Business columns & opinions from Anchorage, AK

Business Columns

Lynne Curry: Workplace issues reveal character

Dr. Lynn Curry examines instances that put an employeeâ€™s workplace character to the test.

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Archive by category ''Business Columns

LAINE WELCH

Laine Welch: Fuel cell technology boosts long-distance fish shipping

A maritime milestone will be set this week as a container of 18 tons of fresh salmon from Chile is offloaded from a cargo ship in California after a month at sea -- without being frozen.
BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

Ramseys: Time to give thought to that outdoor improvement

Summer seems far off this year with the late snowfall in April and snow flurries the beginning of May. Undaunted, many homeowners are turning their attention to summertime projects that make a home more enjoyable, while trying to stay within budget.
LYNNE CURRY

Lynne Curry: Telling manager of safety violations gets worker fired

When I moved here in February, I was immediately hired at a popular local restaurant. On my first day and since, I've noticed health code and safety violations.
LAINE WELCH

Laine Welch: Buyers of Alaska seafood face ups and downs

Between 60 percent and 70 percent of Alaska's seafood is exported to customers around the globe, and the strength of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar plays a big role in annual sales. Tracking by the Juneau-based McDowell Group for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute shows mid-year ...
LYNNE CURRY

Lynne Curry: 'Private' post cost employee her job

Q. When I arrived at work this morning, my supervisor stopped me at the door and fired me. I wasn't allowed to come into my office. He told me not to expect a reference.
LAINE WELCH

Laine Welch: Copper River's ballyhooed salmon season starts May 16

It might feel like winter, but Alaska's 2013 salmon season officially gets under way on May 16, when the first runs of reds and kings are scheduled to arrive at Copper River.
TIM BRADNER

Bradner: Small alternative-energy projects hold hope for villages

Last week was energy week in Anchorage. There were two important conferences back to back. The first was the Alaska Energy Authority's annual Rural Energy Conference.
LYNNE CURRY

Lynne Curry: New owner drops the 'You're out' bomb

I've worked for my company for nine years. I like my job and expected to retire three years from now. Two months ago, the owner had a heart attack and died. He left the company to his wife. Last week, she asked me to meet with her. She told me I needed to find a new job by the end of the month.
CHRIS STEPHENS

Chris Stephens: Anchorage commercial real estate is a tale of boom, bust and recovery

I started my commercial real estate brokerage in Anchorage in 1981. In the 32 years since, I have seen everything a market can do -- from boom to bust, recovery and steady growth.
LAINE WELCH

Laine Welch: Industry and feds mull methods for cutting Gulf bycatch

Fishing industry stakeholders and federal managers in June will begin crafting a plan to reduce accidental bycatch in trawl groundfish fisheries in the Gulf. It will include some form of catch-share plan. As the main delivery port for more than $100 million worth of pollock, cod, flats and other...