In Business September 2009

2 • IN BUSINESS

GLOBE GAZETTE • SEPTEMBER 2009

Getting Started:

In This Issue:

TAKING THE PLUNGE: STARTING A BUSINESS • New businesses are critical to recovery/Page 3 • Need start-up money? Do your homework/Page 4 • Attorneys can help you in so many areas/Page 6

syndrome /Page 11.

• Avoid injury — think!/Page 14 • Your parents need care: What can you do? Page 15

OUR COVER STORY — WOMEN IN BUSINESS

• Find your niche, pursue your passion — one woman’s story/ Page 8 • Establish your online presence/Page 9 • Advice: HR — Prepare to start your own business/Page 33 • Advice: Finance — Managing IT costs key for new businesses/Page 34

YOUR HEALTH

Photos by LAURA BIRD/In Business

• Susan Moorman is doing what comes naturally at Moorman Clothiers/Page 19 • Helping a friend turns into blessing in disguise, leads to cleaning career for Mary Ellen Andolino/Page 20

UP CLOSE: THE PAPPAJOHN CENTER: • Its goal: Be a one-stop shop for businesses/Page 23 Photos by BRYON HOULGRAVE/In Business

• Don’t beat up your body — avoid repetitive stress

• Meet the staff/Page 24 • Business incubator provides resources to grow/Page 25

In Business: Vol. 7, No. 3, September 2009 Publisher: Howard Query 641-421-0500 howard.query@globegazette.com Editor: Joe Buttweiler 641-421-0542 joe.buttweiler@globegazette.com Managing Editor: Tom Thoma 641-421-0566 tom.thoma @globegazette.com Associate Editor: Jane Reynolds 641-421-0564 jane.reynolds@globegazette.com

Associate Editor: Bob Steenson 641-421-0530 bob.steenson@globegazette.com Advertising and Circulation: Greg Wilderman 641-421-0545 greg.wilderman@globegazette.com

••• In Business is a quarterly publication of the Globe Gazette.

Reach us at Box 271, Mason City, IA 504020271 or by e-mail at news@globegazette.com.

Got a business idea?

Here’s how to launch ollowing the recent announcement that 400 employees at Cummins Filtration in Lake Mills would be losing their jobs, I updated a tally of jobs lost or expected to be lost in North Iowa over a two-year period.

The total is more than 2,000.

Gulp.

That’s a lot of people looking for other work or exploring other alternatives.

Many have returned to school to educate themselves for a new career. Others have considered launching their own business.

It is for the latter group — and the many other employed people who have businesses they’d Joe Buttweiler like to launch — that this In Business edition of In Business Editor was planned to help.

We present information on how to evaluate business ideas, how and where to seek start-up funds, how to wade through the legalities, how to name your business and how to establish your online presence.

Our lead story by Jan Horgen points out that new business formation is critical to recovery from the current economic downturn. Although entrepreneurial activity increased nationally last year compared to 2007, the Midwest lags other regions. The states with the lowest entrepreneurial activity rates included Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin.

Our profile of the programs and experts at the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center at North Iowa Area Community College is intended to help any would-be entrepreneurs in North Iowa get some traction on their initiative. Maybe you’ll go through one program and find your idea isn’t likely to

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work. But if it does look promising, these folks are happy to help you develop it.

This edition of In Business also profiles women in business, Susan Moorman of Moorman Clothiers and Mary Ellen Andolino of Midwest North Iowa Janitorial Services. Both women share helpful information on running and growing their business.

If you’ve ever thought of opening a small retail shop, be sure to read the story on entrepreneur Chelle Timmreck of Bismarck, N.D., who offers a wide range of advice based on her experience launching a bead shop.

Two stories in this edition focus on avoiding repetitive stress injuries and another health-related story focuses on taking care of aging parents who need help.

Our Q&A in this edition is a two-fer.

We asked Barry Cory and Bob Lemon of Decker Sporting Goods to share their stories and tips for success.

Human resources columnist Jim Cronin offers advice on how to start your own business; Aaron Donaldson of RSM McGladrey shares thoughts on managing information technology; and Gregg Gillman writes about the mission of the North Iowa Corridor Economic Development Corp. and its success in working with Titan Pro, which plans to bring 40 new full-time and seasonal jobs to North Iowa at an average salary of $42,000.

The company’s recent announcement is a welcome step in the right direction.

But given the major job losses by existing North Iowa employers, there’s a growing realization that we’re going to have to start and grow more small businesses.

We hope this edition of In Business will help.

SEPTEMBER 2009 • GLOBE GAZETTE

IN BUSINESS • 3

TAKING THE PLUNGE

New businesses critical to recovery • Entrepreneurial activity from I do know that IDED increased 2007 rates for

BY JAN HORGEN and the Papboth men and For In Business women — from pajohn Cent is not all bad news for businesses during the cur0.41 percent to ters ... have rent severe recession.

0.42 percent for Nationally, there are new companies being seen a conmen and from formed daily. Although these are generally small, 0.20 percent to tinual traffic often with a half-dozen jobs or fewer, each new busi0.24 percent for pattern, ness start creates a small boost in the economic outwomen. look, according to experts.

• With the through the doors and on The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation polled a exception of the the phones, of people random sample of 2000 Americans in March 2009 Midwest, all focusing on entrepreneurship and economic recovwanting to start businessregions saw ery. The poll concluded that “79 percent of Ameriincreased entrees.” cans say entrepreneurs are critically important to job preneurial activity — Doug Lewis creation, ranking higher than big business, scientists from 2007 to Iowa Department and government.”

2008. of Economic Development These new business starts, however small, are a • The states critical component to the nation’s economic recovwith the lowest ery. entrepreneurial activity rates were Pennsylvania, “Overall, the 2008 entrepreneurial activity rate Missouri, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Iowa and Ohio. increased slightly over 2007. An average of 0.32 per“Unlike other studies that capture young businesscent of the adult population (or 320 out of 100,000 es that are more than a year old, the Kauffman Index adults) created a new business each month — repre- captures all adults, ages 20 to 64, when they first cresenting approximately 530,000 new businesses per ate their businesses, including incorporated and month — as compared to 0.30 percent in 2007,” unincorporated businesses, and those who are according to information posted on the Kauffman employers and non-employers. The Kauffman Index Index on Entrepreneurial Activity Web site. of Entrepreneurial Activity, defined as the percent of the adult U.S. population of non-business owners ALTHOUGH THE NEW-BUSINESS start activity that start a business as their main job each month, is remained consistent over the past decade, the Kauf- conducted annually,” according to the Index Web man Index found important shifts in the demograph- site. ic and geographic composition of new entrepreneurs WHILE THE INDEX reported the increase in new across the country. business starts in Iowa was less than many states, The Kauffman study concluded: that does not mean there is no movement or interest • Older Americans, ages 55 to 64, had the highest in entrepreneurial ventures. increase in business creation rates from 2007 to “We have seen more traffic, but I can’t speak to the 2008, increasing by 0.36 percent.

• Activity for business creation among immigrants economy as a whole,” Doug Lewis, entrepreneurial jumped from 0.46 percent in 2007 to 0.53 percent in development coordinator for Iowa Department of Economic Development, said. “State statistics lag by 2008 — widening the gap between immigrant and native-born rates. Although the increase in entrepre- as much as a year on the number of entrepreneurial ventures. neurship among immigrants was driven entirely by “I do know that IDED and the Pappajohn Centers low- and medium-income-potential types of busifor Entrepreneurial Development have seen a continnesses, immigrants also are more likely than U.S. natives to start high-income-potential types of busi- ual traffic pattern, through the doors and on the phones, of people wanting to start businesses.” nesses.

Iowa agencies that assist entrepreneurs seeing much more traffic in recent months

I

“

There is no one type of business being discussed, he said.

“The ideas tend to be across the board. We work with NIACC and other Pappajohn centers to conduct a business plan competition,” Lewis said. “Anecdotally, there are a lot of people, especially those who have worked for larger companies and don’t want to go back into that environment who are interested in starting a business of their own. Some have ideas that came out of employment. Sometimes the idea is totally different.”

State and private financial assistance is available for innovation and commercialization, he said, adding that he works with three targeted industries — bioscience, advanced manufacturing and information technology.

There are programs to help companies hire college interns and commercialize new products.

There is information technology training and much more available, according to Lewis. He suggested interested entrepreneurs go to the Iowa Department of Economic Development Web site www.iowalifechanging.com/for information and contacts.

MARK OLCHEFSKE, director of regional business development services at North Iowa Community Continued on next page

4 • IN BUSINESS

GLOBE GAZETTE • SEPTEMBER 2009

NEW BUSINESS/From Page 3 College’s John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, says they are “seeing much more traffic within our centers” in recent months.

“There seem to be more people who are either kicking their lifestyle businesses up a notch or interested in starting a new business,” Olchefske said.

“Entrepreneurship has become a more well-trodden path recently with the downturn in the economy.”

Micro enterprises and home-based businesses exist, but don’t really “show up on the radar in a traceable form,” he said, because most do not register with the county or state unless some type of license is required.

“There are many reasons why people create a lifestyle business like Pampered Chef, Avon or something of the sort,” Olchefske said. “It may be a trauma such as losing a job or simply the need for more income.”

WHAT TYPE of business really works in the current economic climate?

“First you need to be solving a real problem in the marketplace,” Olchefske said. “Traditionally, those types of businesses do well in any economy, especially during a downturn or recession.”

Pappajohn Centers are a “one-stop shop” for accessing public and other financial programs, he says. “More people are coming to us because access to capital is such an issue at this point.”

Program leaders at the Pappajohn Centers, IDED and Iowa’s Small Business Administration offices can point budding entrepreneurs in the right direction, from initial training and development to accessing capital and legal counsel to writing a business plan and creating the best business structure.

If you have a good product or service idea and are poised to solve a marketplace problem, there is a way to make the business viable, even in tough economic times. Often businesses that start during a downturn become extremely profitable, according to economic experts.

TAKING THE PLUNGE: FINANCES

Need money to get started? You’ve got options — but do your homework

BY JAN HORGEN For In Business our innovative idea has a proven market. Your business plan is solid. Now it’s time to secure financing.

There are options; from banks to venture capital groups; Small Business Administration, state and federally funded grants; or forgivable loans and private investors, including friends or relatives.

Careful study will reveal possible advantages or drawbacks of funding from these sources.

Iowa has financial assistance available in varying degrees at the state level, according to Doug Lewis, entrepreneurial development coordinator for the Iowa Department of Economic Development.

“I work with three targeted industries — bioscience, advanced manufacturing and information technology,” he said.

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INNOVATION AND commercialization are two important aspects when seeking financing, he said.

No matter the lender or investor, you will need to present your idea and business plan.

Make it concise and quick. Work out cash-flow projections that are understandable at a glance. Be realistic about the repayment schedule. Have collateral information clearly defined.

You are selling yourself, your knowledge and previous work experience along with the business idea.

Have a readable resume to distribute.

If the idea is to expand an existing business venture, share current financial figures and balance sheets, monthly and annuals.

Be confident. Be prepared. Be curious about options.

Consider the lenders being targeted, then create the presentation. A potential stockholder wants to hear the realistic possibilities for profit. Bank and debt financing officers want to see repayment numbers and schedules.

Iowa’s John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers are an acknowledged informational resource for start-up businesses and expanding companies.

“We are a one-stop shop as far as accessing public and other financial programs. People come to us because access to capital is such an issue at this point,” said Mark Olchefske, director of regional Continued on next page

SEPTEMBER 2009 • GLOBE GAZETTE

IN BUSINESS • 5

FINANCES/From Page 4 development services at John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center in Mason City, where North Iowa entrepreneurs can go for initial training, writing business plans, searching out financing options and much more.

The Small Business Administration, with Iowa offices based in Des Moines, has numerous options for financing business starts.

“SBA has new or modified programs to help support banks so money can be loaned out to small businesses and micro businesses to get these going forward,” Olchefske said. “On the flip side, bank regulators are pressuring banks to be more restrictive, to do things to shore up their own balance sheets. So there are conflicting issues.”

Business owners can contact the SBA, which received some American Recovery Act funding, to be tapped by existing businesses that were successful in the past but have “hit a rough patch” and are struggling in the current recession, he said. There is also a floor planning program specifically designed for business owners who have automobiles, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and boats, according to SBA officials.

“And the 7A loan guarantee, one of the most com-

“

We are a one-stop shop as far as accessing public and other financial programs. People come to us because access to capital is such an issue at this point.”

— Mark Olchefske Director of regional development services at John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, Mason City

mon loan programs, has been elevated from 75 to 90 percent government guarantee if a loan defaults and some fees have been waived,” Olchefske said.

Information and useful links are available on the Iowa Small Business Development Centers Web site: www.iowasbdc.org.

The Iowa Department of Economic Development Web site is also very helpful at www.iowalifechanging.com; scroll to business.

Lewis also pointed to a site specifically for entrepreneurs, www.iowaentrepreneur.com.

“Through this portal we connect Iowa entrepre-

neurs with potential investors and management talent,” he said.

FINDING THE MONEY may be closer to home than you think. While people are often hesitant to ask relatives and friends to be investors, those closest to you may be very interested in buying a piece of the entrepreneurial pie.

As with any other potential revenue stream, be professional, prepared and courteous. Present solid facts and figures on debt and honest projections for repayment.

Don’t take offense if they ask for verification of personal finances including assets and tax statements. Secure the deal with a written contract that spells out specific terms to avoid any misunderstandings down the road.

If you intend to approach a bank for financing, it is important to know the majority of banks want to make loans on hard assets such as buildings or depreciable equipment, not “blue sky.”

For bankers, the ability to repay principal and interest is the priority, not a huge profit margin, so define your repayment schedule with solid figures.

Continued on next page

6 • IN BUSINESS

GLOBE GAZETTE • SEPTEMBER 2009

TAKING THE PLUNGE: LEGALITIES

Attorneys can help you in so many areas Make sure they’re familiar with local, state and federal regulations

Business structure, operations, even the name can have legal significance.

Is the name you want available or in use? The secBY JAN HORGEN retary of state’s office may be For In Business helpful in running a search to determine if any business is ntrepreneurs learn already registered under the quickly that starting a business means winding desired name.

Check with this office also through a labyrinth of legal to find out how long you can issues. keep a name reserved and if These decisions start long before an operation is up and there is a fee.

You will need time to prerunning. It is always best to pare legal documents such as consult an attorney familiar partnership agreements, with local, state and federal regulations and requirements articles of organization or incorporation before you before plunging into such a officially register a business venture.

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name with the regulating authority.

Be aware that in some states, including Iowa, a sole proprietorship or limited partnership may not require registering with the secretary of state.

“In Iowa, sole proprietorships and limited partnerships are supposed to register with the county but most don’t,” said Mark Olchefske, director of regional business development services at North Iowa Community College’s John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center.

He has found that many micro enterprises and home-

based businesses exist “but don’t really show up on the radar in a traceable form.”

Do the research, even plugging the potential company name into an Internet search engine to look for possible duplication.

Know what the zoning ordinances are for the location where you intend to conduct business.

Just because there are other businesses in the area does not necessarily mean you will get approval for the type of zoning you need.

Do some homework before purchasing or leasing land or buildings; check with city

and county officials to be certain your company is compliant with zoning laws.

If there are any needed changes, it could take time and may require that property owners in the area do not object.

Deciding on business structure is an extremely important step. There are different license requirements and different legal steps for a sole proprietorship, partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability corporations and S-corporations. It is often best to hire an attorney to research all Continued on next page

FINANCES/From Page 5 Loan standards to small businesses will vary greatly between banking firms. Most require projections for two years of profitable operation and may loan only up to half the company’s capitalized value.

SOME ENTREPRENEURS start with a personal loan. Before accepting financing that requires a personal guarantee, decide if you can afford to forfeit your personal assets if the business fails. No one expects a business to fail, but it happens. If you do finance with a personal loan, you will need to prove net worth and make a statement of assets.

Traditionally, venture capital groups concentrate on later stages of business development, although some routinely back business starts, usually with an entrepreneur who has a track record of successful and profitable ideas. Venture capital funding tends to be more short term, some with return on investment expected in five years or less.

And be persistent. If the first several lending institutions or options fail, continue on, use all the resources at your disposal to market that service or product that could change your life.

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SEPTEMBER 2009 • GLOBE GAZETTE

IN BUSINESS • 7

LEGALITIES/From Page 6 applicable legal ramifications.

Sales of products and services may require specific licenses.

Once again check with local or state officials to be certain of the law.

Information on required licenses and regulations of interstate sales and services can be found through the Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C. Sole proprietorships are often the easiest type of company to start, giving the entrepreneur complete control over business operations. But there can be drawbacks as business grows.

One of the obvious drawbacks if that if something happens to the sole proprietor, the business will cease to function in its present form.

INCOME FROM a sole proprietorship is considered personal income and must be declared as such on a Schedule C tax form.

You will need to make quarterly estimated income tax payments to the Internal Revenue Service.

Partnership agreements are important to define assets each person brings to the operation, the specific company role of each partner and what share each will have in profits and liability.

Some companies even draw up a dissolution agreement so there are no misunderstandings should any or all decide the business is not working for them.

While somewhat complicated to form, a corporation is often a good idea for small business owners.

Before incorporating, check into what tax advantages might be available and be sure to define liability issues associated with the business.

One advantage of an S-corporation is that it is a distinct legal entity separating the business from any individual assets should any legal or financial problems surface. You need to understand there is much more government involvement, more required filings and regulations in corporations than in sole proprietorships or partnerships.

Limited liability corporations are often less expensive to start and have the flexible, less restrictive tax obligations of a partnership while maintaining the advantage of corporate protection for personal assets. A competent attorney should be able to advise you as to which may best suit your needs.

RESEARCH THE NEED for nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements with suppliers, even the financial backer used.

You need to protect your ideas and investment. Suppliers may require contracts and you will want a contract that prevents possible competitors from accessing your business information.

Starting a business is a huge investment and you need to cover all the legal bases. Never assume; research and investigate even the smallest questions to be certain you meet license regulations, zoning requirements, tax codes, even environmental laws.

Sources for this report were U.S. Department of Commerce; BusinessTown.com; Streetwise Small Business Start Up.

8 • IN BUSINESS

GLOBE GAZETTE • SEPTEMBER 2009

TAKING THE PLUNGE: ONE WOMAN’S STORY

Find a niche, then pursue your passion That’s the advice from ‘customer evangelist’ who says she looks for ways to spoil customers daily

By JAN HORGEN For In Business

“funky little shop worth the stop” is how Chelle Timmreck markets her Urban Girl glass bead and gift business in Bismarck, N.D. It is a growing venture, even with the recent economic downturn.

Urban Girl is Timmreck’s passion.

The shop sells beads from around the globe — crystal, silver, copper, gold, gemstones — as well as leather in finished products. Or you may choose to “belly up to the bead bar” and string your own unique jewelry.

Customers will also find unique purses, luggage and other fine gifts.

Timmreck refined the art of beading in her studio and now teaches classes in her shop. She has clients who drive six hours from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area for a taste of the Urban Girl experience in Bismarck.

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SHE OPENED the business with 500 square feet of space, remodeled three times in the first 14 months and made a $53,000 profit her first year, then moved to her current location where

she has been for more than four years.

Today, Urban Girl offers 1,000 square feet of finished items and 1,000 square feet of unfinished product for beading.

“You have to open a niche, fulfill a hole in your particular community,” Timmreck says. “I decided after my grandmother’s funeral I would pursue my passion. I always wanted to own my own store and my husband promised he would always feed me, so I made the leap.”

What makes her shop such an attraction?

“Selection,” Timmreck says quickly.

“I have more beads than most any other place. Glass beads from Czechoslovakia, beads from Italy, from Germany and Africa, different types of beads from all over the world.”

CUSTOMER SERVICE is another priority. She collects customer feedback whenever possible, even from those who do not do business in her shop.

As if she had a clock with 48 instead of 24 hours in a day, Timmreck makes time for a second career, as a sales development manager for Lee Enterprises Inc., owner of the Globe Gazette.

Her corporate position requires traveling the country to Lee publishing

“

If you are not getting five written or verbal kudos in a month, you need to work on customer service.”

verbal kudos in a month you need to work on customer service,” she says.

FINDING GOOD EMPLOYEES is an absolute for customer service, Timmreck says.

“Find people that are passionate about your products and services. Then empower them to be a part of your business,” she says.

Always keep product lines fresh.

— Entrepreneur Chelle Timmreck, “You cannot continue to carry the self-proclaimed customer evangelist same thing over and over. Do your homework. Find and follow trends. Be locations where Timmreck shares her aware of what is happening in your expertise on advertising and marketbusiness market.” ing.

Researching to find new product “I draw from what I have done with lines, Timmreck learned baby items my retail store, my employees and as a trend up as much as 12 percent during customer evangelist,” she says. recessions. She added a line of infant Timmreck practices customer evangifts. gelism, considering on a daily basis “Even an insurance company needs how she can “spoil the customer,” findto know how they can make themselves ing ways to get her customers to talk different from their competition,” she about her business with everyone they says. “Exploit the difference. The key is know. knowing and listening to your customer Beyond filling a need, successful base.” businesses offer exemplary customer Timmreck says she advertises excluservice.

Continued on next page “If you are not getting five written or

SEPTEMBER 2009 • GLOBE GAZETTE

IN BUSINESS • 9

TIMMRECK/From Page 8 sively in newspapers.

In the early years, she also had a shop in Grand Forks, N.D. “I did some radio and cable television in Grand Forks and advertised exclusively in the paper in Bismarck,” Timmreck said. “When the first year was done, sales were double at least 10 or 12 months in Bismarck because I used the newspaper consistently.”

By creating unique, innovative newspaper ads on a consistent basis, Timmreck believes she is reaching her most profitable customers. She suggests using the consumer’s own words to attract them back to the store.

“I believe newspapers reach a more affluent, higher-income customers than other advertising markets,” she says, pointing to a 28 percent increase in sales in one month after starting a large newspaper advertising campaign.

IN HER PRESENTATIONS Timmreck emphasizes how crucial it is to understand the customer base.

“What are their lifestyles?

How can you get in front of

them? How can you create a message that speaks directly to them?”

Creating a business logo may be a good idea, especially for some types of businesses, but do not make the mistake of thinking that logo is your brand.

“It is not, it is only a piece of the brand,” Timmreck says. “A brand is simply a picture that consumers have in their minds when they think of your products or service.”

SO BE VERY careful about what goes out of your business, especially with a logo. Be sure each item reflects how you want your business branded, Timmreck cautions.

Spend time talking with consumers, ask what they are doing for the summer. Ask about holiday plans or special events.

“Then run like-minded ads,” she says.

Timmreck ends her marketing presentations with this thought: “Blessed are the flexible, for they are never bent out of shape. As business owners we need to be flexible, to bend and mold to our customers’ needs.”

ADVICE: TECHNOLOGY

Establish your online presence

By MICHAEL MUNSHOWER For In Business hen starting a new business, a top priority for many is establishing an online presence.

That means choosing a domain name and setting up a Web site so anyone with Internet access can easily find out about your products or services.

ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) is the organization that governs the domain name industry. Part of ICANN’s mission involves certifying companies known as registrars. Through a registrar, businesses and individuals can select and buy a domain name.

There was a time when Network Solutions was the only registrar; now there are dozens.

For a list of accredited registrars, see www.icann.org/en/registrars/accreditedlist.html. Prices and terms vary, so shop around.

Your choice of domain name should ideally be the same or very similar to the name of your new business. This can be a real challenge sometimes.

Many people will tell you that all the “good” names are all ready taken. Even if your business startup is months away,

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About the author: Michael Munshower is a system technician for the Globe Gazette. Reach him at michael.munshower@ globegazette.com.

choosing and buying a domain name right now is a good idea because the name might not be available when you need it.

Some things to consider when choosing a domain name: • What TLD (top-level domain) to use.

This is what follows the “dot.” The most common is .com.

There are other TLDs: .org, .biz, .info, .edu and the list goes on, including country-specific domains. Dot.com is probably the best choice because most folks recognize this as being a Web site.

• Don’t use a hyphen in your domain name. Although hyphens are allowed, they’re not easy to remember and potential customers may end up going to the wrong Web site by accident.

• Avoid text message style shorthand Continued on Page 28

SEPTEMBER 2009 • GLOBE GAZETTE

IN BUSINESS • 11

YOUR HEALTH

BRYON HOULGRAVE/In Business

Sharon Ryg of Clear Lake struggles to hold on to a wooden bar held by physical therapist Don Barnes during a wellness seminar recently at Larson Manufacturing in Clear Lake.

Don’t beat up your body Physical therapist stresses prevention of workplace maladies

By TIM ACKARMAN For In Business od designed an amazing body,” says physical therapist Don Barnes with Lake Mills Therapy Center.

“We as humans have designed lots of ways to have it not work or to beat it up.”

During his 33 years as a therapist, Barnes has helped rehabilitate plenty of those beat-up bodies.

While this is still an important aspect of his work, in recent years he also has enjoyed the opportuni-

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ty to help prevent some of the injuries he might otherwise treat.

In August, Barnes held three lunch-and-learn seminars for employees of Larson Manufacturing in Clear Lake. He discussed the importance of good body position in the prevention of repetitive stress injuries of the hand, wrist, arm and shoulder.

Modern ergonomic research has led to the development of safer approaches to repetitive tasks. By teaching the principles of good body mechanics and modifying

workplaces to minimize repetitive stress, employers can reduce the incidences of overuse injuries.

Despite advancements in workplace safety, such injuries are still occurring in significant numbers.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures from 2007 indicate repetitive stress led to more than 36,000 injuries resulting in at least one missed day of work for employees at private companies.

Most experts agree lost-time injuries represent only a fraction Continued on Page 14

14 • IN BUSINESS

GLOBE GAZETTE • SEPTEMBER 2009

Want to avoid injury? Think! pressure, awkward postures, working near the end of a joint’s range of motion and vibration.

Body or joint position issues hink about what you are the most frequent contribdo,” advises Don utors as well as the most easily Barnes, a physical addressed. therapist employed by Eastern “People get into awkward, Iowa Therapeutics and workdamaging positions all the ing at Lake Mills Care Center. time,” Barnes says.

Many injuries treated by Common upper-extremity physical therapists result from injuries include rotator cuff repetitive stress. Workplace strains or tears, tendinitis, activities, athletics and physi- bursitis, tennis elbow, golfer’s cally demanding chores or elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome hobbies can all contribute to and ulnar nerve entrapment. such injuries.

“Most start with overuse or BRYON HOULGRAVE/In Business Risk factors noted by Barnes a fatigue-type situation,” include highly repetitious Physical therapist Don Barnes demonstrates proper methods for lifting during a wellness seminar at Larson Barnes says. activities, heavy weight or Continued on Page 17 Manufacturing in Clear Lake.

Avoid getting into awkward positions that could lead to injury

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HEALTH/From Page 11 of total repetitive stress cases. More difficult to track are those in which an injured employee is able to remain at work but suffers from decreased productivity or must be reassigned to a less strenuous task.

OSHA estimates from 2001 put the total cost of these injuries to U.S. businesses at $20 billion annually. Some industry analysts have placed the impact even higher.

Corporations once considered this an inevitable result of manual labor and accepted it as a cost of doing business. That attitude is changing.

The lunch-and-learn seminars are new at Larson but the concept of taking steps to improve employee health is not. Barnes frequently works with Larson’s ergonomics team to address job-site improvements.

For more than two years Larson has also contracted with Lake Mills Therapy Center to offer an employee wellness program.

Barnes visits the Larson plants in Lake Mills and Clear Lake weekly, providing employees the opportunity to discuss musculo-skeletal concerns as well as other health and fitness issues.

“It’s more about wellness rather than reaction” after a problem develops, says Brad Worrall, HR

manager at the Clear Lake plant.

There is no charge to employees for this service, and discussions need not be limited to work-related issues.

“If it’s raking leaves in the fall, fishing or archery in the summer, it still affects their performance,” Worrall says. “We need to deal with it.”

“The neat part,” says Barnes, “is Larson has figured out if the employee is healthy they’re more productive, no matter where the problem is.”

Assessing the impact of preventative programs is difficult. It’s hard to measure what didn’t happen.

Worrall doesn’t see this as a problem.

“It’s more just the right thing to do rather than something we have to justify,” he says.

Clear Lake Plant Manager Daren Meints agrees, but also believes there have been tangible benefits in terms of productivity.

“Are our people working smarter? I can tell you yes.”

SEPTEMBER 2009

IN BUSINESS

HEALTH

Taking care of parents: What can you do?

BOB FENSKE/For In Business

Bill Hansen works in Hansen Hardware, a Forest City store owned and operated by his family for more than 100 years.

It’s a growing problem, experts say

By TIM ACKARMAN For In Business orraine Amelsberg of Forest City recently returned from a trip to Minnesota. Her fifth grandchild arrived this summer and Amelsberg spent a week “cooking, cleaning and holding babies.”

Amelsberg is the lead nurse at Mercy Family Clinic-Forest City. Although she and husband Jim, a private counselor, enjoy the occasional couple’s

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Continued on Page 17

SEPTEMBER 2009 • GLOBE GAZETTE

IN BUSINESS • 17

PARENTS/From Page 15 assisting her in-laws.

Eva Olson suffered health setbacks last year requiring hospitalizations, frequent doctor visits and a long NOT ALL “family things” have been recovery period. At the same time, as enjoyable as playing doting grand- Lorraine’s mother, Evelyn Hill, required orthopedic surgery. Her mother, however. Lorraine has also father, John, faces health challenges spent some of her off time providing as well. (Don Olson died in 2007.) care for her and Jim’s aging parents.

Lorraine’s siblings were able to Jim’s stepdad, Don Olson, develassist with her parents. oped serious health problems a few “My sister’s sort of the designated years ago. Jim’s mother, Eva, struggled case manager for them,” she says. to provide adequate care at home, Still, some effort was required to coordinate his medical visits and make sure everyone’s needs were met. understand the treatments and med“It took some conversations about ications recommended by his doctors. who was going to do what,” Lorraine “They needed an advocate,” Lorsays. raine says.

Jim’s only employee is a part-time SUCH CONVERSATIONS are office manager. Rearranging or canceling appointments to accommodate increasingly common in many families and in many workplaces. U.S. Census family needs can create an inconvenBureau statistics for 2007 estimate ience for his clients and a financial nearly 15 percent of Iowans are over 65 hardship for the Amelsbergs. with 2.5 percent over 85. At the same “For me, when I don’t work I don’t time, many employees are choosing, or get money,” Jim says. being forced by the poor economy, to Lorraine’s employer provides paid work past traditional retirement age. time off and there are co-workers At Mercy Forest City alone, Lorraine available if she must be away.

“I’ve got a great group of nurses that notes, at least five other employees have TIM ACKARMAN/For In Business have been willing to cover,” she says. been forced to miss work while dealing Having greater flexibility at work as with health issues for parents or parEva Olson (center) and her daughter-in-law Lorraine Amelsberg (right) talk with Olson’s well as more extensive medical knowl- ents-in-law during the past two years. doctor, Lynne Senty, D.O., during a recent visit to Mercy Family Clinic-Forest City. Amelsedge, Lorraine took a lead role in Continued on Page 22 berg missed work several times last fall and winter to assist Olson during a health setback. getaway, such trips are the exception.

“Most of my time off has been for family things,” Lorraine says.

INJURY/From Page 14 Preventative measures include maintaining a neutral wrist position and keeping the hands and elbows below shoulder height. Activities in which this is not possible should be performed infrequently or alternated with less demanding tasks.

Back injuries also commonly result from repetitive stress.

“We spend our lives bending forward working on things,” Barnes says. “What we don’t do is bend back.

That gets us out of whack.”

Minor repetitive stress injuries can be treated by discontinuing the offending activity, applying ice to the area for 20 minutes several times daily, gently

stretching the muscle or joint and exercising the injured part within pain-free limits.

Using over-the-counter pain relievers may help but those taking prescription medications or suffering from other medical conditions should consult their doctor first.

Injuries failing to improve within one to two weeks require medical attention. Symptoms for which Barnes recommends more urgent intervention include unrelenting pain, throbbing pain, consistent loss of sleep and objective weakness or loss of sensation.

— By Tim Ackarman

SEPTEMBER 2009 • GLOBE GAZETTE

IN BUSINESS • 19

WOMEN & BUSINESS

‘Doing what comes naturally’ Susan Moorman’s creative talents are visible throughout the clothing store she and husband Scott own

By LAURA BIRD For In Business

ASON CITY — It didn’t take Susan and Scott Moorman long to decide who would do what when they opened Moorman Clothiers 16 years ago.

“It just kind of came naturally,” Susan said. “I had kind of a design background and more creative side, and Scott is definitely more of a numbers and business type.”

Susan has co-owned the business with Scott since it was created. She takes care of the displays, buys women’s clothes, works the floor and helps buy men’s clothes a little bit. She does this for their stores in Mason City and Ames.

“I like that it lets me use my creative side,” she said.

Her design background comes from art classes and working at a design center during college. Susan worked as an interior designer before opening Moorman Clothiers.

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Continued on next page

Among her other duties, Susan Moorman buys women’s clothes and handles the displays for the business she owns with husband Scott, Moorman Clothiers.

LAURA BIRD/In Business

20 • IN BUSINESS

GLOBE GAZETTE • SEPTEMBER 2009

WOMEN & BUSINESS

Helping a friend turns into blessing in disguise Favor leads to successful cleaning business

By RHONDA REGAN For In Business

ASON CITY — Midwest North Iowa Janitorial Services Inc. has been cleaning North Iowa for more than 20 years.

Family owned and operated, Mary Ellen Andolino started the business in 1986, incorporated in 1990 and has developed it into a successful business providing residential and commercial professional cleaning services.

Andolino originally started in the

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cleaning business in Minnesota when a friend asked her to help clean houses.

At the time, she and her husband owned a small grocery store while raising a family.

“I wanted something to do that would let me be at home when the kids needed me,” she said. “Cleaning provided the flexibility I needed while letting me raise my family.”

Helping the friend clean was a blessing in disguise for Andolino. “I found Continued on next page

MOORMAN/From Page 19 The displays have become an important part of the business with it being located at State and Federal in downtown Mason City.

“It’s so visual from both sides,” Susan said.

The challenge has been coming up with new designs. She often looks at the store displays in larger cities for inspiration.

Women’s clothing has been a growing aspect of the business. Moorman Clothiers didn’t have any women’s clothes when it opened.

Susan travels to Chicago, Minneapolis, Des Moines and occasionally Las Vegas for markets and shows.

“I think the biggest thing has been learning to buy things that aren’t my personal taste,” she said. “It took a while to look at other tastes.”

Classy and trendy clothes are what

she tries to feature in the store.

Her and Scott’s efforts, along with good customer service and community involvement, have made Moorman Clothiers successful, she says.

“I love being part of the community and downtown,” she said.

Being part of the community is the Scott Moorman biggest piece of advice she has for women who are interesting in opening a business.

“Just get out and meet people,” Susan said. “Sometimes when they see you they’ll think they need to come in sometime.”

She also recommends good customer service and never giving up.

“Make sure to set your goals,” she said, “and be persistent.”

In Business is online at www.globegazette.com

SEPTEMBER 2009 • GLOBE GAZETTE

IN BUSINESS • 21

CLEANING/From Page 20 out that I really liked to clean.”

After working in the cleaning business for five years with only a high school diploma and no formal training, she decided to enter the commercial side of the profession. Some of her clients included dentists’ offices, car dealerships and other small businesses.

By the time she struck out on her own, Andolino had developed management skills through managing a major project for a cleaning client during the client’s absence.

“I was responsible for overseeing all operations of a million dollar project,” she said. “From that I learned how to manage people and to make sure things got done on time.”

Managing employees has come fairly easy to Andolino because of how she approaches employee management. She wants to help them make a better life for themselves and if giving them a job is what they need then she will be there for them.

“I encourage employees if they get a better opportunity and want to move on,” she said. “For many of my previous employees this has been a stepping stone for them.”

As for managing her business, she relies on family.

Her office manager is her daughter, Bettejo, and her oldest son, Leonardo (Lenny), is being groomed as operations manager upon Andolino’s retirement.

However, Andolino is still heavily involved in the business.

“All of the customers talk to me first before I forward them to somebody else,” she said.

Andolino said she doesn’t focus on the dollar but on the service. Her business philosophy is very simple: “I want to go beyond what is expected of me, to reach higher and to do more than what is required.”

“

I got my energy from God and I have always felt that I could do more than I already am.”

— Mary Ellen Andolino Midwest North Iowa Janitorial Services

That’s why, she said, she hand-picked area professionals to partner with her in managing her business.

“You have to hire people that know what they are doing and are good at what they do,” she said.

Andolino credits God and hard work for her success. “I got my energy from God and I have always felt that I could do more than I already am.”

Andolino has received several business awards recognizing her achievements. Among them, she was named the 2006 Businesswoman of the Year by the Business Advisory Council. She has also been honored by the Heritage Registry of Who’s Who, most recently in the 2008-2009 edition.

Her business has State of Iowa Targeted Small Business Certification, received in April 2008.

Andolino doesn’t claim to know what's in store for Midwest, only that “they’ll have to carry me out feet first.”

Just the details about Midwest N.I. Janitorial: • Address: 13 Sixth St. N.E., Mason City, IA 50401-7005.

• Phone: 641-423-8796 • Employees: 17 to 20.

• Generates a half-million-dollars in sales annually.

22 • IN BUSINESS

GLOBE GAZETTE • SEPTEMBER 2009

PARENTS/From Page 17 Kathy Olson is the cluster manager for three Mercy clinics, including Forest City.

“We make every accommodation for people to take care of a family member,” she says.

Olson says she is fortunate to have several parttime staffers willing to pick up extra hours if needed. When replacement workers are not available, however, remaining staff members are expected to keep things functioning.

“If it (an absence) leaves a hole, it leaves a hole,” Olson says. “We work it out. We’re never going to say no.”

There is federal protection for workers who must care for a seriously ill family member. The Family Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) provides workers up to 12 weeks per year of unpaid leave to deal with a personal medical condition or that of a child, spouse or parent. When a worker returns, the employer is required to provide the same position or one with comparable pay, benefits and responsibility. FMLA applies only to organizations with 50 or more employees.

PROLONGED OR RECURRENT absences are even more difficult for small businesses with fewer resources.

Phil Hansen of Hansen’s Hardware is among the most respected businessmen in Forest City. “He was still running the place at 82,” says his daughter and store co-owner Kelly Lillie.

Recent health problems forced Hansen to relinquish the lead role in his family business and finally to stop working altogether. His wife, Mary, who worked at the store part-time most days, also left to help him.

Lillie and her siblings faced the dual challenges of helping care for their father while running the business with less help.

“Bill (Hansen, Lillie’s brother) stepped up to the plate,” Lillie says. “He’ll be the majority owner.”

The store’s one part-time and three full-time employees from outside the Hansen family have taken on additional responsibilities in bookkeeping and purchasing.

Lillie and her sister, Heidi Hansen, both nurses as well, assist their mother with the sometimes-difficult task of coordinating their father’s care. Phil Hansen has at times tried to minimize the extent of his illness.

“He wouldn’t always share everything that was said at the doctor’s office,” Lillie notes.

Eva Olson has been more forthcoming, says Lorraine Amelsberg. The pair has shared frank conversations with Eva’s doctors regarding the expected course of her illness.

Currently, both Eva Olson and the Hills are in relatively stable health. Yet all are aware this could change.

“I haven’t had to apply for FMLA yet,” Lorraine says, “but who knows what the next round will be like?”

WOMEN & BUSINESS

Study: Lack of training holds back female execs

By JOYCE GANNON Pittsburgh Post-Gazette f women had the same exposure as men to programs grooming them for top leadership roles, there would be more females populating executive offices, according to a recent report about gender discrimination in the workplace.

“What our data showed is that they are stacking the deck against women right from the start,” said Ann Howard, chief scientist of Development Dimensions International, the Bridgeville, Pa., consulting firm that conducted the study.

Specifically, Howard and coauthor Richard Wellins, a senior vice president at DDI, found women being shut out of “high-potential” programs designed to boost people’s careers by providing experiences

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such as managing multinational business units or training and support that helps them transition smoothly to higher-level jobs.

The study, called “Holding Women Back,” included surveys of about 10,000 leaders at 376 organizations worldwide. Of the total number surveyed earlier this year, 62 percent of respondents were men and 38 percent were women.

As both men and women rose through the ranks, the gap widened between the genders in involvement in leadership-development programs.

At the first level of management, the study found, 19 percent of men and 15 percent of women were in high-potential programs. By the time they reached the top executive level, 39 percent of men were con-

sidered high-potentials compared with only 26 percent of women.

“That was a rude awakening,” said Howard. “There were 50 percent more men than women getting special attention and special development.”

Among the steps organizations should take to help more women advance, the study concluded, is to formalize succession planning and use objective evaluations for promotions and salary programs.

“We’re recommending formal programs that somebody is looking at and thinking about. Does the program have fairness and common standards? Do we have ways to evaluate who’s in the program and who isn’t that are fair? Once you do, you start to see the gender differences disappear.”

SEPTEMBER 2009 • GLOBE GAZETTE

IN BUSINESS • 23

UP CLOSE: THE PAPPAJOHN CENTER

Goal: Be a one-stop shop for businesses

By MARY PIEPER

entrepreneurship classes.

However, the different centers evenhen the John Pappajohn tually developed individual approaches.

Entrepreneurial Center For example, the JPEC at Drake Uniopened on the North Iowa versity still focuses on Area Community College campus in entrepreneurship educa1997, it had two staff members and tion but the centers at offered some entrepreneurship classes. both the University of Today the center has eight staff Northern Iowa and members and touches thousands of NIACC emphasize lives in North Iowa each year through external community business consulting and planning prooutreach. grams, workshops, a sales academy, a The JPEC at NIACC Pappajohn business incubator and entrepreneurworks with start-ups as ship programs for youth. well as businesses that have been Director Jamie Zanios said the staff around for many years. wants it to be a “one-stop shop” for “We are like a physician to a compabusinesses in North Iowa so they don’t ny,” Zanios said. have to “run all over the state” to get The staff may not know all the the help they need. answers but can diagnose problems and During the 1990s, Des Moines venfind outside help if necessary, accordture capitalist John Pappajohn donated ing to Zanios. millions of dollars to create a network “Partnerships are critical to us,” he of five college and university-based said. entrepreneurial centers across the state JPEC partners include local econom— including one in his hometown of ic development groups, state organizaMason City. tions such as the Iowa Department of At first all the centers mainly offered Economic Development, national orgaFor In business

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nizations such as the U.S. Small Business Administration and local bankers, CPAs, attorneys and other business professionals.

JPEC works with the Iowa Department of Revenue to bring tax workshops to North Iowa.

A representative from the Iowa Department of Revenue also has office hours at the JPEC two days a month.

Zanios FastTrac is one of the first programs offered by the JPEC at NIACC. It’s a program that existed before JPEC opened its doors, and has been expanded.

FastTrac includes NewVenture for new business owners and GrowthVenture for the owners of existing businesses.

NewVenture assists entrepreneurs in developing their business concept and evaluating it.

GrowthVenture assists entrepreneurs in evaluating their current business framework and determining the

changes needed to improve performance.

NIACC JPEC Associate Director Tim Putnam said people in the program benefit from being able to talk to each other about their successes as well as their frustrations.

JPEC clients in the FastTrac program have created more than 300 new businesses over the past 10 years. As of 2007, 78 percent of those businesses were still in operation.

JPEC is working with people in Osage and Charles City so FastTrac can be offered there in addition to in Mason City.

“Working throughout our region is extremely important,” Zanios said.

JPEC also offers the Ultimate Sales Academy for those who want to learn to be better salespeople.

JPEC is getting requests from all over the country to license the program.

Last year 1,200 fifth-graders came on campus for Entrepreneuer for a Day. Kelley Crane, school partnership entrepreneurial coordinator, said the Continued on next page

24 • IN BUSINESS

GLOBE GAZETTE • SEPTEMBER 2009

Meet the Pappajohn Center staff:

JPEC/From Page 23

He provides consulting to new North Iowa companies through the Regional Business Incubator His prior busiSystem funded by Congress and ness experience He has led prewith established companies includes senior vice sentations and through the Business Accelerapresident of Kingworkshops on He focuses on tor Program funded by the Iowa land Systems Corp.; entrepreneurial helping entrepreDepartment of Economic Develdirector of sales and education, creating neurs start, operopment. marketing at Wellan entrepreneurial community cre- ate and exit their businesses in He also provides technical born Industries; president of Zanios ating a community angel fund and addition to offering workshops and assistance to businesses owned Foods; founder of Century Wines Ltd.; small business development at state training sessions. by women, minorities and indifounder of a National Software Users and national conferences.

He has more than 25 years of viduals with disabilities through Group for a proprietary software Current areas of focus include experience as a local entrepreneur.

IDED’s Targeted Small Business application; investment representacreating an entrepreneurial camBair graduated from NIACC and Program. tive for Paine Webber; and vice presi- pus, entrepreneurship education, received his bachelor’s degree from He received his bachelor’s dent of The Patten Cos.-Advertising. statewide FastTrac programming, Buena Vista University. He has also degree in mechanical engineerHis other business activities administrative support for the completed additional coursework at ing from the University of Mininclude commercial real estate North Iowa Venture Capital Fund the University of Iowa. nesota and a master’s degree in development, managing partner in LLC and regional economic develbusiness administration from Atlas Properties LLC and presiopment through entrepreneurship. the University of St. Thomas. dent/chairman of Iowa Packaging Putnam has more than 10 years Mark Olchefske, Over the past 25 years, he has director of of management experience with Corp. held executive positions in prodregional He is a 1964 graduate of Mason Pizza Hut of America Inc. uct development, operations, business He has a bachelor’s degree in City High School and received his import/export, marketing, and development business administration from bachelor of business administrageneral management at a variety services at Kansas State University and a mastion degree with an emphasis in of industry leading companies.

JPEC: ter’s in public administration from journalism in 1969 from the UniverDrake University. sity of Iowa.

Continued on next page

Jamie T. Zanios, director:

Tim Putnam, associate director:

Ted Bair, director, Small Business Development Center:

program was started because “we want the kids to think about job creation.”

The program is approaching its fourth full year. Fifteen North Iowa school districts are involved.

Entrepreneur for a Day is actually a two-day program.

The first day takes place in the school district classroom. The students are brought to the NIACC campus for the second day.

JPEC currently is developing a program for third-graders.

The center also offers a Youth Entrepreneurial Academy in the summer for high school students.

Zanios said when JPEC first opened, most people couldn’t spell entrepreneurship, let alone knew what it was.

Today that has changed, but “we still have a lot of work to do,” he said.

SEPTEMBER 2009 • GLOBE GAZETTE

IN BUSINESS • 25

Meet the Pappajohn Center staff (continued): Terry Schumaker, economic development director, Workforce Development Partnership: The partnership is made up of North Iowa Area Community College and Iowa Workforce Development.

Schumaker works with North Iowa businesses to help them access business services available to them through NIACC and IWD. Some of his primary focuses are assisting businesses in accessing job training funds through the Iowa Department of Economic Development and customizing employee recruitment and training strategies.

He also works closely with North Iowa economic development organizations and other college and workforce development staff on various economic and workforce development projects.

Prior to coming to NIACC, he

spent four years as executive vice president of the Oskaloosa Area Chamber & Development Group.

He has an associate of arts degree from NIACC, a bachelor of science degree in public administration and economics from Minnesota State University and a master’s of business administration degree from Drake University.

Kelley Crane, school partnership entrepreneurial coordinator: She focuses on K12 entrepreneurial education.

Crane received her bachelor of science degree in public relations from Northwest Missouri State University. Her background is in community relations, recruitment and education.

Elizabeth Barker, administrative assistant for the Business Incubator at JPEC: She received her bachelor of arts in business management and media communications from Waldorf College.

Her background is in marketing, advertising, and public relations with manufacturing and non-profit organizations.

Mary Spitz, administrative assistant: She received her bachelors of business administration from Campbell University in North Carolina. Previously she worked as an assistant to the CEO at Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage.

Incubator provides a climate to grow Space, access to JPEC services offered to start-ups ‘not ready for prime time’

By MARY PIEPER For In Business

he business incubator operated by the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, which opened in November 2007, gives new companies a safe place to grow before venturing out into the community.

Seventy-five percent of the space in the 9,000 square-foot incubator building on the North Iowa Area Community College campus is currently being leased.

Mark Olchefske, regional business development services director at JPEC, said the center’s staff offers intensive counseling for business start-ups in the incubator that are “not ready for prime time.”

Providing the space is important, but the access to JPEC services is even more important, he said.

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Continued on next page

26 • IN BUSINESS

GLOBE GAZETTE • SEPTEMBER 2009

Ashlea McLoed of Rochester, Minn., hangs inventory in the business incubator, which she uses for her business, Motoduds, a clothing and accessory line for female motorcycle operators and enthusiasts.

McLoed said without the incubator, her business may not have taken off as smoothly as it did.

BRYON HOULGRAVE/ In Business

INCUBATOR/From Page 25 Only 40 percent of non-incubated businesses survive the first five years, but 87 percent of incubated companies are still in business five years after they leave the incubator.

Typically, businesses stay in an incubator for three years before moving into their own building in the community, according to Olchefske.

JPEC bills goods and services to businesses in the incubator at the market rate. This helps hold tenants accountable, Olchefske said.

Tenants in the incubator include dislocated workers who want to start their own businesses as well as owners of home-based businesses looking to make that next step up.

Some of the existing space in the incubator will be remodeled into offices for NIACC stu-

dents who want to start their own businesses.

Olchefske said the student tenants don’t have to be business students.

They can be art students, music students or nursing students.

Dell, Microsoft and other huge companies “started in dorm rooms,” according to Olchefske.

JPEC also wants to start satellite incubators in other communities in North Iowa.

The “anchor tenant” for the incubator is the Zarley Law Firm of Des Moines.

The firm, which specializes in intellectual property matters such as patents, trademarks and copyrights, has had a satellite office in the incubator from the beginning.

This means incubator tenants and others who need its services don’t

have to drive to Des Moines.

Other current incubator tenants are: • Digital Tile Images LLC, which specializes in permanently “firing” logos, scenery, mosaics and other digital images onto ceramic tile.

• God’s Eternal Masterpiece (GEM), an Internet-based company offering products for home-schooling parents that support character development, ethics and social responsibility.

• MotoDuds, which designs and distributes racing-quality leather apparel for female motorcyclists.

• For the Love of School, which manufactures logoed apparel for distribution through boutiques and has agreements with 29 different colleges and universities as well as other schools.

• Control Print, a printing, print distribution and graphic design firm.

Control Print has been in the incubator since April 1.

Both Les Seltun, president, and Troy Thompson, general manager, used to work at Stoyles Graphic Services. Seltun was at Alexander Technologies before working at Stoyles.

Seltun said Control Print is a combination of the services offered by Stoyles and Alexander Technologies.

“It’s been great in that we get the space for very little (in the incubator),” Seltun said. “The overhead is very low.”

Also, there always someone available if they have a question.

“We have people looking over our shoulder as far as forming a business plan,” Seltun said.

SEPTEMBER 2009 • GLOBE GAZETTE

Q&A:

IN BUSINESS • 27

Barry Cory, Bob Lemon, Decker Sporting Goods

Two good sports share their stories, tips for success Barry: I am originally from Boone. I graduated from Boone High School and the University of Northern Iowa. Bob and I were at UNI at the same time but didn’t know each

director or administrator. I like to direct ASON CITY — Decker traffic.

Sporting Goods has been a Barry: When I was familiar name in Mason in high school I really City for more than 50 years — and didn’t know what I co-owners Bob Lemon and Barry wanted to do. So I Cory have been part of the success went to UNI and got Cory Lemon story since their initial involvemy teaching and ment in the 1970s. other. coaching degrees but it wasn’t The store was incorporated in Q. How did you get involved something I thought about much 1954 as Decker Brothers, a family- with Deckers? in high school. owned business specializing in Bob: After I graduated from UNI Q. What advice would you give hunting and fishing gear. to someone who wanted to start a I was offered a teaching and Lemon joined the sales staff in small business today? coaching job but I had started 1975. Cory came on board in 1979. working at Deckers and liked it. So Bob: You have to have a niche They became partners in the busi- I decided to stay in retail. and you have to cash-flow it. Neiness with Jay Decker in 1991 and Barry: While I was in college I ther one of those is easy things. Be bought out his interests in 1994. worked for a clothing store and diversified and never take anything The store was located in down- enjoyed it. I got my teaching and for granted. You have to have a town Mason City until September coaching degree from UNI and passion and love for what you’re 2001 when Lemon and Cory taught and coached at Forest City doing, and I still do, but it takes moved it to its current location at for three years. I was working on more than that. You also have to 4850 Fourth St. S.W. my master’s degree at Mankato have an approach with your cusLemon handles the retail end of State and I started hearing people tomers of “keep them happy and the business while Cory specialtalk about how the teaching prokeep them coming back.” izes in working with schools.

Barry: You have to have a real fession was really changing. I loved They took time out recently to retail and saw an ad for a job at commitment and you have to be chat with the Globe Gazette.

Deckers and applied for it. That’s willing to put in the time to make Q. What is your background how it started. it work. That’s what we look for, that led you to Decker Sports?

Q. When you were in high too, when we’re hiring new Bob: I was born and raised in school, what did you think you employees. It has to be that way.

Mason City, graduated from would be doing today?

There’s a lot of competition out Mason City High School and the Bob: Teaching and coaching and there and it’s coming from a lot of University of Northern Iowa. different directions. possibly becoming an athletic

By JOHN SKIPPER For In Business

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Decker Sporting Goods opened at its current location on Highway 122 West, Mason City, in 2001.

In Business file photo

2

28 • IN BUSINESS

GLOBE GAZETTE • SEPTEMBER 2009

TECHNOLOGY/From Page 9 unless your business caters only to the younger crowd that is familiar with this.

• Do not use deliberate spelling mistakes. Again, this may send potential customers to the wrong site.

• Avoid trademarks and brand names.

• Consider how a domain name may be interpreted. For example, Tom’s auto dealership might want tomscars.com. Is this “toms cars” or “tom scars?”

Look at a name from every angle.

• If you have your heart set on a name that is already taken, do a whois lookup at www.whois.net to find the owner. There’s a chance this person might sell the domain to you.

Once you’ve selected a domain name, the next consideration is the host. This is the

service that keeps your Web site data and provides aroundthe-clock access to your Web pages for all Internet users.

Sometimes, hosting will be available with the purchase of the domain name as a package deal. Other times, the domain name and host will be separate businesses. Here again it pays to shop around as there are many factors to consider when choosing a host.

• Uptime. Look for a host with a guaranteed uptime of 99 percent.

• Tech support. This should be 24/7 with a real person available for phone calls.

• Space. Most Web sites don’t require a lot of space, so don’t let “unlimited” levy undo weight into the decision-making process.

• Bandwidth (data traffic).

How much bandwidth your

site consumes is hard to estimate in the beginning due to the newness of the venture. If your host locks you into a certain bandwidth plan make sure you can upgrade this as your site gains popularity, or find out if any penalties apply for over the limit.

• E-mail. When having your own Web site, it looks more professional and it’s more desirable to have e-mail in the form of yourname@yourbusiness.com rather than yourname@yahoo.com or any other popular free Web mail service.

Make sure your host can provide this feature.

• Scripts. Make sure your host supports scripting such as PHP, Perl and CGI Bin. • Database. Make sure your host supports MySQL as this is useful in conjunction with the aforementioned PHP and CGI.

MySQL is often used with content management systems and discussion boards, too.

• SSL (secure sockets layer).

If you’re planning on allowing your Web site visitors to make purchases through a shopping cart system, your host will need to support SSL. Now, finally, for the actual designing of your new Web site, there are options to consider — do-it-yourself using Web site authoring software or content management system, or hire a professional Web site designer.

For do-it-yourselfers, a basic Web site can be built with nothing more than a simple text editor if you have knowledge of HTML coding. An easier solution is to use WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) software such as Dreamweaver, a popular software application

for Web site design, or KompoZer, a free alternative to Dreamweaver.

Another choice for do-ityourselfers is CMS, content management system. CMS is a simple system to create and update a Web site through templates and forms. Popular CMS solutions include, but are not limited to, Weebly and Joomla.

For those lacking the time and patience to learn software, or those who dismiss CMS as producing “cookie-cutter” results, one can hire a professional Web site designer. A professional designer who does this sort of work day in and day out can bring a uniqueness to your site as well as skills that come with experience — such as browser compatibility and search engine optimization.

SEPTEMBER 2009 • GLOBE GAZETTE

IN BUSINESS • 29

TOOLBOX: LOOKING AHEAD

Businesses should weigh retirement plan options

By JOYCE M. ROSENBERG

AP Business Writer ike many investors, small business owners may be wondering if this is a good time to go into the stock market. For those with employees, the debate may extend to whether it’s the right time to set up company-sponsored retirement plans.

The timing issue for employers is twofold. First, while no one knows where the stock market is headed, it has already made up a sizeable chunk of its devastating losses and any owner who wants employees to benefit from a continuing recovery should consider setting up a plan soon. Second, deadlines are approaching for creating some of the most popular, and least complex, plans.

Accountants and other financial

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advisers generally recommend that small businesses set up retirement plans as soon as possible, simply because employees’ savings tend to grow over the long term even with serious setbacks like the one the market has seen over the past year.

“If you think the market financials are going to be greater (at retirement) than where they are today, you should be considering this,” said Bob Doyle, president of Doyle Wealth Management Inc. in St. Petersburg, Fla. “Do you want to buy into the Dow at 9,500, or do you want to buy into the Dow at 12,000?”

There are a variety of retirement plans available, including several aimed at small businesses. Companies need to comply with paperwork and other requirements set by the IRS, but

depending on which plan you choose, the time and effort can be minimal.

The easiest of the plans is called a SEP, or Simplified Employee Pension.

An owner only needs to go to a bank or other financial institution to set up a SEP. Companies are not required to file annual reports with the IRS as they must do with more complicated plans such as many 401(k)s or profit-sharing plans.

The IRS is very flexible with the timing of tax deductions for an employer’s SEP contributions. The plan must be set up and initial and subsequent contributions must be made by the due date of the owner’s return. If owners obtained an extension of the April 15 filing deadline this year, they have until Oct. 15 to set up a SEP and make their contributions for 2008. And they still

have plenty of time to make 2009 contributions as well.

Another deadline coming up is for the creation of a SIMPLE, or Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees.

Owners have until Oct. 1 to set up a SIMPLE, although a company that is formed after Oct. 1 can still create one by the end of the year. These plans are somewhat more complex than SEPs but still have far fewer requirements and paperwork than what are called the qualified plans.

Qualified plans, which include some 401(k)s, profit-sharing plans and defined benefit plans, have the most paperwork and requirements, and an owner will likely need the help of a benefits consultant before setting one up. There is a Dec. 31 deadline for creContinued on next page

30 • IN BUSINESS

GLOBE GAZETTE • SEPTEMBER 2009

SMALL BUSINESS PROFESSOR

How to stay in touch with customers throughout the year

By BRUCE FREEMAN Scripps Howard News Service ear Professor Bruce, I frequently read in business publications about how it’s very important to stay in touch with my customers and prospects throughout the year. This makes sense, but how do I do this?

Answer: It is so important to keep your name out there. Economic times may be tough but when the economy improves, people will remember you if you remembered them.

Deborah Gussoff, senior manager at SendOutCards, has some great tips:

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Most businesses send their customers a card at Christmas time.

Your message potentially will get lost amid all the other greeting cards. Consider sending a card at a unique time of the year, when it will stand out. Perhaps Groundhog Day, the Fourth of July, or just a card to say Happy Autumn!

Send your customers a card on their birthday. You and your business will stand out.

Use a write-up about your customer in the local paper as an opportunity to reach out and “touch” them. Send a note, with a

copy of the article issuing your congratulations for the coverage.

Always send a card to thank someone for a referral.

Always send a card to thank someone for the business.

If you have a business that requires renewing or re-upping (i.e., auto insurance, health club membership), send a card a month or so in advance just to let your customer know you’re thinking about her.

If your business involves some sort of transformation (i.e., before and after pictures for a decorator; weight loss for a personal trainer;

RETIREMENT/From Page 29 ating these plans.

The IRS has a Web page devoted to retirement plans at www.irs.gov and detailed information in its Publication 560, Retirement Plans for Small Business. The publication can be accessed and printed at www.irs.gov/pub/irspdf/p560.pdf.

Doyle said owners, in deciding which type of plan to set up, need

to consider how much money they want to contribute to employees’ accounts. There are varying contribution limits for the different kinds of plans, and employees can contribute to their own accounts in many of the plans, but not in a SEP. How much an employer wants to contribute of course depends on what the company can afford.

Owners should take into consideration that a benefit like a retirement plan is a way to retain good employees and recruit new ones.

That may not be an issue right now in a tight labor market, but it will start to matter as the economy recovers.

“Some are generous and some are myopic in their focus,” Doyle said.

before and after for a painter or power washer), consider sending a card visually depicting that change.

Consider sending a card to ask a satisfied customer to refer you to his friends or business associates, perhaps with some sort of offer (i.e., provide an incentive, either monetary or service oriented, for a referral).

Remember, appreciation wins out over self-promotion every time. So, stay in touch with your customers and let them know you care about them and appreciate their business.

E-mail questions to Bruce Freeman, the Small Business Professor, at Bruce@ SmallBusinessProf. com.

SEPTEMBER 2009 • GLOBE GAZETTE

IN BUSINESS • 31

BOOKSHELF

How you can keep Generation Y workers on the job

By JOYCE GANNON Pittsburgh Post-Gazette eadership consultant Joanne Sujansky is a baby boomer. Her three children belong to Generation Y — also known as the millennials.

She has experienced first-hand the culture clash between the age groups and how it can impact a business.

Her assessment is the topic of a new book, “Keeping the Millennials: Why Companies are Losing Billions in Turnover to this Generation and What to do About It.” Published by John Wiley & Sons, the book is co-authored by Jan Ferri-Reed, president of KeyGroup, a Pittsburgh training and consulting firm that Sujansky founded almost 30 years ago.

The book concludes that the millennials are largely disappointed with the workplace, while many boomers believe millennials have too many demands. The stress between the two results in talented, young employees leaving jobs within a year or two and costing companies big investments in training and turnover.

Sujansky was inspired to address the

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issue of how to keep millennials committed to their employers after hearing stories from relatives, her children’s friends and her boomer-age clients about their frustrations.

“It’s very expensive to lose millennials as quickly as we do. Our surveys inside and outside the U.S. showed some were leaving companies as early as 18 months (after hiring). They go through that first evaluation, do a few more things, and they’re ready to go.”

Some background on millennials: Sujansky defines them as born between 1980 and 1999 and raised by baby boomers. They are extremely tech-savvy and well educated but don’t think that a serious work ethic should rule out a balanced, fulfilling life outside the office.

That’s in contrast to baby boomers — many have made their careers a priority and, in the process, often put family and other commitments on the back burner, Sujansky said.

“Millennials remember their moms or dads missing the recital or someone missing the soccer game. They don’t want that.”

So, it’s not surprising that many mil-

lennials want to leave the office at 3 p.m. if they’ve completed their work for the day and perhaps work 12 hours the next day. “Some (boomers) don’t trust millennials to do that,” she said.

Millennials also complain that some boomer managers during job interviews fail to describe the workplace as it really operates.

“One (millennial) told me that when he met the chief executive, the CEO was in casual clothes and was going to play tennis and talked about a place that was really caring about employees and a balance between work and home life. When the (millennial) got there, it was not what the CEO said it was.”

Boomers are bothered, Sujansky said, when millennials ask for promotions way too early in their careers — when on the job for a couple of weeks — or when they skirt the traditional chain of command and take their complaints and suggestions right to the top of the organization. “They think nothing of going up two levels to the president of the company,” she said.

Among her suggestions for businesses that want to retain millennials is

“on-boarding” — programs that replace traditional one-day orientations by providing new employees with a year-long immersion in different segments of the business as well as training and access to mentors.

Another tip, she said, is: “Don’t ask millennials what they want and not deliver. There are ways to take a suggestion and make it work. If they say they want flextime, maybe it can’t be every week, but employees could look at the schedule and take times that other people don’t want. If you can’t do it, you need to get back to them.”

On-site perks such as game tables in break rooms, open office environments and fitness facilities can be relatively inexpensive and help create a “cool” atmosphere that will attract millennials, Sujansky said. Incentives such as attention and praise “don’t cost any money,” she noted.

Many millennials don’t feel compelled to stay in a position they don’t like if they can go back to living with their parents until the next thing comes along, Sujansky said. That may be because, “We as baby boomers told them they can do anything.”

SEPTEMBER 2009 • GLOBE GAZETTE

IN BUSINESS • 33

ADVICE: HR

Prepare to start your own business

By JIM CRONIN For In Business iven the many challenges involved in starting your own business, the good news is that there are many excellent resources that can provide needed human resources-related information.

The Society for Human Resources Management is devoted exclusively to addressing the entire human resources waterfront.

A recent quick review of the SHRM Web site revealed the availability of videos, Webcasts, legal reports, research articles and surveys (such as regarding wages and benefits) addressing a wide variety of current and emerging human resources issues in workplaces of all sizes. An annual membership is $160.

There also are many local SHRM chapters, including in Mason City.

Local chapter memberships are separate from the parent organization’s membership.

While the Small Business Administration, a federal government agency, is best known for its loan programs, a review of its current Web site touts a new assessment tool titled, “Are You Ready to Start A Business?”

It consists of questions assisting you to evaluate skills, characteristics and experience. Your responses are scored automatically and then you are provided with an assessment profile and, based on your score, a statement of suggested next steps.

The SBA Web site also references its monthly online business chat involving “discussions with experts on a variety of small-business topics,” government contracting opportunities and free online training on certain topics.

There also are a number of business magazines that feature articles of interest to those launching a new business venture.

Inc. is one of those magazines. In

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About the author:

Finding information locally

Many fledgling entrepreneurs decide Jim Cronin has been an employee relato begin their search for start-up infortions (management) counmation by looking locally. sel with the MinneapolisInstructors at local colleges who teach St. Paul law firm of Felhabusiness and human resources-related bor, Larson, Fenlon & Vogt courses pay particular attention to for more than 30 years. smaller local employers that have The content of his column is presented as generbecome very successful. al information, not as legal In addition, these instructors someadvice. Specific situations times provide formal consulting services must be assessed individually by counsel of to these local successes that can enable your choice. you to benefit from learning what Cronin is the author of “No Fluff, No Puff: approaches have worked for those Just Management/Communication Princiemployers. ples That Work.” Readers may preview Other local resources include local law chapters of this resource manual at firms and accounting firms that have www.nofluffnopuff.com. It is also available for purchase at www.Barnes&Noble.com. track records for giving sound and effecCronin would like to respond to readers’ tive advice to leaders of small businessneeds by addressing workplace-related es. questions of general interest in future Members of such firms cannot give issues. Send your questions or comments you any confidential or proprietary to him at jjcanddrb@earthlink.com. information about their small but sucaddition to a number of business-related cessful corporate clients but they can give you relevant information regarding articles, every month there is a section human resources initiatives that have entitled “A Monthly Guide to Policies, worked — or not worked — at various Procedures and Practices ... Everything clients’ locations. you need to know your business in (For readers who might wonder why I today’s economy.” place emphasis on finding out what has Readers are encouraged to remove the not worked for other employers, there is four-page monthly guide from the magno need for you to spend your time and azine for their ongoing use and refermoney on initiatives that a number of ence. The guides bear a “How To:” other employers have pursued without stamp and cover a variety of workplace success.) topics.

Previous months’ issues have Overlooked resources addressed how to: • Find and hire good people.

In seeking to obtain information to • Choose a health care plan for your help you with people issues in your new company. or planned small business, it helps to • Assemble an employee handbook. keep your eyes and ears open.

• Conduct annual employee reviews.

Besides reading as much as you can • Save money by saving energy. about people and other human The guides are not intended to be final resources-related topics, you might answers but they draw the attention of consider asking close friends and small- business owners to important favorite relatives about the possibility of topics and contain references to related talking to individuals they know who Web site links. have been successful in business.

Many times we pick up helpful leads at family and other social gatherings and those “leads” can result in being able to meet and talk with individuals who have progressed successfully in the face of the same challenges you will be or already are facing.

A few thoughts about how to get the most out of talking to successful smallbusiness owners: First, make sure that you schedule meetings at times and places that are convenient to them. You can expect to get much more out of a comfortable meeting — that is, where neither one of you feel rushed or short on time.

With their permission, it can also help to ask them if you can e-mail questions to them in advance about the most bothersome issues you anticipate or are already facing. Giving them such “lead time” gives them the opportunity to think — in advance of a face-to-face meeting — about how to respond most effectively to your concerns. And by issuing a short list of your most important discussion items, you will increase your chances of receiving more focused answers.

Another way to gather realistic information about the potential pluses and minuses of your new business career is to keep your day job and get a part-time or even volunteer position in the new business field you are considering. That may gain you a totally different perspective and save you from making a poor investment of your time and money.

Owning and operating your own business is a dream come true for many individuals, and rightly so.

What we owe ourselves is the patience to gather as much information as possible so we have our eyes wide open about all of the challenges involved.

The bottom line is that the only dumb questions are the ones that are not asked.

34 • IN BUSINESS

GLOBE GAZETTE • SEPTEMBER 2009

ADVICE: FINANCE

Managing IT costs key for new businesses

By AARON DONALDSON RSM McGladrey nformation technology is the backbone of any business.

In today’s lean economy as many business owners address the challenge of managing expenses, technology may be one area that needs a careful examination. And for individuals looking to start a company, it is critical that technology investments are maximized. Any misstep can limit your business reaching its full potential.

Technology is quickly becoming viewed as another utility, as important as electricity and water. Think about how productive a company is when the technology that supports it is down for an hour.

As you begin to set up your business or look at making changes, it is important you have efficient and costeffective technology supporting your business, but it shouldn’t be something you have to think about much since it’s not core to what you do.

An appropriate and optimum solution — nothing more and nothing less — is needed to keep your organization moving.

Set-fee IT services are quickly becoming a cost-effective method to help ensure the necessary levels of system availability, network monitoring and maintenance as well as data protection and redundancy.

As a business owner, set-fee IT services can change the way you look at IT support. And the really beautiful thing is that the model changes the dynamics of how an IT provider profits.

In the typical break-fix environment, IT providers make money when your environment “breaks.” In the set-fee remediation services model, the better the IT provider has your environment running, the more profitable its services are well. Imagine an environment in which everyone wins

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About the author: Aaron Donaldson is a consulting director in the Mason City office of RSM McGladrey. He provides information technology consulting services to clients in a wide variety of industries. For more information, contact him at aaron.donaldson@rsmi.com.

Questions, questions:

Every business is unique, and managing the information technology systems cannot be done with a cookie cutter approach. As an organization considers whether set-fee remote monitoring and remediation services is a right fit for its circumstance, it’s important to know what questions to ask: 1. Capabilities: Does this firm offer the array of services you require? Do they have adequate staff in the same way and everyone is mov- to support your needs?

2. Availability: Does the firm have ing in the same direction.

A comprehensive set-fee IT services available staff at the necessary levels to respond to issues and perform solution allows you to put IT support upgrades? On-site resources if necon auto-pilot so you can focus on the critical issues your organization faces. essary?

3. Role: How does the firm posiStudies identify the following as top tion itself? Technical expertise, reasons to adopt a set-fee solution: advisory role, vendor facilitator?

• Proactive support.

4. Integrity: Does the firm have Ninety-three percent of IT problems can be proactively addressed via the reputation of trust and reliability? remote services before they turn into 5. Progressive: Does the firm have performance problems, downtime, processes procedures in place to loss of data or security breaches. continually improve its service • Heightened productivity.

Businesses report an average of more than 50 hours of lost productivity per employee per year due to IT problems within their infrastructure.

• Cost consistency.

IT costs can vary greatly from month to month, creating difficulties around proper budget adherence and planning.

• Regulatory compliance assis tance.

Increased regulation and reporting requirements, security and audit reporting needs and data management cost companies almost 10 percent of their income per year.

• Security awareness.

Cyber attacks on organizations via security loopholes and unpatched servers has increased 80 percent over the last two years as intruders look for industry or identity data theft.

offerings and deliverables?

6. Stability: How long has the firm been in business?

Keeping IT focus With the evolving nature of technology and the economy, moving beyond the typical chaos and stress of break/fix IT management is imperative.

If you are starting a business or looking to re-evaluate your technology department, look into augmenting or supplementing your current staff so the IT staff can focus on what it was hired to do.

The right technology partner can provide your organization with predictable, business-focused services that optimize operations, manage risk and deliver a significantly increased value from technology.

— RSM McGladrey, Inc. is a leading national business consulting, accounting and tax firm. For more information, go to www. rsmmcgladrey.com.

SEPTEMBER 2009 • GLOBE GAZETTE

IN BUSINESS • 35

COMMENTARY

Economic development: The common ground

By GREGG GILLMAN

dor” between Mason City and Clear Lake along Highway 122/18, and because of the locations involved this o man is an island,” wrote initiative relies upon a combined effort poet John Donne, and the of Mason City, Clear Lake and Cerro same sentiment describes Gordo County to progress. our local economic development Included in the DCGI is the commerefforts. cial airport. Whether you use our airThe North Iowa Corridor EDC was port or not, it is a tremendous asset to created to maintain a our area, geographically convenient for unified team of Clear both Mason City and Clear Lake and Lake, Mason City, and much further out into the region.

Cerro Gordo County, and Currently there is not development about a year into this opportunity at the airport due to lack of countywide approach the proper infrastructure for industrial and NIC is gaining momentum in moving important business development. However, Gillman because of the regional cooperation, we initiatives forward, securing promising projects and devel- are now beginning to have discussions about how to enhance this regional oping excellent partnerships.

Businesses don’t see the boundaries asset and potentially get the infrastructure needed to create another niche between the cities, so we sell our area development opportunity for businessas one market and allow the client to es to consider. decide the best location for their specific business.

Executive Director, North Iowa Corridor Economic Development Corp.

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Joint meetings Developing common ground One of the more prominent examples of this cooperative effort comes in the Developing Common Ground Initiative (DCGI).

Formerly called the HNTB Study, this study was completed several years ago and was recently adapted by the NIC Board of Directors.

This study focuses on “The Corri-

Another countywide initiative in the works is establishing joint strategic meetings which would include representatives from the county, Clear Lake and Mason City mixed with EDC board members and staff.

The goal would be to conduct three such meetings by the end of the year, ensuring that this countywide approach is moving forward and all the

issues are being discussed with equal representation.

Of course, incentives did come into play and those were developed by each community.

But throughout the entire process Titan Pro the client did not feel pulled in different directions, which is a major goal of this The recently announced project, regional approach to economic develTitan Pro SCI, is now old news but good news. It is worth revisiting here as opment.

Administrators and staff from both the regional economic development cities and the county should be comapproach was in full force and worked mended for the cooperative approach perfectly for the client. the client witnessed from day one to The North Iowa Corridor was approached by the owner of Titan Pro, final decision.

Jeff Meints, to assist with locating his business.

Onward …

At the beginning there were a few While we are on the subject of procounties they were considering besides jects, we have seen a sharp increase in Cerro Gordo County. activity over the past six weeks. This We worked with the owner to make sure that he understood all the available certainly speaks to business and industry feeling better about moving forward options in Clear Lake and Mason City.

We made certain he had an opportunity with investment as well as an increased to meet with representatives from both cooperative effort in marketing and cities and in addition we expedited selling our area. every request he had, all the while pre• For more on the North Iowa Corrisenting as one unified body. dor EDC, visit www.northiowacorriAs you have read and heard, this was dor.com. something that was much appreciated • E-mail Gregg Gillman at ggillby the client. man@northiowacorridor.com.