August 2013 Business Journal

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M I D C E N T R A L

AUGUST 2013

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August 2013

YOUR CALENDAR

Friday, Aug. 2 Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility, 3909 W. Main St. Decatur Black Chamber of Commerce First Friday Luncheon, noon, Main Street Church Tea Room, 2000 N. Main St.

Monday, Aug. 5 Decatur Noon Lions Club, Main Place Bar & Grill, 101 S. Main St. Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club, 158 W. Prairie Ave. Women’s Progressive Club, 6 p.m., Greater Northside Baptist Church, 929 N. Lowber St.

Tuesday, Aug. 6 Forsyth Rotary, 7 a.m., Homewood Suites by Hilton, 333 W. Marion Ave., Forsyth.

BNI First Class Professionals, 7:45 a.m., Crestview Christian Church, 4415 N. Water St. Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Prairieland Kiwanis, 9:30 a.m., Decatur Civic Center.

Decatur AMBUCS, noon, Decatur Club.

Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club.

Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club.

Blue Mound Rotary, 6:30 p.m., Pleasantview Township shed.

Wednesday, Aug. 7

Decatur Building Construction Trades Council, 10 a.m., IBEW Local 146 Hall, 3390 N. Woodford St. Central Illinois Ad Club, 11:30 a.m., Decatur Club.

Decatur AMBUCS, noon, Decatur Club.

Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club.

Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club.

Blue Mound Rotary, 6:30 p.m., Pleasantview Township shed.

Wednesday, Aug. 14 Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Mount Zion Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, 11:15 a.m., Mount Zion High School.

Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Banquet Facility.

Decatur Real Estate Investors Association, 6:30 p.m., Perkins Family Restaurant, 2999 N. Monroe St.

Thursday, Aug. 15 Earlybird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Decatur Christian Women’s Club, 11:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, noon, Decatur Club.

Thursday Noon Toastmasters, Greater Decatur Y. Decatur AMBUCS, 6 p.m., Decatur Club.

Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce Breakfast, 7 a.m., Decatur Club.

Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Banquet Facility.

Friday, Aug. 16

Thursday, Aug. 8

Monday, Aug. 19

Earlybird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Senior Resources Network (formerly Mature Resources Network), 11:45 a.m., Keystone Gardens, 1455 W. Mound Road.

Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, noon, Decatur Club.

Thursday Noon Toastmasters, Greater Decatur Y. Decatur Area Women’s Network (DAWN), 5:30 p.m., location varies.

Lincolnland AMBUCS, 6:30 p.m., Easter Seals’ Building.

Decatur Noon Lions Club, Main Place Bar & Grill.

Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club.

Women’s Progressive Club, 6 p.m., Greater Northside Baptist Church.

Friday, Aug. 9 Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Monday, Aug. 12 Decatur Noon Lions Club, Main Place Bar & Grill.

Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club.

Tuesday, Aug. 13 Forsyth Rotary, 7 a.m., Homewood Suites by Hilton.

BNI First Class Professionals, 7:45 a.m., Crestview Christian Church.

Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Prairieland Kiwanis, 9:30 a.m., Decatur Civic Center.

Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Noon Women’s Network, 11:45 a.m., Decatur Club.

Tuesday, Aug. 20 Forsyth Rotary, 7 a.m., Homewood Suites by Hilton.

BNI First Class Professionals, 7:45 a.m., Crestview Christian Church.

Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club.

Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club.

Blue Mound Rotary, 6:30 p.m., Pleasantview Township shed.

Wednesday, Aug. 21 Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Christian Women’s Network, noon, Decatur Club.

Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Banquet Facility.

Thursday, Aug. 22 Earlybird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, noon, Decatur Club.

Thursday Noon Toastmasters, Greater Decatur Y.

Friday, Aug. 23 Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

American Business Women’s Association (Monarch), noon, location varies.

Monday, Aug. 26 Decatur Noon Lions Club, Main Place Bar & Grill.

Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club.

Tuesday, Sept. 3 Forsyth Rotary, 7 a.m., Homewood Suites by Hilton.

BNI First Class Professionals, 7:45 a.m., Crestview Christian Church.

Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Prairieland Kiwanis, 9:30 a.m., Decatur Civic Center.

Decatur AMBUCS, noon, Decatur Club.

Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club.

Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club.

Blue Mound Rotary, 6:30 p.m., Pleasantview Township shed.

Wednesday, Sept. 4

Tuesday, Aug. 27 Forsyth Rotary, 7 a.m., Homewood Suites by Hilton.

BNI First Class Professionals, 7:45 a.m., Crestview Christian Church.

Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Decatur Building Construction Trades Council, 10 a.m., IBEW Local 146 Hall.

Decatur AMBUCS, noon, Decatur Club.

Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club.

Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club.

Blue Mound Rotary, 6:30 p.m., Pleasantview Township shed.

Wednesday, Aug. 28 Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Banquet Facility.

Thursday, Aug. 29 Earlybird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, noon, Decatur Club.

Thursday Noon Toastmasters, Greater Decatur Y.

Friday, Aug. 30 Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce Breakfast, 7 a.m., Decatur Club.

Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Banquet Facility.

Thursday, Sept. 5 Earlybird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

American Business Women’s Association (Amacita), 11:30 a.m., location varies.

Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, noon, Decatur Club.

Human Service Agency Consortium (HSAC), noon, Central Christian Church, 650 W. William St. Thursday Noon Toastmasters, Greater Decatur Y. Metro Decatur Home Builder’s Association, 6 p.m., Beach House.

Lincolnland AMBUCS, 6:30 p.m., Easter Seals’ Building.

Friday, Sept. 6 Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Decatur Black Chamber of Commerce First Friday Luncheon, noon, Main Street Church Tea Room, 2000 N. Main St.

To submit items for Your Calendar, contact Scott Perry at (217) 421-7976, at sperry@heraldreview.com, or click the “Submit an Event” link at www.thebusiness-journal.com

CORRECTIONS In the 20 under 40 special section distributed in July, the wrong quote appeared with Blake Wallace’s quote to live by. It should have read, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” — James Baldwin, “The Fire Next Time.”

The Business Journal erred. nnn Also in the 20 under 40 special section, Katrina (Kat) Smalley’s response to the question “The person who has had the biggest influence on you and why” should have read: I often reflect on how I became the person I am today and am thankful for what I learned from my parents. My mother was a constant voice of the “why’s.” “Do you know why we do it this way?” Learning to be analytical has

driven my love of learning and understanding things at a deeper level. I was always fascinated by the work that my father did as an architect and general contractor. I had the opportunity to go to work with him as young as 5 years old and learned the importance of traits such as craftsmanship, teamwork and having pride in what you do. After working until sundown, he would make time for play, too. It’s amazing what you can learn from a game of ping-pong! There’s a time for offense and there’s a time for defense. There are times to take advantages of opportunities and there are times to wait for the right one. These experiences allow me to see the world the way I do, and continue to grow and be inspired by great people and their abilities and accomplishments.

The Business Journal erred.

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August 2013

FROM THE EDITOR It will come as no surprise to regular readers of this column that I am a huge fan of Lake Decatur.

There are few things better than watching the Fourth of July fireworks from a boat, floating around on a hot day with friends or a relaxing evening cruise.

And while I truly appreciate what is being done to enhance the lakefront, I want to remind community leaders that the lake is more than a pretty backdrop for people enjoying it from the shore.

For some of us, the shoreline is the backdrop and the water is the main attraction for six months out of the year. We are the owners of boats and other water toys.

We count on local businesses for the maintenance of these toys, gas to feed them and food and drink for the passengers. And with adequate boat parking in place, we have been known to put on a shirt and shoes and spend some money in a lakeside business.

Our financial contributions shouldn’t be overlooked or taken for granted, which is why I hope community leaders will keep us in mind and solicit our opinions as they move forward with their plans.

In the end, we all sink or float together. I prefer to float.

BUSINESS JOURNAL

BUSINESS JOURNAL OF MIDCENTRAL ILLINOIS

VOLUME 19

ISSUE 8

601 E. William St. Decatur, IL 62523 217.421.7976 217.421.7965 (fax)

PUBLISHER: Todd Nelson EDITOR: Scott Perry ADVERTISING: Cayla Hittmeier

Scott Perry, editor Business Journal of Midcentral Illinois

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August2013Contents 19

Standing Features

HELLO? Technology has us hooked on instant response

Biz Bites . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Business Clips . . . . . . . 9 Fred Spannaus . . . . . 10 Free Time calendar . . 15

Liz Reyer . . . . . . . . . . 12 Office Coach . . . . . . . 12

SCORE counselor . . . . 9 Time Machine . . . . . . . 8 Wendy Gauntt . . . . . . 20

SUBSCRIPTIONS: To order additional copies call 217.421.7931 ADVERTISING: The deadline for ad and ad copy for the September issue is Aug. 19.

Call 217.421.7931 for rate information.

The Business Journal of MidCentral Illinois is printed monthly and is a publication of Lee Enterprises Inc.

Health calendar . . . . 17

Professional profile . . 14

STORY IDEAS: Email sperry@herald-review.com or call 217.421.7976.

Crunch time Butch Smith and his crew at Steve’s Trucking have made a living of turning once glorious and useful structures into a pile of rubble. Their latest task is the demolition of the dilapidated downtown Decatur parking garage — without damaging the buildings nearby Page 7

16 YUCK! How much bacteria grows on our stuff? You might be surprised

Information published is the responsibility of the author and does not reflect the opinions of The Business Journal of MidCentral Illinois. To submit articles, mail typewritten and 500 words or less to: The Business Journal, 601 E. William St., Decatur, IL 62523. Articles will not be returned. Any editorial content or advertising published is the property of Lee Enterprises Inc., DBA The Business Journal of MidCentral Illinois.

Copyright 2013 Herald & Review All rights reserved for entire content.

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August 2013

YOUR COMMUNITY

Business Journal/Kelly J. Huff

A employee of the Great Lakes Dredge and Dock company lifts the head of a stump grinder out of the shallow waters of Basin 1 on Lake Decatur near the Knights of Columbus Park. City of Decatur officials are seeking bids to dredge Basins 1-4.

Decatur prepares for renewed dredge program Plan will increase water supply

By ALLISON PETTY Business Journal Writer

DECATUR — The city of Decatur is taking applications for a dredging contractor that officials hope can, given several years and tens of millions of dollars, reclaim a significant portion of Lake Decatur’s capacity.

City officials have long spoken of the need for significant dredging, a process by which sediment that has collected on the lake’s bottom can be removed. With the decision to increase water rates earlier this year, the City Council ensured funding would be available to undertake the project on a larger scale.

“At first, we thought we were going to contract out individual basins (of the lake),” said Keith Alexander, the city’s director of water management. “... We’ve elected to bundle that into a large, comprehensive dredging project, which will save us millions of dollars in mobilization and demobilization costs.”

The city had set July 26 as the deadline for proposals from interested firms.

The best candidates would interview for the job, and the council could approve a contract in the fall.

City Manager Ryan McCrady said the city’s estimates for the project are about $60 million, and it would take three to five years. The contractor that is chosen would dredge Basins 1, 2, 3 and 4, and would rehabilitate the Oakley site where sediment from previous projects has been stored.

Essentially, the contractor would use sediment that is at the site from older projects to build its walls 10 feet higher, allowing more material to be stored.

At the end of the project, Lake Decatur is expected to have 29 percent more storage volume.

“Our community needs to accept the fact that dredging needs to go on all the time,” McCrady said. “We can’t just dredge once and then we’re done. Water is constantly flowing into the lake. It’s constantly bringing sediment in.”

It is not a new problem. In fact, according to documents the city has provided to interested firms, the first dredging feasibility study was conducted in Decatur in 1948, just a few decades after

the lake was built.

Other studies followed in 1952, 1976 and 1981. In each case, city leaders deferred, citing the high cost compared to other alternatives being considered. At last, the city built the Oakley site in 1988 and, after successfully testing a pilot program, hired a contractor to dredge Basin 5 in 1992 and 1993.

City staff began to dredge Basin 6 in 2004; a contractor finished the job in 2010 and 2011.

Shortly thereafter, a two-year dry spell struck the region, underscoring the need for greater water capacity in a city where industry depends on it. So followed the water rate increase and with it, a sweeping plan to improve Decatur’s water system and strengthen its ability to get more water.

The most expensive component of the program, with perhaps the greatest tangible results, was dredging.

“The only way the city could possibly finance that kind of aggressive dredging project would be with the water rate increases that were recently approved,” Alexander said.

In discussing the volume of the sediment to be removed, the city uses the term “acre-foot,” which refers to the

amount of material covering one acre to a depth of 1 foot. One acre-foot of water is about 326,000 gallons.

About 6,489 acre-feet of sediment — in other words, billions of gallons of material — are expected to be removed from the lake bottom during the life of the project. The lake, in turn, could hold that much more water.

The reclaimed storage volume, Alexander said, “is a very large amount of additional water supply that we had when the lake was built but, due to sedimentation, we’ve lost that over the decades.”

Plans also call for the contractor to dredge “sediment traps” at the Big Creek and Sand Creek tributaries of the lake. These traps are areas where the bottom is dredged to be deeper, forcing the sediment to sink to the bottom.

Another such area was created in Basin 6 during that project.

The traps are designed to prevent more sediment from coming into the lake and could, officials hope, save money in the future.

McCrady said he hopes that the dredging contractor would choose to hire local workers for the longer-term project.

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BIZ BITES

Now open First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust has opened a third banking center in Decatur.

The new banking center is at 1688 S. Baltimore Ave. This location provides customers on the east side of town with convenient access to First Mid’s wide range of services including community banking, trust and wealth management and insurance.

“We’re proud of our history in this community. We’ve been serving the financial needs of businesses and individuals since 2000. Our goal with this expansion is to not only grow our market share but to also provide greater convenience to our existing customers. We believe this location will offer us the opportunity to do both,” said Eric McRae, Decatur regional president of First Mid. nnn Jeffrey’s Meat Market has opened in the former home of Ralph’s West End Market at 135 S. Oakland Ave. The market carries the Boar’s Head lunchmeat so popular with Ralph’s customers, but otherwise the place is pretty much a different animal.

“It’s a lot more meat and a lot less groceries,” said owner Jeffery Bell. “You can get all products of beef, pork and chicken the way you want it, all wrapped up for your freezer, and we offer a deli, too.”

His daughter Kelsey Bell co-manages the deli with Julie Carter, a former manager at Ralph’s, and the meat manager is Randy Foster.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday. Call (217) 791-5498.

Bell also owns the House of Meats at 3777 N. Woodford. Ralph’s closed March 30 after a little more than two years in business for reasons former owner Nate McKean declined to specify. nnn The Iron Star is shining brightly in Blue Mound and attracting lots of customer interest.

The antiques business at 219 Railroad Avenue (it’s on Illinois 48, across from the post office) has more than 200 antique cast iron skillets. It also specializes in glassware, small furniture items ranging from chairs to dressers, and it has dutch ovens, crocks, a room full of cookbooks and much more.

Owners Sherry Clark and Bill Adams opened the business May 10 and say its enjoying lots of traffic as news spreads.

“I think the cast iron skillet collection is the biggest most people have ever seen,” added Clark. “And they have been the biggest selling items, along with small furniture pieces.”

Clark said buyers aren’t taking the skillets home to hang them on the wall as decorations. She says concerns about some of the chemicals said to be lurking in modern cookware is prompting people to look back to the way their grandmothers cooked for healthier answers “People say all the time ‘Oh, my grandmother had this,’ and now they

want it, too,” she added.

The Iron Star is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Call (217) 620-9871. nnn Rojelio Rojas, a former cook at Mi Jalapeno in Forsyth and earlier at the former Rio Grande restaurant on East Pershing Road in Decatur, has opened his own Mexican eatery at 495 N. 22nd St. with his wife, Maria.

The building is a former Mister Donut and was most recently another Mexican restaurant until it closed in September.

Taqueria La Perlita is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and serves up a variety of authentic Mexican cuisine and soft drinks. Call (217) 330-8008. nnn The owners of a new bingo hall in Decatur are hoping the latest technology and varied food options are a draw for area bingo players.

Galaxy Bingo Hall opened this month at 3645 East U.S. 36 next to the Chevrolet Hall of Fame Museum. Sessions start at 5:45 p.m. each evening, said Geralyn Schreiner, one of the partners in the new venture.

More sessions on the weekends could possibly be added, she said.

Each session is run by a different nonprofit organization, including school groups and community organizations such as the VFW and Lions Club, Schreiner said. The sessions tend to be a money-maker for the groups, she said.

“It can make a really big impact,” Schreiner said. “They’re all helping a good cause.”

Schreiner hopes customers will like the technology that has been installed inside the hall.

“We have hands-free blowers,” Schreiner said. “No one touches the balls at all.

It’s completely automated with video verifiers.”

Electronic quick play games will be available outside of the normal session hours, she said. Schreiner is excited for the food options and having specialty drinks available to give it a coffeehouse feel. Call (217) 791-5150. nnn A unique feature of the new Galaxy Bingo Hall is having food from Chef Tippy’s available.

Matthew Tipton, who also runs a restaurant in Sullivan, opened Chef Tippy’s Shooting Star Café as part of the revamped facility at 3645 East U.S. 36 in Decatur.

Tipton said many of the items from Sullivan will be available in Decatur, but it won’t be the same menu.

“It’s another opportunity to get my food out there,” Tipton said.

Alcohol isn’t served at the bingo hall, which led Tipton to decide not to offer all of the steaks and other food found in Sullivan. The new café will be open for breakfast each day, along with lunch and dinner.

Patrons coming to play bingo can order food from the restaurant, giving them more options than they might typically expect to find at a bingo hall, Tip-

ton said. Menus will be available on television screens in the restaurant, he said.

Tipton plans to run his catering offerings out of the Decatur location.

“It’s a cool atmosphere,” Tipton said.

“Decatur is a more populated area. We can reach more people here.”

Breakfast options include horseshoes, flavored pancakes and fresh baked Amish goods such as cinnamon rolls and muffins, Tipton said. Brunch will be served from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays.

The Shooting Star Café is open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Call (217) 791-5150.

New name Decatur law firm of Fuller & Quigg is now Fuller, Quigg & Bowers to reflect the addition of Phoebe S. Bowers as a partner. The law firm is at 1301 E. Mound Road, Suite 100.

New owner Advanced Disposal has acquired Macon-based Benson Disposal Services Inc. as part of its fast-paced Midwest region expansion efforts.

“When Advanced Disposal acquired the Veolia Environmental Solid Waste assets last fall, the management team said to get ready for growth, and that’s

exactly what we are doing in the Midwest region,” Regional Vice President Jay Rooney said.

The Benson acquisition includes the purchase of its trucks, containers, other equipment and customer contracts. The trucks and equipment will be relocated to Advanced Disposal’s existing Decatur hauling operations at 1363 Bear Road in Decatur.

On the move After nearly five years in downtown Decatur, Petals has uprooted itself and moved to Forsyth.

“It was time for a change,” owner Kari Bartoski said.

The store is now at 1351 Hickory Point Road, Suite C in the strip mall behind Cheddar’s.

Bartoski said the new location is larger, allowing for expansion of current offerings, such as monogramming and florals and adding items such as jewelry, clothing and handbags.

Biz Bites highlight businesses that are opening, closing, expanding … you get the picture. If you have information for our Biz Bites column, contact Tony Reid at treid@herald-review.com, Chris Lusvardi at clusvardi@herald-review.com, Theresa Churchill at tchurchill@herald-review.com or call them at (217) 421-6979.

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August 2013

Decatur Cares stepping out in faith Group hopes to house twice as many homeless

By THERESA CHURCHILL Business Journal Writer

DECATUR — The people behind an inner-city street ministry have taken several leaps of faith since the first one in 1987.

Opening the Water Street Mission in 1989, initially as a day center and later as shelter for homeless men, members of Maranatha Assembly of God added Grace House for homeless women in 2000 and incorporated separately as Decatur Cares Rescue Mission.

Now, they’re poised to make the biggest leap of all — all the way to the Donations may be made city’s northeast side to Decatur Care Rescue while boosting their Mission at www.maranathacapacity more than sixassembly.org or by mail to fold — after taking title Box 1215, Decatur IL to the former work 62525. release center of the Illinois Department of Corrections at 2175 E. Pershing Road.

Mick McCammack, executive director of Decatur Cares since 2006, said he hopes by the time summer is over to be housing twice as many people as the 17 men currently at Water Street Mission and 11 women at Grace House.

In a year, the goal is to increase the population to 200, and after the customary 90-day stay, put at least 25 percent of its clients into a 12-month program designed to give them a better shot at self-sufficiency after they leave.

“We’ll be able to help more people and work with them long enough to keep the job they get, manage their money responsibly and keep them going to church and hanging around with good people,” McCammack said.

He believes the move away from downtown will be a positive one as well. “We’ll be getting them a little away from other services, but at the same time, we won’t have the drug dealers right out the door,” he said.

McCammack said he plans to sell the current Grace House at 851 E. Cantrell St. and convert the current Water Street Mission, 758 N. Water St., into an emergency, overnight homeless shelter for men.

Decatur Cares will also be able to house homeless

To help

Business Journal/Jim Bowling

Mick McCammack, Decatur Cares Rescue Mission executive director, begins a tour of the former work release center of the Illinois Department of Corrections at the southwest corner of the of East Pershing Road and North 22nd Street. The building was recently donated to the ministry. families, an often-mentioned need, and plans to put a library and computer lab in the education building of the former Decatur Adult Transition Center.

Gov. Pat Quinn closed the center Jan. 4 as part of a budget-cutting move.

The Department of Corrections was leasing the property from Eileen Eldridge of Decatur and Karen Dowd, now of Tampa, Fla., who decided to donate it to Decatur Cares.

Tim Dowd, brother and husband of the former owners, said he believed a homeless shelter will be “the highest and best use” of the property.

“We wanted someone who would use it to maximum advantage to help the community and people who are in need,” he said.

Dowd said the building parallel to North 22nd Street

was a motel until it was converted into a work release center about 30 years ago.

McCammack said he plans to house men in that building, put women in a separate building to the west and increase the size of his staff from six to 10.

That will take money, and the Rev. Doug Lowery of Maranatha Assembly of God said his congregation would like to step up its support and hopes other churches will, too. “This is just a great blessing and a great step forward,” Lowery said.

McCammack said he feels as though he’s on a faith walk.

“We have to buy all new appliances for the kitchen and laundry,” he said. “I just hope the community will see this as a great benefit to them and want to be a part of it.”

Richland receives $1.7 million gift DECATUR — Richland Community College has announced a $1.7 million gift from the Dell and Evelyn Carroll Estate as the lead gift for the transformation of existing campus space into a Business Education Center.

The area to be remodeled is in the South Wing of the main campus. This area is the home to the business and accounting programs, office technology, information technology, health information technology (medical coding) and the health care documentation (medical transcription) programs.

“Today’s 21st Century student has very different learning expectations

than students did even a decade ago,” said Gayle Saunders, Richland Community College president. “Their world is global and constantly changing. They think and learn differently. The virtual world is their platform and they thrive on mobile technology. Many of our students bring their own laptops, tablets, iPads and smartphones to the classroom.”

The Business Education Center will support the re-design of the existing business curriculum by creating a learning environment that allows for progressive study centers that will promote creativity, collaboration and mul-

timedia literacy through the use of smart technology. High speed networks will support mobile technology to meet the needs of our digital students.

These curriculum and environmental enhancements will strengthen the seamless educational highway that Richland creates for students through partnerships with four-year universities. Additionally, state-of-the-art facilities will serve as an invitation for these institutions to locate their degree completion programs on the campus allowing Richland students to obtain a bachelor’s degree without leaving the Richland district.

BUSINESS JOURNAL Coming next month

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August 2013

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YOUR BUSINESS

A master’s touch Demolition takes a skilled hand

By TONY REID Business Journal Writer

DECATUR — Butch Smith is the demolition man with the delicate touch.

Countless passers-by have seen and admired his brutal finesse at the corner of North Franklin and East William streets in Decatur. Smith has been busy slicing steel beams and pulverizing concrete to take down a 40-foot-tall dilapidated parking garage within kissing distance of the 12story-tall Barnes Citizens Building, which still stands as Decatur’s best effort at a downtown skyscraper.

The trick is to bring down one structure without bringing down the other, and that is a game of skill and nerve that could easily bury losers along with their mistakes. Anyone who saw images of the botched building demolition June 5 in Philadelphia BUTCH SMITH that killed six people and injured 13 others knows what failure looks like, and what it can cost.

Smith has seen the pictures and rattles off a series of technical and tactical errors he believes the Philly demolition men made on their way to a rendezvous with disaster.

In contrast, his work on the parking garage has been handled so precisely, some of it has been executed with hand tools. Smith also made it a point to get the names and phone numbers of all the parking garage’s near-neighbors. Just in case.

“If I do have a mishap or I want them to evacuate while we take something down that I feel is dangerous, I will call them,” he explains. “That’s another thing those guys in Philadelphia should have done, but they didn’t.”

Experience is the supreme teacher and is precisely the way the 53-year-old Smith learned his crushing craft. His Decaturbased firm is actually called Steve’s

‘It’s all I’ve ever done my entire life, and I’m always careful; I don’t want to die just yet.’

Business Journal/Danny Damiani

Butch Smith, owner of Steve’s Trucking, operates the heavy machinery that his company has been using to tear down the parking garage in downtown Decatur.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

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August 2013

Continued from page 7 Trucking, a throwback to its origins as a trucking-excavating business started by his grandfather in 1956.

“My grandfather messed around with some demolition, tearing down houses, but I am more into commercial-industrial wrecking,” said Smith, who started learning the ropes as a teenager and soon found his true destiny lay in ruins, so to speak.

His wife, Deborah, helps run the business, and Smith has a handful of employees with his son Chris, 36, his trusted right hand who’s learned and learning the business from the dust down, just like his father did.

“Me and my son do all the operating (demolition),” Smith said. “It’s my insurance on the line, and I don’t trust hiring people I’ve never worked with. What makes a good demolition man? Just experience, I guess. It’s all I’ve ever done my entire life, and I’m always careful; I don’t want to die just yet.”

His smashing career has taken him all over the country, demolishing everything from a hospital that covered almost an entire city block to blocks of houses, factories, shopping malls and

even a former girls school run by nuns in Nauvoo. This also happens to be the town established by Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who was killed by a mob in 1844 and where subsequent local hostility would eventually force most of the Mormon population to flee toward salvation in Utah.

Now Nauvoo is a place of Mormon pilgrimage and home to a massive new church temple, completed in 2002 and rumored to cost more than $23 million. And that’s where Butch Smith stepped in to erase the girls’ school after he was hired by the Mormon church.

“I said, ‘Why do you want this torn down?’ ” he recalls.

“And they said, ‘It’s blocking the view of the Mississippi River from the new temple.’ You ever been to Nauvoo?

It’s all been restored, and it’s a pretty neat little town.”

But time and destruction wait for no man, and, his trip down memory lane over, the “DEMO GUY” (so it says on his license plates) hurries back to the present and the cab of his trusty 76,000-pound excavator. With an expert flick of the wrist, he resumes the gently violent business at hand amid the vanishing skeleton of the parking garage.

time machine

Business Journal photos/Lisa Morrison

There’s more to demolition than heavy equipment. Good ol’ manpower comes into play, too. AT LEFT: After years of talking about it, the parking garage in downtown Decatur is going away.

His mastery is being watched on this occasion by Cavin Smith, 47, who handles maintenance for the Barnes Citizens Building and has become quite a fan.

“The way he runs those machines, it’s like they’re an extension of his hand, and he just makes them dance,” said Cavin Smith, who is no relation to the mayhem maestro. “It’s very awesome.”

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While it may come as a surprise to some, there hasn’t always been a parking garage next to the Barnes Citizens Building. This month, Time Machine takes a trip back to 1959 for a peek at the corner of Franklin and William streets before the parking garage arrived.

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August 2013

BUSINESS JOURNAL

9

ASK THE SCORE COUNSELOR Q: How can I calculate the reasonable value of my business?

A: Mike Handelsman, general manager of BizBuySell.com, the Internet’s largest and most heavily trafficked business for sale marketplace, gave his thoughts in the Illinois Small Business Development Center Network’s Weekly Connection publication.

A successful small-business sale begins with a solid grasp of business valuation.

Valuation can make or break a business sale because for many sellers, attaching a dollar value to their company is a touchy subject, especially if they have spent years building it from a fledgling start-up to a profitable enterprise.

Left unchecked, the valuation process can quickly dissolve into a pricing routine that is rooted in personal attachments and other subjective inputs rather than solid data based on marketplace realities.

To be clear, the actual value of your business is the amount someone is willing to pay for it in the business-for-sale marketplace. Personal feelings about your company’s worth are far less important than sound valuation methodology, accurate documentation and other factors that could potentially influence value.

One of the reasons business valuation is such a complicated issue is because there are many acceptable valuation methods. Rather than using a “one-sizefits-all” valuation approach, sellers need to decide which method is right for their

GOT A QUESTION? For new and potential business owners, SCORE is offering an 11-week course beginning Thursday, Sept. 5, that covers a variety of business ownership topics. An informational meeting will be held from 6 to 7 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 15, at Millikin University.

To learn more about this course, valuing your business, for one-on-one, face-to-face business counseling or to submit a question for the “Ask the SCORE Counselor” column, contact SCORE Chapter 296, Millikin University, 1184 W. Main St., Decatur, IL 62522 or call (217) 424-6296. business based on industry, size and the circumstances of the sale.

An asset-based valuation is a straightforward method in which the value of the business is determined by the total value of the company’s tangible and intangible assets. The challenge with this method is that asset-based valuations can oversimplify the process and neglect the value of the company’s earnings potential. That is why asset-based valuation is a common method for the sale of defunct businesses and liquidations, but not as common for thriving companies.

The earnings multiplier method is often the best way to assign value to a healthy business that will be listed on the open marketplace. By basing price or value on some multiple of the business’s earnings potential, prospective buyers gain the ability to translate the purchase into earnings and an informed return on investment (ROI) estimate.

This also provides a more tangible and simpler basis by which to compare different businesses in different industries or locations.

However, even the earnings multiplier valuation method presents challenges.

Although earnings data is based on the business’s historical financial performance, the calculation requires earnings to be precisely defined and agreed upon by both parties. Likewise, you will need to select the right multiplier to apply to defined earnings. There can be a large variance in multipliers since the valuation reflects business risk and industry standards.

With that being said, a simple way to get to a proper multiple is to work with a business broker who can share recently sold business comparables so that you can see what multiples businesses in your industry and location have historically or recently sold for. Prior to working with a broker, you can visit business for sale websites such as www.Biz Quest.com to see what prices and multiples of cash flow or revenue current businesses are listed for and have sold for.

Business brokers and valuation experts often find that sellers are surprised to discover that the valuation process yields a lower-than-expected asking price for their business. The good news is that if you are not happy with your business’ estimated value, there are steps you can take to increase it prior to a sale.

It is important to start immediately, as you need to start planning months or

years in advance to implement the kinds of changes that substantially improve the value of your company.

From a buyer’s perspective, proven profitability and future earnings potential are the most attractive qualities in a potential business acquisition. By documenting a multiyear track record of profits and positive cash flow, you can drive up the value of your company if you choose to use the earnings multiplier valuation method. But it’s also important to strategically position your business for future earnings, identifying advantages your business either has or will have in the general marketplace. In some instances, the future prospects of the sector itself can be a factor in driving up business value.

Finally, most sellers ultimately realize that they need to enlist the assistance of a qualified business appraiser or broker to accurately value their companies. A good appraiser or broker, with a proven track record in your industry, can significantly shorten the sale process by ensuring that your business is priced to move in the current market.

— Carol Harding, SCORE counselor

Meet a SCORE counselor Tom Gore retired as vice president, credit analyst from Union Planters Bank. His counseling specialties are cash flow analysis, budgeting and loan analysis. He has been a SCORE counselor for 10 years.

Gore

BUSINESS CLIPS

New staff members Tina Miller has joined First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust as the customer service supervisor at the new facility at 1688 S. Baltimore Ave. Miller

The Hair Nest Salon and Spa welcomes stylists Alisha Hunsley and Kristen Cox.

Langhoff

Sarah Coulter has been named the director at Evergreen Senior Living in Decatur.

Hughes

Judy Hughes has retired after 44 years at what is now Busey Bank in Decatur.

Sonja Coon has been promoted to secondary market loan officer at the Prairie State Bank & Trust branch at 1000 W. Pershing Road.

Hillen

Phoebe S. Bowers has been named a partner with the Decatur law firm of Fuller, Quigg & Bowers.

Coulter

Announcements Consociate has undergone a Type 2 Ser-

Williams

been awarded the Silver Dome Award for Medium Market Personality of the Year by the Illinois Broadcasters Association.

Achievements Dr. Warren F. Jesek is the recipient of the Academy of General Dentistry’s Mastership Award.

Nickerson

Promotions

Wes Hillen has joined Foster Financial Services Inc. as an associate.

Steven C. Langhoff has joined the law firm of Bolen Robinson & Ellis LLP as a partner.

vice Organization Control 1SM examination and been found to maintain effective controls over its thirdparty administration of employee benefits services.

Busey has been awarded the Illinois Bank Community Service Award by the Illinois Bankers Association.

Business Clips are abbreviated versions of paid Business Achievements which appear on Mondays in the Herald & Review. For more information about Business Achievements, go to www.heraldreview.com/app/secure/businessach/

Tara NickJesek erson, Talk 101 FM afternoon show host, has

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

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August 2013

Conference to highlight ‘Cutting Edge HR’ What are you doing Oct. 8? Unless that date is reserved for some life-altering event, you might want to spend the day in beautiful Mount Zion.

That day, starting at 8 a.m., the Mount Zion Civic Center will host a human resource conference. It’s called “Cutting Edge HR: Keeping Your Organization Sharp.�

This is an annual event sponsored by the Decatur Area chapter of SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management. (Full disclosure: I’m a member of SHRM and Human Resources serve on the conference planning committee.)

This one-day conference always draws an array of businesses and organizations, ranging from big dogs such as Archer Daniels Midland Co. and Caterpillar to small start-ups and mom-andpop firms.

Fred Spannaus

Who should attend? The conference intentionally targets a wide swath of professionals.

Dozens of full-time HR specialists will flock to Mount Zion, drawn by learning opportunities and the lure of continuing education credits that count toward recertification.

The conference appeals to small- and medium-size companies, too. Many of these firms don’t have a dedicated HR position. But they need to deal with personnel issues and adjust to the rapidly changing legal environment.

They find the conference offers realworld tips they can put to use. Business owners, nonprofit execs, office managers and local government agencies all benefit from the sessions.

The lineup of topics and speakers is diverse. The headliner is nationally known speaker Joel Bishop, an authority on retaining top employees and an accomplished artist with roles on stage, cinema and television. He will present best practices for developing a great place to work.

Attorneys from the regional firm Davis & Campbell will offer insights on two hot topics in today’s environment:

workplace bullying and social media.

Two separate sessions will zero in on implementation of the Affordable Care Act, generally known as Obamacare.

One workshop will be led by Consociate CEO Darren Reynolds, and the other presented by Tony Johnston of Northwestern Mutual.

Five local experts will provide practical advice on HR issues. Beth Nolan of the Brechnitz Group of Raymond James will give tips on assessing retirement plans. Patrick Hoban of the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur and Macon County will reveal how technology attracts top talent.

Mike Zia and Debbie Acciavatti from Decatur Memorial Hospital will explore how to contain health care costs using value-based health care. The luncheon speaker is popular coach Mark Sturgell, owner of Decatur’s Professional Development Network.

Several breaks will give participants time to network and visit with vendors.

The day will end with an informal social time from 4 to 4:45 p.m.

The cost? Not so much. The fee is only $99 if you register before Sept. 8, then it goes up to $124. Students get in

for $50. For another $10, you can get a bound copy of the video presentations.

If you don’t want to spend the 10 bucks, you can download the presentations later for free.

The best way to register is online at http://decatur.shrm.org/.

I hope to see you in Mount Zion on Oct. 8.

Fred W. Spannaus, principal of Spannaus Consulting, is a senior professional in human resources. He loves feedback to his columns. Fred can be contacted by email at spannaus@ ameritech.net or by phone at (217) 425-2635.

BUSINESS JOURNAL

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August 2013

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11

YOUR CAREER

Employers stretching workers to the limit Companies doing more with less

By ALANA SEMUELS McClatchy-Tribune News Service Writer

WESTFIELD, Mass. — The envelope factory where Lisa Weber works is hot and noisy. A fan she brought from home helps her keep cool as she maneuvers around whirring equipment to make her quota: 750 envelopes an hour, up from 500 a few years ago.

There’s no resting: Between the video cameras and the constant threat of layoffs, Weber knows she must always be on her toes.

The drudgery of work at National Envelope Co. used to be relieved by small perks such as an annual picnic, free hams and turkeys over the holidays, but those have long since been eliminated.

“It’s harder for me to want to get up and go to work than it used to be,” said Weber, 47, who started at the factory at 19. “It’s not something I would wish on anybody. I’m worn out. I get home and I can barely stand up.”

The relentless drive for efficiency at U.S. companies has created a new harshness in the workplace. In their zeal to make sure that not a minute of time is wasted, companies are imposing rigorous performance quotas, forcing many people to put in extra hours, paid or not. Video cameras and software keep tabs on worker performance, tracking their computer keystrokes and the time spent on each customer service call.

Employers once wanted long-term relationships with their workers. At many companies, that’s no longer the case. Businesses are asking employees to work harder without providing the kinds of rewards, financial and psychological, that were once routine. Employers figure that if some people quit, there are plenty of others looking for jobs.

“Wages are stagnant, jobs are less secure, work is more intense — it’s a much tougher world,” said Paul Osterman, co-director of the MIT Sloan Institute for Work and Employment Research. “Employers have become much more aggressive about restructuring work in ways that push for higher levels of productivity.”

Work is seeping into off-hours, as

bosses pepper employees with email messages at night and on weekends.

They monitor employees’ Facebook pages and Twitter feeds for comments that conflict with the corporate message. The growing demands at the workplace mean people have less time to spend with their families or to help out with youth sports or other volunteer activities.

Matt Taibi of Providence, R.I., routinely works 12-hour days as a driver for UPS. The company would rather pay him and other drivers overtime instead of hiring more workers.

Taibi has no complaints about his pay.

He makes $32.35 an hour, plus benefits, and has job security as a Teamster. But he wonders how much longer he can keep up the breakneck pace.

“There’s more and more push towards doing more with less workers,” said Taibi, 35. “There are more stops, more packages, more pickups. What’s happening is that we’re stretched to our limits and beyond.”

Changes such as these began decades ago and accelerated during the Great Recession, when high unemployment enabled companies to offer less and demand more. Although the economy is

Featured Business:

improving, companies are still squeezing labor costs to contend with global competition and boost profits, aided by an array of technologies and management strategies.

There are exceptions, especially in knowledge-based industries where talent is scarce. In California’s Silicon Valley, technology companies try to retain software engineers with an ever-increasing array of benefits.

But these jobs go largely to engineers educated at elite universities. Those who don’t have a college education or specialized skills face a working world that is far less stable and rewarding.

Santos Castaneda saw his job unloading trucks in the warehouses of the Inland Empire go from a full-time position to a temporary one, in which he never knew from week to week how often he’d be called in or how much he’d earn.

“They say, ‘If you don’t want to work, you can leave, but there are hundreds of people waiting for a job,’ ” he said.

This points to the emergence of a twotiered work force in which fewer people can expect the type of employment relationship that Americans aspired to in the past.

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The Arts Anne Lloyd Gallery: Watercolor Reflections by Kelly Eddington. Opening reception from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9. Call (217) 423-3189. www.decaturarts.org Gallery 510: Acrylic paintings by Jane Frey. Opening reception from 5-7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 9. Call (217) 422-1509.

Decatur Airport: Watercolors by Mike Delaney.

Decatur Public Library: Abstract acryilic paintings by Grace Snively.

David Erlanson Gallery at Richland Community College: “5,000 Head” featuring photographs by Anastasia Samoylova. The exhibit runs from Aug. 19 to Sept. 20. An artist reception will be from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29.

On Stage Little Theatre-On the Square: “Monte Python’s Spamalot,” July 31-Aug 11. www.thelittletheatre.org.

Music CHILL on the HILL in Fletcher Park, Mount Zion: Aug. 8, Retrospect with special guest CeCe Frey. Vendors open at 6 p.m. Band plays from 7-10 p.m. There will be a meet and greet with Frey from 6-7 p.m., which cost $10 and tickets are required.

Decatur Park Singers. For a schedule of summer performances, go to www. decatur-parks.org.

Mount Zion Labor Day Music Jam featuring Third Shift and the Matt Carter Band, 210 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, in Fletcher Park. Cost is $6 (children 12 and under are free).

Blues in Central Park, featuring Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, on Thursday, Aug. 15. Vendors open at 6 p.m. Band plays from 7-10 p.m.

Country music artist Chris Cagle, with opening act Brushfire, will perform at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, at the Farm Progress Show stage near Richland Community College. Gates open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the gate. Tickets can be purchased at eTix.com.

Misc.

Cruisin’ Nights on Eldo, 6 p.m. Saturdays, Aug. 10 and Oct. 12. For more information, call James Pinckard at (217) 9729049.

Pony Express Days, Aug. 15-19, Pony Express Grounds, Mount Zion. Carnival, live music and more.

Farm Progress Show, Aug. 27-29, Progress City USA. The “Super Bowl of Agriculture” makes its fifth appearance in

August 2013

Calendar of events Decatur. A must attend for many producers in the Midwest interested in seeing the latest in agricultural products and technology. www.farmprogressshow. com.

The 3rd annual Shootout tractor pull will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 26 and 27, at the Macon County Fairground. The event, sponsored by Great Lakes Hybrids and Farm Progress Show, is part of the Illinois Tractor Pullers, Badger State Tractor Pullers, and Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League Midwest Region competition. www.farm progressshow.com.

Charity events The Decatur chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America is hosting a Lake

Decatur poker run Saturday, Aug. 17. Signup begins at 10:30 a.m. at the IWLA Club Pavilion on Sangamon Road near Reas Bridge Road. The cost is $5 per hand.

For more information, call Jeff at (217) 329-2107.

The Mount Zion Odd Fellows will host its annual mud volleyball tournament beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, during the Mount Zion Pony Express Days. The cost is $15 per player and includes Tshirt. Proceeds will benefit Mount Zion resident Tina Dilbeck, who is battling ovarian cancer. Call Kerry Toothman at (217) 972-8477.

A special Dog Days of Summer event to raise money for Homeward Bound Pet Shelter will be 4-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Beach House. There will be

BUSINESS JOURNAL

15

live music by Kidd Kaddilac and The Continentals, a silent auction, food and a cash bar. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Call (217) 875-1910, ext.

880.

The Decatur & Macon County Animal Shelter Foundation will host Tour De Paws beginning 7 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, in Nelson Park. Bicyclists can ride 25, 43 or 61 miles. Call (217) 423-7387.

Zoo-rific Evening at Scovill Zoo, to benefit upcoming renovations at the zoo, will he held Saturday, Aug. 24. Enjoy animal encounters, specialty drinks and hors d’oeuvres, an auction of animal artwork and music. Begins at 5 p.m. Cost is $75 per person. Call 422-5911.

Got an item you’d like considered for publication in the Your Free Time calendar? Send the information to Scott Perry at sperry@heraldreview.com or 601 E. William St., Decatur, IL 62523.

12

BUSINESS JOURNAL

www.thebusiness-journal.com

August 2013

Offer apology to boss for negative comments Q: I recently made a huge mistake at work. After an extremely stressful day, I expressed some very negative opinions about the company in general and my manager in particular. Because several people overheard these comments, my boss eventually found out about them.

Since then, my manager has made frequent cutting remarks about my attitude and performance, sometimes in the presence of other staff members. Is there any way to repair this disaster, or should I just look for another job?

A: If the relationship with your boss was reasonably good before this unfortunate occurrence, and if your Office Coach disparaging comments weren’t too personal, then you may be able to recover. The only way to find out is to offer an honest, heartfelt apology.

For example: “Mary, I’m afraid you may have heard about some remarks I made when I was feeling very stressed. I was dealing with a difficult project and said some things I truly did not mean. I want you to know that I really respect and appreciate you, so I hope you will accept my apology and disregard those stupid comments.”

Having expressed your regret, stop talking and wait for your boss’s reaction.

With any luck, she will say that all is forgiven, but if she’s still upset, you may have to reiterate your remorse. After

Marie McIntyre

that, you just need to become the most pleasant, supportive employee your manager has ever met.

Q: I share an office with “Megan,” who always says “bless you” when I sneeze. I think this is a silly habit, so when she sneezes, I say nothing. Recently, Megan scolded me for being rude when I failed to bless one of her sneezes. What’s the best way to handle this?

A: Blessing sneezes is like saying “excuse me” when you bump into someone. Despite having no basis in logic, it has become an expected social custom.

So the real question is not whether these blessings have a valid purpose, but whether the relationship with your officemate matters to you.

Megan obviously believes that blessing a sneeze signifies caring and respect, so her feelings are slightly hurt every time you fail to do so. Currently, the two of you are playing a ridiculous game in which Megan sneezes, then quietly waits to see if you will respond. Meanwhile, you sit in stony silence just to make your point. Does this not seem rather juvenile?

So here’s your choice. If the relationship is important, then saying “bless you” is simply a minor courtesy which will cost you nothing. On the other hand, if you choose to stand your ground, at least help Megan understand your motivation.

For example: “Megan, even though I know it seems rude to you, I have always felt that saying ‘bless you’ after a sneeze is a meaningless gesture. For that reason, I never say it to anyone, so I want you to know that I am not being disrespectful. It’s just something that I don’t do.”

WEEKLY TIPS Can't get enough advice from the Office Coach. Get weekly column updates at www.thebusiness-journal.com.

If this explanation seems a bit awkward and contrived, perhaps it’s because staunchly refusing to bless a sneeze is actually just as silly as doing so.

Q: The business I joined 11 months ago was recently purchased by a Fortune 500 company. Since then, the starting pay for new hires has increased significantly. However, no similar adjustment has been made to my own salary, nor have I received any other type of pay increase.

I never mentioned these concerns because I was applying for a promotion and did not want to rock the boat. Now the promotion has gone to someone else, and I’m beginning to feel angry and unappreciated. I believe that management is taking advantage of me.

Although I am presently seeking other employment, I would still like to increase my cash flow. How should I address these pay issues?

A: Let’s take a moment to consider the bigger picture. The vast majority of new employees do not receive salary increases or promotions during their first year, so you may be suffering from unrealistic expectations. If that’s your primary reason for jumping ship, perhaps you should reconsider.

Also, your narrow focus on pay may have caused you to overlook an important fact. As a result of this acquisition,

you have actually joined another company without changing jobs. In a large corporation, you may find opportunities and career paths which did not previously exist.

Acquisitions typically include a detailed process for “mapping” existing employees into the pay scale of the acquiring company. Your human resources manager should be able to explain the post-acquisition pay structure and correct any inadvertent errors.

Finally, remember that corporate rewards are generally given to those viewed positively by management. So if you are hoping for raises and promotions, you will need to let go of your anger and resentment.

Q: Our new manager said that I look like the Wendy’s hamburger girl because of my red hair. I didn’t know what she meant, so I emailed a co-worker and said “I think this manager is crazy. Who is Wendy?”

My co-worker showed the email to our boss, who came to my desk and asked why I thought she was crazy. Is the lesson that you should not share your thoughts with co-workers?

A: There are actually three lessons here. Don’t share personal opinions with colleagues who have no common sense.

Don’t ever put negative remarks about others in an email. And finally, if you ever become a manager, don’t make idiotic observations about your employees’ physical attributes.

Marie G. McIntyre is a workplace coach and the author of “Secrets to Winning at Office Politics.”

Send in questions and get free coaching tips at www.yourofficecoach.com, or follow her on Twitter @officecoach.

Procrastinator can’t wait to break bad habit Q: I’m a dyed-in-the-wool procrastinator, and it causes me some problems.

While I almost always get things done on time, I know it causes a lot of unnecessary stress. What can I do to break this habit?

A: Take small steps to get started while you seek ways to build more momentum.

You’ll want to think this through; however, in this case, I’ll encourage you to focus on ways to move toward new actions rather than assessment of the factors that hold you back.

The reason? You reinforce that which you focus on, so too much analysis of the causes might just get your feet stuck even deeper in the mud.

So to get started on your reflection, try

Liz Reyer

doing something to get energized. Take a short walk, do some stretches, or get out for some fresh air. Let your mind open to new ways of thinking and different courses of action. If you find yourself getting dragged back to old thoughts, let them go, and gently bring your focus back.

Now, select a situation when it’s been easy to take action. What has made it stand out? This will differ from person to person — for some, it may be easier to get started on something new, while others get going faster with something familiar. Notice if it makes a difference if other people are involved and how your overall stress level plays into it.

Make a list of success factors that help you get on track.

Let other people serve as role models.

Observe others’ styles of work management and find some you’d like to emulate.

Finally, think about why you’d like to change. Make a list of specific benefits that you’d see if you can break the procrastination habit. Consider effects on

WEEKLY TIPS Get weekly career tips from Liz Reyer at www.thebusiness-journal.com. your stress level, your reputation, even minor benefits such as not getting nagged to finish your expense reports.

These benefits can serve as your inspiration when you’re feeling your feet drag.

OK — start right now.

Every time you can, create the success conditions that have helped you avoid procrastination in the past. For example, if you struggle with new tasks, find a familiar aspect to help you get started.

When that doesn’t work and you find yourself stalling, try these steps: n Look at your list of benefits. What good things will happen if you just move forward? n Do the smallest possible thing to get the task started.

n Give yourself a reward — even a verbal “attaboy” — for taking a step in the right direction.

This may make it sound as if this’ll be an easy habit to break, but you already know that it isn’t. You’ll want to find support to help keep you on track.

Approach one of your role models to be a mentor for you, or talk to your boss or another colleague about ways they can help you stay accountable.

Keep track of your successes, especially in the first weeks. It may seem like you’re not making progress, so looking back at how far you’ve come will keep you motivated.

Focus on movement, building the habit of small steps forward to help you break out of the procrastination rut.

Liz Reyer is a credentialed coach with more than 20 years of business experience. Her company, Reyer Coaching & Consulting, offers services for organizations of all sizes. Submit questions or comments about this column at www.deliver change.com/coachscorner or email her at liz@deliverchange.com.

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August 2013

BUSINESS JOURNAL

READY FOR A CHANGE? WE HAVE YOUR OPPORTUNITY!

151 W. Prairie Ave. (former YMCA)

1947 E. Eldorado - former Wendell’s Transmission

1440 Brandt Court

Asking $290,000 4 story w/ basketball courts, pool, etc.

Great opportunity in downtown Decatur.

Brand New on the Market! 2,700 sq. ft. Shop & Office w/ 2-10’x12’ O.H. Doors & 1-16’ x 8’ O.H. Door. Ready for new owner.

Great for owner occupied or strictly investment. Only $170,000

7,500 square feet office/warehouse with 2-14’overhead doors. Fenced outside lay down area.

Just off Locust & 22nd St. $220,000

3113 N. 22nd St.

225-237 S. Main - Downtown Office Building

3198 E. Mueller Ave. (former StripMasters)

Price lowered to $105,000.

Hurry - This will not last! Great visibility.

Secure parking lot.

For Sale. This property includes 2 buildings on 3 lots. Convenient location west of Court House.

Call for more info.

Just off Brush College Rd. 8,000 sq. ft. Warehouse/ Office Zoned M-2, 1.75 Acre Lot - $275,000

1120 S. Jasper

133 Barnett - Forsyth Commons (behind Shell)

550 E. Prairie Ave.

Nice, multi-tenant office bldg.

Just listed 4,000 sq. ft. - $170,000

1,950 SF available for lease

Former Bank Drive-thru. Great downtown location, corner lot 1,074 sq. ft./Only $149,000

Tim Vieweg 1441-1455 Woodland Dr., Mt. Zion

Horse Barn

8-1 bedroom apartments on one level. Very nice condition! 100% occupied. This will not last. Call today!

Wonderful barn w/beautiful 2,414 sq. ft. apartment. 152’ x 76’ Arena & 14’ stalls 1,200 sq. ft. Hay Barn

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Cell 217-454-4037 timvieweg@hotmail.com Visit my listings on Loopnet.com

13

16

BUSINESS JOURNAL

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August 2013

YOUR HEALTH

By ALEXIA ELEJALDE-RUIZ McClatchy-Tribune News Service Writer

e r u s o p Ex to

Clean routine can lessen becoming infected with dangerous bug

Given how often they’re on the floor, occasionally inside a public restroom, it should come as no surprise that a third of women’s purses crawl with E. coli.

And given how many grubby hands and baby bottoms touch grocery store shopping carts, we shouldn’t flinch at the fact that, on average, they carry 115 times more bacteria than a toilet seat.

It’s a dirty world we’re living in, and often our germiest encounters are not where we expect them. Not all germs are harmful, and healthy bodies can resist many illnesses. But the more people are exposed, the greater their chance of becoming infected with or transmitting a dangerous bug, from respiratory viruses to a host of foodborne bacteria. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that each year 48 million Americans, or 1 in 6 people, get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die of foodborne diseases.

“You’re always gambling with germs,” said Dr. Charles Gerba, professor in the department of soil, water and environmental science at the University of Arizona. “The thing is to make the odds in your favor.”

That means reducing exposure to germs, a feat best accomplished with regular handwashing, using hand sanitizer and keeping your paws off your face, Gerba said.

It also means cleaning those grimy items you rarely think to clean, like remote controls and cellphones.

How often to scrub down depends on several factors. If you have kids or pets, if you are immunocompromised or someone in your household is sick, you may need to clean more thoroughly and frequently, said Donna Duberg, assistant professor of clinical lab science at Saint Louis University in St. Louis.

Need motivation? Here are average total bacteria counts, per square inch, for a dozen common germ-infested items we encounter in our daily lives, according to Gerba, who has tested hundreds of surfaces.

775,460,560

11,020

The dirt: Easily the grossest cesspool in your household, the sponge is often a culprit in spreading germs around when you use a dirty one to “clean” other surfaces. It takes about a week for the germ count to get high.

To clean: Some people suggest running sponges through the dishwasher, but Duberg cautions that can contaminate your dishwasher and dishes. Better to throw them away and buy a new pack at the store, she said. You could also put it in the microwave for 30 seconds to kill germs, Gerba said.

The dirt: Pressed against your face and mouth all day, cellphones can give germs easy access to enter your body. It’s particularly hairy if you share your phone.

To clean: Wipe with a sanitizing wipe daily.

Dish sponge

228,854 Kitchen faucet handle The dirt: There’s more fecal bacteria in the kitchen sink than in the toilet after we flush it, Gerba said, thanks to all the meat and produce remnants that collect there.

To clean: Clean off visible soil first, then wipe with sanitizing wipes. The surface must stay wet for 30 seconds to kill 99.9 percent of germs, Duberg said.

79,000

Keyboard/mouse The dirt: Janitors rarely touch your personal space, so if you don’t clean it, no one will.

To clean: Use sanitizing wipes to wipe every surface of the keyboard and mouse and all around your workstation. Do it at least weekly, or more if you are sick.

50,068

Bathroom faucet handle The dirt: Bathrooms overall had less bacteria than kitchens, where constant contact with food adds to cross-contamination, according to one of Gerba’s studies.

To clean: Wipe with sanitizing wipes at least weekly or as needed.

Cellphone

8,643

Doorknob The dirt: Though they get a bad rap, things such as doorknobs and light switches usually aren’t so dirty, because people aren’t touching them very often.

To clean: Wipe with a sanitizing wipe at least weekly, more often if you are ill.

1,736

Kitchen countertop The dirt: When you bring foods and meats into your kitchen from the grocery store, open and clean them in an area away from where you prepare food, and put them into clean containers before storing them.

To clean: Create your own cleaning solution consisting of 10 percent white distilled vinegar and 90 percent water and put it in a spray bottle. Spray the counter to saturate completely, let it sit for 30 seconds to kill the germs, then wipe off.

1,201

Toilet seat The dirt: Because people are careful to disinfect the toilet seat regularly, it tends to be among the cleanest surfaces in the house.

To clean: Wipe with sanitizing wipes as needed, letting it stay wet for at least 30 seconds. Flushing the toilet releases bacterialaden aerosols that settle on bathroom surfaces. So consider keeping your toothbrush in a drawer.

14

BUSINESS JOURNAL

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August 2013

YOUR FREE TIME

Meet Jerry Johnson Executive director of the Decatur Area Arts Council Hometown: Decatur Family: Married to Patsy. Son and daughter-in-law, Adam Johnson and Christy Campbell.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in art, Millikin University and a master’s degree in theatre, Illinois State University.

My “I’d rather be …” bumper sticker would read? “I’d rather be doing something.” I get bored easily. I’m not very good at doing nothing, even if it’s quite relaxing Hobbies/interests: Theatre, music, trivia and history, running.

My first job: My first job out of college was as a graphic designer at Wood Printing in Decatur.

Why I do what I do: I enjoy work that challenges my creative, problem-solving abilities and allows me to collaborate with other creative, interesting people.

Personal approaches to challenges: I usually study the challenge and how others have solved similar challenges. I gather advice from people with more experience than me. If I feel I can’t handle it myself, I try to get a team together then I make some decisions and proceed. But I always try to be flexible as I proceed. One of my favorite quotes is from Dwight Eisenhower, who said, “... plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.”

Business Journal/Danny Damiani

Jerry Johnson poses with his mural of Stephen Decatur in downtown Decatur.

Community involvement: Right now, community theatre and the Grow Decatur initiative.

What is the Decatur Mural Project? The Decatur Mural Project was inspired by the mural painted by local artist Jacob Manning on the side of the Earthen Pottery building on West Main Street and some comments on the Facebook page Decatur Co-Creators. The project goals are to (1) Beautify buildings throughout the city which are primarily in high visibility locations; (2) Visually promote the benefit of the arts throughout the community; (3) Create a sense of pride among Decatur residents; and (4) Provide a positive impact on project participants. For more information, go to www.decaturarts.org/murals Tell us a little about the inspiration behind your mural project. My design was inspired by reading several books about Commodore Stephen Decatur while writing an article for the Herald & Review’s Limited Edition magazine a few years ago. I felt it was important that the residents of our city learn about his amazing life and why ours is one of 14 cities named for him. The words ‘brave and daring’ were

winning the Chamber’s Downtown Impact Award.

Why is it so important to expand art beyond the art gallery doors? It makes the idea of having art in our lives more accessible to folks who may not often take the time to visit an art gallery. It’s not some elite, hoity-toity thing that’s outside their lives. Everybody enjoys music; ART! Everybody enjoys movies; ART! Everybody enjoys objects and experiences that make them feel something special; ARTS!

stuff, is there anything you aren’t comfortable doing? I’m not particularly comfortable with my dancing ability.

Is there a certain bit a pride and pressure that goes with being the first mural? Having my design selected to be the first mural of the project allowed me to encounter firsthand the challenges that might confront future artists as the project proceeds and hopefully allow me to offer some insight.

Are there plans for other permanent/semi-permanent public art projects in downtown, around town? Absolutely! The Decatur Mural Project’s goal is to see two murals a year go up around Decatur and, eventually, on buildings throughout the Decatur Area Arts Council’s service area, which includes all of Macon County, and the communities of Assumption, Clinton, Moweaqua, Pana and Taylorville. All we need are willing building owners, creative artists and generous sponsors.

It is projects like this and the Tree Huggers that played into the Decatur Area Arts Council

You act, you sing, you paint, you do the grunt work behind the scenes. When it comes to artsy

You are still fairly new as director of the Decatur Area Arts Council. Are you settled in yet? What do you hope to accomplish during your tenure? I think I’m pretty close to settled in. I have a great team that really makes me look good. It’s a group made up of a wonderful combination of experience and fresh ideas. My two main goals are to (1) help people in the Decatur area understand that the arts aren’t just nice, but are an important part of a rich, fulfilling life, and (2) to work toward bringing those who create and/or present art in our community closer together and working as a collaborative family.

chosen because they were used to describe Stephen Decatur’s heroic military actions and are also good words for our city to adopt and live by.

Have you ever worked on something this scale before? Describe the experience? Nothing quite this big. Over the years, I have designed, built and painted sets for local theatre productions. For a Theatre 7 production of the musical “Into the Woods,” we had a crew of people who sewed and painted several backdrops. The largest was 23 feet high and almost 50 wide. But, we were able to lay it on the floor to paint it, not ride a scissor lift 30 feet in the air.

How did you become so immersed in the arts?

I’ve enjoyed drawing and painting since I was a kid. I liked to sing, but was very shy. Shortly after I got married, my wife Patsy encouraged me to audition for a Theatre 7 production of the musical “South Pacific.” That turned out to be a very slippery slope.

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August 2013

BUSINESS JOURNAL

17

Community health calendar Screenings Kidney Disease Screening, Monday through Friday, Aug. 5-9, at DMH Express Care locations. Cost is $25. For more information, call (217) 876-5320.

Bone density screening, 9 to 11 a.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 7, Women’s Health and Breast Center, 302 W. Hay St., Suite 117A. Screening to check your risk for osteoporosis.

Register online or call (217) 876-4377.

Cholesterol screening, 7 to 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, 1689 S. Franklin Street Road. Cost is $20. To register, call (217) 876-4377.

Support groups TOPS Club IL 49 Decatur, 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Main Street Church of God, 2000 N. Main St. (enter from Garfield Street). Support group for Real People seeking Real Results with weight loss. For more information, go to www.topsclub.org or call Chris Granda at (217) 521-2420.

Helping Hands Bereavement for Children, 3:30 p.m. Thursdays, Cancer Care Center of Decatur, Art Therapy room, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Register online or call (217) 876-4750.

Grief to Hope: Grief Education Group, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug 6, St. Mary’s Hospital, Room G24. For more information, contact Chaplain Marla at (217) 544-6464 ext. 41850.

Pink Link breast cancer support group, 6 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 8. To register, call (217) 8764377.

Breastfeeding support group, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 12 and 26, Baby TALK, 500 E. Lake Shore Dr. To register, call Flo Folami at (217) 464-2334.

SHARE support group, 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12, St. Mary’s Hospital, Room G24. Support group for those who have experienced the death of a baby during pregnancy, at birth or early infancy. For more information, call (217) 464-2045.

Facing Cancer Together, 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14, Cancer Care Center of Decatur Complementary Education Classrooms, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Register online or call (217) 876-4750.

Us TOO prostate cancer support group, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, Cancer Care Center of Decatur Complementary Education Classrooms, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Register online or call (217) 876-4750.

Diabetes support group, 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, Aug. 15, DMH Wellness Center, 2122 N. 27th St. Call (217) 876-4249.

Classes

Parkinson’s disease support group, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1360 W. Main St. For information, call Kathy Broaddus at (217) 8203096.

Art therapy for cancer patients and families, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, Complementary Medicine Art Room 409, Cancer Care Center of Decatur, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Clay, paint watercolor, acrylic draw, print make, collage, weave and more. For information, call (217) 876-4700.

A New Season young widowed group, 6 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 15. For information, call Dawn Followell at (217) 864-2799.

Brain cancer support group, 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, Cancer Care Center of Decatur Complementary Education Classrooms, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Register online or call (217) 876-4750.

Essential Tremor Support Group, 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18, St. Mary’s Hospital, Assisi Room. For more information, call Don Klinker at (217) 423-9667.

Breath of Life support group, noon Tuesday, Aug. 20, St. Mary’s Hospital, Room 561.

Speakers available to answer questions from those with breathing problems. For information, call (217) 464-2603.

Cardiopulmonary rehab wellness group, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 20, Decatur Memorial Hospital Classroom A. Register online or call (217) 876-2496.

Widowed support group, 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22. Monthly dinner gathering. For location or to register, call (217) 428-7733.

Renewal bereavement support group, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26, Cancer Care Center of Decatur Complementary Education Classrooms, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Register online or call (217) 876-4750.

Breastfeeding Basics, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, Decatur Memorial Hospital, Classrooms, Lobby Level. Registration is required. Register online or call (217) 876-3400 Cardiopulmonary education session, 1:30 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 9, and 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, DMH Cardiac Rehabilitation Department.

Register online or call (217) 876-2496.

Eat Right to Help the Fight, 1 to 2 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 12, Cancer Care Center of Decatur, Education Classrooms, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Nutrition class for cancer patients. Register online or call (217) 8764750.

Real Dads Rock!, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, DMH Cafe Classrooms 1 and 2. Program teaches new fathers how to handle, feed, burp, change, clean and respond to a baby’s needs. Register online or call (217) 422-6294.

Infant CPR Class, 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12, DMH third floor OB Classrooms. Register online or call (217) 876-3448.

Happiest Baby on the Block, 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, St. Mary’s Hospital, Assisi Room.

Topics include crying, normal newborn sleep, top 10 myths about babies, swaddling and more. For more information, call (217) 4642334.

Real Dads Rock!, 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, Assisi Conference Room, St. Mary’s Hospital.

This class enriches the father-to-be with skills to be confident in his major role in the care and birth of the new baby. Call (217) 4642334.

More Bravo For Breast Feeding, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 1, Scovill Zoo. Join DMH as we kick off World Breast Feeding Week. For more information, call (217) 876-3400.

World Breastfeeding Week Celebration, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, at Scovill Zoo, Shilling Education Center. Free admission to the zoo and free face painting for kids.

Breastfeeding education, support and other information will be available.

Community Health Lecture Series, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 20, Decatur Public Library.

The St. Mary’s Hospital community health lecture service provides an informational lecture from a local health care provider.

This month will feature a breastfeeding forum. For more information, call (217) 4645125.

WINDOWS ROOFING DECKS KITCHENS RESTORATIONS DOORS SIDING REMODELING PORCHES BATHS

How to pick a workout buddy McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Finding an exercise partner to share your sweat can be a huge motivator.

“You need somebody consistent — somebody you can trust to be there,” said Kerri Krasnow, a certified athletic trainer in Newport News, Va. Her tips: n Look for someone on a similar exercise program. If you’re both into weight training or riding stationary bikes, it shouldn’t matter if you can’t lift as many pounds or pedal as quickly as your partner. You can still spot and motivate each other. n A friendly competitor is good. Make a bet that whoever goes to the gym less

often has to pay for a lunch date. n An aggressive competitor isn’t good.

An ultracompetitive partner who pushes — or shames — you into a workout you’re not ready for will increase your injury risk. You should be able to speak up if an exercise feels like too much.

Type-A personalities also tend to do best together. n Pick someone you can look bad in front of. You’re going to be sweaty, tired and likely stinky. An opposite-sex partner is fine unless you’re worrying about how your hair looks. n Match schedules. Some people do better exercising in the morning and

some at night, while others can only grab time on lunch breaks. Be honest upfront. n Go for a somewhat adventurous person. You don’t want to jump on every exercise fad, but a buddy should be occasionally up for trying new routines. n Don’t limit yourself to people you already know. Post a flier at your gym, ask the front desk staff if they know of potential partners or approach someone you regularly see there. Friends, co-workers and neighbors also may have ideas. n Look beyond the gym. Walks with neighbors or co-workers are great exercise, too.

LICENSE# 104.016085 105.005542 PROMAXCONSTRUCTION.COM

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

www.thebusiness-journal.com

August 2013

Know where you stand with diabetes Disease becoming more common

By JAMIE LOBER Business Journal Writer

Diabetes just might be the most common contemporary health issue in Central Illinois. Everyone seems to know somebody who is affected.

“As a parent of a 12-year-old son with diabetes, I have learned the importance of establishing a relationship with your doctor along with reaching out for support in the community,” said Cynthia McCray of Decatur.

People are often surprised to find that others can relate and sometimes offer valuable insight into how to manage the condition and what is on the horizon.

“The journey is much easier as a family when you realize that you are not alone,” McCray said.

The most common questions to hit doctors’ offices about diabetes are related to lifestyle. One of the key messages is to eat a healthier diet.

“We talk about not eliminating carbohydrates from your diet but simply making sure it stays consistent throughout the day

because carbohydrates usually elevate the blood sugar and the consistency is important,” said Shanell Jones, registered dietician with the diabetes education program at Decatur Memorial Hospital.

The other popular questions are about screenings.

“People want to know how to properly test blood sugar and it should be two hours after a meal and be at a good level because if it is high, it may indicate that they ate too much carbohydrates at their meal,” Jones said.

Since the incidence is on the rise, everyone should know where they stand in terms of diabetes.

“You should be screened when you see your doctor every year through a fasting blood sugar test that is checked on the comprehensive metabolic panel and if the fasting blood sugar is elevated, the doctor follows up with an a1c test which is the average of three months of blood sugar,” Jones said.

If you are overweight, you should be more watchful.

“There is a correlation present between obesity and diabetes,” Jones said.

Some cases are preventable. “Sometimes it only takes a matter of losing five pounds for your body to use that insulin more effectively and prevent diabetes from happening,” said Jones.

There also is a new term popping up.

“Pre-diabetes is being diagnosed more to provide motivation to help prevent diabetes from happening,” Jones said.

Before someone develops type 2 diabetes, they almost always have pre-diabetes, which means that their blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be considered diabetes.

It is still capable of causing long-term damage, particularly in the heart and circulatory system, so it should be taken seriously. People with pre-diabetes often do not have symptoms which the American Diabetes Association lists as unusual thirst; frequent urination; blurred vision; extreme fatigue; frequent infections; cuts or bruises that are slow to heal; tingling or numbness in the hands or feet; and recurring skin, gum or bladder infections.

Know your numbers and feel encouraged in the fact that you do not automatically develop type 2 diabetes just because you have pre-diabetes. There are things you can do to reverse the course. You can rule out this condition with a fasting plasma glucose test, oral glucose tolerance test or a1c test.

The future is promising for people affected by diabetes. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and its partners are moving research forward to develop potential vaccines for type 1 dia-

betes and to test compounds that may prevent its onset in those at risk for the disease.

An essential part of that effort is a study funded by the National Institutes of Health which is testing whether factors like antibiotics, viruses, gut microbes, cow’s milk, deficiency of vitamin D, omega-3s or other environmental causes are triggers for the onset of type 1 diabetes in those at risk.

Another recent area of interest are what are called nanoparticles that theoretically could be injected into the body and release insulin to counteract rising blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. At this point in time it has only been assessed in mice, but the nano-network was able to maintain normal glucose levels for more than a week with a single injection. Right now, patients have to inject themselves with insulin several times a day in order to control their blood sugar levels.

The current study found that when injected into mice, the nano-network was able to control blood glucose levels for up to 10 days. What is yet to be seen is how researchers will guarantee that the nano-networks will not release too much insulin or not enough insulin and how someone would know when a new injection is due.

stmarysdecatur.com

THE PROMISE OF A BRIGHTER TOMORROW IS BUILT ON A PLEDGE WE’RE MAKING TODAY. TODAY AND EVERY DAY, WE PLEDGE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY: Brightening the day of everyone we meet by warmly asking, “What can we do to make your day better?”

Making each patient our priority, by actively listening and then responding at the highest level of compassionate care.

Collaborating with patients to arrive at solutions that promote better outcomes and greater peace of mind.

Sharing heartfelt enthusiasm for the patients, colleagues and community we care so much about.

By living our core values of respect, care, competence and joy, we will light the way toward a better and brighter tomorrow.

Our pledge inspires us to always be at our best for our patients and each other.

From bringing innovative technology right here to Decatur, to a newly renovated healing environment, our pledge is ushering in a brand new day in health care.

Learn more about our commitment to making each day exceptional by visiting us at stmarysdecatur.com.

Expect EXCEPTIONAL.

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August 2013

BUSINESS JOURNAL

19

TECHTALK

Unanswered messages causing frustration No response can mean many things

By MARTHA IRVINE AP National Writer

CHICAGO — Technology is supposed to make us easier to reach, and often does. But the same modes of communication that have hooked us on the instant reply also can leave us feeling forgotten.

We send an email, a text or an instant chat message. We wait — and nothing happens. Or we make a phone call.

Leave a voicemail message. Wait. Again, nothing.

We tend to assume it’s a snub, and sometimes it is.

Erica Swallow, a 26-year-old New Yorker, said she’s heard a former boyfriend brag about how many text messages he never reads. “Who does that?” she asks, exasperatedly.

These days, though, no response can mean a lot of things. Maybe some people don’t see messages because they prefer email and you like Twitter.

Maybe we’re just plain overwhelmed, and can’t keep up with the constant barrage of

communication.

Whatever the reason, it’s causing a lot of frustration. A recent survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project found that 39 percent of cellphone owners say people they know complain because they don’t respond promptly to phone calls or text messages. A third of cell owners also have been told they don’t check their phones frequently enough.

It happens in love. It happens in business.

“Tell me to go to hell, but just tell me something! I’m getting lonely over here.”

That’s what Cherie Kerr, a public relations executive in Santa Ana, Calif., jokes she’s considered putting after her email signature.

It happens in families.

Last year, Terri Barr, a woman on Long Island, N.Y., with grown children, sent her son a birthday present — a $350 gift certificate for “a wonderful kayaking trip

for six, lunch, wine, equipment,” she said.

Facebook or direct message on Twitter She sent him an email with the details, and she doesn’t see the messages for but he didn’t respond. She said she then days. Email, she said, is her preferred telephoned and texted him to tell him it mode of communication. was a present. He eventually sent a oneBut even then, she said, there are only line email, she said, telling her he was so many hours in the day: “I still need too swamped to open her email gift right time to eat and sleep and shower.” then.

As she sees it, getting no response — Instant communication “can be woneven when she’s the one unsuccessfully derful — but also terrible,” said Barr, trying to contact someone — is just part who shared the story more as a lament of life in a high-tech world. A lot of of modern communication than a repriyoung people say that, so they’ve mand of her son, whose busy work life, become accustomed to having to try she acknowledged, often takes him overagain, or try a different mode of commuseas. nication if something is truly urgent.

So this year, she sent him a birthday “I think there’s this understanding gift by snail-mail in a box. “He actually because we’ve grown up being bombardopened it,” she said, and they’ve been ed by communication,” said Mike Gnitectalking more frequently ki, a 28-year-old spesince then. cial education teacher Many other people, in Longview, Texas. though, sit waiting for So he’s willing to try responses that never “multiple points of concome. tact” when trying to “That’s where the reach his students’ frustration lies — it’s in parents — because, if the ambiguity,” said he wants a response, Susannah Stern, a pro“that’s just how it is.” fessor of communicaDavid Gillman, a 25tion studies at San year-old Chicagoan, Diego State University. also opts for brevity Though we often and efficiency by sendassume the worst, ing mass texts to sevexperts say we shoulderal friends at once to n’t. save time.

JANET STERNBERG, Frequently, they say, He only expects FORDHAM UNIVERSITY people simply — and those who have time or ASSISTANT PROFESSOR unknowingly — choose inclination to respond, the wrong way to conand doesn’t take it pertact someone. sonally if they don’t.

“I admit to having often been lax with It gets trickier, he said, with people checking my work number voicemail, from older generations, including his which has led to me not responding to parents, because they like to leave him people waiting for my reply,” said Janet voicemails, which he doesn’t like to take Sternberg, an assistant professor of com- time to check. munication and media studies at Ford“I need to get better about that,” he ham University. concedes.

She’s also had technical glitches. For Those types of missed communicainstance: thinking she’d sent a text mestions — and a lack of response — can sage to someone overseas and then, cause “turbulence” in a relationship, when he didn’t respond, realizing she said Dan Faltesek, an assistant professor had his international number proof social media at Oregon State Universigrammed incorrectly in her phone. ty. But, he adds, that’s not necessarily a “The sheer management of all these bad thing. devices and channels is exhausting and “It can be a little awkward, but you sometimes daunting, leaving less and should talk to people about how you like less time for actual communication,” to talk,” Faltesek said. “Everyone will be Sternberg said. “We connect more but happier when they say what the rules communicate less, in many ways.” are.”

That’s why many people say they have And it’ll go even more smoothly, he no choice but to prioritize — and to said, when people are willing to step outrespond only to the most urgent messide their own favorite mode of commusages. nication to those preferred by the person That describes Mahrinah von Schlegel, they’re contacting. who’s working to launch a Chicago-based “Use the reverse golden rule,” Faltesek “incubator” that will offer shared office advises. “Treat others the way THEY space and other resources for fledgling like to be treated.” tech entrepreneurs.

An example: Gnitecki, the teacher in “People get angry when not answered Texas, is considering sending a survey and send multiple messages,” said von home to ask parents how they’d like to Schlegel, the 30-year-old managing direc- be contacted. tor of the firm, known as Cibola. She Tech and communication experts said missed communication has caused agree that choosing a primary means of her to lose some business deals. Often, communication, and letting it be known, it’s when people try to contact her by is one way to improve communication.

‘We connect more but communicate less, in many ways.’

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Is Google+ for your business?

One of the more recent social media outlets is Google+. While not as popular as Facebook and Twitter, it is growing fast and has some features that can be very useful to your business. And it should come as no surprise that since Google is behind it, being active on Google+ can help your search engine results, too.

Your page You can create a page for yourself, as well as your business. Your page is referred to as a profile, but you can add as many pages as you like, including one for your business. Fill it out as completely as possible. Google wants their search engine to be the best, so the more relevant information you provide here, the more likely Google will promote that information in their search Technology results. If you have specific keywords you focus on for your website, include them here for added boost.

As with any website or social media, focus on content that is relevant to the person reading it. Be helpful to them instead of focusing all on you and your business. Anticipate their interests and provide what they want. Add relevant links to related content (including pages on your website, if appropriate).

Google+ pages are very flexible, so you can add nearly any content you want.

Wendy Gauntt

Interaction Google+ invites participation and fresh content. New postings are almost a requirement to keep your audience engaged and active. As you add new information, people can interact with it just like they do on Facebook and Twitter. They “+1” it, essentially the same as “liking” a Facebook post or “favoriting” a Tweet. The more pluses you get, the more visibility your content will have.

That also ties into how much it can help your search engine results. Look at the social sharing reports to review your content and see what’s getting the most attention. Use that information to decide what is most valuable to your audience, and let it guide your future postings.

You will also want to engage with others. Join communities, “hangout” in the group video chat with like-minded people, view content from others and of course, be sure to comment and “+1” anything you like. The more active you are, the more active others will be with you.

Circles Circles are the way Google+ organizes

groups of people. If you are promoting your business, you will want to expand your circles so that you have the broadest possible audience of people who care about your business and what you do.

Each circle is its own group, with whatever criteria you want to set, and they are very flexible — you can rearrange and combine circles however you like, and people can add themselves which is known as “circling” you. They max out at 5,000 people, so if you reach these limits you may want to split those contacts or remove people who aren’t interacting with you. Because of the cap on participants, it means your strategy for Google+ needs to be a little different than on other sites. You don’t just want a high volume of people following you, you want high quality followers.

Ways to engage Google+ is incredibly versatile. You can share events, photos, videos, blog posts, links, recommended places (like your own business!), and just about anything else you can imagine. If you participate in the group video chat “hangouts” you can even save sessions and post those. Consider using events to post training seminars, lunch and learns, open houses, or even special events such as a sale. Photos can include you, your staff, your office, your products and whatever else may be relevant. Videos can be used to inform your customers, teach them more about what you do or how to use what you sell, or you can post video testimonials from happy customers.

To make it easy for visitors, get a customized URL address that’s easy to remember. It will be an address something like “google.com/+mybusinessname” where the “+” indicates it’s a Google+ page. Make sure you post this link everywhere else you are online — your website and other social media outlets. Google+ even offers badges that link directly to your pages, so you can have the full spectrum of social media icons all together. Most online postings these days include icons for LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and of course, Google+, making it quick and easy to share content you like with friends and colleagues.

are more likely to spend money with them. Google AdWords can be tightly integrated with Google+, with the added benefit that Google will show endorsements along with your ads to give you greater credibility.

How to get started Getting started is a breeze. Visit https://plus.google.com and follow the instructions. If you already have a Gmail account, you can use that to get started, and Google will walk you through the set-up instructions, step by step. You can get a few things entered and come back later for more, so you don’t need to carve out a huge block of time to get started. As you start to build your circles, stay engaged, monitor the social reports to see what’s making the most impact, and consider whether advertising will benefit your company. Keep it up, and over time you will see that the more you do, the more Google+ will add to your business.

Wendy Gauntt is president of CIO Services LLC, a technology consulting company that specializes in small business solutions. Visit her website at www.cioservicesllc.com for more information, ideas and free resources.

Internet marketing can be a help to small businesses McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Martin Smith helps companies develop strategic Internet marketing plans. But his small-business clients avoid creating plans because they think starting a business itself is hard enough.

“The problem is now, (small businesses) feel left out and behind. They think some special rules apply to Internet marketing and don’t apply to (their) business,” he said.

Rather than being intimidated by the ever-growing online world, owners of these ventures should embrace the Internet and use it as a means to further communicate their message, said Smith, who directs the marketing division at Atlantic Business Technologies, a Raleigh, N.C., Web development company. The most technologically successful small businesses know who they are, where they fit into their market and how to keep their online message consistent with their in-store one, Smith said.

BUSINESS JOURNAL Printed with environmentally safe water-based ink

Measuring results As mentioned above, there are tools such as the social sharing reports to help you evaluate your social media performance. You can see who engages with you within Google+, and you can also use the activity stream reports to see who follows your links to outside websites.

Google+ Ripples will help you see who your influencers and raving fans are, with visuals to see the impact of people who are sharing your posts. This isn’t completely altruistic — Google still makes a lot of money on advertising, and if you can see how their tools are benefiting your business, they figure you

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August 2013

BUSINESS LOANS A

What’s needed to apply for a business loan?

While every loan program has specific documentation you will need to submit, there are typical items that will be required for any small business loan application:

Q

Is social media as important as it was 2 years ago?

A

A. Social media is still growing and really sees no end to tapering off. In fact, I will share a few facts of information with you. Over 60% of Americans aged twelve and over have at least one profile on at least one type of social media! That is startling and reinforces the fact that a business owner should never think it is not important to include social networking in their marketing portfolio.

• Business profile: Describe your business, including annual sales, number of employees, length of time in business, and ownership.

• Business plan: Concisely convey all important facts about your business. It is particularly important for new businesses, since they lack a track record for lenders to go by.

• Loan request: Detail the amount of money requested, how the loan funds will be used, the type of loan, and the amount of working capital you have on hand.

Doug Dehority Vice President of Commercial Lending 2890 North Oakland Ave. Decatur 875-1300

• Collateral: Describe what will be used to secure the loan, including equity in the business, borrowed funds, and available cash.

Carolyn Ridenour President & Marketing Director

• Personal and business financial statements: Provide financial information for anyone who owns 20 percent or more of the business, including owners, partners, officers, and stockholders. Lenders will want to see a complete schedule of current debts with balances, payment schedules, maturity, collateral used to secure other loans, and tax returns from the past three years.

Chris Phillips, VP of Marketing Land of Lincoln Credit Union 3130 East Mound Road, Decatur, IL 62526

These research findings are based on the data from Edison Research and Arbitron.

(217) 875-3823

132 S Water St. Ste.418 Decatur Illinois 62523

cphillips@llcu.org

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Jason Gensler Unit Director 2801 N. Jasper St. Decatur, IL 62526 Voice: (217) 872-8000 Fax: (217) 872-8021

www.globaltechsys.com jgensler@globaltechsys.com

To learn more about social media, feel free to contact us for an appointment.

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DIGITAL ADVERTISING

Q Can I enhance / increase my cell phone coverage at my business or home?

A

My Space was once the dominant social network but in the past 5-7 years, Facebook has turned into the networking option for Americans. The demographic that’s’ growing the fastest are the 55+ category. The highest usage is from the age of 12 to 34. Over 27% of the networkers check in several times a day…that accounts for about 71 million users! This is expected to continue to grow as more people convert to smart phones and other mobile devices.

And finally, the average Facebook user has over 300 friends. The 12 – 24 year olds have the most friends (500) and as the age groups get older, the number of friends decrease. So, to sum it up – yes, social media should be a serious contender for businesses.

Each financial institution may vary in what documents you need to prepare ahead of time, but having these items completed will make the application process smoother and quicker.

For more information visit www.llcu.org.

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SOCIAL MEDIA STILL GROWING

Alcohol Awareness Q

BUSINESS JOURNAL

I know that I need to do some sort of digital advertising for my business, but where do I even start?

Yes you can!

Are you tired of being at work or home and missing important phone calls?

Are you tired of trying to open an email and it seems like it takes forever?

Our time today is very precious and we do not need to be bogged down with buffering while trying to download a document, or trying to open an internet link to find out you do not have enough cell phone coverage. While most cell phone carriers use different technologies, GTSi offers a One Stop Solution to enhance your Voice & Data cell phone coverage. In your home or office you may have one or multiple cell phone carrier users. GTSi has a solution that will accommodate all carriers.

Solution: GTSi offers an in building amplifier system that will handle both voice and data traffic. The GTSi solution does not require multiple devices because of multiple carriers. GTSi solution can accommodate 900 sq. ft. to 250,000 sq. ft. applications.

It doesn’t matter if it’s an office type setting, manufacturing setting, or your home? GTSi has a solution for everyone. Call today and ask how GTSi can help you stop the frustration with your cell phone coverage issues.

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Cayla Hittmeier Advertising Sales Manager

That is the million dollar question, and there really is not a “ONE SIZE FITS ALL” answer. It truly depends on your marketing objective. Do you want to build brand awareness, promote an upcoming sale, increase foot traffic, all of the above? Obviously, budget is going to play a role in what you do. If the sky is the limit, you can build a strong digital campaign that encompasses everything from Search Engine Optimization and Maximization, Banner Impressions, Google Adwords, Email Blasts, Facebook contests and so much more. If you have a more limited budget, you’re going to want to set a clear objective for your campaign and then determine what product will best help you obtain that goal and render a Return on Investment. The best way to determine what is the best fit is to sit down with an expert in the field of Digital Marketing, someone who works to help a variety of customers every day. Tell them your goals and let them suggest the best fit for you.

The Advertising Team at the Herald & Review is ready to assist you with this today. We have a large suite of products and great offerings that can help you get started. Let us help you grow your business.

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August 2013

YOUR MONEY

Small-business owners neglect retirement Building company eats up resources NEW YORK (AP) — Kari Warberg Block calls it her day of reckoning. It was the day 10 years ago that she realized she had saved nothing for her retirement.

“I started thinking about all the money that had run through my hands over the years, millions of dollars,” said Block, owner of Earth-Kind, a manufacturer of rat and mice repellent. “I was sick to my stomach.”

For many small-business owners, the golden years aren’t looking so shiny.

Many have devoted so much time and money to their businesses that they have failed to plan for retirement. Catch-up plans for these owners usually consist of aggressively putting money aside, or taking another big risk: Planning to sell their companies one day to fund their retirement.

Block, 50, who has owned four companies over the years, didn’t start saving for retirement until she was unable to get a loan for Earth-Kind in 2003, three years after she started the company, based in Bismarck, N.D. Her bank asked for a statement showing her personal financial holdings, including savings and investments. She only had an annuity she had purchased when she was 18, and a family inheritance. She had never taken money for her retirement out of the companies she had previously owned, which included bookkeeping and delivery services.

“I looked at the personal finance statement and realized, there’s nothing here,” Block said. Bankers want to see an owner’s personal finances because they believe that people who handle their savings and investments well will also do a good job running their companies and be a good credit risk.

Block sought advice on how to save from a Small Business Development Center, a government-sponsored office that gives free counseling to business owners.

She also got help from investment brokers, asset managers, an accountant and an attorney. And she began a savings regimen. She contributes 3 percent of her salary to her retirement account, an amount matched by the company. And 100 percent of any distributions she takes from the business also go toward retirement. Every morning, she spends 10 minutes going over her finances.

Before Block began saving she was in good company. Sixty percent of smallbusiness owners surveyed by American Express say they’re not on track to save the money they need for retirement. Seventy-three percent said they’re worried about their ability to save for the lifestyle they want in retirement.

The recession made saving more difficult, if not impossible, for many owners.

The downturn, and the plunge in lending to small businesses, during the past five years forced many owners not only to put saving on hold, but also to use per-

Associated Press

Michael Maher, co-owner of Taylor Stitch, at his shop in San Francisco says saving for retirement just isn’t a priority for him. sonal assets such as bank accounts, stocks and mutual funds to keep their companies running. In the first quarter, a survey of small-business owners by Pepperdine University and Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Corp. found that 42 percent had used personal assets to fund their companies. Nearly 80 percent of those owners dipped into their savings or investments. A year earlier, 46 percent used personal assets, and 68 percent turned to savings and investments.

The recession forced Len Polonsky to stop saving. Revenue slid at his medical and office supply company, MedStock. He cut more than half his staff of 20 through layoffs and attrition and reduced his own salary by more than 50 percent. He also stopped drawing from the company’s profits to fund his retirement plan. Having enough money to pay the company’s other expenses was the priority.

“What is crucial is to make sure the place is viable,” said Polonsky, whose 13year-old company is located in Farmingdale, N.Y. Polonsky, 56, isn’t worried about his retirement because he considers his company to be his 401(k), but he does have some savings and investments. He said he wants to resume saving when the business is stronger. He thinks that will take another year.

“We’re probably going to need to see sales up more than 20 percent than we’re doing now,” he said.

Saving for retirement often takes a

backseat to building a company for many owners in good times or bad.

Many don’t want to spare money that could be used for research and development, new hires or purchases of equipment or property. A study by the Small Business Administration found that only about a third of owners had Individual Retirement Accounts or made contributions to them in 2006. Only 18 percent had a 401(k). In comparison, nearly twothirds of all families had some sort of retirement savings, either from an employer or their own IRA or similar accounts in 2007, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute.

Younger owners are even less likely to be saving for retirement. The SBA study found that nearly 17 percent of owners under 35 had IRAs, compared with about 34 percent for those age 35 to 49 and 41 percent for those 50 and older.

Financial advisers say small-business owners are making a mistake when they don’t make their personal finances as much of a priority as their companies’ finances. If the company goes under, the owner can be left with nothing.

“They’re not diversifying. They’re not spreading the risk if all their assets are in one company’s stock,” said David O’Brien, a financial planner in Richmond, Va., whose clients include engineering firms and technology companies.

Trent Porter, an accountant and financial adviser in Denver, said some of his clients in the real estate and construc-

tion industries found out the dangers of neglecting their personal finances when the housing market collapsed. Not only had they not saved for retirement, they didn’t have a safety net.

“It was a very big wake-up call for them. All of a sudden, they realized, ‘I might need to have a couple of sources of income other than the company,’ ” he said.

Although many owners had a hard lesson from the recession, many others believe putting money into their companies is more important.

Saving for retirement just isn’t a priority for Michael Maher, 28, co-owner of Taylor Stitch, a four-year-old clothing retailer based in San Francisco. He and his partners used their own savings to start and build the company, and they’re relying on their cash flow to buy inventory and run the business.

“We’re plowing all our money back into the company for the most part and taking a nominal salary,” he said.

Maher expects to own more companies in the future, including clothing businesses. He expects to sell the businesses and get his retirement savings from the proceeds. And he believes that a company he runs is a better investment than the stock market.

“I am investing money in a business that I think are viable and that I control instead of investing in something that I don’t control,” he said. “I’m controlling my own destiny.”

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August 2013

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Watch out: ‘Free’ credit report can be costly Most services come with catch

By CLAUDIA BUCK McClatchy-Tribune News Service Writer

When is free really not free? When it comes to getting your “free” credit report.

If you’re not careful, it could wind up costing you.

Plenty of TV, radio and Internet ads promise consumers a copy of their free credit report, but what they really want is to entice you into signing up for “credit monitoring” or other services. And those are decidedly not free, running anywhere from $15 to $30 a month or more on your credit card bill.

Sacramento, Calif., retiree Jim Fossum found out the hard way.

In May, he thought he was going online to ask for a free copy of his credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com — the official website for such requests. He got the report with no problem, but was startled when a $29.95 monthly charge popped up on his next credit card bill.

“I got sucked into something I didn’t want,” said Fossum, 82, who isn’t sure how he wound up on a different site, GoldenScoresLLC.com, which started charging him for monthly credit monitoring.

“I found out that if you did not send a letter (opting out) within 10 days, you were automatically subscribed.”

Fossum’s experience is not uncommon. And that’s despite federal regulations that now require sites offering free credit reports to provide full disclosure about trial memberships and a link to the federally authorized AnnualCredit Report.com.

It also comes after a much-publicized Federal Trade Commission case in 2005 against FreeCreditReport.com, whose popular TV and radio ads featured a guitar-playing band with a catchy jingle.

Accused of using deceptive tactics, FreeCreditReport was fined more than $1.2 million by the commission.

“It’s unfair and deceptive to promise consumers something for free and then trick them into paying for products they didn’t want in the first place,” the commission said in August 2005.

There’s only one website that is federally authorized to provide consumers with free annual credit reports: AnnualCreditReport.com. By law, everyone is entitled to a free credit report once a year from each of the three credit reporting bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

You can order them all at once. Some credit experts recommend spacing them out over a year, ordering one from a different bureau every four months, in order to have a continuous snapshot of your credit history.

In addition to the official AnnualCreditReport site, several companies will give you a free credit report and/or an esti-

mated credit score. They include: Bankrate.com, Credit.com, Credit Karma.com and CreditSesame.com.

The scores you receive are not the same as a FICO score, which is considered the industry’s gold standard and is used by most lenders. But these score estimates are based on the same credit history factors that go into a FICO score, said John Ulzheimer, consumer education president at SmartCredit.com.

“These free score estimates consider the same factors. It’s pretty darn close to what you’d get from FICO,” said Ulzheimer.

On its website, the commission warns of “impostor” websites that are not part of the AnnualCreditReport.com program.

According to the commission, some sites use terms such as “free report” in their names. Others have URLs that purposely misspell “AnnualCreditReport. com,” hoping that you will mistakenly type in their name.

In some cases, the “free” product requires that you provide a credit card number, which is used to enroll you in a trial membership for various credit monitoring services. If you don’t cancel during the trial period, you could unwittingly be agreeing to let the company charge fees to your credit card.

That’s apparently what happened with Fossum. It took several persistent phone calls to the Tennessee company before he was able to get the monthly creditmonitoring service canceled.

On his first call, Fossum said, the salesperson tried to up-sell him on other services that he didn’t need or want. He asked to speak with a supervisor but, after 20 minutes on hold, hung up. Only after calling back and “not being nice” was he able to get the service canceled.

Even so, the 82-year-old intends to scrutinize his credit card bills to be sure the charge doesn’t show up on future statements.

A call to GoldenScoresLLC was answered by a customer service manager, who declined to comment.

With all the fears of identity theft, paying to monitor credit reports can be useful. You’ll receive a text or email message any time there’s a new balance, a new inquiry or other changes on your accounts.

But it’s not essential for everyone.

“Let’s call it ‘advanced common sense,’ ” said Ulzheimer. “If you are a shredder of anything that contains financial information, you’re probably OK.” If you don’t toss your credit card statements or tax returns into the garbage and you don’t leave your credit card sitting on your desk at work, “then you probably don’t need credit monitoring.”

But, he said, “If you share a mailbox with 400 other people in an apartment building, it might be something you should consider.”

That’s because the odds of something getting misdirected are greater. For

Score vs report There’s often confusion about the difference between a credit score and a credit report. The terms are often used interchangeably but they’re not the same thing. n A credit report is a history of your bills, loans and credit card payments. It’s free once a year from AnnualCreditReport.com. n A credit score is a three-digit number based on all the information contained in your credit reports. A credit score is used by banks and lenders to determine the interest rates you’ll pay for credit cards, mortgages, student loans, etc. The higher your score, the better your interest rate. instance, a “pre-approved” credit card application in your name could mistakenly go in someone else’s mailbox and wind up in the wrong hands.

Another option if you’re concerned about possible fraudulent activity on your accounts: Request a “fraud alert” or “credit freeze” from the three credit bureaus. An alert tells potential creditors that fraudulent activity is suspected on the credit file. A freeze (which costs $10 per bureau; $5 for seniors or free if you have proof of identity theft) prevents

anyone — lenders, insurance companies, employers — from seeing your credit history, unless you give permission.

“It’s really a matter of how comfortable you are,” said Ulzheimer. “We all have to make our own choices.”

Getting a credit report Free report: By federal law, everyone is entitled to one free report, once a year, from each of the three credit reporting bureaus. To get your free copies, go online to the official site, Annual CreditReport.com, or call 1-877-322-8228.

Credit reporting bureaus: To contact the three major credit reporting bureaus for a fraud alert, security freeze or extra copies of your credit report, go to: n Equifax.com, 1-800-685-1111 n Experian.com, 1-888-397-3742 n TransUnion.com, 1-800-916-8800 Additional free reports: You are entitled to an additional free credit report if you are denied employment, insurance or a loan due to information contained in your credit report. You must make the request within 60 days of being notified that you were denied. Also, those on welfare or who are victims of fraud, such as identity theft, also are entitled to a free credit report.

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