Cedar Valley Business Monthly - January 2014

Cedar Valley Business monthly

January 2014

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January 2014

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from the editor

Labor picture looking up in 2014 New-year’s predictions are always tricky, particularly when one is trying to forecast a business climate. So many issues change the course of commerce that it’s impossible to know how different things will be by the end of the year.

There are numerous baseline data that allow experts to weigh in trends in certain categories. Employment gurus can look at the political and Jim Offner economic climates is the Courier and how those facbusiness editor. Contact tors affected the category in the last him at jim.offner@ one, two or five wcfcourier. years. com.

Many experts forecast national unemployment to remain around 7 percent or higher throughout 2013. Closer to home, most observers thought the unem-

ployment rate would hang around the 5 percent mark. The predictions were accurate in both cases.

Employers across the Cedar Valley say numerous factors work in their favor. There’s a ready supply of skilled labor, from returning veterans to newly minted graduates from programs at Hawkeye Community College, University of Northern Iowa and other post-secondary academic institutions.

Major employers across the state voice cautious optimism about what to expect, at least for the first half of 2014, according to the endof-year survey from the Iowa Business Council. There seems to be some basis for optimism, they said in the survey.

Each employer approaches hiring in its own way, depending on how external circumstances affect the company’s bottom line. This year, there are changes in the tax system, as write-offs on some capital expenditures will disappear. Employers must gauge their needs against the

demands that will come from the federal government’s overhaul of the health insurance system.

Even though businesses have been granted a one-year stay on mandatory compliance with the new health care law, they won’t sit on their hands during 2014. They will lay out contingencies — given the stops and starts in implementation of the law, which took effect Jan. 1 — that will affect their approaches to hiring. Will some companies that have been just below the 50-worker threshold that requires health plans for all full-time workers go to more part-time or outsourced help? Will their anticipated profits allow them to plan to go ahead and vault the 50-worker plane and provide health plans?

Or, will they just forego health coverage and pay the law’s mandated per-employee fine?

The process of hiring will vary by employer, as well. Some will outsource the initial screening process to agencies that provide workers

on a temporary, basis, with an eye on bringing those employees in full-time if they work out. Expect the numerous job fairs in the area to be well attended throughout the year.

Skilled Iowa, Iowa Workforce Development’s initiative to provide a new generation of workers for skilled manufacturing positions in the coming years, will have another year to gear up. It’s possible that the program will start to see some big accomplishments during 2014.

Labor is the foundation of the local economy. The Cedar Valley has been blessed with an ample supply of skilled workers, and more opportunities lie ahead this year and in the coming years.

This month, the Cedar Valley Business Monthly examines the labor situation and asks some experts in the field about what they expect in terms of hiring approaches and plans. The experts voice an air of optimism, which always bodes well for the start of a year.

contents

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Volume 8 No. 2

Cedar Valley Business Monthly is a free monthly publication direct-mailed to more than 5,300 area businesses.

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From the Cover Employers and students looking for work mingle during the University of Northern Iowa career fair at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls in September. page 4 WARTBURG COLLEGE Short-lived student marketing agencies popular in Waverly.

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Cover story

Help wanted Employers likely to be hiring in 2014

higher, at least looking into the next six months,” he said. “That tells me, I guess, there’s a little bit of growing confidence The job base will grow nationally, at least and prospects of continued solid sales and on a limited basis, in 2014, according to business activity as we start the new year. economic forecasters.

What that means for Cedar Valley busi- Cautious years nesses — and employers across the state — Employers had reason to be cautious in remains unclear. hiring over the last couple of years.

However, there seems optimism not seen “The move this quarter for that number for several years, said Elliott Smith, execu- seems to indicate maybe we’re moving off tive director of the Des Moines-based Iowa that ultra-cautious mode and becoming a Business Council. little more confident in where the economy “Since coming out of the recession, that’s is going,” Smith said. always been a question at the front of evHe added a few caveats, though. erybody’s list — What will the hiring envi“There are a number of wild cards out ronment be like?” Smith said. “Sales and there,” he said. “Health care has to be sorted capital spending seem to be managing out, and there’s another sequester issue, but very well, but employment has always been I’m encouraged. The large employers in the a lagging indicator.” state are generally encouraged.”

The IBC issues six-month forecasts each The fourth-quarter Survey of Professional quarter. According to the last report issued Forecasters released Nov. 25 by the Federal at the end of 2013, employment trends ap- Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, which includpear to be looking up. ed forecasts from 42 economists, predicted “The employment number in our next the U.S. would add an average of 189,900 report did have a significant movement jobs per month during 2014, up from an JIM OFFNER jim.offner@wcfcourier.com‌

BRANDON POLLOCK / Courier Staff Photographer

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earlier estimate of 180,100. However, the same economists predicted the unemployment rate in 2014 would remain around 7 percent.

On the other hand, joblessness nationally has tended to run at least 2 points higher than state and local averages. Unemployment in the Cedar Valley hit a five-year low of 3.8 percent in October, while the national rate was 7.3 percent.

Employers can look into numerous options for bringing on new workers, including working through agencies that provide “evaluation hires.”

Debbie Beighley, owner of Express Employment Professionals Inc. in Cedar Falls, which supplies workers for such trial bases, said her company has been busy and expects a busy 2014.

“That is the way that companies love to hire, because you can try a person on to see if they match your culture,” Beighley said. “It’s like living with them every day for eight hours a day. Fitting the person to culture is huge, huge, huge.”

Matching the culture

It’s important for the employee to see how they might fit in with the prevailing culture, Beighley said.

“The personality match is big, and so the person is finding out if they like the culture of the company and the company is finding out if the person fits in with the rest of them,” she said. “It’s especially good for smaller companies. The bigger the company, the tougher it is to find the right fit. In a smaller company, you’ve got to enjoy working together to have a good, productive workforce.”

With the Affordable Care Act taking hold in January, employers unsure whether to go over the 50-worker threshold that requires them to provide health care coverage may be apt to give Beighley’s workers tryouts.

“It looks like it’s going to pick up,” she said. “There’s still that good old Obamacare thing that’s going to sit there. There may be some smaller companies that just may find that they won’t want to go over that 50 no matter what. But production does look good, and we think there’s going to be steady hiring next year, for first quarter, at least.”

Nobody knows what effect Obamacare will have on the hiring process, said Gabe Gulick, regional manager in Iowa with QPS, which has an office in Cedar Falls.

“I think the jury is still out on that,” cvbusinessmonthly.com

he said. “I can’t profess to be an expert on how that’s going to affect the economy. Businesses are putting plans together, and everyone is trying to approach it as smartly as possible.”

He theorized that was likely one one reason the employer mandate was pushed back a year.

“They needed that year to give better guidance to businesses and manufacturers that are out there,” Gulick said. “At the end of the day, we’re still going to build things in Iowa, and we’re still going to employ people. I think the people who find the best way to work within the parameters of that legislative really well are going to succeed.”

Specialized skills

Employers will be looking for specialized skill sets, according to an Express Employment Professionals’ survey of franchise owners. Among the most coveted employees will be CNC programmers, welders, machinists, accountants, salespeople, commercial truck drivers, information technology specialists, medical professionals and office workers.

“Due to the skills gap, expect these trends to continue for hard-to-fill jobs,” Beighley said. “In Iowa we currently have nearly 100 job openings among our four offices in the state.”

Cedar Valley employers are more optimistic about adding staff in 2014 than they were a year earlier, said Steve Brustkern, executive director of Black Hawk Economic Development Inc. in Waterloo.

“Kind of what we’re hearing is that businesses are still planning expansions,” he said. “They’re certainly concerned about the availability of skilled labor, but they’re also planning long range, looking to position themselves for three, four or five years down the road.”

A year ago, the mindset likely was closer to treading water, Brustkern said.

“If you asked me this last year, they were talking more about the coming year and what they’ll do for the short term,” he said. “That to me shows they have a little more confidence in the long run.”

The dangers to business haven’t gone anywhere, but companies may have learned to work around potential pitfalls.

“There’s certainly enough in the news that tells negative things, but

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See Hiring, page 6 Cedar Valley Business monthly

January 2014

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Illegal drug use drops among U.S. workers Los Angeles Times Illegal use of drugs among American workers has dropped sharply in the past 25 years, according to a new study.

The percentage of the U.S. workforce testing positive for drugs such as cocaine and marijuana dropped to 3.5 percent last year, from 13.6 percent in 1988, according to the

Hiring From page 5 are we getting worn down by the negative stuff we’re hearing but realizing business is dynamic and needs to keep moving forwards? That may be,” he said.

Brighter outlook

Local employers will be looking to hire in 2014, Brustkern said.

“I hear often that if they could find the workers they needed, they’d employ them; that tells me they’re still looking to hire,” he said.

He pointed to the recent expansion at the CBE Cos. in Cedar Falls, which announced in November that

analysis from medical testing company Quest Diagnostics.

Despite a decline in overall illegal drug use, use of certain drugs has surged since 1988, the study said.

Amphetamine use, for example, has nearly tripled, it said, and use of prescription opiates, including drugs such as hydrocodone and hydromorphone, has more than

doubled in the past decade.

The study said the patterns in the workplace mirror larger developments concerning illegal drug use in the United States.

“For instance, a decline in drug positives for methamphetamine observed in 2005 roughly coincided with federal and state efforts to crack down on so-called ‘meth

labs’ and over-the-counter medicines,” the study said.

Quest’s study analyzed more than 125 million urine drug tests in its laboratories across the country. Samples came from employees in private companies and those in jobs subject to federal safety regulations, including truck drivers and nuclear power plant workers.

it will add 400 new employees to its current local workforce of about 750 over the next 12 to 18 months, including as many as 200 by the end of February.

CBE also will expand its physical presence in the Cedar Valley, with additional office space to accommodate 300 workers primarily connected to the new business, said Chad Benson, CBE’s president and chief operating officer.

Company owner Tom Penaluna said the search for additional space to accommodate the influx likely will unfold by the middle of 2014.

“It will be local; these will be Cedar Valley jobs,” Penaluna said.

Other employers could add significantly to their payrolls, too, if they

could find the right workers, Brustkern said.

That may be where Skilled Iowa comes in. The program, which Iowa Workforce Development launched in 2012 as a way to prepare future workers to filled positions in skilled manufacturing and other areas, is still evolving, but it will flower, Brutskern said.

“It takes time for any program to fully develop,” he said. “It certainly will gain more traction.”

A stronger employment scenario got its start in the last year, QPS’s Gulick said.

“One of the things I’ve really seen is 2013 was much stronger than a lot of people anticipated,” he said. “A lot of employers are seasonal, manufac-

turing, homebuilding, those seasons were stronger and lasted longer than they traditionally do. The feeling is that is going to continue in 2014.”

Continuing hiring trend

Employers will look to add workers as the year unfolds, Gulick said.

That’s a result of supply and demand.

“I think unemployment is down and the labor pool is shrinking and it’s hard to find people who are reliable and have the skill sets,” he said.

“There isn’t as much of a market as there was two or three years ago.

Bringing them on full-time incentivizes, and they’re seeing additional benefits, whether it’s paid time off, health insurance and all those things.”

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WARTburg college

Marketing students offer free services They lack name recognition and storefronts, but Waverly-area organizations still compete for the free services of four fledgling marketing agencies each with only a 14-week lifespan.

Students in professor Bill Withers’ integrated marketing communications course each term assemble four-person agencies to promote local clients, emSaul Shapiro ploying the “Mizzou is director Method” — the Uniof news and versity of Missouri community Journalism School’s relations at emphasis on handsWartburg on multitasking and College in real-world learning.

Waverly.

Contact him at “When I came to saul.shapiro@ the college 15 years wartburg.edu. ago I wanted to do the Mizzou Method right away,” said Withers, who had 10 years of experience in the business world and still does consulting.

“People love the healthy town-andgown relationship, but there was

some apprehension about taking students out into the nonprofit and core business community and cutting them loose.”

But that was then, and this is now.

Clients ranging from businesses and bands to nonprofits and churches are seeking the services of student agencies to develop an identity and brand and assess their strengths.

The college’s Center for Community Engagement reviews the prospective clients, and then the courtship phase begins.

“We have a day when all the clients are profiled in class, and they pitch to win an account, very much like an agency would do in the real world,” Withers said. “The community partners are hoping that they are an attractive, viable account because they get 14 weeks of free integrated marketing student assistance. Half of the accounts get selected, but inevitably we have to say ‘no’ to potential clients.”

The juniors and seniors are multitaskers who have gone through the full sequence of public relations courses and taken art, design and

business electives, developing a wide range of skills. They must prepare a minimum of four projects for their clients.

“Most of the agencies are doing some sort of media relations, so the news release is pretty common,” Withers said. “But some clients need work on their websites or on social media. Some are asking students to manage fundraising and events. So, it’s gotten very robust. What form those projects take is part of the situational analysis the students do with the clients.”

During the fall term, the “Blush” agency worked with Family Resource Respite Options of Northeast Iowa, a local nonprofit that sends a trained respite provider to a home when foster parents need time off.

The organization has expanded and needed rebranding.

“We are helping them develop a logo, letterhead, business card and brochure that will help them better explain who they are and what they do,” said Briana Becker, a junior from Waterloo. “This experience has taught me how to work with a re-

al-life client and a design team; how important it is to create good relationships with everyone involved, to stay on task and be thorough in details.”

The “Creative Orange Agency” worked with Ladage Photography, arranging interviews with various media.

“We are also doing a complete redesign of his website,” said Adam Azzaro, a senior from Chicago.

“We’re making it more user-friendly, simplistic in design, and giving him the knowledge to tag his photos for SEO (search engine optimization).”

They may be learning their craft, but they’re still making an impact.

A representative of Grace Baptist Church stated in the agency evaluation, “They did an excellent job of digging into our mission and expressing that through what they did.

It was amazing to see our mission come alive. … It was a great experience and such a blessing to get access to help like this that would normally not be available.”

See Wartburg, page 8

This is my Wartburg story.

What’s yours?

I spent one day and night on the Wartburg College campus and knew it was the right place for me.

I was told I could have my own radio show, run cross country, and get the quality education I wanted. Academically, socially, and spiritually it was everything I wanted and more.

Wartburg allowed me to develop my leadership skills in the classroom and residence hall; at the radio station; and in athletics, student government, and the community. I carried those lessons with me as I moved through the ranks — from intern to news director — at KWWL, as an adjunct professor at Wartburg, and now in advertising and marketing at ME&V. — Monte Bowden ’88 Director of Integration and Design Manager

Leadership. Service. Faith. Learning.

100 Wartburg Blvd., Waverly, Iowa • www.wartburg.edu

cvbusinessmonthly.com

Read more of Monte’s story and others at www.wartburg.edu/ourstory.

Cedar Valley Business monthly

January 2014

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N.J. law lets workers shield their websites The Record (Hackensack, N.J.) New Jersey workers will be able to protect their personal Facebook accounts from their bosses’ eyes under a state law that went into effect Dec. 1.

Under the law, employers are banned from requiring employees and job applicants to turn over their passwords for their personal Facebook and other online ac-

Wartburg From page 7 The Mizzou Method aligns with the college’s mission pillars of “leadership, service and learning,” Withers said.

“It’s the perfect mix, but one of the hardest things to do well,” he said. “It’s a different level of multitasking for the student because they also have two or three other classes, but now are being held to a little higher level of accountability, dealing with the expectations of clients.”

counts.

Employers can still access public information on social media pages, and the law doesn’t apply to accounts used for business purposes.

And under the law, an employer can still investigate wrongdoing on a social media site, such as harassment of a colleague, if it affects the company.

They also are in line to reap a real-world benefit.

“My students are frequently asked to make presentations before boards of directors, and we talk about everything from soft skills to professional attire to different presentation platforms,” Withers said. “I have to say the possibility for these students to be better employed more quickly is great.”

Companies or nonprofits interested in becoming involved with the IMC course should contact Jo Dorrance, internship coordinator, at (319) 352-8698.

Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa is currently accepting nominations for three elite individuals to be inducted as Laureates and one to be inducted as a Young Entrepreneur to the 2014 Cedar Valley Business Hall of Fame.

Individuals inducted into the Cedar Valley Business Hall of Fame are outstanding business leaders who have made legendary contributions to the free enterprise system. Nominations are made by members of the community then selected by an independent committee. The event is a black tie gala held in honor of the honorees on Thursday, October 16, 2014 at the Pipac Centre, 1521 Technology Parkway, Cedar Falls. Highlights of the evening will include video biographies of each laureate being honored.

Individuals are encouraged to nominate business leaders who have accomplished significant business and personal goals while making Eastern Iowa a better place to live. These individuals: • Made an IMPACT on their industry or organization • Bestow INTEGRITY as an ethical business leader • Are committed to bettering the COMMUNITY as a whole • Display LEADERSHIP qualities, which allow them to be exemplary role models for all of us – especially the children of Eastern Iowa • Exhibit an ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT in starting or significantly advancing local business Nominees for the Young Entrepreneur Award must exemplify the above qualities, have started or purchased a business, be a current or previous resident of the Cedar Valley area and be 40 years of age or younger at the time of the event.

To obtain a nomination form please visit www.JAEasternIowa.org or e-mail amckelvy@jaeasterniowa.org for a copy. Nominations will be accepted through

Friday, March 7, 2014.

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January 2014

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Personal finance

Planning as you near retirement As your retirement approaches, you’re bound to have concerns about the changes ahead. Why not put your mind at ease by taking steps to take charge of your new financial reality? In addition to working with a financial adviser to manage your financial affairs, be proactive with the tasks that are within your control to help Larry K. Fox make a smooth is a private transition to retirewealth adviser ment. with Ameriprise Here are three Financial Inc. recommended acin Waterloo.

Contact him at tivities to complete 234-7000. over the course of the year leading up to your last day in the workforce: ■■ Get a handle on your expenses. Your retirement spending habits will go a long way toward determining whether you have enough to be comfortable for years to come. Pull out your calculator and list your projected expenses. Identify predictable, recurring costs for housing, utilities, food and other necessities. Factor in fun money and plan for the unexpected. Consider “practicing” retirement by following your projected retirement budget for several months and make adjustments as needed. It’s most realistic to assume your essential and discretionary expenses won’t change drastically.

■■ Make a date with Social Security. If you want your Social Security benefits to kick in right away, plan accordingly. The Social Security Administration suggests that you apply for your benefits three months before you wish to begin receiving them. This includes your Medicare benefits. Do some research and meet with your financial professional to understand how your retirement age will affect the benefits you will receive.

Consider how your Social Security check may be impacted by other income, taxes and a working or nonworking spouse. Remember that, in most circumstances, it makes sense to wait until age 70 to draw

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benefits.

■■ Rebalance your investments. Evaluate your asset allocation and rebalance your portfolio if you wish to reduce risk and preserve capital. Depending upon your goals and your comfort with volatility, you may want to divest of high-risk stocks and divert assets to more secure, slow-growing investment vehicles. Liquidity can be more important in retirement, so consider moving your money into more liquid savings. Work closely with your financial professional to determine your risk tolerance and to discuss what’s right for you.

Once you cross the retirement threshold, here are three things you can do in the first three months to get off to a good start.

■■ Start on track to stay on track. Begin your retirement with the smart habit of carefully monitoring your spending and income.

If in the first few months of retirement you notice that your spending is markedly higher or lower than you anticipated, pay another visit to your financial adviser and see what you can do adjust.

■■ Update your will and insurances. Are your beneficiaries current? Is your will complete? You may find that the type and amounts of insurance you’ve had are different from what you now need. For example, if you’ve retired from a high-risk job, you may be able to reduce excess accidental death insurance. At the same time, you may decide to purchase a Medicare supplement plan, long-term care insurance or even burial insurance. If you plan to travel outside of the United States, consider buying special medical insurance that covers international emergency medical care and repatriation of remains.

■■ Enjoy the retirement you’ve earned. Don’t wait to get started on this exciting new phase of life. Follow through on your plans to reconnect with old friends, try a new hobby, join a club, volunteer, travel or do whatever it is you enjoy. Maintaining a full schedule of activities will help you stay mentally and physically alert for a more rewarding retirement.

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Call 319.277.0220 or visit CedarFalls.KaplanUniversity.edu Cedar Valley Business monthly

January 2014

9

Technology

Smartphone wars: iPhone 5 or Galaxy S4 As we head into the new year, many of you will be shopping for smartphones — or buying your first smartphone, since only about 55 percent of mobile users in the U.S. have one. Which one will you choose: the Apple iPhone 5 or the Samsung Galaxy S4? Those Cherie are the top sellers, Dargan accounting for 61 is associate percent of smartprofessor of communications phone sales in the U. S. between at Hawkeye April and SepCommunity tember, according College in Waterloo. to Counterpoint Contact her at Research, a tech(800) 670-4769 nology market reext. 1701 or search company. cherie.dargan@ Samsung sold hawkeyecollege. over 23.4 million edu. phones from April through September, while Apple sold 18.5 million.

The most recent iPhone 5 came out after some of these reports, and

those sales have been brisk.

In the meantime, Samsung sold over 40 million Galaxy S4 phones worldwide in the same time period. What accounts for the rapid growth of Android phones — especially Samsung’s — in a market Apple invented? After doing some research, I found three reasons for the Samsung Galaxy S4’s popularity.

Apple changed our ideas about cellphones with the introduction of the iPhone in 2007. A number of Android phones emerged in the next three years, but Apple had the clear advantage. Some six years after that first iPhone, however, consumers can download over one million apps from both the App Store and the Google Play store.

So why do some prefer Apple’s iPhone while others are choosing Samsung’s Galaxy? I believe it is a preference for the Galaxy’s larger screen, more powerful camera and the ability to download files and store them on your phone, among other things.

Over the past six months, my

To learn more For more information, check out these stories ■■ http://tinyurl.com/krtnyb5.

“Smartphones: Pros and Cons for 2013 Holiday Gift-giving.”

■■ http://tinyurl.com/artowf2. “The Trials, Tribulations and Triumphs of FirstTime Smartphone Buyers.”

■■ http://tinyurl.com/n33xd82.

“Comparison of the iPhone and Galaxy S4.”

■■ http://tinyurl.com/p8xbyxb.

One tech expert shares his story of switching to the Galaxy from an iPhone ■■ http://tinyurl.com/l5h6m89. Article lists 11 things you can do with the Galaxy that you cannot do with the iPhone.

family has all switched to Galaxy S3s or S4s. My daughter started with a Blackberry, while my son and daughter-in-law had other Android phones. My husband and I had our second iPhone 4s (and

iPads) and then decided to switch to an Android when it was time to renew our contracts in July. When we went to see the Galaxy S4, we were struck by the larger screen size — 5 inches compared with the iPhone 5’s 4 inches.

That larger screen is ideal for reading and sending texts, posting to social media and reading email. If you have a Galaxy, screen size may have influenced your purchase, and you probably enjoy viewing Youtube videos, reading books on your Kindle app or playing games.

I’ve taken a number of photos with the Galaxy S4’s camera, which boasts 13 megapixels compared with Apple’s 8 megapixel camera.

Not only that, when I plug it into my computer, I can easily navigate to the SD card and download photos. In addition, the phone also has a place to store documents, and it includes images, videos, music and documents. At one point, I had taken so many pictures on my iPhone

See Phone, page 11

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Many bank workers get public assistance The Washington Post Almost a third of the country’s half-million bank tellers rely on some form of public assistance to get by, according to a report released last month.

Researchers say taxpayers are doling out nearly $900 million a year to supplement the wages of bank tellers, which amounts to a public subsidy for multibillion-dollar banks. The workers collect $105 million in food stamps, $250 million through the earned income tax credit and $534 million by way of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, according to the University of California at Berkeley’s Labor Center.

The center provided the data to the Committee for Better Banks, a coalition of labor advocacy groups that published the broader study, to be released Wednesday, on the conditions of bank workers in the heart

of the financial industry, New York.

In the that state alone, 39 percent of tellers and their family members are enrolled in some form of public assistance program, the data show.

“This is the wealthiest and most powerful industry in the world, and it’s substantially subsidized by our tax dollars, money that we could be spending on child care or pre-K,” said Deborah Axt, co-executive director at Make the Road New York, one of four coalition members.

Profits at the nation’s banks topped $141.3 billion last year, with the median chief executive pay hovering around $552 million, according to SNL Financial. In contrast, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics pegs the median annual income of a bank teller at $24,100, or $11.59 an hour.

For its report, the committee spoke with 5,000 bank tellers, customer service representatives and technicians.

Phone

and will choose another iPhone.

So why should you care whether people are buying more iPhones or Galaxy S4s? If you sell products or offer services, you need to know that people are doing more shopping with their phones and make sure your company’s website is mobile friendly. According to the New York Times, “In 2012, people spent $25 billion on purchases made from phones and tablets, an increase of 81 percent from the year before. While mobile sales accounted for only 11 percent of e-commerce, eMarketer expects sales to reach 15 percent this year, and 25 percent by 2016, an estimated $87 billion.”

Those amounts represent many opportunities for your business to sell its products, but only if your website is easy to navigate and works well on mobile devices. With more consumers using their phones to access the Web, the larger screen of the Galaxy makes shopping more comfortable.

As holiday sales reports get analyzed, it will be interesting to see whether Apple’s iPhone 5 or Samsung’s S4 winds up on top of the smartphone heap. Either way, consumers continue to buy smartphones at an astonishing rate.

According to one report, almost 600,000 people buy their first smartphone every week.

From page 10 and iPad I had delete some to take more. With the Galaxy, I have the SD card, which I could switch out for one with more memory.

I have used Google Docs/Drive for a number of years, more on my iPad than iPhone due to the iPhone’s tiny screen. Now, it’s pretty cool to open up a document from Google Drive on my phone. I’ve been able to find almost all of my favorite apps in the Google Play Store, so I am not missing apps from my old iPhone. They includes Audio Memo, a scanner app, a QR code reader, social media apps, Weight Watcher apps, Sound Hound and Yelp. I enjoy reading my Kindle books, posting to Facebook, texting and checking Gmail.

It turns out that we aren’t the only iPhone users to switch to the Galaxy S4: I found a number of articles by tech experts sharing their experiences, including an article on Businessinsider.com that lists 11 things unique to the Galaxy, such as the replaceable battery, larger screen size, ability to play HD video, use the phone as your TV remote, and Group Play (an app that lets you play games, share photos and stream music with other S4 owners). However, most iPhone owners are loyal cvbusinessmonthly.com

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Employment q&a

An untapped source of labor With the baby boom generation retiring and immigration laws tightening, people with disabilities are the last untapped labor source in the country.

Targeting the disability community as a customer and labor source is one of the new trends Nicole Rand in the American is program business communidirector with ty. National compaExceptional nies like Walgreens, Persons Inc. CVS, Starbucks, in Waterloo.

Contact Pepsi, Hyatt and her at (319) Bank of America al232-6671 or ready have initiated Nicole.Rand@ episervice.org. large scale outreach efforts to the disability community.

Locally, American Color Imaging, Hy-Vee, Walmart, and Landau family restaurants have jumped on board recognizing the readily available, capable disability workforce.

Individuals with developmental disabilities want and need community

jobs, just like everyone else does. Having a job leads to independence, creation of new connections and feelings of self-worth. About 10 percent — a growing number — of the U.S. population has disabilities. But within that group, only 33 percent with developmental disabilities are employed.

Hiring persons with a disability benefits your business, the employee and the community as a whole. Hiring and retaining qualified employees with a disability is easier than you may think. Take a look at these frequently asked questions.

safety records than their non-disabled counterparts.

According to a national survey of consumer attitudes toward companies that hire people with disabilities, 92 percent of the American public view companies that hire people with disabilities more favorably than those that do not. And, 87 percent of the public would prefer to give their business to companies that hire people with disabilities. Further, people with disabilities and their networks, as reported by the U.S. Census, represent $1 trillion in discretionary spending.

Q. How will hiring a person with a disability improve my business?

Q. Where can I find qualified candidates with a disability?

Q. Do I need to provide anything special for employees with disabilities?

A. Employees with disabilities are good employees who bring strong skills and work ethics to the workplace. Research studies dating back to 1948 have consistently shown employees with disabilities have average or better attendance, lower turnover, average or better job performance and average or better

A. Several local service organizations offer employment service to persons with disabilities. Forget about high recruitment and advertising costs to fill your position. With Exceptional Persons Inc.’s employment services, you benefit from a free service provided by certified employment support professionals.

A. Many employees with disabilities require nothing more than the consideration you already provide to your employees. Some employees may require accommodations which are tools to ensure that someone can be productive. In general, reasonable workplace accommodations are low, or cost nothing.

EPI employs three credentialed professionals in supported employment.

To earn this credential, an individual must demonstrate a sufficient level of knowledge and skill to provide integrated employment support services to a variety of client populations.

By working with EPI employment services team, not only will you find a qualified person with a disability but you and your new employee will receive the following free services: pre-screening, post-hire follow-up services, and job retention supports.

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Human Resources

Employers must act to stop bullies Most adults assume the bullies they encountered as children “grew up” before entering the workplace.

U n f o r t u n a t e l y, many bullies continue their mean-spirited tactics in the work world. The recent case of Richie Incognito playing out for the National Football League’s Miami Dolphins Katie is a visible examLoehrke ple. The methods is a human used by bullies arresources en’t much different expert and than the ones they editor with used in their school Wisconsinbased J. lunchroom or playJ. Keller & ground days.

Associates Workplace bulInc. More lying is usually reinformation is at www.jjkeller. peated abuse of a com and www. psychological naprospera.com. ture. While bullying can escalate into physical violence, it can be quite harmful to employees even if it never goes that far, and it can be extremely detrimental to the

victim’s work performance. Bullying in the workplace can include any combination of the following: ■■ Excluding or isolating a coworker.

■■ Falsely accusing someone of making errors.

■■ Holding an employee to a higher standard or disciplining him/her more severely than others.

■■ Starting or perpetuating rumors about a person.

■■ Taking credit for another person’s achievements.

■■ Insulting an employee’s character, habits, or personal life.

■■ Attempting to intimidate a coworker by staring or glaring.

■■ Encouraging others to engage in bullying a specific employee.

The negative impact

Bullying is meant to intimidate others. This intimidation, and the fear that bullying will get worse, may be enough to keep a victim from reporting it. Victims may find it difficult to prove they are being targeted, and may feel somewhat childish reporting such actions. Vic-

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tims of bullying may also fear they will be perceived as the source of the problem.

If employees don’t report bullying and it otherwise goes unnoticed, some may choose to quit their jobs in search of a more psychologically friendly work environment. If this happens, the company could lose a good employee, and the bully may simply move on to his or her next victim.

When a bullied employee does not leave and abusive behavior is allowed to continue, the company can expect productivity to drop, particularly as bullied employees spend work hours defending themselves, networking for support and thinking about the situation. Bullied individuals also tend to become unmotivated and take more sick leave due to stress-related illnesses.

Companies as well as individual managers and supervisors not only need to address workplace bullying when it is brought to their attention, but they also need to be on the lookout for the types of abusive behavior listed near the start of this

article.

Having ‘the talk’

Employees must be held accountable for the way they treat their coworkers, and they must treat others with respect. If one or more employees aren’t doing that, the employer needs to take action.

The company and/or team leader should begin the conversation by explaining the responsibility of being respectful and outlining the unacceptable behaviors that have been directly observed. The leader should discuss the effects of the individual’s words or actions and the specific reasons the company will not tolerate the behavior.

If there is a policy about workplace conduct that the employee has violated, the leader should mention that as well. Throughout the conversation, the leader must keep the focus on the bullying employee and his or her actions, rather than allowing the person to rationalize or justify the behavior. The leader should make clear notes that accurately portray the conversation.

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Human resources

SHRM lists 2014 speakers In today’s complex business world, human resource professionals and small business owners must maintain a knowledge base of personnel and labor issues transcending the correct completion of an I-9 form or writing of a help-wanted ad.

To help local professionals meet Liz DeJoode these demands, is chair of the chapters of the SoCedar Valley ciety for Human Chapter of Resource Manthe Society agement provide for Human one-hour and halfResource Management. day presentations, Contact her at many of which (319) 232-8218 qualify for certifior ldejoode@ cation credits for pdcm.com PHR, SPHR and GPHR certifications. Presenters range from local business professionals and educators to representatives of government agencies.

The Cedar Valley SHRM chapter

has announced its slate of speakers for 2014.

Registration for each session is available one month in advance on the organization’s website at www. cvshrm.org.

Meetings with lunch are $10 for CVSHRM members and $25 to non-members. Reduced rates are available to student chapter members and those not requesting lunch.

Unless otherwise specified, chapter meetings are held at Kaplan University in Cedar Falls.

The schedule: ■■ Jan. 14 — “No thanks! I took another offer.” Presenter: Recruitment and retention specialist Jeff Kortes.

■■ Feb. 11 — “Affordable Care Act Update.” Presenter: John Monaghan, president, Group Benefits Design Corporation.

■■ March 8 — “Creating Culture.”

Presenter: Clint Middleton, culture coach, Hagie Manufacturing.

■■ April 8 — “Compensation.” Presenter: J.R. Schemmel, Department of Labor.

■■ May 13 — “Team Member Effectiveness and Team Building.”

Presenter: Kit Welchin, Welchin Communication Strategies.

■■ June 10 — Half-day Diversity Summit, Tama Hall, Hawkeye Community College. Presenter: Jean Baker, president, Jean M. Baker & Associates.

■■ July 8 — “Plaintiff vs. Defense: Attorney Views in Employment Cases.” Presenters: Attorneys Frank Harty and Thomas Foley.

■■ Sept. 9 — “Investigations from Both Sides.” Presenters: Megan Fereday and Traci McCausland, HRConnect; Dodie Young, Littler Mendelson.

■■ Nov. 11 — “Emotional Intelligence.” Presenter: Dr. Celina Peerman Cedar Valley SHRM membership is open to HR professionals, professionals whose job duties include HR functions and educators. Membership begins at $50 per calendar year.

Complete membership information is available online at www. cvshrm.org/join.

The nation’s largest health insurer said it expects to pay as much as $1.9 billion in taxes and fees imposed by the law next year and absorb a funding cut for a key product, Medicare Advantage plans, which are privately run versions of the government’s Medicare program for the elderly and disabled people. All told, it expects the overhaul to take a $1.1 billion bite out of its after-tax operating earnings in 2014.Minnetonka, Minn.-based UnitedHealth detailed these hits at its annual investor conference in New York on Dec. 3, a day after it released an initial forecast for 2014 earnings.

Insurers widely expect the law to add fees and expenses to their balance sheets, but few have detailed the impact like UnitedHealth. Other companies also will see more of a gain from the law, when uninsured people start buying coverage. But UnitedHealth has a small stake in the individual insurance market affected by that expansion. CEO Stephen Hemsley said that next year’s earnings per share will be “profoundly impacted” by the law and government funding cuts.

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Consumer protection

Make your donations count The time to check out a charity is before you give.

Be sure you understand the organization you are considering helping, where your donation goes, and where it doesn’t go: ■■ Ask about the charity. Are you familiar with the organization, or is it simply a name Tom Miller that sounds fais Iowa attorney miliar? What’s general. the organizaContact his tion’s address office at (515) phone 281-5926, (888) and 777-4590 or number? Run www.iowa the charity’s attorney name — exactgeneral.gov. ly as it appears or sounds— through an Internet search engine to learn more about the organization.

■■ What does the organization claim to do? Who does it claim to help? Are the beneficiaries

local? How much of your donation goes to administrative costs or to professional fundraisers?

■■ Will the organization send you written information before you donate? It’s a red flag if someone requesting a donation pressures you for an immediate contribution.

■■ How do charity watchdogs rate the organization? Check with Charity Navigator, GuideStar, the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance or Charity Watch.

■■ Is the person asking for a donation a member of the organization or a paid fundraiser?

If they’re a paid fundraiser, ask what percentage of your donation goes to them and what goes to the charity.

■■ Is your donation tax deductible? Not all contributions to “tax exempt” organizations are tax deductible. Tax exempt means the organization doesn’t have to pay taxes. Tax-deductible means you can deduct your contribution on your federal in-

come tax return.

Once you’ve asked the important questions above, you’re clear about the organization, and you’re comfortable contributing: ■■ Get a printed copy of your donation for your records.

■■ Pay by check or credit card (avoid using a debit card, which grants direct access to your bank account), and get a receipt. Do not send cash, and don’t give credit card or bank account information over the phone.

■■ If someone thanks you for a previous donation that you don’t recall making, be skeptical.

■■ Contact the charity to make sure the organization approves of the fundraising effort. If a solicitor claimed donations will help local charities, call local chapters and verify the claim.

Bottom line: Give wisely. Giving to a known charity you’re confident about is the best option.

CEOs are optimistic about the economy WASHINGTON (AP) — A survey of chief executives at the largest U.S. companies shows a growing number are slightly more optimistic about the economy’s prospects for the next six months and expect to boost hiring.

The Business Roundtable said last month that its index measuring CEO outlook rose to 84.5 in the OctoberDecember quarter. That’s up from 79.1 in the JulySeptember quarter.

The group is an association of chief executives at the 200 largest U.S. companies. Any reading above 50 suggests expansion.

The survey noted that 34 percent of the executives expect their companies will increase hiring in the next six months, up from 32 percent in the previous survey. And 73 percent of those surveyed expect their company’s sales to increase, up from 71 percent in previous survey.

Still, the CEOs expect the economy will grow at a subpar 2.2 percent next year, unchanged from the previous two surveys’ forecasts.

The Business Roundtable CEO survey results were based on 120 responses received between Nov. 4 and 21.

The latest reading of 84.5 is above the index’s long-term average of 79.2. The survey has been conducted for 11 years.

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Management

Control what you can in 2014 Last year I opted to evolve my January column from forecasting what lay ahead for the upcoming year’s economy to identifying the major trends impacting the economy. I reasoned that there were simply too many major uncertainties (e.g., the year end “fiscal cliff” and the debt crisis in Europe) blowing in the wind to attempt a responsible forecast.

My hesitation to boldly step out on a limb is shared by the maRick jority of business leaders as they Brimeyer plan for their organizations’ fuis president of tures. It’s reflected in the steady Brimeyer LLC, an Ames-based but slow pace of capital investments and hiring. independent A continued, conservative apmanagement consulting firm. proach appears to be justified Contact him as we enter 2014. While some at (515) 450progress, or at least stabilization, 8855 or rick@ appears to be occurring on sovbrimeyerllc. ereign debt both in the U.S. and com. in Europe, lingering and new unknowns still abound.

Here at home, we avoided the 2012 year-end cliff with minor tax hikes, swallowed the budget sequestration pill in March and punted the October debt-ceiling crisis into 2014. It all made for endless debate and op-ed pieces in newspapers.

The economy continued to slowly chug along at a New Normal clip of around two percent.

Overall, U.S. total public debt as a percent of GDP fell during the second quarter of 2013 from 101 percent to 100 percent, a rare drop since

charging from just over 60 percent in 2007. But Congress has provided no clues on how it will deal with quickly approaching liabilities of Social Security and Medicare as the country continues to age.

Europe appears to be in the early stages of recovery. Greece’s debt to GDP fell from 170 percent to 157 percent — I’m assuming primarily at the expense of its bond holders. Again, a long-term resolution to challenges facing Europe appears elusive.

Globally, emerging markets continue to play an ever-more increasing role in the global economy.

The economies of Brazil and India both enter 2014 decidedly weaker than 2013. Perhaps the biggest risk, however, remains real estate in China, where government investment has inflated a bubble.

New or lingering unknowns at the national level include: ■■ The impact of the Fed tapering its bond-buying program (quantitative easing); to-date quantitative easing has artificially suppressed interest rates and buoyed asset prices, including stocks.

■■ Implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the initial rollout of which hasn’t caused a wellspring of confidence.

Fortunately, there are some positive national trends as well: ■■ Household, municipal and state debt is improving, although many cities and states hold huge future liabilities with pensions.

■■ The country is moving toward energy independence within the next 10 years, which will result in lower and less variable energy prices.

■■ Rapid innovation, especially within information technology, is continuing to make productivi-

You really need to take time off DIANE STAFFORD The Kansas City Star‌ The human resource department wants you to take time off. Really.

You may have trouble believing that, but a recent poll by the Society for Human Resource Management found strong support for vacations from personnel managers. They strongly believe that you will be a better worker if you occasionally unplug from the job, especially if you have paid time off coming to you.

The benefits to you: stress relief, improved morale, greater job satisfaction and engagement.

The benefits to the employer: higher productivity and better job performance. cvbusinessmonthly.com

As we near the end of the calendar year, it’s common to hear workers complain that they have been too busy to take their allotted vacation. In do-morewith-less workplaces, it is indeed hard to take time off when the work needs to be done.

The human resource society figures that an average of at least three earned vacation days will be unused this year per employee — but not necessarily because workers were too busy to take a break.

Rather, survey results indicate that employees are saving vacation by choice in the organizations that allow them to roll over unused time to the next calendar year. About two-thirds of employers allow rollovers of at least some days, the society finds.

Employers with “use it or lose it” plans tend to find that employees don’t leave vacation on the table. They use it.

Regardless of vacation policy, people who study employees’ mental and physical welfare say taking time off is vital. It’s a rare bird who can sustain focus, energy and enthusiasm without a break.

And that’s one reason for concern about the growing part-time workforce — an employee class that largely doesn’t get paid vacations and can’t afford to take unpaid time off. No breaks make for unhappy, unhealthy workers and ill-served employers.

To reach Diane Stafford, call (816) 234-4359 or send email to stafford@kcstar.com. Follow her online at kansascity.com/workplace and twitter.com/kcstarstafford.

ty tools available to even the smallest companies at reasonable prices so they can compete and grow.

In Iowa, we’re blessed with a reasonably sound state balance sheet and lawmakers who are generally able to work together for the common good. Increasing investment and accountability in the state’s education system is especially encouraging, although I worry we’re over-producing four-year degrees at the expense of trade skills.

I’m also wary of the ag equipment market, as I perceive too many purchases over the course of the recent boom have been triggered by tax laws rather than true need. If so, any correction caused by a downturn in ag income will be magnified.

So, what to make of all of this? Continue to manage conservatively as you’ve been doing since the Great Recession. Businesses in general are in much better shape today than they were emerging from, and in many cases entering, the recession.

■■ Hire carefully, both in terms of when and who.

■■ Assume investments will be repaid in an environment of higher inflation and/or higher taxes as these represent two of the three options for reducing government debt (the third being default).

■■ Develop a workplace where employees embrace satisfying customers and productivity gains.

In short, control what you can control.

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Volunteerism

Lots of opportunities to volunteer Each year, the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley offers special programming surrounding annual days of service. The VCCV works with individuals, groups, families and students as well as local businesses throughout the Cedar Valley to promote volunteerism.

Days of service Anne Nass include the folis lowing: communications Martin Luther coordinator for King Jr. Day, the Volunteer Center of Cedar Jan. 20; Random Acts of Kindness Valley. Contact her at 272-2087 Week, Feb. 10-16; or anne_nass@ Mayors Day of vccv.org.

Recognition for National Service, April 1; National Volunteer Week, April 6-13; Global Youth Service Day, April 11-13; Join Hands Day, May 3; National Day of Service and Remembrance, Sept. 11; Make A Difference Day, Oct. 25;

and Family Volunteer Day, Nov. 22.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday, is a perfect opportunity for Americans to honor King’s legacy through service.

The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems and moves us closer to King’s vision of a beloved community.

During Random Acts of Kindness Week, we hope people will go above and beyond to make others feel special. If you’re going out to eat, pay for someone else’s meal or give the server a big tip.

If you are light on money, think about volunteering your time at a local charity, and make a commitment to volunteer more than once. If you don’t live near family or close friends, make an effort to reach out to them with a phone call or hand-written letter instead of a text or email. If you live near an animal shelter you can donate food, blankets, towels or old,

clean t-shirts.

On Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service, mayors will hold public events and use traditional and social media to highlight the value and impact of service to the nation’s cities. Last year, 832 mayors representing nearly 100 million citizens participated in the inaugural Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service. The initiative is being led by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

National Volunteer Week — National Volunteer Week is a time to celebrate people doing extraordinary things through service.

Established in 1974, the event focuses attention on the impact and power of volunteerism and service as an integral aspect of our civic leadership.

On Global Youth Service Day, young people around the world are finding their voice, taking action and creating real change.

Join Hands Day is the only national volunteer day on the Sea-

sons of Service calendar that specifically targets and develops relationships between young people and adults through neighborhood volunteering. Youths and adults work together on an equal basis to plan, organize and implement the day’s activities.

National Day of Service and Remembrance is the culmination of an effort launched in 2002 by 9/11 family members and support groups who worked to establish the charitable service day as a forward-looking way to honor 9/11 victims, survivors and others who rose up in service in response to the attacks.

Make A Difference Day is the largest national day of community service. Each October millions of volunteers around the world unite in a common mission to improve the lives of others.

Family Volunteer Day demonstrates and celebrates the power of families who volunteer together, supporting their neighborhoods, communities and the world.

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We offer customized solutions to fit your daily needs, so you don’t feel like you’re walking in someone else’s shoes.

Cedar Falls • Plainfield • Waverly www.myfnbbank.com 18

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GM plans to largely pull Chevrolet from Europe BERLIN (AP) — General Motors Co. plans to largely withdraw its Chevrolet brand from Europe from the beginning of 2016, focusing more sharply on its main Opel and Vauxhall brands.

Chevrolet will no longer have a “mainstream presence� in Europe, GM said in a statement Thursday, adding the decision was “largely due to a challenging business model and the difficult economic situation� on the continent.

The company said the move will reduce the “market complexity� of maintaining several brands in the region.

GM has continued to lose money in Europe, where automakers’ sales have been hampered by persistent economic weakness, even as the company’s performance elsewhere improves.

Chevrolet will still offer “select iconic vehicles� such as the Corvette in Europe and will retain a broad presence in Russia, GM said.

It expects the decision will result

in net charges of between $700 million and $1 billion, primarily in the current quarter and continuing through the first half of next year. Those charges include asset impairments, dealer restructuring, sales incentives and severance-related costs.

In 2012, Chevrolet sold 195,000 cars and SUVs in western and central Europe. In the first 10 months of 2013, it sold 137,000 vehicles in the region.

CEO Dan Akerson says GM’s European operation will benefit from a stronger Opel and Vauxhall and from plans to expand the Cadillac brand’s presence. He stressed that “Europe is a key region for GM.�

For Chevrolet, the decision “will allow us to focus our investments where the opportunity for growth is greatest,� he said.

Most of the Chevrolet models sold in Europe are produced in South Korea. GM said it would focus on profitability, cost management and maximizing sales in its Korean operations.

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Cedar Valley Business monthly

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Alliance & Chamber

Newsletter

7

www.cedarvalleyalliance.com

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in Cedar Valley d n e E iv t e c h Businesses ht roa t P i t s e w r B n e i d n U Beg andNonprofits e b t s r o i

t n e h in e i T z , W i h d g T n r n i t e a s t W n r s i y r k aw F S S e n i t d e h Pu Th o Un t t en t p s r a ir h F S k See F s g n

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Habits Cedar Valley

business session Jan.21-22, 2014

$450 GCVAC investor $550 non-investor Windridge, Western Home Communities, Cedar Falls

>

nonprofit session Jan.23-24, 2014

$225 GCVAC or CVNA investor/members

$300 non-investor Allen College, Waterloo

2-day sessions from 8:00am - 4:00pm

Registration by Jan. 10th at: 319.232.1156 or cedarvalleyalliance.com/7habitscedarvalley

Gold Sponsor:

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HGS

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Be part of something greater!

Join the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber! Learn how you can benefit!

Contact Bette Wubbena at (319) 232-1156 or bwubbena@cedarvalleyalliance.com.

Upcoming EVENTS JAN 2 TechBrew Cedar Valley

Toad's Bar & Grill, Cedar Falls 5:00 p.m.

Register: Stephanie@technologyiowa.org

t

ood

JAN 10 & FEB 14 Friday Forum

Waterloo Center for the Arts, Waterloo 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.

JAN 29, APR 30, JUL 30, OCT 29 2014 International Export Trade Workshops VGM Theater, Waterloo 7:30 – 9:30am

FEB 1 BarCamp Cedar Valley

Business and Community Services Building, UNI Campus 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. barcampcv.com

FEB 11 Des Moines Legislative Reception Renaissance Savery Hotel 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Welcome

NEW Investors Cedar Valley Sports Commission

Contact: Jim Marlin 500 Jefferson St. P.O. Box 4166 Waterloo, IA 50704 Phone: 319-493-5371 www.cedarvalleysports.org Category: Associations/ Organizations

Corridor Business Journal Contact: Cristiane AbouAssaly 845 Quarry Rd., Ste. 125 Coralville, IA 52241 Phone: 319-887-2251 Fax: 319-887-2252 www.corridorbusiness.com Category: Printers/Publishers/Graphics

OMJC Signal, Inc. 403 Chestnut St. P.O. Box 1594 Waterloo, IA 50704 Phone: 319-236-0200 Fax: 319-236-1554 www.omjcsignal.com Category: Manufacturers

Sleep Number

Contact: Jason Shaw 2027 Crossroads Ste. 1 Waterloo, IA 50702 Phone: 319-277-3324 Fax: 877-497-6230 Category: Retail

Tuffy Auto Service Center Contact: Ann Satterlee 1325 Ansborough Ave. Waterloo, IA 50701 Phone: 319-234-4163 Fax: 319-287-9317 www.tuffywaterloo.com Category: Auto-Repair & Service

Tuffy Auto Service Center Contact: Greg Mahlstedt 2322 Main St. Cedar Falls, IA 50701 Phone: 319- 277-0405 www.tuffycedarfalls.com Category: Auto-Repair & Service

Waypoint Services Contact: Autumn Craft 318 5th St. SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 Phone: 319-365-1458 Fax:319-365-2263 www.waypointservices.org Category: Counseling Service

*The Alliance & Chamber has approximately 900 investors representing over 50,000 employees

APR 1 2014 Strictly Business

Park Place Event Centre, Cedar Falls Find details on the events calendar www.cedarvalleyalliance.com

Call for Nominations Annual Business Awards

Nominations are open for a variety of business awards to be presented during the 2014 Annual Celebration on Thursday, March 27th at the Park Place Event Center. Do you know of an individual who should be recognized for their contributions in creating a strong business climate and enhancing the quality of life in the Cedar Valley by continued service and leadership? Has a business or organization made an outstanding contribution to the Cedar Valley and its citizens on a continued basis or with a specific project? You are encouraged to nominate them for recognition of their contributions.

Nominations are being accepted through January 31st for the following awards:

• Business of the Year Award • Harold Brock Innovation Award • Treating Capital Well Award • Fulfilling the Vision of One Award • Cedar Valley Partner Award Descriptions of the awards and nomination forms are available at the Alliance & Chamber offices or online at www.cedarvalleyalliance.com/programsandevents.

For additional information, please contact Bette Wubbena at bwubbena@cedarvalleyalliance.com or 232-1156.

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Please contact Sheila Kerns to post your business card.

(319) 291-1448 or sheila.kerns@wcfcourier.com

moment in

Len Swiatly - Owner

Matthew Dorsett

Catering Personal Chef Hors d’Oeuvres Gourmet Food

3823 University Avenue Waterloo, IA 50701

www.momentinthyme.com Phone: 319.269.6658 • Email: ljswats@cfu.net 819 Longview • Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613

Branch Manager

T: + 1-319-233-8473 C: + 563-419-5761 matt.dorsett@manpower.com www.manpower.us

COURIER - DON’T CANCEL; 12 x 11.25; Color; 122713033; SK; BIZ CARD PAGE 1 Bruce Clark Business Development Officer 319-824-5431 800-545-0172 (toll free) 319-824-6795 (fax) 319-240-2511 (cell) 510 F Avenue Grundy Center, IA 50638 www.gnbbank.com

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Please contact Sheila Kerns to post your business card.

(319) 291-1448 or sheila.kerns@wcfcourier.com

“Others claim to be... but there’s only 1 Single Source!”

Ph. 319-266-4545 4807 University Ave. Ste. 201 Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613

Jim Christensen Steph Weiand, AIA Owner Owner

COURIER - DON’T CANCEL; 12 x 11.25; Color; 122713034; SK; BIZ CARD Peoples Savings Bank PAGE 2 233 W. Dike Road Dike, IA 50624 Phone: (319) 989-9062

Stop in & visit with us about your loan needs.

Eric Olson NMLS#1055929

Tiffany Asche NMLS#500797

www.bankpsb.com

TURNOVER FEVER. IT’S

CONTAGIOUS! Take steps now to engage your workforce and reduce the impact of turnover. Turn to Express Employment Professionals for solutions.

319 277-6603 ExpressPros.com

www.LSBMortgage.com

LINCOLN SAVINGS BANK LSB FINANCIAL 999 Home Plaza, Suite 301 - Waterloo, IA 50701 (319) 433-3777 - Member FDIC www.LSBMortgage.com Alan Tscherter - VP AlanT@MyLSB.com NMLS# 482278

Banking

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Insurance

Rick Hartnett - VP RickH@MyLSB.com NMLS# 50725

Investments

Trust

Real Estate

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EXCELLENCE | INTEGRITY | HUMILITY

www.lockardonline.com

David P. Wilson CCIM

Jack E. Jennings Dustin W. Whitehead CCIM CCIM

Congratulations!

The Cedar Valley appreciates your investment.

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