n CONTENTS
October 2018
DEPARTMENTS
26
24
Sometimes employee feedback stings — here's
how you can handle it
13
LEADERSHIP
Third-party agencies offer objectivity in assessing
leadership blind spots
by Jessica Kriegel
28
108
EVIL HR LADY
by Suzanne Lucas
26
28
14
TASTE
From a back-alley roaster to a downtown café,
vertical-integration has seen Trail Coffee Roasters
blossom
105
10
SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION
16 rsvp
22 worth noting
CAPITAL REGION CARES
The 10th installment of our 23rd annual salute to
nonprofits
comstocksmag.com | October 201 8
AIA | American Marketing Association | Visit
Sacramento | NeighborWorks Sacramento
Buzzword of the Month: paradigm shift / Readers
sound off on social / ICYMI: Last month’s hottest
web exclusives
108 snap
110 seed round
2018 AIACV Experience Architecture
The American Institute of Architects Central
Valley Chapter invites you to be a part of its
seventh annual AIA Experience Architecture event
opinion
by Steve Oliver
by Debra Belt
69
A well-rounded education is essential in preparing
today’s youth for the job market of tomorrow
The region’s next bold move should be investing in
its natural beauty
interview by Rich Ehisen
32
letter from the editor
by Allison Joy
DISCOURSE
League of California Cities Executive Director
Carolyn Coleman on pensions, affordable housing
and the value of local control
THE USUAL
Lisa Taira at Kiyo’s Floral Design has practiced
ikebana — traditional Japanese flower
arrangement — for nearly 50 years.
Meet the founder of STEMtrunk, our October
Startup of the Month