Patrick Henry said, “I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. A few years later, Einstein said, “Doing the same thing and expecting different results is insanity.”

These two bits of wisdom have guided me for decades. In the last few years, they have proved insufficient. Our world has changed. Cheap energy and currency exchange rates have allowed people on the other side of the world to effectively compete for our next door neighbor’s business.

McDonald’s and its local franchisees intend to hire nearly 300 new employees for crew and restaurant management positions in the Richmond region during a one-day hiring event April 19, company officials said today.

Martin's Food Markets and Giant Food Stores, along with its sister Ahold USA supermarkets, announced today that they will donate $100,000 to the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief Fund to support disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Did you know that right now, someone could be judging your company’s brand based on your email, website content or recent newsletter? After reading each piece, what impression do you think they have: a consistent, well-crafted brand experience or a disjointed story that fails to support any unified purpose?

Taxes! Accounting! These words often don’t inspire excitement. In fact, they generally inspire angst and frustration. For a small business, they can have quite an impact. Many business owners generally try to handle these responsibilities on their own as a cost savings measure. Let’s examine this common misconception.

The Retail Merchants Association recently named five new members to its Board of Directors for three-year terms ending in 2014: Donnie Caffery, Good Foods Grocery; George Haw, Ruffin & Payne; Jo Ann Rossi, Zooom Printing; Chip Tompkins, We Think In Ink; and Ellie Venafro, Tots on the Go.

Becker's Hospital Review magazine has selected Henrico Doctors’ Hospital as one of the “50 Best Hospitals in America” for the second year in a row. The award is based on patient safety, clinical outcomes and reputation.

“This distinction would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of the physicians, nurses and staff,” said Pat Farrell, CEO of Henrico Doctors’ Hospital. “They work hard every day to make sure that the patients are put first in everything that we do.”

(Henrico Citizen Exclusive) – A major employer is planning to expand its presence in Henrico County in a major way.

Bank of America has reached agreement to purchase 65 acres in Eastern Henrico’s White Oak Technology Park for $910,000, the Citizen has learned. The company intends to locate a financial services processing center at the Sandston site, which sits across Technology Boulevard from QTS (the former Qimonda semiconductor plant) and just west of a Hewlett Packard facility.