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    « June 2009 | Main | August 2009 »

    July 2009

    July 30, 2009

    T. Boone Pickens: Lancaster County Chamber and Energy Independence

    Lcci Last night I attended the Lancaster Chamber’s 137th Annual Dinner. The keynote speaker at this event was T. Boone Pickens, Founder and Chairman of BP Capital Management. The event was held at the new Lancaster County Convention Center. What a beautiful venue to hold such an event.

    Pickens message to the thousands who attended the event was how America’s addiction to imported oil is a threat to our economy, our environment, and the national security of America. He stated that an astounding 70% of America’s oil is imported – half of that oil comes from countries that either do not like us or despise us. He states that for more than 40 years, every president has promised to make the United States energy independent; however, during those 40 years we went from importing 24% of our oil to importing close to 70%.

    Continue reading "T. Boone Pickens: Lancaster County Chamber and Energy Independence" »

    Posted at 04:49 PM in My Thoughts | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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    July 28, 2009

    Do You Owe Use Tax? Do You Even Know What Use Tax Is?

    Collect Tax I was recently reading an article the other day by Julie Sulc that talked about one particular woman's dilemma concerning use tax.  Julie found out about use tax as she was preparing her personal tax return on Turbo Tax.  At the end of her return, a question popped up, "Do you owe any use tax?"  She recalled a story her friend had once told her about complying with this tax.  Her friend had bought a Dell computer online.  Dell did not charge sales tax but let the woman know that they would report the sale to her home state.  This was enough to scare the woman into complying.  To make a long story short, she finally figured out how to submit a use tax return.  By the time she submitted the payment, it was after the due date.  She was slapped with a notice of interest and penalty due.  So much for her having a conscience!

    Continue reading "Do You Owe Use Tax? Do You Even Know What Use Tax Is?" »

    Posted at 09:36 AM in Economy/Stimulus | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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    July 26, 2009

    Family Business: Teaching Values to the Next Generation

    Family Business I recently interviewed a young man about growing up in a family business and he shared what he thought were the most important things he learned.  I thought the contents were so valuable that I would share them on my blog.  I hope you enjoy!

    Continue reading "Family Business: Teaching Values to the Next Generation" »

    Posted at 08:02 PM in Family Business | | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

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    July 23, 2009

    Listening to the Economic Heartbeat of Pennsylvania

    McKonomics In the next McKonomics Podcast, I interview Lowman Henry, Director and CEO of the Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research.  Listen to Lowman share his knowledge of what is happening to business in Pennsylvania.

    Click here to learn more about the Economic Heartbeat of Pennsylvania. Enjoy the show, and keep checking back for future episodes!

    Posted at 04:41 PM in Economy/Stimulus | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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    July 21, 2009

    US Government has Pledged $23.7 Trillion

    Inspector Today Neil Barofsky, the special inspector general of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), testified before Congress that the United States has pledged up to $23.7 trillion to provide stability to the current financial crisis.

    If you remember, late last year our government committed $700 billion for the TARP program in order to save the financial sector and prevent a deep recession.  What his report indicates is that the government has actually committed significantly more through several other federal agencies and programs (Federal Reserve, FDIC, FHA, GNMA…)

    Continue reading "US Government has Pledged $23.7 Trillion" »

    Posted at 08:21 PM in Economy/Stimulus | | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

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    July 20, 2009

    HOPE International Vision Trip

    Hope Have you ever been on a trip to a developing country?  Do you know what poverty looks like?  Do you know that approximately 66% of the world’s population lives on less than $4 per day?  Have you ever wondered how finance and business skills could be used in missions and in lifting the world out of poverty? Do you know what microfinance is? Do you know there is an organization based in Lancaster that is using a business approach to bring dignity and employment to the poor?

    If you would like to answer yes to any of these questions, then join me on a short trip with Hope International to the Dominican Republic on January 7 – 9, 2010. Click on this link for a video of a HOPE Vision Trip.

    Continue reading "HOPE International Vision Trip" »

    Posted at 02:14 PM in My Thoughts | | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

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    July 19, 2009

    Human Sigma: Managing the Employee-Customer Encounter

    Human sigma In my continuing series of book reviews, I profile a great book by John H. Fleming, Ph.D. and Jim Asplund called Human Sigma.  This book describes an innovative management approach that improves the financial performance of sales and service companies by managing employees and their interaction with customers.

    The Human Sigma approach is based on the following five rules:

    Continue reading "Human Sigma: Managing the Employee-Customer Encounter" »

    Posted at 04:50 PM in Book Reviews | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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    July 14, 2009

    Constructing a New Game Plan: Podcast on the Construction Industry

    McKonomics In the next McKonomics Podcast, I interview Tom Davies, Chairman of the Board for the Keystone Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors. Listen as Tom discusses what is happening in the construction industry and how contractors should be forming a new game plan in response to this economic downturn.

    Click here to learn more about constructing a New Game Plan.  The McKonomics Podcast Series will continue in the coming weeks as I interview Lowman Henry of the Lincoln Institute.

    Enjoy the show, and keep checking back for future episodes!

    Posted at 02:10 PM in Economy/Stimulus | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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    July 13, 2009

    Strategic Planning

    Strategic Planning This is the time of year when many organizations step back and reflect on where they have come from and where they hope to go. This process is called Strategic Planning.  I have the privilege of facilitating many of these planning sessions.  In fact in the next two weeks, I am facilitating sessions for PinnacleHealth Systems, Central Pennsylvania College, and Mennonite Mutual Aid.

    Strategic planning determines where an organization is going over the next year or more, how it's going to get there and how it will know if it got there. A good plan will also include action steps and assign responsibility in order to make sure items get implemented.

    Continue reading "Strategic Planning" »

    Posted at 08:28 PM in Management | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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    July 12, 2009

    Lobar, Inc.

    Lobar As part of my continuing series of Organizations that “Get It”, one company that I believe fits the mold is Lobar, Inc. Since it’s founding in 1967, Lobar, Inc. has been offering the broadest possible range of professional services which reflect the company's understanding of the needs of the business by providing superior construction services at competitive prices, striving for excellence in customer relations and construction quality, and keeping in mind that their employees are critical to the success of the company.

    As third-generation owners and builders, Lobar, Inc. is one of the few private, Pennsylvania-based, family-owned general contracting firms operating statewide. Over the past forty years, Lobar, Inc. has built its reputation, and today it has become a multi-million dollar enterprise, offering comprehensive, quality construction services for Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and West Virginia.

    Continue reading "Lobar, Inc." »

    Posted at 12:33 PM in Organizations that "Get It" | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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