According to the latest Wilkerson & Associates research of adults in Burleigh and Morton counties, 80% of adults in this region are reading the Bismarck Tribune in print and/or online.

60% of adults in these two core counties are reading the Bismarck Tribune in print exclusively. And an additional 20% of the market is reading bismarcktribune.com online exclusively or reading it both online and in print.

That means each week, the Bismarck Tribune – in print and online – reaches an unduplicated audience of 80%, or 8 out of 10 adults in Burleigh and Morton counties.

707 E. Front Ave., Bismarck, ND 58504
(701) 223-2500 • 1-800-472-2272 • Fax: (701) 224-1412
www.bismarcktribune.com

Variable-data printing is a digital way of customizing letters, postcards, direct mail and other marketing materials, fed by databases and files, without stopping or slowing down the printing process. In other words, elements like text, graphics and images are changed from piece to another to target individuals.

For example, instead of producing 5,000 copies of a single document, delivering a single message to 5,000 customers, variable-data printing makes it possible to print 5,000 unique documents with personalized messages for each customer.

Who can use variable-data printing? Anyone!

While many businesses use variable-data printing for direct marketing and advertising purposes, individuals can use this service to personalize wedding invitations, Christmas cards and more.

At United Printing we can purchase databases or use your existing one. If you’re still a little confused about variable-data printing, visit www.unitedprinting.com for examples. Happy surfing!

117 West Front Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58504
(701) 223-0505 • 1-800-437-8040 • Fax: (701) 223-5571
www.unitedprinting.com

]]> http://www.reviewpop.com/ask-an-expert/what-is-variable-data-printing-and-who-can-utilize-it/feed/ http://www.reviewpop.com/ask-an-expert/do-disability-related-issues-have-an-impact-on-business/ http://www.reviewpop.com/ask-an-expert/do-disability-related-issues-have-an-impact-on-business/#comments Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:21:36 +0000 admin http://www.reviewpop.com/?p=160 Harley D. Engelman, M.B.A, Marketing and Business Relations Director

Absolutely!

Let’s consider a few key points. One out of every six North Dakotans has a disability. One out of every three families, either immediate or extended, has a family member with a disability. And the statistic that most people do not even consider until it impacts them in some manner is that you are now more likely to have a disability in your lifetime than not, a 51% chance.

That percentage increases as we age. Take North Dakota’s aging population into consideration and the state’s business owners, employers and employees are all impacted by disabilities. That impact does not have to be negative, however.

Rather, through a progressive approach, business can develop strategies to interact effectively with this significant market segment. By doing so, these strategies will lead to positive outcomes. The key lies in knowledge and understanding.

Quite simply, any steps taken by business to assist North Dakotans with disabilities will have a positive effect on the lives of all North Dakotans.

If you want to learn more or need assistance in developing your disability-related strategies, give Rehabilitation Consulting & Services a call at 701-328-8950 or 1-800-755-2745.

WWW.ND.GOV/DHS/RCS
(701) 328-8957
1-800-755-2745
RCS has eight statewide locations including Bismarck, Fargo, Minot, Grand Forks, Williston, Devils Lake, Dickinson and Jamestown.

Deposits owned by corporation, partnership, or unincorporated association are insured up to $100,000 separately from the personal accounts of the entity’s stockholders, partners or members.

If FDIC insurance is a concern, the organization should consider using the CDAR’s service, which provides your business with up to $50 million dollars in FDIC protection on CD investments with the convenience of working with just one bank.

CDARS is made up of a special network of banks. When your business places a large amount with one of these banks, they can place the funds into CD’s issued by other banks in the network- in increments of less than $100,000 – so that both principal and interest are eligible for complete FDIC protection.

As a result, your business can receive coverage from many banks while working with just one. With full insurance your business won’t have to deal with surety bonds and collateralization requirements. There is also no need to manually consolidate account statements or interest disbursements. You can negotiate one rate with a CDAR’s network bank for each maturity and enjoy the option of reinvesting funds through this simple process.

BNC joined the CDARS network several years ago and have since assisted many businesses and nonprofits in simplifying their investment process and address past audit concerns dealing with the lack of enough FDIC coverage.

1-800-BNC-BANK
(1-800-262-2265)
322 East Main Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58501
Phone: (701) 250-3000
www.bncbank.com

It’s only natural to feel a little down about being stuck inside all day when the weather is so nice outside, says Julia Kennedy, career services director for Everest Universities throughout North America. If you do have a case of the work blues, Kennedy says there are many ways to cheer yourself up.

For example, if you have a window, open it to let the cooler fresh air in. You can also bring nature into your office by putting a bouquet of flowers on your desk or creating a desk-sized rock garden. You should also try to spend as much time as possible outdoors and build in special times for getting out of the office. You can pack your lunch and eat it outdoors, or take an afternoon coffee break to walk around the block. Lastly, Kennedy suggests that you talk to your boss about flex-time or working from home once a week, if you really want to fit more freedom for outdoor time into your schedule.

But if your dislike of your job goes deeper than simply the indoor blues, Kennedy says your dissatisfaction should be taken seriously. “Everybody has a bad day at work, but if you’re having a lot of bad days, you might have the workplace blues, and they can have a real effect on your quality of life,” she says.

Kennedy suggests asking yourself the following questions to fairly assess your current work environment: Do you feel trapped at work? Do you dread going to work in the morning? Do you see real potential for advancement at work? Do you have a good relationship with your boss? Do you constantly dream of the weekends?

“Ask yourself, ‘How often am I feeling this way? Am I blaming my boss or co-workers for the way I’m feeling consistently?’ Once you’re aware of the reasons why you feel a certain way, it usually becomes quite obvious what change is necessary,” Kennedy adds.

New evidence from north of the border shows that Americans are not alone in our work problems. In fact, half of all Canadians report suffering from occasional bouts of work-induced blues, according to a December 2007 survey commissioned by Everest College of Business, Technology and Healthcare — Ontario’s leading career college.

Feelings of job dissatisfaction can range from mild frustration to consistent feelings of unhappiness. On the same survey by Everest College of Business, 22 percent of respondents indicated that their salary was the most depressing thing about their job, whereas 12 percent said a lack of opportunity for career advancement was. Perhaps more troubling, 40 percent of respondents believed that their current job did not offer a lot of opportunity for advancement.

“If you are reaching a moderate level of job dissatisfaction and have not yet started thinking about alternatives, it’s time to start learning about new opportunities of which there are many,” says Kennedy. “Career fit is important to happiness on the job. Retraining can play a key role in changing lives for the better and most of our students are working while learning new skills to transition to a new career path.”

If you are thinking of making a career change, Kennedy recommends evaluating these factors: your interests; value system; skill level; opportunities in the market; and which fields, industries or companies seem attractive. “Your career needs to fit with your personality and interests, and support your goals for the future,” adds Kennedy. “Most importantly, remember that you deserve to be happy and fulfilled in your professional choice.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Workplace injuries, including musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), such as tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome are often painful reminders of the effect that hours of poor posture and awkward motion can have on the body.

In 2006, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 357,160 cases of work-related musculoskeletal disorders that resulted in lost workdays. In addition, the Journal of American Medical Association found that costs associated with common pain conditions and lost productivity in the U.S. are estimated at $61.2 billion per year.

While office injuries have become more common, many can be minimized or prevented entirely through the principles of ergonomics, or the science of designing work environments to better fit the capabilities of the individuals using them. Practicing proper ergonomic principles at work helps ensure comfort, increase productivity and reduce health issues, such as stress injuries, back, neck and shoulder strain and muscular pains.

“Employees are spending more time behind a desk and in front of a computer screen, making office aches and pains more common,” says Kevin Butler, board-certified ergonomist and consultant for Fellowes, Inc. “Poor habits such as slouching, reaching across your desk or bending your wrists up when you type can unknowingly cause stress on the body and lead to more serious medical conditions.”

Butler recommends incorporating the following techniques at work to ensure desk dwellers stay comfortable and healthy from head to toe:

Eyes – Sit approximately an arm’s length away from your monitor and position the top of the monitor screen at, or slightly below, eye level. Take mini breaks every 10 to 20 minutes to rest the eyes from the glare of the monitor.

Shoulders – Keep your shoulders relaxed and in a neutral position as you type. Keep your elbows close to your sides as you use the keyboard and mouse. Take a moment every so often to roll your shoulders up and back to alleviate tension.

Hands and Wrists – Keep your wrists straight and in a neutral position. Keep the bottom of your elbows even with the keyboard height, not below. Use minimum force while striking the keys and utilize your chair arms for support.

Back and Legs – Adjust your chair so your thighs are parallel to the floor. Sit back in the seat so that your lower back is supported firmly by the chair or a support cushion. Place your feet on a footrest to relieve “pull” on the lower back. Make sure to get up and stretch your back and legs every hour.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Growing environmental concern and limited fossil fuel supplies are driving the growth of domestic and international markets for renewable energy systems, the U.S. Department of Energy reports. Rising demand for cleaner energy directly affects career opportunities in industries related to renewable resources.

“The 2008 economic forecast suggests that one of the newest, fastest growing markets for jobs will be alternative energy,” says Sheryl Decker, director of career services at Brown Mackie College - South Bend, Ind. Decker recently attended a business outlook panel presented by Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. “Growth opportunities appear in companies that are exploring the use of wind, solar, geothermal, hydropower and bioenergy power technologies.”

Millions of professionals already work in alternative energy industries, yet more are needed, including:

* chemists
* engineers
* sales and marketing professionals
* administrators
* managers
* clerical workers
* human resources
* information technology
* business
* finance
* law

“Professionals who are already in the workforce, and students seeking to enter into a green career, can prepare with a number of degree programs and continuing education courses,” Decker says. “Many different types of skills can be applied to these upcoming industries.”

“Alternative energy companies are seeking professionals to fill a wide variety of positions, including mechanical engineer, project manager, programmer analyst, IT sourcing specialist, administrative assistant and marketing director,” she says.

“Business Week” magazine reports that a growing number of professionals are moving to jobs in renewable energy fields to promote their own personal environmental concerns. While some intend to transfer existing skills to a different industry, others are making a mid-life career change simply to become part of the solution for the many environmental issues we face today.

The rising cost of oil is proving to be a catalyst for the further development of alternative energy sources. While substantial growth is happening now, Decker points out that many people don’t yet realize the opportunities it affords.

“People tend to overlook many untapped markets and job opportunities in their local employment arenas,” she says. “Networking can be an effective way to gauge the hiring needs in your area. I encourage everyone to join industry-specific organizations, volunteer in community activities, and become involved with the Chamber of Commerce. By becoming involved in the community and networking, you will see new doors opening with different job opportunities.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Americans revel in turning lemons into lemonade, and the gas price situation is no exception. Here are three ways high gas prices have actually had a positive impact:

Safer Roads

The high cost of gas has actually made American roads safer, according to a widely reported study by the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute. The study found that nationwide traffic fatalities between May 2007 and April 2008 dropped more than 4 percent from the previous year, a significant decrease. What’s more, in the months of May and April, the decreases topped 22 and 19 percent, respectively.

The decrease in fatalities was disproportionate to the drops in number of miles traveled and gallons of gas sold for the period, the study’s author Michael Sivak, noted. The conclusion, he said, is that people are not only driving less, when they do drive, they are driving more safely.

A Chance to Make Money

Speculators and the stock market are favorite scapegoats when politicians try to assign blame for rising gas costs. While there may be some validity to the finger-pointing, the truth is high gas prices have also opened up investing opportunities for even the smallest investors. Some are opting to get in on the ground floor with companies working to develop alternative fuels. Others are seeing new opportunities in traditional energy sources.

For example, after 9/11, oil and natural gas prices dropped so low that many independent oil companies folded. Many wells were closed before their resources were depleted. One small company, Allenergy Inc. (ALRY.PK), started acquiring the leases for more than 150 closed wells on thousands of acres in Kansas and Oklahoma. The company is now re-opening those wells, and has increased its production 683 percent from year to year.

The company is still trading as a penny stock (just as Microsoft did in its early days), making it accessible to investors with even the most modest budget. Revenue and production increases promise to drive the stock price in the foreseeable future, regardless of gas price fluctuations.

Improved Health/Environment

We all know exercise is good for our health. Regular exercise improves cardiovascular health and facilitates weight loss. Losing just 5 to 10 percent of your total body weight can help prevent or delay obesity-related diseases like type 2 diabetes, according to the Diabetes Prevention Program. Many Americans are taking high gas prices as incentive to do more walking and cycling.

The environment is also benefiting. Carpools are gaining popularity and many states now offer high-occupancy vehicle lanes on highways to further encourage carpooling. Bicycle paths are common sights on our roads, too, with many cities now devoting millions of dollars to developing paths for commuting cyclists.

High gas prices are likely to be with us for a long time to come. But from penny stock opportunities to better health, Americans are finding creative ways to turn adversity into success.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

]]> http://www.reviewpop.com/nd-energy/the-silver-lining-in-the-storm-cloud-of-high-gas-prices/feed/ http://www.reviewpop.com/articles/survivors-businesses-that-change-with-the-times/ http://www.reviewpop.com/articles/survivors-businesses-that-change-with-the-times/#comments Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:34:16 +0000 admin http://www.reviewpop.com/?p=145 Not long ago, the dime store sold pet rocks. Secretaries typed letters and memos, deliberately key-stroking on a manual typewriter; office bookkeepers filled in ledgers with sharpened pencils. Homes fueled furnaces with oil; gasoline cost less than a dollar. Some doctors made house calls, and prescriptions were filled at the drug store.

Times have changed – some.

An occasional dollar store carries pet rocks. Typewriters have given way to computers, email and spreadsheets. We still purchase fuel, visit doctors, and retrieve prescriptions, but many of those businesses have simply evolved, often adding services in support of their products.

Business managers have become more vigilant about customer needs. They carefully follow trends in their markets and are able to offer the right mix of products and services.

“Pharmacists were unable to counsel, even 30 and 40 years ago,” said Dan Churchill, owner of Churchill HealthMart Pharmacy. “The method was fairly inefficient. Today, we utilize our skills – good for the healthcare system as well as good for our customers.”

Pharmacies now offer counseling, patient medication management, and a full gamut of health screenings and immunizations, in addition to yesterday’s compounding and dispensing of medications.

Instead of relying solely on a doctor’s advice, Internet access allows today’s patients to research symptoms or medications from home. And prescriptions can be filled online, creating another potential competitor to local businesses.

Pharmacies must be more efficient, utilize technologies and offer detailed services to prove their worth, Churchill said.

Customer needs

Businesses need to be tuned into what the consumers wants, said Kevin Fishbeck, University of Mary division chair for business.

In a technologically savvy world, consumers consider needed items differently. Cell phones, personal music, and other small devices, portable and convenient, rank right up there with food and gas.

Comfort Zone Heating and Air owner Randy Mathern said, “Everyone has a cell phone. No longer are business people tied to a desk; they can be reached virtually anytime, anyplace, allowing more personal contact. Everything has gone electronic. No more paper invoices.”

True. Business settings today differ greatly from those of yesterday, including the addition of sleek wireless laptop computers, hands-free communications, and GPS systems in vehicles. Technology advancements, and a movement toward environmentally friendly spaces, helped initiate a drive for green energy.

“Geo-thermal energy (has) slowly become interesting,” said Mathern, who worked with gas- and oil-fi red furnaces for more than 30 years. “There are energy costs and advantages with it. New home construction is big in energy efficiency, and more existing homes are converting to geo-thermal energy heating and cooling.”

Mathern sees resale of homes absorbing the investment in energy efficiency, as buyers recognize its value.

Coming full circle

Working both as certified public accountants and consultants, Krumm & Associates owner Ken Krumm says local businesses must specialize and strive to provide not only top quality products, but the service and expertise to back those products, at fair market prices.

“Businesses today have no choice but to create a niche product or service as well as adapting to meet the needs of customers,” Krumm said. “By adapting, they retain their market share. By providing a personal touch and follow-through, businesses change the battleground.”

Time and resources spent gaining customer trust and providing excellent service are justifiable costs, Krumm said.

The Krumm & Associates staff works to practice public accounting, in addition to helping growing companies and individuals with financial matters.

The firm recognizes there are people who’d just as soon work with software applications on their own – in a world of technology. However, by developing trusting relationships, Krumm & Associates encourages their customers to return – for tax assistance as well as for help on daily operations of their business.

The new wave

Technology. E-mail. Faxes. Business websites. E-commerce.

Jay Couture of Jay’s Pawn finds the Internet a useful advancement in his industry, as it brings the world to his storefront.

Pawnshops are primarily a way for folks to have money lent to them, in exchange for an item of value (such as televisions or guns). Placing items on Ebay brings the world to his storefront, and effectively markets items for customers.

Couture said he finds which items sell online stunning: from Native American star quilts and popular Star Wars items to a saddle or black hills gold.

He watches the trends and local happenings for guidance. When the Memorial Bridge needed resurfacing, Couture considered how the traffic reduction would affect his Mandan shop, and chose to open a second location in south Bismarck, then added a third when he added pay day loans.

Fleck’s Furniture & Appliance owner Charlie Franzen also watches trends and sales of merchandise to determine when and how his business products will change and evolve. The appliance sales company began 74 years ago and has grown to include furnishings, bedding, and flooring, although merchandise varies from the Bismarck market to the Dickinson market.

Franzen said, “Being small, you can make those changes from store to store, and adapt to what you need.”

Bit’s O Change

– So it is with art supply stores. Formerly notorious for the old drafting table, t-square, and triangle sales, they’ve evolved to be support services for draftsmen working from computer software programs. Artists still fi nd paints, brushes, and papers at Mathison’s, but with the addition of processing equipment, the needs of the customers seeking ways to outsource their production are met.

– J & R Vacuum and Sewing carries a full line of vacuum cleaners and holds the area’s Pfaff dealership for sewing machines.  Old machines offered either straight or zig-zag stitching, but sewing machines changed with the times. Quilters and embroiderers find machines for one service or both.

– Foot customers stop at Gartner’s Shoe Hospital for shoe, luggage, purse, and belt repair as well as to purchase either orthopedic or custom clinic shoes, now manufactured on site.

– Grocery stores offer kiosks for cell phones, video rental, coin counting and exchange, postal, pharmacy, banking, and departmentalize their own products with deli and bakery departments. Convenience stores replaced service stations.

– Bis-Man Tractors owner Jeff Moilanen started selling farm and hay machinery 40 years ago. Today, they sell commercial and residential equipment in addition to the agricultural machinery. He sees the population growth attributing to this new customer range.

– Back ache? Chiropractors were known for ailing backs. Today’s chiropractic offi ce offers care for back injuries, pregnancy, allergies, nutritional care, and more. Within a given office, today’s patient fi nds chiropractors, acupuncturists, and massage therapists.

Readers will discover a number of new sections that have particular relevance to North Dakota business.

For instance, inside Business Watch special attention has been given to the state’s energy industry – facts and figures, briefs on issues and events, and updates. It’s all neatly packaged in two pages for a quick overview of what’s going on in the oil patch, on wind turbine towers and on the ground in coal country.

Similar treatments have been given the business of doing business in North Dakota, agriculture and the upcoming Legislative Assembly, as well as some practical advice in the area of human resources.
In coming issues, Business Watch will dig deeper and offer more numbers and insights about key industries in North Dakota.

It’s about relevance. About being useful.

And it’s in addition to a traditional Business Watch package on business survivors – firms that have evolved as markets and technologies have changed, a package from writer Debora Dragseth on corporate story telling, a town profile featuring Williston and a partner profile highlighting RCS.

North Dakota continues its transition from being primarily about production agriculture to something more economically and technologically diverse and Business Watch will continue to note the mileposts along the way.

As it is, the state’s economy continues to perform at least as well the national economy and better than many states. North Dakota’s state government projects a surplus in excess of $1 billion. Much of this bounty can be traced to the oil patch, where the soaring price of crude has pumped up North Dakota’s oil industry.

Good things are happening in the North Dakota economy and Business Watch has and will continue to follow the story.

Ken Rogers
701-250-8250
ken.rogers@bismarcktribune.com