Business Profile Dec 2010

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A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE LEWISTON TRIBUNE яБо DECEMBER 20, 2010

E F T HE Y

An Interview with

Joe Hall

Owner of Hall Ford in Lewiston ~ PAGE 8

small talk

CALENDAR  Jan. 5 — Grangeville Chamber of Commerce, 1:30 p.m., Oscar’s, (208) 983-0460.  Jan. 5 — Orofino Chamber of Commerce, noon, Ponderosa, (208) 476-4335.  Jan. 5 — Kamiah Chamber of Commerce, 7 p.m., chamber building, (208) 935-2290.  Jan. 6 — Port of Whitman County, 10 a.m., (509) 3973791.  Jan. 7 — Lewiston Chamber of Commerce general membership, 7 a.m., Morgan’s Alley, (208) 743-3531.  Jan. 11 — Port of Lewiston, 1:30 p.m., (208) 743-5531.  Jan. 11 — Pullman Chamber of Commerce, noon, location TBA, (509) 334-3565.  Jan. 11 — Grangeville GEM Team, 7 a.m., Oscar’s (208) 983-0460.  Jan. 12 — Clarkston Chamber of Commerce general membership, noon, Quality Inn, (509) 758-7712.  Jan. 13 — Port of Clarkston, 1 p.m., (509) 758-5272.  Jan. 13 — Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce, 11:30 a.m., Duman Mini Mall, (208) 962-3231.  Jan. 19 — Orofino Chamber of Commerce, noon, Ponderosa, (208) 476-4335.  Jan. 20 — Port of Whitman County, 10 a.m., (509) 3973791.  Jan. 20 — Lewiston Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m.  Feb. 2 — Grangeville Chamber of Commerce, 1:30 p.m., Oscar’s, (208) 983-0460.  Feb. 2 — Orofino Chamber of Commerce, noon, Ponderosa, (208) 476-4335.

2

Holidays can be problematic for small businesses Holiday season can lead to legal and productivity problems

NEW YORK — The holiday season isn’t necessarily the most joyous time of the year for small businesses.

Holiday parties and celebrations can turn unpleasant if employees or guests misbehave. Productivity can drop when employees are distracted by all the personal things, including shopping, they have to take care of.

And at many small businesses, the economy is putting a damper on yet another holiday season.

A look at holiday trouble spots, and how owners should handle them:

Party Problems Alcohol is usually the culprit when the company party leads to problems.

Employees or guests who have too much to drink can forget the rules against sexual harassment. Or drink so much that they could get into an accident. In either case, a company can find itself in legal trouble.

Clearly, the safest alternative is to have an alcoholfree party. But there are ways for an owner to limit alcohol consumption. One is to have a cash bar. People are less likely to drink to excess when they’re paying for their drinks. Another is to serve drinks only for a specific period at the start

commentary

Joyce Rosenberg of the party (but be sure there’s food available). It’s probably not a good idea to just put wine and liquor out without a bartender or someone who keeps an eye on how much everyone is drinking.

Some companies issue drink tickets to employees and guests, who then give them to a bartender. The potential pitfall with that system is if employees give away their tickets to someone else who then drinks too much.

Rick Gibbs, a senior human resources specialist with Administaff, a Houston-based company that provides HR outsourcing, says owners need to remind employees long before the party begins that while it’s a celebration, it’s also a workrelated event. And that employees, while hopefully having a good time, will also need to behave professionally.

Owners and their managers need to be supervisors as much as partygoers.

“They’re obligated to keep an eye on people and cer-

Business Profile

tainly to set a good example as far as behavior,” Gibbs said.

And if it looks like someone has already had too much to drink, it’s time to tell the bartender to cut them off.

Gibbs also suggests owners plan to have taxis, car services or designated drivers to be sure everyone gets home safely.

Shopping Till Productivity Drops Many workers are distracted during the holiday season, particularly by the need to shop for family and friends. It can be very tempting to do it during work hours, either online or by taking a long lunch.

Gibbs suggests “being a bit forgiving” when staffers take a break from their work to do some shopping.

If their productivity is suffering, then it’s time for a reminder that work needs to come first.

And If The Company Is Still Struggling Although business is getting better for many small companies, others are still dealing with a difficult economy. A big example: Many real estate agencies have little to celebrate now.

But with the new year approaching, many employees are likely to be wondering what the outlook is for the

 See ROSENBERG, Page 5 MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2010

December 2010  VOLUME 11, ISSUE 12

Business Profile is compiled

by Target Publications of The Lewiston Tribune. Business Profile is inserted in The Lewiston Tribune the third Monday of every month.

 Editors ROBERT JOHNSON bjohnson@lmtribune.com 848-2243 MARY TATKO mtatko@lmtribune.com 848-2244

 Advertising Contact your Lewiston Tribune sales representative or call (208) 848-2292 for advertising information

It’s all about community Allegiance runs deep  PAGE 8

 Your comments Please write to us at: Business Profile Target Publications Lewiston Tribune 505 Capital St. Lewiston ID 83501 or e-mail us at: businessprofile@lmtribune.com

 On the cover Hall Ford owner Joe Hall

By STEVE HANKS of the Lewiston Tribune

 Our favorite quote “If we can attract business that broadens the tax base, we can reduce the impact of things like a new school.”

— Joe Hall (story Page 8)

MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2010

 Regular departments

2 SMALL TALK: Holiday season can mean headache season 4 BUSINESS ON THE GO: Who’s doing what 4 WORKPLACE WELLNESS: Not having health program costs more 6 THE JOB COACH: Resumes can be difficult, but they have to be done 7 BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU: How well do you know that elf?

12 BUSINESS ANSWERS: Lawsuits and human resource management 13 RECORDS: November by the numbers BUSINESS PROFILE

3

BUSINESS ON THE GO Assist-2-Sell gains two team members Lewiston’s Assist-2-Sell Real Estate has hired two Realtors.

Shelley Rudolph is a native of the Lewis-Clark Shelley Valley and Rudolph has been a licensed Realtor in Washington and Idaho for 23 years.

She has served on the Lewis-Clark Board of Realtors.

Jeanne Medley is a Lewiston native who farmed in Troy for several years before working for ATK as a North

American sales coordinator; she later worked as land developer.

She earned her Washington and Idaho Jeanne Real Estate Medley licenses in 2004.

She has years of experience in buying and selling land, recreational properties and home construction and sales.

Assist-2-Sell is at 625 Eighth St.

Clarkston Quality Inn wins Platinum Award The Quality Inn & Suites of Clarkston won the Platinum Award in September at the Choice Hotels regional meeting in San Francisco.

Only 3 percent of Quality Inns in America receive this award.

In addition, the hotel is ranked No. 5 among all 910 Quality Inns in the nation.

The rating system is based on quality assurance reviews and surveys from hotel customers.

The Clarkston Quality Inn scored 96.3 out of 100 in quality assurance reviews and 9.2 out of a possible 10 points in customer surveys.

The hotel is at 700 Port Drive.

Lewiston car wash offers sealant with Teflon Splash Car Wash & Detailing at 2131 13th Ave. in Lewiston is offering Double Bond sealant with Teflon.

The protective coating is applied between the wash and rinse cycle during a car

wash.

The synthetic polymers are safe for all automotive paints and finishes and cures as it dries.

Additional applications will enhance protection.

Coleman Oil offers ethanol-free gasoline Coleman Oil Co. has begun offering ethanol-free premium gasoline at two locations in Lewiston: Liberty Mart at 822 16th Ave. and at Coleman Oil CFN at 213 18th St. According to a press re4

lease, consumer request is the reason for offering the fuel.

Gas blended with ethanol is often blamed for clogged fuel filters and deterioration of older rubber fuel lines.

workplace wellness

What’s the real cost of not having a wellness program?

If you’ve just completed your company’s open enrollment for benefits, you may be wondering how long you can keep your commitment to offering employee health coverage.

Headlines document the problems: Disease rates are up, medical costs are rising and insurers must increase premiums to keep pace. And this year more than ever, employers passed increased premium costs to workers, who then must evaluate whether they can afford coverage.

You can spot the problem with this business model: It’s unsustainable.

As costs rise and healthy people drop individual or group coverage, that leaves more of the people with serious health problems who need the insurance coverage — and use it — which drives up premiums, causing more people to drop coverage. You can see where this cycle leads.

This might be the time to ask yourself: What’s the real cost of not having a wellness program? In addition to helping employees reach their wellness goals, workplace wellness is a strategic investment to improve productivity by lowering time lost to absenteeism/presenteeism.

A pleasant side effect is the potential to bend the cost curve on your group’s medical costs and premi-

Business Profile

commentary

Justin Jones um rates.

This is also a time to invite your employees to consider how the health and wellness choices they make affect their group coverage, and what they can do about costs, directly and indirectly.

Wellness. Many health insurers and employers now offer some type of incentive for healthy activities, either premium discounts or reward programs. Qualifying activities might be a routine health assessment of blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, physical exercise or nutrition. Promote these incentives to your employees.

Consumerism. One thing we learn — sometimes the hard way — is that cost doesn’t equal

 See JONES, Page 6 MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2010

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... and find a whole new publication!  New content  New design  New contributors  More of what you need to run your business smartly and efficiently.  More of what you’ve come to expect from Target Publications and the Lewiston Tribune.

LookforitonMonday,January17

ROSENBERG From page 2 new year. If they haven’t gotten raises for a couple of years, they’re going to be particularly interested in what’s ahead. And so the boss may be fielding some pointed questions.

Human resources consultants have been advising their small business clients ever since the start of the recession three years ago to be honest with employees.

And that honesty needs to continue now, even if business still looks uncertain.

Gibbs recommends that any holiday celebration be a time for marking staffers’ achievements and contributions to the company. And for owners to thank them for the sacrifices most workers have had to make over the past few years.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2010

Holiday Sadness Most people know that the joy-filled holiday celebrations in TV commercials and magazine ads just aren’t realistic. The holidays are stressful times for most people. And for some, they’re depressing. Gibbs recommends that owners keep an eye out for any employees who seem to be having a hard time during the holidays.

Owners can also be proactive and remind the staff that if staffers or their families are having a hard time, they can get help. If the company doesn’t have a contract with an employee assistance program, an owner can provide a list of local resources and help lines where staffers can turn.

S.E.O. A.S.A.P.

FIND

OUT

HOW Call us at 208-848-2292

ď ˇ Rosenberg covers small business issues for the Associated Press.

BUSINESS PROFILE

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5

the job coach

Resume doesn’t have to be long, but it has to be Several people have asked why it is necessary to have a resume in a job search. After all, resumes can be hard to put together. Our society has conditioned us not to brag or we will be perceived as having a big ego or being conceited. In an effective job search, we have to tell it like it is by being honest and spelling out our successes, skills and accomplishments without any hesitation.

An effective resume may be your only opportunity to attract an employer’s atten-

JONES

From page 4

value. Cheaper isn’t always good, and expensive isn’t always best. That’s true in health care goods and services, too. Health plans and the Internet offer tools to assess value, from the relative risks and costs of knee or back surgery to physical therapy, to branded versus generic medications, or comparing hospital performance data. Employees know efficiency is important to their work; it’s critical to seek it out in health care, too.

Benefit design. Maybe you’ve already made the switch to a higher-deductible plan, but be aware there are several types.

Some offer up-front coverage for routine preventive care so people don’t skip that because of the outof-pocket cost. As more employers switch to these plans, it’s crucial that em6

tion and get an interview, so it must be done with precision and accuracy. The person reading your resume will put it in the discard pile immediately if it is too long or has any obvious errors.

An objective statement at the top of any resume is necessary and states what job you are applying for and why you think you are eligible.

A resume is your chance to state in your own words what level of responsibilities you can handle and how you are a valuable asset to employers

ployees leverage wellness rewards and consumer tools to get the best value.

Many changes lie ahead for our health care system, but one thing will stay the same: an ongoing need to make the system sustainable, and that means seeking out and promoting efficiency and value.

That is why Regence developed WhatsTheReal Cost.org to increase public awareness and consumer behavior in the health care sector. Here, people will find videos, an online game, a blog and some independent data, all intended to provoke thought and discussion about how consumers can leverage their choices and actions seek value, efficiency and quality of care.

Using our power to seek the health care best value has a payoff we can all share.  Jones is the Wellness Program Coordinator at Regence BlueShield of Idaho. He may be contacted at justin.jones@ regence.com

commentary

Darlene Larson or teams. Be very specific about your accomplishments; remember to include things you did well, you enjoyed and were proud of.

There are two basic types of resumes, chronological and functional. Both should be no more than one page long. Gen. Dwight Eisenhower wrote the plan for the Invasion of Normandy on one page; your life can be condensed as well.

A chronological resume is most popular and works if you have had a consistent job history with no periods of unemployment and can show continual and increasing job responsibilities. If you have just graduated from school or starting work after a period of unemployment, a functional resume will work better for you. There are many ways to find free help with resume templates to develop resumes on the Internet and through the job service.

Print it out and look closely. Don’t cram so much onto the page; leave nice

margins and some white areas. Are all of the sections spaced evenly? The key to a good resume is to start with action verbs in short phrases; full sentences are not necessary. Make each word count; if one short word will work, use it. Use the computer’s fonts and styles to help make the resume appealing.

The reader is looking for reasons to weed you out, not get you in, so you must make sure everything is perfect.

Read over what is typed many times for spelling errors, extra or missing words, and make sure all area codes, zip codes, names and phone numbers are there and correct. Have someone read it aloud so you can hear what you are saying; do you get your message across?

Always keep the reader in mind; does what you are saying make sense? If you are a card player, show enough of your skills to make the reader want to see more, but don’t lay all of your cards down so your complete hand is revealed. In other words, get them to call you for an interview to hear the rest of the story.

The resume should be on good cream or ivory colored quality paper, 24 pound weight or more, and it will be worth your investment to have it laser printed. An effective job search is hard work, but the choice is yours.

You are unique and worth the effort.  Larson is a retired employment specialist and job trainer. She may be contacted at darlarson@clearwire.net.

Complete and compelling. All the news you need.

Business Profile

MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2010

better business bureau

Checking up on Santa: Finding out who’s naughty and nice As you purchase groceries these dark evenings, your trip around the store may be accompanied by the ringing of a small bell. The bell ringer is Santa. Do you know where Santa’s money goes?

The Better Business Bureau does.

Area grocery stores allow Salvation Army Santas and their collecting pots outside their front doors around Christmas time. We all know the Salvation Army, a Christian organization founded in 1865 in London. (At press time, the BBB Wise Giving Alliance was still processing the latest paperwork to determine the numbers for this charity.)

But what is the difference between, say, the Cancer Assistance Network and the Cancer Hope Network? What is the mission of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, and how much of the money they collect do they give to their programs? What about the Disabled American Veterans? How are they different? And of The American Cancer Society or The Cancer Society of America, which is the venerable charity founded in 1913, sponsoring patient support groups and funding research grants?

That’s where www.bbb.org can be useful. At the Better Business Bureau website, you, your business and your employees can empower yourselves to make the best donation decisions. Do you want your money to stay in the community? Donate locally. Do you want to get the most bang for your buck? The MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2010

commentary

Holly Doering BBB recommends donating to charities that allocate 65 percent or more of the money they collect to their programs.

Do you just want to do something good for your community, without having to spend a bunch of time on research? Look for the BBB Accredited Charity seal on charity websites. Currently, in northern Idaho, your BBB Accredited Charities are: Catholic Charities of Spokane, Spokane County United Way, Community Frameworks, Hospice of Spokane and the Missoula Children’s Theater; 2nd Harvest of the Inland Northwest joins us this month.

Never donate over the phone. And don’t allow anyone to pressure you into making a snap decision. If it is a good thing to do today, it will be a good thing to do tomorrow or next month: After you’ve seen paperwork from the charity indicating its 501(c)3 status with the IRS

and after you’ve verified the charity with the BBB and/or the Washington Secretary of State’s office.

All charities that are actively soliciting for donations from Washington state residents are required to register with that agency. Even if you live or work in Idaho, the information at www.secstate. org/charities can be useful.

So how did the charities named earlier in this story do? According to the Washington Secretary of State, Cancer Assistance Network used just 25 percent of the money it collected during the last fiscal year reported for their programs, while at www.bbb.org we learn that the Cancer Hope Network gave 59 percent, which still does not meet the BBB’s charity standards. Cancer Hope Network also failed to meet a standard having to do with donor privacy.

Paralyzed Veterans of America was formed to benefit individuals suffering injuries or diseases of the spinal cord, while the Disabled American Veterans,

Business Profile

a BBB Accredited Charity, provides professional assistance to veterans and their families to help them secure government benefits. The former donates 72 percent to programs, the latter, 77 percent. The American Cancer Society was founded in 1913, one year after the Better Business Bureau.

A final option: It’s not a bad idea to decide in advance of the holiday season which charities you will support and then contact them yourself, rather than waiting for someone to call you out of the blue, hat in hand. Remember, the slogan “investigate before you invest” doesn’t just apply to companies. It also applies to charities.  Doering is a charity review director and business information advisor for the BBB serving eastern Washington, northern Idaho and Montana.

She may be contacted at hdoering@spokane.bbb.org or (800) 248-2356.

7

cover story

He’s driven by optimism Joe Hall believes in his community and its youth

By Mary Tatko

Of Target Publications

Owning a car dealership is a time-consuming job for Joe Hall, though a good portion of that time isn’t spent at Joe Hall Ford.

The employees at his business, he said, make it possible for him to be out in the community, where he has been involved with Boys and Girls Clubs, American Legion Baseball and the Lewis-Clark State College Foundation board, among others. His latest commitment is to the citizens committee promoting a new Lewiston High School.

Building a new high school is the right thing to do, and this is the right time to do it, Hall said, explaining why he agreed to be co-chairman of the committee with city Councilor Brad Cannon and newly elected state Rep. Jeff Nesset.

He sympathizes with residents who are leery of the prospect of a tax increase,

Tribune/Steve Hanks

Joe Hall stands in the lot at Joe Hall Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Nissan in Lewiston. but he hopes business development in the valley, such as the new facility planned by Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, can help boost the viability of a school bond.

Since 2000, Business Profile has recognized a Business Leader of the Year each December, selecting individuals based not just on success in business but on contributions to the health and vitality of the community.

This year’s honoree isn’t new to the pages of Business Profile. Joe Hall was featured in 2002, when he’d been a partner at Hall-Copeland Ford for about five years. Since then, Hall has bought out his former partner, Tony Copeland, who retired in 2004.

In the 2002 interview, Hall was 8

“If we can attract business that broadens the tax base, we can reduce the impact of things like a new school,” Hall said.

Hall and his wife, Kelly, be-

asked to share something he’d learned from Copeland. His answer, excerpted in part below, sums up the philosophy he embraces as a business person and volunteer: That the success of his business — of any business — is inextricably linked to the health of the community: “I guess I see a lot of similar traits between the people I’ve worked for — Paul Titus in Tacoma; my dad, Wally, in Prosser, Wash.; and Tony (Copeland). They’re all well respected in the dealer community, they’re all

Business Profile

came empty nesters this year when their son, Nick, began his freshman year at Gonzaga University. (Their daughter,

 See DRIVEN, Page 9

well respected within their own community, they’re leaders, they put a lot of time and energy and financial resources back into the community.

Quite frankly, we’re all in it together.

The stronger the community is, the better our business is going to be, selfishly; but then we live and work in the community, too, so it’s to the benefit of everybody. Its a lot easier if everybody participates and helps out a little bit.”

MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2010

cover story Joe Hall Age: 53 Residence: Lewiston Family: wife, Kelly; daughter, Jessica, teacher in Federal Way, Wash; son, Nick, student at Gonzaga University Education: Washington State University, bachelor’s degree in business management, 1980 Civic/professional: American Legion Baseball board member, past president; Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lewis-Clark Valley board member, past president; All Saints Tri-Parish capital campaign finance council member; Lewis-Clark State College Foundation board member; Northwest Ford Dealer Advertising Association board member, past chairman

DRIVEN

From page 8

Jessica, recently was married and has a teaching job in Federal Way, Wash.)

But while they hope someday to travel and camp a bit more, so far they’ve found themselves just as busy as they’ve ever been. Throughout the fall, they attended athletic events to cheer on Nick’s former teammates who are still in high school.

It’s perhaps an example of how deeply involved in a community a family can become through its children.

That so many in this valley demonstrate a commitment to youth has been clear to Hall since he arrived here MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2010

Hall stops to talk at the service counter.

Tribune/Steve Hanks

Business Leader of the Year 2009 — Marty Zacha, ATK – CCI/Speer, Lewiston 2008 — Jeff Martin, Gritman Medical Center, Moscow 2007 — Jody Servatius, Twin River National Bank, Lewiston 2006 — Gerard Connelly, Tri-State Distributors, Moscow 2005 — Casey Meza, St. Mary’s and Clearwater Valley hospitals, Cottonwood and Orofino 2004 — Duane Brelsford, real estate developer, Pullman 2003 — Clyde Conklin, FirstBank, Lewiston 2002 — Dale Alldredge, entrepreneur, Lewiston 2001 — Bruce Finch, Happy Day Corp., Lewiston 2000 — Ed Schweitzer, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc., Pullman from Yakima in 1997. In his 2002 interview for Business Profile, he described his and Kelly’s first impression of the community: “no graffiti and the kids had great manners.”

He was impressed when he learned how much the Boys and Girls Clubs had to do with this, ultimately serving as president of the organization.

Supporting a new high school is a similar invest-

ment, he said. The community, including businesses like his, benefits from such an investment.

“I think we’re fortunate to live in the community we do,” he said.

While he focuses on the local climate and what he can do as part of his community, Hall acknowledges his business has been influenced tremendously recently by events beyond his control.

Business Profile

The way Ford Motor Company has navigated the challenges of the past two-plus years, which saw domestic competitors Chrysler and General Motors file for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, has been an advantage for dealers, Hall said. Ford’s not taking the government bailout undoubtedly has influenced customers, both those

 See DRIVEN, Page 13 9

“Sightings on the Web” .

ASSISTED LIVING & DEMENTIA CARE Guardian Angel Homes www.guardianangelhomes.com

ATVS - MOTORCYCLES Guy's Outdoor Equipment www.guysoutdoor.com

AUTO DEALERS Chipman Taylor Chevy Olds www.chipmantaylor.com James Toyota www.jamestoyota.com Vern Eide Motorcars www.verneide.com

BEAUTY SCHOOLS - SALON Headmasters School of Hair Design www.headmastersschoolhairdesign.com

BOOKS ...and BOOKS, too! http://andbookstooonline.com/

BUSINESS SERVICES

DENTISTS (CONT.)

Valley Vision, Inc. www.lewis-clarkvalley.com

James E. Pierce, D.D.S. www.LewistonDentist.com

CAMERAS - PHOTOGRAPHY

Dr. David Wilkinson, DDS, MS www.wilkinsonortho.com

Wasem's Drug www.wasems.com

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

CAMPERS - RVS

Banner Bank www.banrbank.com

Krueger's RV www.Kruegers-rvs.com Travelland R.V. & Canopy www.travelland-rv.com

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT Su Brown & Associates, PLLC www.subrown.com

CHAMBER

OF

COMMERCE

Lewiston, ID Chamber of Commerce www.lewistonchamber.org

CHURCHES Abundant Life Church www.abundantlc.org Warner Avenue Alliance Church www.warneralliance.com

CREDIT UNIONS

FLOORING Floor Coverings™ International lewiston.oorcoveringsinternational.com

FUNERAL HOMES Mt. View Funeral Home www.MtViewFuneralHome.com Merchant Funeral Home www.MerchantFuneralHome.com

FURNITURE Sylvan Furniture www.sylvanfurniture.net

GRAIN DEALERS Almota Elevator http://users.colfax.com/almota

HARDWARE Erb Hardware www.aceretailer.com/erbslewiston

Potlatch No. 1 Federal Credit Union www.p1fcu.org

HOSPITALS

DENTISTS

St. Joseph Regional Medical Center www.SJRMC.org

Dentistry "4" Children, LLP www.wigginsd4c.com John J. Johnson D.D.S., P.C. Making Valley Smiles Brighter since 1997 www.yourvalleysmile.com

INTERNET SERVICES Cable One.net www.cableone.net

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Business Profile

MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2010

Website Directory of Area Businesses and Organizations LIBRARY FOUNDATION

Lewiston Library www.lewistonlibraryfoundation.org

NEWSPAPERS

Lewiston Tribune www.lmtribune.com Moscow Pullman Daily News www.dnews.com

PORTS

Port of Clarkston www.portofclarkston.com

Re/Max River Cities www.HomesAtRiverCities.com Rock-n-Roll Realty www.Rock-n-RollRealty.com Century 21 Price Right www.21priceright.com Results Realty www.ResultsRealty.net Windermere www.WindermereAllstar.com

RECREATION CENTER

Port of Lewiston www.portoewiston.com

Orchard Lanes www.orchardlanesbowling.com

PUBLIC LIBRARIES

REHABILITATION SERVICES

Lewiston City Library www.cityoewiston.org/library

REAL ESTATE - SERVICES Alliance Title & Escrow Corp. www.alliancetitle.com

Opportunities Unlimited www.oui.org

RVS

Lewiston RV Center www.lewistonrvcenter.com

Assist-2-Sell www.lewistonclarkstonhomes.com

SPAS

YB Tubless - 216 Thain Road www.ybtubless.com

TAX SERVICES

TaxMaster Income Tax www.itaxmaster.com

TELEVISION STATIONS KLEW News www.klewtv.com

TRAVEL - OREGON

Ocean Terrace Condominiums Lincoln City, Oregon www.oceanterrace.com

USED AUTOS

Clarkston Auto Sales, Inc. www.clarkstonautosales.com

WINDOWS

Windows, Doors & More www.wdmsstore.com

Cindy Perttu www.CindyPerttu.com Coldwell Banker Tomlinson Associates www.cbtvalley.com Joyce Keefer www.joyceKeefer.com Judy Higgins www.HigginsTeam.com Kathy Parsells www.KparSELLS.com

.

Realty Executives www.RE-TP.com Marilyn Wilson www.wilsonsell.com Parkview Real Estate www.parkviewrealestate.com

Call 208-848-2246 for Advertising Information

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2010

Business Profile

11

business answers

Lawsuits come with human resource management territory Q: I’m curious. What are some of the more common types of human resource management lawsuits that are being filed today?

A: Well, there are a few that come to mind.

Let’s begin with one we probably hear most about — wrongful termination.

Many managers are under the erroneous impression that if they are an at-will employer or do business in an at-will state, they can terminate an employee for no reason and without documentation. Technically, that’s true. However, while the at-will employment doctrine states that employment relationships can be terminated by either party at any time for any or no reason, with or without cause, with or without notice, it’s not quite that simple. If it were, why are employers being sued for wrongful termination and faced with defending managers by explaining why they fired an employee for no reason? Of course, the answer is there are notable exceptions (beyond the scope of this article) to the em-

commentary

Debbie Goodwin ployment-at-will doctrine.

Basically, at-will employees are entitled to certain legal protections against wrongful termination and cannot be fired for reasons that violate the law or public policy. It is, therefore, prudent and recommended that managers document progressive disciplinary actions, up to and including terminations, so if a discrimination charge in a wrongful termination suit is filed against the employer, it has a history to show justification for its actions.

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Merry Christmas & A Happy New Y ear Inspiration At Your Feet 2337 3rd Ave., Lewiston, ID 83501 208-743-7858 FLOORING FOR YOUR LIFE

12

Another category of HRM lawsuits involves wageand-hour violations, which basically include not paying non-exempt employees for regular or overtime hours worked, not providing legally-mandated breaks, and inaccurately defining work schedules. Over recent years, some larger employers have found out the hard way it does not pay to withhold compensation rightfully belonging to employees or not providing them with legally required breaks. Managers have been unsuccessful with arguments such as “employees chose to work through their breaks” or “a few minutes of extra work here and there are insignificant.”

The courts tend to see these perspectives differently. And while larger companies have been slapped with multimillion dollar judgments in class-action lawsuits, small businesses are not immune to the potential wage-and-hour charge.

Three other categories include age discrimination, pay inequities and family responsibilities discrimination. With an aging workforce and some employee-friendly decisions by the Supreme Court, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has seen a spike in age discrimination claims. In fact, this area of discrimination law may be the fastest growing.

With regard to pay inequities, the signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 has paved the way for

Business Profile

employees who are subjected to compensation discrimination to be able to file a lawsuit. This law defines, among other things, that discrimination is occurring (and the clock starts over) every time that individual receives a paycheck that delivers discriminatory compensation, regardless of when the discrimination actually began.

Finally, in 2007 the EEOC issued guidelines related to unlawful disparate treatment of workers with care giving responsibilities, referred to as family responsibilities discrimination. It’s important to note here that while family caregivers are not a new protected class, they are covered under existing federal and state laws. Two common practices that the EEOC seeks to end are: treating male caregivers more favorably than female and sex-based stereotyping.

The bottom line? Fairness.

Juries and judges may be more likely to make decisions based on fair versus legal treatment of employees.

Additionally, employees who feel they have been treated fairly, even in situations with negative outcomes, are not likely to sue in the first place.

Providing adequate notice, being consistent, and documenting actions go a long way toward treating employees fairly and avoiding lawsuits.  Goodwin is an associate professor in the business division at Lewis-Clark State College on the Lewiston campus.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2010

RECORDS: NOVEMBER

Location: 1617 21st St., Lewiston Owners: Joe Hall and Phil Adamek Employees: 62 full time Products/services: Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Nissan vehicle dealership; service and parts department; recreational vehicle service and repair; Lewiston Auto Body, located behind the dealership, offers repair and paint History: Joe Hall bought into the dealership, then Tony Copeland Ford, with Tony Copeland and Phillip Adamek in 1997. They operated it together as HallCopeland Ford until 2004, when Copeland retired and Hall bought him out. Adamek retains 11 percent ownership and handles fleet and commercial sales.

DRIVEN

From page 9

considering Ford for the first time and drivers loyal to the brand who take pride in the company’s choices.

“We hear it from customers a lot,” Hall said. “That’s part of the reason why they’re looking at Ford.”

But being the only domestic auto manufacturer not to take the bailout isn’t enough in itself, Hall said.

“You still need quality,” he said. “You can’t do it without good products.”

Ford has delivered, he said, offering not just quality, but quality in the right products.

With more customers seeking economical cars rather than the pickups for which Ford traditionally has been known, the company has come through with affordable, high-quality options such as the Focus and Fusion.

“They want a car they’re not going to have problems with,” Hall said, noting that the quality of all cars, not just Fords, has improved considerably over the past decade.

Whether the shift to smaller vehicles is driven by fuel economy, smaller families or other factors, the bottom

ASK IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Question: I recently participated in a Job Vacancy Survey through the Idaho Department of Labor. Are the results from that survey compiled and available for viewing?

Answer: Yes, they are. Your responses, combined with those of more than 3,400 businesses across the state and from all industries, will provide policy leaders and others with a greater understanding of the hiring needs of Idaho businesses.

The final report and press release are now available at http://lmi.idaho.gov/researchproject. For more information or additional assistance, please contact your nearest Idaho Department of Labor office.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2010

line, Hall said, is “we’re selling more cars now.”

The recalls that shook Toyota in late 2009 and 2010 may have resulted in a few additional sales for Ford dealers, Hall said, acknowledging there may have been a few more Toyota drivers through his door than before. But he’s quick to put the situation in perspective: “That stuff is going to happen when you’re

dealing with something as complicated as a vehicle,” he said. “I think it just goes to show you it can happen to any company.”

Despite the relative strength of the Ford brand, the economy — the worst Hall has seen in his 30 years in the industry — has made

 SEE DRIVEN, PAGE 14

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to friends old & new.

Thank you for a great year.

250092kP-09

Joe Hall Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Nissan

If your buying or selling..

Call Your “Hometown” Agent

Steve Donovan • 208-413-0494 LCHomeSearch.com

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HOUSING MARKET UPDATE LEWISTON, CLARKSTON AND ASOTIN 1. Number of homes on the market as of Dec. 7: 481.

2. Number of homes sold in the last six months (June 1 to Nov. 30): 303.

3. Average sales price of those homes sold in the last six months: $170,521.

4. Average days on the market in the last six months: 138.

MOSCOW 1. Number of homes on the market as of Nov. 30: 137.

2. Number of homes sold in the last six months (June 1 to Nov. 30): 112.

3. Average sales price of those homes sold in the last six months: $197,958.

4. Average days on the market in the last six months: 80.

Source: Multiple Listing Service

Sponsored by: Steve Donovan (208) 413-0494

BUSINESS PROFILE

13

DRIVEN

From page 13

for lean times. But Hall is an optimist, and he’s seen good reason to remain that way, starting with the leadership at the top of Ford Motor Company.

President and CEO Alan Mulally came to Ford from Boeing in 2006 and made choices, Hall feels, that positioned the company to ride out the automotive industry crisis as well as possible.

Mulally had the foresight to go to Wall Street and apply for loans he knew the com-

pany would need to weather the worsening climate. His timing was right on; in the spring of the next year, the markets collapsed.

While Mulally helped make it possible for Ford to survive without a government bailout, he had no interest in seeing other automakers fail, Hall said. Other companies disappearing outright would have been disastrous for Ford, he said, in part because they share suppliers.

Since then, Mulally has overseen changes that have streamlined the company, Hall said, “right-sizing” Ford so it can be profitable with the current demand. Through it all, he has made tough deci-

sions and shown he’s exactly what Ford needed, Hall said: a leader.

“He holds people accountable.”

Hall met Mulally about three years ago at a company event, where the two played golf. Knowing the former Boeing executive had left his home on Mercer Island to run Ford from Detroit, Hall asked if he missed it.

“Oh, no, Joe. I’m having the time of my life,” Hall remembers Mulally replying.

“I’m helping save an American icon.”

Looking back at the past couple of years, Hall is grateful that “employees have hung in there with us when

INDIVIDUAL BANKRUPTCIES (BY COUNTY, THROUGH NOVEMBER) 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

’09

20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

’09

Asotin County

12-month total: 63

D

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

12-month total: 5

20 ’09 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

12-month total: 84

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

12-month total: 37

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

12-month total: 40

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

’09

12-month total: 12

’09

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

Whitman County

J

F

M

A

M

Business Profile

 able to do REPAIRS — Joe Syverson, handyman, landscaping, 1137 University, Clarkston.  Confluence Appraisals — Keith Binkley, real estate appraisals, 917 Third St., Lewiston.  Gateway Materials Inc. — Gateway Manufacturing, boat manufacturing, 1012 Park Ave., Lewiston.

 Jump start java — Gayla Lamb, coffee shop, 810 Port Drive, Clarkston.

 LC Tax Solutions LLC — T.J. Snarr, Rod Snarr, bookkeeping, accounting, 128 Main St. Suite B, Lewiston.  That One Place — Kim Goodson, gift shop, 840 Main St., Lewiston.

12-month total: 75

D

newly licensed businesses

 LaRena’s Wedding and Event — LaRena Myrick, event planning, 1029 Cedar Ave. No. 10, Lewiston.

Lewis County

J

 Tatko may be contacted at mtatko@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2244.

 Hopkins Structural Design — Paul Hopkins, structural engineering, 1634 Powers Ave., Lewiston.

Idaho County

D 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

12-month total: 165

Clearwater County

D

N

Nez Perce County J

20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

’09

20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

Latah County

J

’09

N

’09

D

14

F

Garfield County

D

20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

J

20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

it’s been tough,” he said.

“They’re optimistic.”

“Maybe I’m too optimistic,” he said. “But I have to be in what we do.”

J

J

A

S

O

N

 Troy’s Mobile Detailing — Troy Hooper et al, mobile detailing, 732 Bryden Ave., Lewiston.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2010

2011 FORD FIESTA

2011 FORD MUSTANG

2011 FORD F150 RAPTOR

2011 NISSAN MURANO

2011 NISSAN JUKE

www.JoeHallFord.com MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2010

1 1617 21st St. • Lewiston, ID • 208-746-2391

Business Profile

15

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Business Profile

MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2010