April/May/June 2011 B2B Omaha Magazine

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2011 RESULTS

A Brewing ‘Storm’ Stormy & Alan Stein of the Omaha Storm Chasers

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OMAHA-METRO BUSINESS TO BUSINESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2011 VOLUME 11 • NUMBER 2

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FEATURES

FEATURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Just Desserts

COVER STORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 A Brewing ‘Storm’

SPECIAL PHOTO SECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Stress Relievers

SPECIAL SECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Best of B2B 2011 Results

social media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Virtual Berkshire how i roll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Bill & Barb Van Trump arts & entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0 Playhouse Revival in the office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 0 From Buzzsaws to Creative Buzz OmAHA! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2 Fill’er Up, the Eco-Friendly Way the know-it-all . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 4 I’m From the Government and I’m Here to Help

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STORY BY COREY ROSS

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BORSHEIMS

Virtual Berkshire

For the fourth year, Borsheims’ website will track the Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders’ Meeting – and try to sell a little jewelry

Above and right: Scenes from the annual Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders’ Meeting.

A

s the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting has grown, so has the media coverage.

The event is now covered as something akin to the financial Super Bowl.

Amongst that saturation coverage four years ago, Borsheims, the Omaha mega jewelry store owned by the Oracle of Omaha himself, Warren Buffet, and Bozell, the advertising firm giant, hatched what turned out to be a gem of a marketing idea.

On its website, Borsheims decided to host a web page for information about the annual meeting of Berkshire shareholders. The Borsheims site — www.Borsheimsbrk. com — has grown into a popular cyber stop where shareholders can peruse pictures of Berkshire CEO Warren Buffett, follow the weekend’s festivities on Twitter, or buy a Berkshire Hathaway Rubik’s Cube — and maybe buy some jewelry, if they so choose.

Last year, the website’s Flickr account — a photo sharing service — logged 62,000 views, double the previous year. Borsheims marketing director Adrienne Fay says that statistics, and increasing sales figures, show how much interest in the site has grown and that it continues to achieve its original intent.

“We wanted to create a community to answer all the questions about the annual meeting and pose Borsheims as the expert about Berkshire Hathaway,” Fay says.

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“People are loyal to Berkshire Hathaway, and we want them to be loyal to their subsidiary companies as well, including Borsheims.”

The site underwent a major makeover last year that included adding social media tools Twitter and Facebook in addition to the blogs and video posts that were already ongoing. The coverage on the site revolved largely around the shareholder activities at Borsheims and in Regency Court.

Scott Bishop, Bozell’s new director of social influence, says the coverage of this year’s shareholders’ weekend (April 28-May 1) will continue to be Borsheims based and possibly employ some new social media.

“Last year was the first really all-encompassing effort to capture all of the activity, particularly at Borsheims,” he says. “There will be large variety of tactics we’ll employ, from geo-location to video, but it has to be the best fit for the client to help them achieve their goals.”

One of those goals is to entertain and inform shareholders who can’t attend the festivities. For that goal, photos and videos with real-time interviews have proven popular, particularly anything revolving around Warren Buffett, Bishop says.

“Even if it’s just Warren walking around with a Coke can, people want to see it,” he says. “The photos are for everybody, but they’re especially for the shareholders who couldn’t make the event. It’s for them to be able to check things out.”

The site does its best to update followers on Warren’s whereabouts. As for the remaining content, Bishop says the Bozell staff asks the following questions when planning social media: Who’s the target audience?

What are you trying to achieve? And what content feeds those goals?

“The challenge with any social media is creating relevance. It’s one thing to create content. It’s another to create content that

people are going to care about,” he says.

Then, the trick is making the social media tools work in concert, Bishops says.

“You need to provide different mediums for people to capture the content, and then you need to cross promote those channels.

It’s a big balancing act.”

Once the content relationship is established, then the site can function as a marketing vehicle for Borsheims to generate ancillary sales.

“Ultimately, everything needs to drive high-end goals,” Bishop says. “For Borsheims, the goal is to sell jewelry.

Can you directly relate a blog post to selling diamond earrings? No. But you can track the activity and sales, and sales have gone up.

“It’s really about brand exposure, and the more awareness you create, the more sales you generate if you’re in front of the right people — and these are the right people.”

Bozell made an ad buy on www.forbes.com a year ago in advance of the annual meeting to enhance the profile of the website.

Lana LeGrand of Bozell says that sort of promotion is another measure of how the website’s presence has grown.

“The first year, we were going around handing out slips of paper at the event to promote it,” she says. “Every year, we’re just trying to get more people to the site.”

Borsheims’ Fay says having a respectable website and serving shareholders online ultimately reflects well on the store itself.

“If people look at you as an expert in an online channel, then maybe that’ll entice them to come into the store,” she says. “But selling product isn’t the main goal of the website. It’s there to help shareholders and be a news source for them.”

The Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting is April 30th.

Follow the weekend’s events at www.borsheimsbrk.com and at www.twitter.com/Atborsheimsbrk.

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STORY BY ANGELIKA STOUT

PHOTO BY MINORWHITESTUDIOS.COM

Bill & Barb Van Trump How WE Roll

The Van Trumps, both avid riders since their youth, spend quality time together on the road seeking new adventure.

T

he Van Trumps have a real passion for riding motorcycles. As you drive through Omaha, you might see Barb Van Trump cruising around on her fully restored 1959 Cushman Eagle, or husband Bill on his 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster. Of course, if the couple is taking a road trip, they have bikes for that,

8 B2B Omaha Spring 2011

• • • • • • 14124 Industrial Road Omaha, NE 68144-3332 too. Barb’s road bike is a 2008 Harley-Davidson Softtail Deluxe and Bill’s is a 2003 100th Anniversary Edition Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra, with a big bore kit (to increase torque and engine output).

Both Bill and Barb have enjoyed motorcycles since they were children; a mutual interest they discovered when they started dating. “One of our first dates was a ride up into the Idaho mountains to a rodeo on Bill’s Triumph,” Barb recalls. After marrying and having children, Bill and Barb significantly reduced their riding time, but their passion for motorcycles was rekindled after their youngest started high school. Bill reminisces, “Barb bought me a Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster for Christmas. That led to Barb getting an 883 Sportster the next summer.”

The Van Trumps have traveled across America far and wide on their motorcycles.

“We have ridden Hwy. 1 [a.k.a. Pacific Coast Highway] from Portland to Los Angeles, the Colorado mountains, northern Wyoming through Yellowstone, the gulf coast to New Orleans, the Smokey Mountains [including the famous ‘Tail of the Dragon’], and the Great Lakes over the past few years.” The couple attended “Bike Week” at Daytona in 2008, afterwards riding south to Key West, and even venture up to Sturgis every two or three years.

Bill and Barb have managed to translate their enthusiasm for motorcycles into a way to give back to the community by riding in poker runs, organized riding events that benefit various charities. The participants must visit various checkpoints and collect “cards” to assemble the best poker hand.

What’s next on the travel schedule? Bill and Barb say they’re planning a ride to Alaska (and possibly the Arctic Circle) with some friends for next year. And more poker runs are definitely in their future. Their road adventures continue….

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Playhouse Revival

After a stormy couple of years, Omaha Community Playhouse stages a strong comeback

(L-R) Set Designer Jim Othuse, Artistic Director Carl Beck, trustee David Kirkwood and Executive Director Tim Schmad of the Omaha Community Playhouse.

K

nown for its nationally recognized theatrical productions, the Omaha Community Playhouse (OCP) can also add savvy business practices to its playbill. It produces high-caliber stage productions, markets its goods to an expanding audience, and offers them at a reasonable price point.

Those practices are vital, considering that even in stable economic times, keeping a non-profit arts organization “above water” is a challenge. Downturns in the economy magnify this challenge.

But the Playhouse Board of Directors and staff have grappled with fiscal challenges standard to arts organizations — even dealt with internal turmoil regarding finances — to emerge stronger and more creative for it.

Omaha Community Playhouse Board of Trustees Chairman David Kirkwood does not see much difference between heading a non-profit arts organization and a for-profit enterprise. Each business focuses on the quality of its product with finite funds and resources.

“At OCP, our ultimate mission is to produce great theater. We cannot fulfill that mission without generating revenue and diligently minding expenses. A for-profit entity’s ultimate goal is to make a profit, which it cannot do without focusing on a quality product,” he explains. In other words, have a solid business plan or you won’t 10 B2B Omaha Spring 2011

be in business for long.

Tim Schmad, executive director at Omaha Community Playhouse, says that when the economy soured, Playhouse staff abandoned the “business as usual” stance and got creative with its resources. Playhouse personnel reduced expenses without sacrificing quality productions and sought additional revenue with “special discounts and promotions to increase interest in [OCP] shows.”

One way it achieved this was by capitalizing on the far-reaching effects of social media in combination with tradition marketing campaigns.

Nationwide, subscriptions to arts seasons — so-called guaranteed revenue — are down, Schmad says. Playhouse staff has had to work harder to market individual productions to compensate. They’ve succeeded; individual show ticket sales have increased, offsetting the decline in subscription revenue.

Seventy-five percent of the Omaha Community Playhouse’s revenue is generated from earnings; only 25 percent comes from contributions. “Consequently, marketing and sales are a key focus for the organization,” states Kirkwood.

He illustrates what promotions OCP offers to boost ticket sales and increase exposure: “We have taken steps to make our product

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more available to the public by offering special discounts such as $7 tickets on the first Sunday evening of a main stage show, discounts targeted toward educators, college students and young professionals, and creating special deals on holidays so more people have the opportunity to enjoy a Playhouse production,” Kirkwood states.

In his years as the Omaha Community Playhouse’s artistic director Carl Beck has witnessed a myriad of challenges endemic to the theatre arts. Success, he says, hinges on “remaining artistically viable and competing for entertainment dollars.” Additionally, Beck acknowledges the need to strike a balance in guests: “We also are mindful of maintaining our audience base that has made the Playhouse successful for so many years as we also attempt to challenge new and younger audiences with contemporary works. It’s a constant juggle that requires constant rethinking and reinvention from our staff.”

That being said, show sponsorships are the “strongest that they have ever been,” Kirkwood says. “The ongoing OCP endowment campaign has raised a significant amount of dollars to preserve our tradition and help secure the future.”

A souring economy was also responsible, in part, for the very public fallout among OCP personnel a few years back. Says Kirkwood: “In an effort to react to very real economic challenges, we sought to improve effectiveness and efficiency of OCP leadership. While those differing views initially led to conflict, we rediscovered our collective love for the Omaha Community Playhouse. In the end, we re-opened lines of communication and came through stronger, leading to the success we have had over the past few years.”

Like the seasoned artist who has dazzled audiences for decades, the Omaha Community Playhouse has enjoyed a long, colorful history and looks forward to an even more vibrant future because of the people in whose care it is entrusted.

Kirkwood sums it up best when he says, “The word ‘Community’ in our name does not describe what we are, but who we are.

The Omaha Community Playhouse belongs to our community.”

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feature

Story by Tessa Wedberg

•

Photos by minorwhitestudios.com

Just Desserts

Patrons rally to support Jones Bros. Cupcakes after reality show appearance When international icon Fabio got the call to co-judge the Food Network show “Cupcake Wars,” he misheard and thought he would be appearing on Crab Cake Wars.

“He was very nice but you could tell he didn’t eat sweets. He used one tine on his fork to sample the frosting then the cake,” said Bill Jones, co-owner and head baker at Jones Bros. Cupcakes at Aksarben Village.

12 B2B Omaha Spring 2011

Jones and his lead baker, Marianne Martin, competed against three other bakeries for an arduous 16 hours in October. With a perfect blend of charm, humility and inimitable ideas, Jones and Martin made it to the finals assembling a stunning display of 1,000 delicately crafted cupcakes. The show aired on February 8 and Jones Bros. may not have won the grand prize but the reaction has been astounding. Countless customers feel Jones was “robbed” and there was a line a half block long outside the store lasting eight hours that clearly displayed the community support.

“It’s been great. I think we represented ourselves well on the show and people have responded. People relate to us because we are just like them, a family that grew up in the Midwest with Midwest values. That doesn’t matter to everyone, but it matters to

get

me. I can’t tell you how many people have stopped in and have been so encouraging,” says Jones.

Jones had a successful radio career in Minnesota for 17 years before baking became his passion. With no formal culinary training, he began cooking because of “a love of eating.” Jones grew up in Omaha and always wanted to move back and start a family business. After collaborating on the concept with his brother, Brad, for years, they opened Jones Bros. on May 1, 2010.

Patrons will often see Jones’ mother, Elizabeth, serving food in the restaurant while his father, Jerry, is busy bussing tables. Brad flies into Omaha from New York City every weekend to work at the restaurant. It is truly a family affair. “It’s the moments that I see the concept working and all of the family together . . . those are my favorites,” says Jones.

Clearly a family with a benevolent heart, Jones Bros. donates cupcakes left at the end of the day to the Siena/Francis House and proceeds on all red velvet cupcakes in March will go to the American Red Cross.

The cupcakes may be the glittering jewelry in the case but there is also a slough of other delectable desserts, coffee drinks and a full café menu, including soups, salads and sandwiches all made from scratch each day. Jones admires restaurateur Thomas Keller’s model. “Everything he has looks exceptional and it tastes better than it looks. That’s what we’re trying to achieve,” says Jones.

An exciting array of beer and wine options are also available to compliment a confection or meal, and the dynamic space is not the aesthetic of your average mom and pop shop. “We really wanted to have an upscale atmosphere. Not just four walls and a door. People can come get a business lunch, or bring a date for cupcakes and feel like it’s a nice place to be,” he says.

No matter if someone comes in to order a wedding cake, grab a coffee or sate their sweet tooth, Jones says they all have something in common. “99.9 percent of the time when people walk in our door, they’re smiling.”

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Spring 2011 B2B Omaha 13

cover story

Story by Corey Ross

•

Photo by minorwhitestudios.com

Storm Chasers owner Alan Stein surveys the building of Werner Park.

A Brewing ‘Storm’ Early returns show Alan Stein’s decision to relocate and rename Omaha’s minor league baseball franchise is paying off

It was a day more conducive for throwing snowballs than baseballs when the Omaha Storm Chasers held the open house for their new Sarpy County ballpark in January.

A snow storm and single-digit temperatures caused Storm Chasers owner Alan Stein to temper his projection for turnout for the day. And then something surprising happened when the gates to Werner Park opened.

“We were hoping for a thousand people, but then we saw the forecast and thought we’d be lucky to get a few hundred,” he says.

14 B2B Omaha Spring 2011

“We thought 1,500 people would be a spectacular success.”

That said, you can imagine Stein’s elation when the open house attendance hit 5,000, around 1,500 shy of what would fill the seats on a game night in the new park.

The strong fan reception came on the heels of the Storm Chasers ranking second in minor league baseball merchandise sold in Nov./Dec. after renaming the team from the Omaha Royals in November.

“We’re getting a lot of mail-in orders from all over. We’re pretty pleased,” Stein says, noting his team no longer has to split royalties with the Kansas City Royals.

The early returns show Stein’s decision to relocate from

Werner Park Highlights • 6,512 fixed seats, total capacity of 9,023 with berm, picnic area and SRO seating • 15 Suites (14 conditioned suites, 1 dugout suite) • Private Club (for club seat & suite holders) • 5 main Concession stands, 11 Portables • 5 Picnic areas • Family Fun Zone • Scoreboard Bar • Home Run Porch

Photo provided by Omaha Storm Chasers

• Wiffle Ball Field

downtown and rename a baseball franchise that has been in Omaha since 1969 is paying off. More will be known when the Chasers’ season opens on April 15 and the fans can see the full realization of Stein’s vision for a family friendly, intimate minor league baseball experience.

So far, Stein says the consensus response from fans has largely been this: “I had no idea this is what you were talking about.”

A carousel, a Rosenblatt Stadium-replica wiffle ball field, a basketball court and ample outfield berm seating — all part of the stadium plans — are some of what is prompting that reply. Those kid-friendly amenities are all part of Stein’s grand plan for a stadium conducive to families, fun and entertainment.

“It’s going to be a unique environment, for sure,” he says.

“You won’t see a lot of the things we have in other minor league ballparks.”

Having traveled to 115 minor-league ballparks in his lifetime, Stein should know.

“I’ve always been a minor-league baseball junkie.”

Growing up in Lexington, Ky., Stein’s fervor for baseball stemmed from following major league baseball’s Cincinnati Reds. To this day, he carries a baseball card of former Reds star Frank Robinson that he bought as a kid for $10 in his wallet.

• Basketball Court • Berm seating for up to 2,000 in left and right field • Family Fun Zone with carousel • Downdraught (scoreboard bar)

“I don’t go anywhere without it,” Stein says, proudly showing the tattered and worn card. “I ran into him at the winter baseball meetings once and, of course, didn’t think to ask him to sign it.”

While the Reds became Stein’s team, some of his fondest fan memories of his youth were born from watching the local Louisville Colonels, a triple-A team.

“My grandfather would take me to 10 or 12 Louisville Colonel games a year,” Stein says. “I saw guys like Bob Uecker before they made the big leagues.”

Stein’s affinity for minor league baseball grew from fandom into ownership in 1998 after he sold a group of radio stations he owned and decided to take the plunge by bringing an expansion franchise to Lexington.

A relationship with former Royals owner Matt Minker allowed Stein and his group, led by principal owner Bill Shea, to buy into the Royals in 2005. After years of trying to make a go of it in Rosenblatt Stadium, the Royals came to a crossroads when the city committed to building a new downtown ballpark for the College World Series.

Rather than keep the franchise downtown, Stein took his vision for minor-league baseball to Sarpy County and got to work designing a stadium that enhanced the fan experience. continued on next page Spring 2011 B2B Omaha 15

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“We wanted to build a non-traditional facility, something that was fan-friendly and spoke to all the reasons that minor league baseball couldn’t be successful in a gigantic stadium,” he says.

Stan Meradith, the architect from DLR Group who worked on the stadium, believes Stein has done exactly that.

“It’s the right-sized venue to really create ticket demand for them,” he says. “And it takes the experience of being family friendly to the next level, like a lot of minor league parks have done. It’s going to be a great place for fans of all ages.”

Meradith has worked on numerous major- and minor-league stadium projects and rates the 59-year-old Stein highly as an innovator and forward thinker.

“Alan is up there with the best of them, and I’ve had the good fortune to work with a lot baseball owners, including George Steinbrenner,” he says. “Alan is an entrepreneur, but what I appreciate is that he really is a baseball fan.

You couldn’t do what he’s done, as far as catering to the fan experience, if you didn’t have a passion for baseball.”

Now it’s time to find out profitable Stein’s vision will be.

Beyond the open house turnout and merchandise sales, Stein has two other measures of the Chasers’ early success: the franchise has already doubled its season ticket base and sold its naming rights and premier partnerships.

He has set an attendance goal of between 350,000 and 400,000 for the inaugural season. (It was 406,276 the final year at Rosenblatt.)

Another measure of the stadium’s success, Stein says, is how well it draws group sales and special events.

“To me, that’s the mother’s milk of business. That’s the difference between being successful and being extremely successful.”

But baseball is the stadium’s foremost function, and Stein is looking forward to taking his stadium seat and seeing a bevy of activity on the baseball field, in the stands and beyond.

“A successful night for me will be to look out from my seat and see the carousel going, kids on the wiffle ball field and other kids on basketball court — all sorts of things that have very little to do with baseball,” he says.

“That will be a success.”

time out The

stresses of running a business in this economy make it important to take “Time Out.” Time to decompress, time to take a step back. Taking time out to recharge is crucial to staying sharp. How and where is up to you!

In the Omaha metro, executives can find many creative outlets for relaxation and pent-up energy. The following pages offer a few ideas.

Scotch. Now dictionary.com has a definition for those who are less educated in the drink. “–n 1. Also called Scotch whisky, whisky distilled from fermented malted barley and made in Scotland.”

Now if you are the scotch drinker, I hope you know Omaha houses the largest collection of scotch in the United States at the Dundee Dell.

With “753 malts and counting,” the Dell boasts having “the most single malts in the USA!” It is the perfect spot for your happy hour after work.

What most don’t know about the Dell is the secret room — through the kitchen, around the corner and up the stairs — affectionately referred to as The Sky Room. It is perfect for small parties, so make a reservation for a fun tasting event, and you’ll soon forget all those work stresses...even if you’re with co-workers.

Photos: Christian Behr, Story: John Gawley Models: left, Kessy (Wayne, NE) & right, Ellen (Sioux City, NE) Locations: Dundee Dell, Preventative Medical Clinic of Kohll’s, Sempecks Family Entertainment Center

Spring 2011 B2B Omaha 17

Massage Therapy. “–n 1. the act or art of treating the body by rubbing, kneading, patting, or the like, to stimulate circulation, increase suppleness, relieve tension, etc.” This is true physical therapy, and, just like going to see a PT, you will be sore after a good deep-tissue massage. And there are services that can come to your office and give all your employees a good 10-15 minute head/neck/ shoulder massage that will leave everyone in a better mood.

Model: KJ (Omaha, NE) Location: Preventative Medical Clinic of Kohll’s 18 B2B Omaha Spring 2011

Kart. “—n 1. also called: go-kart, a light low-framed vehicle with small wheels and engine used for recreational racing.” If you think this is just for the kids, you’re wrong. From electric karting to gaspowered, you can hit speeds up to 45 mph, this is no joke. Its a fun competitive sport, and if you think having a lead foot will help you here, you’re probably wrong. Note: do this before your massage.

Model: Shaela (Omaha, NE) Location: Sempecks Family Entertainment Center Spring 2011 B2B Omaha 19

Businesses Are Buying Smarter The All Makes team is trained to help you make design and furniture purchases that fit your office atmosphere, your work style and your budget. Visit All Makes’ 165,000 sq. ft. showroom to see the latest in new office furniture, pre-owned office furniture and business machines.

Thank you for voting us #1 for 6 consecutive years!

Mention this ad and receive Free space planning and design. www.allmakes.com • Omaha: 2558 Farnam St. | 402.341.2413 • Lincoln: 3333 O St. | 402.477.7131

20 B2B Omaha Spring 2011

The 2011 Results are Here!

It’s time for the highly anticipated Best of B2B Omaha Winners List! Now in its sixth year, the list is organized into categories, so if you’re looking for a specific product or service, you can easily find the best! These businesses have the coveted vote of confidence from B2B Omaha readers.

The results were tabulated from ballots sent in from the Winter issue of B2B Omaha. Ballots had to be original, not photocopies, and more than half the ballot had to be filled out.

If you see some of the businesses you patronize, be sure and congratulate them. They will greatly appreciate it! “This year, we received more votes than ever. The businesses who won in this year’s Best of B2B Omaha contest should feel very proud of their accomplishment,” said Todd Lemke, publisher of B2B Omaha magazine.

Thank you Omaha businesses for voting us one of the best banks in Omaha.

Best of B2B Winner 6 Years in a Row

Serving the Omaha metropolitan area for over 45 years with consumer, business, wealth management and mortgage products to help families and businesses grow.

Call today!

Spring 2011 B2B Omaha 21

66 Years of Business in Omaha!

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Accounting Office

Orizon Group, CPA Bland & Associates, CPA

Advertising Agency

Clark Creative Group Anderson Partners

Architectural Firm Leo A. Daly

Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture

Employee Benefit Co. Garvey & Associates Encore Benefits

Employment Agency

C & A Industries, Inc. Hemphill Staffing Solutions

4315 South 50th Street • 402.733.5500

Engineering Firm HDR Engineering DLR Group

StudioS now open at the MaStercraft, coMe by and viSit April 30th and May 1st, 2011

OpeN HOuSe: Saturday, Noon to 8pm, Sunday, Noon to 5pm

Financial Planning Firm Feltz WealthPLAN

Nabity Business Advisors

Insurance Agency

Grace/Mayer Insurance Marcotte Insurance

Law Firm

Baird Holm Law Firm Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman, LLP

Public Relations Firm 1111 n. 13th St. juSt north of the hot ShopS

Our biggest events of the year, Hot Shops’ biannual open house fits everyone’s taste. The event features fun and informative art demonstrations and live music, with residents of the Hot Shops opening their studios to the public. All of the galleries host events, and the buildings wall are filled with art in a wide variety of mediums.

1301 nicholaS Street 22 B2B Omaha Spring 2011

www.hotShopSartcenter.coM

Zaiss & Company

Vic Gutman & Associates 402-345-5401 www.vgagroup.com

Social Media Consultant Dusty Davidson Jamie Crager

Thanks for Voting us Your #1 Locksmith!

To see what else we are up to, check us out at:

www.carljarlgroup.com

Spring 2011 B2B Omaha 23

BRINGING

SUPPLY CHAIN VALUE TO YOUR ORGANIZATION

BUILDING SERVICES Asphalt Company

Omni Engineering US Asphalt

Awning/Canopy Company Atlas Awning

Jorgensen Awnings

Building Contractor

Darland Construction Dicon Corporation

Burglar Alarms & Security

ORDER

SEi Security Equipment ADT Security

Carpet & Rug Cleaning Sparkling Klean

MANAGE

PRINT

The Office Cleaners

Electrical Service Miller Electric

Brase Electrical Contracting

SHIP ...RIGHT FROM YOUR DESKTOP! PrintLink makes it easy! Call us today and find out how our total print management tool can streamline your workflow and save you money.

Fence Company S&W Fence

American Fence

Fire Prevention Company

Continental Fire & Sprinkler Barone Security Systems

Garbage Collection Abe’s Trash Service 402-571-4926 www.abestrash.com

Deffenbaugh Industries

General Contractor 13308 Chandler Road Omaha, NE 68138 Toll-Free 1-800-913-9015 402-896-9400 FAX 402-896-9308 www.formsguys.com 24 B2B Omaha Spring 2011

Kiewit Corporation

Hawkins Construction

Glass/Window/Door Company Builders Supply Millard Lumber

Thanks for Voting us Best Picture Framing Company!

168th & Harrison • 402-502-6419 • fastframeomaha.com

Feltz WealthPLAN Thank You B2B Magazine Readers for once again Voting us Your #1 Financial Planning Firm!

ContaCt us today for a free, no obligation Consultation!

101 s 108th avenue, 2nd floor • omaha, ne 68154 • www.feltzWP.com • 402.691.0200 Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC and a Registered Investment Advisor.

Spring 2011 B2B Omaha 25

Heating/ AC Service Controlled Comfort

Fred’s Heating & Air

Janitorial Service FBG Services

XL Building Services

Landscape/Lawn Contractor Lanoha Nurseries Mulhall’s

VOTED BEST IN OMAHA SIX YEARS IN A ROW

Locksmith

Carl Jarl Locksmiths Accurate Locksmiths

Moving Company OFI

T&M Services

Office Furniture

Value is Priceless

All Makes Office Equipment Co. 402-341-2413 www.allmakes.com millerelect.com • 402.341.6479

Sheppard’s Business Interiors

Painting Contractor Frank McGill Inc. Traco Inc.

Pest Control Company

Blue Jay Termite & Pest Control Pest Solutions 365

Picture Framing

Malibu Gallery 402-391-4628 www.malibugalleries.com Voted Omaha’s Best Advertising Agency.

Yet another proven result of our advertising.

From our business to yours, thank you.

FastFrame 402-502-6419 www.fastframeomaha.com 402-493-3893 www.fastframe.com

Plumbing Company

Carmody Plumbing Grundwald Mechanical Contractors

ideas. action. results.

402.345.5800 | 514 S. 13th Street Omaha, NE 68102 | clarkcreativegroup.com

26 B2B Omaha Spring 2011

VGA strengthens communities by producing exceptional public events with a commitment to creativity, diversity and collaboration and by supporting community organizations with expertise in fundraising, communication and planning.

Event Management Fundraising Marketing

www.vgagroup.com 402-345-5401

Graphic Design Planning

Voted Best Caterer in Omaha!

“I want to thank the Omaha Business Community for selecting my company, Brandeis Catering, as the best caterer in the Metro Area for five years in a row. We appreciate your support and will continue to work to make you proud.” Joe Thallas - Owner/General Manager

TipTop Downtown Ballroom

Livestock Exchange Ballroom

2440 S OUTH 141 ST C IRCLE

•

Thompson Center at UNO

(402) 334-5446

•

Georgetowne Club

www.brandeiscatering.com Spring 2011 B2B Omaha 27

Property Management The Lund Company 402-393-8811 www.lundco.com

Byron Reed Co. 402-342-8100 www.byronreedcompany.com

Real Estate- Commercial Grubb & Ellis

CB Richard Ellis

Roofing Company

Ciaccio Roofing 402-293-8707 www.ciaccioroofing.com Premier Roofing Co.

Security Equipment/Systems SEi Security Equipment ADT Security Services

Security Guard Service

American Security Services Brinks Security

Sign Company

Best Buy Signs

Public Relations Works If it’s not for your business, you may be missing a vital connection.

At Zaiss & Company our customer-based communications plans include effective, business-moving PR strategies that deliver marketplace results.

For PR strategies that integrate with your total plan and connect to real, bottom-line benefits, partner with us.

You’ll be in good company.

Omaha Neon Sign Co.

Snow Removal Service

Clear Creek Commercial Snow Removal Jay Moore Landscaping

Towing Company Neff Towing 402-733-5500

Affordable Towing

Vending Machines Apple Vending

Dependable Vending

Window Cleaning

Fish Window Cleaning All Clear Windows & Services 402-504-4322 www.AllClearAllYear.com

Customer-Based Planning and Communications

402-964-9293 11626 Nicholas Street Best PR Agency 4 Years in a Row!

28 14722_Zaiss_B2B B2B Omaha Spring 2011 1 ad.indd

zaissco.com

3/4/11 9:17 AM

Thanks for Voting S&W Fence the Best in 2011!

FINANCIAL SERVICES Bank

First National Bank of Omaha Security National Bank

We’re Not Just About Fences.

15803 Pacific St. • Omaha, NE • 402-333-5722

www.sw-fence.com

Credit Card Merchant Processing TSYS Merchant Solutions (formerly First National Merchant Solutions) American Payment Systems

Payroll Service

Thank You for voting us “Best Financial Planning Firm.”

NABITY

BUSINESS ADVISORS

Growing, Protecting, and Transitioning Your Business

We specialize in Family Business Consulting 9850 Nicholas St, Omaha, NE • 402-391-0222 www.nabity.com

Payroll Maxx Paychex

FOOD SERVICES Banquet Facility

Scoular Building Ballroom 402-449-1424 www.scoularballroom.com Georgetowne Club

Caterer

Residential • Commercial • Recycling Sales • Service • Rentals

Abe’s Trash Service, Inc. “Serving Omaha For Over 50 Years” COmmeRCial

Wheatfields Eatery & Bakery Jimmy’s Egg

Restaurant-Business Lunch Spezia

ReSidential

Restaurant-Business Dinner

• StatiOnaRY & SelF-COntained COmpaC tORS • C aRdBOaRd COmpaC tORS • ReC YClinG SeRviCe • we peRFORm all maintenanCe On OuR COmpaC tORS

COnStRuC tiOn & demOlitiOn •C&d landFill • C&d ReC YClinG • GReen Build SeRviCeS

locally Owned and Operated

402-571-4926

8123 Christensen lane • Omaha 68122 • www.abestrash.com 30 B2B Omaha Spring 2011

Restaurant-Business Breakfast

Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano

COmpaC tORS

• 12, 20, 30, & 40 YaRd SizeS • metal Open tOp ROll-OFF dumpSteRS • One-time uSe OR On a lOnG teRm BaSiS • COnStRuCdtiOn pROjeC tS, SpRinG CleaninG, neiGhBORhOOd CleanupS

Hap Abraham Catering

• BOth FROnt FOad & ReaR lOad St YleS • SizeS FROm 2 - 8 CuBiC YaRdS

• dependaBle weeklY ReSidential tRaSh SeRviCe • 90 GallOn tRaSh C aRtS availaBle • ReC YClinG and YaRd waSte SeRviCeS availaBle

ROll-OFF COntaineRS

Brandeis Catering

Mahogany Prime Steakhouse 402-445-4380 www.mahoganyprime.com 801 Chophouse 402-341-1222 www.801chophouse.com

TRAVEL & EVENT PLANNING Airline

Southwest Airlines United Airlines

We oWe a big, tall thank you.

First National Bank is very grateful to the readers of B2B Quarterly for naming us “Best Bank” for five years in a row. You make us proud to call Omaha our home for more than 150 years.

402.346.FNBO | firstnational.com | Member FDIC

c_FY11_B2B_BigTallThankYou_Tower_7.625x4.917.indd 1

HDR/ Populous™

Building Community Scott Dobry Pictures

Photo courtesy of artist Matthew Placzek - “Imagine” © 2010 Thomas Grady photography

Ad Caption “We owe you a big, tall thank you.”

Job # FNCM7058 FY11 Miscel. -- 2011 Best of B2B Client: First National Bank Publication: Omaha Magazine Insertion date: Size: 1/2 page (7.625” x 4.917”) Ink: 4 color Date: 03.03.11 Prepared by: Bozell/Omaha

3/4/11 10:33:55 AM

#1 again! Proud to be Omaha’s partner in building a great city.

Engineering | Architecture | Consulting

www.hdrinc.com

35786 B2B_BestOmaha2011Ad_7.625x4.917.indd 1

Spring 2011 B2B Omaha 31 3/3/2011 9:25:54 AM

Audio-Visual Service

Pratt Audio-Visual & Video AVI Systems

VOTED OMAHA’S BEST ROOFING COMPANY 5 YEARS IN A ROW!

Business Conference Venue Courier & Delivery Midlands Messenger has been specializing in on-call, time sensitive deliveries since 1990, serving the Omaha and Lincoln areas. With four daily routes between Omaha and Lincoln, and on-call drivers, our service is second to none.

Our services cover a wide range of deliveries. Scheduled daily deliveries are also available upon request (mail runs, legal documents, pay roll, daily stock orders, office supplies, branch to branch mail & supplies).

Scott Conference Center 402-778-6313 www.scott-center.com

Peter Kiewit Conference Center

Florist

Taylor’s Flower Shop & Greenhouse 402-733-2322 www.taylorsflowers24hours.com Stems at Countryside Village

Golf Course

Champions Run Omaha Country Club

An authorized Duro-Last Contractor.

Thanks for voting us B2B Omaha Magazine’s ‘Best of B2B’ 2011!

Call for Pickup: 402-537-1943

Hotel

Hilton Omaha 402-998-3400 www.omaha.hilton.com DoubleTree

Limousine Service

The Scoular Building Ballroom Experience the sophisticated elegance of The Scouler Building Ballroom and make your once-in-a-lifetime wedding dreams come true.

VIP Limousine

Extreme Limousine

Live Entertainment

Michael Walker, Vintage Vocalist Bryan Hill Entertainment

Event Planning Service planit omaha 402-333-3062 www.planitomaha.com Fundways

Thank You For Voting Us Best of B2B!

Rental Service Store

AAA Rents & Event Services Honeyman Rent-All

Travel Agency

Travel & Transport 402-399-4500 www.tandt.com

The Scoular Building Ballroom 2027 Dodge Street • Omaha, NE 68102 402.449.1424 www.scoularballroom.com

32 B2B Omaha Spring 2011

Pegasus Travel

Thanks for Voting us B2B Omaha Magazine’s Best of B2B 5 years in a row!

Running out of ideas?

Offset | Digital Variable Data 13665 California Street Omaha, Nebraska 402-445-4380

Cross-Media Mailing | Fulfillment Just to name a few.

1.800.369.0033

www.omahaprint.com

Private party rooms from 6 to 40 people available.

Spring 2011 B2B Omaha 33

BUSINESS SERVICES Advertising Specialties

Bergman Incentives 402-661-7900 www.bergmanincentives.com

David Radler Studio Thanks our

Ideal Images 402-596-1002 www.ideal-images.com

Auto Repair Service

business

Walker Tire & Auto Service

partners

Firestone Complete Auto Care

for voting us #1!

Background & Drug Screening Service

One Source Testing Solutions Drug Test Services 402-813-5720 www.drugtestservices.net

www.davidradler.com 402-342-6230

Business Appraiser/Broker Sunbelt Business Brokers Corporate Ventures

Business Forms & Systems Performance Group 402-896-9400 www.formsguys.com Donis Corporation

Business Phone Systems

inTouch Communications Windstream Communications

Cellular Service Verizon Wireless Sprint

Computer Service

OurTech Solutions Integrated Solutions

Copier & Supplies Company Better Business Equipment SolutionOne 402.399.4500 Headquarters: 72nd & Mercy www.tandt.com Look for us on Facebook and Twitter.

34 B2B Omaha Spring 2011

Corporate Jet Service NetJets

Jet Linx Aviation

Create the Perfect Look for Your Home or Office You’ll love our high quality materials, original designs and FAST turnaround.

Thank you Omaha Business Community for your votes of confidence.

Residential and Commercial Framing Experts Call us for design consultations

Unaffiliated location at 168th and Harrison

(Thank You Omaha!)

Call us today and experience the distinctive differences our clients enjoy. 397.8822

Spring 2011 B2B Omaha 35

Thank You From All of us at Malibu!

Thanks for VoTing us #1 for The 5Th Time!

301 North 78th St.

One Block N of Dodge

402.391.4628

MALIBU G

A

L

L

E

R

Y

17010 Wright Plz.

The Shops of Legacy

402.334.0920

Mention this ad to receive a FREE setup on your next order

Well-organized events planned here daily.

Whether your event is large or small, at Doubletree®, we have the services, facilities and experience to make it a huge success. Your meeting participants will appreciate our comfortable, well-equipped meeting rooms; you’ll enjoy the support of our experienced and attentive team members who are dedicated to making your event flawless. And if you’d like to take all the work out of planning your next event, our well-trained Catering Team can handle all the details for you. When you have an event at Doubletree, you and your participants can enjoy our comfortable surroundings, caring staff and a warm cookie at check-in.

1616 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE 68102 (402) 346-7600 www.omahadowntown.doubletree.com Hilton HHonors® membership, earning of Points & Miles®, and redemption of points are subject to HHonors Terms and Conditions. ©2010 Hilton Worldwide

36 B2B Omaha Spring 2011

Property Management is not a sideline business...

It is our business!

Delivery Service

Midlands Messenger Service Sprint Delivery

Offering management services for large and small apartment communities, commercial buildings, associations, REO assignments and receivership appointments.

Internet Provider

Relax... it’s a Byron Reed Property!

Qwest

Cox Business

Mailing List InfoUSA

The List Company 402-342-8100 • info@byronreedcompany.com • www.byronreedcompany.com

Mailing Service Omaha Mail

Burke’s Direct Mail & Fulfillment Services 402-455-1200 www.burkeservices.com

Office Records Storage & Destruction Commercial Construction Green Environments Disaster Recovery Industrial Medical Education

Shred-it

We appreciate your Best of B2B Vote!

2606 S. 156th Circle • Omaha, NE 68130 • (402) 399-9233 www.sparklingklean.com

Retrivex (fromerly Benson Records Management & Shredding Service)

Office Supplies

Pay-Less Office Products 402-891-6210 www.paylessoffice.com Office Max

Commercial Photographer David Radler Photography 402-342-6230 www.davidradler.com MJB Photography

Printer

Omaha Print 402-734-4400 www.omahaprint.com Printco Graphics

Uniform Supply

Alamar Uniforms Pioneer Uniforms

Water - Bottled Ideal Pure Water

Deep Rock Water

Website Developer Rebel Interactive Orajen Group 38 B2B Omaha Spring 2011

Meeting Your Needs

• Flexible space for 10 to 500 • Exceptional catering services

• Friendly, professional staff • Free on-site parking

Your Details... Our Specialty

Contact Kay Telford for a tour.

6450 Pine Street Omaha, NE 68106 www.scott-center.com (402) 778-6313

Thank You Omaha!

Best Florist “Taylor Made” for ALL your floral needs since 1950”

402-733-2322 12330 K Plaza, Ste. 113

www.taylorsflowers24hours.com Spring 2011 B2B Omaha 39

STORY BY WENDY TOWNLEY

PHOTOS BY MINORWHITESTUDIOS.COM

From Buzzsaws to Creative Buzz

Reborn Mastercraft serves creative community downtown

Mastercraft developer Bob Grinnell.

N

estled in North Downtown Omaha sits a sprawling facility that, in its beginning in 1941, manufactured furniture. The Katzman family, founders and owners of Mastercraft Furniture on North 13th Street, likely heard the buzz of saws and other industrial tools in those early years as the city of Omaha grew westward.

What the Katzman family may not have anticipated, some 70 years later, was a different type of buzz: one belonging to a cadre of creative professionals who have made the refurbished building a home base thriving with small business potential.

Today, the Mastercraft building, 1111 N. 13th St., is a 140,000-square-foot facility that houses small businesses such as What Cheer, a website design and development company; Secret Penguin, a youth branding and design agency; minorwhite studios, a collective of professional photographers; Birdhouse Collectibles; a retail storefront and interior design studio; and CAMP, a co-working space.

40 B2B Omaha Spring 2011

Above and right: A look inside Mastercraft tenant CAMP.

The U.S. Government assumed operations of Mastercraft in the 1940s to support World War II, but the furniture company promptly resumed manufacturing when the war ended. Mastercraft continued building furniture through the 1990s until, in 2003, the Katzman family sold its business to an Iowa furniture maker and, in 2005, put the building up for sale.

For two years, the Mastercraft sat empty. Bob Grinnell was the winning bidder in 2005, when the Katzman family sold the Mastercraft at auction. The facility was appealing to Grinnell, who owns the building next door for his full-time business, Surplus Sales of Nebraska. But Grinnell wasn’t certain at first what the new Mastercraft would become.

“Fix it up or tear it down? You walked into the building and were first struck by the colossal mess,” Grinnell explains. “We removed 39, 40-cubic-yard dumpsters of rubbish. That was indeed the ugliest feature.”

Grinnell spent the next few years completely renovating and repairing the Mastercraft. He hired an architect — Paul Nelson of Bahr Vermeer Haecker — who possessed “a clear vision on how to turn a 70-year-old ugly furniture factory into an eye-popping, deco-themed structure that would appeal to the creative business owners I hoped to attract,” he says.

“I love how things have taken off recently and that the building ended up appealing to creative business owners,” Nelson adds.

“The plan was designed to be flexible enough for people to adapt in their own space needs and personify their own creative space.

Every time I go there I’m totally entertained.”

It was not by accident that the Mastercraft’s tenants are as creative as they are diverse, Grinnell said.

“By far, the best decision I made was working a deal to build [What Cheer, the Mastercraft’s first tenant] a unique space in the hottest corner of the building,” Grinnell says. “John Henry Müller [of What Cheer] told me he was a creative and that likely, where there was one, more were sure to follow. He did not exaggerate.”

What Cheer’s move to the Mastercraft created a domino effect, with other young, creative groups following suit and renting space in the months that followed.

The creative energy and repurposing of the facility are what attracted Jessica McKay and her interior design business, Birdhouse Interior Design, and its retail shop, Birdhouse Collectible, to the Mastercraft last year.

“I’m a big fan of revitalization,” McKay says. “And the space was different than anything else I had seen around Omaha. The Mastercraft has a very unstuffy feel that I look for in a workspace.”

A stone’s throw from the Mastercraft of today sits the Hot Shops Arts Center; and further south, the Saddle Creek Records/Slowdown development, including Film Streams and Blue Line Coffee; and, perhaps the new crown jewel of North Downtown: TD Ameritrade Park.

Today the Mastercraft is an expanse of creative businesses. Its concrete floors polished to a shiny gloss, its walls many a bank of tall windows that allow sunlight to stream through. Visitors to the Mastercraft will likely see a graphic designer zoom down the hallway on a skateboard or scooter, or hear conversations and collaborations take place on cozy couches or comfy chairs, at all hours of the day and night.

The Mastercraft of today means business, alright, but its businesses are anything but ordinary.

Spring 2011 B2B Omaha 41

S TO R Y B Y S T E P H A N I E LY N A M

PHOTO BY MINORWHITESTUDIOS.COM

Fill ‘er Up, the Eco-Friendly Way Omaha will have its first public compressed natural gas filling stations this summer

Dave DeBoer, a M.U.D. Senior Utilization Engineer

This rendering of a CNG fueling station, provided by M.U.D., gives a preview of what Omaha’s stations will look like. Two stations are scheduled for completion in June.

F

or some eco- and economy-conscious Omahans, prepping for that warm weather road trip or the long workday ahead is about to change.

This summer, a number of drivers — and even a few transportation companies ­— will begin fueling up their vehicles with compressed natural gas (CNG), an alternative to gasoline, all in an effort to save money, contribute to a cleaner environment and decrease the need for foreign oil.

To promote the endeavor, M.U.D. will open two CNG fueling stations in June where anyone with a CNG-compatible vehicle can fill up, as a joint project between M.U.D. and Happy Cab. The stations will be located at the north gate of the M.U.D. facility at 64th and Center Sts., and at 54th and L Sts. near Happy Cab. Some states have public CNG fueling stations, but currently there are none in Nebraska and Iowa.

The M.U.D.-initiated project began about three years ago when rising fuel costs worried consumers, said Dave DeBoer, a M.U.D. Senior Utilization Engineer.

“We actually got several phone calls for us to consider using natural gas. We circled our wagons and said, ‘Why not?’” he said.

The primary advantage of CNG is its lower cost, selling at about $1.50 less per gallon than regular gasoline. Additionally, it is a clean-burning fuel that reduces vehicle emissions.

Each fueling station will cost $1.1 million, and project funding to M.U.D. includes a 10-year, 2.5 42 B2B Omaha Spring 2011

Story by All Makes Office Equipment

percent Dollar and Energy Saving loan for more than $2.2 million from the Nebraska Energy Office and its lending partner, First National Bank of Omaha, according to Mari Matulka, M.U.D.’s Director of Corporate Communications.

DeBoer has seen the use of CNG rise in fleet management such as in cab and trucking companies, and hopes it will popularize among the general public.

Mark and Lori Mitchell, owners of Happy Cab, joined in on the project about three years ago when M.U.D. officials encouraged local fueling station owners to offer CNG, calling it a great opportunity. The Mitchells will operate the Happy Cab fueling station, and are presently converting 50 taxi cabs to use CNG, Mark Mitchell said.

They purchased Happy Cab from the Butler family 10 years ago, and were inspired by company founder Ben Butler’s decision in the 1970s to use liquefied petroleum gas, a more economical fuel source, after fuel costs soared.

“It helped the company survive high fuel prices,” Mitchell said.

Conversion kits can be purchased for most vehicles, and CNG-compatible vehicles are available for purchase. About three years ago, O’Daniel Honda applied to become the exclusive CNG supplier for the local sales region and received exclusive rights from Honda Corporate to sell the Honda Civic GX, a natural gas car, in the Lincoln/Omaha area, said Janelle Schuttler, Marketing Manager at Omaha’s O’Daniel Honda.

The Honda Civic GX sells for $5,000 to $6,000 more than a regular Civic, but the cost can be offset or eliminated over the life of the vehicle through fuel savings and other incentives. They have sold five natural gas vehicles for personal sale and approximately 15 to M.U.D. for fleet sales, Schuttler said.

She believes that availability of public stations is the key.

“This will lower the cost of ownership for customers who are not interested in installing their own fill stations in their garages. As more stations become available and as gas prices continue to rise, you will see an increased interest in alternative fuel vehicles,” Schuttler said.

office furniture

How Do I Bring “Green” Into My Office?

In the current, ever-popular trend of “going green,” we have heard all about recycling, not using plastic bags, and turning off lights. But we often tend to only focus on the home, not the office.

• One office worker can use a quarter ton of materials in a year – including 100,000 pieces of paper.

• Heating, cooling, and powering office space are responsible for almost 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. and over 70 percent of the United State’s total electricity usage.

• Computers in the office burn $1 billion of electricity annually.

These are just some of the haunting statistics. Yet, you still might be asking yourself, “Is it really worth it to me, profitably, to turn my company green?” We understand your concerns. However, you may want to look at some recent survey results. These results determined that one-thrid of U.S. workers would prefer to work for a green company and more than half of U.S. employees wish their employers would be more environmentally friendly. That number is growing. Bringing green into your office will show your company’s social responsibility to the environment as well as help you rise above other competition.

Tips for “Greening” Your Office • Switch all light fixtures to T-8 fluorescent. They use 20 percent less energy, have better color, and less flicker.

• Install occupancy sensors in rooms so lights only turn on when rooms are occupied by people.

• Turn off computers at night and set them to “sleep mode” when you are away. If every U.S. computer was turned off at night, the U.S. could shut down eight power stations and avoid emitting 7 million tons of carbon monoxide yearly.

• If printing for research or editing purposes, print double-side copies to save trees and profits.

• Create hard copies of documents only when necessary. Surveys report that offices use nearly 1.5 lbs. of paper – per person – per day.

• Buy products in bulk. It minimizes packaging and is ultimately less expensive for you in the long run.

• Try an automatic setback thermostat that conserves heating and cooling when it’s not in use. Heating, cooling, and ventilation make up 39 percent of energy use in an office. * Portland Development Guide Spring 2011 B2B Omaha 43

THE KNOW-IT-ALL LIKES THE SMELL OF PROFITS IN THE MORNING

I’m From the Government, and I’m Here to Help

L

ife offers certain risks. Risk can be denied, ignored or managed, but no matter what, risk can’t be avoided. The Nanny State continues to expand its reach into each of our daily lives in an effort to make our lives safer. It seems that there is no injury suffered by individuals, or small groups, that can’t be resolved by imposing new regulations on everyone. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) itemizes all of the regulations coming from the federal government. In 2007, there were 145,816 pages.

Now, that is just the federal regulatory burden. I defy any small business to keep up with the flood of new regulations, changed regulations, and state or local regulations, and keep their businesses functioning.

So, I ask you: Is it the place of government to protect us from every conceivable harm?

Every regulation has been contemplated with the best of intentions by modern-day Mandarins, extending a seemingly maternal instinct to protect us from all risk. The cost of administrating, implementing and enforcing these regulations requires legions of government workers. What are the real costs of this effort to place every American in a sanitary, safe and comfortable bubble? Just ask a small business owner.

Certainly, many people feel that these added regulations are worth whatever the cost.

44 B2B Omaha Spring 2011

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Why have so many manufacturing jobs left the U.S.A.?

Americans are among the most productive and efficient workers on the planet. Since the 1970s we have cut in half our energy use per unit of production. How many manufacturing and industrial jobs has America sent to other countries where workplace regulation is far less? Yes, these job losses are blamed on lower wages, but when you consider productivity and efficiency, was there really that much of a wage difference there?

In every group there are a small percentage of bad actors. People who will act without care for the consequences inflicted on third parties. Government regulation, federal, state and local, is the burden imposed on every business, in the effort to protect us from the few. The exchange of a portion of our liberty for the protection regulation offers. The question I ask is: What is the proper balance between liberty, regulation, and responsibility? In other words, how much of our personal responsibility should we expect government to take over?

I don’t know what the proper balance between liberty and regulation is. That isn’t the point of this article. What I want is a public discussion of the issue. What is the proper place for government in protecting us from harm?

Let’s look at this question from another perspective: Can government protect us from harm without assuming large portions of our personal liberty? What happens when the well-meaning governmental regulations are used in a malicious manner? In an age where so many people fear corporations more than government, I suspect this question isn’t even considered. Can Wal-Mart put you in jail?

No. Can McDonalds confiscate your business or home? No. Can well-meaning government officials do these things? Of course they can.

I spend a lot of time working with a city that wants to improve the living conditions for its citizens. They endeavor to accomplish

this by sending teams of inspectors into every neighborhood to find properties that don’t meet their lofty standards. Cracked driveway concrete? Peeling paint? Trees hanging over your fence onto neighboring property? You will be issued an expensive ticket, and a limited time to make repairs.

If not completed in time, you will be compelled to appear in municipal court, fined and the city will make the repair, then put a lien on your home.

In an adjoining city, I am familiar with a property where the city attorney’s office has decided to make an example. There the city attorney has a special building inspector who visits target properties daily.

That inspector issues compliance tickets daily, with penalties of $1,000/ violation/ day. After a rain, a small amount of water collected in a few parking lot depressions, amounting to a “dangerous breeding ground for mosquitoes,” earning individual fines for each “birdbath.” A ruler is used to find any blade of grass greater than 8 feet in height, earning a fine. That parking lot quickly developed fines in excess of $2 million. I defy anyone to have a property that is perfect in every way. A property where an inspector couldn’t find any number of violations upon which to issue violation notices. Are citizens really better for this level of scrutiny and violation assessment?

At what point does this level of regulation enforcement become merely a means to collect money?

What is the proper amount of regulation?

I wish we would have a public discussion about this. Federal, state and local regulatory review by everyone affected. A discussion that is long overdue.

In 1775, Benjamin Franklin wrote: “Those who would give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” In 2011, I say: Can you care for yourself, or do you need to be cared for?

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arlier this spring, I listened to Marianne Jennings, one of the country’s top business ethicists, present a case about cookies. I was instantly intrigued. It’s a simple little story that allows us to do some big thinking about the personal values we bring to work.

Pat, traveling on business, checked into a California hotel at 1 a.m. The hour was late, room service was no longer available, and Pat was starving. Pat ate the $6 box of Oreos from the mini-bar.

Later that day, while walking back from his meetings for the day, Pat stopped at a convenience store located near his hotel. He found an identical box of Oreos for $2.50.

He bought it to replenish the mini-bar before the hotel staff had its daily inventory and restocking of the mini-bars in the room. He thought, “My box was fresher.

The Oreos in the mini-bar were going to expire in three months. I actually did them a favor.”

How many of us would do the same thing Pat did — and rationalize about it in the same way, too?

Because we bring an aversion to harm and a desire for goodness into the workplace, we think that we are better off; the hotel staff has less work to do and the next person is benefited if we replace the cookies we ate with another, cheaper box. No harm, no foul, correct?

In addition, our sense of loyalty and reciprocity, and honorable values instilled

in us by our families kick in. A recent Journal of Applied Psychology study by J. Bingham shows that if our action can help the company for which we work, then we tend to think we are justified in doing it, especially if we are strongly committed to our organization and believe that it has treated us well. One good deed deserves another— in this case we’ve just saved our great company some money, right?

But if we stop our thinking here, we have not used this case to its full advantage. Because further reflection reminds us of one important value that we bring into the workplace: stealing is wrong. And replacing the Oreos in the mini-bar is a form of stealing.

But if we are willing to steal a measly $4.50 from a hotel when the situation is inconsequential, what are we willing to do for our firm when the pressure is on, the economy is tight, and we get that double payment from a big client that they won’t even miss?

Marianne Jennings was right. Deciding in advance can give us the resolve to do the right thing when the pressure hits. It is important that we take the time today to clarify our personal values and align them with our workplace behaviors — especially when we get to do it over cookies (and milk).

Beverly Kracher, Ph.D. Executive Director, Business Ethics Alliance Associate Professor of Business Ethics & Society College of Business Creighton University

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