Inside Business articles from June 2005

Inside Business archives from June 2005

Bart's book: a gift to entrepreneurs.(ABSOLUTELY)(Bart Wolstein)
June 1, 2005... People keep telling me, in a phrase they love to use, there is no silver bullet for rebuilding Northeast Ohio's economy. What they mean, of course, is that there is no single thing that is going to make us a roaring success. Rather it will be a...

Voinovich fatigue.(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2005... I enjoyed your article on casino gambling ("Casino Gambling: It's the Saint vs. the Sinners," May). I felt as though someone was reading my mind. I take great comfort in knowing that I'm not the only one who is tired of George Voinovich pushing...

Big box backlash.(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2005... Mr. Brandt, thank you for telling the truth ("Low-tech Lessons," April). As an individual who makes his living in a 'backward entablishment," I applaud your article. Yes, it is true: We have no CRM program, we do not ask for ZIP codes, and we...

Trading services: a local brand marketing firm uses one of its client's products to design a unique, state-of-the-art office.(SPACES)
June 1, 2005... Bob Freed has been told his company's new downtown digs are reminiscent of a New York City studio space. On April 1, Brass Tacks, a brand marketing firm, relocated from Brecksville to the historic ArtCraft building on Superior Ave. in...

Trump card.(PERSONALITIES)
June 1, 2005... He was weird. He was flashy. He was "casual Friday" times 10. When North Olmsted native Danny Kastner burst onto The Apprentice on NBC, he appeared to be half vaudeville and half entrepreneur as he played his guitar and sang songs to lift the...

Car talk.(WHEELS AND DEALS)
June 1, 2005... Do you hate car shopping? Lucky for you, Parma's Phil Pasquale is a professional car shopper. Through his firm, The Next Auto LLC, Pasquale researches the best deal on any kind of vehicle the client chooses, negotiates a sales price, and closes...

4.6 million.(BY THE NUMBERS)
June 1, 2005... Number of new vehicles top-selling automaker General Motors sold in the United States in 2004. --GENERAL MOTORS

Springer for governor?(POLITICS)(Jerry Springer)(Brief article)
June 1, 2005... When he's not interviewing misfits, losers, adulterers and sexual deviants on his TV talk show, lifelong Democrat Jerry Springer takes to the radio airwaves with his new liberal political show, "Springer on the Radio," which syndicates...

192.(BY THE NUMBERS)
June 1, 2005... Percentage of traffic increase at Akron-Canton Airport since 1996. --AKRON-CANTON AIRPORT

Cool idea.(TAPPING PROFITS)(Brief article)
June 1, 2005... "Looks like you need a refill," says inventor Adam Hunnell, spotting an IB editor's empty glass at the Research ShowCASE at Case Western Reserve University in late March. Luckily, Hunnell, 23, and co-inventor Nathan Slavin, 24, were...

Leaders of the pack.(The Web)(ATHENA Foundation)
June 1, 2005... The ATHENA Award is named in recognition of the Greek goddess of wisdom and courage. Today, the ATHENA Foundation is an established international organization that has recognized thousands of women and men for helping women reach their full...

Hit or myth: tall tech tales can sap your money, mind and patience. But the truth is out there.(E-INDUSTRY)
June 1, 2005... The Loch Ness Monster. Bigfoot. A Cleveland sports championship. Some people believe they are real, others are more skeptical. Modern technology has fostered its own collection of legends which some accept and others reject. You don't want...

Biz links: Northeast Ohio's business resource guide.(Directory)(Table)
June 1, 2005... Biz Links Northeast Ohio's business resource guide ARCHITECTURE KA Inc. Architecture (216) 781-9144 www.kainc.com BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & ASSISTANCE Jumpstart (216) 363-3400...

The more you 'no': surefire ways to kill a bad idea without looking like a total jerk.(THE BOTTOM LINE)(leadership lessons)
June 1, 2005... One of the most important thing a leader does is to say "no"--to bad opportunities, to bad partnerships and, most importantly, to bad ideas. Yet how you say "no" is every bit as important as the decision itself, if you want to preserve the...

County unfair: rebuilding the region starts with adopting a new form of county government.(MY SAY)
June 1, 2005... Six months ago, when the news came out that Cleveland possesses the highest rate of poverty in the nation, there was a moment of astonishment followed by anger. What then followed was the frustrating realization that whether the community...

Manager on the move.(ONE 2 WATCH)
June 1, 2005... J. Brandon Davis, 25 business manager, Washington Group International brandon.davis@wgint.com "I think everybody should ask themselves this question: 'How are you going to change the world today?'" DOOR OPEN OR CLOSED? Open....

Sharp solution: Safeguard Medical Technologies is filling a hole in the health care market and creating jobs at the same time.(REGIONAL FOCUS: MAHONING VALLEY)
June 1, 2005... In April, an 8-year-old girl took one of her mother's diabetes blood-testing needles to her north Philadelphia elementary school and pricked 19 fellow students. Parents were outraged and concerned about possible exposure to hepatitis, HIV and...

Wheel of fortune: A.J. Hyland looks beyond a withdrawn IPO and embraces a more global, focused Hyland Software.(Cover story)(Company overview)
June 1, 2005... A. J. Hyland is on stage. He stands before an audience of 300-plus employees in the atrium of the Westlake headquarters of Hyland Software Inc., the makers of OnBase, its top-selling document management software. An MP3 of Queen's "We...

Leading by example: Akron Mayor Donald Plusquellic proves northeast Ohio cities can--believe it or not--work together for the region's economic improvement.(ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT)
June 1, 2005... "Why can't every town just take care of itself?" the listener from Chagrin Falls asked. Akron Mayor Donald Plusquellic gets questions like that a lot, more than he would like. During a radio interview in late March, Plusquellic, who is in...

Gooooooooooal! Backed by big business, soccer star Brad Friedel is bringing a training academy and international exposure to Northeast Ohio.(DEVELOPMENT)
June 1, 2005... Northeast Ohio isn't traditionally known as a breeding ground for professional athletes. (NBA phenom LeBron James, a native of Akron, is a notable exception.) But Brad Friedel is working to change that. The international soccer star, one...

Passing the torch: Francis Girard infuses new life into his 15-year-old conference and meeting center.(BUSINESS SUCCESSION)(Rick Turner)
June 1, 2005... Francis Girard always wanted his business to be the Kleenex of the meeting industry. "You don't say, 'Can I have a facial tissue?' You say, 'Can I have a Kleenex?"' says Girard, president of The Forum, a freestanding conference and meeting...

Tom Peters wants to make you angry: business guru making rare Northeast Ohio appearance.(NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL)
June 1, 2005... Tom Peters would love for his tombstone epitaph to read, He as a player." At least that's what it says in his book Re-Imagine! Business Excellence in a Disruptive Age (Dorling Kindersley, 2003). In Peters' world, it's not enough to become...

Will build to suit: CAMP's incubator helped Cleveland Gas Systems create a product.(Ohio Entrepreneur)(Brief article)
June 1, 2005... Robert Harris caught the entrepreneurial bug at an early age. He grew up watching his father start a variety of businesses. "I saw it as a kid and always kind of had it in the back of my mind I wanted to start a technology-based business,"...

Tiny revolution: a Lorain County company is making a clear impact with a small medical device.(OHIO ENTREPRENEUR)
June 1, 2005... A small Lorain County firm is making a miniscule medical device that promises to drive down the cost of orthopedic medicine. Clear Image Technology, a company that is housed at Lorain County Community College's GLIDE offices, developed the...

Road map.(OHIO ENTREPRENEUR)(Directory)
June 1, 2005... 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...

The golden age: Bonne Bell Inc. is wise beyond its years in hiring retirees.(Guide to: Human Resources)
June 1, 2005... Jean Olecki rides the ETA to work five days a week. She's employed in the returns department at Bonne Bell Inc.'s Westlake plant. Dependable as the sunrise, she's never late and hardly ever misses a day. That certainly sets her apart from the...

Expert advice: tips from the pros on human resources issues.(ASK THE EXPERTS)
June 1, 2005... Q: HOW EFFECTIVE ARE NEW TESTING METHODS FOR POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES? A: "I do think of them as valid," says Richard J. Hughes, president and CEO of MagnaHR Inc. "It's just another step in a very important process. Basically, there's a Web site...

Where there's a will: having a living will and health care power of attorney is something to consider.(Guide to: Law)
June 1, 2005... If anything positive resulted from the Terri Schiavo case that dominated the news two months ago, Northeast Ohio attorneys say it is the heightened awareness about living wills. Lawyers agree having a living will in place leaves no doubt as...

Legal counsel: law experts answer your questions.(ASK THE EXPERTS)
June 1, 2005... Q: SHOULD YOU CONDITION AN EMPLOYEE'S SEVERANCE PAYMENT ON THE SIGNING OF A RELEASE OF LEGAL CLAIMS? A: "The employer's first reaction often is to try to get the employee to sign a release, with the obvious hope this will avoid any future...

Blog heaven: blogs, wikis and RSS can help change the way you get your message to the customer.(Guide to: Information Technology)
June 1, 2005... No, Dorothy. We aren't in Kansas anymore, but we could be. Normal geographical constraints just don't matter in the e-world. Tools--some with strange names--can he employed anywhere and anytime to help your business. Everyone is familiar...

Digital Day Creative Group.(Web Design)
June 1, 2005... (330) 657-2565 www.ddcg.com Today, the company's partners leverage each other's expertise and experience to design online solutions for our clients. Our background is steeped in design, marketing, advertising, and all forms of...

Nehoda Technologies, Inc.(Network Design/Infrastructure Security/IP Telephony)
June 1, 2005... (440) 971-0025 www.nehodatech.com Sick of high consulting prices? The engineers over at Nehoda Technologies will help you! Nehoda Technologies provides support for difficult network installations which include IP telephony, network...

LDMI.(Telecommunications)
June 1, 2005... (888) 824-5364 www.ldmi.com LDMI is one of the fastest-growing telecommunications companies in the Midwest. Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, we serve more than 80,000 customers. LDMI offers local and long...

SCK.(Web Site Development)
June 1, 2005... (216) 522-9740 www.sck.net SCK is a visual communication firm with a unique approach. By pairing the talents of our Web and software development department with our full-service graphic design department, we offer a seamless approach...

At home with: Rob Whittall: IB takes off into the wild blue yonder with the Cohen & Co. accountant.(IB life)(Interview)
June 1, 2005... Rob Whittall fell in love with flying when he stepped onto a commercial plane for the first time in his native England. He was 21 years old. Today, the 33-year-old principal accountant at Cohen & Co. has his private pilot's license and flies...

Puttin on the Ritz.(let's do lunch: This month's local lunch scene pick)(Ritz-Carlton Cleveland)(Restaurant review)
June 1, 2005... THE CENTURY AT THE RITZ-CARLTON, CLEVELAND ADDRESS: 1515 W. Third St. LUNCH HOURS: Mon.-Fri., 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CUISINE: American continental CREDIT CARDS: All major cards accepted RESERVATIONS: Recommended ...

Pleasant workhorse: Jeep Grand Cherokee limited 4WD.(IB LIFE: DRIVEN)(road testing)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2005... My dad was a Jeep man. When I was a kid he bought a 1943 Willys military model, and he babied that stripped-down, four-wheel-drive workhorse through more transmissions and engines than I can count. He plowed mountains of Ohio snow, hauled...

Research ShowCASE 2005.(WORKING THE ROOM)(Case Western Reserve University's annual conference)(Brief article)
June 1, 2005... On April 6, Case Western Reserve University opened its third annual Research ShowCASE. This two-day event gave the public a front-row seat to the research capabilities at Case and its collaborating institutions, including University Hospitals...

Hilton Garden Inn chef's table.(WORKING THE ROOM)
June 1, 2005... The Hilton Garden Inn, located downtown Cleveland, hosts a popular Chef's Table event weekly. According to Hilton's Regional Director of Sales Jeff Elstro, the events are to expose potential banquet, group and corporate travel planners and...

Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce annual meeting.(WORKING THE ROOM)
June 1, 2005... Rebecca Ryan, founder of Next Generation Consulting Inc., was the keynote speaker for the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce's 98th Annual Meeting on March 16, 2005. Ryan, who authored the report "Hot Jobs--Cool Communities" in 2001,...

Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber annual meeting.(WORKING THE ROOM)(Brief article)
June 1, 2005... On March 22, the Youngstown/ Warren Regional Chamber held its annual meeting luncheon in Girard. At the meeting, three Valley leaders were honored and keynote speaker Mike Vance, former head of idea and people development for Walt Disney...

Ten Under 10 Awards 2005.(Greater Cleveland Growth Association)(Brief article)
June 1, 2005... At COSE, we are keenly aware of the tremendous impact of small business owners. They are truly the heart and soul of today's economy. For more than three decades, COSE has nurtured entrepreneurs and understood the key role they play in...

Hometown proud: BrownFlynn helps companies get involved.(TEN UNDER 10 AWARDS 2005)(Brief article)
June 1, 2005... In 1996, Barbara Brown and Margie Flynn realized Northeast Ohio companies wanted to help their communities, but didn't always know where to start. That's why the duo formed BrownFlynn Communications, a unique consulting firm that advises...

Following the rule: Chelko Consulting helps clients tackle life's challenges.(TEN UNDER 10 AWARDS 2005)
June 1, 2005... Rick Chelko, president of The Chelko Consulting Group in Westlake, is a firm believer in "The Golden Rule," or "treating others as you want to be treated." Chelko and his fellow employees personify that concept when dealing with clients and...

Finding their niche: designRoom Creative looks to the medical arena for inspiration.(TEN UNDER 10 AWARDS 2005)
June 1, 2005... After more than 14 years in business, designRoom Creative owner Kelly Farrell made a strategic move in 2004 to focus the business entirely on the medical market. The advertising firm was coming off two of its strongest growth years before...

Bucking the trend: Gateway Title Agency builds relationships through "for sale by owner".(TEN UNDER 10 AWARDS 2005)(Brief article)
June 1, 2005... From the moment Rachel Torchia started Gateway Title Agency Inc. in April 1993, she knew it was not going to be easy. Torchia overcame an initial shortfall in startup money by approaching friends in the mortgage business willing to invest...

Clear as a bell: service is the secret to GTS Communications' rapid growth.(TEN UNDER 10 AWARDS 2005)(Brief article)
June 1, 2005... To call Jerry Stallard a self-taught entrepreneur is an understatement. After retiring from the U.S. Coast Guard in 1994, Stallard bought an office phone system and spent nights in his mother's Olmsted Township barn figuring out how to...

Investment in learning: North Coast Education Services focuses on great customer service.(TEN UNDER 10 AWARDS 2005)
June 1, 2005... When Carole Richards started her Chagrin Falls-based education services company 20 years ago with $200 in seed money, she had little more to offer than great customer service. "By doing the best job for the client, I hoped by word of mouth...

Helping hand: nonprofit work helped Howard & O'Brien Associates Inc. gain market foothold.(TEN UNDER 10 AWARDS 2005)(Brief article)
June 1, 2005... When John O'Brien moved with his wife, Lee Ann Howard, from Connecticut to Cleveland six years ago, they didn't anticipate it would soon be their job to recruit people to come to Northeast Ohio. Howard & O'Brien Associates Inc., which...

Name game: Process Creative Studios Inc. found that a clever name wins clients.(TEN UNDER 10 AWARDS 2005)(Brief article)
June 1, 2005... John Williams likes when people ask how he came up with the name for his office architecture and design firm, Process Creative Studios Inc. When design firms like his solicit prospective clients, they often use the word "process" during...

Seeds of growth: a strong reputation has planted Salsbury-Schweyer Inc. on solid ground.(TEN UNDER 10 AWARDS 2005)
June 1, 2005... Sabrena Schweyer says her growing landscape design and development company has a higher purpose than building gardens and planting shrubs. "We always want to feed our souls," Schweyer says. "That is our goal. Our company will not continue...

From the ground up: T.M. Westover Architects & Associates provides services to multiple markets.(TEN UNDER 10 AWARDS 2005)
June 1, 2005... Todd Westover, president and founder of the Akron-based architectural firm that bears his name, says diversity is a big part of his company's success. From a one-man show in 1996 to a small business that produces multi-million dollar...