Editorial Cartoon: We're not giving you a raise since you've done so well in the office pool

Man standing in front of bosses desk as he is told he is not getting a raise since he has done so well in the office pool. Mar 31

Editorial Cartoon: Send in the little people

Man sitting at desk asks secretary to send in little people. Mar 26

Preparing for new leadership

The Providence Business News Executive Poll is a weekly survey of 70 business leaders throughout the state, representing small and large companies in a variety of industries. May 19

Using HERS to audit your energy expenditure

It may be the best-kept secret in home real estate: For a couple of hundred dollars, a potential buyer thinking about writing a contract on an existing house can ask for a formal energy audit along with the standard inspection clause. That audit, in turn, can save the buyer thousands of dollars in future operating costs, and pinpoint the specific features of the house that need correction to improve efficiency. It might also be a tipoff to a sobering reality: This house is an energy guzzler. Either the asking price comes down, the seller fixes the problems, or I walk. May 19

Editorial Cartoon: Solution to objections

A CEO says, “We’ll talk later, Ed, but for now we have a quick and dirty solution to your objections.” to a staff member wearing a trash can on his head. May 19

Five Questions With: Dr. John Fallon

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, the state’s largest health insurer, is launching a policy to curb abuse of prescription painkillers, shepherded by Chief Physician Executive Dr. John Fallon. May 21

Making R.I. fertile for social ventures

Rhode Island lawmakers recently passed legislation designed to attract a broader range of investments in limited-liability companies with nonprofit missions. The measure creates a new corporate structure – the low-profit, limited-liability company, or “L3C” – with the policy goal of making Rhode Island the Silicon Valley of social ventures. May 19

Using HERS to audit your energy expenditure

It may be the best-kept secret in home real estate: For a couple of hundred dollars, a potential buyer thinking about writing a contract on an existing house can ask for a formal energy audit along with the standard inspection clause. That audit, in turn, can save the buyer thousands of dollars in future operating costs, and pinpoint the specific features of the house that need correction to improve efficiency. It might also be a tipoff to a sobering reality: This house is an energy guzzler. Either the asking price comes down, the seller fixes the problems, or I walk. May 19