CREATING JOINT VENTURES AND BUSINESS ALLIANCES By Richard J. Sowan Despite a healthy backlog of contracts, the current construction industry complaints — declining margins due to increasing labor costs, and increased competition from aggressive bidding — do sound very familiar to anyone involved in the industry during the late 1980s, when a lot of companies […]Read More
INCREASED TECH REQUIREMENTS ENCOURAGE BUILDERS TO BRING SPECIAL SYSTEMS PROGRAM MANAGEMENT IN HOUSE By Jim Gregg Research shows that, in recent years, the percentage of budgets allotted for technology has increased dramatically across all sectors of construction — including aviation, hotels, offices, manufacturing and research facilities, hospitals, plants, refineries, bridges and roads. Developers and owners […]Read More
FREE TRADE IS NOT FREE By Mike W. Peng In effect since 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has caused no shortage of controversies. Criticisms have ranged from Ross Perot’s prediction that it would lead to a “giant sucking sound” destroying American jobs, to Donald Trump’s indictment of the agreement as a “disaster” […]Read More
FINDING THE INNOVATORS & DISTRUPTORS By Holly Priestner The search is over. The interviews are complete and the references checked. In fact, every box is checked. After months of searching, the perfect executive has been selected. The board approves, internal stakeholders approve. It seems perfect. And yet, there is still a hint of uncertainty. Adding […]Read More
WHAT THE PRIVACY SHIELD TREATY MEANS FOR TEXAS BUSINESSES By Matt Goulet In late June, UK voters took to the polls to weigh in on their future as members of the European Union. Britain’s exit from the EU (“Brexit”) left markets wavering as the world wondered what it would all mean for the global economy. […]Read More
PARTNERING WITH EMPLOYERS TO DELIVER IMPROVED HEALTH OUTCOMES By Charles Lusk The health care industry is never short of growth and innovation. Our bodies are always in need of tune-ups, if not more intensive repairs. Thankfully, breakthroughs continue to pour in, introducing new methods and research targeting the prevention of disease, injury and illness. Similarly, […]Read More
HOW TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AND EFFICIENCY By Warren Ivie Great communication is a hallmark quality of every highly successful organization. Technological advancements over the last 20-plus years have made it easier than ever to find ways to communicate, but in some ways, the sheer volume and variety of communication vehicles that exist today can be […]Read More
HOW PROFESSIONALS ESTABLISH CREDIBILITY, EXPERTISE & TRUST By Sonia Fisher Branding isn’t just for companies and products any more. Its importance has been extended to a company’s greatest asset: its people, specifically to top-ranking professionals that are often the “face” of the organization. Building a strong personal brand has become a business imperative that is […]Read More
FIVE TIPS TO BUILDING – OR REBUILDING – YOUR TEAM By Elizabeth Lions The Recession is over. In 2015, it has officially become a candidate driven market. Says who? Data from global search organization MRINetwork confirms recruiters see 2015 as a job seeker-driven market that shot up from 56 percent in 2012 to 90 percent […]Read More
THE EVOLUTION OF IP DESIGN PROTECTION By Carma Gorman A designer, or team of designers, works hard to come up with a distinctive look for a product. It could be an item of furniture, or high-tech equipment, or even clothing. But if those designers work in the United States, their design might not be what […]Read More