InterBusiness Issues - December 2005

An Interview with Jim Owens

A candid discussion with Caterpillar Chairman and CEO Jim Owens reveals Caterpillar's new enterprise strategy and his plan for Caterpillar to reach $50 billion by 2010.

Features

Business Profile

Gary Jacob: Foster-Jacob, Inc.

Despite being founded during the depression and war years, the company has survived and thrived for three generations.

Caterpillar Has Record 3rd Quarter Sales & Profits

Caterpillar Inc. reported third-quarter sales and revenues of $8.977 billion and profit of $667 million, or 94 cents per share.

Guest Editorial

Dramatic Improvements Made on Judicial Front

Doug Whitley, Illinois Chamber of Commerce

Progress is being made to reverse Illinois’ negative reputation for courthouses that are inhospitable and unfair to business.

Local Update

New Museum Plans Advancing

James Richerson

Lakeview Museum

By the end of the year, the place for Museum Square will be evident as the old buildings and parking structures disappear.

Publisher's Note

An Emergency Wrinkle to Business Planning

Jan Wright, Publisher

The lesson—as reinforced by Katrina, Parsons, and everything experts say—is that we must shoulder responsibility.

The ABCs of GIS

Ken Kaiser

STS Consultants, Ltd.

While GIS has been used predominantly by government agencies to date, businesses are starting to realize the benefits GIS can provide.

Also in this issue...

IT Strategies for Manufacturers & Distributors

Debbie Haste

RSM McGladrey

With so many new tools impacting the IT industry, manufacturers and distributors should take a more comprehensive look at technology strategy.

Search Engine (In)visibility

Stephen Feguson

SpyderHost.net, Inc.

No matter how great your website looks, it won’t get any visitors without giving some thought to search engine optimization.

The Gift that Always Fits

Roni VanAusdall

Kavanagh, Scully, Sudow, White, & Frederick, P.C.

The gift card is becoming the most appealing gift. However, these little devises seem to pose many questions in the minds of the purchasers.

Columns

Agricultural Issues

Are 1030s Behind Land Value Upswing?

Patrick Kirchhofer - Peoria County Farm Bureau

Airport Issues

Simulation Hones First Responders' Skills

Mary DeVries, Greater Peoria Regional Airport

Chiropractic Issues

What is Kinesiology?

Dr. Robert Zinser, Zinser Chiropractic Clinics

City Issues

East Peoria Development Good For Peoria Too

Mayor Jim Ardis, City of Peoria

Community Issues

What is the Commission's Future?

W. Michael Bryant, Methodist Medical Center

Consulting Issues

Optimizing Warranty Management

Gary Dietz, CGN & Associates

County Issues

Live and Learn in Peoria County

David Williams, Peoria County Board

Education Issues

Projected Income Declines in Illinois Linked to Education

Dr. John Erwin, Illinois Central College

Ethical Issues

Re-Evaluate Ethics For the New Year

Dr. John Throop, The Summit Group

Fitness Issues

Certified Should Mean Qualified

Michael Hintz, Absolute Fitness

Health Care Issues

The Craft of Medicine is Dead: Part 1

Dr. John Houser, OSF Healthcare System

HR Issues

The Power of "Thank You"

Mary Pille, Employers' Association

Investment Issues

Give Your Stock Portfolio a Quarterly Review

Scott Elger, Morgan Stanley

Junior Achievement Issues

Lessons Help Students Learn About Natural Disasters

Larry Timm, Junior Achievement

Occupational Health Issues

Jeckyl and Hyde in Human Resources

Pete Duvendack, IWIRC Corp.

PACVB Issues

Tourism: What Women Want

Steve Powell, Peoria Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Public Issues

Enough Talk, We Need Action

Congressman Ray LaHood - U.S. Congress

Social Issues

Community Assessment: Positives and Negatives

Michael Stephan, Heart of Illinois United Way

Staffing Issues

OSHA Reveals Most-Violated Standards

David Smith, Manpower Professional