Inside Business articles from April 2004

Inside Business archives from April 2004

Knowing when to walk.(Editor's Column)(Column)
April 1, 2004... Recently a potentially lucrative partnership failed--and not because the market wasn't there, or because the talent wasn't available, or because the business plan was flawed. This partnership collapsed simply because the erstwhile partners...

Looking forward to tomorrow.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... I just wanted to take a moment to tell you what a great article you wrote on Sandy Cutler ("Tomorrow's Leader," March). I serve on the COSE Executive Board and have been privy to parts of the merger at hand, and am very excited about the...

CEO should be challenged.(Letters)(chief executive officer)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... Thanks for conducting the interview with FirstEnergy's CEO, Anthony Alexander ("Turning the Lights Back On," March). You have given readers some food for thought. I liked many aspects of your article, but would have liked you to be a bit...

Policies won't stop killers.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... After failing to scare business lobbyists into the fight in 2003, and after losing in the legislative arena just weeks ago, gunban lobbyists are now hoping to convince business owners to discriminate against employees and customers who choose...

Gun piece was propaganda.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... Your article in the March issue pertaining to concealed handguns in the workplace ("Trouble Shooting") could not have been more one sided and biased. I felt like I was in Nazi Germany pre-World War II being fed from the propaganda machine....

Meeting guide needs update.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... This is 2004. How can you publish a guide for executives ("Annual Guide to Meeting and Event Sites," March) and not include email addresses? No one wants to deal with phone prompts and voice mail these days. Plus, many individuals work on...

Where's the 'power'?(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... I have read and reread the "The Power 100" (February). Cleveland is very fortunate to have such an array of talent. Although I don't agree with your ranking, or even if some of these people should be on the list, it was interesting. As a...

Pilla selection is painful.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... The February 2004 issue of Inside Business, in which Anthony Pilla is listed as the No. 2 power broker in Northeast Ohio ("The Power 100") is both repulsive and an insult to all citizens of Ohio and Catholics in particular. "The Most...

No Lewis?(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... Regarding your article on 'The Power 100" (February): It is amazing and inconceivable to me that Peter Lewis could be omitted from this list. Among other things, he has recently shown his power by shaking up, for starters, Case Western Reserve...

Ordering organic.(Frontlines)(business startup, organic foods)
April 1, 2004... Dan Judy knows the value of watching what you eat. It's what led him to create a mail-order business selling organic foods, clothing and other products in June 2003. Judy incorporated Danny's Organic Marketplace after seeing the positive...

Riding the waves: an old-school manufacturer on Cleveland's West Side diversifies by incubating a high-tech startup.(Frontlines)
April 1, 2004... Just off West 65th Street in Cleveland, tucked away among the scrap metal yards and used car lots, is Fanta Equipment Co. on Storer Avenue. On the surface, Fanta doesn't seem like a typical hotbed of high-tech activity, but what's happening at...

Powerhouse collective.(Frontlines)(BFL Marketing Communications Inc. moves to new locations.)
April 1, 2004... Dennis Pavan was lunching at the Powerhouse in Cleveland's Flats district in 1996 when he spied empty space in the rafters and realized its untapped potential. Pavan, CEO of BFL Marketing Communications Inc., leased the fourth-floor suite...

Wake-up call: author David Alan wants to relay what he's learned during 35 years of business.(Five Questions)
April 1, 2004... David Alan wants to wake people up. It's why the direct-mail guru in his new book "The $100 Million Dollar Playbook" (Oakhill Press) presents his message in an eclectic style of traditional chapters interspersed with bold, large-type rants. ...

The business beat.(By The Numbers)(jounalists,survey)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Forget the old notion that deadline-conscious journalists fly fast and easy with the facts. Biz reporters cited "being 100 percent accurate" as an extremely important measure of professional success. What rated lowest among journalists'...

Community Impact Awards.(Working The Room)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Dominion East Ohio and Inside Business honored the nonprofit community in February at the Community Impact Awards. The groups were honored during a lunch at The Club at Key Center in Cleveland. Twelve nonprofits--twice last year's...

National 401(k) Summit.(Working The Room)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Northeast Ohio human resource professionals, business owners and financial executives gained an up to date perspective on corporate sponsored 401(k) and retirement plans at the National 401(k) Summit held Feb. 20 at The Embassy Suites Hotel in...

Presidential Headliner.(Inside-Business.Com)(business women, growth)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Introducing himself "as the husband of Laura and the son of Barbara" to a crowd of some 1,000 woman business owners and spectators, President Bush headlined the fifth-annual Women's Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century Summit held at the...

Motivation is like deodorant: it never lasts as long as you like.(Customer Service)(practical application of seminars)
April 1, 2004... So you like to go to seminars. Are you just a once a-year kind of person or a real seminar junkie? Either way, the last time you went, what did you really learn, and how much stuck with you afterward? What did you apply to your job? Did...

Bar codes on steroids: RFID Technology could make everyone and everything smarter.(E-Industry)(Radio Frequency Identification.)
April 1, 2004... in this column... beeeep. Hold on, I have to take this. Be right back. Sorry, but it was my refrigerator sending me an instant message. Seems that a carton of milk has gone beyond the expiration date. Good thing. I don't want sour milk on...

Biz links.(business information)(Directory)(Illustration)
April 1, 2004... Biz Links ADVERTISING AGENCY WhiteSpace Creative (330) 762-9320 www.whitespace- creative.com AUDIO/VISUAL PRODUCTION Colortone Staging & (440) 914-9500...

Scaring up some business: Ed Douglas is producing spooky music and solid sales in Concord.(Regional focus: lake county)
April 1, 2004... Ed Douglas grew up watching horror films, thrilled by Dracula, the Werewolf and a motley crew of nightbreed. However, unlike most other young horror mavens, his passion lasted well beyond adolescence, enchanted by the soundtracks mood-setting...

The proof is in $2 bills.(Director's Column)(conventions, research)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... I don't know about you, but every time I see stories about some organization coming to town to hold a convention and that they are going to be here for the weekend and spend $5 million in food, lodging and entertainment, I get suspicious. ...

Innovative partnerships: Case Western Reserve University research event shows off possibilities for innovative entrepreneurs.(Events)
April 1, 2004... The business that innovates stays ahead of its competition. But limited budgets often prevent companies from maintaining a research-and-development division. That doesn't mean they shouldn't have access to the latest technology and advanced...

Human Resource Seminar.(Roundup)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... CANTON -- The Office of Corporate and Community Services at Kent State University Stark Campus will host the Human Resource Symposium beginning at 7:45 a.m. April 20 at the Professional Education and Conference Center. The theme is "How to Make...

Opportunities in China.(Roundup)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... CLEVELAND -- Exploring business opportunities in China will be the topic during an upcoming symposium at CAMP Inc. Strategies on selling to China, buying from China and setting up operations there will be discussed 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. April 8 at...

Beachwood business center.(Roundup)(Cleveland State University's College of Business Administration, development of business center)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... BEACHWOOD -- The Beachwood Chamber of Commerce has joined with Cleveland State University's College of Business Administration to open a Business Development Center in Beachwood. The center's mission is to attract new businesses to Beachwood...

Internship fund.(Roundup)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... CLEVELAND -- The Greater Cleveland Growth Association, in collaboration with the Northcoast Consortium for Career Advancement (NCCA) and (i)Cleveland (formerly the Graduates Council), has received a grant of more than $500,000 as part of the...

Keeping the legacy alive.(Roundup)(John Carroll University)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... CLEVELAND -- The John Carroll University Entrepreneurs Association is sponsoring "A Legacy of Entrepreneurship," an evening with Jerry Murphy and Rita Murphy Carfagna, heirs to the Murphy's Oil Soap legacy. It begins at 5 p.m. May 5 at Eastlake...

Finding a boss: how to search for and hire a new CEO.(Tips From The Pros)(chief executive officer)
April 1, 2004... Hiring a new CEO can be a trick endeavor for a small business. In fact, going about the process the wrong way can be, as Rod Braye puts it, like setting off on a journey without a map or compass and hoping to reach your destination. Braye,...

Ohio Entrepreneur roadmap.(Directory)
April 1, 2004... Ohio Entrepreneur is a partnership of companies, universities and economic development organizations dedicated to providing access to the information and services entrepreneurs need to start, locate and expand their businesses in Ohio. We...

Cleveland's other mayor: CEO Terri Hamilton Brown is transforming University Circle Inc.--and creating a second, more vibrant downtown in the process. What does her success mean to the region?(chief executive officer)(Cover Story)
April 1, 2004... TERRI HAMILTON BROWN IS NOT RUNNING FOR MAYOR. The CEO of University Circle Inc. quickly extinguishes this rumor, which has drifted on the currents of insider conversation for months The community leader, who is recognized as the de facto...

Miracle worker: Jonathan Naft's advancements in prosthetics are giving amputees a second chance at enjoying life.(Feature)
April 1, 2004... The photographs of lower-limb amputees lining the front hallway of Jonathan M. Naft's offices are portraits of success, stories he's more than happy to tell. There's the police officer who continues to protect and serve. Or the elderly...

Event rules: about the Eaton Cleveland Corporate Challenge.(rules)
April 1, 2004... PURPOSE The Eaton Cleveland Corporate Challenge is a team-building initiative promoting camaraderie, pride and fitness among employees. All activity levels are encouraged to participate. COMPANY SIZE All companies will compete...

Event schedule.(schedule)(Calendar)
April 1, 2004... For more information, go to www.hermescleveland.com/corp_challenge KICKOFF PARTY Thursday, June 17 Let the games begin! The 2004 Eaton Cleveland Corporate Challenge Opening Party will be 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Blind Pig Speakeasy....

Get into the games: the Eaton Cleveland Corporate Challenge offers office athletes an outlet for their competitive spirit.(intro)
April 1, 2004... Attention weekend warriors and office athletes throughout Northeast Ohio: The Eaton Cleveland Corporate Challenge 2004, organized for the fourth straight year by Hermes Sports & Events, kicks off June 17. So start stretching. Created...

A child's death drives a family to assist others.(The Jennifer Ferchill Foundation)
April 1, 2004... All proceeds from the Eaton Cleveland Corporate Challenge benefit The Jennifer Ferchill Foundation. Jennifer Ferchill was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer at age 9 and passed in April 1982. Coping with the loss of a loved...

Hermes sports and events: doing things better.
April 1, 2004... Neal Neroni is too busy working. It's the tongue-in-cheek excuse he gives to explain why he participates in only one of the 65 running races his company, Hermes Sports and Events, manages every year. "I'm just way too busy working...

Taking on the Globe: companies wanting to grow should consider shipping their product overseas for new opportunities.(International Business)
April 1, 2004... Businesses are hopping on an international bandwagon. For those companies willing to make the leap, there is a wealth of available help out there--experienced enterprises, government agencies, foreign workers and universities just waiting to be...

Welcoming the world.(International Business)(cleveland)
April 1, 2004... The Cleveland International Coalition, a task force serving more than 75 of the city's international groups, provides opportunities for sharing common resources, networking and economic growth. Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell laid out the...

International know-how: straight from the experts.(Ask The Experts)(international business education)
April 1, 2004... Q: HOW DOES WEATHERHEAD PREPARE EXECUTIVE MBAS FOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS? A: "The Executive MBA participants are prepared for international business opportunities in several ways," says Robert D. Hisrich, an instructor of the Executive...

Under pressure: stress defines the executive's life. But don't let it become a dangerous problem.(Health)(Scott Rafferty )
April 1, 2004... Scott Rafferty is founder and president of Digibahn, a rapidly growing downtown custom software development firm. Rafferty's company, which he estimates has grown by more than 50 percent in the past few years, takes up more time than he likes...

Eyes wide shut; sleep is as crucial to your health as diet, exercise and stress reduction.(health)
April 1, 2004... General Electric Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt boasts he only needs five hours of sleep per night. A new gourmet coffee chain sprouts up on every street corner and strip mall. Hundreds of channels of 24-hour entertainment are at your...

Health resource directory.(Brief Article)(Directory)
April 1, 2004... UNIVERSITY COMPCARE CLAIRMONTE CAPPELLE (800) 818-7273 CLAIRMONTE.CAPPELLE@UHHS.COM WWW.UNIVERSITYCOMPCARE.COM University CompCare is the state-certified workers' compensation managed care organization of University...

ESOPs: no fables: given the right circumstances, turning a company over to employees can be a smart move.(Mergers and Acquisitions, Employee Stock Ownership Plan)
April 1, 2004... When Dick and Sue Abbott began thinking about retirement in 1998 there were many decisions to make. The owners of ACRT Inc., a 250 employee environmental consulting firm in Cuyahoga Falls, thought hard about succession planning. "This was my...

M&A advice: tips from the pros.(Ask The Experts)(mergers and acquisitions)
April 1, 2004... Q: WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO SELL YOUR BUSINESS? A: "This is one of the most important decisions of an entrepreneur's life, and most people don't get it," says Russell J. Warren, president of the TransAction Group. "They know when they...

Branch basics: as your company opens a satellite office, look to this guide for help.(Corporate Relocation)
April 1, 2004... When Savannah, Ga.-based Palmer & Cay Inc. wanted to expand into the Midwest, the company looked at the demographics, competition and potential market share in Ohio. By late 2002, the insurance brokerage firm planned to launch satellite offices...

Corporate relocation: resource directory.(Brief Article)(Directory)
April 1, 2004... MEACO (MENTOR ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE CORP.) MARTIN F. GAREAU (440) 974-5739 MGAREAU.MEACO@SBCGLOBAL.NET WWW.MEACOWEB.COM MEACO was established in 1983 to stimulate small-business growth in Mentor. As an SBA-Certified...

Midtown mastermind.(One 2 Watch)
April 1, 2004... I'D CALL IN SICK TO... "Go to the home opener and do a little bit of pre-game celebration with a bunch of my friends." FAVORITE SPOT IN MIDTOWN? "The area right in front of Gallucci's on Euclid Avenue. It's where they have their little...