purchasing your own space for a variety of reasons. However, it may be worth looking into, as it could be a great option for any business that wants to be in control of its expenses. By owning your commercial space, you eliminate the risk of rising rents and lease negotiations while building equ[...]
4 tips to help Latina business owners achieve success
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage month this year, it’s a good time to recognize the many contributions of Hispanic small business owners. And there truly are many. [caption id="attachment_285128" align="alignright" width="200"] Ryan Olson[/caption] According to the 2021 LDC U.S. Latino GDP Report, Latinos contributed $2.7 trillion in the United States, equivalent to the seventh-largest ec[...]
A note from the editor Sept. 16
Is it just me, or are there a lot of events happening? I’ve got some highlights from a few I’ve recently attended: The current commute from Caldwell into Boise, which is currently about 45 minutes, is projected to increase to about two hours. That’s based on analysis done by the Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho, or COMPASS. Granted, this is expected for around the year [...]
