Hamilton County Business Magazine Dec/Jan 2019

DECEMBER 2018 • JANUARY 2019

Finding Your Purpose

Plus…

• Motivating Employees • Kindness as a Business Strategy • Making Movies in Hamilton County John Qualls, president of Eleven Fifty Academy

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Hamilton County Community Guide Call 317-774-7747 or email Mike Corbett mcorbett@hamiltoncountybusiness.com December 2018 • January 2019 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

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December 2018 / January 2019

www.hamiltoncountybusiness.com Published six times per year by the Hamilton County Media Group PO Box 502, Noblesville, IN 46061 317-774-7747 EDITOR/PUBLISHER

Mike Corbett

Students at Eleven Fifty Academy

mcorbett@hamiltoncountybusiness.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Bridget Gurtowsky

bridget@gurtowskygraphics.com

Features

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Purpose.ly

16 18

Productive Workers

20 22

Roundabout

23 24

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Dave Bechtel dave@hamiltoncountybusiness.com

Making Movies in Hamilton County

Dining Out: Loren and Mari Mexican Grill Pitch-In Chamber Pages

Columns 6

Editor

8

Management Dr. Charles Waldo

10

Ethics Charlotte Westerhaus-Renfrow

12

Technology J. David Shinn

30

History David Heighway

CORRESPONDENTS Christine Bavender crbavender@gmail.com Ann Craig-Cinnamon jandacinnamon@aol.com John Cinnamon jlcinnamon@aol.com Benjamin Lashar benjaminlashar@gmail.com Susan Hoskins Miller skhmiller@gmail.com Stephanie Miller sccwriter-@gmail.com Samantha Hyde samantharhyde@gmail.com Patricia Pickett pickettwrites@gmail.com CONTRIBUTORS David Heighway heighwayd@earthlink.net J. David Shinn david@shinntechnology.com Robby Slaughter rslaughter@accelawork.com Dr. Charles Waldo cnwaldo@comcast.net Charlotte Westerhaus-Renfrow cfwester@iupui.edu

Please send news items and photos to news@hamiltoncountybusiness.com Submission does not guarantee publication

Subscription $20/year To subscribe or advertise, contact Mike Corbett at

mcorbett@hamiltoncountybusiness.com

Cover photo by Stephanie Miller 4

Copyright 2018 Hamilton County Media Group.

All rights reserved.

December 2018 • January 2019 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

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Letter from the Editor December 2018 • January 2019

A couple of observations on paying attention to what’s important.

I opened one of those emails that come every now and then giving career advice. The subject was Jobs that are becoming obsolete. The idea is to discourage people from pursuing careers in those fields in order to avoid a career crisis down the road. #4 surprised and disappointed me: news reporter.

I realize the media are changing and we have to keep up with technology. Traditionally, journalists have found employment at newspapers and that industry has taken a beating over the past decade. But the notion that there will be no place for news reporters to work in the future is downright frightening.

Mike Corbett Editor and Publisher

The need for impartial reporting has never been more urgent. Powerful people recognize the value in controlling the message and unless we have people who are trained to ask the tough questions, hold the powerful accountable and seek to report the truth impartially, our republic at all levels of government is in peril. A free and inquisitive press is not optional in a democracy; it’s a fundamental part of the process, enshrined in the First Amendment. We must always have a place for good news reporters to work.

I am gratified when I meet bright young college students eager to pursue journalism as a career.

We must ensure they have a fulfilling career track. I sincerely hope the survey is wrong.

Don’t Wait I was attending a meeting at a local performance venue, the Logan Street Sanctuary, in Noblesville a few weeks ago. The conversation turned to how, even though quality acts are appearing, and its reputation is growing regionally, attendance was very low, like in single digits some nights.

I was elated when John Gilmore bought the building and fixed it up a few years ago. It was a real community effort. Volunteers painted, designed and renovated until this little gem shined.

Musical acts followed and I presumed everything was going along fine. But I was reminded that the work didn’t end when the place was fixed up.

We are lucky to have a place like this in our community. Ever since my college days I have sought out the local coffee houses and community theaters where I live and visit. They are a sign that a community is serious about its local culture; that it cares enough to give local and visiting performers a place to showcase their talent.

But if we ignore these little gems, they will go away. I am making a new years resolution early this year to do a better job of supporting my local arts venues, specifically the Logan Street Sanctuary and others as well.

What’s important to you? Are you cultivating it? Don’t wait. If you wait too long it may be gone.

See you around the county,

Editor and Publisher mcorbett@hamiltoncountybusiness.com 317-774-7747

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December 2018 • January 2019 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

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Hamilton County Community Guide Call 317-774-7747 or email Mike Corbett mcorbett@hamiltoncountybusiness.com December 2018 • January 2019 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

CONGRATULATIONS to this year’s Community Pillar Award recipients: • • •

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Management Charles Waldo

1,501 Ways to Bring Out The Best in People Quick! How true are each of these quotes?

A soldier will fight long and hard, even die, for a small piece of metal tied to a bit of colored ribbon. (French Emperor and General Napoleon Bonaparte) Everyone has an invisible sign hanging from their neck saying, “Make me feel important…I crave recognition and praise.” (Cosmetic empire founder Mary Kay Ash) The highest compliments leaders can receive are those given by the people who work for them. (James L. Barksdale, former Netscape CEO) Survey after survey show that as many as 50% of good employees who voluntarily quit their jobs or are actively searching cite a lack of appreciation of their work and efforts, especially by their boss, as their primary reason. (Various studies) Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel.

If people believe in themselves, it’s amazing what they can accomplish.

(Walmart founder Sam Walton)

much more meaningful and memorable to the recipient(s) and giver. As with most parts of life, there are any number of books, websites, and other sources of proven ideas. If you want to have a lot of options—say, 1,501—take a look at this paperback gem: Dr. Bob Nelson’s 1,501 Ways To Reward Employees, about $13 from drbobnelson.com or Amazon. Dr. Nelson is known by some as the “guru of thank-you’s” and has written and published at least twenty related, easyto-read, practical, and full-of-examples books on motivation. See his website for the full list.

A few starters There is not enough room here to describe all 1,501 methods of praising and recognition Dr. Nelson describes in this little book. So let’s look at just a few basic principles that undergird the concepts of Motivation, Great Performances, and Rewards. With a few minor alterations they

“…thank-you’s

are the icing on the

So, how do you feel about each of the above quotes?

True or false or somewhere in between? Some folks seem embarrassed almost to tears if they get singled out for deserved praise. But underneath the blush, what do you think they are really feeling? Doesn’t everyone want to be recognized and rewarded for significant accomplishments? The “mere” act of recognizing and praising a person or team for a job well done is a good start to getting more of the same. But putting a little thought and imagination into the “thank you” event will likely make it

cake, not the cake.”

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are equally useable at home, church, civic organizations, etc.

1. All the pats on the back, notes of appreciation, gift cards, etc. will NOT substitute for an inadequate, non-competitive compensation and fringe benefit package. Employees can’t feed their kids on praise. Ditto for dirty, unsafe, outmoded working conditions. Or not enough personnel for the work to be done which causes everyone to have to work harder

and longer than they feel is reasonable.

Or the perception that employees must go elsewhere if they want promotions.

Or frequent, disruptive layoffs. In other words, “thank-you’s” are the icing on the cake, not the cake.

So, assuming strong, fair human resource policies and practices are in place: 2. As author and educator Dr. Ken Blanchard has suggested over and over, always be trying to “catch people doing the right things and doing them right.”

More people so spotted are always better than fewer.

3. Give recognition as soon as possible after the good performance takes place.

Immediate is usually best. Praise loses its effectiveness with the passing of time.

4. Be SINCERE with your praise. Let the person know what her performance means to the department and you.

Praise given without sincerity is worse than no praise at all. And people know the difference.

5. Be specific. Tell the person(s) exactly what they did that you liked. That will usually encourage them to do more of the same.

6. Do not heap praise on a full team if, in truth, only one or a few individuals did all or most of the heavy lifting. Give credit where it’s due.

7. Adjust the style and method of recognition to the receiver’s psyche. Some folks like public praise while others will not offer up good suggestions if they think the recognition spotlight will be on them.

For these shy folks an informal, private thank-you or note is usually more appropriate. And you might encourage them to get into a local Toastmasters Club to help them get over their shyness.

8. Make rewards proportional to the achievements. At a former consulting

December 2018 • January 2019 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

client of mine employees got a $2 bill from their boss on the spot if they suggested even the hint of an improvement.

The motivational power of a $2 bill plus recognition is surprisingly strong to keep ideas coming. At the other end of the rewards size spectrum, at least one Japanese car maker I know of regularly hands over the keys to a new car to line workers who have been especially productive coming up with useable improvement suggestions. Better to be more generous than stingy.

9. Team leaders and supervisors are also human—with tough jobs. They, too, love (and deserve) recognition and appreciation. So their bosses, usually middle managers, should keep their eyes open for accomplishments by the supervisor’s team(s). The better their people do, the better the supervisor does.

10. Encourage a “culture of appreciation.” Encourage employees at every level to spread the word about good deeds fellow employees, including executives, have done. Praise from fellow employees is powerful stuff.

The most extraordinary example of “subordinates” showing appreciation for their boss I’ve heard of was when Southwest Airlines employees honored their long-time CEO, Herb Kellerer, upon his retirement after 30+ years of service.

On his last official day a small group of employees grabbed him out of his Dallas office and hustled him out to a company hangar at the nearby airport where all the local SWA employees were gathered.

After a short appreciation talk by a longtime front-liner, the hangar doors were opened, and a brand-new, shiny Boeing 737, with Herb’s name painted on it, was rolled out amid wild cheers and many tears. The plane was totally paid for by voluntary contributions from employees and friends.

This was one of the very rare times Herb Kellerer was at a loss for words….and let tears substitute.

11. Finally, don’t forget that all organizations depend on “customers” (or supporters, clients, etc.) and suppliers for their survival and growth. Find ways to thank them, too.

December 2018 • January 2019 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

What’s worked for you? Will you share with other HCBM readers?

For the next issue of the HCBM we’d like to hear from readers just like you (especially YOU) about a motivational tool or method you have successfully used.

If you will share, please email me at cnwaldo@comcast.net a short (50 words or less) story of the situation or setting, who was involved, what you did, and the results. Include your name, organization, job title, location, and phone # so I can follow-up if need be.

There are bound to be some neat stories out there. The first five submitters will receive a copy of Dr. Bob Nelson’s book, complements of HCBM publisher Mike Corbett. Don’t wait. What’s being done right? HCBM

Charles Waldo, Ph.D., is Professor of Marketing (ret.) in Anderson University’s Falls School of Business. He can be reached at cnwaldo@comcast.net.

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Ethics Charlotte Westerhaus-Renfrow

Try a Little Kindness

It’s an effective, low cost business strategy Here’s a simple question: When is the last time you saw an employee skip?

I don’t mean skipping a meeting or skipping a task. I mean an actual skip —when individuals were so happy that they eagerly collaborate with colleagues, enthusiastically offer better customer service, and actively provide value at work rather than sleepwalk through their tasks.

I get it—most of us probably stopped skipping because we didn’t want to seem childish. What a shame. But what if a business leader could inspire that type of excitement and joy in their employees and customers? Perhaps their future long-term success (and the success of their business) is just a hop, skip and jump away.

Happy Shoppers Unemployment in this country is at its lowest level since 1969, and it’s no secret that a lot of these employees are not happy or energetic. A recent Harvard Business Review survey reveals that 58 percent of people say they trust strangers more than their own bosses. According to a Gallup Poll released in 2017, 85 percent of workers worldwide admit to hating their jobs, when surveyed anonymously.

The same survey found that only 30 percent of American workers are engaged at work.

Failing to inspire happiness in customers also adversely affects business. A prime example is the recent bankruptcy of one of America’s most iconic retailers, Sears. In an interview with CCW Digital, brand strategist Ali Craig said one of the many mistakes Sears committed was failing to create a pleasant in-store experience for customers. “Shopping at Sears wasn’t a fun experience; it was very pragmatic,” said Craig. “If you look at the stores that make it today, they create an experience for 10

the consumer, which is the whole beauty of what a retail space does.” Put another way, competitors like Target and Home Depot were much more successful than Sears in attracting and converting casual browsers into eager buyers due to better store design and visual merchandising. Customers were happier shopping there and as Simon Sinek succinctly put it in his book, Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, “Happy customers ensure happy shareholders.”

Naïve and soft To enhance workplace momentum, employee engagement and financial outcomes, some of the most successful business leaders consistently implement a seldom-recognized, yet powerful, ethical principle: kindness.

Aristotle defined kindness as an ethical behavior that epitomizes “helpfulness

“…history is filled with leaders who were highly compassionate and very powerful.”

-Emma Seppala, Stanford

towards someone in need, not in return for anything, nor for the advantage of the helper himself, for that of the person helped.” But what does an ethical principle from the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle have to do with success in business today?

The answer is simple. According to business coach Jill Lublin’s book, The Profit of Kindness: How to Influence Others, Establish Trust, and Build Lasting Busi-

ness Relationships, business owners, entrepreneurs and angel investors have profited by focusing on kindness. “By practicing kindness in your business, you can increase your income, generate new clients, stimulate repeat customers to buy, and much, more.” In other words, Lublin believes kindness is the new currency for creating pathways to profit.

Now here’s the rub: Many well-regarded leaders believe you must be strong and tough to successfully compete in a dogeat-dog, win at all costs and get the deal done corporate environment. Cynical naysayers are often quick to mock kindness as being naïve and soft. For example, there is no mention of niceness within some of the most often quoted mantras about winning and success: “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing,” said NFL football coach Vince Lombardi; “There is no such thing as second place: either you’re first or you’re nothing,” from Major League Baseball general manager Gabe Paul.

Likewise, even research shows that nice people struggle financially. According to a study published in The European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, employees who are agreeable and nice have lower salaries than their more assertive and domineering counterparts.

There is, however, an important and key difference in employing ethical kindness as competitive advantage, rather than just being nice at work. While MerriamWebster’s dictionary defines nice as acting in a “pleasing way,” the characteristics of ethical kindness within the context of reaping profits are compassion, flexibility, patience, positivity, generosity, gratitude and connection. These identifiable traits can have a revolutionary and positive impact to the bottom line when done right.

December 2018 • January 2019 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

Compassion = power Here, then, are three ways business leaders and managers can invest in the currency of kindness to improve sales, raise prices, increase revenues, cut losses and reduce costs: 1.

Demonstrate compassion.

Emma Seppala, associate director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University shared in a recent article that “Managers may shy away from compassion for fear of appearing weak. Yet history is filled with leaders who were highly compassionate and very powerful: Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King and Desmond Tutu, to name a few. They were such strong and inspiring leaders that people would drop everything to follow them.”

Wouldn’t any leader wish for that kind of loyalty and commitment? In fact, researcher Jonathon Haidt at New York University found that employees are more likely “to act in a helpful and friendly way with other employees for no particular reason” when their leaders are fair, ethical and act with compassion towards others in the workplace.

2.

Help others to win and succeed the right way.

doing anything. I’m positive that a doer makes mistakes.”

Near the end of his life, Vince Lombardi— who coined the “winning is the only thing” quote—lamented, “I wished I’d never said the thing…I meant the effort. I meant having a goal. I sure didn’t mean for people to crush human values and morality.”

As a role model, what will you do? As a business leader, what will you say to those around you when you make a mistake? Will you have the courage to own it and admit your vulnerability, or will you blame somebody else?

As Zig Ziglar said, “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.”

Lifting up your employees at work can help your company achieve success in attracting and retaining employees.

Author researchers Brene Brown and Michelle Reina say innovation cannot exist without vulnerability, and when leaders admit they’ve made a mistake, they don’t erode trust in their leadership, they strengthen it. Organizations with a high level of trust report increased employee morale, more productive workers and lower staff turnover.

3. Acknowledge your mistakes.

SPOILER ALERT: If you are a leader, you will make mistakes. Welcome to leadership.

My favorite coach of all time is John Wooden. His words of wisdom and lessons about what it takes to win don’t just apply to the game of collegiate basketball (and he knew how to win big time), but they apply to all areas of life—including business leadership. One of my favorite quotes and lessons from Coach Wooden is this one: “If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not

All of this is achieved with an effective nocost resource: kindness. If ethical kindness can lead to improved business outcomes and greater employee and customer satisfaction, the ROI on doing the right thing may be greater than ever. HCBM Charlotte Westerhaus-Renfrow teaches management and business law at IU’s Kelley School of Business and is President of ChangePro LLC, a leadership development consultancy.

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11

Technology

J. David Shinn

Updating Windows 10 Here are a few tips to avoid frustrating problems Since Windows 10 was introduced in 2015, it has been criticized for having many issues. The one main issue is the update process. Windows Update is a service used to provide service packs and patches for the operating system and other software. It can also update hardware device drivers.

Back in 2016, Microsoft was very aggressive about upgrading Windows 7/8 users to Windows 10. In fact, Microsoft offered the upgrade at no charge for a short time.

Depending on your update settings at the time, the Windows 10 upgrade was automatically-forced installed and surprise, surprise, surprise. This caused many problems back then and it could still be causing problems today in your Windows 10 updates. Old operating system files are still lingering and older devices may be incompatible with new drivers.

There have been numerous releases and updates. It can get confusing because it’s all referred to as Windows 10—but each major release has a particular version number. To add to the confusion, Windows 10 has been available as: Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 S. Windows 10 S can only run applications downloaded from the Windows Store (meant to compete with the Google Chrome Book). The other versions of Windows 10 have the ability to install any software.

Major Windows 10 Releases • April 2017 - version 1703 (Creators Update) • October 2017 - version 1709 • April 2018 Update - version 1803 • October 9, 2018 Update - version 1809 The difference between a release and an update you ask—a release is a major upgrade to the operating system—an update resolves smaller issues like: security patches and bug-fixes for major releases.

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Windows 10 Update Failures There have been many problems in 2018 with the Windows 10 updates. To help with installation, Microsoft has installed the Windows 10 Update Assistant on your computer (which you may have noticed as a new icon on your desktop).

Below are a couple things to check before doing a major release update.

1. Make sure you have at least 10GB of hard drive space available and restart your computer 2. Always perform a complete data backup to an external hard drive.

Hard Drive Space Major updates are normally 3-4GB in size. Some of the lower-cost laptops only have 32GB of hard drive space total.

When they get full, there isn’t enough room for the next update. This can cause a looping effect of error messages and boot problems.

Hardware Device Drivers During a release install, the process can hang on an incompatible hardware device driver. The latest release is very particular on device drivers. The installation looks like it is progressing only to die around 85%—with Windows Update Assistant saying “Something went wrong” and an error code (0x8007001f, 0xC1900101, or others).

to an external hard drive before proceeding with any troubleshooting ideas. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/ help/4027322/windows-update-troubleshooter

Frustration I have had many clients get so frustrated with failed update messages that they either uninstall the Update Assistant (which will magically be reinstalled by Microsoft) or just turn off the Windows Update process all together. Overall the updates are there to help with security and general computer operation. It could be a security risk down the road not to do updates, so eventually you need to resolve the problem.

The resolution of failed updates can be complex. I would suggest trying the Windows Troubleshooter—then call a technical support resource. Doing too much in the registry or deleting files in the Windows folder could lead you to a computer that will no longer boot or operate at all.

If problems get bad enough, we have to back up the data, format the hard drive and install the original operating system that came with the computer. The problem—Windows 10 is no longer free, so if you want to go back to Windows 10 instead of the Windows 7/8 that came with your computer—you have to pay for it.

Windows 10 Update Troubleshooting

Note: Computers sold with Windows 10 from the manufacturer don’t have the problems that upgraded computers do.

Upgrading often mixes different operating system files and device drivers and that’s where many of the update problem issues start. HCBM

You can spend hours of your life researching through the internet for solutions to your failed installation. Try downloading the free Windows Troubleshooter.

It will often times find and resolve many issues. Note: Always do a full data backup

J. David Shinn is President of Shinn Technology Services Corp specializing in technology consulting and support for small business. Shinn is also an author and technical editor.

In my experience, a release fails because of a lack of computer resources, a corrupt entry in the registry or hardware device driver incompatibilities.

December 2018 • January 2019 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

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December 2018 • January 2019 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

13

Cover Story

Eleven Fifty Academy

New program seeks to match people with their dream jobs Story and Photos By Stephanie Miller

hat is your purpose? How can you discover direction that will activate your innate talents and motivate your drive to create meaning in your life? So many of us ask these questions. Young people beginning the journey to fulfilling futures, as well as adults in the middle of their careers encounter obstacles that cloud their visions. A Purpose.ly agent can lift the fog and help you focus on your mission.

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“Agents are not just for celebrities and sports stars,” asserts John Qualls, president of Eleven Fifty coding academy and technology entrepreneur. Qualls is launching a new venture that matches those searching for a first-time job or a new vocation with talent agents. Strategic coaches investigate more than ‘what do you want to be when you grow up’. The goal is to explore ‘what problems you want to solve’ in order to uncover untapped potential and determine a career appropriate for the individual.

“Purpose.ly is designed to help people find purpose, help employers find people that want to be in their line of work and place job seekers in a vocation where they are passionate about who they are and what they are doing.” Qualls and his partner, Brent Shopp, noticed a “purpose” gap and are determined to provide resources that will benefit both prospective employees and employers.

“Kids today are better educated than they have ever been, but they are not

December 2018 • January 2019 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

getting the skills required to find their purpose,” explains Qualls. Purpose.ly intends to provide relevant efficient skills training that successfully puts individuals on meaningful career paths.

Finding your “why” Qualls understands first-hand how difficult it can be to find a job that you are so passionate about it becomes your vocation, and how failure can be the catalyst to finding your why.

As a teenager, he did not do well in school and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. During his six years in the military he performed training operations and became familiar with technology.

Upon his departure from the military in 1993, Qualls married and worked in the insurance and finance industry. However, he was always drawn to technology.

He quit his job, refinanced his house and set out seeking a career in the field of tech. After hearing a company CEO talk on database driven websites, he engaged in selling the technology. Later, Qualls started a consulting firm that failed. In the midst of the breakdown of his company, he was determined to find new employment for those people who lost their jobs. “Getting people a job was something I found great pleasure in.”

“I needed a progressive leader who could think way-outside-the-education-box with me to create world class solutions for really hard problems that even longstanding institutions have not figured out,” says Eleven Fifty Academy Founder Scott Jones. “John was a natural fit.”

Watching students learn, excel, find employment and apply new found skills in their vocations reignited the training fire and fueled the Purpose.ly flame.

“Young people with a four-year college education hit the market and can’t find a job. We help them get the training they need to develop skills and find their purpose which leads to a satisfying career,” explains Qualls.

The Purpose.ly process: • My Agent introduces individuals to an advisor who asks questions designed to reveal aspirations, evaluate skills and provide tools necessary to obtain the ability required to achieve a desired vocation. The mission is to place people in the right job for the right reasons.

• My Hire teams with companies looking for talent. Purpose.ly seeks to deliver value and does not charge companies until a new employee stays in the job for a length of time and it is confirmed that the union is a good fit for both employer After founding several more tech compa- and new hire. nies, Qualls connected with Scott Jones • My Talent helps companies and clients who asked him to become president of define the purpose of a job. Purpose.ly Eleven-Fifty Academy, a non-profit boot- believes people want to be important to an camp style coding school that provides a organization, know exactly why they are submersive experience where attendees doing what they are doing and how their learn pertinent coding skills required to work is beneficial. get hired and be successful.

• Adulting Classes will teach job seekers how to communicate, interview, negotiate a salary, and how to get loans as well as numerous important life skills not taught in the traditional education system.

“We really want to focus on people at the front end of their careers,” says Qualls. He and Shopp, plan to identify 100 individuals that want to participate in the subscription-based Purpose. ly programs at no charge when it launches in December. “People want to be happy and valued. Everyone needs to have a life’s work worth doing and feel like their work has meaning.” HCBM

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December 2018 • January 2019 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

15

Workforce

Will O'Brien cuts the ribbon to Ultimate Technology

Improved Technology Bolsters Attraction & Retention

By Patricia J. Pickett, APR f you ask any employer in Hamilton County, “What is the No. 1 issue facing your business?” they are most likely to reply “filling jobs.” it’s estimated that more than nearly 100,000 jobs are unfilled in Indiana.

putting the state behind not just in the numbers, but by shorting the state coffers in both income and sales tax.

In the big picture, it’s not just about filling today’s jobs, but creating a culture—throughout the state, throughout individual businesses—of attracting and

migration”—more people moving out of state than moving in. And Indiana is taking the biggest hit with those holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. According to the US Census Bureau, in 2016, just 30,422 of those folks moved into the state while 38,197 left.

So, how to attract and retain the skilled workforce needed to run While Hamilton County fares your business? Certainly, there are better than the rest of the state in ongoing initiatives on the regional terms of workforce stability and and state level in terms of workgrowth, it is not insulated by the force development. But perhaps fact that the state ranks lower one of the single most important than the national average in things an employer can do is to terms of growth. Overall, accordlook around their office and detering to 2017 Gallup ShareCare Community retaining new businesses and employees. mine if it actually meets the needs of a Indiana’s lack of growth is a direct result 21st Century workforce.

Rankings, Indiana ranked 41st out of 50 states when it came to growth, ultimately of what the policy wonks term “domestic

Domestic Migration

…We’ve been reading

millenials all wrong…

16

December 2018 • January 2019 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

It’s Beyond a Ping-Pong Table More than a few employers have stocked the break room with healthy snacks, installed a ping-pong table and instituted a weekly “Five-O’clock Somewhere Friday” celebration…and they were shocked when they continued to received letters of resignation.

Systems, Equifax and Angie’s List, from intern to chief human resources officer.

But it was his stint heading up facilities and workforce technologies that brought about “the epiphany” that prompted him to take the leap into entrepreneurship and launch Fishers-based Ultimate Automation in 2017.

in turn drives business results, Ultimate Technologies Group is well positioned to help support companies on that empowerment journey,” said O’Brien.

How Do You Compete?

If you are trying to navigate the “more flexible workforce,” there are a few es“We had an extremely successful business sential things you need to make the tranThe sad fact of the matter is that while sition seamless including dependable, leader who was traveling internationalthese “perks” create a fun atmosphere, ly—about 70% of the time. He barely saw accessible collaboration technologies. they do not necessarily create a great his family…and he wanted to leave the Connectivity. If your employees are and productive work environment, nor company,” O’Brien recounts. “I made the going to work from home, you must do they create a culture of loyalty. And, case to upgrade his technology resources provide the infrastructure to make it according to a recent study by online like video conferencing and encourefficient. Utilizing cloud products like learning giant Udemy, we’ve been readaged him to use that versus jumping on Dropbox or Google Docs to share docuing the millennials all wrong. Millennials a plane. For $6,000, I was able to help ments in real time assures everyone is are looking for stable careers (working this high performing leader spend more looking at the most up-to-date inforin 2 to 3 companies during their career), time with his family, get better results for mation, and is a bit easier than the old more responsibility (they feel underthe company, save the company travel “network hub.” Skype for Business and utilized), they expect to put in time for expense and, most importantly, retain this Pexip are popular video conferencing more education and training, and (you high-performing business leader.” platforms. Project management prodprobably know this ucts like Asana, one) they want a Basecamp and Slack flexible schedule, keep projects movincluding working ing along and status remotely. regularly updated.

That last one can be Much of this comes the make or break down to a wellpoint in keeping strategized network your awesome, oversystem, effective achieving millennial security systems and employee (or never single access point having a chance of controls. even offering them Interactive Disthe job) and losplays. When your That success a few years ago has parlayed ing them to a company in Nashville or employees ARE in the office, engaging into a business that is committed to bringCharlotte who has equipped themselves four to six collaborating co-workers with ing companies into a competitive environwith the infrastructure to back up the digital whiteboards and interactive disment to help them succeed not only in culture of the 21st century workforce. plays gets the creative juices flowing in a terms of meeting their revenue goals but Are you worried that employees might real, collaborative way in which they can slack off at home, or communication will providing the support framework for their tangibly share ideas, identify the tasks most valuable asset: their employees. suffer? Don’t. Those myths have been ahead and the most efficient execution thoroughly debunked as remote work O’Brien is a testimonial to his own stratof those tasks. Better yet, employees can becomes mainstream. In reality, employ- egy. Initially part of the Launch Fishers collaborate remotely in real time with ees working from home are, on avertechnology hub, the company took its many interactive display products. age, 13% more productive than in-office own office space early this year and in It's a BYOD Party. Your employees are co-workers, and according to the same September announced the acquisition gaining access to workplace information Stanford study, there is a 50% decrease of Carmel-based Electronic Evolutions, a with their personal phone; visiting cliin attrition. What’s more, they respond 30-plus-year old commercial audio-visual ents want to log in to your wireless netwith increased loyalty and take less time integration firm. With approximately 30 work to show a presentation. This is the off, reports Entrepreneur. employees serving customers like Toyota, norm of doing business today. However, So, how to compete? Say it with me: Technol- One America and Cummins, the comthere is an increased risk of security pany is now called Ultimate Technologies ogy. And I don’t mean high-speed Internet. vulnerabilities that no business wants.

Group, offering innovative audio-visual, So, the best advice, implement MDM A True Story information technology, building controls (Mobile Device Management) software and technology integration capabilities.

Fisher’s resident Will O’Brien spent 20 that allows for tracking and monitoring “As organizations see how technology years in corporate America with compacombining a little freedom with corpoempowers employee performance which nies like General Mills, Phillips Health rate security. HCBM December 2018 • January 2019 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

17

Philip Paluso, Medium Cool Pictures (right)

Is Hamilton County Ready for its Close-up?

By Ann Craig-Cinnamon ovies. Just the mention of that word stirs up images of our favorite films. Film making is an exciting industry, but not an easy one. And it’s even more difficult if you’re trying to do it from Indiana and not from the west or east coast.

Sure, there have been big movies shot in Indiana, such as Hoosiers, A League of their Own and Eight Men Out. But big Hollywood feature films with an Indiana connection are rare. Surprisingly though, there is a robust film making community in Indiana, and in Hamilton County.

Amy Howell, the Director of Communications and Media Relations with the Indiana Office of Tourism Development, reports that statewide there were 192 projects last year, which could include feature films, short films, commercial productions, TV shoots, and music videos. There are no specific numbers for Hamilton County, however the Visit Hamilton County website lists three 18

movies shot in the county in the last year. Howell says Indiana is a great place for filming. “Film making is a growing industry in Indiana. We have several schools that support this craft,” she says.

Tax Incentives One hindrance to having more films shot in Indiana is the lack of tax incentives which other states offer. Filmmaker Philip Paluso, the President of Medium Cool Pictures in Fishers, has been in the industry for 25 years. He feels that Indiana needs to offer competitive incentives for studios and independent producers to make their films here. “We lose a lot of that business to neighboring states who land more of the business by offering attractive tax incentives. When you have two high profile film festivals like the Heartland and Indy International we should expect more major film work,” he says adding, “however, I’ve seen an uptick that says it’s changing for the better.”

Paluso’s credits include writing and producing for USA Track & Field, producing an award winning series of documentaries about Indiana born sports heroes and teams, and producing, directing, writing and shooting the film “Wings for Maggie Ray” which airs nationally on PBS, among other creative pursuits. He thinks film making here is difficult only if you don’t look for opportunities. “The problem, I think, is that many equate success with making studio backed, traditionally distributed, feature length narrative films, or a TV series deal with the big four networks. That model is a low probability endeavor for most without the right connections and representation,” he says.

One avenue for aspiring film makers is to produce a crowd funded independent feature, or short, that gets noticed at high profile film festivals. That, says Paluso, could mean being picked up by a reputable distributer which could land a film maker’s work on Amazon Prime or iTunes

December 2018 • January 2019 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

or as a low budget series on YouTube.

That could attract thousands of subscribers and translate into decent income, and in some cases production deals from cable networks. “The surge of Netflix, Amazon, YouTube Red and other platforms provides a myriad of opportunities and loyal viewers. Whatever your aspirations, just don’t give up,” says Paluso.

Making a Living Film maker, writer, director, producer Kate Chaplin who resides in Noblesville, has produced 18 films in Hamilton County and worked on dozens more inside and outside the county from 2007 to 2017. She started making films in high school in 1993 with a camcorder she borrowed from a friend and has won numerous awards including an Audience Choice award at the 2016 Alhambra Film Festival, Best Short Non-Genre film at 2015 Imaginarium Convention, and an Audience Choice award at 2008 INDY Awards.

Indiana, Production Hub and Stage 32 can help you find work.

Chaplin thinks Hamilton County is a wonderful place to make films but needs a venue that is affordable for filmmakers to premiere their films.

Telling our Story Moriarty Media President James Moriarty, who has been in the industry for 20 years, thinks that, outside of industrial and commercial films, there is very little film making in Indiana but he hopes to change that.

With help from the city of Carmel, Moriarty started the Carmel Film Forum which he describes as a forum that connects film makers here with professional film makers that are doing things.

Moriarty thinks film making can be a viable profession in Hamilton County.

“Like anything it depends on your product. It depends on what you are trying Chaplin says if you want to be a film mak- to create,” he says adding, “I think all these blockades with tax incentives is an er there is no reason that you can’t be. excuse not to make something.”

“With technology so accessible, you can His goal is to teach and empower more people to get into film and create more work. “People here get a great education with IU and Butler University but a lot of these people have to find work elsewhere so they go to Chicago or LA, bigger markets”.

Kate Chaplin

take your phone and make a short film today. It’s not difficult to make the films, it’s more difficult, but not impossible, to make a living off the films you make.”

She says there are lots of opportunities to work on your own projects or on other people’s projects, and to work for larger visiting production companies. “While living in Hamilton County I’ve worked on projects that showed on Discovery Channel, VH1, CMT, and Investigation Discovery,” she says adding that there are networking groups that help find cast and crew for your projects and other filmmakers’ projects. For larger projects, getting on production lists such as Film

That is Whitney Robert’s plan. She and fellow Fishers High School senior Cynthia Foulke recently won a statewide screenwriting contest and then were involved in the shooting of their short story at Hamilton Town Center, an experience that confirmed her goal of pursuing film making as a career. However she’s planning on heading to Chicago or New York. “I just want to see people like me reach their career opportunities without having to go so far away. So it would be nice to see those opportunities here,” she says.

Moriarty believes there’s no reason we can’t be telling stories. “The stories won’t be Hollywood with car crashes and spaceships, but we can tell our stories.” HCBM

December 2018 • January 2019 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

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19

Roundabout

A Summary of Recent Retail Activity

By Samantha Hyde

Boathouse Kitchen

Curative Sound is moving into a space at 11611 N. Meridian St. The former Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt at 365 W. 116th St. is being transformed into a Tropical Smoothie Café. Indiana’s first British Swim School location is now open at 11895 N. Meridian St. at the Residence Inn. BitLoft is moving into a new space at 13644 N. Meridian St.

NORTHERN HAMILTON COUNTY

Burn Boot Camp is opening a 5,300 SF workout space at 12955 Old Meridian St. Veracity IIR, an intelligence and Cicero-based Angel Mama Therapeutic investigations firm founded by former Massage and Wellness has moved into FBI and CIA agents, has a new office at new offices at 99 W. Buckeye St. Boat706 Pro-Med Ln. house Kitchen & Swan Dive will soon Fork + Ale Restaurant and Bar is open its doors at 409 W. Jackson St. on opening soon at 350 Veteran’s Way. NaMorse Reservoir. tional coworking company Serendipity Mercantile 37 opened in late SeptemLabs Coworking is planning a 24,000 ber at 25625 SR 37 North in Atlanta at SF shared-office space overlooking the the corner of SR37 and 256th St. The old Monon Trail at 517 Monon Blvd.

“Wheelers” restaurant is being restored as a studio showroom, café, and local market.

CARMEL Hamilton County’s second Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers location is slated for construction at 9701 N. Michigan Rd. Indy Porkopolis BBQ recently opened at 9802 N. Michigan Rd. The Village of West Clay is one of three central Indiana locations that will see the opening of a Family Express convenience store in 2019.

A 230-room, 162,000 SF dual-branded hotel, dubbed Aloft and Element by Westin, is planned for 10101 N. Meridian St. Multi-family home builder S.C. Bodner has plans to move its headquarters from Indy with the construction of a new 37,000 SF building on Pennsylvania St. south of 116th St.

Future Tropical Smoothie Café

20

Bash

The former Carrabba’s restaurant at 1235 Keystone Way is being transformed into an event venue called Bash, making it the second central Indiana event space to offered by national operator 828 Venue Management Company.

Giant Eagle has acquired Ricker’s convenience stores, which will be rebranded as GetGo locations. This includes three stores in Carmel, two in Fishers, and one each in Westfield, Noblesville, and Sheridan.

Two Indianapolis insurance brokers, Scott Wharton of Wharton Insurance & Financial Services and Dan Power of DT Power & Associates, joined forces to form Wharton & Power Insurance and opened new offices in the Village of West Clay.

FISHERS Shorr Package Corp. is renovating 211,000 SF of space at 9901 Kincaid Dr.

Monon Square

Crossfit Hydrogen is moving into a new Dermatology, Inc. is planning to build commercial building at 9654 Allisona 12,000 SF office at 725 Lakefront Ct. ville Rd. Storage Sense is now open for Monon Square shopping center at 620 business at 10415 Allisonville Rd. The S. Range Line Rd. is slated to be razed by the city so that the land can be redeveloped. Out of the Blue Polish Pottery & Gifts opened this fall at Carmel City Center. The 138,000 SF HollandPlayfair Building is going up at 880 W. Monon Green Blvd.

In Carmel City Center, Addendum Gift Gallery doubled its square footage and moved across the Plaza to the new Baldwin & Chambers building. A Lantz Design also relocated to the Baldwin & Chambers building, from the Indiana Design Center. Indiana Artisan closed its store on Main St. in the Arts & Design District in October, hoping to announce a new location in the Spring.

Future Horizon Bank

Salin Bank at 11555 Allisonville Rd. will become a Horizon Bank in 2019 once Horizon’s acquisition of Indy-based Salin Bancshares is complete.

College Park Church is constructing a new 25,000 SF campus at 12601 Pennington Rd. Schoolhouse No. 7 at

December 2018 • January 2019 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

Burlington will anchor the development and will be joined by new retail locations for Michaels, Petco, Five Below, and Kirkland’s.

Schoolhouse No. 7

12125 Cyntheanne Rd. is being converted into a new coffee shop.

Ultimate Automation has acquired Carmel-based Electronic Evolutions, Inc. and the combined company is operating out of 8594 E. 116th St. under the name Ultimate Technologies Group. (see story page 16) A new Keller Williams office opened this fall at 9865 E. 116th St. Fidelity National Title is opening an office at 12242 E. 116th St. Fitness centers [Solidcore] Fit-Up and Australia-based F45 have moved into 13272 Market Square Dr. A new Chicago’s Pizza is opening soon at 13204 Market Square Dr. Physical therapy business Ivy Rehab Network is also joining the development with a new office at 13180 Market Square Drive.

Hamilton Town Center is the new home of Launching Station, a retailer specializing in veteran-made items with a storefront at 13901 Town Center Blvd.

“ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER HAS BROADWAY ROCKING!” – REUTERS

A new UPS Store is going in at 13398 Tegler Dr. Noblesville-based online retailer Rosa Vila Jewelry is expanding its warehousing and production facilities.

Future Planet Fitness

WESTFIELD A 40,000 SF jump park, complete with climbing walls, is slated to join the new Laser Flash as anchors for the 140,000 SF Dartown Crossing at the southwest corner of SR 32 and US 31.

Westfield Lighting has closed it store on SR 32 and Planet Fitness is scheduled to open in that building. Next door, Smoothie King, Verizon and Sport Clips are all planning to open in a strip center on the northeast corner of SR32 and Grassy Branch. Field Brewing is open on Main St. downtown.

A new Texas Roadhouse is planned for Greyhound Pass, a Grindstone Charley’s for Wheeler Rd. just north of SR32 and a MacAllister Rentals for 1107 E. 181st St.

Vape and Wellness

NOBLESVILLE Hamilton County’s first CBD dispensary, Vape and Wellness, opened this fall at 170 Logan St. Puptown Girl Grooming opened in October at 195 Sheridan Rd.

Indy Eye Physicians has opened its first Hamilton County office in downtown Westfield at 322 W. Main St. A new 12,000 SF storage facility dubbed Sterling Westfield Storage is planned for construction at 17200 Foundation Pkwy.

Jan. 29 - Feb. 3 Clowes Hall

Ginger’s Restaurant is coming soon to 1113 S. 10th St. The At Home at 301 Noble Creek Dr. is undergoing a full store remodel. Workout facility Purre Barre has moved into 17231 Mercantile Blvd.

E&B Paving is constructing a new quality control building on its campus at 17092 Middletown Ave.

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120,000 SF retail center dubbed the Plaza Secure Care Self-Storage and U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer opened on SR32 at Saxony MarketPlace is slated for just west of Spring Mill Rd. HCBM construction at 14120 Brooks School Rd. December 2018 • January 2019 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

21

Dining Out

Loren, Mari and family offer authentic Mexican cuisine

By Christine Bavender

Photos by Stan Gurka

t’s a family affair at Loren & Mari Mexican Grill in Carmel.

From the front of the house to the bustling kitchen filled with the delicious scents of simmering dishes, you’ll find one of the nine Xochitlatoa siblings or their parents Lorenzo and Marina.

“Our parents were the number one motivation to open this restaurant—to not have them work one day,” Soccoro said.

“They’ve done so much for us and our siblings—to help us grow and be where we are right now,” Antonio added.

“They’ve always seen to us first and we

“We’ve all worked in restaurants and thought about doing this a few years ago,” said 25-year-old Antonio Xochitlatoa (pronounced So-chi-ckla-toe-ah). “Now everyone is older and we knew we didn’t want to continue to work for other restaurants but rather, do our own thing. We all had good ideas about the food we wanted to serve.”

It also likely wouldn’t exist if not for the authentic traditional dishes from the Xochitlatoa’s hometown of Puebla, Mexico.

“We wanted to commit to this place and see what happens,” said Socorro, one of Lorenzo and Marina’s two daughters.

“So many people say the same thing—‘I hope you can do well here because so many others haven’t. They tell us they were surprised to see we were open— that one day they’re driving by and it’s empty and the next day here we are.”

is always moving—it can be exhausting to watch. We get tired and want to grab a seat but he’s still going, so how can we do that!”

If not for Jose

“In Mexico if you don’t pay up front (at the doctor) they won’t treat you, so he’s pretty much the reason we all moved here,” Socorro said. “Dad moved here first to provide for Mom and

22

“We left family and friends and pretty much everything behind. One day Mom just said we were moving to the states tomorrow,” Antonio said. “None of us knew English, we’d never gone out to eat—it was all new to us. So, mom always likes to bring that up—if not for Jose, none of this would even exist.”

Simple and Relaxed

Loren & Mari opened August 8 in the Merchants Pointe Shopping Center, just west of Keystone Parkway, Gaudencio Xochitlatoa, one of Lorenzo and Marina's sons on 116th Street. The site caught the family’s attention because it’d sat empty for want to pay them back. We keep telling some time and posed a challenge. them that but they don’t listen. Our dad

The restaurant is the culmination of a lifelong dream of Lorenzo and Marina who have spent 20 years working in the food industry.

Jose and the other eight of us. The idea was for him to work here a few years and come back, but for whatever reason my parents decided it would be best if we all moved here.”

“We didn’t want to be ‘another’ Mexican restaurant—a Tex Mex. We wanted to be more original,” Socorro said. “These dishes are straight from my Mom’s recipes—everything she learned when she was little. She makes them exactly the same—except we do lower the spiciness of certain dishes. We like spicy

But if it weren’t for their youngest brother, Jose, who has spina bifida, Antonio and Socorro say none of this would probably even exist.

December 2018 • January 2019 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

food but understand not all of our customers are on that spicy level. We just want them to try something different.”

The menu also features items for those who aren’t in the mood for Mexican —chicken sandwiches, burgers, pasta, steak, etc. But for those wanting a taste of Mexico, the Poblano cuisine features dishes such as Mole Poblana—chicken featuring a rich sauce made of more than 20 ingredients; carne asada, tacos al pastor or the cemita—a sandwich with bread covered sesame seeds.

When it comes to what’s served to their customers, Marina is a “perfectionist.”

Pitch-In Notes from all over the county The Great American Songbook Foundation is selling the Asherwood estate, which was donated by philanthropist Bren Simon to support the Foundation’s mission of music education and historic preservation. The state was featured in the August/September 2018 edition of HCBM. Legacy Fund changed its name to Hamilton County Community Foundation to better express the foundation’s goal.

Whitinger & Company LLC, and Haney CPA Group PC merged to expand and enhance the professional services the two firms provide. The new company will operate as Whitinger & Company LLC.

“She will not put anything in the window to go out unless it’s cooked the right way. She’s always been like that,” Socorro said. “She can tell you right away if it’s not right—if it doesn’t taste the way it should.”

And, what enhances the taste, Soccoro said, is the simple and relaxed atmosphere at Loren & Mari.

“We wanted a calm, simple, and relaxing vibe—we don’t want to outshine the food,” Socorro said. “I wanted my brothers and mom and dad to know people aren’t coming here for the decor or what the table looks like, but for the food—for what we put in front of them. We want them to focus on the dish they’re having.”

As for what the future holds, both siblings hope to open several more locations of Loren & Mari Mexican Grill.

“But, right now this one location is taking all of our energy and attention and we want it to succeed. If that means we have everyone here every single day, we will be here every single day,” Socorro said. “We want to create a name for ourselves and then move on to the next step and our goal—to have our parents retire in five years and enjoy what they’ve created.” HCBM

Ron and Lindsey Strainis, owners of Kitchen Tune-Up of Hamilton County, won the “Rising Star” award at the company’s annual convention.

Anna Gremling, Metropolitan Planning Organization, Westfield Mayor Andy Cook and Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard cut the ribbon for the final section of the Monon Trail.

Carmel mortgage banking firm PR The last section of the Monon Trail Mortgage and Investments changed its opened between Westfield and Sheriname to Merchants Capital. dan. Begun in 1996, the Monon Greenway now runs 24 miles from Sheridan Dan Canan, former Exec. VP of Oneto 10th St. in Indianapolis. Westfield is Zone, is the new Executive Director planning a bridge over SR32, to be comof the Hamilton County Workforce pleted next Summer. HCBM Innovation Network.

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DECEMBER HOLIDAY MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON Wednesday, December 5th 11:30am to 1pm Purgatory Golf Club LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST 2019 SESSION PREVIEW Friday, December 7th 7:30am to 9am Conner Prairie YOUNG PROFESSIONALS COFFEE ROASTERS NETWORKING Wednesday, December 12th 8am to 9:30am Cambria Suites Hotel

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For more information or to register for these events, visit us at www.noblesvillechamber.com/ events or call us at (317) 773-0086

— NEW MEMBERS — Thank you to the following members for joining the Chamber or upgrading their membership!

Northern Heights Publishing (*A Classic Member) 17182 Bluestone Drive Noblesville, IN 46062 978-655-0716 www.northernheightsmag.com Keller Williams/Natalie Blankenship 9865 E. 116th Street, Suite 800 Fishers, IN 46037 360-521-3331 https://natalie-blankenship.kw.com Cherish Center 493 Westfield Road, Suite C Noblesville, IN 46060 317-773-3275 www.cherishcac.org Grand Brook Memory Care of Fishers, LLC 9796 E. 131st Street Fishers, IN 46038 317-448-6959 www.grandbrook.com Hamilton Professional Counseling 970 Logan Street # 110 Noblesville, IN 46060 317-219-0591 www.hamiltonprofessionalcounseling.com PrimePay 9382 Priority Way West Dive Indianapolis, IN 46240 317-460-0104 www.primepay.com Koto Japanese Steakhouse 13398 Tegler Dr.ive Noblesville, IN 46060 317-776-5686 www.kotonoblesville.com Wine & Design 11079 Drake Drive Fishers, IN 46038 317-370-4429

NOBLESVILLE

— EVENTS —

www.noblesvillechamber.com

UPCOMING EVENTS & HAPPENINGS

Noblesville Chamber P.O. Box 2015 Noblesville, IN 46061 317-773-0086 Follow Us:

— L E G AC Y PA R T N E R S —

December 2018 • January 2019 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

27

NORTHERN HAMILTON COUNTY 28

EVENTS & HAPPENINGS 2018 / 2019 — 2018 RIBBON CUTTING —

— 2018 MONTHLY LUNCHEONS — Please check out the Chamber website www.northernhamiltoncountychamber.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13

December Christmas Luncheon United Animal Health 11:30am to 1pm

— 2018 NEW MEMBERS — Friedreich’s Ataxia Photography (317) 306-9910 faphotography.myportfolio.com Mephibosheth Ministries, Inc. (317) 501-8374 www.mm-abilities.org Nickel Plate Express (317) 285-0682 www.nickelplateexpress.com

Mercantile 37 and Wheeler’s Cafe & Market

Hope Family Care Center (317) 984-3444 www.hopefamilycare.org White River Christian Church (317) 773-2233 www.wrcc.org Dark Side Roasters (765) 730-2689 www.darksideroasters.com Trinity Free Clinic (317) 819-0772 www.trinityfreeclinic.org Colonial Village Labradoodles (317) 514-2251 www.colonialvillagelabradoodles.com Magnify247.com (317) 565-7094 www. magnify247.com

Soul Sisters Boutique

— 2018 CHAMPION MEMBERS —

Mama’s Cupboard (317) 758-1338 Angel Mama Therapeutic Massage and Wellness (317) 379-3602 www.angelmamahealth.abmp.com Visit the complete Member Directory at www.northernhamiltoncountychamber.com/list

70 Byron Street Cicero, IN 46034 (317) 984-4079 December 2018 • January 2019 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

UPCOMING EVENTS & HAPPENINGS

December 7 All-County Networking Breakfast 7:30-9:00am Conner Prairie December 11 Coffee with the Chamber 8:00-9:00am Maple Knoll Apartments December 20 December Luncheon 11:00am-1:00pm The Bridgewater Club

JANUARY EVENTS January 4 All-County Legislative Breakfast 7:30-9:00am Conner Prairie January 15 Coffee with the Chamber 8:00-9:00am Copper Trace January 17 January Luncheon 11:00am-1:00pm The Bridgewater Club For details and online registration, please visit: www.westfield-chamber.org or call 317.804.3030

Indy Eye Physicians 322 West Main St., Suite 200 Westfield, IN 46074 Grindstone Charley’s 17470 Wheeler Rd. Westfield, IN 46074 SpringHill Suites by Mariott— Westfield 19317 Westmore Ln. Westfield, IN 46074 MacAllister Rentals 1107 E. 181st St. Westfield, IN 46074

WESTFIELD

DECEMBER EVENTS December 6 Westfield Young Professionals 5:30-7:30pm Wellbrooke of Westfield

Planet Fitness 3440 E. State Rd. 32 Westfield, IN 46074

www.westfield-chamber.org

NEW MEMBERS

Link Observatory Space Science Institute 275 Medical Dr. Carmel, IN 46032

Want to add your name to this list?

To learn more, contact info@westfield-chamber.org

Follow Us:

Westfield Chamber of Commerce 116 E. Main St. Westfield, IN 46074 317.804.3030

December 2018 • January 2019 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

29

Hamilton County History

David Heighway

County was site of an early high tech demo e think of driverless cars as some of today’s cuttingedge technology, but people have been experimenting with the concept for a long time. One such experiment on a Hamilton County farm in the 1930’s attracted national attention. Although the vehicle was controlled by radio like a drone, rather than with artificial intelligence like today’s cars, it still seemed like magic to some of the observers.

In the early 1930’s, a man named J. J. Lynch was promoting radio-controlled vehicles. He hadn’t actually created the technology, but instead took over the project from the original inventor. (The full story of J. J. Lynch can be found at the web site thedrive. com in a post titled “The Untold Story of the First Driverless Car Crash” by Brett Berk.) Lynch traveled to agricultural fairs around the United States to demonstrate the tractor, and appeared at the Indiana State Fair in September of 1931. It was while he was at the fair that he was seen

by Noblesville hardware store owner Clarence N. Barker, who apparently saw some potential in the system.

ence magazine had suggested the use of radio-controlled farm equipment as early as 1925 and, in an article in their February 1932 issue about the demonstration, said, “This prediction has now come true, at least on an experimental basis.” (Unfortunately, they forgot to mention that it took place in Hamilton County.) Photos were taken of the event and were evidently used for future promotions—copies can be found today in the collection of the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Western Canada Pictorial Index.

Lack of Traction

control the mechanical systems on the tractor. The media articles describe the radio control mechanism as “telegraph keys”. There was one to blow a whistle on the tractor, one to work the clutch and throttle, and one for steering (although it’s not clear how that worked). The setup was low-powered—the operator had to follow in a car and stay within 15 to 20 feet of the tractor. The tractor was handcranked to start it and then set off to Telegraph Keys plow a 30-acre field. It went off course a few times, but it completed the field and Barker had a farm east of town, (on modthe demonstration was considered a sucern 186th Street), and he offered one of cess. Lynch predicted that, in the future, his fields for Lynch to give a demonstratelevision would be used tion. He also offered to to monitor the tractor as loan his Farmall tracit worked. tor. Lynch agreed and The Associated Press the demonstration was reported on the demonset for October 7. The stration and when the Noblesville schools were story was released on let out to give the chilthe wires, it appeared dren a chance to see this all over North America. startling new technology.

It was even covered in The equipment was a newspaper called the crude by today’s stanGuardian in London, dards, with a bank of England. Popular Sci12 large batteries to 30

There was strong local coverage as well.

A Noblesville Ledger article on October 8 was headlined “History Was Made on C. N. Barker Farm”. The Indianapolis News quoted Noblesville School Superintendent O. T. Kent as telling the schoolchildren, “This may be an epoch-making day…Perhaps you can tell your children and grandchildren that you saw the first tractor operated by a radio.”

However, Barker apparently never followed up on the demonstration. There is no record of any more high-tech experiments on his farm. He died in 1937 and is buried at Crownland Cemetery. As far as national interest in radio-controlled farm equipment went, while nothing ever became commercially feasible, the idea continued to be discussed and examined. The Noblesville demonstration was mentioned in an International Harvester booklet in 1934 for the Century of Progress exhibition, where they were running another version of a radio-controlled tractor. Lynch continued to promote his equipment until the 1940’s, despite the crash of a driverless vehicle that injured several people during a demonstration in 1932, but remote-controlled farm equipment seems like an idea whose time had not yet come. HCBM

December 2018 • January 2019 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

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December 2018 • January 2019 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

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