Book Review: Tevi Troy’s ‘The Power And The Money’

Jeff Bezos’s purchase of the Washington Post in 2013 may not have been his best business acquisition, but it still arguably rates among his best acquisitions. Precisely due to Amazon’s stupendous growth borne of a remarkable business that much of the world can’t live without, the purchase of Washington, D.C.’s most important newspaper signaled a degree of protection from the antitrust ankle-biters in Washington.

Was protection from the DOJ what informed the acquisition? There’s no way of knowing. Motives aside, the political class tends to attack the businesses most beloved by consumers. Since they do, and since Amazon is nothing if not beloved, Bezos’s buy was very wise; one that probably more than a few other brilliant business minds wished they’d completed themselves.

All of the above and more came to mind while reading presidential historian Tevi Troy’s new book, The Power and the Money: The Epic Clashes Between Commanders In Chief and Titans of Industry. More than once in the book, Troy cites a meeting between Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and Zuckerberg’s idol, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. Gates told a still green-to-Washington’s ways Zuckerberg to “Get an office there, now.”

Gates learned his admonition to Zuckerberg the hard way via the Clinton Department of Justice (DOJ). Even though the consumer welfare standard is said to inform modern antitrust theory such that Microsoft shouldn’t have had the DOJ on its back (Troy notes that as late as 2002, Microsoft could claim 94% of the internet browser market thanks to Internet Explorer) as is, consumer passion for Microsoft’s products was paradoxically (but not surprisingly) what had Microsoft in hot water with the federal government in the first place. Antitrust types hate the innovators with a passion, and the DOJ’s Joel Klein wanted Microsoft to cease bundling Internet Explorer with its software. Which was like telling 1960s antitrust target General Motors to leave the engines out of its cars. Gates was obviously none too pleased. Troy cites a question asked in aggravation by Gates about whether or not Microsoft would be “allowed to continue to innovate in products, and in Windows itself.”

So, while the DOJ never succeeded in actually breaking Microsoft up, it did succeed in distracting the giant all the while playing a role in driving Gates away from his creation. Not surprisingly, Microsoft largely flat-lined in the valuation sense (it was in 2015 that the company’s shares finally awoke from a thirteen-year slumber) after Gates retired as CEO in 2000, evidence that the DOJ’s attacks were anti-consumer and anti-shareholder alike. Which is, or at least should be, a statement of the obvious. Antitrust is so backwards, and so defeating for all concerned, consumers most of all.

The main thing is that Gates learned about the dangers of not having a Washington, D.C. presence, only to pass his wisdom on to Zuckerberg. The speculation here is that something similar was conveyed to Bezos.

Troy’s book is a very interesting look at business giants past and present, and their relations with Washington, presidents in particular. There are surely holes in the story (JFK’s most famous battle was with Big Steel, but it never makes it in other than with a quote that alludes to the battle, nor does United States vs. General Motors), but there’s much interesting information to be had in The Power and the Money, and glorious quotes that will make it into my own opinion pieces for a very long time.

In Troy’s case, he’s properly not reveling in the clashes between business and government as much as he’s acknowledging that they’re a fact of life. In Troy’s words, “if a large company wants to survive and thrive, it must have a strategy for dealing with an increasingly powerful and interventionist federal government.” So true, and so sad, but to gnash one’s teeth about the need for a Washington presence is like yelling at the scoreboard. Where there’s wealth there will be politicians trying to get the wealth, or demagogue the wealth in order to get it, which means businesses must have a Washington strategy.
Troy indicates that a Washington strategy has modern qualities whereby the modern CEO faces “a concomitant increase in the need to engage with Washington’s cultural, financial, and political realities,” but as his book indicates, the need has always been there. Going back to the era of John D. Rockefeller, Troy makes the crucial point that Rockefeller’s genius work in making kerosene (lighting) and gasoline common goods “unwittingly enabled the unifying technologies that made him a national villain.” A “national villain” is hard to countenance (how many Americans actually read Ida Tarbell et al?), but what made him a target for Washington (and governments in general) was his success. Meeting and leading the needs of consumers the sad path to Washington trouble.
In the case of Rockefeller’s Standard Oil, it wasn’t just Washington that was the problem. Albany loomed large too since Theodore Roosevelt was governor of New York. Troy indicates that Standard executives worked diligently to get Roosevelt on William McKinley’s ticket as VP in order to bury a difficult politician. Except that McKinley’s subsequent assassination meant the problem they’d pushed out of New York was suddenly President of the United States. Don’t worry, things got worse.
The voracious reader in Roosevelt took to Tarbell’s series of hit pieces on Rockefeller, so much so that Troy reports he “even sent her a fan letter.” Roosevelt’s not infrequently wrongheaded passions led to a Bureau of Corporations bill that would look into “monopolistic corporate practices.” He was on the warpath, at which point Standard aimed to quiet him with a $100,000 campaign donation for his own presidential bid. In response, Roosevelt sent a letter refusing the money. Except that the money had already been spent. A problem? Not so fast. Roosevelt was a politician, and as a politician he correctly deduced that “the letter will look well on the record” regardless of what had been done by his campaign with someone else’s money. Politics is so dishonest, so ugly. But to lament what is natural is to yell once again at the scoreboard.
In the end, the individual whom Standard Oil had banished to the invisible position of Vice President became quite the thorn for the oil company. Troy quotes Standard executive Henry C. Frick acidly commenting about Roosevelt that “We bought the son of a bitch, but he wouldn’t stay bought.”
Moving to Henry Ford, he wisely and correctly viewed war as “murder, desolation and destruction.” And contra economists who believe near monolithically that war is economically stimulative (a more incorrect and horrifying belief would be hard to find), Ford saw this truth up close.
It’s not just that governments only have the means to conduct wars insofar as they have taxable access to production (something lost on nearly all economists on the matter of war, but also with regard to government spending in general), it’s that they must commandeer crucial industrial assets in order to come up with the armaments meant to kill, maim, and otherwise destroy wealth. In Ford’s case, and during WWI in particular, Troy quotes Ford as saying that “From April 1917 until November 1918, our factory worked practically exclusively for our government.”
Moving to the 1930s and FDR’s misguided, and logically failed war against economic sluggishness, Ford makes an appearance yet again owing to his disdain for FDR’s “complicated and impractical” National Industrial Recovery Act. The latter included what Troy describes as “a code of conduct for the auto industry, compliance with which would earn recipients a ‘blue eagle’ symbol.” That, dear reader, is true fascism, as was Woodrow Wilson’s commandeering of Ford’s production capacity in 1917 and 1918. Which is hopefully a reminder that in 2024 fascism like inflation, is a catch-all pejorative that its users don’t really understand the meaning of.
Once World War II came around, the pacifist in Ford found his business dragged into what he disdained yet again. Troy notes that Ford’s Willow Run facility employed 35,000 people producing 9,000 B-24 Liberators, yet Ford remained Ford. Troy writes that the automaker “increasingly wanted what government and presidents were no longer willing to give: to be left alone.” Amen to that.
Arguably the most famous struggle between business and government took place during Richard Nixon’s presidency. Nixon and his people weren’t hot to fit in with the rather social (Katherine Graham) owner of the Washington Post. When H.R. Haldeman was asked to come to a lunch at the prominent newspaper, he replied with “We don’t accept lunches at the Washington Post.” Did the hostility between Administration and newspaper come back to haunt Nixon? It’s not unreasonable to speculate yes, but there lies an occasional problem with Troy’s book in general, or perhaps a feature of it. No president, businessman or business is approached in what some would refer to as “deep dive” fashion. It’s quick, one or two page bites of really interesting history. But since the dives aren’t deep, it’s more up to the reader to speculate, or pick and choose the subjects worth knowing more about.
All of which speaks to a disservice perhaps done to Troy by the individual who titled his book. Consider the subtitle: The Epic Clashes Between Commanders In Chief and Titans of Industry. As entertaining as the The Power and the Money is, it’s not what its subtitle suggests it is. As opposed to a book full of thick chapters about “epic struggles” between business and government, most of the book is once again short, fun and highly interesting anecdotes about businessmen and their political dealings. Which recommends the book on its own. The problem for this reviewer, at least at first, was the expectation of titanic battles that decidedly do not describe the book.
All that having been said, that it’s not what the subtitle suggests does not recommend against The Power and the Money. There’s so much that’s interesting and useful within.
When Bill Clinton claimed he’d shot an 80 after a round of golf with Jack Nicklaus, Nicklaus quipped “eighty with fifty floating mulligans.” Ok, Clinton may not have been an honest golfer, or an even an honest person (which politician is?), but Troy quotes film industry giant Lew Wasserman as saying that “if you get me going on the subject of Bill Clinton, I’ll sound like a love-struck teenager.” In other words, Clinton was great at what matters a great deal in politics: politics.
After persistent bashing of banks and bankers by Barack Obama, the lifelong Democrat in Jamie Dimon started to push back. As he said directly to Obama, “President Lincoln could have denigrated all southerners. He didn’t.” Troy adds that by 2012, the frustrated with Obama and Democrats Dimon described himself as “barely a Democrat.”
By the time Donald Trump was in office, Dimon was increasingly willing to work with and inform both sides. He did this despite expressions of frustration from his own employees. Dimon’s expressed view was that “I would try to help any president of the United States because I’m a patriot.” Apple’s Tim Cook comported himself somewhat similarly. Unhappy as his employees were with Trump, it’s apparent Cook recognized that he had shareholders to please too. He would make himself available to Trump as a result. In Trump’s words, “Tim Cook calls Donald Trump directly.”
To all this, the alleged purists will stomp their feet about cronyism and other negatives. Oh well, would it that government were so small and non-interventionists that business types never spent any time in Washington. It would be great, if so. But also not realistic. Say it over and over again, so long as there’s wealth there will be politicians trying to demagogue it. As a consequence, Washington is part of business life.
Troy, to his credit once again, laments the above truth. Same here. At the same time, to lament is not to yell at the scoreboard. Troy doesn’t yell.
Just the same time, there’s a case for optimism within Troy’s own lament. Notable about this is that in the book’s Introduction, Troy writes of how “The whole tangle of rules and regulations can benefit corporations, which can afford to pay” their way around major compliance-related expenses that “flummox small and upcoming businesses.” It’s true, it’s often said by right and left (Gabriel Koko, quoted by Troy) that regulations are designed by businesses to keep the smaller ones down, but reality invariably intrudes in a happy way. And it does for obvious reasons: the dominant businesses of tomorrow are almost invariably a surprise, and precisely because they’re a surprise they’re too small and too irrelevant for federal, state or local governments to regulate.
Looking back to 2000, GE was the world’s most valuable company, Enron was the world’s smartest company, Tyco was the next GE, AOL and Yahoo were the most dominant faces of the internet, etc. In that same year Facebook didn’t yet exist (Mark Zuckerberg was in high school), Amazon was Amazon.org since it couldn’t operate profitably, Apple was struggling out of near bankruptcy, Nvidia was constantly flirting with bankruptcy, etc. Which is just a way of saying that while Troy is correct about the intent of big business to suffocate smaller competition with rules crafted in Washington, the happy news is that the giants have shown time after time that they can’t see the future.
All of which brings us to one final notable critique of the author. About it, it may not even be a critique of the author. Instead, it’s a critique or lament on the matter of where book publishing is going.
While more books than ever are published today, it’s no reach to suggest that there are fewer editors than ever. And it shows. Troy’s book has more than a few editing errors. On p. 26, and in a passage about Ohio senator Joseph Foraker, Troy suddenly mentions “Garfield adviser Amos Townsend.” It’s easy to assume he was talking about an adviser to President James A. Garfield, but it’s just a guess. On the next page we read that “Rockefeller saw him [William Howard Taft] as more palatable than Bryant.” The assumption here is that Troy meant Bryan for William Jennings Bryan, but still. On p. 46, it’s Britton “Brit” Haddon in one paragraph, then Hadden in the next paragraph and thereafter. On p. 139 “[Jack] Valenti knew about Reagan’s long-standing, albeit interrupted, friendship with Reagan.”
There’s a few more errors like the above in the book, and they signal a problem that’s not going away. Or maybe this is where AI will step in? In my case, and the publisher won’t be named here, with one of my own books the editor sent back “readbacks” of each chapter. I very specifically sent back crucial additions, subtractions, clarifications, along with requests to add passages and footnotes deleted by the editor. These were in my mind crucial to the book, so much so that I checked with the publisher and editor numerous times subsequently about whether the changes had been made. Each time I was assured they had been, only for the physical books to arrive months later. None of the changes had been made. It was devastating.
The bet here is that Troy saw the errors that I saw, and requested fixes pre-publication. They weren’t made, and it’s unfortunate.
At the same time, what’s unfortunate about editing and the subtitle doesn’t recommend against Troy’s book. It’s very interesting, entertaining, and will be used as a reference by this reviewer for a very long time.

East Burke Market named Business of the Year

Pictured left to right: Lindsay Kurrle, Secretary of the VT Agency of Commerce and Community Development, Burke Chamber President, John Kascenska, Kellie Greer, Burton Hinton, Abby Long.Vermont Business Magazine The Burke Area Chamber of Commerce held their Annual Meeting of Members at The Wildflower on November 18th which featured updates from the community, remarks from Lindsay Kurrle, Secretary of the VT Agency of Commerce and Community Development, and the presentation of the Business of the Year award to East Burke Market. 
Chamber President, John Kascenska, began the meeting with updates from Burke Mountain including the plan to begin snowmaking as soon as it is cold enough to do so with the goal of opening for the season in early December. Kascenska noted that the mountain was still in receivership and looking for a buyer. 
There was talk of a potential buyer in recent months, but that is no longer in the cards. Kascenska also introduced attendees to Christine Emmons who is the new (and first ever) Executive Director of the Burke Mountain Club. 
Emmons provided updates about upcoming events happening at the Burke Mountain Club including a Centerpiece Making Workshop on December 7th and Tree Lighting on the 15th. BMC is also home to the East Burke Community Library and Emmons was pleased to let folks know that a Children’s Reading section will soon return to the library.
Loralee Tester introduced herself as the new Executive Director of the Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce, noting that the Chamber serves the entire region and is happy to “complement and supplement the good work of Burke and other local Chambers.” She welcomed people to reach out to her about how the NEK Chamber can best serve the needs of the business community. 
To help facilitate these conversations, Tester has started ‘Coffee and Connections’ on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30am at the NEK Chamber office on the Lyndon Institute campus. Wednesday, December 4th will include a visit from Jen Palmieri of the VT Department of Labor and Rob Olson from HireAbility. Legislative Breakfasts will also be back and hosted by the NEK Chamber at a St. Johnsbury location. 
Abby Long, Executive Director of Kingdom Trails, reminded folks that Kingdom Trails was closed this month for hunting season, but would re-open for Nordic activities once there is enough snow. Fat-biking trails may be open sooner depending on weather conditions. 
Long was excited to share that Kingdom Trails has expanded their Nordic Trail network and, together with NorthWoods Stewardship Center, will now be grooming and maintaining the Dashney Nordic Center trails at Burke Mountain. 
Guest Speaker, Secretary Kurrle began her remarks with a message from Governor Phil Scott who could not be in attendance saying that the Governor “appreciates the work of the Chamber and the local business community to boost economic activity in this part of the Northeast Kingdom.”
Secretary Kurrle spoke of the work the VT Agency of Commerce and Community Development does to support the region including in the aftermath of recent flooding. After this summer’s flooding, the Agency worked with lawmakers to get a $7 million dollar infusion into the Business Emergency Assistance Gap Program which provides financial assistance to help businesses rebuild and reopen. That is on top of $20 million already set aside for 2023 flooding.
Secretary Kurrle also spoke about affordable housing needs in Vermont. “We know housing is a big issue all across Vermont. It is the TOP issue on the Governor’s Affordability Agenda. Mobile homes are an important part of the affordable housing mix.” 
The Rapid Response Mobile Home Infill Program is a cross-agency effort to add 150 new mobile homes to Vermont. Said Secretary Kurrle, “It’s a really special program we are just getting off the ground that will help hundreds of Vermonters achieve their dream of homeownership. We hope to have the first 30 in their new homes by January 1, 2025.”
Secretary Kurrle encouraged those in attendance to “reach out to your legislators. Share your needs and suggestions. You are job creators. Vermont cannot bend the affordability curve without your help and involvement.” 
In closing, she said, “I want to thank all of you for all you do as community members, business owners and employers – and your hard work to help this region bounce back from the wrath of Mother Nature. Your leadership and devotion to Vermont help make this a great place to live, work and play.”
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Chamber’s Business of the Year award to Kellie Greer and Burton Hinton, owners of East Burke Market. 
Secretary Kurrle congratulated them and passed the mic to Abby Long who nominated them for the award. Long described East Burke Market as ‘the heartbeat of our community’ saying that “Kellie and Burt welcome ALL with open arms, making each visit feel like stepping into a family gathering. They not only nourish and energize our community with healthy, filling food and caffeine, they also provide us with friendship, support and encouragement to take on the day. Their passion and dedication to our community shines through as they support local events such as trick or treating, KT’s landowner event, Winterbike, The Fall Festival and so many others. They also provide much needed hugs and a safe space to just talk, (even cry in the back room), when you walk in the door. Kellie and Burt choose to devote their time and energy to the community, go above and beyond, uplifting everything and everyone.” 
Speaking of the summer flooding in the area, Long said, “Despite facing significant challenges during the recent flood, which took away their parking lot, East Burke Market never wavered in its commitment to the community. They kept their doors open, ensuring that locals had access to essential goods, and even went the extra mile by donating coffee and food to the road crews working tirelessly to restore our town. Our community is truly in the position it is today because of their hard work. They are our community’s ultimate cheerleaders and we should take a moment to cheer for them! Thank you Kellie & Burt and the entire East Burke Market Team!”
Upon accepting the award, Greer and Hinton thanked Long and the Chamber for the recognition. Said Hinton, “We are what we are because of the community around us. We consider what we do as a partnership with the community and local businesses. We wouldn’t be here without that support and places like Kingdom Trails and Burke Mountain bringing people here. And, of course, we thank our wonderful employees! We couldn’t do it without them.” 
Hinton called co-owner, Greer, “the backbone of the business” and said he is proud to own the store with her and help her realize her dream of business ownership. Greer let Hinton do most of the talking, but held the award up, saying, “Thank you so much for this award. It means so much to us and we are proud to be part of such a great community.”
The object of the Burke Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc. shall be to promote the economic, civic and social welfare of the people of Burke and vicinity. The Burke Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is organized to advance the general welfare and prosperity of the Burke area so that its citizens and all areas of its economic community shall prosper. Promotion shall be provided and particular attention and emphasis shall be given to the interests of the area.
Burke Area Chamber of Commerce
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Percival Everett’s ‘James’ wins National Book Award for fiction

Percival Everett’s new novel, “James,” a retelling of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” from the perspective of Huck’s enslaved companion, won the National Book Award for fiction on Wednesday. “James” flips the classic Mark Twain work on its head and explores how Huck’s companion, Jim, privately experienced the adventures, his thoughts about racism and the ways he behaved when white people weren’t around. In his acceptance speech Wednesday, Everett spoke about the power of books and their ability to bring people together during challenging moments. “Two weeks ago, I was feeling pretty low, and to tell you the truth, I still feel pretty low,” alluding to the results of the presidential election. “As I look out at this, so much excitement about books, I have to say, I do feel some hope.” Everett, whose literary work has largely focused on race in America, told the BBC earlier this year that the idea for “James” came to him one day as he was playing tennis. “I stopped and thought, ‘I wonder if anyone has written Huck Finn from Jim’s point of view?’” he recalled.In the original story, Jim is on the run after learning he’s about to be sold to a new owner. The character doesn’t speak in Twain’s version, but Everett does give him a voice and casts him as a literate, thoughtful man who understands how racism shapes his life and how he must behave to survive. Critics have called Everett’s retelling “a slyly funny masterpiece.” The National Book Award is the latest in a string of accolades for the 67-year-old author, who has dozens of books and short stories under his belt. “James” was also short-listed for the Booker Prize this year, as was his novel “The Trees” in 2022. His 2020 novel, “Telephone,” was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2021. One of Everett’s books, “Erasure,” was adapted in 2023 into a film, “American Fiction,” starring Jeffrey Wright.The National Book Foundation awarded Jason De León’s “Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling” in the nonfiction category. Author Barbara Kingsolver and W. Paul Coates, founder of Black Classic Press, were given lifetime achievement awards. Critics have condemned the decision to honor Coates because his press once reprinted “The Jewish Onslaught,” an essay that has been called antisemitic. In response, National Book Foundation executive director Ruth Dickey has said Coates was being honored for his body of work rather than any individual publication. She added that the foundation condemns anti-Semitism and bigotry, but values free expression.“Anyone examining the work of any publisher, over the course of almost five decades, will find individual works or opinions with which they disagree or find offensive,” she added, according to WTOP.

10 books every EMS grant writer needs

Looking to navigate the complexities of grants funding? Lexipol is your go-to resource for state-specific, fully-developed grants services that can help fund your needs. Find out more about our grants services here.By Judy RiffleI hesitate to limit a list of books to ten since I have such a long list of books I still want and need to read. However, here is my attempt at narrowing that list down to ten books that grant writers should have on their bookshelf or in whatever form they prefer to read.This list is compiled from both my all-time favorites and recommendations from other grant-writing professionals. I hope you find it helpful and that it motivates you to pick up one of these books and continue a joyful journey of learning. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King “Description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should finish in the reader’s.” Find some motivational quotes from this book on Goodreads. This book will always be my favorite writing book. Stephen King’s wry humor combines with his wisdom and writing skills in an effortless manner. A book that can be read again and again. Mr. King, I strive to avoid adverbs as you advise, but sometimes, I need a good adverb.The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White This is a must-read grammar and language use reference book for writers. It resides on my bookshelf as far back as I can remember.Grant Writing Revealed: 25 Experts Share Their Art, Science, & Secrets by Jana Hexter Published in 2012, this book remains a grant writer’s handbook classic in my opinion. Jana interviewed 25 successful grant writers and shared 24 tips for developing competitive, successful proposals. A book I need to revisit often.The Essential Wooden: A Lifetime of Lessons on Leaders and Leadership by John Wooden and Steve Jamison There are plenty of leadership books, and this is one of my favorites. And yes, grant professionals need to be leaders in their field to help teams develop successful proposals. While I am not a huge sports fan, this book distills motivational insights from a coach who led teams of people to successful outcomes both on the basketball court and in life. As Coach Wooden said, “If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?” and “Drink deeply from good books.” Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time by Jeff Sutherland and J.J. Sutherland The title says it all. This leadership method is widely used in successful technology companies along with other organizations, including a successful grant consultant team I currently work with. When I work with a team not using Scrum, I feel less efficient and more alone.The Faraway Nearby by Rebecca Solnit This book is still on my to-read list, and I have heard so many people recommend it. An autobiography and a treatise on storytelling and empathy.Unicorns Unite: How Nonprofits and Foundations Can Build Epic Partnerships by Jessamyn Shams-Lau, Jane Leu, and Vu LeVu Le is one of my favorite nonprofit blog writers, and I still need to read this book about the importance of partnerships, equity, and justice. Nonprofit Bookkeeping & Accounting for Dummies by Sharon Farris An important reference book for nonprofits to understand financial terminology and to remember that budgets also tell the story in grant proposals.Perfect Phrases for Writing Grant Proposals by Beverly Browning Any book by Beverly Browning is worth reading since she is a rock star in the grant professional world. This book provides handy phrases to use, what supporting documents are needed, and other proposal tips.Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking when Stakes are High by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler So many people recommend this book for helping with those difficult conversations we all face. April Dewey, a former kindergarten teacher, always told her students, “Reading and writing are best friends. The more you grow in one it will help you in the other.” So true! What books are you planning to read in the next year?Bonus booksHere are three more highly-rated grant writing books:

This step-by-step guide will help you plan, prepare and apply for grant funding to support your EMS organization

September 13, 2021 04:45 PM

The Vince Staples Show Season 2 Starts Filming in Vancouver in January

Vince Staples will soon head to Hollywood North for his satirical comedy series! The filming of the second season of Netflix’s ‘The Vince Staples Show’ will start in Vancouver, British Columbia, on January 22, 2025, and wrap up on March 28, 2025. Ian Edelman and Maurice Williams continue to serve as the showrunners, with William Stefan Smith confirmed to return as the head director.

Maintaining business continuity during BizTalk migration – how to approach this?

Migrating BizTalk systems is a complex process that can significantly impact business operations if not carefully managed.

Companies rely heavily on BizTalk for various integrations and business workflows, making it essential to minimize disruptions during migration. Whether you’re looking to update, re-platform, or migrate entirely, ensuring business continuity is vital to maintain smooth operations and customer satisfaction. In this guide, we explore strategies and best practices to approach a BizTalk migration effectively while keeping business continuity at the forefront.

Why Business Continuity is Essential During a BizTalk Migration

Business continuity is the lifeline of any organization, especially during critical infrastructure changes like a BizTalk migration. BizTalk serves as a backbone for integrations, connecting various systems, applications, and data across an enterprise. Any disruption in these processes can lead to costly downtime, impact customer satisfaction, and even risk the loss of sensitive information. Therefore, maintaining continuity is essential to avoid interruptions that could ripple across all areas of the business.
Migrating from BizTalk can be challenging due to the complexity of the system’s integrations and the business-critical data it manages. To maintain operational stability, companies need to approach migration with a carefully crafted strategy that emphasizes business continuity at every stage. By ensuring seamless transitions and minimizing disruptions, organizations can not only safeguard ongoing processes but also position themselves for enhanced functionality and agility post-migration.

Understanding the Challenges of BizTalk Migration

Migrating BizTalk poses specific challenges due to its complex, interconnected architecture. Here are some common obstacles organizations face when planning a BizTalk migration:

data and system Integration complexity: BizTalk manages a multitude of integrations across various systems, from CRM and ERP to other mission-critical applications. This intricate web of connections means that even a minor error can disrupt workflows and compromise data integrity;
compatibility issues: migrating BizTalk may require reconfiguration or replacement of legacy systems that aren’t compatible with modern platforms. This process requires careful planning and testing to ensure each component functions smoothly post-migration;
risk of downtime: unplanned downtime during migration can halt critical operations, affecting everything from supply chains to customer service. Minimizing downtime requires a structured approach to migration that considers backup systems and failover plans;
Data Security concerns: BizTalk migrations can expose sensitive data to potential vulnerabilities. Without robust security measures in place, the migration could increase the risk of data breaches or compliance issues.

Each of these challenges underscores the importance of working with experts in BizTalk consulting, migration and integrations. These professionals bring the experience needed to navigate complex migrations and help minimize risk at every phase.

Steps to Ensure Business Continuity During BizTalk Migration

A smooth BizTalk migration requires a strategic approach that focuses on preempting potential disruptions and maintaining business continuity. Below are key steps that organizations should take to ensure a seamless transition.

Pre-Migration Planning and Assessment

The first step in a successful BizTalk migration is a thorough assessment of the existing infrastructure and business processes. This involves mapping out all BizTalk integrations, identifying critical data flows, and determining potential compatibility issues with the target environment. By understanding the full scope of the migration, companies can address risks proactively and establish priorities based on business impact.
A comprehensive assessment should also identify any legacy systems that may need modernization or replacement. Early detection of these elements enables better planning and reduces the chance of unexpected roadblocks.

Developing a Migration Roadmap with Risk Management Strategies

Creating a structured roadmap is essential for guiding the migration process. This roadmap should break down the project into manageable phases, each with clearly defined milestones, objectives, and timelines. Additionally, a roadmap should include a risk management strategy that addresses:

business-critical systems;
failover and recovery plans;
compliance and security requirements.

By setting up a roadmap with embedded risk management, organizations can navigate the migration process in a controlled manner, reducing the likelihood of disruptions and ensuring that business operations remain uninterrupted.

Selecting BizTalk Migration Tools and Technologies

Choosing the right migration tools and technologies is critical for a successful BizTalk migration. The tools selected should align with the specific needs of the business, from data handling requirements to integration complexity. Leveraging advanced migration tools can automate parts of the process, streamline integrations, and help maintain data accuracy.
Partnering with experts in BizTalk consulting, migration and integrations can help in selecting tools best suited for the business’s unique needs. Professional consultants bring insight into the latest technologies and can recommend solutions that optimize performance while minimizing disruption.

Role of Experts in BizTalk Consulting for a Smooth Migration

Navigating a BizTalk migration requires specialized knowledge to ensure continuity and optimize processes. Engaging experts in BizTalk consulting, migration, and integrations can significantly reduce the risk of downtime, data loss, and security issues, making the migration smoother and more cost-effective. These consultants bring the technical expertise and strategic insight needed to align the migration with business objectives while addressing the complexities unique to each environment.

Benefits of Engaging Experienced BizTalk Consultants

Experienced BizTalk consultants offer invaluable support throughout the migration process. Some key benefits include:

in-depth technical expertise: BizTalk consultants possess extensive knowledge of BizTalk architecture, integrations, and configurations, allowing them to foresee and address potential challenges before they impact operations;
customized migration strategies: consultants analyze the specific needs of the business to develop a tailored migration plan that accounts for the organization’s unique processes, systems, and goals;
reduced downtime and operational disruptions: with proper planning and execution, consultants can minimize downtime, keeping mission-critical systems online and ensuring business continuity;
compliance and security assurance: experienced consultants help implement best practices in data security and compliance, safeguarding sensitive information throughout the migration process.

By partnering with a skilled consulting team, companies can enhance their ability to manage complex BizTalk environments and transition smoothly to a new system.

How Consulting Services Help Customize Migration for Your Business Needs

Every organization has unique business processes and IT requirements, which is why a one-size-fits-all approach to BizTalk migration often falls short. BizTalk consulting services offer the flexibility to customize migration plans based on the specific needs of each business. Here’s how consulting services can add value:

business process alignment: consultants work closely with internal teams to ensure that the new system supports existing business processes or enables improvements where possible. This alignment helps avoid operational hiccups post-migration;
ongoing support and training: beyond the technical migration, BizTalk consultants often provide training for internal teams, ensuring they are comfortable with the new system and capable of managing future adjustments;
scalability and future-proofing: consultants help design the migrated infrastructure with scalability in mind, preparing the system to support future growth and adapt to changing business needs without significant overhauls.

Life After Liquidity: Navigating the Next Steps After Selling a Business

You’ve reached a pinnacle in your professional life by building and growing a successful business that is now attracting interest from buyers willing to pay hundreds of millions of dollars. While selling a financially successful business is a significant milestone, it often comes with challenges many entrepreneurs and founders don’t anticipate. The psychological impact and the loss of purpose can be profound, especially when the business has been central to your or your family’s identity for decades. Here are some common challenges that business owners encounter after selling a business.

Sense of Identity Loss
For many entrepreneurs and wealth creators, a business you founded is more than just a job—it’s an integral part of your identity. The daily routine, the authority in decision-making, and the sense of importance tied to running your business can be hard to replace. This loss may lead to feelings of emptiness, disorientation, or even depression as you grapple with questions such as “Who am I without the business?” and “What’s next?” Whether to retire, start a new business, or pursue philanthropic interests can also be daunting.

I encourage you to reflect on the leadership skills, professional attributes, and personal values contributing to your business success. Engaging in this worthwhile exercise, particularly after selling a company, will help you see where your strengths can be applied to new areas of life.

Sense of Unease with Wealth
Sometimes, entrepreneurs who sell a business and receive a huge financial windfall can feel anxious or develop a sense of unease or even guilt. They might have been very comfortable running a business, but having millions of dollars feels uncomfortable. People have often asked, “What did I do to deserve all this wealth?” (You built a great business, served customers well, and created a lot of jobs. That’s what.)

To manage these feelings, you can start by simply acknowledging them. It’s normal to feel a little out of your element. And don’t be afraid to talk to a professional about it. The more you can find a new normal for your emotions, the likelier you will find new purpose and comfort in your life and lifestyle in the future.

Future Endeavors and Finding New Passions
Not surprisingly, many entrepreneurs and business owners feel pressure to reinvest in new ventures, often out of habit or a desire to replicate past success. Slow down and use your time to explore what truly excites and motivates you now. Finding new passions or getting involved in activities like angel investing in startups, mentoring younger entrepreneurs, serving on an advisory or corporate board, or doing volunteer work might offer a satisfying level of engagement. Starting a foundation could also be a new focus, providing a rewarding way to use your money and expertise for the greater good.

Developing a legacy project is another way to find meaning after a business sale. Documenting the business’s history by writing a book, commissioning a video, or creating a family archive can help preserve its legacy and provide a sense of closure.

Family Dynamics and Expectations
Family dynamics can be challenging in any environment, especially when newfound wealth leads to misaligned expectations and strained relationships with family and friends. You may receive requests for money or perceive a change in how some people relate to you. Also, some family members may have different expectations regarding using the proceeds from the business sale, whether for lifestyle changes, investments, or charitable giving. Open and honest conversations with family members about financial goals, priorities, and values help align expectations and prevent hurt feelings and misunderstandings.
To alleviate potential strain, we often recommend creating ways to reconnect with friends or family who might have been sidelined during your busy business years. Hosting a multigenerational retreat for extended family or participating in formal networking events can help maintain social connections and create opportunities for new relationships.
Financial Adjustments & Reinvestment Pressure
Some people can be tempted to dramatically increase their lifestyle spending after a financial windfall. Transitioning from having a consistent business income to managing a large lump sum of money requires a shift in your financial mindset and investment strategy. Without proper wealth planning, even millions of dollars can disappear quickly, leading to financial instability.
To manage these adjustments, surround yourself with a team of professionals, including a financial advisor, tax specialist, and an estate planning attorney who can help you look ahead and come up with a long-term plan. Consider joining a multifamily office with these trusted professionals all under one roof. Together, these experts can help you make informed decisions about where and how to invest and protect your new level of wealth.
Stay Focused on the Positive
The sale of a company often triggers a mix of emotions. It marks the end of an era and can separate you from something that has been a significant part of your life. In some instances, the feelings that rise to the surface might even feel like you’re in mourning as you grieve the loss of something integral to your life and identity. You may even feel guilty or weird about having so many liquid assets. These emotions are all natural. Rather than pushing them aside, give yourself time and permission to experience them fully.
Focus on the positive outcomes of the sale and the new opportunities that will come. Reflecting on what the sale has enabled, such as financial security, more time with your family, and the chance to pursue new interests, can help shift your perspective and set yourself up for a fulfilling and prosperous future. Remember, the skills that made you successful in business can also serve you well in this next phase of your life.

University of Idaho leads state with 54 top scientists on prestigious global list

MOSCOW, Idaho (CBS2) — The University of Idaho (UI) has more scientists at the top of its field than all other Idaho research institutions and Idaho National Laboratory (INL) combined, according to the 2024 version of the Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientists List. In it, 54 UI researchers were named.Researchers worldwide are categorized into 22 broad scientific fields and 174 sub-fields. Only those ranking in the top two percent of their sub-field are included. The cumulative list started in 1960.Of the 54 UI researchers on the list, over half are still actively employed and conducting research at U of I in the Agricultural and Life Sciences, Natural Resources, Engineering and Science colleges and at Idaho WWAMI, the state’s medical school. These leaders in their fields also help train the next generation of scientists.Click HERE for more information.

University of Idaho leads state with 54 top scientists on prestigious global list

MOSCOW, Idaho (CBS2) — The University of Idaho (UI) has more scientists at the top of its field than all other Idaho research institutions and Idaho National Laboratory (INL) combined, according to the 2024 version of the Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientists List. In it, 54 UI researchers were named.Researchers worldwide are categorized into 22 broad scientific fields and 174 sub-fields. Only those ranking in the top two percent of their sub-field are included. The cumulative list started in 1960.Of the 54 UI researchers on the list, over half are still actively employed and conducting research at U of I in the Agricultural and Life Sciences, Natural Resources, Engineering and Science colleges and at Idaho WWAMI, the state’s medical school. These leaders in their fields also help train the next generation of scientists.Click HERE for more information.

Ronald Reagan biographer to pen ‘Comeback’ book on Donald Trump’s stunning political revival

Craig Shirley, conservative-minded author who has written biographies of Ronald Reagan and tomes about World War II, is penning a book about President-elect Donald Trump’s stunning political revival: “Comeback,” The Post has learned.

“I’m going to go back four years to the end of the 2020 campaign and detail his revival and comeback,” Shirley, who was also a history consultant on the 2024 film “Reagan,” about the former president.

“I’m going to try to explain how and why he won, something the elites didn’t grasp,” Shirley told The Post of Trump.

The Post has learned that conservative-minded author Craig Shirley is writing a book about President-elect Donald Trump’s stunning political revival: “Comeback.” AFP via Getty Images

Only a positive book can be written on the merits about Trump’s historic political revival — not a negative screed, he said.

“My books were favorable to Reagan because the facts were favorable to Reagan. This book will be favorable to Trump because the facts are favorable to Trump,” Shirley, 68, said. 

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The book will be laid out chronologically because every day of Trump’s comeback bid was “an exciting day,” he said.

Shirley said he will also examine cultural wars that benefitted Trump, such as the fight over transgender rights.

He pointed to the conservative backlash and boycott against Budweiser’s “Bud Light” beer after it had transgender actress and TikTok personality Dylan Mulvaney promote its brand as a turning point.

Shirley, who was also a history consultant on the 2024 film “Reagan,” explained, “I’m going to go back four years to the end of the 2020 campaign and detail his revival and comeback.” AP

Trump’s 2024 campaign aides have already indicated they will work with Shirley.

“The remarkable history of the 2024 Donald Trump campaign is too important to be left to rank amateurs and leftists with an agenda. That is why we are working with the consummate historian and Reagan biographer Craig Shirley, who we know will record the facts as they are in his book, ‘Comeback,’” said one of Trump’s campaign pollsters, John McLaughlin.

“As Shirley has proven time and time again, he is dedicated to facts and not biases, rumors and conjecture.”

Shirley also mentioned, “My books were favorable to Reagan because the facts were favorable to Reagan. This book will be favorable to Trump because the facts are favorable to Trump.” CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

It comes after senior campaign staffers issued a joint statement Wednesday saying they will refuse to work with author Michael Wolff on his book about Trump’s re-election.

“A number of us have received inquiries from the disgraced author Michael Wolff, whose previous work can only be described as fiction. He is a known peddler of fake news who routinely concocts situations, conversations, and conclusions that never happened,” the statement said.

“As a group, we have decided not to respond to his bad faith inquiries, and we encourage others to completely disregard whatever nonsense he eventually publishes. Consider this our blanket response to whatever he writes.”

Shirley has long been active in Republican and conservative causes.

His father, Edward, was a founding member of the New York Conservative Party.