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FUNNY BUSINESS: Holiday favorites-and not-so-favorites-liven up work

On the first day of Christmas, the workplace brought to me: One allegedly funny memo written in the style of Clement Clarke Moore: “‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through Accounts Receivable, not a creature was stirring, isn’t that unbelievable?” It goes on like this for 27 stanzas, representing at least four hours of someone’s workweek. On the second day of Christmas, the workplace brought to me: Two half-gallon cartons of eggnog for the kitchenette refrigerator, where they will…

SPORTS: Even a Knight detractor can find reasons to miss him

I have a close friend with whom I can discuss amicably any subject under the sun. Except one: Bob Knight. My pal considers the hiring of Knight one of the greatest deeds in the history of Indiana University, and the firing of Knight one of its worst. He believes former IU President Myles Brand is the devil and former Athletic Director Clarence Doninger was an incompetent boob. My friend traces virtually all of IU’s athletic and academic shortcomings to that…

‘Old fashioned’ values manufacture Motionwear’s growth: Acquisition should fuel leotard-maker’s expansion

It might seem as though the low cost of labor overseas has shifted the entire U.S. textile industry to Asia, never to return. Indianapolis-based leotard-maker Motionwear Inc. proves otherwise. The 120-employee company was acquired this month by the Italian sportswear firm FILA for an undisclosed sum and, as a result, it’s poised to expand locally. Tom Wilson started the company in his attic in 1988 because his daughter Erin, an aspiring dancer, couldn’t find performance apparel she liked in retail…

INVESTING: Market’s malaise provides opportunity to look ahead

The stock market is experiencing a bout of hemming and hawing (that’s a savvy Wall Street term) that easily could last the rest of this year. I highlighted this potential weakness, especially in the tech sector, a few weeks ago. I am using this time out to rehash some of the battles of 2006 and, more important, get ready to position for 2007. Stay with me and see how we’re going to make 2007 pay off for us, big time….

Luxury Conrad hotel off to bumpy start

For its first nine months, occupancy at the Conrad Indianapolis has lagged the downtown average. Rates have fallen as the
hotel tries to fill more rooms. Employees have worked behind the scenes to fix kinks.

Courting continues between Clarian, Morgan: Both sides look to build on months-old agreement

A working relationship Clarian Health Partners started in March with Morgan Hospital & Medical Center might evolve into something much bigger in the new year. Representatives of both systems say they want to strengthen their regional development agreement, and they count an acquisition of the county-owned hospital by Clarian-the largest hospital system in the state-as one of many possibilities they might examine. “I think both sides have considered a number of options from clinical affiliations to consolidation,” Clarian spokesman Jon…

TAWN PARENT Commentary: Have you noticed Indiana’s new face?

When I stop and think about my own life, it doesn’t seem so far-fetched. I went to lunch at a Chinese restaurant near my office last week, and most of the people in line were Indian. Driving through my formerly whitebread neighborhood, I see buildings painted in bold yellows and reds with signs saying, “Tienda Morelos,” “Supermercado” and “Estetica Latina.” My son’s elementary school celebrates Chinese New Year with a big parade and lessons about eating with chopsticks and keeping…

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS: Amid carnage, state still a force in manufacturing

What puts Indiana on the map in the world’s eyes? From an image point of view, it might be race cars, basketball or even David Letterman. But in terms of economic footprint, it is our manufactured products and our goods-making and goods-moving expertise that stand out. We are a world-class manufacturer of everything from rolled steel to artificial limbs, and we employ more people and produce more output in manufacturing, proportionately speaking, than any other state in the nation. If…

Cities losing cable power

In the last several weeks, cable TV operator Comcast has sent out 26 “Dear John” letters to Indianapolis and other metro-area
cities, informing them it has dumped its local cable franchise agreements and gotten hitched to a single, statewide video
franchise.

EYE ON THE PIE: A private eye looks at privatization

I was sitting with my back to the door, watching the deer consume urban gardens, when she entered. “Mr. Marcus?” she asked, in a voice that suggested the lower range of a clarinet. “Yes,” I replied, swiveling in my swivel chair. “You don’t know me,” she said. “My name is Arlene Amour.” “I can understand that,” I said, examining her with my eyes as would an eagle swirling over his prey. I liked what I saw. “I want you to…

VIEWPOINT: The Commerce Connector in perspective

As one who navigates the tangle of roads at interstates 69 and 465 frequently, my first reaction to the proposed Indiana Commerce Connector was positive-anything to relieve that mess. Looking at a map and considering, for example, a more direct connection between inter states 69 and 70 east of the city seems to make perfect sense. There are many questions to be answered, however, before the state should make a commitment to it. In considering such a major project, it…

Analysis shows little savings in biz-group consolidation

The merger of four of central Indiana’s biggest business development organizations might achieve only modest cost savings,
or even be more expensive than the status quo, a confidential financial analysis obtained by IBJ shows.

IBJ reporters win state competition:

IBJ won two first-place awards in the Hoosier State Press Association’s 2006 Better Newspaper Contest, and an IBJ contributor was honored for his weekly column. IBJ was first in the Best Business/Economic Coverage category for reporter Peter Schnitzler’s Emerging India series, which was published in the first quarter of the year. IBJ also placed first in the Best Profile Feature category for reporter Anthony Schoettle’s story about Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, which was published Jan. 16. Columnist Bruce Hetrick…

Shoopman ready to build again

Paul Shoopman put 33 years into Dura Builders Inc. before selling his residential construction firm to national player KB
Home Inc. as the local housing market boomed. Two years later, he’s getting back into the business even as KB and others retrench.

SPORTS: Keady takes on a job much harder than coaching

“Nursing’s a lot harder than coaching, I can tell you that,” Keady, 70, said from his Tippecanoe County home, not far from Purdue University where the basketball court in Mackey Arena bears his name. After 25 years on the Purdue sidelines in a storied career that had almost everything except the storybook ending, Keady signed on last year as an assistant coach with the NBA’s Toronto Raptors. This year, Raptors management changed and his contract was not renewed. Just as…

BULLS & BEARS: Firms that raise dividends often good investments

A couple of weeks ago, I explained that if in your golden years you place too little of your portfolio in stocks, then live too long, you run a high risk of running out of money before you run out of time. For older people, their fear is permanent loss of principal. Although people in their 60s, 70s, and 80s all know they need growth of principal, the fear of loss keeps many of them from getting enough growth to…

Strap maker hits right chord with guitar players: Action Custom Straps’ products catch on thanks to attention from musicians like Jimmy Buffett, Keith Urban

The guitar straps Terry Misner creates for musicians worldwide are the canvas for his artwork. In his specialty, though, the tapestry is really soft leather he uses to combine comfort and custom designs for performers such as Jimmy Buffett and Keith Urban. “It’s like sewing silk rather than sewing canvas,” he said. “You can rip through canvas in a hurry, but what would you rather feel?” The 56-year-old Misner operates Action Custom Straps with wife, Dena, and daughter Nikki O’Neal….

BRIAN WILLIAMS Commentary: Is privatizing public services the answer?

Since being elected governor, Mitch Daniels has unveiled several big ideas, a common theme of which is the privatization of public assets. Privatization is not a new idea or a big idea. Indianapolis residents are familiar with privatization, specifically of the city’s wastewater treatment facility and Indianapolis International Airport. While these privatization efforts purportedly have generated significant savings, none of those savings have been remitted to Indianapolis citizens, whose utility rates and ticket and parking fees helped construct and maintain…

RETURN ON TECHNOLOGY: Web application is right gift for those who fear software

Got a businessperson on your list? We’re hard to buy for, so you have my sympathies. Most of us have specific preferences in software, handheld devices, cell phones and other toys we euphemistically call “tools.” Ties aren’t common in business settings anymore, cutting off yet another formerly fruitful buying channel. Few of us have any use for another desktop nameplate. And gift certificates are rather cold. Software is a particularly bad gift choice. Most of us dread getting new software…