Clay County

Construction Trades Industry Outlook

Construction Sector Firing on Nearly All Cylinders A generally upbeat tone marked Ingram’s 2015 Construction Trades Industry Outlook assembly on May 15 at the Builders’ Association’s Education and Training Center in North Kansas City. More than 25 executives from the… more

Better Than the Rest

Eight years into the process of identifying the Best Companies to Work For, we’ve found the common threads to employment nirvana: Leadership with vision. Employees energized, motivated and liberated to act on that vision. Clear goals—specific, measurable and realistic. All… more

‘How Do I …’

Straight from the experts’ mouths, guidance on getting things done. Running a successful business in many cases comes down to applying the correct dosages of common sense at precisely the right time. There are occasions, though, when workplace situations call… more

The ‘Sell in May, Walk Away’ Strategy—Does It Work?

Critics may liken it to market timing, but history suggests there’s more at work here. Every year about this time, people are looking towards summer break. However, the summer break I’m writing about here is a break from the stock… more

All in the Family

The role of family business in America’s economy may be changing, but the foundation is solid Walmart started as a family business. Still is, if you think about it in terms of stock shares controlled by the Walton family (roughly… more

2015 Legal Industry Outlook

The Legal Perspective on Regional Job Growth Those who might want a panoramic view of the next Plaza lighting ceremony would do well to cozy up to the attorneys at Husch Blackwell, the hosts of this year’s Legal Industry Outlook… more

No Cats Killed in Bloch School Scandal

In the first month or so of 2015, readers of The Kansas City Star received updates, daily or close to it, on two scandals, one national, one local. Both involved the inflation of things—footballs in New England and academic rankings… more

Not Even Bain Capital Could Save KC’s Armco Steel

The anti-capitalist spin on Mitt Romney’s record tells us more about the media than it does about the candidate. As long as Mitt Romney remains a front-runner in the race for the White House, the media will treat us to… more

Knock Down the Bio-Barriers Before They Stunt Growth

Anyone in business knows that little things matter. When enough little things go wrong, you can find yourself mired in big problems. That’s what bothers me about some recent developments on the biotechnology and life-sciences front in the Kansas City… more

Adjusting to the New Normal: 2012 M&A Outlook

As we emerge further from the credit crisis and great recession of 2008–2010, the lessons learned during the crisis and existing economic externalities shape our outlook for 2012 M&A activity. Our focus is on the private middle and micro market,… more