The Business Journal of West Central Ohio

Professional recruiting in the modern world

admin — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:15:53 +0000

R.M. Schulte and Associates, Inc. was founded in 1962 by Robert M. Schulte as a contingency and retained search firm. R.M. Schulte and Associates has always worked very hard to maintain the highest level of quality in its recruiting services. As with most recruiting firms, we specialize in recruiting talented professionals and executives to fill mid-level to senior management positions in the fields of accounting, banking/finance, sales, human resources, engineering, plant management and manufacturing. Our philosophy is built upon 3 principles: Technology, Networking and Relationships.

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Logistics business: NRF calls for low holiday retail sales projections

admin — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:14:47 +0000

WASHINGTON—The domestic economy is still in a prolonged rut. That said, it does not come as a huge surprise that the National Retail Federation said today that for the 2008 holiday season sales are expected to rise only 2.2 percent to $470.4 billion.
The NRF said this estimate would be significantly below the ten-year average of 4.4 percent holiday sales growth and would be the slowest growth for this period since 2002, when holiday sales inched up 1.3 percent. NRF Chief Economist Rosalind Wells said in a statement that current financial pressures and a lack of confidence in the economy will force consumers to be very conservative with holiday spending, adding that they are likely to be less frugal this holiday season and less willing to splurge on discretionary items.
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Railroad antritrust legislation passed by House Judiciary Committee

admin — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:13:58 +0000

WASHINGTON—The topic of railroad re-regulation was back on the table this week, as the House Judiciary Committee passed legislation that has the potential to dramatically alter the freight railroad landscape in the United States.
The legislation, entitled, H.R. 1650: The Railroad Enforcement Act of 2007, would create a dual regulatory system for our nation’s railroad industry and retroactively undo agreements, decisions and rulings currently in effect, according to the American Association of Railroads.

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Fortkamp Now Sales Agent for IPB

admin — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:12:23 +0000

Sidney, OH – Kevin Fortkamp, who has been an employee of Industrial Property Brokers (IPB) since January, has earned his real estate license from the Ohio Department of Commerce and is now a realtor with the company specializing in commercial real estate.
A native of Sidney, Fortkamp has an extensive knowledge of the area. He attended the University of Cincinnati and Ohio University where he pursued a marketing and business course of study.

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An employers obligation under the American’s Disability Act

admin — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:11:17 +0000

By Anita M. Schoonover

Here’s a quick overview of your obligations under the American’s Disability Act (ADA). It prohibits employers with 15 or more employees from discriminating against qualified disabled individuals. The law defines a “qualified individual with a disability” as a person who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the job. It also requires employers to make “reasonable” efforts to accommodate a disabled individual’s limitations so that the person can perform the job. If a person is not disabled, however, no accommodation is legally required.
So, what constitutes a disability?
The ADA statute defines a disability as:
1. A physical or mental impairment which substantially limits a major life activity
2. A record of having an impairment; or
3. Being regarded as having impairment.
Physical impairments are defined as any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting the body systems. Also, mental impairments are defined as any mental or psychological disorder, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.

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How good at sales are you? Look at your report card!

admin — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:07:56 +0000

By Jeffrey Gitomer

Every salesperson, you included, gets a report card – every day.
Most salespeople, you included, ignore it.
Every time a customer gives you an order, they’re grading you for your quality, your value, and how you compare against what else is out there in the market. You get an “A” – or should I say, you get an “O” for outstanding job, and order.
The rest of the report card you get from customers and prospects requires listening and understanding, thinking and observing — discerning is the word. It means to perceive or recognize something barely visible to others.

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When times get tough, the tough gets focused

admin — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:05:15 +0000

Business strategy consultant recommends companies go through a process of identifying their key success factors.
Recessions leave no room for wasted expenses and diverse organizational effort. In time of economic downturn, all energies must be applied to those few activities which matter most.
“To survive and thrive in difficult times you have to zero in on what matters most.”
That’s the advice of Bill Birnbaum, veteran business strategy consultant and author of the book, Strategic Thinking: A Four Piece Puzzle.
“Whether you are a startup or are struggling to survive in the face of economic challenges, you and your management team must identify and focus on the few key factors which produce reliable success. Those key factors must be specific to your industry, your market, and your organization.”

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What do customers WANT to buy?

admin — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:05:02 +0000

The B2B “Bad Economy” Cure: Five Reasons Why Now Is the Time to Embrace New Product Blueprinting
Dan Adams says the only way to win in tough times is through organic growth. Companies must consistently come up with differentiated new products customers want to buy—and that means finding clarity in the “fuzzy front end” of the process.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH (September 2008)—Economically speaking, (and with apologies to Thomas Paine), these are the times that try men’s souls. This is especially true when those men (and, obviously, women too) are business leaders. If you’re one of them, you have a tough row to hoe. Keeping the customers you already have can be difficult enough in an age of consumer anxiety, vise-tight budgets, and suddenly-Scrooge-like bankers. But actually growing your company in the way it needs to be grown in order to thrive long-term—well, it can feel like an impossible feat.
Don’t despair. Dan Adams has two words for you: organic growth.
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AIP celebrates 25th Anniversary

admin — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:04:35 +0000

Doing it right the first time and being service-oriented are two major ingredients for success for this 25-year old logistics company.
AIP, known as American Industrial Partners and started by Charles Kantner in 1983, has grown in floor space from 30,000 sq.ft in 1983 to more than 450,000 sq.ft today.

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Passion drives manager at Sidney Warehouse

admin — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:03:46 +0000

What does working at Bob Evans restaurant in Dayton area for 9 years have in common managing a regional warehousing/logistics company?
Everything. If you’re Ed Angel.
His passion for the business he manages and his customer service attitude is evident in every facet of the operation at Sidney Warehouseing Inc.,Sidney, Ohio.
“We’re customer-service oriented,” explained Angel.

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