Sioux Falls Business Magazine March-April 2012

march/april 2012

CHR SOLUTIONS...

Bringing Innovative Services to Providers, Community CHAMBER’S LEGACY Shares Challenges, Highlights in Sioux Falls Business

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Publisher Jeff Veire jeff@siouxfallsbusinessmagazine.com

Editor Greta Stewart greta.stewart@sio.midco.net

Director of Sales Tammy Beintema tammy@siouxfallsbusinessmagazine.com

CREATIVE Director Shalaine Rostomily shalaine@300dpidesigns.com

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

How to Reach Us To modify your free subscription OR TO REQUEST MULTIPLE COPIES tammy@siouxfallsbusinessmagazine.com

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JJ Publishing, Inc. Sioux Falls Business Magazine 1608 W. 2nd Street Sioux Falls, SD 57104 605-553-1900 www.siouxfallsbusinessmagazine.com Š2012 Sioux Falls Business Magazine. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Sioux Falls Business Magazine does not necessarily endorse or agree with content of articles or advertising presented.

On Our Cover: CHR SOLUTIONS . . . . . . . . 6 Communications provider has been keeping companies connected for over 60 years. Learn how they navigate through an ever-changing competitive market, while keeping their focus and dedication on their clients.

NATURAL CHOICE . . . . . . .10 If you want a lush green lawn, you might want to think about becoming a little greener yourself.

We talk to the experts about how easy it really is to be green.

You might conduct business on your smartphone and give presentations on your iPad but how secure are your devices?

Find out how your confidential information could be compromised right now and what you can do about it.

PROFESSIONAL DESIGNERS . . . . 22

SPRING CLEANING. . . . . . .16

When it comes to making your workspace appealing to customers, count on the experts. We have a few tips to make your workplace attractive and welcoming.

OUR LEGACY FEATURE. . . . . . .28 Betty Ordal has been with the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce for five decades. How has she made an impact on what our community has become today?

TRAVELING THROUGH TECHNOLOGY . . .32 Thanks to Skype and other telecommunication programs, you’ll learn that it’s easier than ever to conduct business in the boardroom and easier than ever to save money in travel expenses.

It’s the season for spring cleaning.

We let you know why you should invest in hiring a professional to come in and “clean house.”

CREATIVITY IN THE SKY. . . . . . .18 Advertisers are constantly having to think of new ways to get consumers’ attention. Billboards are a popular medium but are you sure your message is being seen?

We talk to the experts on how to get your business noticed from behind the wheel.

CHANGING THE AGRICULTURE CULTURE. . . . . .24 Brothers Darrin and Brian Hefty, the men behind AgPhD, are planting seeds of inspiration among our nation’s farmers and consumers.

MORE THAN A GROCERY STORE. .34 Hy-Vee Food Stores not only provides a helpful smile in every aisle, but providing tools in eating healthier.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Lloyd Companies has been thriving in the Sioux Falls community for over 40 years.

Read how they’ve constructed such a successful business model.

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BEING SECURE IN YOUR DEVICES. . 20

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IT’S ALL IN THE FAMILY . . . . . . . 12

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FEATURE

Growing Revenue, Cutting Costs for Rural Providers CHR Solutions: Serving the Community

By Jennifer Dumke Solutions; it’s not just part of their name. For over 60 years, CHR Solutions has been bringing innovative services to communication providers. And with their rich history comes a deep commitment to the community. Whether it’s keeping companies connected or navigating through an ever-changing competitive market, their dedication is proven by how they address the needs of their clients.

“We primarily focus on the communication service providers,” says James Taylor, CEO for CHR Solutions. “By offering services they in turn sell to their customers, we enable the small businesses and rural community providers to grow their revenue and cut costs.”

As communication service providers, CHR Solutions offers consulting, engineering, software and managed services.

Taylor describes their operation as a train. “We build the

tracks and provide the services to run the train and the software to automate the train,” he adds. But it’s really about the combination of software services and offering the supporting infrastructure.

Their “all hands on deck” philosophy makes them a national leader among telecommunication companies.

In 2009, CHR Solutions combined with the Martin Group to create a resource-rich, single-source provider using locally based delivery teams. They believe in guiding their clients to grow revenue. Today, out of 1,300 total rural telecommunication companies, CHR Solutions works with nearly 900 of them. “Our focus is on rural areas and the rural carriers in the world,” adds Taylor. “It’s important that we remain very committed to these carriers, specifically in South Dakota.” With offices in Sioux Falls, Mitchell and Rapid City, CHR Solutions can literally serve rural areas state-wide. In addition to working with telecommunication providers, they also serve a number of local municipalities 

[Our] operation [is like] a train.

We build the tracks and provide the services to run the train and the software to automate the train.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Title: Director of Software Support Years with Company: 3.5 years Hometown: Stickney, SD College: Nettleton Major: Travel & Airline Home Life: Married to Darren. Two daughters, Kourtney (20) and Alexandria (16)

Kelly Kuyper

“There are many great aspects to my job; travel to some amazing places across the country and even some internationally, working with our clients and a team of very intelligent and hard working colleagues. I enjoy working in complex and a rapidly changing industry, but I think the best part of my job is that I get to help create technology solutions to solve very complex business problems for our clients.”

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Steve Kludt

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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT Title: Product Line Manager Years with Company: 9 years Hometown: Alpena, SD College: South Dakota State University Major: Bachelors and Masters in Information System Home Life: Married to wife, Mallie, Daughter Alexis

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“One of my favorite aspects of this job is being able to use my 20-plus years of experience in the telecommunications industry to understand and associate with our clients’ operations, as well as lead a very talented team of software support specialists. Every day offers a variety of opportunities to provide innovative, forward-thinking client support solutions, and it’s a pleasure to directly experience my team’s professionalism, growth, work ethic, and talent used for providing unmatched client service, and contributing to the success of CHR Solutions.”

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FEATURE

as well as cable companies to help them strategize, plan, engineer and operate as a communications service provider.

Yet despite their size and scale, CHR Solutions specializes in taking care of the “little guy.”

“The reality today is that rural providers have to offer new and advanced features or they cannot fund themselves,” says Taylor. “Without a shared infrastructure and cloud technology, most phone companies need to look for new ways to make money without having to spend money on rural infrastructure.”

“I’m passionate about the fact that we need technology in rural areas. Just like the interstate system allowed the country travel and move products easily, that’s what broadband is for America today,” adds Taylor. “It’s the number one single game-changer.” By keeping areas across South Dakota connected, small communities are given the opportunity to thrive and remain competitive.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Kurt Whaley

Title: D irector Architecture and Design Group (ADG) Years with Company: 22 years Hometown: Wausa, NE College: Northeast Community College, Norfolk, NE Major: Computer Information Systems Home Life: Married for 34 years; 4 children and 3 grandchildren

“The best part of my job is getting to work with an extremely talented group of software professionals. I started at CHR as an entry level programmer and over the years, have helped build two generations of software to serve telecommunications providers needs. I’ve also worked into a management position and helped mentor junior developers. Today, I’m privileged to observe new engineers come into our group and contribute to our products. Our work is constantly changing, each day represents a new challenge.”

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT Title: Senior Vice President; Engineering Field Services Years with Company: 26 years Hometown: Artesian, SD College: South Dakota State University Major: Double Major in Business Economics and Political Science Minor in Secondary Education Home Life: Married, Sara; Children, Jerilyn Fridley Svennes and Laura Fridley Larsen (both in Sioux Falls)

David Fridley

“Having the chance to be an executive in an engineering/consulting company when I do not possess an engineering degree or have a CPA background is a great honor. It was not easy, but the path was well worth it. It shows that a farm boy from rural Artesian, S.D. (or anywhere) can succeed with a good education, hard work, and dedication to doing ‘whatever it takes’. The process had many obstacles, the odds were against something like this happening, but my parents always taught me to believe in myself, not be afraid of failure, and be willing to take a chance.”

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Title: Human Resources Generalist Years with Company: 1 year Hometown: Brandt, SD College: South Dakota State University Major: Bachelor of Science in Sociology, Minor in Criminal Justice Home Life: Single

Kristi Kjenstad

In addition to creating local jobs, CHR Solutions has spearheaded a number of internship programs with local college campuses. “We bring students into a variety of roles. Our hope is as the industry ages, we will have the experience to take the community industry to the next level over the course of the decade.” Additionally, Rapid City and Mitchell continue to see growth as well.

Many clients of CHR Solutions are recipients of the broadband stimulus grant awards. Even though receiving the federally allocated dollars can boost their business, new By keeping areas across South Dakota “We believe in our reporting requireconnected, small communities are given the opportunity community and feel ments were dauntit’s important to to thrive and remain competitive. ing. CHR Solutions provide a positive offers Broadband workforce for our Stimulus Compliemployees,” explains ance Services, which Taylor, who also adds that CHR Solutions has made a have been made available to clients to help streamline the $100,000 commitment to support Forward Sioux Falls, a process of receiving the regulatory award. community initiative that believes in bringing in highquality jobs and diversifying the local economy.

Along with offering an array of services, technology and infrastructure, CHR Solutions also believes in employing Solutions, clients and community; these are all things the best team to serve their diverse client needs. “One of that are vital in developing a network of support that will the ways we are being active in acquiring long-term workenhance rural communities and take technology to the forces with the skills to take our clients into the future is by next level. “We want our employees to be happy, healthy working with universities,” adds Taylor. When expanding and trained to take care of our clients,” says Taylor. in South Dakota, Taylor says they looked at local demographics not only to obtain employees but to grow. Their

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Sioux Falls office currently employs approximately 200 software support technicians. Because of their commitment to the community, Taylor says they plan to grow that staff to around 300 over the next five years.

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Aside from software, managed services and engineering, CHR Solutions believes in a “turn-key” operation that enables small businesses and companies to function at every level; starting from the ground up. “It all starts with marketing and acquiring customers, he adds. “If you have great technology, then all you need to do is monetize.

We’re one of the only service providers in America to do what we’re doing for rural communities.”

FEATURE

“I enjoy interacting with potential employees and providing them specifics as to why CHR Solutions has become the Employer of Choice. On a daily basis I get to interact with the outstanding talent that South Dakota has brought to this company. Through this I am able to witness first-hand how each individual contributes to the success of CHR Solutions.”

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ENVIRONMENT

a natural investment Switching To Natural Lawn Care Saves Money, Environment

By Greta Stewart When it comes to a successful business, appearance matters. In fact, it starts before the client even steps in the door. And with the national trend of “going green,” why not start with your lawn? It’s easier and less expensive to go natural than you might think.

Lawns absorb water, which helps reduce storm runoff and improve water quality. Lawns also have a significant cooling effect, provide oxygen, trap dust and dirt, promote healthful microorganisms, prevent erosion and filter rainwater contaminants. Lawn care, however, has come at a high cost to the environment.

According to the U.S. National Wildlife Federation, over 70 million tons of fertilizers and pesticides are applied to residential lawns and gardens annually. Where pesticides are used, 60–90 percent of earthworms are killed.

Earthworms are important for soil health.

Natural Advantages So what are some advantages of converting to a natural lawn care system? Paul DeJong, owner of Landscape Garden Centers, says the decision to offer natural lawn care was an

easy one to make. “When you have healthy soil, it leads to healthy roots, which results in a healthy yard,” he says.

“Basically what that is, is removing 99 percent of all chemicals out of any type of lawn care that’s out there right now,” DeJong says the biggest advantage of having a natural-fed lawn is the savings. “You’ll use far less water, which is huge,” he explains. “Not to mention the safety factors. If we have less pollutants in the air and water, we’ll all be much better off.” DeJong also says businesses will have fewer weeds over time from the thick and healthy roots, and the grass will grow slower which means less mowing and use of gasoline. “A natural yard is no more difficult than a synthetic yard,” he encourages. “If you feed it as recommended, you’ll have the best-looking yard in the area.”

Some pluses to a natural lawn are some you might not think about. “You’re building the soil in a way nature intended,” DeJong says. “You’ll have earthworms and beneficial insects that return to the soil and for those bird and wildlife lovers, they’ll see an abundance return to the outdoor spaces.” DeJong says making the switch to natural lawn care has been slow but is confident it will catch on once business owners realize how beneficial having a natural lawn can be and how much money they can save.

Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center is one organization that has made the switch from using chemical lawn fertilizer to organic, environmentally friendly lawn care.

They decided to use natural lawn care when planning their newest building, the Prairie Center, which houses the Avera Cancer Institute and Avera Surgery Center. “We wanted to get rid of all the things that could make you ill,” said Richard Molseed, senior vice president of Governance and Strategy at Avera Health Systems.

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a natural lawn, having to wait a year is really a minimal concern. “There are so many advantages to going natural,” says DeJong. “But the greatest concern of mine is God has only given us a certain amount of natural resources.

Let’s use them wisely for future generations.”

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The saying, ‘good things come to those who wait’ rings true, especially when it comes to transferring to natural lawn care. DeJong says making the switch takes time. The old chemicals have to dissolve and then the new turf has to get used to its new type of natural food, which takes about a season before you start to see the effects. However, when you think about all the benefits having

ENVIRONMENT

The decision to go natural on Avera’s properties removed over 10,000 pounds of toxic fertilizer from the environment.

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Kathy Maass, 2011 MBA graduate Director of Process Excellence Avera McKennan Hospital

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ENTREPRENEUR

Lloyd Companies A Staple In Sioux Falls For 40 Successful Years

By Ashley Sandborn The name Lloyd often is preceded by the names Craig and Pat, typically followed by such words as “philanthropy,” “success,” “partnership,” and “visionary.” However, there is no word more synonymous with the name Lloyd than real estate. That’s because Lloyd Companies, a full-service property management, real estate, construction and development company, has been responsible for a large portion of the preeminent pieces of residential and commercial real estate in Sioux Falls for the past 40 years.

Growing up, Craig Lloyd spent a lot of time around his father, who owned a construction company, and his uncle who owned a lumberyard. Craig worked at his uncle’s lumberyard while obtaining an undergraduate degree from Mankato State University. Upon graduation, Craig and Pat moved to Sioux Falls to manage an apartment project but Craig quickly found himself bored and built his first home. “Shortly after we moved to Sioux Falls, my wife and I decided to build a house,” said Craig Lloyd, CEO of Lloyd Companies. “I had never built a house in my life. But, not long after we built our house, we decided to build another.

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Sands Drywall Inc., a full-service drywall contractor, has been working collaboratively with Lloyd Companies for the past 13 years, and like most businesses that have worked with Lloyd Companies past or present, they view their work relationship as positive and mutually beneficial.

“Our relationship with Lloyd has changed the face of Sands Drywall Inc.,” said Greg Sands, CEO of Sands Drywall Inc. “As they have grown, we have grown with them.” 

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Following these four principles has allowed Lloyd Companies to weather many economic storms over the years, particularly those in the ‘80s and present day. However, exceptional customer service has been perhaps the most pivotal and consistent standard they’ve upheld over the years. They have established and maintained positive, long-standing relationships with countless customers, many of who have rented for 30+ years with the company. “We have been able to establish strong relationships with clients for many different reasons,” said Craig. “Relationships in the community, being involved in many civic and non-profit organizations, and being consistent with investors on returns, to name a few. We also have spent a lot of time on service. Our associates do a great job—they answer questions, make decisions, and are proactive with our customers.”

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“Our secret to success? A great staff, very loyal customer base, and looking outside the box for being able to finance a project,” says Craig. “I also never say quit. I think that if something doesn’t work, it’s best to try something different and keep moving forward.”

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Lloyd Companies’ recipe for success has been consistent over the past four decades.

The recipe consists of four common principles that focus on perseverance, relationships, creativity and hard work.

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Lloyd Companies’ professional success has been matched only by their compassion for others. Numerous employees are notable philanthropists, and regularly give their talents and time to the Sioux Falls community.

“We encourage our employees to be actively involved in the community,” said Craig. “We feel like the community has allowed us many opportunities, and if we can give back to make it a better community, then we all benefit.

Craig credits the success of Lloyd Companies to a team of people. He strongly emphasizes his wife’s contributions to the success of Lloyd Companies. “I have to give my wife and kids credit,” said Craig. “My wife really is responsible for a lot of the success of the company. She is the one that would make sure all of the forms were filled out correctly, operations and procedures were going smoothly, and the relationships with our staff were good. We would have never been where we are today without her. Our three daughters and nephew play an active role in the company and in putting systems in place so the company can continue in our family for future generations.” About success, Craig says, “it isn’t just about me or my family but it’s about the benefit of the larger group and that includes our employees, vendors and the community. Seeing everyone benefit is what makes my work fun.”

As for the future, Lloyd Companies has great new projects on the horizon. “For 2012, in the downtown area we have loft apartments, a hotel and office space along with more retail stores at Dawley Farm Village,” said Craig.

Craig and Pat established Lloyd Companies with a reputation for quality, service and dependability. The Lloyd Family intends to continue Craig and Pat’s legacy and care for the customers, vendors and employees like they were taught to do by their parents. And with those values in place, the next forty-years of their business can only get better.

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I’m so proud of our employees, my wife and our three children. They are all involved in the community in many different ways. By allowing them opportunities they take service to the next level and reach out further than we could ever do on our own. Giving back makes the employees feel good while benefiting the community.” Some of the countless organizations that Lloyd Companies regularly gives their time to includes: YMCA, YWCA, Home Builders Association, United Way, Dakotabilities, SD Achieve, Susan G. Komen, Sioux Falls Development Foundation, and the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce.

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HEALTH / WELLNESS

THE DIRTY LITTLE SECRET LURKING INSIDE YOUR BUSINESS Reap The Rewards Of Spring Cleaning

By Chrissy Spoo Ryan Van Donge knows all about your dirty little secret.

As the owner of Best Choice Carpet Cleaning in Sioux Falls, he’s seen it all: the dust, the dirt, the grime, and the bacteria… and that’s just your carpet! With warmer weather finally on the horizon, many people start to think about spring cleaning their homes, but Van Donge says businesses should put a thorough cleaning on their ‘to do lists’, too.

In addition to putting your best foot forward with customers, Van Donge says a good cleaning can be good for your business in many other ways. For example, he says employees who work in a clean environment have a higher morale. Plus, maintaining your carpet just makes good business sense. According to Van Donge, professionally maintaining the carpeting in your facility extends the life of the carpet significantly.

“Typically you can spend around $200 on a thorough cleaning of an entire carpet, versus spending upwards of $10,000 to replace carpet completely.

Maintenance is a better deal,” says Van Donge.

From an overall health perspective, regular cleanings and periodic deep cleans also create a healthier environment for both employees and customers. “I see what’s in that carpet,” Van Donge says. “Lots of times we are cleaning at nights or on the weekends, and when people come back to the business, they comment that the carpet looks really good. But they don’t see what we’re taking out of it. Overall, a cleaner building is just healthier.” In addition to the normal dirt and grime that accumulates over a winter of snow, salt and sand, bacteria and dust can wreak havoc on employees and customers cooped up inside during the winter time.

“I realized that there are people who do what they do really well. That’s why people hire my company, and I take the same approach with my business,” Ten Haken explains. “My time is better spent on my business, and not by making sure my carpets are clean.”

Eric Van Donge echoes Ten Haken’s observation and says that in the end, hiring a professional to assist you with your day-to-day cleaning and periodic deep cleans is cheaper in the long run. “It’s what we do day in and day out, so we’re efficient,” he says. “We can be in and out in an hour, depending on the size of the building, where it may take an employee three hours. It’s really a win-win for everyone.

The employer is happy, the employee is happy and we’re happy to help out.”

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HEALTH/ WELLNESS

For many businesses, regular cleanings are a marketing tool that pays for itself in dividends. Paul Ten Haken of Click Rain says that for his company first impressions are vital, and having a clean office is an important advertising tool. With its location on Main Avenue and large front windows, Ten Haken says his business gets a lot of foot

A self-confessed believer in the “Cleanliness is next to Godliness” motto, Ten Haken says he tried to handle the cleaning and maintenance by himself but quickly realized he needed to hire a professional.

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Although Van Donge says carpets typically hold the most dirt, they’re not the only area on which a business should focus. Van Donge also recommends focusing on tile and grout, which can also harbor a lot of bacteria and grime.

Eric Van Donge, Ryan’s brother, is also in the cleaning business and runs No Streaking Window Cleaning in Sioux Falls. According to Eric, winter’s slushy, salty road spray can leave a layer of buildup on the exterior of your windows, which when combined with the normal grime that builds up on the inside of your windows, creates a foggy haze.

“Once we clean, most people can’t believe how much sunlight comes back into the room,” Eric Van Donge says.

“It makes a big difference. A little bit of sunlight goes a long ways!”

traffic walking by, and people always look inside. “Most of the people who come into our office who have never been there before often comment about how cool and nice it is, and part of the reason it is that way is because it’s pretty clean,” Ten Haken says.

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Plus, Van Donge says with allergies becoming more common, businesses owners should be aware that it could very well be the dust and dirt inside your carpeting that is making your employees sick.

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SALES/MARKETING

Billboards And Branding does your messaging get the green light?

How are you communicating your message to the masses? There are many different types of effective marketing mediums, including print, television and radio. Another that’s hard to ignore is billboard advertising. But is it an effective way to attract potential customers? “Billboards, or outdoor advertising, is a very effective method of advertising,” says Joe Henkin, co-owner of HenkinSchultz Communication Arts. “It’s pretty difficult to miss a good billboard.”

By Greta Stewart So how can businesses make sure busy drivers actually see the advertisement above tall buildings in the sky? “I always recommend my clients choose effective color, photography, headlines and good copy,” Henkin says. “You just have to remember to have big type and the fewer the words, the better. Traffic is moving pretty fast and they have less than a second to remember your message. One of our clients, the Gas Stop, has a great billboard out right now. The color is bright and the messaging is simple. It’s been a fun, successful campaign for them.”

Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center takes its billboard advertising seriously. “When we opened Avera Medical Group McGreevy Pediatrics South in southeast Sioux Falls,” explains Alan Helgeson, marketing manager at Avera McKennan, “We knew we needed to do something out-of-theordinary. “We wanted something that would say, ‘we know kids.’ Really, we had a message to share with people. We’re no different than trying to market a soda or grocery store. But we knew we had to be creative.

I use billboards as part of the overall marketing mix. Sioux Falls is the biggest city in the region and Avera has a big

The bear billboard on Western Avenue is a different approach to marketing a traditional business. “I really like to think differently,” Helgeson explains. “I want to have fun, unique billboards. We try to put a lot of thought into our creative because it reflects on us, our services and what we’re marketing. However, like many other businesses out there, we do have brand standards we have to follow. We just take that structure and expand on it a little bit. Even though the bear cutout billboard is really advertising our new clinic, the elements and colors are the same as our Avera Medical Group McGreevy Clinics in Sioux Falls and in the surrounding areas.”

We wanted something laid back with bright colors and fun fonts and images. We really designed this with kids in mind.”

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What the two came up with was a huge cuddly teddy bear, simple message and fun coloring. “We went through several teddy bears before we found the right one,” Helgeson laughs. “Who knew choosing a teddy bear would be so tough? But really, what better choice than a teddy bear?

Everybody loves bears.” Potter says the creative process for her team starts with collaboration. “We looked at other unique billboards in town and looked to see what other hospitals around the country were doing and we just knew we wanted to stand out.” So how did the bear’s ears end up as a cutout? Potter laughs and says, “By accident. I ran out of room and the only solution was to make him [the bear] taller.” Helgeson says sometimes the best ideas happen by

So far, Helgeson says the response has been very wellreceived so he knows he’s doing something right with his billboards. “It’s just fun and catchy and certainly stands out,” he says. “We have some new ideas in the works for our new McGreevy clinic on West Benson Road too,” he says. “Drivers can expect something different and fun for that one too. My advice to other businesses is to remember that a good billboard can be a piece of art and can enhance the landscape. Just have fun and don’t be afraid to try something different.”

SALES/MARKETING

Jessica Potter is the lead graphic designer at Avera McKennan Creative Services. Helgeson enlisted her help when creating the new look for the new clinic. “This project we really just tried to have fun,” she says. “Pediatrics range from newborns to age 18.

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accident. “You just have to be willing to try new things and see if they work.”

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footprint. We have to be memorable to not only those who live here but also to those who travel here.”

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TECHNOLOGY

iCrimes and Misdemeanors

By Randy Grimsley

Keeping Your Business Data Secure

“The criminals are looking for databases of information—your date of birth, your account info—to steal your identity,” McClung said. “They go through your name or account and just follow it through to the information, wherever that exists.”

The Federal Trade Commission claims as many as nine million people have their identities stolen each year. It’s also estimated that about $50 billion in charges are racked up on other people’s credit cards each year due to the ‘no-good-niks’ that lifted them from somebody else.

Many of these illegal activities begin with the criminal dumpster diving for personal information, physically stealing a credit card, or other such devious means. However, many of the violations also occur with the criminal in another state or even country, as they breech the security on your device or account to get what they want.

In the ‘good old days,’ a thief would case somebody’s home to make sure they weren’t there. He would sneak in through an unlocked window. And he would leave with some favorite heirloom jewelry, cash, and the VCR they just purchased.

“The world is different today,” according to Mark McClung, owner of Active Data Systems in Sioux Falls. McClung’s company has been in the document management business protecting and backing up personal and business data for 30 years.

Experts suggest all people and businesses shred any documents before disposing of them. Social security numbers should be locked up tight, not found on anything others may see. And of course, avoid clicking on any links found in unsolicited emails. They also request people keep up-to-date firewalls, anti-spyware and anti–virusware on all devices that allow it, and to stop using easy to discover passwords like a birthday or mother’s maiden name for passwords.

According to McClung, the most simple means to avoid such things happening to you involve plain old common sense. “For example, don’t put your bank account number on the internet, if you don’t know you are using a secure line,” he said.

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The Federal Trade Commission claims as many as nine million people have their identities stolen each year.

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We have quickly become a nation of ipeople, connecting to the Internet for more of our day via more devices than thought possible several years ago.

Unfortunately, the opportunities for those looking to snatch away our personal information keeps growing as well. But with the proper knowledge, common sense and precautions, your vital information can be kept wellhidden and kept away from any security-breaching thieves.

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TECHNOLOGY

risk into opportunity.

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Furthermore, if it’s a work device that started the breech, notify the Systems Administrator. If it was a personal account, delete that account and start a new one. Active Data Systems or other similar companies can back up and maintain all of your information at other locations to help you recover any data that may have been lost or corrupted in the process.

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Should your iPhone be ihacked, McClung suggests you try to fix things as soon as possible. “If it’s a phone that was hacked, change the number and kill it so they can’t get info on the server from that phone number,” McClung said. “Delete that account and recreate a new one with a new phone number.”

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STYLE

BEAUTY AND THE BUSINESS

Professional Interior Designers: Your Newest Employee?

Home may be where the heart is, but it’s where we work, shop and do business that enables us to acquire the beautiful homes. So why not take the same principals of home design and apply it to where we work? It’s long understood that places of hospitality and retail have a need for friendly, professional atmospheres. But almost every business, whether frequented by walk-in traffic or not, can benefit from a quality, up-to-date design. However, not everyone has a knack for knowing what looks best, or more importantly, what will function properly and meet commercial requirements.

By Jennifer Dumke

Commercial Design Increasing

Heidi Coatsworth, showroom manager for Ethan Allen Home Interiors in Sioux Falls, is a heavy lifter when it comes to interior design—both residential and commercial.

She carries twenty years of professional design experience and works for a locally-owned business that not only carries quality lines of case goods, but can also tap into external resources for specific commercial needs.

Over her two decades of design experience, she says that she’s seen an increase in commercial design and already has an impressive portfolio of business design projects. “This past year I’ve seen more and more commercial projects,” Coatsworth says. “Even though Ethan Allen is known for residential design, our corporate headquarters has recently stepped up to the plate for commercial products by introducing a program that meets specific requirements for businesses.”

Bottom lines, profit margins and sales quotas may be critical to the business model. Just don’t forget to take a step back and look around, because like our homes, first impressions are often the most important.

STYLE

And the benefits may be right under your nose. “Employees that work in an environment that’s warm and inviting and that have a functional place to work are more likely to be happier,” she says. Even businesses that don’t have a lot of walk-in traffic can get a boost from a professional atmosphere.

“Often times, how a business drastically changed presents itself is a direct symbol of and storage systems. their success,” she adds. “Even for potential employees, it’s always important to put your best foot forward.” And if you’re on a budget, Coatsworth also has a few easy tips and suggestions that can provide an easy transformation. “Accessories; they’re often the number one thing that can date an office,” she adds. Swap outdated artwork and time-worn silk floral arrangements and fake plants and go for clean lines and modern wall art that fits existing décor.

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Coatsworth also says that using a professional designer can often alleviate the stress and time spent on selecting samples and making key decisions.“We take the guesswork out of design,” she says. “We meet with each client to get an idea of what they are looking to achieve and then help narrow down the decisions in addition to spending time gathering and presenting samples,” Coatsworth adds.

Decor Boosts Atmosphere, Employee Satisfaction

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And gone are the days of traditional business design. In addition to simply adding new carpet and a fresh coat of paint, Coatsworth adds that today’s trend is to make business interiors more like a home, but with the function of a prosperous operation. Such design upgrades include tile, faux finishing painting techniques, unique use of lighting and of course, Today’s technology has office furniture. “Today’s the use of office furniture technology has drastically changed the use of office furniture and storage systems. We no longer need large file cabinets and surface space for computers, so it’s vital that businesses look into modern day configurations not only for looks, but also functionality,” she adds.

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INDUSTRIAL /AGRICULTURE

Agriculture Information 101 Hefty Brothers Provide Producers Valuable Tool In Education

By Greta Stewart In today’s day and age, it’s not often family members go into business together…unless they are farmers. Today’s farmers make up less than one percent of the population in the United States, yet they are looked upon to provide the nation’s food. That’s why it’s more important than ever to get our farmers educated and get the right information into consumers’ hands.

That’s where Darren and Brian Hefty come in handy. The two brothers make up Ag PhD, an informational television show and educational seminars that provide information

for agriculture. Ag PhD TV began in April of 1998, and each week since, has had a new, half-hour show, packed with moneymaking ideas.

“What’s different about Ag PhD TV from other ag shows is that we don’t focus on farm news, commodity markets, and weather because you can’t control any of those factors,” says Brian Hefty.

“Instead, you’ll learn how to pick the right herbicides for your farm, how to better fertilize your crops, and how to stop those yield-robbing insects and diseases, as well as 

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how to communicate the message of the American farmer to your non-farming friends and neighbors.”

The brothers, originally from Baltic and graduates of South Dakota State University, say they grew up on the family farm and worked with corn, soybeans, wheat, oats and livestock—primarily pigs. “In our industry, it used to be there were small, informational meetings where a

of most weeds,” Darren says. “But it’s not working as well as it used to. We’re discovering that we have to use something else.” Darren says for no-tillers, the weed called Marestail is tough to kill. For tillers, the Common and Giant Ragweed is hard to get rid of. “We’re finding that pre-emerged herbicides like Pigweed and Waterhemp are good ones to solve both of those weed issues,” he says. “We’re seeing corn and bean farmers having some success. It’s not expensive and you can get great weed control.”

Another popular topic that comes up in almost every seminar the brothers give is the grain market. “We tell farmers not to worry about it,” Brian says. “Nobody can answer where it’s going to go, so what’s the point in worrying about it?” Darren laughs, “Exactly. We have no control over it so why worry?”

representative would come in and give short presentations on a certain product,” Brian says. “And we thought there had to be a better way to do this. So, we started giving whole-day seminars. I think what makes our program different is that we are brothers. We don’t always see eye-to-eye.

And that doesn’t mean one way is better than the other. We aren’t here to promote one product over another.” Darren agrees with his brother. “We really don’t care how farmers till, we just want the farmer to do the best thing for his crop,” he explains. “We give unbiased information that they can’t find anywhere else. We are two actual brothers. We actually farm. We disagree sometimes but that shows different ways of doing things. I think our audience can relate since most of the farmers today are in business with their dad or brother or uncle.”

The brothers say Ag PhD is a way to give back and help farmers all over the United States do a better job in all areas of business.

“If you think about it,” says Darren, “a farmer is a mechanic, a welder, and an agronomist but he is also a human resources representative, a marketer and a creative thinker. We help them balance all those areas with information.”

What are some challenges facing those in agriculture today?

Darren says the topic of the weed killers, such as Roundup, is popular. Roundup is a popular herbicide that farmers use to kill weeds. “It used to be that Roundup would take care

One question that might come to mind is the moisture levels this year. After an unseasonably dry fall and no earlywinter snow cover, will the farmers have a hard time this spring and summer? “Actually,” says Brian, “April and May are the months where we need the moisture. When you have snow cover, it keeps the soil warmer so you are prone to more insects. We want the ground to freeze so the insects can’t get in there and destroy it in the spring.”

If farmers can incorporate one best business practice this year, the Heftys say it would be tiling. “Everybody thinks tiling will flood us out,” Brian explains. “But really, it’s great. It reduces erosion, reduces flow and actually reduces flooding. All you’re doing is lowering the water so there’s no runoff. It even provides excellent water quality. The water is really clear because it’s so low the soil can’t harm it and muddy it up.”

The Heftys say their information is also really for average consumers. “The American farmer gets a bad rap because there is a lot of bad information out there,” Brian says passionately.

“When you talk about pesticides and herbicides, you automatically think of negative connotations. But I can give you a 100 percent guarantee they are half as dangerous as the chemical cleaners under your kitchen sink.” As for the organic issue, which is popular with shoppers these days, Brian dismisses the idea. “There are more carcinogens in organic foods, which is not nearly as safe as the products the average farmer uses on his crops.” Darren agrees. “We just try to filter out all the marketing propaganda,” he says.

“We’re passionate about what we do and we’re just trying to get good information in the farmers’ hands. We have to be good risk managers these days.”

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She lives and breathes Chamber— they’re inseparable.

Betty

BOUNDLESS ENERGY: Betty Ordal Proves Herself A Legacy

Ordal has accomplished all of that in the last four decades.

However, her passion and drive began much earlier, just outside of Montrose, S.D. “I am the oldest of 15 children,” she says. “I was a farm girl. I went to country school, and then later went to a small high school, Franklin, which is now Chester High School.” Not surprisingly, Ordal says she was active in extra-curriculars such as band, chorus and cheerleading. “I worked at home, too,” she says. “I particularly enjoyed laundry and cleaning the floors. As the oldest sibling in the family, Ordal was bound to be looked upon

Ordal

to help the younger children. Her brother, Paul Struck, who is number 11 in the family, says his big sister was simply, “the best.”

In the summer, Ordal worked at the race track in Madison.

“I will never forget the sounds and all that dust,” she says.

Her favorite subjects? English and writing. What about math? “On no. I didn’t like math at all,” she says with a smile. She went on to graduate from General Beadle State College (now Dakota State University) in Madison, S.D. “I took a 2-year secretarial course but was able to get it done in one year,” she explains. After that, Ordal got married and had two children, Daniel and Lisa. But even as a mom, Ordal didn’t stop working. “Oh I always worked,” she says.

“I worked at Midwest Beach and had a ball there.” The company was located downtown and was a print shop that did wedding invitations, stationery and specialized in school annuals. “I type-set the annuals,” she explains.

A Calling Heard Her calling for business came in 1966, when she started with the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. Ordal, who is currently the membership services director, says she accepted the position during one of the best decades downtown. “Downtown was THE place to be,” she says.

“It was hoppin’! I loved going shopping on my lunch hour.

We had (J.C.) Penney’s, S&L, Fantles, Shriver’s, and fantastic jewelry stores. At that time, you could do all your business downtown. It was very similar to what it is now…so much opportunity was happening during the ‘60s.” Evan Nolte says he first met Betty in 1979, when he took over as the executive vice president of the Chamber. “I’ve known Betty for more than three decades,” the current president 

LEGACY

I remember sitting helping my brother with math. And she came over and said, ‘you are so patient.’ That has always stayed with me and she pushed me to go to college and get a degree in education. Now here I sit, as the principal at Lincoln Elementary in Yankton. I think I have her to thank.”

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When describing Betty Ordal, you could say she’s one of the hardest working women in Sioux Falls. But really, that still doesn’t do her justice. The 68-year-old somehow manages a full-time job at the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the Rotary West, Sales & Marketing Executives, and is a charter board member for Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA). “I try to stay active,” she says from her office at the Chamber. “I do have a lot of energy but I think it’s because I am involved in so many activities.” A former YWCA board member, Ordal was appointed to the Human Relations Commission, received the 2003 United Way Sioux Empire Volunteer of the Year, and has also served on the church council at St. Michael Parish. She has also served on the Board of NAMD, an affiliate of the American Chamber of Commerce and Family Service.

He recalls, “Betty would always take us kids places…Wall Lake, the pool, etc. She never minded the younger ones tagging around with her. And she was always so supportive. I think one of the biggest influences in my life came from her.

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By Greta Stewart

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and CEO says. “She has so many talents and positives as a person and professional manager.

One word that describes Betty is ‘consistent’, meaning that she has provided great continuity throughout the years of her career with the Chamber and in her other community involvements during a period of significant change in the community and Chamber organization.”

Nolte says in her Chamber role, she has managed the Community Appeals Committee and its capital fundraising scheduling process for many years. “That process has benefitted many non-profit organizations serving people in the community as well as educational organizations in the Sioux Falls area,” he says. She also has served as a board member of several significant community organizations and provided leadership there as well. Betty knows more people in the Sioux Falls area and state than anyone I know,” he notes.

One of Betty’s friends, Sharon Boysen, agrees with Nolte.

“She knows everyone in town and is a great cheerleader for all Sioux Falls businesses both large and small,” she says.

“She is proud when they succeed and sad when they don’t.

I can’t imagine a more talented and friendly individual to have as a community leader in Sioux Falls.”

Another friend, Tom Van Whye, says Betty is the perfect example of a successful Chamber Manager. “I can only

describe her as dedicated,” he says. “Her enthusiasm for Sioux Falls and the Chamber is very evident. She lives and breathes Chamber—they’re inseparable. I tell people that if they need Chamber or community information, no need to Google, call Betty!”

Four Decades of Challenges and Highlights Indeed, Betty has seen the city of Sioux Falls through decades of high points and low points. She describes the 1960s. “Some of the challenges we, as a Chamber, faced was the whole tourism/visitor situation. Our airport wasn’t big or as welcoming. We had limited tourist attractions, very few restaurants, limited hotels, and didn’t have the quality of shows, like we do with the Pavilion and Orpheum. We also didn’t have the sporting attractions like we have now,” she says. However, Ordal lists some of the highlights of the

In 2011, [the Chamber] had 189 ribbon cuttings and 64 percent of its members had 10 or fewer employees.

‘60s. “We had great leadership,” she says. “We were all looking for the betterment of Sioux Falls. And the city was growing but we were able to keep that small-town atmosphere where you knew everybody. And we were still the retail hub.”

Another highlight for Sioux Falls? In 1987 Forward Sioux Falls was started, which Ordal calls the most significant development for the Chamber. Forward Sioux Falls, a joint venture economic development partnership between the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation has raised $36 million since its inception, enhancing the economic development efforts and improving the quality of life in Sioux Falls. Its goal is to bring more jobs, expand superior medical facilities, create dozens of education opportunities and provides better shopping and cultural activities.

In the 1990s, the city faced some challenges downtown.

“I think having Falls Park in the forefront was really on the leaders’ minds,” Ordal says. “And we accomplished re-doing the park and we were able to bring in the Skyforce, which was the first of semi-pro sports teams in Sioux Falls that would bring in more revenue for the city.”

Ordal says the Chamber also started a very strong public affairs program and brought more presence in Pierre and got the Chamber more involved in local and state government.

As for the 2000s, the challenge, of course, was the economy.

“Of course we weren’t hit hard like either of the coasts,” she explains. “But we also experienced job losses and our real estate and construction market took a hit. But on the plus side, health care employment continues to grow and the financial sector is recovering, and more small businesses are starting up.” Ordal mentions in 2011, they had 189 ribbon cuttings and 64 percent of its members had 10 or fewer employees.

“The whole family gathers on Christmas Day,” she says.

“I delegate food assignments, set-up and clean-up tasks, and conduct a program by my nieces/nephews with the arrival of Santa at the conclusion. We have between 80 and 100 people and I look forward to it every year.” She also organized a card club from the farm neighborhood that met once a month from November through April. “We did it for about 30 years,” Ordal says. “And we had anywhere between 20 and 24 members.

A Gifted Woman One of Ordal’s many talents includes being able to say things to make people feel better. Her oldest and dearest friend, Nancy Gienapp, says Ordal gave the eulogy at both of her parents’ funerals. “She is such a gifted speaker,” Gienapp says. “She made a really tough situation a little easier to bear. We grew up together so our families were so close. And even when her own father passed away, she gave that eulogy too. I think that really speaks to how strong of a woman she truly is.”

Even though the mother, grandmother and now greatgrandmother has had her share of successes, she is still a human being and has experienced tough times. “She was a single mother and it was hard, working and providing for her two children,” Struck says. “But she was bound and determined to do her best. And she couldn’t have done it any better. She’s living proof that perseverance pays off. I’m real proud of her. You know, I tell people that if God had a helper, He had to have been helped by someone like Betty.

She’s a rock.”

Betty has seen the city of Sioux Falls through decades of high points and low points.

Gienapp agrees. “You couldn’t ask for a better friend, better advocate or better motivator. Her whole family is just outstanding and she always has this ‘can do’ attitude.

Having Betty on Sioux Falls’ side just means more success for the whole community.”

LEGACY

We became diverse in retail, health care, the financial sector and in hospitality. Because of the tree that was planted, we can enjoy the fruit it bears today.”

As for her personal life, Betty says she would like to be remembered as hard-working, fun (loves to golf, play cards, dance), loyal, successful, family-oriented, a friend, and an organizer.

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The 1980s were filled with rapid and steady growth. “An adventure for sure,” Ordal says. “Citibank came in and brought a lot of jobs. Our community changed so much but it was a great turning point for Sioux Falls.

Throughout the decades with the Chamber, Ordal says she has had the opportunity to work with great leaders. “I have learned something from each one of them,” she says. “I consider myself so very fortunate to work with them and learn from them.”

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Ordal says the 1970s faced its fair share of challenges as well. “We were dealing with the problems of a deteriorating downtown, loss of retail, etc.” she explains. “We were experiencing the opening of a new mall, strip malls, and parking issues downtown. It was the most challenging decade for retail downtown,” she says. She describes a “faux paus” the city made: “Making Phillips Avenue a pedestrian mall. But we quickly got it corrected,” she says. “Leadership rose to the challenge and decided to do something about our diminishing downtown. We still were able to retain family-owned businesses.” she adds.

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TECHNOLOGY

Skype’s Hype

By Ashley Sandborn

Popular Communication Tool Offers Ways To Strengthen Relationships, Save Money

Families all across the country have been using a web tool that has allowed them to become closer personally.

Skype has allowed this as these same families have moved geographically farther apart in search of better careers during these trying economic times.

Face-to-face interaction between two people nearly always yields better interpersonal relationships due to the non-verbals that are communicated in a face-to-face environment.

As in personal relationships, non-verbal communication has always been an integral part of any business organization. In the past few decades, the Internet has made this type communication remarkably easy. If you need to quickly convey a message to colleagues, partners, consultants, contractors, or clients, all you need to do is send an email.

However, some extraordinary advances in technology and social media have allowed us to take the way we communicate one step further. Thanks to Skype, the popular VoIP (voice-over-Internet protocol) service, we can now have face-to-face interaction, but without the expense of travel.

It’s helping overcome logistical hurdles because it can truly connect people at work across organizational and geographical boundaries. It allows users to make video calls via the Internet to other Skype users for free, or to any landline or mobile device worldwide for the price of a local phone call. “Telephone and e-mail communication are effective, but nothing can replace face-to-face communication,” said Brian Jennings, executive vice president for the American Coalition for Ethanol. “Skype is as close to face-to-face communication as we’ve found. It’s the next best thing to sitting in the office having a meeting.”

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) began using Skype almost two years ago when a valuable staffer moved out of state. “We didn’t want to lose her talent at ACE and I made the determination, based on her work ethic and job responsibilities, that she could do her job remotely,” said

Jennings. “The ability to tap into Skype as a communication tool factored into my decision and it has worked really well for us.”

In today’s fast-paced and ever evolving business environment, it’s become vital to utilize online communication, especially in rural settings. Skype allows rural doctors to not only reduce both patient and practitioners’ costs but also reduce travel requirements, quicken remedial procedures and communicate more easily with specialists. “Skype allows us to real time chat with specialists, literally around the world,” said Joe Spoo, veterinarian at Tea Veterinary Clinic.

“The beauty of Skype isn’t just the verbal communication, but with screen sharing we are able to review X-rays and pictures of cases with specialists. Most recently, we have

Looking to make sense of Skype, as well as other social media programs?

Contact 9 Clouds, a Sioux Falls company that trains and supports businesses on how to use technology for marketing, collaboration, and communication. Through training, strategy and digital campaigns, 9 Clouds can help you increase sales, improve efficiency and help you understand what online tools make sense for you.

Contact: 1-855-9CLOUDS You can also visit www.digsandbox.com. It’s an online community where you can download a free Skype handbook and then learn the basics of how to use it. Anything from how to add contacts, make voice and video calls, and file transfer.

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started live streaming ultrasounds, allowing direction and interpretation by a radiologist, while we perform the procedure.”

The current economic climate has been advantageous to Skype for its everincreasing popularity. Skype-to-Skype calls are free. Therefore, it has helped entice businesses to use the communication tool to optimize costs while simultaneously growing their business.

“We’ve found great value in maintaining efficiency through Skype. It prevents delayed meetings and helps us tackle projects in a timely way,” said Jennings. “We can immediately discuss how to proceed on an important project without delay.”

Skype has also aided Tea Veterinary Clinic’s clients to help save money by drastically reducing their travel expenses. “By using available technology, like Skype, we are able to increase our quality of care immensely without having to have our clients make a several hour trip with potentially a multi-night stay for diagnostics,” said Spoo. “In the last week we have consulted with specialists in Iowa, Minnesota, California and Saskatchewan. I never want my patient care or treatment to be limited by where we are located. By using Skype, it has allowed us to expand the quality of care we can provide. There will always be certain procedures that will require travel to receive the care of a specialist; however, this evolving technology is shrinking that list.”

Whether you work in a rural office or for a large company in Sioux Falls, it’s apparent that Skype can help your business whatever the size. It’s a simple and effective way to reduce technology and travel expenses while trying to focus on growing your business.

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In today’s fast-paced and ever evolving business environment, it’s become vital to utilize online communication, especially in rural settings.

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HEALTH / WELLNESS

EATING HEALTHY

GETS EASIER INTERNET, APPS HELP SHOPPERS

By Randy Grimsley

By the Numbers Select foods and their NuVal™ ranking. Similar products may vary greatly—not all foods are created equal.

Informed consumers wishing to eat healthy may be a vigilant bunch. They linger in the aisles, reading nutrition labels to see which cracker option has the lowest sodium level. For them, picking up a loaf of bread, a carton of milk, and a stick of butter is about finding the best fuel for their body.

Item NuVal Number Glutino Pretzel Twists Gluten Free 1 Nabisco Chips Ahoy 2 Local stores such as Nabisco Ritz Bitz Cracker Sandwiches Cheese 2 Pomegranate Market have Lays Stax Original Potato Chips 7 found a strong niche by Pringles Original Potato Chips 9 offering up primarily Cap’n Crunch 10 organic and health Kashi Strawberry Fields 11 foods. Other stores Nabisco Mini Teddy Grahams 24 have expanding Baked Lays 25 Keebler Townhouse Bistro Mutigrain Crackers 25 Ham 27 Wonder Classic White Sandwich Bread 28 Ground Sirloin (Beef 90/10) 30 Turkey Breast 31 Healthy Choice Hearty 7-Grain Bread 34 Arnold Natural Flax and Fiber Bread 48 Turkey Breast (skinless) 48 Del Monte Fresh Cut Whole Green Beans (canned) 53 Green Giant Spinach Frozen 67 Passion Fruit—Purple 78 Avocados 89 Silk Soymilk Light 89 Post Shredded Wheat ‘N Bran 91 Pineapple 99 Blueberries 100 Broccoli 100

NuVal’s goal is to make comparison shopping as easy as possible. The system considers the main nutrients and their benefits or detrimental qualities. It weighs all of the information in “a pretty complicated algorithm” to determine one overall number to rank the food choice from one to 100. The higher the number, the better the food choice for the shopper.

“When I’m shopping with the kids, if they want a box of cereal, I tell them to pick the (NuVal number) that is higher,” Hy-Vee employee and shopper Jenny Krueger said.

“It’s amazing when you see some items that are a lot higher number than what you’d expect.”

Sousek believes that the NuVal System is not to be a replacement for reading the label. However, it is a quick and convenient method to compare like items, providing the consumer another means to narrow down what to put into their cart.

“Professionals are busy people. I am always getting questioned on how they can eat healthier and cook healthier for their family. They just want to make some changes,” Sousek said.

Utilizing a Hy-Vee dietitian further allows Joe Shopper to personalize what to buy to for their own health needs.

Any customer can make free appointments with a Hy-Vee dietitian simply by contacting the store.

Sousek and other on-site dietitians offer private consultations on meal plans for those who wish to lose weight, have heart issues, diabetes, celiac disease, etc. They’ll even give consumers a tour of the store, helping them stock their pantry with the best items for their needs. The company website also provides special recipes and health tips for the consumer. 

Megan J. Spawn, M.A., LPC-MH (605) 274-1119 ext. 106 www.meganspawn.com Janel M. Schmidt, M.S., LPC-MH (605) 274-1119 ext. 107 www.janelschmidt.com Accepting insurance for BlueCross BlueShield, Sanford Health, Avera Health Plans, First Administrators, and many others.

(605) 274-1119 6810 S. Lyncrest Avenue, Suite 201 • Sioux Falls (Corner of S. Minnesota Ave. and 77th St.)

HEALTH/ WELLNESS

“When they come to us, (shoppers) are often feeling really overwhelmed,” according to Hy-Vee’s Kristin Sousek, RD, LN.

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Hy-Vee stores, which include 225 locations spanning five states, is the first grocery chain found locally to utilize the NuVal™ Nutritional Scoring System. They also provide no charge dietitian input at most locations.

it When matters...

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‘health sections’ to lure these consumers. And one supermarket chain has even added free dietitian services, while working to make healthy shopping easier for the mainstream market, including those professional businessmen and women who need healthy options—fast.

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Facing some medical issues, Krueger utilized these services to learn more about what food options work best for her.

“I worked closely with the dietitian to develop a meal plan, food journal, weigh-ins—all that kind of stuff,” Krueger said. “It’s very informational.”

With two thirds of Americans now overweight, special dietary needs for those with food allergies, an aging population facing health issues and society’s rapid pace of daily life, such supermarket guidance may be the missing ingredient for many.

Krueger also took part in special Hy-Vee classes such as healthy cooking. These classes, ranging from cooking for kids to how to lose weight are another staple of the growing list of healthy-minded consumer-based Hy-Vee offerings.

“We can help them shop and they get it. It’s empowering,” Sousek said.

Such additions to the supermarket experience fulfill shoppers’ desires to lead a healthier lifestyle. Picking up a loaf of whole grain bread, container of soy milk, and stick of trans fat-free butter has never been easier.

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