North Coast Business Journal - March 2011

POSTMASTER: TIMELY MATERIAL. PLEASE EXPEDITE.

Celebrating 17 Years of Service Published and Owned by Schaffner Publications, Inc.

MARCH 2011 Vol. 17 No. 3

INSIDE THIS MONTH Are your Customers “Delighted?”......2 LEGAL: “We Grow Too Soon Old…”...............9 Chamber Calendar ......... 11 Strategies to Meet Your Financial Goals .............. 12 Home Office Expense Deductions...... 18 Well-Booked Business: Four Fables .............. 19 IT: Facebook Facts................. 21 SALES: Everyone Can Make a Difference......... 23

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on

Standard Mail U.S. Postage Paid Tiffin, OH 44883 Permit #88

“The Business Voice of Erie, Huron, Ottawa, Sandusky and Seneca Counties”

Fostoria

Fostoria has A LOT to be proud of and A LOT to look forward to From Mayor John Davoli Times have been tough over the last few years, for the State of Ohio, for the United States of America, and the World for that matter. We, here in Fostoria, Ohio have felt the burden as well. Even though we have seen some hard economic times come our way, Fostoria has A LOT to be proud of and A LOT to look forward to.

With the spring thaw just around the corner we will be looking forward to Miller Brothers Contracting digging in on the Jones Road Grade Separation project that has been sitting dormant due to the winter season. This project involves a new overpass that will allow traffic to flow smoothly over the CSX crossing located on Jones Rd. This is a high traffic area for semi haulers coming off or heading out to St. Rt. 23. This project started in June of 2010 and we are looking forward to the completion which is set for October of 2011.

Roads and overpasses aren’t the only forms of travel being added to the City of Fostoria. The city received a grant from the CDGB for sidewalk improvements. A 1500’ section of sidewalk was laid from one of our cities apartment complexes into town. This complex houses many young families with small children; it will be much safer for the parents and children walking into town. We are also forming a

sidewalk committee to meet and take a look at existing sidewalks throughout our community. We will have a better idea on how to handle all sidewalk issues by the time the summer months arrive.

A Lime Sludge Press Project added a new building at the Water Treatment Plant to

completion of this project the city should see a savings of approximately $50.000.00/ year. Start up for the press began on February 17, 2011.

Our North End Water Tower is now beaming a beautiful robin’s egg blue. The tower was cleaned and repainted in 2010

Photo by Eddie Durnwald house a new lime sludge press. The press will allow the city to remove the existing lime sludge lagoons located on the south side of our reservoir #3. Upon the

with “Fostoria” and a train locomotive for everyone to see. Fostoria is known for its

See FOSTORIA, Page 5

We’re a proud member of the following: Bellevue Area Chamber of Commerce

Elmore Chamber of Commerce

Chamber of Commerce Erie County Chamber of Sandusky County of Commerce

Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce

Huron Chamber of Commerce

Marblehead Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

Genoa Chamber of Commerce

Huron County Chamber of Commerce

Milan Chamber of Commerce

Oak Harbor Area Put-in-Bay Chamber Chamber of Commerce of Commerce

Vermilion Chamber of Commerce

Port Clinton Area Tiffin Area Chamber Willard Area Chamber Chamber of Commerce of Commerce of Commerce

2 March 2011

North Coast Business Journal

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Are your customers “satisfied,” or are they “delighted”?

By Jeffrey H. Bryden Editor For the last several months, we’ve beat the editorial drum about the importance of retaining current customers.

We’ve talked about how it costs five times more to get a new customer than to keep an old one. About how a customer’s lifetime value to your company transcends his current sales value by multiples of a hundred or even a thousand--like the satisfied consumer of a 99 cent taco who can, if totally satisfied, offer a Customer Lifetime Value of $12,000 to Taco Bell. The underlying message has been to know your customer’s needs and to fulfill them. To surface even the smallest elements of dissatisfaction so that you can address and resolve any problems before they begin to fester and before this unhappiness begins to be communicated to others.

But now you must look further. You must go beyond ways to satisfy, seeking ways to delight the customer. Studies show that customer delight creates

even more loyalty than satisfaction – customers form an emotional bond with a product or service.

Is this just academic diatribe? Can it work for you?

How far can you go in delighting the customer -delivering the ultimate in customer satisfaction while still making a profit? The answer, of course, depends on your particular set of circumstances. Yet there are ways you can delight your customer without spending a penny out-of-pocket. Here is just one example.

In an issue of Target Marketing, almost ten years ago, an article by Denny Hatch and Ernie Schell entitled “Delight Your Customers,” cited the following: “A man bought his first new Lexus – a $45,000 piece of machinery. He could afford a Mercedes, a Jaguar, or a Cadillac, but he bought the Lexus. He took delivery of his new honey and started to drive it home, luxuriating in the smell of the leather interior and the glorious handling…the lights, the windshield washer, the gizmo cup holder that popped out of the dashboard, the seat heater that warmed his bottom on a cold winter morning – he tried all of these with mounting pleasure. On a whim, he turned on the radio. His favorite classical music station came on in splendid quadraphonic

sound that ricocheted around the interior. He pushed the second button; it was his favorite news station. The third button brought his favorite talk station the kept him awake on long trips. The fourth button was set to his daughter’s favorite rock station.

In fact, every button was set to his specific tastes.

The customer knew the car was smart, but was it psychic? No. The mechanic at Lexus had noted the radio settings on his trade-in and duplicated them on the new Lexus. The customer was delighted. This was his car now – through and through!

No one told the mechanic to it. It was just part of the Lexus philosophy: Delight a customer and continue to delight that customer and you’ll have a customer for life. What the mechanic did cost Lexus nothing. Not one red cent. Yet it solidified the relationship that could be worth high six figures to Lexus in customer lifetime value.”

Company slogans used to boast “We deliver” when promising good service. But customers have come to expect that from everyone. And shouldn’t they?

It can be big things or little things. But it’s overdelivering that will make your customers delighted and that will keep them coming back – to you.

Law You Can Use: Consumer Information Column Investment Fraud Victims May Get Tax Relief “The Business Voice of Erie, Huron, Ottawa, Sandusky and Seneca Counties”

205 S.E. Catawba Road, Suite G, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452 419-734-4838 • Fax 419-734-5382

Publisher

JOHN SCHAFFNER

Editor

JEFFREY H. BRYDEN jbryden@ncbj.net

Director of Sales

DAVE KAHLER dkahler@ncbj.net

Accounting Manager

CINDY CONSTIEN cindy@thebeacon.net

Layout & Graphic Design

JENNIFER DAUBEL jdaubel@thebeacon.net ANGIE ADAIR angie@thebeacon.net

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Circulation Manager

North Coast Business Journal is owned and published monthly by Schaffner Publications, Inc., and is mailed free to chamber of commerce members in a five-county area: Erie, Huron, Ottawa, Sandusky, and Seneca counties.

The editorial deadline is the 25th of each month, with the advertising deadline the end of each month. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the expressed, written consent of the Publishers.

We welcome submissions from readers in the form of letters, articles or photographs, although we reserve the right to edit and condense any articles submitted. Submissions should be sent to the editor at the above address. Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope if you would like an item returned. We prefer material (copy & photos) to be submitted electronically.

Reports of Ponzi-schemes and other investment scams are all over the news. Fortunately for victims of such schemes, the Internal Revenue Code gives certain taxpayers some relief. The law surrounding theft losses is extremely complex. As with any complicated tax matter, do not hesitate to contact a federal tax attorney.

Q: What is a “theft loss” deduction, and how might I qualify for one?

A: The Internal Revenue Code allows you to take what is called a “theft loss” deduction if you have lost money due to investment fraud. To qualify for the deduction, however, you must have suffered a loss on an investment made for profit. Casualty losses and business losses may qualify for separate deduction, but are subjected to limitations not placed on theft losses.

Q: Does an investment in a traditional IRA qualify for a theft loss deduction?

A: An investment in an IRA may qualify. Your investment generally must have been made with already-taxed funds in order for you to qualify, and funds placed in a traditional IRA are not taxed.

Recent changes to the tax code do allow for special treatment of losses in traditional IRAs, but the requirements are complex and beyond the scope of this article. You should consult with a federal tax attorney.

Q: What type of documentation do I need to prove I was a victim of investment fraud?

A: The IRS prefers cancelled checks or comparable items, but circumstantial evidence such as company statements or loan documents could be sufficient.

Taxpayers with a more thorough record of their investments have an easier time proving the amount of their loss, so you should retain documentation. Since banks generally retain records for only seven years and are constantly merging, it is important to obtain this documentation from your bank as soon as possible.

Q: Is a theft conviction necessary for me to claim my loss?

A: A criminal conviction is not necessary; an indictment for theft likely will be sufficient.

Convictions for crimes other than theft (such as securities fraud) can also be enough to support your claim.

Q: I bought stock on the open market and the CEO of the company was later indicted for theft of investor funds. Does my loss qualify?

A: No. You must have dealt directly with the company with which the CEO was associated in order for your loss to qualify. Investments made

See FRAUD, Page 4

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North Coast Business Journal

March 2011

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Fostoria is a Railroad Town, Past, Present & Future Submitted by Ellen Gatrell, Fostoria Rail Preservation Society Fostoria Rail Preservation Society (FRPS) is continuing the efforts to pursue our mission statement--to preserve, promote and educate of Fostoria’s importance in our nations railroad history.

In 2009 FRPS received a Henry H. Geary Jr. Memorial Foundation grant to purchase a one-of-a-kind Fostoria Railroad Schedule board. FRPS is adding a larger wooden item to our collection, a caboose. Years ago, our President Aaron Gonya, visited Ed Galitza, owner of Ghost Town, outside Findlay, Ohio. Ed was the proud owner of one of two LE&W, later NKP (Lake Erie & Western/Nickel Plate) wooden cabooses. If and when Ed would be interested in selling the caboose, FRPS would be first in line.

We know some historical bits and pieces of the caboose. This caboose was #107, a sister to the Ft. Wayne Railroad Historical Society’s #141. #107 was built in the LE&W shops sometime between 1914 and 1918 at a cost of $1,050.00. The caboose was last serviced in 1959 and was purchased by Ed in 1960. FRPS has placed a down payment on the historic caboose. We need to procure additional funds to complete to purchase, relocate and renovate it FRPS became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in April, 2005. We will sponsor our 2nd annual Railroad Employees Reunion on Thursday, April 28 at St. Wendelin Parish Life Center. Our 1st reunion with 75 attendees completely filled our LE&W Depot. If you are interested in attending either as a retired or present railroad employee or just interested in learning about railroaders, please contact us. We are also undertaking a video on past railroad employees work experiences.

Our 1890’s LE&W Depot needs to have a new roof. This historic railroad depot had been home to a local feed store and became the Camp Fire Depot in the 1960’s through the work of many volunteers. Menards is providing a generous donation to our efforts when we replace the roof in May, but will still have additional funding needed. Do you want to help? We can use all the strong backs or monetary donations.

Saturday, September 24 is an important day in Fostoria. The 10th

Fostoria Rail Festival will be held at the Fostoria Intermediate Elementary School. Railfans begin arriving in Fostoria mid-week to visit the Iron Triangle, meet old friends and enjoy the rail traffic. One special group of friends travel from Canada and West Virginia each year to spend time in Fostoria’s Iron Triangle. Events as the Rail Festival include a train show, model train displays, children activities and bus tours of Fostoria’s railroad history locations. Many Fostorians who took the bus tour commented they learned something about Fostoria’s railroad history they did not know.

The 5th annual Santa at the Depot is another event we host. The Fostoria Rotary Club sponsors the Holiday Parade the Sunday after Thanksgiving and of course Santa arrives to begin his work at our LE&W Depot that evening. We have 24+ beautifully decorated Christmas trees, numerous model train displays and of course Santa!!! Surprisingly, some children arrive with their families and run directly to the train displays and could care less about Santa. Families can have their photos taken with Santa as well as favorite pets, mainly dogs and cats. The Depot is open on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons from November 27 till December 22.

We can boast Fostoria has had recent articles in Kalmbach Publishing Trains Magazine. FRPS ran an internet ad in August pertaining to the Rail Festival. We received a phone call from Trains advising us they keep track of the number of persons who click-through the ads. Anything over 500 is considered excellent. Our ad had 1,463 click-throughs, something to be excited about. The October, 2010 magazine had an article in their Preservation section highlighting Fostoria and the Fostoria Rail Preservation Society. Fostoria was praised for our friendly attitude toward railfans. Fostoria is one of the best locations in the United States to view live train action. We provide a railfan packet containing helpful information while visiting our town.

In August, 2010 ten gentlemen from the United Kingdom arrived in Toronto and were escorted around Canada and eastern United States by a Pennsylvania friend. They traveled to Fostoria and spent two days in our Iron Triangle viewing and filming

trains. I was with them and the men were like kids in a candy store. Three trains were traveling through the

NASCAR understands the infield concept and realizes the live train action is best enjoyed near the tracks

triangle at the same time. It was like a cat trying to catch three birds at the same time. Remember, Europe’s trains are not as large or as long as the United States counterparts.

Something to note, train traffic has been estimated at 100+ trains a day through Fostoria but the trains of today are essentially longer in length than previous years. Consider this a more efficient use of energy in our energy-conscious society. We can also boast that persons from 39 states, 9 foreign countries and over 600+ hometowns have traveled to Fostoria to railfan and often come back more than once a year. We may see some tourists from Switzerland in Fostoria this summer visiting the Iron Triangle as a tour is being planned.

The CSX Northwest Ohio Intermodal Terminal in North Baltimore is “open for business.” Intermodal trains are also called container trains or double stacks. This terminal, over 25 miles of railroad track, is the cornerstone of the National Gateway which will include more trains traveling to North Baltimore and also through Fostoria.

The City of Fostoria is continuing work on the Fostoria Iron Triangle Railpark. This one-of-a-kind park is located in the center of the railroad “Iron Triangle.” Anyone who loves

but with safety as a top priority.

There is no date for the groundbreaking ceremony.

The West Tiffin Street overpass, over the B&O/CSX double-tracks, is another location for railfans. The City of Fostoria cut camera holes in the fencing on this overpass. The city had sidewalks installed on both sides of the roadway, another plus. The City of Fostoria recently repainted one of the two water towers. The north tower has a train painted on it!!

Thank you City of Fostoria!!

Operation Lifesaver is something very important to me as I am an Operation Lifesaver Presenter. This national non-profit program is dedicated to reducing injuries, collisions and fatalities at rail crossings. This should be of utmost importance in Fostoria not only to railfans but to the local citizens. I have been known to “annoy” anyone who is not using common sense around the railroad tracks. Some railfans consider me a pest but 99% of them understand!

Fostoria has train traffic, a lot of it.

The tourism dollars can certainly help the city economy. This will not end the financial hardships of these economic times, BUT—if you have lemons, make lemonade!!! I love Fostoria!!!

4 March 2011

North Coast Business Journal

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An Open Letter from the Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce Dear Chamber Members, 2010 was a year of challenge and opportunity. As other local businesses have been forced to evaluate and modify business practices to meet the dynamic economic conditions, so has the Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce. The challenge was to create a stronger financial position questions and highlighting benefits for the Chamber while responding to and upcoming events. The Annual the needs of our members. With that, Meeting today is focusing on Member we are restructuring the staff with a Recognition; acknowledging the renewed focus on member benefits continued support of our members and our commitment to their and retention.

This provides an opportunity for business success.

Our investment in the redesign of the Chamber to connect with the members and redefine ourselves. Our the website provides up to date first initiative was the Member information about our members and Appreciation in December. Getting active links from the Chamber back to basics by making face to face website. We are utilizing current contact with members, showing our technology to relay information and 8247 whitta ad:Layout 1 2/19/09 10:46 AM Page 1 with interested appreciation, answering member communicate

members and new prospects to increase member visibility.

This is just the beginning of our efforts to evolve with the Fostoria Business Community. The Fostoria Chamber Board is fully committed to taking an active role in the operations to ensure the longevity and success of the organization. We appreciate your continued support and welcome your ideas as long time business partners.

Thank you and we look forward to serving you, Greg Flores, Pam Shumaker, Patti Essman, Greg Knestrick, Chris Chalfin, Julie Reinhart, Jenny Karcher, Brian Young, Pratt Robinson, Ryan Reffner, Susan Goodman, Jonna Lewis, Ryan Smith & Randy Payne 2011 Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce Board

FRAUD, from Page 2 through a broker or an investment advisor typically do not qualify.

Q: What is the proper year to take my loss?

A: You can typically claim your loss in the year you discover it. Be sure to retain documentation such as press releases, newspaper articles, and court documents showing the year you actually discovered your loss.

Q: The company has filed bankruptcy. Will that affect the year I can take my loss?

A: The year you discover your loss may not always be the proper year to claim your loss.

If you have a claim for which there is a “reasonable prospect” of recovering a portion of your loss, you cannot deduct any portion of your loss covered by that claim until you are reasonably sure you will not recover any of your loss.

See FRAUD, Page 7

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P.O. Box 1086 Fostoria, Ohio 44830

419-435-7033 local | 800-359-7033 toll-free | 419-435-5346 fax Structural engineering | Building services/MEP engineering | Specialist consulting | Planning & design | Transport | Infrastructure development | Planning & policy advice | Master planning & design | Environmental impact assessment | Site specialties: Asphalt paving | Sewer construction | “Tar & Chip” surfaces | Industrial parking lots | Township state roads/highways | Housing development roads | Commercial site development | Underground utility construction

www.ncbj.net FOSTORIA, from Cover trains; many people from all over the world come to our great city to view the trains passing through.

We are very excited about a new project with a ground breaking ceremony scheduled for late summer of 2011. The Iron Triangle Visitors Center will have a viewing platform, restroom facilities and parking area. It will be a beautiful place for the “train lovers” to relax as they enjoy what they have come to our town to do…watch the trains!

Watching trains is only one of the many things to do in Fostoria. We have a brand new shelter located in City Park with electricity and indoor bathroom facilities. The shelter is rented out from April through October each year. Next to the shelter is our city pool with two awesome water slides. In 2010 we had an average of 170 people a day visit the pool. The Geary YMCA is a fantastic center for the whole family; they always have events planned for all seasons. Are you a golf lover? If so, we have golf courses for all handy caps. There is a tee time waiting just for you. If golfing isn’t your cup of tea then maybe skate boarding is. City Park is also the location for our Skate Park that was completed in July 2010. It’s a 5,000 s.f. area that holds seven obstacles to grind from the American Ramp Company.

We take pride in what we offer to those who live here and visit here, we take pride in the improvements we have accomplished, and the upgrades that are currently taking place; and we take pride in the people who live and serve here.

Fostoria’s new Fire Chief, Keith Loreno was recently told that his station would receive the SAFER GRANT. This grant would allow our eight laid off firefighters to return to work. Their wages and benefits will be covered for the next two years. This is a positive for the whole city. This means that there will no longer be any laid off city workers in the great City of Fostoria. Our crime rate has dropped 4%; due to our Police Chief John McGuire and his aggressive team of police officers. With the type of safety forces we have and the dedication they show; the citizens of Fostoria are in good hands.

Times have been tough for everyone and Fostoria has definitely been affected but we are standing strong and have the following completed projects and new projects in the works to keep Fostoria on the right track: • Neighborhood Stabilization Program demolished 20 houses in 2010 --- 10 more to be demolished in 2011 • A FREE “Take Your Trash to The Landfill Day” to keep properties clutter free • Ash tree removal --- 350-400 trees to be removed that have been infected with the Emerald Ash Borer • $250,000.00 of street resurfacing • 193 new water meters --- moving to a month to month billing system • Repaired 9 hydrants and replaced 10 hydrants • New playground equipment at Harmon Park (Fighting the Obesity Grant) • Street Department cleaned up 40 abandoned properties

North Coast Business Journal • Licensed 243 contractors to do business in Fostoria for 2011 • New lighting in the Veteran’s area at Fountain Cemetery --- our Veteran’s area is 2nd to none!

• Continued sewer line cleaning --- 350,000 linear feet in total • Large diameter cleanouts and continued catch basin clean outs • Street sweeping performed on weekly basis • Stearns Road upgrade ---project estimated cost $5500,000.00 --- estimated sale date January 2014 • New Bulk Water Station

March 2011

5

• East Park sanitary sewer upgrade • Sandusky St. Pump Station replacement If you have any questions or would like more information on the City of Fostoria please visit our website at: www.fostoriaweb.com or the new Fostoria Economical Development Center’s website at: www.Fostoriaohio.org We have A LOT to be proud of and so much to look forward to; here in the Great City of Fostoria!

300 A promise from

of your neighbors.

Excellence. Quality. Service. Every one of us at Fostoria Community Hospital has signed a pledge to you, our neighbors. It’s a promise to deliver true compassion along with expertise and the latest technology – not only in cancer care, orthopaedics

and diagnostic imaging, but everywhere we serve our community. Exceptional care has always been our signature. And now you have it in writing.

To learn more, visit www.promedica.org/promise.

© 2011 ProMedica

6 March 2011

North Coast Business Journal

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Fostoria Hospital Launches “Promise” Campaign Excerpted from article written by Chandra Niklewski staff writer, Review Times Fostoria Community Hospital staff members want the community to place its trust in them and have pledged to do whatever possible to earn that trust and keep it. The “Promise” campaign was first introduced to the staff during Customer Service Week in October 2010.

Hospital President Dan Schwanke said making a promise to patients, family members and the community is the guiding principle for the campaign, which focuses on excellence, quality and service.

Staff members at the hospital wear small buttons and wrist bands proclaiming “I promise to care,” and have signed boards which were copied and displayed in various parts of the hospital. Employees also received T-shirts and water mugs with the slogan.

Reinhart said the campaign helps every employee really think about their part in patient care. “It’s just another way to recognize the great work they do every day,” Reinhart said.

Schwanke said meetings took place with staff members over a period of 3-4 days and each employee was asked to come up with one promise focused on their job and another one which was more personal. “We wanted to step back and

recommit to why we’re here and what we do here at the hospital,” Schwanke said.

Schwanke and Reinhart said they have both received input and positive feedback from the hospital board members, and members of the Customer Advisory Council, made up of patients and their families, the Service Excellence Committee and the Workforce Satisfaction Group.

Promises range from a dietary worker promising to make people forget they’re eating hospital food to more personal promises from direct caregivers.

“I promise to treat every baby as if she were my own, every mother as if she were my best friend and every family member as I would want my family member treated as they deliver their own baby,” Terri Jones from the Obstetrics Department said on a video, which can be seen on FCH’s page at www.promedica.org.

Most employees made similar promises to treat patients and family members as they would want to be treated. In some cases, the experience of the employee is more relevant to the patients he or she is caring for at the hospital. Schwanke explained employees first recommit to patient care and compassion, tell the community the promises and then follow up “to make sure we’re meeting that promise.”

In order to follow through, Schwanke explained JKruppNCBJad0111.pdf patients will receive a comment card which will

basically state, “This is our promise. Did we keep it?”

The campaign will be celebrated the same week as customer service week in October. Reinhart said it may evolve and change every year. Schwanke and Reinhart explained the personal promises are important because employees are rarely seeing people they do not know at FCH. “These are neighbors, family and friends and (this campaign) 1/18/11 12:42:47 PM just ties it all together,” Schwanke said.

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FRAUD, from Page 4

on a specific dollar threshold.

Generally, the IRS does not appear to consider the surrounding circumstances (e.g., statements made by the trustee) when determining whether a taxpayer has a reasonable prospect of recovery. Instead, if a taxpayer has a pending bankruptcy proof of claim or is participating in litigation, the IRS tends to treat that taxpayer as having a reasonable prospect of recovery for the entire portion of the loss covered by such claim or litigation. Even if such claims exist, deductions may still be approved if recovery cannot reasonably be expected, since the law does not require taxpayers to be “incorrigible optimists.”

Q: Does the IRS provide information to help me determine if my loss might qualify?

A: Yes. The threshold for proving theft losses is high and taxpayers must prove their loss qualifies for deduction.

Fortunately, in 2009 the IRS published guidance through a revenue ruling and a revenue procedure. The procedure creates a “safe harbor” that eliminates some of the “traditional” theft loss requirements and eases the burden of some of the remaining requirements.

Q: Is my theft loss deduction subject to the limitations placed on casualty losses?

A: No. Your entire theft loss amount is deductible on Schedule A. It is not subject to limitations based on a percentage of your adjusted gross income or

March 2011

North Coast Business Journal

www.ncbj.net

This “Law You Can Use” column was provided by the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA). It was prepared by Columbus attorney Christopher C. Camboni. The column offers general information about the law. Seek an attorney’s advice before applying this information to a legal problem. For more information on a variety of legal topics, visit the OSBA’s website at www.ohiobar.org.

7

Law You Can Use

Management Rights Clauses Detail Employer Autonomy in Collective Bargaining Agreements Q: Must every aspect of employment be negotiated with a union?

A: No. A collective bargaining agreement is a contract that employers negotiate with a union. In such negotiations, the union represents select groups of employees called bargaining units. Only mandatory subjects of bargaining must be negotiated and agreed upon by both the employer and the union.

Q: What “mandatory” subjects must be negotiated through bargaining?

A: Employers and unions must meet and bargain over the terms and conditions of employment, so anything that is a term or condition of employment is a mandatory subject of bargaining. However, a matter that is not considered a term and condition of employment may, but is not required to be negotiated through collective bargaining.

Therefore, there is much debate and oftentimes legal proceedings over whether something is a term or condition of employment. Some of the more common mandatory subjects of bargaining include:

pay scales, breaks, health insurance, layoffs, no-strike clauses, pensions, seniority, sick leave, vacations, and work schedules.

Another very important mandatory subject for collective bargaining is the management rights clause.

Q: What is a management rights clause?

A: A management rights clause is an agreement between employers and unions about how much autonomy the employer has in running day-to-day business operations. Before a workforce is unionized, the company’s management has the right to make decisions that affectthat workplace, subject to state and federal laws. When a workforce is unionized, the company still has the right to make decisions that affect the workplace, but those decisions must not violate the collective bargaining agreement, nor can they violate state and federal laws. The decisions a company makes that are not

See RIGHTS, Page 7

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8 March 2011

North Coast Business Journal

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Fostoria’s Library – In the Business of Helping Businesses Submitted by Dee Conine, Director The Kaubisch Memorial Public Library serves the diverse needs of all those who live and work in Fostoria and the surrounding area. Parents, students, educators, casual readers, film aficionados and music lovers visit our library for information and entertainment.

The library also takes pride in serving the needs of local business people, entrepreneurs, job seekers and investors. The library recognizes that cities thrive or struggle in relation to the health of the business community.

The library provides hundreds of books across the spectrum of business. Subjects include business administration, marketing, law, communication, business ethics, presentations and biographies of business leaders.

Directories such as Standard and Poor’s Register of Corporation’s, Directors, and Executives, the Thomas Register, and the Corporate Directory of U.S. Public Companies provide general information as well as business leads.

Business people with a focus on Ohio will find the Harris Ohio Services Directory, the Harris Ohio Industrial Directory and the Ohio Media Directory.

For human resources departments the library offers

101 Hiring Mistakes Employers Make and How to Avoid Them.

Business information is also available on the library website at www.fostoria.lib.oh.us. Business Source Premier is one of the industry’s most used electronic business research databases. This resource provides full text articles for more than 2,300 journals. The database offers coverage in all disciplines of business including marketing, management, accounting, finance and economics.

The database is updated daily to provide the latest in business research and theory.

Entrepreneurs will find a large collection of books about business start-ups and small business operations. Subjects include finances, writing business plans, interviewing and hiring, marketing, and business law.

Because employees are the foundation of every good business, the library acknowledges its role in assisting the employment process. Online employment applications are common in many industries and library computers are a critical tool for job applicants.

Creating resumes is another important task that is often completed using library computers.

Whether using word processing software or the special resume building software on the computers, job seekers have the ability to compose professional

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Closely-held business and tax planning specialists Robert Apling, CPA Currently accepting Brint Mitchell, CPA new business Bonnie Hull, CPA clients Nancy Parker, CPA Nick Apling 2155 Oak Harbor Road 2060 E. Harbor Road Deb Bailey Port Clinton, Ohio 43452 Fremont, Ohio 43420 419-734-9548 Kathy Apling 419-355-8200

resumes that get jobs. The library periodically hosts classes on creating resumes that get results.

The library also offers a strong collection of books

on resume and cover letter writing, interviewing, careers, and testing. The library’s newspapers offer job seekers a source of employment ads from regional and statewide newspapers.

Investment resources for the successful business person are provided in the Reference Department.

Investment materials include the Value Line Mutual Fund Survey, Standard and Poor’s Mutual Fund Profile, Standard and Poor’s Industry Surveys and Mergent’s Dividend Achievers.

These resources and more are available free of charge at your local library. Visit us soon!

Mercy Tiffin Selected for New Safety Initiative Mercy Tiffin Hospital has been chosen to participate in a “Safety Across the System” initiative. The program is intended to realize the Institute of Medicine’s six Aims for Improvement — health care that is safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient and equitable.

“Mercy Tiffin is one of only seven hospitals across Catholic Health Partners, Mercy Tiffin’s parent company, chosen to participate in this unique, new partnership created

by The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and Catholic Health Partners,” said Mr. Dale Thornton, President and CEO of Mercy Tiffin Hospital. “This initiative is intended to reduce harm and provide a safe patient experience.”

In October of 2010, Mercy Tiffin was invited to apply to participate in the initial phase of this project. Upon obtaining support from Jerry Bupp, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Kris Klepper, the Chairman of the

Quality Committee of the Board; Wade Young, President-Elect of the Medical Staff; and Dale Thornton, President and CEO of Mercy Tiffin Hospital, the application was prepared and submitted.

IHI has partnered in the past with facilities in Europe, however this is the first such partnership in the United States. Selection criteria for the facilities chosen included: leadership commitment, capacity and capability, openness, transparency and communication, and the ability to serve as an exemplar hospital as these initiatives are shared with other CHP facilities.

“Mercy Tiffin will join Mercy Regional Medical Center in Lorain; Mercy St. Charles and Mercy St. Vincent in the northern division and Southwest Ohio representatives Mercy Anderson, Mercy Clermont and Mercy Fairfield in this three year patient safety endeavor,” said Mr. Thornton.

North Coast Business Journal

www.ncbj.net

Legal “We Get Too Soon Old and Too Late Smart”

By Jeff Roth This is an old Pennsylvania Dutch proverb that many times sums up estate planning for older couples. The planning comes upon the heels of a health emergency or a reality that there will not be enough funds for later years. I am not referring to the d o c u m e n t s necessary but rather the discussion while competent AND together as husband and wife to determine the end of life issues. The joint rational and prudent decisions as to the right course of action for both husband and wife and for the survivor should be made together.

Don’t make your wife have to ask, “What would my husband have done?”

Subjects of concern are: 1. Do I sell the home? Where do I move?

2. What about my liquid assets?

What liquid assets do I live on and what assets do I protect for the children?

3. What about my health coverage and do I need long term care insurance?

4. Which child should actually assist in health care decisions?

5. Which child is best suited to assist in financial and business decisions?

6. What shall I do to maintain my current standard of living?

7. How can I reduce or eliminate income and or estate taxes?

8. Do I need to take aggressive actions to protect my assets against nursing home expense?

9. Have I made correct decisions relating to pensions, government

benefits or any other monthly payment that will provide partial security during the second half of my life?

10. Have I taken care of all of the legal and financial issues and do I have all of the documents in place that are necessary to meet these issues?

11. Have I taken every pro active step to answer and secure all of the above?

Avoid crisis mode with calm and deliberate decision making around the kitchen table and in the office of a professional who will ask the questions you do not want to discuss.

I consider that to be my most important job, to look at the worst case scenario and make you both consider and decide. I hope that none of what is discussed and planned will ever come to fruition (except death, sorry). Everyone should start this exercise in middle age but at least with the receipt of a Medicare card. We can’t prevent sickness and death but we can be prepared with advanced decisions and the paperwork to activate the plan.

Jeff Roth is a partner with David Bacon of the firm ROTH and BACON with offices in Port Clinton, Upper Sandusky and Marion, Ohio. Mr. Roth is also licensed and practices in Florida. His practice is limited to wealth strategy planning and elder law in both states. Nothing in this article is intended for, nor should be relied upon as individual legal advice. The purpose of this article is to help educate the public on concepts of law as they pertain to estate and business planning. Jeff Roth can be reached at ohiofloridatrust@aol.com (telephone: 419-732-9994) copyright @ Jeffrey P. Roth 2011.

March 2011

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10 March 2011

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FEDC: Working with Others to Continue the Positive Momentum Submitted by Joan Reinhard, Executive Director Fostoria Economic Development Corporation

In the past couple of years, efforts have led to the remediation and reuse of properties. These include Kroger and the Iron Triangle Park and Visitors

Before commenting on the work of the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation, I want to first take this opportunity to thank our community and regional partners for their support and guidance. As we move forward, these partnerships are the ignition key to start the engine of what needs to be accomplished.

Over the last 2 years, Fostoria has experienced its share of downsizing and plant closures, leaving underused or abandoned, and almost always contaminated industrial sites – Brown Fields.

Revitalization is not a new term for Fostoria.

Community leaders have worked on improvements for several decades. The Fostoria Economic Development Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce, the City of Fostoria, property owners, civic, social and a variety of other institutions are clear about their desire to see our physical and economic environments improve.

Our community has been blessed with a long and successful track record proving our dedication to that goal.

Center project. In both cases, these properties were contaminated and blighted areas within the community. They were repurposed and continue to be critical elements in our revitalization movement.

With that said, the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation made it one of their goals to carry on with that momentum.

By addressing, channeling and implementing our revitalization efforts, we create new business opportunities for Fostoria and will ultimately enhance the quality of life for the community.

Our office has worked closely with the individual who purchased the former ThyssenKrupp Atlas building (John Bones, Industrial Asset Records Information Recycling).

When he Management Services first saw the building he Scan agreed – it would be a grave injustice to scrap Microfilm out and dismantle the Shred building; from there we Mailing began the long process Media Vault Storage of brainstorming and Microfilm To Digital Disk have continued to work Medical & X-Ray Scanning with the new owner on & More proposed end uses.

The owner’s intentions Industrial Services are to promote the Sorting facility as a Technology 419-448-4655 Labeling and Energy Incubator Packaging that will attract fresh Call for your Warehousing start-up businesses who free quote!

Light Assembly may be eligible for DOE Tool Bit Sharpening grants and low interest Inventory Management loans. The owner is Third Party Inspection proposing to sell or lease Order Processing (Fullfillment) space within the building ranging from 20,000 SF to 100,000 SF, O RK depending on the Since 1968 ONNECTIONS clients needs.

525 Wall St. There is still Tiffin, OH NTERNATIONAL, LLC environmental work to

be done and the City will be applying for Clean Ohio Funds. As the environmental work moves through its process, the owner will be leasing the rear spaces of the building. Our business partners at CBRE will assist with marketing the available spaces to young entrepreneurs.

We also have movement on the north end of Fostoria. Inland Tarp & Liner (ITL), LLC, based in Moses Lake, Wash., plans to open a 192,000 SF plant in Fostoria March 1. Inland Tarp is currently leasing the building and plans to purchase the North Main Street facility formerly occupied by Uniboard Fostoria, which closed in October. ITL is making a long-term commitment in Fostoria, Ohio.

The Fostoria location will give Inland Tarp easier access to its customers in the eastern part of the United States. ITL is a fast growing company.

President Glen Knopp mentioned in his press release that he views this expansion as a necessary step in meeting the growing delivery and production demand of our customer base and should provide a significant opportunity for new customers looking for a reliable supplier of high quality tarps and liners. The unique qualities of the building will help them grow their business even further.

Full Service Document Management Bureau

At Your Service!

W C

I

We look forward to welcoming ITL to the business community; we know they will be good corporate citizens.

In addition to finding new uses for under-used facilities, FEDC also assists with projects (like the Jones Road Grade Separation) and has hired a grants writer to assist by seeking out funding for future city projects.

One of our primary goals is to assist with the planning and construction of public infrastructure that will promote new growth and development.

Our mission is simple – to attract, retain and facilitate the growth and development of high quality business and industry for our community.

Our program of work IS a work in progress, continually changing with the opportunities and needs of our business community.

We listen, we learn and we work together.

Together we grow and make a difference.

Thank you!

March 2011

North Coast Business Journal

www.ncbj.net

11

CHAMBER CALENDARS for March Bellevue Chamber of Commerce 26

Chamber’s Annual Meeting Twin Lakes Golf Course Cocktails at 6:00 p.m.

Dinner at 7:00 p.m. $65/couple, $34/individual.

Call Chamber for reservations Erie County Chamber of Commerce

24

Elected Officials Reception Castaway Bay, 4:00 p.m.

30 Business After Hours

Citizens Bank

Downtown Main Office

Huron Chamber of Commerce 15

Annual Recognition Dinner and Business Expo Kalahari Nia Center Theme: Tropical Luau 4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. $30 per person RSVPs due by March 8 Huron County Chamber of Commerce

9

Membership Committee, 8 a.m., Chamber office

10

Board of Directors, 4 p.m., Chamber office

11

16

Education Fair, 6-9 p.m., Ernsthausen Performing Arts Center

17

Huron County Safety Council Banquet, 11:30 a.m., Art Gallery @ Norwalk High School, RSVP required

31

Chamber Annual Banquet & Awards, Norwalk High School, RSVP required Marblehead Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

17

Business After Hours Hosted by: Cleats, 5-7 p.m.

Meeting at MSPC Office

11

SEE Marketing Workshop 8:30 a.m.

Ottawa County Improvement Corp., Oak Harbor

14

17

21

21

Oak Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce 17

Board Meeting 7:30 a.m., Chamber Building Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce

7

Main Street Port Clinton Downtown Committee 8:30 a.m. at MSPC Office

8

Chamber Administration Noon Meeting at Chamber

Chamber Board Meeting 8:30 a.m. at Chamber Office Main Street Port Clinton Board Meeting 8:30 a.m. at MSPC Office

Meeting, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Fort Ball Pizza, Lunch is $10 RSVP @ 419-447-4141 or info@tiffinchamber.com

9

Small Business Basics Seminar Chamber Conference Room

11

Ambassador Meeting 11:30 a.m., Chamber

Ribbon Cutting for WSOS 1:00 p.m. at Sutton Center

17

Special St. Patrick’s Day Business After Five Carmie’s Grill & Bar, 5-7 p.m.

RSVP: 419-447-4141 or info@tiffinchamber.com

Walleye Festival Committee 5:00 p.m. at Ida Rupp Library

22

Tiffin Area Safety Council Camden Falls, 11:30 a.m.

23

Chamber Board Meeting

Sandusky County Chamber of Commerce 11

Vermilion Chamber of Commerce

Ag Week Kickoff Breakfast, 6:30 a.m. registration, Ole Zim’s Wagon Shed Reservation required

22

Chamber Ambassador Meeting, 8 a.m.

23

Chamber Board of Trustees Meeting, 7:30 a.m.

11

“A Night At The Races” Annual Fundraiser German’s Villa 6 p.m., Races from 7 -10 p.m.

Cost is $15.00/person Includes food, beverage, prizes, raffles and fun.

Contact Chamber 440-967-4477 vermilionchamber@centurytel.net

Customer Service Seminars, RSVP required, Chamber office

9

28 Chamber Foundation

Board Meeting, Main Street Port Clinton

1:30 p.m.

Economic Restructuring

Family Owned and Operated Since 1933 8:30 a.m., Committee Meeting Tiffin Area Chamber at MSPC Office of Commerce Serving Commercial & Industrial Accounts

Education Committee, 8 a.m., Chamber office

10

Main Street Port Clinton 8 Executive Committee, 8:30 a.m.

MAY PAINTING INC.

RIGHTS, from Page 7 governed by state or federal law or the terms of the collective bargaining agreement are considered management rights.

Q: What is an example of a management rights clause?

A: Since management rights clauses must be negotiated, these clauses rarely look alike. Some clauses are short, such as, “All rights are reserved to management except those expressly limited by the collective bargaining contract.” Other clauses go into great detail about what is and is not considered a management right. Long management rights clauses are generally written to avoid legal

General

Membership

wrangling over whether an act taken by management fell under the management rights clause, was governed by the collective bargaining agreement, or should have been negotiated before the company unilaterally implemented it.

This “Law You Can Use” column was provided by the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA). It was prepared by Matthew D. Austin, an attorney with the Columbus firm of Barnes & Thornburg LLP. The column offers general information about the law. Seek an attorney’s advice before applying this information to a legal problem. For more information on a variety of legal topics, visit the OSBA’s Web site at www.ohiobar.org.

In NW Ohio

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STANDARD ARCHITECTURAL & MULTICOLOR COATINGS WOOD FINISHING VINYL WALLCOVERING WATER REPELLENT COATINGS TWO COMPONENT EPOXY & URETHANE SYSTEMS WATER AND SAND BLASTING

“Professional Painting Pays”

419-332-1363

Toll Free

800-797-6252

446 N. Wood St., Fremont, OH 43420

www.maypainting.com

12 March 2011

North Coast Business Journal

Estate

Another Reason to Believe in Mercy Willard Hospital.

Mercy welcomes

Nephrologist

to the community.

Dr. Litvin earned her medical degree from the University of Health Sciences - College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City, Missouri. She completed her Fellowship in Nephrology at the University of Toledo Medical Center and is board certified in Internal Medicine.

Dr. Litvin manages kidney disease by regulating blood pressure and electrolytes, balancing fluids in the body, and administering dialysis. She is committed to providing care you can believe in to patients.

www.ncbj.net

Molly Litvin, DO Nephrology

She will see patients the fourth Wednesday of the month at Mercy Willard’s Specialty Clinics, located on the first floor of the hospital.

To schedule an appointment, call Mercy Nephrology Associates (in collaboration with Nephrology Associates of Toledo) at 419.491.6333.

Strategies Designed to Meet Your Financial Goals Douglas Gildenmeister Senior Vice President Investments Retirement Plan Consultant The Gildenmeister Wealth Management Group of Raymond James & Associates, Inc. Close your eyes and visualize your dream vacation or the shiny new car that you’ve always dreamed of having.

Sure, looks great!

Unfortunately, for many of us the planning stops right there. With a little planning and discipline the likelihood of achieving our goals can be dramatically improved. Consider implementing one, if not all, of the strategies listed below to improve your financial picture.

• Write down your financial goals and objectives and include deadlines.

This will help you stay focused.

• Use credit cards as little as possible.

Financing your lifestyle with credit cards is a trap. Reach for your checkbook instead.

• Payoff your credit cards each month. With the new minimum payment requirements of around 5%, consumers will get out of debt quicker. For example, on a $2,000 credit card bill at 18% interest, paying the former 2% minimum will still leave you paying 30 years from now. The interest will cost you over $5,000 on the $2,000 charge. By making the new 5% minimum payment, you will finish up in about 7 years and the interest will be roughly $811.

• Spend a little, but save a little

more. As your debts are paid off, save the “extra” cash each month.

Many people are tempted to overspend with the “extra” cash.

• Keep a savings balance of at least 6 months of expenses. This cash cushion can be used when emergencies do arise instead of charging on credit cards.

• Map out a college savings plan and begin funding early.

• Manage taxes early in the year and look for deductions, credits and deferral of income to reduce your tax bill. The savings on taxes can be used for other goals.

• Go for steady, consistent, longterm growth in your investment. By the time you read about a “hot tip” it’s usually cold.

• Protect your valuables and income earning potential with appropriate insurance policies including mortgage, life, and disability policies.

• Invest for retirement. At best, Social Security will cover only a fraction of the money you will need for retirement. Talk to your financial advisor about preparing for a comfortable retirement.

• Create an estate plan. Many people think you must be super wealthy to do estate planning which is not true.

Avoiding probate and passing assets to heirs estate tax free, may be the main goals.

Your Financial Advisor, CPA and Attorney will be able to assist in reaching all of these goals. As the saying goes, “those that fail to plan, plan to fail”. It’s never too late to begin taking a look at your financial picture and get on board with a real plan for you and your family’s future.

This material was prepared by Raymond James for use by the financial advisor noted above.

Coming in next month's North Coast Business Journal:

St. Anne | St. Charles | St. Vincent | Children’s | Defiance | Tiffin | Willard

mercyweb.org

Focus on Sandusky County

March 2011

North Coast Business Journal

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Elmwood Healthcare Center at the Springs Opens New Sleep Center Getting a good night’s sleep in today’s fast-paced society can be quite a challenge. Studies show that millions of Americans suffer from some sort of sleep disorder, or Sleep Apnea, resulting in a poor night’s sleep. Periods of interrupted breathing and lack of sleep may lead to poor concentration, memory difficulties and even depression. Sleep problems affect men and women of every age and race. Even though this seems to be a widespread problem, many sleep disorders remain undiagnosed and untreated.

Due to the demand for these services, Elmwood Healthcare Center at The Springs has opened Feathers Sleep Center in their Outpatient Services Department on their west campus. This name was chosen in keeping with the theme of naming

areas of the building after The Spring’s natural waterfowl and their environment.

Dr. Hany Jacob, Director of Pulmonary Services at The Springs and a Pulmonologist from The Toledo Hospital will oversee the Sleep Center.

Individuals interested in having a sleep study done should speak with their family physician. A physician’s prescription is required. The study takes place during the evening hours, so that normal sleep patterns are reproduced. However, Elmwood works around each person’s work schedule and will conduct studies during the day to accommodate those that work evening shifts.

The most studied sleep disorder is Sleep Apnea, which occurs when breathing is disrupted during sleep several times during the night

causing the person to wake frequently.

Blood-oxygen levels are usually affected. This in turn, strains the heart and cardiovascular system.

Individuals over 40, overweight, and male, are generally, more likely to be at greatest risk for this disorder.

Untreated, sleep apnea can cause several health problems including stroke, hypertension or even heart failure.

Elmwood Communities are located in Tiffin, Fremont, Green Springs and New Bremen, Ohio.

Design Build General Contractor

“From Concept to Completion” Good Shepherd Home

Projects in the Fostoria Area:

*Site Work *Concrete Work *Butler Steel Buildings *General Construction *Feasibility Analysis *Value Engineering

419-448-1365

*Good Shepherd *Mennel Mill *Spring Valley Fertilizer *Roppe Rubber *J.K. Company *Wesley Village *Hancock-Wood Elec.

www.clouseconstruction.com

14 March 2011

North Coast Business Journal

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Update: Port Clinton’s “Conestoga Project” The WSOS Community Action Commission, City of Port Clinton and Ottawa County is proudly announcing that one of the Conestoga Project’s goals is becoming a reality by the completion in March 2011 of a new home at 1101 E. State Street in Port Clinton.

WSOS purchased the lot which previously contained three blighted homes that were demolished to build the new home.

This new home is part of a national program made possible through financing from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Their commitment to stabilizing communities that have suffered from foreclosures and abandonment has resulted in WSOS’ commitment to the Neighborhood Stabilization Program and this new home is part of that commitment and program.

This two-storied, four-bedroom

home is available for purchase to families whose incomes are no higher than 120 percent of the median income of Ottawa County. For a household of four, this would be an income of no more than $73,800 per year.

The 1361-square-foot-house

also has a one-car attached garage and features energy star appliances and is built with green building products.

The home will be sold at its appraised value, which is usually below market value. Assistance is also available for

those in need of assistance with the down payment.

For more information, please contact Marcia Walters at 419.639.6118, 1.800.775.9767 (ask for Housing & Energy) or e-mail Marcia at mlwalters@wsos.org.

BGSU Firelands Hosts College Aid Night In mid-February, Bowling Green State University Firelands College hosted nearly 100 college-bound students and their parents at College Goal Sunday, a state-wide event with the goal of helping to prepare students for the financial challenges of college. Held at 40 sites across the state, BGSU Firelands attracted one of the largest crowds with 194 guests.

“College financial aid can be very intimidating to students and parents,” said BGSU Firelands Director of Enrollment Management & Student Retention Services Deb Divers. “College Goal Sunday is an excellent opportunity to talk about financial aid and have trained professional help fill out the FAFSA forms.”

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid on-line was the primary objective for the afternoon.

Volunteers from BGSU Firelands, neighboring colleges, and other educational institutions, provided support, guidance, and encouragement as the families navigated the on-line process.

“The forms were a bit crazy and confusing at times,” said Liz McGory, a

Volunteer Allen Wright from Ashland University (left) provides support to Perkins High School Senior Liz McGory and her parents, Blake and Dee McGory, as they complete the on-line FAFSA at the BGSU Firelands Computer Lab. senior at Perkins High School who attended College Goal Sunday. “I’m not sure we would have gotten them done without help. My parents were very happy that we came.”

McGory hopes to attend Bowling Green State University in the fall.

North Coast Business Journal

www.ncbj.net

Joining Forces to Defeat Childhood Obesity The 2007 Huron County Health Assessment identified childhood obesity as an area of significant concern.

To combat childhood obesity in the area, Fisher-Titus Medical Center, in collaboration with Norwalk City Schools, began an initiative during the 2009-2010 school year to educate kindergartens with age-appropriate programs to increase their knowledge and commitment to good nutrition and active lifestyles.

The program was made possible by a $11,000 grant from The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC).

FTMC and Norwalk City Schools are continuing the program for the 2010-2011 school year and PNC will once again fund the effort.

“The continued funding from PNC will allow us to carry the program forth for a second year,” said Jill Schafer, a registered nurse and FTMC’s community relations coordinator.

“PNC and Fisher-Titus Medical Center share the commitment to seeing that our children grow and prosper by providing the basis for a healthier future. Our goal the first year was to have a measurable and sustainable positive effect on childhood obesity, and we believe we achieved that goal.

We look forward to expanding the reach of the program to a new group of children.”

The 2007 Huron County Health Assessment found among youth ages up to 18, 19 percent were classified as obese, 12 percent at overweight and 3 percent calculated to be underweight for their age and gender. Of youth 13 or younger, 17 percent were classified as obese, 15 percent overweight and 6 percent as underweight.

During the nine-month program, kindergarten students, their families and local teachers are asked to incorporate healthy food choices and physical activity into their daily lives.

A series of four, theme-based challenges, spaced throughout the school year promotes, engages and recognizes students for their efforts to make better food choices and to move more. Each teacher is supplied with materials for each two-month segment. FTMC’s program was based on the “Game On!” Wellness Challenge developed by the Action

Suzanne Inglis, assistant vice president of nursing, cardiovascular/surgery at Fisher-Titus Medical Center, hands string cheese to League Elementary kindergartners Alexandra Laws, Kayley Vargas and Cody Bilton during a recent visit to their class. for Healthy Kids.

The program consists of a kick-off event where the pre-participation survey was completed by the students.

Each month the students were visited by an FTMC employee who reviewed what the students were learning and provided a healthy snack and every other month an activity-themed toy.

The first two months concentrated on fruits and vegetables and encouraged exercise before the school day. The second challenge was to learn about whole grains and encouraged a during school exercise.

The third section focused on milk and milk products and encouraged the students to exercise after school.

The fourth section was a review with a challenge to the students to exercise as much as possible.

In May, there was a celebration at each school with each student and teacher receiving a “Game On” T-shirt and a drawing for a student in each classroom to receive a free bicycle.

Last year the kindergarteners were surveyed at the start and end of the program.

“Supported by our data, the survey found students learned about healthy food and improved their eating habits,” Schafer said. “They learned about the importance of physical activity and also increased their activity.”

The students will be surveyed again at the end of their first-grade year to measure the amount of information they retained after a year.

March 2011

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16 March 2011

North Coast Business Journal

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Tim’s Home Medical 484 CR 134 • Fremont, OH 43420 New Fostoria Location Coming Soon!

419-333-1333

We “make life easy” for caregivers and care recipients by offering a full line of Home Medical Supplies, Elderly Care Products and Disability Aids. www.hmehouse.com THMadNCBJ0111.indd 1

1/27/11 8:30:59 PM

North Coast Business Journal

www.ncbj.net

March 2011

17

WEATHERING THE TEST OF TIME SINCE 1970

Northwestern Ohio’s Premier Full Service Commercial and Industrial Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractor ANY ROOF - ANY SERVICE - ANY TIME

J.B. & Company Inc. 100% Employee Owned service@jbroofing.org PO Box 520, Tiffin, Ohio 44883 Phone 800.472.0969

EMPLOYEE OWNED

309 Monroe St. Monroeville, Ohio 44847 (419) 465-4611

18 March 2011

North Coast Business Journal

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Taxes

Home Office Expense Deductions

By Jeffrey J. Rosengarten, CPA PAYNE, NICKLES & COMPANY If you’re selfemployed and work out of an office in your home, and if you satisfy the strict rules that govern those deductions (discussed later), you will be entitled to favorable “home office” deductions—that is, abovethe-line business expense deductions for the following: the “direct expenses” of the home office—e.g., the costs of painting or repairing the home office, depreciation deductions for furniture and fixtures used in the home office, etc.; and the “indirect” expenses of

maintaining the home office—e.g., the properly allocable share of utility costs, depreciation, insurance, etc., for your home, as well as an allocable share of mortgage interest, real estate taxes, and casualty losses.

In addition, if your home office is your “principal place of business” under the rules discussed below, the costs of travelling between your home office and other work locations in that business are deductible transportation expenses, rather than nondeductible commuting costs.

And you may also deduct the cost of computers and related equipment that you use in the home office, without being subject to the “listed property” restrictions that would otherwise apply.

Tests for home office deductions. You may deduct your home office expenses if you meet any of the three tests described below: the

THE AUXILIARY OF MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

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Other services include Bone Density (DEXA) Scans and Ultrasounds.

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principal place of business test, the place for meeting patients, clients or customers test, or the separate structure test. You may also deduct the expenses of certain storage space if you qualify under the rules described further below.

Principal place of business. You’re entitled to home office deductions if you use your home office, exclusively and on a regular basis, as your principal place of business. Your home office is your principal place of business if it satisfies either a “management or administrative activities” test, or a “relative importance” test. You satisfy the management or administrative activities test if you use your home office for administrative or management activities of your business, and if you meet certain other requirements. You meet the relative importance test if your home office is the most important place where you conduct your business, in comparison with all the other locations where you conduct that business.

Home office used for meeting patients, clients or customers. You’re entitled to home office deductions if you use your home office, exclusively and on a regular basis, to meet or deal with patients, clients or customers.

The patients, clients or customers must be physically present in the home office.

Separate structures. You’re entitled to home office deductions for a home office, used exclusively and on a regular basis for business, that’s located in a separate unattached structure on the same property as your home—for example, an unattached garage, artist’s studio, workshop or office building.

Space for storing inventory or product samples. If you’re in the business of selling products at retail or wholesale, and if your home is your sole fixed business location, you can deduct home expenses allocable to space that you use regularly (but not necessarily exclusively) to store inventory or product samples.

Exclusive and regular use requirements. As noted above, when

you claim to be using your home office under any of the tests previously outlined, the home office must be used exclusively and on a regular basis in connection with your work.

The exclusive use requirement means that you must use your home solely for the purpose of carrying on your work. Any other use of the home office will result in loss of all deductions for your home office expenses. For example, if you work in a den that your children use to watch television, the den fails the exclusive use requirement.

The regular use requirement means that you must use the home office in connection with your work on a continuous, ongoing or recurring basis. Generally, this means a few hours a week, every week. Occasional business use won’t do.

Amount limitations on home office deductions. The amount of your home office deductions is subject to limitations based on the income attributable to your use of the home office, your residence-based deductions that aren’t dependent on use of your home for business (e.g., mortgage interest and real estate taxes), and your business deductions that aren’t attributable to your use of the home office. But any home office expenses that can’t be deducted because of these limitations may be carried over and deducted in later years.

Sales of homes with home offices. If you sell—at a profit—a home that contains, or contained, a home office, the otherwise available $250,000/$500,000 exclusion for gain on the sale of a principal residence won’t apply to the portion of your profit equal to the amount of depreciation you claimed on the home office. In addition, the exclusion won’t apply to the portion of your profit allocable to a home office that’s separate from the dwelling unit. Otherwise, the home office won’t affect your eligibility for the exclusion.

(Author’s note: This article is not intended to offer professional tax advice. Please consult your tax advisor.)

The Well-Booked Business

By Cathy Allen

do and ask for their help.

Who doesn’t love a good story? The business and leadership shelves of t o d a y ’s bookstores have been filled by writers who recognize the power of a well-told story. Some of these business fables have become classics, entering the cultural lexicon and becoming part of the language.

Here are a few of my favorites.

The No Complaining Rule: Positive Ways to Deal with Negativity at Work by Jon Gordon.

John Wiley & Sons, 2008.

Whale Done! The Power of Positive Relationships by Ken Blanchard, Thad Lacinak, Chuck Tompkins, and Jim Ballard. The Free Press, 2002.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Like whales, people respond better to positivity than to negativity. Parents, teachers, and managers can all realize their goals more easily by catching their children, students, and staff doing things right more often than doing things wrong. Calling attention to the behavior we want gets us more of it from others whereas calling attention to what we don’t want gets us more of that. It’s all about what we focus on.

KEY LEARNINGS: • It’s about trust. If a whale or a person doesn’t trust you, he or she probably won’t do what you ask of them.

• The ABC’s of performance management are A for Activator (often a goal), B for Behavior (the performance itself) and C for Consequence — what happens as a result of the behavior. The most common consequence is nothing... no response at all. Better to use a positive response or a redirection.

• Even if someone does something imperfectly, it is better to praise them for progress than to criticize errors or ignore them. The goal is for people to choose the right thing even when you are not around.

• Praising people for doing things right only works when we are sincere.

To that end, some of us may need to work on ourselves – and one place to start is by catching ourselves doing things right more often! Tell your team directly what you are trying to

March 2011

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THE MORAL OF THE STORY: The sound of complaints is everywhere.

At home, school, and work, we hear — and often engage in — unhappy conversation about our teachers, bosses, peers and families. But is all this “venting” making us happier or more effective? Gordon says no ... and offers a simple solution: break the habit of mindless complaining and choose problem solving.

KEY LEARNINGS: • Communication voids are often filled with negativity. If people aren’t in the know or able to provide input into decisions that affect their lives or work, they will often assume the worst... and share their views with anyone who will listen.

• The number one cause of stress at the office is complaining co-workers.

It only takes one negative colleague to create a miserable atmosphere for everyone – and to scare off customers.

• Positive work environments are not just born, they are created. The key principles are 1) positivity has to infuse the culture of the place, 2) positive leadership is required, 3) be relentless about shifting focus away from those who indulge negative habits, 4) trust must permeate the organization, 5) fill the void with positive communication, and 6) the focus must be solution- and innovation-focused.

• There is a difference between justified complaints which need to be resolved and mindless ones that spring from habit. Everyone can learn to monitor their own thoughts and to choose positivity.

Our Iceberg is Melting: Changing and Succeeding Under Any Conditions by John Kotter and Holger Rathgeber. St. Martin’s Press, 2005.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Sometimes people (or penguins!) will resist change even when undeniable evidence exists that disaster is looming. Those who see a need for change must follow specific steps to gain support from those who like the

status quo, especially if they are decision makers or beneficiaries of the current system.

KEY LEARNINGS: • There are 8 steps of a successful change process: • Create a Sense of Urgency: Help other see the need for change.

• Pull Together the Guiding Team.

Make sure there is a powerful group with diverse skills guiding the change.

• Develop the Change Vision and Strategy. Clarify how the future will be different from the past.

• Communicate for Understanding and Buy In. Make sure others understand and accept the vision and the strategy.

• Empower Others to Act. Remove as many barriers as possible.

• Produce Short-Term Wins. Create some visible, unambiguous successes as soon as possible.

• Don’t Let Up. Press harder and faster after the first successes.

• Create a New Culture. Hold on to the new ways of behaving, and make sure they succeed.

Who Moved My Cheese? An A-Mazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life by Spencer Johnson. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1998.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Change is inevitable in our world. All of us face changes at work and in our personal lives. Those who embrace change as an opportunity to have new and better circumstances will have new and better circumstances.

Those who resist or dither should expect negative consequences.

KEY LEARNINGS: • Activity and productivity are different things. Some who are working very hard are actually trying to do more and more in a waste-oftime effort to keep change from happening.

• Vision matters. When we hold a picture in our heads of the lives we want or the company we are trying to build, then efforts to move toward that better future produce greater results for less effort.

• Moving outside of the familiar can be frightening for everyone so sooner

See WELL-BOOKED, Page 20

does make a difference.

One day. One family.

Stein Hospice makes a difference.

We ease a patient’s pain and discomfort.

We focus on living each day to its fullest.

We give comfort to the family.

Whether a patient is at home, or in a nursing home, hospital or the Stein Hospice Care Center, our services are provided immediately and around the clock.

419-625-5269

19

20 March 2011

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We Believe in Catholic Schools!

As we witness a new year with faith and possibilities, I am reminded that God provides in many ways. Just seeing everyone donate their time, talent and treasure during the summer move to the Countyline Street campus for our K-12 building transition, I am reminded of how St. Wendelin Parish and School pull together when it is needed most, for the good of our children.

There is a renewed energy in the air from all corners: maintenance, teachers, staff, parents and administration. Even during these tough economic times, there is a core that believes in the mission of offering a faith-based education and guiding our youth to be faith filled citizens in God’s Kingdom. I have been ultimately blessed to be a part of the St. Wendelin family and am enjoying having everyone in a K-12 building. I have already seen the

SS S

benefits just by working with a K-12 faculty. The possibilities that are beginning to emerge, as we combine our resources and talents, will result in a more enhanced experience whether it be K-6, 7-8 or 9-12 or K-12.

This year, younger students will have more technology opportunities.

Dual Enrollment opportunities are available through Lourdes College, where students can take a class for either high school credit or college credit. This opportunity for high school students, along with the Post Secondary Option offered by the state, allows us to offer more college credit for students before graduation.

Eighth graders can earn high school credits in Spanish and Math, allowing more possibilities for them in high school. Our students are experiencing much success in their post-secondary careers. Seniors score well above the state ACT average and average

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between 2.1million – 3.1 million dollars in offered academic scholarships for an average class size of 33-36 students. Graduating seniors have been accepted to many distinguished universities such as Notre Dame, Purdue, Catholic University of America and The Ohio State University.

In the fall of 2009, a study was conducted to identify key enrollment strategies and development potential for St. Wendelin Schools. The result of the planning team’s work is the St. Wendelin Catholic School Vision and Plan 2010 – 2012, which identifies three key issues to be researched and evaluated.

• Key Issue 1 — The need to determine the optimal enrollment target that is most affordable and realistic to maintain.

• Key Issue 2 — The need to determine the curricular and extra-curricular

program offerings that will contribute the most to reaching and maintaining the optimal enrollment target.

• Key Issue 3 — The need to design and implement a comprehensive image campaign for recruitment and retention of students; and for alumni, parish and regional communication.

To learn more about St. Wendelin, please visit our website at www. stwendelin.org.

We continue to focus on Faith Formation, with retreats, weekly Mass and service to others. We are truly blessed to have three sisters of Notre Dame and two priests who work with students and role model how to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.

Please pray for us this year as we continue to pray for our local communities.

WELL-BOOKED, from Page 19

positivity and a clear picture of the ultimate result.

“An organization can only change when enough people in it change.” (p. 94)

or later all of us will feel resistance to change. One trick is to identify when we’re doing it, and adjust accordingly, and learn to laugh it off.

“When you change what you believe, you change what you do.” (p.

65) • Within organizations, those eager to promote change can serve themselves well by recognizing that when top management announces changes, one or two resisters can be influential with their peers unless the communications void is filled with

United in Christ, Ms. Angela Joseph, Principal

Cathy Allen is the owner of Creative Option C, LLC, a facilitation and organizational development consulting firm in Marblehead. An avid reader and writer, Cathy has posted a series of two-page synopses of classic books in the field of business, leadership, and personal development to www.

CreativeOptionC.com.

North Coast Business Journal

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Facebook Facts

IT

By Don Knaur Facebook is becoming part of the lives of more and more people every day. It can serve many purposes. It can be a free link to long lost friends such as your High School Lab Partner, Sweetheart, Teacher or Coach. It can be a quick way to keep in touch with family and friends who have moved away. It can also be a way of networking with professional friends who might just help you find that “Dream Job.” The number of people you can contact through Facebook is astronomical.

If you have a business, you can also use Facebook to promote the business at no cost to you. Not only can you use Facebook to increase your exposure to potential customers, through the Friends of Friends access, you can and should also use it to promote special sales and promotional activities. The more postings you make on your business account, the

more successful you will be. You are allowed to set up the business account separate from, but linked to your personal account. I recommend doing this, so that you are not sharing your personal information with your customers. Once you go through the setup routine, you will understand this better.

Be assured you are in control of your Facebook account. No one can be your friend without your specific approval. You also control access to your information through your account settings.

Facebook has a very strict “Privacy Policy” just like most of the companies you deal with. We have all thrown away numerous enclosures that state company “Privacy Policies” in mind-boggling legalese. Fortunately Facebook is now attempting to restate and explain their policy in plain English.

This is the link to the new plain English format for Facebook’s “Privacy Policy”: http://www.Facebook. com/about/privacy/ When setting up your Facebook account, here are some things to consider. You have to choose the level of interaction you want on your page. Your choices are: Everyone, Friends & Friends of Friends or Friends Only. Friends Only is self explanatory and definable by you. Friends & Friends of Friends can be a very large number as it is very probable that it will equal more than 100 times the number of friends you have. Everyone, of course, is a very, very large number that increases almost every minute.

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Experienced in Drug-Free Workplace requirements, Firelands Corporate Health can assist your business in developing and implementing a Drug-Free Workplace.

To find out how Firelands Corporate Health can help keep your business healthy, call 419-557-5052.

www.firelands.com

Firelands Corporate Health Center provides the following Drug Free Workplace services: Assist with Drug-Free Workplace Policy development & training Customized drug test panels Meet Chain of Custody collection requirements 24-hour testing for Reasonable Cause and Post-Accident Collection Site services Additionally, Firelands Corporate Health can provide: Physical Exams for DOT, FAA, and more Respirator Clearance Return-to-Work Exams Firelands Corporate Health Center Hours of Operation: 7 am – 4:30 pm 24/7 coverage for drug & alcohol testing

March 2011

21

These choices are offered for many different pieces of information on your account. There is only one suggestion I will make as to your settings. I have restricted access to my birthday information to my Friends Only, because that is an often-asked security question. Most of my friends know or can figure out my birth year and I enjoy the birthday wishes as much as anyone else.

I have noticed a common warning going through Facebook lately. Users are being advised to use the “Secure Server” (https://) option when they are in Facebook. This is not really providing you with any needed security. It does provide an extra level of encryption while you are writing to Facebook, but it does nothing to prevent access to the information once it is posted. Also, the “Secure Server” is only available to PC’s and not to mobile devices such as smart phones or tablets.

Messaging through Facebook is subject to the same risks as regular E-mail. However, you may not have as much protection in Facebook through your current protection software. I do know that AVG does provide protection in Facebook, but you will need to check with your software provider.

While I was doing research for this article, I ran into a new wrinkle. While checking my personal Facebook account, I received a post from a friend whom I thought was fairly computer savvy. It was about someone who had gotten into trouble using Facebook, so I was interested. Unfortunately, it was late in the day and I was multi-tasking at the time. I clicked on the posting and followed its instructions without paying a whole lot of attention. I ended up with a messed up screen so I just shut down my browser as I had more important tasks to tend to.

Within ten minutes, I found out I had given someone I didn’t know access to my page and through it access to all of my friends pages.

Fortunately, it appears as though their only goal was that they wanted to be linked to as many Facebook walls as they could. However, they may have had future plans, but I quashed them by unfriending them (deleted them from my friends list) and sending a “Mea Culpa” posting to all of my friends, warning them about the previous message. This goes to show that no matter how experienced and knowledgeable you are, you should always be wary when using Facebook!

I hope this helps you better understand the wonderful world of Facebook. After all, “Networking” is one of the biggest buzzwords today.

If you want additional information about Facebook, check out my article “Facebook: a Double-Edged Sword in the July 2010 Issue. It is available online at http://www.ncbj.net/index.php/back-issues/75july-2010 on page 20 Don is the CWO (Chief Working Officer) of HelpDesk, Ohio, a complete computer service center, located in Suite A of the Courtlee Interiors’ Building, 2499 W. Market in Tiffin. Don has a degree in Computer Programming from Tiffin University and has been an Information Technology Professional for over 23 years. He started HelpDesk, Ohio in the spring of 1996 and opened his shop in March 2001. Don welcomes calls for advice or information at 419-448-8020.

22 March 2011

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“Green Energy Summit” to be held in Elmore In conjunction with the observance of “Earth Day” the Village of Elmore and American Municipal Power are sponsoring a Green Energy Summit in Elmore on Friday, April 15, 2011 beginning at 9:30 AM. Local businesses that manufacture or specialize in “green energy,” bio friendly, or energy efficient products are being invited to participate in this summit.

Product display setup will begin at 8:00 AM. Doors will open for elected officials and businesses at 9:30-11:30. Doors will reopen for the general public and schools from 12:30-5:00. Admittance to the Green Energy Summit is FREE. Display space is limited. Businesses are urged to reserve their spaces early. Spaces will be allocated on a first come/first serve basis with no more than two businesses with duplicating products allowed.

For questions please contact Mayor Lowell Krumnow: Phone: 419-260-1282 Email: villageofelmore@ amplex.net

Small Business Basics Seminars Set for March The Ohio Small Business Development Center at Terra Community College is offering free, two-hour seminars, “Small Business Basics,” that will answer questions about starting, buying or expanding a small business. seminar will take the confusion out of your efforts and help you avoid costly mistakes and unnecessary steps. Learn the basics of: name registration, licensing, taxes, zoning, business entities, employees, insurance, financing and business planning.

The March schedule is: • Wednesday, March 9 – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tiffin Area Chamber of Commerce (conference room), 19 W. Market St., Tiffin • Wednesday, March 16 – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Erie County Chamber of Commerce (conference room), 225 W. Washington Row, Sandusky • Wednesday, March 23 – 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Terra Community College (Building B, Room 101), 2830 Napoleon Road, Fremont These events are free and open to the public.

To register or for more information, call Bill Auxter, Director of the Ohio Small Business Development Center at Terra Community College, toll-free 800-826-2431 or 419-559-2210. Or contact him by email at bauxter@terra.edu.

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March 2011

23

Sales Everyone Can Make a Difference

By Roger Bostdorff I saw this and thought that I would make sure my readers saw this as well. I cannot take credit for writing all of this.

However, it has a very important message.

The message here is pertinent to all industries. GREAT Customer Service is pretty simple. First, you do what you say you are going to do when you say you are going to do it. Secondly, you find a way to differentiate your offering and/or you make your customer feel very special.

Take a look at one example of how Johnny executed this strategy to perfection.

A man was walking down a beach one day when in the distance he saw a young woman who appeared to be engaged in a dance. She would reach down, touch her hand to the sand, stand up and cast her arm out towards the sea. She kept repeating the motions. As he approached, he saw that the beach was littered with thousands of starfish that had been stranded by the outgoing tide and would die before the tide returned. The young woman was picking up starfish and tossing them back into the water.

The man said, “What are you doing?

There are thousands of stranded starfish.

There’s only one of you. What possible difference can you hope to make?”

The woman didn’t stop. Instead, she picked up another starfish, returned it to the sea and said, “It makes a difference to this one.”

I started thinking about the difference a dispatcher makes in the lives of officers for whom they are a lifeline and in the lives of their communities for whom they provide a calm, strong, guiding light through adversity. How are you making a difference?

“Every one of you can make a difference... How? Think about something you can do for your customer to make them feel special.”

Think about a bagger at a grocery store. How in the world can he make a difference?? Let me tell you about a 19-year-old bagger named Johnny

who has Down Syndrome. He heard the story of the woman on the beach and thought to himself “How can I make a difference?” “I didn’t think I could do anything special for our customers... I’m just a bagger.” Then I had an idea. “Every night after work, I’d come home and find a thought for the day. If I can’t find a saying I like, I just think one up.”

Johnny’s Dad helped him print multiple copies of his “Thought for the Day” on a computer. Johnny cut them into separate slips, signed his name on the back of each and took them into work the next day. When he finished bagging someone’s groceries, he put his “Thought for the Day” in their bag and said, “Thanks for shopping with us.”

A month later the store manager told the owner, “You won’t believe what happened.” He told him that when the manager made his rounds that day, Johnny’s checkout line was three times longer than any other. He quickly paged for more cashiers and tried to get people to move to new lanes. But the customers said, “No, it’s okay - we want to be in Johnny’s lane - we want his ‘Thought for the Day.’” A few months later the manager called the owner again and told him that Johnny had transformed the entire store. Now when the floral department has a broken flower or unused corsage, they find an elderly woman or a little girl and pin it on them.

“Everyone’s creating memories. Our customers are talking about us... they’re coming back and they’re bringing their friends.”

An illuminating sense of service spread throughout the store because one bag boy decided to make a difference.

As you are doing your job this week, please ask yourself how are you making a difference for your clients or customers? It would be easy to say we offer or sell a commodity so there is nothing I can do to make a difference. What is more of a commodity than groceries?? Think about it!!

Roger Bostdorff is the President of B2B Sales Boost. He spent over 30

years with IBM in sales and sales management. B2B Sales Boost is a consulting company helping organizations improve their sales and overall business processes. He is also available for business speaking engagements. You can find more

regarding B2B Sales Boost on the web at www.b2bsalesboost.com or calling 419-351-4347. If you would like to receive the B2B Sales Boost Newsletter please send an email to sales@b2bsalesboost.com.

THE LAST THING YOU ARE TO US IS SMALL. Get great service on your small business commercial insurance at Nationwide®.

Nemecek Insurance & Financial Services

Randy Troike

Commercial Ins. Specialist troiker@nationwide.com 127 W. Perry Street Suite 101 Port Clinton, OH 43452 (419) 732-3624 ©2006 Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies. Nationwide Life Insurance Company. Home office: Columbus, Ohio 43215-2220. Nationwide, the Nationwide Framemark and On Your Side are federally registered service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. Not available in all states.

24 March 2011

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Rescuing the Rescuers EHOVE Adult Education Fire Academy students partnered with Milan Township and Huron River Joint Fire Departments for ice rescue training on EHOVE’s campus.

The training is developed to simulate a possible rescue situation with less than ideal circumstances. Wearing extreme protective gear, trainees and active firefighters took turns entering and being rescued from a hole cut in the 10-12� ice. The training exercise took place in 9ŽF. “The conditions were real. We trained at

night with low light conditions,� said EHOVE Fire Training Coordinator Jamie Starcher. “The training went very well,� said Starcher, noting that several area firefighters trained on the rescue, with many from Huron River Joint Fire District and Milan Township Fire District receiving continuing education credits. More photos from the training are on EHOVE’s Adult Ed Facebook page at www.facebook. com/EHOVEadultED.

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On The Move New Commissioner Appreciates Skills He Learned at Terra Matt Damschroder isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even 29 yet, but he is confident that he can be an effective county commissioner. Just a month into his first term as Sandusky C o u n t y C o m m i s s i o n e r, Damschroder is relying on critical thinking skills he learned at Terra C o m m u n i t y College and honed at his family business, Rootâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Poultry.

The 2000 Fremont Ross graduate earned an Associate of Technical Study in Business Management/ Marketing from Terra in 2003 and followed that up a year later with an Associate of Applied Science in Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning.

He also helps manage Rootâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Poultry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My business degree has taught me critical thinking skills that I have used in my family business and that I have brought with me to the county,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Damschroderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first foray into public

service was in 2006 when he was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Lindsey Village Council. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a huge learning process, just getting used to governmental processes like budgeting,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been fun meeting new people and seeing all that goes on in the county that not everyone knows about.â&#x20AC;?

For Damschroder, Terra was his college of choice because it was convenient, flexible and offered a hometown atmosphere. As a county commissioner, he sees Terra as a community jewel. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Terra is a good asset to the community because it helps train and educate the workforce,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many factories bring jobs to Sandusky County because we have a great workforce.â&#x20AC;?

And that age thing? Damschroder sees his youth only as a positive. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is an honor to be one of the youngest elected officials in Sandusky County,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am part of the next generation.â&#x20AC;?

Damschroder and his wife, Taylor (Knight), live in Lindsey where he serves as a volunteer firefighter.

Mercy Tiffin Welcomes Medical Oncologist Mercy Tiffin Hospital welcomes Adnan Alkhalili, M.D., Medical Oncologist, to the Tiffin community.

Dr. Alkhalili provides medical oncology services in the comfort and convenience of the Mercy Cancer

Center at Tiffin every Wednesday.

Board-certified in medical oncology and internal medicine, Dr. Alkhalili works with the support of our entire team of cancer specialists and other healthcare professionals to deliver a wide range of services, including chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy/biological therapy, general medical oncology and general hematology.

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North Coast Business Journal

March 2011

25

Firelands Regional Medical New President/CEO Appointed at Firelands Federal Credit Union Center Board of Directors Adds New Members The Board of Directors of Firelands Regional Health System recently elected three individuals to the Board of Directors of Firelands Regional Medical Center: • William K. Balzer, Ph.D. – Dr. Balzer is Dean of BGSU Firelands. Dr. Balzer began his career at BGSU in 1983 as an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology. From 1984-89, he was director of the Institute for Organizational Research and BALZER Development. He became a full professor in 1992 and served as chair of the department from 1993-99. Following his stint as interim dean at Firelands, Balzer was dean of Continuing and Extended Education until June 2008, adding the title of associate vice president in 2003. Dr. Balzer is a member of Sandusky Rotary, Sandusky NAACP, as well as serving on various boards including the Erie County Economic Development Corporation, James A. McBride Arboretum, and Notre Dame Academy (Toledo, Ohio). An expert in industrial/organizational psychology, he received his doctoral degree from New York University, his master’s from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and his bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

• Roger M. Gundlach, PE – Roger Gundlach is the president and treasurer of Gundlach Sheet Metal Works, Inc. A graduate of Ohio University with a Bachelor Degree in M e c h a n i c a l Engineering, he is a R e g i s t e r e d Professional Engineer in the GUNDLACH State of Ohio and has worked 37 years in the plumbing,

Effective January 1, 2011, the transition of leadership at Firelands Federal Credit Union is complete.

Kevin Wadsworth, CEO since 1993, has retired and Stephen Wasserman has been appointed President/CEO to WADSWORTH take his place.

Mr. Wasserman has extensive experience in the

financial services industry, most recently as President of the former Clyde Savings Bank and President of National Bank of Hastings in Michigan.

Firelands Federal Credit Union is a $187 million dollar credit union with offices in Bellevue, WASSERMAN Norwalk, Bucyrus and Galion.

heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration contracting business as an engineer and manager. He is a licensed contractor in the State of Ohio for plumbing, HVAC, hydroids, and refrigeration. Active in both professional and community organizations, Mr. Gundlach is vicepresident of the Board of Directors of the Ohio Chapter of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America, chairs the Global Mission Board for the Northwestern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is a member of the Sandusky YMCA Foundation and the Sandusky YMCA Board of Directors, he is Secretary of the Sandusky /Erie County Community Foundation, and Earlier this year, Black Swamp Bird Metroparks, Toledo Metropolitan a member of the Board of Directors of the Erie County Chamber of Observatory hosted a meeting to Area Council of Governments, and discuss wind turbines in migratory Ottawa County Visitors’ Bureau.

Commerce. bird stopover habitat along Lake Erie. Ottawa County Commissioner Jim Taking part in Tuesday’s meeting Sass also attended.

• James O. Miller – A Sandusky were representatives from Ducks native, Mr. Miller is President & CEO Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, The See BIRD, Page 26 of Citizens Banking Nature Conservancy, Company and has the American Bird been in banking for Conservancy, Long 37 years. He earned Point Waterfowl / Bird a Bachelors of Studies Canada, U.S. Science from Fish and Wildlife Ashland University, Service, Ohio Division graduating with of Wildlife, Bowling majors in finance Green State University and economics as (BGSU), University of well as an MILLER Toledo (UT), Ohio accounting minor.

State University (OSU), Photo by Kenn Kaufman Mr. Miller is a very active member of Toledo and Erie the community with memberships including Sandusky Rotary, Sandusky State Theatre - Oversight Board Member, Sandusky Library Foundation – Trustee Emeritus, Sandusky Maritime Association Trustee, Erie County Economic Development Corporation Board and Treasurer and Trinity United Methodist Church – Finance Chairman.

The Firelands Regional Medical Chamber Discount Center Board of Directors and its on Commerical and Health Insurance leadership look forward to working with Dr. Balzer, Mr. Gundlach and Mr. Miller and are confident that 30 E. Main St. Norwalk their talent and expertise will www.flickinger-ins.com contribute to the future direction of John K. Flickinger, CIC 419-668-4406/800-947-3700 Firelands.

Bird Observatory Hosts Meeting to Discuss Regulations on Wind Turbines

26 March 2011

North Coast Business Journal

BIRD, from Page 25 There is growing concern about the impact of poorly sited wind turbines on the large population of Bald Eagles, the thousands of swans that grace the marshes, and the millions of tiny songbirds that rely on the Lake Erie Marsh region as a resting point before and after crossing the lake during their long migration.

“When this many national organizations, universities, and state and federal agencies come together to discuss this issue, it sends a powerful message about the critical nature of the habitat along the Lake Erie Shoreline, and the responsibility we have to be proper stewards of this precious resource,” said Kimberly Kaufman, the Observatory’s Executive Director. “It is time for the industry to realize that there are some areas where wind turbines just don’t make sense.”

Several working groups were formed to continue to move the effort forward. The Observatory’s research director, Mark Shieldcastle, said that he was encouraged the ncbj1110AHAC.pdf 11/24/10 by 11:55:55

interest in the ongoing effort.

“Several outstanding biologists have agreed to participate in our efforts here in northwest Ohio,” said Shieldcastle. “I feel certain that with the combined knowledge and expertise of the Observatory, UT, BGSU, and OSU, and the support of the stakeholder organizations and agencies that BSBO has brought to this issue, we can design and conduct the type of research project that is needed to look at the impacts of wind turbines in areas of migratory bird stopover habitat like that of the Lake Erie Marsh Region.”

The Observatory is calling for stricter regulations on all turbines in highly bird-sensitive areas and a three-year moratorium on any additional wind turbines along a three-mile buffer of the Lakeshore in Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, and Erie Counties until comprehensive research can be conducted. Those who support the Observatory’s efforts can sign an online petition at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/ takeaction/924/482/794/.

For more information visit www.

AM bsbobird.org.

www.ncbj.net

Doug Phares, The Sandusky Register; James Miller, Citizens Bank; Peter Zaehringer, evecutive director; Mark Gross, Erie County Chamber of Commerce; Ted Kastor, Janotta and Herner.

Erie County Economic Development Corporation Announces New Officers The Erie County Economic Development Corporation held their annual meeting and dinner in late January in Sandusky, Ohio. At this annual meeting of Directors the nominations were accepted and approved for the following individuals to serve as Officers of ECEDC. The 2011 Officers are as follows: President, Ted Kastor, Janotta & Herner, Vice President, Mark Gross, Erie County Chamber of Commerce, Secretary, Doug Phares, Sandusky Register, and Treasurer, James Miller, Citizens Bank.

“I am honored to serve as the next President of the Erie County Economic Development Corporation and would

like to thank the outgoing officers for their time and congratulate them on the board’s accomplishments thus far” says Ted Kastor.

Following the meeting, Peter Zaehringer, Executive Director, of Erie County Economic Development Corporation, gave a presentation on “Repositioning the Erie County Economic Development Corporation.”

The Keynote Speaker for the evening was Mr. Chris Thompson, Director of Funder and Regional Engagement for the Fund for Our Economic Future.

He shared his presentation, “Collaborate for Collective Impact.”

Bechtel joins North Coast Cancer Foundation Molly Bechtel, LISW-S, will develop counseling services and support groups for those affected by cancer as part of the NCCF Complementary Care Programs. Bechtel earned her Masters of Social Work from The Ohio State University and has worked in the hospital and private mental

health setting for over twenty years.

As a Licensed Independent Social Worker at North Coast Cancer Foundation, Bechtel will conduct support groups and individual counseling for patients, families and caregivers, as well as connect them with community resources.

North Coast Business Journal

Ottawa County’s Morgan Realty Group Joins Real Living Real Living Morgan Realty Group, a leading provider of real estate services in Ottawa County has announced that it has been named the newest Real Living franchisee, and now joins the award-winning brand and a network of residential real estate offices nationwide.

Real Living Morgan Realty Group, formerly Morgan Realty Group GMAC Real Estate, is now part of one of the fastest-growing real estate networks in the United States, known for its suite of online tools for

consumers and agents.

“We’ve admired Real Living for quite some time and when the opportunity presented itself to make the change, we knew it was the right decision and a great fit for our agents and their clients,” said Jeff Morgan.

He added, “Look for our new red yard signs which will be popping up all over town as we transition to the next generation of real estate services.” “Real estate is changing and so are we.”

The Northcoast Jobs Connection Job Stores and the Seneca One Stop offer numerous services and resources for job seekers and employers.

Seminars are free and open to anyone in the community. The seminars are also available to be customized for employers and delivered on site.

Area seminar dates in March are: At the Ottawa County Community Resource Centre, 8043 W. SR. 163, Oak Harbor: • March 10 – 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. – “Customer Service.” Get information about customer expectations, handling complaints and rituals.

• March 17 – 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. – “Get a Job or a Better Job POD.” Discuss applications, resumes, interviewing, networking, the Internet and more.

• March 24 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. – “Individual Resume Writing Assistance.” Work one-on-one with a specialist and produce a good resume before you leave. By appointment only. Call The Job Store at 800-6651677, ext. 270.

• March 31 – 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. – “Be Ready.” This session is set up specifically to offer preparation for job fairs.

Job Store officials are asking that

The members of The Sandusky State Theatre Oversight Committee and Board of Directors elected three new Board members at its January meetings. They are Debe Brady, Donna McPeek and Jeff Smith. All three individuals were selected because of their outstanding community involvement and commitment to the Theatre.

Chuck Rainger, who has been involved with the Theatre for over 20 years, retired from the Board of Directors at the end of 2010 but will continue service on the Oversight

ur

tner r a P

Committee.

Officers for the Board of Directors are: Ron Parthemore, President; Patricia Babiuch, Vice President, Mary Jane Hill, Secretary, and Kevin Kieffer, Treasurer. Carl McGookey continues as Chairman of the Oversight Committee.

Last year, The Sandusky State Theatre attracted over 35,000 people to downtown Sandusky to enjoy a wide variety of entertainment options. For information about the 2011 season, contact the Theatre online at www.sanduskystate.com.

In Employee

He

people who are interested in these workshops should register by emailing Carol Guice at carol.guice@yahoo. com or by calling her at 419-3071189. _____ The following are free computer classes, but registration is required.

Call 419-898-3688, ext. 270.

• March 7 – 9 a.m. to noon – Microsoft Word 1 to 4 p.m. – Excel • March 21 – 9 a.m. to noon – Introduction to Computers 1 to 4 p.m. – Internet Basics/Email For more information on the Job Stores, log onto www.northcoastjobs. org. Or in Ottawa County, call the Job Store at 800-665-1677 or 419898-3688, ext. 270.

The Job Store is a collaboration of 23 partners in Erie, Huron, Ottawa, Sandusky and Seneca counties and is funded by those organizations through the Workforce Investment Act under contract with Terra Community College. It is located at 8043 W. State Route 163, Oak Harbor and is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

All basic services are free of charge.

27

a

lth

Northcoast Jobs Connection March Schedule for Ottawa County

March 2011

State Theatre Announces Leadership and New Board Members

Yo

www.ncbj.net

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28 March 2011

North Coast Business Journal

Fostoria Community Hospital

Abu-Hamdan joins staff Abu-Hamdan, M.D., a Detroit native, completed his residency in otolaryngology and his internship in general surgery at Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University.

He received his medical degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. A welcome ABU-HAMDAN addition to the Fostoria Community Hospital medical staff, Dr. Abu-Hamdan is an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist.

Employee of the Quarter Named Carol Hossler, environmental services department, was named the 2010 employee of the fourth quarter at Fostoria C o m m u n i t y Hospital. She was nominated for always lending a HOSSLER helping hand, having a positive attitude and demonstrating commitment to her work.

A nine-year veteran of the hospital’s environmental services department, Hossler is methodical and focused on her work; however, she never misses an opportunity to greet a patient, visitor or fellow employee. She is quick to offer assistance and take responsibility as well.

A Fostoria resident, she enjoys spending time with her significant other of 20 years, Greg Rife; grown sons, Cory and Andrew Gregg; grandchildren Royce and Jasmine; and grandmother, Ruth Childers. Her favorite hobbies are walking her dogs around the reservoirs and gardening.

www.ncbj.net

Firelands Physician Group Welcomes Two Firelands Physician Group is pleased to welcome Shavinder K. Ahluwalia, MD, family practice, and Charanjit S. Ahluwalia, MD, cardiology/internal medicine, to its multi-specialty group.

Drs. Ahluwalia provide patients with preventative medicine, wellness care, and a full-range of family practice services.

Dr. S. Ahluwalia has over 35 years of experience, including residencies at Rajendra Hospital in Patiala, India, Grant Hospital in Chicago, St. Francis

Hospital in Evanston, Illinois, and Loyola University in Maywood, Illinois. She completed her medical education at Government Medical College in Patiala, India.

Dr. C. Ahluwalia has over 40 years experience, including residencies at V.J. Hospital in Amritsar, India, and Memorial Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. He completed his medical education at Amritsar Medical College in Amritsar, India. He has a special focus on cardiac care.

SHAVINDER AHLUWALIA

CHARANJIT AHLUWALIA

Laws You Can Use

Law Bans Employers from Using Genetic Information to Make Employment Decisions Q: Some testing I had done shows I may develop a serious chronic illness at some point. Can an employer use that information against me?

A: The Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA), effective in November 2009, made it unlawful for employment agencies, employers with 15 or more employees, labor organizations and insurance carriers to discriminate against persons based upon genetic information suggesting a predisposition to chronic diseases.

Q: What restrictions does GINA put on employers?

A: Among other things, GINA prevents employers from obtaining genetic information from employees and making employment decisions based upon concern that an applicant, employee or dependent with a genetic predisposition for a chronic medical condition will place a financial burden on the employer’s group medical insurance plan. Like most employment laws, GINA also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who claim discrimination based upon the use of genetic information.

Q: Are there exceptions?

A: One of the important exceptions applies where acquisition of genetic information is inadvertent (such as by accidentally hearing

employee conversations, learning genetic information from employee’s Facebook), or if such information is disclosed in response to expressing concern about an employee’s health.

Where an employer requests health related information/certification (i.e., in conjunction with a leave request), the regulations clarify that the receipt of genetic information will not be considered inadvertent unless the employer specifically directs the party providing medical information not to include genetic information. The new regulations also contain the optional “safe harbor” language to be used for this purpose: The Genetic Information NonDiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) prohibits employers and other entities covered by GINA Title II from requesting or requiring genetic information of employees or their family members. In order to comply with this law, we are asking that you not provide any genetic information when responding to this request for medical information.

The safe harbor language also provides GINA’s definition of “genetic information.”

Q: How does GINA define genetic information?

A: “Genetic information” is information gained from (1) an individual’s genetic tests; (2) genetic tests of family members; and (3) an

individual’s family medical history.

Employers will be breaking the law if, based upon such information, they discharge or refuse to hire any applicant or employee, or otherwise discriminate against an employee with respect to employment compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges.

Q: Can insurance companies use genetic information to discriminate?

A: No. The law also makes it illegal for insurance carriers (including self-insured employers) to discriminate against persons based upon genetic information indicating a predisposition to chronic diseases and to request or require an individual to take a genetic test. This means that health insurers may not raise premiums or deny coverage based on genetic information.

This “Law You Can Use” column was provided by the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA).

It was prepared by attorney Patricia F. Weisberg, a partner in the Cleveland firm of Walter & Haverfield LLP. The column offers general information about the law. Seek an attorney’s advice before applying this information to a legal problem.

For more information on a variety of legal topics, visit the OSBA’s Web site at www.ohiobar.org.

www.ncbj.net

March 2011

North Coast Business Journal

29

Port Clinton’s Edgewood Don Nalley to Memorial Manor Receives Major Award Hospital Foundation Board Edgewood Manor Health & Rehabilitation Center, owned and operated by Covenant Care has received the 2010 Covenant Care Chairman’s Award.

To qualify for the award, a facility OPFER must meet several standards. Those standards include: exceeding financial expectations, exceeding clinical standards, positive Federal and State Survey outcomes, low turnover and positive employee relations, and must exceed accounts receivable guidelines. The facility must also demonstrate that they have mentored other facilities, been a “model” Covenant Care facility, be a provider of choice in their community for patients and employees, and be actively involved as a member of their local community.

Only one facility is recognized in the Covenant Care Midwest Operational area. Edgewood Manor met all of the above criteria and will be presented with their 2010 Chairman’s Award at the Covenant Care Annual Awards to be held in Las Vegas on March 15th. Accepting the award for Edgewood Manor will be Lori Lieb-Opfer, Executive Director of the facility.

By winning this prestigious company award, Edgewood Manor, continues to demonstrate its commitment to quality care for its residents and staff.

Edgewood has been serving the Port Clinton community and surrounding areas for 33 years and in 2010, they successfully sent 76 patients back to their home last year. Covenant Care (CC) provides skilled nursing and therapy services in short term, longterm care and assisted living centers.

CC operates 50 Healthcare Centers located in CA, IL, IN, IA, NE, NV and OH.

Nalley brings years of leadership and community involvement to the board.

He is the retired director of adult services for the Sandusky County Board of Mental Retardation and D e v e l o p m e n t a l Disabilities, where he worked from 1979 – 2009, and is former CEO of NALLEY Sandco Industries. Nalley, a BGSU graduate, also serves as a two-term Fremont City Councilman

and as a member of the Terra State Community College Board of Directors. He has been involved in many organizations, including United Way, Chamber of Commerce of Sandusky County, Fremont Kiwanis, Fremont Tree and Beautification Commission and Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments.

Nalley and his wife, Kathleen, live in Fremont and have two kids.

MEANS BUSINESS!

Reaching over 23,000 readers in five counties every month

NCBJ readers are involved:

Over 87% indicate they regularly read or look through each issue

30 March 2011

North Coast Business Journal

www.ncbj.net

Three programs operated by WSOS earn Best Practice awards The Transition Center at Silgan Plastics in Port Clinton, the Water Operators Skills for Life training program and the Tornado Recovery program in Ottawa County have each earned a Best Practice awards.

Of the eight awards distributed, WSOS earned three. It is the first time the local agency has received three awards at one time.

“This award reinforces the work that WSOS does in its communities,” said WSOS President/CEO Neil McCabe. “It’s great to be recognized for the services the agency provides. It serves to encourage us as we strive to do the best we can always.”

The Best Practices award recognizes and honors proven innovative and effective programs, projects, processes, procedures or strategies that member

The Best Practice awards are conferred on Community Action programs by The John Glenn School of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University and the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies (OACAA). Programs were honored in February at the Legislative Conference of OACAA.

community action agencies have participated in to serve its communities. It is a collaboration of OACAA and the John Glenn Institute for Public

Policy and Public Service of The Ohio State University. WSOS is a member of OACAA, and submitted the program for consideration.

Since the award has been established, WSOS programs have earned 10 Best Practice awards from this group while another two programs earned honorable mention awards.

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North Coast Business Journal

www.ncbj.net

March 2011

31

Most Employees Claim To Make Workplace Suggestions Employees say they frequently offer suggestions in the workplace, according to a Right Management online survey.

In fact, a majority of the 388 surveyed claim to make 20 or more suggestions each year, and another quarter between 10 and 20. Right Management is the talent and career management expert within Manpower, the global leader in innovative workforce solutions.

The findings are consistent with past research by the firm and are an indication that most employees want to be helpful, said Eric Breuer – Market Vice President at Right Management.

“There is a prevailing concern amongst senior leadership about disengaged employees during these turbulent

times. This quick poll shows employees seem to believe they are overflowing with good ideas, and employers would be wise to leverage such enthusiasm.”

How often do you offer suggestions at work?

More than 20 each year............. 54% Between 10 and 20 each year... 25% Fewer than 10 each year............ 15% I don’t offer suggestions.............. 6% “Employees really want to be heard,” said Breuer. “In practice, they may not offer nearly so many actual suggestions, but they genuinely want to contribute over and beyond the job requirements.

We’ve found that it’s to an employer’s advantage to channel this enthusiasm and cultivate contributions from all

levels of the organization that can make a real difference to the business.”

Right Management’s research on employee contribution has found that women are more likely to make suggestions than men, and older employees more likely than younger ones.

Sales people and human resources professionals are the most pro-active functions when it comes to proposing solutions. Right Management analyzed responses from 388 individuals via an online poll conducted in December 2010 and January 2011.

Right Management (www.right.com) is the talent and career management

expert within Manpower, the global leader in innovative workforce solutions. Right Management helps clients win in the changing world of work by designing and executing workforce solutions that align talent strategy with business strategy. Our expertise spans Talent Assessment, Leader Development, Organizational Effectiveness, Employee Engagement, and Workforce Transition and Outplacement. With offices in over 50 countries, Right Management partners with companies of all sizes. More than 80% of Fortune 500 companies are currently working with us to help them grow talent, reduce costs and accelerate performance.

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32 March 2011

North Coast Business Journal

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memorialhcs.org

March 30 is Doctor’s Day, please join Memorial Health Care System in thanking our community’s outstanding physicians.

DOC OR’S DAY 3.30.11 Anesthesiology Sanjay Sangal M.D. Aleeta Somers-Dehaney M.D. James Stierwalt M.D. Cardiovascular Disease Mark Issa D.O. Emergency Medicine Curtis Birchall M.D. Thomas Gallagher M.D. Fred Ginsburg M.D. Waseem Khawaja M.D. David Wash M.D. Family Medicine Mary Bower M.D. Frank Brown M.D. Dwight Bryan D.O. David DeFrance M.D. Jonathan Diller M.D. Philip Edgar M.D. Heather Haynes M.D. Mark Hoelzle M.D. Jennifer Hohman M.D. John Mauric D.O. Jairaj Sayani M.D.

Howard Stierwalt M.D. David Wassil D.O. Mary Wonderly M.D. General Surgery Michael Grillis D.O. Ralph Peters M.D. Rick Wiecek M.D. General Vascular Surgery Todd Russell M.D. Andrew Seiwert M.D. Gynecology Scott Farrell M.D. Internal Medicine Jennifer Brown M.D., M.P.H. Hussam Elkambergy M.D. John Hiestand M.D. Charles Hull M.D. Veeda Quteish M.D. Clara Schermerhorn M.D., Ph.D. Charles Valone D.O. John Yuhas D.O. Medical Oncology James Fanning M.D. Steven Roshon M.D.

Nephrology John Ranker M.D. Neurology Brendan Bauer M.D. Steven Benedict M.D. Nicole Danner D.O. Michael Leslie M.D. Obstetrics/Gynecology Jennifer Campbell M.D. Tarek Dbouk M.D. Mohamed El Nemr M.D. Cynthia Flynn M.D. Kurt Harrison D.O. Occupational Medicine Gary Caplan M.D., M.P.H. Scott Leslie M.D. Robert Marshall M.D., M.P.H. Naheed Sufi M.D. Ralph Tack M.D., M.P.H. Ophthalmology Susan Smith M.D. Dale Solze M.D. Wade Young M.D.

Orthopedic Surgery John Bondra D.O. James Huddleston D.O. John Randall M.D. George Stepanic D.O. Otolaryngology Steve Hunyadi M.D. Pain Medicine William Hogan M.D. Thomas Kindl M.D. Narendranath Lakshmipathy M.D. Pathology Melanie Grillis D.O. Kusum Kothari M.D. Gary Meade M.D.

Claudeen Scott M.D. Podiatric Surgery Jessica Brent D.P.M. John Clarke D.P.M. Steven Rusher D.P.M. Psychiatry Tracey Hoelzle M.D. Dorota Rytwinski M.D. Sam Schwendiman M.D. Ryan Travis M.D. Pulmonology/Critical Care/ Sleep Medicine Anas Balaa M.D. Radiology Bruce Hammond M.D. Jeffrey Ward D.O.

Pediatric Infectious Disease Iracema Arevalo M.D.

Spine Surgery James Huddleston D.O.

Pediatrics Muhammad Hashim M.D. John Hiestand M.D. Pratibha Rana M.D. Clara Schermerhorn M.D., Ph.D.

Urology Michael Rashid M.D. Timothy Schuster M.D. Mark Wainstein M.D.