Companies nationwide are catching on that one aspect of their businesses could give them both an advantage over their competition and a tool for employee recruitment. It is not unattainable, either; it simply starts with a company being willing to increase its community conscience.

Business or pleasure? A private club can be both a venue for rest and relaxation and a place to foster business relationships. “It’s hard to separate social, business and fitness because they are so intertwined,” says Robin Fontaine, marketing and sales director at the Spokane Club, in downtown Spokane. “A lot has changed. Instead of the three-martini lunches of the past, it’s business over the treadmill.”

Sometimes, educating the educators is a step toward economic growth.

Gonzaga University offers a program that allows American Indian business instructors to return to school and earn a Master of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in American Indian Entrepreneurship.

Many people are returning to work—some because they want to, some because they have to. Unlimited leisure time. An end to office politics. Freedom to travel. What’s not to like about being retired? Regardless of the perks, for many, leaving the workplace is more difficult than they ever imagined. Garry Shea and Molly Harley, financial consultants for the D.A. Davidson & Co. office in Spokane, say it’s increasingly common to see retirees return to the work force in some manner. In the majority of cases, they return to full- or part-time employment for economic reasons. Others are bored and simply flunk retirement. 

Refined interview techniques can lead to more successful hires.

The success of employee selection has the potential to help or hinder corporate culture and profitability. For each filled position that fails to stick—whether the employee leaves or just doesn’t measure up to expectations—the company loses productivity, increases hiring costs and may even suffer morale setbacks.