LASERQUEST LIGHTS UP ROCKFORD PAGE 3
BUSINESS TAX CLIMATE PAGE 18
The Voice is online at rockfordchamber.com
2017 STANDARD MILEAGE RATES January 2017 | Volume 30 | No. 1
Why YOU should engage in RLA By Caitlin Pusateri, Rockford Chamber In preparation for next year’s Rockford Leadership Alliance, I’m combing through Patrick Lencioni’s “The Advantage” with intention — I have my highlighter out and everything. I want to walk into 2017’s RLA fully equipped with knowledge and ready to start digging into the messy stuff — the stuff that makes real change happen.
But I have to admit, the reading stopped me dead in my tracks pretty early on. It isn’t overly academic or difficult to read by any means — it’s actually quite enjoyable. I can’t help but notice how Lencioni smacks the reader right in the face with truth that many of us need to hear, and he doesn’t take long to do it. If you’re following along at home, flip over to page 2. Yes, 2 — I told you he didn’t waste time. Lencioni is telling the brief story of an extremely healthy organization and is stumped why more organizations aren’t choosing this route. He questions the CEO of the organization as to why he thinks others
Patrick Lencioni
Visit us online at: rockfordchamber.com ■ online registration ■ keynote speaker video clips ■ event photos ■ list of Chamber events Questions? 815-987-8100
Join the Chamber’s LinkedIn Group
Vinh Giang
The Wall Street Journal has called him “one of the most in demand speakers in America.” Join the Rockford Chamber on Feb. 2 at the Coronado Performing Arts Center, where Patrick Lencioni, author of 11 books and founder of The Table Group, presents “The Untapped Advantage of Organizational Health.” The event kicks off a series of Rockford Chamber events and workshops focused on building the health of area organizations. Based on his capstone book, The Advantage, Lencioni makes the case that organizational health “will surpass all other disciplines in business as the greatest opportunity for improvement and competitive advantage.” He asserts that instead of trying to become smarter, leaders and organizations need to strive to become healthier by tapping into the more-than-sufficient intelligence and expertise they already have.
aren’t following suit. The answer is one we all need to hear. “You know, I honestly believe they think it’s beneath them.” As Lencioni said, There it is. Within that statement really sits the core of our problems. Our organizations, our personal lives, our community are all being held back because we have this idea that intentional practice — training ourselves to be better leaders — is surely something we don’t need. Surely, it’s for someone right out of school, brand new to the workforce or an entry-level management. As CEO, as senior vice president, as manager for 20 years — surely that training isn’t for me. Continued on page 4
Nationally acclaimed speakers come to Rockford The Art of Perspective On Jan. 19, the Rockford Chamber brings international speaker Vinh Giang to the Annual Dinner at Giovanni’s, Inc. Giang will demonstrate the magical world of perspective and how it can be used to solve business problems that appear to have no solution. Giang’s mission in business and in life is to share the psychology of illusion. In his 20s, he started an online business with two good friends — all left their careers in accounting and pharmacy to pursue their dream of building a successful business. Their online platform, Encyclopedia of Magic, now teaches magic to almost 50,000 students around the world. Visit www.rockfordchamber.com.
The Internal Revenue Service issued the 2017 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2017, the standard mileage rates for a car, van, pickup or panel truck are: ■ 53.5 cents per mile for business miles driven, down from 54 cents for 2016. ■ 17 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, down from 19 cents for 2016. ■ 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations. ■ Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Rockford Chamber
Annual Dinner Jan. 19 • Giovanni’s
For more info, see page 27 SPONSORED BY
MINIMUM WAGE HIKES RING IN THE NEW YEAR Nineteen states will be raising their minimum wage for the New Year, based on ballot measures and legislation passed in 2016 and previous years. Arizona increases to $10. Arkansas increases to $8.50. California increases to $10.50. Small businesses with 25 employees or fewer will have an extra year to comply with increases. Connecticut increases to $10.10. Colorado increases to $9.30. Hawaii increases to $9.25. Maine increases to $9. Massachusetts increases to $11. Michigan increases to $8.90. New York City increases to $11 for businesses with 11 employees or more. It increases to $10.50 for businesses with 10 employees or fewer. Washington state increases to $11. Vermont increases to $10. States with indexing in which annual cost of living adjustments will take effect Jan. 1, 2017 include Alaska to $9.80, Florida to $8.10, Missouri to $7.70, Montana to $8.15, New Jersey to $8.44, Ohio to $8.15 and South Dakota to $8.65.