Making Connections 2010

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March 2010

BUSINESS JOURNAL

G N I S K N A M CTIO E N N O C Your guide to the

2010 Chamber Business Expo and local networking opportunities

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

www.thebusiness-journal.com

March 2010

Reader’s Choice winners share their

KEYS TO SALES SUCCESS Carla Brinkoetter, Brinkoetter & Associates Voted best Realtor Anticipating the needs our clients. Years ago, my father, Tom Brinkoetter, told me if I could determine the needs of clients, then meet those needs, I would be successful in the real estate business. Before the Internet became the go-to place for looking for homes, we developed a Web site that was, and is, very user-friendly and gives visitors what they want in a simple format. Visit brinkoetter.com, and you can easily search for homes without telling us who you are or clicking through pages of meaningless infor-

mation. To provide even more information to our Web site visitors, we post to-scale interactive floorplans for all of our listings.

Seventy-five percent of our business comes from repeat and referred clients. We are constantly aware that our reputation is our greatest asset and strive to maintain a reputation of caring about our clients and providing them with knowledgeable and experienced service. We send a survey to every client after a sale is completed and rely heavily on our clients’ input about the service they received.

Jeff Howard, Crown Toyota Scion Voted best car salesperson I started selling cars at 19. My father, who also was my boss, taught me that if you take care of the customer, they will take care of you. I have tried to live by that my entire career.

I have lived in the Decatur area my entire life, and I have found the people here are wonderful

and loyal. I have been lucky enough to build long-term relationships with many of my customers.

This is a fun business, and I enjoy it very much. The car business has been a true blessing to me and my family, and I thank everyone I have ever worked with.

Melanie Schelling, Schelling State Farm Insurance Voted best insurance agent It may sound cliche, but the success of my office is due to our “No Ice for Eskimos” policy. What exactly does that mean? It means we do not push products or sell people things they don’t really need. We focus on getting to know our clients, evaluating their needs and making recommendations.

We work together to find solutions to manage risk and plan for their future. We would

rather not get a sale now than lose a client forever because of buyer’s remorse. It is so important that you can stand behind your sale and always act with utmost integrity. I believe people can tell when you are sincere and are acting in their best interests; that pays greater dividends in the long run.

Stop by our office, and see the sign on the wall for yourself. We’d love to meet you!

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March 2010

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Good manners, proper etiquette can help you stay on top McClatchy-Tribune News Service

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Some say good manners and proper etiquette are out of style, banished to the attic with starched white blouses and business suits.

Not so, according to etiquette consultants Lila Putney and Libby Marth of The Protocol School of Virginia in Richmond, Va. “Many individuals and companies are realizing the importance of mastering both business and social etiquette skills,” Libby said. “They are paying more attention to how they present themselves and how they interact with others. Dining skills are also important as more companies include a dining experience as part of the interview process.

“Also, in the last decade, there has been a need to establish etiquette rules as they relate to the use of new technology, such as cell phones and the Internet. Etiquette for more casual work environments has been challenging to many individuals and the corporate world.”

If you’ve ever caught yourself wondering what to do, Putney and Marth give tips for the 10 most common social situations that make people feel uncomfortable and how to deal with them.

1. What shall I wear? Even though casual attire is favored today in many settings, it’s still important for everyone from staff to boss to dress professionally in the workplace. It’s better to be overdressed than

undressed; avoid clothing that’s too revealing or flamboyant. Dress appropriately outside the workplace, too. Sweats and exercise clothing belong in the gym; an exposed midriff looks cute on a 5-year-old but not on adults.

2. Is that my phone ringing? Cell phone abuse is common these days rings or music everywhere we go, people talking loudly in offices, stores, banks and even restaurants. Public cell phone use intrudes on your personal space. Stop and think before you reprimand the user; in public places such as a restaurant or theatre, alert management and let them deal with the abuser.

3. Who are you? We have all been in awkward situations where we don’t know a person in a group. At business and social events, introduce yourself and other people to the group; include something about yourself or the other person as a conversation starter. It makes everyone feel comfortable and connected and helps you meet new people.

4. What do I say now? In today’s work and social arenas, it’s important to know how to make small talk. Regularly read the newspaper, magazines and watch news shows so you have topics to talk about.

Stay away from controversial topics such as politics and religion.

5. Am I in charge? When you head a committee or project or volunteer as a room parent for your child’s class plan

ahead so you stay organized and focused.

Get projects and reports done a day or two in advance of your deadline; this extra time lets you deal with last-minute issues.

Also, be sure the clothes you want to wear are clean and available (not at the cleaners), get gas in your car and set an extra alarm to be sure you are up in time on your important day.

6. Whoops! I forgot to write a thank you note. It is never too late to thank someone.

Even if a couple of weeks or even a month has lapsed, write a note expressing how much you have been thinking about the nice gesture or using the lovely gift. Email thank-you messages are appropriate only when followed by a hand-written note.

A trick is to address and stamp an envelope before you go to an event and have it sitting on your desk so that when you return, it’s easy to jot down a nice message.

7. Which bread plate is mine? It can be overwhelming to sit down to a formal dinner and have an array of plates, utensils and glassware before you and no idea which ones you should use. Remember, your napkin and bread plate are on your left and your beverages are on your right.

If you are concerned about your utensils, work from the outside to the inside in the silverware placement. When in doubt, watch others.

8. “Honey, this business function is your dinner tonight.” At business affairs, avoid

heading straight for food or beverage stations. Use the event to make new friends, new associates and new contacts. Keep your right hand free for a handshake.

Snack before a function so you are not ravenous. Eat and drink near a table so you can put your beverage down and still have a hand free. Take small bites, avoid dipping sauces and crunchy, messy and other difficult-to-eat foods.

9. She has spinach between her teeth; what do I do? Most people want to immediately know they have food between their teeth, toilet paper stuck to their shoe, a label showing or a spill on their shirt instead of realizing two hours later that they have been walking around that way.

It’s easy to discreetly motion with your finger or quietly tell the person so they can go directly to the restroom and fix their problem.

10. Actions speak louder than words!

The Golden Rule still applies for good etiquette in all situations, for all genders: Treat others as you would have them treat you. Women and men should be comfortable helping others with their coats, chairs, doors and the elevator. Even though “gentlemanly acts of kindness” should be promoted in a social setting, the business arena is gender neutral. Good posture, a pleasant facial expression and appropriate eye contact will help to make a good first impression and contribute to a positive interaction with others.

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March 2010

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN WHEN: Meetings vary month to month and are not held during the summer.

WHERE: Varies.

PURPOSE: Promote equality for women and girls in education and legal advocacy.

MEMBERSHIP: Open to all who want to join. Annual dues.

ACTIVITIES: Spring luncheon and silent auction, Christmas tea, provide scholarships for students at Richland Community College and Millikin University.

CONTACT: Alice Huebner, president, 876-1446.

AMERICAN BUSINESS WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION Monarch Chapter WHEN: 11:30 a.m., fourth Friday.

WHERE: Location varies.

PURPOSE: Networking and provide scholarships for Richland Community College and Millikin University students.

MEMBERSHIP: Open to all employed women. Yearly dues.

ACTIVITIES: Cookbook and rummage sales.

CONTACT: Carol Craig, 424-1111

Amacita Chapter WHEN: 6 p.m., first Thursday WHERE: Varies.

PURPOSE: To bring together business women to promote opportunities to grow professionally and personally.

MEMBERSHIP: All women. Yearly dues.

ACTIVITIES: Various projects to raise money for scholarships.

CONTACT: Connie Scribner, 864-5028.

AMBUCS Decatur AMBUCS WHEN: Noon, every Tuesday (except the fifth Tuesday) WHERE: Tuscany Steak & Pasta House.

PURPOSE: Dedicated to creating mobility and independence for people with disabilities.

MEMBERSHIP: Open to all who want to join. Monthly dues include cost of lunch.

ACTIVITIES: Man all Pepsi booths at Decatur Celebration, sweetheart calendar raffle, maintain scholarship program for college juniors and seniors majoring in a therapy field, golf outing, provide AmTryke therapeutic tricycles for children with disabilities.

CONTACT: Eula Snow, 428-0420.

Lincolnland AMBUCS WHEN: 6:30 p.m., first and second Thursday every month.

WHERE: Easter Seals building, 2715 N. 27th St. MEMBERSHIP: Open to all who want to join. Dues: $12.50 per month.

ACTIVITIES: Builds wheelchair ramps, provide AmTrykes for children, sponsor dances at Knights of Columbus Hall, donations to area nonprofit agencies.

CONTACT: David Seay, president, 428-8619

BUSINESS NETWORK INTERNATIONAL (BNI) First Class Professionals Chapter WHEN: 7:45 a.m., every Tuesday WHERE: Crestview Christian Church PURPOSE: Structured referral network organization.

MEMBERSHIP: Open to one representative per profession per chapter.

Visitors welcome. Annual dues, plus cost of food.

CONTACT: Jay Allison, president, 972-5813.

THE DECATUR AD CLUB WHEN: 11:30 a.m., second Tuesday WHERE: Decatur Club PURPOSE: The Decatur Ad Club is a nonprofit organization that is geared toward today’s marketing and advertising professionals. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a young professional just getting started in this industry, the Decatur Ad Club has something for everyone.

MEMBERSHIP: Marketing and advertising professionals in Central Illinois. Membership levels vary.

ACTIVITIES: Annual Decagon Awards in May, Trivia Night, among several others.

CONTACT: President Bart Greenberger, 597-1357 ON THE WEB: www.decaturadclub. org and Facebook.

DECATUR AREA WOMEN’S NETWORK (DAWN) WHEN: 5:30 p.m., second Thursday.

WHERE: Tuscany Steak & Pasta House PURPOSE: Provide networking opportunities for women seeking any career objectives, networking and support system.

MEMBERSHIP: Open to all women pursuing career objectives, regardless of employment status. Monthly dues are $3 and $18 for dinner. Reservations required.

CONTACT: Marty Cushman, president, 422-3890.

www.thebusin

Networking o DECATUR BUILDING CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL WHEN: 10 a.m., second and fourth Tuesday.

WHERE: IBEW Local 146 Hall.

PURPOSE: To promote the construction industry in the area and to meet the needs of members by enhancing the safety and quality of their work.

MEMBERSHIP: Open to construction business managers. Dues vary.

ACTIVITIES: Donate labor to DMH Home Health & Hospice, Fairview Skate Park, Decatur Celebration and downtown Christmas tree lighting.

CONTACT: Jay Dunn, president, 8774604.

DECATUR OPTIMIST CLUB OF DECATUR WHEN: 7 a.m., every Tuesday.

WHERE: Webster-Cantrell Hall.

PURPOSE: Be a friend to youth.

MEMBERSHIP: Open to all who want to join. Dues of $38 semiannually, plus breakfast.

ACTIVITIES: Children’s plays with Millikin University, chili suppers, volunteer at Camp COCO. CONTACT: John West, president, 4237700

DECATUR REAL ESTATE INVESTORS ASSOCIATION WHEN: 6 p.m., first Tuesday (except July) WHERE: Tuscany Steak & Pasta House PURPOSE: To help people find affordable places to live.

MEMBERSHIP: Annual $40 dues, plus cost of meal CONTACT: Steve Thorpe, 433-8692

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF EAST CENTRAL ILLINOIS WHEN: Open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. every weekday.

WHERE: 250 N. Water St., Suite 370 PURPOSE: Educate and inspire young people to value free enterprise, business and economics to improve the quality of their lives.

MEMBERSHIP: Open to all who want to volunteer. No costs or fees.

ACTIVITIES: Golf tournament, JA Business Challenge for high school juniors and seniors, careers on wheels for fourth graders, life skills program for 500 high school students.

CONTACT: Jill Applebee, president, 424-2151

DECATUR SHRINE CLUB WHEN: noon, every Wednesday.

WHERE: Scovill Banquet Facility.

PURPOSE: Provide free treatment to children in 22 children’s hospitals across the United States and Mexico.

MEMBERSHIP: Any Shriner can join.

Initiation fee and yearly dues.

ACTIVITIES: Fish fries, pork chop bake, steak bakes, parade participation.

CONTACT: Skip Proctor, president, 6743753

KIWANIANNE CLUB OF DECATUR WHEN: 9:30 a.m., every Tuesday.

WHERE: Scovill Banquet Facility.

PURPOSE: Service to the community.

MEMBERSHIP: Current members sponsor new members. Initiation fee, meeting dues, plus cost of food.

ACTIVITIES: Kiwanianne for schools drive, geranium sales, quilt sales and raffle, craft sales, fall salad luncheon with silent auction.

CONTACT: Jean Hanson, president, 429-4896.

KIWANIS Early Bird WHEN: 6:45 a.m., every Thursday.

WHERE: Scovill Banquet Facility.

PURPOSE: Children are priority No. 1.

MEMBERSHIP: Open to anyone who wants to join. Members pay $32 per quarter.

ACTIVITIES: Peanut day, cheese sale, popcorn sales with Boy Scouts.

CONTACT: Mark Wood, board member, 875-2655.

Golden K WHEN: 9:30 a.m., every Wednesday.

WHERE: Scovill Banquet Facility.

MEMBERSHIP: Open to men and women who are retired. $100 per year membership fee.

ACTIVITIES: Sponsor of Bring Up Grades, sixth-grade basketball at Decatur Indoor Sports Center, Books for Kids, help sponsor Fire Cadet Program.

CONTACT: Howard Lawrence, secretary, 428-9042.

Noon WHEN: noon, every Tuesday.

WHERE: Decatur Club.

MEMBERSHIP: Open to anyone who wants to join. Dues $110 per quarter, includes meals.

ACTIVITIES: Fruit box sales, peanut

March 2010

ness-journal.com

opportunities days, serve at Community Thanksgiving Dinner.

CONTACT: Chris Funk, president, 8753131

Prairieland WHEN: 9:30 a.m., every Tuesday.

WHERE: Civic Center.

MEMBERSHIP: Open to anyone who wants to join. Dues are $68 per year, with an additional $25 initiation fee.

ACTIVITIES: Collect printer cartridges, serve at Community Thanksgiving Dinner, help Girl Scouts send cookies to troops.

CONTACT: Dorothy Murphy, 875-5368

LIONS Decatur Noon WHEN: Noon, every Monday WHERE: Tuscany Steak & Pasta House PURPOSE: Provide services for sight- and hearing-impaired.

MEMBERSHIP: By invitation of a current member. Quarterly dues, lunch included.

ACTIVITIES: Lions Candy Day, Thanksgiving basketball tourney, hearing screenings at the Farm Progress Show.

CONTACT: Gale Salzman, 875-0290

MATURE RESOURCE NETWORK WHEN: 11:30 a.m., second Thursday WHERE: Decatur Club, 158 W. Prairie Ave. PURPOSE: Mature Resource Network is dedicated to educating families for life. Local professionals provide information and solutions on a wide array of topics, including advance directives, financial, house and home, leisure and wellness/health care.

MEMBERSHIP: Only one member professional allowed per service category. Semiannual dues.

CONTACT: Roger Mullinax, 899-0557

bership fee is $425 per year.

ACTIVITIES: Build wheelchair ramps, Homeward Bound and CASA projects, Decatur Park District Dog Park pavilion.

CONTACT: Jon Plain, president, 7688120 ON THE WEB: www.metrodecatur homebuilders.com

ROTARY Blue Mound WHEN: 6:30 p.m., every Monday.

WHERE: Pleasantview Township shed, Blue Mound MEMBERSHIP: Open to anyone who wants to join. Annual dues are $365.

ACTIVITIES: Fund projects with two yearly fish frys, citrus sales and peach sales.

CONTACT: John Holmgren, president, 692-2404 or 412-8181

Decatur 180 WHEN: noon, every Monday.

WHERE: Decatur Club.

PURPOSE: Service to humanity, whether domestic or foreign.

MEMBERSHIP: By invitation of a current member. Monthly dues are $10, plus cost of lunch.

ACTIVITIES: Finance Rotary Park, provide grants for school libraries, contribute funds for international relief programs, numerous contributions to area organizations.

CONTACT: Andy Thomas, president, 875-2655 ON THE WEB: www.decaturrotary.org.

Decatur Metropolitan WHEN: noon, every Thursday.

WHERE: Decatur Club.

MEMBERSHIP: By invitation of a current member. Annual dues, plus the cost of lunch.

ACTIVITIES: Adopt a Big Brothers Big Sisters family for Christmas, holiday citrus fruit sale, adopt a mile on West Pershing Road.

CONTACT: Randy West, 421-4155

METRO DECATUR HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION

Forsyth

WHEN: 6 p.m., first Thursday (except June, July, August and December) WHERE: Beach House PURPOSE: Dedicated to promotion of new construction and remodeling in Decatur area.

MEMBERSHIP: Anyone with ties to the building community. Macon, DeWitt, Moultrie and Shelby Counties. Mem-

WHEN: 7 a.m., every Tuesday.

WHERE: Homewood Suites MEMBERSHIP: By invitation of a current member. A monthly membership fee is charged, plus cost of breakfast.

ACTIVITIES: Citrus fruit sales; support summer baseball teams; sponsor RYLA for high school students; sponsor Heifer Program, which sends livestock to undeveloped countries;

sponsor polio eradication program.

CONTACT: Larry Reed, 875-7030

SERTOMA Decatur Breakfast WHEN: 7 a.m., every Friday.

WHERE: Scovill Banquet Facility.

PURPOSE: Service to mankind, with focus on speech and hearing.

MEMBERSHIP: Open to anyone who wants to join. Quarterly dues are $80, which includes a breakfast buffet.

ACTIVITIES: Purchase hearing aids, hearing devices and services for the needy; Fantasy Baseball for hearing impaired ages 6 to 12; provide copies of Bill of Rights to all fifth graders in Macon County; sponsor foreign students at Community Thanksgiving Dinner; ring bells at Christmas for Salvation Army. Fundraising activities include selling elephant ears at Zippy Zoo Days and Decatur Celebration, midnight bingo and selling gourmet holiday blend coffee and cheese. Works on donations for Northeast Community Fund, Easter Seals, SAIL, Project Success, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Sertoma Foundation and Sertoma Speech and Hearing Centers.

CONTACT: Gaylan Turner, board chairman, 422-7600 ON THE WEB: www.decaturnet.org/ sertoma/

Noon WHEN: noon, every Tuesday.

WHERE: Tuscany Steak & Pasta House.

MEMBERSHIP: Open to anyone who wants to join. Quarterly dues are $30, plus cost of lunch.

ACTIVITIES: Sponsor Service to Mankind Award Banquet with Decatur Breakfast Sertoma and shaken baby syndrome project at both Decatur hospitals, park cars at Decatur Celebration, sponsor Christmas Party for Easter Seals, poinsettia and spring bedding plant sales, sweet corn sales.

CONTACT: Jim Bondurant, president, 424-6089

THURSDAY NOON TOASTMASTERS WHEN: noon, every Thursday.

WHERE: third floor, Barnes Citizens Building.

PURPOSE: Participants practice and learn skills by filling a meeting role, ranging from giving a prepared speech or an impromptu one to serving as timer, evaluator or grammarian.

MEMBERSHIP: Open to all who have a desire for self-improvement and want

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to become better public speakers.

Annual dues. Take your own lunch.

ACTIVITIES: Devoted to the art of speaking and listening.

CONTACT: Kevin Miller, past president, 855-3018, or e-mail kmiller2112@ yahoo.com

WOMEN’S PROGRESSIVE CLUB WHEN: 6 p.m., first and third Monday (third Monday only in January and February).

WHERE: Greater Northside Baptist Church.

PURPOSE: Meet the needs of women and children in the community.

MEMBERSHIP: Christian-oriented.

Open to anyone who is committed to the mission. Annual dues.

ACTIVITIES: Mother’s Day souvenir booklet, bake and rummage sales to help support NAACP, organizations with DOVE and honorariums to college students. Also host a pre-Thanksgiving dinner for senior citizens, women’s luncheon.

CONTACT: Barbara Holder, president, 428-1381

DECATUR AREA SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT WHEN: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., second Tuesday, except July and August.

WHERE: Knights of Columbus Hall PURPOSE: Networking and information for HR professionals and individuals tasked with HR administration/ management or any of its specialized functions.

MEMBERSHIP: Open to individuals engaged in at least 50 percent of their work time to an HR administration/management or any of its specialized functions. Annual dues.

ACTIVITIES: Networking events, monthly lunch meeting with different speaker each month to discuss HRrelated topic.

CONTACT: Cheryl Scholtz, chapter president, 429-5148 ON THE WEB: www.decaturshrm.org.

501 CLUB PURPOSE: 501 Club is a premiere organization designed to enhance Decatur by connecting young professionals with each other and the community.

MEMBERSHIP: Business professionals ages 21 to 40. Membership is free.

ACTIVITIES: Athletics, leadership, philanthropy and social activities, including monthly gatherings and networking opportunities.

CONTACT: Shellie Klink, executive director, 422-2200 ON THE WEB: www.decatur501club.org

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

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March 2010

Forget a name? There’s an app for that NameCatcher lets users input categories, details about people for easy lookup on the go

Your child won’t tell you that he or she is having trouble. Since 1977 parents have been using Huntington to help their children reach their full potential.

Huntington will pinpoint your child’s academic strengths and weaknesses and tailor a program to improve grades and increase confidence and motivation.

By MICHAEL MORTON MetroWest Daily News

Kelly Nowlin calls it “hey, buddyitis”: the fudging that occurs when someone’s name can’t quite be recalled.

“I can’t stand that feeling,” the Hopkinton, Mass., resident said. “It’s a problem so many of us share.“ Well, now there’s an app for that.

Tapping their personal experiences and outside computer programming help, Nowlin and her business partner, Lisa Gordon of Needham, Mass., recently released an iPhone application providing a discreet memory jog.

Called NameCatcher and available for 99 cents at Apple’s online store, the application works like this: Names are entered manually, then assigned a category such as “Medical” for a doctor’s office or “Sports” for parents at soccer games.

Search terms are then added, such as a profession or a few key physical attributes. When the need arises, a NameCatcher user can search by category or the extra descriptions and sneak a quick peek at the corresponding name.

That’s what Nowlin does at the dog park, entered as one of her category labels. When she meets someone, she enters them soon afterward into the program, along with the name of their pet or its breed. She recently used her application to remember the name of someone whose dog had been injured, and he seemed touched.

“I sincerely do care,” Nowlin said of her frequent surreptitiousness. “I just might need a tool to help me remember here and there.”

NameCatcher also takes advantage of the integrated iPhone camera: Nowlin recently asked to take a photo of a local waiter because she knew she would return to his restaurant. It also makes use of the GPS function: Two shakes of the iPhone will list entered names by proximity to the meeting place.

A business version called NameCatcher Biz also is available, and the organizational categories can be customized.

“Everyone’s going to have their own way of formatting the categories and searching for names,” said Nowlin, a former marketing and advertising sales manager who left that industry to raise a family.

An early iPhone adopter, Nowlin initially used the device’s notes feature to list brief descriptions of contacts but

Reading • Writing • Math Spelling • Phonics • Study Skills State Testing Prep • Confidence Motivation • Self-Esteem • SAT • ACT

$100 OFF DIAGNOSTIC TESTING Ken McGagh/MetroWest Daily News

Kelly Nowlin has developed the NameCatcher iPhone application that helps people remember names.

‘There are so many apps out there that breaking through the noise is essential to getting any sense of traction. You need to get your app noticed immediately.’

CHRIS COLLINS, RESEARCH ANALYST, YANKEE GROUP soon had too many to scroll through.

Out for a walk one day, she struck upon the idea for NameCatcher, recruiting Gordon to form the business Catcher in the Sky and hiring an outside firm to write code.

“They took a chance with us and were patient with us,” Nowlin said.

Introduced in December, NameCatcher is slowly gaining steam, averaging 35 sales a week around the globe, with particular interest in Great Britain.

But with the list of iPhone applications numbering more than 100,000 and growing exponentially, senior consumer research analyst Chris Collins of Boston’s Yankee Group said developers looking to stand out usually need to

offer a useful service, tap core device features and spend money on marketing, especially in the early going.

“There are so many apps out there that breaking through the noise is essential to getting any sense of traction,” he said, intrigued by Nowlin’s premise. “You need to get your app noticed immediately.“ Nowlin said her company is working to promote NameCatcher while brainstorming new applications. If nothing else, her company’s existing program has proven popular among some of her household, a group that includes husband Chuck, a WZLX disc jockey, and their children, Haley and Jack.

Having reached the advanced age of 9, Haley thought Jack’s request to enter his name into their mother’s NameCatcher was silly, but the 7-yearold plowed ahead. Under search terms, he put “likes pancakes.” For category, he used “medical.”

“He said I met him when he was born in the hospital,” Nowlin said.

Immediate family aside, Nowlin said her application has helped her learn names. She remembered the dog owner’s unaided after one additional iPhone glance. And while she mostly uses her program on the sly, occasionally she owns up, telling a new acquaintance they left quite an impression, one she wanted to remember.

Should she be caught off-guard at other times? Well, the person can probably relate to Nowlin’s mental blocks.

“It’s OK if people learn my secret,” she said.

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March 2010

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23

Don’t miss out on new opportunities at 2010 Business Expo It’s that time of year again. Well, yes, spring is almost here. At least, we hope. But it’s also about time for the Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Expo, sponsored by Neuhoff Media and St. Mary’s Hospital, in cooperation with the Herald & Review.

I’m Marie Chamber Notes Klemm, chairwoman of the 2010 Business Expo and guest columnist for this month’s Chamber Notes. As owner of C&K Custom Signs, I’ve been a Chamber member for the past 21 years, and I’ve volunteered for many Chamber activities during this time.

For the past four years, I’ve been on the Chamber’s Small Business Executive Council, serving on various committees and chairing the Business Breakfast Speaker Committee and the Events Committee.

If you asked me to choose a favorite Chamber event, it would have to be the

Marie Klemm

Business Expo.

On the first Wednesday in April every year, a wide range of businesses come to the Decatur Civic Center to exhibit their goods and services. This gathering represents networking on a grand scale as business professionals join their colleagues in presenting what Decatur has to offer the consumer and commercial industries. And what a variety there will be again this year when we gather April 7 at the Civic Center.

In this tough economy, it is more important than ever for businesses to reach potential customers. They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

Well, the exhibitors work very hard to present a strong visual display of their services and products. Visiting their Expo booths and seeing what they have to offer is better than placing a phone call.

Planning the 2010 Expo has been very exciting, since this year brings many innovations. As you enter the ADM Hickory Point Bank Arena, you will notice the first change: There will be more exhibitors than ever before. The number of booths has grown from about 120 to 135. To accommodate this increased number of exhibitors, the format for the Breakfast and Taste of

Reserve Your Booth Space Now! Call the Chamber at

217.422.2200

2010 Wednesday, April 7 Decatur Civic Center 8am – 3pm Brought to you by our Platinum Sponsors

April 6, 2010 Preview Party 5 pm - 7 pm

April 7, 2010 State of the City Breakfast 7:00 am Taste of Decatur 11:30 am - 1:30 pm Business Expo Following Breakfast-3 pm

Decatur has changed.

Instead of being crowded together at the far end of the Expo, Taste booths will be scattered throughout the exhibition floor to ease the lunch-time congestion. Eighteen of Macon County’s best restaurants and caterers will offer samples of their culinary delights from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Taste tickets cost $6 for five, but the number of tickets is limited. Call the Chamber at 422-2200 to purchase your tickets in advance. Taste of Decatur is sponsored by Decatur Memorial Hospital.

Free seminars are another innovation for the 2010 Expo. Attendees can pick up a copy of the seminar schedule at the Expo registration table, as well as a layout for the exhibit area. The seminars will run from a half hour to an hour long.

If you have to work the day of the Expo, you don’t have to miss out on the opportunity to participate. Plan on attending the Expo VIP Preview Party from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 6. The Beach House is once again sponsoring this event, which will provide a variety of foods to satisfy everyone’s taste.

Drinks also will be available. Michael Scherer with Dream Vizion Productions will provide the music. It is a night for

socializing and networking and just having an overall great time. Tickets are $8, so be sure to call the Chamber for yours.

The Chamber’s monthly Business Breakfast moves to the second floor of the Civic Center, providing more room, more seating and more food lines.

Decatur Mayor Michael McElroy will present the annual State of the City address to breakfast attendees at 7 a.m.

April 7. Our Breakfast sponsors are Wood Printing and Falcon Multi-Media.

Be sure to call the Chamber early to reserve your tickets.

After breakfast, go to the arena and visit the exhibitors. The exhibit area is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. You’ll find businesses representing retail products, insurance, marketing, media services, financial institutions, custom printing, signs, music, health institutions, communications, office products, computers, real estate, food and beverage services and more.

I’m sure that if you attend the Expo, you too will take great pride in what businesses are doing in our area and come away feeling very fortunate that we have them.

Marie Klemm is chairwoman of the 2010 Business Expo.

24

BUSINESS JOURNAL

www.thebusiness-journal.com

March 2010

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