Inbus sept

IN BUSINESS

SEPTEMBER 2015

PLUS: • More jobs than workers • IowaWorks offers assistance • Otto’s big, busy summer • Advice and much more

Henkel: Growth

by Design

J2 • SUNDAY, SEPT. 20, 2015 • IN BUSINESS

INSIDE THIS ISSUE OF IN BUSINESS: Cover story: Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa’s Emergency Department was a major Henkel Construction Co. project. Story begins on this page. Photo by CHRIS ZOELLER, of the Globe Gazette

GLOBE GAZETTE

LEADING BY DESIGN

Henkel Construction includes emphasis on employee development JULIE BIRKEDAL

More jobs than workers:

For the Globe Gazette

Unemployment level in North Iowa ‘about as tight as it’s ever been’: Page J6.

‘Striking while the iron’s hot’ How Stellar Industries is reaching out for workers to meet growing demands: Page J10

Making the big move: Otto’s Oasis finds room to grow -- and the move wasn’t all that far away: Page J11

Plus advice and much more: Tips for building public relations expertise; a national job market snapshot; smart policy on use of smartphones; shared workspaces and more.

In Business: September 2015 Publisher: Howard Query 641-421-0500 howard.query@globegazette.com

Associate Editor: Bob Steenson 641-421-0530 bob.steenson@globegazette.com

Editor: David Mayberry 641-421-0564 david.mayberry@globegazette. com

Advertising and Circulation: Greg Wilderman 641-421-0545 greg.wilderman@globegazette.com •••

Design Editor: Tom Thoma 641-421-0566 tom.thoma@globegazette.com

In Business is a quarterly publication of the Globe Gazette. Reach us at Box 271, Mason City, IA 50402-0271 or by email at news@globegazette.com

MASON CITY — Mention a hospital, school or other large construction project in Mason City and there’s often an automatic name association — Henkel.

At any one time, Henkel Construction Co. may be involved in aspects of 20 to 30 different projects, said Kent Brcka, vice president of operations.

This summer, the company was involved with hospital projects at Cresco and Emmetsburg as well as Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa.

While Mitchell County Courthouse work was finished, foundation work for a Wellness Center at West Fork Schools in Sheffield began.

Fortunately, the vast majority of work recently has been within two to three hours of the company’s Mason City headquarters, Brcka said.

Tim Bray (left) and Gary Farman confer about work on the Energy Center at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa.

HISTORICALLY, HENKEL has been involved with everything from bridges to movie theaters throughout the Midwest. It built a hotel in Louisiana and a bank for First Citizens National Bank in Mora, Minnesota.

Henkel has been involved with

hospital construction in Mason City since the 1950s. Recent work at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa includes renovating the emergency department, cardiovascular center, acute dialysis center and the energy center.

Courtesy photo

“We basically replaced the electrical service to the hospital and emergency power generation system, and replaced the backbone of the electrical distribution system for the entire hospital,” Brcka said.

See HENKEL, J3

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IN BUSINESS • SUNDAY, SEPT. 20, 2015 • J3

HENKEL: Architecture firm Accord established in 1986; Henkel also works with other design firms From J2 The two-year project involved many scheduled shutdowns of various aspects of the hospital, often at night. A new project updating 76 private patient rooms is just beginning.

Henkel has also long shouldered responsibility for projects at hospitals in New Hampton and Spencer.

Involvement in health care construction has expanded in the past 15 years through construction management contracts at county-owned hospitals including those in Britt, Cresco, Emmetsburg, Hampton and Osage, said Scott Blum, president of Accord Architecture, a Henkel subsidiary.

In that scenario, the hospital owner has separate contracts with multiple individual contractors but Henkel manages the overall project.

WHILE HENKEL has provided design services since the 1950s, the architecture firm, Accord, was established in 1986.

Henkel also works with other regional and national design firms.

“We are able to provide input at the right time and in the right way,” Brcka said. “It helps us to have a more teamwork-oriented approach.”

Blum, who has been with the company for 18 years, came from a large health care design firm, HDR, based in Omaha.

“We’re working with about nine different hospitals” currently from an architecture standpoint besides Mercy, Blum said. Henkel has design and construction projects at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames.

A HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATION wants renovations and additions completed by a construction company with the knowhow to ensure infection-control needs are met for patients and staff while ongoing, phased construction proceeds within

Courtesy photo

Henkel Construction’s office building in Mason City is the former Carnegie Library, built between 1903 and 1905. It is prominently located at the intersection of East State Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. projected costs, said Brcka.

They want someone who understands the complex mechanical systems of a hospital and who has the proper medical gas certifications, he said.

“They don’t want to get a low bidder that doesn’t know how to work in a hospital,” said Brcka, who studied construction engineering at Iowa State University.

He initially worked at Henkel in project estimation, then as a project engineer, and currently is vice president of operations.

“It’s been a great place to work,” he said. “It’s great for younger people to know that we value employees, and if you come to work here you can have a good career.”

FIELD LEADERS have grown with the company from where they started as a laborer or carpenter to foreman or superintendent, Brcka said.

Tim Bray, field superintendent at the Wellness Center project with West Fork School in Sheffield, did just that.

Although he once saw himself as a classroom teacher, he wound up going to work for Henkel 19 years ago.

“When I started with Henkel, I couldn’t even pound a nail,” Bray said.

Today, his opportunities to teach are frequent as he works with young construction workers just out of high school or college.

“They have the same chance that I

had,” Bray said, explaining that he earned his way to superintendent by working hard and growing his skill set.

“You have to have a good head on your shoulders. You have to have common sense,” Bray said. “It’s not going to be handed to you.”

GIVEN RESPONSIBILITY for a job that is a step up, “you have to succeed, you have to be motivated,” he said.

There must be desire for more than just a paycheck. Construction know-how as well as communication skills must be built before one will be asked to supervise a $4 million project, Bray said.

See HENKEL, J4

Quotes about Henkel Construction “Henkel sets the bar extremely high for quality and safety for all our health care projects. Our professional staff, field leadership and skilled labor all are trained and understand health care construction standards to a high degree. Health-care providers in the region understand this and we are proud of the work we have been providing health-care facility owners for decades.”

— Kent Brcka, vice president of operations

“Henkel invests in its people. You don’t see the turnover here because you know you work for a business that values you and wants you to succeed. Work force is an issue all over Iowa, but here at Henkel we have top-notch workers that have been here for a long time which speaks volumes to the quality of work we provide.”

— Tim Bray, field superintendent

“Accord Architecture and Henkel Construction have lead the way in our industry providing owners designbuild services. The in-house, turn-key capabilities we provide owners make for a much easier project for the owner.”

— Scott Blum, president of Accord Architecture

J4 • SUNDAY, SEPT. 20, 2015 • IN BUSINESS

GLOBE GAZETTE

Henkel’s major projects

JULIE BIRKEDAL, for the Globe Gazette

Scott Glawe and Justin Brinkman provide support for concrete finisher Jonathan Burgos by removing and placing concrete in the forms as needed at the Wellness Center site in Sheffield.

HENKEL: Work done by firm is diverse From J3 There’s psychology involved in figuring out who will work well together with a crew comprised of people with widely diverse personalities and attitudes.

Henkel stays out in front by looking at where the industry’s moving and what training and certifications the staff need, Blum said.

percent is with projects bid and built by other companies, Blum said.

HENKEL, WITH OFFICES in Mason City and Ames, was founded in 1892 by a German immigrant, William Henkel, who guided his company’s success for 64 years. Gary Schmit is currently company president.

In Ames, staff handles estimating PART OF EMPLOYEE development involves and project management, Brcka said.

Accounting, human resources, estimattraining on the job and through semiing, purchasing, project management and nars, Brcka said. Project managers and safety are all handled in Mason City. field superintendents earn certifications There are 12 to 15 field crews working at through training offered by the American any one time, Schmit said. The company Society of Healthcare Engineers to stay handles projects with budgets of $1 milcurrent on the latest in health care conlion to $10 million and has a projected struction. annual revenue of about $75 million.

“Older guys have been able to pass At Iowa State University, Henkel was knowledge on to younger workers and involved recently in general construction been able to mentor them and develop aspects of filling in the south end zone them into field leaders,” he said. of Jack Trice Stadium, Brcka said. It did Work done by Henkel is diverse and metal work on stairwells, railings and its role varies from general construction exterior concrete work. to construction management or designIt’s also played a critical role in the build. renovation of Marston Hall. The company “I think that we’re a leader when it shored the roof and exterior walls of the comes to construction management. I historic engineering building with its think there’s a few contractors that can do it in the state, but we’ve probably been limestone walls and rotunda while the interior was demolished. doing it for 20 years,” Blum said.

“Now we’re putting back structural About 70 percent of Accord’s work is with Henkel design-build projects, mainly steel framing for a new floor system and then pouring concrete floors,” Brcka said. private sector work, while the other 30

HEALTH CARE: • Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa — Emergency Department addition and renovation; Energy Center and loading dock addition; Mercy Cancer Center vertical addition.

• Forest Park — Mercy Family Residency Clinic.

• Mason City Surgery Center.

• Mercy Medical Center-New Hampton — new medical clinic.

• Spencer Hospital — 110,000-square-foot hospital and surgery center complex addition.

• Palo Alto County Health System — major hospital expansion and renovation.

• Hancock County Health System — Threestory hospital addition.

• Regional Health Services of Howard County — Major hospital and clinic expansion/renovation.

• Floyd County Medical Center — Major hospital expansion and renovation.

INDUSTRIAL: • Curries — 12th Street Northwest office and manufacturing facility.

• Cargill Kitchen Solutions — Mason City office and egg-processing facility.

• Graham — 19th Street Southwest office and manufacturing facility.

• Sukup Manufacturing — New office complex.

• Golden Grain — Numerous projects.

• Holcim Cement plant — Numerous projects.

COMMERCIAL: • Diamond Jo Casino.

• Menards – Mason City store.

• Cinema West Theatres.

• First Citizens National Bank.

• Indianhead Development.

CIVIC/SPECIALTY: • The Historic Park Inn Hotel.

• Mason City Public Library — renovation.

• Mason City YMCA. • NIACC — Student housing complex, numerous other projects • Mason City Community Schools — Numerous projects.

• Newman Schools – Music room/FEMA addition.

• Clear Lake Community Schools — Numerous projects.

• The Music Man Square • Clear Lake Fire Department • Mitchell County Courthouse

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IN BUSINESS • SUNDAY, SEPT. 20, 2015 • J5

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J6 • SUNDAY, SEPT. 20, 2015 • IN BUSINESS

GLOBE GAZETTE

MORE JOBS THAN PEOPLE Level of unemployment in North Iowa ‘about as tight as it’s ever been’

said. “We’ve seen things change as the labor market gets tighter. We also help businesses take a look at how they’re recruiting and how to get and keep employees.”

Manufacturing, health care and trades like electricians and plumbers ELDA STONE For The Globe Gazette are jobs in high demand from employers around North Iowa, Andrade said.

At the height of the recession in “We’ve seen a big increase in the 2009, there was much talk about the number of requests we get for doing lack of jobs and high unemployment wage surveys,” she said. This includes rates of 10 percent. finding out what other businesses are Now, as of June 2015, the U.S. offering for wages, benefits, and flexDepartment of Labor rates Iowa at 3.7 percent unemployment, the fifth-lowest ibility.

“Businesses are looking at what they rate in the nation. In North Iowa councan tweak to make themselves more ties, it ranges between 2.6 percent and attractive so they get more applicants,” 3.9 percent, according to Iowa Workshe said. force Development.

“The labor market has changed.

Good news for job seekers, a little Maybe what they did before is not worktougher for employers.

“There’s a shortage of labor in almost ing for them,” she said. “Previously, a business might have just set out a short every sector,” according to Terry Schulist of demands for job applicants. Now, maker, dean of continuing education they are re-tooling to market their busiand director of economic development ness. There are so many job listings, at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City. “We have more jobs they need to think about how to really stand out so they can do a better job in than we have available people across recruitment.” the region.”

Some local health care businesses Schumaker noted that level of unemployment is “about as tight as it’s are offering sign-on bonuses for nurses and certified nursing assistants, accordever been.” ing to Andrade, as they struggle to fill those positions.

ALTHOUGH HE BELIEVES the local economy is good, the area’s demographics BUSINESSES NEEDING WORKERS for jobs have changed. starting at minimum wage are also feel“We have an older population, there ing the pinch. “Help Wanted” signs are are fewer young people coming up, and everywhere in local communities. more people are moving out than mov“They are definitely starting to offer ing in,” Schumaker said.

Top job needs in North Iowa, accord- higher wages, flexible scheduling, or in the case of restaurants, free food,” ing to Schumaker, are for advanced Andrade said. “These jobs fill a need for manufacturing and health care industhose who only want part-time work or tries.

“But almost any industry is very ripe older workers who want some hours a week to supplement retirement.” right now.”

Marla Loecke, operations manager JENNIFER ANDRADE, business marketing for Regions 1 and 2 at IowaWORKS, said it’s about more than just matching busispecialist for the Mason City office of IowaWORKS North Iowa, said its state- nesses and job seekers.

“There are a lot of efforts in commuwide website lists more than 1,400 job nity partnerships,” she said. “Because openings for this seven-county north there are so many job openings, it’s central Iowa region. really about recruitment for communi“That’s probably double what it was ties. It’s not individual silos any more. just a few years ago,” she said.

“We’re here to help connect job seek- It’s about how to improve the economy ers with career opportunities,” Andrade for the whole community.”

Andrade

Schumaker

Anderson-Bartz

Loecke

get the conversation going and improve the skills of the work force.

“There’s a disconnect between what they need and what we think they need,” Anderson-Bartz said. “This is a great opportunity for them to open up and say, ‘This is great, but you need to do this.’ So we can align our training programs with what they’re looking for.”

“Those are our customers,” Schumaker said of the Sector Board. “We can guess all day, but get them in the room to talk about their needs. …”

He said the manufacturers’ Sector Board also is helping define the pathway for someone who wants to move up in the job — what additional skills are required and what does that mean for increased compensation.

Anderson-Bartz said, “These are clean, high-paying jobs in our area, way above market wages for these professions. Businesses are in desperate need of industrial maintenance workers, welders and tool and die makers. There are shortages in all those areas, what we call the ‘skills group.’ ” She explained that “industrial maintenance” doesn’t mean sweeping the shop floor; these are skilled workers in robotics, mechanics and computers who help keep the assembly lines running smoothly. Tool and die making involves using computers and precisely calibrated machines to design and create the parts that are used to manufacture products. She pointed out that NIACC’s two-year tool and die program has 100 percent job placement.

THAT INCLUDES reaching out to schools.

“Schools have a huge impact on the work force,” Loecke said. “They offer work experience programs, job shadowing and curriculum. We want to make sure youth are educated on job trends and openings. We’re trying to keep young people in our area or get them to come back after school.”

“We’re trying to reach kids early on as they are having to identify a career track as early as eighth grade,” Andrade said. “There also is new legislation trying to develop apprenticeship opportuANDERSON-BARTZ oversees adminisnities so students can earn while they learn. It helps businesses fill labor needs tration of NIACC’s share of a federal Department of Labor grant through and helps individuals get training and a consortium of community colleges develop their careers.” known as Iowa-Advanced ManufacturRENÉE ANDERSON-BARTZ, Iowa advanced ing (I-AM). The program was designed “to build the training capacity necesMFG grant coordinator at NIACC, said sary to meet industry demand and arm there is talk about the “silver tsunami” Iowans with the skills they need to — the loss of skilled tradesmen who have been working for years but are now engage in Iowa’s workforce,” according to I-AM. retiring with no young people with the NIACC was awarded $790,000, skills to take their place.

NIACC has started what is called the choosing to use it to target its tool and die program and welding program, skill Sector Board specifically for advanced areas in high demand locally. manufacturing. More than 30 area The grant, in its third year, helped manufacturers are invited to come once a month and talk about their needs to See JOBS, J8

GLOBE GAZETTE

IN BUSINESS • SUNDAY, SEPT. 20, 2015 • J7

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JOBS: MFG Day set From J6 NIACC purchase state-ofthe-art equipment and align the college’s programs to industry standards.

“People have the idea that it’s repetitive, boring assembly line work, but it’s high-tech,” Anderson-Bartz said. “I’m in awe, really. Top-of-the-line wages and no student debt. And if a graduate starts out in the tool room, it doesn’t mean they won’t end up in management.”

Students have included women and men, plus transitioning workers looking for a new direction.

“This is not the hot, dirty work it used to be,” Schumaker said. “It’s not unusual for twoyear technical graduates to make more money than fouryear graduates and come out with a lot less student debt.”

NIACC IS PLANNING an event on Thursday, Oct. 1, called MFG Day to highlight the area’s job potential in advanced manufacturing (www.mfgday.com).

During the day, high school students will come for tours of NIACC’s facilities and local manufacturing businesses.

“In the evening, approximately 18 employers will be onsite ready to hire,” Anderson-Bartz said. “We’re also giving away a $2,000 scholarship. There may be people coming off the street that have these skills or they may come to see our state-of-the-art labs. We want people to tour our facility to find out how to get ready for these jobs.”

She said, “We’ve thought of two-year degrees or trades as ‘less than,’ when they have so much to offer. Manufacturing is our second-largest economy, to agriculture.

“If we don’t have the people to fill the jobs, we’re in trouble as a state,” AndersonBartz added. “The shortage will push employers away.

There’s a severe shortage of skilled workers. It’s a very viable career field.”

GLOBE GAZETTE

IowaWORKS: The emphasis is on work Army veteran finds job-hunting success at Iowa agency

on job skills and acquired the National Career Readiness Certificate.

He began meeting with Alan Murphy, the veterans representative at IowaWORKS North Iowa.

ELDA STONE For The Globe Gazette Hoyt said he and Murphy Cody Hoyt graduated from spent a lot of time talking about workplace culture. high school in Ames and “The military was a lifestarted college, but he wasn’t style, 24 hours a day, seven sure what he wanted to do. days a So, he joined the Army as an week. You infantryman. either fit After training, he was into that or immediately stationed in Italy you don’t,” and then sent to Afghanistan.

Hoyt said.

Hoyt did three tours there and “Coming rose to be a platoon sergeant, out, I was leading other men. looking for “With the drawdown and something the fact that I hadn’t been similar. home in nine years, it was Hoyt I wanted time to come home and spend something time with my wife and kids,” Hoyt said. “I figured if I was a fast-paced and fulfilling. A success in the military, I could few jobs I had looked at were like drone jobs. I could see be successful in a job.” employees who didn’t want to He lined up a job in law be there.” enforcement in Colorado but IowaWORKS staff assured changed his mind. Hoyt said him they could help find a the housing market there job that would challenge him, was “insane,” and after all give him the hours he wanted his years in danger, his wife wasn’t happy about him being and meet his expectations.

“They put me in the right in the line of fire again. direction. Almost instantly, “So we decided to stick I got a call back from Titan here in Iowa,” said Hoyt, 31, Pro,” an agricultural firm in who lives in Alexander. “But Clear Lake. it was harder than I thought.

“None of that would have No. 1, my résumé read like a military dossier. I was having happened without Iowatrouble finding a job, not even WORKS,” he said. getting calls back.”

VETERANS ARE a huge priority right now for IowaEVENTUALLY, IN DESPERATION WORKS, according to Jennifer he went to the IowaWORKS Andrade, business marketNorth Iowa office in Mason City, a regional office of Iowa ing specialist for the Mason City office.

Workforce Development.

“We’ve been told 500,000 “I was scared of Iowapeople are to be transitioned WORKS,” Hoyt said, because out of the military soon, and he associated it with unemIowa is trying to position ployment. itself to be in the forefront He quickly found out the for those veterans as they emphasis is on work. Hoyt decide where to go.” Andrade attended free classes there

said. “We’ve changed our role in working with veterans, offering more services.

They can struggle to find permanent jobs after military service.”

Andrade said IowaWORKS offers workshops for businesses, trying to help them look at the best way to recruit military veterans transitioning out to the workplace. She said they discuss things like what kinds of experience veterans have that translate to jobs and how the businesses could benefit from hiring these workers.

A new program has been started to get veterans to consider Iowa for the transition from “deployment to employment.”

The Home Base Iowa Act was recently passed to attract veterans to Iowa and includes financial incentives such as exemption from state taxes on military pensions and automatic in-state tuition for Iowa’s state universities and community colleges.

The site includes searchable job listings, or veterans can enter their military job title and find comparable civilian opportunities.

Online More information is available at www.homebaseiowa.org.

here or have family here,” Loecke said. “But we don’t have a military base, and it’s more difficult to explain what Iowa is and what the benefits are.”

Hoyt’s new job as an operation controller at Titan Pro is similar to a logistics manager.

He said Titan Pro services over 200 dealerships across seven states, supplying seed, chemicals, insurance and fertilizer for farmers.

“My main role is to look at dealer accounts, set up loads, arrange transportation of seed going out. I keep a warehouse and fleet of drivers really busy,” he said.

It’s not like he had any experience relating to farming.

“If someone told me I’d have a job in agriculture, I would have laughed. My ag knowledge was that you plant seeds and they grow, and farmers work hard. Dan Gleason, my general manager, did a good job to take my résumé and shape it to fit his needs and mine. He pulled out stuff he really liked, such MARLA LOECKE, operations manager for Regions 1 and 2 at as my management ability, IowaWORKS, said communi- ability to work under pressure ties can seek designation as a and keeping 55 guys in my Home Base community. That platoon supplied with what they needed.” includes putting together Asked what advice he’d packages that offer relocagive to others struggling tion expenses or financial to find a career path, Hoyt incentives for home loans, said immediately, “Utilize getting businesses to sign commitments to hire veterans IowaWORKS. It’s something I wouldn’t have said seven and more. months ago. They’re only The Home Base Iowa going to give you what you program is directed at both want out of it. Take classes, economic development and set up interviews with the job placement, according personnel. I don’t have to Loecke. enough positive things to say “Most people come back about it.” to Iowa because they started

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IN BUSINESS • SUNDAY, SEPT. 20, 2015 • J9

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GLOBE GAZETTE

‘Striking while the iron’s hot’ Stellar Industries reaching out for workers to help meet growing demands

NIACC that relate to their jobs or possible advancement. It also conducts training on the job.

DAN NEDVED, Garner, got his degree at NIACC in For The Globe Gazette automotive technology.

He worked in a couple of GARNER — “In North different automotive shops Iowa, the demand for around the area but moved employees is so high,” said back to his hometown and IN ADDITION to making Dave Zrostlik, president found a job as an instalwages more competitive, of Stellar Industries in lation mechanic at Stellar Stellar is reaching out to Garner. “It’s a good time potential employees when Industries. if you’re “I went from fixing cars they are still in high school. someone to assembling trucks,” said “It helps young people looking for a Nedved, who is coming up job, because see lots of opportunities on five years as a Stellar here,” Van Oort said. “I jobs are read the ‘Senior Spotlight’ employee. “You can put out there.” in the Garner Leader show- a lot of what you already Stellar know into this. Coming into ing the new graduates. I Industries, Zrostlik Stellar, you don’t have to sent every one a postcard a manuhave all the skills. We’ll train from Stellar inviting them facturer of the way we want it done. to visit and consider us. hydraulic truck-mounted Since we’re able to train our equipment, employs more I have a handful of new way, they are some of the employees from that.” than 300 workers and Training is another tool best employees we’ve got.” added 30 positions since There’s one skill area in Stellar;s their strategy the start of the year. for an effective workforce. lacking in the work force, “There is increased however, that troubles “It’s pretty obvious the demand for our prodZrostlik and Van Oort. unemployment rate is ucts, both existing and “It’s not just the techextremely low here. But new products we build many of those unemployed nical skills, it’s the soft for specific customers,” skills, like getting to work are lacking skills to be Zrostlik said. “You strike on time, every day — skills effective for us,” Zrostwhile the iron is hot. One my generation takes for lik said. segment might be down granted,” Zrostlik said.

Stellar participates in while another is up. If the Sector Board organized “Where do you learn that? one segment is in the What is the parents’ or

by North Iowa Area Combuying mood, it’s critithe school’s or college’s munity College, focusing cal to respond as quickly responsibility in teachon advanced manufacturas possible. The product ing that?” ing in this region. The need may have a limgroup talks about the needs ited lifetime.”

VAN OORT said even of the industries and how That requires an some new hires miss work NIACC can help with adequate work force, but time in their first week of training for employees. filling those positions is employment.

“It’s more of a sharing not easy right now for area “You’d think when you manufacturers like Stellar. platform,” Zrostlik said.

“It’s comforting, but trou- start out new, you’d want Zrostlik and Leanne to give it your all. When bling, to know we’re all in Van Oort, Stellar’s human we’re on deadline for a the same boat.” resources manager, have Stellar pays for employ- custom job, we count on noticed other businesses you to be here every day ees to take classes at advertising an increase in ELDA STONE

starting wages.

“For us to get good people, we have to, too,” Zrostlik said.

Courtesy photo

Dan Nedved, Garner, got his degree at NIACC in automotive technology. He worked in a couple of different automotive shops around the area, but moved back to his hometown and found a job as an installation mechanic at Stellar Industries. to get the product out. It’s hard for us to make that commitment to customers otherwise.”

“People who do have those soft skills and work

every day have been here a long time,” Zrostlik said.

“We are an Employee Stock Option Plan company and everyone has potential to be part of the company.”

“We want someone who’ll be a problem-solver and commit to our success,” Van Oort said. “If you want to learn, there are opportunities.”

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IN BUSINESS • SUNDAY, SEPT. 20, 2015 • J11

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OTTO’S OASIS

provides better visibility and convenience in the heart of downtown.

MASON CITY — It’s “We love being downbeen an exciting summer town, and with the whole for Otto’s Oasis Floral & Mason City trying to Gifts in Mason City, with a renovate and bring in more new, more central location businesses downtown, we and greater space. think it’s a very exciting “We’re getting there place to be,” she said. slowly but surely,” said Otto’s Oasis in Mason Cheryl City now has more room Lewis, manfor house plants, decoraager of the tive arrangements and Mason City even some bedding plants shop. “It’s in season, Lewis said. just been There are dwarf bananas, such an popcorn plants that give experience.”

Lewis off a popcorn-like fraJeff and grance when the leaves are Lori Otto touched, and money trees bought the former Echter’s Cards and gifts to take rumored to bring good luck Greenhouse in Charles City home and enjoy or to share to the recipient. in February 2007. with friends and family on “It’s fun to give them as “It took off from there. birthdays or “get well and gifts, ” Lewis said.

They had a lot of people be of good cheer days” are Landscaping also is from Mason City that were featured at Otto’s Oasis. available in Mason City coming over to Charles through the Charles City more than a dozen years City to the greenhouse,” nursery location.

Lewis said. “They thought of experience in the floral The store offers a selecbusiness, first talked to they should bring the tion of water fountains, the Ottos about the posOtto’s Oasis experience to garden gnomes, gazing sibility of managing the Mason City.” balls, memory stones and Mason City store, she The Charles City busifound she had a real affin- chimes and figurines. ness at 1313 Gilbert St. is a Brands include Michel full-service florist offering ity for their mission. It’s Design Works specialty a family-owned business, a wide selection of gifts, she said. It’s more the little soap and lotions; Bald home and garden decor, Eagle Foods salsas, sauces greenhouse and landscape guy pushing his way, and and dips; Gingersnaps they’re successful. services, said Manager jewelry; and cards by Blue Otto’s Oasis soon saw Christopher Anthony.

Mountain and Leanin’ Tree. that customers who had “We want to make the There’s a wide range of visited the Charles City customer’s experience unique products, but the location wanted to see once they walk through more gifts and plants avail- basics are still the foundathat door very pleasing tion. able at the Mason City so they want to come “We still do fresh flowstore, she said. After about back and bring friends,” ers. That was where we a year and a half, Otto’s Anthony said.

Oasis began scouting larger started to begin with,” Lewis said. “We do everylocations in Mason City.

IN SEPTEMBER 2012, In mid-summer, Otto’s thing from birth to funerals Otto’s Oasis opened Oasis opened at 30 E. State and weddings, full service.” what was primarily a The store is open from St., on the corner of North floral shop in Mason City, Delaware Avenue and East 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday Lewis said. The first year through Friday, 9 a.m. to State Street two blocks and a half was a time of 2 p.m. on Saturday and south of the original site, steady growth. closed Sundays.

Lewis said. The location When Lewis, who had JULIE BIRKEDAL For the Globe-Gazette

JULIE BIRKEDAL, for the Globe Gazette

Green plants of varying textures, shapes, sizes and hues create a lively window display at Otto’s Oasis in downtown Mason City.

Coming Soon

112 2nd St. NE, Mason City 641.425.0363

• Reasonable Rates • Bar • Stage • Ample parking • Brand new inside and out If you have any event in your near future call us for details.

J12 • SUNDAY, SEPT. 20, 2015 • IN BUSINESS

GLOBE GAZETTE

Tips for building your public relations expertise Q. I keep hearing from other business owners that public relations is important.

Can you explain how this tool can help me?

A: Public relations is exactly what the name suggests: It’s a tool to build relations with the public — both Bruce Freeman the media and The Small potential buyers Business of your prodProfessor ucts or services.

Public relations, and the narrower field of media relations, can help boost your name recognition and reputation. Here are some do-ityourself tips: • BUILD A MEDIA LIST: Get contact information for local, regional and national business editors in your field. Follow their stories and columns. Call the editors to introduce yourself, your new business and newsworthy ideas.

• POSITION YOURSELF AS AN EXPERT: Editors always need sources to interview. If you own

the local plumbing franchise, an editor may ask you to comment if the county sewage system backs up. Even on short notice, make yourself available. The more you’re quoted, the more you’ll be seen as an expert.

• GET PUBLISHED: Publishing a bylined article is a great public relations tool; so is an active website. Helpareporter.com is a free online resource many media people tap for sources. Sign up and scan its daily updates.

• TAP YOUR NETWORKING SKILLS: Join local business groups, contact people you’ve worked with in the past, and tap your LinkedIn account and other social media sites for new clients. Give presentations to targeted groups to share your expertise and meet potential new customers.

As you begin to grow or if you don’t feel equipped to promote yourself, consider hiring an independent public relations professional. But first, be sure to evaluate their: • ONGOING MEDIA RELATIONSHIPS: Make sure the expert

you’re working with has current, well-established media contacts in your industry. Ask for editorial references.

• ONLINE PRESENCE: Does the pro have an active, informative website? How strong are his or her social media skills and presence on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter?

• CLIENT REFERENCES: Get the names of several of the professional’s clients in your industry and interview them about their experience and results.

• INDUSTRY REPUTATION: Is the pro well-respected in the field?

Has he or she authored articles or books and become established as an expert source by the media?

Q: I’m a tax consultant to small businesses in a variety of sectors. I work from a desk in my home office most days but don’t want my customers to know that. I have a great website and nice looking business cards. How do I make my home phone match that level of professionalism?

A: Just because you work in jeans and a T-shirt doesn’t

mean you can’t sound like you’re wearing a suit. With a good business phone service, you can hand-pick the features that showcase your services and meet your callers’ needs.

Your goal is to create a killer phone recording.

Here are a few pointers from Ari Rabban, CEO of Phone. com, a business communications firm.

• Build a phone menu that starts with an upbeat greeting, telling callers briefly what you do and who you serve.

• Then route customers based on their needs, letting them choose the outcome they want — to leave a message for you, transfer to your mobile number if you’re out of the office or to hear more detailed information. If you want to provide recorded info on tax deadlines, requirements or facts in an automated message, you can easily make that part of your menu.

• You can also direct callers to different extensions for their type of business, even if each of those “departments” rings through to the same desk

or mobile phone. This is a way to make your business sound more diversified and Main Street than it is.

• To make your message sound flawless, consider paying for a professional recording.

Some phone providers offer this service for a small fee, making it easy to convert your phone script into a polished message. Also, use professional hold music that you know will appeal to your callers.

• Finally, if your provider offers it, use a voicemail-totext service to deliver phone messages immediately to your cell phone or email inbox. This will save time and help you respond more quickly to your clients, even when you’re away from your home desk.

Your business phone service should offer all of the recording tools and menu options that make this kind of customization easy, even on a smallbusiness budget.

Bruce Freeman, an adjunct professor and co-author of “Birthing the Elephant” (Random House), is president of ProLine Communications.

Readers may send him email at bruce@smallbusinessporfessor.com and follow him on Twitter (@ smallbizprof) and Facebook.

Building North Iowa DEAN SNYDER CONSTRUCTION

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GLOBE GAZETTE

IN BUSINESS • SUNDAY, SEPT. 20, 2015 • J13

Job market snapshot: Solid hiring but tepid pay JOSH BOAK

AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON — On Labor Day weekend 2015, the U.S. job market found an old sweet spot: 5.1 percent unemployment — far from the 10 percent joblessness America endured back in 2009.

It’s the lowest rate in more than seven years, suggestive of healthy hiring levels that have traditionally fostered rising incomes, consumer spending and economic growth.

In August, the unemployment rate fell on the strength of a decent if less-than-stellar 173,000 added jobs. And most economists expect the government to eventually revise up that job gain because of seasonal trends that are notoriously difficult to calculate.

The latest employment data reflected the durability of the U.S. economy, which has so far withstood distress worldwide: Tumultuous stock markets, a sharp slowdown in China, a perpetually struggling European economy and the start of a recession in Canada, America’s largest trading partner.

Yet the report also spotlighted aspects of an economic expansion that has been steady without being fully satisfying: Wage growth remains slight. And millions remain relegated to the sidelines of the job market.

Joseph LaVorgna, chief U.S. economist at Deutsche Bank, grades the job market as good but not great.

“It’s a solid B,” LaVorgna said. “Definitely not an A.”

Associated Press

In this June photo, Mario Polo of Boston Market, left, talks to job seekers Herby Joseph, right, and Kingsly Jose, center, at a job fair in Sunrise, Florida.

5.1 PERCENT UNEMPLOYMENT That figure serves as compelling evidence for why the U.S. job market is the envy of most of the industrialized world. The unemployment rate has dropped a full percentage point over the past 12 months as more Americans find work.

At previous times during the recovery from the Great Recession, the unemployment rate had dipped only because many people had abandoned their job searches and were no longer counted as unemployed.

Employers have added nearly 2.6 million workers since last year — about 764,000 more than the number who left the work force to retire, start school or end their job hunts in frustration, according to the government’s monthly

survey of households.

A 5.1 percent unemployment rate also fits the Federal Reserve’s picture of a normal economy. And so it heightens expectations that the Fed will raise interest rates from record lows. Maximizing employment is one of the Fed’s mandates.

But the Fed must balance that task with its other mandate: To stabilize prices. And across the economy, inflation remains well short of the Fed’s 2 percent target, at which point a rate hike would be appropriate.

10.3 PERCENT Besides the official unemployment rate, the jobs report includes a broader measure of joblessness: It takes account not only of people seeking work but also of part-time workers who can’t find

full-time jobs and other people on the fringes of the job market. This broader measure was 10.3 percent last month, relatively high for a baseline unemployment rate of 5.1 percent.

When the unemployment rate was most recently this low, in early 2008, the broader measure was 9.2 percent. That gap between 9.2 percent in 2008 and 10.3 percent today translates into an additional 1.9 million Americans who are still barely getting by, testament to a job market has yet to fully heal.

221,000 JOBS That’s the average monthly job growth over the past three months.

That average could rise later because economists say seasonal adjustment quirks could cause the

August jobs figure of 173,000 to be revised up by 50,000 or more.

Why do job gains of more than 200,000 matter so much? It’s roughly twice the monthly influx of workers into the job market. It means that demand for workers exceeds the incoming supply and suggests that employers foresee continued customer demand.

Tellingly, hiring in August shifted away from sectors with heavy exposure to the global economy. Manufacturers, for example, shed 17,000 jobs. The pace of hiring also slipped for business services.

More than half the added jobs came from industries largely insulated from overseas turmoil: Government, education and health services. Their share of job growth nearly doubled last month from 27.1 percent in July.

40.3 PERCENT That’s the share of employed Americans older than 25 with college degrees. This figure has climbed more than a percentage point from 39.2 percent over the previous 12 months. Seven years ago, the share of

college-graduate workers was roughly 35 percent.

The change points to an encouraging shift since the recession: American workers are increasingly better educated. College graduates not only earn more on average than noncollege grads, but on top of that, their unemployment rate is now a scant 2.5 percent — less than half the national average. $25.09 The average hourly earnings have crept up just 2.2 percent over the past year to $25.09. That increase looks adequate to some economists because of ultra-low inflation over that time. But an unemployment rate barely above 5 percent would normally drive faster pay growth. That’s because when hiring picks up, the supply of available workers tightens and employers generally feel compelled to raise pay to attract talent.

Yet since 2012, average hourly earnings have largely risen between 1.8 percent and 2.2 percent in the monthly reports — not nearly enough for many Americans to feel that their living standards have improved.

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J14 • SUNDAY, SEPT. 20, 2015 • IN BUSINESS

GLOBE GAZETTE

Create a smart policy on use of smartphones This includes encryption, to fall into the wrong hands. Most password procellphone carritection, autoers provide this The odds are good that matic lockdown service. Include after a period your policy on employee language that of inactivity, use of cellphones at work holds the comis out of date. Smartphone automatic delepany harmless tion after several technology has changed for employee failed log-in too quickly for many data (such as attempts and employee handbooks to photos, texts anti-virus prokeep up. Devices that and contact tection. just a few years ago could lists) that may Require only facilitate garbled be destroyed employees’ phone calls now transmit when the phone permission data globally at the speed is disabled. to execute a of light.

Finally, “kill” comLost or stolen smartinclude a clause mand should the phones can pose a serithat allows you to remove phone be lost or stolen. ous risk to your trade all company data from That enables you to dissecrets and confidential employee phones when able the phone, makinformation. That’s true they are terminated ing it more difficult for whether the phones are or resign. company-issued or belong proprietary information to employees.

Employers that give phones to employees obviously may exercise greater control over their use.

Employers should make it clear that employees have no expectation of privacy when using an employerissued phone.

The same is true of communications on networks you pay for.

But some employees may also use their own smartphones to store and transmit company data.

That makes enforcing your smartphone policy trickier. However, you can take action to protect your data and limit employer liability.

Start by crafting an agreement that employees must sign. Require employees to report lost or stolen phones as soon as possible.

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GLOBE GAZETTE

IN BUSINESS • SUNDAY, SEPT. 20, 2015 • J15

®

Tim Ihlenfeldt Agency Tim Ihlenfeldt Agency Preserves Historical Church Building!

Once Tim Ihlenfeldt learned a church had its last service and the future of the building was in question, something had to be done. Tim believes that buildings matter to a community.

They are a physical link to the past. The brilliantly stained glass, stunning woodwork along with a spectacular brick exterior is only a handful of reasons this building should be preserved. The agency is completely moved in and business has never been better.

“I appreciate the fact that an amazing building can still be used and not forgotten.” Diane, a State Farm customer commented.

“This is the coolest insurance office I’ve ever seen!” said Amanda, also a State Farm client.

Tim Ihlenfeldt has over 20 years agency experience. Tim has been married to Tonja Ihlenfeldt for 25 years and has 7 children along with 2 twin grandchildren. The Ihlenfeldt agency includes Courtny Beals, Insurance Account Manager and Sara Zilge, Insurance and Bank Representative.

This agency continues to advance with today’s insurance and financial service needs with a facility that remembers the past.

502 S Jersey Ave, Mason City, IA 50401 (Between St. Joseph Church & Hardees on Hwy 122)

641.423.5620 www.CallTim4Insurance.com

J16 • SUNDAY, SEPT. 20, 2015 • IN BUSINESS

GLOBE GAZETTE

Protecting retirement assets from stock volatility 2016, think about accelerating those plans, says Michael Kitces, a financial You’ve been through planner, blogger and volatile markets before. research director at PinYou know not to sell in nacle Advisory Group. a panic.

With Medicare Part B But if the recent marpremiums set to increase ket gyrations have your next year, most Social attention, putting a few Security recipients can rainy-day strategies in take advantage of the proyour retirement game gram’s “hold harmless” plan — particularly if you provision, which caps are in your 60s — can premium raises at a benhelp you make the best of eficiary’s Social Security the situation. cost of living adjustment, Delayed retirement which next year is zero, credits — the 8 percent per year pickup in income Kitces said. (Be aware you get for delaying claim- this won’t work for highincome beneficiaries who ing past your full retirement age up to 70 — are a will be subject to Medicare’s surtax.) great deal. Some advisers “Accelerating a bit more even recommend spendto take advantage of the ing down an investment Medicare hold harmless portfolio as a way to rules may be appealing, delay. But if that means but the decision whether pulling income out of a wounded portfolio — or if or not to delay Social Security is still dominated you could be ensnared by more than anything” by Medicare cost hikes next year — it might be time for your ability to forgo benefits, which if you can do a rethink. it will be more valuable, If you already started he said.

Medicare and were planning to begin Social SecuTAPPING SOME home rity benefits sometime in JANET KIDD STEWART Chicago Tribune

equity is another way to avoid taking retirement income from stock funds, but traditional home equity lines of credit can be frozen in certain market conditions.

If you’re 62 or older, it might make sense to establish a line of credit using a reverse mortgage (under the federal home equity conversion mortgage program), said Shelley Giordano, principal of Longevity View Associates, a reverse mortgage consulting firm.

Shop around for lenders because Giordano says some are offering low or no closing costs in exchange for a slightly higher starting interest rate. Some also will allow a homeowner to establish a credit line with just a nominal initial amount, such as $50.

Hopefully, you have investments outside the stock market from which you are drawing money for day-to-day expenses.

Likewise, if you’re still a few years from retirement

looking for an excuse to end a bad relationship with an adviser, leaving now could be a good time because if it involves selling some positions, you could owe less in capital gains taxes.

“Determine if your investments were allocated properly and what the new adviser will do differently” before jumping ship, cautions Candace Bahr, managing partner at Bahr Investment Group.

THE QUESTION BECOMES, Even if you don’t are we there yet? Should have an adviser, if you investors refrain from weren’t allocated well, withdrawing from stock do something about it funds, even if it’s part of a rather than sitting on longer-term rebalancing your hands, says Michael strategy? Should retirees J. Garry, an adviser and think about forgoing an estate planning attorney inflation bump, or even with Yardley Wealth taking a pay cut?

Management.

IT COULD ALSO be wise “On a year-to-date “If you’ve kept too to take withdrawals from basis the market is down high an allocation towards variable annuities and 6 percent or so, so we’re stocks trying to ride the certain life insurance not in a correction mode products while asset prices run-up, then I’d say this yet,” said Judith Ward, is the time to hop off and are down, said Michael senior financial planner get to the right allocation,” Goodman, an accountant with T. Rowe Price, as he said. and financial planner markets were reboundJanet Kidd Stewart writes The Journey with Wealthstream Adviing somewhat. for the Chicago Tribune. Share your journey If the correction deep- sors Inc. to or through retirement or pose a question And if you’ve been ens to more like 20 percent at journey@janetkiddstewart.com. and gradually pulling money out of the market to create a retirement income stream, you can afford to take a pause in that strategy to let markets stabilize.

At some point, however, you’ll need to refill those buckets and make withdrawals, and who’s to say the market won’t be in even worse shape a few years from now?

by year-end, she said, that’s when she might suggest forgoing the inflation raise.

Of course, it never hurts to start thinking about expenses you could cut out if that day comes.

A market decline can be a good time to convert money in a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA because you can convert more shares for the same taxable withdrawal, but you also have to assess whether converting makes sense at your age, experts said. Do it if you’re trying to diversify retirement income tax liabilities or leave money to heirs, but otherwise it makes less sense at this age, experts said.

GLOBE GAZETTE

IN BUSINESS • SUNDAY, SEPT. 20, 2015 • J17

Shared workspaces gaining ground Ditching pajamas, tearing down cubicles: Shared workspaces are replacing traditional home offices MARISOL MEDINA The Associated Press

MIAMI — Ten years ago, co-working spaces were a new concept, providing shared desks for freelancers and entrepreneurs as single “mom and pop” shops.

Today, the one-off, mom and pop spaces have been mostly replaced with chain companies, providing real estate developers a new way to lease traditional office space and to make connections with potential tenants.

Feeding off the tech startup boom and the increased mobility it allowed workers, co-working spaces took off — attracting lonely home-office dwellers out of their pajamas and sparing coffee shop-based freelancers an obligatory purchase of a cup of coffee in exchange for an all-day workstation.

“They’re people that want more stimulation than sitting at home and being very productive working in your pajamas all Associated Press day,” said University of Michigan People work at their computers at Pipeline, a shared workspace company in downtown Miami. Today, chain business professor Gretchen companies provide real estate developers a new way to lease traditional office space and to make connecSpreitzer, who has studied for tions with potential tenants. years how people thrive at work, focusing on co-working spaces in GRANT KILLINGSWORTH, a comcompany as it is a co-workphone booths for privacy, free recent years. mercial real estate agent in ing space.” coffee, high-end artisanal tea Miami, said landlords also are A selling point of most coand even beer. The companies TODAY, COMPANIES such as attracted by the potential to working spaces is networking. continue attracting entreprePipeline, WeWork, Grind and Future “members” — a deliberate make connections, which may neurs, freelancers and startups.

NextSpace have opened about choice of wording — are attracted have contributed to their rise in 4,000 co-working spaces in most popularity.

CO-WORKING SPACES are growing to the varied pool of businesses major U.S. cities and worldwide “A lot of the one- or twoand possible mutually beneficial as more chains enter the field, where desks and offices can be person businesses that get their connections to be made in a rented for a short- or long-term. Spreitzer said. start in a shared workspace envishared workspace community.

For example, WeWork began While prices vary by city and ronment grow and become larger, “They have a community five years ago and now has 49 company, in Miami the spaces long-term tenants in the same manager, somebody who is the open or soon-to-be open locaoffer barrier-free communal building. So if you’re a landlord, heart and soul of the place ... tions in 16 cities, including desks starting at about $200 a it’s a sensible leasing strategy to that helps make connections month, fixed solo desks at about locations in Europe and Israel. between people in the workplace, have a shared workspace among $500 a month and private suites In June, the Wall Street Journal the tenant mix,” he said. “It’s a said WeWork was valued at about organizes social events, shared starting at about $700 a month. lunches, happy hours, seminars,” built-in source of new poten$10 billion.

Located in central business tial tenants.”

“We’re seeing more people in Spreitzer said. districts, the spaces are designed Serial entrepreneur Adam She said the focus on comto look cool and modern, provid- the world of real estate become munity building makes members Boalt had just sold his last commore interested in co-working,” ing areas to foster interaction. pany in 2013 and he needed a feel “they’re part of something Amenities include conference Spreitzer said. “WeWork is just workspace where he could plan as much a real estate developing more than themselves.” rooms, high-speed Internet,

his next project. That’s when he heard about Pipeline, one of more than 25 co-working spaces in downtown Miami.

For $500 a month, Boalt could rent a desk in a busy office alongside other entrepreneurs and small companies.

Originally skeptical, he signed up for a year after learning Google had rented space for some Miami employees. He has since rented more space as his new company grew.

“In one place I was able to talk to accountants, attorneys, Web developers, Web designers — every type of industry,” said Boalt, 38, who developed LiveAnswer, which provides small-business owners access to call centers by tapping into agents’ unoccupied time. “I was able to bring in new call center partners because of Pipeline.”

PHILIPPE HOUDARD, 46, is cofounder of Pipeline, which has four open or soon-to-be open locations in Miami and one in Philadelphia. He worked from home after the Internet made it possible, but said the dream soon turned bitter.

“After a short period of time I realized how limiting and isolating it was,” he said. “There was very little contact with other people, it was difficult to get things done, it was difficult to be inspired and motivated on a daily basis.”

While researching their next business venture, Houdard and Pipeline co-founder, Todd Oretsky, both entrepreneurs, needed to find a workplace.

Feeling isolated and uninspired at a traditional office, the pair built on the concept of executive suites like Regus, a company leasing business suites in offices across 120 countries, to add an “engaged community” to the mix.

J18 • SUNDAY, SEPT. 20, 2015 • IN BUSINESS

GLOBE GAZETTE

Know the rules of the road for conference calls The best way to avoid these behaviors is to make sure you’re prepared for the call.

Just because you can’t be Find a quiet spot away from seen doesn’t mean you can’t background noise and put your be heard. phone on mute when you’re not The concept may seem talking. Make sure you know simple enough, but some folks your way around the conferencseem to forget that on confering equipment. ence calls.

Also, show respect to othIn fact, multiple people ers by actively participating in talking at once and excessive the meeting while also allowing background noise are the top others to speak, the firm recomannoyances on conference calls, mends. according to a recent survey Of course, there are those from OfficeTeam, a subsidiary who may not realize their of the California-based human behavior is disruptive. That’s resources consulting firm Robwhere it’s important for the ert Half. OfficeTeam specializes person responsible for the call to in office staffing issues. step up.

“It’s tempting to let your “It’s important for whoever guard down on conference calls is orchestrating the call to be because participants can’t see proactive,” said Haglund. “Make you, but basic meeting rules still sure you have a clear agenda and apply,” said Robert Hosking, that the meeting is relevant for executive director of OfficePhoto courtesy Fotolia/TNS all the participants invited. They Team, in the survey results.

The best way to avoid offensive conference call behavior is to make sure you’re prepared for the call. need to know what their role is if Conference call skills will they’re asked to participate and continue to be important as have time to prepare for the call.

• The Tech Transgressor is call has started. interview. “Telecommuting is more companies turn to tele“As individuals, whether prone to technology faux pas, • The Noisemaker causes a becoming more common, and so commuting, aided by better we’re the ones holding the whether it’s misusing phone technology and attempts to save there are more opportunities for commotion with loud typing, conference call or a participant, access codes or a headset, or a barking dog or other backproblems to occur.” money by reducing travel. accidentally prompting music by we need to be cognizant of how ground sounds.

OfficeTeam identified these “It’s an easier use of people’s our actions impact the call,” • The Multitasker is too busy putting the line on hold. five types of conference call etitime and budgets if you can • The Scene-Stealer is known Haglund said. eating, checking email or readhave conference calls,” said Car- quette offenders: “Be respectful and treat it like to interrupt or monopolize dising a report to pay attention to • The Late Arriver disrupts rie Haglund, branch manager any other meeting.” cussions. the discussion. the flow when joining after the for Office Team in a phone STEPHANIE RITENBAUGH Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS)

GLOBE GAZETTE

IN BUSINESS • SUNDAY, SEPT. 20, 2015 • J19

Experts: Don’t drag out the layoff process CONNIE FULLER, professor one-on-one conversations with their supervisor of business psychology at The Chicago School of Pro- explaining why it is hapCHICAGO — Layoffs fessional Psychology, notes pening and why they are are never pleasant, but do included, “so that there’s that recently announced mass staff reductions deal a purpose in making the job cuts seem to eliminate a particularly painful blow cuts, there’s a reason layers of management, to employee morale? you’re on the list.” and a “flattening” of a To the contrary, says company’s structure leaves neuropsychologist RichSHE ABHORS the practice fewer options for people to ard Chaifetz. Ripping off of forcing people out of the move up the ranks. the Band-Aid is kinder building the same day, not No matter how they to employees than elimiare executed, mass layoffs giving them time to say nating positions in dribs goodbye to their friends, shake employees’ conand drabs. which she said is “the most fidence and can have a “My philosophy is you TOM WANG, Fotolia particularly deep impact degrading thing you can do do it all at one time,” said Doing layoffs all at once can at big companies that may to another human being” Chaifetz, CEO of Combe easier on employees than have attracted workers and “makes them feel Psych, a Chicago-based dragging the process out, totally, totally worthless.” because of the security provider of employee Companies that fear they afford, she said. assistance programs. “You experts say.

“Immediately it breaks sabotage or leaking of anticipate what you need proprietary information be more piecemeal because the unspoken contract to do, you announce it, between the employer and by letting laid off workers decision makers don’t you get it done. And you stick around “are the ones know where the bottom is. employee,” Fuller said. announce that this is it.” that haven’t treated their Mitigating the psycho- “The people who are still employees right.” there will be looking over logical fallout of layoffs KNOWING THAT THE CUTS Because many of the their shoulders.” is important as the labor are all over with gives Fuller, who spent nearly recently announced layoffs market tightens because people a sense of stability 30 years as an organization seem to affect manageand comfort, he said. Some employees have more ment, other wrinkles arise, choices, Chaifetz said. That development consultant, employers believe that if including fear that it will said bosses can make a includes identifying and they reduce staff slowly, be harder to find a new job people won’t realize it, but encouraging the stars who big difference for those affected by minding a few as an older worker, and secrecy just fosters insecu- remain so that they have shame around collecting best practices. a sense of where they can rity and pushes people to unemployment, Fuller For example, the look for other job options. go in the organization and said. Companies can bring people laid off deserve don’t flee to competitors.

“The worst thing you can do is create an environment of trepidation,” Chaifetz said.

Chaifetz, whose firm serves 29,000 companies, said the inconsistency with which employers manage staff reductions “never ceases to amaze me,” though their circumstances drive their decisions.

Companies that are consolidating, like Kraft Heinz and Walgreens Boots COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL SERVICES Alliance, should be able to • Engineering and Design Services • 24 hour heating and A/C service calculate how many people • Self-contained gas and electric rooftop units • Built-up air handling units • Chillers • Boilers • Geo-thermal they will have to elimi• DDC control systems • Backflow prevention • Hydronic piping • Plumbing • Process piping and steel fabrication nate. But when the cuts • Custom sheet metal fabrication are driven by poor com• Refrigeration • Maintenance contracts pany performance, as at McDonald’s, or an acquisi2417 South Federal Ave., Mason City, IA 50401 tion involving a company 641-423-7032 Phone • 641.423.4376 Fax or business unit in need of www.mechair.com a turnaround, layoffs may ALEXIA ELEJALDE-RUIZ Chicago Tribune

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You Plan From the Ground Up

cubicles serve as sad reminders, so she recommends rearranging seating to bring remaining employees close together.

Layoffs are also tough on those who have to deliver the bad news.

When she was human resources manager at a manufacturing plant being shut down by its parent company, Fuller and her team had to lay off 1,500 people over the course of the year.

They would spend their days telling workers they were no longer needed, holding their hands or absorbing their anger.

SURVIVORS OF LAYOFFS “Then we would go rarely get much sympathy, into a private conferthough they suffer guilt and the pressure of heavier ence room, lock the door workloads as they pick up and we would just cry,” the slack, she said. Empty she said.

unemployment providers into the office for people to fill out forms on site and get it over with, she said.

For the survivors of layoffs who go into mourning after their friends pack up and go, it helps for co-workers to arrange informal get-togethers outside of work with the people who were cut, once the dust has settled, to reminisce about the good memories.

“There needs to be some ceremonial type of closure,” Fuller said.

J20 • SUNDAY, SEPT. 20, 2015 • IN BUSINESS

GLOBE GAZETTE

It’s hard to believe, but the holidays are fast approaching. Time to start planning that holiday party! Show your employees and customers how much they have meant to your business with a sensational party at Diamond Jo!

PLANNING A CASUAL CELEBRATION? A MORE FORMAL AFFAIR? Our award-winning chefs are up to the challenge of ensuring the perfect meal for your event, including: • Hot and cold hors d’oeuvres to start things off deliciously.

• Buffet dinners to suit every taste.

• Plated entrées for that touch of class.

• Decadent desserts to end on a sweet note.

Please contact Mary Holmes, Catering Sales Manager, for a free tour of the Event Center, or to discuss options to make your holiday party perfect this year!

641-323-7819 | maryholmes@boydgaming.com

777 Diamond Jo Lane, Northwood, IA | DiamondJo.com