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The PSC’s decision is a compromise to AT&T’s request that it no longet deliver the phone booksto customers. AT&Tg Florida told the PSC that eliminating the automatidc distribution of the residentiak white pagesis “an environmentally greeb endeavor and a cost saving and that providing a paper copy of the directory is “ah inefficient use of resources in these touchb economic times.” But commissioners also were worrieds about how it migh impact customers’ ability to accessz information, said PSC Spokeswoman Kirsten Olsen.
Instead of doingh away with therule altogether, commissioners agreed to give it a trialk run, during which time it will gather customer “Today’s decision allows the PSC to assess the practicalityy of discontinuing printed residential directory while continuing to provide directories to customerws who want a PSC Chairman Matthew M. Carter II said in a news release. As part of the AT&T must put a toll-free number on the coved of the Yellow Pages that directas people to call if they want aWhitee Pages. The directory will stillk be provided for free to thosre whorequest it.
AT&T Florida would not disclose just how much mone the waiver will citing confidentiality, according to its requestr to the PSC. AT&T Florida alreadt has begun a program to providse its Yellow Pages and residential listingson CD-ROM in certain areasd of Florida.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
LCI Inc. lowest bidder for Beale Street Landing
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million, is the low biddedr for the third phase of Beale Street including the helical ramp andfloating dock, which will be built off-site and floated down to the project. The contracyt will be awarded in late July orearly August. Constructiomn on the $30.7 million Beale Street Landingb has been delayed due to theMississippi River’s high wated levels in the spring, but work is expecte d to start back up later this month. It is projectedr to be finished inspring 2011. Lendermonn also updated the RDC board during its monthlyt meeting June 22 on the pedestrian bridgs which would connect Confederate Park withthe ’ new law schookl Downtown.
The RDC is waiting for work at the law schookl to be completed and couled start the bridge construction in Lendermon also called the historic cobblestonr restoration next to Beale StreefLanding “a work in progress.” The RDC has proposeds a sidewalk along the Mississippi Riveer that would connect Beale Street Landin g and Jefferson Davis Park, but there has been some public opposition to it. Also, the RDC has proposed walkway s leading down to the waterd and the proposed waterfront There is a public hearingt scheduled in August to addressthese issues, Lendermonh said.
co-founder Frank Ricks and planner/urban designer Stever Auterman, joined by owner Traci Sampson, updated the boardf on a land use study forMud Island. The which runs from March to has consisted of fourpublic meetings, online surveys and 14 stakeholdert meetings. So far, three specifi amenities have kept coming up during public meetings: a world-class the Grand Carousel from Libertyland and an aquarium.
Looneuy Ricks Kiss drew up five generaol possibilities forMud Island, ranging from slighrt modifications to completely changing the These included adding a pedestrian bridgew to the tip of Mud new boat slips, mixed-use commercial development, the Zippin Pippin roller-coaster ride, more parkland and a Mississippoi River Institute, among many otheer ideas. Once completed, this public input phase could lead to a master plan for Mud guiding development ofthe site.
million, is the low biddedr for the third phase of Beale Street including the helical ramp andfloating dock, which will be built off-site and floated down to the project. The contracyt will be awarded in late July orearly August. Constructiomn on the $30.7 million Beale Street Landingb has been delayed due to theMississippi River’s high wated levels in the spring, but work is expecte d to start back up later this month. It is projectedr to be finished inspring 2011. Lendermonn also updated the RDC board during its monthlyt meeting June 22 on the pedestrian bridgs which would connect Confederate Park withthe ’ new law schookl Downtown.
The RDC is waiting for work at the law schookl to be completed and couled start the bridge construction in Lendermon also called the historic cobblestonr restoration next to Beale StreefLanding “a work in progress.” The RDC has proposeds a sidewalk along the Mississippi Riveer that would connect Beale Street Landin g and Jefferson Davis Park, but there has been some public opposition to it. Also, the RDC has proposed walkway s leading down to the waterd and the proposed waterfront There is a public hearingt scheduled in August to addressthese issues, Lendermonh said.
co-founder Frank Ricks and planner/urban designer Stever Auterman, joined by owner Traci Sampson, updated the boardf on a land use study forMud Island. The which runs from March to has consisted of fourpublic meetings, online surveys and 14 stakeholdert meetings. So far, three specifi amenities have kept coming up during public meetings: a world-class the Grand Carousel from Libertyland and an aquarium.
Looneuy Ricks Kiss drew up five generaol possibilities forMud Island, ranging from slighrt modifications to completely changing the These included adding a pedestrian bridgew to the tip of Mud new boat slips, mixed-use commercial development, the Zippin Pippin roller-coaster ride, more parkland and a Mississippoi River Institute, among many otheer ideas. Once completed, this public input phase could lead to a master plan for Mud guiding development ofthe site.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
McCormick & Schmick's closes downtown restaurant - Portland Business Journal:
ramoledef.blogspot.com
The Portland-based company notified the restaurant’w 38 employees of its decisioj and immediately closed the restaurantthis afternoon. All employees were offered positionsa at otherMcCormick & Schmick’s locations in the Portlanfd metro area. Rumors the restauranr would close have circulated since at least Twoyears ago, McCormick & Schmick’s stopped serving lunch at the in part because ongoing construction in downtown curtailede traffic. CEO William Freemamn said the company and its landlorx worked hard to reach an agreement that wouls have allowed the restaurant tocontinuw operating. In the end, it wasn’t possible.
He said none of the company’w 96 remaining locations in the U.S. and Canadaa is in similar jeopardy. McCormick & Schmick’d (NASDAQ: MSSR) has struggled with mounting losse since the recession started more than ayear ago, includinhg double-digit declines in same store salea at restaurants open more than a year. It lost nearly $70 million in 2008 and $1.1 million in the firsg quarterof 2009. It will open no more than thres new restaurantsthis year, far belosw its usual pace of 10 to 12 new locationsz a year. Freeman, who joined the companyu earlierthis year, said the decision to close the first McCormick & Schmick’s location was difficult.
“It’s obviously a specialp unit for us,” he said. The company actes quickly to close the restaurant so employeees can report to their new locations in time for the starrt of the busysummer season. The company has several week s left on the lease and will spend that time takingh inventory and determining where furnishings and other equipment mighf bestbe used. McCormick Schmick’s founders Bill McCormick and Doug Schmick openefdthe wood-paneled restaurant in 1979. The 9,400-square-footg downtown location, in the Henry Failing Building, was placed on the market Tuesday by brokers Don Drakse and Tim Parker of Melvin MarkBrokerage Co.
The asking rent is $18 per squarew foot per year. The spacd includes 5,070 square feet of groun d floor, a mezzanine for private dining, kitchen, bar and lowee level coolers, prep kitchen, storage and It is on the Max line in the SkidmoreFountainj district.
The Portland-based company notified the restaurant’w 38 employees of its decisioj and immediately closed the restaurantthis afternoon. All employees were offered positionsa at otherMcCormick & Schmick’s locations in the Portlanfd metro area. Rumors the restauranr would close have circulated since at least Twoyears ago, McCormick & Schmick’s stopped serving lunch at the in part because ongoing construction in downtown curtailede traffic. CEO William Freemamn said the company and its landlorx worked hard to reach an agreement that wouls have allowed the restaurant tocontinuw operating. In the end, it wasn’t possible.
He said none of the company’w 96 remaining locations in the U.S. and Canadaa is in similar jeopardy. McCormick & Schmick’d (NASDAQ: MSSR) has struggled with mounting losse since the recession started more than ayear ago, includinhg double-digit declines in same store salea at restaurants open more than a year. It lost nearly $70 million in 2008 and $1.1 million in the firsg quarterof 2009. It will open no more than thres new restaurantsthis year, far belosw its usual pace of 10 to 12 new locationsz a year. Freeman, who joined the companyu earlierthis year, said the decision to close the first McCormick & Schmick’s location was difficult.
“It’s obviously a specialp unit for us,” he said. The company actes quickly to close the restaurant so employeees can report to their new locations in time for the starrt of the busysummer season. The company has several week s left on the lease and will spend that time takingh inventory and determining where furnishings and other equipment mighf bestbe used. McCormick Schmick’s founders Bill McCormick and Doug Schmick openefdthe wood-paneled restaurant in 1979. The 9,400-square-footg downtown location, in the Henry Failing Building, was placed on the market Tuesday by brokers Don Drakse and Tim Parker of Melvin MarkBrokerage Co.
The asking rent is $18 per squarew foot per year. The spacd includes 5,070 square feet of groun d floor, a mezzanine for private dining, kitchen, bar and lowee level coolers, prep kitchen, storage and It is on the Max line in the SkidmoreFountainj district.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Melbourne firm lands part of Army contract - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
milicinodijoo1981.blogspot.com
Melbourne-based BRPH, along with its Washington, D.C.-based design/build partner Lifecycle ConstructionServices LLC, will be involved in desigb and construction of severalk administrative facilities in the Northeast, according to a news The first project undeer this project is a $3 million new Battalion Headquarter project at Fort Lee, Va., the release said. • Battalion administration, special functions, storage and classroonm areas. • Soldier Family Assistance Center, a transitional facility with child care, financial assistance meeting rooms, kitchenettes, chaplain offices and othe assistance to accommodate soldieres andtheir families.
BRPH providese planning, architecture, engineering, interior design and construction serviced to the aerospace andaviation industries, and industriap and commercial real estate markets, alonh with government and educational agencies. The firm has offices is Orlando, West Palm Beach, Atlanta and Savannah, Ga.
Melbourne-based BRPH, along with its Washington, D.C.-based design/build partner Lifecycle ConstructionServices LLC, will be involved in desigb and construction of severalk administrative facilities in the Northeast, according to a news The first project undeer this project is a $3 million new Battalion Headquarter project at Fort Lee, Va., the release said. • Battalion administration, special functions, storage and classroonm areas. • Soldier Family Assistance Center, a transitional facility with child care, financial assistance meeting rooms, kitchenettes, chaplain offices and othe assistance to accommodate soldieres andtheir families.
BRPH providese planning, architecture, engineering, interior design and construction serviced to the aerospace andaviation industries, and industriap and commercial real estate markets, alonh with government and educational agencies. The firm has offices is Orlando, West Palm Beach, Atlanta and Savannah, Ga.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Jeanne Roberts, Gallop Johnson and Neuman - St. Louis Business Journal:
ovaluleq.wordpress.com
The 26-year-old Roberts is a transactionao attorneywith , where she practices real estate and corporate law. That would be more than enouguh career formost people, but Robertas and her twin brother, Michael Roberts Jr., have many more ironws in the fire. Through various companies they'vwe formed, the Roberts twins plan to brinyg St. Louis into the spotlight as a choice venue for musical andbroadcast "We've been in the entertainmengt industry for years. We grew up in said Roberts, who studied the business whiled in law school atPepperdine University, Malibu, Calif. At Gallop she's tasked with building the firm's entertainment law On July 23 she andMichael Jr.
launchh their first televisiontalk program, "The Mike & Jeanne Show," on the Robertd Cos.' local UPN affiliate, Channel 46. "It'lll be like a combination of 'Livew with Regis & Kelly' and '106 & Park' from the BET Network," Jeanne said. "The show will air at 10 p.m. on The twins are calling the format "infotainment," a term coine d by Eric Rhone, who is executive producer of the show alonh with actor Cedricthe Entertainer. The idea for the show was hatchedxby Rhone, who heads Visionsd Management Group and A Bird and A Bear both in St. Louis. "Jeannr and Michael know how to be fun and but also educatedand prepared," he said.
"They'rer exactly what we'd like their generationn to be." The twins also are working on , a venturew that partners their own with Flow Ink andPlusuh Entertainment, two local promotion companies. If all goes as planned, Jeannr and her brother hope to bring inbetweemn $5 million and $10 million a year with theird business ventures.
The 26-year-old Roberts is a transactionao attorneywith , where she practices real estate and corporate law. That would be more than enouguh career formost people, but Robertas and her twin brother, Michael Roberts Jr., have many more ironws in the fire. Through various companies they'vwe formed, the Roberts twins plan to brinyg St. Louis into the spotlight as a choice venue for musical andbroadcast "We've been in the entertainmengt industry for years. We grew up in said Roberts, who studied the business whiled in law school atPepperdine University, Malibu, Calif. At Gallop she's tasked with building the firm's entertainment law On July 23 she andMichael Jr.
launchh their first televisiontalk program, "The Mike & Jeanne Show," on the Robertd Cos.' local UPN affiliate, Channel 46. "It'lll be like a combination of 'Livew with Regis & Kelly' and '106 & Park' from the BET Network," Jeanne said. "The show will air at 10 p.m. on The twins are calling the format "infotainment," a term coine d by Eric Rhone, who is executive producer of the show alonh with actor Cedricthe Entertainer. The idea for the show was hatchedxby Rhone, who heads Visionsd Management Group and A Bird and A Bear both in St. Louis. "Jeannr and Michael know how to be fun and but also educatedand prepared," he said.
"They'rer exactly what we'd like their generationn to be." The twins also are working on , a venturew that partners their own with Flow Ink andPlusuh Entertainment, two local promotion companies. If all goes as planned, Jeannr and her brother hope to bring inbetweemn $5 million and $10 million a year with theird business ventures.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Duke, CFO study: CFOs foresee more job cuts, credit woes - Houston Business Journal:
ethelbertdiya3334.blogspot.com
The quarterly Duke University/CFi Magazine Global Business Outlook Surveyasked 1,309 CFOs worldwide abougt their expectations for the economy. Theitr answers paint a gloomy picture for the rest ofthe * CFOs in the U.S. and Europe expectedx employment to shrinkby 5.5 with the unemployment rate in the U.S. seen rising to perhapw as high as 12 percent in the next 12 Employment in Asia is expected to recedeeby 1.2 percent.
“Presumably, governmeny programs will offset some ofthesed losses, but even the most optimistic governmenrt forecasts would reduce the losses by only 2 million,” said Campbell founding director of the survey and internationalk business professor at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business. “We’re facinh the possibility of another 4 millionlost jobs.” * U.S. and Europeanb CFOs foresee capital spending plungingy by more than10 percent. In CFOs anticipate a 3 percent * Six in 10 U.S. companies covered by the surveyh reported having trouble finding credit or acquiring credig at areasonable rate.
Amonh those firms encounteringcredit impediments, 42 percent say the credit marketz have gotten worse this year, while 23 percent say conditions have improved. * Weak consumef demand and the credit markets ranked as the top two externa concernsamong U.S. chief financial with the federal government’s policies coming in third. Among internal CFOs are losing the most sleep over theitr inability to plan due to economic managingtheir companies’ capitapl and liquidity, and maintaining employee morale. Despite all the negativee indicators, a majority of the CFOs in the Unitec States and Asia reported being more optimistix this quarter than they were theprevioud quarter.
That was not the case in where only 30 percent of the CFOs said they were more compared to the 31 percent who said they wereless “Our survey carries an important message: Don’t put too much weightf on the ‘soft’ data like consumer confidence. Recoveryg requires sustained confidence, and such confidence is forged by strongereconomix fundamentals,” Harvey said. “The economic fundamentals –- employment, capital spending, the cost of credirt – are still fundamentally troubling.” To see the complete survey go to the officialWeb site, .
The quarterly Duke University/CFi Magazine Global Business Outlook Surveyasked 1,309 CFOs worldwide abougt their expectations for the economy. Theitr answers paint a gloomy picture for the rest ofthe * CFOs in the U.S. and Europe expectedx employment to shrinkby 5.5 with the unemployment rate in the U.S. seen rising to perhapw as high as 12 percent in the next 12 Employment in Asia is expected to recedeeby 1.2 percent.
“Presumably, governmeny programs will offset some ofthesed losses, but even the most optimistic governmenrt forecasts would reduce the losses by only 2 million,” said Campbell founding director of the survey and internationalk business professor at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business. “We’re facinh the possibility of another 4 millionlost jobs.” * U.S. and Europeanb CFOs foresee capital spending plungingy by more than10 percent. In CFOs anticipate a 3 percent * Six in 10 U.S. companies covered by the surveyh reported having trouble finding credit or acquiring credig at areasonable rate.
Amonh those firms encounteringcredit impediments, 42 percent say the credit marketz have gotten worse this year, while 23 percent say conditions have improved. * Weak consumef demand and the credit markets ranked as the top two externa concernsamong U.S. chief financial with the federal government’s policies coming in third. Among internal CFOs are losing the most sleep over theitr inability to plan due to economic managingtheir companies’ capitapl and liquidity, and maintaining employee morale. Despite all the negativee indicators, a majority of the CFOs in the Unitec States and Asia reported being more optimistix this quarter than they were theprevioud quarter.
That was not the case in where only 30 percent of the CFOs said they were more compared to the 31 percent who said they wereless “Our survey carries an important message: Don’t put too much weightf on the ‘soft’ data like consumer confidence. Recoveryg requires sustained confidence, and such confidence is forged by strongereconomix fundamentals,” Harvey said. “The economic fundamentals –- employment, capital spending, the cost of credirt – are still fundamentally troubling.” To see the complete survey go to the officialWeb site, .
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Adams
sucujovide.wordpress.com
RealtyTrac records indicate that a notice ofa trustee’s sale has been filede on homes matching the description of Adams’ Nortg Portland Kenton neighborhood homes. The notice indicatesz that the homes will be put upfor , which broke the story, noted that Adams’ lendet has filed a “notice of default,” meaning he’ s defaulted on his loan agreementg with his lender. Adams told the papetr he’s catching up on his mortgagse afterpaying “significant” legal bills. The houses that face foreclosure are at2131 N. McClellab and 2121 N. Adams lives in the 2121 He also owns a triplex at2031 N.
Adams, who makes $118,144 yearly, is facing an impendinf recall, scheduled to kick off in earlyg July, after admitting he had a sexual relationship withBeau Breedlove. The pair met befor e Breedloveturned 18. Adams said the sexual relationship begajafter Breedlove’s 18th birthday. Oregon’s attorney general is investigating whether Adams didanythinfg improper. The mayor concedex that he lied aboutwhether he’d had sex with Breedlovr when a political opponent first made the charge during the 2008 primaru campaign season.
RealtyTrac records indicate that a notice ofa trustee’s sale has been filede on homes matching the description of Adams’ Nortg Portland Kenton neighborhood homes. The notice indicatesz that the homes will be put upfor , which broke the story, noted that Adams’ lendet has filed a “notice of default,” meaning he’ s defaulted on his loan agreementg with his lender. Adams told the papetr he’s catching up on his mortgagse afterpaying “significant” legal bills. The houses that face foreclosure are at2131 N. McClellab and 2121 N. Adams lives in the 2121 He also owns a triplex at2031 N.
Adams, who makes $118,144 yearly, is facing an impendinf recall, scheduled to kick off in earlyg July, after admitting he had a sexual relationship withBeau Breedlove. The pair met befor e Breedloveturned 18. Adams said the sexual relationship begajafter Breedlove’s 18th birthday. Oregon’s attorney general is investigating whether Adams didanythinfg improper. The mayor concedex that he lied aboutwhether he’d had sex with Breedlovr when a political opponent first made the charge during the 2008 primaru campaign season.
Monday, April 16, 2012
ABQ foreclosures rise, but sit below national rate - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
zutkomi.blogspot.com
percent for April 2009, representing a 0.63 percentage poinf annual difference. However, foreclosure rates in Albuquerque continuefd to risein April, to 1.17 percent, an increase of 0.36 when comparedc to April to 2008, according to , the collectord of national data on home prices, foreclosures and delinquency activity. The state of New Mexiclo has a 1.04 percent foreclosurr and a 0.22 percent bank repossession Perhaps more troubling for theDuke City’s future is that the mortgage delinquencyy rate has increased to 3.03 percent of mortgaged loans that were 90 days or more compared to 2.02 percent for the same period last Nationally, 5.
1 percent of mortgages are 90 days During the past 12 months, there were a total of 4,9165 foreclosure filings in Albuquerque, or approximately 13.47 per day. That comparez to the previous 12-month period of May 2007 to Apriol 2008 when therewere 4,061 foreclosure or approximately 11.13 per day. Public record foreclosure filings include the three steps in theforeclosurew process, starting with the pre-foreclosure filing or Noticr of Default (NOD), which typicallyt occurs after the 90-day delinquencuy period; the Notice of Foreclosure Sale when the properthy is scheduled for auction; and the Notification of filed after the property is sold at If the property isn’t sold at auction, it goes back to the lendeer and is considered Real Estate Owned (REO).
Because data is collecte d frompublic records, it is subject to limitations with regardf to geographic coverage
percent for April 2009, representing a 0.63 percentage poinf annual difference. However, foreclosure rates in Albuquerque continuefd to risein April, to 1.17 percent, an increase of 0.36 when comparedc to April to 2008, according to , the collectord of national data on home prices, foreclosures and delinquency activity. The state of New Mexiclo has a 1.04 percent foreclosurr and a 0.22 percent bank repossession Perhaps more troubling for theDuke City’s future is that the mortgage delinquencyy rate has increased to 3.03 percent of mortgaged loans that were 90 days or more compared to 2.02 percent for the same period last Nationally, 5.
1 percent of mortgages are 90 days During the past 12 months, there were a total of 4,9165 foreclosure filings in Albuquerque, or approximately 13.47 per day. That comparez to the previous 12-month period of May 2007 to Apriol 2008 when therewere 4,061 foreclosure or approximately 11.13 per day. Public record foreclosure filings include the three steps in theforeclosurew process, starting with the pre-foreclosure filing or Noticr of Default (NOD), which typicallyt occurs after the 90-day delinquencuy period; the Notice of Foreclosure Sale when the properthy is scheduled for auction; and the Notification of filed after the property is sold at If the property isn’t sold at auction, it goes back to the lendeer and is considered Real Estate Owned (REO).
Because data is collecte d frompublic records, it is subject to limitations with regardf to geographic coverage
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Different generations require different feedback, motivation - Jacksonville Business Journal:
yfimuna.wordpress.com
There is no punchline, except that four different generations in the workforce means bossed often need to change the way they motivated and give feedbackto workers. Understandinv the differences amongst traditionalists, baby boomers, Generatiobn X-'ers and Generation Y'-ers can lead to a more energetic andfocussexd workforce. For many employers, like , the biggest challenge is keepint members of the youngee generation on for more than five The company has reduced its apprenticeship from five to four said Senior Vice PresidentDavid Long, who servexs on the Jacksonville Academy of Electric Technology board. Providing a new type of feedbacki and motivation can keep those employeeson longer.
"You can see it in The rigid, military-type and employers have gone bythe wayside," Long "People want to feel good about what they'rde doing and have instant gratification." Experts caution, however, against assumingf that an employee is motivated and needs feedbaco the same ways as the majority of member of their generation. The issue is a hot one in the humanresources industry.
Many employers are bracing for the loss of the baby boomed generation work force and are concerned abougGen X'-er and Gen Y'-ers' work ethic, said Kath y Wentworth, director of human resources for , a provider of transportation and warehousing services for perishable and dry cargok in the Southeast. "I suspect our parents said the same thingsxabout us, and their parents went through the same thingf and thought [their children] had it easy." The generation composed of peopld born between 1981 and 1995 is informall known as the "plugged in" generationm because of their familiarity with computeres and the Internet.
Because they are used to gettintg results at a touch ofa button, they also require the most feedbackj of any of the previousd generations, said Michelle Pargman, account managere for , an employee assistanced program and people development This need for constant feedback is also driven by theier interest in bettering themselves and gettint ready for their next position in or out of the Jamie Porcheddu, transactional group leader for , has founrd that members of the younger generation are more in tune with how the companyy is performing and are curious abouf how they can grow with the company.
who oversees more than 70 people, said she motivateds these people by making sure they get the feedback and tool sthey need. Their relative newness to the businese world also makes them questiontheir performance, said Genny human resources director for Craig/is, an outsourcing and professional servicess provider for the propert y and casualty insurance industry. Gen X-ersa -- people born between 1967 and 1980 -- are simila to Gen Y'-ers in that they both require more feedback than baby boomersand traditionalists. Like Gen Y'-ers, Gen X'-ers are keyed into technology and see their job as a career step instead ofa destination, Wentworth said.
Pargman said part of the reasobnGen X'-ers require constant feedback is because of the attentionj they received from their baby boomeer parents, who were encouraged by peerw and child rearing books to give theidr children constant feedback. "What is motivatingg for Gen X'-ers is a family-friendly she said. "Flexibility is important."
There is no punchline, except that four different generations in the workforce means bossed often need to change the way they motivated and give feedbackto workers. Understandinv the differences amongst traditionalists, baby boomers, Generatiobn X-'ers and Generation Y'-ers can lead to a more energetic andfocussexd workforce. For many employers, like , the biggest challenge is keepint members of the youngee generation on for more than five The company has reduced its apprenticeship from five to four said Senior Vice PresidentDavid Long, who servexs on the Jacksonville Academy of Electric Technology board. Providing a new type of feedbacki and motivation can keep those employeeson longer.
"You can see it in The rigid, military-type and employers have gone bythe wayside," Long "People want to feel good about what they'rde doing and have instant gratification." Experts caution, however, against assumingf that an employee is motivated and needs feedbaco the same ways as the majority of member of their generation. The issue is a hot one in the humanresources industry.
Many employers are bracing for the loss of the baby boomed generation work force and are concerned abougGen X'-er and Gen Y'-ers' work ethic, said Kath y Wentworth, director of human resources for , a provider of transportation and warehousing services for perishable and dry cargok in the Southeast. "I suspect our parents said the same thingsxabout us, and their parents went through the same thingf and thought [their children] had it easy." The generation composed of peopld born between 1981 and 1995 is informall known as the "plugged in" generationm because of their familiarity with computeres and the Internet.
Because they are used to gettintg results at a touch ofa button, they also require the most feedbackj of any of the previousd generations, said Michelle Pargman, account managere for , an employee assistanced program and people development This need for constant feedback is also driven by theier interest in bettering themselves and gettint ready for their next position in or out of the Jamie Porcheddu, transactional group leader for , has founrd that members of the younger generation are more in tune with how the companyy is performing and are curious abouf how they can grow with the company.
who oversees more than 70 people, said she motivateds these people by making sure they get the feedback and tool sthey need. Their relative newness to the businese world also makes them questiontheir performance, said Genny human resources director for Craig/is, an outsourcing and professional servicess provider for the propert y and casualty insurance industry. Gen X-ersa -- people born between 1967 and 1980 -- are simila to Gen Y'-ers in that they both require more feedback than baby boomersand traditionalists. Like Gen Y'-ers, Gen X'-ers are keyed into technology and see their job as a career step instead ofa destination, Wentworth said.
Pargman said part of the reasobnGen X'-ers require constant feedback is because of the attentionj they received from their baby boomeer parents, who were encouraged by peerw and child rearing books to give theidr children constant feedback. "What is motivatingg for Gen X'-ers is a family-friendly she said. "Flexibility is important."
Friday, April 13, 2012
Interactive Gaming and Simulations Alliance growing - Denver Business Journal:
symowugebeda.blogspot.com
The crisp, digital linesa between education and entertainment are becomingmore “The more fun you can make education and training, the more effectivew it’s going to be,” said Raymonf Hutchins, president and founder of the in Boulder. “Soo why not use what we’ve learned to make training and learningfmore interesting, exciting and fun?” Hutchins, a self-described “lifetimee entrepreneur,” recognized the need for an industry collective threwe years ago during a technology conference held by a regional organization of While Hutchins had a workinv knowledge of gaming and was familiar with many top videoi game titles, he knew little abourt the industry itself.
“Because of that I got to know all of these people inthe video-gamew industry,” Hutchins said. “They had no organization before, but because the conferencwe wasso successful, everyoned said, ‘let’s keep this thing going.’” So in Novembert 2006, Hutchins founded the IGSA which now has more than 40 members, includingh seven educational institutions. According to membership has more than doubled in the past He wants the IGSA to create an industrhy network to promote video games.
“[The IGSA’s] basic mission is to support each othe r and build a viable entertainment and simulationb industryin Colorado,” Hutchins Hutchins and his son, hold quarterly IGSA meetinga and send mail to more than 250,000 people involved in the video-gamingb and software-development industry. The grou p also matches companieswith gaming-development talent from acrose the United States. “As companies interact with the IGSA, they can call upon us to hook them up with the talentythey need,” Hutchins said. “We want to make Coloradko a hub ofthis industry, an interactive entertainment cluste r like Austin or L.A.
or San Francisco or Hutchins’ originally earned his technologyu “wings” while practicing on flightg simulators. Upon joining the U.S. Air Forcre in 1972, Hutchins was trained on flighg simulators similar to those that eventually led to the launcnof Microsoft’s flight-training modules, he said. “Thee U.S. military is the largest and most effective training organizationj onthe planet, and they totally get simulation and the power of gamingb technology,” Hutchins said. “So why not use these interactive technologiew that have already been proven by boththe video-games industry and the U.S. military?
” One such exampl e is IGSA member InVisM, a Greenwoosd Village simulations-based firm that specializes in what it referas toas “KLET” (knowledge, learning, education and training) “We’ve gone beyond just gaming,” said Russ founder and CEO of InVisM. “Because of the broad applicationewe have, we’re movingh into the education environment, as well as the interactivde and immersive market.
” InVisM (formerly Intelligeng Gaming) develops products that support training, simulatiobn and visualization, mostly for government agencies and military Its patented RealityV software won the “Besg Technology” award from Military Electronics magazine in 2008. Thoughy InVisM’s customer base consists mostly of government andmilitary agencies, Phelps said InVisMM also is able to apply scenario applicationes to small business departments, such as humah resources and customer service. The demand for virtua trainingis astonishing.
InVisM went from six employeee in 2008 to26 full-time and 45 part-time employees currently, and took in more revenue in Januargy than it did during all of 2008, accordiny to Phelps. “As the economyy goes down, businesses want to hold onto customerz morethan ever, and that’sd why they’re looking for cheaper and more effectivr training,” Phelps said. Training and education sometimes a game is justa game, and there’s stillk plenty of willing players. According to a study by independentLos Angeles- and Melbourne-based research firm IbisWorld, the video-gamse industry is poised to pull in $42 billion in nearly twice as much as in 2004.
The crisp, digital linesa between education and entertainment are becomingmore “The more fun you can make education and training, the more effectivew it’s going to be,” said Raymonf Hutchins, president and founder of the in Boulder. “Soo why not use what we’ve learned to make training and learningfmore interesting, exciting and fun?” Hutchins, a self-described “lifetimee entrepreneur,” recognized the need for an industry collective threwe years ago during a technology conference held by a regional organization of While Hutchins had a workinv knowledge of gaming and was familiar with many top videoi game titles, he knew little abourt the industry itself.
“Because of that I got to know all of these people inthe video-gamew industry,” Hutchins said. “They had no organization before, but because the conferencwe wasso successful, everyoned said, ‘let’s keep this thing going.’” So in Novembert 2006, Hutchins founded the IGSA which now has more than 40 members, includingh seven educational institutions. According to membership has more than doubled in the past He wants the IGSA to create an industrhy network to promote video games.
“[The IGSA’s] basic mission is to support each othe r and build a viable entertainment and simulationb industryin Colorado,” Hutchins Hutchins and his son, hold quarterly IGSA meetinga and send mail to more than 250,000 people involved in the video-gamingb and software-development industry. The grou p also matches companieswith gaming-development talent from acrose the United States. “As companies interact with the IGSA, they can call upon us to hook them up with the talentythey need,” Hutchins said. “We want to make Coloradko a hub ofthis industry, an interactive entertainment cluste r like Austin or L.A.
or San Francisco or Hutchins’ originally earned his technologyu “wings” while practicing on flightg simulators. Upon joining the U.S. Air Forcre in 1972, Hutchins was trained on flighg simulators similar to those that eventually led to the launcnof Microsoft’s flight-training modules, he said. “Thee U.S. military is the largest and most effective training organizationj onthe planet, and they totally get simulation and the power of gamingb technology,” Hutchins said. “So why not use these interactive technologiew that have already been proven by boththe video-games industry and the U.S. military?
” One such exampl e is IGSA member InVisM, a Greenwoosd Village simulations-based firm that specializes in what it referas toas “KLET” (knowledge, learning, education and training) “We’ve gone beyond just gaming,” said Russ founder and CEO of InVisM. “Because of the broad applicationewe have, we’re movingh into the education environment, as well as the interactivde and immersive market.
” InVisM (formerly Intelligeng Gaming) develops products that support training, simulatiobn and visualization, mostly for government agencies and military Its patented RealityV software won the “Besg Technology” award from Military Electronics magazine in 2008. Thoughy InVisM’s customer base consists mostly of government andmilitary agencies, Phelps said InVisMM also is able to apply scenario applicationes to small business departments, such as humah resources and customer service. The demand for virtua trainingis astonishing.
InVisM went from six employeee in 2008 to26 full-time and 45 part-time employees currently, and took in more revenue in Januargy than it did during all of 2008, accordiny to Phelps. “As the economyy goes down, businesses want to hold onto customerz morethan ever, and that’sd why they’re looking for cheaper and more effectivr training,” Phelps said. Training and education sometimes a game is justa game, and there’s stillk plenty of willing players. According to a study by independentLos Angeles- and Melbourne-based research firm IbisWorld, the video-gamse industry is poised to pull in $42 billion in nearly twice as much as in 2004.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
A good way to give back - Boston Business Journal:
aleshnikovenil.blogspot.com
Not just the rich, but ordinart people. There are 64,000 charitable foundations in and 37,500 of them are family About 60 percent of those are according to the , a communitu foundation. By small, they mean assets of less than $1 which, of course, isn’t all that small. But if you think aboutg it, in New Mexico, there are many individuals of modesgt means who find themselves with no heirsd and substantial assets in the form of a highlyappreciated home. (Appreciation has gone the wronfgway lately, but it still can be worth a Those people can always give their assets to a distanty nephew or niece, but many would rather donate to a worthy or several of them.
One way is to set up a privatr foundation. But why do that when there is a more efficient and lessexpensive way? As the reportede last week, increasing numbers of individuals and families are establishing donor-advised funds operated by such financialp institutions as or the . For an annuaol fee of as little as a fewhundred dollars, a buddingy philanthropist can tell Fidelity or Vanguarsd where, when and how much of thei r gift to donate, either in broad terms or very The advantage, besides efficiency, is that the donotr is entitled to a bigger tax Although Fidelity, Vanguard and others are very there is an even better in my opinion.
That would be to set up a donor-advisee fund at a local communitu foundation. There are nine community foundations in New The annual fee would be a little higherf than the computerized approach of Fidelityhor Vanguard, but there would be a personap touch. A local communityg foundation knows the community and can offer suggestions and guidance on how to best meet yourcharitable interests. You coulxd specify gifts to an international or to alocal one, or to or even to a range of local charities doinfg work with children, students, the the abused, the arts or any qualified nonprofit organization. The giving doesn’t have to wait untilp you die, either.
A non-revocable gift gets you an immediate tax deduction, even if the donations are spread out for or forever. Forever is a nice thought. It can help to get your mind offscalinhg back, and onto something more lasting.
Not just the rich, but ordinart people. There are 64,000 charitable foundations in and 37,500 of them are family About 60 percent of those are according to the , a communitu foundation. By small, they mean assets of less than $1 which, of course, isn’t all that small. But if you think aboutg it, in New Mexico, there are many individuals of modesgt means who find themselves with no heirsd and substantial assets in the form of a highlyappreciated home. (Appreciation has gone the wronfgway lately, but it still can be worth a Those people can always give their assets to a distanty nephew or niece, but many would rather donate to a worthy or several of them.
One way is to set up a privatr foundation. But why do that when there is a more efficient and lessexpensive way? As the reportede last week, increasing numbers of individuals and families are establishing donor-advised funds operated by such financialp institutions as or the . For an annuaol fee of as little as a fewhundred dollars, a buddingy philanthropist can tell Fidelity or Vanguarsd where, when and how much of thei r gift to donate, either in broad terms or very The advantage, besides efficiency, is that the donotr is entitled to a bigger tax Although Fidelity, Vanguard and others are very there is an even better in my opinion.
That would be to set up a donor-advisee fund at a local communitu foundation. There are nine community foundations in New The annual fee would be a little higherf than the computerized approach of Fidelityhor Vanguard, but there would be a personap touch. A local communityg foundation knows the community and can offer suggestions and guidance on how to best meet yourcharitable interests. You coulxd specify gifts to an international or to alocal one, or to or even to a range of local charities doinfg work with children, students, the the abused, the arts or any qualified nonprofit organization. The giving doesn’t have to wait untilp you die, either.
A non-revocable gift gets you an immediate tax deduction, even if the donations are spread out for or forever. Forever is a nice thought. It can help to get your mind offscalinhg back, and onto something more lasting.
Monday, April 9, 2012
'The Cabin in the Woods': Check out the forthcoming horror movie's new Mondo ... - Entertainment Weekly
yzirapogyg.wordpress.com
'The Cabin in the Woods': Check out the forthcoming horror movie's new Mondo ... Entertainment Weekly Now the company is paying tribute to director Drew Goddard and cowriter Joss Whedon's forthcoming The Cabin in the Woods. This twisty gore-fest is released April 13 but those lucky folks attending a special advance screening of Cabin tonight at the new ... |
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Bioworks' workforce development lauded for innovation - Memphis Business Journal:
mytyhona.wordpress.com
Missouri governor Matt Blunt presented the award to Bioworkws presidentSteven J. Bares at the opening session of the Southerb Workforce Summit conference earlierthis month. Awardss were given to organizations that create an enterprising and globall competitive workforce inthe South. The conferences focused on strategies for buildinga competitive, entrepreneurial workforcd to support the South's economic development initiatives in high-wage, high-growthu industries.
Awards were presented to one organizatiobn in each ofthe board's member states -- Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginiwa and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico -- and were chosen from among more than 200 regional The Southern Growth Policies Board is a regional public policyu think tank based in Research Triangle Park, N.C.
The boardd develops and advances economic development policies by providintg a forum for collaboration amonvg adiverse cross-section of the region'sz governors, legislators, business and academic leadersx and the economic and community development The Memphis Bioworks Foundation was established in 2001 to positionm Memphis as a center for the research, developmentf and commercialization of biomedical technology. The foundatiohn is developing facilities and resourcesxfor bio-science businesses, researchers and entrepreneur on a 10-acre research park and a dedicateds biotechnology research facility. A regional biocontainment lab is alreadytunder construction.
The Memphis Bioworks Foundationalso co-founded Tennessee'xs first charter school, the , which currently enrolls 550 studentzs in grades six through 10.
Missouri governor Matt Blunt presented the award to Bioworkws presidentSteven J. Bares at the opening session of the Southerb Workforce Summit conference earlierthis month. Awardss were given to organizations that create an enterprising and globall competitive workforce inthe South. The conferences focused on strategies for buildinga competitive, entrepreneurial workforcd to support the South's economic development initiatives in high-wage, high-growthu industries.
Awards were presented to one organizatiobn in each ofthe board's member states -- Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginiwa and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico -- and were chosen from among more than 200 regional The Southern Growth Policies Board is a regional public policyu think tank based in Research Triangle Park, N.C.
The boardd develops and advances economic development policies by providintg a forum for collaboration amonvg adiverse cross-section of the region'sz governors, legislators, business and academic leadersx and the economic and community development The Memphis Bioworks Foundation was established in 2001 to positionm Memphis as a center for the research, developmentf and commercialization of biomedical technology. The foundatiohn is developing facilities and resourcesxfor bio-science businesses, researchers and entrepreneur on a 10-acre research park and a dedicateds biotechnology research facility. A regional biocontainment lab is alreadytunder construction.
The Memphis Bioworks Foundationalso co-founded Tennessee'xs first charter school, the , which currently enrolls 550 studentzs in grades six through 10.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Withstanding criticism, Pa. lawmakers vote to reduce the size of the legislature - Philadelphia Inquirer
xosawewaqa.wordpress.com
Go Lackawanna | Withstanding criticism, Pa. lawmakers vote to reduce the size of the legislature Philadelphia Inquirer By Amy Worden HARRISBURG - A bill to reduce the size of the Pennsylvania legislature withstood a battery of criticism to easily clear the state House on Wednesday, the first such vote by lawmakers to trim their own ranks in 45 years. House favors reducing size of legislature PA. House Approves Measure to Reduce Legislature |
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Nonprofits brace for budget emergency aftershocks, IOUs - The Business Review (Albany):
cahijisebi.wordpress.com
While service providers don’t yet know whether they’lpl receive IOUs — or what the amountse will be — Sparky Harlan, CEO of the in Santq Clara, is prepared for the worst. “We receiver about $400,000 in state funding,” Harla n said. “We’re already accustomed to getting moneuy from the statelate — last year, for it took until December beforw we finally got paid.” For this year and last year the centetr has relied on a $150,000o line of credit throug to cover the gap, alont with $500,000 out of its reserve The center’s operating budget is $10 million for fiscal 2009-10.
The monety that may be on hold from the state in part, the center’s shelter and drop-in program, streegt outreach, and parenting classes. “The problem right now is that we don’y know for certain how much they’re goinhg to hold back,” said Harlan, who has been with the centedr for26 years. “But this is by far the wors t I’ve ever seen.” In anticipation of the state’sa budget problems, 10 percent cuts have already been plannedrfor foster-care payments. Locally there are 300 to 400 kids infostee care.
Foster care rates are the same across the so familiesin high-cost areass such as the Bay Area get the same amounf of compensation as people in more affordable “We’re fronting half a million dollars already,” she said. It’s a layered problemk for the center, since in addition to state money some comes from the federak Housing and UrbanDevelopment department. And Harlan said HUD is so slow it can take up to six montha for payments tobe received. “We’re hopinbg to get paid by July,” she said. “Nonprofits are just gettiny slammed.
” Harlan said the Bill Wilson Center has closed down two programes already and cut about 15 percent ofits staff, leavingg about 110 employees. These are real she pointed out — not attrition or open jobs and “heartbreaking” to do. “Wer had to give one staff person a layoff noticw and a week later his wife was laid off fromanothef nonprofit,” she said. in Campbell gets aboutr $500,000 a year from the state for itsAIDS services.
CFO Ira Holtzmam said the agency is large enougb and financially stable enough that he would just book an IOU as accounts receivable and hope the money came through TheHealth Trust’s budget for fiscap year 2010 is more than $16 million, Holtzmanh said. Pam Brandin, executive director of and Visualluy Impaired, which has offices in Palo Alto andSanta Cruz, said that even though her agench provides the kind of servicexs that are especially at risk in State Controller John Chiang’sd plan, the Vista Center is relatively “We receive money through Title 7 Chapter 2 Brandin explained.
“Since much of our fundinf is federalmoney we’rre hoping that it has to be releaserd and passed on; the state won’yt be allowed to hold on to it.” The Vista Center also has schoop contracts through special education “Last year when the stated had similar budget issues we didn’t receivee any IOUs,” she said, “buty that situation was resolved soonefr than this appears to be. The agenciees that receive IOUsprobably won’t even know they’rew coming until they submit their bills.
” She’s also banking on Vistw Center’s status as a preferred vendor with the “so we’ll be paid in advance of other vendorsd — if in fact the state is even writing Lisa Hendrickson, president & CEO of Avenidase Rose Kleiner Senior Day Health Centef in Palo Alto, is also cautiously optimistic. “The only funds we receive from the stats are MediCal payments for services providee at our adult daycare she said. “Our understanding is that those services are protectexd by the state constitution as well asfederal law. We do receivre funding indirectly throughthe county, but we don’t expecrt that to be affected.
” Tom Kinoshita, publivc policy director of the , said peopled are on pins and needles. “Everyone’w sitting around waiting, not knowing what’s going to happen. But even with the most optimisticdoutcome it’s still going to be very ugly.” He pointed out that the deficirt last year for Santa Clara Countyu was more than $270 and many of the cuts were made in programs around health, mental health, drugs and alcohol and sociakl services. And there’s no relief on the horizon: For 2011 the countu is looking at a deficity ofabout $250 million, he said.
While service providers don’t yet know whether they’lpl receive IOUs — or what the amountse will be — Sparky Harlan, CEO of the in Santq Clara, is prepared for the worst. “We receiver about $400,000 in state funding,” Harla n said. “We’re already accustomed to getting moneuy from the statelate — last year, for it took until December beforw we finally got paid.” For this year and last year the centetr has relied on a $150,000o line of credit throug to cover the gap, alont with $500,000 out of its reserve The center’s operating budget is $10 million for fiscal 2009-10.
The monety that may be on hold from the state in part, the center’s shelter and drop-in program, streegt outreach, and parenting classes. “The problem right now is that we don’y know for certain how much they’re goinhg to hold back,” said Harlan, who has been with the centedr for26 years. “But this is by far the wors t I’ve ever seen.” In anticipation of the state’sa budget problems, 10 percent cuts have already been plannedrfor foster-care payments. Locally there are 300 to 400 kids infostee care.
Foster care rates are the same across the so familiesin high-cost areass such as the Bay Area get the same amounf of compensation as people in more affordable “We’re fronting half a million dollars already,” she said. It’s a layered problemk for the center, since in addition to state money some comes from the federak Housing and UrbanDevelopment department. And Harlan said HUD is so slow it can take up to six montha for payments tobe received. “We’re hopinbg to get paid by July,” she said. “Nonprofits are just gettiny slammed.
” Harlan said the Bill Wilson Center has closed down two programes already and cut about 15 percent ofits staff, leavingg about 110 employees. These are real she pointed out — not attrition or open jobs and “heartbreaking” to do. “Wer had to give one staff person a layoff noticw and a week later his wife was laid off fromanothef nonprofit,” she said. in Campbell gets aboutr $500,000 a year from the state for itsAIDS services.
CFO Ira Holtzmam said the agency is large enougb and financially stable enough that he would just book an IOU as accounts receivable and hope the money came through TheHealth Trust’s budget for fiscap year 2010 is more than $16 million, Holtzmanh said. Pam Brandin, executive director of and Visualluy Impaired, which has offices in Palo Alto andSanta Cruz, said that even though her agench provides the kind of servicexs that are especially at risk in State Controller John Chiang’sd plan, the Vista Center is relatively “We receive money through Title 7 Chapter 2 Brandin explained.
“Since much of our fundinf is federalmoney we’rre hoping that it has to be releaserd and passed on; the state won’yt be allowed to hold on to it.” The Vista Center also has schoop contracts through special education “Last year when the stated had similar budget issues we didn’t receivee any IOUs,” she said, “buty that situation was resolved soonefr than this appears to be. The agenciees that receive IOUsprobably won’t even know they’rew coming until they submit their bills.
” She’s also banking on Vistw Center’s status as a preferred vendor with the “so we’ll be paid in advance of other vendorsd — if in fact the state is even writing Lisa Hendrickson, president & CEO of Avenidase Rose Kleiner Senior Day Health Centef in Palo Alto, is also cautiously optimistic. “The only funds we receive from the stats are MediCal payments for services providee at our adult daycare she said. “Our understanding is that those services are protectexd by the state constitution as well asfederal law. We do receivre funding indirectly throughthe county, but we don’t expecrt that to be affected.
” Tom Kinoshita, publivc policy director of the , said peopled are on pins and needles. “Everyone’w sitting around waiting, not knowing what’s going to happen. But even with the most optimisticdoutcome it’s still going to be very ugly.” He pointed out that the deficirt last year for Santa Clara Countyu was more than $270 and many of the cuts were made in programs around health, mental health, drugs and alcohol and sociakl services. And there’s no relief on the horizon: For 2011 the countu is looking at a deficity ofabout $250 million, he said.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Cambridge Satchel Company has it in the bag - Lake Zurich Courier
ibitasony.wordpress.com
Cambridge Satchel Company has it in the bag Lake Zurich Courier By MEG MOORE mmoore@pioneerlocal.com March 28, 2012 3:56PM 18/01/10 Julie Deane is a famous satchel bag maker . 24 Green End, Fen Ditton . Picture by David Johnson . While heading to fashion shows in New York City or running errands in Chicago, ... Mad Men stars get designer satchels from Wigston firm
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