Day: March 24, 2013

Nevada mining makes a large contribution to the state’s economy. Tourism, gaming, mining and ranching are Nevada’s “big four” industry groups. According to nevadaworkforce.com, Nevada’s mining industry increased employment by 12.2 percent from the second quarter 2011 to the second quarter 2012, the largest percentage gain in those four industries.

You may have seen them by the timecard machine or tacked to a wall in the employee break room. The employee suggestion box has long been a standard for businesses, from mom-and-pop places to sprawling corporations looking to keep an edge on the competition. Getting and acting on ideas offered by employees who actively participate in suggestions can save employers money and build a sense of ownership among workers.

We hear about the big ones: large technology companies facing securities fraud, breast implant litigation, asbestos, Exxon Mobil and Enron. But there are plenty more class-action lawsuits in the works on both the state and federal level, many of which may not even be strong enough to get certified by a court. As consumers, we hear about others through our mailbox: a fitness club charging small fees without members knowing, faulty radiators in cars and plenty more.

After two years pounding the pavement, John Atterton was getting nowhere with his job search in the information technology field. As a longtime local with significant family ties in Nevada, he didn’t want to leave the area. And with his emergency savings account dwindling and his idle time growing tiresome, Atterton decided he was ready to go into business for himself.

Feb. 2 of each year is commonly known as Groundhog Day. That same day is also recognized as National Job Shadow Day by businesses across the U.S. (This year’s Groundhog Day fell on a Saturday, so the event was held the following Monday.) Why? More than 10 years ago former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell created National Job Shadow Day with these objectives:

Anxiously waiting to be ushered in to their scheduled audition is an eclectic mix of eight individuals. The group, gathered in a room at a luxury resort on the west side of the Las Vegas Strip, is trying out neither for a role in a film nor a part in a stage play. Instead, they are taking a test to be employees at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

There’s a common myth that the nonprofit sector is shrinking, losing jobs and is not a good place to look for employment or to plan a career.

Mei Yang and Fatma Nasoz are two women from different worlds who excelled in math and science. But Nasoz, from Turkey, and Yang, from China, share one important commonality : They are women in the male-dominated industry of computer science and information technology.

So you think since the Cold War is over and America won the arms race that you can relax. Think again, and be ready to go to work.

In today’s economy you would be hard-pressed to meet someone who hasn’t been affected in one way or another by layoffs or downsizing in a company. It goes without saying the process can be extremely difficult and quite painful for all involved. I would tell you as a business leader it not only affects your employees, but also your customers, and ultimately your business.