Business Connection July 2012

A publication of

juLY 2012

High-tech training

Workers acquiring skills necessary for advanced manufacturing

2 The Business Connection July 2012

Contents

Teaching technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 On the move . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Morton Marcus column . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 More work, fewer workers . . . . . . . . . . 10 Around the watercooler . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Mark McNulty column . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Business leads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

On the cover: Some of the high-tech machines at Boyer Machine and Tool. The Republic file photo. Story page 4.

Comments should be sent to The Business Connection editor, 333 Second St., Columbus, IN 47201 or call 379-5625. Advertising information: 379-5652. ©2012. All Rights Reserved. Editor, Doug Showalter; copy editor, Katharine Smith; writer, Barney Quick; graphic designer, Phillip Spalding.

Business Indicators for Bartholomew County Percent changes Apr 12/ Apr 12/ Description Apr 12 Mar 12 Apr 11 Mar 12 Apr 11

Labor Force

42,287 41,297 37,181 2.4

13.7

Household Employment

39,883 38,561 34,572 3.4

15.4

Unemployment Rate (pct)

5.7 6.6 7.0 — —

Housing Units Permitted

—

—

11

—

—

— Center for Business and Economic Research, Ball State University

Celebrating

110 years of making color

POP

ISO Certified: 9001-Quality and 14001-Environmental

4 The Business Connection July 2012

Who will operate the machines?

Technicians with math and communication skills in demand by local businesses

By Barney Quick

One of the ironies of the current economic climate is that, although unemployment is high across the nation, certain types of positions are going unfilled. This is largely because those jobs require skill sets that employers aren’t seeing in applicants.

In May, Joseph Fuehne, an associate professor of mechanical engineering technology at Purdue College of Technology, attended Purdue University’s Advanced Manufacturing Summit X, the 10th annual networking event for leaders from Indiana manufacturing companies, educational institutions, and governmental bodies such as the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy and the National Institute for Standards and Technology. “The ironic gap between what companies need and the current unemployment rate was a major topic of discussion,” he notes.

Fuehne says that locally, “we occasionally do career day-type events. Outof-work people are aware of opportunities and are interested in training that can yield jobs in the short term, as opposed to the traditional student who has the time to undertake two or three years of school.”

Still, local businesses are experiencing this skills shortage. Bill Boyer, CEO of Boyer Machine and Tool, says that “the foremost trait we’re looking for is trainability. We had a substantial response to a big ad we ran in the paper recently. The few we winnowed it down to didn’t have the skills we needed, but they were trainable.” The skills Boyer needs include quality control, CNC operation and assembly. More basically, Boyer says his company needs fairly sophisticated math knowledge and an ability to communicate.

“We use a buddy system to bring

© Thinkstock

people up to speed as operators and then technicians,” he says. Boyer says that Columbus North High School’s machine trades classes, as well as Vincennes University‘s programs for computer-aided design (CAD) and manufacturing technologies, have provided him with good personnel.

The term “technician” is increasingly used by industry to characterize entry-level shop-floor positions. Bob Abrams, project manager for Economic Opportunities through Education by 2015 (EcO15), says that “a lot of companies are putting a requirement for the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council’s production technician certifi-

cation in their want ads.”

Cassondra Wilson, account executive for Ivy Tech’s Corporate College program, says that “companies want operators to think of their own areas within a production process as mini-businesses.”

Just like the overall company, a production technician has suppliers and customers.

Corporate College is a program that customizes training for area companies.

It can train people in soft skills such as communication and team-building as well as CNC machining, autoCAD and production technician certification.

One of Corporate College’s current clients is LHP Software. Executive

Director Teresa Begley says, “LHP contacted us last August about partnering for training in communication, project management, and problem-solving and critical thinking. As an engineering firm, it was doing a great job with its own technical training, but wanted help with these areas.”

After preliminary meetings to map strategy, a Lunch and Learn session was held in November. In December, an agreement was signed making Corporate College LHP’s sole partner for soft-skill training.

“The company had a lot of new hires, and it wanted them trained in soft skills from the outset,” says Begley.

July 2012 The Business Connection 5

The Republic file photos

A Cummins worker takes measurements during a quality control check of an engine block at the Columbus Engine Plant.

“Now it uses our partnership as a recruitment tool.”

In June, the training expanded to a series of eight-hour sessions. The first such session involved team-building exercises to enhance workplace productivity.

Corporate College conducts needs assessments at companies with which it works. Other services include certifications, job fairs and work profiles that match new hires with particular jobs.

The training offered by Corporate College is not for academic credit, but the program does work with Ivy Tech’s new Ivy Institute of Technology, which offers much the same kind of training in an embedded-disciplines project-based environment. “Cummins is clamoring for the kind of people the institute will be turning out,” says Jonathan Wilson, dean of Ivy Tech’s schools of fine

art/design, education, technology and applied sciences.

The Center for Business and Economic Development, housed on the IUPUC campus, is engaged in determining the job needs of area industry as quantifiably as possible. Interim Director Kevin McCracken is developing a survey that “should inform leaders as to what they need to develop.” While the full survey is expected to produce a report by the end of the year, a shorter version will look at engineering needs across southeastern Indiana.

“We’ve identified the top 50 employers who use engineers. It’s mostly manufacturing companies, with some construction. We’re looking for the answer to the question, ‘How many positions will you have five or 10 years out that will require a particular engineering see SKILLS on page 8

At Cummins Fuel Systems plant, an employee tests for quality control on parts for the XPI Fuel System.

6 The Business Connection July 2012

Manufacturing an education

Local colleges equip students to work in fields with advanced technology

By Barney Quick

As the world of work changes, so does the world of education. This is particularly true in the Columbus area, where manufacturing plays such a preeminent role. The area’s citizens are increasingly aware that that sector of the economy is where the most lucrative career opportunities exist and are personalizing their approaches to preparing to take advantage of them. Postsecondary schools here have risen to meet that interest with a variety of programs suited to various types of students.

One important change in the manufacturing world in the last several years has been the increased sophistication of even entry-level jobs. Most now require the mind-set of a technician, with ownership of a point in a process, rather than just that of an operator of a piece of equipment. This requires communication and teamwork skills, as well as skills such as maintenance, troubleshooting and programming. Ivy Tech, the Purdue College of Technology and IUPUC each have modern approaches to preparing students to join this world.

Joseph Fuehne, an associate professor of mechanical engineering technol-

The Republic file photos

Brandon Lavender, left, Purdue College of Technology associate professor Joe Fuehne and Ivy Tech Community College instructor Mark Bridgeman check out equipment at the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence’s metrology lab.

ogy at Purdue College of Technology, distinguishes the motives of the older student who has been in the working world for a while and the more traditional student. The former generally has an interest in a more accelerated track.

He notes that his school’s Leadership and Supervision program, which results in a bachelor’s degree in organizational

Even preschoolers learn in a project-based curriculum at Busy Bees Academy, a Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. effort to increase kindergarten readiness.

leadership and supervision, appeals to “people at companies such as Cummins who are close to team-leader status and want to be promoted.” His own program, mechanical engineering technology, is also popular, and Cummins reimburses its employees for tuition.

Fuehne says that the student of traditional age tends to be someone “who isn’t interested in the conventional col-

lege experience and wants to stay close to home and earn a Purdue degree.

That’s now possible.”

A program at Ivy Tech that will launch this fall is generating considerable excitement at that school.

Jonathan Wilson, dean of the schools of fine art/design, education, technology and applied sciences, says that the Ivy Institute of Technology, set

Dream It Do It is a program designed to introduce young people to the working world of manufacturing.

July 2012 The Business Connection 7

to open in October, will provide an academic experience based on projectbased learning and facilitate the oftenelusive balance between life, work and school sought after by the older student. He notes that institutes based on this model are increasingly supplementing typical community colleges in contemporary America as options for the career-focused student. “The number one appeal is that employment is more than assured when they get out,” he says.

There will be four 10-week terms per year. There is one course during the term, and such disciplines as speech or math are embedded into the project that comprises the course. “The student is in class six hours a day, five days a week,” says Wilson. “There is no homework, so there is no stress in trying to balance school and the rest of life.” The emphasis is on advanced manufacturing and mechatronics, an integrated engineering approach.

Institute graduates will qualify for three types of credentials: the production technician certification offered by the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council, and Level One and Level Two mechatronics certification offered by

EcO15 sponsored Project Lead the Way to bolster advanced manufacturing and health care education in Bartholomew County.

the electronics corporation Siemens.

WorkOne, the area workforce development office located in the Columbus Learning Center, is helping unemployed workers take advantage of the institute. “The GED+ program allows for vouchers for this population of students,” says Wilson.

As of fall 2011, IUPUC offers a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engi-

neering. Approximately 50 students are currently enrolled in the school’s engineering classes. Around 30 of those are interested in staying in Columbus, with the remainder intending to go to IUPUI or Purdue’s West Lafayette campus to earn other types of engineering degrees, according to division director Daniel Fant. “We’ve been marketing the program,” he says. “I don’t have defi-

nite numbers, but there is an increase in interest among applicants and parents.

We anticipate a jump in enrollment this fall. There’s even good potential for a master’s degree program here in mechanical engineering.”

Susie Blizard, IUPUC director of admissions, says that while no formal studies have been done on percentages of nontraditional students in various majors, they tend to gravitate toward business, psychology, nursing, general studies and mechanical engineering. In June, the campus held an event called Discover IUPUC. “It was geared toward the older student who works full time,” she says. That population comprises about 40 percent of the school’s student body.

Economic Opportunities through Education by 2015 (EcO15), an initiative of the Community Education Coalition and the Heritage Fund, encompasses a number of programs that permeate the entire educational experience in the Columbus area. One such program is Project Lead the Way, a pre-engineering curriculum developed by a national organization of that name which recently moved its headquarters see classes on page 8

8 The Business Connection July 2012

SKILLS continued from page 5 degree?’” The survey results will provide guidance to IUPUC’s mechanical engineering program regarding how to develop its curriculum. The longer version of the survey is expected to involve the Purdue College of Technology and Ivy Tech as well.

Public relations is a necessary component in the effort to draw people into academic and on-the-job prepara-

tion for advanced manufacturing work.

EcO15’s Abrams candidly concedes that a stigma persists in society that manufacturing entails mind-numbing repetitive work in unsavory environments. He says that the modern manufacturing plant is a clean, brightly lit atmosphere in which everyone has a stake in what is happening. As he puts it, “the reality is way ahead of the perception.”

The Republic file photo

An employee operates a CNC machine at Banks Machine & Engineering in Edinburgh.

classes continued from page 7 from upstate New York to Indianapolis.

Another is a public relations campaign in area high schools called Dream It Do It, administered by the National Association of Manufacturers. Dream It Do It is designed to convey a realistic, that is to say, exciting and inspiring, view of today’s manufacturing world to young people.

The EcO15 effort to expose peo-

ple to the realm of science, math, engineering and technology is comprehensive. An area preschool called Busy Bees Academy, developed by the Heritage Fund and the Community Education Coalition to introduce that age group to project-based learning in a technology-rich environment is, according to EcO15 project manager Bob Abrams, “directly related to what companies like Cummins need.”

WorkOne offered a free computer support course for unemployed veterans.

chamberconnection July 2012 Growing BUSINESS. Growing people.

Monthly publication of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce • 500 Franklin Street • Columbus, IN 47201 • 812-379-4457

Ono Brothers celebrates five-year anniversary

By Boris Ladwig bladwig@therepublic.com At 3:34 a.m. on a Saturday 10 days before Christmas in 2008, Barbara Fisher awoke to the sound of smoke detectors.

She dragged her husband, Clint, weakened by emphysema, cancer and smoke inhalation, out to the front porch. The accidental fire gutted the house. Clint died five days before Christmas.

The rebuilding of her home, Fisher said recently, helped return her life to a semblance of normalcy. Columbus-based Ono Brothers “completely rebuilt the home,” she said. The workers used only the original exterior bricks and the air conditioning unit. Everything else had to be replaced because of fire and smoke damage.

Fisher said she was especially impressed by Ono Brothers’ work ethic, attitude and honesty. The workers found more than $200 while they cleaned the site, and they returned it to Fisher. They also worked with smiles on their faces and showed eagerness in responding to her wishes.

“I’ve been friends with them ever since,” Fisher said.

She has since used the company for work on some of her rental properties.

Ono Brothers is celebrating its five-year anniversary under new owners Mark and Lora Tinsley.

Mark Tinsley, a graduate of Western Kentucky University, had worked in manufacturing for 23 years before he took over Ono Brothers. He had wanted to own a business since he was

young, he said.

The company’s eight full-time employees mostly repair homes that have been damaged by water from water heater malfunctions or pipe breaks in the winter. But Ono Brothers handles about every kind of damage, from hail and fallen trees to fire and smoke, subcontracting for licensed trades, such as plumbing and electrical work.

The office, at 3360 Commerce Drive, covers about 4,000 square feet and includes a 2,500-square-foot shop, where employees toil over a work bench with carpentry and other tools.

The shop also has a long storage shelf with chainsaws, lights, heaters and other equipment to allow the employees to quickly respond to emergencies.

Jobs range from several hundred to several hundred thousand dollars. Tinsley said he plans to soon branch into home construction, though he expects to build no more than one or two homes at a time.

“At the end of the day, we’re builders,” he said.

He also said that Christianity is a very important part of the company. Fisher said all of Ono Brothers’ employees “are good Christian people.”

Tinsley said that while the work keeps him very busy, he looks forward to coming to the office every day.

“This is the most fun I’ve ever had in my life,” he said.

Information: onobrothers. com, 800-556-6976.

Calendar: Register to attend events at www.columbusareachamber.com/events Check the Web site calendar for all upcoming events.

July 12 — TEN Meet-up, 4 to 6 p.m., Dancin’ DJs. Networking at its best. Join us for a structured networking followed by informal social networking.

July 26 — Ribbon Cutting, 4:30 p.m., 5th Street Yoga Aug. 10 — TEN Networking Roundtables, 8 a.m., Visitors Center

Aug. 20 — School House Session, 7:30 a.m., Visitors Center

Aug. 22 — Open Board Meeting, 11:30 a.m., United Way

2012 Chamber Board of Directors Tim Millwood Cummins Inc. John Burnett Community Education Coalition ike declue Tre Bicchieri Brad Davis, Past-Chair Centra Credit Union Linda DeClue Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp.

Paula Hartwell, Chair Administrative Resources charlie farber, Chair-Elect MainSource Bank UMAR FAROOQ SIHO John Hogan Ivy Tech Community College Amy Kaiser First Financial Bank Michael Oakes IUPUC Tom harmon Taylor Bros. Construction Mike Rossetti The Republic Ron Sewell CEDC Marlene Weatherwax Columbus Regional Hospital Evan Werling, Treasurer Werling Management Group

Members offer plenty of summer fun If you live in Bartholomew County, there should be no reason to be bored this summer. Our community has so many activities for the young and the young at heart. Check out the offerings of these Chamber members: Kidscommons offers camps as well as weekly programming.

Something fun is always happening at www.kidscommons.org.

Ceraland park offers various activities for members and nonmembers alike. Check out its Fourth of July celebration and others at www.ceraland.org.

There is never a dull moment at Columbus Parks and Recreation Department. There are activities galore for kids, adults and families. Check them all out at www.columbusparksandrec.com.

Just because it’s summer, doesn’t mean the learning has to stop. Bartholomew County Public

kristen Brown Mayor of Columbus chip orben Duke Energy/Economic Development Board Dave Galle Community Education Coalition Carl Lienhoop County Commissioner Lynn Lucas Visitors Center donna robertson Hope Chamber of Commerce

date anything from pop-ups to the big rigs. You also can get all your camping supplies there, from groceries, firewood and ice to refills on your RV and propane tanks. You can find it all at www. columbuswoodsnwaters.com.

The Bartholomew County Historical Society has many programs and events for all ages. A hidden gem in Columbus. Check out all it has to offer at www.bartholomewhistory.org.

If golf is your game, hit the links at Otter Creek, Timbergate or Salt Creek in Nashville. If club exclusivity is more your speed, check out Harrison Lake Country Club for golf, swimming and tennis.

Also, don’t forget to check out the community calendars at www.columbus.in.us, www. therepublic.com, www.qmix.com and www.wcsiradio.com.

New members 5th Street Yoga

Erica Andreae 13417 W. Indiana 46 Columbus, IN 47201 (812) 379-YOGA erica@fifthstreetyoga.com

Benco Expedited Distribution

Ex-Officio Members

Library offers a wide array of programming throughout the summer. See all the events and programs at www.barth.lib.in.us.

Foundation for Youth. Check out the pool, gymnastics center and other activities at www.foundationforyouth.com.

Columbus Indiana Philharmonic has announced its 2012-2013 schedule, so visit www.thecip.org to see what exciting things are on tap.

Columbus Area Arts Council hosts many concerts and events in the summer. Go to its website, www.artsINcolumbus.org, to check out the JCB Neighborfest concert lineup, Rock the Park and information on the Biggest Block Party Ever.

Camping is a great way to enjoy the outdoors. Woods & Waters Campground sites offer wooded and level lots. They accommo-

Connie Suverkrup 4520 Progress Drive Columbus, IN 47201 (812) 371-3007 connie@bencodirect.com

Casey’s Cookies

Casey Boilanger 7521 N. Road 825E Hope, IN 47246 (812) 764-2847 caseyscookies@hotmail.com

Comfort Inn

Rikka Booth 11711 N. U.S. 31 Edinburgh, IN 46124 (812) 526-9899 gm.in359@choicehotels.com

Hampton Inn

Mark Hinton 12161 N. U.S. 31 Edinburgh, IN 46124 (812) 526-5100 mark.hinton@hilton.com

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Farrah Carr 12225 N. Executive Drive Edinburgh, IN 46124 (812) 526-4919 hie.indei@gmail.com

Kasey Stam State Farm

Kasey Stam 4535 Progress Drive Columbus, IN 47201 (812) 657-7417 kasey.stam.uua4@statefarm.com

Kids Against Hunger — Greenwood Inc.

Chris Osborne 1001 Commerce Parkway Drive, Suite D Greenwood, IN 46143 (317) 885-3300 chris@kah-greenwood.org

The Hangerman Group Chris Mulloy 10315 Allisonville Road Fishers, IN 46038 (317) 590-8926 cmulloy@hangermangc.com

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Brett Perks 1499 Windhorst Way, Suite 220 Greenwood, IN 46143 (812) 343-2764 brett.perks@thrivent.com

The ribbon-cuttings also appear in The Republic. For addresses and phone numbers of Chamber members, visit our online directory at www.columbusareachamber.com or call 379-4457.

NEW-START HEALTH CENTER 3780 W. Jonathan Moore Pike, Suite 160 799-0658 Jim Clouse, program manager for the city, performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony for New-Start Health Center. Doctor and owner Trent Mozingo was joined by family and members of the Chamber Action Team.

New-Start Health Center is a change in health care.

Nutritional therapy with whole food and organic supplements is used to alleviate common inflammatory diseases. Laser-assisted fat loss is used to motivate people down the path to a healthier lifestyle. Chiropractic care is prescribed to alleviate pain syndromes. Improve your health, change your life.

THE SAVORY SWINE 410 Washington St. 657-7752 Mayor Kristen Brown performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Savory Swine. Owner Lisa Abendroth was joined by friends, family, customers and members of the Chamber Action Team.

Your personal custom(er) service butcher shop, offering fresh, quality meats, wines, cheeses and specialty food items.

ZEN FITNESS 331 Franklin St., Suite B 350-5200 Jim Clouse, program manager for the city, performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Zen Fitness. Owner Kate Connor was joined by employees, family, friends and clients. Zen Fitness — where fitness feels good. Yoga, Pilates and personal training classes are designed for all levels of health. We offer easy online scheduling and payment options. Certified and experienced instructors provide numerous classes, including Yoga Basics, Yoga Fitness, Yoga Strength, Hot Yoga, Pilates Mat Classes, Pilates Bootcamp, Pilates Wunda Chair, Pilates Reformer and Kundalini Yoga. Discover the difference of feel good fitness.

July 16, 2012.

SPACE IS LIMITED

July 2012 The Business Connection 9

David S. Shymkus of Dunn & Associates Benefit Administrators has qualified for the Leading Producers Round Table Lifetime Award of the National Association of Health Underwriters. The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated profesDavid Shymkus sional excellence in the sale of health and disability income insurance and sales management for more than 10 years.

Two new staff members have joined the Columbus Area Visitors Center.

Erin Hawkins will be director of mar-

keting, and Robin Gray will be executive assistant.

Hawkins, a Columbus native, is a graduate of Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in applied health science. She has served as a volunteer architectural tour guide.

Gray previously worked at the Visitors Center as group services and technology manager. She is a graduate of Ball State University, with a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a Master of Arts in training and organizational communication. She also earned an Associate of Applied Science in computer information systems.

Craig Moore, formerly of Cummins Inc., has joined Citizens Energy Group as director of corporate development.

He will be responsible for developing and implementing business and asset acquisition and divestiture strategies.

His most recent position with Cummins was general manager over a global start-up business which he and his team created with operations

in the U.S., Mexico and India. He is a graduate of Ball State University, with a degree in finance, and DePaul University, with a master’s degree in business administration.

Karl Kissinger of Columbus has been named vice president of business services at Centra Credit Union.

A graduate of Ball State University, with a degree in finance, he comes to Centra Karl Kissinger from Regions Bank in Evansville, where he held various retail and commercial lending roles for 17 years.

Becky Douglas, city of Columbus MS4 coordinator, received the professional certificate in watershed management from Purdue University, recognizing her completion of Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy.

The academy builds local capacity

to protect and manage water quality. She attended five days of training and completed nine distance education modules to complete certificate requirements, learning to engage watershed stakeholders, use innovative computer tools in watershed management, develop an effective plan and evaluate watershed outcomes.

Realtors Lonn and Cheryl Stuckwish of Prudential Indiana Realty recently attended the National Association of Realtors’ 2012 Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in Washington. They participated in a “Rally to Protect the American Dream,” met with Reps. Mike Pence and Todd Young and Sen. Dan Coats, attended sessions with a number of government officials and industry experts regarding various housing issues and viewed the latest industry innovations and new products in the real estate business at a trade expo.

— Staff Reports

Firings can immobilize management How should we go about firing people? We want a fair system, if there are to be firings. But there is the first stumbling block.

Should anyone ever get fired from a job?

We could say that it is management’s job to maintain employment levels, find work for people and make a profit while doing it.

Morton Marcus This might mean that only the wisest or the most innovative could ever be managers. Owners and managers cannot be sure that something or someone new will be successful, so there would be little incentive to innovate or to hire new people.

For a firm, reducing the number of workers frequently is not seen as a choice, but a necessity of the marketplace. Who or what is most important: the interests of workers or shareholders? Should the rights of bond holders come before the claims of vendors who have not yet been paid? Under our economic system, consumers may have the least rights of all when a firm stops making products the public expects.

Take the example of teachers who

are being given pink slips across the nation. By contract, schools must give notice of their hiring intentions before they know for certain how much money they will have for the coming year.

Most school contracts with unions have seniority provisions to protect those working at the school for the longest period of time. Seniority and age go hand-in-hand. Hence, seniority means keeping older teachers and letting the younger ones go.

What if the younger teacher is the better teacher? Then keeping the older teacher may reduce the quality of education. If, however, the younger teacher is paid less than the senior teacher, keeping the older teacher is more costly to the school corporation. In that case, the younger teacher may be more appealing to a fiscally challenged district.

What is the measuring rod for our decision: the age of the teacher who might be thrown into the labor market and her resiliency? Or should we be bound only by concern for our students? Keep the best and dump the rest. Or are we limited by the budget to keep the cheapest and release the more expensive teachers?

In firing, we believe in “fairness,”

but we don’t know what is fair and fair to whom? Teachers, staff, students, parents, taxpayers all have claims.

We could run our schools as we do our courts. Teachers could be subject to election or confirmation by voters. But who should have the power to vote?

Economic theory tells us that hiring and firing decisions are made on the basis of productivity. However, defining productivity for many jobs in most settings is a difficult task. Once upon a time, seniority might have meant high productivity. Today, we find innovative ideas and adaptations of technology

often at odds with seniority. Yet innovation alone does not guarantee quality improvements, and technological change is often disruptive.

Seniority honors humanitarian values not easily ignored even by the manager most committed to efficiency standards. The manager who yields to seniority claims is branded as soft, while adherence to efficiency makes one hard-nosed. Compromise is civilized, but rarely appreciated.

Morton Marcus is an independent economist, writer and speaker.

Let us help you get your message out at your next trade show • Banner Stand • Backwall & Info Center • Popup Displays • Kiosks • And Much More 1428 10th St., Columbus 812-376 812-376-31430 • www.advatageone.biz

10 The Business Connection July 2012

Low staffing can create balancing act

By Joyce M. Rosenberg AP Business Writer

associated Press

Mike Liautaud is founder and president of Milio’s Sandwiches, a 35-store chain in the Midwest. When the recession hit, employees were crosstrained to do different jobs.

FOR

65 Years

If you work for a small business there’s a good chance that, since the recession, you have taken on additional responsibilities and are working longer hours. Some of the work that used to be done by fellow employees may be getting farmed out to freelancers or other independent contractors.

The U.S. economy is growing, but at a sluggish pace. Companies are cautious because they don’t know what business will be like in the months ahead. Europe’s lingering debt crisis and uncertainty about the outcome of the November elections are adding to the anxiety. It’s a recipe that makes many employers reluctant to bring on new staff.

Certainly, small businesses are taking some of the same steps as larger companies to avoid hiring new workers.

But for small business owners, finding a way to cope with less staff is an even more delicate balancing act because they already have fewer workers to pick up the slack when an employee leaves.

INDUSTRIAL-RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL ROOFING SPECIALISTS

TPO roof at Mill Race Center, Columbus

EPDM roof at Volunteers in Medicine, Columbus Slate roof and lead coated copper steeple at North Christian Church, Columbus

Residential Copper Bay Window

Sheet Metal Cornice at old Madison City Hall

(812) 372-7829

WE REPRESENT:

Quality. Craftsmanship. Trust.

SINCE 1947

Jeff Bohman

jboham@jwinsurance.com

ROOFING & SHEET METAL

www.hrcroofing.com

2845 Roadway Drive Columbus, IN • 812-372-8409

Terry Green

tgreen@jwinsurance.com

July 2012 The Business Connection 11

“Many of them are just at the margin of surviving,” says Michael Gibbs, an economics professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, who has studied and written about human resources and how organizations are structured. “There’s an enormous amount of uncertainty in the economy.”

Just do more When the receptionist recently quit at Klemchuk Kubasta, the Dallas-based law firm decided not to hire a replacement. Instead, staffers — but not attorneys — take turns doing the job for half a day at a time.

“We’re being careful about how many people we add,” says senior partner Darin Klemchuk. “One way to lower costs is to not hire a receptionist.”

It’s a similar tale at Milio’s, a 35-store sandwich chain in the Midwest. After the recession hit, employees were trained to do different jobs. For instance, now a bread baker can also slice meat and run the cash register.

“This keeps employment numbers down because of more staff versatility,” says Mike Liautaud, the company’s

president.

But Milio’s didn’t stop there. Two administrative workers were laid off.

Salaried staffers work three to five hours more each week.

Liautaud says he’s concerned about employees getting overburdened. Two weeks ago, he held a brainstorming session at the company’s Madison, Wis., headquarters to determine which tasks could be shifted away from workers in the accounting and operations departments.

“I’m seeing they’re now starting to get taxed,” he says of those workers, some of whom were losing their tempers during meetings. So the company is planning to make changes.

Liautaud also looks for ways to get help from his vendors. He’s arranged with food suppliers to have their workers, rather than his own, unload delivery trucks.

Relying on technology In 2003, Steve Synnott had a staff of just over 50, the most people his company, PRO Group, ever employed at one time. Today, the business, which runs the marketing campaign for 600 hardware stores, has 19 full-time

Serving South Central Indiana with Sharp and other great products since 1973.

Your Local source for Sharp Full Color and Black and White Copiers - Multifunction Devices - Printers - Scanners - Fax Machines - Integrated Solutions - Service and Supplies.

3570 Commerce Dr., Columbus, IN 47201

812-372-7871 • 800-832-5391 www.jginc.com

*Local Decision Makers, Local Response, Local Service *

employees and three part-timers.

Synnott is finding high-tech ways to hold off on hiring. In the last year, PRO Group invested in what’s known as voice over Internet protocol, or VOIP, the technology that lets people talk over the Internet rather than regular phone lines.

Synnott says VOIP has lowered the company’s teleconferencing costs, which used to total about $800 a month. That has allowed PRO Group to have more frequent teleconferences.

And that in turn has cut the amount of time that PRO Group employees spend on the road, allowing them to stay at the company’s home office and get more work done.

PRO Group is also revamping the database that hardware store owners can access to see their marketing plans.

The changes mean PRO Group needs fewer staffers to give owners product and price information.

The database “will allow our company to expand by 25 to 30 percent before we need to hire additional staff,” Synnott says.

Hiring freelancers Many small businesses use freelanc-

ers instead of their own employees to get their work done. Freelancers, or independent contractors, are common in industries like media, construction and public relations, where business owners often need someone with specific skills for a short time. Freelancers often cost less than employees because companies don’t have to provide benefits or pay Social Security and Medicare taxes for them.

Jen Brady had three employees last year at her public relations firm, Fred & Associates, but she let them go and is now using only freelancers. Business is slower this year, but “I’ve been able to be profitable because I’ve been able to take on freelancers.”

Brady also says the time and work that went into being a boss was hurting her company.

“I was focusing more of my time on human resources and training” instead of work for her customers, she says.

Because of the economy, she says she doesn’t expect to hire employees again for at least several years.

“It would take a couple of clients that are on long-term retainers and my being able to build up the company’s (cash) reserves,” Brady says.

12 The Business Connection July 2012

Around the watercooler S. Joe DeHaven, left, IBA president and CEO, presents the Five Star Member award to David M. Geis, president and CEO of JCB.

Schneck wins PEAK Award

DeHaven presents the MAXI Award for marketing excellence to Katherine Smith, assistant vice president of JCB.

JCB named Five Star Member JCB was recognized as a Five Star Member of the Indiana Bankers Association (IBA) at the IBA Mega Conference in Indianapolis. The bank earned the award in recognition of its commitment to the IBA in the areas of political awareness, issues advocacy, lifelong learning, volunteerism and Preferred Service Provider utilization.

The Indiana Bankers Association supports Indiana banking through issues analysis, professional education, and products and services that enhance financial institutions’ ability to serve their communities.

Also at the conference, Jackson County Bank won a MAXI Award for the “Free to Be Me” teen checking video featuring talent from local schools. The awards are presented annually to recognize bank marketing excellence.

Schneck Medical Center in Seymour has been named a recipient of the PEAK Award for performance excellence in the overall patient experience. The recognition comes from the regional arm of VHA Inc. national health care network and is based on hospitals’ scores on consumer assessments of health care providers and systems.

Schneck exceeded national standards on nine patient experience measures: Overall rating, communication with nurses, responsiveness of hospital staff, communication with doctors, room and bathroom cleanliness, nighttime noise levels, pain management, communication about medications and discharge information/instructions.

Berry processing facility planned SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. — A new $10 million to $20 million blueberry processing facility is expected to serve growers in Michigan, Indiana and likely other states.

The Michigan Blueberry Growers Association picked the community of South Haven for the facility. The association says it also could handle blueberries from Florida, Georgia and North Carolina as well as Canada.

Plastics firm to pay penalty MOUNT VERNON — A company that operates plastics factories in Indiana and Alabama has agreed to pay a $1 million civil penalty to settle allegations that its plants released hazard-

ous air pollution.

Federal officials said that SABIC Innovative Plastics US LLC and subsidiary SABIC Innovative Plastics Mt. Vernon LLC agreed to pay the penalty and improve leak detection and repair practices at its Mount Vernon plant and Burkville, Ala., plant.

Wind farm moving ahead KOKOMO — A company planning to build a wind farm spread across four central Indiana counties is asking officials in one of those counties for property tax breaks on a future phase of the project.

E-on Climate & Renewables says it expects work to begin in July on some 125 turbines in Madison and Tipton counties for the first phase of the Wildcat Wind Farm. Nearly 200 more electricity-generating turbines are planned in Howard and Grant counties in later phases The Chicago-based company has asked Howard County officials for a 10-year tax abatement.

State, utility plan cleanup SHELBYVILLE — Indiana’s environmental agency and Duke Energy are moving ahead with the cleanup of a long-shuttered manufactured gas plant.

The Shelbyville plant operated from about 1886 to 1928. Manufactured gas plants of the same type were common in the late 1800s and early 1900s before pipelines brought natural gas to the Midwest.

Tar was one of the byproducts of manufactured gas, and tar and other residue were stored in a pit that now must be cleaned up.

Duke will work with other companies and agencies to remove the contaminated soil and put it in licensed landfills. State inspectors will oversee that work.

Purdue eyes tech park expansion INDIANAPOLIS — Purdue University officials are weighing an expansion of a 3-year-old technology park in Indianapolis as occupancy numbers climb.

The Purdue Research Park Indianapolis near the Indianapolis International Airport is nearing 85 percent occupancy after struggling to fill space for the first two years after it opened in 2009.

The 55,000-square-foot park now has 21 tenants and less than 9,000 square feet available.

Parts factory to expand JEFFERSONVILLE — An auto parts manufacturer plans a $19 million project to expand its southern Indiana operations and possibly add more than 300 jobs in the next three years.

Whitesell Group bought the factory from MKM Machine Tool last December and has about 130 workers there.

The factory operates under the name Advanced Metal Technologies of Indiana and makes metal and plastic parts for the automotive and industrial markets. The company says its project will include renovating and equipping the 310,000-square-foot factory in the Ohio River city.

Subaru growing LAFAYETTE — Subaru announced plans for a $75 million expansion of its central Indiana factory to increase production of Outback and Legacy models.

Construction work on the expansion of the factory near Lafayette is expected to begin this summer, with the company saying it anticipated adding up to 100 jobs by the end of 2014.

About 3,600 people currently work at the plant.

Subaru said the expansion will allow the factory to build 180,000 vehicles a year without overtime, an increase of about 24,000 vehicles, or about 15 percent, from current capacity. The factory produced nearly 171,000 vehicles last year by including overtime.

— Staff and Wire Reports

July 2012 The Business Connection 13

coach’s corner

The foundations of a business owner Last month I wrote about the six foundations of a business, and I mentioned that there are really seven foundations, with the seventh being you, the business owner.

Since a business can only get as big as its owner and the leadership team, it is important that you understand what it Mark McNulty takes to be a great owner other than business skills in each of the six foundational areas.

To be a truly great business owner, you need to be well-rounded and have activities and goals in each of the six foundations of a business owner: health and fitness, fun, spiritual, education, finances, and family. As we did with the business foundations, let’s look at the types of goals/activities you might see in each of these areas.

Health and fitness is the area that most of us talk about, yet rarely do anything about, yet it is critical to our personal and business success. The most common goal in this area is to lose weight, but it really needs to be more than that.

The most important thing is to define how you want to feel when you wake up every morning and look in the mirror. Identify healthy habits like eating well and getting enough rest, including regular vacations to rejuvenate your mind and body.

Spiritual goals are important to keep us grounded and in touch with our val-

ues. Values are those things in life that are the most important to us, and it is critical to regularly remind yourself of what is most important to you in life.

Whether or not you believe in a higher being, regardless of how you worship, it is important to always remind yourself of your higher purpose in life and to truly live your values.

Goals can be attendance at weekly services, reading from scriptures or your favorite inspirational authors.

Education includes all of the activities you undertake to improve yourself as both a human being and as the owner/ leader of your business. Education can include reading, watching videos, meeting with mentors/coaches, attending seminars and technical training in your field.

You should set yourself goals for how many hours of reading you will do a week/month and also how many hours of educational events you will attend or participate in per quarter.

When I mention finances this month, I am referring to your personal financial health. Finance is also a foundational area for your business, yet how many of you fail to balance your personal checkbook or set aside emergency funds or retirement savings? Personal financial goals should include establishing a household budget, creating a rainy day fund, retirement planning and a vacation fund.

Family time is a special instance of values, as your family is likely one of the main reasons you do what you do — to provide for them. It is so easy to

get carried away with work, spending too much time at the office, and even in charitable activities, volunteering your nights and weekends. We often forget and neglect the ones who mean the most to us.

Goals here should include set amounts of time with your significant other, your children and your extended family (your parents and siblings in particular). Date nights are a great tool for spouses and kids alike, so make sure you plan for these.

Last but certainly not least, fun is what you should be having if you own a business. This doesn’t mean you aren’t working hard, but if it isn’t fun, then you aren’t doing it right.

You should be enjoying what you do at work, and when away from work you need to be actively planning fun and recreation for you and your family and time with your friends.

It is so easy to cut the fun out of our

lives when things get busy, but that is exactly when we most need it. It keeps us active, happy and alive. Goals here are regular vacations; even short, threeday weekends are great for the mind and body. Plan recreation or whatever else it is that you enjoy. If you don’t have any hobbies, find one.

In order for you to have a meaningful and fulfilling life, you must always pay attention to making sure that you are planning a robust, fun-filled life for yourself, your family and friends.

Your business should be here to provide you and your employees with the lives you wish to live, and you need to actively plan the life you want so that your business can be shaped to help you achieve it.

Mark McNulty is a business coach with ActionCoach Business Coaching. He can be reached at 372-7377 or mark@ coachmark.biz.

14 The Business Connection July 2012

BUSINESS LEADS n COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS 300 WASHINGTON ST COMMERCIAL REMODEL $142,440 CITY OF COLUMBUS/COMMONS OWNER DUNLAP & COMPANY INC CONTRACTOR COMMONS CATERING KITCHEN REM 1920 NATIONAL RD COMMERCIAL REMODEL $205,000 CMT COLUMBUS LLC/COMPTON, D OWNER MARKSMEN CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR MATTRESS REMODEL 4446 SF 2991 25TH ST COMMERCIAL REMODEL $15,000 OWNER HUYNH, SALLY OWNER/CONTRACTOR PHO SHIKI REST 2700 MCKINLEY AVE DEMOLITION BARTHOLOMEW CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL OWNER DUNLAP GENERAL CONTRACTOR DEMO OLD MCDOWELL SCHOOL 311 CENTER ST NEW COMMERCIAL BUILDING $1,100 LOVE CHAPEL OWNER/CONTRACTOR LOVE CHAPEL SHED 80 SQU FEET 2235 25TH ST COMMERCIAL REMODEL $117,403 DEXTER TIRE OWNER DRIFTWOOD BUILDERS CONTRACTOR DEXTER TIRE REMODEL 1671 SF 2320 7TH ST COMMERCIAL REMODEL $42,000 MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH OWNER GLOBAL BULDERS LLC CONTRACTOR RE-ROOF CHURCH 2920 NATIONAL RD COMMERCIAL REMODEL $18,800 THOMPSON THRIFT DEVELOPMENT OWNER INDIANAPOLIS ROOFING CONTRACTOR REROOF COM BLDG 6000 SF 3475 TRESTLE DR COMMERCIAL REMODEL $50,000 COLUMBUS FIT OWNER SOUTH CENTRAL ROOFING INC CONTRACTOR COM/ROOF 920 25TH ST COMMERCIAL REMODEL $18,000 RUSSELL DEVELOPMENT OWNER ROCKLANE COMPANY LLC CONTRACTOR REROOF COM BLDG 2700 MCKINLEY AVE COMMERCIAL REMODEL $2,000,000 BARTHOLOMEW CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL OWNER DUNLAP GENERAL CONTRACTOR BARTH CON/MCDOWELL 5313 SF REMODEL 2021 25TH ST COMMERCIAL REMODEL

May

$900 ENTERPRISE (KRW PROPERTIES) OWNER GLOBAL BULDERS LLC CONTRACTOR REROOF COM BLDG 2756 SF

CAMBRIDGE SQUARE OWNER FLAHERTY & COLLINS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR CAMBRIDGE SQUARE REM 8400

2735 N SR 9 COMMERCIAL REMODEL $50,000 RUMSEY, JAMES/POWER HOUSE BREW OWNER/CONTRACTOR COM REMODEL POWER HOUSE BREW 6500 SF

180 CAMBRIDGE SQ COMMERCIAL REMODEL $479,070 CAMBRIDGE SQUARE OWNER FLAHERTY & COLLINS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR REM/CAMBRIDGE SQUARE APTS 8400

983 S MARR RD FOUNDATION ONLY ANALYTICAL ENGINEERING OWNER KEELER-WEBB CONTRACTOR FOUNDATION 3780 W JONATHAN MOORE PK COMMERCIAL REMODEL $45,000 MILLER, MICHAEL OWNER CQE INC CONTRACTOR COM REMODEL 2800 SF 3301 MCKINLEY AVE COMMERCIAL BLDG REMOD $187,167 CAMBRIDGE SQUARE, INC OWNER FLAHERTY & COLLINS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR CAMBRIDGE SQUARE REM 4920 160 CAMBRIDGE SQ COMMERCIAL REMODEL $230,561 CAMBRIDGE SQ OWNER FLAHERTY & COLLINS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR CAMBRIDGE SQUARE REM 3080 170 CAMBRIDGE SQ COMMERCIAL REMODEL $457,220 CAMBRIDGE SQUARE OWNER FLAHERTY & COLLINS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR CAMBRIDGE SQUARE REM 5152 155 CAMBRIDGE SQ COMMERCIAL REMODEL $660,973 CAMBRIDGE SQUARE OWNER FLAHERTY & COLLINS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR COM/REM CAMBRIDGE SQ 9792 175 CAMBRIDGE SQ COMMERCIAL REMODEL $457,220 CAMBRIDGE SQUARE APTS OWNER FLAHERTY & COLLINS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR CAMBRIDGE SQUARE REM 5152 165 CAMBRIDGE SQ COMMERCIAL REMODEL $457,220 CAMBRIDGE SQUARE OWNER FLAHERTY & COLLINS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR CAMBRIDGE SQ REM 5152 150 CAMBRIDGE SQ COMMERCIAL REMODEL $660,973 CAMBRIDGE SQUARE OWNER FLAHERTY & COLLINS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR CAMBRIDGE SQUARE REM 9792 185 CAMBRIDGE SQ COMMERCIAL REMODEL $479,070

n RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS 2794 BUTTERCUP CT E $200000 NEW 4758 SF RES/BMT/GAR PHILLIPS DEVELOPMENT INC OWNER/ CONTRACTOR 2103 CREEKSTONE DR $119000 NEW 2570 SF RES/GAR BEAZER HOMES OWNER/CONTRACTOR 13331 E 300 S $170000 NEW RES/GAR BOZELL, KEVIN OWNER T.K. CONSTRUCTORS CONTRACTOR 4220 N 1000 E $120000 NEW 1818 SF RES MAHAFFEY, CORY OWNER WILLIAMS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR 4540 N 200 W $500000 NEW 6830 SF RES/GAR BARTELS, CHRISTOPHER OWNER SKAGGS BUILDERS INC CONTRACTOR 1665 N 700 W $100000 NEW 2045 SF RES/GAR EVERSMAN, BRIAN OWNER ENVISION EXCAVATION & CONSTRUCTION LLC CONTRACTOR 3342 ORCHARD VALLEY DR $80000 1719 SF RES CITY OF COLUMBUS OWNER HOUSING PARTNERSHIPS CONTRACTOR 3350 ORCHARD VALLEY DR $80000 1719 SF RES CITY OF COLUMBUS OWNER HOUSING PARTNERSHIPS CONTRACTOR 3373 ORCHARD VALLEY DR $80000 1719 SF RES CITY OF COLUMBUS OWNER HOUSING PARTNERSHIPS CONTRACTOR 5286 QUINCY DR $227000 NEW 2821 SF RES/GAR SKAGGS BUILDERS OWNER SKAGGS & CAUDILL BUILDERS CONTRACTOR 5326 QUINCY DR $230000 NEW 3240 SF RES/GAR SKAGGS BUILDERS INC OWNER/ CONTRACTOR 3367 ROLLING KNOLL LN $87000

NEW 1674 SF RES/GAR BEAZER HOMES OWNER/CONTRACTOR 3031 S 900 E $120000 NEW SF RES 5165 SF PEEPLES, JOHN E/LEANNE M OWNER/ CONTRACTOR 5035 SOMERSET CT $300000 NEW RES DREES HOMES OWNER/CONTRACTOR 3357 SPRING VALLEY DR $80000 1719 SF RES CITY OF COLUMBUS OWNER HOUSING PARTNERSHIPS CONTRACTOR 3422 SYCAMORE DR $140000 RES/NEW AUSTERMAN, RICHARD L OWNER PEDIGO CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR 885 W 625 S $198000 RES/NEW 3876 SF CHADD, DAVID OWNER ROBINSON, LARRY E CONTRACTOR 10340 W 700 S $385000 NEW 4747 SF RES/BMT/GAR MOENSSEN, DAVE OWNER SPOON, JOEL CONTRACTOR 4265 WELLINGTON CT $100000 NEW 2390 SF RES/GAR PHILLIPS DEVELOPMENT INC OWNER/ CONTRACTOR 287 WESTBROOK CT $366000 NEW 4794 SF RES/BMT/GAR SPOON, JOEL OWNER/CONTRACTOR

n CERTIFICATES TO DO BUSINESS UNDER ASSUMED NAME CROWN FINANCIAL, 2102 HOME AVE. ON THE SPOT CATERING PHO SHIKI, 2991 25TH ST. MORNING STAR AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING & REFRIGERATION, 7841 LYKINS DRIVE JOE ARNHOLT CONSTRUCTION, 4908 S. ROAD 450E HANDYMAN BROTHERS INC., 2068 LOCUSTWOOD DRIVE, NORTH VERNON NATURALLY MOMMY, 6069 REGENCY DRIVE TRIPLE DIAMOND INV, COLUMBUS BMR QUAD LLC, COLUMBUS KAY JEWELERS, 3058 COLUMBUS CENTER MARV’S HIGH PRESSURE WASH, 13500 N. U.S. 31, EDINBURGH DAVID DARNALL CONSTRUCTION, 10301 S. ROAD 500E, ELIZABETHTOWN AFFORDABLE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS, 727 CHESTNUT ST. JB SERVICES, COLUMBUS

MAKE GUESTS HAPPY

MAKE GUESTS HAPPY

FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE

FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE

See www.therepublic.com/monster to find a job at the intersection of both.

Wouldn’t you like a job that fulfills you both professionally and personally?

With Monster’s new filtering tools, you can quickly hone in on the job that’s right for you.

So visit http://www.columbusindiana.jobs.com, and find a job that makes everybody happy.