Have you heard that you should “segment” your customers before marketing to them? Ever wondered what that means, much less how you’d do that? Today, we’re going to talk about segmenting in simple terms, but you might be wondering… Why should I segment my customers? Good question. You want to segment your marketing is to […]

It didn’t take Rep. Steve Daines long to adopt the ways of the typical Washington politician. He wears many hats, trying to be everything to everyone. Montana’s timber industry has grown so accustomed to receiving federal welfare checks, tax breaks, special grants and earmarks that the entire Montana delegation gives them just about anything they […]

In a recent article titled “Focusing on the Flathead River” (Aug. 14 Beacon) Glacier National Park’s North Fork District Ranger Scott Emmerich all but admitted that the park wants to keep the North Fork Road as dusty and unpleasant to drive as possible —because it will reduce the number of people who want to access […]

By John Fuller Montana Attorney General Tim Fox was recently asked by an AP reporter for the names of all concealed carry permit holders. Unlike his predecessors (all Democrats), Mr. Fox refused to reveal them and instead notified all 56 county sheriffs of the request. Obviously, the reporter had plans to publicize these names. The […]

Before leaving for his five-week summer recess earlier this month, Rep. Joe Heck, R-Nev., wanted to make one thing clear: This is not a vacation. He posted a YouTube video declaring this is an “August district work period” despite what is “reported in the media.” It’s a smart move on Heck’s part, since, according to […]

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations said that 2012 was the hottest year recorded in the U.S. since the organization began tracking weather in the late 1800s. It’s not just hotter weather that is causing farmers to take notice; it’s the size and power of the new super storms. Farmers in Gallatin County showed Sen. […]

A couple of weeks ago, NASA celebrated the one year anniversary of Curiosity Rover landing on Mars. Print readers – see the video here: youtube.com/watch?v=JaFZmaXlTV0 As someone who has been taking pictures since the ’60s, I still find it amazing that we can tell a satellite orbiting Mars to take a picture of a Jeep-size […]

Montana once boasted a strong timber industry that helped maintain healthy forests, supported local jobs and provided a steady revenue stream for our counties and schools. But in recent decades, inflexible federal policies and unrelenting appeals and lawsuits have imposed a huge administrative burden on federal agencies, limited our mills’ access to timber and ultimately […]

During the mid-1970s, a citizens group in and around West Glacier nearly succeeded in creating a bike and horse path to be constructed between Hungry Horse and Glacier National Park. Working together were 4-H kids, horse enthusiasts, bicyclists and many local residents. The initial plan was to have a path on each side of the […]

I often joke with our summer intern, Izzy Makman, that her time at the Beacon will be the best summer job she ever has. “The best!” I say, “The last summer intern refused to leave until we hired him.” I’m referencing full-time staff writer Justin Franz, who really did refuse to leave until we hired […]

By John Fuller Introductory political science classes (usually taught by liberals) teach that the ABC’s of American politics are Argue, Bargain and Compromise. The theory is that no one has sole access to the truth and as long as there is a compromise then everyone can have “half a loaf.” When the issues in dispute […]

The 9/11 terrorist attack on the Trade Towers and Pentagon resulted in the death of 2,996 civilians and about $11 billion in property damage. Our nation’s response, however, (the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq) has resulted in 6,700 of our soldiers killed, 50,000 maimed and the expenditure of about $1 trillion. In addition, this attack […]

Since Diane Smith’s guest column last week stole my Whitefish “doughnut” thunder, I’m free to follow up on another peeve. Thanks, Diane. I wrote earlier about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s draft grizzly bear delisting plan, suggesting loyal readers take the time to comment. I’ll confess I didn’t comment – without a PhD, a […]

Doctor Obvious says “Hiring the right people is crucial for any small business.” While Dr. O has a point, what the good doctor won’t tell you is what’s most important about finding the right people. What’s more important to you when hiring? Experience? Cultural fit? Attitude? Experience matters Production experience matters, no matter what “production” […]

It’s been quite a party. But the hangover might be a doozy. After four straight years of trillion-dollar annual budget deficits, the news is dawning on all political parties that the federal budget is long due for serious repair, and that less spending is part of the process. As a state that historically has gotten […]