State bans telemarketer

Attorney General John Kroger has banned a major national telemarketing firm from operating in Oregon. Sadly, the agreement has no impact whatsoever on the annoying fundraisers who stalk pedestrians in downtown Portland.

Kitzhaber welcomes probe

Gov.-elect John Kitzhaber says he isn’t concerned about taking on a review of allegations that the Oregon Department of Energy improperly gave business to Kitzhaber’s longtime girlfriend Cylvia Hayes.

The economy and sales representatives

Economist Bill Conerly tackles the challenges that business leaders will face in 2011. Up first: sales representatives get discouraged in a recession. Sales staffs may have been reduced, and sales reps are spending too much time taking orders from repeat customers. What should a manager do?

Another solar subsidy

San Jose-based SoloPower Inc. is seeking a $20 million state loan to build a 75-megawatt capacity manufacturing plant in Wilsonville.