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Chasing out-of-state work may cost unsuspecting contractors
[caption id="attachment_74616" align="alignleft" width="73" caption="Rick Stacey"][/caption] Many Idaho contractors are seeking work in other states. Energy-related construction in states like North Dakota has attracted contractors from all over the country. Although these states offer substantial business opportunities, Idaho contractors should be aware of problems that can arise when perfor[...]
Corn ethanol in the hot seat
Until recently, the Pacific Northwest had not experienced this summer’s heat waves engulfing the country, making it easy to ignore the historic droughts and record temperatures happening elsewhere. With many of the nation’s corn crops withering, the ethanol industry is catching much of the heat. Earlier this month, members of Congress urged the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce or w[...]
Outrageous construction law cases
People involved in litigation rarely find it amusing. Few are detached enough to find it even interesting. Most find it at best a necessary evil and at worst an unmitigated disaster. Lawyers worth their salt feel their clients’ pain and try to avoid the expense and risks of litigation. When litigation does result, they try to accomplish their clients’ objectives without a full-scale death m[...]
With the right financial tools, your business can expand to global markets
Exporting to a market like China was a challenge for a small business just 10 years ago. But thanks to a variety of factors — including technology such as the Internet — almost any business can export today. Idaho businesses exported a record $5.89 billion in 2011, according to data from the Idaho Department of Commerce. Exports grew by $740 million (14 percent) from 2010 and have more than[...]
SEC’s whistleblower program is off to a fast start
[caption id="attachment_61686" align="alignleft" width="89" caption="Brandon Purcell"][/caption] Charles Polk famously said, “There are no financial incentives for nefarious activities.” That may be true, unless, of course, you happen to be the whistleblower reporting the nefarious activities. In the months following the implementation of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s new wh[...]
Stop smirking, Grandpa
With great fondness I remember the facial expressions of my grandfather. I remember also that I often could not interpret their meaning. Time, and the Legislature, is teaching me that when grandpa witnessed follies he also had a remarkable view into future probabilities and outcomes because he remembered and respected the lessons he learned from history. I know what his face would look like if [...]
The Ticker – February 2012
I am Brandon Fitzpatrick, equity portfolio manager at DB Fitzpatrick & Co. – a Boise-based registered asset management firm with over $1 billion in assets under management, in both equities and fixed income. I previously worked as an equity analyst for a boutique firm in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Most investors have too little international exposure and would benefit from increasing th[...]
Tough road for proposed Hawks stadium
Supporters of a potential new Hawks stadium are now calling for progress by this summer, or the people of Boise could face consequences. With the promise of losing the Cubs franchise and, if any hope of a new facility fades away, eventually losing baseball altogether, it's time to look into the strategy laid out on Feb. 15 by the Better Boise Coalition and Boise Hawks general manager Todd Rahr[...]
Status update: Social media policies still under scrutiny
The acting general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) seems to be updating its status as often as some social media specialists. The board issued a second report on social media cases on January 24, 2012, just six months after issuing its first report on the subject. Social media use is undeniably prolific. Accordingly, and based upon protecting business interests, employers[...]
Before you hit ‘delete’ on that e-mail, read this
In today’s technology-driven world, data is everywhere. Between desktop computers, cell phones, iPads, and every other technological device, businesses are constantly creating and storing data. This data is commonly referred to as electronically stored information, or ESI, and parties to litigation and government investigators are entitled to obtain and review relevant ESI in the event of a l[...]
Introducing Anthony Lyons
If you’re a decision-maker in Boise, chances are you’ll soon meet up with Anthony Lyons, the new executive director of Capital City Development Corp. Lyons, who started at the job Dec. 5, is making a point of talking with everyone who might be able to help him get a handle on the city and what’s happening here these days. He figures it will all help him do a better job as he takes an incr[...]
Thinking about a custom cloud solution? Ask a lot of questions
[caption id="attachment_47781" align="alignleft" width="87" caption="Joe Mikitish"][/caption] We have all heard of cloud computing and it seems to be a perfect fit for business owners trying to squeeze more from shrinking budgets. The question remains: Will it really help every business as the marketing claims, or will many businesses suffer from buyer’s remorse? In the cloud computing[...]
