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Small Business
New NFIB boss knows politics: State chapter to devote more time to campaigns
February 26, 2007
Jennifer WhitsonKevin Hughes cut his teeth in the political world. Now he's taking a bite out of small business, as the new state director
for the National Federation of Independent Business. Hughes, 30, has never owned his own business, but he worked for six years
at the Ohio State Legislature as a legislative aide and for the Senate Republicans there. He also worked on several campaigns.
In 2004, Hughes took a job as the Midwest regional political director for NFIB in...
MoreInterstate 69 corridor luring more distribution buildings: Unlike busy Plainfield market, where projects are huge, Fishers,
Noblesville attracting smaller warehouses
February 19, 2007
Scott OlsonTwo massive developments with sizable retail components along the Interstate 69 corridor in Hamilton County are helping to
spur the construction of several nearby distribution centers. The light industrial space rising near Fishers and Noblesville
is unlike the monstrous warehouse projects prevalent west of Indianapolis in Plainfield and popping up within the Anson project
near Whitestown. They instead are mediumsize warehouse or showroom space meant for small businesses expected to populate Hamilton
Town Center and Saxony at the Exit 10...
MoreCross-border investment in real estate on the rise: Local brokerages playing a role in growing trend
February 19, 2007
Jennifer WhitsonIn 2006, $645 billion was sunk into real estate investments across the globe, according to a recent Cushman & Wakefield report.
Of that, $187 billion was sent across borders to invest. And companies everywhere are chasing the most cost-effective spots
to locate factories and needed hubs for office space. With all that cash changing hands, several locally based companies have
made sure they're positioned to help play a part. Take Indianapolis-based HDG Mansur, for example. In the field for 25...
MoreForensic engineering firm seeks defense work: New initiative hopes to help other local firms follow in Wolf Technical's footsteps
February 12, 2007
Peter SchnitzlerAfter 30 years in the forensic-engineering business, Wolf Technical Services Inc. has analyzed everything from deadly car
crashes to patent infringement. Now, Indianapolis-based Wolf is hoping to diversify into a new area: federal defense contracting.
It's a field local corporate leaders hope Indiana will tap much more frequently in the years to come. "We don't quite know
at the moment where this could lead," said Wolf Director of Client Relations Joseph Ward. "And that's the fun part." The 30-employee
Wolf's...
MoreCHRIS KATTERJOHN Commentary: It's déjà vu all over again
February 5, 2007
CHRIS KATTERJOHN Commentary It's déjà vu all over again Every once in a while, I'm struck by the same-ness of things. My
last column was filed from Florida, as was last year's second column in January. This week's is being written upon my return
from a publisher's meeting in Puerto Vallarta, as was last year's first February column. That's a little scary. Is my life
getting to be that predictable? Remember my passport debacle from last year? This year in...
MoreSmall-business optimism drops: National business group forecasts slow-but-steady growth in 2007, unlike torrid pace that kicked
off last year
January 29, 2007
Cory SchoutenSmall-business owners aren't nearly as optimistic about 2007 as they were heading into last year, thanks to a slowing economy
and lower spending rates, a report from the National Federation of Independent Business shows. Still, many small businesses
in Indiana and elsewhere expect to grow steadily and add to their work forces in 2007. In the next three months, 14 percent
of small businesses plan to create jobs and 26 percent plan to make a capital expenditure, the NFIB says....
MoreProgram to offer cyber help for charities: IUPUI initiative creates database of consultants
January 8, 2007
Tom MurphyThe IUPUI Solution Center soon will expand into cyberspace, launching a free Web site not-for-profits can use to network and
find consultants. Its new Nonprofit Solutions Initiative will run the site and provide a database of consultants grouped by
25 areas of expertise. The site also will offer advice on how to work with them. The Solution Center, launched in 2003 with
the help of a Lilly Endowment Inc. grant, helps bolster small businesses and not-for-profits. The new initiative, which...
MoreSmall talk with new SBDC chief: Central Indiana counseling office gets fresh start after years of uncertainty
December 25, 2006
Cory SchoutenVictoria Hall this year took over the Central Indiana Small Business Development Center, which counsels more than 500 Hoosier
entrepreneurs annually. Hall, a former vice president for H&R Block Tax Services, oversees four employees, including three
business counselors. She also teaches part-time at Ivy Tech Community College, which hosts the local SBDC. She earned her
MBA from the Indiana Institute of Technology in Fort Wayne. One of 11 regional centers in Indiana, Central Indiana SBDC has
been plagued in recent...
MoreSmall biz unsure about '07: Legislative agenda is clear, but advocates still worried
December 25, 2006
Cory SchoutenBig changes at the Statehouse, including a shift to Democratic control in the House of Representatives and a leadership switch
in the Senate, mean there are more unknowns and more unpredictability. Meanwhile, top issues such as health insurance, tax
reforms and regulatory changes provide a minefield of concerns for small-business owners. New health insurance mandates could
add to already skyrocketing premiums. New local taxing authority could increase the burden on small businesses. Changes to
the state's regulatory structure could dramatically...
MoreTOM HARTON Commentary: Business in a hole climbs out
December 4, 2006
Everyone says owning a restaurant is hard work. But for Tracy Robertson, not owning one has been much harder. Robertson's
restaurant, the 745 Bar & Grill, hasn't served a burger or a beer since the afternoon of Jan. 25, 2005. That's when the 745
literally fell into a hole. A cook, a bartender and five patrons escaped just moments before the restaurant collapsed into
the excavation pit for what is now the 757 Mass Ave condominium building. In an instant,...
MoreSurveillance success: Greenwood-based security firm's rapid growth draws national notice
November 27, 2006
Cory SchoutenThey all have high-tech surveillance systems from Greenwood-based American Sentry Guard. The company specializes in building
and distributing "intelligent video" systems capable of linking digital video with other computer-based information, such
as sales transaction records. Clients include schools, banks, casinos, government agencies and small businesses. Founded in
1999 by father-son team Jack and Jeff Brummett, American Sentry has become one of the nation's fastest-growing privately held
companies. This year, Inc. magazine ranked the company 150th on its "Inc. 500" list,...
MoreState's venture capital incentive seldom used
November 27, 2006
Peter SchnitzlerSince the inception of the state's Venture Capital Investment Tax Credit in late 2003, investors have claimed only about one-third
of the $37.5 million in credits available, according to an IBJ analysis of the program.
MoreRETURN ON TECHNOLOGY: Is designing for blind worth the trouble and cost?
November 27, 2006
Tim AltomA few weeks ago, I wrote about a potentially groundbreaking lawsuit stewing in the cauldron of a California federal court.
There, the National Federation of the Blind has been allowed to go forward in its suit against Target Brands, which runs Target
department stores, claiming that Target should have to make its Web site as easily accessible to the blind as its brick-and-mortar
stores. I thought it would be an obscure case, but it's been puffed up into something of...
More'Tis the season for small businesses to party on: Close-knit companies more likely to hold holiday celebrations, but more
firms of all sizes are getting into the spirit
November 27, 2006
Cory SchoutenWhile many large companies have decided to scale back holiday parties or give them up entirely in recent years, small businesses
continue to spend merrily on the annual gatherings. "They're doing well, making lots of money and want to celebrate with their
employees," said Kathy Ray, director of catering at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown. Employees of small businesses are
like families, so it makes sense that those companies would be less likely to eliminate or cut back on holiday get-togethers,...
MoreSMALL BUSINESS PROFILE MILESTONE ADVISORS: CFOs for hire: Company fills financial gaps Consultants provide expertise small
businesses may be lacking
November 27, 2006
Jo EllenSMALL BUSINESS PROFILE MILESTONE ADVISORS CFOs for hire: Company fills financial gaps Consultants provide expertise small
businesses may be lacking Tom Gabbert and Glenn Dunlap started Milestone Advisors three years ago with a couple dozen clients
already in tow, parlaying their previous experience and contacts into a new venture. They've been using it to help other businesses
shore up their financial foundations ever since. Milestone Advisors provides financial management, strategic planning and
related services to small to medium-size businesses with...
MoreEx-Lilly execs take on diabetes with Carmel startup
November 6, 2006
Peter SchnitzlerFour former top scientists at Eli Lilly and Co. have formed a Carmel-based company to develop diabetes therapies--a venture
observers say has the potential to become the kind of blockbuster success BioCrossroads was built to stimulate.
More9 ways to keep clientele coming back:
September 25, 2006
Ron AckermanThe most reliable method for evaluating whether your business truly offers great customer service is customer retention. Customer-retention
results reflect the customer's decision to purchase more of your products and services. After much research in this area,
we know that these "re-purchase" decisions are based on three important evaluations. First, the customer decides whether you
delivered the basic service promise. Did you deliver the package on time? Was the repair done correctly? Second, the customer
makes some touchy-feely evaluations about...
MoreIvy Tech to host SBDC: State hopes partnership will end instability, help local center shine as consultant
September 25, 2006
Scott OlsonThe Central Indiana Small Business Development Center hasn't exactly been a pillar of stability that budding entrepreneurs
seeking its advice could emulate. The entity, part of a statewide network of 11 such centers that counsel fledgling businesses,
has struggled to find a permanent home-and a capable director-for five years. But state officials, eager to end the strife,
have stepped in to lead a reorganization they hope will return the center to prominence within the local small-business community.
For starters, Ivy...
MoreService an edge for small firms: Make most of 'moments of truth':
September 25, 2006
Roger Schmenner"If we don't take care of our customers, someone else will." This unattributed quote sums up the challenge facing every business,
and especially small companies in the service and retail sectors. It's difficult for them to compete with their large counterparts
on price-the neighborhood hardware store simply can't sell as cheaply as Wal-Mart. But they can win on customer service by
seizing critical moments where customers can walk away delighted or disappointed. Successful service encounters, where these
"moments of truth"...
MoreExperts: Plan for the worst: Anticipate succession before death, illness
September 25, 2006
Tracy DonhardtWhen Beth Dzuba's husband Mark died suddenly 18 months ago, running the leak-detection business he owned was the furthest
thing from her mind. A marketing professional at Eli Lilly and Co., she knew nothing about the leak business, let alone how
to run a company. The couple-married less than three years-had never even imagined such a tragedy, let alone discussed what
to do with the business if the unthinkable happened. Nevertheless, Dzuba found herself dealing with her husband's business
even...
MoreDIFFERENT TAKES: IS IT IMPORTANT FOR COMPANIES TO STAY LOCAL?
September 18, 2006
Mergers not only good for investors Keeping local roots is high priority DIFFERENT TAKES IS IT IMPORTANT FOR COMPANIES TO
STAY LOCAL? When entrepreneurs or investors start companies, they do so with a goal in mind. That goal might be to create
jobs, create value for investors or shareholders, develop local talent, build long-term capabilities for the company and the
state's economy, produce a profit, or all of these. Chances of success rise as we embrace the idea of an...
MoreSmall biz struggles in big-biz computer world RETURN ON TECHNOLOGY Tim Altom:
September 18, 2006
It's true that the rich get richer, although the rich have often learned to portray the burden on the little guy as inevitable
and desirable progress. For evidence, look no further than Microsoft Office. It's written for the Fortune 500, not for microbusinesses.
Office has long been criticized as a bloated monstrosity, full of obscure features that only big corporations with time on
their hands ever figure out how to use. Office products have their own programming language you can...
MoreHere's a bright idea: Focused marketing:
August 28, 2006
Lorraine BallEven companies as large as Coca-Cola know that effective marketing begins with a clear definition of their target customer.
Ask yourself this: When was the last time you had a Coke? Not the caffeinefree, diet, cherry, vanilla or whatever variety,
but Coke-real, regular Coke. For some, the answer is today; for others, it might be last week, a few months ago, or so long
ago they don't remember. I know I have not had a Coke since 1982, and more...
More25A-32A All in the family: Good relationships key to living and working together
August 28, 2006
Tammy Lieber25A-32A All in the family Good relationships key to living and working together The family that plays together stays together,
as the old adage goes. But what about the family that works together? Many-if not most-of the estimated 450,000 small businesses
in Indiana employ more than one family member, local smallbusiness experts say. In some cases, family involvement might be
limited to a spouse who helps out with the books part-time or a child who comes into the office occasionally...
MoreGet a handle on customers, competition:
August 28, 2006
Jerry CliffordTo succeed, small businesses must attract and retain a growing base of satisfied customers. This activity is called marketing.
There are two overriding principles: Company policies should be directed toward satisfying customer needs. And profitable
sales volume is more important than maximum sales volume. To best use these principles, smallbusiness owners should: Determine
the needs of their customers through market research. Analyze the company's competitive advantages to develop a market strategy.
Select specific markets to serve by targeted marketing. Determine...
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You guys have some "interesting" comments to say the least. I hope you will call in and share those opinions starting June 1. I'm looking forward to having you on the air.
For those who let this information strike a nerve, remember that this is still the America that allows the freedom to achieve dreams and goals. Should you really chastise those who are given a perk on a deal that is supported by the consumer (that is until they don't like the deal anymore due to envy) or should the dream of rewards for working be looked at a little closer? I say lets stick to the deal, go to work,earn our keep, shoot for dreams, change our jobs to have that dream or shut up about others achievements ..............while we are still afforded this liberty of America !
Three Magi
Cats out of the bag. The object of the game is to get acquired. That means the company has no idea how to grow beyond a certain point. Email is a 1990s technology. I have laughed at this company since day one. Such a small bit player. If it was anywhere but here, it wouldn't be newsworthy.
Esther, Indy has passed Chicago in the local government corruption arena. Don't downgrade us. We're No. 1 in the Midwest.