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YOU R C A L E N DA R Tuesday, March 1
Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility, 3909 W. Main St. Lincolnland Decatur AMBUCS, noon, Decatur Club, 158 W. Prairie Ave. Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club. Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club. Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce Breakfast, 7 a.m., Decatur Club. Scheduled speaker is Kim Maisch, Illinois state director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses. Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Shrine Club, 6 p.m., Pop’s Place.
Thursday, March 3
Friday, March 4
Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.
Saturday, March 5
Decatur Frontiers Club, 10:30 a.m., Decatur Club.
Monday, March 7
Decatur Noon Lions Club, Diamonds Family Restaurant, 2959 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club. Women’s Progressive Club, 6 p.m., Greater Northside Baptist Church.
Tuesday, March 8
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. Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club. Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club.
Wednesday, March 9
Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Mount Zion Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, 11:15 a.m., Main Hangar. Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Real Estate Investors Association, 6:30 p.m., Perkins Family Restaurant, 2999 N. Monroe St.
Saturday, March 26
Friday, March 18
Thursday, March 31
Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, Decatur Frontiers Club, 10:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Club. Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club. Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club. Monday, March 28 Decatur Landlords Association, Decatur Noon Lions Club, Diamonds 6 p.m., Doherty’s Pub, 242 E. William St. Family Restaurant. Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Wednesday, March 16 Club. Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Tuesday, March 29 Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, Banquet Facility. 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club. Thursday, March 17 Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club. Early Bird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Wednesday, March 30 Decatur Christian Women’s ConnecDecatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, tion, 11:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill noon, Decatur Club. Banquet Facility.
Wednesday, March 2
Early Bird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, noon, Decatur Club. Human Services Agency Consortium, noon, Central Christian Church, 650 W. William St. Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m., DCC Marketing, 2130 N. 22nd St. Mount Zion Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m., Decatur Earthmover Credit Union, 4800 Aldi Dr. Metro Decatur Home Builders Association, 6 p.m., Beach House, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr.
Tuesday, March 15
Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Early Bird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Scovill Banquet Facility. Banquet Facility. Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, Saturday, March 19 noon, Decatur Club. Mount Zion Chamber of Commerce Business Expo and Taste, 9 a.m. to Friday, April 1 2 p.m., Mount Zion Convention Center. Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Scovill Taste of Mount Zion from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Banquet Facility. Style Show at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Decatur Frontiers Club, 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 2 Decatur Club. Decatur Frontiers Club, 10:30 a.m., Decatur Club.
Monday, March 21
Decatur Noon Lions Club, Diamonds Monday, April 4 Family Restaurant. Decatur Noon Lions Club, Diamonds Early Bird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Family Restaurant. Banquet Facility. Club. Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur GFWC Decatur Woman’s Club, Women’s Progressive Club, 6 p.m., Club. 11:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Greater Northside Baptist Church. Women’s Progressive Club, 6 p.m., Senior Resources Network, noon, Greater Northside Baptist Church. Keystone Meadows, 1455 W. Mound Road. Tuesday, March 22 Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, Tuesday, April 5 noon, Decatur Club. 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, Mount Zion Chamber of Commerce Decatur Building Construction 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Business After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m., Trades Council, 10 a.m., IBEW Local Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club. Whitacre McNamara Insurance Services, 146 Hall. Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club. 455 N. Illinois 121. Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club. Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club. Lincolnland Decatur AMBUCS, Wednesday, April 6 6:30 p.m., Independence Pointe Building, Greater Decatur Chamber of ComGreater Decatur Chamber of Com2715 N. 27th St. merce Business After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m., merce Breakfast, 7 a.m., Decatur Club. Decatur Area Women’s Network Millikin University, The Woods Pool House. Scheduled speaker is Randall Blanken(DAWN), 5:30 p.m., Decatur Club. Coalition of Neighborhood Organi- horn, secretary of the Illinois Department Mount Zion Lions Club, 6:30 p.m., zations, 5:30 p.m., Decatur Public Library. of Transportation. Lions Club Community Center. Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, Decatur Camera Club, 7 p.m., Rock Wednesday, March 23 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Springs Environmental Center, 3939 Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Nearing Lane. 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Banquet Facility. Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Friday, March 11 Banquet Facility. Thursday, April 7 Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Early Bird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Scovill Banquet Facility. Thursday, March 24 Banquet Facility. Early Bird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, Banquet Facility. Saturday, March 12 noon, Decatur Club. Decatur Frontiers Club, 10:30 a.m., Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, Human Service Agency Consortium, Decatur Club. noon, Decatur Club. noon, Central Christian Church, 650 W. Mount Zion Lions Club, 6:30 p.m., William St. Monday, March 14 Lions Club Community Center. Metro Decatur Home Builders AssoDecatur Noon Lions Club, Diamonds Decatur Camera Club, 7 p.m., Rock ciation, 11:30 a.m., Beach House. Family Restaurant. Springs Environmental Center. Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur To submit items for Your Calendar, contact Club. Friday, March 25 Scott Perry at (217) 421-7976, at sperry@herAltrusa International of Decatur, Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., ald-review.com, or click the “Submit an Event” M 6 p.m., location varies. Scovill Banquet Facility. 1 link at www.thebusiness-journal.com
Thursday, March 10
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F ROM T H E E DI TOR Last summer, I decided to decorate a bush in my front yard with a couple eyes and a big smile. We’ve let its “hair” grow out a bit, making it look a lot like Chucky from the “Rugrats.” Winter was a little rough on our buddy. I should have used that beautiful February Saturday afternoon to give him a makeover, but I didn’t. Why am I sharing this with you? It’s my strange way of telling some of you with message boards outside your businesses that you are in desperate need of some new words. Almost daily I read a sign letting me know there is racing every Saturday night at Macon Speedway. I bet it gets cold in those open cockpit cars in the dead of winter. Another business wants me to donate to an early December toy drive. And then there are those who want to use their electronic signs to share every detail of an upcoming event. I’d have to stop in traffic for at least a minute to get the full scoop. Signs are a great way to share information about your business — and make me hungry for your latest sandwich or snack. Make sure you are using them wisely.
Scott Perry, editor Business Journal of Midecentral Illinois
March2016Contents Biz Bites
5
Biz Clips
15
Fred Spannaus
15
Free Time calendar
22
Health calendar
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Companies offering college debt relief
16
Liz Reyer
21
Office Coach
21
Professional Profile
20
Wendy Gauntt
11
Volume 22 Issue 3 601 E. William St. Decatur, IL 62523 217.421.7976 217.421.7965 (fax) PUBLISHER: Julie Bechtel GENERAL MANAGER: Gary Sawyer EDITOR: Scott Perry ADVERTISING: AnnaMarie Hanes
STORY IDEAS: Email sperry@herald-review.com or call 217.421.7976. SUBSCRIPTIONS: To order additional copies call 217.421.7931
ADVERTISING: 217.421.6920 AD DEADLINE: March 18 issue April
The Business Journal of MidCentral Illinois is printed monthly and is a publication of Lee Enterprises Inc.
8
Julie Shields
OF MIDCENTRAL ILLINOIS
COVER PHOTO: Jim Bowling
23 Workplace incentive
Standing FEATURES
BUSINESS JOURNAL
Making Connections Wanting to meet new people and make a difference in the community? Check out our annual listing of local civic groups and figure out which is the best fit for you. This month, we also introduce you to Sara Zarndt-Brickey, offer up a helping of rules for business dining and tips for getting the most out of your networking opportunities.
16 Time to nominate Do you know someone deserving of recognition?
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.
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YOU R C OM M U N I T Y
DAVID PROEBER, BUSINESS JOURNAL
The cost of filling up your vehicle with gasoline will go up in April after the Decatur City Council approved a gas tax last month to offset the cost of repairing city streets.
Council passes gas tax for road repairs ALLISON PETTY Business Journal Writer
DECATUR – Residents will pay more at the pump starting April 1 after the Decatur City Council voted last month to create a local motor fuel tax. The tax, which has been a subject of multiple council discussions over the past few years, will be targeted to pay for repairs to the city’s aging streets, officials said. The tax is 5 cents per gallon on unleaded gasoline and 1 cent per gallon on diesel fuel. “We’ve got to fix our streets,” Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe said after the meeting. “(The money) is not going to be spent on salt. It’s going to be taking people — hopefully, local people would be my preference — and having them fix our local streets and improving our community.” Each penny is expected to generate $250,000 to $300,000 in revenue. Councilman Bill Faber was the lone
“no” vote. Faber said he wanted city officials to take a more comprehensive look at all taxes and reiterated his request that the council consider a city service fee, a weekly $3 fee paid by everyone who works in the city. City Manager Tim Gleason pledged that proceeds would go into a special line item in the budget, and the city would track projects funded by the tax on its website. “We want to assure the community that this money will not be lost in the general fund or another account of the city budget,” he said. The work will begin as soon as this year. Council members added two amendments to the ordinance before voting on it. A “sunset” provision will cause the tax to expire in 10 years unless a future council votes for an extension. While council members initially had different opinions about the length of time, they ultimately agreed on 10 years.
Faber and Councilwoman Lisa Gregory voted against the provision, with Gregory having previously stated that she would not support a sunset. Gregory also offered an amendment, approved by all seven council members, that limited use of the revenue specifically to construction and maintenance of streets, sidewalk repair and maintenance, curbing, grade separations and approaches and engineering services related to those items. A number of residents spoke about the gas tax, with most expressing opposition and concern about the number of tax and fee increases that the council has passed in recent years. Resident Charlotte Pickett said Decatur has been “taxed to death,” referencing recent increases to utility and property taxes. She suggested the tax on diesel fuel should be equal to the amount charged for unleaded gasoline, because heavy trucks create more
wear on the roads. “Sure, I can pay the tax. You guys can pay the tax, you guys have got good jobs,” she told the council. “But you need to express concerns about the other people who live in the city who pay taxes.” Two union representatives, Joe Riley of Laborers International Union of North America Local 159 and Vince Shaw of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 965, supported the measure, saying road work isn’t getting any cheaper. “Although I don’t reside in Decatur, I do purchase probably 75 to 80 percent of my fuel here,” said Shaw, who lives in Springfield. “I believe I’m a perfect example of why you should implement a motor fuel tax that’s paid by the users, not just by the residents of Decatur.” Gleason said he also plans for the council to hold an assessment of all the city’s taxes at M the first meeting in August every year. 1
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BI Z BI T E S Now open
Decatur Brew Works has opened at 101 N. Main St. in downtown Decatur. “Our mission is to bring the best American and European craft beers to Decatur, and people are looking for that,” said Dreux Lewandowski, one of four partners in the new business. The project started more than a year ago and Lewandowski said it took time to remodel the space and obtain the necessary permits. He said it will be the first time since 1916 Decatur has its own brewing company. Offerings from the 24 taps at the Brew Works include cider and mead and three creations of the brewery’s own: D-Town Brown, Bob the Belgian and a Knoweisser wheat beer. Six taps for Decatur-made beer will be used in the future, Lewandowski said. Beyond that and a few wine choices, however, it’s BYOF. Customers are welcome to bring food from home or from a neighboring restaurant. The trick will be to keep enough beer brewed to meet demand, Lewandowski said. Each batch takes about six hours to brew in the basement of the building, he said. Lewandowski’s partners are Micah Koll, Renee Manring and Stan Rives. Hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday. For more, find the brewery on Facebook or call (217) 330-8683.
■■■ Boody now has its own antiques store. Boody General Store Antiques has opened on South Illinois 48, across the highway from the Post Office. It took the family running the new business a year to remodel a former home and turn it into an emporium stocked with furniture, vintage advertising, toys and a large selection of primitives. “We’ve got large wooden bowls and we’ve even got a grease barrel that was used to grease the wheels on covered wagons,” said Debbi Streeval. She owns the business along with her husband, Greg, their daughter, Samantha Knackmuhs, and her husband, Brad. Debbi Streeval said her husband has been a long-time antiques collector and he hooked her into the passion. “And then our daughter became a collector kind of by default and we all decided we needed to share our love of antiques and create a nice antiques store for people to come to,” she added. Boody General Store Antiques is open 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Saturday and then it’s back to 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Sunday. Call (217) 454-4736.
■■■ Great Clips has opened at 4655 E. Maryland St. next to the Walmart on Decatur’s east side. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Call (217) 864-0300.
■■■ The former Trusner Motors at 1275 South Side Drive has been transformed by Aaron and Amanda Peters of Decatur into South Side Soap N Go, a self-service car wash. For more, find the business on Facebook.
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Mikal Ritchey, who formerly managed
Burger King on Prospect Road, has been winging it and her customers don’t mind one bit. That’s because Just Wingin’ It is the name of the new place she’s managing for her mother, Elizabeth Batchelor, at 1510 E. Pershing Road. “My mom and I were ready to do our own thing,” Ritchey said. The emphasis is on 10 flavors of jumbo chicken wings and on takeout and delivery to Decatur, Forsyth, Oreana and Mount Zion. But the business has burgers, too, plus a number of sides. Just Wingin’ It opens at 10:30 a.m. daily, closing at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at midnight Friday and Saturday. For more, find the eatery on Facebook or call (217) 330-7372.
■■■ The Port Royal Gastropub is working hard to deliver a big city dining and entertainment experience in Decatur. Businessman Naci Akyildiz took over a former cafe business and created the Gastropub in May at 2880 N. Oakland Ave. Akyildiz, who has a home in Naperville, said he wanted to take things up-market, with better quality food tied in with a well-stocked bar. His theme was the kind of specialty pubs found in places like Chicago where good food is available late into the night and entertainment is on tap, too. He said turning things in a new direction has taken time but he is making progress. “It’s picking up slowly, it’s getting better, doing well, climbing up,” he added. The Gastropub features live jazz Thursdays and karaoke Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights, alternating occasionally on Saturday with live bands covering a broad range of musical tastes. “The idea is to have good food whenever you want it that you can order while you are dancing,” Akyildiz said. The Port Royal Gastropub is open daily from 9 a.m to 2 a.m. Call (217) 875-2746 or check it out on Facebook.
Changes
The optometry practice of Drs. Murphy and Miller in Decatur has changed its name to Vision Source of Macon County. The change comes as Dr. C. Michael Murphy retires after nearly 40 years in business. Murphy established the practice in February 1976 and transferred ownership of the practice located at 2475 N. Monroe St. in December. Vision Source of Macon County will continue to provide quality eye care to the community and is a member of Vision Source, the largest network of private practice optometrists in North America. As Murphy retires, Dr. Robert Smith has joined the practice. “After a period of working alongside of Dr. Smith, it has been easier to step back, confident that I’m leaving my patients in good hands,” Murphy said. Smith practiced in Southern Illinois for eight years prior to coming to Decatur. During that time, he provided general eye examinations, surgical pre-operative and post-operative care, and management of eye disease such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetes. “We look forward to continuing the great
tradition of excellent vision care that patients in Decatur have come to expect,” Smith said. “The same friendly staff you have come to know are still available to serve your eye care needs at 2475 North Monroe.” Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The new website is www. VisionSource-MaconCounty.com. Call (217) 875-5900.
■■■ A Decatur hearing aid provider is now working with a national company as its store at 2888 N. Monroe St. was updated. Connect Hearing, formerly Hometown Hearing and Audiology, offers free hearing evaluations and a full suite of hearing aid services, including sales, repairs and cleanings. By joining with the Connect Hearing brand, the business is expanding its offerings to include no money down hearing aid trials and a free national and international travel program. “We’re proud to carry on the Hometown Hearing and Audiology legacy of personalized hearing health care while bringing new offerings like the risk-free 2-week hearing aid trial to Decatur,” said Derrick Heflin, a hearing instrument specialist at the center. Connect Hearing has 300 locations across the country, including one in Champaign. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, go to www.connecthearing.com or call (217) 8778430.
On the move
New Vision Thrift Store has relocated to the former Ice House building from its previous location on East Cerro Gordo Street. The move is the first step of plans by New Vision Church to consolidate operations at this location under the name New Vision Urban Ministries. Located at the corner of Van Dyke and West Eldorado streets, the entire complex will use the address of 550 N. Van Dyke, said the Rev. Dow Moses, pastor of the church. Moses said he hopes the church can be relocated from 1414 W. Grove Road by Easter and the food pantry by the first of May. New Vision Thrift, which faces north at the rear of the building, is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and supports the ministry’s food pantry and Christmas giveaway. For more information, find New Vision on Facebook, visit www.newvisionurbanministries.com or call (217) 413-7333 (thrift store) or (217) 423-7333 (church).
■■■ Kara Demirjian Huss is ready to begin the next journey for the DCC Marketing agency. The business has moved into a new headquarters at 2130 N. 22nd St. after being located in downtown Decatur. Demirjian Huss said the move provides an opportunity to expand the company and work alongside neighboring T/CCI Manufacturing, which Demirjian Huss works for as global marketing director. “It will have the kind of industrial, modern creative think tank feel probably not seen before in this area,” Demirjian Huss said of the new office for DCC Marketing. The business has grown over the past 16
years with more than 20 employees providing creative marketing services with a business-minded focus, said Demirjian Huss, DCC’s president. About 10,000 square feet of space has been added for DCC’s office along with remodeling of the T/CCI facility, Demirjian Huss said. T/ CCI Manufacturing makes heavy duty compressors and clutches for the mobile air-conditioning and refrigeration industries. The changes include fixing up the outside of the building to provide a more attractive appearance along the busy 22nd Street corridor, Demirjian Huss said. For more information, go to www.dccmarketing.com or call (217) 421-7580.
Closed
The Hometown Buffett in Forsyth closed last month, one of 74 underperforming restaurants shuttered by its parent company, Food Management Partners. “Ovation Brands was acquired by Food Management Partners in August 2015. Since that time, we have continued to execute former management’s operating plan to stabilize and enhance the performance of the company. However, based on ongoing assessments of individual restaurants, it is necessary to shutter locations for the continued viability of the brands and our employees,” Peter Donbavand, vice president of business development, said in a statement. The restaurant opened in Forsyth in October 1994. Other recent closings include: Mancino’s Pizza and Grinders, most recently located at 2805 N. Main St. in Decatur, closed after 17 years in business. ... Kirlin’s Hallmark closed on Valentine’s Day after more than a dozen years in business at 2875 N. Water St. ... Dr. G’s Brainworks closed its store at Hickory Point Mall in Forsyth.
Under construction
The block to the south of Central Park in Decatur will be undergoing a major transformation later this year. The over $3.3 million project will renovate the Busey Bank and FirsTech facilities between the park and East Main Street. Buildings along East Main Street will be torn down and replaced by parking and green space, while the interior and exterior of the buildings on South Park Street will be remodeled for FirsTech and a drive through window added to east side of the Busey branch at 130 S. Water St. The Economic Development Corporation of Decatur and Macon County is working to administer enterprise zone incentives that will be available to the company after the project is completed, said Ryan McCrady, the EDC’s president. Enterprise zone benefits were combined with tax increment financing district incentives the city could offer over a period of seven years to encourage the company to complete the project. 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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Fired police chief sues city ECATUR – Former Decatur Police Chief D Brad Sweeney filed a lawsuit alleging that his firing by City Manager Tim Gleason was retaliation for disagreements between them, including Sweeney confronting him for illegally using a police car for personal use. Sweeney, 43, who is represented by attorney Jon D. Robinson, is asking for a judgment that will reinstate “his seniority status,” as well as back pay, compensation for litigation costs and other relief the “court deems just,” including more than $50,000 in punitive damages. Sweeney has asked for his case to be tried by a jury. The lawsuit names the city of Decatur and Gleason as defendants.
The suit, filed in Macon County Circuit Court, alleges that his termination was a violation of the Illinois Whistleblower Act, because he disclosed violations of state laws, rules and regulations to his employer. In Sweeney this case, the employer was represented by the city manager. Sweeney, a 20-year veteran of the Decatur Police Department, was appointed as police chief, effective Jan. 3, 2015, by then-city manager Ryan McCrady. Gleason, former city administrator of the small town of Washington, Ill., began his stint as city manager March 23.
IMPROVING SEARCH RANKING Q A
Cayla Hittmeier Digital Specialist Herald & Review
Board won’t extend Taylor’s contract DECATUR – The Decatur Board of Education has informed Superintendent Lisa Taylor that it will not be extending her contract when it expires in June 2017. Taylor said she met with board President Sherri Perkins on Feb. 11 to discuss her annual evaluation. “She shared that I met all performance goals outlined in my evaluation,” Taylor said. “However, the board is not going to extend my contract at the end of the term (June 30, 2017). She did say the board is split 4-3, not in my favor.” Taylor’s contract and the evaluation criteria are on the district website, www.dps61.org. Perkins would say only that Taylor’s contract is due to expire in June 2017 and did not address a request to comment on why Taylor was told her contract won’t be extended. “She will be the superintendent of the district until at least that date. The board of education is not obligated to issue the superin-
tendent a new contract until the existing contract expires,” Perkins said. Taylor worked in Decatur schools beginning as a student teacher and rose through the ranks to assistant principal and central administraTaylor tion. The Decatur Education Association has publicly declared support of Taylor in this matter and has urged members to wear yellow as a sign of support. “(Decatur Education Association) leadership believes that the climate and culture of (Decatur schools) has improved under the leadership of Superintendent Lisa Taylor,” said Suzanne Kreps, president of DEA. “We believe that our district strives to ‘grow our own.’ She is a perfect example of success in this endeavor. In her short time as superintendent, she has built numerous relationships with students, staff and community members.
601 E. WILLIAM ST. DECATUR, IL 62523 217.421.6994
What is the MOST important thing I can do as a business to improve my rankings on Search Engine Results? In a day and age when people hop on their phones before they do ANYTHING, it is more important than ever for your business to be visible on the first page of search results. If you don’t believe me, take a look at these statistics: • 95% of smartphone users have searched for local information on their phone. • 150 – Average number of times a person checks their mobile phone in a day. • 9 out of 10 users say they have taken direct action as a result of their smartphone search. • 61% say they will not remain on a site that isn’t mobile-friendly. Now, back to the original question, what is the MOST important thing you can do to improve your search ranking? Simple…MAKE SURE YOUR WEBSITE IS MOBILEFRIENDLY. Why?...because Google said so. Back in May 2015, Google changed their search algorithm causing a website that is not responsive on mobile devices (meaning it doesn’t adapt page sizes/formats to fit the respective device someone is using), then your site’s search credibility is lowered and in turn, your search ranking. Google isn’t doing this to PUNISH small business or to force them to upgrade their websites; they are doing it because their top priority is CONSUMER EXPERIENCE. They want the user to enjoy how the search engine is working. The statistic above shows you that people searching on a smartphone will leave a website that isn’t mobile-friendly, so Google will not even bother showing those non-responsive sites in results. Now, I have homework for you. Type this web address below into your browser, then, in the blank field, type in your business web address. Click “ANALYZE” and within 2 minutes, Google will tell you if your website passes their mobile-friendly test or not. If you do not pass or if you’re offered improvement recommendations, CALL ME. Upgrading your site is not as expensive as you think and it is NECESSARY. Google Mobile-Friendly Test: https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/mobile-friendly/ *searchenginejournal.com (2014)
We’re not JUST a newspaper. We are Multi-Media Consultants.
Richland bids Saunders farewell DECATUR — Richland Community College bid farewell to Gayle Saunders, who retired after 15 year as its president. A community reception was held prior to the start of her last regularly scheduled board of trustees meeting. She was set to retire at the end of the month. Saunders replaced Chuck Novak in 2001 after he had been there more than 12 years. Novak, who was selected by the board to serve as interim president, was among those attending the reception. The Rev. Wayne Dunning, a current board member who was chairman of the presidential search committee in 2001, said he thought replacing Novak would be difficult, but Saunders has proven she was the right choice. Trustee Larry Osborne said Novak set the bar high. “I thought we could never replace this guy we had such high esteem for,” Dunning said. “Some people quickly go on, but some stay
awhile and leave footprints. Richland has never been the same in the past 15 years.” Board Chairman Bruce Campbell said the search for Saunders’ permanent replacement will continue while Novak brings a sense of stability to the position. “He has a great appreciation for Richland,” Campbell said. “He is well-known in the community, and it’s a natural fit.” Novak, 73, has most recently been working with the city of Du Quoin as a special-projects consultant after starting last spring as interim finance director. A permanent finance director has since been named, but Mayor Guy Alongi said Novak’s duties were expanded. While Du Quoin is a place Novak calls home, as he said his wife, Mary Jo, has family in the area, he is looking forward to returning to Decatur. “It has been nice to us and our children,” said Novak, who spent just over 12 years as Richland president.
Online Contesting
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Targeted Email
National Website
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YouTube Advertising
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YOU R H E A LT H
Decatur Memorial joins partnership Hospital sees chance to share resources, improve patient care JUSTIN CONN Business Journal Writer
DECATUR — Decatur Memorial Hospital has always resisted what DMH President and CEO Timothy Stone Jr. called, “the urge to merge.” While DMH relishes its independence, its leaders also saw the importance of having help when it came to finding the best way to serve its population. Last month, Stone announced during a news conference in the hospital’s Barnes Lobby that DMH had accepted an invitation to join the BJC Collaborative, a collaboration of health care systems throughout Illinois, Missouri and Eastern Kansas. “(DMH) considered various options for relationships with other hospitals and health systems with the ultimate goal of better serving our patients and community,” Stone said. “There will be no change of ownership or governance of DMH, but with the BJC Collaborative, we’ll be able to pursue opportunities to reduce cost and improve our clinical in-service performance.” BJC HealthCare is based in St. Louis and includes Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital. DMH became the eighth hospital system to join the collaborative. Memorial Health System in Springfield was one of the original members of the collaborative when it formed in 2012. The collaboration allows members to remain independent, but band together to save money on equipment and supplies, improve access to the health care a patient might need elsewhere and become more efficient with new Medicare and Medicaid payment methods that demand it. “We’ll work with the BJC Collaborative to more effectively and efficiently manage population health,” Stone said. “But it was important to us to remain a reflection of the community we serve. Our patients can expect the same high quality of care they’ve come to expect for 100 years, and with the assurance that it’s going to be around another 100 because we’re more efficient in this world of health care reform.” Initially the focus will be finding opportunities to reduce or share costs in supplies, energy management, contracted services, equipment purchasing and maintenance and information technology hardware and infrastructure. “Thus far, the collaborative has resulted in $128 million of savings in the areas of clinical engineering, supply costs and information technology,” BJC HealthCare Group President Sandra Van Trease said. The next step will be participating in leadership roundtables to share best practices in M 1 areas such as regulatory compliance and em-
PHOTOS BY JIM BOWLING, BUSINESS JOURNAL
Timothy Stone Jr., Decatur Memorial Hospital president and CEO, listens as BJC Collaborative statistics are mentioned during the announcement at the hospital that DMH is joining the BJC Collaborative.
By the Numbers BJC Cooperative
8 hospital systems 39 hospitals 7,900 physicians 60,000 employees 11 million population in service area
ployee professional development. “These activities are designed to bring our top thinkers and leaders in their areas of expertise together to solve problems and address challenges.” Van Trease said. Memorial, Saint Luke’s Health System in Kansas City, Mo., and CoxHealth in Springfield, Mo., originally joined BJC to form the BJC Collaborative in 2012. Since then, Blessing Health Systems in Quincy, Southern Illinois Healthcare in Carbondale and Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System in Mattoon have been added. Stone said DMH had previous relationships with the hospitals in the collaborative: DMH is already a member of Vizient, along with the rest of the hospital systems in BJC. Vizient is a supply chain company that stems from Voluntary Hospitals of America, which DMH had been a part of since the 1970s. Much of the collaboration of services for DMH will be with Memorial in Springfield.
Sandra Van Trease, BJC HealthCare group president, addresses those attending the announcement that Decatur Memorial Hospital is joining the BJC Collaborative. Memorial President and CEO Edgar Curtis sponsored DMH’s participation in the BJC. “Joining BJC is a big deal,” Curtis said. “We in Springfield, like you in Decatur, realized we weren’t big enough alone to navigate population health. We can do it better working together.”
But if something even more advanced is needed, Barnes-Jewish is one of the best hospitals in the country. “You want to keep everything you can in Decatur, but there are times you need quaternary services, and they naturally go to St. Louis,” Curtis said.
8 | BUSINESS JOURNAL | March 2016
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C OM M U N I T Y H E A LT H C A L E N DA R Support groups
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. Grief support group, 12:30 p.m. Friday, March 4, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Room G18. Call (217) 464-2074. Growing Through Grief, 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 8 and 15, Cancer Care Center of Decatur, Education Classrooms, 210 W. McKinley Ave. To register, call (217) 8764735. Epilepsy support group, 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Assisi Conference Room. Call (217) 8531655. Facing Cancer Together, 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 9, Cancer Care Center of Decatur, Education Classrooms, 210 W. McKinley Ave. For cancer patients and their families. Register online or call (217) 876-4735. Pink Link breast cancer support group, 6 p.m. Thursday, March 10, Cancer Care Center of Decatur, Education Classrooms, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Call (217) 876-4377. Breastfeeding support group, 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 14 and March 28, Baby TALK, 500 E. Lake Shore Dr. Call
(217) 464-2334. Breath of Life support group, noon Tuesday, March 15, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Room 561. Speakers available to answer questions from those with breathing problems. Call (217) 464-2603. Diabetes support group, 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 16, DMH Diabetes Education Center. Call (217) 876-2699. Parkinson’s disease support group, 1 p.m. Thursday, March 17, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1360 W. Main St. Call John Kileen at (217) 620-8702. Brain tumor support group, 10 a.m. Saturday, March 19, Cancer Care Center of Decatur, Education Classroom, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Register online or call (217) 876-4735. Postpartum emotional support group, 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 21, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Assisi Conference Room. Call (217) 464-2334. Us TOO prostate cancer support group, 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, Can-
cer Care Center of Decatur, Education Classrooms, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Register online or call (217) 876-4735. Widowed support group, 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 24. Monthly lunch gathering. For location, call (217) 428-7733. Lyme-MTHFR support study group, 6 p.m. Thursday, March 24, Mari-Mann Herb Co., 1405 Mari Mann Lane. Call (217) 4291555. Renewal bereavement support group, 6 p.m. Monday, March 28, Cancer Care Center of Decatur, Education Classroom, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Register online or call (217) 876-4735.
Classes
Cardiopulmonary rehab nutrition, 11 a.m. Thursday, March 10, Decatur Memorial Hospital Classroom B. Heart-healthy eating with an emphasis on reading labels. Call (217) 876-2496. Sibling class, 5:15 p.m. Monday, March 14, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Assisi Confer-
ence Room. Children 3-12 learn about being a big brother or sister. To register, call (217) 464-2334. Infant CPR class, 7 p.m. Monday, March 14, Decatur Memorial Hospital OB Classroom, third floor. Register online or call (217) 876-3100. Cardiopulmonary risk factor education, 11 a.m. Friday, March 18, Decatur Memorial Hospital Classroom B. Call (217) 876-2496.
More
Learning to Connection: Relating to the Person with Alzheimer’s, 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 9, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Assisi Conference Room. Call (217) 464-2046. Diabetes Update, noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, Richalnd Community College Schilling Education Center. Information and exhibits, educational presentations and panle discussion. To register, call (217) 876-4249.
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March 2016 | BUSINESS JOURNAL | 9
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Zika virus not likely to spread to Illinois Central, South American travel warning issued
JUSTIN CONN Business Journal Writer
C ontracting Zika virus isn’t a big deal for most people. Spreading it is. Zika, a disease that had long been contained to Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands, has swept through South and Central American in the past year. While the illness is usually mild, there is an association between Zika virus infection in pregnant women and subsequent birth defects. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “It’s unlikely that we will see widespread transmission of Zika in the mainland United States.” According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, two pregnant Illinois residents who recently traveled to countries where Zika virus is found have tested positive. Physicians are monitoring their health and pregnancies. Zika is spread primarily by the Aedes mosquito, though it can also be spread through bodily fluid. “Though there have been cases where it’s been spread sexually here and there — traces of the virus can be found in bodily fluid — an outbreak like they’ve had in Brazil isn’t likely,” HSHS Medical Group Infectious Disease Doctor Jignesh Modi said. Following the first known infection to happen within in the United States — from sexual contact in Texas — U.S. health officials issued guidelines to prevent the sexual transmission of the Zika
virus. Men who have been to outbreak areas are advised to use condoms during sex with pregnant women. The guidance also suggests the men might consider abstaining or using condoms even with a partner who isn’t pregnant. It doesn’t recommend that men without symptoms be tested for the virus. The case in Texas seemed to confirm two earlier scientific reports suggesting sexual transmission of Zika is possible although considered rare. It’s the same with transmission through saliva, though health officials warned pregnant women to also consider not kissing anyone who has been in areas with Zika outbreaks. The Aedes mosquito is still considered the most common transmitter. Modi and Illinois Department of Public Health spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said that mosquito isn’t common in the United States or Illinois. “They like stagnant, standing water, and that’s much more common in Brazil,” Modi said. “I’ve heard they have military people going door to door asking people to get rid of any standing water.” Arnold said even if the Aedes gets to Illinois, it wouldn’t survive the winter. “The Aedes mosquito possibly could be imported to Illinois in containers or objects, like tires, coming from locations where Zika virus has been found,” Arnold said. “However, the mosquito would only survive during the summer and warmer temperatures.” The CDC has issued a travel alert (Level 2-Practice Enhanced Precautions) for people traveling to regions and certain countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing, including: Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala,
DID YOU KNOW? Research indicates that people who laugh a lot are much healthier and may live longer than those who don’t find time to chuckle. A good, deep belly laugh can provide your body and mind with a great workout. Dr. Lee Berk at the Loma Linda School of Public Health in California found that laughing lowers levels of stress hormones and strengthens the immune system. The organization Laughter Works, which teaches people how and why to laugh, says laughter can cause blood pressure to drop, blood to become oxygenated and endorphins to kick in, which can improve mood. And that’s just the beginning. Laughing can help reduce stress and promote stronger relationships between people who laugh together. Data indicates children around the age of six laugh the most, laughing roughly 300 times per day, while adults average only 15 to 100 laughs per day.
affect your appearance. A diet that’s rich in sodium has long been linked to a host of health problems, including high blood pressure, stroke, kidney disease and stomach cancer. But consuming too much sodium also leads to increased water retention, which can cause weight gain and make men and women appear puffy and bloated. According to the American Heart Association, the recommended daily sodium intake is 1,500 milligrams. But the AHA notes that the average American consumes more than double that amount on a daily basis. While sodium is an essential nutrient, the human body doesn’t need a lot of it to reap its benefits. Bread, processed meats and soups are some of the major contributors of dietary sodium, so men, women and even children, who the AHA notes are far more likely to develop high blood pressure as adults if they consume a high-sodium n n n diet as a child, should study packaging on Consuming excessive amounts of sodium these items to ensure they aren’t overM 1 not only affects your health but also may loaded with sodium.
Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela and Puerto Rico. This alert follows reports in Brazil of microcephaly and other poor pregnancy outcomes in babies of mothers who were infected with Zika virus while pregnant. “There is a clear association,” Modi said. The CDC recommends that pregnant women in any trimester should consider postponing travel to the areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. Pregnant women, women trying to become pregnant or women who are thinking about becoming pregnant and must travel to one of these areas should talk with their doctor or other health care provider first and strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip. “I’d advise avoiding travel there if possible, especially for pregnant females,” Modi said. “If someone does go, they should be sure to wear long-sleeve clothes, use mosquito repellents, do whatever they can do to stay away from bites and practice safe sex.” The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes). Symptoms can last from several days to weeks. There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat Zika virus infection.
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T E C H TA L K
City looking to develop fiber highway High-speed network would boost development efforts ALLISON PETTY Business Journal Writer
DECATUR – A plan to provide enhanced broadband access as an economic development tool is likely to receive a bigger push this year. Multiple Decatur City Council members in January cited expansion of the city’s fiber network as being among their top priorities, with Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe saying it could help make Decatur a “city of choice” for businesses and young professionals. Fiber provides the opportunity for highspeed, high-capacity Internet, said Patrick Hoban, the city’s economic development officer. He described it as a crucial part of positioning the city for the future. “Back in the day, cities were built around railroads because that’s how you were connected,” he said. “Moving forward, there was highways, and now it’s gonna be fiber.” The city installed its own fiber backbone in 2014 along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. It connects city facilities, including the Municipal Services Center, Decatur Civic Center and police station, allowing data to flow more quickly between them. The next step involves connecting that fiber with Richland Community College, which is linked to the rest of the state through the Illinois Century Network. Eventually, officials would like to develop a loop of fiber around the city. Faster, higher-capacity connections at a lower cost could be attractive to a variety of businesses, said Joe Feinstein, the college’s director of technical and facilities operations. “It makes it a lot easier for larger-scale businesses to come in and look at the town seriously and say ‘Hey, we could actually set down roots here,’” Feinstein said. The city would not act as an Internet service provider, but would lease some of its fiber to companies that would do so, Hoban said. The city’s fiber backbone consists of 144 strands of fiber, he said, of which only about four are in use. The next phase of the project will cost about $700,000. One way to finance the effort would be to sell the idea to service providers that would pre-lease the fiber. “So we’ll say, ‘For this price tag, we can build this out right now.’ They pre-buy and
we build it out and they make connections the same way that they need good roads and and they can start providing Internet ser- a potential workforce. vice,” Hoban said. “More and more things are going to be supAnother important factor is the redun- ported electronically and remotely over the dancy that would be provided by the plan, he said. “It’s not a straight line because if that gets cut by earthquakes or whatever happens, you need it to loop all the way around so that if one end gets chopped, you can still get there from the other side,” he said. “That’s what a lot of the businesses we’ve talked to really like about this.” Ryan McCrady, president of the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur and Macon County, said the EDC is ready to support the city as it moves forward. “We believe that having the fiber optic ring will be good for our community,” McCrady said. “It will definitely be good for business. It’s a good economic development recruitment and retention tool.” Using some private funding provided through the Community Foundation of Macon County, the EDC contracted with consultant Wide Open Networks to assess the situation and give advice on next steps. That work wrapped up by late 2014 or early 2015, around the time that the city and EDC were in the middle of leadership changes. McCrady described fiber as a “must-have” that is very important to businesses, much
coming years, and so I think access to this is going to be helpful not only for large businesses but individual consumers,” McCrady said.
Everyone something for
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Your guide to surviving a software licensing audit It’s more common than ever to have a vendor request a software licensing audit, even for small businesses. Are you prepared to handle this? An audit can be very stressful, not to mention extremely time consuming and possibly quite expensive. The best way to survive is to prepare in advance.
Keep an inventory
It is critical to keep good records of what you own. This is called SAM, which stands for software asset management. Some people use special SAM tracking software, but even a detailed spreadsheet can make all the difference in the world when facing an audit. Save all receipts and invoices to document your purchases. Also save Technology any license keys you are provided. Most often this information is provided electronically, so you can save it in your data files, but set aside a storage area for any hard copies, boxed software, CDs and license certificates.
Wendy Gauntt
Understand software licensing
Another key to success is understanding how your software is licensed, which can be incredibly confusing. Everyone does things just a little bit differently. Common scenarios are explained here, but the biggest takeaway is this: Don’t assume anything. Ask your vendor. For PC-based software, you usually buy one license per computer. If it’s an OEM license, it can only ever be used on that computer, whereas with other licenses you can often uninstall software from the original computer and reinstall it on another. If you buy volume licenses, they can be moved around, and usually all copies use the same key, which makes it more convenient to manage.
Server-based software can get pretty hairy. Some licensing programs vary depending on whether your servers are virtual, or how many processors or cores they are running. For example, many of the Microsoft Windows Server licenses will let you install on one physical server but two virtual servers (on the same hardware). You also need CALs, or client access licenses, to go with most of Microsoft’s server licenses and, to further confuse things, you can get one per user, one per device, or combine user and device CALs to fit your environment. Other software may be licensed based on the number of end users, the number of locations, the number of physical or virtual servers, a flat fee or some combination of all these. Finally, if your servers are hosted in the cloud, you may pay for your licensing through your vendor, or you may still be expected to provide licenses. Cloud software tends to be the simplest, because it’s a subscription rather than a purchase. If you want to add a user, the software will typically alert you to any additional fees that will be required. Even there, you’ll find complexities. Microsoft’s Office 365 will allow you to download Office to up to five devices per user, if you subscribe to the tier that includes their software. One last licensing nuance you need to factor in is mobile licenses. Some software includes a mobile component – for phones or tablets – at no extra cost, whereas some software will charge additional fees for extra devices, and some of those devices may not even be company-owned.
Prevent unauthorized software
Another risk is that your staff may download software onto work computers, and then you can be liable for it. You can always lock down computers to prevent any rogue installs, but this can be a hassle for your staff since it impacts their ability to perform routine updates. Your other defense is to set a clear computer policy that only authorized, properly licensed software may be installed on company computers.
communication is key. First, assess whether this is a routine audit or a more serious situation. There is an organization called the Business Software Alliance that gets tips about noncompliance from disgruntled employees. If they initiate the audit, you need legal counsel because they routinely charge severe penalties. If you are working directly with the software vendor, you may not need to take this precaution. Bear in mind that you are their customer, and in most cases they want to keep it that way. They may ask you to run audit software that will scan your network for license usage. Review results carefully, and don’t be afraid to speak up if the results don’t make sense to you. If you need more time, just ask. Most vendors will work with you. If you do come up short but it’s clearly accidental, you will be asked to pay for the missing licenses. However, you can and should negotiate any penalties that the vendor tries to charge. Finally, once it’s all said and done, make sure you get documentation from the vendor that you are all set. Congratulations, you survived.
Wendy Gauntt is president of CIO Services LLC, a technology consulting company that specialIf you’ve followed this advice, you should izes in small business solutions. Go to www. be in good shape, so rest easy. However, you cioservicesllc.com for more information, ideas still want to handle an audit with care. Good and free resources.
Getting audited. What now?
Review licensing regularly
To keep up with licensing and staff changes, review licensing on a regular basis. Two to three times a year is sufficient for most companies. Confirm the number of end users running software that is licensed based on end user count, for example. Check the number of active PCs to make sure you haven’t installed more desktop software than you own. Uninstall software from PCs that are being retired, or simply ensure complete data destruction
Shop at home & Save! M 1
on the hard drive. And don’t forget to make sure you have enough CALs for your servers to account for all the users. If you have a virtual server environment, check your server count. Sometimes techs spin up extra servers to test things out, and they apply a volume license without thinking through the implications. Check other server software as well, such as VMWare and backup software. On the bright side, there’s always a chance you can save some money by performing this review. Check your cloud software subscriptions to make sure you are only paying for active staff. Sometimes when staff leave, those subscriptions never get cancelled, and you keep paying for services you no longer need.
EVERYONE WINS WHEN YOU SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MERCHANTS. SHOP AT HOME FIRST.
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M 1
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14 | BUSINESS JOURNAL | March 2016
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YOUR BUSINESS
Worklounge gives businesses a ‘home’ RACHEL LERMAN Tribune News Service Writer
SEATTLE — Inside a former Northern Trust bank vault in downtown Seattle, there now stand several rows of posh, wooden lockers. Just outside the heavy vault door is a series of curtained booths, a sleek, fully stocked bar and rows of small desks set up to look like a cafe. A blend of restaurant, bar and lounge, the location has another function: It’s a co-working space. The Coterie Worklounge was recently launched to serve a gap that co-founders Leah Richmond and Su-Zette Sparks see in the market — an upscale space where a growing number of independent workers can eat, entertain clients and work. A co-working space generally summons up images of rows of offices, desks, kitchens and maybe a few pingpong tables thrown in. More and more, the term has come to apply to tech startups, which often start out in co-working spaces. The spaces provide a place to work and meet with teams, with the added benefit of having access to electricity and Wi-Fi. Coterie looks different. The 10,000-square-foot space at the base of a downtown office tower is decked out in elegant furniture that recalls a scene from “Mad Men,” which is just the vibe Sparks and
“The idea was to create a space where you can get some work done but also entertain a client and celebrate.” Su-Zette Sparks, Coterie Worklounge Richmond sought. “We were going for the ‘40s, but I think we landed in the ‘50s,” Richmond said. The pair previously ran a consultant business, helping companies with organization and strategy. They said they got sick of working in crowded coffee shops or trying to find places to meet with clients at the last minute. That’s when they started to raise money to open Coterie, a word that refers to a group of like-minded spirits. “The idea was to create a space where you can get some work done but also entertain a client and celebrate,” Sparks said. The Worklounge, a word the pair made up, has enough space for more than 270 people and is equipped with common desks, private offices, conference rooms for rent and
a full kitchen. Membership starts at $160 per month for one person, or $30 a day for drop-ins. Rents for co-working spaces across Seattle vary widely depending on what services the worker wants included. Coterie has about 100 members so far, and many of the clients are salespeople, consultants and lawyers. The two-floor space is divided into “zones,” one that buzzes like a coffee shop and others with varying degrees of quietness. On weekends and off-hours, groups can rent out the Worklounge for events. The restaurant area, open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays (as is the rest of the space), serves small plates and full meals and allows online ordering. Servers will bring food directly to a desk. “We are going for a little bit of a grown-up feel,” Richmond said. The co-working trend is booming around the country. A report from the Commercial Real Estate Development Association counted 781 such spaces in 2013, up from just one in 2005. That number is doubtless much higher today. Seattle has at least 20 spaces, said Susan Dorsch, co-founder of Office Nomads. Dorsch helped organize a group called The Seattle Collaborative Space Alliance, which brings together co-working spaces to discuss
issues and needs of the community. She welcomed the opening of Coterie – and any co-working space. If every space in Seattle were at absolute peak capacity, collectively they could fit a couple thousand people total, Dorsch said. With the city’s population rising, she expects much more space will be needed soon. A recent report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office shows that more than 40 percent of the country’s workforce is made up of freelancers, independent contractors and pretty much any other worker who does not have a traditional office job. The number is increasing, up from about 31 percent in 2005. “Even if we all max out our membership, there’s just no way that we’re serving Seattle in the way that it needs,” Dorsch said. She reaffirmed that it’s not all about tech. Tech startups may grab a lot of attention, but freelancers exist in every industry. Many find it isolating and difficult to work from home, and expensive to rent their own office. “We’ve heard over the years (from members) that being in an environment with a diverse group of professionals is a huge win,” she said. As for Coterie, Richmond and Sparks are hoping the upscale idea catches on. If things go well, they plan to expand to 10 more U.S. cities.
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Laying groundwork for a discrimination claim Editor’s Note: This is one in a series of columns on equal employment enforcement. So you feel you’ve been discriminated against, eh? You think you were fired because of your race, or your age, or your gender or some other basis that’s covered in Decatur’s unlawful discrimination ordinance. Or maybe you were denied a loan, or refused service at a retail establishment. (To see what’s covered in the ordinance, read my February column). What can you do Human Resources about it? This month’s column will start walking you through the steps from the perspective of the complainant. In future columns, we’ll look at it from the other side – from the point of view of the person or organization against which the complaint is lodged. As the contracted human rights Investigator for the Decatur Human Relations Commission, I have a pretty decent over-
Fred Spannaus
view of the process. It begins when you contact the city’s Human Resources office. It’s located on the second floor of the Decatur Civic Center, and the phone number is (217) 424-2805. The nice people there will greet you and give you a lengthy form. It’s called “You May File.” You’ll take the form with you and fill it out. On it you will list your name and contact information. You will state your case: who discriminated against you, how they did it, and why you think it was unlawful discrimination. You’ll list the names and contact information of witnesses and attach any documents that support your allegations. You will be instructed to have the form notarized and bring it back. If you don’t have access to a notary public, you can have it notarized at the City Clerk’s office, down the hall from the HR office. Shortly after you return the notarized form, you’ll get a phone call from me. We’ll set up an appointment for your first interview, which will take place in the city’s HR offices. When you sit down across the desk from me, I’ll ask your permission to audiotape the session, and explain that’s so I can prepare accurate notes. Then I’ll tell you the three purposes of the meeting. First off, I want to see if the
city has jurisdiction – did the act happen within the city limits? Did it happen within the past 180 days? Next, I will determine if the act (assuming your story is true) might be a violation of the ordinance. Finally, I want to see what evidence you have, or can get, to prove it. Take note that at this point I am not trying to determine if you’re telling me the truth. That will come later, during the investigation phase. In this initial interview, I merely hear your story and make sure I understand it. After that meeting, I will contact you again. I might call you to say that I am dismissing the case. If so, I also will send you a certified letter to confirm the call. The dismissal might be because, even if true, the act does not violate the ordinance. Or it might be that the city lacks jurisdiction. The letter will mention that you can pursue the case with the Illinois Department of Human Rights, if you so choose, or you can proceed to file a charge with the Human Relations Commission on your own, without my assistance. But I might deliver different news. I might call or email to say we’re moving forward. Based on your story, I think there could possibly be a violation of the ordinance. I’ll tell you that I will prepare
a charge which states your allegations in formal language. A day or two later I’ll give you a draft copy of the charge and ask you to review it for accuracy. Once you approve it, we’ll take it to a notary in the City Clerk’s office and have you sign it. Before you leave, I will caution you that you probably will not hear from me for at least a month. And that’s true for you as well, dear reader. We’ll pick up this tale in next month’s issue. 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 email at spannaus@ameritech.net or by phone at (217) 425-2635.
BI Z C L I P S New staff members
Dan Petrella is the new Springfield bureau chief for the Herald & Review and Lee Enterprises newspapers. He replaces Kurt Erickson who is now covering the Missouri legislature for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Bill Welt has joined the Herald & Review’s sports department. Petrella Lisa MacIntosh has joined Promax Construction as a kitchen and bathroom design specialist.
COLLEGE PREP. LIFE READY. MacIntosh
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> Continually high ACT scores
Promotions
Josie Harris has been promoted to clinic floor supervisor at Mr. John’s School of Cosmetology, Esthetics & Nails .
Achievements
Jenny Taylor was named Advanced Disposal’s Administrative/Clerical Employee of the Year. For the second year in a row, Archer Daniels Midland Co. has been ranked the world’s most admired company in the food production industry by Fortune magazine.
Experience St. Teresa High School
> 100% Graduation rate Taylor
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> 100% Acceptance rate for college/military and post-secondary schools > Over 4,200 community service hours a year
Business Clips are abbreviated versions of paid Business Achievements which appear on Mondays in the Herald & Review. For more information about Business Achievements, go to www.thebusiness-journal.com and click on the Announcements Chris Harrison and Zane Peterson, Submit a Business Achievement link.
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Networking vital to growing your business Very few things cause us more anxiety than the prospect of networking. I wish I could say I am shocked at how few students and even new business owners take advantage of networking events, but really the aversion is typical. What is it about the prospect of networking with new people that causes our limbic systems to jump into mental flight mode? To make matters worse, there are three kinds of networks entrepreneurs need to nurture regularly: social, digital and business networks. And to be clear, I am talking about digital networks among people, not computer networks. Networking advice is nothing new. When I was a younger entrepreneur, the typical advice was to make sure you have an accountant, an attorJulie ney and a banker Shields in your network. Entrepreneurship While that was good advice, I believe better advice is to intentionally develop a network with several accountants, attorneys and bankers. And, equally important, the network needs to include graphic designers, writers, photographers, videographers, aspirational customers (i.e. customers you would like to have, but you aren’t actively pursuing because you are not “there” yet), policymakers, technology gurus, and the list goes on. Savvy entrepreneurs in big cities are blending of all three types of networks at co-working spaces that are often networked with entrepreneurs in other cities. They recognize that networks are perhaps the greatest investment in their competitive edge and the long-term health of their businesses. We don’t have a co-working space in Decatur yet, but that doesn’t mean entrepreneurs should wait to intentionally develop a vibrant network. Where to start? Sit down with a cup of coffee from your favorite local establishment and fire up an Excel spreadsheet. Make a matrix of the types of networks (social, digital, business, and any others you see as relevant), and all the types of
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Lehmann
Bill Lehmann is president of the marketing communications firm Jones and Thomas and Jtnet, an online development and IT support company. He also is the president of the Millikin Decatur Executive Association.
people or resources that are important in your business (accountants, graphic designers, etc., and any aspirational types of resources, too). Take some time to think of your trusted colleagues in each of the categories. Business and social resources might be easy to fill in – your accountant and a relative who might have his/her CPA, for example. Digital resources might be tougher. Go to LinkedIn or even Facebook for specific groups. You might research bloggers or authors who are open to connecting online. The nonlocal perspective they offer will help you keep a different eye on the market. Update the list over time as you make connections. When there is a business emergency and anxiety is high, use your networking matrix to remember the specific people and resources you know and reach out to them. To build your local network, there are existing groups of business owners, entrepreneurs and leaders. There’s Millikin University’s Micro Business Network, Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce, Millikin-Decatur Executive Association, Decatur Area Women’s Network, Rotary and other service clubs just to name a few. These all have membership fees associated with them, but the value they provide is simplifying the social part of networking – i.e. organizing those terrifying networking events which are crucial for most businesses. Most offer a free, or near free, guest option for the first event or meeting, so take advantage of checking them out. For tips on how to strike up a conversation at a networking event, go to www. millikin.edu/cfe. Julie Shields is director of Millikin University’s Center for Entrepreneurship.
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Reader Profile: n 89% are college educated. n 28% are ages 45 to 54.
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Making Connections ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL OF DECATUR
(If second Thursdays falls on the same week as the first Tuesday, the meeting will be the third Thursday at Macon Resources.) PURPOSE: Dedicated to creating mobility and independence for people with disabilities. MEMBERSHIP: Open to all who want to join. Monthly dues include cost of meal. ACTIVITIES: Man all Pepsi and beer booths at Decatur Celebration, maintain scholarship program for college juniors and seniors majoring in a therapy field, spring flower order, provides AmTryke therapeutic tricycles for children with disabilities. CONTACT: Greg Ferris (217) 428-6621
WHEN: 6 p.m., second Monday WHERE: Varies PURPOSE: To promote community service with an emphasis on literacy and to create fundraising opportunities that provide resources for designated projects. MEMBERSHIP: By invitation of a current member. Annual dues. ACTIVTIES: Sponsors grant applications, Decatur Celebration wine cooler booths. CONTACT: Dr. Priscilla Palmer (217) 875-7211 ext. 309
DECATUR AREA SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
DECATUR REAL ESTATE INVESTORS ASSOCIATION
WHEN: 11 a.m., second Tuesday (except July and August) WHERE: Varies PURPOSE: Networking and information for HR professionals and individuals tasked with HR administration/management or any of its specialized functions. MEMBERSHIP: Open to individuals who devote 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 speakers discussing HR-related topics, annual area conference for Society for Human Resource Management. CONTACT: Todd Ray (217) 429-5261 or email decaturareashrm@gmail.com needs of members by enhancing the safety ON THE WEB: decatur.shrm.org and quality of their work. MEMBERSHIP: Open to construction DECATUR AREA WOMEN’S business managers. Dues vary. ACTIVITIES: Donate labor to DMH NETWORK (DAWN) Home Health & Hospice, Decatur CeleWHEN: 5:30 p.m., second Thursday bration, Decatur Family YMCA, Child Ad(except July and August) vocacy Center and downtown Christmas WHERE: Decatur Club tree lighting. PURPOSE: Networking for profesCONTACT: Shad Etchason, president, sional/personal development and com- (217) 877-4604 munication among a group of diverse and talented women. DECATUR CAMERA CLUB MEMBERSHIP: Open to all women. WHEN: 7 p.m. second and fourth First-time attendees $10. Reservations Thursdays (except Thanksgiving and required. Christmas) CONTACT: Julie Pangrac, president, WHERE: Westminster Presbyterian dawndecatur@gmail.com Church (January and February) and Rock ON THE WEB: www.decaturdawn.org Springs Environmental Center (remainder of the year) DECATUR BUILDING PURPOSE: Promote photography through educational programs, fellowship CONSTRUCTION TRADES and constructive feedback. COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP: Open to all interested WHEN: 10 a.m., second and fourth in photography. Tuesday CONTACT: Curt Knapp (217) 864WHERE: IBEW Local 146 Hall 4492, knapp_ct@comcast.net PURPOSE: To promote the construcON THE WEB: www.decaturcameraM 1 tion industry in the area and to meet the club.org
WHEN: 6:30 p.m., second Wednesday (except July) WHERE: Perkins Family Restaurant PURPOSE: To help people find affordable places to live. MEMBERSHIP: Annual dues. CONTACT: Steve Thorpe (217) 4338692
Check out these local groups for networking opportunities
DECATUR SHRINE CLUB
WHEN: 6 p.m., third Wednesday WHERE: Pop’s Place PURPOSE: Help provide treatment to children in 22 children’s hospitals across the United States, Canada and Mexico, two burn centers and one cleft palate center in the U.S. MEMBERSHIP: Any Shriner can join. Annual dues. DECATUR CHRISTIAN ACTIVITIES: Fish fries, parade parWOMEN’S CONNECTION ticipation. WHEN: 11:30 a.m., Thursday after the CONTACT: Clinton Keller (217) 433third Tuesday 2258 WHERE: Scovill Banquet Facility PURPOSE: Spread the Christian mes- GFWC DECATUR WOMAN’S CLUB sage that God loves you. WHEN: 11:30 a.m., second Thursday MEMBERSHIP: Open to all women (except January and July) who want to attend. Cost of lunch. WHERE: Scovill Banquet Facility CONTACT: Sylvia Baker (217) 433- (through June) 8617 PURPOSE: A charitable organization that promotes the educational, industrial DECATUR FRONTIERS CLUB and social interests of women. MEMBERSHIP: Open to any woman. WHEN: 10:30 a.m. Saturdays Annual dues. WHERE: Decatur Club PURPOSE: Fill needs in the commuACTIVITIES: Sponsor zebras, Chad nity. and Zoe, at Scovill Zoo, rummage sales, MEMBERSHIP: Open to any adult. monthly speakers, $1,000 Richland ComACTIVITIES: Adopted Washington munity College scholarship in medical School, assist with food baskets, health field, sponsor a scholarship to Eastern Ilfair, Diabetes Association 5k walk/run, linois University, work for the prevention scholarships. of domestic abuse, volunteer at Decatur CONTACT: Burl Stoner (217) 429-0333 Memorial Hospital and Blessingdales, among other things. DECATUR LAND AMBUCS CONTACT: Darla D. Weltmer, presiWHEN: noon, first Tuesday at Decatur Club dent, (217) 877-7008 6:30 p.m. second Thursday at Independence Point Please see CONNECTIONS, Page 18
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Connections From 17
HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY CONSORTIUM WHEN: Noon, first Thursday (except January, July and August) WHERE: Central Christian Church PURPOSE: To promote common goals by sharing ideas, clarifying communications, identifying needs and resources, promoting training opportunities and promoting public awareness of accomplishments in the human service field. MEMBERSHIP: Anyone interested in social services. Dues vary. ACTIVITIES: Teddy Bear Dental Fund CONTACT: Michelle Boatman (217) 423-6988
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. Meeting dues. ACTIVITIES: Kiwanianne for Schools drive, pecan sales, fall salad luncheon with silent auction. CONTACT: Jean Hanson, president, (217) 433-1915
KIWANIS Early Bird
1.
WHEN: 6:45 a.m., every Thursday WHERE: Scovill Banquet Facility PURPOSE: Children are priority No.
MEMBERSHIP: Open to anyone who wants to join. Quarterly dues. ACTIVITIES: Peanut day, cheese sale. CONTACT: Mark Wood, board member, (217) 875-2655
Golden K
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METRO DECATUR HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION
ACTIVITIES: Holiday citrus sale, Fundraising activities include midnight various local and international charita- bingo. ble activities. CONTACT: Paul Rosenberger (217) WHEN: 11:45 a.m. or 6 p.m. first CONTACT: Michael Breheny (217) 877- 877-4789 ON THE WEB: www.decaturnet.org/ Thursday (except June-August, October 0795 sertoma and December) WHERE: Beach House SENIOR RESOURCE NETWORK Noon PURPOSE: Dedicated to the promotion WHEN: noon, second Thursday WHERE: Keystone Meadows of new construction and remodeling in WHEN: Noon, every Tuesday WHERE: Decatur Club the Decatur area. PURPOSE: Dedicated to educating MEMBERSHIP: Anyone with ties to families for life. Local professionals proMEMBERSHIP: Open to anyone who the building community in Macon, De- vide information and solutions on a wide wants to join. Quarterly dues. Witt, Moultrie and Shelby counties. An- array of topics for seniors including adACTIVITIES: Park cars at Decatur nual dues and $25 for cost of meal at each vance directives, financial, house and Celebration, sponsor of the Independence meeting. home, leisure and wellness/health care. Pointe Christmas party, poinsettia and ACTIVITIES: Annual home show MEMBERSHIP: Open to anyone who patio pots. CONTACT: Marianne Stehr, executive works with seniors. Cost of lunch. CONTACT: Erv Arends (217) 428-6985 CONTACT: Kendra Gilman (217) 877officer, MetroDecaturHBA@gmail.com ON THE WEB: www.decaturnet.org/ sertoma ON THE WEB: metrodecaturhome- 5327 or SRNDecatur@yahoo.com builders.com
MICRO BUSINESS NETWORK
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. once a month as scheduled WHERE: Millikin University Center for Entreprenurship PURPOSE: Provide community of micro business owners an environment where they can share knowledge and resources to help each other succeed. MEMBERSHIP: Micro-business owner, $100 registration fee ACTIVITIES: Speaker series, roundtables. CONTACT: info@MillikinMBN.com or (217) 424-6296 ON THE WEB: www.MillikinMBN. com
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 include cost of meal. ACTIVITIES: Purchase hearing aids, hearing devices, and services for the needy; provide copies of Bill of Rights to all fifth-graders in Macon County; Salvation Army bell ringers, two scholarships to Illinois State University and two to Eastern Illinois University for speech and hearing students; matching grants to organizations.
WOMEN’S PROGRESSIVE CLUB
WHEN: 5:30 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, spring musical extravaganza, women’s luncheon, bake and rummage sales to help support NAACP, Dove Inc. and honorariums to college students. CONTACT: Barbara Holder, president, (217) 428-1381
MOUNT ZION LIONS
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays WHERE: Lions Club Community Center PURPOSE: Provide services for sightand hearing-impaired. MEMBERSHIP: By invitation of a current member. Annual dues. ACTIVITIES: Pancake Day, egg hunt, Pony Express, $100 dinner, bingo. CONTACT: Wayne Williams (217) 8643100 ON THE WEB: www.mtzionlionsclub. com
WHEN: 9:30 a.m., every Wednesday WHERE: Scovill Banquet Facility MEMBERSHIP: Open to anyone who wants to join. Annual dues. ACTIVITIES: Sponsor of Bringing Up Grades, sixth-grade basketball at DecaROTARY tur Indoor Sports Center, Books for Kids, Decatur 180 monthly backpack, co-sponsor of every third grade student receiving a dictioWHEN: Noon, every Monday WHERE: Decatur Club nary, sponsor Millikin University children’s play. PURPOSE: Service to humanity, doCONTACT: Dan White, president, mestic and foreign. (217) 454-7422, dan942@comcast.net MEMBERSHIP: By invitation of a curON THE WEB: www.decaturnet.org rent member. Quarterly dues include cost of meal. Noon ACTIVITIES: Provide grants for WHEN: noon, every Tuesday. school libraries, contribute funds for inWHERE: Decatur Club ternational relief programs, numerous MEMBERSHIP: Open to anyone who contributions to area organizations. wants to join. Quarterly dues, meal inCONTACT: Susan Keane, president, cluded. 217-233-2001 ACTIVITIES: Peanut days, Boo at the ON THE WEB: www.decaturrotary.org Zoo, Catholic Charities, serve at ComDecatur Metropolitan munity Thanksgiving luncheon, serve lunch at the Good Samaritan Inn once WHEN: Noon, every Thursday WHERE: Decatur Club a month. CONTACT: Matt Kaufman, (217) 429MEMBERSHIP: Open to anyone who 2326 wants to join. Annual dues.
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Meal etiquette matters in business EDDY WANG Tribune News Service Writer
PITTSBURGH — Never pass the bread to the left. Never reach over the guy next to you to get the butter. And, when you’re at a business dinner, don’t announce loudly that you need to go to the bathroom. People don’t want to know the details. In an era when jeans at the office are common and meetings at Starbucks are practically a rite of passage, it would not seem that details of fine etiquette, such as which fork to use for salad, matter anymore. But more than 25 people turned out recently at an iconic place of business in Pittsburgh, the 142-yearold Duquesne Club, for a three-hour crash course in the fine art of dining politely, under the glow of chandeliers and the attentive service of welltrained staff. The Pittsburgh Social Exchange, a networking organization that also hosts golf outings and cocktail parties, brought in Demetria Pappas, the co-founder of etiquette education company Mother, May I, to teach ambitious businessmen and women how to behave at the dinner table while they dug into a three-course meal. Pappas estimates more than 65
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Duquesne University students Kim Firko, center, and Tatiana Duffey, right, do finger exercises during a class on meal etiquette. More than 65 percent of business is conducted over a meal. percent of business is conducted over a meal, although perhaps not always as elegant a meal as the roasted stuffed chicken and almond macaroons served for the learning luncheon. By gently poking fun at real-time faux pas, such as cutting salad all at once as opposed to one bite as a time, Pappas was able to create a convivial
atmosphere among the erring participants while also inspiring them to scrutinize their every move, making it well worth the $95 that some paid for the event. For those who couldn’t make the lunch, here are seven of Pappas’ most important tips: When there are two forks at your seating place, the fork on the outer
edge is for salad, while the one on the inside is for the entree. The correct way to pass bread is to one’s right but not before first extending the bread to the person on one’s left as a gesture of courtesy. The person who sits directly in front of the bread initiates the passing. (Ditto with butter.) Meeting clients can be awkward. Introduce people with first and last name. Come up with three things to talk about, and be the first to say hello. If you have an urge to go to the restroom, excuse yourself with a simple “Excuse me.” People don’t need to know where you’re going. If you need to make a phone call (and it’s really bad manners to make a call during a business meal), let people know beforehand if you’re expecting the call and thank them once you come back. Sometimes it may be hard to decide how you should acknowledge an acquaintance that is not part of your party. Pappas discourages hosts from directly walking over to the acquaintance and wasting the time set aside for their clients. “It’s not right to leave the company you’re with to see other people,” she said. “And those other people might not want you in their space.”
A more respectful thing to do is nod your head in the acquaintance’s direction or send him or her a drink that will go on your tab. At a bigger event, sometimes it may be difficult to leave a conversation. A good strategy is a concise “excuse me, it was nice meeting you,” followed by a handshake. Walk away backwards so whoever you were talking to can see your face and see that you are genuine. Ethan Nicholas, president of the Pittsburgh Social Exchange, offered a trick he uses to gauge how conversations are going. If you’re conversing with someone whose shoes are pointed toward you, that person is engaged. If his shoes are pointed away from your body, he has decided he wants to leave. For hosts who want to make sure they are the ones paying, tell the waiter beforehand. That way you can walk your client to his car without the waiter bringing the check over. Whoever set up the meal is the person who pays. And for guests, don’t forget to send a personal thank-you letter after the meal. That seemingly small handwritten gesture is worth a thousand words.
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Meet Sara Zarndt-Brickey, president of the Metro Decatur Home Builders Association ometown: Decatur H Family: Husband Ben, a blue heeler named Mojo and a cat named Zendra Occupation: Operations manager and co-owner of Re-Bath and 5 Day Kitchens of Illinois Education: Bachelor’s degree in small business management and entrepreneurship from Illinois State University My “I’d rather be …” bumper sticker would read: “I’d rather be on a beach.” As a business owner I get to do what I love on a daily basis, but traveling, especially to beautiful locations where all I need to pack is a swimsuit and flip flops, is a great opportunity to escape from the daily grind. Hobbies/interests: Traveling, working out, being outdoors when the weather allows, working on home projects with my husband. My first job: Gymnastics coach for the YMCA Why I do what I do: I’ve always known this is what I wanted to do. Before my dad started our company, he worked for JJ Swartz Co. as head of sales and marketing. When I was 15, he brought me to his office on a “Take your Daughter to Work” day. As I sat through one of his sales meetings, I couldn’t resist the urge to speak up to the sales people, giving them what I considered at the time to be sage advice on customer service. They stared at me with wide eyes. I can only imagine what they were thinking. I started in this industry because it’s my family business, but I keep doing it because I enjoy serving our clients. The bathroom is one of the most private spaces, and the kitchen is the most public. When our clients rave about how much they love their newly remodeled space, my day is made. We helped solve a problem, we made something beautiful, and we made people happy. Personal approaches to challenges: I try to look at challenges as opportunities for growth. I take a step back, assess what’s necessary to solve a problem, and move forward. It sounds cliché, but I believe attitude is everything. Our circumstances are not determined by things that happen to us, but by our reaction to them. Community involvement: In addition to my board position on the Home Builders Association, I spent several years as the volunteer coordinator for the Shoreline Classic and spent six years in Junior Welfare Association and am now a JWA Patroness member. All of these organizations have added tremendous value to both my professional and personal life, and I’ve met so many wonderful people through my involvement. What is the Metro Decatur Home Builders Association? We’re a group of
JIM BOWLING, BUSINESS JOURNAL
Sara Zarndt-Brickey, operations manager and co-owner of Re-Bath and 5 Day Kitchens of Illinois, is the first female president of the Metro Decatur Home Builders Association. professionals who work together to educate ourselves and improve our industry while being centered on improving what we offer to our consumers. It appears one of the main functions of the association is to provide monthly networking opportunities for its members. Why is such an emphasis put on networking? We network with each other and educate ourselves because it’s how we get better. Builders and remodelers who actively participate in our organization want to get better at what they do. We learn from each other, and we help each other out. I have an answer for the question, do you know a guy who does (insert project)? Regardless of what industry you’re in, networking is essential to business development. You broke new ground by becoming the first female president of the local association. Are you hopeful your
election as president will open the eyes of young women to the opportunities that exist for them in the construction field? I don’t think I was elected because I’m a woman. I was elected because of my capabilities. It’s not about men vs. women, it’s about what someone can bring to the table in a leadership role. I’d encourage any woman to follow her passions and lead with courage. While many aspire to be Bob Vila, most of us are Tim, “The Toolman,” Taylor. Any words of wisdom when it comes to hiring a contractor? If you know you’ve reached your limits on what you can do yourself, start doing your homework. My general rule of thumb is that you get what you pay for. Ask for references from their past clients, check out the company’s BBB rating, find out if they do background checks on employees, and make sure you have a writ-
ten agreement with a specified payment schedule. If all you’re getting is a verbal agreement and a handshake, I’d proceed with extreme caution. Once you’ve hired your contractor, keep a sense of humor during your project. It will make things go much smoother. One of the big events hosted by your group is the annual home show. Tell us about this year’s show. We are so excited about the changes to our show this year. We’re joining forces with the team at the Decatur Civic Center and putting on a joint Home, Lawn, and Garden Expo that combines everything you need for your home interior and exterior needs. Who should attend the show? If you have a project in mind, need specific questions answered, like keeping up with current trends, or want to know how to get your home looking like it belongs on M HGTV, this show is for you. 1
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Networking doesn’t happen overnight Q: I am in the market for a new job and am trying to network to find opportunities. But people are not very responsive and I’m wondering why it’s not working for me. Should I take it personally? A: Networking is important, and depends on trust and mutual benefit. So, while there’s no point in taking the response personally, it would be valuable to reflect on your approach. Think about some recent episodes. What strategies are you using? What steps are you taking? Many people will simply send an email and leave it at that. Often this will be too passive, given the volume of emails these days.
Liz Reyer
WEEKLY TIPS Get weekly tips from Liz Reyer and the Office Coach at www.thebusiness-journal.com The tone of your contact is extremely important. Reread your emails or think about your voice mails. If you sound demanding or if your tone is “off” in some way, this will be a serious deterrent. Don’t rely on your own perception, because you’re likely to see what you want to see. Instead, ask a friend to give you feedback. As always when seeking input, resist any impulse to argue or make excuses — use it as an opportunity to improve. Now, here’s the hard part. Networking is not a quick turnaround strategy. Relationships need to be built over time and on a foundation of mutual benefit. If you are using a short term networking strategy, that could account for the indifferent response you’re receiving.
Given these factors, here are a few things to think about to improve your approach. In particular, consider addressing the following questions from the point of view of the person you’re reaching out to: Why should I trust you? Be able to explain, briefly, who you are, how you’re connected and why it’s safe for them to connect you with people they know. You’re asking people to take a reputational risk, so it’s fair to have to demonstrate your credibility. What do you want me to do? Do your research to know what you want, and then be specific in asking. If you can name a person you’d like to meet, mention that (and explain the reason you would like the introduction). If you’re trying to learn more about how their company works or opportunities in the industry, explain that. It’s your responsibility to make it easy for them to help you. What if I say no? Generally speaking, people want to be nice and like to be help-
ful. That said, sometimes there are constraints that prevent them from engaging. If you can make it comfortable to say no, you’ll leave a better feeling with them. In the interest of building longer-term relationships, this is very important. What will I get in return? You may not have anything concrete to offer right now, but at least note that you’re committed to helping them — or someone they know — in the future. And then keep notes on something that may be interesting to them; even sending a link to an article they might like sends a positive message. Remember, this is not “one and done.” Build an ongoing practice of relationship building to help further your career for the long run. 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.
When presenting a problem to boss, propose a solution Q: The phones in this office are driving me crazy. Whenever my co-workers are away from their desks or on another line, I always answer their calls. Since they seem to be unavailable most of the time, I am constantly being interrupted while trying to get my own job done. How can I tell these people that I don’t have time to do their work for them? A: First, we need to establish whether covering phones is actually your responsibility. Unless your manager has specifically told you to answer all these lines, you should let them go to voicemail. ProbOffice Coach lem solved. But if phone backup is indeed an official duty, then your irritation with your colleagues is misplaced. In that case, you are not “doing their work for them.” You are simply doing a rather annoying part of your own job. That said, however, I certainly understand that constantly shifting attention from projects to phone calls can be both distracting and frustrating. So instead of scolding your busy co-workers, consider initiating a businesslike discussion with your boss about how this problem might be solved. For example; “I have an idea for managing the phones that I hope you will conM 1 sider. Although I don’t mind covering for
Marie McIntyre
my co-workers, frequent phone interruptions make it hard to concentrate on my own projects. If possible, I would like to continue taking calls when people are away or in meetings, but let their lines go to voicemail if they are in the office. Would that be OK with you?” Even if your boss has other ideas, you will have managed to raise the issue without sounding like a whiner. When bringing problems to management, wise employees always include a possible solution.
■■■ Q: For the past two years, I have worked with a reputable employment agency that sends me out on temporary assignments. Each of these projects has lasted several months. Now, when I apply for full-time positions, I get turned down for interviews because my resume shows too many shortterm jobs. How can I fix this problem? A: Fortunately, this issue can be resolved with a quick resume revision. Instead of listing each temp assignment as a separate job, simply show the agency as your employer for the entire two-year period, then list the individual projects under that position. This not only keeps you from looking like a job-hopper, but also paints a more accurate picture of your recent work history.
■■■ Q: At lunchtime, I often go to a nearby gym for a quick workout. Since my lunch break is only half an hour, I don’t have time to shower, so I wash up when I get back to the office. This usually takes about 15 minutes. Yesterday, I left for the gym at 1 p.m., re-
turned at 1:30 p.m. and went to the bathroom to wash up. After a few minutes, my boss began banging on the door, loudly stating that this was my last warning about long lunches. In her opinion, I should be back at my desk after 30 minutes. Can she really keep me from using the restroom? A: Pounding on the bathroom door was a childish move, so your boss has some growing up to do. However, the game you’re playing with your lunch break seems equally juvenile. Since you obviously understand your manager’s expectations, this ongoing tardiness seems intentionally provocative. While some bosses are flexible about schedules, others expect them to be followed closely. Your manager’s claim that a halfhour lunch should last precisely 30 minutes may be strict, but it’s not inappropriate. So instead of continuing to antagonize your boss, select luncheon activities which fit into the allotted time frame.
■■■ Q: Whenever I try to instruct one of my employees, he becomes argumentative and insists on doing things his own way. If I attempt to explain why certain procedures must be followed, “Tom” continues to press his point until I finally get frustrated and end the conversation. Later, I usually find that he has completely ignored my directions. Tom is a relatively new employee, so he doesn’t have enough knowledge or experience to make informed decisions. Nevertheless, sometimes I just tell him to do whatever he wants, because I don’t have time for these lengthy disagreements. How do you handle someone like this?
A: Tom may be an unmanageable upstart, but you have unwittingly become his enabler. By participating in pointless arguments and allowing your instructions to be ignored, you have clearly shown Tom that, regardless of what you may say, he will ultimately be allowed to do as he pleases. Your first objective, therefore, is to regain control of this situation. Having previously abdicated your leadership role, you must now “declare the dawn of a new day,” which simply means telling Tom in no uncertain terms that his oppositional behavior will no longer be tolerated. For this approach to work, you must take two additional steps. First, before sitting down with Tom, review the problem with your manager and request support for your plan. Before any serious performance discussion, you need to be sure your boss will back you up. Second, having delivered this warning, you absolutely must follow through. So the next time Tom begins to argue, which he undoubtedly will, firmly remind him of the previous conversation, then immediately end the discussion. To be sure he doesn’t wander off track, check his work regularly and refuse to accept any deviations. If Tom gets the message and becomes more compliant, you can gradually loosen the reins. But if he stubbornly continues his defiance, you must keep your word and initiate formal corrective action. 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.
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YOU R F R E E T I M E The Arts
Anne Lloyd Gallery: “Earthen,” featuring sculptures by Adam Long and fiber art by Karen Gubitz. Meet the artists reception, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 4. Call (217) 423-3189. www.decaturarts.org Gallery 510: Watercolors by Pam Marty. Meet the artist reception, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 4. The group also is sponsoring, along with Northgate Pet Clinic, an AdoptA-Pet exhibition on the third floor of the Madden Arts Center. The artwork by artists in grades kindergarten through 12 will be on display through March 10. Call (217) 4221509. Blue Connection: Printmaking by Kat Scarim and Katie Stitzel. Meet the artists reception from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 4. 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. Decatur Airport: Painting by Leta Burch. Decatur Public Library: Photography by Doug Bergern.
Music
BANQUET
Millikin University School of Music: University choir Lenten Concert, Messiah Part II, 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, Central Christian Church, 650 W. William St. Millikin Men St. Patrick’s Day Concert, 6 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 17, Kaeuper Hall. Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra: The second of two candidates in the run-
Calendar of events
For a complete list of events, go to www.herald-review.com/go/ ning to be the next conductor of the MDSO will put his skills to the test as the guest conductor of his own show on Saturday, March 5, at Kirkland Fine Arts Center. Get tickets for the 7:30 p.m. shows at www.kirklandfinearts. com or by calling (217) 424-6318. Delbert McClinton, with special guest Joanna Connor, will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 13, at the Lincoln Square Theatre. For tickets or more information, visit www.lincolnsquaretheatre.com or call (217) 706-5229.
On Stage
Kirkland Fine Arts Center: “Cinderella-the Ballet,” 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 12; “The Official Blues Brothers Review,” 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 8; “Rhysthmic Circus: Feet Don’t Fail Me Now,” 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 7. For tickets, call (217) 4246318. www.kirklandfinearts.com “Perform! Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” March 18-20, at the Decatur Civic Center. A Decatur Park District performance event featuring actors in grades 1 through 12. For tickets, call (217) 4225911 or go to www.decatur-parks.org. Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre presents “The Last Smoker in America,” April 1-3, 7-9 and 15-17; and “What I Didn’t Learn in College,” April 29-May 1, May 6-8 and May
GUIDE
For the kids
Children’s Museum of Illinois: Tinkering Toddlers, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Friday; Family Friday, 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 4; Make Space half-day workshops, 12:30 to 3 p.m., Wednesday, March 9 and March 30; young songwriters workshop, 9:30 a.m. Monday, March 21, and 11 a.m. Friday, March 25; Fairy Tale Ball, 6 to 8 p.m. April 7-9. www. cmofil.org. Call (217) 423-5437. Scovill Zoo: Zoo Buddies classes featuring sloths on Tuesday, March 8, and flamingos on Tuesday, April 12. Classes are 10 to 11 a.m. www.scovillzoo.com
12-14. For tickets, call (217) 424-6318. www. pdtheatre.org Little Theatre-On the Square: “Beehive: The 60s Musical,” March 3-14; Willy Wonka Junior, April 8-10.For tickets, call (217) 7287375. 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) Misc. 422-3866. www.theatre7.net. The Rock Springs Nature Center hosts Decatur Underground Theater presents a long list of mini camps, family adventures “Forever Plaid,” April 15-17, in the Decatur and classes. So many, in fact, that there are Civic Center. www.decaturunderground.com too many to list. Go to www.maconcountyconservation.org and click on the Programs and Activities tab for a complete listing. Charity events Metro Decatur Home Builders Home, Penguin in the Park 5k, to benefit Decatur Indoor Sports Center youth programs and Lawn and Garden Expo, March 12 and 13, the Millikin University John “The Penguin” at the Decatur Civic Center. St. Patrick’s Day Parade, 11 a.m. SaturBingham scholarship, at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 19, in Fairview Park. There also is a day, March 13, in downtown Decatur. 300 meter Tot Trot, before the 5k event. For Vitenam Era Veterans, 1 to 5 p.m. Saturmore information, go to www.penguinin- day, March 26, at the Decatur Civic Center. thepark.com. An scoial event to recognize Vietnam era vetA Scholarship Dinner, to benefit the erans that includes a keynote speaker, food, Culinary Arts Institute at Richland Com- beverages and music from the era. munity College, will be Saturday, March 19, in the Schilling Salons. Cocktails at 6:30 p.m. Got an item you’d like listed in the Your Free and a multicourse dinner at 7 p.m. Night will Time calendar? Send the information to Scott include silent and live auctions. Cost is $125 Perry at sperry@herald-review.com or 601 E. William St., Decatur, IL 62523. per person. Call (217) 875-7211, ext. 350.
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YOU R MON E Y
Debt relief could be the next big perk JACKIE CROSBY Tribune News Service Writer
MINNEAPOLIS — A growing number of companies are dangling a recruitment perk that is tailor-made for the millennial generation: debt relief. Free snacks and gym memberships don’t hold the allure they once did for young people entering the working world. Buried under student loans of more than $29,000 on average, they want help. “For this millennial group, it’s more important than the 401(k),” said Tim DeMello, CEO and founder of Gradifi Inc., which expects to set up loan pay-down plans for 100 companies this year. “They’re 24 years old. They don’t care about retirement.” Companies are dreaming up a variety of incentives. Consulting giant PwC, for example, will pay $100 a month for up to six years against college loans of young workers. Other firms are enticing potential hires with a lump-sum contribution — say, $10,000 — over a set time period, or capping low monthly payments with a balloon after a couple of years to build loyalty. Although certain industries have offered repayment programs for years, PwC is the largest U.S. corporation to jump on the trend.
Working through Gradifi, the program is open to any employee with less than six years on the job. For Scott Papez, signing up for PwC’s program, which begins this spring, is a nobrainer. The 24-year-old started work as a tax associate in the company’s downtown Minneapolis office in July, carrying $40,000 in college debt from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. PwC’s contribution will cover about a third of the payments he and his wife make against their loans, giving him more freedom to plan for the future. “You do think, when will we ever be able to afford a house, or we’d love to start a family down the road,” Papez said. “But the rate of saving for that kind of stuff is really reduced by the student debt that we carry.” PwC estimates that 45 percent of its U.S. workforce — about 22,000 employees — could be eligible for the program. The benefit could shave $10,000 off workers’ debt and shorten the payoff by up to three years. “As we were developing these programs, we thought of all the different ways to compensate our people,” said Tom Montminy, who runs the Minneapolis PwC office. “Sometimes you’ve got to go right to the source and
Tax filiers waiting longer for refunds LAUREN ZUMBACH Tribune News Service Writer
Americans expecting tax refunds will likely get checks that are just as big as last year, though they may be waiting a little longer to get their cash. The amount of tax refunds issued so far this season has lagged behind prior years’ pace, Goldman Sachs economist Alec Phillips wrote in a report issued last month. Some states said they were deliberately slowing down refund processing amid concerns over fraud. Federal tax refunds dwarf those at the state level — about $275 billion, compared with $40 to $50 billion — but also appear to be lagging, Phillips said. The Internal Revenue Service hasn’t announced any fraud-related delays but on Feb. 18 reported a 400 percent spike in email IRS scams this tax season, including phishing attacks designed to trick people into providing personal tax information or download malware. IRS statistics indicate that fewer Americans have filed returns so far this year compared with last year, but the share the agency has processed is down more, according to the Goldman Sachs report. The number of refunds issued was down 11.9 percent compared with last year as of M 1 Feb. 5, but by the following week the gap had
shrunk to 5.7 percent, according to IRS data. The size of the average refund check as of Feb. 12 was exactly even with last year’s average. While refunds would normally be expected to rise slightly with inflation, the good news for consumers is the overall amount refunded isn’t likely to drop from last year, Phillips said. The lag could mean some spending that stores expected to see in February will shift later in the spring, particularly at discount stores that see more low-income customers, who may not have savings to draw on and tend to make big purchases around an influx of cash like a tax refund, he said. But a survey by the National Retail Federation suggests many refund dollars won’t be going to retailers at all. Nearly half of Americans surveyed said they planned to save their refund, and 34.9 percent earmarked some for paying down debt, the retail group said. The share planning to save is the highest it’s been since 2007, though the percentage of people paying down debt has dropped. When it came to spending, 22 percent of people reported planning to use refunds for everyday expenses, 9 percent on a major purchase such as a TV or car, 11 percent on a vacation, and 8 percent had their eye on a splurge purchase like dining out or a trip to the spa, according to the retail federation report.
say, let’s give it to them where they need it most, which is paying down loans.” Just 3 percent of companies offer repayment plans, according to National Debt Relief, a debt settlement company. They’re most often offered in law, medicine or technology fields, where talent is tight and education expensive. Teachers and government workers also may qualify for some programs. But with $1.3 trillion in outstanding student loans in the United States, debt relief has become a major policy issue. Earlier this month, Gov. Mark Dayton announced a refinancing program to help relieve some of the financial burden on Minnesotans, who carry the fifth-highest college debt load in the nation. Millennials, those born in the early 1980s to mid-1990s, have higher educational debt than any other generation. Nearly seven in 10 recent college graduates owe money, according to the Institute for College Access and Success. Half say they would rather have their company make loan payments than contribute toward their health care or retirement. LeeAnn Melin, assistant dean of undergraduate student initiatives at the University of Minnesota, said the financial
burden is leading students to take a hard look at whether their degrees will lead to a high-paying job. About 60 percent of the university’s students carry debt, averaging nearly $26,000. “The economic discussion has started to influence their choice of majors,” she said. The private sector is taking note. Within two years, Boston-based Gradifi expects to sign up 1,000 companies for its online platform, which has a database of more than 300 student loan service providers and the ability to add a new one within 24 hours. Most of Gradifi’s current business clients are heavy with “knowledge workers,” such as those in high-tech, insurance, financial services and consulting, he said. But companies big and small have shown interest. “It’s a big market,” said DeMello, adding that his company is gearing up for a slew of competitors. While he doesn’t think student loan pay-down plans will become as popular as the 401(k), he predicts that up to 100,000 employers will offer it within the next five to 10 years. “It’s hit a nerve,” he said. “I think we’ll come up with a lot of creative programs over the course of the next year.”
From To Do to TA DA!
With a Home Equity Loan from Earthmover.
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