January Voice 2015

START THE NEW YEAR AT THE Y

ROSECRANCE WARE CENTER

PAGE 4

PAGE 9

The Voice is online at rockfordchamber.com

A BRIGHTER VOICE IN FEBRUARY

The Voice will have a new, brighter look with whiter, thicker paper in February!

January 2015 | Volume 28 | No. 1

Strong partnerships, stronger community

The role of higher education

By Paul Anthony Arco When Dr. Doug Baker took over as the 12th president of Northern Illinois University in 2013, one of his many objectives was to further strengthen the university’s relationship with the Rockford region.

“Rockford is important to us,” he said. “It strikes me as a community that is striving to be better. There are great opportunities here to partner in higher education; work with the Rockford Public Schools and continue developing business partnerships. Rockford has a bright future, thanks to a new way of thinking and doing things. I really wanted to show

PHOTOS BY BRIAN THOMAS PHOTOGRAPHY

Dr. Doug Baker, 12th president of NIU, spoke on the importance of forging a strong relationship with the Rockford region. how the university is trying to partner with key stakeholders here in Rockford.”

Baker covered those topics and more during his presentation at the Rockford Chamber’s final 2014 luncheon. More than 150 people turned out for the Dec. 18 event, held at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center in Rockford.

Many in the crowd had connections to NIU, including graduates State Representative Joe Sosnowski and Rockford Public Schools superintendent Dr. Ehren Jarrett, who was named one of NIU’s Outstanding Alumni earlier this year.

“I appreciate that he was so focused on Rockford,” said Einar Forsman, president & CEO of the Rockford

Chamber of Commerce. “He laid out very specific plans, initiatives and partnerships they’ve already engaged in.

The amount of time he spent on what they want to do with Rockford Public Schools is very encouraging. To see the collegial relationship that exists between NIU, Rockford Public Schools, Rockford University, Rock Valley College and the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford is encouraging.”

Strengthening Partnerships in Rockford Baker brought a solid background in business, organizational management and higher education leadership to NIU. Continued on page 3

Cali Ressler to speak at Rockford Chamber Annual Dinner Visit us online at: rockfordchamber.com n n

n n

online registration keynote speaker video clips event photos list of Chamber events

Questions? 815-987-8100

Join the Chamber’s LinkedIn Group www.linkedin.com/e/gis/2544

The Rockford Chamber of Commerce will feature Cali Ressler, noted management author, as its keynote speaker at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner on January 22nd at Giovanni’s. Cali Ressler, along with her partner Jody Thompson, is the Founder of CultureRx® and co-creator of the Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE)™.

Her first book, Why Work Sucks and How to Fix It, was named “The Year’s Best Book on Work-Life Balance” by Business Week. Her second book, Why Managing Sucks and How to Fix It, is the field guide for how to manage work in the 21st century. She has been featured on the covers of BusinessWeek, Workforce

Management Magazine, HR Magazine, Hybrid Mom Magazine, and HR Executive Magazine as well as in the New York Times, TIME Magazine, USA Today, and on Good Morning America, CNBC, MSNBC and CNN. Cali and her partner Jody created ROWE as they realized that the traditional model of how we approach work is broken.

They believe the management strategies that will drive today’s employees and set the foundation for success in today’s marketplace need to be rooted in a “Results-Only” focus. The training they’ve developed is employed globally and is increasing productivity levels, employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and retention in organizations. theVoice

PELL GRANT BENEFIT REINSTATED With President Obama’s signature on the 2015 “CRomnibus” bill, the abilityto-benefit (ATB) provision under the Pell Grant was reinstated.

Eliminated in the 2012 budget cuts, the ATB allows students without a high school diploma to receive the Pell Grant while simultaneously attaining college credit and studying for their high school equivalency test. Pell Grant students will receive varying amounts. Those who enter a career pathways program before July 1 will be eligible for the maximum Pell Grant award of $5,830. Those who enroll after July 1 will be limited only to the maximum discretionary award of $4,860.

Source: Women Employed enewsletter

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! ROCKFORD CHAMBER

Annual Dinner Jan. 22 • Giovanni’s, Inc.

SPONSORED BY

For more info, see page 26

TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR COMPUTER The Better Business Bureau offers tips to avoid accidentally downloading viruses and malware to your personal computer. It’s not easy to plant malicious programs on your machine, but crooks can get you to do it using “deceptive downloads;” baiting potential victims with free, real downloadable programs and music.

If you already have a mainstream media player and standard programs like QuickTime or Adobe Flash, and they’re up to date, you shouldn’t need anything else to download. uOnly u download programs from familiar sites you know you can trust. uUpdate u the programs on your computer. uHave u a good anti-virus program and keep it up-to-date. uUse u the most recent software when possible. It’s less vulnerable to malware attacks. uDo u not give anyone remote access to your computer.

If you think your computer has been compromised, run a full scan using your anti-virus software. If that doesn’t work, you may need assistance from the professionals.

2

January 2015

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

President’s Message VIEWPOINT

Looking forward to 2015 with the Rockford Chamber!

Ever have one of those feelings that things are going in the right direction and momentum is building seemingly on its own? That’s how I feel about Rockford, our community leadership, and our business community.Sure, we can always focus on things that need to improve, but overall, I think we have a community that is communicating well among our various groups, responding when asked, and assisting wherever organizations or individuals can effect change.

I feel similarly about the Rockford Chamber, and where we have focused our energies; continuing to emphasize the business community’s role in making positive contributions to the region. We are a 1,200-member organization with a combined workforce of 60,000 people.

Now that’s some powerful company!

One of the strengths of any chamber of commerce is the cumulative strength of its membership as the voice for business and providing the place to initiate action that will support a healthy business environment and a strong community.

Our members are engaged with the business community and the chamber in many ways and it is important to focus on priorities to keep momentum going

forward. Here are some of our identified priorities for 2015:

The Voice of Business Being an advocate for the business community is one of our most important roles. Whether it is the Government Affairs Council, public policy analysis, legislative relations, or advocating for important issues or political candidates, the Rockford Chamber works to ensure the business community is represented on key issues.

We know that worker’s compensation remains one of the top priorities of Illinois businesses and will work with our partners in Illinois to try and clean up the process to contain costs and address appropriate responsibilities. Similarly, we will focus on better education to our members on properly addressing unemployment insurance and health care options.

The Chamber has also been active in seeking and/or supporting candidates with good business backgrounds to serve on local elected boards and in other positions of elected leadership. Coming up in April of 2015 will be some key education races for Rock Valley College and Rockford Public Schools, where we will want to support candidates who have been — or will be — part of the momentum that is achieving success.

Leadership The Chamber seeks to develop our future leaders and provide topics to help grow our leadership base. Whether Leadership Rockford, IGNITE Young Professionals, or People You Should Know, we must continue to fill the pipeline for our leadership base. Look for the Chamber to develop a leadership curriculum on specific topics of leadership with recognized authors/ professionals for 2015.

Public Education We continue to concentrate on the continuing improvement gains with Rockford Public Schools and relish the partnership that exists with the business community. Shortly you will see the unveiling of the district’s strategic plan, which had extensive community involvement. You will also learn in 2015 the Chamber’s scorecard to track our progress with the public schools.

Public Safety and Crime Our council on public safety and crime is working to develop a plan for the role the business community should play in addressing safety and crime concerns.

This topic is not tied solely to crime reduction, but will address environments

where people don’t feel safe.

Einar K. Forsman Statistics aside, Rockford Chamber we have to work of Commerce on strategies as a business community to ensure our employees and customers have the right environment for a favorable business community.

Business Growth The Chamber’s sweet spot is working with our members to help build strong business networks and put them in front of other businesses to grow and expand relationships. Chamber events, education sessions, member referrals, and the Voice newspaper are just a few of the services provided each year to ensure our members are strong and growing.

The Rockford Chamber of Commerce is an organization of businesses seeking to further our collective interests, while advancing our community, region, state or nation. Our business owners voluntarily form these local societies/networks to advocate on behalf of the community at large, economic prosperity and business interests.

Let’s keep our momentum moving forward.

Thank you for all that you do and we look forward to working with all of you in 2015!

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

3

January 2015

Higher Education (continued from front page)

From 2005 to 2013, he was provost and executive vice president at the University of Idaho. His teaching career began in 1981 at Washington State University-Pullman, where he was an assistant professor of management. He has taught courses in management, organizational behavior, organizational design, strategic planning, human resource management and research methods. Baker has won numerous teaching awards throughout his career.

During his chamber presentation, Baker announced NIU’s intention to strengthen its partnership with Rockford’s EIGERlab. “The partnership means facilitating the growth of these entrepreneurs to help lay the foundation for future businesses,” he said. “We believe the faculty and students at NIU can help build those successes and, in turn, learn a tremendous amount. Internships are a huge learning opportunity and may inspire our own students and provide a

John McNamara, Kerry Schaible research venue for our faculty to learn what works and what doesn’t work so they can help the next generation.”

In addition to academics, Baker is equally proud of NIU athletics. The Huskies, for example, just wrapped up another successful football season.

“It provides economic support for some students who might not get the opportunity to attend school,” he said. “It also helps build culture and climate on campus, which helps build retention of students, and it engages our supporters and alumni to see all the great things we’re doing. It puts us on a national stage where we can brag about the other great

Let your Voice be heard The Rockford Chamber of Commerce ­ elcomes and encourages submissions for The w VOICE of the Rockford Business Community.

Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding ­publication. Send news releases and other items of interest to the business community to: The VOICE Rockford Chamber of Commerce 308 W. State St., Ste. 190 Rockford, IL 61101

For information about advertising contact Customer Service at 815-987-8100.

The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community (USPS 784-120). ISSN number 1086-0630, is published monthly by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, 308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, Illinois 61101.

Periodicals postage paid at Rockford, Ill. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community, 308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, IL 61101.

things going on at the university, such as our No. 1-ranked masters of education online program; and our accounting and public administration programs, both of which are ranked Top 5 in the country.

We have great programs that we need to tell people about.”

Tom Jackowski, president of the NIU Alumni Club of Rockford, likes what he’s seen from Baker so far. “For Dr. Baker to make as many trips as he has to Rockford in his first 1½ years, shows me two things: he understands there is a large population here, and he realizes the positive impact NIU can have on the Rockford area. With NIU less than an hour from Rockford, there is no reason we can’t become stronger partners. The university will gain qualified students and we’ll gain the benefits of education that comes with it.”

The Role of Higher Education in Regional Transformation was presented by BMO Harris Bank. SwedishAmerican Health System and Comcast Business also were sponsors. theVoice

Dr. Ehren Jarett

Boone County Chairman Bob Wahlberg, State Representative Joe Sosnowski

Paul Callighan , Patti Thayer

4

January 2015

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Member Profile PROFILE

The Cardio Center in the I.D. Pennock Family YMCA. YMCA member Martha Rolf works out on a treadmill.

Start your new year at the YMCA Keeping members on track all year long

By Paul Anthony Arco This month, dozens of Rockford residents will make their way to the YMCA of Rock River Valley as part of their New Year’s resolutions.

The Y will see a 30 percent increase in activity, thanks, in part, to a renewed commitment to better health. Sadly, there will be a 30 percent drop off in attendance just a month later.

“Our job is to keep them motivated

and help them stay on track to meeting their goals,” said Mike Brown, YMCA president and CEO. “Rockford is the fourth most obese community in the country. Nutrition is a very difficult part of making a change. If adults aren’t eating right or exercising, their children could also end up in an unhealthy environment. We need to reach the entire family with our message.”

The I.D. Pennock Family YMCA, located at 200 Y Boulevard,

Rockford, has participate in volunteer many activities service projects and programs that benefit the including aerobic community.

“We’ve and strength seen the engagement training, wellness, of volunteers change fitness, and dramatically just in Mike Brown, YMCA president and exercise classes, the past year, from CEO, grew up at Ys as a child. indoor track, volunteers painting racquetball, to retired plumbers two indoor pools, two gymnasiums, lending their expertise,” Brown youth fitness and café. The Northeast said. “The call to action from people Branch, located on Orth Road, features who truly care about the Y has been a training center, exercise classes, impressive.” indoor pool, gymnasium and child There are plenty of changes afoot fitness center. Camp Winnebago, a 150- for the Y. The organization is in acre property located on North Main the process of a $20 million capital Street, offers a variety of summer and campaign that includes renovations winter programming, from outdoor to both the downtown location and enrichment to team building activities. the Northeast Branch. Plans are More than 36,000 local households being discussed to add childhood have some connection to the local learning centers both downtown and YMCA and its various programs and throughout the region. services. The YMCA provides service Future Y branches could pop up regardless of ability to pay. Every year in Cherry Valley, Machesney Park, the organization raises money to help Winnebago and southwest Rockford. scholarship youth and families through “Fifteen years ago, everyone came to the Strong Kids campaign. one location,” Brown said. “People don’t go that far anymore. We need to Encouraging get more people involved, or the stats Community won’t change.”

Involvement Lisa Alexander has been a member Brown has spent more than 20 years for more than 20 years. “I enjoy being working for YMCAs in California, a part of a group of determined people Texas and Georgia. He was hired who have the same goals in mind, to lead the Rockford Y nearly four which is to exercise and stay healthy,” years ago. “I grew up at the Y as a she said. “I appreciate the changes child, during a time when I was in an and improvements the Y has made. unstable family situation,” Brown said. And the staff is great. I always feel “The Y surrounded me with good important when I walk through the people who helped me with school front door in the morning.” and encouraged me to keep moving forward into my adult life. No matter YMCA OF where you are in life, the Y is capable ROCK RIVER VALLEY of giving you the support you need.”

Mike Brown, The YMCA partners with CEO and president churches, schools, businesses, the 220 East State St. park and school districts. It recently (corporate office) rolled out a national initiative called Rockford Togetherhood, a program that www.rockfordymca.org 779-500-0800 encourages Y members to lead and

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

5

January 2015

Members’ New Year’s Resolutions for 2015

“As we enter our second year in Rockford, and after a ‘standing room only’ open house in November, our resolution is to continue helping investors with their financial planning and retirement needs.

On a personal note, my resolution is continuing to maintain the right balance between my family and my profession.”

— Mark Gerard, Rockford independent branch leader & financial consultant, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

Putting strategic relationships first in 2015

By Barbara Connors When looking over the course of your career, you probably would acknowledge that beyond all of your degrees, talent and experience, it’s the people you’ve connected with that have made the difference in your success. Eddy Ricci suggests in his article, “Put Building Strategic Relationships at the Heart of Your Business Plan for 2015,” published on Dec. 11, 2014, at www.entrepreneur. com, if this is true, why not make the goal of building strategic relationships a more intentional, well-thought-out part of your business plan?

Ricci gives readers four thoughts to consider when forming a strategic relationship plan for 2015.

Consider the Relationships You Want All business professional have that precious contact list built carefully over the years. Why not put it to work? Just as a business would never skip the process of setting revenue goals for the next year, Ricci suggests setting relationship goals just as carefully. A good way to start is to identify the 10 most critical relationships to pursue to meet your business goals in 2015. These relationships might even be people you don’t know – yet.

Does someone in your contact list know them? Would they be willing to make an introduction?

Make It Mutually Beneficial Ricci points out that true relationships are a two-way street. With an awareness

of what you and your business have to offer, he said it’s important to connect with others, offering what you can do for them, not only what they can do for you.

Break It Down Just as business planning starts with that year-end revenue goal in mind, Ricci suggests setting your “big picture” relationship goal for the year, and then working backwards. It’s more palatable to break that big goal into monthly, or even weekly, parts -- and far easier to achieve. These little victories throughout the year act as fuel in firing your resolve.

Think Through Your Introduction Ricci suggests that before reaching out to your contacts, formulate your standard, introductory language. What do you want people to know about you and your business? What can you offer? What do you want from them?

This paragraph should be customizable and updated for each new contact with information on why you’re contacting them, what friends or interests you share in common, and a suggested meeting time and place.

Setting a strategic relationship plan for 2015, and following it, undoubtedly could yield big rewards. You may even be amazed in January, 2016, at how far you came in 2015.

Eddy Ricci is author/founder of The Growth Game; Professional Development for the Next Business Age. Barbara Connors edits The Voice.

“My New Year’s resolution is to learn to tell a really good joke -- humor is essential when you work in managed care! I’m going to learn to tell jokes that actually make colleagues laugh instead of groan.”

—Kelly Davit, regional manager, The Alliance

“My first New Year’s Resolution is to be five minutes early to all of my meetings. My back-up New Year’s resolution is to be on time for all of my meetings when I discover that I fail at my first resolution.”

— Linda Sandquist, United Way of Rock River Valley

Do you have a New Year’s resolution to share?

Go to our Facebook page: facebook.com/RockfordChamberOfCommerce

And, have a Happy New Year!

6

January 2015

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

A day in the life of economic development Getting our region ready for the opportunities It is often difficult to briefly explain the role of economic development professionals. As we discussed in a previous article, our region’s economy will grow if we: ■■ Maximize transactions with organizations and individuals that live outside of our region.

■■ Increase the number of transactions within our region through buying as much as possible locally.

■■ Decrease the amount we lose to purchases made outside our region or spend on negative social impacts.

More than 70 percent of job growth and capital expansion typically is created by companies that already exist within our region. 10 to 15 percent will come from the attraction of new companies to our region, and approximately 10 percent will come from starting new companies. Your individual economic health is highly dependent on how well our regional companies compete in the global marketplace.

What role does an economic development organization like the RAEDC play in positively impacting a region’s economic health? Simply put, the RAEDC markets the region to positively influence companies looking to locate or expand operations within the region. We help companies connect to resources involving workforce, available buildings, supply chain partners, incentives and more.

Economic development requires regional collaboration between municipal and private-sector partners. Often-times, these conversations take place over a long period of time. For instance, the average time from start to completion on the more than 20 announced project wins within the region in 2014 was 665 days; with several of the projects lasting more than three years!

This persistence and continuity are important attributes of successful economic development efforts. Much of this work is performed “behind the scenes” due to the confidential nature of the projects.

We’re All in This Together You may have heard the phrase: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” This quote is attributed to the Roman philosopher Seneca and still is a powerful thought for today. Economic developers concern themselves with the preparation of a community and with actively seeking out the opportunities. The better prepared our region is, the more likely it will be that we can close on opportunities. The more opportunities we close results in an increase in economic prosperity for our region.

The final point to make about economic development is that we are all in it together. An economy is created with numerous sectors that are co-dependent on

each other. In other words, even if you do not work in manufacturing, you should care that the sector does well because it will have a direct impact on retail, housing, education and every other sector shown in the diagram.

This relationship works in reverse as well!

Every week, new opportunities are identified, and we all need to play a role, ensuring that our region is prepared to win. Behind the scenes, your economic development team is working with companies to help them choose our region as a place for their new and ongoing success. Our region has been winning the last several years, and with your support we can continue this positive trend!

Jimsi Kuborn is director of investor relations at the Rockford Area Economic Development Council.

TechWorks’ workforce training: Impactful year

By Sherry Pritz, EIGERlab 2014 has been an impactful year for TechWorks, including entry-level Computerized Numeric Control (CNC) machine operator training, in addition to assembly and custom training. The number of students who graduated from the six- and seven-week courses was impressive — 92 CNC machine operators and 13 assemblers. The spike in custom training reflects the value found by regional companies to expand their engineers’ knowledge beyond the engineering phase, as well as the creation of the part, and the process and machinery utilized to create it.

Gordy Blaisdell, lead trainer for TechWorks, is eager to share his CNC machining knowledge with engineers.

Blaisdell said, “These young Greenlee manufacturing engineers have had limited experience with CNC lathes and mills, and it’s rewarding to be able to share information in the classroom, then walk to the lab area and see the results in real time. It’s another way in which TechWorks can assist in bridging the skills gap.” Nathan Blair, Greenlee’s director - advanced manufacturing, worked closely with Blaisdell to create a new custom training curriculum targeted at engineers.

“TechWorks is a great asset to the Rockford business community,” Blair said. “The ability to customize training based on the specific needs of our company has ensured that the training we are getting is focused directly on our needs. TechWorks was able to accommodate schedules and provide

timing of training that best met the needs of our engineering staff. It has been a pleasure working them.”

The TechWorks Advisory Committee is comprised of 42 companies that have supported the programs by their participation and hiring TechWorks graduates; some even before students have completed the program.

Additionally, there are 78 companies throughout the region on the graduation distribution list.

Need for Skilled Labor Pool Jason Wobig, operations manager at Fastenal Manufacturing, Loves Park said, “One of the largest challenges that Fastenal will face in the coming years in Rockford is the requirement for skilled labor. With our continued growth as a company, a skilled labor pool is paramount for our success.

EIGERlab has delivered that skilled labor.

We have been very pleased and excited to engage EIGERlab and their Tech Works program to help recruit, train and continue to develop the essential staff we are currently hiring and will need to grow our business. We have hired 16 employees so far and everyone coming through the program has developed the core competencies required for a CNC machinist. With the resources available through EIGERlab, we are confident we will continue to grow as a business as well as a community here in Rockford.”

Sherry Pritz is marketing coordinator/business development at EIGERlab/Rock Valley College.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

7

January 2015

Don’t just be a working group Strive to be a world-class team One story of how team actions and strategy will win the advantage Rugby is a perfect metaphor for the teamwork it takes for a manufacturer to succeed. Rugby is a game of constant flow. It moves, sometimes elegantly, sometimes violently, from one end to the other, from one side to the other.

The game has a natural flow when the team is communicating, committed and executing flawlessly. As the father of a high school rugby player, I’ve become quite familiar with the inner-workings of this strong pass, catch, throw-in-onemotion execution. With it, you’ll gain an advantage from strategic alignment.

But without it, the team can devolve into missed opportunities and even exhibit internal strife and criticism. In the most recent season, our team suffered the best and the worst of strategic misalignment, something I see frequently among business teams as well.

In his new book, The Advantage, Patrick Lencioni describes a team as “a small group of people who are collectively responsible for achieving a common objective for their organization.” Too often, he says, leadership teams operate more as a working group; giving the example of a golf team where each player goes off on their own to play, tallying the scores at the end of the day without ever communicating or working together. Working groups may get the job done, but they never reach their fullest potential since everyone is working for their own good, not the priorities of the greater organization.

The best examples of leadership teams in strategic alignment lead organizations to be both smart and healthy, constantly striving to reach their highest potential. The worst? You know the symptoms: a lack of honesty, misalignment, confusion, inconsistency and anguish for themselves and their employees. And, when a leadership team is not strategically aligned, there is a cost:

employees who see work as drudgery, no sense of hope or self-esteem, high levels

Be a World-Class Organization A successful lean organization knows

of absenteeism, decreased productivity,

that consistency, or standard work in

and eventually customer attrition.

alignment to strategic goals, is the first

A Rockford delegation, including U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Winnebago County Chairman Scott Christiansen, City of Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey and Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) representatives, present Norwegian Air CEO Bjørn Kjos with the inaugural Rockford Award.

Rockford delegation presents first Rockford Award A delegation representing Rockford presented Norwegian Air CEO Bjørn Kjos with the inaugural Rockford Award, at Sen. Durbin’s Washington, D.C., office in December. Norwegian Air uses a majority of Boeing aircraft, with purchases stimulating Rockford’s economy.

A collaborative recognition between Winnebago County, the City of Rockford and the airport, the award is given to an organization or individual for outstanding contribution to the North American aerospace industry.

“We are excited to present Bjørn Kjos and Norwegian Air with the

inaugural Rockford Award,” said Mike Dunn, RFD executive director.

“Rockford has benefitted greatly from the resurgence of aerospace manufacturing and continues to employ targeted outreach to secure strategic partners that will further the region’s economy, including Norwegian Air.” Rockford boasts the sixthhighest concentration of aerospace production employment in the nation and is home to a critical mass of tier-one aerospace suppliers including Boeing, Woodward, UTC Aerospace Systems and GE Aviation.

key to achieving Rob Newbold IMEC success. In other words, practices aligned with performance drives a team to be world class. IMEC has recently become a certified purveyor of a unique facilitated self-assessment tool known as Promoting Business Excellence (PROBE). PROBE provides companies interested in knowing where they are against world-class organizations, with a way to get a snapshot within a half-day of facilitated mutual diagnosis. We help you plot where your performance and practices lie in relation to those of more than 8,000 other organizations across the world. Then, we help your team set up the action plans and strategies that get you on the road to becoming world class.

Returning to the rugby analogy, my son’s team was horribly inconsistent.

Wins on the road by over 50 points; losses at home by similar scores. The factor that made the difference was the loss of our scrum-half (leader); the 95-pound, son of the coach who also played other sports during the season. When he was not making that first pass off of the tackle, the team could not find a rhythm.

The overall team performance never fully reached their potential because the leader had other priorities.

Strategic misalignment and a lack of personal commitment have an impact on your organization’s health and performance. If you are a working group, not a team; if your team isn’t aligning practices and performance; or, if there is a lack of commitment by some in leadership YOU may be losing to your competition as well. Don’t be a working group; strive to be a world-class team.

Rob Newbold is manufacturing specialist at IMEC. Manufacturing News is sponsored by IMEC

8

January 2015

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

New Illinois law restricts inquiry into a job applicant’s criminal history Adding to the long list of questions Illinois employers cannot ask job applicants, Illinois passed what is often called a “Ban the Box” law that goes into effect Jan. 1, 2015. The actual law is called the “Job Opportunities for Qualified Applicants Act.” In a nutshell, the act prohibits employers from considering or even asking about a job applicant’s criminal record or history until after the employer has evaluated the applicant and decided that the person is qualified for the position and has notified the applicant of an impending interview. If the employer does not do interviews for the position, it must make a conditional offer of employment before inquiring into the applicant’s criminal record or history.

Advocates of the act have argued that giving people with criminal records a better chance at employment could reduce rates of recidivism and, of course, unemployment.

The stated purpose behind the act is to give opportunity to the estimated one in four work-eligible adults who have criminal records. About twothirds of employers currently run some sort of criminal background check on applicants and usually exclude applicants who fail a background check before granting those applicants an interview. This issue disproportionately affects African-Americans, who have approximately six times the incarceration rates of Caucasians.

Advocates of the act have argued that giving people with criminal records a better chance at employment could reduce rates of recidivism and, of course, unemployment.

The act applies to any employer that has 15 or more employees in the current or preceding calendar year. The act does not apply if federal or state law prohibits someone with a criminal conviction from holding the job at issue. The act also does not apply to the hiring of individuals licensed under the Emergency Medical Services Systems Act. The act does allow an employer to notify applicants of certain criminal offenses that disqualify applicants from a particular job. Employers need to be careful, however, because doing so could subject the employer to claims

Troy E. Haggestad WilliamsMcCarthyLLP

of unlawful discrimination. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has promulgated guidance stating that any such disqualification policy based on criminal convictions must be job related and consistent with business necessity.

Compliance with the Act What changes should covered employers make so that they do not run afoul of the act? Most obviously, change job application forms so they do not ask about convictions or criminal history.

Also, stop doing criminal background checks before scheduling a job interview or, if there won’t be interviews, until after making a conditional job offer.

Finally, review job descriptions to determine whether any of the employer’s jobs fall within any of the exceptions to the act.

What happens if an employer violates the act? The Illinois Department of Labor can seek civil penalties in court or via administrative proceedings. Those penalties include a written warning with 30 days to cure for a first violation.

There is a maximum $500 fine for a second violation.

Fines may be levied up to $1,500 for subsequent violation or where the employer fails to remedy earlier violations in a timely manner.

Employers also should know that the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) already prohibits using arrest record information or expunged criminal convictions when making employment decisions. The IHRA contains somewhat of a loophole that allows an employer to obtain or use “other information which indicates that a person actually engaged in the conduct for which he or she was arrested.” For example, if an employer obtains corroborating evidence that the person engaged in the crime for which he or she was arrested, an employer may rely on such “other information” without violating the IHRA. Troy E. Haggestad is partner, commercial litigation, employment law, with WilliamsMcCarthyLLP, a full-service, Illinois-based law firm with legal services for individual and corporate clients that range in size from small closely held entrepreneurial businesses to large national corporations. Visit www.wilmac.com.

The views expressed are those of Haggestad’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

9

January 2015

Area Healthcare Updates

Rosecrance transformed the long-vacant grocery store at 2704 N. Main St., into a new 42,000-square-foot location for the Ware Center.

New, relocated Rosecrance Ware Center doubles the space for adult mental health services Rosecrance has transformed a long-vacant grocery store at 2704 N. Main St., into a modern new home for the Ware Center, providing adult outpatient mental health services. The 42,000-square-foot building features a spacious waiting area, staff offices, group meeting rooms, a pharmacy and exam rooms. The Recovery Resource Center, with its own entrance just past the front desk, is an interactive space where clients can mingle, socialize and work with staff.

“The space brightens the whole North Main corridor,” said Philip Eaton, president/CEO of Rosecrance.

“The lights are on, the windows washed, the parking lot plowed, the grass mowed and the flowers planted.”

Another signature component of the new space is a chapel because “spirituality is at the core of recovery,” Eaton said.

Substance abuse programs pre-

viously offered at Rosecrance’s River District and Court Street sites also will relocate to the new Ware Center, as will some youth programming and adult substance abuse outpatient services.

Big Area Investments The Ware Center at 526 W. State St., in downtown Rockford was the longtime home of the Janet Wattles Center, which merged with Rosecrance in 2011.

“I believe this move of our adult mental health services is an additional step in our plan to chart a new path for some of the neediest individuals in our community,” Eaton said. “It demonstrates the commitment our organization has to serve adults, families, young adults and children who struggle with serious mental illness.

Rosecrance committed about $10 million during the last year to improving vacant, derelict properties.

In October, the Rosecrance Mulberry Center opened in a renovated space to provide triage and crisis residential services together under one roof for people experiencing psychiatric crises.

“We want clients to be able to come to any door and say, ‘Here’s what’s going on with me,’ which is the philosophy of the no wrong-door approach,” said Anne Fridh, administrator of the Ware Center.

Rosecrance did a nationwide search for architects and decided on Rockford-based Saavedra Gehlhausen Architects as the lead and partner Eckenhoff Saunders Architects in Chicago for the $8 million project.

Both firms had previous experience in health care design. Cord Construction Co., was the general contractor.

The Illinois Health Facilities Planning and Services Review Board unanimously approved in December the merger of SwedishAmerican Health System with UW Health. This Illinois regulatory step was required to move forward with the merger and the change of ownership of SwedishAmerican to University Health Care, Inc. The Federal Trade Commission has no issues or opposition to the merger.

With both state and federal approvals, the merger is deemed complete and SwedishAmerican now becomes a division of UW Health.

Illinois residents enrolled in UnitedHealthcare’s employer-sponsored and individual benefit plans now have access to care provided by OSF HealthCare. OSF HealthCare and its affiliates include nine hospitals, 40 hospital-based outpatient facilities, 100 physician offices in nearly 75 separate locations, six home health agencies and five hospice programs in Illinois, including OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford.

The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board approved in December the merger between Mercy Health System and Rockford Health System to create a combined multiregional health system that will provide care in more than 40 northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin communities.

Having now completed all necessary regulatory and legal processes, the two systems have finalized the merger, and the new combined health system begins operations on Jan. 1.

10

January 2015 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Roadmap to Accounting & Income Taxes

2015 State Business Tax Climate Index

there are several states that do without one or more of the major taxes: the corporate tax, the individual income tax or the sales tax. Wyoming, Nevada and South Dakota have no corporate or individual income tax.

Alaska has no individual income or state10 Highest Ranked States level sales tax. Florida has no individual 6. Montana 1. Wyoming income tax, and New Hampshire and 7. New Hampshire Montana have no sales tax. But this does 2. South Dakota 8. Indiana 3. Nevada not mean that a state cannot rank in the 9. Utah 4. Alaska top 10 while still levying all the major taxes.

10. Texas 5. Florida Indiana and Utah, for example, have all the The absence of a major tax is a major tax types, but levy them with low common factor among many of the top 10 rates on broad bases. states. Property taxes and unemployment insurance taxes are levied in every state, but The Tax Foundation released its 2015 State Business Tax Climate Index, which helps business leaders, government policymakers and taxpayers gauge how their states’ tax systems compare.

10 Lowest Ranked States

41. Iowa 42. Connecticut 43. Wisconsin 44. Ohio 45. Rhode Island

46. Vermont 47. Minnesota 48. California 49. New York 50. New Jersey

The states in the bottom 10 suffer from the same afflictions: complex, non-neutral taxes with comparatively high rates. New Jersey, for example, suffers from some of the highest property tax burdens in the country, is one of just two states to levy both an inheritance and an estate tax, and maintains some of the worst structured individual income taxes in the country.

Source: taxfoundation.org

2015 State Business Tax Climate Index Ranks and Component Tax Ranks

Overall Tax

Corporate Income

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska

28 27 4 30 23 24 39 40 48 34 20 12 42 32 14 50 5 14 36 8 30 9 19 21 31 47 8 22 41 49 22 38 26 29 35 23 33 45 40 16 24 37 13 10 47 44 18 11 17 4 6 18 29 31

Individual Sales Tax Tax

Unemployment Property Insurance Tax Tax

23 1 19 28 50 16 34 33 1 42 37 24 11 10 32 18 30 27 22 45 13 14 46 21 29 20 25

25 24 4 39 14 35 20 2 3 36 28 46 38 7 33 9 45 6 42 21 48 47 29 8 12 18 13

Nevada 3 New Hampshire 7 50 New Jersey New Mexico 38 49 New York North Carolina 16 North Dakota 25 Ohio 44 Oklahoma 32 Oregon 12 Pennsylvania 34 45 Rhode Island South Carolina 37 South Dakota 2 Tennessee 15 Texas 10 Utah 9 Vermont 46 Virginia 27 Washington 11 West Virginia 21 Wisconsin 43 Wyoming 1 Dist. of Columbia 45

41 5 49 44 42 43 31 1 12 17 15 22 34 10 23 30 11 50 9 8 21 7 37 28 29 3 27

10 32 6 19 14 22 49 13 16 30 12 3 44 5 38 28 17 24 40 41 45 27 34 33 7 8 39

Overall Tax

Corporate Income

Individual Sales Tax Tax

Unemployment Property Insurance Tax Tax

1 48 41 35 20 25 19 26 7 36 46 43 13 1 15 39 5 42 6 28 17 33 1 38

1 9 48 35 49 15 36 47 40 31 17 38 41 1 8 6 12 44 39 6 26 43 1 35

43 44 32 10 31 11 16 5 1 30 50 49 40 41 26 15 22 17 37 19 23 27 34 27

39 2 48 45 40 33 20 32 38 4 24 26 18 35 47 36 19 16 6 46 25 14 13 42

9 43 50 1 46 29 2 20 11 15 42 47 21 18 37 36 4 48 26 23 25 31 35 44

Note: 1 is best, 50 is worst. Rankings do not average to total. States without a tax rank equally as 1 for that component. D.C. score and rank do not affect other states. Report shows tax systems as of July 1, 2014 (the beginning of fiscal year 2015). Source: The Tax Foundation

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Roadmap to Accounting & Income Taxes

January 2015

11

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

What does retirement mean to you?

Time to put yourself first

Take a moment to dream into the future about what you want your retirement days to look like. Are you dreaming about carefree days with no boss or alarm clock? Do you see yourself traveling, spending time with family? Do you see yourself enjoying your retirement years remaining active and not worrying about money? If not, what changes do you need to make for this to happen?

That is what retirement planning is all about and why a successful retirement doesn’t happen by accident.

In today’s world most money saved for your retirement is on your own, rarely do company pensions exist.

To start: In today’s world most money saved for your retirement is on your own, rarely do company pensions exist. Some companies offer contribution matching, and some don’t. On average, employees are changing employers many times during their work careers, which places even more responsibility on each individual for their retirement.

Pay Yourself First!

In this environment, the need for people to start saving 10 percent of what they earn each year is even greater. It may sound impossible, but is easier than you may think. If you don’t control your expenses, your expenses will control you! Can you start at five percent and increase by one percent each year? You would be at 10 percent in five years!

To emphasize, pay yourself first!

Do you have three to six months living expenses for emergencies? Now, start

Steve Schou Klaas Financial, inc.

your retirement savings. If you are in your 20s and 30s, time is on your side, and small dollar amounts saved can become big dollars accumulated! If you are in your 40s or 50s, start saving.

The past is irrelevant. You may need to save 10 to 15 percent and work a little longer. In a very simplistic example, for every $100,000 accumulated, you could generate about $4,000 a year income for retirement. To be able to enjoy a comfortable retirement, there are many decisions to be made over the years and a tremendous number of “what ifs” that could affect your results.

This is why many people seek professional help to create their retirement game plan once they reach their mid to late 40s. What are your biggest concerns about money? What do you want to spend more of your time doing? What does your retirement look like to you? These are just a few of the important questions to be asked along with investment accumulation, income objectives, social security projections, tax implications, insurance needs and many other factors.

No one has more vested interest in your retirement than you. However, with the complexity of retirement today, most people seek professional help from a retirement planner to wade through what applies to their specific situation.

Most people only have one retirement, seek help from a retirement professional who has helped hundreds of people with their retirement planning and enjoy!

Steve Schou, is CFO at Klaas Financial, inc., and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) who helps clients prepare for retirement.

The views expressed are those of Schou’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

Be a partner in the 7th annual Money Smart Week This year’s Money Smart Week (MSW) takes place April 18 to 25, and the northern Illinois region seeks more businesses and organizations to be a part of the community outreach program that provides free financial literacy education to thousands of area residents.

These free educational seminars and activities take place thanks to many businesses, financial institutions, schools, libraries, not-for-profits, government agencies and media.

MSW is developed and coordinated by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. The Illinois program began in Chicago in 2002 and expanded into other areas of Illinois. Rockford joined the effort in 2008, and has grown over the past 12 years.

How Can My Organization Get Involved?

Businesses and organizations involved in Money Smart Week, approved by the Federal Reserve Bank, can: ■■ Provide educational materials, instructors or a seminar for consumers.

■■ Provide facilities to host events, sponsor events or promotional materials.

■■ Leverage resources to publicly support or endorse Money Smart Week.

Money Smart Partner Rules All workshops, seminars and activities must be educational in nature and relate to improving knowledge of personal finances, from basic savings tips to advanced money management strategies. Sales pitches and/or commercial marketing are strictly prohibited. Most workshops, seminars and activities should be free and open to the public.

Private events will be included for appropriate audiences, such as students, employees and professional groups, but in turn might not be publicized as a part of the public event calendar.

Businesses and organizations that would like to be a partner should appoint a representative to attend the N Illinois MSW group, which meets every second Thursday of the month at Illinois Bank & Trust F/K/A Riverside Bank, Perryville & Riverside, 10 a.m. If you are not able to attend the partner meetings in person, conference calling is available.

Please contact one of the MSW co-chairs to learn more: Kristin King, kking@rfdbank.com, or Britta Anderson, brittalouisa@ live.com. Deadline to submit events into the Federal Reserve’s MSW calendar is Feb. 10.

12

January 2015 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Roadmap to Accounting & Income Taxes

Tax Freedom Day ? ®

Tax Freedom Day is the day when the nation as a whole has earned enough money to pay its total tax bill for year. In 2014, Americans paid $3.0 trillion in federal taxes and $1.5 trillion in state taxes, for a total tax bill of $4.5 trillion, or 30.2 percent of income. In 2014, Tax Freedom Day fell on April 21, or 111 days into the year.

Why was Tax Freedom Day Later in 2014?

Tax Freedom Day was three days later than in 2013 mainly due to the country’s continued slow economic recovery, which was expected to boost tax revenue especially from the corporate, payroll and individual income tax.

How has Tax Freedom Day Changed over Time?

The latest ever Tax Freedom Day was May 1, 2000. Americans paid 33.0 percent of their total income in taxes. A century earlier, in 1900, Americans paid only 5.9 percent of their income in taxes, meaning Tax Freedom Day came on Jan. 22.

Tax Freedom Day by State Each state also has a Tax Freedom Day, the day residents have worked long enough to pay all of their tax obligations at the federal, state and local levels.

Illinois. . . . . . . . . . . April 28 New Jersey. . . . . . . May 9 (latest state) Connecticut. . . . . . May 9 (latest state) Louisiana. . . . . . . . March 30 (earliest state) Source: The Tax Foundation

New Standard Mileage Rates for 2015 The Internal Revenue Service issued the 2015 optional standard mileage rates for the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2015, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car, van, pickup or panel truck will be: ■■ 57.5 cents per mile for business miles driven, up from 56 cents in 2014.

■■ 23 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, down half a cent from 2014.

■■ 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations.

Illinois Chamber 2015 Holiday Survey The Illinois Chamber of Commerce compiled its annual listing from survey responses of almost 500 Illinois businesses of all sizes and industries. The average number of paid holidays for Illinois workers is 8.9 days; the same as in 2014. The average number of paid personal days is 2.8 days.

Percentage of Firms Holidays Observing as a Paid Holiday

New Year’s Day 2015 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (observed) Lincoln’s Birthday President’s Day (Washington/Lincoln Day) Washington’s Birthday Casimir Pulaski’s Birthday (observed) Good Friday Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Election Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving

Christmas New Year’s Eve Employees Birthday Floating Holiday Jewish Holidays

Jan. 1 Jan. 19 Feb. 12 Feb. 16 Feb. 22 March 2 April 3 May 25 July 4 Sept. 7 Oct. 12 Nov. 3 Nov. 11 Nov. 25 Nov. 26 Nov. 27 Dec. 25 Dec. 31

96.9% 18.4% 1.6% 18.2% <1% <1% 31.4% 96.7% 94.5% 96.3% 8.6% <1% 13.5% 3.95% 96.0% 69.4% 95.6% 28.7% 2% 4% <1%

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Roadmap to Accounting & Income Taxes

January 2015

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

The small business owner’s retirement dilemma You’ve poured a lifetime of sweat, time and capital into building your business. You’ve begun thinking about retirement, and your strategy is to sell your company for a good price, settle back and enjoy a financially secure retirement. But, like many business owners, you’ve made the mistake of assuming this scenario will happen, and you haven’t bothered to make any other retirement plans.

You Need to be Realistic What are the odds of a person showing up at the right time with cash in hand to buy the company for a fair price? For thousands of small business owners each year, no one steps forward.

Perhaps the business is too specialized or is tied too closely to the owner’s unique personality and skills. Or maybe possible buyers equate retirement sale with a distress sale and make only lowball offers. Whatever the reason, many owners find that their company has suddenly become a white elephant that nobody wants.

Select, Develop a Successor That’s why it’s so important to prime a replacement — someone who will buy your company when you’re ready to retire. Maybe this is a current co-owner (but be careful if he or she is about the same age as you, and planning to retire around the same time.) Or it’s your son or daughter active in the business, or a younger key employee.

Business owners who successfully groom their own replacements leave nothing to chance. They realize that there’s no room for error at the point of retirement.

Here are some steps you should take: Be cautious. Make sure your heir apparent is the right person in terms of temperament, personality, competence and personal goals.

Find that this person will not work out. During that period, keep everything informal, strictly verbal. Even when you go to a formal agreement, make sure it contains a termination provision.

Offer incentives to ensure that your replacement stays until the baton is passed. An ambitious successor needs and deserves gradually increasing authority and benefits.

Options include deferred compensation or the opportunity to acquire partial ownership prior to your retirement. This provides both parties with something to win by sticking to the agreement, and

Chad A. DeMarre New York Life Insurance

something to lose if it falls apart.

Create a buy-sell agreement.

With the help of your attorney, lock in who does and gets what, spelling out all details and caveats, including how to establish the final valuation of the business. This formal agreement protects everybody.

Build in a funding mechanism.

This is crucial. No matter how good the terms of the buy/sell agreement, it will be worthless if the money is not there when needed to carry out the plan.

Under one option, the successor may be able to purchase the company from ongoing profits. Other options include setting up a sinking fund or allowing the successor to simply borrow the money.

These options may work but they leave much to chance. Instead, consider a funding vehicle that protects your family in the event of your disability or premature death, such as life and disability income insurance.* Have a Plan B. As a business owner, you know that very few things go exactly as planned. What if your business hits tough times or your successor dies, becomes disabled, or leaves because of a personality conflict? Or what if there simply is no heir apparent waiting in the wings? Sometimes, it’s simply best to dismantle the business.

Whether or not you have a possible successor for your company, you should begin mapping out your retirement strategy today.

Your insurance professional or your independent professional advisors can work with you to help you develop a sound business strategy.

Chad A. DeMarre is a financial services professional with New York Life Insurance Company.

The views expressed are those of DeMarre’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

This educational third-party article is provided as a courtesy by Chad A. DeMarre, agent, New York Life Insurance Company.

To learn more, contact DeMarre at 973 Featherstone Road, Ste. 130, Rockford; 815312-4360; cdemarre@ft.newyorklife.com or www.chaddemarre.com. *Products available through one or more carriers not affiliated with New York Life; dependent on carrier authorization and product availability in your state or locality.

13

14

January 2015 What city, if any, would you like Rockford to emulate?

“The Wheaton, St. Charles area. It’s not huge, but there’s a strong sense of community. It’s a very lively area even though it’s not a place you’d talk about, like Chicago or St. Louis. There is something about those cities that have strong downtowns and always something to do.

Revitalization Amy Ott, deputy director of Chicago Rockford International Airport Why did you decide to take on this role?

“I thought about it a lot when it was proposed to me. I’m very committed to our community. The work I do is very aligned with this. I have been impressed seeing all Renewal the different people with all the different Jack Shaffer, president and CEO of backgrounds coming together to make our Bergstrom Inc. community better.”

Why did you decide to take on this role?

Paulina Sihakom, market executive for “It was time to stop complaining about PNC Bank things in Rockford and do something. I What in the Transform Rockford movement so think there is great potential. In order far has inspired you? to attract new talent to our company we “For me selfishly, I’m part of the Lao must change the perception.”

American community in northern Illinois Sarah Wolf, executive director of the and unfortunately my community has been fragmented because of religion. I’ve Discovery Center Museum What in the Transform Rockford movement used Transform Rockford’s Shared Values vision to help bring the Lao community so far has inspired you? back together.”

“I have been interested in Transform Dan Saavedra, presidentof Saavedra Rockford since the very first meeting. I’ve gone to as many meetings as I could, and Gehlhausen Architects What city, if any, would you like Rockford to I kept getting more and more enthused emulate? by all the people who were becoming “One very close to my heart, Bilbao, involved and giving their thoughts and Spain. Twenty years ago, Bilbao essentially energy to the whole process.” was what Rockford is today. They Zalihta Gargano, Winnebago County made a major commitment to build the Health Department prevention specialist Guggenheim Museum and they hired a

Next step in Transform Rockford movement? Leadership

By Alex Gary On Nov. 15, the Transform Rockford movement took another step forward when it announced its segment leaders, 15 people from the community who will lead teams looking for solutions to Rockford’s various issues.

A few have been involved with the effort from the beginning. Several though are newcomers to the mission. The leaders will lead five teams – reframing a 21st century community, renewal, revitalization, funding our future and sense of place.

The group was announced at a low-key event at the Discovery Center Museum and we asked the segment leaders three questions – why did they get involved, what has inspired them about Transform Rockford so far and what, if any city, would they like Rockford to emulate?

Reframing 21st Century Community Rena Cotsones, associate vice president of Northern Illinois University Why did you decide to take on this role?

“I have been in the community for a long time and I have seen many wellintentioned community change initiatives get off to a good start and then lose momentum. Transform Rockford is taking a comprehensive, inclusive and deliberate approach that I believe makes it more sustainable and “real” to residents from all over the community.”

Mark Baldwin, executive editor of the Rockford Register Star What in the Transform Rockford movement so far has inspired you?

“Authenticity. I’ve watched the leaders of the movement live the shared values.

They aren’t reticent about holding themselves and others accountable to those values. I’ve also been impressed by the lack of cynicism.”

Lloyd Johnston, president of the Rockford NAACP What city, if any, would you like Rockford to emulate?

“I have to honestly say there is no utopia. What I really am encouraged about is the fact Rockford in many ways is creating a model for others throughout the nation to follow whether it’s education, law enforcement and public housing.

We’re looking across the nation at what’s working and gleaming from those and creating a gumbo that’s unique and tailor made for this area.”

Rockford area buying power back to ’06 levels since 2006, the year before the Great Recession began.

Although many may not feel it, That’s the good news. the spending power of people in A longer look at personal income the Rockford metropolitan area in shows over the decades the Rockford 2013 climbed back to where it was area has declined from what was before the Great Recession. once one of the country’s financially The U.S. Bureau of Economic strongest smaller MSAs to one Analysis released its annual per struggling to keep up. capita personal income estimates In 1978, Rockford’s per capita by metropolitan area, which measures an area’s income divided personal income ranked 66th among the nation’s 382 metropolitan areas. by its total population.

Even after the damaging recession of In the Rockford MSA, which the early 1980s, in 1988, the Rockford includes Boone and Winnebago MSA personal income levels still counties, personal income ranked No. 73 in the U.S. increased 2 percent from 2012, growing from $36,772 per person to By 1998 though, Rockford’s $37,505 in 2013. rank had slipped to No. 123, having That growth rate topped the been passed by such areas as growth rate of the metropolitan Bloomington, Fort Wayne, Indiana and portion of the U.S., which increased Grand Rapids, Michigan. And in 2008, just 1.1 percent, increasing from Rockford tumbled to No. 248, passed $45,661 to $46,177. Last year again by places such as Ames, Iowa, actually marked the third time in and Kalamazoo, Michigan. the most recent five that Rockford In 2013, Rockford actually moved income grew at a faster rate than up to No. 237, moving ahead of the U.S. areas such as Las Vegas and Tucson, In 2013, Rockford’s income as Arizona. Still, when people wonder a percentage to the U.S. was 81.2 why a grocery chain such as Whole percent. That means on average Foods won’t come to Rockford, you someone in Rockford earned don’t have to look much further than 81.2 cents for every dollar a U.S. resident on the whole earned. That the area’s lack of personal income was the highest for that measure relative to the U.S.

By Alex Gary

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

flamboyant architect. They did the project in the right way and it’s attracted more businesses and jobs. Bilbao today, because of that museum, gets 360,000 visitors every year.”

Sense of place Christina Valdez Peacock, city of Rockford financial planner Why did you decide to take on this role?

“First and foremost, I have two small children and my life is making sure they have everything they need to be successful.

That goes with everyone in Rockford. I was taught your family is not just your family, it’s your community. It’s everyone around you. You need to help the entire community.”

Tim White, President; UTC Aerospace Systems What in the Transform Rockford movement so far has inspired you?

“I’m inspired by how the community has begun to come together, through Shared Values and the Transform Rockford model. I would have expected nothing less.

The initiative is now entering the exciting strategic-planning phase, and I’d encourage anyone who has been on the sidelines to now engage in the process. It’s important that we get the broadest input so we build the most robust and informed plan possible.”

Brad Long, president of the Northwestern Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council What city, if any, would you like Rockford to emulate?

“People talk about Chattanooga (Tennessee) and the quality of life there.

People want to go there and live and I want people to look at Rockford the same way.

I want people to say they want to live in Rockford because of great recreational things, great parks and the great people.”

Funding our future Paula Carynski, president of OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center Why did you decide to take on this role?

“I have been a part of the Rockford community for over 30 years. It has been a wonderful place for me personally to work and to raise my family. This community already possesses many strengths and if I can help capitalize on those strengths to make things even better … I’m ready to get started.”

Tim Dimke, executive director of the Rockford Park District What in the Transform Rockford movement so far has inspired you?

“It’s important that the goals of the initiative generate outcomes which meet the needs and desires of the community. It has been really exciting to see thousands of community members so resolutely committed to find solutions to our community’s challenges. That passion is contagious, and I hope to see it continue.”

Rev. Mark Williams, president of Banner of Truth International What city, if any, would you like Rockford to emulate?

“In all my travels, I’ve found no place quite like Rockford. I don’t want Rockford to be like any other place. I just think it can be a better Rockford.”

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Marketing & Graphic Design / Printing Services

January 2015

Nearly 8 in 10 Americans have access to high-speed internet Connectivity varies across U.S. metros, demographic groups An estimated 78.1 percent of people in U.S. households had a high-speed Internet connection last year, according to a new report by the U.S. Census Bureau covering areas of the country with populations larger than 65,000.

However, digital divides exist among the nation’s metropolitan areas and demographic groups.

Although most Americans have access to computers and high-speed Internet, differences in high-speed Internet use were as large as 25 percentage points between certain age and race groups, while divides between specific income and educational attainment groups were as large as 45 percentage points. Among the nation’s metro areas, Boulder, Colo., had one of the highest rates of high-speed Internet use at 96.9, while Laredo, Texas, had one of the lowest rates at 69.3 percent.

“These provide the information communities and federal agencies need to make decisions to improve and expand broadband Internet access for all Americans,” said Census Bureau Director John H. Thompson.

Metropolitan Areas 75.2 percent of metropolitan area households reported highspeed Internet use, compared with 63.1 percent of nonmetropolitan households. In addition, 85.1 percent of metropolitan households reported owning a computer, compared with 76.5 percent of nonmetro households.

Some states, such as California, Florida and Washington, had a variety of high and low performing areas within their borders, often very near one another. California, for example, had rates of computer ownership and high-speed Internet use above the national average. However, certain parts of the state, specifically those in the San Francisco Bay Area (including Napa, San Francisco and San Jose), had high percentages of computer ownership and high-speed Internet use, while metropolitan areas in the nearby Central Valley (including Bakersfield,

Fresno and Hanford) had significantly lower estimates on both indicators.

Demographics of Computer and Internet Users Computer ownership and Internet use were most common in the following types of households: ■■ Homes

with

relatively

young

householders: 92.5 percent of homes with a householder age 35 to 44 reported owning a computer, while 82.5 percent reported Internet use.

■■ In Asian households and white nonHispanic households: 86.6 percent of Asian households and 77.4 percent of white households reported Internet use.

■■ In households with high incomes: 98.1 percent of households making $150,000 or more had a computer, while 94.9 percent reported Internet use.

■■ Householders with high educational attainment: 95.5 percent of homes with a householder with at least a bachelor’s degree had a computer, while 90.1 percent reported Internet use.

Type of Internet Connection The

most

common

household

connection type was cable modem (42.8 percent), followed by mobile broadband (33.1 percent) and digital subscriber line (DSL) (21.2 percent).

About a quarter of all households had no paid Internet subscription (25.6 percent).

Only 1.0 percent of all households reported connecting to the Internet using only a dial-up connection.

Types of Computer Ownership The

most

common

household

computer ownership was a desktop or laptop, at 78.5 percent.

63.6 percent reported a hand-held computer (smartphone or other handheld wireless computer).

15

16

January 2015 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Marketing & Graphic Design / Printing Services

Top trending

words IN 2014

Since 2000, the Global Language Monitor has analyzed the Internet, the blogosphere, and social, print and electronic media using NarrativeTracker technology to find the top words, phrases and names throughout the Englishspeaking world, now numbering more than 1.83 billion people. Seeing the list reveals what was important and trending in a given year. What’s the most understood English word in the world? OK.

TOP 10 WORDS OF 2014 1. The Heart ♥ Emoji (for love). An emoji is an ideograms or smileys used in

Japanese electronic messages and webpages that has spread worldwide to represent an emotion, expression, or state of mind, or a person, place or thing.

2. Hashtag. The pervasive, powerful pound-sign.

3. Vape. Smoking an electronic or e-cigarette, shorthand for vaporize, or vaping.

4. Blood Moon. Based on the Blood Moon Prophecy taught by Christian ministers, such as John Hagee and Mark Biltz. The theory is that a series of four consecutive total lunar eclipses in an 18-month time span, which began with the April, 2014 lunar eclipse, is a sign of the end times.

5. Nano. One billionth of a meter.

6. Photo Bomb. Breaking into a “pre-arranged” photograph without authorization resulting in often-humorous outcomes.

7. Caliphate. A land ruled by an Islamic Caliph typically governed under Sharia Law. 8. (White) Privilege. The alleged advantages of having lighter-colored skin in a diverse society.

9. Bae. Term of endearment for one’s object of desire.

10. “Bash” Tag. Using a hashtag to undermine your frenemies.

TOP WORDS, PHRASES, NAMES IN PRIOR YEARS Top Names 2013 Top Words 1. ‘404’ 2 Fail 3. Hashtag Top Phrases 1. Toxic Politics 2. Federal Shutdown 3. Global Warming/Climate Change Top Names 1. Pope Francis 2. ObamaCare 3. NSA

2012 Top Words 1. Apocalypse Armageddon 2. Deficit 3. Olympiad Top Phrases 1. Gangnam Style 2. Climate Change/Global Warming 3. Fiscal Cliff

1. Newtown 2. Malala Yousafzai 3. Xi Jinping

2011

Top Words 1. Occupy 2. Fracking 3. Drone Top Phrases 1. Arab Spring 2. Royal Wedding 3. Anger and Rage Top Names 1. Steve Jobs 2. Osama bin-laden and Seal Team Six 3. Fukushima Sources: Global Language Monitor, Wikipedia

SplashData’s ‘Worst Passwords of 2013’ SplashData announced its annual list of the 20 most common passwords found on the Internet.

Rank

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9 10

Password 123456 password 12345678 qwerty abc123 123456789 111111 1234567 iloveyou adobe123

Rank Password 11 123123 12 admin 13 1234567890 14 letmein photoshop 15 16 1234 17 monkey 18 shadow 19 sunshine 20 12345 Source: http://splashdata.com

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Marketing & Graphic Design / Printing Services

January 2015

17

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Putting personality into your marketing Engage your audience with a personal touch With all the tools and technology at our disposal, it is essential that you put some personality into your message.

Your personality sets your business apart from every other business. It is what makes you different, and it is what people will connect with.

Getting the word out about your product or service in the 21st century has never been more confusing.

Broadcast, direct mail, print collateral, trade shows … oh, wait … websites, social media, search engine optimization, content marketing, online advertising, online remarketing. In today’s internetcentric world, it can be difficult to put a personal spin on your company, and the human touch is often lost.

Most often, buyers make decisions based on emotion and connection.

We get attached to certain brands for many different reasons -- and we remain loyal to those brands. The buying decision rarely has anything to do with price. Rather, it is made based on a connection with the brand, the person, or the product; a connection that other companies do not make.

You may have a feel for your clients and prospects, their corporate culture, their vibe. But what does your client know about you?

If I check out a website, and I can’t find any information about the people behind the company, I’ll go check out another website. If I read an email that is written to the masses, how does that make me feel special or connected to the writer? In many instances, a good

dose of personality will improve both engagement and sales.

Engaging your Clients in 2015 For years, we’ve defined businesses as Business-to-Business (B2B) or Business-to-Consumer (B2C). It’s an easy way to qualify your audience in a broad way; but, with social media and internet marketing, the line between the two definitions is getting pretty grey.

Bryan Kramer has coined the new phrase H2H – Human to Human. He encourages us to stop marketing to large groups of people and design your message as if you plan to sit down, face-to-face, with one person. That means opening up your personality to the client. Are you funny and just this side of a goof? Are you edgy and loose and tech-savvy? Are you conservative and slightly formal? Let them know who you are.

Yes, many people buy products and invest in services because they need a solution to an immediate problem. But even then, people buy from people.

Make sure the potential client thinks of your company first because they connect with your brand personality.

Shine up your Company’s Personality So, it’s important to make sure personality comes through in my marketing. How do I do that? Here are some grass roots ways of putting personality into your marketing:

Snack Foods and Personality Traits Potato Chips. Ambitious, successful, high achiever, impatient with less than the best.

Tortilla Chips. Perfectionist, high expectations, punctual, conservative, responsible.

Pretzels. Lively, easily bored with same old routine, flirtatious, intuitive, may over commit to projects.

Snack Crackers. Rational, logical, contemplative, shy, prefers time alone.

Cheese Curls. Conscientious, principled, proper, fair, may appear rigid but has great integrity, plans ahead, loves order.

Nuts. Easygoing, empathetic, understanding, calm, even tempered.

Popcorn. Takes charge, pitches in often, modest, self-confident but not a show-off.

Meat Snacks. Gregarious, generous, trustworthy, tends to be overly trusting.

Source: From What Flavor Is Your Personality? Discover Who You Are by Looking at What You Eat, by Alan Hirsch, MD (Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks, 2001)

As shown above, the snack preferences that consumers make in their lives show patterns about their personal traits. I include this table only because it’s fun and, as a fan of popcorn, I like what it says about me.

1. Write like a person. Leave your MBA-speak and your industry jargon at home and just write like you would speak with a friend.

2. Communicate in a friendly, open way, but leave out the slang and never use anything even slightly offensive just to get attention.

3. Make sure people can find the key people of your business on your website. Not just name and title, but something personal about each individual. And use photos – good ones.

4. Take a look at your website home page – is it sterile and distant or does it reflect the real people behind the business?

5. Stop writing about “I” and “We” and “Us” and replace it with “You.” Even though we are talking about adding personality to YOUR marketing, don’t forget that your prospects and clients want to know what you can do for THEM.

6. Be

Kathy Velasco V2 Marketing Communications

honest and human and don’t pretend you know all the answers.

Marketing communications seem more complex in our technologydriven world. But it really should be simple. Social media has a way of making us all feel a bit anonymous – just one more piece of information on a very crowded information highway.

The more you are able to connect with clients – and potential clients – in a personal way, the more likely it will be that your messages will break through the din and roar of the internet and be found. Be yourself.

Kathy Velasco is co-owner of V2 Marketing Communications.

The views expressed are those of Velasco’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

18

January 2015

Burpee Museum puts Rockford on international map “Burpee Museum’s paleontology program put Rockford on the international map and keeps us there,” said Scott Williams, director of science & exhibits, Burpee Museum of Natural History.

In Good Company Our community is fortunate to have many talented people who contribute to make the Rockford area real and original. We continue to feature some of them through the “In Good Company” photograph and video exhibit created by Nels Akerlund Photography + Video.

This month we highlight Scott Williams of Burpee Museum, located in downtown Rockford.

About Burpee Museum of Natural History The world-class quality of its paleontology program, exhibits and educational programs draws around 50,000 visitors to Burpee annually. About 65 percent of them are from outside Winnebago County. Founded in 1942, Burpee has 10 full-time employees and up to 15 part-timers for school programming.

In 2002 the museum made international news when Jane, the world’s most complete and best-preserved juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex, was discovered in Montana and later introduced to the public. The 66 million-year-skeleton’s exhibit drew record crowds and was featured on CNN, National Geographic and more.

Another Burpee expedition to Montana led to the discovery of Homer, one of the best examples of a “teenaged” Triceratops.

The exhibit “Homer’s Odyssey: From the Badlands to Burpee” opened in 2012.

The newest discovery is Pearl, a very rare 66 million-year-old oviraptorosaur fossil discovered by Burpee in 2013. The

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

John Groh Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Museum of Natural History and the University of Maryland are collaborating with Burpee to prepare Pearl for its exhibit.

Burpee’s International Reputation Williams recently returned from the annual meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology held in Berlin, Nov. 5 to 8, and attended by 1,500 paleontologists.

Burpee staff made several presentations at the conference.

Williams said, “Burpee is known to these international paleontologists because of the high quality of our paleontology program. When we asked Dr. Fabio Dalla Vecchia, a well-known Italian paleontologist, to speak at PaleoFest 2015, he said ‘yes, I’ve heard of Burpee, and I’ve been waiting for an invitation!’” PaleoFest is a weekend-long event of family-friendly activities and informative lectures that brings international paleontologists to present their research.

Burpee’s dinosaurs Jane and Homer have been ambassadors to other countries.

More than 120,000 people saw Burpee’s Jane exhibit in Osaka, Japan. The Homer exhibit was viewed by 110,000 in Osaka.

What’s Next for Burpee?

Burpee will present “Savage Ancient Seas” that showcases prehistoric “sea monsters” that lived around the same time as Jane and Homer. The Jan. 17 through Labor Day exhibit will be shown for the first time in the Midwest at Burpee Museum.

The next PaleoFest is March 14 to 15 and is co-hosted by the Smithsonian.

There will be activities for all ages, including a workshop with Dr. Thomas Holtz, a celebrated paleontologist who will present his first workshop for children ages 10 to 14. There will be 24 presentations by world-renowned paleontologists on the beginning of the age of dinosaurs.

What Should Chamber Members Know About Burpee?

Burpee Museum’s Scott Williams is part of the RACVB’s “In Good Company” photograph and video exhibit, highlighting local talent and organizations that help make Rockford a destination. When out-of-towners visit Burpee and our region, they add $320 million to the economy annually.

Burpee welcomes businesses as partners and visitors. Whether your business would like to rent one of Burpee’s distinctive rooms for a meeting or party ... or sponsor an exhibit, please contact MacKenna Atteberry, Burpee marketing & development manager, at 815-965-3433 or mackenna.atteberry@burpee.org.

John Groh is president/CEO of the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The views expressed are those of Groh’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

19

January 2015

Marching steadily towards our goal Our progress can be measured So much of RPS 205’s capital comes from the people of this community. We have benefited from more than 25,000 volunteer hours already this school year.

A year ago in this space, I shared lessons from the 20-Mile March, the story of two teams with starkly different approaches to reaching the South Pole.

Roald Amundsen believed in a slow and steady march. His team reached the South Pole first, and they all survived.

The other team followed more than a month later. They all died on the return trip.

While we don’t push the limits of human endurance in the Rockford Public Schools, we have nonetheless been on the march. We have worked hard and worked collaboratively, focused on the goal of 21st century learning.

We aren’t there yet, but we can measure our progress.

We are on the march toward becoming a Ford Next Generation Model Community by 2016. In October, Rockford was named a Next Generation Learning Community by the Ford Motor Company Fund. The distinction celebrates the high school redesign in RPS 205 and paves the way for other communities to learn from us about how to start academies in their schools. It validates the hard work of our staff, students and partners to prepare all students for high-wage, high-skill jobs.

We are on the march toward raising attainment. From 2013 to 2014, we saw year-over-year growth of nearly four percentage points in graduation rates. New data from the Illinois State Board of Education shows our freshmen students perform better than the state average in being on track to graduate. An on-track student is almost four times as likely to graduate, according to the state board.

We are on the march toward vastly improved facilities. By a nearly 3-to-1 margin, voters in November approved a referendum that would allow us to build new schools with no new taxes.

Thirteen additions are planned in the next phase of our 10-year facilities plan.

We have already completed additions to six elementary schools, as well as new classrooms and a new field house at Auburn High School. New learning

spaces and a new field house are nearly finished at Guilford High School, while East plans to unveil its own renovation and field house in spring 2015.

We are on the march toward a new strategic plan, Readiness 2020. The plan team will submit its recommendation to the School Board this

month.

administrators,

Teachers,

principals,

parents,

students

and other community members have collaborated on a plan that will align district priorities and set a direction for the next five years – and do it on one page.

Finally, we are on the march toward providing more opportunities for children to receive quality early childhood

education.

Through

a

federal grant awarded to Illinois, we will be able to provide 120 full-day PreK experiences for the community’s most at-risk 4-year-olds. We are proud of the strength of our program. The governor last year awarded RPS 205 with the Pre-K Gold Circle of Quality.

No march is without missteps.

While we still have healthy reserves and are in a strong financial position, the auditors gave us tough news last month. We finished fiscal year 2014 with an $8.8 million deficit. Expenditure forecasts have already been adjusted, and we are committed to a balanced budget in FY15.

We remain proud, however, of the fact we have returned nearly $23 million to taxpayers since 2012. And we have done so in spite of flat local tax revenues for four consecutive years.

So much of RPS 205’s capital comes from the people of this community. We have benefited from more than 25,000 volunteer hours already this school year.

We know that nearly 4,800 volunteers – and community partners such as Sharefest and Alignment Rockford -are marching right alongside us.

Armed with patience, commitment, problem-solving and critical thinking – the same skills we demand from our students – we continue our march.

Thank you for your support along the way.

Dr. Ehren Jarrett is superintendent of Rockford Public Schools.

The views expressed are those of Dr. Jarrett’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

20

January 2015

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Rockford University PERSPECTIVE

How does the price of oil impact Rockford?

Global economic issues often have impacts close to home. Local business professionals would be well served by understanding these impacts. There is no clearer example of this than when one considers the price of oil.

The price of petroleum oil on world markets has been falling steadily for six months, and is as of mid-December more than 45 percent lower than May. This has directly translated into 30 percent cheaper gasoline at the pump nationally, and 32 percent lower gasoline prices in Rockford, according to GasBuddy.com. The decrease in gasoline prices is the most direct way in which the average American consumer is benefitting from the decrease in oil prices. According to The Wall Street Journal, decreased spending on gasoline will add an average of $380 to individual savings over a year, should oil prices continue to stay low.

Three major factors have put downward pressure on the price of oil, bringing it to a five-year low.

■■ First, increased U.S. oil extraction from shale through the use of new hydraulic fracturing technology has increased world oil supply, and has made the United States the world’s largest producer of oil.

■■ Second, members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) have agreed to keep oil production unchanged, allowing the price of oil to fall in a strategic move intended to make further U.S. oil extraction unprofitable and prevent the United States from taking over too large a market share.

■■ Third, the International Energy Agency has reduced its global growth forecast for next year due to declining revenues from oil exports in the largest oil producing countries, like Russia or Saudi Arabia, leading to decreased spending on goods and services.

Projections for the Rockford Area

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

A new approach to motivating employees Dr. Roxana Idu Rockford University

Locally, the Rockford economy also is expected to experience increased growth over the year. Residents will enjoy the same savings from lower gasoline prices as the average American, and will be able to spend part of these savings on additional consumption, thus stimulating the local service and retail sectors. Lower gasoline prices usually increase purchases of new cars. As a result, production and revenues at the Belvidere Chrysler plant could rise.

As an area with a larger than the national average share of manufacturing, Rockford’s economy could further benefit from an increase in manufacturing production facilitated by a decrease in energy and transportation costs. In addition, the Chicago-Rockford International Airport is likely to experience an increase in traffic as shipping costs decrease, and as airline companies reduce fare prices in response to lower fuel costs.

However, the increased economic activity and accompanying job creation will come at a cost, as the increased burning of petroleum oil and gasoline will create additional pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, further damaging our environment and contributing to climate change. If oil prices stay low for a long time, they can induce a switch from cleaner sources of energy, like wind, solar, hydroelectric and nuclear to petroleum oil. Studies also show that when gasoline prices fall, purchases of larger and less efficient vehicles increase.

As opposed to many of the benefits of low oil prices, the associated costs are less likely to affect each of us right away.

Nevertheless, their impact will be tangible in the long run, as more and more communities will have to cover rising costs of damages caused by more extreme and violent weather events.

At a time of low worldwide and U.S. economic growth, the recent decrease in the price of oil provides a welcome relief to consumers and manufacturers, helping to bolster both the local and national economies in the next year.

However, as a society we also need to assume responsibility for the potential negative consequences of low oil prices, and plan for a future where an increased variety of cleaner energy sources reduces the negative impact on the environment and helps lay the foundation for long run economic growth.

Dr. Roxana Idu is assistant professor, department of economics, business, and accounting, at Rockford University.

A low oil price impacts the U.S. economy in several ways. Energy costs of manufacturing firms that use oil as a source of fuel will decrease, helping boost manufacturing output. Fuel costs for airline companies are expected to decline if oil prices continue to stay low. This savings could be passed on to consumers as lower airfare prices. Part of the average American’s savings from lower gasoline prices will be spent on consumption, further boosting U.S. output. However, profits for American oil producers will decline and so will the rate of oil extraction. Manufacturing companies that produce oil exploration and extraction equipment will see a fall in sales. Average estimates of the overall impact on the U.S. economy are of a 0.2 percentage points The views expressed are those of Dr. Idu’s and higher economic growth over the first half do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford of 2015.

Chamber of Commerce.

The way people work is changing “How do we motivate our employees?

Really motivate them to do good work?”

The world of work is changing, and it’s changing fast. The way people approach work (or want to approach work) is becoming as individual as the clothes they wear, and for employers that recognize and support this, the benefits are endless. When employees have the freedom to decide how, when and where they will be most productive and efficient, productivity skyrockets. Customer and client satisfaction increases. The bottom line is positively impacted.

It’s time all employers – private sector, public sector, service providers, for profit, non-profit – examine their foundational cultural platform to ensure it’s aligned with the desires of 21st century job seekers, and expectations of 21st century recipients of the services being provided or products being sold.

And we’re not just talking about young employees wanting to break out of the mold. A recent study from Pricewaterhouse Coopers found that not only do Millennials (those born between 1981 and 1996) want more control over how they approach work, but so do nonMillennials — in equal numbers. The study found that a significant number from all generations want this so much that they would be willing to give up pay and delay promotions in order to get it. This is a stark contrast to the landscape from decades past where employees were just taught that work was their lives until retirement, and the organization would determine when, where and how they did it.

Making a Meaningful Life Job seekers today want more than just a bunch of pretty words on a wall or in a handbook. “We’re family-friendly,” “We’re mission-driven,” “We’re innovative!”

They want the security of knowing those words are really true. And believe it or not, they want much more than a bunch of amenities that might sound and look good. They actually want to live meaningful lives while they work for you. That old adage, “No one ever wishes they would have worked more on their deathbed?” That’s front of mind for job seekers today. It’s not that they won’t do good work for you or that they’re slackers, but they know they’ll do even better work for you if they can have control over how they spend their time. They need their work to be part of their lives, not a life that they need to ignore while working.

What kind of work culture not only attracts today’s job seekers, but is a good fit for them once they’re hired? Before we get into that, let’s remember this isn’t just about them – it’s about you, too. The culture can’t just be all about pleasing

Cali Ressler

employees at CultureRx® any cost; there’s a balance that needs to be struck between autonomy and accountability. It’s that balance that ultimately leads to all sides winning – happy, engaged employees in a thriving, healthy organization, with satisfied customers/clients. This is called a ResultsOnly Work Environment™.

Autonomy + Accountability The foundation of autonomy and accountability is not easy to form … and can be a definite challenge to sustain. At some point or another, the scale will tip and there will be more weight on the side of autonomy or more on the side of accountability, and vice versa. Knowing what to do in these situations is critical.

A work culture heavy on autonomy and light on accountability can lead to an entitlement culture where employees are overly concerned with what they think they deserve and what their extrinsic rewards will be for meeting expectations.

In this scenario, employees are well off but the organization suffers. In a heavy autonomy structure, goals typically aren’t clear and performance management practices are not strong.

On the flip side, heavy accountability and light autonomy can easily lead to employee burnout, great amounts of stress, and high levels of voluntary turnover. In this scenario, operational practices may be top-notch; goal-setting practices and performance management may be very strong, but the level of control people have over how they do their work is low.

It’s not hard to see how just a slight tip of the scale one way or the other can have dramatic effects on the employee experience, your organization’s bottom line, or both.

In order to create this fine balance and ensure its sustainability, focus must be on one thing: Results. This is why your organization exists, and it’s what will keep you in existence. Take your eyes off results, and you might as well start writing the organization’s obituary.

When results are clear, objective and measurable, everyone wins. That’s the anchor. Managers can start managing the work, not the people. Employees can start making good, smart decisions about how, when and where they work.

The bottom line?

100% autonomy in exchange for 100% accountability. It’s the new employee agreement.

Cali Ressler is co-founder of CultureRx®, the sole executor of Results-Only Work Environment™ (ROWE™) training and certification. She can be contacted at www.gorowe.com.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

21

January 2015

IGNITE

Young Professionals

Here’s to great events planned for 2015!

IGNITE was founded on the principle of attracting and retaining young professionals to the Rockford area. It has always believed that these young professionals play a vital role in the vibrancy of our city. As the president of IGNITE, it has been very exciting to see IGNITE truly come into its own over the past year. Our membership has exploded, and we are beginning to take our place as leaders – not only within Rockford’s young professional community, but among the community as a whole.

Over the next year, we will be continuing all of our initiatives that have helped to define this new chapter of our organization, expanding into new and exciting areas as well. Our executive leadership has already begun meeting with local businesses and organizations in order to develop lasting and beneficial partnerships between our members and the community at large.

Our INVOLVE committee, chaired

by Alpa Patel and Brenton Soltys, has hit the ground running after its

reinvigoration in 2014. Its signature QUOTE events (Quarterly Updates On Topics of Engagement) are already working wonders towards engaging our young professionals with relevant topics in our community.

In the coming year, we can expect four of these events – which pair volunteerism with education in order to encourage long-term engagement. INVOLVE’s next QUOTE event will take place on Feb. 18 at the Excel Academy and will cover issues related to community safety.

INVOLVE will also be engaging in monthly community events that work with and help support local charities and initiatives.

Our EDUCATE committee, chaired

by Heather Bradshaw and Ben Slack, has a lot on its plate as well. The Lunch Outside the Box series will continue to highlight area leaders as they share professional development opportunities during the lunch hour. Upcoming events include a March 12 event highlighting Women in Manufacturing and a May 14 talk featuring Rudy Valdez.

EDUCATE will also continue to host its

monthly book discussion on a variety of interesting topics.

Last but certainly not least, our REACH committee, chaired by Caitlin Ludwig and Derek Erwin -- hot off the heels of the inaugural IGNITE Cup – has some amazing things planned! The second-annual IGNITE Cup will kick off in the first half of the year with new events, new surprises and a lot more friendly competition! On top of that, our monthly After 5 will continue to offer casual, low-key events that will encourage our young professionals to socialize and network in a zero-pressure environment.

At this point, you are all hopefully thinking to yourself, “This all sounds fantastic, how do I get involved?” Well, I’m glad you’re hypothetically asking!

If you’re a young professional, I would just say to sign up. Membership is free, and new members are always welcome.

Not to mention, you can join in on these awesome events we have going on this upcoming year.

If you are a business owner who

employs Mark Middendorff young IGNITE Rockford professionals, we would love to meet with you about ways to help engage your young professionals with the community. If you are a community organization, charity, nonprofit or an engaged citizen with an idea, we’d love to hear from you too! We are always on the lookout for new initiatives and ideas to help us grow and evolve.

If you have any questions, you can reach out to me or any of the individuals listed above. You can also reach out to our Vice President Andrew Hendrickson, Marketing Director Britney Lindgren, or Secretary Mika Doyle. All you have to do is send an email to info@igniterockford.com!

IGNITE is up to a lot, and there’s nowhere to go but up! Here’s to a great 2015!

Mark Middendorff is president of IGNITE and an associate at SmithAmundsen LLC. Check out the updated IGNITE web site at igniterockford.com.

22

Rockford Chamber members appear bolded. Thank you for your support of your fellow Chamber members.

January 2015

Business Briefs BUSINESS BRIEFS

(formerly Registered Rep) annual survey of the nation’s six largest financial services firms. Edward Jones’ overall score was 9.5 out of 10 possible points, including 9.5 for its online client account information and 8.8 for the quality of its mobile applications.

Crusader Community Health earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ for accreditation for compliance with its national standards for health care quality and safety in ambulatory care organizations.

The Illinois Office of Tourism and Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau announced that Stockholm Inn in Rockford is a recipient of an Enjoy Illinois: Delicious Destination award as a local food establishment that is a beloved destination among visitors and locals alike. Stockholm Inn is a locally owned and operated restaurant since 1968 and echoes Rockford’s Swedish heritage. Visit EnjoyIllinois.com.

Rockford Park District’s Aldeen Golf Club retained its designation as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for Golf Courses, an Audubon International program.

It’s one of 51 courses in Illinois and 914 courses in the world to receive the honor.

Packard Health, Inc., Ann Arbor, Mich., a clinic serving low-income persons for more than 40 years,

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Six consumer trainees from Bridgeway stand in front of a holiday wreath donated by Lowe’s, Machesney Park, to the Bridgeway production center (formerly Illinois Growth Enterprises).

Bridgeway serves more than 200 with disabilities in the Rockford area by providing and finding employment. partnered with theFranaGroup to achieve the certification by the Health Services Resources Administration as a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike.

As an FQHC, Packard Health will be eligible for enhanced Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.

Heritage Credit Union announced the 2014 recipients of its Richard J. McGrath Endowment Fund: Emmanuel Lutheran Church Food Pantry, Remedies Renewing Lives, Stateline Youth for Christ, Junior

League of Rockford and Milestone Dental Clinic.

The Larson & Darby project, Heddington Oaks, receive a LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The $36.5 million, 214-bed senior care facility in Peoria, Ill., surpassed its initial projected LEED® goal.

Carpenter’s Place received in November more than 125 bags of items collected for homeless men and women by the Sophomore Class Sponsor Program of Hononegah High School in a student collection called a Scavenger Hunt for the Homeless.

The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois and Rockford Public Schools announced a commitment of $100,000 to the BandWagon 2 endowment. The two organizations aim to raise $300,000 for instruments, uniforms and musical equipment for music programs at Eisenhower, Flinn, Kennedy, Lincoln, RESA, Thurgood Marshall, West and Wilson ASPIRE middle schools.

V2 Marketing Communications promoted and facilitated a two-day fall workshop for the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters at the Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, Ill. V2 also is the managing firm for the organization.

Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois partnered with Northern Illinois University’s Institute for the Study of the Environment, Sustainability, and Energy to collect usable goods. Goodwill bins were delivered to residence halls in December to collect items that otherwise would go to landfills once the semester was over. Since the beginning of the partnership in fall, 2012, more than 30,000 pounds of items have been collected.

For the 20th time, the financial services firm Edward Jones ranked No. 1 in WealthManagement.com’s

Members of the Fire & Iron Firefighters Motorcycle Club presented $3,500 to the OSF Saint Anthony Burn Unit in December, which it raised through benefit rides; business, individual and fire department donations; sales of T-shirts, and a Cut-4-a-Cause event.

The National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders named Rockford Bank & Trust as one of two financial institutions to receive the 2014 Champion of Veterans Small Business Lending Award. The bank facilitated six small business loans to veterans in fiscal year 2014, amounting to more than $1,035,000.

Members of the Rockford Memorial Hospital Auxiliary donated hats and gloves to 1,600 students at West Middle, Conklin Elementary and Welsh Elementary Schools.

Critter Camp Exotic Pet Sanctuary was the chosen charity in December for the Midwest Furfest, a convention held at Hyatt Regency, Rosemont, Ill. Although the facility was evacuated for a chlorine powder spill, the people and animals were fine, and the convention raised more $31,000.

Rock River Temporary Services, Inc., dba Manpower, received national certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women’s Business Development Center-Chicago of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.

Kryptonite announced a new food selection and menu by Mossy Vaughn. Added to its craft beers, liquors and music is dinner with gourmet appetizers, pizzas and calzones all handmade with fresh ingredients. The bar will be open with earlier hours: Wednesday to Friday, 3 p.m.

RAMP joined several other local human service organizations in presenting a pilot program to the State of Illinois that will provide services to keep individuals with disabilities from ever entering institutional settings, specifically nursing homes. Through a federal initiative called the Balancing Incentive Program, participating states are changing their support from institutional care to communitybased services and supports.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

23

January 2015

the News IN Members THEin NEWS

1. Kelly Galluzzo

2. Judge Gwyn Gulley

3. Tiana McCall

4. Stacie Talbert Scott

5. Christina Markese

6. Susan Glenn

7. Dr. Terese Burch

9. Shondra Wandell

9. Kerry Huffman

10. Renee Kirchner

11. Kim Alsup

12. Anne Boccignone

13. Candice Miller

14. Sen. Dave Syverson

15. Kay Lazarus West

16. Aimee Berman

BOARD APPOINTMENTS

Gaier named new leader of Rockford Register Star

Jeff Huber, CPA, and Suzanne Berger, were elected to the Crusader Community Health Foundation Board. The following were elected president: Nord Swanstrom; immediate past president: Jim Millikin, CPA; vice president: Dennis Roop; treasurer: Jeff Huber, and secretary: Michele Petrie.

The No. 2 leader of the Rockford Register Star and The Journal-Standard Paul Gaier, 47, was named publisher of both news organizations in December, replacing Josh Trust, who was promoted to division vice president of Community East for GateHouse Media, the parent company.

Gaier most recently served as the general manager and director of sales operations for both outlets and has 25 years of newspaper experience.

YWCA Rockford welcomed four new members to its board, Kelly Galluzzo (1), Honorable Judge Gwyn Gulley (2), Tiana McCall (3) and Stacie Talbert Scott (4).

human resources training coordinator and Kim Alsup (11) as a second “scheduler” to match clients and caregivers.

NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, RETIREMENTS

Anne Boccignone (12) joined Rosecrance Health Network as vice president of development.

Heartland Hospice welcomed new director of professional services, Christina Markese (5), RN, BS. Carlene Boehmer was promoted to director of claims and customer service at The Alliance®.

Dr. Zakera Nanabawa joined the Women’s Health Obstetrics and Gynecology Practice at the Crusader Community Health on Broadway-Uram Clinic in Rockford.

Rock Valley College Foundation hired Susan Glenn (6) as vice president and chief development officer.

The 2014 Frontier League Rookie of the Year Tanner Witt signed with the Rockford Aviators for the 2015 season.

Terese Burch (7), Ph.D, RN, president, Saint Anthony College of Nursing, announced her retirement after 19 years as president. A committee comprised of college board members will conduct a national search for her replacement with plans for a new president before her departure in May, 2015.

EMPLOYEE/COMMUNITY RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS

Alpine Bank promoted Shondra Wandell (8) to in-store branch officer at Schnucks, East State, Rockford.

The YMCA of Rock River Valley announced the recipients of its 2014 Employee of the Year awards: Karri Woolley, youth and family director, Northeast Family YMCA; Charles Gray, membership coordinator, I.D. Pennock Family YMCA; Neal Bentrup, accounting director, and Bridget Leden, marketing and public relations director.

Candice Miller (13), horticulture educator, University of Illinois Extension, was chosen to give a presentation on youth gardening at the 2014 Korean Master Gardener International Conference at GyeongGi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services in South Korea last September.

The Center for Developmental Disabilities, an organization that represents facilities like the Walter Lawson Children’s Home in Rockford, awarded State Sen. Dave Syverson (14) (R-Rockford) for his work to protect people with disabilities.

John McNamara, Dick Kunnert and Frank Ware, posthumously, were named local Heroes of the Homeless at Crusader Community Health.

Comfort Keepers honored Kay Lazarus West (15) as Comfort Keeper of the Month for November.

Aimee Berman (16), account administrator, employee benefits department, Spectrum Insurance Agency, Inc., was named Employee of the Year for 2014.

The Natural Land Institute announced that Edward Cope joined as a restoration ecologist.

Comfort Keepers, northwest Illinois, promoted Kerry Huffman (9) as client care coordinator, and hired Renee Kirchner (10) as

17. John P. O’Connor

18. Rick Bastian

19. Steve Schou

20. Kristin Kellerman

Gnanasekar Munirathinam, Ph.D, assistant professor, department of biomedical sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, received a two-grant, “Management of prostate cancer metastasis using vitamin k2,” funded by National Cancer Institute.

John P. O’Connor (17), financial consultant, CYRS Wealth Advisors, Rockford, was awarded the prestigious mark, Accredited Asset Management Specialist™ (AAMS®) through the College for Financial Planning.

Shelly Griswold, Fehr Graham, achieved the next step in professional development by passing her planning certification exam to achieve her AICP certification.

Rick Bastian (18), CEO, Blackhawk Bank, earned his Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation.

OF GENERAL INTEREST Gary E. Kaatz, president and CEO, Rockford Health System, served as a panelist for Crain’s Chicago Business Hospital CEO Breakfast in December on “Navigating a Transforming Industry.”

Steve Schou (19), CFP®, CFO, senior partner, investment advisor representative, and Kristin Kellerman (20), investment advisor representative, Klaas Financial Inc., attended the Center for Due Diligence – Information and Strategic Resources for Retirement Plan Advisors.

21. Dr. Fred Sweet

Dr. Fred Sweet (21), Rockford Spine Center, presented results of a study he conducted at the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) Annual Meeting & Course in September in Anchorage, Alaska.

24

January 2015

Regional, National Indicators THE ECONOMY U.S. Indicators November 2014



Consumer Price Index Unemployment Rate

      

Average Hourly Earnings Producer Price Index Employment Cost Index Productivity U.S. Import Price Index U.S. Export Price Index

0.2 percent 0.7 percent (third quarter, 2014)

Thursday, January 8

321,000 $0.09

2.3 percent (third quarter, 2014) 1.5 percent 1.0 percent

Unemployment Rates Region / State / Nation July 14

Aug 14

Sept 14

Oct 14

Rockford

9.4

9.4

8.2

8.4

Chicago

6.8

6.3

6.0

6.1

Illinois

6.8

6.7

6.6

6.6

United States

6.2

6.3

5.9

5.8

Source: U.S. Department of Employment Security

Population Clock As of Nov. 20, 2014

U.S. 319,444,120

World 7,211,917,745

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

U.S Population Projections 2015 to 2060 Numbers in thousands Year

Population

Births

Deaths

Int’l. Migration

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035

321,369 334,503 347,335 359,402 370,338

3,999 4,125 4,181 4,198 4,219

2,619 2,777 2,971 3,224 3,520

1,241 1,271 1,310 1,355 1,394

2040 2045 2050 2055 2060

380,219 389,394 398,328 407,412 416,795

4,266 4,332 4,406 4,470 4,519

3,787 3,984 4,091 4,117 4,116

1,426 1,453 1,473 1,488 1,495

Source: U.S. Census Bureau Population Division

January 2015 Member Anniversaries Thank you to the members who celebrate their anniversaries with the Rockford Chamber in January, 2015.

Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful

Marden Tire & Auto (Marden Distributors, Inc.) Northern Illinois Health Plan Pierce Distribution Services Company

20-YEAR MEMBERS

5-YEAR MEMBERS

BMO Harris Bank Center

25-YEAR MEMBER

Cliffbreakers Riverside Resort Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois

10-YEAR MEMBERS A-Sign Designs

Next Rockford hosts a General Membership Meeting, Reclaiming First, 7:30 a.m., at Sportscore Two, 8800 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park.

Saturday, January 10

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

35-YEAR MEMBER

Rockford Chamber members appear bolded. Thank you for your support of your fellow Chamber members.

American Red Cross, Rock River Chapter hosts a Blood Drive, 1 to 6 p.m., at 727 N. Church St., Rockford.

For an appointment call 800-7332767. Walk-ins welcome.

5.8 percent

Payroll Employment

Community Events COMMUNITY

Monday, January 5

0.3 percent

Alignment Rockford Artale Wine Co. Lee ‘n Sons Plumbing, Inc. Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning (RMAP)

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Rockford Symphony Orchestra presents The Genius of John Williams, 7:30 p.m., Coronado Performing Arts Center. For tickets call 815-965-0049 or visit rockfordsymphony.com.

Monday, January 12

Rockford Park District will host 50-minute Group Indoor Golf Clinics, Monday afternoons, Jan. 12 to March 9, 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m., at the Indoor Sports Center, Loves Park.

Register at least three days prior to each clinic date at www.golfrockford. org (click My RPD) or call 815-9878800.

The Literacy Council, will offer free Basic Computer Classes on Mondays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., today through Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 982 N. Main St., Rockford. The class is designed for someone who has never worked on a computer in the past. Sign up at 815-963-7323, ext. 11, read@ theliteracycouncil.org or visit www. theliteracycouncil.org

Tuesday, January 13

The Literacy Council will offer a free Job Search Skills Computer Class Series on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., today through Jan. 29 at 982 N. Main St., Rockford. The class will cover creating a resume, online job searching and applications.

Sign up at 815-963-7323, ext. 11, read@theliteracycouncil.org or visit www.theliteracycouncil.org.

Wednesday, January 14

University of Illinois presents a 10-week series, Scaling Up Vegetable Production, 6 to 8 p.m., through March 18 at Highland Community College, Freeport. To register contact Grant McCarty, gmccarty@illinois.edu or 815-2354125.

Garden Hotel & Conference Center hosts a Grand Opening Celebration, 5 to 7:30 p.m., at 200 Dearborn Ave., South Beloit. Please RSVP by Jan. 7 to 815-525-3600. Visit www. gardenhotelconferenc ecenter.com.

Thursday, January 15

Rock Valley College’s Career Education Associates of North Central Illinois (CEANCI) hosts an Industrial

Technology Round Table, 9 a.m. to noon, at Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford. The goals are to create a curriculum framework and content of high school career and technical programs, and develop a workforce with a specific skill set that aligns to local industry needs. Contact Caryn Huber, 815-9211658 or c.huber@rockvalleycollege. edu.

The Arc of Winnebago, Boone and Ogle Counties presents a Winter Party Rec Night, 6 to 8 p.m., Second Congregational UCC/First Presbyterian Church of Rockford, 318 N. Church St., Rockford. Dress in white to resemble snow. To register call 815-965-3455.

Rockford Area Economic Development Council hosts its First Quarter Investor Event – 2015, 5 to 7 p.m., at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, 200 S. Bell School Road, Rockford. Register at tjohnson@ rockfordil.com.

Wednesday, January 21

Rockford Public Library presents Understanding Medicare Part A and Part B and Medicare Supplement Plans, 1 to 2 p.m., Rockton Centre Branch, program room, 3112 N. Rockton Ave. Registration required at 815-965-7606.

Thursday, January 22

Rockford Public Library presents Finding Grants for a Non-Profit Organization, 2 to 3:30 p.m., main library second floor computer room, 215 N. Wyman St. Must be proficient using the Internet. Registration required at 815-965-7606.

The Arc of Winnebago, Boone and Ogle Counties hosts Parent to Parent Connection, 6 to 8 p.m., 1222 E. State St., Rockford. An opportunity for parents to gather for coffee, cookies and conversation on raising children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. To register call 815-965-3455.

Friday, January 23

Visual artist Sergio Gomez presents a free lecture at 4:30 p.m., in Herrick Chapel, 1151 N. State St., Elgin, as part of Judson University’s School of Art, Design and Architecture Spring Lecture and Exhibition Series.

Reception to follow at 6 p.m. Visit JudsonU.edu/Undergraduate/ ArtDesign/Lecture_and_Exhibition_ Series.

Tuesday, January 27

Rockford Public Library presents 4th Tuesday Book Discussion, 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., main library, classroom C, 215 N. Wyman St. Discussion on Unbroken: A World War II Airman’s Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand, author of Seabiscuit, over coffee.

Registration not required. For information call 815-965-7606.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

25

January 2015

MEMBERS New Chamber Members

BALLARD PROPERTIES

FAITH CENTER

Real Estate Developer, Property Manager and Builder; Leasing Light Industrial; Storage 1670 N. Alpine Road, 61107 Randall Ballard 815-399-6600 www.ballard-properties.com

A full service, multi-cultural, independent charismatic church 4721 S. Main St., 61102 Apostle Donald Lyon 815-964-8000 www.rockfordfaithcenter.com

EDWARD JONES - ERIC DAHL

Employment Recruitment 5301 E. State St., Ste. 215D, 61108 Lisa Alton 815-218-2217 www.kellyservices.com

We meet with you to learn your individual needs so we can develop a strategy to help you achieve your long-term financial goals.

907 Alexandra Dr. Belvidere, IL 61008 Eric Dahl 815-544-5984 www.edwardjones.com

EDWARD JONES JOHN MANIS A financial services firm dedicated to serving the needs of individual investors.

1641 N. Alpine Road, Ste. 200, 61107 John A. Manis 815-395-8456 www.edwardjones.com

EDWARD JONES MICHELLE BOWMAN A financial services firm dedicated to serving the needs of individual investors.

5308 Williams Dr. Roscoe, IL 61073 Michelle Bowman 815-636-6665 www.edwardjones.com

EDWARD JONES NICK KLOSTER A financial services firm dedicated to serving the needs of individual investors.

330 E. Main St., Ste. 800 Rockton, IL 61072 Nick Kloster 815-624-1013 www.edwardjones.com

EDWARD JONES – RYAN JEFFREY A financial services firm dedicated to serving the needs of individual investors.

7479 Walton St., Ste. 1, 61108 Ryan Jeffrey 815-397-9852 www.edwardjones.com

EDWARD JONES STACY BRADY A financial services firm dedicated to serving the needs of individual investors.

5313 N. Second St. Loves Park, IL 61111 Stacy Brady 815-637-1518 www.edwardjones.com

KELLY SERVICES

KOWAL DEVELOPMENT, INC. Rental Properties 7065 Golden Eagle Dr. Loves Park, IL 61111 Greg Kowalski 815-793-0332

KRYPTONITE Live original music venue specializing in elite craft beers & much much more.

308 W. State St., Ste. 110, 61101 Chris Wachowiak 815-965-0931 www.kryptonitebar.com

NEW YORK LIFE CHAD DEMARRE Helping to empower you and your family to a better financial future.

973 Featherstone Road, Ste. 130, 61107 Chad DeMarre 815-312-4360 www.chaddemarre.com

NITRORTHOPAEDICS, LLC Specializing in orthopaedic trauma care 1235 N. Mulford Road, Ste. 103, 61107 Andrew J. Blint M.D. 815-636-0700 www.nitrorthopaedics.com

PUMILIA & PUMILIA, P.C. A full service law firm representing clients in personal injury, business transactions and litigation, family, and real estate matters 321 W. State St., Ste. 805, 61101 Joseph Pumilia 888-635-0010 www.pumilialaw.com

Membership Renewals Thank you to members who renewed with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce in November, 2014.

Accu-Cut Inc Aerotek, Inc. Alpine Kiwanis Club Atlas Components Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP Benning Group LLC Benson Stone Company, Inc. Brian F. Soltys, D.D.S. Briggs Floor Sanding & Refinishing Campbell Science Corporation Chastain & Associates LLC CherryVale Mall Christenson Funeral Home & Crematory City of Loves Park City of Rockford City of Rockford Human Services Department Cloisters of Forest Hills Columbia College Come Together Rockford CYRS Wealth Advisors LLC Erboe & Associates, CPAs Fehr Graham Forest City Communications of Illinois Inc. Healthcare Plus Heartland Hospice Illinois Bank & Trust Independence Village at Rockford Keller Williams Realty Signature La Voz Latina Lindstrom, Sorenson & Associates, LLP M & W Grinding of Rockford MembersAlliance Credit Union Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center Michalsen Office Furniture Inc.

Mid-City Office Products Morning Star Village Napleton Honda NLT Title, LLC Northern Illinois Terrazzo & Tile Company Nova Painting & Decorating PACCAR Parts, A Division of PACCAR PANDORA Jewelry Store Parkside Warehouse, Inc. Physicians Immediate Care Professional Graphics Inc. Republic Mortgage Home Loans Ringland-Johnson, Inc. Rockford Bank & Trust Co. Rockford Bank & Trust Co. Stewart Square Rockford Education Association Rockford I.D. Shop, Inc. Rockford Nephrology Associates (RNA of Rockford LLC) Satori Pathway Network Satori Pathway Network Anam Glen Securitas Security Services USA, Inc. Sexson Orthodontics, Ltd. TDS Tebala Shrine Center Town Square Publications Village Green Home & Garden Wanless-Brothers Moving and Storage Co. Woodman’s Food Market, Inc.

26

January 2015

Thank you

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

to the 2014 Ambassadors

Thank you to the Rockford Chamber Ambassadors for their hospitality at ribbon cuttings, open houses and events in 2014.

Front Row (L to R) - Mary Ann Gaunt, Jan Hagenlocher, Diane James, Barb Berman, Kay King, Karen Tilly, Michelle Bowman, Diane Navickis Second Row (L to R) - Janet Fischer, Mary Beth Clausen, Danna Krischke, Chad DeMarre, Pam Mahan, Ranae Bergman, Debbie Klinefelter, Karen Keller, Jamie Lauer, Carly Stokstad, Susan Vierck, Sue Boyer, Mary Jo Hare, Dave Bennett, Jean Lopez Back Row: (L to R) Libby Simms, Lori Barker, Thomas Weightman, Dawn Pfluger, Jim Lyke, Matt Taylor, Tim Watkins, Robbin Snodgrass, Stacy Wallace Not Pictured: Adriana Duran Krauss Andy Krauss Anthony Mencarini

Beatrice Ricotta Carrie Luttrell Chad Henry Chase Cain Cindy Nicolosi

Connie Kelly Dave Kauchak Deb Wehmhoefer Eddie Valdes Erin Jahn

Greg Kyles Janet Fischer Joanne Blaser Jocelyn Hare Jonathan Whitmore

Kathleen Siedenburg Kellie Cannon Lisa James Lisa Radant Mary Campbell

Mary Ann CanavanHenry Michele Mehren Michelle DeHaven Michelle Lewis

EVENTS

Pat Casazza Paula McCann Ray King Rick Peters Sam Bowers

Stephanie Johnston Troy Oates

Upcoming Chamber Events JANUARY, 2015 Friday, January 9

Government Affairs Council Meeting, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford. For more information on how to join, contact Heidi Garner at 815-316-4312.

Tuesday, January 13

Advantage Club – Superstars, noon to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Contact Beth Anderson, Blackhawk Bank, 815-877-2471 or banderson@ blackhawkbank.com.

Wednesday, January 14 7:30 – 9:00 am Rock Valley College Woodward Tech Center, 3301 N. Mulford Rd., Rockford

Breakfast

BUZZ

New Year, New You, New Career Panel of area professionals who have transitioned from one industry to another, including Mike Robinson, director of marketing and communications, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, and Mary Beth Clausen, The Morrissey Family Businesses, will give tips on how you can make a change.

Sponsored by McGladrey.

Wednesday, January 14

Advantage Power Network Club, 11:45 a.m., Franchesco’s, Rockford.

Contact Teri Watts, United Commercial Realty, Teriw1214@ gmail.com.

Advantage Club – Originals, 11:45 a.m., various locations. Contact

Deanna Watts, 815-968-9881 or Deanna@rockfordcc.com.

Ribbon Cutting, The Pregnancy Care Center of Rockford, 4 to 5 p.m., 4921 E. State St., Rockford.

Grand Opening Celebration and Ribbon Cutting, Garden Hotel and Conference Center, 200 Dearborn Ave., South Beloit, 5 to 7 p.m. Ribbon cutting at 6 p.m.

Thursday, January 15

Business After Hours sponsored

by Rockford MELD, 5 to 7 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road.

Thursday, January 22 5:00 – 8:00 pm Giovanni’s 610 N. Bell School Rd., Rockford

Rockford Chamber

Annual Dinner The keynote speaker is Cali Ressler, CultureRx, co‑founder and creator of the Result-Only Work Environment™ (ROWE™).

Announcement of 2015 Citizen of the Year.

Sponsored by OSF Healthcare (presenting), Charles Schwab (Citizen of the Year), First National Bank and Trust Company (gold), Leading Lawyers and WilliamsMcCarthy LLP (silver), Williams-Manny Insurance Group (wine), Illinois Bank & Trust , CliftonLarsonAllen LLP and Saint Anthony College of Nursing (calendar), and AT&T, McGladrey LLP and The Alliance (bronze).

Tuesday, January 27

Advantage Club – Superstars, noon to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Contact Beth Anderson, Blackhawk Bank, 815-877-2471 or banderson@ blackhawkbank.

Wednesday, January 28

Advantage Power Network Club, 11:45 a.m., Franchesco’s, Rockford.

Contact Teri Watts, United Commercial Realty, Teriw1214@ gmail.com.

Wednesday, January 28

Advantage Club – Originals, 11:45 a.m., various locations. Contact Deanna Watts, 815-968-9881 or Deanna@rockfordcc.com.

FEBRUARY, 2015 Tuesday, February 3

Business Women’s Council, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. New location!

Rockford Country Club, 2500 Oxford St. Jennifer Wood, CPA, will discuss lessons she has learned going from a corporate environment to starting her own business, along with the top five tax tips for women. Sponsored by Siena on Brendenwood.

Tuesday, February 10

Advantage Club – Superstars, noon to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Contact Beth Anderson, Blackhawk Bank, 815-877-2471 or banderson@ blackhawkbank.com.

Wednesday, February 11

Advantage Power Network Club, 11:45 a.m., Forest Hills Country Club,

Do you have news to share?

5135 Forest Hills Road, Rockford.

Contact Teri Watts, United Commercial Realty, Teriw1214@ gmail.com.

Advantage Club – Originals, 11:45 a.m., various locations. Contact Deanna Watts, 815-968-9881 or Deanna@rockfordcc.com.

Friday, February 13

Government Affairs Council Meeting, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford. For more information on how to join, contact Heidi Garner at 815-316-4312.

Tuesday, February 24

Advantage Club – Superstars, noon to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Contact Beth Anderson, Blackhawk Bank, 815-877-2471 or banderson@ blackhawkbank.com.

Wednesday, February 25

Advantage Power Network Club, 11:45 a.m., Forest Hills Country Club, 5135 Forest Hills Road, Rockford.

Contact Teri Watts, United Commercial Realty, Teriw1214@ gmail.com.

Advantage Club – Originals, 11:45 a.m., various locations. Contact Deanna Watts, 815-968-9881 or Deanna@rockfordcc.com.

Send news releases and other items of interest to the business community to: The VOICE, Rockford Chamber of Commerce 308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, IL 61101

DEADLINE IS THE 15TH OF THE MONTH PRECEDING ­PUBLICATION

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

27

January 2015

Membership: 101 101 MEMBERSHIP

The rewired resolution

Advertisers Index ADVERTISERS

Alpine Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

RiverView Printing. . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Brian Thomas Photography . . . . 18

Rockford Bank & Trust . . . . . . . . 21

Broadmoor Agency, Inc.. . . . . . . . 2

Rockford Chamber of Commerce. . . . . 8, 12, 19, 22, 25

Cartridge World. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Eight ways to work smarter, live better and be more productive

Resolving to Rewire – The New Year is the time for new beginnings and fresh starts, but really, anytime works for resolving to rewire from our hectic, overwired lives.

First, STOP. Shut down all devices, including the worries and todo lists in your brain. Seriously— turn off the computer and mobile devices and step away from the TV or conversations in the room or office. Reboot your brain and open a clean page.

It is now time to rewire. What does overwired mean? It means firing on all cylinders, overtaxing our brains and bodies, and never allowing either to rest or rejuvenate properly. It means multitasking, multithinking and never really being present with the task at hand or the people in our lives. It means feeling wired, even when we are not actually in front of a computer or at work.

The key is to STOP doing the destructive things that prevent purposeful productivity and START doing the small but important things that improve the way we work and live.

Colorwave Graphics . . . . . . . . . . 15

Rockford Health System. . . . . . . . 9

Comcast Business . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Rockford University. . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Fridh Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Sikich LLP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Illinos Bank & Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Stillman Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

IMEC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Thayer Lighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Klaas Financial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 KMK Media Group. . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Van Galder Bus Co . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

McGladrey LLP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

V2 Marketing Communications. . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Meridian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

WilliamsMcCarthy LLP . . . . . . . . . 5

Chamber Staff / Call 815-987-8100.............................................. Direct Line

Einar K. Forsman, President & CEO.......................................... 815-316-4304 Heidi M. Garner, Executive Assistant to the President.................... 815-316-4312

Doug Hessong, Director of Publications & Technology................... 815-316-4338 Lynette Jacques, Vice President, Member Investment.. .................. 815-316-4317 Vee Jevremovic, Manager of Education Programs and Events.. ........ 815-316-4337 Crystal Larson, Financial Assistant/Administrative Support.. ............ 815-987-8100

Step

STOP running full out

START recharging regularly

Step

2

STOP letting technology use you

START using technology

Step

STOP shifting clutter

START organizing and simplifying

1

3

Step

4

STOP worrying about work/life balance

START focusing on doing more of what energizes you and less of what depletes you

Joy Moriarty, Vice President, Finance........................................ 815-316-4316 Stacy Mullins, Director of Events.. ............................................ 815-316-4302 Diane Navickis, Member Relations Manager.. .............................. 815-316-4315 Mary Ann Suprenant, Membership Development Manager.............. 815-316-4336 Joan Sundvall, Membership Contact Coordinator......................... 815-316-4320

Chamber Board of Directors & Officers EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

DIRECTORS

START unitasking

Chairman of the Board Patti Thayer Thayer Lighting, Inc.

STOP saying “yes” to everyone/everything

START saying “no” purposefully

Vice Chair Richard Zumwalt Saint Anthony Medical Center

Step

7

STOP being available 24/7

START setting boundaries

Step

STOP playing catch up

START getting out in front of projects and tasks

Step

5

Step

6

8

STOP multitasking

Resolving to rewire means making small but significant changes that can add up to profound productivity and Personal fulfillment. Little tweaks, here and there, consistently employed, can lead to big results!

Excerpts from Rewired: How to Work Smarter, Live Better and Be Purposely Productive in an Overwired World written by Camille Preston, PhD.

Andrew Benson Benson Stone Company, Inc. Jan Bowman TLC Construction Paul Callighan ComEd, An Exelon Company Joe Castrogiovanni Giovanni’s, Inc.

Vice Chair Michele Petrie BMO Harris Bank

Dr. Rena Cotsones Northern Illinois University

Treasurer Larry Bridgeland Mid-City Office Products

Rebecca Epperson Chartwell Agency

Immediate Past Chairman Richard Walsh SwedishAmerican Health System

Darlene Furst FurstStaffing Ira Grimmett UTC Aerospace Systems Dr. Robert Head Rockford University Tim Honquest Honquest Family Funeral Home

Jeff Hultman Illinois Bank & Trust Michael F. Iasparro Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP Mike Mastroianni Rock Valley College Paul McCann Stanley Steemer of Rockford Patrick Morrow Alpine Bank Amy Ott Chicago Rockford International Airport Mike Paterson Mid-West Family Broadcasting Mark Peterson CBL Associates Cherry Vale Tim Rollins WilliamsMcCarthy

Henry Seybold Rockford Health System Patrick Shaw McGladrey LLP Laura Pigatti Williamson Rockford Park District

EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS Einar K. Forsman President & CEO, Rockford Chamber of Commerce John Groh Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Michael Nicholas Rockford Area Economic Development

Dan Ross Williams-Manny Insurance Group

Want more ideas on how to work smarter?

Your Rockford Chamber has them!

Contact Diane Navickis at 815-316-4315 or dnavickis@ rockfordchamber.com for details today!

February 2015 Special Sections: Education Services for Career Path Technology/Innovations For information on advertising, call 815 987-8100