- Home
- NEWS
- REGIONAL
- THIS WEEK'S PAPER
- BLOGS
- Multimedia
- OPINION
- A&E
- LISTS
- PEOPLE
- EVENTS
- Classifieds
- Subscribe
Small Business
Entrepreneurs say businesses must act quickly to survive recession
October 20, 2008
Peter SchnitzlerIndiana's most seasoned entrepreneurs aren't standing idly by as the nation slides into what many economists believe will
be the deepest recession since the early 1980s.
MoreMore small businesses allowed to jump in pools: Law lets employers join together for cheaper rates
October 13, 2008
Scott OlsonSmall businesses in Indiana stung by rising health care costs now can band together to broker better deals from insurance
providers. The rule from the Indiana Department of Insurance took effect in late August and is the final piece of a 2007 health
care expansion state lawmakers financed with a 44-cent increase in the cigarette tax. The pooling program is open to businesses
with two to 50 employees and is meant to give them strength in numbers so, in essence,...
MoreEDITORIAL: Lilly looks forward with ImClone deal: CEO Lechleiter taking bold steps
October 13, 2008
Lilly looks forward with ImClone deal CEO Lechleiter taking bold steps It's premature to pass judgment on Eli Lilly and Co.'s
$6.5 billion plan to acquire biotech firm ImClone Systems Inc., but the giant deal is one more sign that relatively new CEO
John Lechleiter isn't afraid to make bold moves on Lilly's behalf. The local drugmaker agreed Oct. 6 to pay $70 a share for
New York-based ImClone, maker of blockbuster cancer drug Erbitux, outbidding an earlier offer of...
MoreCreativity pays off for firms: Business owners delay projects, seek alternate funding sources
September 29, 2008
Sam StallLarge Wall Street firms with a taste for bad debt aren't the only institutions weathering a financial storm these days. In
a classic case of trickle-down bad news, small businesses are suffering as well. But instead of facing a maelstrom, firms
seeking expansion funds and entrepreneurs looking for startup cash are enduring a drought. Access to capital has dried up
as spooked banks relentlessly tighten their loan requirements. That translates into greater scrutiny of business plans, bigger
demands for collateral...
MoreEYE ON THE PIE: What really drives Hoosier economy?
September 15, 2008
Morton MarcusI enjoy the propaganda of government agencies pleading the causes of special interests. This is the opening sentence of our
state profile prepared by the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy: "Small businesses are the heart of
Indiana's economy." Frequently, we hear that farming is the beating heart of our economy. Others claim the thumping sound
we hear is that of manufacturing. Teachers tell us the economy is only as steady as its educational footing. Steel has a claim...
MoreIT firm rakes in VC cash: Interactions Corp. has raised $35M since 2002 inception
September 15, 2008
Peter SchnitzlerA fast-growing Carmel startup is using a blend of innovative software and human guides to answer questions over the phone. The company could have located on either coast, but instead chose Carmel's Clay Terrace. And the company, Interactions Corp., has raised more than twice as much money as ChaCha Search Inc., a higher-profile startup in a similar business that's also housed in Clay Terrace.
Commentary: Can we Bank on Indianapolis?
September 15, 2008
Tawn ParentWhoa. Those figures, based on national averages from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., don't paint a pretty picture. People
without bank accounts tend to keep cash at home or in their pockets, which increases the likelihood of crime. They create
a market in which predatory lenders can thrive. They fail to reach their full potential, and so do the cities where they live.
We have a problem. Now what can we do about it? We could take a cue from...
MoreCommentary: Indiana law chases away talent
September 8, 2008
Mickey MaurerThe Wellness Community of Central Indiana was established in 1995 as a not-for-profit organization to provide free support,
education and hope to individuals and families affected by cancer. At The Wellness Community, cancer patients can share experiences
and lend one another encouragement informally or through programs facilitated by professional counselors. The Wellness Community
also provides a haven to grieve together in those instances when cancer is the ultimate victor. Today, the folks at The Wellness
Community are grieving over a...
MoreCautious contractors warm to Lilly-Covance deal: Drugmaker works to assuage fears of some local researchers worried they might
lose lucrative work
August 25, 2008
J.K. WallWhen Eli Lilly and Co. announced Aug. 6 that it would more than double the amount of research and development work it outsources
to Covance Inc., Dr. Alfonso Alanis got nervous. The CEO of contract researcher Anaclim LLC worried that more work for Covance
would mean less work for local firms that provide drug development services to Lilly. Executives at other local firms, who
asked not to be named because of confidentiality agreements with Lilly, also have fretted that their...
MoreCreating opportunities in tough times: Tightening economy requires 'patchworking' sources of income
August 11, 2008
Della PachecoWomen aren't leaving the work force to stay home with their kids-they're being forced out in equal numbers with men. That's
the word from "Equality in Job Loss: Women are Increasingly Vulnerable to Layoffs During Recessions," a congressional report
released July 21. Often women who face job losses decide to forego the job hunt and opt instead for selfemployment, the report
said. Might this job downturn trigger a boom in entrepreneurship for women? Not if they don't already have the...
MoreECONOMIC ANALYSIS: State's new mortgage law is regulation gone awry
July 28, 2008
Mike HicksIndiana is known as a state possessed of thoughtful and minimalist regulatory constraint of business. That's why a littleknown
law enacted in 2007, which further regulates mortgage brokers, should come as a shock to many Hoosiers. As of July 1, when
the law became effective, roughly 600 Indiana mortgage brokers (perhaps 1/10th of 1 percent of all small businesses in the
state) were out of compliance. When a one-month extension granted by Secretary of State Todd Rokita expires next month,...
MoreNeed something? They'll trade you: Industry consolidation is remaking bartering terrain
June 30, 2008
Jennifer WhitsonMarketing firm owner Lorraine Ball knows how to promote a business-a valuable commodity among cashstrapped entrepreneurs looking
to bolster their bottom lines. So it's little wonder that she is able to trade her expertise for services she needs, whether
it's help with an online video or time with a personal trainer. Ball is among a growing group of small-business owners embracing
the age-old barter system, methaphorically scratching one another's backs to save on cash and credit. Although Ball prefers
to...
MoreCommentary: Wishing Nat City a speedy recovery
June 30, 2008
Mickey MaurerOn June 19, The New York Times business section led with an article titled, "Regional Banks are Rocked." The accompanying
graphic indicated that National City Bank lost 86 percent of its market value since the beginning of this year. No wonder.
The news has not been good. On June 10, Peter Raskind, chairman and CEO of National City, acknowledged publicly that on Feb.
5, the bank had been placed under a memorandum of understanding by the comptroller of the currency....
MoreLocal tree-care firms respond to rash of storms: Forestry specialists and arborists work 14-hour days to keep up with sky-high
demand in central Indiana
June 23, 2008
Anthony SchoettleIf there's a silver lining to high winds and torrential rain, it can be found in the bank accounts of companies called upon
to clean up the mess. For the dozens of tree cutting, trimming and hauling firms that fill up seven pages in the local Yellow
Pages, the storms of late spring came at just the right time. "We didn't get one call for three weeks prior to the storms
hitting," said Russell Goodman, owner of locally based All...
MoreRetail survivor: resale: Consignment, thrift shops doing well despite nation's economic slowdown
May 26, 2008
Jennifer WhitsonAs gas prices approach $4 a gallon and economic growth grinds to a standstill, many retail shops are feeling the pain. Consumers
who don't have as much disposable income are cutting back on clothing and accessories purchases. The University of Michigan's
consumer sentiment index dropped to its lowest level in 26 years last month, and several reports find that consumers will
likely be spending their so-called economic stimulus payments on bills, not shopping sprees. But one retail category already
is...
MoreCrime-scene cleanup company eases burden of trauma victims
May 19, 2008
Jennifer WhitsonOn any given day, employees of Bio-Trauma 911 Inc. could be dealing with everything from the mess left by a decomposing body
to a home that's been declared a biohazard. What may sound like a scene out of "CSI" is in fact a day at the office for the
seven-person crime-scene cleanup company housed in unassuming offices in a strip center on East 56th Street at Interstate
465.
MoreSymphony Bank results keep hitting sour notes: CEO hopes to succeed by taking bank 'to the people'
May 19, 2008
Cory SchoutenSymphony Bank's palatial branch along East 96th Street-outfitted with a copper roof, towering domed ceiling and heated parking
lot-was designed to telegraph wealth and stability. But instead, the $5 million Taj Mahal became the most prominent symbol
of the bank's excesses and one reason the startup has lost money every year since its founding in June 2005. The bank, which
has no other branches, has torn through two management teams and piled up annual losses of $2 million or more...
MoreCommentary: Earl Harris was a classic mentor
May 19, 2008
Mickey MaurerThey say you should live such a long life that, when you die, you will have no friends left to attend your funeral. Last month,
Earl Harris passed away at the age of 90 and he went one better. At his request, he had no funeral at all. The only mark of
his passing was a short obituary in The Indianapolis Star undoubtedly paid for by his family as per Starowner Gannett Co.'s
policy. Permit me to add a little...
MoreCompanies prepare for tougher breach law: Writer of security bill wanted more protections
May 12, 2008
Kristin McfarlandImagine a busy local bank that signs several new accounts weekly. With each new customer, the bank receives that person's
Social Security number, home and business addresses, and entire financial history. But what if a computer containing all that
personal information-so useful for identity theft-is stolen from the building? Should the company notify its customers of
the possible danger or hope the information itself is safe and keep quiet to avoid scandal? To answer those questions, the
Indiana General Assembly...
MoreAngels invest where others fear to tread: Wealthy entrepreneurs join forces to create HALO Capital Group
May 5, 2008
Peter SchnitzlerSome high-tech companies are so risky that even venture capitalists quiver. That's when they turn to angels, who aren't afraid
to fly to the rescue of cash-strapped innovators with chancy yet possibly lucrative ideas. Last year, two dozen of central
Indiana's most successful business veterans decided to intercede on behalf of Hoosier entrepreneurs. They formed HALO Capital
Group, a network of angel investors who seek to speculate on promising Indiana startups. Every other month, the HALO group
meets at a...
MoreBiz cards get creative: Smaller firms turning to bolder graphics to stand out
April 28, 2008
Jennifer WhitsonIn the face of tough economic times, many small businesses are cutting back on advertising and canceling direct mailings as
they tighten their financial belts. But some are still looking to stand out by jazzing up a basic: business cards. That's
good news for local graphic design firms that specialize in business-card customization-an industry that generates an estimated
$1.2 billion each year nationally. "Business has improved in this economic climate because creative cards are a cheap marketing
tool," said Don...
MoreHousing slump not all bad news: Slow residential market boosts some small businesses
April 28, 2008
Jennifer WhitsonMany homeowners watching the housing market are fretting about their property values as for-sale signs linger, foreclosure
postings dot neighborhoods and credit is harder to come by. But the housing turmoil is actually helping some local businesses-particularly
those specializing in marketing properties and helping to sell them. "There are positives and negatives to the housing slump,"
said Brian Mayo, owner of Life Homes Inc., an Indianapolis-based property-sales and -management company started in 2005. "Purely
from our business's perspective, we're one...
MoreVOICES FROM THE INDUSTRY: As business property taxes rise, who really pays the bill?
April 28, 2008
Brian MannAll Indiana counties revised property tax bills as a result of an outcry by thousands of homeowners who fought back when they
saw their 2007 tax reassessments and bills. Assessors had to go back to work and try again. So, they did. The new bills are
out, and while it may be good news for homeowners, you can bet commercial property owners aren't turning cartwheels in the
parking lot. The average assessment for commercial properties (where you shop, work and...
MoreBeef & Boards stays popular by catering to audience, insisting on quality actors
April 14, 2008
Jennifer WhitsonIndianapolis-based Beef & Boards has survived 3-1/2 decades by giving viewers what they want. "We cater to our audience,"
said owner and artistic director Doug Stark. "I have no artistic problem with that."
MoreRETURN ON TECHNOLOGY: Business isn't losing any sleep over new technology
March 31, 2008
Tim AltomI've been looking over some business polls from 2007 and 2008, and I have to tell you I'm disappointed. As a technology columnist,
I'd hoped that companies would be perpetually lathered over all sorts of thorny technical issues that only new purchases could
solve and that I could critique. Silly me. But still, I went into the exercise with high hopes. After all, isn't every aspect
of a business permeated by breakable, worrisome technology of all kinds? And doesn't every...
More
Sponsored by
ADVERTISEMENT
on Facebook & Twitter
on Facebook & Twitter
 Follow IBJ's Tweets on these topics: |
||
| @IBJNews | @Propertylines | @IBJTheScore |
| @IBJArts | @IBJHealthcare | @IBJDining |
| @IBJLists | @IBJSmallbiz | |
ADVERTISEMENT
Back to TopCopyright © All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.
Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing.
Additional Hosting & Delivery by
These higher rates Co. e about only because physicians are now hospital employees. otherwise physicians couldn't charge these rates and share the windfall with the hospital. Community/rural hospitals probably not buying physicians practices and thus weren't getting the windfall anyway.
The incentive for poor people to get themselves off public assistance and "no longer be poor" is even with help...they're STILL POOR! Being poor, even with some assistance, isn't all that pleasant. (I speak from experience) It's a stubborn myth that poor people, who are on public assistance, are sitting in the lap of luxury. You should try living on just those "freebies" that you mentioned and see how meager they actually are. By the way, I didn't mean you had to buy/own a puppy...just pet one. :)
As near as I can tell the minority has ZERO constitutional obligation to offer a quorum to the majority. A requirement for quorum was inserted into the constitution so that tyrannical majorities could not simply shove through odious and objectionable legislation (which is exactly what they did.) By allowing a tyrannical majority to charge fines against the minority for exercising their constitutional prerogative to deny quorum the court as made a mockery of constitutional governance in the state of Indiana.
The voters elected the Reps to make a vote not walk out on the vote. They had to the right to exercise their opinion and vote "no" to the bill. Let me ask you this if you walked out of your job for 5 straight weeks would you get paid? Would you even have a job to go back to? If any elected official walks out on the people they should be arrested for stealing tax dollars from the public. They were elected to do a job and not leave when the job gets stuff.
I have been to several of their locations in Pennsylvania and always go in for 1 item and leave with a basket full of things. I'm very happy they decided on Indiana, now if only they would put the other store in eastside.