Inside Business articles from September 2008

Inside Business archives from September 2008

Brand impact.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2008... I was dismayed to see the article "Google: Your Bottom Line's Best Friend," in the Entrepreneur's Toolkit (July 2008). emphasis was on trying to advertise one's business via placement on search engines such as Google, getting your company name...

Curing the county's cold.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2008... I'm not a Cuyahoga County resident, but the poor health of the county is a drag on its neighbors. (l live in Summit.) Although you have called for a countywide solution to the health of the county (I agree), the largest part of the...

November 3, 2009 * the day that will change your life.(ABSOLUTELY)
September 1, 2008... If you believe it's time to stop the loss of jobs, the declining quality of schools, the reduction of police and fire protection and the deterioration of roads and other public services, to say nothing of an inefficient government, it is time...

Walkin' 9 to 5: a standing desk healed his back pain. Now, David Pauer hopes the Cleveland clinic will invest in walking desks to help employees' overall health.(HEALTH)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] David Pauer admits he's a horrible slouch. The Cleveland Clinic wellness manager's sitting posture was so poor that he developed chronic back pain. "My physical therapist said, 'Sit up! It will help your back!'" the...

He said it.(NEONews)
September 1, 2008... "I wasn't a Red Sox fan this offseason, put it that way. It will take a quick adjustment..." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] --Newly traded Boston Red Sox PAUL BYRD, referring to Boston's three straight wins over the Indians in October 2007 to...

Sophomore hit: Northeast Ohioan composes theme song for the new version of the show with that famous zip code.(MEDIA)(Beverly Hills, 90210)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It fittingly took composer John Davis one night to create a theme song for a show that would become an overnight success. The Canfield resident, credited with writing the original Beverly Hills, 90210 theme song,...

Screen Savors: think you've got a great TV? Dollar bank recently installed a really big screen at its new home.(Northeast Ohio News)
September 1, 2008... It's any tech-lover and proud Clevelander's fantasy: a high-definition LED screen--measuring 17 feet by 8 feet--that shows nothing but hometown hotspots and happenings. The display recently debuted outside Dollar Bank's Galleria at Erieview...

What's in a name.(Northeast Ohio News)(Kodie Keller of Pubcake Designs Inc.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Pupcake Designs Inc. KODIE KELLER, 23 EVENT PRODUCER AND DESIGNER OPENED FOR BUSINESS JANUARY 2008 CUYAHOGA FALLS Pupcake Designs? Keller was in a bakery one day when she saw an adorable pink cupcake. "It was so...

Design intervention: two designers seek inspiration in the haute couture capital.(CREATIVE CLASS)
September 1, 2008... Kelly Farrell knows the importance of inspiration. So, when one of her employees suggested sending designers to Milan, Italy, to fuel their creative juices, Farrell didn't laugh. The owner and president of design and creative communications...

Road rage: two local electric cars give a whole new meaning to the battle for Ohio.(CARS)
September 1, 2008... After a disappointing 19-14 loss in Cincinnati last December, it's time for the Browns to redeem themselves as they face the Bengals on their home turf Sept. 28. But there's a different sort of regional showdown on Ohio's streets between...

Cleveland Business Leaders leadership program and networking event.(WORKING THE ROOM)
September 1, 2008... On July 16, the Union Club's Cleveland Business Leaders held its summer leadership program and networking event at its Euclid Avenue home. The event featured a panel discussion, moderated by Plain Dealer editor Susan Goldberg, on the leadership...

COSE networking at the Ballpark.(WORKING THE ROOM)
September 1, 2008... On Aug. 12, more than 350 area businesspeople gathered on the Party Deck at Progressive Field for a buffet dinner, networking and a great view of the Indians' win over the Baltimore Orioles at the Council of Smaller Enterprises' Home Business...

Northeast Ohio Software Association networking event.(WORKING THE ROOM)
September 1, 2008... Members of the Northeast Ohio Software Association, the COSE Technology Network, met at the Winking Lizard in Independence July 22 for an evening of great food, beer and networking. The event was sponsored by Vista Data Systems, Cleveland. ...

Zinner & Co. LLP.(ACCOUNTING)
September 1, 2008... Zinner & Co. LLP has promoted Lesley Keller from tax manager to senior tax manager. She will continue her role as a client service team representative, as well KELLER as focus additional efforts in staff training and development. Keller is...

The American Advertising Federation-Cleveland.(ADVERTISING)
September 1, 2008... The American Advertising Federation-Cleveland has named Dan Leibundgut executive director. Leibundgut succeeds Rick Squire, who retired after serving in the position for 14 years. Previously, Leibundgut served as marketing director of Towpath...

North Akron Savings Bank.(BANKING AND FINANCE)
September 1, 2008... North Akron Savings Bank named Carol R. Morgan branch manager of its Cuyahoga Falls office. Prior to joining the bank, Morgan served as assistant vice president and branch manager at Valley Savings Bank and branch manager at Charter One Bank....

Myers University.(EDUCATION)
September 1, 2008... George Kidd Jr., president emeritus of Tiffin University, has accepted the position of president of the new Myers University. Kidd served as interim president of Myers University from August 2005 to June 2006. Prior his position at Tiffin...

University Hospitals.(HEALTH CARE)
September 1, 2008... University Hospitals has appointed Mary Alice Annecharico as senior vice president and chief information officer, She will provide leadership and vision for the strategic planning, operations, integration and implementation of information...

Eaton Corp.(LAW)
September 1, 2008... Eaton Corp. has named Liz Huber counsel of mergers and acquisitions for the law department. In this role, Huber will be responsible for the legal aspects of Eaton's acquisitions and divestiture activities. Prior to joining Eaton in 2005, she...

Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs LLP.(LAW)
September 1, 2008... Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs LLP announced that Daniel J. Schlue has joined the Akron office as partner. Schlue will handle all aspects of intellectual property: patent, copyright and trademark law. Prior to joining Buckingham, he was an...

Bostik Inc.(MANUFACTURING)(Robert McNamara )(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Bostik Inc. has promoted Robert McNamara to director of sales and marketing for the construction and distribution division where he will oversee sales and marketing functions and personnel. A 19-year Bostik veteran, McNamara is charged with...

Edward Howard.(PUBLIC RELATIONS)
September 1, 2008... Edward Howard has promoted Emily Lauer to vice president of the firm. Lauer specializes in marketing communications, media relations, spokesperson training, public affairs and special event coordination. She is a graduate of Bowling Green State...

SmileyHanchulak Marketing Communications.(PUBLIC RELATIONS)
September 1, 2008... SmileyHanchulak Marketing Communications appointed Bok Kwee Toh as its new media designer in the firm's creative department. In this role, Toh will develop, design and maintain Web and interactive initiatives for clients. Prior to joining...

TeamWork Online.(RECRUITMENT)
September 1, 2008... TeamWork Online has appointed Steve Kessen to the newly created position of vice president and general manager. Kessen will be responsible for the day-to-day management and growth of the company. Prior to TeamWork Online, Kessen served as an...

Got water? We do. But as more regions struggle to find fresh, clean water, Northeast Ohio needs to find ways to protect our most valuable resource.(E-INDUSTRY)(Viewpoint essay)
September 1, 2008... I'm torn on the whole "green" thing. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I've used the Cleveland Metroparks my whole life and spend every summer Sunday on the beach. I give nasty looks to poorly maintained cars that belch black smoke. I pick up...

Fashion taste: Danielle Dibenedetto's proper tea clothing collection combines her love of three things: fashion, art and a good cup of tea.(Ohio Entrepreneur)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Danielle DiBenedetto's new line is her work of art. It s a funky montage of pinks, yellows and baby blues and an elegant combination of black, white and brown. Each printed flourish is meticulously drawn and every...

Cleaning up: it started as a hobby, blossomed into a side business and now, a local line of natural personal-care products called pure enchantment has grown into one rocky river couple's full-time venture.(Ohio Entrepreneur)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Three things changed Debbie Brinks life: a vacation, an evening shower and a bar of soap. While travelling in North Carolina with her family in 2001, Brink passed a natural soap stand and bought a bar for herself and...

Road map.(OHIO ENTREPRENEUR)(Ohio Entrepreneur )(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... 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 or expand their businesses in Northeast Ohio. We...

Women's advocate.(ONE 2 WATCH)(Interview)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "YOU'VE GOT TO TAKE CHANCES AND YOU NEED TO EMBRACE CHANGE. THAT'S THE ONLY WAY I KNOW I'M GOING TO GET BETTER." HARDEST PART OF YOUR JOB AT THE CLEVELAND RAPE CRISIS CENTER? Knowing that the issue of sexual...

X-ray vision: with a year to go before lake hospital system opens its TriPoint Medical Center, we get an insider's view of the $155 million, all-digital facility.
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As you walk through the skeleton structure of the new TriPoint Medical Center in Concord Township, it's hard to picture that in about a year the dusty concrete floors and steel beams will be transformed into the only...

Hot competition in the freezer case: Ohio ice cream producers fight national brands for grocery store space with product and marketing innovation.
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Organic carrots stick out the side of Leah Miller's shopping cart. She stops, and her cans of no-salt peas roll into her containers of low-fat yogurt. In a minute, she'll buy two cases of bottled water. No candy. She...

And the revolution continues ...(REVOLUTIONARY: CHANGE THE WORKPLACE: LETTER FROM PRESIDENT)(northcoast99.org. of Employers Resource Council)
September 1, 2008... Webster's dictionary defines the word "revolution" as "a fundamental change in the way of thinking about or visualizing something: a change of paradigm." Right on! The definition fits the NorthCoast 99 winners perfectly. For 10 years,...

Design of a decade: the NorthCoast 99 awards have evolved over the past 10 years, along with Northeast Ohio's business community.(REVOLUTIONARY: CHANGE THE WORKPLACE: ANNIVERSARY)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ten years ago, St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Mark McGwire broke baseball s single-season home run record, formerly held by Roger Maris (and no one said a word about steroids); a search engine called Google set up...

Who is a top performer?(REVOLUTIONARY: CHANGE THE WORKPLACE: TOP PERFORMERS)
September 1, 2008... One of the most important components of the NorthCoast 99 application process is the Job Attributes Survey. Each year, applicants must select five top performing employees (three must be nonmanagement level) from the company to participate in...

Down to Earth: as much 10 years ago as today, Shearer's Foods Inc. has provided employees with an ideal workplace, thanks to a strong corporate culture, open communication and unique benefits.(REVOLUTIONARY: CHANGE THE WORKPLACE: 10 YEAR LEGACY WINNERS)
September 1, 2008... If you were hired at Shearer's Foods Inc. a decade ago, chances are you were surrounded by familiar faces walking the halls of the Brewster-based snack food manufacturer. "Ten years ago, most of our associates were hired because they knew...

On a roll: payroll and HR benefits firm ADP Inc. strives to offer associates the total package.(REVOLUTIONARY: CHANGE THE WORKPLACE: 10 YEAR LEGACY WINNERS)
September 1, 2008... For Caro Nickel, human resources business partner at ADP Inc., the culture at her previous job as branch HR manager at May Department Stores Co. and that of ADP are "night and day," she says, citing her first meeting with former ADP president...

Dream team: Zircoa Inc. credits its staying power on the NorthCoast 99 list to its exceptional benefits and focus on teamwork.(REVOLUTIONARY: CHANGE THE WORKPLACE: 10 YEAR LEGACY WINNERS)
September 1, 2008... Job candidate look for employers with workplace practices such as flexible hours, regular bonuses, job stability and involving employees in the selection of new hires. At Zircoa Inc., manufacturers and engineers of industrial ceramics, these...

Face value: Federal Reserve Bank knows its employees are more valuable than what's in the vault.(REVOLUTIONARY: CHANGE THE WORKPLACE: DIAMOND AWARD WINNERS)
September 1, 2008... NorthCoast 99 Diamond Award winners recognize the organizations that best demonstrate unique and highly innovative approaches to attracting, retaining and motivating top performers in relation to ERC's seven fundamental workplace...

Good call: InfoCision doesn't want to offer jobs in telemarketing; it aims to provide lifelong careers.(REVOLUTIONARY: CHANGE THE WORKPLACE: DIAMOND AWARD WINNERS)
September 1, 2008... In a job where rejection and hang-ups are an everyday occurrence, InfoCision Management Corp. employees have the peace of mind that their workplace appreciates and rewards them for their hard work. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] After all,...

Precious gems: employees are the jewels in the crown at Sterling.(REVOLUTIONARY: CHANGE THE WORKPLACE: DIAMOND AWARD WINNERS)
September 1, 2008... "We're a people organization that happens to sell jewelry," says Steve Becker, vice president of human resources for Sterling Jewelers. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The eight-time NorthCoast 99 winner's focus on people is evident in its...

Getting the message: at Time Warner Cable, there's no excuse for not being in the know.(REVOLUTIONARY: CHANGE THE WORKPLACE: COMMUNICATIONS: TIME WARNER CABLE NORTHEAST OHIO DIVISION)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SPECIAL CATEGORY WINNER Every last Friday of the month, Steve Fry, president of Time Warner Cable's Northeast Ohio Division, holds a meeting to talk about the company's progress. His venue of choice? The...

Giving employees a LIFT: Malone Advertising offers perks and incentive programs to produce better business results.(REVOLUTIONARY: CHANGE THE WORKPLACE: COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: MALONE ADVERTISING)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SPECIAL CATEGORY WINNER Managers at Akron-based Malone Advertising have a budget for "quick-hit incentives"--ice cream sundaes for their departments on a hot summer afternoon or restaurant gift cards for...

Referral business: at Fedex Custom Critical, hiring new employees is a team effort.(REVOLUTIONARY: CHANGE THE WORKPLACE: RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION: FEDEX CUSTOM CRITICAL)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SPECIAL CATEGORY WINNER Regardless of their job title, everyone at FedEx Custom Critical is a recruiter for new employees. "Our current employees are our greatest source of job candidates," says LuAnne...

Helping hands: at Akron Children's Hospital, giving back to the community is just as important as saving lives.(REVOLUTIONARY: CHANGE THE WORKPLACE: SERVICE AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: AKRON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As with any hospital, Akron Children's Hospital depends on charitable support from individuals and organizations in the area to provide top-notch pediatric care. In 1968, hospital employees decided to show their...

Mission possible: the MetroHealth System's workforce is well-prepared for current and future needs of the hospital and its patients.(REVOLUTIONARY: CHANGE THE WORKPLACE: WORKFORCE PLANNING: THE METROHEALTH SYSTEM)(Company overview)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SPECIAL CATEGORY WINNER Providing quality health care for patients depends on quality employees who are committed to their jobs. So it s only fitting that MetroHealth System strives to mirror the same commitment...

Head of the class: Hyland Software focuses on future growth by creating the next class of leaders.(REVOLUTIONARY: TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT: HYLAND SOFTWARE INC.)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SPECIAL CATEGORY WINNER When your business posts a 25 percent growth rate over five years, preparing for the next generation of leaders is a priority. Hyland Software Inc.'s Emerging Leaders program aims to...

Well-balanced: a healthy work/life balance is a imperative at AmTrust.(REVOLUTIONARY: CHANGE THE WORKPLACE: WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY: AMTRUST BANK)(EMH Regional Healthcare System)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SPECIAL CATEGORY WINNER Most companies believe in a healthy work/life balance, but few include it in the business plan. At AmTrust, though, the lifeBalance initiative is one of its top priorities--it even employs...

Award winners.(REVOLUTIONARY: CHANGE THE WORKPLACE)(Awards list)
September 1, 2008... AWARD WINNERS TOTAL NC 99 WINNER COMPANY NAME WINS ADP Inc. 10 www.adp.com Shearer's Foods inc. 10...