September/October/November 2012 B2B Omaha Magazine by Omaha Magazine

Omaha’s Business-To-Business Magazine

Concepts AV Integration

New Gener ation Tech

CEO Ken Pohlman

Midwest Laboratories Stands the Test of Time

Johnny’s Cafe

Turns 90

Lund Co. Commercial

Real Estate Section

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OMAHA’S BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS MAGAZINE • FALL 2012 • VOLUME 12 • NUMBER 3 Now check out B2B Omaha Magazine online. Using flipbook technology to give you a whole new magazine reading experience.

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on the web: www.b2boma.com

FE AT URES Special Section: Lund Commercial Real Estate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 • Commercial Landscaping Gets Greener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 • Hoteling Trend Takes Off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 • Pockets of New Construction Signal Economic, Business Growth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 • Omaha Market 2012 Mid Year Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 • Commercial Lighting Goes High Tech. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Greater Omaha Chamber’s Buy the Big O! Show 2012. . . . . . . . . . 28 Cover Feature: Midwest Laboratories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Complete Nutrition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Concepts AV Integration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Arts & Entertainment: Johnny’s Café Turns 90. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 In the Office: Outside the Box at US Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 How I Roll: The Ducati Dentist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Social Media: Look Under the Hood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 OmAHA!: Death Grip Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 cover feature Know-It-All: My Hope for January 21, 2013. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

columns

Omaha CVB: The Art of Conventioneering . . . . . 27

Office Furniture: First Impressions Count . . . . . . . . . . 42

Page 30

Business Ethics: Tips for Handling Ethics at Work . 46

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arts entertainment

S t o r y b y T r a c i o s u n a • P h o t o s b y m i n o r w h i t e s t u d i o s . co m

Johnny’s Café Turns 90 The family-owned Omaha steakhouse has a long menu of good fare and history to share.

Co-owners/sisters Sally Kawa, left, with Kari Kawa Harding

B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012

he restaurant industry in Omaha is a strong one with hun-

dreds of eatery options available. It is, however, a fickle and competitive one as well; a fact evident by the many openings and closings Omaha has witnessed over the years. Considering this, it seems all the more impressive that an Omaha staple, Johnny’s Café at 4702 S. 27th St., is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. Opened in 1922 by Frank “Johnny” Kawa, the grand restaurant that can now accommodate nearly 400 people was once a modest business endeavor. “It started as a one-room bar with about eight tables,” shares Kari Kawa Harding. “[The patrons] carried guns, [the dining room] had oil lamps and the whole thing.” Harding, Kawa’s granddaughter, now co-owns Johnny’s with her sister, Sally Kawa. Family lore says that Frank, an immigrant from Poland, had just enough money to purchase the small building located just east of the growing South Omaha stockyards. With no funds remaining to remove the name “Johnny’s,” which was prominently displayed on the building’s exterior, Frank began answering to his new nickname. www.OmahaPublications.com

Of Frank’s four children, two sons, Tom and John (“Jack”)–Kari and Sally’s father–continued with the business. Today, Kari and Sally carry on the tradition and will usher in the tenth decade of the successful family business. “When the stockyards peaked, they were the largest stockyards in the world,” says Sally. “During the ‘50s and ‘60s, we were open from 6am to 1am serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.” The line of people waiting for a table trailed out the front door, says Sally, as Johnny’s was the go-to place for the stockyard workers and cattle haulers. “They didn’t even lay carpet in here until 1974 because they literally had to hose out the restaurant every night because of the stuff on the bottom of everyone’s boots.” In 1972, Johnny’s underwent a two-year renovation, all the while continuing to serve customers the same quality meals, familystyle sides, and dessert favorites. “They blew up floors, moved kitchens, and tore down walls,” recalls Sally. When the stockyards eventually closed in the 1990s, some locals wondered what impact it would have on Johnny’s. The answer proved to be not too much. >> www.ReadOnlineNow.com

B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012 9

arts + entertainment

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B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012

<< “We had to re-invent ourselves a little bit,” says Sally. “People became more health conscious, too, when beef was considered bad for you.” The restaurant responded by adding more chicken, fresh fish, and salad dishes to their classic menu of corn-fed beef. “But then we loved the Atkins diet, when everyone was only eating beef,” she says with a laugh. “So there’s definitely been some trends and you can see that [in terms of the recession]. Going out to eat is one of the first things to get cut. But, on the flip side, people eat out twice as much as they used to…[Change is] a constant. We don’t take [any business] for granted because things are always changing.” One thing that hasn’t changed is the loyalty of Johnny’s regulars. Howard Engberg of Springfield, Neb., has been eating at Johnny’s for over 60 years. “I’ve been going there since I was just a kid,” he says. Having known the Kawa family for years, he says he respects the way they run their business and treat their customers. “It’s like going back home.” Though he concedes that the prime rib is very good, his favorite dish is one that may surprise you. “They have the best catfish in Omaha! One of my biggest treats is to go have their catfish.” He also recommends the chicken fried steak. “Probably the best you can find anywhere…they make it the old fashioned way.” As the oldest family-owned steakhouse in Omaha, Johnny’s has managed to stay true to their history while introducing some new aspects to their business. An email club, a monthly newsletter, and twice-monthly wine tastings have brought more attention and a fresh look to the traditional Johnny’s. “We do a lot of catering,” says Kari. “It exposes us to people who really aren’t familiar with us.” After 90 years in business, it’s hard to believe there are many locals who are not at least familiar with the large brick building with the red letters greeting those who drive down L Street or cruise along the Kennedy Freeway. “There’s a good reason we’ve been here for 90 years,” says Sally. “It’s because we’re doing it…We’re serving good food and kicking out some good product.” With the recent closings of some other family-run favorites in the past few years, the sisters say that they can see where some confusion could arise. “Probably Gorats, Cascio’s, and us are the last of the old-timers,” says Sally. “But we’re here, we haven’t gone anywhere, and we’re not going anywhere.” www.OmahaPublications.com

in the office S tory by Davi d williams • P hotos by minorwhitestu d ios . com

box, as the old business

cliché goes, is a big no-no. It is that which people are expected to be outside of when doing their thinking. In planning offices for US Data Corporation, company founder and President Jeff Herdzina, Randy Brown Architects, and Herdzina’s wife, interior designer Becky Hans, decided to eschew the very notion of the box. >> www.ReadOnlineNow.com

Outside The Box Award-winning Design at US Data Corporation B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012 11

in the office

<< The result was an award-winning design for the company’s space near 173rd Street and West Center Road, one that was recognized with both a 2010 Best of Year Award from Interior Design magazine and a 2010 Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects. Other local Randy Brown Architects projects of note include remodels at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts and the Kent Bellows Studio and Center for Visual Art. “We spend a lot of time here, and it’s important that the environment is stimulating,” Herdzina said. “Work culture is important to us, and we want people to be excited to come to work here every day.” The very act of crossing the threshold at US Data places one in a singularly stunning space. One side of the main hallway consists of an angular wall that has the off-kilter, catawampus look of the set designs from the classic silent German horror film, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Rendered in a vibrant green straight out of the Op Art ‘60s, the wall becomes a work of art in itself. Apposing that is a data stream of numbers floating on the glass wall of a conference room. The digits may be reminiscent of the bits and bauds output of the HAL 2000 in 2001: A Space Odyssey, but they actually represent zip codes—a nod to the products of the company born in 2005 as a provider of mail marketing information and lists, and now increasingly centered around such offers as email marketing lists. Corrugated galvanized steel surfaces like those found on farm outbuildings are, the Columbus native explained, an homage to his and the company’s Midwestern roots and work ethic. The minimalist theme continues throughout the building and furnishings: threaded steel pipes

Top and right: Contemporary furniture greets guests in the reception area. Exposed steel beams and currogated walls are featured throughout the space, lending an industrial feel.

www.OmahaPublications.com

B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012

Bottom: Herdzina, at head of table, leads a team meeting in US Data’s minimalist conference room.

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repurposed as a coat rack; treated concrete floors (fissures and all); Herdzina’s brushed aluminum desk; oddly beautiful, stripped down fluorescent lighting below exposed rafters, where HVAC conduits suggest airborne contemporary sculpture; and chrome-girded black leather accent furniture in the style of the pioneering Bauhaus designer Le Corbusier. Home to the company’s 35 Omaha employees (US Data also has offices in California), the space’s common area features a putting green and video gaming corner. “People have to feel good about coming here,” Herdzina added. “When we work hard and have fun doing it in a beautiful space, it builds the kind of creative culture that is not only best for our people but best for our clients.

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how i roll S tory by Lyn d sey H rabi k • P hotos by minorwhitestu d ios . com

The DucatiDr. Matthew Dentist Hanfland

B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012

rom enlisting in the Navy to

opening his own dental practice, Dr. Matthew Hanfland has repeatedly embarked on life’s journeys with a Ducati motorcycle by his side. Over the past two decades, he has owned a total of eight bikes, five of them still in his collection. Maybe you’ve seen him around town on one of his street bikes, like his black 2007 Ducati 1098s, or his red 2009 Ducati Monster. Or maybe his 2007 Ducati 999s Team USA Edition motorcycle, designed for performance with an impressive 143hp. Another of his street bikes, the 2010 Ducati 848 Nicky Hayden Edition, was named after the 2006 MotoGP World Champion. www.OmahaPublications.com

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people back in the pits, make for a fun experience. -Dr. Matthew Hanfland

the street. Because of the parts, the bike is only allowed on the track. For Hanfland, the track is where he has some of his fondest riding memories. “The thrill of riding on the track, as well as enjoying the company of all the people back in the pits, make for a fun experience.” Also a spectator, Hanfland took his bike to Indianapolis, Ind., where he had the unforgettable experience of watching the MotoGP race. If you think opening his own practice, Dental Innovations, would have dramatically cut into his riding time, think again. Setting his own hours helps him continue riding regularly. He also finds riding companions at the Desmo Omaha Riding Club, where he serves as club president. When it comes to brands, Hanfland says he likes the performance and handling of Ducati motorcycles the best. “Ducati motorcycles have a unique engine sound, due to their L-twin motor, that makes them stand out from the motorcycle crowd.” www.ReadOnlineNow.com

B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012 15

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commercialLANDSCAPING

goes green

hotelingtrend takes off pocketsof new construction commerciallighting goes high tech

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photo byminorwhitestudios.com

B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012 17

COMMERCIAL Real Estate Story by Traci Osuna • Photos by minorwhitestudios.com

commerciallandscaping gets greener aving a green thumb has never been as important and in the forefront of com-

mercial landscaping as it is today. Landscaping is inherently green and environmentally friendly. Both those in the horticulture field, as well as commercial developers, are looking at ways to make landscaping more eco-friendly and less time-consuming. “Overall, the biggest theme in commercial landscaping is sustainability,” says Chris Lanoha, Vice President of Lanoha Nurseries. “What I mean by that is watering responsibly and choosing plant material that is drought-tolerant.” Rain sensors that prevent overwatering are also being incorporated into many watering systems, says Lanoha. While water restrictions have not been a big concern in Omaha, local businesses are still choosing to be proactive and conserve as much water as they can. One trend that is becoming more popular in commercial landscape design is incorporating rain gardens, also known as bio-swells. “[These] have become really big on the commercial side of things,” says Lanoha. “In the past, you’d just have storm gutters, and all the water would just run right into a watershed or the local creeks,” says Lanoha. “This would cause problems as far as flooding and it would also take all the contaminants off the parking lot—the oil, dirt and silt—and just wash it right into our sewer system and eventually [have it] end up in the river.” Rather than seeing large storm gutters in parking lots or commercial spaces, many of today’s landscape architects are creating rain gardens, planting various types of water-tolerant plants—perennials, prairie grasses and sedges—in depressions in the ground, which help to absorb rain and reduce runoff. These gardens not only help prevent soil erosion, but also naturally purify the water that runs into the reservoir. “Then the water slowly percolates out of these basins and back into the water system or back into the sewers. “ Another trend: green rooftops. While more prevalent on the coasts, green roofs are becoming more popular in the Midwest as a way for commercial buildings to both protect the environment and save on energy costs. As Lanoha explains it, rather than having the 18

B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012

traditional rubber membrane roof, companies are adding sun-tolerant plant material to the roof. Lanoha warns that there are a lot of upfront costs when adding a green roof. This may eventually be offset by the federal tax incentives as well and the energy cost savings the company will experience in the future. “[Green roofs] reduce the energy cost for heating and cooling, reduce storm-water runoff, filter pollutants out of the water, and insulate buildings for sound,” he says. Mark McBride, a commercial estimator and project manager for Mulhall’s Nursery, has also installed green roofs locally. He says that while they are gaining popularity, they are also difficult to maintain. “Since they are on the roof, everything either has to be carried up or taken down through an elevator.” McBride explains that monthly maintenance by professional landscapers is required during the growing season “just to control weeds.” In the fall, they will cut back the perennials and they will provide clean-up in the spring. Soil berms are everywhere in today’s www.OmahaPublications.com

landscape design. Using mounds of soil to create elevated features within your landscaping serves several purposes. Not only does it add interest and definition to your landscape, but adding berms near parking lots can be used to camouflage cars, as well as act as a noise barrier. “Good use of dirt is huge to soften spaces,” says Sean Mulhall, owner of Mulhall’s Nursery. “By crowning spaces [using berms] one can make a small area in a commercial property larger…because the surface area increases as you crown the soil. That makes plants stand out, be more ‘onstage.’ “You are raising the grade where the trees begin [by about six feet] and people can see underneath it to the building. It’s a nice example [of what can be done] to allow better visibility into facilities that might otherwise be hidden [from the street],” Mulhall adds. All three landscape experts cited the increased popularity of low-maintenance plants in commercial design as well. Ornamental grasses, hardy shrubs, and perennials top the list of today’s go-to plants. “Today, plants are bred to withstand attacks from pests and diseases. They are also tolerant of our climate,” says Lanoha. “Rather than sticking to good old-fashioned rhododendron or spireria, people are doing their research and looking for plants that are extremely drought-tolerant, stand up to pests, and low-maintenance.” McBride agrees that plant selection in Omaha has evolved greatly in recent years. “Thirty years ago, when I began this, there were pfitzers and ash trees. There wasn’t a lot of choice,” he recalls. “And now the plant selection is unbelievable in Omaha. Anything grows here, from 20 [degrees] below to 110, we’re pretty extreme.” Along with the low-maintenance plants comes low-maintenance groundcover, with mulch being the product of choice. “It used to be that people used a lot of rock, now everything is mulch nowadays,” says McBride. “Colored mulch is used almost exclusively on commercial sites.” Mulhall adds that while river rock was a popular choice a few years ago, it is not a good choice for people looking for low-maintenance options. “In our experience, rock tends to be a challenge in a commercial environment.” He says that people tend to want as much green as possible, so the trend is more away from rock than toward it. Also, cold weather months leave behind www.ReadOnlineNow.com

grit and debris, making rock difficult to keep clean. “Mulch is much greener, because it decomposes and fortifies the soil. And you can just refresh it in the spring, putting new mulch over the top.” Lanoha mentions that maintaining large expanses of grass or turf—“the constant upkeep of mowing, watering, fertilizing”—can be counteractive to the low-maintenance/lowcost aspect of commercial landscape design. “Businesses are trying to be more savvy with the budget and trying not to overspend on landscaping in some respects, and by eliminating turf that helps them out in the long run.” Landscape design wouldn’t be complete without addressing the importance of color scheme. “The plant palate has changed significantly over the years in commercial landscape construction,” says Lanoha. “It used to be your standard bread and butter plants, if you will…your ash trees, day lilies, junipers.” He explains that today, plant producers have developed plant materials with darker and more unique colors than ever before. “The more odd-shade colors—amber shades, if you will—have become really popular.” Mulhall stresses the importance of consistency in commercial color schemes. “What’s important is to develop a palate and stick with it so it doesn’t become this sort of smorgasbord of plants. Less is more, really.” McBride says that rather than individual plants being the focus, the goal today is large plots of color to capture the eye. “Massive, beautiful swags of red and yellow and purple,” he says. Water features, firepits, boulder outcroppings, and monument-style signage were also mentioned as hardscape features that are being added to the entire landscape design trend of today. Just like in any industry, change is a constant factor. “It’s always evolving,” says McBride. “It never stays the same.” B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012 19

COMMERCIAL Real Estate Story by Traci Osuna • Photos by minorwhitestudios.com

hoteling TREND TAKES OFF employees find benefits of shared workspace

s more and more office buildings spring up around Omaha, pass-

ersby can just imagine the scenes and goings-on inside those glass and steel structures: big corner offices, high cubical walls, and busy workers burying their heads in their work and hunched over a computer. But in reality, the scenes are in many cases quite different. Large, private offices and gopher-like cubicles are being phased out while open workspaces and the sharing of workspaces, called “hoteling,” are becoming the norm. “We believe it is a trend that is coming [to the Midwest],” says Jason Fisher, President, the Lund Company. This drift toward smaller, more open workspaces can be attributed to two major factors facing the workforce today: the increasing cost of commercial real estate and recent advances in technology. “Right now, the majority of it could be attributed to the economy, just the way it’s been for the last few years…people doing more with less,” says Fisher. “So, as companies have expanded, they’ve tried to do so in their existing [location] so they fit more people in less space.” Dave Parker, President and CEO of Sheppard’s Business Interiors, has also witnessed businesses doing more with less space. “While in the past, large and spacious work [areas] may have been the norm, [today] many employers are realizing significant savings by shrinking the size of the workstation while preserving the work environment and productivity.” Fisher says that though he sees the trend to be more prevalent in larger metropolitan areas, it is making its way to Middle America. “In the Midwest, 20

B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012

we kind of like our space,” he says. “We like the residential side, we have our white picket fences and our nice big yards, and when we go to the office you kind of want a space to declare your own.” However, Fisher has also observed that, with the latest generational migration into the work force, the movement toward shared workspaces and a more communal work environment is gaining popularity. “The days of the President [of the company] getting a huge corner office still has its place and there are certain [corporate] cultures that require that. But a lot of organizations, especially with younger leadership…the status and hierarchy aren’t as important as they used to be.” “All of this, I think, is being driven by the four generations —Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generations X and Y—that are in the workplace [currently],” he says. Every generation is different and they have all contributed something to today’s business environment. “Certainly Baby Boomers…still kind of need face-to-face interaction to effectively communicate, where [with] the younger generation, that’s not the case. The last generation [Y] certainly is more comfortable with less face-to-face interaction [as evident in texting and social networking].” www.OmahaPublications.com

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Videoconferencing, telecommuting, remote offices, and paperless offices have all contributed to making “going to work” to be quite a different experience, even from what most Generation X’s are used to. “The equipment is changing,” says Bruce Carpenter, Senior Vice President of HDR Architecture, Inc. “There’s more of a move to laptops, iPads, and cell phones. So you can accomplish the same in less space than traditionally.” Carpenter cites the facts that more offices are finally becoming paperless and files are stored electronically on a central file as contributing factors. “Even reference material is more internet-based…it’s all becoming much more compact and efficient so that the tools that we work with are requiring less space.” A self-described member of the older generation working to move into the new age, Carpenter adds, “I used to take a briefcase to a meeting, now I just take an iPad with me.” Not only has technology allowed for more compact spaces, but more versatile ones as well. Enter the trend of “hoteling,” or moving to shared workspaces. “Some employees work from their homes, coffee shops, or on the road a great deal of the time,” says Parker. But when employees do need to work from the office, rather than having a designated workstation, they may choose from any of multiple spaces that happen to be open when needed. “Hoteling is where there are a number of ‘unassigned’ workstations or benching applications where the employee can reserve a space to work out of when needed, and then it can be used by others as it is available,” says Parker. Personal items are often kept in a rollaway file and can be maneuvered from a storage spot to the workspace of the day. “We’re seeing the ability to really work from anywhere and everywhere, so being tied to your workspace is less important,” says Carpenter. Open spaces and more collaborative work environments may seem to require some getting used to, but all three gentlemen say that the response by employees has been positive overall. “It seemed like there used to be more drama in the workplace when everybody had a cubby they could go to and hide from everyone else,” says Fisher. He explains that the Lund offices have adopted the open, collaborative office environment, having fewer closed-off offices and more glass walls, creating an open and transparent atmosphere. “There’s a lot less drama and I didn’t expect that,” he admits. “I think it’s a good thing…the direction we’re heading, to have more flexibility and be more efficient, not only with space but with energy as well,” says Carpenter. “I think [the employees] do acclimate,” says Carpenter. “At first it’s a change, but a month later, they become accustomed to it. As long as there are private areas that the employees can go to for a private conversation, the employees are adjusting.” Both Fisher and Carpenter mention that, while personal space is becoming smaller and more accessible, there is also a trend toward larger public spaces, such as conference rooms and employee break rooms. At Lund, Fisher explains that the square footage that may have been cut from individual workspaces has resulted in increased space for multi-purpose rooms that can serve as a conference room or a community room. By taking the traditional idea of having more private space and flipping it, businesses are not only saving money, they are encouraging greater camaraderie and collaboration. Fisher has observed the evolution and he likes what he sees. “It’s healthy and it’s a great outcome.”

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B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012 21

COMMERCIAL Real Estate Story by Mike Watkins • Photo by minorwhitestudios.com

pocketsofsignal new construction economic, business growth s it reaches into the West Omaha sky with each new floor, the

TD Ameritrade building in Old Mill has almost single-handedly redefined that area as prime real estate. Before its build—which will continue through 2012 into early 2013—the Old Mill area was dominated by small office space and several abandoned buildings. But with a major Omaha-based employer like TD Ameritrade centralizing its business operations there, the area is being revitalized with other office building and hotel construction on the way. “Overall, there’s not very much new construction going on in Omaha, but there are small pockets in various locations,” said Michael Earl, a principal with Lund Company commercial real estate. “There are a few individual projects being planned, but a good bit of the activity is built-to-suit individual business and commercial needs, such as what’s happening in Old Mill.” With the TD Ameritrade tower as the nucleus, other new businesses are

B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012

scheduled and being planned in the area to complement it, including a new four-story, 110-room Hampton Inn at the spot where the Imperial Palace restaurant currently sits. Construction is planned to start in August and be completed in May/June 2013. The current Hampton Inn, just east at the 98th and Dodge area, will most likely be converted to another hotel/motel chain. Earl identifies the Crossroads area at 72nd and Dodge as another area for growth and opportunity for new construction in the next year or so. Plans were announced for an open-air shopping center similar to Village Pointe and Shadow Lake over a year ago, but other construction in the vicinity is under consideration and planning. “The key for new and repurposed construction (where www.OmahaPublications.com

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existing space is remodeled or reconfigured to meet the needs of a new business tenant), especially for commercial and retail businesses, is location,” Earl said. “That may sound overdone, but it’s completely true. Like with Old Mill, which is near the I-680/Dodge Street interchange, being near a major thoroughfare is a lure—a positive for the businesses in the area—and Crossroads certainly fits those criteria.” Earl also identified the site of the former Omaha World-Herald building at 13th and Dodge streets as another area for new construction—although plans have yet to be officially announced. It will be the site for the new headquarters for an Omaha company that has grown up in downtown and wishes to stay there. Other areas of planned and potential growth for new and repurposed construction include Papillion, around Werner Park and elsewhere in the city; Bellevue; La Vista; Elkhorn; and Gretna, surrounding the new Wal-Mart on Hwy. 370. Overall, Earl said Lund Co. has identified 10 users requiring over 75,000 square feet of operating space and eight users needing 40,000 square feet of space that are looking to relocate to bigger space (both new and existing) in the metro area within the next year. Bottom line—After more than three years of relative inactivity in a holding pattern, businesses in Omaha are growing and need to create space for that growth. “There are definitely some positive things happening,” Earl said. “Some businesses are downsizing and need less space, but the majority are growing and increasing their need for room. Right now, 43 (Lund Co.) office users are looking for more space in the market, and more are sure to follow.”

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B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012 23

COMMERCIAL Real Estate

offiCe.Overview

Story and statistics provided by The Lund Company

OMAHA MARKET

omaha marketmid year 2012 market.meter

2nd Quarter 2010

tenants. In our last office market report (Year End – 2011), we discussed the upward class Totalfrom Market Availability migration of tenants one class to the next. That trend has continued; but to smallerSF Class A 5,757,787 degree in 2012 as a result the stabilizingSF Class B of 10,060,682 market. Class C 4,018,449 SF Statistically, our overall office market con-SF Total 19,836,918 sists of just under 20 million square feet of leasable office space. Of the overall number, Absorption Class A office space represents 5.8 million The firstfeet quarter of 2011 experienced positive absorption of square of which only 5.3% remains 113,000 square feet. In the second quarter, vacant. Class B office space consists of 10 another 71,500 square feet were absorbed. The positive absorption was aided million, of which 14.3% is currently vacant. significantly by several large deals in the marketplace including The remaining space is Class C with a vacancy Kiewit’s lease of 65,000 square feet at in the Connectivity project rate of nearly 24%. at In 127th and I Street and Access Bank’s lease of nearly 20,000 the first half of the year, we also saw a at the 8712 Dodge building. Absorption will be a key indicator number of new construction projects begin in continue; the coming monthstheasfirst TDlargely Ameritrade or including specu- vacates leases and moves into their new Old Mill building. CSG Systems will add lative building in the recent memory, the over 200,000 square feet when they move 105,000 square foot WestPlex IV. Other newfrom their current facility to theirprojects new building onCSG 180th and West Dodge. construction include Systems building on 180th and West Dodge Road, as well as Millard Refrigeration’s headquarters building in the SterlingSF Ridge development 185,175 of positive absorption on 132nd and West Center. reflects 2012 year-to-date activity. The market will continue to move in a positive direction and landlords will see the pendulum swinging back in their favor. Tenants Rental Rates expecting the same degree of concessions Askingrecently Rental Rates back up in Class A and Class given will behave hardmoved pressed as availB between the 1st and 2nd quarters of able space becomes scarce at the top of2012, the but rates in both classes remain slightly lower than they were market. It will be interesting to see how the at the conclusion of 2011.responds Class C to rates downward slightly for all market thehave very trended large blocks of of the past three quarters. Class B space coming available in the near term. One possible outcome is that these buildings will attract large tenants who are new to the market that could not find this type of space previously available in Omaha. 24

B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012

Vacancy

14.30%

15.00%

13.60%

10.00%

5.30% 5.00%

0.00%

Class A

Class B

Class C

Overall Market

200,000

185,175

150,000

Absorption

23.80%

20.00%

100,726

100,000

71,564

63,929

50,000

43,776

40,673 28,352

0 -20,717

-50,000

Class A

Class B

Class C

2Q2012

Overall Market

Year to Date

$30.00

$25.00

Rental Rates

Vacancy The overall vacancy rate across all classes of office space sits at 13.6%,tdropping at 2012, the end the halffrom way14.8% point of theof 2011. One very relevant fact relating to vacancy is the lack office segment of the commercialof large blocks of Class A space. Tenants currently in thehas market for space in real estate market in Omaha excess of 10,000 square feet at the top end continued trending upward with positiveof the market have a very limited If they add rates. a few desired amenities absorption andselection. decreasing vacancy such as covered parking or building signage This continuing trend has led to an environ- their options are further tells us and thatathe market is ready for new, ment ofdepleted. stabilizingThis rental rates leveling high-end office building construction. of the playing field between landlords and

25.00%

$24.47

$20.00

All rates reflect a weighted average Full Service rental rate. $18.52

$15.00

$13.49

$10.00

$5.00

$0.00

Class A

Class B

Class C

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Vacancy

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Absorption

The overall vacancy rate across all classes of office space sits at 13.6%, dropping from 14.8% at the end of 2011. One very relevant fact relating to vacancy is the lack of large blocks of Class A space. Tenants currently in the market for space in excess of 10,000 square feet at the top end of the market have a very limited selection. If they add a few desired amenities such as covered parking or building signage their options are further depleted. This tells us that the market is ready for new, high-end office building construction.

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The first quarter of 2011 experienced positive absorption of 113,000 square feet. In the second quarter, another 71,500 square feet were absorbed. The positive absorption was aided significantly by several large deals in the marketplace including Kiewit’s lease of 65,000 square feet at in the Connectivity project at 127th and I Street and Access Bank’s lease of nearly 20,000 at the 8712 Dodge building. Absorption will be a key indicator in the coming months as TD Ameritrade vacates leases and moves into their new Old Mill building. CSG Systems will add over 200,000 square feet when they move from their current facility to their new building on 180th and West Dodge.

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Commercial Construction Green Environments Disaster Recovery Industrial Medical Education

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Asking Rental Rates have moved back up in Class A and Class B between the 1st and 2nd quarters of 2012, but rates in both classes remain slightly lower than they were at the conclusion of 2011. Class C rates have trended downward slightly for all of the past three quarters.

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COMMERCIAL Real Estate Story by Kara Schweiss • Photos by minorwhitestudios.com

commercialgoes lighting high tech he brighter look of newly constructed or remodeled commercial space is certainly

due in part to fresh paint, pristine carpeting and contemporary furnishings, but most of the effect can actually be credited to improved lighting technology that illuminates space more efficiently. “The use of fluorescent lighting is still very much industry standard, it has just become much better,” explains Brian Feyerherm, senior property manager/director of commercial service for The Lund Company. Feyerherm says that modern fluorescent lighting systems can yield the same amount of light as their industry predecessors using fewer fixtures and fewer bulbs that consume less power and produce less heat. Over the long term, maintenance costs are reduced, making it possible for business owners to recoup their initial hardware investment in just a few years. Businesses occupying established structures also have an impetus to upgrade now that T12 fluorescent lighting, the commercial standard for decades, is being phased out by manufacturers, Feyerherm adds. And it’s not just a matter of changing out a few bulbs—the fixtures themselves must be retrofitted. Mark Covert, a commercial property account manager who is also with The Lund Company, says that when property owners plan to upgrade aging lighting, he recommends a comprehensive approach over a fixture-by-fixture strategy not only for aesthetic reasons, but because energy savings—and thus, cost savings—will be realized much sooner. “All lighting, fluorescent lighting in particular, loses its output over time. The older it gets, the faster it starts to die off,” Covert says. “So when we do a retrofit and put in all new lamps at one time in one area, everyone’s amazed at how bright it is.” Enhancing the energy-efficiency of new hardware, building code also requires the use of auto-shutoff systems, which use motion and audio sensors and timers to ensure lights do not waste energy by burning indefinitely in empty offices, Feyerherm says. A related technology called “daylight harvesting,” which is not required by building code but is increasing in popularity, controls the light output of light fixtures relative to the amount of natural lighting that reaches a space at any given time, Covert says. He adds that increased natural lighting is in itself a commercial lighting trend, not only because it saves energy, but because it also creates a better working environment. 26

B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012

“There is a psychological effect to natural light,” Covert says. “Just looking out the window gives you an opportunity to focus your eyes on a different point. It reduces fatigue.” Another advantage of modern lighting systems is the capability for individual control, allowing employees to adjust lighting levels for specific tasks in smaller spaces like personal offices, Covert says. He also says that task lighting, already popular in residential applications, is becoming more prevalent in the commercial realm. Covert and Feyerherm both say that another emerging trend is the use of cooler and longer-lasting (although still expensive) LED bulbs, although widespread installation in commercial interior space is still in the future, or as Feyerherm puts it, “It’s just not quite there yet.” What’s on the outside counts, too, says Covert, especially for parking lots. Longerlasting modern bulbs mean easier maintenance, and the improved design of contemporary fixtures reduces intrusive glare for residential neighbors. “You’re not having the light pollution overflowing, so it’s much more aesthetically pleasing,” Covert says. www.OmahaPublications.com

Omaha CVB by dana mar k el • P hoto provi d e d by O C V B

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convenience, comfort, and cost with new, memorable experiences—what the Omaha Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCVB) likes to call “The Art of Conventioneering.” So how does Omaha perfect that art? Omaha’s central location is a huge plus; it’s more convenient and in most cases, more affordable for convention delegates to meet in the middle. The city’s convention center is top notch, and there is a cohesive team approach between the convention center, hotels, and the OCVB to provide organizers a seamless experience that can help lighten the often heavy planning burden. In addition to providing a wide variety of entertainment within walking distance of the convention center, the city itself offers cultural and entertainment amenities of a city twice its size. With all that said, Omaha still faces some challenges, the biggest being destination perception. For convention planners, perception is crucial to increasing attendance, which in turn provides revenue for their organization. Omaha is making progress. High-profile events, such as the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials this past June, the 2013 U.S. Senior Open next July, and the U.S. Figure Skating Championships coming up in January, offer bursts of national media attention that go a long way to help Omaha’s image. The key is providing a frequent and consistent message, which involves tremendous collaboration between the tourism industry, business, government, and local residents. When all those pieces come together, it’s a work of art.

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Questions or comments? Email us at info@visitomaha.com. Dana Markel, Executive Director Omaha Convention & Visitors Bureau 1001 Farnam, Omaha, NE 68102 402-444-4660 • www.visitomaha.com www.ReadOnlineNow.com

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B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012 27

feature

Greater Omaha Chamber’s

Buy the Big O! Show 2012 is October 17!

maha’s Buy the Big O! Show is the region’s premier business-to-business trade show. This

biannual show is the perfect opportunity for you to find out what’s going on in the business community and to get amazing deals to help your business grow, said Tracey Fricke, Director of Special Events for the Chamber. This year’s Buy the Big O! Show will be held on

Wednesday, Oct. 17, from 8:30am-4pm at

CenturyLink Center Omaha. Only members of the Greater Omaha Chamber can have a booth and reap the benefits of this kind of exposure. Why take time out of your busy schedule to attend the Show? Fricke listed these impressive benefits: how to become their vendor. • Make connections in one day that would otherwise take you months. • Get to know up to 300 of Omaha’s premier businesses on display at the show. • Renew connections with businesses you haven’t seen in a while. • Share conversation with 5,000 of the area’s professionals in attendance. • Load up on hot topics, ideas, presentations and interactive sessions. “Sure, you can search for anything on the internet, but come meet the business representatives in person • Get FREE expert advice on banking, to find out more about your local business community accounting, legal, marketing, or advertising and help keep us strong,” said Fricke. issues. • Get quicky gadget tips and tricks for your iPhone, Droid, or tablet from techies at the show. • Bring in your electronics for free, secure recycling services. • Connect your small business to some of the Chamber’s largest company members and learn 28

B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012

Download your free ticket, view a exhibitors’ map, and make a list of Buy the Big O! Show businesses you’ll plan to visit now at www.BuyTheBigOShow. com today. See who is registered, view an interactive map, and purchase your exhibition space at BuyTheBigOShow. com. Be a part of the Buy the Big O! Show October 17! www.OmahaPublications.com

social media by joan Lukas

Look Under The Hood Is Your Business Mobile-Friendly?

oday more than ever,

business professionals are utilizing smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices to conduct business. “They (smartphones and tablets) are now used in all major phases of the buying cycle to save professionals’ time,” said Lauren Fisher, eMarketer analyst and author of the new report, Mobile Business Professionals: Seeking Efficiency with Smartphones and Tablets. Eng aging w ith Mobil e Targets Daily Integrating a mobile marketing strategy for your business can be somewhat difficult and costly depending on your existing resources and staff capabilities. However, if you currently utilize email marketing, keyword advertisements, or any other form of online or digital marketing, you are already engaging and communicating with mobile targets every day. Where you may be missing the mark and wasting precious marketing dollars is in the optimization of your mobile user’s experience. The lack of a mobile-friendly website can negatively affect your digital marketing campaigns’ results, impacting campaigns that are lead generation or inbound-marketing focused. This could mean lost opportunities and revenue for your business. Making it easy for mobile clients to view your content and transact via their mobile devices can increase your campaign’s success, as it allows the end user to view and engage with your business content quickly and easily. By allowing users to make quicker decisions, you could increase returns and reduce your average sales cycles.

www.ReadOnlineNow.com

The Emergence of B2B Mobile Commerce In conjunction with mobile marketing, you will also want to pay attention to the emerging mobile commerce options being developed by companies such as PayPal and Google. Applications like these will allow users to make payments via their mobile devices utilizing applications, such as the iPhone credit card or Google Wallet. Though these applications are still evolving and are being met with some criticism, they also are being recognized as practical and even needed options for small business owners. Today, many small business owners rely heavily on their mobile devices to operate their businesses and this may be an option they look to as a timesaver due to ease of use and minimization of back-office tasks. Allowing business clients and others to pay you via mobile applications is something you may want to consider as more and more users will be adopting this method of payment over the next few years. Awareness of this emerging trend, weighing your options, and mitigating the risks provides a proactive and strategic approach when considering mobile device options.

Joan Lukas owns Lukas Partners, a PR and Fund Development firm based in Omaha. www.lukaspartners. com

B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012 29

Midwest Labs President/ CEO Ken Pohlman 30

B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012

www.OmahaPublications.com

S tory by k ara schweiss • P hotos by minorwhitestu d ios . com

cover feature

Midwest Laboratories Once a small branch lab focused on serving the agriculture niche, Omaha-based Midwest Labs has grown to become one of the premier chemical analysis and testing companies in the U.S.

hroughout the seven-building campus that includes 80,000 square feet of laboratory and support space, the approximately 120 employees of Midwest Laboratories, Inc., are perpetually in motion. In some buildings, technicians in white lab coats are peering into microscopes, entering data, or analyzing substances in beakers, pipettes, and test tubes. In other areas, employees are watching over all manner of complex apparatus and instruments or testing endless arrays of trays containing neat rows of sample containers. In yet another space, workers are processing and distributing a plethora of packages containing everything from food products to soil samples in Midwest Labs’ substantial shipping and receiving area. President and CEO Ken Pohlman says it’s just business as usual for the state-of-the-art independent commercial laboratory operation that’s grown dramatically since its founding 35 plus years ago. Having earned a reputation over three and a half decades for outstanding customer service, along with a commitment to accuracy and precision—plus some of the fastest turnaround times available anywhere—have been big contributors to the company’s growth and success. Pohlman also says the leadership at Midwest Labs, which includes Vice President /Chief Administrative Officer John DeBoer and Technical Director John Torpy, never stops striving to stay on the leading edge. “We have been able to use some of the best instrumentation you will find in a private laboratory,” Pohlman explains. “And we are trying to make ourselves better yet.” Pohlman, who is from Stanton, Neb., (in the northeast part of the state), and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, says his younger self never envisioned being at the helm of such a sizeable operation when he launched his career; he was simply happy to land a laboratory job that put his studies of agronomy, chemistry, and business to use. After years of working for several labs primarily conducting soil and chemical analysis, Pohlman, alongside Torpy, opened the first branch operation of a Memphis-based >>

www.ReadOnlineNow.com

B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012 31

cover feature

Midwest Labs’ management staff (l-r): Brent Pohlman, Marketing Director; John Paul DeBoer, IT Director; Ken Pohlman, Chief Executive Officer; John Torpy, Chief Operations Officer; John DeBoer, Chief Administrative Officer

<< laboratory as A & L Midwest Agricultural Laboratories near 119th and L streets in Omaha in 1975. “[The company] started primarily in agriculture and expanded into other areas,” Pohlman says. “Omaha, being a regional city, was an excellent central location to expand from.” The Omaha branch grew rapidly, and in 1981, moved to an 11,700-square-foot building at 13611 B Street, anchoring what grew to become today’s multi-building campus. Along the way, DeBoer joined the leadership team, bringing computer expertise to the company as technology advanced. In 1985, the organization became officially independent from A & L Laboratories, although it retained the name of A & L Midwest for eight years before taking the name Midwest Laboratories, Inc., in 1993. “There was more regional identification that way,” Pohlman says. “We dropped the ‘agriculture’ out of there because we had expanded into others areas as a complete lab.” Although the core of the business still reflects agricultural needs, Midwest Labs today also offers services related to the environmental, livestock and pet feed, industrial, food products, and even fuel sectors. The company offers a full spectrum of testing and analysis through such means as biomonitoring, gas chromatography, and XRF Technology for elemental analysis, just to name a few. 32

B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012

Midwest Labs also maintains an impressive list of certifications and participates in proficiency programs, which not only help maintain a reputation for accuracy and precision but allow the operation to meet standards for customers in all 50 states. For some clients, they serve a one-time need, such as an agricultural landowner needing soil sampling for a pending real estate transaction, or a gourmet pet treat entrepreneur requesting a nutritional analysis for product labeling. Other clients, like governmental agencies or major players in the meat industry, provide a lot of repeat business. Although the company leadership is proud of Midwest Labs’ customer service principles and industry reputation, their success is also due in part to a commitment to employee well-being and creating a positive workplace that encourages professional and personal growth, Pohlman says, adding, “We have outstanding benefits” including gainsharing. A look around the work environment reveals it’s truly employee-friendly. Office spaces for support staff have access to natural light; meeting spaces are comfortable; the modern and spacious break rooms offer kitchenettes and computer access; and a remodel has even provided a private pumping room for nursing moms. Small touches, like a display of historic laboratory scales in a conference room and agricultural collectibles in the main building entryway (including a toy tractor irresistible to small visitors), reveal a sense of fun. The company also strives to keep up with communication trends, maintaining a comprehensive website complete with videos and a social media presence, including a blog. Pohlman says Midwest Labs’ business philosophy remains to operate from www.OmahaPublications.com

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a single campus and one central location; thus expansion plans would continue to involve growth from the current site, where facilities are clustered within walking distance of one another and each building is allocated to certain functions. Although much of the paperwork of the past has been eliminated due to autosubmit (online processing) capability—clients no longer have to fill out paper forms or wait for results to be mailed—because samples will always have to be physically processed, the Omaha-area location continues to prove to be ideal when shipping time and costs are considered. “We fill a need and can market outside the area very easily,” Pohlman says. “This model is working.” www.ReadOnlineNow.com

B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012 33

omAHA! S tory by tony en d elman • P hotos by minorwhitestu d ios . com

Death Grip Electric

Mike Lang and Corey Hart, Death Grip Electric founders/owners

Innovative Rental Service Fills Niche in Filmmaking

ike many of us, Michael Lang, co-owner of Death Grip Electric,

started down one path and then discovered that he was destined for another. Born and raised in Omaha, Lange moved to Los Angeles when he was just 19 to pursue acting. “I started navigating California and the movie business,” shares Lang. “I soon decided that I wanted to be involved in the storytelling part of it, behind the scenes—writing or directing.” Lang and some of his friends wanted desperately to make a film, so Lang took control of the camera and immediately realized his knack for cinematography. Unfortunately, the project fell apart—as many do—because they simply didn’t have the budget. By 2001, however, Lang was directing regularly, and got hired by a company in Omaha to shoot a pilot about the Marine Corps, another project that never came to fruition. 34

B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012

In 2006, Lang, still living in Los Angeles, decided to move back to Omaha with plans to save enough money to put himself through the Maine Media Workshop, a year-round practicum in Rockport, Maine, that attracts filmmakers and media artists from across the globe. “I attended the workshop in 2009,” says Lang. “It was extremely intense—all cinematography, all the time. And, while I was there, I absolutely fell in love with lighting. After my residency, I just wanted to come back to Omaha and start doing it.” Initially, Lang began acquiring lights so he could work on his craft. But it wasn’t long before he realized the potential for a great business. In the winter of 2010, he started Death Grip Electric with friend and film editor, Corey Hart. www.OmahaPublications.com

“We really wanted to create something that would make the art of filmmaking more accessible,” shares Lang. “Grip and lighting equipment is typically very expensive to rent. People doing smaller projects just don’t have it in their budget. We provide a lower-cost alternative.” Death Grip offers two main lighting packages, stands, grips, grip equipment, and tools. Not only does Death Grip rent its equipment, it can also provide a crew. Lang often acts as a cinematographer and gaffer, lighting each scene for the cinematographer. Many of Death Grip’s clients are filmmakers and directors that are coming from another city to Omaha to shoot something. “We do a lot of regional commercials and corporate videos,” says Lang. “But we also do some music videos and short films.”

www.ReadOnlineNow.com

Perhaps what makes Death Grip most unique is what gives the company its name. Lang’s production vehicle is a 1992 Cadillac hearse with 24-inch rims. The Caddy exemplifies Death Grip’s philosophy, shared on it’s company website: “We could have gone out and bought a white truck just like everyone else. But let us ask you something—Did you set out to make a film like everyone else?” “I’m lucky that every day, I get to do something I’m passionate about,” shares Lang, who continues to see success. Last year, Lang shot and directed Reservations, a film that won “Best Nebraska Short” at the Omaha Film Festival. “I’m always looking forward to the next project.” For more information on Death Grip Electric, visit www.deathgripelectric.com.

B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012 35

feature S tory by S tacie O rtmeier • P hoto S by minorwhitestu d ios . com an d provi d e d by Complete N utrition

CEO Corey Wiedel, right, with ryan zink, co-founder/President

‘F

arm boy done good’ is

how the founder of Complete Nutrition may best be able to sum up his success story. Corey Wiedel, CEO of the nutritional supplements company with home offices in Omaha, credits his farming background as one of the impetuses for his entrepreneurial spirit. “I think I was born with it,” he said. “Growing up on a farm and doing different things every day probably helped, too.” With eight brothers and sisters, Wiedel experienced hard work at a young age on his father’s farm in Hebron, Neb. Another impetus for Wiedel was his discovery of gaps in services with other nutrition 36

B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012

Complete Nutrition

Entreprenuer Corey Wiedel finds success building vitamins and supplements chain.

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supplement franchises. In 2007, with experience owning multiple GNC franchises under his belt, Wiedel, along with company president Ryan Zink, opened the first Complete Nutrition franchise store in Sioux Falls, S.D. “(I) felt that the nutritional supplement stores were way too complicated and that there was a huge need for extremely good customer service in this field,” Wiedel said. “Our competitors just don’t provide very good service.” When a potential customer walks into a Complete Nutrition franchise, a knowledgeable sales consultant is there to help identify goals and address health concerns. The store is very streamlined, upscale yet affordable, making it very appealing the consumer. One 60-day weight loss package for women can average $200. Products for men geared to help them trim down, build muscle, and improve athletic performance are also on shelves. From weight loss to sports nutrition, the consultant understands the product lines and can dicifer labels for each customer. “Our vision is to partner with our customers www.ReadOnlineNow.com

to customize their plan,” Zink added. “There’s an education piece that we’ll set them up with and a focus on diet, exercise, hydration, and supplements.” The $27 billion behemoth known as the nutrition supplement industry—including multivitamins, minerals, and herbs— undoubtedly is lucrative. Complete Nutrition’s goal is for a longterm partnership with their past, present, and future customers, according to Zink. “We’re constantly offering new products,” he said. “We’ll reach out to existing and newer customers as to what they’d like to see from us. “Research and development is a key part of this industry and Complete Nutrition has a bioanalytical chemistry expert on staff to head this task. These strategies have paid off for Wiedel and Zink since the first store opening in 2007. As the industry becomes more popular with emphasis being put on health and aging well, franchise profits reflect this trend. In January of 2010, 245 Complete Nutrition stores were

awarded or opened. “I’m so proud to see when a franchisee wants to grow with us,” Zink said. “I measure our success with franchisees.” Franchise owners, including Jeff Florell, are often enthusiasts in the industry. Based in Kearney, Florell owns four Complete Nutrition franchises in Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming. “Throughout high school, I was very competitive in athletics,” he said. “And after that, I wanted to stay competitive and help others.” Florell, like Wiedel and Zink, had experience working in the nutrition supplement industry prior to joining Complete Nutrition as a franchise owner. “I felt like I contributed to the growth of another supplement company,” Florell said. “From the top down, it seems to be a very well-driven organization. From the marketing department to the tech department, there’s open communication.” “The opportunity for growth is another draw that franchisees and employees like,” Florell said. “I’m proud to be a part of the organization and it’s not just a job.” Complete >> B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012 37

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<< Nutrition prefers, but does not require, that owners or sales consultants have a background or expertise in nutrition. Florell was most committed to the training, the leadership of Zink and Wiedel, and the family atmosphere. Zink added, “They (franchise owners) must be engaged and great leaders.” With seven local stores—four in Omaha, two in Lincoln, and one in Council Bluffs— the home office stays involved in franchise success and improvement. So much so, Wiedel and Zink have put a freeze on the opening of any new stores so they can build better infrastructure to support the stores that currently exist. Zink added that with the freeze on new stores, the goal for the next two years is to continue what they’re already doing with the hope of growing 20-25 stores into $1 million dollar franchises and a few stores into $2 million dollar franchises. Florell, with stores in Cheyenne, Boulder, Kearney, and Grand Island, intends to help reach those goals. “The smaller markets are still very valuable,” he said. “There’s really a solid business here because our customer retention is so high.” While opening four stores in four years, he’s striving for a milliondollar store. Long term, Wiedel knows where he wants to go. “[We want to] be a billion-dollar company by 2025,” he said. “And have 300 stores that have produced over $1 million in annual sales.” Farm boy done good, indeed. www.OmahaPublications.com

feature S tory by leo a dam biga • P hotos by minorwhitestu d ios . com

Concepts AV Integration

Takes New Generation AV to the Next Level

oncepts AV Integration may be only two years old but it draws on decades

of experience that President/CEO Dennis Pitzl and staff own as audiovisual experts in a changing industry. “I wanted to build the company around services and engineering and employees that had the expertise to garner larger corporations so we can be their AV partner,” says Pitzl, whose wife Gail Pitzl is vice president/COO. Audiovisual tools have come a long way since bulky slide and film projectors, microphones, and intercom systems passed for state-of-the-art. Many classrooms and conference rooms today feature sleek flat-panel screens, interactive whiteboards, AV pedestals, and digital technologydriven equipment that discreetly and efficiently complements the smart phones and laptops used by students and employees. Where AV companies once focused on the K-12 education market, today they’re diversified, serving not only schools and nonprofits but corporations large and small, as well as restaurants and attractions-destinations. Event planners and presenters depend on audiovisual elements to help make their programs pop in lecture halls, board rooms, galleries, and a myriad of other spaces. www.ReadOnlineNow.com

Concepts, which Pitzl opened in 2010 after a 27-year career with Pratt Audio Visual, is on the cutting edge of AV providers today. His team sells, designs, engineers, installs, and services advanced, integrated AV systems tailor-made to meet clients’ individual needs. “We don’t do things in a cookie-cutter manner. We develop and engineer our systems on a customer-by-customer basis,” he says. “We service and back up everything we sell.” “True to our name, we conceptualize and think out-of-the-box to create unique designs,” says Gail Pitzl. “We understand the challenges of Corporate America, the images companies want to portray, the questions to ask. We know about due diligence and deliverables. Our associates are well-versed in project and process management. A corporate leader can talk to one of our technicians and get instant, accurate information. That’s part of the service we bring to customers.” She says Concepts has seen 250 percent growth in the last year. Whatever field a client is in, Dennis Pitzl says, Concepts can enhance “their marketing, >> B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012 39

feature

<< communication, training,” adding, “Anything you do that presents to your customers, your employees, that’s what we handle. Sound, visual, recording—all those things fall under an integration-type application.” For a client’s $60 million Omaha corporate headquarters, Concepts outfitted 58 training rooms, a conference room, and two cafeterias with AV. It also added video signage and a lobby video wall. “With a new building today you can count probably on 8 to 10 percent of the total cost wrapped around technology— -network cabling, IT infrastructure—and half of that will fall under AV,” says Pitzl. Control systems create a seamless, connected, networked environment wherever employees office or meet, thus enabling real-time work-sharing between distant points. “Multi-site collaborative integration and information sharing is the greatest return on investment for clients,” says Gail. In the leisure attractions world, the emphasis is on what Pitzl calls “the wow factor,” which Concepts brought to the metro’s three DJ’s Dugout sports bars. At the downtown site, Concepts engineered and installed the first 103-inch plasma screen between Chicago and Denver. The screen mounted above the bar, he says, is “the first thing you see when you walk in...it’s pretty amazing to look at given its size and beautiful image.” Concepts worked with the sports bar’s owner and architect in the planning phase and consulted with a structural engineer to ensure the bar could support the giant plasma screen and eight 50-inch monitors around it. Similarly, Concepts got involved in the early stages of the 40

B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012

office building project. Its most challenging project has been the phased-in interactive displays at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs. “In a dining car, we mounted direct drive speakers and motion sensors onto tables. When visitors board, their movement activates recordings of passengers conversing over dinner. It creates an ambience that feels like passengers are right there talking about their trip,” says Pitzl. In a 360-degree theater, Concepts designed a system to project historic moving images on wrap-around screens synced with a soundtrack to immerse visitors in the construction of the transcontinental railroad. “Concepts AV has been an important asset to the museum, providing up-to-date audiovisual equipment and working with us on our concepts to enhance the visitor experience,” says UP Museum Director Beth Lindquist. “They have gone out of their way to work with us during exhibit installations and continue to provide support for the equipment.” Pains are taken to make hardware recede into the background. “We focus on, how do we make the technology almost be invisible?,” says Pitzl. “It’s about the message. The content is king—it’s the most important part of the presentation, not my projector or technology. “If you have a CEO of a corporation giving a presentation to a board of directors, the last thing he wants is to be outshined by his technology. He wants to be the focus. It has to be simple for him to operate...he has to look like he knows exactly what he’s doing.” Through its rental division, Concepts serves wide-ranging customers, even residential clients. Video conference suites may be reserved at its 3712 S. 132nd St. offices. For more information or to book a consultation, visit conceptsav.com or call 402-298-5011. Read more of Leo Adam Biga’s work at leoadambiga.wordpress.com. www.OmahaPublications.com

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First Impressions Count!

hether we like it or not, first impressions really do count, especially in

the professional world. The environment of your organization helps communicate who you are as a company. A well-planned office creates a good initial impression on your guests and draws in potential candidates; it also improves the productivity and attitudes of your current employees. What do your clients see when they walk in your front door? Things that you can see, customers visiting your office can see, too. Here’s a quick checklist to take into consideration when planning your office environment: • Lobby – Does your office environment feel clean, inviting, and professional? Select a reception station that is warm and inviting. Add guest or lounge seating and occasional tables to complete the welcome area. • Filing Area/Copy Center – Are empty boxes cluttering open area? A good mix of shared and private storage helps keep common areas better organized and employees more productive. • Private Offices – Is confidential information exposed on desktops? Executives and managers typically need desks with plenty of storage and an executive chair. Consider appearance as well as functionality to strike the right mix of prestige, professionalism, and personality. • Open Floor Plan – Are coats hanging off chairs and cube walls? Panel-based workstations maximize space and storage for personal belongings. Consider a panel system that offers flexibility in areas where several employees need to work in close proximity to one another. • Conference Room – The size of the table you need depends on the number of people you need to fit around it. Allow 30 inches per person to keep meetings comfortable. With warm, inviting interiors, you can set the tone of your business and impress potential clients from the minute they step into you office. Stop by All Makes Office Equipment Co. at 25th & Farnam to see what’s new in the office. The All Makes team is trained to help you make design and furniture purchases that fit your office atmosphere, your work style, and your budget. www.OmahaPublications.com

know-it-all e d itorial & opinion

My Hope for January 21, 2013

Inauguration Day

y hope for real and sustained change, starting in 2013, is with the inaugu-

ration speech by the next President of the United States. A speech that can move the country forward, united in the common purpose to create an environment for prosperity. How might a President bring about the conditions whereby Americans become motivated to roll up their sleeves and strive toward this goal? Simple, by appealing to the same desires that attracted over 120,000 people to Nebraska to stake their claim on the American Dream with the 1862 Homestead Act. The same motivations that entice more than 1 million legal immigrants to become American citizens each year. A number which is greater than all other countries combined. This is the only country in the world where one can be considered a member merely by adopting the values that built this country. America is a country built upon an idea, not geography, race, creed, or oppressive political regimes. An environment for prosperity comes from home-grown entrepreneurs and legal immigrants who work hard to make their place in America. Individuals motivated by self-interest, not government hand-outs. Before the Congress delegated so much of their authority to the Executive Branch, American entrepreneurs were able to innovate and grow their businesses unfettered by restrictions which have plagued nearly every other country in the world. America is where winners and losers could once again be chosen by free market competition, not some bureaucrat or elected crony. The new President can motivate people with a commitment to move from a path which has been focused on “take & give” to where we emphasize the concept of “earn.” Robbing Peter to pay Paul isn’t motivating for either Peter or Paul. Instead, Peter should be considered a shining www.ReadOnlineNow.com

example of success for every Paul. How would the Nebraska pioneers, who prevailed against seemingly insurmountable odds, have felt if the federal government had stepped in and took half of their farms to distribute to those “less lucky in life’s lottery”? The new President must make a solid commitment to move government out of the way of entrepreneurs by reducing regulation to the absolute minimum necessary. Yes, certain safeguards are needed, but not the level of authoritarian rule we see today. The stifling effect of a large, entrenched bureaucracy makes starting an Apple Computer absolutely impossible today. Good government allows people, and corporations, to succeed and fail based on the merits of their own endeavor. It is critical to eliminate the crony capitalism, where certain companies are determined to be “too big to fail” and thus bailed out, time and time again. All this accomplishes is to rig the game >> B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012 43

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<< to where “heads I win, tails you lose,” for a select group. This denies the vast majority of entrepreneurs the opportunity to surpass the old guard with their own potentially better business model. Time and time again, we have seen that when government chooses who will win, everyone loses. This inaugural speech should not be limited to the federal government, but would include an admonition to all state and local governments. Get out of the way of those wishing to prosper. Let those who are productive do that which they do best. Not only are millionaires good for America, they inspire others to achieve as well. The President should describe how government will facilitate an environment where the current millionaire population of 9 million will be allowed grow to over 100 million within a decade. Why? Because: Millionaires = Prosperity. Just as JFK proposed a goal of landing a man on the moon, the next President can establish a goal of growing the number of American millionaires. America shouldn’t be a country where everyone gets a trophy for just being here. America is a country where successful people are rewarded with wealth and those who fail are motivated to try again by the promise of wealth. Our next president has an opportunity to bring us together in a common goal of striving for prosperity, innovation, and achievement. In the alternative, we could continue along the path of anger and envy by striving to make everyone the same through governmental force. Will we return to path with the American value of equality of opportunity, or the European notion of equality of result? Take and give? Shouldn’t we instead focus on the American value of earning? Just as the normal state of the earth is an ice age, the normal political environment of the earth is either authoritarian or totalitarian rulers. America has been the shining light in history for allowing the individual to prosper, free from the fear that those in government will steal the fruits of their success, for more than 236 years now. The January 21, 2013 Inauguration Address will indicate which path we shall travel. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Omaha Magazine, LTD, its employees, and its affiliates. www.OmahaPublications.com

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B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012 45

business ethics B y B everly J . Kracher , P H . D.

Tips for Handling Ethics at Work ow much time do you think it takes to choose the true and honorable path

that is good for others rather than just good for yourself? Do you need a couple of days to reflect and work through all of the options and their consequences? A couple of hours? How about three minutes? In a recent study published in the Academy of Management Journal, J. Keith Murnighan claims that research subjects were significantly less likely to lie for self-gain if they were given three minutes to think about their choices. This tip should be dubbed “the three-minute rule” and regularly used in business. Even in a fast-paced business environment, you can find a corner, block out the rest of the world—including your iPhone and iPad—and give yourself three minutes to think. But it’s not just the time. It’s what you do with the three minutes that matters. Maz Bazerman, Harvard, and Ann Tenbrunsel, Notre Dame, claim in “Blind Spots: The Root of Unethical Behavior at Work,” that we have two selves—a “want” self and a “should” self. In common language this means that we are driven by both our self-interest and our morals. Bazerman and Tenbrunsel argue that we need strategies for giving up what is in our self- interest in order to do what is right. One strategy is an “escalation of commitment.” This is when we publicly proclaim that we are going to do something in order to motivate ourselves to do it. For example, I have a friend who runs a marathon every year. In order to motivate himself to do it, he tells everyone he knows “I am going to run a marathon.” Because he tells everyone he knows, he feels bound to run the marathon. It’s the same thing with ethics. If we tell people that we believe in honesty and integrity, we will feel bound to pick the ethical path when we have three minutes to think about it. The second strategy is abstraction. Bazerman and Tenbrunsel discuss a study where people were less tempted to eat a tasty treat sitting in front of them—say, ice cream—by getting them to think of the ice cream as a picture rather than the real thing. They argued that this strategy allowed the people to think of the abstract qualities of ice cream rather than the immediate, concrete, pleasurable sensations of eating ice cream. And the same is true of egoism and ethics. When we train our minds to disregard the immediate personal benefit of an action and instead think of the abstract, moral principles that apply in the situation, like being honest or being fair, we can decide to do the right thing rather than the self-interested thing. So, use the three-minute rule. But support it with a practice of escalating your commitments and looking for the abstract moral principles in a situation, not just what has immediate personal gratification. These tips for handling ethics at work will serve you well—and your business, too. Beverly Kracher, Ph.D. Executive Director, Business Ethics Alliance Chair of Business Ethics & Society College of Business, Creighton University

B2B Omaha Magazine • Fall 2012