ED M O N D, O K LAH O MA
January 2014
VOL. 6 | NO. 1
INSIDE
2014
PUBLISHER Karan Ediger 405-341-2121 kediger@edmondsun.com MANAGING Lisa Shearer EDITOR 405-341-2121 lshearer@edmondsun.com MULTIMEDIA Carolyn Womack-Jenner SALES 405-341-2121 MANAGER cjenner@edmondsun.com
Doctors unite for new health clinic experience
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State puts laser focus on aerospace, defense industry
SALES TEAM Terri Bohanan Brittany Eddins Greg Dorshaw CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mike Crandall
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Jim Denton Cyndy Hoenig Nick Massey Patty Miller Van Mitchell Tim Priebe Terri Schlichenmeyer Mark Schlachtenhaufen
The Business Times is a monthly publication of The Edmond Sun devoted to business in the Edmond area. All rights reserved. Copyright Š January 2014.
Gov. Mary Fallin says Oklahoma’s economy has continued to improve from the recession and credits part of that turnaround to the success the state has had in recruiting and maintaining companies in the aerospace and defense industry.
Quarterly Banking Q&A
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James Coburn
Miss your Business Times? Call 341-2121 to get on our mailing list. Thanks!
Dr. Brian Lamkin had a vision of one day doing something different in the medical field that would encompass both medical and wellness under one umbrella. That goal became a reality for Lamkin as he is now part of Key Health Institute of Edmond.
This is the first in a series of quarterly question-and-answer features with local bankers.
RCB Bank hosts Edmond Chamber Business After Hours
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On Dec. 9, the RCB Bank lobby was transformed into an art exhibit showroom, complete with live jazz music from the UCO Jazz Lab and festive networking activities that included a scavenger hunt to engage chamber members.
Cover Photo by Karen Moore | Special to the Business Times January 2014 | The Business Times
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from our Publisher
Looking to the future
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o our readers: I recently read an article about transitioning your business to someone else, essentially succession planning. I thought January would be a good time to talk about it as we are all making New Year’s resolutions. Maybe this is the year you are succession planning. All the blood, sweat and tears you’ve poured into your business often mirror the feeling a parent has for their child so letting go isn’t easy. According to Kathleen Richardson-Mauro and Jane Johnson, both certified merger and acquisition advisers and business exit consultants, say there are a number of measures owners can take to ensure such a transition is smooth and easy: • Change is natural, learn to accept it. If you’re like most business owners you’ve invested some of the best years of your life into your business. Your identity and the business’s identity may be one and the same. Find your next passion. • Learn to count beans but outside your business. According to Richardson-Mauro and Johnson you need to take stock of the assets you’ve saved outside the business. • Is your business transitioning “in house?” Most small businesses are family run businesses so keeping the business in the family is important. This is OK, just be fair and honest about what’s best for the business and that may not be you calling all of the shots. For more information contact one of our local resources such as Francis Tuttle and the University of Central Oklahoma’s Small Business Development Center.
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January 2014 | The Business Times
In the meantime, 2014 will be an exciting year for The Edmond Sun, publishing company for The Business Times of Edmond. We will celebrate 125 years and we’ve got a full slate of fun activities for our readers and specials for our clients. It feels good to give back to the community that has given so much to us. Stay tuned for details!
KARAN EDIGER is publisher of The Business Times of Edmond, The Edmond Sun and Community Connection.
Q&A with Dr. Brian Lamkin
Photos by Karen Moore | Special to the Business Times
Doctors unite for new health clinic experience
By Van Mitchell Special to The Business Times
Key Health Institute of Edmond opens this month
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r. Brian Lamkin had a vision of one day doing something different in the medical field that would encompass both medical and wellness under one umbrella. That goal became a reality for Lamkin as he is now part of Key Health Institute, a physician-owned medical and health riskmanagement company at 14701 N. Kelly Ave. in Edmond in the former Transformation Fitness Center. Its services include primary health care, urgent care, physical therapy and nutrition and wellness services plus a state-of-the-art fitness center. “It is going to run the gamut of medical and wellness care,” said Lamkin, who serves as the facility’s medical director. “We will have everything under one roof so we will be take care of everyone.” Lamkin said the idea for the facility was hatched with Rick Mason, who attends church with him and has developed physicianowned entities for the past 25 years. He said Mason approached him about being part of this project. “I was ready for a sales call or quick meet and greet,” Lamkin said. “We sat there during that meeting for two hours because he blew me away with his vision for this facility. I had the same vision but I just don’t have the same business experience or the financing to do it. When we came together three years ago I knew we had something special.” Lamkin began working to create a consortium of 37 local physicians to get the project started. He said the group formed a seven-member board of directors to oversee the operations in their newly acquired 75,000-square-foot facility. Lamkin said for the past three months renovations have been underway to ready the facility. He said work is complete on the urgent care and primary health facility and Key Health will open for operation in early January.
It will be open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The wellness center phone number is 463-6610. Lamkin said the new fitness center called Technogym will be open for business starting Jan. 13. He said the gym will be open to the public with a membership and also will be used by health and wellness patients at the facility. Lamkin said the fitness center will feature equipment from Technogym, an international wellness and fitness equipment firm with more than 14 business branches in Europe, United States, Asia, the Middle East and Australia. Lamkin said the Transformation Fitness Center located in the rear of the facility will continue to operate as normal but now under the Key Health Institute banner. He said renovations and upgrades are also underway for that fitness center. “There are multiple projects going on right now,” Lamkin said. Lamkin is no stranger to the Edmond medical community. He served as medical director of Family Medical and Urgent Care Center in South Oklahoma City since completion of post-graduate education in 2005. In 2007, Lamkin began to pursue expanded studies in preventative medicine and hormone therapy. Further training at Cenegenics Medical Institute in Las Vegas, led to his certification as an age management medicine physician. Lamkin currently owns and operates The Lamkin Clinic in Edmond where his focus is on age management, preventative and functional medicine. Lamkin said he will continue to operate that clinic while still doing his duties at Key Health Institute. Q: What was the experience like for you when you realized your vision was becoming a reality? A: There is a fear factor any time you sign the dotted line January 2014 | The Business Times
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development role in this as a consultant to develop the clinics on the medical side. I will also be working in the corporate health and wellness evaluations. Q: What is the biggest challenge in putting this project together? A: The biggest challenge is educating the public what we are about. This is a new concept. It is physician-owned. We are integrating multiple entities under one roof in hopes of creating something special. We don’t want to be labeled just an urgent care or a fitness center. We want to be a community-based health and wellness and medical facility that takes care of the needs of this population. to invest in a project like this. There is a passion within our ownership group that is really driving us. That is why we have been able to progress over the last two-and-a-half years and come together on this. Q: What is your role as the facility’s medical director? A: I was voted by the board of managers to be medical director of the facility and will continue in that role. I also have a
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January 2014 | The Business Times
Q: You credit the Affordable Care Act as a key incentive for getting this project going. Why is that? A: The Affordable Care Act was a trigger for this. The language put into that (legislation) on health and wellness was the driver for this. The only way that it is going to work is if facilities like this work. Q: What excites you about be part of this facility?
A: The thing that excites me the most is to be able to take care of people comprehensively. It is such a battle when you are out there as a family medicine doctor. There are so many barriers to providing optimum care and we will have everything under one roof here. We can take of people here. Q: Edmond has been a hot spot lately for the medical and wellness field with several new hospitals and clinics coming online. Do you worry about opening this facility with so many options available? A: I don’t have a fear of that. This is such a unique offering I think we will be able to infiltrate that market. Q: Is this the only type of facility that you are aware of in Oklahoma? A: I believe so. On this site we are going to have a unified approach there to medical care and health and wellness. This is for the community. It is for everybody. Q: Why choose Edmond for this type of facility? A: We are right on the border of Edmond and Oklahoma City. Kelly Avenue is a major thoroughfare from Oklahoma City to Edmond. This is a huge facility and it has great potential for what we want to do. Edmond is a great community. It is a great place for us to have success.
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January 2014 | The Business Times
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State puts laser focus on aerospace, defense industry
PHOTO PROVIDED | DRG Training for Air Force pilots on the KC-10 is one of several significant defense contracts awarded to DRG, a defense training contractor based in Edmond. By Van Mitchell | Special to the Business Times
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ov. Mary Fallin says Oklahoma’s economy has continued to improve from the recession and credits part of that turnaround to the success the state has had in recruiting and maintaining companies in the aerospace and defense industry. Fallin made those remarks during the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber’s State of the Aerospace luncheon at the Sheraton Midwest City Hotel’s Reed Conference Center. Speakers also included Capt. Heather E. Cole, commander Strategic Communications Wing ONE and Task Force 124 at Tinker Air Force Base; Kevin O’Conner, vice-director, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex at TAFB, and Lt. Gen. Bruce A. Litchfield, commander Air Force Sustainment Center TAFB. “We have seen our economy rebound and we have seen (companies) create new jobs and we have seen our revenue grow in the state,” Fallin said. “I have to say a lot of that growth is due in large part because of the tremendous success we have had in the aerospace and defense industry.” Fallin said Oklahoma has more than 150,000 jobs that are either directly or indirectly supported by the aerospace and defense-related industry generating $12 billion in economic activity in the state. And a number of those jobs are filled by Edmond residents working at Tinker as well as companies like the Delaware Resource Group, a Busey Group Company of Edmond. Fallin said Oklahoma could know soon whether it will be chosen as a site for federal tests on the safety of unmanned aircraft 10
January 2014 | The Business Times
or drones for domestic use. She said the state is hoping to become one of six Federal Aviation Administration sites to test the safety of the unmanned aircraft. Fallin added that a recent $1 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security is going to test unmanned aircraft at systems at Fort Sill. “The aerospace sector is one of the top five economic silos and is key to growing our economy,” Fallin said. Fallin, who serves as chairwoman of the National Governor’s Association, also discussed her year-long effort “America Works: Education and Training for Tomorrow’s Jobs.” The initiative focuses on improving state education and workforce training systems and aligning those systems with the needs of individual state economies. “We have to do a better job not only as a state but as a nation in how we build a skilled workforce to support not only our military institutions but the aerospace industry,” Fallin said. “We have been working hard to further expand, establish, grow and make known nationally and internationally the tremendous work that is being done here in Oklahoma to support aviation to support aerospace and the defense industry.” The effects of sequestration and the recent announcement by the U.S. Air Force of a reduction in force were also touched on by several of the speakers. Air Force officials announced that thousands of airmen in both
New website aids companies seeking defense contracts
Special to The Business Times
PHOTO PROVIDED GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY CHAMBER The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber sponsored a panel presentation on the state of Oklahoma’s aerospace and defense industry in December. From left, are Kevin O’Connor, vice director of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, Bradley Kreiger of Arvest Bank and vice chairman of the military/aerospace committee for the chamber, Capt. Heather Cole, commander, Strategic Communications Wing 1 and Task Force 124, Lt. Gen. Bruce Litchfield of Tinker Air Force Base, Steve Hendrickson of The Boeing Company and Roy H. Williams, president and CEO of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. the officer and enlisted ranks could face involuntary separation starting this year as part of a series of force management programs. In addition, the Air Force said it will reduce the size of its civilian workforce by about 900 positions during the current fiscal year, though specific reductions by location have not yet been determined. Air Force officials didn’t say how many airmen they plan to let go of in 2014. But during the next five years, the service needs to eliminate as many as 25,000 airmen slots, a reduction that’s being driven by the mandatory budget cuts known as sequestration. Litchfield said the aerospace industry and defense have been a game-changer for Oklahoma. “We will have a smaller Air Force but that doesn’t mean we have to have a less capable Air Force,” Litchfield said. “The size of the force will determine how we fight and win the next war.” O’Conner said the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex also won’t change the focus of its daily mission. “These 8,500 Americans (who work here) will continue to make the state of Oklahoma proud,” O’Conner said. “We will find ways to adapt and flourish in this new norm.” Litchfield said as technology changes the Air Force must continue to adapt. “We have to have the workforce to be able to handle the job,” Litchfield said. “We have to raise our next generation to be comfortable with both math and science.”
Officials with a state program aimed at increasing the number of federal contracts and subcontracts going to Oklahoma aerospace companies, and increasing the supplier base for the state’s military installations, are optimistic that the program’s new website will help generate more revenues for those companies, thereby creating even more aerospace jobs in the state. The Center for Aerospace and Defense Supplier Quality has been operating since 2006 after state lawmakers created the program at the recommendation of a taskforce chaired by then, Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin. The task force findings showed that Oklahoma aerospace companies had been losing out on hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts primarily from Tinker Air Force Base and its prime contractors such as Boeing, Northrop Grumman and Pratt & Whitney. Those contracts were instead going out of state. Since the creation of CADSQ, 30 Oklahoma companies have won 359 contracts totaling more than $45 million. And it is all done at no cost to the companies. CADSQ is administered by the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, which has contracted with Logistics Specialties Inc., a national defense procurement firm, to run the day-to-day operations of the program. The Oklahoma Bid Assistance Network and the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance are also partners, providing their respective business development and training expertise where needed. “There is no doubt that CADSQ has been doing exactly what industry and state leaders wanted, and that is help more of our companies win contracts, create more aerospace suppliers in the state and, in the process, create more jobs,” said Victor Bird, director of the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission. So far, the state has spent about $1.7 million operating CADSQ. The $45 million return translates into nearly 900 jobs that have been either created or retained. “That’s a pretty good return on our investment by any measure,” Bird said. A newly developed website for the program contains several features from which businesses will benefit, including a listing of government contracting opportunities from the state’s five military installations. Those lists will be updated on a 30-day cycle, officials said. Part of the website also contains a calendar where various aerospace events, webinars, meetings and round table discussions will be posted so that companies can find out the latest news and information concerning the state’s aerospace industry. To learn more about the Center for Aerospace and Defense Supplier Quality, visit the CADSQ website at http://CADSQ. ok.gov or contact the Aeronautics Commission at 405-604-6900. January 2014 | The Business Times
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Q & A Quarterly Banking
Jill Castilla
Executive Vice President Citizens Bank of Edmond
Q: What do you forecast for banking in 2014 in terms of interest rates for your depositors and borrowers and what do you forecast for CD rates? A: With the explosive growth in the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet, the free market is somewhat at the mercy of the Fed’s continued investment strategy. If bold action ensues and there is a substantial disruption in the Fed’s buying behavior, mid- and long-term rates could increase. Deposit volume has remained high during this low-interest environment as investors seem to have taken a “wait and see” approach. I anticipate deposit rates remaining low until business confidence results in increased capital investments. Loan rates are starting to see upward pressure; however, rates and terms remain exceptionally competitive. For consumers in the conforming mortgages market, changes in the structures of Freddie and Fannie could impact both the accessibility and rates associated with long-term mortgages. Q: What is the biggest issue/item impacting your banking customers in 2014? A: The biggest issue for our depositors is the extended period of exceptionally low deposit rates resulting from the Federal Reserve’s aggressive bond buying activity and historically low consumer confidence. The lack of return on deposits has been particularly difficult for our customers who live off a fixed income and have few investment options that can produce the income needed to meet their needs. 2014 should produce substantial technological banking advances for our customers as well as increased banker accessibility. Citizens Bank will unveil walk-up customer service, product demonstrations and account support in our newly renovated Parsons space on Broadway. Parking also will become a problem of the past! Q: Will credit be easier for small businesses to obtain in 2014? A: More than 85 percent of Citizens Bank of Edmond’s loans have been to small businesses in and around our community. We strongly believe that small businesses are the economic engine that drive our local economy and provide the unique flair that makes Edmond the best suburb in America. Since hometown, community banks operate as a small business, we build relationships for the long haul. Our loyal lending team has grown up with Citizens Bank and takes the time to listen to and meet
the needs of our small business customers. To further support small business lending, we partner with the Small Business Administration, serve on expert panels for SBA emerging leader programs and host UCO’s Small Business Development Center on the second floor of our lending center. Citizens Bank loves small business! Q: What regulatory change most impacted your customers in 2013 and how did your bank implement the change? A: Several regulatory updates were initiated in 2013 impacting banking in areas such as electronic funds transfers and consumer real estate lending. As one of the few banks in Edmond with onsite, homegrown compliance staff, Citizens Bank of Edmond allocates significant resources to our local department to ensure that the bank maintains compliance during this heightened regulatory environment. Although the changes have and will continue to be significant in nature, Citizens Bank of Edmond believes having an onsite compliance team, coupled with the processes we have implemented, will allow us to continue serving customers with the same great service and expediency that we’ve had for more than 112 years.
Jim Gray
SVP Branch President RCB Bank of Edmond Q: What do you forecast for banking in 2014 in terms of interest rates for your depositors and what do you forecast for CD rates? A: It’s challenging to forecast what will transpire in 2014 as it relates to interest rates for depositors and borrowers without a crystal ball. Locally, as you know, our economy is strong due to several factors that include the oil and gas industry; however, nationally the economy is still sluggish due in part to the high unemployment figures. The Federal Reserve is still pumping money into the economy, which is helping to keep interest rates at historically low levels and it doesn’t appear this will subside in the near future. Long-term Treasury rates started moving upward starting in June, however, they seem to have leveled off. Given some of these indicators I would think interest rates for depositors and borrowers would remain rather static and flat during the next year. But again, if we only had that crystal ball. Q: What is the biggest issue/item impacting your banking customers for 2014? A: This is a tough one because every customer — business or
personal, deposit or lending side, has different needs and wants. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that fraud is a big issue that certainly keeps bankers up at night but also is a continuous worry for customers. Increased technology and advances in the way we interact with our money and make payments has unfortunately led to the byproduct of far more fraud coming about. This is something that we just didn’t deal with on a large scale a few years ago — certainly it was happening but because of the speed of access that we now have, small situations can become large very quickly and that’s worrying to our customers and its making us devise extra measures of protection. We’ve taken numerous steps to mitigate the risk of fraud for us and for our customers. We created a department that does nothing but monitor our customers’ accounts for possible fraudulent usage and they also keep an eye on what’s trending in our state and across the nation. When we see an increase in the amount of fraud happening in one particular state, for example, we can put measures in place to protect our customers and also warn them. Honestly, sometimes we will call our customers to ask if a certain item on their account was legitimate and they didn’t even know they were victims of a fraudulent transaction. Q: Will credit be easier for small businesses to obtain in 2014? A: Yes. As I noted earlier, I do believe that rates will continue to stay low and banks, especially local banks with strong capital positions (like us), are aggressively pursuing good loan customers. Couple that with the fact that the SBA is motivated to keep credit flowing to small businesses and will be continuing their supporting programs, I think that yes, small businesses will have an easier time obtaining credit. Obviously, it helps for the small business to be healthy with a great value proposition. The business owners need to understand the risks of their particular industries and have a good idea of how they plan to pay back their loans — all of these things will make it easier for the banks to be able to do business with them. We’re lucky here in the state of Oklahoma and particularly in the central part of the state that our local economy remains strong and vital, which is good news for small business owners. Q: What regulatory change most impacted your customers in 2013 and how did your bank implement the change? A: As a community bank, RCB Bank has always tried to meet all of the financial needs of our customers. New rules scheduled to take effect in February forced us to cease international wire services to consumer accountholders. We found, after evaluating the new disclosure and waiting period requirements, the amount we would have to charge just to cover our compliance costs would not be affordable. Because of our small volume, we simply were not able to compete with unregulated companies that specialize in this area and can offer international transfers for a lower price. We now refer consumers who request such services to these unregulated companies. Since the new rules apply only to consumers, we continue to offer commercial customers international wire services as normal. January 2014 | The Business Times
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RCB Bank hosts Edmond Chamber Business After Hours
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Photos By UCO College of Fine Arts and Design & RCB Bank
n Dec. 9, the RCB Bank lobby was transformed into an art exhibit showroom, complete with live jazz music from the UCO Jazz Lab and festive networking activities that included a scavenger hunt to engage chamber members.
UCO Jazz Lab Aaron Tomasko (bass), Axcel Kuo (drums) and Logan Gorrell (sax)
UCO Jazz Lab Drummer Axcel Kuo.
Members like Richard Spurr (sitting) and Bill Stafford competed in the candy stack game.
Kenneth Wohl and Corporation Commissioner Patrice Douglas and Brent Douglas
Matt Peterson, Nick Massey and Carl Tipton One of the jewelry pieces on display in the bank vault. 14
January 2014 | The Business Times
Dustin Yoe, Hunter Magness and Kenneth Wohl Cliff Higgs, Vanessa Kress and Tracy Martino
Gerald Henson, Richard Turman and Bill Lovell
Jessica Simpson, Summer Muno, Sam Geis, Lissa Qualls and Tracy Martino
Ruth Green, Jill Mitchell, Brian Preston and Jay Holmes.
Barbara Broadwell, left, and Shawn Meyers viewing art in the vault.
More than 20 pieces of artwork by UCO students and faculty were on display during the event. January 2014 | The Business Times
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Resolutions are not just for individuals Check out these tips for small businesses
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very New Year’s people across Oklahoma and the nation make resolutions to improve their lives in one way or another. And, for some business owners making resolutions or goals and making them a reality can sometimes make the difference in whether their business grows or not. Mike Crandall, owner of Sandler Training in Oklahoma City which offers sales, management, leadership training and coaching/consulting, says business owners who want to improve their business have to make an investment in themselves. “Most business owners don’t invest in themselves,” said Crandall, an Edmond resident. “If they were to take the jump and make some type of investment in themselves through outside resources they can save themselves a tremendous amount of time.” Crandall cited the example of a client who has been in business for 30 years and he has worked with for the past two years. “In the two years he has been with us giving him some coaching advice and guidance he made more money than in the 28 years prior,” Crandall said. “It was a huge decision for them to make the investment to work with us.” Karin Dallas, owner of College Nannies and Tutors of Edmond, says a key goal for any business is emphasizing strategic marketing. 16
January 2014 | The Business Times
“Have or create a marketing plan, and then stick to it,” Dallas says. “It’s so easy to get distracted by every shiny advertising or promotional offer that comes your way. A well-thought-out marketing plan will help you stay focused and better able to stick to your marketing budget.” Dallas said businesses must also define the “Four Ps’ for their business- product, price, place (distribution) and promotion. “Commit to a strategy for each one, write it down, and refer to it often,” Dallas said. “Stay true to the plan, and you’ll save yourself some wasteful expenses throughout the year.” Dallas says it’s also important for businesses to know that not everyone is their customer. “That’s hard for small business owners myself included,” Dallas said. “We want to be all things to all people, and it’s just not feasible.” Susan Urbach, director of the University of Central Oklahoma’s Small Business Development Center, said resolutions for businesses can be good if the resolution is realistic and is followed up on. According to the December 2012 Journal of Clinical Psychology some of the top resolutions made by Americans include getting organized, spending less and saving more and enjoying life to the fullest. Urbach said those resolutions can have a
By Van Mitchell Special to The Business Times
direct correlation with small business owners. “The biggest disorganization problem is not keeping good accounting records,” Urbach said. “If you are organized at home, you are likely to be organized in your work life, and vice versa.” Urbach said being financially responsible is also vital for a business owner’s success. “Just as one personally should have an emergency fund, so should every business,” she said. “Having cash gives you options. Small business owners are also less likely to set aside any cash for themselves in any kind of retirement plan.” Dallas concurred. “Cash flow is critical,” Dallas said. “But in addition to knowing your cash situation, you also need to understand your P&L and balance sheet. Having a good bookkeeper and CPA is important, but you really shouldn’t place all of your trust in them. After all, no one is going to be as connected or committed to your business as you are. It’s your investment, your livelihood, your responsibility and also your liability when things go wrong.” Urbach said business owners also must find time to take care of themselves. “In the case of a small business owner, just having a life outside of the business can be challenging, but (you need) something healthy to strive for.”
business matters
Nick Massey Astute Investor
Should Have Seen It Coming I
n looking at economic history, it’s always fun to look back and play “Monday-morning quarterback.” Even more so if you weren’t involved. In 1929, credit and trading on margin (borrowed money to buy stocks) were truly a way of life. U.S. businesses were manufacturing for the entire world, the Roaring Twenties were decidedly roaring and shoeshine boys were handing out stock tips just like a modern-day Jim Cramer. Banks played fast and loose with depositors’ money, and it seemed there was no way the good times would ever come to an end. Ah, but they did. What happened next? Credit-depression-war. “Should have seen it coming,” the pundits said. “It was obvious to all who were really paying attention,” historians chimed in. “Only the fools stayed in the game,” others added. When Barron’s printed their “rate of cash burn” issue in the late 1990s, dotcom stockholders simply shrugged and
“In 1929, credit and trading on margin (borrowed money to buy stocks) were truly a way of life.”
said, “They’ll just float a new stock issue.” Twenty-year-old “techies” would stand on a street corner, preach about a so-called educated business plan and become instant millionaires as Wall Street welcomed them with open arms. Every company that had the term “dot-com” attached to it was assured of making their stockholders much wealthier than ever imagined. In fact, it wasn’t unusual for people to quit their jobs and simply trade stocks on the beach. What happened next? Crash-recession-war. “Should have seen it coming,” the pundits said. “It was obvious to all who were really paying attention,” historians chimed in. “Only the fools stayed in the game,” others added. Essentially starting in 2002, Alan Greenspan’s artificially low interest rates eventually turned home ownership into a game of “flip and pretend.” Banks sliced and diced mortgages and utilized leverage to never-before-seen heights. The world embraced Keynesianism, and saw wealth expand with every uptick of the market coupled with every devalued currency. The ultimate collapse of Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns was completely unimaginable — until it did. What happened next? Crashdepression-war.
“Should have seen it coming,” the pundits said. “It was obvious to all who were really paying attention,” historians chimed in. “Only the fools stayed in the game,” others added. Today, Investors Intelligence reports that the category of “committed bulls” is at its highest point in 26 years, matching the extremes of 1987. Such extremes were also seen in 1929, 1999 and 2008. Indeed, these days we’re experiencing smokescreen earnings reports, significant wealth disparity and widespread corporate and governmental corruption, all matching levels not witnessed in almost a century. Yet, much like gawkers at an accident site, Wall Street instructs everyone to, “Keep on moving folks, there’s nothing to see here.” Oh, but it’s different this time. “Should have seen … obvious to all … only the fools.” What will happen next? Crash? Depression? War? Beats me. I guess we’ll find out soon. Thanks for reading. NICK MASSEY is a financial adviser and president of Householder Group Financial Advisors in Edmond. Massey can be reached at www.nickmassey.com. Securities offered through Securities Service Network Inc., member FINRA/SIPC.
January 2014 | The Business Times
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business matters
JIM Denton L edger Lines
Amazon Court Ruling Leaves e-tail Tax Issue Unfinished
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n August, the State of Colorado’s Department of Revenue has revived its unique law that requires e-tailers (like Amazon.com) to report sales and use tax on purchases in that state. The Tenth Circuit held that the Tax Injunction Act prohibits federal jurisdiction over Colorado’s law. As a matter of background, the Colorado law that was enacted in 2010 required any retailer that sells $100,000 or more of products to customers in Colorado, but does not collect and remit sales taxes on those products, to: 1. Provide transactional notices to Colorado purchasers of use tax due;
“Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to review Amazon’s and Overstock. com’s case previously heard in a New York appeals court. The e-tailers must now collect and remit the taxes due.” 18
January 2014 | The Business Times
2. Send annual purchase summaries to Colorado customers; and 3. Annually report Colorado purchaser information to the Department of Revenue. Retailers can avoid the reporting requirements by voluntarily collecting tax from customers in Colorado and remitting those amounts to the Colorado Department of Revenue. The lower court previously found that the law violated the Commerce Clause (the constitutional theory that prohibits state actions that interfere with interstate commerce) because it discriminates against out-of-state retailers by treating them differently from in-state retailers and was therefore invalid on its face. The Tax Injunction Act prohibits District Courts from interfering in this type of state tax matter. The Tenth Circuit utilized this prohibition to restore the Colorado law. The issue of Internet sales taxes has vexed lawmakers for many years. Most lawmakers don’t want to be caught raising taxes but if in a tax system, certain businesses are favored over Main Street businesses, it creates angst. Also, the states are losing serious tax revenue over this issue.
Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to review Amazon’s and Overstock. com’s case previously heard in a New York appeals court. The e-tailers must now collect and remit the taxes due. What does this mean to Oklahoma businesses and consumers? Oklahoma’s law is actually a self-reporting system in that if you did not pay tax on the retail site, you are to self-report the use tax (sales tax) due on your annual state income tax return. With the 10th Circuit ruling and the nonruling from the U.S. Supreme Court, brick and mortar retailers and e-tailers are put on similar footing — sort of. Unfortunately, we haven’t heard the end of this. Congress probably will get involved. JIM DENTON is a CPA and a managing partner with Arledge & Associates P.C. in Edmond. He may be reached via email at jim@jmacpas.com.
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January 2014 | The Business Times
19
business matters
Mike Crandall Growth S olutions
Six Steps to Getting More Out of 2014
D
o you want more out of 2014 than you got out of 2013? More money, more free time, more respect, more friends, more whatever? If you are like more than 90 percent of the population there is something you said you would achieve in 2013 that you fell short on. So why do you think only 10 percent did not fall short? It is because they have desire, commitment and follow the six simple steps we outline in this column. This time of year we are flooded with people asking us: How can I make 2014 a better year than 2013, or how can I make it my best year ever? Why does this flood come toward the end and the beginning of each year? Frankly because so many people realize either they are frustrated ending another year short of where they wanted, they are concerned as what the coming year may look like or they are fed up with mediocrity from their teams or themselves. Here are six simple steps you can learn, implement and follow to get more out of 2014. • Step one: Set some goals. This may sound easy, however, they must be written down and detailed. People with written goals are 10 times more likely to obtain them. Your goals should encompass both professional and personal things. Some I see frequently such as more money, less work, better relationships, losing weight, etc. To ensure these set you up for 20
January 2014 | The Business Times
success they should be SMART — Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time Bound. • Step two: Study. To grow you need to study. Based on your goals from step one you need to find ways to study what you want. If you want to sell more then study sales, if you want to have better relationships then study relationships. How can you have growth in any area if you do not study what getting better at it means? • Step three: Invest in yourself. Look at step one again and find areas you can invest in yourself to grow. If you want to become a better manager then find a workshop, book or seminar to invest in and do not wait for someone else (i.e. your employer) to make the investment. You must do it yourself. True professionals invest in themselves and their own growth — not just the money, but also the time. • Step four: Practice. This one often sounds odd to people, however, it frequently can be the most important. The single biggest difference between an amateur and a professional is practice. If you want to grow in your communications ability, find ways to practice. Whatever it is you want to improve (professional or personal) you can practice it. • Step five: Learn and follow a system. Every respected professional follows a proven system, or more than one of them. Look at your goals in step one and find
ways to learn a system that will help you grow in that area. Whether it is sales, management, leadership or being a parent, following a proven system will help you grow. • Step six: Accountability. Find someone to be your accountability partner. Tell them what your goals are, what you are doing in steps two-five and have them hold you accountable to it. One of the best ways to accomplish new things is to have someone hold you accountable for what you are working toward. More than 90 percent of you reading this can get more out of 2014 by learning, implementing and following these six steps. They can ensure 2014 will be your best year ever, both professionally and personally. Here is to getting more out of 2014 and to making it your best year ever! MIKE CRANDALL is an Edmond resident and the owner of Sandler Training in Oklahoma City. He can be reached via email at mike.crandall@sandler.com or by phone at 405-844-1700. For more information, go to online to www.customgrowth.sandler.com.
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www.keyhealthinstitute.com January 2014 | The Business Times
21
Business matters
Tim Priebe Webifiable
How To Develop Successful Online Marketing EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second in a twopart series on improving online marketing. Part one is in the December issue of The Business Times of Edmond.
M
ost people who market their organization online have had the feeling of frustration or failure at one time or another. Last month, we took a look at the first two of the four core concepts about online marketing that can help avoid that feeling. Now let’s look at the last two. Recipe for Content There’s no universal recipe for online content. It doesn’t matter if it’s blogs, social media updates, online videos or something else entirely. The ingredients differ depending on the industry, organization and even individual within that organization. But the ingredients themselves remain the same. The acronym P.I.E. can help us remember the three main ingredients: • P — Promotional • I — Informational • E — Entertaining If you focus too much on any one area, your message will be out of balance. Too promotional, and you risk sounding way too “salesy.” After all, nobody wants too much P. in their P.I.E. Too informational, and you come across 22
January 2014 | The Business Times
dry and boring, just like the teacher in the classic movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” Too entertaining, and prospective clients won’t even know what services or goods your business provides. You need to have some of each in every piece of online content you use to market your organization. Point of Optimization One of the myths that’s spread by socalled “online marketing experts” is that you just aren’t spending enough time online. While that may be true for some, it’s definitely not the case for everyone. Theoretically, you could hire out all the rest of your work and spend all day, every day, marketing your organization online. However, there’s a point at which the return on your time invested starts to level out. That’s your point of optimization. What those “online marketing experts” don’t tell you is that the point is different for each industry, for each organization and for each person. And it varies on different platforms as well. You may be more comfortable on Facebook, and can get lots of mileage out of it. Someone else may be more comfortable on Twitter, and can get return out of it. Yet another person may be more comfortable writing blogs, someone else creating YouTube videos. The list goes on.
The key is to find where your point of optimization lies. You should look at the different platforms and see which one has the most overlap with your organization’s target market. Take into account what platform you (or whoever is doing your marketing) is most comfortable on. Look at the capabilities of the different platforms, and see which ones seem to be a natural fit with your business. But ultimately, you have to actually start, making sure you track your results to see where your point of optimization actually lies. It’s an ongoing process. Most individuals have never heard of the two concepts we discussed this month, or the two we discussed last month. If they’re new to you, you’re not alone. Now that you do know them, take them into account and you can avoid that frustrated feeling you’ve probably had in the past. Of course, hiring professionals can go a long way as well. Just make sure that whoever you hire has a grasp on the four core concepts about online marketing. TIM PRIEBE is a public speaker, the author of the book “The Beginner’s Guide To Facebook Timeline for Business” and the owner of T&S Web Design in Edmond. He can be reached by email at tim@tandsgo.com, by phone at 405-285-0348, or online at www.tandswebdesign.com.
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January 2014 | The Business Times
23
business matters
Cyndy Hoenig S ocial Strategies
A
Awards Mean Credibility in Any Industry
pply for an award. Check local business journals, chambers, small business associations, the business section of your local newspaper, SmallBizTrends.com and other online sites. Like positive news stories, awards confer credibility on businesses and their owners. First, you get recognition and publicity for your business — and that’s just good marketing. On top of that, it’s good for employees. You give your team something to excite them and to rally around. Finally, awards are good strategy: Being nominated and winning can set your business apart from competitors. But remember, you must make it happen by applying for awards. Don’t be shy — nominate your company. Or nominate a customer or client for an award and show them you care about their success and want to honor them. Awards and recognition are important for any business and are more than just vanity. Awards are excellent for making your business popular as awards help in validating the success level of your business. Plus, awards and recognition are highly motivating elements for you and your
“But remember, you must make it happen by applying for awards. Don’t be shy – nominate your company.” 24
January 2014 | The Business Times
employees to do better in the future. A few steps to get you started: 1. Find out what the award is: First analyze the business awards that you wish to apply for. There are many types organized every year and you need to find out which one would be suitable for your organization.
“Awards and recognition are important for any business and are more than just vanity.” 2. Check out the award criteria: Before applying for any business award, you need to find out the various criteria for such award programs. 3. Apply: Until and unless you nominate your business for the award, you will not be eligible for the award program. So get on the Internet and do some research. 4. Follow the rules: For nominating for any business award, there would be certain rules and regulations. Read it carefully and accordingly nominate your business. At times, organizers ask for nomination charges too. 5. Nominate in the right category: For business awards there are various categories and you need to apply in the most relevant category.
6. Highlight the best: Follow the award nomination guidelines properly. After all, you have to convince the judges that your business should win. Always provide correct and authentic information about your company. 7. Follow up: These business awards are offered the company who wants it most. Make it obvious that you want the award and appreciate its significance. Follow up professionally. 8. Keep a copy: After applying for one business award, save a copy and use the document for applying for other awards in the future. It will make the application process more efficient and save you time. Good luck, and let me know when you win. CYNDY HOENIG is a PR strategist who owns Pure PR in Oklahoma City. She is the author of “600 PR, Marketing and Social Media Tips,” which is available as a free download at http://pureprokc.com/600-diy-pr-tips. She also is the author of the recently released “PR Rock Star.” Email Cyndy at cyndyhoenig@ymail.com or call her at 245-4668 for more information.
NEW BUSINESS LISTINGS Following is a listing of newly filed businesses in the Edmond area with the Oklahoma Secretary of State’s office: Crystal Properties LLC, 13511 3G2S Investments LLC, 1211 N. Broadway, filed Oct. 8 by Dustin N.E. 23rd St., Choctaw filed Oct. 11 by Crystal Properties LLC of the A. Davis of the same address. same address. 3R Recycling LLC, 16808 David Worthington, Ph.d, Kingsley Road, filed Oct. 10 by 1877 Savonna Lane, filed Oct. 7 Robert T. Munday of the same for trade name. address. Enerland LLC, 505 S. Santa Fe Avenge Pest Control LLC, Drive, filed Oct. 10 by Scott M. 19812 Sonatina Drive, filed Oct. 10 by Christopher Coon of the same Delaney of Oklahoma City. address. High Definition Construction & Design LLC, 1909 N.W. 176th Barran LLC, 15809 Brenner Pass, filed Oct. 11 by Barrett Bray of Trail, filed Oct. 7 by High Definition Construction & Design LLC of the the same address. same address. Calais LLC, 2901 N.W. Hunt Minerals LLC, 301 156th, filed Oct. 10 by DuBonnett Spence Court, filed Oct. 8 by Ltd. of the same address. McAlister & McAlister Law Firm P.C. of Edmond. Chad Croom Homes LLC, 12784 S.E. 21st St., Choctaw, Inspy Kisses LLC, 7610 filed Oct. 9 by Chad Croom of the McKenzie Circle, filed Oct. 8 by same address. Lacy Williams of the same address. Choctaw Mechanical LLC, JoAnn Thompson, 920 Foster 13511 N.E. 23rd St., Choctaw, Road, Guthrie, filed Oct. 11 for filed Oct. 11 by Choctaw Mechanical LLC of the same address. trade name. Chuck’s Paint & Remodel LLC, 3812 N. Broadway, filed Oct. 10 by Chuck T. Stout of the same address.
JP Wiggins Services LLC, 2113 N.W. 161st St., filed Oct. 10 by John P. Wiggins of the same address.
Steves Property Company LLC, Masterpiece Design LLC, 1448 1505 Eagle Drive, filed Oct. by Bay Bridge Court, filed Oct. 7 Clavtion Stevens of the same address. by David L. Wommer of the same address. Studio M LLC, 17204 Saddle Creek Way, filed Oct. 9 by Brian Mini House LLC, 6008 Mays of the same address. Chestnut Court, filed Oct. 7 by Ross Dunlap of the same address. Summit Wound Care LLC, 1800 S. Renaissance Blvd., MSSMT Real Estate LLC, filed Oct. 9 by McAfee & Taft, 15836 Chapel Ridge Road, filed a Professional Organization of Oct. 7 by Michael P. Collison of Oklahoma City. the same address. The Law Office of B. Michael Phillips Transportation LLC, Shanbour PLLC, 15509 Arbuckle 10274 S. Coltrane, Guthrie, filed Oct. 10 by Larry Phillips of the same Heights, filed Oct. 8 by B. Michael Shanbour of the same address. address. UM Chahal LLC, 15208 RA Equities LLC, 2100 Summerhaven Way, filed Oct. 10 by Burning Spring, filed Oct. 9 by Uminder K. Chahal of the same Donald Nevard of Oklahoma City. address. Randem Evans LLC, 17120 Vortex Solutions Group LLC, Platinum Lane, filed Oct. 10 by 4005 Karen Drive, filed Oct. 9 by Randem Evans of the same address. Brendon Bouska of the same address. RLC Ventures, 8709 N.W. Wm. Laub Land & Cattle Co. 157th Place, filed Oct. 7 for trade LLC, 7500 N.W. 210th St., filed name. Oct. 8 by William J. Laub of the Serene Dreams Spa LLC, 1032 same address. Waterwood Parkway, Ste. 13, filed Oct. 7 by Ashley Wilkerson of the same address.
SLW Enterprises LLC, 329327 E. 912 Road, Luther, filed Oct. JT Renovations LLC, 12310 Citation Affiliates LLC, 801 N. Dudley Court, filed Oct. 8 by Justin 8 by Scott Westfahl of the same Kelly Ave. No. 6, filed Oct. 8 by address. Trotter of the same address. Mark Perkins of the same address. Sprout Investments LLC, 1015 Mark Aittaniemi M.D. PLLC, Corey Gossett DBA GossBoss Pool Service, 18208 Tambor Drive, 103 S. Bradbury Drive, filed Oct. 7 N.. 164th St., filed Oct. 8 by Sherry Hamilton of the same address. by Michael S. Crooks of Edmond. filed Oct. 9 for trade name.
January 2014 | The Business Times
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BUSINESS CALENDAR Edmond Young Professionals Sixth Annual Anniversary Party 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 Oak Tree Country Club 700 Country Club Drive RSVP required to info@edmondchamber.com. Cost: free to EYP members Planning Commission 5:30 p.m. Jan. 7 (First and third Tuesday) City Council Chambers 20 S. Littler Ave. Visit www.edmondok.com to find the agenda
Edmond Young Professionals EYP Leadership Latte 7:30-9 a.m. Jan. 15 Speaker: J. Mike Stice, CEO of Access Midstream Coffee Commisson 309 S. Bryant, Suite 230 RSVP required to info@edmondchamber.com; cost is free, seating is limited
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Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce New Member Reception 4-5 p.m. Jan. 8 Edmond Chamber 825 E. Second Street RSVP required to info@edmondchamber.com; Cost:free to members
of Commerce Legislative Breakfast 8-9:30 a.m. Jan. 17 Oklahoma Christian University 2501 E. Memorial Road RSVP required to info@edmondchamber.com; Cost:$20 for members, $25 for non-members Edmond Economic Development Authority Board of Trustees 8:15 a.m. Jan. 21(Third Tuesday) 825 E. Second Street Visit www.eeda.com Call 340-0116
City Council 5:30 p.m. Jan. 13 Planning Commission (Second and fourth Mondays) 5:30 p.m. Jan. 21 City Council Chambers (First and third Tuesday) 20 S. Littler Ave. Why assess employees? City Council Chambers Visit www.edmondok.com to 20 S. Littler Ave. find the agenda Visit www.edmondok.com to find the agenda Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Business Edmond Area Chamber After Hours of Commerce Morning Mingle 5:30-7 p.m. Jan. 14 8-9:30 a.m. Jan. 22 MIDCON Data Services Did You Know? BancFirst 13431 N. Broadway Extension, 1264 S. Bryant Oklahoma City, 73114 No RSVP required and event is No RSVP required for chamber free for chamber members. members; cost free.
Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Women’s Network Breakfast 7:30-9 a.m. Jan. 23 Speaker: Andrea Mason, barre3 Oklahoma Christian University 2501 E. Memorial Road RSVP required to info@edmondchamber.com; Cost:$20 for members, $25 for non-members Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet Cocktails at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. Jan. 24 UCO Night University Center RSVP required to info@ edmondchamber.com; Cost:$20 for members, $25 for non-members
City Council 5:30 p.m. Jan. 27 (Second and fourth Mondays) City Council Chambers 20 S. Littler Ave. Visit www.edmondok.com to find the agenda Edmond Economic Development Authority 2014 Edmond Economic Preview 3-5 p.m. Jan. 30 University of Central Oklahoma Nigh University Center Register by calling 340-0116, emailing dy@eeda.com Cost:$40 until Jan. 29 and $50 day of the event TO ADD your business event to this free calendar, email the details to lshearer@edmondsun.com.
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January 2014 | The Business Times
Business Briefs 2 INTEGRIS hospitals ranked among America’s Best Hospitals for Women
Whistleblowers can now file complaints online with OSHA
INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center and Lakeside Women’s Hospital will receive the 2014 Women’s Choice Award® ranking them among America’s Best Hospitals for Patient Experience in Obstetrics. The distinction is the only award that identifies the country’s best health care institutions based on robust criteria that consider female patient satisfaction, clinical excellence and what women say they want from a hospital including qualit y physician communications, responsiveness of nurses and support staff, cleanliness and trusted referrals from other women. “The physicians and staff at Lakeside Women’s Hospital are extremely pleased to be named one of the best hospitals in America in obstetrics by Women’s Choice Award for the second year in a row. This award is an affirmation of our clinical expertise and dedication to women’s needs,” said Kelley Brewer, Lakeside president. Awarded hospitals must provide comprehensive obstetric services and meet criteria for patient satisfaction and surgical excellence based on female needs and preferences. The Women’s Choice Award is the first national award based on the recommendations and preferences of women. Hospitals qualify for this highly selective annual list of America’s Best Hospitals for Patient Experience in Obstetrics based on a proprietary scoring process that incorporates a national, standardized survey of patients’ perspectives of hospital care reported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems), as well as an analysis that weighs criteria identified as the most important to women for patient satisfaction. Additionally, the scoring incorporates in-depth research on customer satisfaction among women, including a joint study on customer satisfaction by gender conducted with the Wharton School of the Universit y of Pennsylvania.
Agency launches online form to provide workers a new way to file retaliation complaints Whistleblowers covered by one of 22 statutes administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration will now be able to file complaints online. The online form will provide workers who have been retaliated against an additional way to reach out for OSHA assistance online. “The ability of workers to speak out and exercise their rights without fear of retaliation provides the backbone for some of American workers’ most essential protections,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. “Whistleblower laws protect not only workers, but also the public at large and now workers will have an additional avenue available to file a complaint with OSHA.” Currently, workers can make complaints to OSHA by filing a written complaint or by calling the agency’s 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) number or an OSHA regional or area office. Workers will now be able to electronically submit a whistleblower complaint to OSHA by visiting www.osha.gov/whistleblower/WBComplaint.html. The new online form prompts the worker to include basic whistleblower complaint information so they can be easily contacted for follow-up. Complaints are automatically routed to the appropriate regional whistleblower investigators. In addition, the complaint form also can be downloaded and submitted to the agency in hard-copy format by fax, mail or hand-delivery. The paper version is identical to the electronic version and requests the same information necessary to initiate a whistleblower investigation. OSHA enforces the whistleblower provisions of 22 statutes protecting employees who report violations of various securities laws, trucking, airline, nuclear power, pipeline, environmental, rail, public transportation, workplace safety and health and consumer protection laws. Detailed information on employee whistleblower rights, including fact sheets and instructions on how to submit the form in hard-copy format, is available online at www.whistleblowers.gov.
Oklahoma Heart Hospital receives excellence award Oklahoma Heart Hospital has been named a 2013 Guardian of Excellence Award and a 2013 Beacon of Excellence Award winner by Press Ganey Associates Inc. The Guardian of Excellence Award recognizes top-performing facilities that consistently achieved the 95th percentile of performance in patient satisfaction, an award Oklahoma Heart Hospital has won the past eight years. The Beacon of Excellence Award recognizes top-performing facilities that maintain high levels of excellence in patient satisfaction. The Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award is a health care industry symbol of achievement. Fewer than 5 percent of all Press Ganey clients reach this threshold and consistently maintain it for the one-year reporting period. Press Ganey partners with more than 10,000 health care facilities, including more than half of all U.S. hospitals, to measure and improve the patient experience. The Press Ganey Beacon of Excellence Award recognizes leading health care facilities that have achieved and consistently maintained excellence for multiple years. The award is given to only 45 organizations per year, representing the top three performing organizations by category. “Being honored with these awards over a number of years represents an important recognition from the industry’s leader in measuring, understanding and improving the patient experience,” noted OHH CEO/President Dr. John Harvey. “From the moment a patient enters our facility our first commitment is to their care and comfort along with the well-being of their family. We designed our hospitals from the ground up with patient care at the core. These awards validate that commitment.”
Allegiant celebrates new nonstop service between Oklahoma City, Orlando Allegiant recently announced new nonstop jet service between Oklahoma Cit y and Orlando via Orlando/Sanford International Airport. The company, known for its exceptional travel deals, is offering promotional fares as low as $59 one way. “We are pleased to bring a new, affordable and convenient travel option to the residents of Oklahoma Cit y,” said Andrew C. Levy, Allegiant Travel Company president. “We are confident the Central Oklahoma communit y will appreciate the convenience of flying nonstop to Orlando and the added savings of bundling their air, hotel and car rental reservation together.” The new flights will operate twice weekly between Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma Cit y and Orlando/Sanford International Airport. Flight days, times and fares can be found at Allegiant.com. Allegiant partners with more than 60 of the Orlando area’s most exciting hotel properties, provides low-cost car rental service through its partnership with Alamo Rent a Car and offers deals on activities such as theme park tickets, dinner shows and day tours. Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Company is focused on linking travelers in small cities to world-class leisure destinations. The company operates a low-cost, high-efficiency, all-jet passenger airline through its subsidiary, Allegiant Air, while also offering other travel-related products such as hotel rooms, rental cars and attraction tickets. All can be purchased through the company website, Allegiant.com. January 2014 | The Business Times
27
Business Book Review
by Terri Schlichenmeyer | The bookworm sez
“Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Difficult People” by Renée Evenson c.2013, Amacom $10.95 / $12.95 Canada 225 pages
The lady in the next cubicle over is making you almost speechless. She talks too loud, first of all and you constantly hear every word she says — most of it incessant and inconsequential, which makes you want to scream. She’s a whiner and a gossip, too, and you wonder what she says about you. Someday, you’re sure to find out since she’s also on your team. You’d like to talk to her about it but you’re not sure you could, at least not calmly. But after you’ve read “Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Difficult People” by Renée Evenson, you’ll know exactly what to say. You know who your friends are. You know because you chose them, but you’re not that lucky at work. Yes, your co-workers “can test your mettle, tick you off and sour your attitude.” Dealing with them can be a challenge because you know how quickly things can go bad, and you don’t
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January 2014 | The Business Times
want that to happen. So how do you create harmony, work out problems and still keep your dignity and your sanity? First of all, Evenson writes, think before you speak and don’t let your temper take over. Plan what you intend to say and how you hope it will go. Consider what the other person may think, and expect to communicate “in a constructive manner.” Then practice before you gently pounce. Remember to start the conversation with an “I Phrase” to disarm the situation. In confrontation, never say never or always because few things ever are. Know that an apology — something women are often accused of overusing — “doesn’t necessarily mean saying you’re wrong.” Get used to assertiveness, which is not aggressiveness; learn the difference. Watch your body language, as well as that of your coworker. Learn a few useful “phrases of compromise” that can be used to diffuse the situation and tie up its resolution. But what if the guy at the top is being difficult, or what if you’re to blame? This book takes a look at those scenarios, and other ways to deal with personalities that make your teeth grind. First, though,
remember this: “… not confronting any sort of conflict will not make the problem go away. Rather, it makes the problem fester and grow.” Can’t we all just get along? With “Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Difficult People,” you’ve got a chance of it. I loved the way author Renée Evenson reminds readers in every possible way to “Think First,” a definite key to not overreacting. I also appreciated how each problem in this book is broken into bitesize, specific sections for maximum help. And yet, despite the careful literary roleplaying and example-stories for envisioning scenarios, it’s easy to be lulled into forgetting two things. You can’t control a co-worker and, well, let’s face it: Sometimes, people are jerks. Still, isn’t workplace harmony worth a try? Wouldn’t you rather have truce than trouble? If the answer to those questions is affirmative, then grab this book. “Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Difficult People” will make you say “Yes!” Terri Schlichenmeyer is a book reviewer in Wisconsin. She may be reached via email at bookwormsez@yahoo.com.
LAST LOOK
Story and photo by patty miller | The Business Times
Merle Norman under new ownership
Gary and Marla Haddock are the new owners of the Merle Norman studio at Bryant Square in Edmond. Gary’s mom, Anita Haddock, owned the Merle Norman studio for 35 years moving it to the present location 25 years ago.
W
ith a motto of “Try before you buy,” Merle Norman celebrated its 80th anniversary nationally in 2011. Since its inception 82 years ago, Merle Norman has grown into a leading beauty brand with not only beauty products, but also studios that are adding spa rooms where facials are given and facial and body sculpting takes place. Locally, Gary and Marla Haddock recently took over the Merle Norman studio in Bryant Square after Gary’s mother, Anita Haddock, decided to retire. She had owned a Merle Norman studio for 35 years, most recently the one in its present location for 25 years. Marla has worn many hats before taking over the keys to the Edmond Merle Norman studio. “Everything I have done from accounting to interior design has helped prepare me for ownership of my own business,” Marla said. Both she and her husband Gary attended a two-week training session in California.
“I wanted to be able to have a hand in running the business,” Gary said. Retired from a construction/remodeling business, he helped with a facelift to the present location. He is also a police lieutenant with the Guthrie Police Department. “When we went to California for training, the Merle Norman owners were encouraged to provide a room for facials and waxing,” Gary said. When they returned he became responsible for the addition of a spa room where a licensed aesthetician gives spa facials, microcurrent sculpting and waxing. “We have a full-time licensed aesthetician, Ashley Brackett, who is responsible for the spa room,” Marla said. “I went to the surrounding beauty schools and chose Ashley because she is so meticulous and fits the job perfectly. She is also our store manager.” Marla said they keep all the information used in giving a facial in the computer so the next time a customer comes in they will know exactly what colors were used and what products they have purchased. “We have 5-minute facials where we cleanse, steam and moisturize our client’s face with a rich facial gel,” Marla said. “Then we give our client a full makeover. All of this is complimentary with the customers only paying for any beauty products they wish to purchase. The appointment itself takes about an hour, but our clients must have an appointment ahead of time. We then supply a list of the correct formulas for each individual’s face type.” Marla said moms like to bring their daughters in when they first start thinking about cleansing products and using make-up. The company is one of the few that continues to manufacture almost all of its products in the USA and all of the products are dermatologist and opthamologist tested, Marla said. Merle Norman has blossomed into a leading beauty brand with products for women of every age. “At one time the target group was 40-year-olds and up and now the target group starts at 9-year-olds. We also have customers
January 2014 | The Business Times
29
LAST LOOK coming in who are in their late 80s and early 90s,” Marla said. “We even have many college students who come in not only for our make-up but also for our product lines that cure acne and eye gel that takes out puffiness around the eyes. “Merle Norman sets make-up trends and today make-up is taking on a more natural look for every age.” Anti-aging facials are a must for mature skin, Marla said. “We have what we call ‘The Hollywood Facial’ for those who don’t want to have surgery. The treatment hydrates fine lines and wrinkles leaving skin smooth and refreshed. Fine lines are reduced and skin appears clearer, smoother and younger. A 60-minute antiaging facial is $80 and there is no down time afterwards.” The spa room also is the home of the microcurrent cosmetic system, which uses technology for skin rejuvenation and facial and body sculpting. The microcurrent rehabilitates and firms facial muscles and goes through the connective tissues of the skin by way of specific acupuncture pints causing increased production of collagen and elastin, which smooth out lines and soften wrinkles. “People are discovering a better way to achieve beautiful looking skin with a more natural look and without the unnatural
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January 2014 | The Business Times
Story by patty miller | Special to The Business Times
appearance that is often a result from cosmetic surgery,” Marla said. In addition to eight types of spa facials there are three types of peels for the skin. “We also offer waxing, brow design and lash extensions,” Marla said. “We will also do special occasion make-up for prom, weddings, pictures, parties and graduations.” Most recently, Merle Norman introduced new products to its already extensive lines of skin care and makeup, bringing the latest in mascara innovation, a primer that neutralizes redness, scented body care and the latest patented technology for chemical peels and more. Even though Marla and Gary expanded their studio recently to include a spa treatment room, they still have more plans for the future. “We are planning on adding an infrared sauna, a massage therapist and providing someone to do all natural manicures and pedicures,” Marla said. For appointments, call 341-0451. Merle Norman is at 306 S. Bryant Ave., Ste. E.
Located at the intersection of I-35 and Covell Road in Edmond, the Business Innovation Center provides a new, purpose-built environment in which Francis Tuttle can deliver hjg_jYek Yf\ k]jna[]k lg l`] =\egf\ Yj]Y egj] ]^Ú[a]fldq Yf\ egj] [ge^gjlYZdq&
The Center serves four main functions: • Customized Training Services • Career Development & Personal Enrichment
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