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YOU R C A L E N DA R Friday, April 1
Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility, 3909 W. Main St.
Scovill Banquet Facility.
Thursday, April 28
Decatur Noon Lions Club, Diamonds Family Restaurant, 2959 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club.
Early Bird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Frontiers Club, 10:30 a.m., Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, Decatur Club. noon, Decatur Club. Mount Zion Lions Club, 6:30 p.m., Monday, April 18 Lions Club Community Center. Decatur Noon Lions Club, Diamonds Decatur Camera Club, 7 p.m., Rock Family Restaurant. Springs Environmental Center. Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club. Friday, April 29 Women’s Progressive Club, 6 p.m., Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Greater Northside Baptist Church. Scovill Banquet Facility.
Tuesday, April 5
Tuesday, April 19
Saturday, April 2
Decatur Frontiers Club, 10:30 a.m., Decatur Club, 158 W. Prairie Ave.
Monday, April 4
Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur AMBUCS, noon, Decatur Club. Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club. Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club.
Wednesday, April 6
Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce Breakfast, 7 a.m., Decatur Club. Scheduled speaker is Randall Blankenhorn, secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation. Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Banquet Facility.
Thursday, April 7
Early Bird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Metro Decatur Home Builders Association, 11:30 a.m., Beach House, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr. Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, noon, Decatur Club. Mount Zion Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m., Great Clips, 4655 E. Maryland Ave. Lincolnland AMBUCS, 6:30 p.m., Independence Pointe Building, 2715 N. 27th St.
Friday, April 8
Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.
Saturday, April 9
Decatur Frontiers Club, 10:30 a.m., Decatur Club.
Monday, April 11
Decatur Noon Lions Club, Diamonds Family Restaurant. Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club. Altrusa International of Decatur, 6 p.m., location varies.
Tuesday, April 12
Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Building Construction Trades Council, 10 a.m., IBEW Local 146 Hall, 3390 N. Woodford St. Decatur Area Society for Human Resource Management, 11 a.m., location varies. Decatur AMBUCS, noon, Decatur
Saturday, April 16
Saturday, April 30
Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, Decatur Frontiers Club, 10:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Club. Decatur AMBUCS, noon, Decatur Club. Monday, May 2 Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club. Decatur Noon Lions Club, Diamonds Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club. Family Restaurant. Decatur Landlords Association, Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur 6 p.m., Doherty’s Pub, 242 E. William St. Club. Women’s Progressive Club, 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 20 Greater Northside Baptist Church. Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Tuesday, May 3 Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, Banquet Facility. 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur AMBUCS, noon, Decatur Thursday, April 21 Club. Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club. Early Bird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club. Banquet Facility. Decatur Christian Women’s Connection, 11:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Wednesday, May 4 Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, Greater Decatur Chamber of ComClub. noon, Decatur Club. merce Expo VIP Preview Party, 5 to Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club. Mount Zion Chamber of Commerce 7 p.m., Decatur Civic Center. Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club. Annual Banquet, 6 p.m., Mount Zion Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, Convention Center. Scheduled speaker is 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Dee Brown. Wednesday, April 13 Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, Banquet Facility. 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Friday, April 22 Mount Zion Chamber of Commerce Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Thursday, May 5 Luncheon, 11:15 a.m., Crawford’s Pizza & Scovill Banquet Facility. Early Bird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Pub, 170 Debby Drive, Mount Zion. Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Saturday, April 23 Greater Decatur Chamber of ComBanquet Facility. Decatur Frontiers Club, 10:30 a.m., merce Business Expo, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Decatur Real Estate Investors As- Decatur Club. Decatur Civic Center. Events include the sociation, 6:30 p.m., Perkins Family State of the City address by Julie Moore Restaurant, 2999 N. Monroe St. Monday, April 25 Wolfe at 7 a.m. and the Taste of Decatur Decatur Noon Lions Club, Diamonds from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Family Restaurant. Thursday, April 14 Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, Early Bird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur noon, Decatur Club. Banquet Facility. Club. Human Service Agency Consortium, Senior Resources Network, noon, noon, Central Christian Church, 650 W. Keystone Meadows, 1455 W. Mound Road. Tuesday, April 26 William St. Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, Metro Decatur Home Builders Assonoon, Decatur Club. 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. ciation, 6 p.m., Beach House. Greater Decatur Chamber of ComDecatur Building Construction Lincolnland AMBUCS, 6:30 p.m., Inmerce Business After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m., Trades Council, 10 a.m., IBEW Local dependence Pointe Building. HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital. 146 Hall. Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club. Decatur Area Women’s Network Friday, May 6 Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club. (DAWN), 5:30 p.m., Decatur Club. Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Scovill Lincolnland AMBUCS, 6:30 p.m., InCoalition of Neighborhood Orga- Banquet Facility. dependence Pointe Building. nizations, 5:30 p.m., Decatur Public LiMount Zion Lions Club, 6:30 p.m., brary. Saturday, May 7 Lions Club Community Center. Decatur Frontiers Club, 10:30 a.m., Decatur Camera Club, 7 p.m., Rock Wednesday, April 27 Decatur Club. Springs Environmental Center, 3939 NearDecatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, ing Lane. 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. To submit items for Your Calendar, contact Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Scott Perry at (217) 421-7976, at sperry@ herald-review.com, or click the “Submit an Friday, April 15 Banquet Facility. M Event” link at www.thebusiness-journal.com 1 Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m.,
April 2016 | BUSINESS JOURNAL | 3
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FROM THE EDITOR
O
ne might think a person with business editor as a title would be really money smart. That definitely isn’t the case when it comes to me. I’d love to tell you that I’m sitting on a mound of cash plotting my early exit from the daily grind. Instead, I find myself wondering what I did wrong now. I’ve made a couple blunders in the past few years that really came back to bite me in the wallet. Some of this could have been avoided if I had taken the time to get answers about things I knew I didn’t understand. While most of us would rather share information about anything other than our finances, it’s important to acknowledge you need help and get it. If you need a little kickstart, consider visiting the Financial Health Fair taking place April 23 as part of Money Smart Week in Macon County. (See page 22 for more details) This casual event, and others scheduled during the week, will provide basic information on topics that will help you get your financial house in order. Ask yourself. Can you afford not to become more money smart?
Volume 21
Issue 4
601 E. William St. Decatur, IL 62523 217.421.7976 217.421.7965 (fax) Publisher: Julie Bechtel General Manager: Gary Sawyer
Scott Perry, editor Business Journal of Midcentral Illinois
Editor: Scott Perry Advertising: AnnaMarie Hanes Cover photo: Jim Bowling
April 2016 Contents STANDING FEATURES
M 1
Biz Bites
6
Biz Clips
11
Fred Spannaus
11
Free Time calendar
15
Health calendar
20
Julie Shields
10
Liz Reyer
17
Office Coach
17
Professional Profile
22
Wendy Gauntt
21
4 Positive outlook
ADVERTISING: The deadline for ad and ad copy for the May issue is April 13. Call 217.421.7953 for rate information.
Commercial, housing markets start year strong.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: To order additional copies, call 217.421.7931
STORY IDEAS: Email sperry@herald-review.com or call 217.421.7976
The Business Journal of MidCentral Illinois is printed monthly and is a publication of Lee Enterprises, Inc.
H appy trails
Bruce Bird is all about getting you from here to there. As the Macon County highway engineer, he is responsible for 234 miles of county road and 245 structures. Those numbers will increase with the planned Macon County Beltway project, which is set to begin this summer.
Page 16
8 Mission continues The Macon County Farm Bureau marks 100 years of service.
Information published is the responsibility of the author and does not reflect the opinions of The Business Journal of MidCentral Illinois. To submit articles, mail typewritten and 500 words or less to: The Business Journal, 601 E. William St., Decatur, IL 62523. Articles will not be returned. Any editorial content or advertising published is the property of Lee Enterprises, Inc., DBA The Business Journal of MidCentral Illinois. Herald & Review All rights reserved for entire content.
4 | BUSINESS JOURNAL | April 2016
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YOU R C OM M U N I T Y
JIM BOWLING, BUSINESS JOURNAL
After a couple years of searching, Mark Hite found the location he wanted for his expanding insurance services business. Administrative assistant Tiffany Cochran, left, and customer service representative Rita Whitten work in the remodeled Eagle Rock Insurance Services office on the third floor of a building at 225 S. Main St..
Real estate market showing positive signs Commercial developers predict strong 2016 TONY REID Business Journal Writer
D ECATUR – There is no way to insure your business will rapidly end up in the ideal commercial space, even when you are in the insurance business. But that perfect perch is almost certainly out there in Decatur and the surrounding area somewhere, tucked away amid a host of options and configurations. Mark Hite, owner with son Ryan of Eagle Rock Insurance Services, took a long flight through Decatur’s vacant office possibilities before he came down in the place he was meant to be. Hite has been in the insurance business for 25 years and was previously based in Macon. After taking over another insurance firm and assuming the Eagle Rock name for all his insurance operations, he looked to relocate to Decatur to be near most of his client base. And while son Ryan is off running the Eagle Rock office
in Peoria, his dad wanted a space at this end within an easily findable address with plenty of parking both for his clients, himself, his business partner Steve Spinner and their three-strong support staff. Hite’s hunt for his ideal insurance eerie began roughly two years ago. “I think I looked at every building in downtown Decatur,” he recalled. “Some were too small, some were too big and some didn’t have parking.” Tim Vieweg, owner and managing broker of Vieweg Real Estate, helped guide the search and eventually found what Hite was looking for in Vieweg’s own commercial headquarters at 225 S. Main St. Tucked up on the third floor was about 1,600 square feet of blank space that was remodeled precisely to Eagle Rock’s specifications. With plenty of parking down below, Hite and his team are now roosting in comfort. “It’s really worked out well for us,” said Hite. “Tim had a great knowledge of what’s available and he works very hard at it.” Which seems to be the secret for navigating a path through the tangle of com-
mercial real estate: you need a good guide. The Business Journal took a quick survey of market trends – and took the temperature of the residential housing outlook, too – and the professionals who acted as our guides say the market for real estate is enjoying a post-recession bounce amid a robust economy. “Actually, even in the last month, it has really heated up as far as inquiries are concerned, with a lot of out of town and out of state inquiries about our commercial market,” Vieweg said. “The challenge is always finding exactly what they want but, because of that challenge, I think we are going to see a lot of construction this year.” He points to developments in the works ranging from small office buildings to retail strips and some industrial projects. Vieweg said the enticing potential of Decatur’s Midwest Inland Port facility ties in with our central location and railroad hub status and is driving interest from warehouse and distribution operations looking to escape crippling prices in big cities like Chicago.
“After Chicago, our land prices seem cheap and traffic here is not nearly so congested,” Vieweg added. “So trucks can run out of their plants and onto the highways a lot easier.” Maddison Daniels, a property manager for Main Place Properties, also noted the hot demand for any kind of warehouse space. “Clients have heard of the Inland Port when they call here,” she said, rating it a major commercial asset. She said prospective buyers may not be planning to use the port now, but have their eye on it for the future as they grow their businesses. “It’s important, definitely,” she added. Tony Romano, of the Romano Company construction firm, is happy to build or remodel to suit any commercial taste and likes the way 2016 is shaping up for his business. He points to local projects ranging from hotels to offices and restaurants and is currently clearing and prepping the site of the former Big Creek Stables for development. “We’ve had ongoing talks with some Please see MARKET, Page 5
M 1
April 2016 | BUSINESS JOURNAL | 5
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Market From 4
people interested in that,” he said. “And the development there is more than likely going to be commercial. Overall, I think the economy seems to be picking up a little bit and there are a lot of plans being drawn up, a lot of opportunities out there. I think 2016 is going to be fantastic.” Romano, a builder with 30 years of experience, is less thrilled about the pace of new residential construction, which has slowed considerably. Romano said a housing market laden with desirable preowned properties has sapped demand for building new dream homes. “But once they (pre-owned homes) drop off the market, we’ll see an uptick in building,” he said. One firm pushing hard to clear the residential inventory overburden is Brinkoetter and Associates. They handle both residential and commercial and say sales are moving briskly on all fronts. “I’ll tell you, in 2014 we maybe did a couple million dollars in commercial real estate transactions,” said owner and managing broker, Carla Brinkoetter. “But last year we did $10 million in commercial. We have new brokers, Chris Harrison and Zane Peterson, who are very knowledgeable and are driving that, plus there is a lot of demand out there.” Looking at overall commercial and residential sales, she said her business numbers were up 14 percent over the first two months of 2015 and, from a residential perspective, some home categories were now glowing red-hot. “We have buyers looking to spend up to $350,000 and we can’t find them anything,” Brinkoetter said. “That’s because they want ranches with basements and they are just not out there.” Another feverish demand zone is family homes priced in the $90,000 to $150,000 range while buyers with deeper pockets, at least by Decatur standards, will still find a nice selection of sumptuous homes in the $400,000-plus range As for first-time buyers, the post-recession clamp-down on lending conditions has eased a bit, and some grant options are available to help people make the leap into home ownership. Glenda Williamson, owner of Glenda Williamson Realty, has said the grants are helping first time buyers and so are sellers. She says deals are getting done because sellers are willing to assist buyers with prepaid costs like appraisals and insurance and with closing costs. She said younger buyers often need all the help they can get in these times of more stringent lending standards and other cost burdens. “And it’s not unusual for buyers to have a $60,000 student loan,” she said. Overall, Williamson shares the view that the market is buoyant and starting to burn through its inventory of available homes. Statistics from the Decatur Association of Realtors show that in February 2016 the inventory of Decatur homes for sale stood at 508 compared to 596 a year earlier – a M 1 decline of nearly 15 percent.
JIM BOWLING, BUSINESS JOURNAL
From left, Eagle Rock Insurance Services partners Mark Hite, Ryan Hite and Steve Spinner. In addition to being convenient for their customers, the new location for their business offers a nice view of downtown Decatur.
“I’ll tell you, in 2014 we maybe did a couple million dollars in commercial real estate transactions. But last year we did $10 million in commercial.” Carla Brinkoetter, owner, Brinkoetter and Associates
Sales in January-February 2016 hit 164, a jump of 14.7 percent over the 143 sales lodged in the same months a year ago. Houses were spending 18 days more on the market before selling – 140 days so far this year compared to 121 a year ago – but they sold for more. Average sale price in January to February 2016 was more than $104,000, as compared with $88,400 at this time last year, a jump of 18 percent. Williamson says hot areas of the market she’s seen include lower priced homes snapped up for cash by real estate investors, and solid family homes priced fairly and in tip-top condition. “We’re even seeing multiple offers on anything that is really in move-in condition,” she added. “And that’s something we’ve not seen before.”
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6 | BUSINESS JOURNAL | April 2016
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BI Z BI T E S Now open
James Aikman is ready to satisfy the curiosity of those interested in seeing the animals in a new wildlife park near Arcola. The drive through portion of the Aikman Wildlife Adventure, at 125 N. County Road 425 E. in what used to be Rockome Gardens, will be open on most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the spring. The cost to drive through is $20 per vehicle, during which time Aikman said visitors can see and take pictures of the 80 animals on site. The entire park, including a walkthrough portion with petting zoo, will open Memorial Day weekend, after which Aikman said it will operate for visitors on a daily basis. “They’ve definitely been curious and excited about it,” Aikman said. “It will be a fun thing to do.” Visitors wanting to feed the animals will be able to do so as part of a behind the scenes tour. A guide will bring five visitors at a time on a tour that will cost $25 per person, Aikman said. For more information, find the Aikman Wildlife Adventure page on Facebook. *** Penn Station East Coast Subs has opened in Forsyth. The location at 1260 U.S. 51 is the first for the franchise in the Decatur area. Owners Joe Redshaw and Ryan Esther operate two Penn Stations in Springfield with plans to open additional restaurants in Peoria and Bloomington over the next few years. “Penn Station has the most incredible tasting grilled sub in the market,” Redshaw said. “Once a customer has tried our sandwiches, they are hooked. We know Forsyth will love Penn Station as much as we do, and we’re excited to keep expanding in Central Illinois.” Penn Station is a Cincinnati-based business with over 300 locations in 15 states known for its grilled, made-toorder sub sandwiches, hand-squeezed lemonade, fresh cut fries and chocolate chunk cookies baked daily in the store. The business, which offers dine in, carry out and catering, is part of the new Highland Plaza shopping center. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Call (217) 330-7210. *** Joining Penn Station in the Highland Plaza shopping center is Sport Clips Haircuts. The business is part of the nation’s largest franchise dedicated to men’s and boys’ hair care. “The Sport Clips concept is growing across the country, and we’re proud to make it a part of the Decatur area’s retail community,” said Jesse Keyser, owner of the new store. “We’re looking forward to introducing clients to our services and distinctive experience.” Clients will be able to watch sports on television during their haircut as part of a fun, casual environment, Keyser said.
Services include an “MVP Experience” that features a precision haircut, massaging shampoo and hot steamed towel treatment along with a neck and shoulder massage. Keyser said its stylists specialize in hair care for men and boys while staying up-to-date on the latest trends. Walk-ins are welcome. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more information, go to www.sportsclips.com/IL705 or call (217) 872-6200. *** From learning how to handle a gun when your life is in danger, to knowing how to defend yourself if you’re unarmed and someone else has a gun, Midwest SWAT Academy has got your back. Located at 160 Wildwood Drive in Mount Zion, SWAT stands for “Simulated Weapons and Tactical Training.” The academy uses guns shooting laser beams, combined with video projection and live-action scenarios, to simulate threat situations people might encounter in their everyday lives. And then it teaches how to deal with them and stay alive. Businessman Mark Scranton created the academy and has recruited a team of instructors that include Decatur martial artist Jeff DeVore and several experts with both police and military experience. Customers can talk with instructors and choose the training that works for them, with class schedules set for evenings, days and some weekends. A class schedule still is being developed. “Our training is as real as you can get without being in an actual situation,” Scranton said. “It gives you a really good feel of what it would be like to go through this in real life.” For more information, find them on Facebook or call (217) 864-1045.
On the move
Open more than two years, The Hidden Lair has taken a step up in the world by moving to a larger space farther north on Illinois 121 in Mount Zion. Owner Derrick Bradshaw said the building at 1460 N. Illinois 121 is at least triple what he had for his family gaming business, can seat up to 150 players (up from 30) and is large enough to host regional tournaments. Bradshaw said he is in talks with the makers of major game titles like “Warhammer” to stage sanctioned events that presently only go to big cities like Chicago and St. Louis. “We’ve now got plenty of room and a perfect central location here,” he said. The Hidden Lair carries a large selection of games ranging from traditional board games to complex fantasy frolics. The new location includes a 3,000-squarefoot gaming space and will boast features like a “paint station” where young players can paint free game miniatures they take home afterward. Bradshaw said more players are showing up and they are all pleased with the
Hidden Lair’s latest lair. “Everybody is loving the new building,” he said. Hours are 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 3 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more, find the Hidden Lair on Facebook, go to www.thehiddenlair.com or call (217) 8641851.
New owner
The new owners of Huff Home Specialties are familiar to customers of the longtime Decatur business. Managers Mike Couch and Shawn Spain bought the business from Bill and Kay Huff, who are retiring. The home improvement materials business at 2201 U.S. 51 South includes Huff Lumber, which the Huff family owned since starting in 1880. Couch doesn’t expect to make major changes right away, but some could be made over the next couple years. “We’ve come a long way in how we’re doing things,” Couch said. “We’re hoping to grow with new products.” The business provides materials for kitchens, doors, bathrooms and windows, Couch said. The goal is provide the best customer service possible and deliver orders on time with 70 percent of its business coming from special orders, he said. “We’ll help with design,” Couch said. “We’ll try to find a solution. We get to
help dreams come true for our customers.” Spain said buying the company fulfills his dream of becoming a business owner. He looks forward to working with the staff to keep the company moving ahead. Store hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday by appointment. Go to www.huffhomespecialties.com or call (217) 423-7571.
Coming soon
Construction has begun on a Sonic Drive In at 4851 E. Prosperity Place in front of the east-side Walmart. Gary Haines, who already owns 15 Decatur-area Subway restaurants, is hoping to have construction of the 2,300-squarefoot building completed by late spring or early summer. In addition to two drivethrough lanes, he said this location will offer indoor seating, unlike many in the Sonic franchise. Sonic was one of the most requested restaurants in 2014 during a city of Decatur retail feedback tour. Biz Bites highlight businesses that are opening, closing, expanding … you get the picture. If you have information for our Biz Bites column, contact Tony Reid at treid@herald-review.com, Chris Lusvardi at clusvardi@herald-review.com, Theresa Churchill at tchurchill@herald-review. com or call them at (217) 421-6979.
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Wyckles Road, bypass Corridor beautification prep top road projects efforts ramping up RYAN VOYLES Business Journal Writer
A bevy of road projects, from small bridge upkeep to major road realignment by the Illinois Department of Transportation, are on this year’s Macon County docket. Macon County Highway Engineer Bruce Bird broke down the list of projects that residents can expect in the coming months, with one of the major ones being a realignment of the intersection of Wyckles Road and Illinois 48 on southwest side of Decatur. The intersection has been targeted by IDOT and local officials due to the number of incidents recorded, Bird said, with future work set to move the intersection more toward the traditional 90 degree angle. Thanks to federal money, Bird said his department would also continue to work township officials to replace thousands of signs in the area to ones that are more ‘reflective’ at night. A first step toward making the Macon County Beltway project a reality also will begin as a bridge replacement on County Highway 60, or Sefton Road, will be constructed to accommodate the larger traffic expected once the beltway is completed. “People may drive over it and think, ‘why is this so big for such a small area?’” Bird said. “It’s because we’re planning for the long-term use of it.” Other large projects expected to begin later in the year is a resurfacing of County Highway 41, or Wyckles Road, between U.S. 36 and Illinois 121, A shoulder and improved drainage is also expected to be added to the road. “A lot of people use that as a cut-away, those that use it to take their kids to school in Warrensburg,” Bird said. Completion of the bridge on County Highway 21, or Boody Road, is also expected to be finished in the coming months, and several smaller bridge projects at County Highway 38, or Washington Street, and County High-
way 36, or Baker Road. Doing so many projects can be difficult, particularly due to a mixture of stagnant money from the motor fuel tax that pays for a majority of construction jobs and increasing costs of building materials. The cost of asphalt alone has doubled in the past few years, with Bird citing the construction boom in countries like China being the main culprit behind the rise in commodity costs. With that, local municipalities that include the county, the city of Decatur, Hickory Point and Long Creek townships, and the villages of Mt. Zion and Long Creek will continue to pool together their roads into one large bid to save money. “We don’t need folks in Springfield to tell us we need to work together and collaborate, we’ve been doing that for a long time,” Bird said.“We all get the work done, but at a cheaper price to us and the taxpayers.” Decatur Public Works Director Rick Marley said the partnerships increase the mileage of roads that are placed in the bid, which drive more competition to have the work. In turn, the bidding process allows the municipalities to save some money. “It helps to get more quantities to encourage more bidders,” Marley said, adding that the partnership creates a stronger bond between local municipalities that can help in future projects. The amount of the package will not be known until the bidding process begins in a few months, though Bird estimates it will be in the neighborhood of a $1 million. He estimated that previous partnerships have saved about 10 percent off the cost of projects. Among the projects expected in the package includes work on the Greendell neighborhood in Decatur, a cape seal on County Highway 28 from the county line east to Illinois 48, and a resurfacing of Bentonville Road from Illinois 121 to Twin Bridge Road in Long Creek.
Building campaign delays merger THERESA CHURCHILL Business Journal Writer
DECATUR – The prospect of a new home for the Northeast Community Fund has shelved plans for the agency to merge with the Good Samaritan Inn, at least for now. Northeast’s Executive Director Jerry Pelz told the Herald & Review that a volunteer approached the agency soon after the forthcoming merger was announced one year ago and offered to lead a capital campaign to raise funds for a new building. Pelz said the charity pursued both avenues for a while and then concluded late last year that it could not do both at the same time. M The agency is in the process of purchasing 1
three acres near Crossing Healthcare from the city of Decatur for $650 with plans to build a 20,000-square-foot building that would contain more than twice the space it occupies now at 825 N. Water. St. Pelz said the rectangular building would face the 800 block of North Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and be situated between King Street and Central Avenue and just east, across Warren Street, from Crossing Healthcare. He said the additional space is needed for all the services the Northeast Community Fund provides, which include a food pantry and clothing room, and also for its microfinancing and case management services, which require more privacy than is possible now.
Pershing, 22nd Street to get needed attention
CHRIS LUSVARDI Business Journal Writer
DECATUR—The Beautify Decatur Coalition is looking to help businesses along 22nd Street and Pershing Road enhance the look of the corridors as the spring gets started. A meeting was held last month at the Decatur Club to provide interested businesses with information about economic development incentives, beautification initiatives and the City Limitless community marketing effort. “Spring is the time when everything starts to happen,” said Jill Davis, co-chair of the Beautify Decatur Coalition. “It doesn’t have to take a lot of time, energy or money.” The group is looking to build off efforts started last year during a similar meeting at Debbie’s Diner focusing on 22nd Street, Davis said. She said several businesses already have started work on planning for projects, including landscaping and adding sculptures. She said businesses are being encouraged to work together, which can help to get more done in many cases. They were
encouraged during the meeting to brainstorm ideas about the corridors, Davis said. Patrick Hoban, the city’s economic development officer, provided information about what incentives such as the enterprise zone are available to aid businesses. The coalition’s efforts fit in with what is trying to be accomplished through the City Limitless campaign that was launched in May, said Nicole Bateman, community marketing manager. “Driving through the community, we want visitors to have a positive first impression,” Bateman said. “That’s going to make a difference.” Positive impressions can lead to a benefit for businesses as customers become interested in the possibility of spending more money, Bateman said. Beautify Decatur organizes several ways businesses can become involved such as participating in the No Litter Zone, Adopt a Street and the Let’s Keep Decatur Bee-Utiful contest, Davis said. She said details of this year’s contest are being worked out for a May 1 start. For more information, email Davis at jilldavis@beautifuldecaturbusiness.com or go to the Beautify Decatur Coalition page on Facebook.
8 | BUSINESS JOURNAL | April 2016
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These roots run deep Macon County Farm Bureau hits century mark CHRIS LUSVARDI Business Journal Writer
D ECATUR — For the past 100 years, the Macon County Farm Bureau has been striving to represent its members partially by raising awareness on various levels about the agriculture industry. Despite continual advances in technology, the group’s mission has remained much the same as when it was founded March 23, 1916, just a couple months after the statewide Illinois Agricultural Association organization, commonly known as Illinois Farm Bureau, was formed. Insurance was offered to Farm Bureau members as a way of spreading the risk to grow crops. As its membership increased, farmers gained a powerful collective voice which continues to exist, advocating on behalf of the industry. “It’s a strong voice for agriculture,” said Paul Butler, a farmer from Macon. “I don’t know any other organization out there like it.” Butler decided to join the Macon County Farm Bureau after starting to farm over a decade ago. It’s a decision that has paid off for Butler, who has become involved through the Farm Bureau advocating for the agriculture industry on legislative issues while gathering information about growing crops on a local level. Butler said he became interested in Farm Bureau simply because he wanted its weekly newspaper with ads for equipment, but it has meant more to him than that. “I knew then 10 percent of what I know now,” Butler said. “There’s nothing like the face-to-face connections you can make.” Some farmers join because of the Farm Bureau’s connections with Country Insurance. However, past president and longtime member Mike Stacey of Illiopolis said Farm Bureau provides benefits from being a grassroots, member-driven organization. The benefits extend beyond just farmers, he said. “It affects all of us,” Stacey said. “If commodity prices go up, it can impact food prices. The economical price of food in this country speaks highly of farmers.” Macon County is one of the top producing areas of the state, with farmers growing mostly corn and soybeans along with producing other crops such as wheat and Christmas trees. Farming has been shown to contribute $15.17 billion, or 62.2 percent of the county’s total economy, mostly from crop-related activity. Farmers take pride in their work knowing what they do contributes to feeding the world just like what their ancestors
LISA MORRISON, BUSINESS JOURNAL
Steve Simms manned the Illinois Farm Bureau tent at last year’s Farm Progress Show in Decatur, which highlighted the upcoming 100th anniversary of the state and Macon County Farm Bureaus. The Macon County chapter started on March 23, 1916.
LOCAL AG FACTS In Macon County, there 674 farming enterprises. They comprise of 336,576 acres, or 525.9 square miles, equating to 90 percent of the county’s area. The average farm size is 499 acres, with 71 farms from 500 to 999 acres and 128 farms with more than 1,000 acres.
did, said Rob Albers of Blue Mound. “I can be standing in an 80-acre field that my great grandfather stood in before me,” Albers said. “There aren’t that many occupations where that is the case. It means the world to me.” Members can become involved early on in their careers through the Young Leaders group, as current President Ed Leonard Jr. of Niantic did when he started with Farm Bureau. The Ag in the Classroom program starts by attempting to spark FILE PHOTO Please see BUREAU, Page 9
Macon County Farm Bureau members do some soil testing in the early years of the organization.
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‘It’s surprising how many people around us don’t get what we do. It’s not just those who live in the city. People in the country can see a combine or tractor and don’t think much about it.’ Ed Leonard Jr., president of the Macon County Farm Bureau
Bureau From 8
FILE PHOTO
Customers take advantage of the Macon County Farm Bureau’s Producers Market in November 1927, one of the many services the organization has provided over the years.
the interest in agriculture among children. Leonard said Agucation is a key component of the county Farm Bureau’s educational efforts. The Farm Bureau invites area fifth graders to Richland Community College for Agucation each spring to explore various aspects of farming, such as seeing a combine or interacting with livestock. “It’s surprising how many people around us don’t get what we do,” Leonard said. “It’s not just those who live in the city. People in the country can see a combine or tractor and don’t think much about it.” The group marked its anniversary last week with an Ag Day luncheon with more plans for later in the year, including this summer during its annual meeting. The Macon County Farm Bureau will
continue to offer the types of programs its members ask for, particularly for young farmers who face decisions about whether to remain in farming, manager Tim Stock said. “We want them to continue to do that,” Stock said. “We want to help them stay in the family business and grow and prosper while doing so. Coming back to the farm is not as easy as it once was.” Stock said young farmers are often looking for the social aspect of what the group provides to them, such as making contacts to share ideas about farming. For older members, Stock said the Farm Bureau’s Prime Timers group offers trips and an opportunity to talk with others about agriculture. Most Farm Bureau members aren’t actively farming, Stock said. He said they receive benefits, such as discount programs, but show their support for agriculture by being an associate member of the organization.
Argenta producing strategic plan Village looking to express its fun side THERESA CHURCHILL Business Journal Writer
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ARGENTA – Developing a variety of fun activities and events throughout the year is emerging as as a priority on Argenta’s to-do list. Speaking for a committee organizing around that goal, Jayden Cook said a remote-control car festival, 3-point basketball shooting contest and a talent show open to adults are some of the group’s ideas. “But first we’ll have a park cleanup day,” he said. “We can everybody in the village come plant flowers and pick up all the trash.” At 12, Jayden is the youngest participants in a planning process initiated this month by the village’s 15-month-old long-range planning and economic development committee, but he’s far from the only one. Fifty people have come to the table so far as representatives of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University in Macomb have led four sessions of its MAPPING the Future of Your Community process. Goals identified in a recent session start with taking better advantage of Argenta’s recreational facilities to offer residents more opportunities to have fun or learn something new.
Other priorities include beautifying the village, managing housing development and attracting new dining and shopping options as well as other entrepreneurs and light industry. Projects to further those goals that emerged this week include putting together: A master plan for improvements to downtown, village entrances and infrastructure; An inventory of available land and commercial buildings; A village website and marketing plan to promote current housing and encourage development. A town meeting will be held this summer or fall to unveil the strategic plan that results from the MAPPING process. Other area communities that have gone through process previously include Altamont, Maroa, Shelbyville and Windsor. Session leaders Tuesday were Gisele Hamm, program manager, and Linda Lee Blaine, community and economic development outreach specialist. Members of an Argenta coordinating council named Tuesday are Bob Baker, Mindy Cook, Will Ferguson, Ron Grider, Gerald Like, Cindy Luedke, Matt Kaufman, Jackie Roberts and Gary and Karen Rolofson. Committee conveners are Jim Berry, Dawn Decker, Darrell Moore, Kate Pyle, Barb Wallick and John White.
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10 | BUSINESS JOURNAL | April 2016
Startup Weekend puts ideas to test E
ver have an idea you thought would be the next big thing? Do you see problems everywhere and formulate solutions to fix them? Do you work in a business that needs new ideas and solutions to survive a competitive marketplace? As a general rule, ideas are cheap. The real key is shaping good ideas into a profitable venture. Innovation is believed to be an obscure, difficult, and often lonely, process. Julie The reality is that most ideas arShields en’t commercially Human Resources viable. In fact, research shows that out of 3,000 ideas you have, only one on average will be a winner. Collaboration among like-minded peers during the early stages has become the norm. Turning ideas from a spark in someone’s mind to a commercial success is a journey of 1,000 miles over very challenging terrain. It might start with a single step, but one wants to know in which direction to start that journey and who else could be included. How can you improve the odds of a commercially viable venture, acquire useful tools and practice your pitch in a supportive environment? That first step in the journey could be taken at Decatur’s inaugural Startup Weekend, set for Friday, April 22, to Sunday, April 24, at Millikin University’s Tabor School of Business. Startup Weekend is an international movement that follows a process designed to help people quickly decide if their idea is worth pursuing in some form, if customers are at all interested in the prospect, or if it is better to let go of the concept. The earlier you test to prove or disprove the idea, the less costly the venture. Patrick Hoban and I recently had the opportunity to participate in two different Startup Weekends in two different communities (Peoria and Cedar Rapids, Iowa). The experience is intense and fast-paced.
Fred Spannaus
Entrepreneuer Among Us Prescott Paulin was recently named President of 300 Below, Inc., an innovative cryogenic processing company in Decatur with international connections.
Paulin
And, when I say “intense” I mean it. It is 54 hours of collaborative, team-based innovation over one weekend – from Friday night to Sunday night. It goes by quickly. In the blink of an eye the weekend is over, and you have a good idea of whether or not you want to continue with the idea or concept. A modest fee ($75 regular admission, $60 early bird, and $40 student) covers all the food, professionally facilitated activities, and some pretty sweet swag. Participants must be mentally prepared to spend timeon-task, to ask and answer meaningful questions, play devil’s advocate, and absorb wisdom from mentors and teammates. Participants will gain hands-on experiences with a new process, an expanded understanding of concept validation, and an increased network of like-minded entrepreneurs, developers, designers and community influencers. In a compressed period of time, participants will pitch an idea, form teams around promising pitches, create hypotheses about target customer groups, validate or invalidate those hypotheses, create a business model, mock up a demo or prototype, create a polished pitch, and present that pitch to a judging panel. Frightening? Possibly. But it is a rush that could open up new ways of thinking. Remember, ideas are cheap, and 54 hours— while that may seem like a lot – won’t yield an immediate payback. But it will help determine if your first steps are in the right direction. Visit startupdecaturil.com for more information. Julie Shields is director of Millikin University’s Center for Entrepreneurship.
Did you know? pril Fool’s Day is a time for playing pranks A on others, telling jokes and enjoying some lighthearted fun. The celebrations are believed to have begun in the 16th century when the new calendar ordered by Pope Gregory changed New Year’s Day from April 1 to January 1 — and some people simply
didn’t get the memo. The tradition of playing tricks on April Fool’s Day originated in France. While foolishness is a large part of April 1 activities, it was on that day in 1976 that Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs founded Apple Computer, Inc., which has gone on to change the world. Now that’s no joke.
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Nominees must be 39 years of age or younger as of July 1, 2016. You may nominate more than one person, and you may nominate yourself. Nominees can either work OR live in Macon County. Nominations must be submitted by April 22, 2016 online at www.thebusiness-journal.com. Nominations may also be submitted via mail in care of The Business Journal, 601 E. William St. Decatur, IL 62523 or e-mailed to: sperry@herald-review.com
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Your complaint has merit. Now what? called interrogatories; (3) a copy of Editor’s Note: This is one in a the city’s unlawful discrimination series of columns on equal emordinance; and (4) a booklet deployment enforcement. scribing the enforcement process. ast month, you met me at We gave them 30 days to file a the Decatur Civic Center, written response. They did it. And and you filed a discriminathat’s what’s in front of you now, tion charge. Remember that? Afminus any parts that are confidenter you signed the charge and had tial. Now I ask you to review the it notarized, I told you that you response and give your reactions. probably would not hear from me Specifically, I want to know what for a month. Right? parts you think are false, and what Well, a full month has passed, parts you think are misleading, and here we are. Again, you’re sitting across the desk from me in the Human Resources cover reasons intended to cloud their discriminatory act. city’s Human Resources office. In Then I’ll to ask you to prove your assertions front of you is a pile of forms. with evidence – with names of people or copWhat’s all this paper? ies of documents that can back up your side. To answer that, let me tell you what hapBecause, you see, it’s up to you to prove dispened after you left. I sent a packet of incrimination. The respondent doesn’t have to formation to the “respondent” – that’s the prove anything. The burden is all yours. person or organization that you charged with Thus begins the investigation phase. This discriminating against you. is when I do most of my work. I will interview That packet contained four things: (1) The witnesses. A witness is anybody who can shed charge that you signed; (2) a list of questions,
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Fred Spannaus
BIZ CLIPS
Drain
some light in the situation, from your side or theirs. I will look at documents. I will read and re-read the ordinance. If the case is complicated (and many are), I will get guidance from member of the Human Relations Commission. At the end, I will decide whether you have shown “probable cause” of discrimination. If not, your case will be dismissed. You have the right to appeal the dismissal, or to proceed on our own without my assistance. But if I find probable cause, your case will proceed to the next level. We will send a formal complaint to the respondent and forward the case to the Human Relations Commission. The Commission will set a date and time for a public hearing. At this point, the respondent may ask for a conference to examine the facts or to see if a settlement can be reached. You may do the same. If both parties agree, they will meet and try to work it out. The meeting can be facilitated by me or another person. Or you and the other side can meet on your own, or have the lawyers handle it.
If a settlement can’t be reached, the case goes to a hearing. At the hearing you will to present your case and the respondent will present theirs. The hearing will be presided over by a member of the Commission or a person chosen by the Commission. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Commission can assess penalties, fines and other remedies against the party that discriminated against you. However, if it finds that no discrimination occurred, the Commission has the power to ask you to pay costs of the hearing. You are well advised to have an attorney long before you get to the hearing stage. You can be virtually certain that the respondent will be represented by one or more lawyers, and you don’t want to fight their legal talent without some of your own. Fred W. Spannaus, principal of Spannaus Consulting, is a senior professional in human resources. He loves feedback to his columns. Fred can be contacted by e-mail at spannaus@ameritech.net or by phone at (217) 425-2635.
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National Foodworks Services, LLC is pleased to announce the additions of Mark Drain as food production supervisor, Patricia Burns as SQF practitioner/QA supervisor, and Baker Steve Hamilton as marketing manager. Amanda Keays has joined Glenda Williamson Realty as a licensed broker. Keystone Meadows welcomes the addition of Leslie McDermith as activities coordinator, Christie Donnel as wellness director and Leah Baker the assistant to the executive director. HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital welcomes Drs. Said Abuhasna, Jan H. Westerman and Flipe P. Enriquez, internal medicine/pulmonary disease; Dr. Olufemi Akinyede, family medicine; Jessica Conlin, NP, Emergency Department; James A. Mitchell, CRNA, anesthesiology; and Michael J. McCarthy, DO, surgery.
Mark Hite, owner of Eagle Rock Insurance Services, is the recipient of the Pekin Life Insurance Co. Silver Key Award. Partners in Education has honored Wegi Stewart as its Outstanding Tribute Honoree, Consociate Dansig as the Outstanding Business honoree and Melissa Downs, school counselor at Garfield Montessori School, as Educator of the Year. The American Red Cross recently recognized this year’s Heartland Heroes. They were: David and Harriet Sadowski, Aubree Riebe, Stephen Gibson, Jason Jacobs, and Jason Navratil.
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THERESA CHURCHILL, BUSINESS JOURNAL
Chuck Schutte of Decatur lies down on the job to paint a playhouse front porch for this year’s CASAs for CASA raffle. He is a member of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church men’s group.
Playhouses set to support special children advocates THERESA CHURCHILL Business Journal Writer
ECATUR – After generating 30 different D playhouses over the past 11 years, you’d think the folks behind the annual CASAs for CASA raffle would have trouble coming up with something fresh. Not so, as this year’s title sponsor Stratas Foods is the inspiration for a food truck playhouse designed to appeal to boys and girls. “I’m sure the kids would enjoy something like that, so it’s a pretty neat deal,” said Jason Smith, manager of the Stratas plant in Decatur. “We’re pretty excited to be part of this.” After building a beach playhouse for the special advocates last year, remodeling contractors Doug Davidson and Brian Crafton were tasked with creating a food truck from a drawing of one designed by St. Louis architect Patrick Ladendecker for another CASAs for CASA event two years ago. “They said, ‘No plans? No problem,’” said Pam Burkhart, executive director of the Macon County program. “It’s exciting to see what they came up with.” KLH Construction also volunteered to build a playhouse for the second consecutive year, this year completing a Victorian home after constructing a log cabin in 2015. Painting the Victorian was the men’s group at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, also helping out for the second year in a row. The project manager is Ted Paine, a retired Macon County Circuit Court judge, who assisted with construction and also with the painting and decorating that came later. Cristene Dugan, chairwoman of this year’s CASAs for CASA Committee, said she hopes the raffle does at least as well as last year’s, which raised about $40,000. Other event sponsors besides Stratas in-
JIM BOWLING, BUSINESS JOURNAL
Brian Crafton, left, and Doug Davidson are among those who volunteered their time building a food truck playhouse for the Stratas Foods CASAs for CASA Playhouse Raffle.
classifieds_classifieds_classifieds_classifieds
RAFFLE SPECS WHAT: Stratas Foods 2016 Casas for CASA Playhouse Raffle at Hickory Point Mall WHEN: Tickets on sale through the drawing at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 30 WHERE: Available online at maconcountycasa.org and at the Macon County Court Appointed Special Advocates office, 132 S. Water St., Suite 250; Glenda Williamson Realty, 1110 Arbor Drive, Suite D; Land of Lincoln Credit Union, 2890 N. Oakland Ave., 3130 E. Mound Road and 4850 Prosperity Drive (Mount Zion); and Trump Direct, 1591 N. Water St.; all Decatur except where noted; also Lowe’s Home Improvement, 990 Hickory Point Plaza, and Hickory Point Mall, both Forsyth TICKET COST: $5 for one, $10 for three, $25 for 10, $50 for 20, and $100 for 50 FOR MORE: Call (217) 428-8424. clude Brinkoetter & Associates, Caterpillar Inc., Cromwell Group, First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust, Lowe’s, Miller Wealth Management, Neuhoff Media, Prairieland Towing, Thrivent Financial and Trump Direct. Davidson estimated that he and Crafton invested about 28 hours in building the food truck playhouse. “That’s counting the head-scratching time,” Crafton said. They said the biggest challenge was keeping all three dimensions from exceeding 8 feet while still giving children plenty of details to play with. The finished playhouse will feature a steering wheel that turns, faux stove top and stainless steel sink, an awning and a food counter inside and out.
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Calendar of events
For a complete list of events, go to www.herald-review.com/go/ The Arts
Decatur Civic Center. For tickets, call (217) 422-5911. Little Theatre-On the Square: Willy Wonka Junior, April 8-10.For tickets, call (217) 728-7375. www.thelittletheatre.org. Theatre 7 presents “Avenue Q,” April 1-3 and 8-10 in Schilling Auditorium at Richland Community College. For tickets, call (217) 422-3866. www.theatre7.net. Decatur Underground Theater presents On Stage “Forever Plaid,” April 15-17, in the Decatur Kirkland Fine Arts Center: The Official Civic Center. www.decaturunderground. Blues Brothers Review, 7:30 p.m. Friday, April com 8; Rhythmic Circus: Feet Don’t Fail Me Now, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 7. For tickets, call Charity events (217) 424-6318. www.kirklandfinearts.com Corks and Forks, a night of wine and Millikin University Department of food samples to benefit the Decatur Area Theatre and Dance: “Little Shop of Hor- Arts Council, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, rors,” April 14-17, and “Blood Wedding,” May April 29, at the Decatur Conference Center 4-8, Albert Taylor Theatre. For tickets, call & Hotel. Cost in advance is $50. For tickets (217) 424-6318. or information, call (217) 423-3189. Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre presents Duck Derby Day, to benefit the Children’s “The Last Smoker in America,” April 1-3, Museum of Illinois, is set for its 25th running 7-9 and 15-17; and “What I Didn’t Learn in from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 7. This College,” April 29-May 1, May 6-8 and May year’s race will include inflatables, carnival 12-14. For tickets, call (217) 424-6318. www. games and free admission to the museum. pdtheatre.org And, new this year, the museum will be hostKeepin’ It Reel, Decatur Park District ing a separate Kids’ Duck Race for prizes with Music spring dance recital featuring dancers ages themed ducks that families get to take home. Millikin University School of Mu- 3 through adults, 7 p.m. Friday, April 29, and For more information, go to www.cmofil.org sic: Symphonic Wind Ensemble, 7:30 p.m. 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at the or call (217) 423-5437.
BANQUET
Anne Lloyd Gallery: “Caught in the Middle,” by William H. Thielen. Meet the artist reception, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 1. Call (217) 423-3189. www.decaturarts.org Gallery 510: Paintings by Jane Frey. Meet the artist reception, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 1. The Guild also is hosting the Arts in Education Spring Show, featuring the artwork of area junior and senior high students, through Thursday, April 7, on the third floor of the Madden Arts Center. Call (217) 4221509. Blue Connection: Ceramics by Millikin University art students. Meet the artist reception from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 1. Call (217) 428-0112. www.millikin.edu/blueconnection Perkinson Art Gallery, Kirkland Fine Arts Center: “The Matchbook Series,” miniature paintings by Michael Dubina, through April 8; Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Senior Exhibitions through April 29; Student Exhibition, May 2-13. Decatur Airport: Quilters Guild. Decatur Public Library: Works by Jessica Disbrow.
Friday, April 22, and Percussion Ensemble Masterworks, 4 p.m. Sunday, April 24, both at Kirkland Fine Arts Center. Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra: Gala Season Finale, featuring Millikin Union of Choirs and special guest artists, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 16, Kirkland Fine Arts Center. For tickets, go to www.kirklandfinearts.com or call (217) 424-6318.
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Lullaby Concert, featuring the Millikin Decatur Symphony Orchestra’s student string ensemble, 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, Decatur Public Library. Children’s Museum of Illinois: Fairy Tale Ball, 6 to 8 p.m. April 7 to 9 p.m. The Children’s Museum of Illinois hosts a variety of events throughout the month for kids of all ages. Cor a complete listing, go to www. cmofil.org or call (217) 423-5437. Scovill Zoo: World Penguin Day and and Earth Day, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 23; Zippy Zoo Days with Mom, Saturday and Sunday, May 7 and 8. www. scovillzoo.com Kite Day at Sinawik Park, 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 23.
Misc.
The Rock Springs Nature Center hosts a long list of mini camps, family adventures and classes. So many, in fact, that there are too many to list. Go to www. maconcountyconservation.org and click on the Programs and Activities tab for a complete listing. Decatur Train Fair, April 16 and 17, Decatur Civic Center. Mineral, Gem and Jewelry Show, April 16 and 17, Progress City.
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16 | BUSINESS JOURNAL | April 2016
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YOU R C A R E E R
Over the river, through the woods County engineer plays major role in your commute RYAN VOYLES H&R Staff Writer
DECATUR — It’s not uncommon for employees to think they can help make a greater impact on the community through their work. But few have the chance to shape the present and the future of the Decatur area quite like Macon County Highway Engineer Bruce Bird. Since he began that role in fall of 1999, Bird has been the man responsible for 234 miles of county road and 245 structures throughout the county. Those structures range from the picturesque bridges that one typically envisions, to the smaller bridges or structures just over 20 feet long that go over small creeks in the rural areas. With a department of 24 full-time staffers and an operating budget of roughly $3 million, Bird works to coordinate which roads and bridges are in need of repair or replacement, as well as how roads will be salted and plowed during the winter season. Aside from the challenge of it all, Bird paints an artistic ideal of what makes the work so satisfactory, “You’re able to put your hands on your work,” he said. “You can point to something and say, ‘this is something I had a part in creating.’” One project he has yet to be able to put his hands on just yet is the long-discussed Macon County Beltway project, an estimated $150 million undertaking by federal and local agencies that seeks to construct 22 miles of road to connect I-72 and U.S. 51 around the south and east sides of Decatur. It is something that Bird has played a part in for over a decade, going through countless studies, grant proposals and hearings on all facets of the project. But with construction set to begin later this year on early portions of the project, such as a bridge replacement to accommodate the beltway on County Highway 60, Bird hardly can contain his excitement as he discusses the future of the project. “It’s a special feeling when you can be involved in something that large and can have such an impact on the future of the community,” he said. That ambition for transformational projects is just part of what excited those like Kevin Meachum when Bird started at the Highway Department. Meachum, a longtime member of the Macon County Board and former chairman
JIM BOWLING, BUSINESS JOURNAL
Macon County Highway Engineer Bruce Bird takes great pride in the role he plays shaping the the way people motor through the county via the roads and bridges he helps maintain and plan. of its Transportation Committee, said it seemed like Bird would be the kind of candidate who could lead the department into the future. “(Bird is) always looking for innovative ways to improve the roads here,” Meachum said. “Bruce has been a big part of why the vision and future of our infrastructure is so bright. He’s been a beacon for this county across the state.” The love of transportation and engineering for Bird started years ago with one of the most common toys for young boys: Tonka, a toy brand most known for its wide collection of vehicles. But while they were just fun toys for many; for Bird, they were a sign of things to come. “As a kid I always liked building stuff,” he said. “I always found it fascinating, that
and the transportation aspect of it.” After graduating from the University of Illinois and spending several years at the Illinois Department of Transportation, Bird’s desire to work with local municipalities led him to the city of Urbana. It was there that his personality and knowledge came to the attention of Rick Marley, who worked at the time with the city of Champaign. Now the director of Public Works at the city of Decatur, Marley said it was that complete package that made Bird stand out. “A lot of engineers are … not as personable as you may see in other professions,” Marley said. “Bruce does not have that though, he’s always friendly, outgoing and someone who can share his thoughts clearly.”
That quality can come especially in handy when it comes to Bird presenting his plans monthly in front of the county’s seven-member transportation committee and occasionally in front of the full 21-member board. A consistent message to deliver to those in charge has helped keep long-term projects like the beltway afloat, Marley said. Aside from the beltway, Bird’s department continues to deal with the evolving world of highway engineering. Whether it is through use of drones to evaluate bridge and road upkeep, to uncertain budgetary situations and the rising cost of construction materials, Bird said he and his staff are open to what is in store. “If you like a challenge and helping people, then this is the perfect line of work,” he said. M 1
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Managing former peer proves challenging Q: Two months ago, after my manager moved to another department, I was chosen to replace him. Three of my four co-workers welcomed this decision, saying they always assumed I would be his successor. The fourth one, “Ron,” also applied for the position and was clearly not happy with the outcome. When I asked my former boss for advice about starting this new job, he suggested meeting with employees individually to discuss the change and then having a planning session with the entire team. This approach worked Office Coach well with everyone except Ron, who avoids talking to me and never speaks in staff meetings. Ron and I previously had a good relationship, but losing this position has obviously upset him. Although this is understandable, I’m concerned that his negative attitude will drag down team morale. How long should I give Ron to accept the situation? A: First of all, kudos to you for seeking out and following your boss’s sound advice. Because managing former peers is always tricky, discussing the transition is extremely important. As for your pouting staff member, two months is more than long enough to get his feelings in check, so it’s time to address the issue. While you don’t want to chastise Ron or threaten him, you must clearly convey that this sulky behavior has to change. He should also understand that if he hopes to be pro-
Marie McIntyre
WEEKLY TIPS Get weekly tips from the office Coach and Liz Reyer at www.thebusiness-journal.com. moted, he may be shooting himself in the foot. For example: “Ron, I know you’re disappointed about the management job, which is perfectly understandable. However, your unhappiness is obvious to everyone, which is not helpful for our team. It may also reduce your chances of getting future promotions. We’ve worked well together before, so I’m hoping we can continue to do so. What are your thoughts about this?” If Ron responds favorably to this gentle reminder, then your problem is solved. But if his obstinacy continues, consider asking your manager to have a word with him. Involving the boss is always a last resort, but sometimes a little more firepower helps to get the message across. *** Q: One of my co-workers is extremely angry because I shared some information with my boss. “Grace” and I manage complex projects for a global consulting firm. Recently, an important client complained to me about the quality of Grace’s work on a previous assignment. Because the firm needs to keep this client happy, I mentioned the concerns to my manager, who asked me to summarize them in an email. Despite some misgivings, I agreed to do this. My boss forwarded the email to Grace’s manager, who then sent it to her. Now Grace is furious with me. How can I fix this and avoid similar problems in the future? A: Because client relationships are the lifeblood of any consulting firm, Grace definitely needed this feedback. However, you should have given her a heads-up before reporting the
complaints to management. Although delivering this message would not be pleasant, the advance notice could have allowed Grace to break the news to management herself. As it was, people were discussing her competence in emails before she even knew there was a problem. So if you wish to repair this relationship, you must acknowledge your mistake. Upon receiving this apology, Grace is quite likely to fire one final blast in your direction. But if you seem sincerely remorseful, eventually she should calm down. *** Q: Shortly after joining this retail company, I was promoted to store manager and transferred to a new location. My assistant manager, “Angela,” has been here for seven years and probably believes our positions should be reversed. She often says she hopes to have her own store before long. Although Angela has terrific skills in customer service and operations, I feel she has one major drawback as a leader. Whenever things go wrong, she reacts defensively and looks for someone to blame. I’m afraid this could limit her promotional opportunities, but I hesitate to mention it because I’ve only known her a few months. How should I handle this? A: If you appear to be an advocate, not a critic, Angela may be more receptive, so try relating your feedback to her career objectives. Start by describing how much you appreciate her operational expertise and customer service skills and then explain that you have one area of concern related to her future as a store manager. For example: “Angela, I would like to make one suggestion that may increase your odds of being promoted. I’ve noticed that when something goes wrong, you seem worried about being blamed, which makes your responses
sound rather defensive. Upper management won’t react well to this, so I think it’s something we need to work on.” The next time Angela reacts defensively, refer to this discussion and suggest that she try rephrasing her comments. If you remind her that she’s practicing for a possible management role, she might actually appreciate your efforts. *** Q: I have a co-worker who curses loudly whenever he gets upset. “Nick” uses highly offensive language describing various sexual acts and bodily functions. Because we work in a large cubicle farm with five-foot walls, Nick’s ranting can be clearly heard by everyone. To make it worse, customers routinely pass through this area on their way to meetings. I have personally warned Nick that his salty language could get him in trouble, and others have talked to him as well. Each time, Nick tones it down for a couple of days, but then the swearing starts up again. Should I keep trying to convince him or just give up? A: Nick’s obscene outbursts would be inappropriate under any circumstances, but the fact that customers witness these tirades makes them an even more serious problem. Since confronting Nick directly seems to have no effect, it’s time to have a talk with his manager. If possible, take along a colleague to verify your observations. If you are reluctant to rat out your cursing colleague, remember that you may actually be doing him a favor. A customer complaint to higher management would undoubtedly produce much more dire consequences. Marie G. McIntyre is a workplace coach and author. Send in questions and get free coaching tips at www.yourofficecoach.com, or follow her on Twitter @officecoach.
Map out your vision of vacation Q: I’ve never been very good about using all my vacation time. I feel guilty both about not maintaining “work-life balance” and for burdening my co-workers when I’m away. We’re moving to a “no vacation” policy where we don’t have a fixed number of days; instead, we’re free to take what we need. I fear I’m going to do even worse on taking time off with the new approach. A: Even though there are no strict guidelines, give yourself a vacation budget to follow. M All reasonable people agree that time 1
Liz Reyer
away makes employees more valuable. We come back refreshed, re-energized, and with renewed enthusiasm for our work. It’s not easy, perhaps, but invest some time internalizing that point. Consider your energy level when you’re burned out vs. rested, and also think about the positive effects you’ve seen among your colleagues. This will underpin your confidence in being away. Also think about the reasons for the policy change. Some companies are looking for ways to broaden options for employees; for example, to take less time one year in favor of a longer break the next. What is your company’s goal, and what behavior does your leadership team model? Give yourself a chance to dream. Do you imagine an ideal vacation life of many long weekends? Would you love a multiweek break? Setting aside thoughts of the work that needs to be done, just focus on your
best vision for time away. Now, thinking about the upcoming year, use your past year’s allocation (i.e., two or three weeks) as a guideline. Get out a calendar and map it out. Maybe there are some fixed items: a family reunion or time around the holidays. Maybe there are certain days off from school that you like to take with your kids. Then expand a bit. If you were forced to use every one of those days, when would you use them? Combine practical and visionary, thinking where you’d fit it in among known work peak times. If you like spontaneity, build that assumption in for a certain number of days. This is the start of your plan to keep from starving yourself of vacation. Take this map to your boss and ask for feedback. If you have a longer-term hope of a month off for a longer break in the next couple of years, start talking about that vision now, and understand your company’s expecta-
tions for that. The biggest challenge will be personal barriers you put up in the moment. The “I’m too busy today” syndrome that derails the staycation is a common trap. Hard though it may be to believe, the world will keep turning and the company running if you don’t check your email on a day off. If this is your pattern, focus on trusting that your team can handle your absence — and that they aren’t going to realize you’re not needed at all. It’s a big change, and you’ll need to believe you’re entitled to be recharged, and communicate your vision to make it work. Liz Reyer is a credentialed coach with more than 20 years of business experience. Submit questions or comments about this column at www.deliverchange. com/coachscorner or email her at liz@ deliverchange.com.
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YOU R H E A LT H
LISA MORRISON, BUSINESS JOURNAL
Central A&M track athletes, including Ryan Dooley, spend the first part of practice warming up and stretching. Experts agree dynamic stretching before activity and static stretching after can help with flexibility and decrease soreness.
Stretching before, after activity has benefits JUSTIN CONN Business Journal Writer
Click a link or ask an athletic trainer about stretching and the results will be different every time. There’s evidence that stretching does little to nothing for soreness, preventing injury or performance. In fact, there are stretches that are potentially damaging and others that may limit performance. “It doesn’t matter if you look it up online or in peer-reviewed journal articles written by physicians, the evidence is conflicting,” Decatur Memorial Hospital Athletic Training Outreach Coordinator Matt Munjoy said. But most experts agree there is a place for certain types of stretches, both before and after physical activity. “If done correctly, it’s not going to hurt you,” St. Mary’s Hospital Athletic Trainer Crystal Zeigler said. “I think it comes down to experience. You develop your own routine through trial and error. If you run three miles and didn’t stretch and you feel fine, great. But if your calves are tight the next day, try stretching them after. It can definitely help
“I think it comes down to experience. You develop your own routine through trial and error. If you run three miles and didn’t stretch and you feel fine, great. But if your calves are tight the next day, try stretching them after. It can definitely help with that. I would never discourage someone from stretching.” Trainer Crystal Zeigler with that. I would never discourage someone from stretching.” Here’s the closest thing to a consensus: dynamic stretching before activity and static stretching after can help with flexibility and decrease soreness. Unlike the more traditional static stretching (think toe touches or any stretch-andhold exercise), dynamic stretches involve stretching while moving, like high knees, high kicks and what Zeigler referred to as
“Frankenstein.” “If you go to a football game and watch warmups, that’s what you’ll see – stretching multiple muscles while simultaneously moving and warming them up,” Munjoy said. “They’re not necessarily stretching them to their end range, they’re getting them warmed up. That seems to work best at getting the body loose and ready to participate in activity. “What we find is that static stretching is
good after the body has been warmed up, particularly after activity or after practice. We use it a lot in rehab with people who aren’t able to do movement stretching but are trying to get their full range of motion back.” The effects of static stretching are the most hotly debated. In some circles, the theory is that stretching the muscles as far as they can be stretched and holding them there gets them used to being in that range, helping with flexibility and preventing muscle pulls. But there have also been studies that show athletic performance decreases after static stretching. “I know that theory is out there, and I don’t do a lot of static stretches before performance with the athletes I work with,” Munjoy said. “I think when static stretches are done before the body is warmed up, it may tighten a little. I think no matter what you’re doing, you want to get your heart rate and body temperature up first. I never like to see muscles used in a cold state. “But I have seen static stretches Please see STRETCHING, Page 19
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Top bosses blind to workers’ fatigue
Stretching From 18
immediately after activity help people whose muscles tighten up on them. I’ve seen people alleviate back pain after workouts by stretching the hamstrings and quads and giving themselves more flexibility and the functional range of motion they need.” The types of stretches needed can depend on the type of activity. Central A&M High School track and field coach Todd Rork, whose teams have won two state titles and had several individual champions, has different stretching exercises for each group of athletes depending on the event they participate in. Stretching for an athlete throwing the discus is different than a hurdler. “Stretching is a part of our warmups, and we try to make warmup routines that benefit each competitor best,” Rork said. Rork’s stretching warmups fall in line with the general consensus – don’t stretch cold muscles and do static stretches after activity. Though static and dynamic stretching are the most used, there are other types of stretching. Munjoy said he advised staying away from one type of stretching in particular, ballistic. “It’s controversial; it’s movement while stretching, but includes bouncing and pushing the muscles to and past their end range,” Munjoy said. “I remember seeing some professionals do it when I was younger, but I don’t recommend it. It’s a method that’s out there, but I don’t like what it does to joints.”
ALEXIA ELEJALDE-RUIZ Tribune News Service Writer
Change, the adage goes, will never be slower than it is today. But as companies race to keep up with the breathless pace of technology and competition, many top leaders are not aware that it’s draining their employees, according to a global survey published by Ketchum Change. In a survey of 500 leaders of large corporations in seven countries, three-quarters reported the existence of change fatigue in their organizations, and 39 percent said it is highly prevalent — but perceptions varied depending on where respondents perched on the food chain. Just 28 percent of C-suite executives said change fatigue was highly prevalent in their organizations, compared to 41 percent at the director level and 47 percent at the senior vice president and vice president levels. The further away leaders are from the effects of change, the more blind they are to it and ill-prepared to mitigate the fallout, said Tyler Durham, partner and president of Ketchum Change, a unit of global communications firm Ketchum that specializes in change management consulting. “If they don’t recognize that there’s an exhausting impact that change and volatility has on employees, they won’t be prepared
for its damaging effects,” Durham said. Change fatigue happens when employees are so battered by change that they can no longer handle it productively. Burned out or apathetic, “they foot-drag, ignore or destructively oppose change because they know they won’t be able to adjust to today’s change before tomorrow’s is making new demands on them,” says the report. Or they quit. Ketchum identified four key attributes of organizations that thrive through change, chief among them transparency and clear, human communication about the changes. The other attributes are being pioneering, such as by supporting risk-taking; being dialed-in, such as by creating strong connec-
tions with internal and external stakeholders; and agility that lets organizations seize on opportunities in real time. The most common impediment to effectively managing change is failure to gather input and ideas from employees across the business, according to the report, which was called the Liquid TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE Change Study. Durham, who pointed to Airbnb and Uber as examples of pioneering companies that excel at change, divides companies into three categories that may give you flashbacks to physics class. Companies in the iceberg, or solid, state don’t change fast enough and are so cautious about managing risk that they risk becoming obsolete. Gaseous state organizations are “constantly moving rapidly toward the shiny penny,” but employees don’t feel that they have a confident, grounded strategy. The goal, he said, is to become a liquid state employer, which “behaves more like a graceful river,” maintaining a strong common core of beliefs, strategy and vision as it moves toward new opportunity.
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COMMUNITY HEALTH CALENDAR Support groups
Grief support group, 12:30 p.m. Friday, April 1, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Conference Room 561. Call Anita Ricker at (217) 464-1074. TOPS Club IL 49 Decatur, 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Main Street Church of God, 2000 N. Main St. (enter from Garfield Street). Go to www.topsclub.org or call Chris Granda at (217) 521-2420. Helping hands bereavement for children, 3:30 p.m. Thursdays, Cancer Care Center of Decatur, 210 W. McKinley, Ave. Register online or call (217) 876-4735. Breastfeeding support group, 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 11 and April 25, Baby TALK, 500 E. Lake Shore Dr. To register, call Flo Folami at (217) 464-2334. SHARE support group, 7 p.m. Monday, April 11, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Room G18. Support group for those who have experienced the death of a baby during pregnancy, at birth or early infancy. Call Karla Thornton (217) 464-2045. Epilepsy support group, 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Assisi Conference Room. Call (217) 853-1655. Facing cancer together, 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, Cancer Care Center of Decatur, Education Classrooms, 210 W. McKinley Ave. For cancer patients and their families. Register online or call (217) 8764735. Pink Link breast cancer support group, 6 p.m. Thursday, April 14, Cancer Care Center of Decatur, 210 W. McKinley Ave., Education Classroom. Call (217) 8764377. Brain tumor support group, 10 a.m. Saturday, April 16, Cancer Care Center of Decatur, Education Classroom, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Call (217) 876-4735. Postpartum emotional support group, 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 18, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Assisi Conference Room. Call (217) 464-2334. Breath of Life support group, noon Tuesday, April 19, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Room 561. Call Dan Ingram at (217) 464-2603. Diabetes support group, 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 20, DMH Diabetes Education Center. Call (217) 876-2699. Parkinson’s disease support group, 1 p.m. Thursday, April 21, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1360 W. Main St. Call John Kileen at (217) 620-8702. Renewal bereavement support group,
6 p.m. Monday, April 25, Cancer Care Center of Decatur, Education Classroom, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Register online or call (217) 876-4735. Us TOO prostate cancer support group, 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, Cancer Care Center of Decatur, Education Classroom, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Register online or call (217) 876-4735. Widowed support group, 11:30 a.m.. Thursday, April 28. Monthly lunch gathering. For location or to register, call Sister Chaminade Kelley at (217) 428-7733. Lyme-MTHFR support study group, 6 p.m. Thursday, April 28, Mari-Mann Herb Co., 1405 Mari Mann Lane. Call (217) 4291555.
TARGETED DIGITAL ADVERTISING Q
What is the best form of advertising to use to target a specific audience?
A
First, you have to determine just who your customer is exactly. Your customer demographic may change depending on the product/service you are promoting, the time of the year or even the message you are using. For example, for a bar & grill who wants to promote live music, you likely want to reach 18-49 year-olds. But if your message is about daily lunch specials, the audience broadens. So, once you’ve determined the demographic you’re after, the type of media to use becomes clearer. However, another important element is determining your goal. If your objective is to gain website traffic, then a very broad Run of Network targeting campaign is perfect. But if your goal is conversions (people taking action once on your website, such as signing up for an e-newsletter or making a purchase) then I would suggest site retargeting where you serve ads to people who’ve visited your site and gone away. If you’re in a highly competitive industry, such as Assisted Living Facilities, where internet users research online, you’ll want to compete for better results on Search Engines. This includes “Search Engine Marketing”, where you pay-per-click to ensure a position of 1-3 on the first page of results. If you’re looking for 18-49 year olds, Social Media Marketing is very effective. This goes beyond making sure you have a Facebook page and fans. This type of marketing includes being seen on the most used social sites in an effective way. If you need help determining who your audience is and how best to reach them…I’m just a phone call away. Let me help.
Cayla Hittmeier Digital Specialist Herald & Review
Classes
Breastfeeding class, 7 p.m. Thursday, April 7, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Assisi Conference Room. To register, call (217) 464-2334. Infant CPR, 7 p.m. Monday, April 11, Decatur Memorial Hospital, third floor OB Classrooms. Register online or call (217) 8763100. Cardiopulmonary rehab nutrition, 11 a.m. Thursday, April 14, Decatur Memorial Hospital Classroom B. Heart-healthy eating with an emphasis on reading labels. Call (217) 876-2496. Newborn care and breastfeeding basics, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 14, Decatur Memorial Hospital OB Classroom. Registration required online or call (217) 876-3400. Real Dads Rock!, a class for new dads, 7 p.m. Thursday, April 14, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Assisi Conference Room. To register, call (217) 464-2334. Happiest Baby on the Block-Magic?, a class for new moms, 7 p.m. Thursday, April 14, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Assisi Conference Room. To register, call (217) 464-2334. Cardiopulmonary risk factor education, 11 a.m. Friday, April 15, Decatur Memorial Hospital Classroom B. Call (217) 876-2496. In BeTWEEN for Girls, 10 a.m. Saturday, April 23, Decatur Memorial Hospital, OB Classroom. For girls ages 9-12 to learn about the changes they are going through. Registration required online or by calling (217) 876-3100.
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T E C H TA L K
Are you ready for Windows 10?
D
espite the fact Windows 7 was released years ago, back in the summer of 2009, that’s what most businesses still use. Windows 8 came out in late 2012, but there were so many issues that most companies stayed away, even after Windows 8.1 was released to address all those problems. After that, for some inexplicable reason, Microsoft completely skipped version 9 of Windows. However, Windows 10 is now available. It’s been out since July 29. Is it time for you to upgrade? Here are some key facTechnology tors to consider when making that decision.
Wendy Gauntt
New features
January 2020 they will not release any updates at all, so if you haven’t upgraded to a newer operating system by then, you are putting your business at risk.
Security Windows 10 has made significant improvements in security. They’ve built the code in a way that makes it more resistant than ever to hackers, malware, viruses, etc. Another big change is patch management. In Windows 10, patching is constant. In the past, Microsoft has bundled updates and released them on a regular schedule, but now they will be released as they are ready. Encryption, available as part of Windows 8, has been improved. You can encrypt your entire hard drive, and now you can also perform file-level encryption without the need for third-party software tools. Biometrics are also enhanced. Fingerprint readers have been around for a while, but Windows 10 offers more advanced recognition features built directly into the operating system. It also offers something new: facial recognition. Either of these can be used to automatically log you into your computer.
Is Windows 10 better? They’ve certainly packed in a lot of new features, and some are definite productivity boosters. The interface itself has been streamlined and looks more like Windows 7 than Windows 8. This will make it Cost easier for your staff to adjust. Would you believe the upgrade to Windows Cortana is the new “personal assistant,” much like Siri (for iPhones), but Cortana lives 10 is free, at least for now? Microsoft anon your PC. You can speak directly to it, or you nounced that for the first year – through July can type what you want, the same way you would say it out loud. Use it to find files, set reminders, locate useful information, and more. The new Edge Browser is huge improvement over the old Internet Explorer, with tools that make reading easier, allow you to annotate web pages, and easily find whatever you need. There are many more new features, but these are some of the most notable.
28, 2016 – Windows 10 is free to anyone with a genuine copy of Windows 7 or 8. They may extend this offer; if not, pricing will likely run between $100 and $200 per license, depending on the version. In addition, any new PCs you purchase will almost certainly come with a Windows 10 OEM license, even if an older operating system is installed.
Pilot process Ready to start upgrades? Here’s how to ensure a smooth rollout. First, inventory your software. Check whether each program supports Windows 10. Be careful to check versions. For example, QuickBooks 2015 will run on Windows 10, but anything older is not supported. If you use an older version, you’ll need to upgrade it before you upgrade to Windows 10. You will likely uncover at least a few programs like this, where you have to upgrade before rolling out Windows 10. If you have any mission-critical software that is not compatible with Windows 10 at all, contact the vendor to find out their plans. Check your peripherals, like printers and scanners. You’ll need drivers certified for Windows 10 in order to keep using this equipment. If those aren’t available, they may not work, and you may have to replace these devices. Check your servers, too. If you are running
Windows Server 2003, your software is unsupported and you should look at upgrading immediately. If you are running Windows Server 2008, everything will work fine, but Windows 2012 has a variety of systems administration features that will allow you to fully manage your Windows 10 PCs and better secure your network. Finally, you need to decide how to handle the PC upgrades: all at once, in groups, or gradually. If you plan to upgrade PCs you currently own, make sure the hardware is compatible. The “Get Windows App” from Microsoft has a compatibility checker that will do that for you. If you prefer an easier route, consider upgrading gradually, by purchasing new PCs as needed that come with Windows 10 pre-installed. That way you know the hardware is compatible, and you save hours of labor managing the upgrade process. One last thing. The final step to get ready for Windows 10 is training. Some people will easily adjust, but others will need more help. Training will let your staff get up to speed fast and ensure a successful upgrade. Wendy Gauntt is president of CIO Services LLC, a technology consulting company that specializes in small business solutions. Go to www.cioservicesllc.com for more information, ideas and free resources.
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You’ll experience compatibility issues whether you upgrade or not. For example, some new PCs with the latest chipsets cannot run Windows 7. Within a few more years, software will be an issue as well, because software companies will stop supporting Windows 7. The longer you wait, the worse these issues will become. On the flip side, if you upgrade now, some hardware and software won’t work with Windows 10. Hardware may not be compatible, or drivers may not be available for Windows 10. Older software programs that were written long before Windows 10 was available will require upgrades to newer versions that support Windows 10. Don’t assume programs work reliably just because they install successfully and appear to run. For mission-critical software, be sure to use versions that are vendor-supported with Windows 10.
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YOU R MON E Y
Meet Stephanie Pyles, Money Smart Week Macon County chairperson ometown: Decatur H Family: Husband, Tim, and sons, Tyler and Cody Rueff. Mom and stepfather, Bill and Susan Grieve. Occupation: Sales manager for retail and mortgage at Busey Education: Bachelor of Science degree from Millikin University; Master’s degree hours in organizational leadership from Benedictine University at Springfield My “I’d rather be …” bumper sticker would read: “I’d rather be sitting by a campfire.” There is nothing more relaxing to me than those fun times around a campfire. Hobbies/interests: Camping, word puzzles, video games, antiquing and gardening. My first job: Evening receptionist at Richland Community College. Why I do what I do: Because I need variety in my daily work life and I like working with people. I love our employees and like to feel as if I have a small part in their work satisfaction and daily engagement. Personal approaches to challenges: Every challenge is manageable if you get as far as you can, breathe, and then start again. Sometimes you continue on the same course after the breath, sometimes you have to come at it from a different direction. Most times allowing yourself the breath is the most important part. Community involvement: Money Smart Week, Salvation Army volunteer, First Presbyterian Church member. What is Money Smart Week? Money Smart Week is an initiative created by the Chicago Federal Reserve to help consumers better manage their personal finances. Businesses from all across the community come together to either offer training or host events to speak on financial issues. Programming is offered for all – children to seniors — and on all sorts of topics – insurance, retirement plans, savings, budgeting, and more. This year, Money Smart Week runs from April 23 to April 30. When did Decatur/Macon County begin marking the week and why? Macon County has been involved in Money Smart Week for five years. It started with about 15 businesses that offered financial education all across the community. Five years later, Money Smart Week continues with some great participants that all want to see our community get healthier and more knowledgeable about personal finances. The highlight of the local Money Smart Week events is the Financial Health Fair. Tell us about it. The Financial Health Fair this year will be held at MacArthur High School on Saturday, April 23, from 10 a.m. to noon. In one location we are offering short, 30-minute classes for every member of the
JIM BOWLING, BUSINESS JOURNAL
Stephanie Pyles is the Money Smart Week Macon County chairperson. Helping people grow their money and keeping it safe is the motivation behind the annual Money Smart Week activities. family to come and learn more about money. We’ll offer tips and hands-on information – things you can use later that afternoon in your household and for the benefit of your budget. We will have lots of information available in one space and many helpers – banks, social service agencies, the Macon County State’s Attorney’s Office and the state Comptroller’s Office. Community members will be able to get help on almost everything you could imagine in relation to personal finance. What have you found to be the biggest challenge people have when it comes to managing their finances? I think there are a couple. The first is the thought that you must have a huge pile of money to be able to address everything at once. But the reality is, if we make small changes with what money we have available, we can change the future for the better. People sometimes ignore their credit report, but almost everything we face has a financial impact. There are still things that you should be working on when you don’t have a lot of money. You could simply make sure there are no new charges on your credit report unknown to you, or start making small but regular payments to some of the creditors. Your credit report affects the
interest you’ll pay on your next loan, if you can get a cellphone or even get power started in your new home. Even a small increase in your credit score lessens the amount you will pay to others – meaning the more money you keep. The second challenge that I see is just the fear of talking with someone else about their finances. Customers are either in a bad situation they have no idea how to resolve, or they feel like they should already know this stuff. They feel shame one way or another. I say there is no shame. You go to a doctor for your physical health; bankers should be viewed as the same type of professional – here for your financial health, discreet and trustworthy, and able to diagnose steps to improve that health and help you today and in the long run. We’ve seen it all. Your situation is not the worst we’ve seen and you’re not going to shock us. And we absolutely can help you figure out priorities, whether that is the challenge of cleaning up your credit report, addressing fraud, or setting goals for savings. What is the key piece of money advice you share with people? Be your own advocate by paying attention. Know
your rights. Sometimes it may seem easier to ignore things for a time, but those issues never go away. In fact, the longer you don’t look at them, the bigger those issues become in your mind. Force yourself to look at your credit report every year for your own benefit and exert your rights to correct information. Small steps do help! When it comes to money, people are pretty secretive about what they do or don’t have. How does one go about selecting the right person to talk to about their finances? We see the same thing and sometimes the root of the issue is that shame again. What an unhelpful waste of energy. So, when looking around, interview as many people and ask as many questions as you need (including their credentials) to find the one that fits you best. You know that person when you meet them. That banker gives you as much time as you need, and is helpful and reassuring. They don’t talk with jargon you don’t understand and they aren’t pushy or judgmental. They are committed to helping you and give you clear, understandable advice. Keep that advocate. Build on that relationship. And again, know that you deserve the help you have asked them for. M 1
April 2016 | BUSINESS JOURNAL | 23
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Survey: Health coverage trumps pay raises GAIL MARKSJARVIS Tribune News Service Writer
If you had to choose between getting a raise and giving it up so you could keep the health coverage you rely on at work, which would you take? Almost half of workers would skip the raise if it meant they could count on their health coverage, a study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute found. Attitudes are clearly mixed, with workers also eager to get a bump in pay after a long period of stagnant income. Age makes a difference in outlook, noted Paul Fronstin, EBRI health care analyst. Millennials, during and after the recession, started their work lives with unusually low-paying jobs. With high rents and huge student loan burdens, many are eager for more pay. Older workers with families to support, and often higher health care costs than younger workers, tend to favor the health care benefits, Fronstin said. The percentage of people saying they would rather have fewer health benefits and higher wages has doubled since 2012 — increasing from 10 percent to 20 percent of
workers. About 29 percent of people said they would like a less costly plan than they are being offered by their employer. Most people are satisfied with their health care coverage through work, although the level of satisfaction has been slipping. Since 2012, those satisfied has dropped from 74 percent to 66 percent. EBRI has been surveying health care satisfaction since 2001 and started digging into additional attitudes when passage of the Affordable Care Act led to speculation that some employers would stop providing health insurance and let employees fend for themselves on the new exchanges that sell health insurance. But Fronstin said few employers are dropping health coverage. “Companies offer health plans to compete for employees,” Fronstin said. In one EBRI study, 22 percent of people said they’ve accepted, quit or changed jobs based on employee benefits. About 75 percent of employees ranked health insurance as extremely important to them. It significantly outranks the second-most popular benefit, retirement savings plans — or 401(k)s — ranked as extremely important by 36 percent of people.
Study says women more worried about retirement GAIL MARKSJARVIS Tribune News Service Writer
I n a stark contrast between the sexes, most women are worried about retiring and having enough money, while only about a third of men share their concerns, according to a recent survey. About 54 percent of women say they are “very concerned” about retiring, and only 34 percent of men are worried, a national survey conducted by Greenwald & Associates for the Insured Retirement Institute has found. The study’s findings are similar to others, which consistently show women more worried about their finances than men. A previous study done by Allianz Life Insurance found that almost half of women earning more than $100,000 worry about ending up as “ bag ladies.” Women, more than men, are concerned that they haven’t been saving enough, that their investments will decline in value, that they don’t know how to pick the best investments, and that their family debts are too high. Despite all the concerns about the future, a majority of both men and women have plans that will intensify their fragility in retirement. They plan to retire earlier than full retirement age, with a M 1
third planning to retire before age 65, according to the survey. “This indicates some level of wishful thinking on the part of respondents,” said Cathy Weatherford, chief executive of the Insured Retirement Institute, an association of brokers, insurers and asset managers. “They have definite ideas about when they want to retire, but do not have much confidence in being able to make it happen.” The survey showed that people know they need to be saving more, but their biggest deterrent is “finding things to cut back on.” Thirty-six percent of women and 31 percent of men described that challenge. Both men and women expressed concern about paying bills, paying off debt and the risks they would face if their investments lose value. But 63 percent of women were concerned about the level of their family debts and having enough money to pay bills, compared to only 48 percent of men. About 62 percent of women were worried about losing money on their investments, compared to 53 percent of men. Both men and women are doubtful about finding reliable advice. Only a third of them said they’ve been successful selecting a financial adviser.
Yet the cost of providing health insurance in the workplace has been rising for both employers and employees. The Kaiser Family Foundation found in 2015 that the cost of premiums has been rising about 4 percent a year — a larger increase than the typical family is getting in pay. Individuals paid on average $1,071 in premiums last year, and families paid $4,955 — their portion of the total $17,545 premium. The total annual premium for single coverage is $6,251. Deductibles are rising at a shocking pace. People are being required to take on more of their health care costs before the insurance company steps in to cover the rest. Deductibles paid by workers have climbed 67 percent since 2010 — about seven times the rise in workers’ wages, according to Kaiser. The average deductible for an individual is $1,318. Fronstin anticipates that employers will deal with costs and the variety of desires in the workplace in the future by adding more choices to health plans. He likens it to the Affordable Care Act exchanges, where people now shop for plans with various benefit levels. In the study by EBRI, people said they wanted more choices. Eight in 10 said having
choices was “extremely important” to them. Yet, they also like the comfort of having their employer or union make the basic choices for their workplace plans. They aren’t as pleased with the choices they are being offered now, compared with the past. And they aren’t as sure as they were that they will be able to count on their employer to keep offering the health plans they like, at the price they want to pay. But only 11 percent are extremely confident they would be able to do the comparison shopping necessary if they had to go into the marketplace to choose health plans on their own. They question whether a rating system would help them choose the best health insurance. Currently about half of workers prefer to continue to get coverage the way they are getting it now from their employer. They want their employer to keep shopping for the plans and delivering them to workers at the same price as today. But 16 percent would like to do their own shopping. Nearly a fifth would prefer that their employer give them money and allow workers to decide whether to purchase coverage at all, or how much to spend.
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