Insights

The attribution trap: Why your marketing metrics are stunting growth

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

For many small business owners, the pursuit of the perfect marketing metric has become a double-edged sword. Often, small businesses only focus on attribution, and it’s ruining their marketing efforts.

Guest analysis: Local exports show a tale of two states

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Exporting from the Spokane area is an activity we don’t hear much about these days. One of the reasons lies in the demise of the International Trade Alliance, which for years promoted local businesses to go global. Another reason is that not much has changed in exports over the past 10 years, at least for Spokane.

Five Takeaways: Aerospace & Innovation

linnp@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400

Earlier this month, the Journal of Business hosted Mark Norton, executive director of the Northwest I-90 Manufacturing Alliance, for its most recent Elevating The Conversation podcast about Aerospace & Innovation in the Inland Northwest.

Five Takeaways: The INW housing market

linnp@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 22 May 2025 03:00:00 -0400

Earlier this month, the Journal of Business hosted Spokane developer and real estate broker Jordan Tampien for its most recent Elevating The Conversation podcast about The Inland Northwest Housing Market.

Meet & Greet with Spokane Business Association President Brad Barnett

linnp@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 08 May 2025 03:00:00 -0400

The Journal sat down with new Spokane Business Association President Brad Barnett to learn more about his background, the direction of the association, and some of the hot-button issues with which he's involved.

Five Takeaways: The Health of Health Care

linnp@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0400

Earlier this month, the Journal of Business hosted Susan Stacey, chief executive of Providence Inland Northwest, for its most recent Elevating The Conversation podcast about The Health of Health Care.

Five Takeaways with new Washington State University President Dr. Elizabeth Cantwell

linnp@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0400

Earlier this month, the Journal of Business hosted Dr. Elizabeth Cantwell, new president of Washington State University, for its most recent Elevating The Conversation podcast.

Five Takeaways: West Plains Growth, Challenges & Opportunities

linnp@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 03:00:00 -0400

Earlier this month, the Journal of Business hosted Albert Tripp, city manager for the city of Airway Heights, for its most recent Elevating The Conversation podcast.

Five Takeaways: Inclusion in the Workplace

linnp@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0500

The Journal of Business hosted Lars Gilberts, Numerica Credit Union's vice president of equity and community engagement, for its most recent Elevating The Conversation podcast.

Tariffs might not be drag on markets that some fear

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0500

Tariffs can be a useful tool for achieving the president’s foreign policy objectives.

Five Takeaways: Talent Acquisition & Healthy Workplaces

linnp@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0500

The Journal of Business hosted Spokane Dutch Bros. CEO Kevin Parker for its most recent Elevating The Conversation podcast.

Five Takeaways: 2025 Economic Outlook

linnp@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0500

In early December, the Journal of Business hosted Washington Trust Bank Chief Economist Steve Scranton for its most recent Elevating The Conversation podcast.

Biochar may be climate-friendly aid to agriculture

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Five Takeaways: Public Safety and Community Policing

linnp@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Shortly after the general election earlier this month, the Journal of Business hosted Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall for its most recent Elevating The Conversation podcast.

Five Takeaways with Spokane influencer Chandler Baird

linnp@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0400

The Journal of Business hosted Spokane influencer Chandler Baird, founder and owner of Spokane Eats, for its most recent Elevating The Conversation podcast.

Prepare ahead for potential of cookieless world

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0400

Cookies, which are virtual keys to digital marketing, are being reconsidered as online-privacy conversations become more prevalent.

Five Takeaways: Spokane's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

linnp@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0400

The Journal of Business hosted Skye Henderson, vice president of venture investments for Cowles Ventures, for its most recent Elevating The Conversation podcast.

Accounting pipeline crisis presents opportunity

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0400

Simple economics points to an attractive opportunity for accounting professionals and students considering the CPA career path.

Five Takeaways: The State of Banking in the Inland Northwest

linnp@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0400

The Journal of Business hosted Ezra Eckhardt, CEO of STCU, for its most recent Elevating The Conversation podcast.

Five Takeaways with GoJoe Patrol's Harry Sladich

linnp@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0400

The Journal of Business hosted Harry Sladich, co-founder and chief development officer for GoJoe Patrol Inc., for its most recent Elevating The Conversation podcast.

Federal, state rules restrict noncompete agreements

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0400

Between Washington’s current noncompete law and its scheduled updates and the new Federal Trade Commission rule, there’s a lot of nuance to parse when putting together any restrictive employment clauses.

Some business leaders fear energy crisis looms

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0400

Two Pacific Northwest business raise their concerns to columnist Mike Flynn about the possibility of a looming crisis with the region’s energy demand outpacing the supply.

Five Takeaways: Mid-Year Economic Outlook with Avista Corp. Chief Economist Grant Forsyth

linnp@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0400

The Journal of Business hosted Grant Forsyth, chief economist for Avista Corp., for its most recent Elevating The Conversation podcast.

Five Takeaways: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

linnp@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 09 May 2024 03:00:00 -0400

The Journal of Business hosted Yanek Kondryszyn, intellectual property attorney and partner at Lee & Hayes PLLC, for its most recent Elevating The Conversation podcast.

Coaching aids individual, organization performance

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0400

Hiring a coach can be a strategic investment in unlocking individual and organizational potential.

Five Takeaways: Homes Sales in the Inland Northwest

linnp@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0400

The Journal of Business hosted Scott Wetzel, chief development officer for Windermere Real Estate, for its most recent Elevating The Conversation podcast.

Effective social media presence takes strategy

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0400

Understanding how to build effective social media strategies for a business can help boost its success.

Five Takeaways: Building a Professional Sports Franchise in Spokane

linnp@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0400

The Journal of Business hosted Katie Harnetiaux, president of USL Spokane, for its most recent Elevating The Conversation podcast.

AI, labor shift, strategic partners to shape 2024

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0500

The new year provides business owners with an opportunity to review their operations and industry best practices.

Five Takeaways: The Future of Downtown Spokane

linnp@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0500

The Journal of Business hosted Emilie Cameron, president and CEO of the Downtown Spokane Partnership, for its Elevating The Conversation podcast in an episode that was released earlier this month.