Kansas City, Missouri

Back to the Old Normal?

At the dawn of a new year, “oil,” “output” and “optimism” have a lot more going for them than their alliterative possibilities: The six-month reversal in oil prices—plunging by more than half, from $115 to $47 per barrel of Brent… more

In the News: Jan 2015

Missouri Cass County New ED DirectionFor the first time in more than a year, Cass County has an economic-development director. The county has contracted with Spectrum Strategies and its owner, Bill Brown, to oversee its development initiatives. That fills a… more

The Boys Book Club

I am privileged to belong to what is rare now and what may one day soon be extinct, and that is a book club for men. Why such clubs may become extinct is no mystery. For the past few decades,… more

The risk of 9 to 5. And the reality of BEFORE and AFTER

If you’re working in a world that pre-dates the 24/7/365 business cycle, you’re out of time. The vast majority of sales professionals—I’m guessing 95 percent or more—try to fit their sales day into a normal workday. They want their day… more

Around the Region

January 20-25“Chicago – The Musical”A six time Tony Award winner, two time Olivier Award winner and Grammy winner with performances in the Muriel Kauffman Theatre at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. 816.994.7222 | kauffmancenter.org January 22-25“Kansas City Boat… more

R-O-M Corp.

If you really want to appreciate the depth of the economic downturn in this country, try making products for other businesses. Jeff Hupke does, and as president of R-O-M Corp., he has a box seat to keep score on the… 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

Getting training in order. The correct order.

Before you attempt to put a training program in place at your organization, make sure it has fertile soil for success—and that means can-do attitudes among your staff.Many companies are considering training programs for the new year: New budgets. New… 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

With Markets Volatile, Munis Are Worth a New Look

In August 2011, the credit-rating agency Standard & Poor’s removed the U.S government from its list of AAA borrowers for the first time, citing diminishing confidence in the government’s ability to manage its finances in the current political environment. Yet… more