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KishHealth S ys tem 'sH eath Bell named t 0 1 0 0 Hos p ital and H ea lth System C I 0 s to Know li st DEKALB, IL - KishHealth System ' s Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Revenue Cycle Heath Bell, was named to the 2014 Becker Hospital Review' s "1 00 Hospital and Health System CIOs to Know" list. Bell ' s inclusion on the list is based on his ability to leverage existing and new technology to further the mission of KishHealth System, while enriching patient care. KishHealth System, a community-run health system based in DeKalb, Ill., provides healthcare services to the greater DeKalb County area in northern Illinois. " I' m grateful and honored to be part of Becker' s list." said Heath Bell. " Like others on the list, I have a passion for the use of technology in the healthcare field . I am committed to implementing technology solutions for the health system that benefits our patients, staff, and physicians with the goal of increasing quality and reducing errors, which results in better care for everyone. " Bell has been with KishHealth System since 2006. Prior to that, he led healthcare technology departments in Iowa and Georgia. He is an active member of both the Health Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) and the College of Health Information Management (CHIME), both of which are dedicated to the expanded use of technology in the healthcare setting. During his tenure at KishHealth System, the health system has twice been named to Hospitals & Health Networks ' " Most Wired Hospital and Health Systems. " Bell resides in Sycamore with his wife, Meredith, and their two children . The full list can be found online at: www.beckershospitalreview. com/ 1ists/ 1 00 -hosp ital-and-health-system-cios-to-know- 2014. html.
INSI DE THIS ISSUE KISHHEALTH SYSTEM ' S HEATH BELL NAMED TO 100 HOSPITAL AND HEALTH SY STEM CIOS TO KNOW LIST Page 1
BUSINESS ACTIVISM IN RETIREMENT Page 2
DEKALB CUSD 428 PROMOTES HEALTHY LIFESTYLES Page 2
THE DEKALB COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Page 3
MANUFACTURING AND INDUSTRY EMPLOYERS Page 4
THE TRUTH ABOUT GYM MEMBERSHIPS FROM A GYM OWNER Page 5
MARKETING MAKEOVER BALCOM-VETI LLO DESIGN Page 7
BEST WAY TO KEEP CUSTOMERS FROM LEAVING Page 8
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Business Activism in Retirement DC Business
C o n n e c t i o n s
DC Business Connections is a quarterly businessto-business e-edition that will be sent to over 6,000 readers. Information is provided by local business leaders from DCEDC, Northern Illinois University, City of DeKalb, DeKalb School District, Kishwaukee College, and more. These e-editions will be available online all year at daily-chronicle.com. If you would like to be added to our mailing list, be a guest writer, or submit a photo, please send your information to Lisa Angel at langel@shawmedia.com.
JERRY SMITH
Wow! What a winter, eh? As a retiree who wants to remain mentally and physically active, I’ve found that the last few months, despite the weather, have provided a host of activities for me to do just that. Just a few weeks before our northern Illinois “snow machine” started blowing, DeKalb County was able to strut its stuff as NIU was the host site for the Illinois State High School Football Championships. Kudos to host Tom Matya and his corps of community and university folks who saw their efforts come to fruition in late November. When Matya and NIU’s Bill Nicklas approached me nearly a year ago to “raise a little money” for the football event- $325,000 was their target-I felt it may be an unrealistic goal. But, I accepted the development chairmanship and discovered just how receptive DeKalb County was in helping. As the campaign reached it conclusion, we had raised about $231,000 and provided our community with the resources to put on a great weekend of football. You may recall the weatherman cooperated brilliantly, and 16 teams from throughout Illinois were represented at Huskie Stadium. DeKalb County Convention and Visitors bureau director Debbie Armstrong spun her magic in creating a “Spirit Zone” that captivated thousands of fans (nearly 30,000 strong) who attended. Our report card from the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) was very complimentary of our community and Northern can take pride in that accomplishment. We know that our efforts will challenge our friends in Champaign-Urbana to ratchet up their efforts this year, as DeKalb County looks forward to the championships returning here in 2015. Another one of my volunteer tasks recently came to a close, when the 50year update of DeKalb County history- a book entitled “Acres of Change” was published. A number of book signings have been help in the region, allowing residents to visit with the local authors who helped in writing the 12 chapters. Work on the book started back in 2010, allowing authors to research, compile and write their manuscripts. The colorful book covers the 19632012 period, and is a sequel to “From Oxen to Jets”, which was published in 1963. “Acres of Change” is a publication underwritten by the DeKalb County Historical and Genealogical Society, which was successful in attracting a host of local grants and sponsorships. I understand that there but a few hundred books left so I’d urge you to get yours. Copies are available at local business establishments or the Joiner History Room. Another one of my activities has been the Lifelong Learning Institute, open to anyone over 50 years of age. The recently-completed roster of classes attracted a record number for the winter term. The next term will run from March 18-May 8 with topics ranging from “Baseball Through the Ages” to “The Poetry and Music of Love” to “Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin: Architects of Victory” and “Thinking about the Earth Differently”. Those interested in registering can access the website at www.il.niu.edu or by calling (815) 753-5200. They are also on Facebook at Northern Illinois Lifelong Learning Institute. Jerry Smith has a lengthy career in DeKalb County having served 30 years in the printing business for Castle Prin-tech and the last 10 years as the Executive Director of the DeKalb County Community Foundation.
I have just returned from the annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism. It was attended by more than 500 tourism professionals that work tirelessly to generate revenue from travel spending for our local and state economies.
Debbie Armstrong
Each certified bureau is required to raise local matching funds to invest in tourism marketing when we file our annual recertification papers with the Illinois Office of Tourism. We have to match the amount that the state determines we are eligible to receive or we forfeit grant dollars to promote tourism for DeKalb County. It takes stakeholders and a unified county and state-wide effort to drive economic revenue from travel spending. We want to thank all our financial stakeholder partners, in-kind sponsors, hotels and attractions for their continued investment with the bureau as tourism promotion and spending is crucial to our economic wealth and vitality. DeKalb County tourism creates local jobs and services; reduces taxes paid by local residents; enhances new growth for businesses. It fosters community pride, enhances our quality of life and improves our destinations’ image. Tourism is a reliable source of revenue for DeKalb County and the state. Every $1 spent on tourism promotion earns $6 in state and local tax revenue, according to the Illinois Office of Tourism.
See Visitors, Page 9
DeKalb CUSD 428 Promotes Healthy Lifestyles Most adults need some kind of support to stay fit and healthy. This support may take the form of a Fit Bracelet, a Weight Watchers’ meeting or an exercise buddy. The DeKalb District #428 Wellness Committee needs the support of our county’s resources to keep our students and staff fit and healthy. To combat childhood obesity, DeKalb District #428 works with the county’s health-minded powerhouses: Kishwaukee Health System, N.I.U.’s PE/Health Department, NIU’s Dietetics Department, NIU’s Public Health Department, the DeKalb County Health Department, the YMCA and Live Healthy DeKalb County. It takes all of these agencies working together to provide a coordinated approach to children’s health (CATCH). CATCH teaches about making healthy food choices, increasing exercise and reducing screen time. We have provided classroom lessons to our pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students with positive results. A coordinated approach with families and food service is also included in our efforts. We invite families out to the YMCA for free nights of playing and learning together. We also provide nutritional and fitness programs at school events and on-site at our district’s food pantry, Barb Food Mart. In the cafeterias, we’ve added fruit and vegetable bars at all of our elementary schools. DeKalb District #428 is committed to health and wellness, but we look to our community’s wonderful agencies that have this same mission. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their support.
• March 2014
We’ve all seen a recent example of the power of tourism and the economic impact it contributed. The IHSA state football championship weekend brought 30,000 visitors here and generated an estimated $800,000 for area businesses. Brad Hoey, IHSA Destination DeKalb Media Chair, estimated that we received more than $200,000 worth of additional free coverage from hosting the event. NIU reported that admissions saw a spike in inquiries right after the event. Coach Rod Carey shared that it had a significant positive impact on football recruiting for 2014. This single
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The DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau
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Manufacturing and Industry Employers: Take Advantage of Workforce Training and Career Development Programs In service to manufacturing and industry, DCEDC would like to make companies aware of opportunities to help develop workforce skills and capabilities for your business.
Paul Borek Executive Director, DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation
Wanted: Manufacturers to Guide/Benefit from Skills Training - Accelerated training in Welding, Safety, CNC, Logistics and Mechatronics (Equipment Service and Repair) will be provided to 133 workforce candidates in DeKalb and surrounding counties. The program will include classroom, technology lab and work-based training. Manufacturers are needed to help select the candidates and to ensure the training provided meets their needs. In return, these employers will gain access to individuals trained to industry standards and responsive to the employer’s specific needs. Participating manufacturers will provide information on occupation needs, job openings, skills and competencies. In addition, employers will be asked to provide work-based learning opportunities, work site tours, job shadowing internships and candidate placement. Trainees will be made available to these employers for On-the-Job Training (OJT) placements. These employers will be eligible for reimbursement of 50% or more of initial wages for a 6-month period. The program is funded by a $1.2 million grant awarded the Northern Illinois Workforce Alliance. For information, contact Illinois workNet Center-DeKalb, phone 815-901-0177 x 254, or see attached Employer Training Flyer, Click Here! Safety/Sustainability Training and Consulting Services are available free-of-charge to companies with 100 or fewer employees. For a limited period of time, training and consulting is available from the Northern Illinois University Department of Technology’s Environmental Safety & Health (ESH) Program (http://www.niu.edu/tech/). Training/ consulting services include: Environmental Sustainability, Hazard Communication, Job Safety Analyses/Personal Protective Equipment, and Industrial/Office Job Station Ergonomics. Students working with experienced faculty will provide these services from February through August of this year. Two pilot projects have already been completed. NIU ESH students wrote a stormwater pollution prevention plan for a small company in DeKalb and helped a one person car wash address potentially fatal electrical safety issues. This program is provided in cooperation with Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC). For information, contact Ted Hogan at thogan2@niu.edu or Bill Mills, 815-753-5366 / wmills11@niu.edu. Industrial Career Development – The DeKalb-Ogle County Industrial Workforce Consortium’s Industrial Workforce Coordination Pilot Program is off to a great start. On National Manufacturing Day last fall, a Heavy Metal Tour was conducted to introduce students to contemporary manufacturing operations, as well as the automated engineering technology labs at Kishwaukee College. Over 100 students from 5 area high schools visited 8 manufacturing plants in DeKalb, Genoa, Sycamore and Rochelle. Students were genuinely excited about industry. Employers were thrilled to introduce young people to creative and rewarding careers. In February, 120 students are participating in an Assemble Ur Career tour of another 8 manufacturing facilities. These students will learn about production operations and skill needs to help them determine what their “next step” is in identifying and preparing for a career. Manufacturing and industrial firms are needed to provide additional career development activities for student. Activities include: school business presentations, company tours, job shadowing programs and internships. The Industrial Workforce Coordination Pilot Program is sponsored by the DeKalb-Ogle County Industrial Workforce Development Consortium, a business/education partnership dedicated to help students identify rewarding careers in progressive manufacturing and industry. To participate, contact Gene Fogle at 815-593-0865 (cell), 815-7542397 (office), or by email at gfogle@dcedc.org.
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The Truth about Gym Memberships from a Gym Owner Everyone that joins a gym has a reason to do so. The reason is usually some problem and in the individuals mind, the membership represents solution. Common “problems” could be weight loss, high cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension, looking good for a special event, living longer….and the list goes on. The membership is thought to be the solution and with it the promise of changing their life. In reality the membership offers monthly rental use of gym equipment that the majority of people have no idea how to safely use it, yet alone use it in a manner that will help them solve their problem, the reason they joined to begin with. What typically ensues is the following: The individual is a new member. They are shown where the equipment, locker rooms, and any other amenities are. A discussion of the new member’s goals and a suggestion of the safest and fastest way to accomplish them are absent. The new member begins their journey. In short order they migrate to the few pieces of equipment they are familiar with. Typically this is the treadmill, bike, or elliptical. They feel out of place but, their “problem” is important to them so they stick with it a few days per week. Weeks turn to a month and sometime around the second month the
new member grows frustrated with a lack of progress or even worse gets hurt. The proverbial towel as the new member says “why bother?” Once this has happened enough, the new member never returns to the gym and any chance of solving their problems is lost forever. In a nutshell, gym memberships DO NOT WORK! Today there are more gyms, health clubs, and fitness centers in the United Sates than there ever have been. Yet we have epidemic levels of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Again gym memberships do not work. So the industry is failing to deliver solutions to people’s problems. Instead the industry response has been to drop the price, or go 24-7. The business model becomes “we are cheap and ONLY $ a month” or “you can exercise whenever you want.” The same membership you had two years ago at half the cost per month is not going to work. If you have no idea how to safely and effectively exercise the fact no one is around or you can exercise whenever you want does not help you. Neither of which provides the solution to any problems. Fortunately there is a new trend reshaping the fitness industry. Known as training gyms or hybrid training centers, these facilities are providing real long term solutions to member’s problems. Rather than monthly rental access to traditional gym equipment, they are sitting down and
See Gym Owner, Page 9
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B a l c o m - V e t i l l o
Mike Balcom-Vetillo
D e s i g n
Livestock operations across the United States are universally experiencing regulatory change. However, the scope and focus of those changes often vary by location. To better understand the potential impacts of environmental regulations on livestock farmers, the United Soybean Board (USB) commissioned CDM Smith for an audit of the regulations on a state-by-state basis. The resulting important information included a very thorough 750+ page document. Our Marketing Makeover challenge was to summarize the report and make it graphically inviting and interesting to read by livestock producers in every state. We began with an illustration-based theme, supplemented with icons and photography. Our 224-page spiral bound book would divide the states into five sections. By using illustrations, we were able to make the graphics more encompassing of the varied geographic regions.
Two examples of the section dividers are Massachusetts-New Jersey (3), and South Dakota-Wyoming (4). Each features an aspect of livestock production. The cubiststyle of illustration throughout the book was developed and computer drawn by our creative director Randy Ford. We allocated four pages of information to each state. For the first two pages we developed icons and charts adaptable to all states. Illinois is a good example (5). The left page describes how livestock operations in the state are defined. On the right, the state’s regulations and assistance programs are summarized. Since the book condenses an extensive amount of information, on the inside back cover we included a pouch with a business card flash drive containing all of the data gathered by CDM Smith. We also created a web site for people who read the book second hand and find the drive is missing. If you’d like to see the finished book, or see the entire report, visit the site at http://animalag.org/environmental/ It’s your turn. Send us a sample of something you use in your marketing, a piece that you believe needs improvement, is outdated, or has failed in the past. Tell us about it. We will do a makeover, and publish the results in the next column. Easy! Just be aware that there are no limitations - we do whatever we believe is the best approach and you might not see it until it is published. If you like what we do for you, you can freely use our advice/design as you wish. We’ll squeeze as many as we can into every column. To make it convenient, go to www.balcom-vetillo.com/makeover. Use the form there for sending us your materials. (Don’t worry, no salesman will call.) Thanks!
• March 2014
The cover (1) set the tone with a soybean field, a close up of a soybean plant, and a typical elevator and truck. The cover also set the color palette that was picked up on each tab and section divider (2).
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M a rk e t in g M a keov er
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Best Way to Keep Customers From Leaving Michelle LaPage
Did you know that one in four Americans have a diagnosable mental illness, and yet the negative perception and stigma that surrounds it prevents people from seeking the help that they need. Surprisingly, we are more likely to encounter someone in an emotional or mental crisis than someone having a heart attack. Too often, people don’t know how to respond under those circumstances, partly because mental illness is not as well understood as a physical illness. Thus, it is crucial to educate the community about the resources that are available to further assist them and their loved ones in their daily challenges. Mental Health First Aid training is being offered in communities across the country and now locally in DeKalb to encourage awareness and preparedness, and to break the cycle of stigma surrounding mental health. Mental Health First Aid was created to teach the general community how to assist someone who is developing a mental health problem or is experiencing a mental health crisis. To date there have been 150,000 first aiders trained in the U.S. by 7,000 instructors. In Illinois, we have 8,258 first aiders trained by 171 certified instructors. The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare first adapted the program in the U.S. in 2008 from Australia’s first Mental Health First Aid Program, which was founded in 2001 by Betty Kitchener, a nurse specializing in health education, and Anthony Jorm, a mental health literacy professor. To date, it has been replicated in six other countries worldwide, including Hong Kong, Scotland, England, Canada, Finland, and Singapore. The Mental Health First Aid training is a 8-hour certification course which teaches the participant in identifying, understanding, and responding appropriately to the signs of addictions and mental illness. The instructors teach the participant a 5-step action plan which encompasses the skills, resources and knowledge to assess a situation, to select and implement appropriate intervention, and to help the individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional care. Additionally, this program goes beyond the emergency intervention strategies taught because it’s also been rigorously evaluated and has been proven to reduce the stigma connected to mental health. It really helps people understand the misconceptions and negative attitudes towards families and individuals facing mental illness and addiction. The course is flexible enough to accommodate a variety of people with different backgrounds.
Who Can Be a Mental Health First Aider? Educators/School Administrators College/University Leaders Human Resources Professionals Members of Faith Communities Homeless Shelter Staff and Volunteers Nurses/Physician Assistants/Primary Care Workers Police/First Responders/Security Personnel Mental Health Authorities Policymakers Substance Abuse Professionals Social Workers Consumers and Family Members Caring
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the Mental Health First Aid trainings visit http://www.bengordoncenter.org/foundation/mental-health-aid-training/ or contact Michelle LaPage at 815-757-3488, bgcml@bengordoncenter.org. You can also visit the national website at www. mentalhealthfirstaid.org.
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Continuing Visitors, Page 3
Recently, the DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau worked with our partners at NIU Holmes Student Center to help sign the Illinois Square Dancers Association to bring their 2015 conference to DeKalb County. They will bring more than 1,000 visitors here in the summer of 2015 and are expected to book 450 hotel room nights during their 3- 4-day stay. The estimated impact for our local economy is more than $200,000. In 2012, $81.46 million was generated for DeKalb County from travel spending. That is an increase of 3.6 percent from the previous year making it the fourth consecutive year of economic growth for the local tourism industry since the recession. These dollars prove the importance of the economic impact that a sustained marketing effort generates. State and local tax revenues generated by travel spending in Illinois increased by nearly 15 percent and generated more than $2.3 billion for state and local economies. This money helps fund education, health care, public safety and social services around the state and DeKalb County. The DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau will be provided with the 2013 tourism economic impact numbers in July. We look forward to sharing those. Safe travels.
asking what the new member’s goals are. Then mapping out the fastest way to not only reach their goals but maintain them. Rather than focus on selling as many memberships as they can, they are focusing on member results. These new hybrid facilities are offering various memberships but the similarities to the typical gym membership stop there. They are offering training or coaching along with a plan for the member. In the past the only option for this was costly one-on-one personal training. Memberships offer affordable access to functional workouts using very little of traditional gym equipment. Functional training offers an infinite variety of exercises so members never get bored, you really don’t enjoy another 3 sets of 10 anything do you? Plus, there is very deliberate social engineering going on and members are feeling a part of a fitness community, so much more than just a gym membership. This community environment provides a level of motivation, support, and accountability not seen in the fitness industry. Members of these emerging clubs are empowered with knowledge/coaching, affordable access to training, a supportive community offering a gentle tug or push toward their goals, and most importantly they are having FUN exercising and reaching their goals. Solutions to these member’s problems are being offered and realized. If you too have problems, and we all do, a hybrid training center or training gym might be just what you are looking for. Let’s be honest…You already know that resigning up for that same membership, even if it is now half the price it was when you were last a member, is not going to work…if it did you would still be a member. Exercising when no one is around is great, if you know what you are doing. This article is the courtesy of Raymond M. Binkowski former fat guy, author of “Eat by Color”, personal trainer and owner of FitWorkz. Its intent is to be shared. If sharing the previous following statement MUST be included any time this article is reproduced in part or entirety. So please feel free to share, you just might change a life!
Thursday, March 27th from 3 to 7pm (3 to 4pm is Business to Business)
DeKalb High School Field House Free Event with Food, Networking, and Fun. You can find out more information visit
www.dekalb.org or call (815) 756-6306.
Are you looking for a productive and creative new employee to join your team? Ben Gordon Center Offers Individual Placement Services Including mental health consumers in the workforce can be tremendously beneficial to the companies employing them. Mental health consumers are among the most creative and imaginative members of our society. Employment provides five factors that promote mental well-being: Time structure, social contact and affiliation, collective effort and purpose, social and personal identity and regular activity. Because employment is an important part of the recovery process for many, the Community Support Campus now offers these supported services. The Ben Gordon Center together with local businesses can assist consumers in obtaining competitive employment. If you have any questions about the ISP program or know a business that might be interested in employing a mental health consumer please contact the Ben Gordon Center, Community Support Campus at 815-756-8501. Ask for Brett Koenig or Mauvolyene Moore.
12 Health Services Dr. • DeKalb, IL 60115 Ph: 815.756.4875 • Fx: 815.756.2944
www.bengordoncenter.org
• March 2014
Continuing Gym Owner, Page 6
Community Expo
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event generated both measurable and intangible results that will contribute to both economic development and travel spending for DeKalb County for years to come.