Baltimore Business Journal articles from March 2001, page 2

Baltimore Business Journal archives from March 2001

Eisner Communications Inc.(and Doner Direct receive awards)(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Eisner Communications Inc. (www.eisner-communication.com) and Doner Direct took best of show honors at the annual Best in Baltimore Addy awards given by the Advertising Association of Baltimore. Eisner won the award for a television...

Robert Rytter & Associates.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Robert Rytter & Associates (www.rytter.com), a Baltimore marketing firm, picked up three awards from a college admissions marketing publication. Rytter won gold, bronze and merit awards in Admissions Marketing Report's 2001 Admissions...

Versient names new CEO.(Steve Morris)(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... One of the guys brought in to turn around the struggling game maker MicroProse back in 1993 is now chief executive officer of Hunt Valley-based Versient Inc. Steve Morris -- a member of Versient's board since its inception -- replaces...

Traveling intelligently.(iJet Travel Intelligence facility)(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... A new company in Annapolis has set up a NASA-like command center as part of its strategy to provide real-time information to world travelers. The company, iJet Travel Intelligence (www.ijetcom), was founded in August 2000 and is financed...

Tech recruiters staying busy.(in Baltimore area)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 23, 2001... Baltimore area market remains strong despite U.S. slowdown The connection is not a difficult one to make -- at least for technical recruiters. "We had a job shortage [in the technology industryl six months ago," said Frank Gaster,...

Stock Snapshot: Essex Corp.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 23, 2001... OTC: ESEX.OB Columbia-based Essex Corp., which develops technology for the telecommunications industry, hit its 52-week high on Feb. 1, 2001, at $5.25 a share. With a 52-week low of 62 cents a share coming on June 5, 2000, the company is...

BBJ Tech 25: A glance at Greater Baltimore's leading public technology companies.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 23, 2001... BBJ Tech 25: A glance at Greater Baltimore's leading public technology companies This Last Week's Week's...

AssureNet Ltd.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... AssureNet Ltd., a Bethesda-based application service provider for the life insurance industry, received $270,000 in follow-on financing from the CS Private Equity Fund.

Plateau Systems Ltd.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Plateau Systems Ltd. of Fairfax, Va., closed on $18 million in equity funding from AIG Horizon Partners LLC, EuclidSR Partners and GE Equity. Investments will be made in sales and marketing, corporate infrasteructure and product development...

InfoShark Inc.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... InfoShark Inc., a Chantilly, Va., provider of business-to-business data-integration software, closed a third round of financing worth $6 million. Current investors Lazard Technology Partners, JMI Equity Fund and 21st Century Ventures joined...

Kent E. Malwitz.(Interview)
March 23, 2001... effective-e BBJ: Where did you get the idea for your business? Malwitz: When I looked at the companies doing Web design, I saw an unfilled need for expertise in software development and project management. Just 18 months ago, most...

Weathering online storm.
March 23, 2001... Local e-tailers try to stay alive despite downturn From a 1,000 square-foot Pikesville office that doubles as a medical supply warehouse, Stephen G. Weiss believes he could do big business worldwide -- if it were 1999. "Venture...

Market Facts.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 23, 2001... Dot-com Doom, Startup Failures, the Dot-corn Graveyard -- these are a few of the many Web sites that have sprung up recently to cover the latest news, layoffs and flops in the dot-com world. You can even go to the American Bankruptcy...

Company sells big stake in Columbia's Corvis.(Broadwing sells shares of Corvis Corp.)(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Things don't seem to be getting any better for fiber-optic maker Corvis Corp. The Columbia-based firm recently discovered that Broadwing, a Corvis customer, has sold about a third of its stake in Corvis. Broadwing disclosed that it sold...

Business takes on education.(Montgomery County Business Roundtable for Education)(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Business leaders who formed a coalition to improve education in Montgomery County say their efforts could foster a technologically savvy work force that helps cement the county's position with cutting-edge enterprises. "I am very excited...

Robert N. Wildrick & Peter Zophy.(Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc.)(Brief Article)(Interview)
March 23, 2001... Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc. To say that Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc. was undesirable to investors a year and a half ago would be an understatement. For the better part of the 1990s, the company's sales dwindled about as fast as the rest...

Be savvy in trying to drive traffic to your site.(using search engines)(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... It seems like every business, from florists to graphic designers, has a Web site. However, not everyone knows how to drive traffic to their site by using a search engine. Although it may not be obvious how to get a good listing on a major...

Data mining may be key to surviving recession.(key to customer relations)(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... A recession -- strictly defined as two consecutive quarters of declining growth -- may be on America's economic horizon. After nine years of unprecedented growth and record low unemployment, the whispers are getting louder. The "R" word is...

Largest film/video production companies in the Baltimore area.(ranked by 2000 revenues)(Directory)(Illustration)
March 23, 2001... Largest film/video production companies in the Baltimore area (Ranked by Baltimore area revenues in 2000) Name Rank Address 2000 total ...

Largest computer resellers in the Baltimore area [1].(ranked by area sales)(Directory)(Illustration)
March 23, 2001... Largest computer resellers in the Baltimore area [1] (Ranked by Baltimore area sales) Rank Name 2000 1999 last Address ...

Taking Stock.(week of March 21, 2001)(Illustration)
March 23, 2001... The BBJ Index [*] of 87 stocks closed at 1074.30 on March 21, 2001. Weekly Gainers & losers Price 3/21/01 % Change...

Municipal Mortgage & Equity LLC.(Brief Article)(Company Profile)(Statistical Data Included)
March 23, 2001... Corporate profile Municipal Mortgage & Equity LLC, a Baltimore company that invests in tax-free municipal bonds used to build market-rate and low-income multi-family housing, continues its growth strategy. In January, the company...

Bush's SBA budget cut includes axing programs.(Small Business Administration)(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... President Bush proposes a 40 percent cut in the Small Business Administration's budget eliminating the New Markets Venture Capital program and ending government subsidies for the SBA's flagship 7(a) loan program by raising loan fees. The...

Bill would allow interest on business accounts.(House Financial Services Committee)(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Small businesses and community banks hope to persuade Congress to repeal a Depression-era law that prohibits banks from paying interest on business checking accounts. Legislation to remove the prohibition passed the House last year, but...

Small business investors to get extra tax break.(Senator Susan Collins, Encouraging Investment in Small Business Act)(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine introduced legislation to provide more tax incentives to individuals who invest in small businesses. Collins' bill increases the capital gains exclusion for certain types of small business stock from 50 percent...

Battling over the business.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Dispute between partners does not have to be firm's undoing Janet Eveland has seen it all. A lawyer with her own practice, Eveland works extensively with small businesses and issues such as signing 'a business partnership agreement....

Shop Talk: Did you and your partner(s) sign a business partnership agreement?(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Carol Summerfield Vice president, Sigman and Summerfield Associates Inc./Towson "We did it to protect ourselves, our business and our families. You should have a business partnership agreement to make it very clear the...

Flaws can ruin a career.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... She had everything going for her: technical genius, ambition, a solid employer and a supportive manager. She also had one other thing; a character flaw that would he her undoing. She just didn't think character counted as much as...

United Way's big support.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... The local media played a significant role in the success of this year's United Way campaign, which recently finished with a 5 percent increase to $43.1 million. In all there was nearly $1 million in pro bono goods and services...

Developers can help city.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Baltimore stands to lose another of its large downtown companies if something is not done to keep them here. Corporate Healthcare Financing Inc. isn't having any luck finding 40,000 square feet of space for a new headquarters. The...

Looking for 'the new new thing' suddenly got old.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Two venture capitalists are at a Baltimore reception talking about a brilliant engineer they know whose invention has the potential to transform the auto industry. Both of these men, who bankroll inventors and business people with...

Olympic committee securing financials.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... The year 2012 seems very far away. Unless you plan to host the Olympic Games, that is. The Washington/Baltimore Regional 2012 Coalition is nailing down a total financial commitment of $175 million from Virginia, Maryland and Washington,...

Affluent few find roost in historic Crows Nest.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Home sales are a rarity in town within a city For the residents of Crows Nest, there truly is no place like home. Either through inheritance or a well-connected real estate agent, a select few of Indianapolis' elite have managed to...

HOMESTATS.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... HOMESTATS Indianapolis-Area Existing-Home Statistics Homes sold Feb. 2000 Feb. 2001 change Boone County 44 44 --...

Spring is prime time for home maintenance.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Proper maintenance of your home can keep it looking better longer, prevent major expenses and cut utility bills. And there's no better time than spring to do some work around the house. Here, courtesy of Angie's List, is a handy checklist to...

Residential growth spurs plant demand.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Some nursery stock is in short supply The search for Red Sunset and October Glory maple trees takes every bit as much strategy as "The Hunt for Red October." The two red maples--known for their fall splendor--top a growing list of...

Picking quality plants takes more than luck.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... After you complete the landscape plan for your home, learn how to choose quality plants before you visit the nursery or garden center. A good root system indicates a quality plant. When visiting a nursery or garden center, don't be afraid...

GARDEN CALENDAR.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Lawn April * Winter annuals such as henbit and chickweed are best controlled in October with a broadleaf herbicide but could be killed now. However, since they will die naturally in a month or so, some people just live with them at...

Spring into action by sketching a garden plan.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... The gardening bug emerges every year around this time. One symptom is an overwhelming desire to get your hands dirty. Spring breezes, warmer temps and blooming plants only worsen the gardening fever. Then comes the fervor and the...

It's time to dispel a few myths about pruning.
March 23, 2001... It's been said, "What you don't know can't hurt you." However, what you don't know about pruning trees and shrubs can hurt them and destroy the beauty of your landscape. Before taking out your pruning tools this spring, consider the...

Largest Indinapolis-Area Residential Real Estate Agencies.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Largest Indinapolis-Area Residential Real Estate Agencies (Ranked by total value of homes sold in 2000) Total value of Rank...

Get ready for softer, easier-to-live-with colors.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... In my "rookie season" as a designer, I frequently wondered where the many and varied hues of fabrics, furniture and accessory items came from. They all seemed to be coordinated--but coordinated by whom? The mystery was solved through my...

Do your homework before building projecTt.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Over the years, I've ushered many people through the steps of building a new home or an addition, thus witnessing over and over again the most common errors people make while going through this process. These are difficulties you don't have...

Making sense of rates in a changing economy.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Mortgages. Nearly every homeowner has one. And with mortgage rates falling over the past year, many homeowners are talking about refinancing current, higher-rate mortgages. However, with a wildly unstable stock market and U.S. Federal...

Largest Indianapolis-Area Residential Interior-Design Firms [1].
March 23, 2001... Largest Indianapolis-Area Residential Interior-Design Firms [1] (Ranked by number of interior designers) Rank Film Interior 2000 Address ...

COMMUNITY SHOWCASE.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Audubon Trace One of several neighborhoods in The Villages of Hamilton Proper, Audubon Trace is a family-oriented community, appealing primarily to middle-age couples with children, according to Jeffery Pape, director of communities for...

From the editor.
March 23, 2001... In a large corporation, when you're faced with a daunting task -- say choosing a computer system, a phone system or even a commercial lender -- often the solution is easy. Hire a consultant. But if you're running your own business, that...

Secure funds for the business with a bank loan.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... How to prepare the appropriate paperwork for the application process Options. Options. Options. Bank loans are confusing enough. But mix other sources -- such as venture capital, angel investments and direct financing -- into the...

Take your time choosing a portfolio manager.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... The right advisor will understand your investment goals for the future Before choosing a portfolio manager, sit down and take a long hard look at your personal investment goals. Be as specific as possible, carefully noting on paper the...

How to pick a commercial bank.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Be sure that financial institutions meet your company's money needs Finding a commercial bank is never easy, whether it's for an established business or a new one. Before looking for a bank, experts say, start by looking closely at...

How to buy a phone system.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... The right system can go a long way for many firms Telephones today can do everything but mix you a drink, it seems, so buying a phone system for a business can be a sobering experience. It's best to start with the fundamental...

Picking a mobile telephone.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Understanding digital and analog technology Cellular has become a catch-all word for mobile telephones, whether the service is based on analog or digital technology. Cell phones have become increasingly popular in the business world....

How to build your firm's Web site.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Advance planning can help get your design needs met Perhaps the biggest bandwagon going these days is the one carting America's Web sites. With a vast range of styles -- and an equally vast range in quality and cost -- it seems every...

Replacing, upgrading your computer system.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Key questions, considerations can help the process move along smoothly The need to upgrade computer systems is a source of constant concern for companies of all sizes. As technology develops, computers continually increase in capacity...

How to choose an AV company.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Know what audio-visual services you need for your event Hiring an AV company: Know what you want and ask for it. Your company is planning a big event -- perhaps a sales meeting or a convention -- and you're in charge of contracting...

How to develop your firm's computer network.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Balancing cost and innovation to build and customize your system Everywhere you turn, computer system integrators and other technology service companies are offering some sort of solution to businesses of all sizes. Every company is...

How to buy a computer system.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Picking the right hardware and software for your firm Choosing the proper computer system for small businesses needn't be a burden-some chore, even for those who feel they have a lot to learn about the cyberworld. Small businesses...

Choosing an online provider.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... What to look at when picking the best ISP for you Your firm's own technical prowess can help point to the Internet service provide that is right for you. Firms that require more hands-on help can benefit from local small mom-and-pop...

Picking an c-commerce consultant.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Consider track record, experience and certifications The Internet has brought about a great deal of change to our society and the way business is conducted. But with this shift comes a web of questions for businesses: Do you need an...

How to choose a videoconferencing system.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Be sure to consider the technology behind the presentation There are really two "how-to" questions when it comes to videoconferencing: the technical how-to and the presentation how-to. One is fairly straightforward, the other somewhat...

Shopping for quality furniture for your office.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Needs, ergonomics and employee input should be consideration factors Buying office furniture is a lot like buying a car, according to a furniture industry trade group. Customers need to shop for models that meet their needs and fit the...

How to select an MBA degree program.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Adding a degree to your credentials can mean richer salary, opportunities A recent survey attests to the power of an MBA degree. The survey by Accountemps, a temporary-staffing service for accounting, finance and bookkeeping...

How to find a training company.(employee training)(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Reference checks, written project plans can make for successful sessions Most companies from time to time outsource company training and need a competent firm to perform it. How does a company go about finding such a firm? The...

How to pick a private school.(addressing child's needs)(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... When making a selection, take a look at your child's needs The search for a private high school must begin with a long hard look at the needs of your child. Before evaluating the merits of different schools, sit down with your teen-ager...

How to choose property-casualty insurance.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Start with your current agent when shopping for policies for your company Property-casualty insurance presents a bewildering array of acronyms and options to most business owners. When industry experts break it down, however, the keys to...

Choosing a preferred provider organization.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... PPOs top the list of popular insurance plans Preferred provider organizations are the most popular kind of health insurance plan in the nation. More than 98 million Americans are enrolled in PPOs, 20 percent more than the 81 million who...

How to choose an HMO.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... For small businesses, managed care is a viable Once upon a time, managed care was equivalent to an HMO, but in the last decade a flurry of other plans have emerged -- from the PPO to the ESP. But in all that time, the HMO structure...

Ferreting out desirable, useful cafeteria plan.(employee benefits programs)(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Employees can benefit from tax-deferred benefit programs So you've heard that cafeteria plans are all the rage and maybe you want to offer one. Step one: terminology. A cafeteria plan gives employees some degree of choice in designing...

Determining which group benefit plans to offer.(choosing employee benefit plans)(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Be sure you're giving employees what they want and need When it comes to choosing a benefit plan, there's one simple adage to keep in mind: Give employees what they want. At least, within reason. "Find out what your employees -- and...

Wading through the health plan options.(selection of employee health plans)(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Wealth of information makes plan shopping painless for employers Finding a health insurance plan for your employees can be hazardous to your health. PPO or HMO or both? How much should the company pay? How much should the employee...

Finding care facilities for Alzheimer's patients.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Dementia can take its toll on families; how to find care and support Alzheimer's disease takes a $33 billion annual toll on American businesses in lost productivity by caregivers and related costs. According to Kara Albisu, director of...

Choosing a site for your firm's meeting.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... There are lots of details to consider Selection of a meeting site entails myriad considerations, which may quickly boggle the mind of a first-timer. When Karen Liechty was a full-time employee of the state of Wisconsin, she agreed to...

Corporate travel doesn't have to break the bank.(tips on hiring a travel agency)(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Agencies help firms save money With employees needing to frequently make business trips, hiring a travel agency often can save your company money. "Good corporate agencies can save a corporation millions of dollars by negotiating fees,"...

How to pick a caterer for corporate events.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Your choice can make the difference between success and failure Virtually everyone has a different idea about what catering is and, truth be known, most people who purchase catering services have never done so before. That applies...

Planning your firm's golf outing requires thinking ahead.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Cost is not the only consideration The perfect corporate golf outing can be planned down to the smallest detail -- except for the weather. The first thing a company needs to do is understand why it's having a golf outing. The...

How to choose a CPA.(Certified Public Accountants)(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Picking an appropriate accountant for your firm Where do you see your business five years from now? How about 25 years? If your view is hazy, you might consider consulting a Certified Public Accountant. With the right CPA at...

Matching outplacement firms to your company.(outplacement industry worth estimated $1.8 billion in 2000)(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Assessing needs first will help you choose well Business and pleasure don't always mix. Sometimes companies have to lay off employees, and, for those occasions, they often contract with outplacement firms to help employees facing...

Energy efficiency can save businesses money.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Deregulation of the industry companies should research choices As energy costs have soared across the nation, businesses have been seeking ways to keep expenses down. In the age of deregulation, some companies may have a choice of where...

Pick a commercial printer to fit your needs.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Doing your homework will help avoid the headache of a bad or late job Choice is available for every job. Printing, like most other fields, has become extremely compartmentalized in recent years, so it is best to scout around when...

The office copier: How do you choose the best brand?(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Digital devices can streamline office processes If the office copier was missing Monday morning, you might not immediately notice. But you would certainly notice if your copier, fax machine and printer all disappeared at the same time....

How to hire the right ad agency for your firm.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Look for the right mix of talent and enthusiasm to get your message across When Jeff Sherman hired an advertising agency to design the print, outdoor, radio and Internet campaign for his dot.com city guide company, he was as concerned...

Picking the right engineer for your project.
March 23, 2001... With many different types, it is important to figure out what your needs are Selecting engineers to handle the basics of your company's next construction or renovation project needn't be a daunting task even for the novice who has never...

Find the right broker to buy, sell your house.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Make sure you interview agents Buying or selling a home is not to be taken lightly. For some, it is the largest single transaction they will ever make in their lifetime. It involves a myriad of parties, including bankers escrow...

Picking the wrong builder can become a nightmare.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2001... Do the background work Building a new home is often the biggest financial investment that a person makes in his or her lifetime. That's why hiring the right home builder is such a crucial step in the construction process. Making the...