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The sun will continue to shine on Louisiana’s economy in 2008. Looking at Baton Rouge, the interstate 10/12 corridor and Louisiana in general, I see continued economic strength, with state surpluses and billions more pumped in from the federal government as a result of post-Katrina and post-Rita assistance. The rest of the country won’t be as lucky, at least not in the first part of the year, but that will improve.

For most of us, that is good news. You may have wondered if the good times would continue after the growth years we had in 2006 and 2007—and, for some, the record sales and profits. As they say, “Make hay while the sun shines.”

We know the sun doesn’t stay out forever. Eventually there are clouds and some rain. That will come. So are we wise enough as business people—and a state—to prepare for the certain inclement weather? Our state has failed to do so in the past.

We need to use our windfall to strengthen our companies, expand capacity, reinvest in equipment to become more productive, reduce debt and train and plan for the future. These strategies will make us more competitive, more efficient and more productive when the economy settles down. The same goes for state government.

The mind-set has to be to “invest”—not just “spend.” Investments are seeds that eventually yield a return. Sow and reap. Fairly simple.

We can also plant for the future in our state, and for business, by passing a strong ethics package early in 2008—the first order of business for Gov.-elect Bobby Jindal.

I was recently visiting with Steve Forbes, CEO and editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine. I asked him what the perception of Louisiana was from his perch in New York. He said it had been what George Will wrote two years ago. Will said, “The two most corrupt states in America were New Jersey and Louisiana.” (Forbes confessed he lives in New Jersey.) But Forbes noted, “That perception has changed with the election of Bobby Jindal.” That election was a seed planted. Passage of an ethics package would be several more seeds that will ultimately bear fruit for us all.

I hope your business has grown and prospered in 2007 and you have planted for the future. I believe business will be great in 2008 and the harvest will be plenty. But we must not forget to be wise and plant for the future.

Be careful with rumors

In the news business, we hear lots of rumors. You check them out best by going straight to the source and asking. Sometimes there is truth to them. Other times, just a grain of truth. And then there are the flat-out lies. Sometimes you hear things and wonder, “Who makes this stuff up?”

I often think it might be those who want others to believe “they are in the know.” It may be those who know just a few facts and make up the rest into a great story. And then there might be those who are just into make-believe.

If they get found out and put on the spot they can always just claim, “Well, that’s what I heard.” From whom?

Are you a rumormonger? Do you take a juicy tidbit and share it with friends before you find out if it is true or not? Or is the truth irrelevant to you because it would just ruin a good story?

The next time you are in a group and someone shares a tail-twister, why not ask them, “Do you know that for certain? Were you there? Who is your source? Have you checked it out to make sure it is true?” I will bet you that more than half the time, the rumor will end there—because most folks don’t know what they are talking about.

A bit of advice in this litigious age we live in: Before you share vicious rumors about others in front of third parties that could be damaging to someone’s reputation, you might think twice. What might seem like simple cocktail chatter at the office Christmas party could get you a lawsuit for libel and slander that will cost you a lot more than that year-end bonus.

A look for the future

In September 2007, Business Report celebrated 25 years of publishing. But while we fondly remember the past, it is the future we focus on. As a company, we have always tried to be innovative, fresh and relevant to our readers and marketplace. Our goal is to make a difference, be a voice for change, raise the bar and help business and the community reach their potential. We remain committed to excellence.

In that vein, you will notice a visible change with the next copy of Business Report you receive. Our design will be consistent, but you will notice the paper and printing technique will be different. We will have a higher quality paper and full color throughout. It will be printed in a heat-set process providing crisp color in a matte finish. We think you’ll like the look and feel.

In addition, anytime we have an insert or special publication to include, we will place the Business Report in a polybag wrap, requiring no glue as before and never tearing your pages. We hope you appreciate the new improvements; they will cost us more, but excellence always does. And you’re worth it.

Thanks for your continued readership and support in 2007. We also want to thank our many advertisers, many of whom have been with us for literally decades.

We are excited about 2008 for Business Report and our many other publications and projects such as 225 magazine, Daily Report, BusinessReport.com, 225 Select, BizTech Expo, Real Estate Report, Book of Lists—and our newest publication, coming in January, 10/12 magazine, covering “the Gulf South’s business corridor” (Slidell to Lake Charles). We hope you enjoy them all in the new year.