InterBusiness Issues - July 2006

Tom Fliege
Insuring the Success of Hawk Agency

The Hawk Agency owner discusses selling insurance to Generation Xers, the benefits of being an independent agency, and why he thinks insurance is the most interesting career out there.

Features

Publisher's Note
Retirement Dreams Retirement Nightmares
George Ryan's trial and the disaster situation of our public pension system both lead us to the age-old question, "Why can't the government run like a business?"
Guest Editorial
Help in Preparing for Your Appeals Hearing
The appeals process starts after the local office issues a determination and one party disagrees with it. That party then files a written appeal--here are tips to help you prepare for the resulting hearing.
Government Profile
Councilman Bill Spears
Spears talks with InterBusiness Issues about his tenure as a Peoria City Council member.
Business Profile
Jim Simpson: MSI Systems Integrators
Simpson, president and CEO of MSI Systems Integrators, is a keen observer of business solutions trends. That's what his company was founded upon--the need for a solution to the technology trends companies were wasting their money on.
IBI List
Exercise Facilities
The latest IBI List offers a variety of fitness establishments.

Columns

  • Agricultural Issues
    Are You Ready to Make Your Own Fuel?
    Patrick Kirchhofer - Peoria County Farm Bureau
  • Chiropractic Issues
    State of Health
    Dr. Robert Zinser, Zinser Chiropractic Clinics
  • City Issues
    District 150 and the City of Peoria
    Mayor Jim Ardis - City of Peoria
  • Community Issues
    Renaissance Park Commission Update
    W. Michael Bryant, Methodist Medical Center
  • Consulting Issues
    Managing Innovation in Shrinking Product Cycle
    Navneet Arora, CGN & Associates
  • Debt Management Issues
    Summer Vacations
    Janice Parker, Central Illinois Debt Management & Credit Education, Inc.
  • Education Issues
    Education Builds a Nation
    Dr. John Erwin, Illinois Central College
  • Ethical Issues
    Ethics and Intellectual Property
    Dr. John Throop, The Summit Group
  • Healthcare Issues
    Potential Nurses Being Denied Nursing Education
    Lois Hamilton Ph.D., Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing
  • Heartland Issues
    Honoring Local Business Success
    Jim McConoughey, Heartland Partnership
  • HR Issues
    Succession Plan: Where Does Yours Stand
    Mary Pille, Employers' Association
  • Insurance Issues
    Driving with Cell Phones
    JR Runkel, Fortner Insurance Agency, Inc.
  • Manufacturing Issues
    Lean Enterprise Deployment Strategy: Part II
    Bob Weinstein, IMEC
  • Occupational Health Issues
    Are Injuries and Turnover Matters of Emotion?
    Michael Davis - IWIRC Corp.
  • PACVB Issues
    Come. Stay. Play.
    Steve Powell, Peoria Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Social Issues
    Creating a Community-Wide Family
    Michael Stephan, Heart of Illinois United Way
  • Staffing Issues
    Choosing a Staffing Agency: Part I
    David Smith, Manpower Professional
  • Workforce Issues
    Workforce Development for a New Century: Part II
    Bashir Ali - Central Illinois Workforce Network

Also in This Issue...

Benchmarking: Critical to Key Performance Drivers
Michael Bass
Is benchmarking a practice your organization takes to heart? If it's little more than a buzzword, you may be putting your company at risk.
External Solutions: The Competitive Advantage
Douglas Johnson
Outsourcing has been used increasingly in the last 30 years--it can create opportunities for you to fine-tune business processes and focus on what you do best.
Good News: Key Tax Cuts Extended
Michael Graham
An extension of the temporary lower tax rates on dividends and capital gains is the centerpiece of a new tax package signed into law May 17.
Illinois Turning Green
Tim Kiefer
Green building design has rolled into the heartland. In Illinois, state agencies, local communities, public and private developers, and school districts are pushing the initiative into the forefront.
Is the Architect God?
James Hafele and Fadi Rustom
It's not unusual for the architect to be given the authority to interpret the contract documents. In matters of style or art, his decision may be final.