China Trade Deal
Do Not Elect Port Commissioners
In the March PIBA bulletin, Commissioner, Brent Chesney, proposed that state law be changed to elect Port Commissioners rather than appoint them as we do now. I disagree. Port Commissioners have been appointed over the Port’s 100-year plus history. During my 35 years living in Corpus Christi, we have had both good commissioners and poor…
Read More“The Next Big Thing”
Investors and consumers today have unrealistic expectations for the next “big thing” meaning new consumer products or services created by new science and technology. No doubt that is because most people living today spent most of their life during the last 70 years when the information technology (IT) industry produced rapid new “big things.” The…
Read MoreUnclaimed Property
Texas is currently holding about $7 billion in cash and other valuables waiting for their rightful owners to claim. The Texas Comptroller estimates that one in four residents of the State of Texas have unclaimed property. Examples of unclaimed property include dividend, payroll, or cashier’s checks; stocks, bonds, and mutual fund accounts; utility deposits and…
Read MoreRecession
Once again, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) commonly called “The Fed,” is turning the mild recession during the first two quarters of 2022 into a deep two-year recession by raising interest rates too high and keeping them high for too long to control inflation. The Fed’s track record is deplorable. In the last 60…
Read MoreBBB Tip: Donating wisely during Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Every October, countries worldwide observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month, focused on increasing support and awareness of the most common cancer affecting women worldwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in the United States. In Texas, more than 19,000 new breast cancer cases were diagnosed in 2019.…
Read MoreBBB Business Tip: 7 ways small business owners can cope with inflation
U.S. consumers are experiencing the most significant 12-month increase in prices since 1981, and many small business owners are feeling the pressure. With the inflation rate hovering around 8%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistic’s Consumer Price Index, many small business owners are experiencing increased costs to conduct business and shrinking profit margins. Desperate to…
Read MoreNational Parks and Recreation Month
This year, the month of July has been designated as National Parks & Recreation Month. It is important to recognize the importance of parks and recreation in establishing and maintaining quality of life and in contributing to the physical, economic, and environmental well-being of communities. In the United States, the month of July has been…
Read MoreCustomer Service in 2022
It seems good customer service has almost disappeared from the business world. All businesses compete on price, quality, and service. It is not possible to excel in all three. Businesses need to decide which their customers value most and focus on that. If I were starting a business now, I would focus on customer service…
Read MoreCYBER SECURITY in 2022
The book “Spies, Lies and algorithms,” by Amy B. Zeqart, describes the US cyber security threat in the last chapter. Our greatest security threat is a cyber-attack by our enemies China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, not a shooting war. For many years, hackers have attacked our businesses, universities, and government agencies repeatedly. Each time…
Read MoreHuman Trafficking Awareness
The month of January serves as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Governor Abbott has proclaimed January 2021 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month. During this month, advocates, organizations, and individuals unite to raise awareness about this very important issue. According to the Department of Homeland Security, human trafficking is “modern-day slavery and involves the use of force,…
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