InterBusiness Issues - October 2005

An Interview with Kent Noble

An Attorney Dedicated to Community Service

A principal in the law firm Johnson, Bunce & Noble and president of The Rotary Club of Peoria, Kent Noble juggles two consuming positions. While many people are aware of Rotary, not everyone knows what the organization can offer a community—a subject about which Noble is enthusiastic. InterBusiness Issues talks with this business leader about his career, his passion, and the Nobel Peace Prize.

Features

Business Profile

Harvey Meister: GDS Professional Business Displays

GDS Professional Business Displays is another example of how a home-based sideline can turn into your full-time moneymaker with 15 full- and part-time employees and earning sales approaching $2 million per year.

Editorial Comment

Peoria Construction Worth the Growing Pains

Jan Wright, Publisher

The reopening of the Murray Baker Bridge: what a joyous sight. I suppose it didn’t take all that long, although the headaches it caused certainly made it seem like an eternity for those affected on a day-to-day basis.

Employment Forecast

Peoria Job Market to be Among Best in Nation

Peoria area employers expect to hire at a bullish pace during the fourth quarter of 2005.

Guest Editorial

Balancing the Scales of Justice in Illinois

Lisa A. Rickard, U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform

Legal reform isn’t an abstract notion. It’s about balancing the scales of justice so they no longer tip heavily in favor of a select group of wealthy plaintiffs’ attorneys who are abusing Illinois’ legal system for personal benefit and at the expense of our families and our jobs.

Also in this issue...

5 Reasons You Should Consider Managed Services

Patricia Brent

STL Technology Partners

The buzz about managed services and network maintenance is hitting central Illinois in a big way.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Fadi Rustom

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

In today’s fast-paced world, time is everything. Conflict resolution is no exception to that rule.

Do It Yourself Marketing: 9 Steps to Increased Sales

Jared Lonergan

Ross Creative+Strategy

Growth through advertising isn’t as easy as allocating a portion of your budget and hoping for the best.

Establishing a Hotline: A Way to Detect Fraud

Conni Ochs

RSM McGladrey

Professionals say establishing a hotline is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to uncover fraud.

Riverfront Park: The Next Phase

Jim Ash

STS Consultants, Ltd.

As people enjoy the park’s opportunities, East Peoria is in the midst of yet another phase of development.

Columns

Agricultural Issues

Tragedy Prompts Further Discussion of Alternative Fuels

Patrick Kirchhofer - Peoria County Farm Bureau

Airport Issues

Does Modernization at O'Hare Help Us?

Solomon Balraj, Peoria Greater Regional Airport

City Issues

New Economic Director Will Help Chart Peoria's Course

Mayor Jim Ardis, City of Peoria

Community Issues

Med Tech District: Positive Movement

W. Michael Bryant, Methodist Medical Center

Consulting Issues

Using Dynamic Simulation to Optimize Your Business

Aref Khwaja, CGN & Associates

Education Issues

There's No Place Like Home

Dr. John Erwin, Illinois Central College

Ethical Issues

Ethics and Whistleblowing

Dr. John Throop, The Summit Group

Fitness Issues

Exercise - The Old-Fashioned Way

Michael Hintz, Absolute Fitness

Health Care Issues

The Cup: Half Empty, Half Full, or Overflowing?

Larry Clore, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center

HR Issues

Planning for the Unthinkable

Mary Pille, Employers' Association

Insurance Issues

Flood Insurance

JR Runkel, Fortner Insurance Agency, Inc.

Occupational Health Issues

The Good Legislative Changes

Michael Davis - IWIRC Corp.

PACVB Issues

Community Leadership School Back in Session

Roberta Parks, Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce

Public Issues

A Stronger Gulf Coast Will Emerge

Congressman Ray LaHood, 18th Congressional District

Social Issues

Plan Ahead For Potential Interruptions

Michael Stephan, Heart of Illinois United Way

Staffing Issues

IT Jobs Increasing, But Trouble Ahead

David Smith, Manpower Professional

Workforce Issues

Measuring Workforce Progress

Bashir Ali, Central Illinois Workforce Development

Search

InterBusiness Issues - October 2005