Contributors Opinion Bold foryour 2015 How predictions are you liking A year affords government-run Business Briefs Sonew who’s resolved health care? more like not-so-bold repeats a new opportunity to do more in 2022? Business People Almanac to meet local needs THE he B BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES
PPAGE age 18 22
Just like nearly everyone else this time of year, I find myself resolved to do more. To eat more nutritious foods. To exercise more. To read more. If nothing else, to live more intentionally. It’s an interesting phenomenon day really A new year almost always brings an opportunity forbecause a fresh every start and thethings first day of the rest of our lives. There’s nothing magical renewed ambition toisdo better. Jan.boils 1. It’s just to one point along the 365-day of In business, thatabout usually down providing customers betterorbit products the at earth around Still, I can’t deny theprocess allure ofmust the and services faster and lower cost the thansun. competitors. Part of the proverbial to clean slate a brand new actually year presents. Here’s include listening to customers determine what they need and thenwhat it is plain It’s ato do-over. Who doesn’t want that? meeting that need. After all, itand doessimple: little good offer the latest and greatest if Whatever motivation, it’s difficult to argue against nobody actually wants what you’rethe selling. the benefits assessing identifying Just like the businesses that of belong to thecircumstances, group, the Grand Junctionareas Areaof improvement setting goals achieve Moreover,of Chamber of Commerce invariably and starts out the newtoyear with them. a reassessment the actions involved achieving goals can with lead members over time to the services and resources it provides andinhow well they match And habits, of I’dthe contend, areboard far more powerful than needs. Jeff Franklin,habits. the new chairman chamber of directors, Phil Castle resolutions in effecting personifies this approach in describing whatchange. he considers his role for the coming I suspect successful and managers year: listen to members, determine their needsbusiness and thenowners meet those needs. It’sgoa through process not only at the beginning of the year, also a continual role withthis which Franklin is familiar as market president of but Bank ofon Colorado. basis.The That’s whatwill enables them to compete in the marketplace, the process take on a more structured approach in whatrecognize the chamber opportunities that arise and advantage of them. plans as the resumption of atake program aptly called Listening to Business. Under the So what are your resolutions for 2022? program, business owners participate in in-depth interviews to identify barriers to Given the challenges presented by a pandemic, labor shortages, supply chain growth and other problems they encounter. disruptions and inflation, constitutes a perfectly good answer. I hope The new year offers asurvival good time to join the proverbial club. business and managers to find ways which their ventures As anowners advertiser or reader, continue what do you need frominthe Business Times? not will While only survive, butjournals also thrive. Despite gather the challenges ahead, the outlook business traditionally and report the relevant newsfor to continued economic recovery remains bright. readers, communication isn’t necessarily a one-way street. That’s especially true as mye-mail resolutions to dialogue continue more to provide resources will help owners WebOne sitesofand make isthe convenient thanthat ever. and managers do just that. To exist both create and curate news stories, Good publications don’t in a vacuum. They respond to business the needsadvice of columns andand other information that proves useful. I remain convinced stories about advertisers readers. They provide what’s needed. successful entrepreneurs and businesses are useful if for no other reason than to So what do you need? detailIsdecisions and techniques others can and keep perhaps there additional news coverage thatconsider would help youreplicate. informedI also about remain eager todevelopments? share news about Valley businesses they’ve local business AreGrand there features that would—bewho’ve interesting or hired, where andwould what new products anda services they offer. I encourage useful?they’ve Is thererelocated advice that make your jobs little easier? thoseIt’s who have such news to to ask email it toyou me don’t as soon as possible. equally important what need. With limited time to Speaking of and resolutions a sort, a survey the Grand Junction produce content limited of space in which to conducted publish it, by would time and space be Economic Partnership produced what I considered some interesting results in what better devoted to something else? residents believe Grand Valley should become. Among What’s good?the What isn’t? What’s needed? What isn’t?their top responses: a safe Let and us forward-thinking and outdoor recreation offering access to know. Send us community an e-mail. Comment online on thehub Business Times Web varied public lands. A top-tier K-12 You education alsoan was a priority. letter to site at www.thebusinesstimes.com. could system even write old-fashioned The main role like. of GJEP to assist new existing in valued relocating the editor if you’d Yourisfeedback, bothand positive andbusinesses negative, is and and expanding operations and creating jobs. But it make sense to at least talk about will be carefully considered. aligning economic development efforts whatthe residents important. Good publications are the result ofwith not only effortsconsider of their staffs, but also There areefforts alwaysinvolving opportunities to do more — as individuals and members of a collaborative advertisers and readers. community. 2022 really happytonew Like anyHere’s other hoping good business, we will wantbetoalisten our year. customers, find out what they need and then meet those needs. Phil It’s Castle is editor of the Business a new year. Please help us toTimes. do so. Reach him at 424-5133 or phil@thebusinesstimes.com. ✦ F
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Editor: Phil Castle
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Subscribe or submit press releases online at www.thebusinesstimes.com The Grand Valley Business Times, a subsidiary of Hall Media Group LLC, is published twice monthly and distributed throughout Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade. Advertising rates and deadlines are available upon request. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, editor, staff or advertisers. Copyright © 2015 — AllCopyright rights reserved. © 2022 — All rights reserved.
Because when push comes to shove — and of force It’sit’s thatalways time ofsome yeartype when when it comes government — abound. that’s resolutions andtoprognostications exactly whatsaying we’re applied living under now. My favorite to New Year’s Becasueis once resolutions in saying they’re basically a you strip everyto break the first week bunch ofaway promises bureaucrat of January.and Andelected while I won’t predict a know-it-all whole lot, Ifrom can pretty much accurately the lawsthat without question nailmandates, a few things and by You will see these are will power make grabs the news. politicos, whopredictable: is at the pretty, well, core ■ of Prediction every decision one: in our lives today? There will be some Theweather answerevent, sort of is the Centers foror natural disaster Craig Hall Disease and heinous Control occurrence Prevention; the U.S. where someone will Food and Drug Administration; and federal, be interviewed and say state and local health the following: “I’ve departments. Why? Because we’ve been conned into believing never seen anything they’re like thatthe in only my ones capable of making healthy medical life decisions for our lifetime.” It’s as and if this Hall country. look at someCraig things you’ve person isLet’s a required been warned aboutnews should the government attendee at every take control of our healthI understand care. reporting event. While most Firstperspective up are all thecan mandates people’s indeedwe’re be limited exposed and influenced bytheir daily.own Nowpersonal you by, or contained within, might think theitreason because our to elected experiences, is too ismuch to ask leaders allhistorical these emergency powers, consulthave some perspective before which be aa thing? good thing crucial can sayingcan such Yes,because this response decisions must be made But quickly in aitstate of apply to some events. when comes emergency. you the only reason to weather (I’d and tell natural disasters, I’m our pretty electeds suchhistory a law was in the hopes sure thispassed is simply repeating itself. their power whenand the emergency Sameparty as itwas hasinfor millions millions of happened because both parties’ lust for power years. More important, the planet made it! is so overwhelming, but that’s anotherHow’s column What didn’t were certain species. for day.) But what kind of emergency thatanother for perspective? do we■have? A HEALTH emergency. Prediction two: When it comes to a else do youthat get occurs mask mandates, crimeHow or something between vaccine downattendee mandates, humans,mandates, the other shut required at all social distancingevents mandates, news reporting is thevaccine personpassports who and rest“They of thewe’re evil coming our saysthe this: just thefrom nicest elected discussing all of people,betters and inunless no waythey’re did I see something the with “health experts?” How many likeabove this coming.” Exactly. No one does times hasthe thetime little,when petty,itevil Dr. Anthony most of comes to Fauci pontificated on national television (I neighbors and acquaintances. People should know, myriad)atsome ideafrom — all while be surprised what grand goes on time to saying in such a humble, nicetowns manner time inittheir neighborhoods, and known from they government bureaucrats — are with people know because people which within becomes the next good. And forweeks the times that they shouldn’t mandate? The is EVERY time.repeat be shocked —answer like with politicians, How about rationing— ofwhere’s services? offenders and terrorists the It wasn’t that ago we used to brag about interview thatlong says, “This doesn’t surprise how me inour thehealth least.”care system treated everyone who ■ came throughthree: the door. Now, think Prediction Something good about how many folks you know who went will happen economically, and the to the emergency roomcredit with COVID-19 government will take for it. The most symptoms only to to gowhere home.people And recent example is be gastold prices, if they theIpoint can’t they ask mehit why won’tthey credit thebreathe, president for should back. is that? Who low gascome prices. MyWhose answeridea is simple: made the policy in Democrat-run states Government never makes the price of to inflict deathgo and suffering in our nursing something down and simply takes credit homes bynews. sending COVID-positive cases for good Gas pricing is subject to back our factors. most vulnerable populations? manyinto global Now there are How many drugstohave been banned in government answers addressing some of the treatment COVID use? them to keep of prices stableforforoutpatient Americans, How many drugs arehas allowed forthem inpatient but our government none of in use (hint: for COVID place. TheONE) only things it has sufferers? in place inWhy the
January15-28, 6-19, 2015 2022 JANUARY
can’t we visit loved ones in the hospital? Why is the federal government up long run always hurt consumers.buying Another the monoclonal antibodies and factsupply is that of unemployment reaches a certain distributing it asthe it sees fit? Why it some level based on economy. Andiswhile the states are distributing thethe same antibodies government might brag number is low, based on than race?likely And now we’re at thedid point it’s more the government where government the medical something to causedemands that number being low records of certain patients in spite ofwhen the — and not in a good way. — Conversely, whole HIPPA —because to see what they are business picksthing up, it’s the people being prescribed. It can only happen under who need to buy widgets who were not government-run health care. buying widgets because the economy was Who dodue youtothink came with the contracting natural (orupunnatural, term “essential” whenreasons, it came todecided businesses, government caused) we employees people? Now in government Colorado, you better buy and some widgets. The might think that waswith Pontius had nothing to do this.Polis’ decision. I can ■ assure you it wasn’t. like Prediction four: InBecause keepingjust with when Donald Trump thingsPresident the government does, Ipresented predict the the idea of shuttering businesses, andto government will manipulate theentities numbers places we work or economy desire to go there was make the claimatthe is to, getting always the fashionista-scarved, gravel-voiced better because of how hard it is working to or headnodding “healthAmericans.” expert” on theNow stage help all of us “working with their reasoned assurance why only you might say, “Craig, you always saycertain this activities in our economy would beyou allowed about President Obama because don’t (for, you know, 15right days)infora the “health and like him.” You’re sense. I don’t well-being” of the know the man, butnation. what I know of him and And whoI don’t and what essential leads his thinking, like is it or him one iota.us to the privileged partners of Igovernment. Before you go off, however, didn’t like Not too long ago, was President Bush andour hisgovernment bailouts, stimulus battling Big Pharmathe forfree every little to side and his abandoning market save effect (and the ambulance and the free market. And I don’tchasers know him attorneys general as well) known result either. What the government does,to and the from medications. anythe television only thing it can do,Seen is hurt economy. ads saying, “Ifnothing you’ve been by in Unless it does or putharmed criminals the the Bonewith Crusher, jail vaccine, instead ofcall partnering them,he’ll nothing get the compensation you deserve?” the you government does will help. Always look Nor will way, you because Big Pharma at it this whatevertoday, the government says partners with government to mandate its it it is doing, whatever the name of the law product viaorthe select “health experts” is passing, whatever the name or goalwho of are allowed a voice in the debate. the actually bureaucracy it is presenting to the Youexpect know who else isopposite in partnership with people, the polar to occur. government? EveryI’m place of business I guess what saying is thatrequiring aperhaps vaccineit’s passport forget folks time to outtoofcome our into owntheir establishments. Every plenty airline (well, airlines perspective. There’s of history are government-controlled already) hasto books and historical research outthat there flight policing yelling beginattendants to understand thattheallaisles of this has at passengers to mask And up between and sips. happened before. it will bites again, Every business requiring COVID tests for whether the topic is people or government. workers workrecommendation even though asymptomatic Thetobest is to find is a thing madeoruptry ofthat whole clothGoogle by? Health some books whole experts. Even inaGrand privilege thing. There’s lot ofJunction, information on the was extended to certain went Great Depression. Thebusinesses truth is itwho wasn’t above beyond doing the local got even aand good one in until thewhat government health director demanded so theyofcould open involved. There’s also plenty research to clientele. warm period when the onmore the medieval Name lastwarmer time thethan news led off planet was the much today with with anylot story outside of some rare, a whole less—people (and warmer well humanitarian disaster event that wasn’t before man was here at all).— And yep, about Youkilling can’t.other And why is peopleCOVID. have been surprised that? Because every story about COVID people since history was first written. has been manipulated to bewill about one’s Maybe some research help stop personal health. all of these trends. Otherwise, we’ll be And one’snever health is everything. And saying we’ve seen anything like it in the now it. way. our government lives. And not in runs a good Craig Craig Hall Hall is is owner owner and and publisher publisher of of the the Business Times. Reach Reach him him at at 424-5133 424-5133 Business Times. or or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. F ✦
