July/August 2013 by St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce

HEARING SOLUTIONS for LIFE The audiologists of The Hearing Clinic partner closely

The Hearing Clinic

with the physicians of St. Cloud Ear, Nose and Throat to

1528 Northway Drive St. Cloud, MN 56303

provide our patients with complete hearing health care.

320.310.0683 www.stcloudhearingclinic.com

wgohman.com

Rockin’ Transformation

St. Joseph, MN • 320.363.7781 • info@wgohman.com

With an innovative approach to design and high building standards, W. Gohman Construction recently renovated and added to the Public Works facility in Maple Grove, MN. The result was a stunning transformation that yielded optimal work and storage space. This 150,000 SF project specifically addressed vehicle storage, vehicle maintenance and office space areas. By utilizing steel beams and bar joist superstructure with precast bearing walls, W. Gohman created a modern and spacious interior. The unique exterior facade consists of wire mesh baskets filled with rocks, a supplementary yet elegant detail. The personnel at the Maple Grove Public Works facility now have an adequate and efficient workplace to better serve their city.

GENERAL CONTRACTING DESIGN/BUILD CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

S APP

IN EVERY ISSUE 8

6 President’s Letter

Editor’s Note

14 Business Calendar

Network Central

Top Hats

CONTENTS

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R END

GROW • NETWORK • PROFIT

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JULY/AUGUST 2013

G R OW

Business Tools

PROFIT

This Issue

26 Management Tool Kit Is Your Business Keeping You Up At Night?

28 Entrepreneurism Baby Steps

Six steps to help you improve your business communications.

29 Going Green Smart Power

Cutting electricity costs in commercial buildings.

30 TechStrategies

Twitter: Don’t Get It?

4 Things You May Not Know

32 Economy Central

PROFIT

36 COVER STORY

COMMUNITY CHAMPION Since arriving in St. Cloud in 1970 Lee Hanson has worked to make St. Cloud a place that everyone can call home. N E T WO R K

Upfront 10 News Reel

11 People to Know 12 Your Voice In Government

presented by Falcon Bank Anticipate Change

Despite the recession, several Central Minnesota businesses have managed to grow.

44 Feature

Wellness In. Stressed Out. Your Choice.

Reducing stress in the workplace is management’s responsibility, but everyone is responsible for workplace climate.

48 Special Focus

PROFIT

Special Section 48 Senior Health and Living 52 Women In Business

Directory

Social Purpose Careers

A majority of Americans over 50 want to use their skills and experience to help others.

54 Business Spotlight DCI, Inc.

ONLY ONLINE

around Central Minnesota.

Speaking Out Chamber members visit Washington, D.C., to promote Central Minnesota business issues.

•• Writing Effective E-mails

16 Regional Round-Up

•• 100 Things to Watch in 2013

•• DIY Apps

•• Motivating Employees

What’s happening and who’s moving. Business news from

Book Review Quiet; The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, by Susan Cain

A Heart for Helping

2013 Citizen of the Year, Kirsten Stiegel

www.BusinessCentralMagazine.com

Comprehensive, coordinated care Delivering comprehensive, coordinated care eﬃciently to you — it’s part of our commitment to quality care.

www.centracare.com

PRESIDENT’S LETTER NETWORK

Awards Season – My Favorite! This year I am so pleased with the choices made by our committee because I have personal ties with each of our recipients.

Chamber President Teresa Bohnen MC’s the Chamber’s Business Awards Luncheon

love Awards Season. Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, Tony Awards … and of course, our Chamber’s Annual Business Awards! This year I am so pleased with the choices made by our committee because I have personal ties with each of our recipients. In July Netgain CEO Scott Warzecha was the cover story for Business Central. I’ve known Scott for 19 years. Our children attended the same daycare as toddlers. At the time, Scott worked for Marco and we’d run into one another in the morning and evening, chatting about our day as we buckled chubby babies into car seats for the ride home. I’ve always been struck by Scott’s entrepreneurism and drive. It’s no surprise he was selected as our Small Business Owner of the Year for the success Netgain has achieved so far. Congratulations to this homegrown success story. Lee Hanson is on the cover of this issue. He is recognized

B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3

with the Business Central Mark of Excellence - Small Business Advocate Award. Lee has been a mentor and advisor since I began as Chamber president 15 years ago. Lee encouraged my involvement with the Anderson Center and has a strong commitment to the center’s mission of promoting individual, organizational and economic growth. He lives that mission personally every day. He helps keep me politically balanced and open-minded. If you’re looking for Lee, you can usually find him at the downtown Perkins having daily breakfast. But beware – you’ll have to get up early because he knows the early bird gets the worm . . . and the oatmeal. Bob Strack is our focus in September-October as the Entrepreneurial Success Award Recipient. Bob was the third Chamber Board chair with whom I had the privilege to serve as president. During his term, he helped us move our facility and build out new office space. My favorite memory of working with Bob happened

as we were pouring over construction drawings with architect David Leapaldt (who followed Bob as Chamber Board chair). They were talking construction-speak, pointing out features that they felt I should be aware. I pointed to a marked stairway, looked at Bob and said, “Do these steps go up or down?” He looked at me confused, “Whaaaaat?” I repeated my question, “Do these steps go up or down?” Bob looked at me with the utmost respect and sincerity and answered, “Well, Teresa, they go both ways.” That is when I knew Bob’s entrepreneurial personality was built on customer understanding and satisfaction. If you look on the wall in my office, you will see “The MultiDirectional Stairway Award” Bob presented to me at our annual meeting that year.

Teresa Bohnen President

Main Phone 320-251-2940 Automated Reservation Line 320-251-2940, ext. 126 Program Hotline 320-251-2940, ext. 125 email: information@ StCloudAreaChamber.com www.StCloudAreaChamber.com ST. CLOUD AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STAFF President | Teresa Bohnen, ext. 104 Vice President | Gail Ivers, ext. 109 Director of Administration Judy Zetterlund, ext. 106 Special Events Coordinator Virginia Kroll, ext. 105 Communications & Workforce Development Coordinator Whitney Bina, ext.130 Membership Sales Specialist Open Position

Administrative Assistant Vicki Lenneman, ext. 122 Administrative Assistant Cindy Swarthout , ext. 100 Administrative Assistant Sharon Henry, ext. 124 CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU STAFF Executive Director Julie Lunning, ext. 111 Sales Manager Lori Cates, ext. 113 Director of Sales & Marketing Judy Okerstrom, ext. 112 Director of Sports & Special Events Kelly Sayre, ext. 128 Director of Visitor Services Jean Robbins , ext. 129 Sales & Marketing Coordinator Nikki Fisher, ext. 100

2012-13 BOARD MEMBERS Jim Beck Minnesota School of Business Jason Bernick Bernick’s - Beverages & Vending Gary Berg G.L. Berg Entertainment, Performing Artists & Speakers Craig Broman St. Cloud Hospital/CentraCare Health System, Board Chair Neil Franz Neils-Franz-Chirhart, Attorneys at Law Jayne Greeney Schill St. Cloud Area School District #742 Steve Hahn HahnMark, LLC John Herges Falcon National Bank, Board Vice Chair Diane Mendel Playhouse Child Care

Kris Nelson Custom Accents, Inc. Rick Poganski Principal Financial Group Dr. Earl Potter, III St. Cloud State University Roger Schleper Premier Real Estate Services Jodi Speicher The Good Shepherd Community Bill Winter St. Cloud Federal Credit Union, Past Board Chair Chriss Wohlleber Le St. Germain Suite Hotel

One sweet success story. The Sauk Rapids Dairy Queen is a hot spot for summer refreshment. For Misty Hahn-Schultz and Holly Lyon, it’s also a dream fulfilled. What began for both as a part-time job at age 15 quickly developed their taste for business, and eventually led to their purchase of the franchise last year. The proud new owners believe in doing business locally, so they turned to Farmers & Merchants for financing. Like Misty and Holly, our local roots run deep. And our sweet spot has always been helping small-business dreamers become successful owners. If you, too, have a dream, we’re eager to listen.

Sauk Rapids 1301 2nd St N. 320.252.5121

Because friendly still counts.

Pierz

80 Main St. 320.468.6422

fmpierz.com J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m

EDITOR’S NOTE NETWORK

Tiny acorns

2003

My oak seedling, planted 20 years ago, is now 45 feet tall, but in oak-years it’s still a toddler. In the July 2002 issue of Business Central I wrote about planting a tree in memory of my Grandma. Here you see Grandma’s Tree in 2003, 2007, and 2013. Today is a good day to plant a tree.

egular readers of this column know that I spend my free time in the garden. I’m a hands-on gardener and enjoy the satisfaction of ripping weeds out of the ground by hand, rather than using a tiller. My first garden at my current home was an asparagus garden, situated close to a pond. The soil was mostly peat so weeding by hand was a simple project. In my first year of maintaining that garden I yanked up a six-inch weed only to discover that I hand up-rooted an oak seedling. I was both excited and appalled. Oak trees are my favorite. As the saying goes: From tiny acorns mighty oak trees grow. How cool is that! Oaks provide food and shelter for any number of birds and animals. They are resilient and long-lived. And there I was with the future of a majestic oak in my grasp. I insisted that it become part of our landscape. Shortly after our tiny tree was carefully placed in its

B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3

2007

new home, I shared the story with an acquaintance. He said that there was a saying about understanding the meaning of life if you plant a tree whose shade you will never know. In preparation for this column, I looked the quote up on the Internet. There are a lot of these quotes, the original apparently coming from the Greek. Though not the original, this is my favorite version: Do something with your life, my friend, that lasts beyond your time; Create, remake, and innovate-leave something grand behind. Give beauty root to render fruit for others when you go; Expand its seeds by planting trees whose shade you’ll never know. - Jon Krutulis (c) 2010 St. Cloud attorney Lee Hanson understands this quote. He is passionate about helping people. He understands the need for boys and girls to have good role models in their lives. He’s volunteered for the Boy Scouts for over 25 years and his

2013

signature is on the Articles of Incorporation for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota Lee is committed to serving others in the hope that future residents will care about the area as much as he does. According to Mark Sakry, executive director of the Boys and Girls Clubs, not only was Lee instrumental in starting the organization, but he remains involved and a friend of the organization to this day. “Our calculations estimate over 55,000 young people have been members of the Boys & Girls Clubs over the past 40 years of our history,” Mark said. “That Lee Hanson sure got some great things going!” Until next issue,

Gail Ivers

Vice President

Editor

Publisher Teresa Bohnen Managing Editor Gail Ivers Associate Editor Dawn Zimmerman CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Whitney Bina St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce Sharon Henry St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce Dr. Fred E. Hill St. Cloud State University. Gail Ivers St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce

ADVERTISING Associate Publisher/Sales Wendy Hendricks, Hendricks Marketing

110 Sixth Avenue South P.O. Box 487, St. Cloud, MN 56302-0487

Ad Traffic & Circulation Yola Hartmann, Hazel Tree Media

Phone (320) 251-2940 • Fax (320) 251-0081 www.BusinessCentralMagazine.com For advertising information contact

ART

Wendy Hendricks, (320) 656-3808, 110 S. 6th Ave.,

Design & Production Yola Hartmann, Hazel Tree Media

P.O. Box 487, St. Cloud, MN 56302-0487. Editorial suggestions can be made in writing to:

Sarah Sucansky

Editor, Business Central, P.O. Box 487, St. Cloud, MN

Cover Photo Joel Butkowski, BDI Photography

56302-0487. Submission of materials does not guarantee

Joshua Longnecker Northwestern Mutual

ACCOUNTING Accountant Judy Zetterlund

Mary MacDonell Belisle WordingForYou.com

WEBSITE Vicki Lenneman

Dawn Zimmerman The Write Advantage

CORPORATE SPONSOR

publication. Unsolicited materials will not be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. © Copyright 2013 Business Central LLC Business Central is published six times a year by the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce, 110 Sixth Avenue South; P.O. Box 487, St. Cloud, MN 56302-0487 • Phone (320) 251-2940 • Fax (320) 251-0081 Subscription rate: $18 for 1 year.

Business moves fast. So does our MBA program. Ranked among the top MBA programs in the state by Twin Cities Business Magazine, our program is designed for working professionals. Complete your degree in as little as 16 months with accelerated evening classes.

Start this fall at our new location. Apply by August 15.

go.css.edu/stcloudMBA • (877) 287-8740

J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m

Book Review

People to Know

Your Voice in Government

Point of View

Business Calendar

It Happened When?

Regional Roundup

UPFRONT

R END

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ISBN 978-0-307-35214-9

“A

t least one-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking, reading to partying; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over brainstorming in teams. Although they are often labeled “quiet,” it is to introverts that we owe many of the great contributions to society – from van Gogh’s sunflowers to the invention of

Publishers, New York, 2012,

by Susan Cain, Crown

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All Elements receives awards

Overlooking introverted employees may lead to lost innovation, creativity, and leadership for your company. Reviewed by Fred E. Hill

That Can’t Stop Talking,

N E WS R E E L

The Extrovert Ideal

Introverts in a World

NEWS & PEOPLE THAT MAKE UP THE CHAMBER NETWORK

BOOK REVIEW

Quiet; The Power of

PROFIT

NETWORK

GROW

the personal computer.” (From the inside cover of Quiet; The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking) Quiet shows how we undervalue introverts, and how much we lose in doing so. Author Susan Cain has done much work on introversion and shyness – she has taught negotiation skills at corporations, law firms, and universities. She practiced law for seven years. She is an introvert. Drawing on research in psychology and neuroscience, she questions the dominant values of American business culture, where forced collaboration can stand in the way of innovation, and where the leadership potential of introverts is often overlooked. She provides ample evidence that introverts can be very successful in introvertextrovert relationships. A “timid and shy” woman said “No.” She uttered a single word that ignited one of the most important civil rights protests of the Twentieth Century, and this one word

B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3

helped America find its better self. Rosa Parks’ action provided the purpose for the launching of a city-wide bus boycott that lasted 381 days. She was an introvert. Susan Cain charts the rise of the Extrovert Ideal in the Twentieth Century and explores its far-reaching effects. She writes, “…today we make room for a remarkably narrow range of personality styles. We’re told that to be great is to be bold, to be happy is to be sociable. We see ourselves as a nation of extroverts – which means that we’ve lost sight of who we really are.” My favorite chapter is Chapter 11: On Cobblers and Generals, How to cultivate quiet kids in a world that can’t hear them. This means focusing on introverted children, whose talents are too often stifled, whether at home, at school, or on the playground. I am an introvert. BC Dr. Fred E. Hill is a professor of Learning Resources Services, at St. Cloud State University.

All Elements, Inc. received several awards at the DuroLast Roofing National Sales meeting. The company earned the “Admiral’s Club” Award for sales production and installation of DuroLast and received an award for celebrating 10 years as a Duro-Last contractor. Employee John Thurber also received recognition for serving as chairman of the Duro-Last Contractors Advisory Board.

Sanders joins Community Foundation Melinda Sanders joined the Central Minnesota Community Foundation as the new director of donor relations. Sanders, formerly an attorney with Quinlivan & Hughes, has a focus on improving the St. Cloud area community. She currently serves on the boards for the United Way of Central Minnesota, the Center for Nonprofit Excellence and Social Innovation, and the St. Cloud Hospital. Sanders

ProcessPro hires ProcessPro recently hired the following people: Larry Kvas, business development representative; Zeb Simpson, software developer; Shonta Thorp, client support specialist; and Julia Walz, software developer.

PEOPLE TO KNOW Jen Novak

PineCone Vision Center

(320) 258-3915 jnovak@pineconevisioncenter.com Chair, Sauk Rapids Chamber The Sauk Rapids Chamber, a division of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce, promotes a healthy business environment in the community of Sauk Rapids. Volunteers and committee members work in cooperation with member businesses, local government, the public school system and other community organizations. Programs include the Sauk Rapids Citizen of the Year. Brian Jarl

Stearns Insurance Services

(320) 253-3525 brianj@stearnsinsurance.com Chair, Waite Park Chamber The Waite Park Chamber, a division of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce, is a place where business, education and government come together for the betterment of the community. Programs include the Waite Park State of the City address.

Keynote Speaker: Brad Rixmann Founder & CEO, Pawn America Speakers Forum Thursday, September 12, 2013 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. River’s Edge Convention Center Twin Cities’ entrepreneur Brad Rixmann is the founder, owner and CEO of the modern-day success story that is Pawn America. With business acumen and tons of passion, Rixmann has built an “I can do it better” epiphany into a thriving retail business. Today, Pawn America has 25 locations in four states and 500 full-time “Pawn Americans.” Hear him share his incredible story, complete with opportunity, struggle, humor, integrity and success in an oft-misunderstood industry.

For tickets and more information, contact Eric Jungels at 320.251.5420 or eric@anderson-center.org Corporate Sponsors

Tim McLean

Rasmussen College

(320) 251-5600 timothy.mclean@rasmussen.edu Chair, Technology and Education Conference Committee

www.anderson-center.org

The Technology and Education Conference Committee organizes the Chamber’s annual fall conference covering technology and education topics related to medical, legal, business, and information technology. Volunteers recruit speakers and sponsors who provide educational seminars and staff display booths. The event is open to all Chamber members and the general public. Jessica Mergen Ward

Minnesota School of Business

(320) 257-2000 jward@msbcollege.edu Chair, Volunteer Committee The Volunteer Committee creates and maintains a system to communicate volunteer opportunities at the Chamber to interested members, helps recruit volunteers, and helps recognize current volunteers and their companies throughout the year. Committee members are responsible for organizing the Star Celebration, the Chamber’s annual volunteer recognition celebration.

J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m

UPFRONT

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NETWORK

N E WS R E E L Gartland named president of GSDC Patti Gartland was Gartland named president of the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation (GSDC). Gartland has over 30 years of community and economic development, private sector business, and higher education experience. She was previously the city administrator for the City of Sartell. Established in 2011, the GSDC was formed to lead economic development for the benefit of the greater St. Cloud region.

Barnett named ATHENA Award recipient The Women’s Fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation named Maxine Barnett the 2013 ATHENA Award Winner. Barnett, former executive director for Anna Marie’s Alliance, was honored for her dedication to protecting battered women and children, commitment to educating the community about domestic abuse, and her leadership in establishing a shelter in Central Minnesota. Barnett

YOUR VOICE IN GOVERNMENT

Speaking Out

ine members accompanied Chamber President Teresa Bohnen to Washington, D.C., in May. The annual trip coincided with the U.S. Chamber’s Small Business Summit. Participants heard from a number of well-known speakers, including Steve Forbes, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media; journalist Bob Woodward, best known for his work breaking the Watergate scandal and now a best-selling author; and Linda Alvarado, president and CEO of Alvarado Construction and co-owner of the Colorado Rockies. The trip also included visits to the Capitol to talk with the staff of Central Minnesota’s congressional delegation.

Traveling to Washington, D.C., earlier this year were (from left): Jason Bernick, Bernick’s Beverages and Vending; Dan Ochsner, KNSI/Leighton Broadcasting; Craig Broman, St. Cloud Hospital/CentraCare Health; Teresa Bohnen, Chamber president; John Herges, Falcon National Bank; Patti Gartland, Greater St. Cloud Development Corp.; Jami Bestgen, Bachman Jewelers on 7th; Pam Raden, The Johnson Group Marketing; and Lisa Burch, Let’s Talk Tobacco; Not pictured Dave Borgert, CentraCare Health

Pam Raden, The Johnson Group Marketing and Author Bob Woodward

Craig Broman, St. Cloud Hospital/CentraCare Health and chair of the Chamber’s Board (L); Chamber President Teresa Bohnen; Dave Borgert, CentraCare Health and chair of the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee.

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann’s Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Boland.

Dan Ochsner, KNSI/Leighton Broadcasting (L), broadcast his show live from Washington, D.C. Here he interviews David Chavern, executive vice president and chief operating officer, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Tripp retires Dave Tripp, Metro Bus, retired April 26 after 33 years Tripp with the agency. Under Tripp’s leadership, Metro bus grew from a small, three-city transit system to a large urban system that serves St. Cloud, Sartell, Sauk Rapids and Waite Park. The company now runs seven days a week and includes Dial-a-Ride, University, and Northstar Link commuter bus services.

Chamber members visit Washington, D.C., to promote Central Minnesota business issues.

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POINT OF VIEW

Business Central asked readers: How do you manage stress in the workplace?

“

You cannot please everyone, so do the best you can and stand on your performance.”

Ruth Petermeier Midsota Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons

Jay Wittstock Westwood Professional Services

“

Through exercise, yoga and massage.”

Heather Templer CDS Administrative Service, LLC

Steve Greenfield Greenfield Communications

”

Getting the office together, socializing, camaraderie, and trying to make light of things helps manage stress in the workplace.”

“ Beverly Mitchell Grand Casino Mille Lacs

I have everything down to a routine. I don’t move on to the next step without finalizing each step as I go. Also, I attend any and every training that I can find on organization and/or stress management.”

I stop in the middle of what I’m doing, sit back and think ‘I’ve done this before,’ relax and go back to work.”

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UPFRONT

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NETWORK

N E WS R E E L GNP Company receives award GNP Company received the 2013 Clean Water Award from the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association at the association’s Environmental Management Conference. This award is the poultry industry’s highest honor and recognizes GNP Company’s outstanding water treatment facilities.

Manske

BUSINESS CALENDAR JULY-AUGUST 2013 •• Visit events.StCloudAreaChamber.com for a detailed calendar.

Can’t-miss opportunities to influence, promote and learn AUGUST 12

Chamber Open The 67th annual Chamber Open is August 12 at Territory Golf Club, 480 55th Ave. SE, St. Cloud, at 11:30 a.m. Dinner follows the event at 5:30 p.m.

Nilan

Microbiologics expands management team Microbiologics, Inc. recently hired Steve Manske as chief financial officer, and Michael Nilan, who will oversee the company’s business affairs in the Asia Pacific market. Microbiologics manufactures cost effective, reliable, and easy to use biological reference materials for quality control in microbiology labs.

Franz elected to township board Neil Franz, an attorney with Franz Neils, Franz, Chirhart, Hultgren & Evenson, P.A. was reelected to a three-year term on the Farming Township Board of Supervisors. Franz was first elected in 2010.

Rice appointed to national council Chris Rice, president of Rice Rice Building Systems, was re-elected to the National Advisory Council for Butler. The Council, comprised of successful Butler Builder contractors in the United States and Canada, provides strategic direction on Butler’s products, services and programs. Council members serve two-year terms; this is the second term for Rice. Compiled by Whitney Bina

JULY 18 & AUGUST 13

AUGUST 9

Business After Hours

Government Affairs

A complimentary open house for Chamber members and guests. Bring lots of business cards and prepare to grow your network! 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

A discussion of local government issues on the second Friday of the month, 7:30 - 9 a.m. at the Chamber office, 110 6th Ave. S

AUGUST 23

JULY: No Meeting JULY 18: hosted by D. J. Bitzan Jewelers, 203 Waite Ave. N, Waite Park

AUGUST 9

AUGUST 13: hosted by Brothers Bar & Grill, 119 5th Ave. S, St. Cloud

Sauk Rapids Chamber

JULY 17

Waite Park Chamber For businesses interested in Waite Park issues. Lunch is provided by the host when you register at least two days in advance. 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. JULY 17: hosted by 360 Chiropractic at the Waite Park Pavilion

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AUGUST 22 For businesses interested in Sauk Rapids issues. Lunch is provided by the host when you register at least two days in advance. 11:30 a.m. 1 p.m. at Good Shepherd Fellowship Hall, 1115 4th Ave. N, Sauk Rapids JULY: No Meeting AUGUST 22: three minute member showcases, sponsored by eight Sauk Rapids businesses

Chamber Connection Gavel Change Join us as we pass the gavel for the Chamber Connection and say good-bye to chairperson Bea Winkler, PineCone Pet Hospital. AUGUST 23: (Friday) 7:30 – 9 a.m. Mulligan’s Event Center For information on these or other business events, call 320-251-2940. For consideration in Business Central’s Calendar, please send event information to Gail Ivers, Editor at givers@StCloudAreaChamber.com

IT HAPPENED WHEN?

June 17, 1974 20th Annual Dairy Day Show

n June 17, 1974, the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the 20th Annual Central Minnesota Dairy Day Banquet. Every year, students throughout Central Minnesota brought their cattle to the Benton County Fairgrounds where a local veterinarian judged the cattle and chose annual winners. Awards were presented for different cattle breeds including Crossbred, Brown Swiss, Ayrshire, Holstein and Guernsey.

Dairy Day events included a Dairy Princess pageant. Pictured here is Josie Meyer, the 1974 Dairy Princess. The Dairy Princess distributed awards to the cattle show winners and went on to compete at the Minnesota Dairy Princess Program at the State Fair with

hopes to be named Princess Kay of the Milky Way. Although the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce is no longer involved in the annual event, Central Minnesota Dairy Day continues. In June 2013, the event celebrated its 59th anniversary.

From left to right: 1974 Dairy Day Princess Josie Meyer 1974 Dairy Day Princess contestants Contestant Ed Legatt and Princess Josie Meyer Choir sings at the 20th Annual Dairy Day Banquet

Big business. Small business. At Bremer Bank, business banking is our business. So whether your own business is big or small, it’s a big deal to us. And your Bremer business banker has financial solutions and the business savvy to help you. So you can count on us to do things right, down to the smallest detail. Talk with a local Bremer banker. It could be the start of something big.

BRE2017D3BCM-Big-Business-Small-Business-7pt5x4pt875.indd 1

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UPFRONT NETWORK

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

A Heart for Helping 2013 Citizen of the Year, Kirsten Stiegel, makes an impact through volunteering.

Kirsten Stiegel’s parents, Earl and Karen Pederson are also long-time community volunteers. Earl is retired from St. Cloud Hospital and Karen from Bursch Travel. Kirsten Stiegel is surprised at work with

Sauk Rapids City Administrator Ross Olson reads

balloons, flowers and the news that she is

a Mayoral Proclamation declaring April 25, 2013 as

the 2013 Sauk Rapids Citizen of the Year.

Kirsten Stiegel Day in Sauk Rapids.

By Whitney Bina

“O

f all the volunteering I do, Tanner’s Team is one of the most special to me,” Kirstin Stiegel said. The Tanner’s Team Foundation helps support families in Central Minnesota who have children with life threatening illnesses. That selfless commitment to helping others is the reason Stiegel was selected as the 2013 Sauk Rapids Citizen of the Year. “Kirsten has such a heart for helping people and a spirit of enthusiasm,” according to Denise Hanson, pastor at Living Waters Lutheran Church. “She is great at empowering others.” Hanson was one of three people who nominated Stiegel for the award. The Sauk Rapids Citizen of the Year award

annually recognizes someone who has played a positive role in making Sauk Rapids a better place to live and work. Candidates must show community volunteerism and dedication, involvement in community activities that foster a positive image of Sauk Rapids, or involvement through employment that serves as an asset to the Sauk Rapids community. Stiegel is an active part of several different committees and organizations in Sauk Rapids. Her involvement includes co-chair of the Levy for Learning committee for the Sauk Rapids School District; Sunday school teacher, confirmation guide, and Vacation Bible School coordinator at Living Waters Lutheran Church; Girl Scout

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troop and camp leader; Pleasantview Elementary School volunteer; Bam Bam Youth Ball coordinator; and the Tanner’s Team Foundation. “I have known Kirsten for years,” said Laura Koski, Ridgeview Place Assisted Living, who also nominated Stiegel for the award. “I am most proud of her commitment and involvement to the Tanner’s Team organization and her genuine passion for the children of Sauk Rapids.” “It is truly an honor,” Stiegel said. “Volunteering has been so rewarding to me and I appreciate all of the friends I’ve made along the way.” Hailey Stiegel, Stiegel’s daughter, also nominated her mother. “She devotes all of her time and energy to helping

The 2013 Sauk Rapids Citizen of the Year Sponsors •• Baker’s Hobby Emporium •• Bremer Bank •• C & L Distributing Inc. •• City of Sauk Rapids •• Coborn’s Superstore •• Farmers & Merchants Bank •• Granite City Armored Car •• H & R Block •• Infinite Eye Care •• Jimmy’s Pour House •• Land Concepts •• Neils-Franz-Chirhart, Attorneys at Law •• Rapids River Food Fest •• Rinke Noonan •• St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce •• Sauk Rapids Chamber of Commerce •• Sauk Rapids Lions Club •• Sauk Rapids Riverside Lions •• Sauk Rapids-Rice Community Education and Schools •• SEH •• The Good Shepherd Community •• Village Pharmacy & Gift •• Williams Dingmann Funeral Home

others. The volunteering she does is to benefit others, not herself,” Hailey Stiegel said. “I’ve seen her make such a big impact on so many people’s lives.” Stiegel was honored at a luncheon in April, during which Sauk Rapids City Administrator Ross Olson presented a Mayoral Proclamation to Stiegel announcing April 25, 2013 as Kirsten Stiegel Day in Sauk Rapids. Stiegel was able to celebrate the award with her children, parents, friends, and loved ones; the same people she gathers together to help with her volunteer commitments.

Past Recipients of the Sauk Rapids Citizen of the Year Award 1987 Carmen Peters

2005 Duane Grandy

1988 LuVerne Neils

2006 William “Bill” Bard

1989 Dan Coborn

2007 Marla Elness

1990 Jule Machula*

2008 Phil Pederson

1991 Rich Gronau*

2009 Mike Lehnen

1992 Erv Blattner*

2010 Annette Jesh

Past Sauk Rapids Citizens of the Year include: (Back row, L-R) LuVerne Neils, Ray Schlichting, Dick Busse, Harold Jesh, Bill Bard; (Middle L-R) Phil Pederson, Steve Ellefson, Jr., Annette Jesh, Terry Sylvester (Front row, L-R) Lisa J. Braun, Doris Busse,

1993 Doug Madson

2011 Doris & Dick Busse

Kirsten Stiegel, Pat Burski

1996 Pat Burski

2012 Ray Schlichting

1995 Mara Jahnke

* Deceased

1997 Thomas Braun*

Stiegel’s name now appears on the Sauk Rapids Citizen of the Year plaque, housed in the Sauk Rapids Government Center. She also received a certificate and special congressional recognition from U.S.

PROUD OF

1994 Art Daniels

Representative Michele Bachmann. BC Whitney Bina is the communications and workforce development coordinator at the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce.

1998 Harold Jesh 1999 Connie Driscoll* 2000 Steve Ellefson, Jr. 2001 John Benoit* 2002 Lisa J. Braun 2003 Terry Sylvester 2004 Greg Vandal

YEARS

ON FOCUSED THE FUTURE

COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION | PROJECT MANAGEMENT | REAL ESTATE SERVICES 320-251-5933 | 888-678-7225 | StrackCompanies.com

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UPFRONT

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NETWORK CENTRAL

Grow, Network, Profit!

The Chamber’s Business Awards Luncheon broke all records this year as attendees celebrated excellence in business leadership. Photography by Guy Magno, Guytano Magno Photography

Brownie Williams, Williams/Integracare Clinic, the 2011 Small Business Person of the Year

Colleen Zoffka, GB & Co.

Dom Warzecha (L), Frank Brown, and Eileen Warzecha

Doug Holzkamp, Schluchter Investment Advisors

Pegg Gustafson, Downtown Council, and Gary Bechtold, St. Cloud Overhead Door

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Lee Hanson, Gray Plant Mooty, recipient of the 2013 Business Central Mark of Excellence-Small Business Advocate award

Chris Shorba, KDV (L) greets Scott Warzecha, Netgain. Warzecha is the 2013 Small Business Person of the Year

Bob Strack, Strack Companies (L), accepts the 2013 Entrepreneurial Success Award from Chamber Board chair Craig Broman, St. Cloud Hospital/ CentraCare Health

Melinda Sanders, Central Minnesota Community Foundation and John Wenker, Quinlivan & Hughes

Tara Tollefson, Plaza Park Bank

Bob Strack, Strack Companies (L), John W. McDowall, McDowall Co., the 2009 Entrepreneurial Success Award recipient, and Jim Feneis, First Fuel Bank, the 1991 Small Business Person of the Year

Top Hatter Inese Mehr, Rengel Printing and Dan Ochsner, KNSI/Leighton Broadcasting

John Herges, Falcon National Bank, the 1996 Small Business Advocate

Neil Franz, Neils-Franz-Chirhart and Shanna Gerads, Rengel Printing

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TOP HATS | New Members NorthStar Tire and Auto, repair of autos and light trucks, 650 30th Ave. N, St. Cloud. Pictured: Inese Mehr, Todd Schlangen, Bill Scherr and Diane Ohmann.

Christine’s Sweet Confections, custom cheesecake for any occasion…or just because you want some, 2152 Frontage Road, Waite Park. Pictured: Christine Hoffmann and Rich Gallus.

ApplianceSmart, Inc., hundreds of appliances from major manufacturers, 265 Division St., Waite Park. Pictured: Diane Ohmann, Corey Brewer, Kent Gehrke, Clair Chapman and Roger Schleper.

Jeremy Campbell Painting, LLC, professional painting interior and exterior: painting/ staining, drywall repair, wallpaper removal, 56 33rd Ave. S, Suite 250, St. Cloud. Pictured: Rich Gallus and Jeremy Campbell.

Cherrywood Advanced Living, 1685 4th Ave. N, Sauk Rapids. Pictured: Tad Schoeppner, Nancy Kollmann, Marshall Weems, Wendy Hulsebus and Della Ludwig.

Language Bank, we train your professionals to understand the complexities of languages, 18 23rd Ave. N, St. Cloud. Pictured: Diane Ohmann, Abdul Kulane and Inese Mehr.

Continuing to Make a Difference!

Celebrating 41 Years of Excellence in Caring for You!

You build the houses, We hammer out the numb3rs. Little Falls 320.632.6311

Albany 320.845.2940

Maple Lake 320.963.5414

Accredited by Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc.

Working with people, not just numb3rs. An Independently Owned Member, McGladrey Alliance

www.swcocpas.com Monticello 763.295.5070

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St. Cloud 320.251.0286

St. Cloud Surgical Center 1526 Northway Drive • St. Cloud • 251-8385 • 800-349-7272 www.stcsurgicalcenter.com

Primerica – Sauk Rapids, financial services firm, 100 2nd Ave. S, Suite 103, Sauk Rapids. Pictured: Jill Magelssen, Joyce Linn, Dan Ehlert, Karen Ehlert and Julie Forsberg.

Abra Auto Body and Glass, 41 W Division, Waite Park. Pictured: Jason Bernick, Scot Olson, Danyell Wendland and Dolora Musech.

Stearns-Benton Employment and Training Council (SBETC), a partner in the MN Workforce Center St. Cloud, our mission is to grow regional prosperity through workforce development, 1542 Northway Dr., St. Cloud. Pictured: Jill Magelssen, Kathy Zavala and Julie Forsberg.

Copper Corte Office and Retail, 4180 Thielman Lane, St. Cloud. Pictured: Jason Bernick, Diane Larson and Dolora Musech.

Studio 29 Photography, 29 20th Ave. S, St. Cloud. Pictured: Julie Forsberg, Tabitha Wagner and Jill Magelssen.

Greenfield Communications, a public relations, advertising and public affairs firm, 14 7th Ave. N, St. Cloud. Pictured: Steve Greenfield and Jayne Greeney Schill.

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TOP HATS | New Members Hoff’s Insurance Specialists, 225 N Benton Dr., Suite 214, Sauk Rapids. Pictured: Jeff Hoff, Thomas Swenson, Melissa Stangl, Robert Stay, Top Hatter Dolora Musech and Noel Zinda-Casperson.

Dovetail Kitchen Designs, LLC, 1023 13th Ave NE, St. Joseph. Pictured: Bob Lien, Chris Hensel and Diane Ohmann.

Zoske’s Sales and Service, official dealer for Bobcat, Jamesway, Winske Inc., Meyer’s, Meyer, Balzer, Yetter, Ag Leader, Trimble and Demco products 3825 Shadowwood Dr. NE, Sauk Rapids. Pictured: Roger Schleper, Larry Kortuem and Kris Hellickson.

H & S Heating, A /C, 23848 67th Ave., St. Augusta. Pictured: Jayne Greeney Schill, Jeremy Salzbrun and Tad Schoeppner.

Car Smart/Smart Signs, used car auto broker and service department with a full service sign shop, 106 Lincoln Ave. SE, St. Cloud. Pictured: Tad Schoeppner, Kurt Knack, David Koop and Julie Forsberg.

N2 Publishing/The Cooper Connection, publisher of private magazines for affluent local neighborhoods. 415 6th Ave. S, Sartell. Pictured: Bob Lien, Matt Westlund and Diane Ohmann.

July-Aug BC Ad_Layout 1 6/3/13 8:57 AM Page 1

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a r c hi t e c t u r a l d e s i gn + d e v e l o p m e nt + c o ns t r u c t i o n s e r v i c e s +

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Sandler Training® utilizes continual reinforcement through ongoing training and individual coaching sessions not only to help you learn but also to ensure your success. With over 200 training centers worldwide to provide support, you won’t fail…because we won’t let you.

Brian Hart 110 Sixth Avenue South, Suite 100 St. Cloud, MN • 320-224-2121 www.brianhart.sandler.com

320.251.4109 | www.millerab.com S Sandler Training Finding Power In Reinforcement (with design) and Sandler Training are registered service marks of Sandler Systems, Inc. © 2013 Sandler Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3

TOP HATS | Businesses Sammy’s Pizza, 58 W Division St., Waite Park. Pictured: Tauna Quimby and Darrell Gilines.

Weichert Realtors, 183 7th Ave. S, Waite Park. Pictured: Tauna Quimby, Kelly Myers, Dan Kavanaugh and Jayne Greeney Schill.

Sleep Number, home of the sleep number bed, 4170 Division St., Suite 110, St. Cloud. Pictured: Jason Bernick, Mike Schmitt and Chris Panek.

The Tuscan Center at Midtown Square, event center, meeting room, 3333 W Division, Suite 204, St. Cloud. Pictured: Shannon Templin and Diane Cash.

SpeedPro Imaging, full color large format imaging studio specializing in trade show displays, vehicle wraps and corporate promotions, 3900 Roosevelt Road, St. Cloud. Pictured: Luke Johnson, Bethie Windsperger, Jayne Greeney Schill, LaVonne Pratt and Bob Pratt.

TOP HATS | Milestones 50 years in business Granite Electronics, 535 31st Ave. N, St. Cloud. Pictured: Jayne Greeney Schill, Joe Whitlow, Andy Faith, and Mike Kahl.

People of all ages are important to us. This is why we care for your family. Girls, women, mothers, grandmothers— throughout your life, you’ll have medical needs that require personal attention. Our obstetrics staff is prepared to provide you with comforting and friendly care during every visit. From adolescence to child-bearing years to menopause, our OB/GYN doctors are experienced to care for issues with the dignity you deserve.

StCloudMedical.com

South Campus 320-251-8181 Northwest Campus 320-202-8949 Clearwater Cold Spring Clinic 320-685-8641 South Clinic Campus320-558-2293 320-240-2170 Northwest Campus 320-529-4741 BusinessCentral - Family.indd 1

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TOP HATS | New Locations, Ownership & Expansions

Apollo Insurance Agency, 622 Roosevelt Road, Suite 240, St. Cloud. Pictured: Shannon Templin, Barry Quernemoen, DeEtte Wurm, Steve Thelen and Inese Mehr

Bonanza Steakhouse, 3440 W Division, St. Cloud. Pictured: Chris Panek, Dustin Dusha, Jeff Mathiasen and Jason Bernick

Automotive Parts Headquarters completed an expansion at 2959 Clearwater Road, St. Cloud. Pictured: Inese Mehr, John Bartlett, Corey Bartlett and Shannon Templin.

Dale’s Auto Detailing, 203 Cooper Ave. N, Suite 340, St. Cloud. Pictured: Dale Hellickson and Tauna Quimby.

Batteries Plus Bulbs, second location, 27 N Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids. Pictured: Tad Schoeppner, Darrell Jarnot, manager, Lance Barthel and Julie Forsberg.

INH Property Management, 175 7th Ave. S, Waite Park. Pictured: Jayne Greeney Schill, James H. Illies, Kevin Brink, Mike Stoebe, James E. Illies and Tauna Quimby.

B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3

L. L. Smith Jewelers, 2815 Division, St. Cloud. Pictured: Shannon Templin, Leland Smith, Nancy Smith and Inese Mehr.

Suite Spaces, has a new location at 50 14th Ave. E, Suite 110, Sartell. Pictured: Julie Forsberg, Becky Pietrowski, and Karen Kirt.

WACOSA – Thriftworks, a thrift store, 320 Sundial Drive, Waite Park. Pictured: Steve Howard and Tauna Quimby.

WFSI Inc., welding, fabricating and assembly, custom design and engineering, machinery rebuilding and repair, and more, 315 Industrial Boulevard, Sauk Rapids. Pictured: Julie Forsberg, Bob Sexton, Leon Gehrke and Al Beyer.

IN THE NEWS

POETIC HONORS Mark Conway, executive director of the College of Saint Benedict Literary Arts Institute, was awarded the 2012 McKnight Foundation Artists’ Fellowship for Poetry. Conway is one of four writers being honored with this fellowship, chosen by poet Mark Doty in recognition of established poets. Conway previously was awarded the fellowship in 2004.

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BUSINESS TOOLS

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RESOURCES THAT HELP YOUR BUSINESS GROW

MANAGEMENT TOOLKIT

Is Your Business Keeping You Up At Night? One of the most significant issues affecting small businesses is finding and keeping top talent.

By Joshua Longnecker

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce and Bureau of Census, small businesses employ almost half (42.9 percent) of all private sector employees; they pay 43 percent of total U.S. private payroll; and they’ve generated 67 percent of net new jobs since the latest recession, from mid2009 to 2011. As small business owners breathe new life into our economy, a number of issues

keep them up at night. One of the most significant is how to find and keep top-quality talent that can help their businesses succeed. In fact, today’s increasingly competitive landscape is making the “talent factor” a defining point in a small company’s ability to grow. That’s because the success within each stage of a business’ development depends on the experience, knowledge, and skill of its employees. In a tight job market, where

About the writer

79 percent of business owners in a recent survey reported few or no qualified applications for open positions, offering a benefits package tailored to business and employee needs can help attract, retain and motivate those key people. Group health is the insurance plan most employees request – it’s also one of the most costly. However, it’s possible to customize a plan to fit both your employees’ needs and your company’s budget. For example, offering a plan that requires some level of costsharing. Life and disability insurance and long-term care are becoming more prevalent among small businesses. They can be provided by the employer or offered via payroll deduction, enabling you to build goodwill without incurring the cost of an expensive benefit program. An employer-sponsored retirement plan can be one of the most beneficial in

Joshua Longnecker is a managing director with Northwestern Mutual, based in St. Cloud, MN. He can be reached at 320.223.6639, or Joshua.longnecker@nmfn.com.

terms of hiring and employee retention. By providing a way for employees to save for the future, a qualified retirement plan may also increase the chances they will make a long-term commitment to your business. Understanding your benefit choices can be challenging. The key is to work with a trusted financial representative who understands what it takes to run a successful business and has access to specialists with expertise in employee benefits. BC This article was prepared by Northwestern Mutual with the cooperation of Joshua Longnecker. Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI and its subsidiaries. Joshua Longnecker is an insurance agent of Northwestern Mutual. Not all products mentioned in this article are offered through Northwestern Mutual. 1 SBA Office of Advocacy, Frequently Asked

Questions, Updated September 2012 2 NFIB (National Federation of Independent

Business), Small Business Economic Trends, February 2013

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DOING GOOD

GIVING

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to causes. That’s why Causecast

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and easier for employees to adopt causes they care about. Sources: Forbes; Causecast

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Call St. Cloud’s commercial broker for leasing, sales and property management!

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BUSINESS TOOLS

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G R OW

ENTREPRENEURISM

Baby Steps

Business writing doesn’t have to be bad or boring. Here are six steps to help you improve your business communications. By Mary MacDonell Belisle

Business writing: Yawn. This is a common response to the topic because many of us have been exposed to bad business writing. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Improvement is possible, one baby step at a time.

1 Organize •• Note the main purpose of your memo, letter, or email. It is your destination. Record it in your introductory paragraph or the heading on your page, as in a memo or email. •• List your main points. These can follow chronologically (past/ present/future), sequentially (1st/2nd/3rd), categorically (e.g., money, manpower, mission), comparatively (A to B, B to C) causally (A causes B), or critically (pro/con). •• Group ideas, data, and/or examples that support those bullet points. •• Bold headings help to define paragraphs.

2 Use everyday language •• Avoid jargon. It confuses

some readers and acronyms (“MnDOT wants ADA specs QT to the FTA.”) might lose them. •• Avoid “puff-speak.” “Heretofore, it will be substantially beneficial for each member of this establishment to sequester their modes of transportation in an advantageous resting place prior to the arrival of competing factions also vying for said resting place.” Translation: “Employees, get here early to find a good parking spot.” •• Watch for clichés like “quality,” “out-of-the-box,” “leverage,” “drop the ball,” or “take it to the next level.” Overused words lose their ability to motivate.

3 Create interest •• Vary sentence length. Sentences create a rhythm. If all are the same length, you create boring. If they’re all a short rat-tat-tat-tat, they come across angry. Long series of prepositional phrases may induce sleep, even with punctuation.

About the writer

•• Change up paragraphs. Blocks of same-size paragraphs on a page aren’t inviting either.

4 Mind the mechanics •• Punctuation is necessary. A capital letter indicates the beginning of a sentence, and a period signifies the end. This stop-and-go helps readers navigate. A “?” expects thought and a response. An “!” conveys emotion and is used for emphasis. Use the exclamation point sparingly or it will lose its punch. •• Proof your spelling. Misspellings make the writer look ignorant. •• Use good grammar. See misspellings. “I seen the sales

Mary MacDonell Belisle is a freelance copy and content writer with WordingForYou.com. She specializes in business articles and profiles, web content, and book editing.

B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3

rep the other day.” “Me and him will make the drive to the client.” “The point was made by Stan and myself,” are examples of incorrect grammar.

5 Sparkle with personality •• Develop a style that sounds as natural as the way you speak. Have a colleague, friend, or family member tell you what words or phrases “sound like you.” Incorporate these into your writing style.

6 Proof •• Read what you’ve written, and evaluate it. Could your words be misconstrued because of tone or word choice or because you misplaced punctuation or modifying phrases? The business environment isn’t very forgiving of “take-backs” due to errors, so read first, then send. BC

TECH NEWS

Source: Tech News Daily

TOUCHY TECH Touche, a technology developed at Disney Research, will bring touch gestures to everyday objects, including plants and your body. Traditional touch technology handles only two states: on (touching) or off. Touche is able to detect five different states: no touch, one-finger touch, a pinch, circle and a grasp. When paired with the right software, it allows people to more precisely control devices. Over at Tactonic Technologies, touch “tiles,” measuring up to two-feet square, can be linked together to create a bigger sensing area. The tiles use far fewer individual sensors than a typical touchpad. The sparse sensors and resulting lower power requirements allow the tiles to break the size limitation that has plagued touch-sensitive surfaces in the past. For a video of Tactonic’s tiles at work, visit BusinessCentralMagazine.com

Mind Readers

Neuroscientists may soon be able to predict what you’ll do before you do it. The intention to do something, such as grasp a cup, produces blood flow to specific areas of the brain, so studying blood-flow patterns through neuroimaging could give researchers a better idea of what people have in mind. One potential application is improved prosthetic devices that respond to signals from the brain more like actual limbs do, according to researchers at the University of Western Ontario. Source: THE FUTURIST Magazine

GOING GREEN

Smart Power

Data analytics and large batteries can cut electricity costs in commercial buildings.

n energy startup called Stem has developed a battery for commercial buildings that’s clever enough to predict—based on the price of electricity—when to store power and when to release it. The market for the company’s technology is limited for now, but its product hints at how distributed energy storage and management could transform the grid. The Stem system combines advanced battery storage technology with cloud-based data analytics to reduce demand and energy charges. Stem, based in Millbrae, California, combines this “big data for buildings” technique with on-site energy storage. The batteries aren’t just intended as backup power. Instead, in concert with software, they’re part of a system designed to allow a building to use the cheapest form of power available at any given moment, whether that power comes from Stem’s batteries or from the grid.

www.bdiphoto.com • 1-320-253-9493

Still and moving images for business communication.

Source: MIT Technology Review

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BUSINESS TOOLS

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G R OW

TECH STRATEGIES

Twitter: Don’t get it? 4 Things You May Not Know

By Dawn Zimmerman

o you tweet? Chances are you don’t. Even if you do have a Twitter account, statistics suggest that you likely just watch. “Why would I want everyone to know what I’m doing?” is the response I often get from local leaders about Twitter. Twitter now has 555 million active users. Sure, that’s about half of Facebook’s current user count, but the monthly visitors to Twitter is scaling fast – about 135,000 new Twitter users sign up every day. Twitter is one of the top 10 most visited websites in the United States, as measured by industry leaders Quantast and Alexa. Some lists place Twitter in the Top 5. Twitter started in 2006 as an online social networking website and micro-blogging

service. It allows users to post, read and share textbased messages of up to 140 characters, known as “tweets.” It has become internationally identifiable by its signature bird logo and owns a once unassuming symbol, the hashtag (#). People cannot watch TV today without seeing the hashtag at the bottom of the screen. So, why is it gaining so much traction? Here are four things you may not know about Twitter:

In many cases, the news is coming directly from a critical source. News about the arrest of the Boston Marathon Bombing suspect first broke on Twitter – by the Boston Police. It’s a growing phenomenon, but it’s now new. The news of the U.S. Airways flight ditching in the Hudson River also broke on Twitter in 2009. For businesses of all types and sizes, it has become a powerful way to share their news and even emergency communication.

1 It’s a news feed. One of the most common uses for Twitter is to get news – often in real-time. Twitter users follow organizations that help them stay informed – from the local newspaper to industry groups to key players in their communities. Twitter is how many 20-somethings get their news today.

2 It’s a search engine. Twitter currently fields more than 2.1 billion queries every day. One of the most valuable uses of Twitter for businesses is the advanced search functionality. Twitter users have the ability to search – by geography – what’s being shared by keywords, phrases and people. (This expanded

About the writer Dawn Zimmerman is CEO of The Write Advantage, a St. Cloud-based communications company that specializes in helping organizations shape and share their story.

B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3

functionality is not readily available through the main search bar on Twitter. You can access it at Twitter.com/searchadvanced.) That means businesses can identify some key words that people use when needing their product or service and actively identify potential leads. Businesses also can view conversations happening on key issues or topics in their industries.

3 It’s a ‘spy’ tool. Twitter lets you keep an eye on the competition. Twitter feeds, by-and-large, are public. Businesses can both read what customers are saying about them, and what customers are saying about your competition or what your competition is actively sharing. It’s common for people to openly tweet issues they’re having or complaints they have. Businesses have used those tweets as an opportunity to message the person directly and “save the day.”

4 Daily usage is not required. As mentioned, you do not need to tweet to have a Twitter account. Some users rarely tweet their own ideas, but instead are most active by sharing – “retweeting” – what others are saying. Remember five years ago when you heard that Facebook was not going away anytime soon? Well, the same is now true for Twitter. Twitter’s revenue reached $259 million and is projected to increase 54 percent to nearly $400 million this year. It can be a powerful way to promote, connect and brand a company – or a person. BC

TECH NEWS

Source: Small Businesses Trends; Affordable Care Act source Entrepreneur.

Big Data

Business owners who leverage data make better business decisions, increase customer engagement, and produce higher return on investment. A 2012 study by Accenture that profiled over 2,000 customers across the U.S. and United Kingdom, found that most people support data gathering. Customers are willing to have trusted retailers use some of their personal data in order to present personalized and targeted products, services, recommendations, and offers. Just how willing are they? See “By the Numbers” below.

THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT – MADE SIMPLE The U.S. Small Business Administration has launched a website and blog to help businesses better understand the Affordable Care Act. The blog series aims to help clear up some of the misconceptions about the ACA, address a wide range of questions, and encourages small business owners to post questions in the comments section.

BY THE NUMBERS

Know Me

Personalization outweighs privacy concerns for most U.S. shoppers. Here’s what respondents to one survey had to say:

92%

were more inclined to purchase from a company that makes use of social media

67%

www.scr-mn.com

preferred Facebook as their social media channel

80%

were more likely to buy from a company that uses online and email communications

70%

were more inclined to buy from companies using mobile applications Source: Accenture Interactive survey “Today’s Shopper Preferences: Channels, Social Media, Privacy and the Personalized Experience,” November 2012.

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SoutHeRn diViSion RoCheSteR 877-399-4546 Mankato 800-447-3259

J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m

ECONOMY CENTRAL

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PRESENTED BY FALCON BANK

Anticipate CHANGE

Despite the recession, several Central Minnesota businesses have managed to grow.

By Whitney Bina •• (Photo from left): Mark Krebsbach, CliftonLarsonAllen; Carlo Schwinn, The L.S. Starrett Company – Tru-Stone Technologies Division; Scott Johnson, Times Media; Mark Held, Ickler Bearing & Machine Co.; Inc., Allison Waggoner, DCI, Inc.; and Larry Logeman, Executive Express; with Chamber President Teresa Bohnen serving as moderator.

In 2012, the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce interviewed almost 100 area businesses through Grow Minnesota!, an economic development program of the Minnesota Chamber. The purpose of the program is to gather information about Central Minnesota’s economy. Six business executives, who participated in the Grow Minnesota! interviews, were asked to serve on a panel at St. Cloud State University’s annual Winter Institute earlier this year. Here’s what they had to say. GROWTH DESPITE RECESSION Despite the recession, several Central Minnesota businesses have managed to grow. Planning ahead, redefining business models, and investing in cross training helped these Central Minnesota companies stay afloat through the Great Recession. “Anticipating change, not reacting to it, is the key to successful business,” according to Mark Held, Ickler Bearing & Machine. Ickler became ISO Certified in 2012, which has been key to the company’s 20 percent growth. “You can’t sit back,” Larry Logeman, Executive Express, said. “You have to listen to your customers.” Despite the recession, Executive Express took the risk of adding more services, which helped the company quadruple in size. Executive Express now offers 14 daily round trips between St. Cloud and MSP airport. According to Mark

Krebsbach, CliftonLarsonAllen, proactive businesses, that were willing to change business models, were the ones that succeeded during the recession. For example, the St. Cloud Times, voted Minnesota’s best daily newspaper of 2012, introduced an online subscription model to help generate revenue. Times Media also changed job descriptions throughout the company. Now, reporters not only write stories, but also take photos, edit videos, and use social media to bring news to the local community.

Other companies invested in cross-training to power through the recession. Starrett Tru-Stone Technologies Division focused on training employees in cost, quality, delivery and safety. “When the workforce came back, we came back with a vengeance,” Carlo Schwinn said. The company has since dropped workplace injuries by 90 percent and tripled profitsper-employee. BIGGEST CHALLENGE Finding skilled workers proves to be a big challenge in Minnesota, according to Bill

Blazar, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. “Skilled manufacturing is the most difficult sector to hire.” Several Central Minnesota companies can attest to that, including St. Cloud’s DCI. “It’s a challenge to get students to realize that skilled labor is a good career,” DCI’s Allison Waggoner said. Of the company’s 125 employees, 85 have been with DCI for over 20 years. Finding replacements for those experienced welders could be difficult in the near future. “People don’t understand how respectable it is to become a skilled worker,” Held said. BC Whitney Bina is the communications and workforce development coordinator at the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce.

LOOKING AHEAD

A Positive Outlook “Overall, the Central Minnesota economy is doing better than the state economy,” Blazar said. Although the worst appears to be over, economic challenges remain. Plan ahead, he advised, and anticipate change to give your business or organization the best chance at surviving a future recession.

B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3

Economy Central presented by

$16,000

ECONOMIC INDICATORS TRENDS Sartell St. & Cloud

D 47

$0 S OA NM DJ

FA MS

$0 A

A S

M O

J N

O M

N A

37 16

Compiled by Sharon Henry, data Sauk current as of 6/10/13 Waite Park Rapids

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING RESIDENTIAL PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS

$2M

$1.5M

St. CloudWaite Park Sauk Rapids

Sartell

Sartell Sauk Rapids

permits 97 No. of permits 32 41 No. 45 of59 43 98 36 92 34 122 16 118 7 127 3 105 4 12

Commercial Building Permits

$2M

$2,301,210

$2,071,350

$1.5M

$2,489,399

$1.5M

$2,622,544

$2,434,500

$2,301,210

$2M

St. Cloud

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING RESIDENTIAL PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS

Residential Building Permits

Sartell

Sauk Rapids Sartell

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING RESIDENTIAL PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS $2M

No. of permits 157 182 117 13 215 18 144 145 95 No. of permits 98 92 122 118 127 105 97160 37 12 19 4

$2,434,500

No. of permits 160 157 182 117 215 144 145 95

$2M

$1.5M

Sartell St. Augusta Waite P Sauk Rapids

COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDA COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS,RESIDENTIAL CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, RESIDENTIAL CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED $810,768 $810,768 RESIDENTIAL RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS RESIDENTIAL RESIDENTIA RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMIT

apids

$0 S OA NM DJ

FA MS

$2M JF

JM AA S

$1.5M

$0 J

F A

$1M

$16,000

$1.5M $.5M

$0 A

A S

M O

J N

$1M $0 J J A A S M O N J D J A J S F M O N A $2M No. permits 45 of59 43 98 36 92 34 122 16 118 7 127 3 105 4 12 97 37 16 $.5M

$1M

$2M $0 O M N A AD MJ

$1.5M

$.5M $3M

$810,768

$1M J F

$2M $0 JM AA S OA NM DJ

$1M $0

$0 J J FAA MMS

AJO

St. Joe

$6,375 $7,500

M M N

DAJ

$1.5M

St. Joe $1M

$16,000

$1M DJ JJ

45 1

443 236 734

259

$1M D J

N 16

$0 N AD MJ

$2M $0 JM AA A S

M O

$1.5M

Sauk Rapids Sartell St. Augusta Waite Park

370

$0 J S FAO M

$0 JD AJA SFM O MJ N AJ DA

J N

2No. 104permits 51 12 3 of 03

$.5M

$24,200

1 4of 4permits 12 316 23 443No. 236of permits 734 16 1 7 3 3 No.

45 140 259

$1.5M

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS RESIDENTIAL $2M

$0 A SJ OF

$.5M

$6,375 $7,500

$0 J A S OA NM $2M No. 7 of11permits 26 14 32 41 9

A $568,250 M J

No. of permits 16 13

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS RESIDENTIAL

$12,457,379

$6,476,471

$6,362,170

$17,096,137

$12,449,306

$25,702,953

$16,000

$4M

$6,178,910

$1.5M

$778,000

$0 A M $2M No. of permits 32 41

St. CloudWaite Park Sauk Rapids

Sartell

$3M

$1.5M

35 16 23 14 30 35 45 No. 43 of16 23 30 35 No. 40 of59 518 of12permits 831 No. 7 of 26 3permits 821 16 140 13 348 11645 No. permits permits 105 97 37 4 7 32 41 permits 32 41 45 43 98 36 92 34 122 16 118 7 127 3 No. 4of permits 12 16 2 12 2 19 1013 No. 743 of11 26 9

of permits No. of permits 157 182 117 13 215No. 144 145 95 3147 3525 2633 2144 4091 48 of permits 98 92 122 118 127 105 97160 37 12 19 18 4

Sauk Rapids Sartell

$3M

$.5

St. Augusta St. Augusta

$1M

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS RESIDENTIAL $2M $0 AO N AD MJ

$.5M

$.5

$.5M

$4M

$12,457,379

$6,476,471

$6,362,170

$17,096,137

$12,449,306

$2,301,210

$25,702,953

Waite Park Waite Park

TS BUILDING PERMITS AL $0

$810,768

$1M $1M $0 $0 A M J J A S OA NM D J J J F A MS AO N D J $2M No. of permits 98 92 122 118 No. of permits 127 105 9716037 157 182 12 19 117 13 215 18 144 145 4 95 47 25

$.5M

$.5

$4M

$2M

$10,496

$1.5M

$778,000 $5M $1M

$8,431

$1.5M

$2M $1M

$10,496

$3M

$.5M

$2M

$6,178,910

$.5

$5M $1M

$8,431

$1M D J

$2M

$6,178,910

$1M

$4M

$2,071,350

$1.5M

$2,489,399

$2,622,544

$2,434,500

$1.5M

$2M

$1M

$2,434,500

$5M $1M

$2M

78 of 3 112 1 18 No. permits 21 12 88 16

$1.5M

St. Joe Waite Park Sauk Rapids

St. Augu

$810,768 BUILDING PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS TS,RESIDENTIAL CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING COMMERCIAL PERMITS, RESIDENTIAL CONSOLIDATED BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING COMMERCIAL PERMITS, BUILDING CONSOLIDATED PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING COMMERCIAL PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLID RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS RESIDENTIAL RESIDENTIAL RESIDENTIAL

$1.5M

$2M $634,892

$1M$2M

$634,892

$2M

$2,224,021

$.5M

$2M $1M

$2M

$6,178,910

$4M

$6,476,471

$6,362,170

$17,096,137

$4M

Sheriff ’s Foreclosure Auctions Sales Closed - Total Home Sales Closed - Total Lodging TaxHome Dollars BENTON COUNTY ST. CLOUD ST. CLOUD Waite Park Sauk Rapids ST. CLOUD St. Augusta Waite P

Sheriff ’s Foreclosure Auctions Sartell BENTON COUNTY Sauk Rapids $.5M

$2M

$5M $1M

$1M$2M

$2M

$12,449,306

$4M

$25,702,953

$1.5M

St. Cloud

Sartell

$778,000 $2M

$5M $1M

$12,457,379

$1.5M

$2,434,500

$6,476,471

$6,362,170

$5M $1M

$2M

$12,457,379

$778,000

$2M

$1.5M $.5M

$1.5M

$.5M

$1.5M $.5M

$1.5M

$1.5M $.5M

$1.5M

307

N AJ

$1M $0 O $568,250 N AJD JS FA MM

21 18 No. 78 of permits 312 88 16 112 13 35 1162

St. Joe

$57,311

$0 S OA NM DJ

No. 5 of12permits 7 831 35 7

e Auctions Sauk Rapids Sartell $1.5M

26 3

FA MS

821

$1.5M

140 348

645

$1.5M

$1M

120 $.5M

A S

M O

J N

No. 1 of 4permits 3 23

104

12 0

$0 $0

$0 $1M JA JD JAJ M AF$568,250 SJM O

$0 S O D JA 10 $2M 4 1 1 34 0 033 2131 No. 837 of12 3permits 4permits 18 12 30 120 A N

N FM

DJ M

AJJ

035

12 21

38 7

$1M$2M

$634,892

J $0

M 3

$634,892

$0 A

$1.5M $.5M $57,311

ST. CLOUD

N A DM J J F J M A A S $0 A M No. of permits 6

D A

$0 S

$0$1M JD JJA AFM SM J OA JN

M N

No. permits 1 18 of16 12 12

120

$150,000

2.5

113

4 6No. No. of 82 No. 18 16 12 $120,000 7 16722 12461 12No. 857120 0 of7permits 454 327 19 33 112.0 11 33 5 22 11 8 4 1819 7 permits 7 2222 4 61 12 8 5712 45 of 0 of permits 1 12 32permits

M D

1.7% 012

2.0%

0.0

$30,000 1.5

$.5M

$10,496

A -0.6M

O M

N J

D J

J A

F S

M O

4 10

0 12

A N D -0.8 7 3 -1.0

N A DM J J F J MA A S $0 $60,000 A M

N D J60 A

J F $0 S OA

No. of permits 6

18 of16 12 12 No. permits 1

7 3

4 1

2.5%

J A $30,000

FA 0.5 MS 73

0.0

10 $120,000 1 0

AA -0.6 SM OJ

A -0.8 7

DA JS $0

$60,000

FO MN A

No. of permits 0

3rd Quarter

-1.0 J F 4th quarter

$.5M

$2,500

M S

0 of permits 1 0 61 No.

0 18

0 16

0 12

2.5 $60,000

oss Domestic United ProductStates Nonfarm Jobs $60,000 2.0%

/13 QUARTERLY 400,000 20,000

3.5

UNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE % CHANGE $400,000 IN REAL GDP 2.0 120

3.1%$72,162

$72,162

$0 60,000

2.0 permits

A 30,000 1.5

1.0

1.7%

0.0

-0.2

2.5% 1.0$0

M0.5 S AO

0.0

2nd Quarter

3rd Quarter

2.5%

$150,000

XXXX $1M

$1M

$120,000

3.5

$.5M

N/A

Source: www.positivelyminnesota.com 0

AA -0.6 SM OJ NJ -0.8

-1.0 J F 4th quarter

$90,000

40 MN

JD JJ $0

FO MN

MINNESOTA

30 No. of permits 3

N D J F M $0 J $60,000 A S OA N M DJ

3 2.0 6 11 No. of 4permits 3

-1.0 J F M A M 4th quarter 1st Quarter $30,000 O 20 N

1.7%

J $30,000 1.5 A

NTRY WIDE

3rd Quarter

$200,000

M A M 1st Quarter

$200,000

COUNTRY WIDE 10%

1.0

$150,000

$0 A

MINNESOTA

employment Rates Unemployment Rates Economy Central presented by 2nd Quarter

$150,000

2.5

0.0

JJ FA 2.0%

34 N

13 D

10 AO

106

6 11 0

A N/A

6% 2.0

7 A

4 M

4th A quarter

2.0

St. Cloud Minneapolis/St. Paul $90,000 Minnesota 40 United States

0 12

0.0

0 S

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610 $120,000 116 7 $400,000 4 1

N/A

JJ $0

$200,000

$90,000

J F $0 S AO M

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3 No.3 of permits 4 6 0 11 0

S2ndOQuarter N D 3rdJ Quarter F M

2.0

4th A quarter

1st Quarter

$200,0001.0

M N

50 1.0

2.0

A F

MINNESOTA BENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY -

-1.0

1.0

0.5

-1.5

-2.0 M10

10%

Median Local Nonfarm JobsHo 1.5 $200,000

0.8

$150,000

0.0

J F AM S A OM N J D J 0.6

S M

NSt. CloudD

O A

0 S J N/A

0.4 -1.0

M N

St. Cloud Minneapolis/St. P 6% Rochester $100,000

-0.5

S M

-1.5 Minneapolis/St. Paul 0.2 Minnesota Benton & Stearns Counties United States $50,000 Minnesota -2.0 4% N

St. Cloud Minneapolis/St. Paul Rochester D

XXXX XXXX X XXX XXX 30

MINNESOTA - MONTHLY % CHANGE COUNTRY WIDE

0.0

$100,000 -1.0

Minnesota Unemploy Nonfarm J

$150,0000.0

J D

STEARNS COUNTY

St. Cloud -1.5 Paul Minneapolis/St. Minnesota United States $50,000 -2.0

A quarter 4th 1st Quarter J $30,000 J20 A

M N

No. 6% of permits 3

XXXX

8% $.5M

$0 A

2.5%

$600,000

J F M A M J J A Sheriff ’s Foreclosure Auctions Median Housing Prices 1.5 1.5

$100,000

2.0%

1.7%

MINNESOTA

0.8

2.0 3 No.3 4 6 3 11 6 7 3 4 of permits

2.0 AO

$120,000

S 2ndOQuarter N D 3rd J Quarter F M

1st Quarter

1.0

Local Nonfarm Jobs Local Nonfarm Jobs

S2ndOQuarter N D 3rdJ Quarter F M

N/A

St. Cloud Source: www.positivelyminnesota.com $50,000 4% $0 Minneapolis/St. Paul J F M A M 10 J M J A AM SJ OJ NA S AO M N JD JJ AF S M O N D M J F M Minnesota BENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY MONTHLY %COUNTY CHANGE - MONTHLY % CHANGE BENTON AND- STEARNS United States

MINNESOTA - MONTHLYMINNESOTA % CHANGE - MONTHLY % CHANGE0.8

$1M JJ

$57,311

STEARNS COUNTY

MINNESOTA

-1.0%

$0 J A S $60,000

Sheriff ’s Foreclosure Auctions -0.5 Median Housing Prices -0.5 2.0%

1.5

0.0-2.5%

Minnesota Nonfarm Jobs Minnesota Nonfarm$30,000 Jobs

2.5%

$150,000 2.5% 1.0 -1.5% 4% M A M J J J F AM SA OM NJ D J A S O $60,000 J F 0.5 M A -2.0% 30 6% 1 1 10 6

J J 10 M A M A N D O J F 0.5 M

ST. CLOUD

$150,000

10%

$30,000 1.5

ST. CLOUD

$150,000

1.7%

Minnesota Nonfarm JobsNonfarm Jobs Minnesota A

10%

-0.5% $200,000

COUNTRY WIDE

$1M

$1.5M

COUNTRY WIDE

3.1% Unemployment Rates Food & Beverage Tax Collections 0.5 0.5

0.5% 0.0%

3.1%

2.5

Median Housing Prices Median Housing Prices0.5

N/A

3.0 $90,000

XXXX XXXX XXXX

IN STEARNS COUNTY2012/13 QUARTERLY % CHANGE6% 30 REAL GDP

$120,000

$60,000

-0.8

Gross Domestic Product Sheriff ’s Foreclosure Auctions

S AO M -0.6

ST. CLOUD

-0.4

$150,000

-0.4

XXXX

uctions oreclosure Auctions 0.5

0.0

$30,000

$2,500

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0.4 J F M $0 S OA N M DJ 0.2 0 1 0 1 No. of permits 0 01 10 N

J 60 A 2.0%

0.0

$30,000 1.5

0.8 $200,000 $2,500 $1,200 90 6% 0.6

0.2

1.7%

1.0

200,000 3.0 90,000

2.5 N JD

0.4

ST. CLOUD

$1,777,934

0.6

8%1.0% 3.0

$3,745

$90,000

$425,000

$1.5M

$3,745

$425,000

$600,000 150 8%

$1,777,934

3.0 $90,000

ST. CLOUD

600,000 50,000

8% & Beverage Tax Tax Collections Lodging Dollars

No. 0 of permits 1 0 61 1

MINNESOTA - MONTHLY % CHANGE - MONTHLY % CHANGE MINNESOTA

Sheriff ’s Foreclosure Gross Domestic Auctions Product

$343,111.15

. CLOUD

$1.5M 3.1% Food

0.8

$343,111.15

$800,000

odging TaxHome Dollars Sales Closed - Total

$343,111.15

Gross Domestic United ProductStates Nonfarm Jobs

J 1

F M A $0 A S AO

3.1% Food & Be Unemployment Rates

$.5M

D J F M A $0 $60,000 J A S A O M N

M 0

$2M

3.0

J A $30,000

COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMIT COMMERCIA

$90,000

$30,000

1 J

30 No. of permits 3

111

$60,000

M A M 1st Quarter

FO MN

No. of permits 0

2.5

-0.4

2nd Quarter

$425,000

XXXX SM

JS $0

STEARNS COUNTY2012/13 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP $120,000 $120,000 3.5 50 $800,000 $.5M

$1M J

$1M

$90,000

COUNTRY WIDE COUNTRY WIDE 2012-2013 % CHANGE OMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED $150,000 10% $150,000 10% 0 0 $0 0$1M $0 $0 $2M O N D J F M A J F M A A M J J A 10% S $1M O N A DM J J F J M A A S M A M J J $2M AA SM OJ NJ DA JS FO MN D M A M J J A MS 2.0% NGE 2012/13 QUARTERLY % CHANGE UNITED IN STATES REAL GDP - MONTHLY % CHANGE STEARNS COUNTY2012/13 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP $120,000 $120,000 3.5 3.5 1.5% 1.0 50

arm Jobs

$1M

CLOUD

$150,000

$30,000 Unemployment Rates Unemployment Non Farm JobsRates

Food & Beverage Collections ax Dollars Food Tax & Beverage Tax Collections St. Augusta Unemployment St. Joe CLOUD ST. CLOUD St. Augusta ST.Rates St. Joe 2012-2013 J

Gross Domestic Product Sheriff ’s Foreclosure Auctions

$1.5M

$2,500ST.

$72,162

1.0

$1.5M

Lodging Dollars & Beverage Tax Tax Collections

0.4 $0 JF60 AM S A AO MN JD JJ 0.2 $400,000 112 No. 011 111 0 5 0 $120,000 1 0 1 1 0 00 of permits JJ

$425,000 BUILDING PERMITS, BUILDING CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED $150,000 $150,000

$800,000

3.1% Food

$1.5M

$2M

$72,162 0.8 $200,000 $2,500 $30,671 90 ST. CLOUD$1,200 $1,200 0.6 $600,000

$200,000 $30,671$90,000

$0 $0$1M A SJ A O N J AD J J A F$60,000 F $568,250 MM SM OA N

$.5M

1.0

$72,162

$2,500

$1,200

Lodging Dollars Food & Beverage Tax Tax Collections St. Joe St. Augu ST. CLOUD ST. CLOUD

UNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE 2012/13 QUARTERLY % CHANGE $400,000 $400,000 IN REAL GDP 3.5

$200,000

$2M AA SM OJ

$1M

$425,000 COMMERCIAL

150

$800,000

-0.4

S A

800,000

$0 $2MM

J F $0 S OA

2 -0.2 -0.2 Building departments $200,000 Sources: for the following cities: St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids, Sartell, Waite Park, St. Augusta, and St. Joseph. $57,311 $24,200 90 $90,000 $90,000 $90,000 $1,200

1 of 4permits 3 423 No.

Gross Domestic United ProductStates Nonfarm Jobs

150

$150,000

XXXX

MS 60AO

Employment

$120,000

$1.5M $.5M $57,311

0.4 $0 N AD 0.2 permits 2 08 of 12 1 12 No. 5 62

No. of permits 1

Sales Closed3.0- Total Lodging TaxHome Dollars

0.6

$8,431

N A

7 37 18 $800,000

$150,000

$1M$2M

$.5M 8

$30,060

$0 90

= exceeds chart scale $1M $24,200

O M

S $1M O

$1.5M

1.0

0.0 $.5M

$1M A M

COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED $600,000 COMMERCIAL BUILDING $600,000 PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED

12 $1M

$.5M 0.8

$24,200 BENTON COUNTY $30,060 $0 $0 $3M 12

150

$2,224,021

$12,457,379

$4M

N 60

UNITED STATES - MONTHLY10% CHANGE

$.5M$1.5M

United States Nonfarm Jobs

$5M $1M

Sheriff ’s Foreclosure Auctions ome Sales Closed - Total

CLOUD

J $0

$1.5M

150

No. of permits 1

$2M $0 J A

Home Sales Closed Sheriff - Total ’s Foreclosure Auctions Lodging TaxHome Dollars Sales Closed - Total Waite Park Sauk Rapids ST. CLOUD St. Augusta Waite Park ST. CLOUD BENTON COUNTY ST. CLOUD

COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED

$1M $2M 68,250

N$2MD

$.5M

$72,162

St. Joe

$24,200

$0 COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS,BUILDING CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL PERMITS, CONSOLIDA

$343,111.15

$2M A S

$2,224,021

$6,178,910

of permits 2

$2,224,021

$2M

$30,000

$.5M

St. Augusta St. Augusta

M O A AF $60,000 S

2 No. 0of permits 11 26 141 9 6 1 112

$0 $42

$600,000

$1M $0 $0 $0 J F J60 OA NM DJ JJ A FA MMS JAO JN AD SJA O FM M AA S $400,000 of permits 451 3203 33 permits 8 4 No. 182 of16 1No. 37 14 74 19 73 22 43 61No. 83 57 30 of4permits 7 12 12

$0 N AD MJ

JJ 73

$24,200

$3,745

S OJ FM M

TS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS,BUILDING CONSOLIDATED ESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS AL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS RESIDENTIAL $2M $0

$6,375 $7,500

$1,777,934

$24,200

$1M $0 J A D JA

J N

$57,311

$3,745

$1M

M O

No. 23 of 10 4permits 51 12 03

$1.5M $.5M

$.5M

$90,000 $0

$343,111.15

St. Joe

$10,496

$8,431

$.5M

Waite Park Waite Park St. Joe

$10,496

$8,431

$1M

$800,000 $.5M

$30,060

$2,224,021

$1M $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 A J J A S O N D J F A AD MJ J F JM AA S MS AJO JN AD SJ OA MS AO N AD MJ J F JM AA A N D J F M A OA NM D J J J FAA $568,250 M F NM DA S J JJ FA 60 A M J J A S M O N $2M $2M $2M 4 No. permits permits 45 43 98 36 92 34 122 16 118 7 127 3 No. 4of permits 12 743 of11 26 935 45 140 259 443No. 236of permits 734 16 1 7 3 3 No. 43 of 16 23 32 30 41 35 No. 40 of59 518 of12permits 831 No. 35 7 of 26 3 821 16 140 13 348 11645 No. 16 23 14 30 41 1 4of 4permits permits permits 105 97 16 3742 12 2 19 1013 No. 4 7 32 12 316 23

$1M

St. Augusta St. Augusta apids

$1.5M $.5M

$24,200

$1,777,934

$6,375 $7,500

$3M

8 $1M

$16,000

$343,111.15

$.5M 90

$2,224,021

$.5M

$8,431

$4M $1.5M $.5M $1M

$10,496

$12,457,379

$1M

$6,375 $7,500 COMMERCIAL

$10,496

$3M

$16,000

$6,476,471 $8,431

$3M

$.5

$6,362,170

$.5M

$25,702,953

$4M

$12,457,379

$4M

$12,449,306

$16,000

$17,096,137

$30,060 $30,671 $30,060 $30,671 $0 $0 $0 $6,375 $810,768 COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED$3M COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED$3M 12 COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIA $810,768 COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMIT $7,500 $3M 150 150 $150,000 12 $778,000 $778,000 $5M $5M $2M $2M $5M$1M $2M $1M $2M $1M $1M $1M $1M $1M $1M $1M $1M $0 $0$1M $0 $0 $0 $0$1M $634,892 $568,250 A M J J A S AO MN JD JJ AF SM OA N D A M J J A S AO MN JD JJ AF SM OA N D A M J J A SA O$568,250 MN JD JJ AF SM OA N D J F M A J F M A J F M A M NJ DJ J A FS MO AN D J F 10 $2M 10 16 13 11 No. of permits No. 120 of permits 3 No. of permits 19 22 61No.57 12 34 16 16 7 7 of permits 11 $2M 26 1614 139 111 7 2 114 262 147 9 0 21 No.8 of permits 12$2M8 3 12 0 5 212 8 3 122 80 121 5 45 3219 3322 2261 1257 1245 1132 1133 522 12 12 1 No. of permits 4116 457 593 434 36 3 4 12 16 1 2 4 2 7 2 3 2 0 1 120 $120,000 $16,000

United States

0.0

-0.2

J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m

M AJ M J J

$24,200 S O N

J$0 F

N/A S

MINNESOTA $200,000

$3M

$778,000

$1.5M

MINNESOTA

of permits No. of permits 98 92 122No. 118 127 105169713 3711 12 7 19 1113 2618 14 4 9

$100,000

0 A $50,000 S A OMN J D J J A F S MO AN

’s Foreclosure Auctions Waite Park Sartell Sheriff STEARNS COUNTY A

Gross Domestic Product

$2M

$200,000

3.0

$3M

$8,431

1.5

No. of permits 2

1.0 J0.5 J

$.5M

A $0M J J A S O N D J F M A J F M A S AO MN J D J J A F SM OA N D

10 No.5of permits 12 7 6 8 11 7 8 3 188 161 123 126 7

0 A 8

J $0

J A

A M

$010

$72,162 $24,200

A M O $0 N JD JJ J A AS MO

S J

$2,500

$1,200 $0

AF JN

S O M A JD AJ

3 No. 1 of permits 4 3 0 3 0 3 1 4 01

No. of permits 1

D J OM NA

F D

M J

UNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE

ST. CLOUD

0.4

$90,000

0.0 -0.2 -0.4

$60,000

$30,000

-0.6

10%

-1.0 N/A

S MO AN MD J J

J F AM S A O

4% J

OM NA DM J

JM A

0.5

3rd QuarterA

M4th quarter J J

A 1st SQuarter O N

B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3

M F

$2M

2.0

Unemplo

$1.5M

COUNTRY 1.5 WIDE 10% 1.0

3.1% $1M

$1M

$568,250

0.5

2.5%

0.0 8%

2.0% = exceeds chart scale

$.5M

1.7%

JO A N S D O

$30,671

$0 MSt. Cloud A

N/A D

3rd Quarter

$0 A

A J

Minneapolis/St. Paul 5 No. of permits 3 No. of permits 1 3 1 Minnesota United States 4th quarter

-0.5 $24,200

M J 0 4

J J A S A 6%S O N -1.5 21 8 12 8 3 3 3 4

-1.0 D 12

2nd Quarter

Minneso

1.5

0.0

J M

MINNESOTA -

3.0

$6,375 $7,500

COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, S

-2.0

1st Quarter

LodgingSt.Tax Dollars Augusta

BENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY % CHANGE ST. CLOUD COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PE

150

$150,000

XXXX

A F

$50,000

J$0 A A

S O M J

-0.2 J JF FM M A A M J J A S O N D$0 J J A SA OM NJ DJ JA FS MO AN D

N F

D M

$0 St. Cloud M A M $0 J J A S 0.0O N A Minneapolis/St. Paul A M J J A S

Minnesota andNo. other Upper Midwest Cities of37 Comparable Size4 to1 St.1 Cloud 0 0 0 3 6 10 Rochester 6 of permits 6 11 No. No. of permits 8 of18permits 16 12 12 43 74 76 411 87 $0

GrossMN Domestic Product St. Cloud, 2012 Avg 96.1 107.0

78.0

98.9

St. Cloud, 3.5 MN

76.2

100.7 91.2

95.0

107.8

2.0

105.2 2.5%118.5

107.9

1.5

2.0% 93.9

Cedar Rapids, IA 1.5

93.7

Eau Claire, WI 1.0

90.2

Wausau, WI $60,000 0.5

93.6

102.6

1.0

98.3

78.0

98.6

98.3

107.9 WIDE COUNTRY 10%

100.2

99.5

99.0

102.5

30 106.7 96.7

107.9

103.2 98.9 8%

97.1

72.0

95.3

108.7 96.3

-0.599.7

78.7

105.3 94.0

10 100.5 98.7

-1.0

6% 0

1st Quarter

153.4

Washington, D.C.

141.7

Orange County CA $50,000

142.8

Oakland CA

141.0

0.8

= exceeds chart scale

145.6

168.6

Stamford CT $100,000

XXX

0.6

0.4

0.2

St. Cloud Minneapolis/St. Paul Rochester S

BENTON AND STEARNS COUN

151.4

New York (Queens)

Local Nonfarm Job

171.0

San Jose CA $150,000

1 J

XXX

227.1

MINNESOTA

0 -0.2

Unemployment Rat

97.0

XXXX

108.9 102.9 50

103.9 88.7

0.0

STEARNS COUNTY

83.7

0.5

Sheriff ’s Foreclosure Auc 111.2 102.9

94.6

4th quarter

San Francisco CA

XXXX

-0.2 S JO

Augusta SaukSt. Rapids RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PE

0.5

$0 M

$200,000

restaurant franchise in the next few months if they know that 0.0 the restaurant is a member of the chamber 0

O Minnesota N D

Honolulu HI

10 St. Cloud Minneapolis/St. Paul Rochester

––––––––––––––––––––––––– 2nd Quarter

0.2

-2.0

250

insurance company that is a member of $50,000 the chamber

1.0

0.4

No. of permits 0

New York (Brooklyn) 171.4 Median Housing Prices

68% more likely to eat at a national 20

Cost of Living - Minnesota Local Nonfarm Jobs Home Sales Closed -St. Total Joe Waite Park

STEARNS COUNTY BENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY % CHANGE

–––––––––––––––––––––––––

$634,892

200

36% more likely to think favorably of an

1.5

0.0

Local Nonfarm Jobs Sheriff ’s Foreclosure Auctions

0.6

-1.5

3.5

New York (Manhattan)

30 of the business

No. of permits 3

-1.0

J J A N/A Among the 302 urban areas -1.5participating in the first quarter of 2013, the after-tax cost for a professional/managerial standard of living ranged -2.0 $0 4% N D A S O N D J F M A M J J A J S F O MN AD M J FJ MJ from more than twice the national average in Manhattan to almost 19 percent below the national average in Harlingen, TX.

49% more likely to think favorably

2.0% from the company in the future services 1.7% $100,000 –––––––––––––––––––––––––

2.5

150

2.0

100

80% more likely to2.5% purchase goods or

$150,000

2.5

3.0

ACentral M MN J

2nd$30,000 Quarter 3rd Quarter St. Cloud Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota United States

A national survey of 2,000 adults reveals that being active in a local chamber of 50 $200,000 commerce3.1% is an effective business strategy. When consumers know that a small business is a member of the chamber of commerce, they 0.8 are: 40

3.5

$200,000 $0

Sources: Minnesota Compass led by Wilder Research; Bureau of Economic Analysis - www.BEA .gov.

2012/13 QUARTERLYMINNESOTA % CHANGE IN REAL GDP

0.0

Sources: Tax Collections – City of St. Cloud Incorporations - MN Secretary of State, Graph courtesy of SCSU

By the Numbers Median Housing Prices Gross Domestic Product

$90,000 6%

$90,000

6% M

$1M

$30,000 4%

1.7%

$60,000

$.5M

Mankato, $120,000 2.0 MN

$778,000 .79%

8% $120,000

St. Paul,2.5MN

XXXX XXXX

$30,000 J F

$150,000

$90,000

-0.8

3.1% Tax Collections Minnesota Nonfarm Jobs Food & Beverage

0.2 $120,000

$343,111.15

$120,000

120

J A-1.0 J A

MINNESOTA % CHANGE Minneapolis, MN 108.3 - MONTHLY 119.8 98.1 ST. CLOUD 108.6 3.0

COUNTRY WIDE

0.6 $150,000

$150,000

150

Unemployment Rates Lodging Tax Dollars ST. CLOUD

2012/13 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP

1.0 0.8

-0.5

St. 30 Cloud N D J F Paul M A Minneapolis/St. Minnesota 7 4 7 7 4 8 United States

Cost of Living - 1st Quarter 2013

Commerce/Services United States Nonfarm Jobs ST. CLOUD

$1.5M

Rochester N SF

Housing/Real Estate sources: St. Cloud Area Association of Realtors, http://stcloudrealtors.com/pages/statistics; 0.0 0 A M J J A S O N 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter quarter 1st Quarter Benton County Sheriff’s Civil4th Process; Stearn’s County Sheriff’s Office; http://thething.mplsrealtor.com/

& -Beverage Home Sales Food Closed Total Tax Collections

ST. CLOUD

0.0

$425,000

20 $200,000

$.5M A $400,000 S O

$2M $1M of Local No he Cost of Living index$2Mmeasures regional differences in the cost Median Housing Prices consumer goodsMINNESOTA and0.8services, excluding taxes and non-consumer BENTON AND $200,000 120 $120,000 expenditures, for professional and managerial households in the$800,000 top $1.5M $1.5M 0.6 scale income quintile. It is based on more than 90,000 prices covering almost= exceeds 60 chart 0.8 90 $90,000 $600,000 $150,000 prices are collected quarterly by the St.Cloud different items for which Area 0.4 0.6 $1M $1M Chamber of Commerce. Small differences should not be interpreted as 60 $60,000 $400,000 showing any measurable difference, according to ACCRA. The “all items” 0.2 $100,000 0.4 index for St. Cloud was 95.0, 5.0 percent below the national average $.5M $.5M $72,162 $30,000 St.30 Cloud 0.0 $200,000 $57,311 0.2 $1,200 $ (100.0) for thePaulquarter. Minneapolis/St.

$1M

$568,25030 $400,000

$57,311

$0 scale $60,000 $0 = exceeds chart $0 A M J J A SA OM N J D J J A F S M1.0OA N A J J A S O N D J F M A 0.2 M No. of7 permits 1 19 1422 961 1 57 2 45 4 322 337 22 No. of permits 16 13 11 11 26 No. of permits 2 2 10 5 12 7 8 7 3 8 1 3 6

$1M

0.1%

$50,000

0 A

F J MA A S

$100,000

2.0%

$.5M

-0.2

40 $600,000

1.7%

0.2%

$10,496

2.0

$2M

0.3%

-0.8

$1M

0.4

3-0.6 2

$1.5M

2.5%

2.5

0.6

$0 0.4%

J-0.4 F N/AM

$150,000 $800,000

$2,224,021

$12,457,379

3.1%

$1.5M

$2M

0.5%

0.0

STEARNS COUNTY 10

3.5 40

$4M

0.8

0.4

Sheriff ’s Foreclosure Auctions

$2M

2012/13 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP

$1M

ST. CLOUD COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED

COMMERCIAL PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS,BUILDING CONSOLIDATED 50

.71%

0.6

0.0

-0.2

$1.5M

$3M

0.7%

$30,060

$16,000

Median Housing SheriffSauk ’s Foreclosure AuctionsPrices St. Augusta Rapids BENTON COUNTY MINNESOTA

60 N

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

$0 S OM NA DM J J

St. Cloud Minneapolis/St. Paul Rochester

COUNTRY WIDE

Minneapolis/St. Paul Rochester -1.0 0.0% J F

0.2

$2M

$5M

0.8%

0.8

$0 $60,000 $0 0.6 $30,000 A M J J A AS MO JN JD AJ SF OM NA D A M J J A S O N D J F M A 7 No. of permits 32 41 No. 45of permits 59 43 3 36 0 34 2116 8 7 123 84 12 12 516 2 No. $50,000 of permits 31 35 26 21 40 48 45 43 16 23 30 35 40 0.4 $30,000 $0 St. Cloud M A M J J A S O N D J $0

XXX J

UNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE 2012/13 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN$1.5M REAL GDP BUSINESSES CREATING NEW LAST YEAR BENTON ANDPRODUCTS STEARNS IN COUNTY - MONTHLY % CHANGE 1.0

0.8

J O FN M D

St. Cloud -1.5 Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS RESIDENTIAL PERMITS COMMERCIAL BUILDING BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED United States -2.0

$4M

-0.2

30 $0

$90,000 $60,000

$100,000

Gross Domestic Product Unemployment Rates

0.2

$.5M

$150,000

$1M

$57,311 J F M

No. of permits 0.0 32 41

10% United States Nonfarm Jobs Gross Domestic Product Product Creation Local Nonfarm FoodJobs & Beverage Tax Collections

Local Nonfarm Jobs

$1M

$6,375 $7,500

$0 60 $30,000 J J A S AO MN J D J J A F SM OA N

$2,500 90

No. of permits 6

-0.5

BENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY %0.6% CHANGE $120,000 $90,000

$.5M 90 $60,000

$810,768 $150,000 $120,000

$2M $150,000

$200,000

$1.5M

ST. CLOUD

$1M

120 $90,000

$.5

$17,096,137

$4M

$1M

A $1,200 18 4

SartellWaite ParkSt. Joe

$150,000 Median Housing PricesTax Dollars Lodging

Median Housing Prices

$1M

ST. CLOUD $12,449,306

150 $120,000 $1M

$5M

0.5A

J J A S O N D Food & Beverage Tax Collections

$25,702,953

1.0

$2,224,021

$1.5M

$343,111.15

TEARNS COUNTY ST. CLOUD

$6,178,910

$2,434,500

$150,000

$6,476,471

$2M M

heriff ’s Foreclosure Auctions Home Sales Closed - Total

S $200,000 O N

0.0

1.5D

No. of permits 0

COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED 4% $2M J $2M F M A M $5M

Housing/Real Estate

Lodging Tax Dollars ST. CLOUD

N/A

$2M

$.5M $0

No. of permits 6% 1

$6,362,170

$30,000 ECONOMIC INDICATORS & TRENDS Waite Park St. Augusta Sauk Rapids St. Cloud RESIDENTIAL RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITSBUILDING PERMITS RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS M

Sartell

$6,178,910

XXXX

No. of permits 98 92 122 118 127 105 97

Source: C2ER - The Council for Community and Economic Research.*Includes single-family and multi-unit residential housing; By the Numbers source: The Schapiro Group, an Atlanta-based strategic consulting firm

XXXX XXXX

$57,311

$3,745

Al l It em s

M 44

$343,111.15

$0 A M J J BY A SFALCON O N D J BANK F M A PRESENTED $60,000 No. of permits 2

No. of permits 6

$30,000

$1,777,934

ECONOMY CENTRAL $90,000

D 47

0.5 $0

T po ran rta stio n He Ca alt re h

$.5M 8% $0

$60,000

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No. of permits 160 157 182 117 215 144 145 95

$10,496 $343,111.15

$8,431

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$12,457,379

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$1M $.5M O N

$8,431

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$150,000

Economy Central presented by

0.0

-0.2

Jessica Bitz

Vice President and Senior Leader

LocaL PeoPLe makiNg LocaL DecisioNs Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s me. At Falcon National Bank, we are proud to be a SBA Preferred Lender. We understand the financing needs of small and growing businesses and our knowledgeable experts take pride in delivering customized loans to help your business prosper. Falcon can meet a variety of small business needs including commercial real estate purchases, acquisition or expansion, construction, and much more. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reality.

www.FalconNational.com

STAY LOCAL Attorney Lee Hanson focuses his time on estate planning and family business succession planning. Keeping companies locally owned is one of his passions.

B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3

★★★

Community Champion Ever since arriving in St. Cloud in 1970 Lee Hanson has worked to make St. Cloud a great place to live, work and raise a family. By Gail Ivers ★ Photos by Joel Butkowski / BDI Photography

n 1970 it was unethical for attorneys to carry business cards. “I practiced law for 20 years before I had business cards,” Lee Hanson said. “Back then, the only appropriate way to promote yourself was through word-of-mouth.” An attorney with Gray Plant Mooty, Hanson began his long legal career on Aug. 1, 1970, joining Lawrence Hall and George Byers in St. Cloud. “I went to law school at the University of Minnesota,” Hanson explained. “At that time you sat alphabetically so Mike Hall was on one side and Skip Humphrey on the other. Mike and I became good friends and he suggested that I move to St. Cloud and join his dad and him at their law practice. It seemed like a good idea, so I did.” Originally from Brooten, Minn., Hanson knew little about St. Cloud before his arrival. His grandparents were Norwegian

immigrants. His father couldn’t speak English when he started school. “My uncles all spoke Norwegian,” he said. “That’s what I grew up listening to.” Hanson attended Concordia College in Moorhead planning to pursue a career in accounting. “I did not intend to be a lawyer,” he said. “I had a business, accounting and economics degree and I intended to be an accountant.” But when he was a senior, a friend talked him into taking the law school entrance test. He passed and enrolled in law school at the University of Minnesota where he met Hall.

PRACTICING

awrence Hall and George Byers – who never had a formal partnership agreement – were lobbyists. “Lawrence Hall was the longest serving Speaker of the Minnesota House ever,” Hanson said. “They would both be gone

J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m

★★★

PERSONAL PROFILE

Lee Hanson TITLE: Partner, Gray Plant Mooty AGE: 69 HOMETOWN: Brooten, Minnesota EDUCATION: Brooten High School,

graduated 1962; Concordia College, Moorhead, graduated with a degree in Business Administration with emphasis on economics and math and a German minor; graduated from law school in 1969 from the University of Minnesota. WORK HISTORY: Grew up working on the family farm in Brooten; clerked for one year for District Court Judge Urban Steimann, began practicing law with Lawrence Hall and George Byers in 1970. FAMILY: Wife Jan; five children:

Jeff and Mark own Mason Contractors, a construction trucking firm; Craig is a commercial and real estate attorney in St. Cloud; Jeanne is a high school science teacher in Maple Lake; Julie was killed in 1997 in a horse riding accident; 11 grandchildren. HOBBIES: Community involvement;

horseback riding; downhill skiing; flying. “I’m a pilot. I have a lot of clients in southern Minnesota, Iowa and central South Dakota. They’re my excuse to fly.” Hanson lives on a 300-acre farm where he can be found working on his antique tractors. ADVICE TO A NEW ENTREPRENEUR:

Take your advice from other successful entrepreneurs. Don’t take advice from people who haven’t taken risks. Learn to talk to people a generation older than you. To be successful you need to have some intergenerational skills.

during the legislative session so Mike and I would take over their offices and pretend we were real lawyers.” When Hall and Byers were in residence, the two junior attorneys shared a small office with each other and a copy machine. “If one of us would have a client, which wasn’t very often, the other would go to a little room in the back of the office that served as a legal library and we’d pretend we were doing research on something,” Hanson said with a grin. “Back then everyone was a generalist,” he continued. “My first case was a divorce case.” Hanson recalled working as an assistant city attorney for St. Cloud prosecuting misdemeanors. “Mike was the main prosecutor. Some of the tougher defense lawyers would wait for Mike to go on vacation before they would bring the case to trial because they knew I would plead the case down. They wanted their cases in front of me because Mike was tougher,” he said with his self-deprecating smile.

GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS

ne of Hanson’s first commercial projects was working with the City of Becker to arrange a land acquisition so NSP, now Xcel Energy, could build the Becker power plant. At the time, Becker was one of the poorest cities in the country without sewer, water, or a city attorney. “One of NSP’s attorneys was friends with George Byers,” Hanson said. “He told George he needed to go down and be the city attorney for Becker so they

could get the land deal done. George said ‘I have a young lawyer who can do that.’ That was me. They didn’t even have a City Hall. We met on a picnic table behind the fire hall.” Hanson was 26 years old when he helped seal the power plant deal. “Fortyfive years later, they’re still getting along – the city and the township,” Hanson said. “There’s no fighting. It’s the best collaboration I’ve ever seen.” Looking back, Hanson considers it some of his best work. “And I might add that the assessed value of the City of Becker went from $398,000 in one year to $398 million when the power plant came online.” In the early days of his career, most attorneys wanted to be trial attorneys, according to Hanson. “Mike Noonan [Rinke Noonan] and I were the first business attorneys in St. Cloud. When people understood that I had an accounting background, that helped me. I firmly believe that accounting is the language of business, not English. Business people understand that and that helped me gain clients.” That and long hours of work. “When I started, every lawyer worked every Saturday,” Hanson said. “That’s what you did. I grew up on a farm and worked all the time so I kept doing it when I became a lawyer.” And he didn’t just work during the day. “Ever since I started, I’ve worked 70-80 hours a week,” he said. “You have to. If you want to be successful, you need to go to night meetings, you need to be involved and you need to network.”

BEST ADVICE HANSON HAS RECEIVED: From Lawrence Hall:

“If you participate in community, affairs you will be busy with clients.” And: “Good clients will bring you other good clients. Bad clients will bring you other bad clients.”

“When I started every lawyer worked every Saturday. That’s what you did. I grew up on a farm and worked all the time so I kept doing it when I became a lawyer.” — LEE HANSON

B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3

FUN FACT From 1972 to 1982 Hanson went to every city council meeting for the City of Becker.

THE EARLY YEARS (Left) Lee Hanson started practicing law in St. Cloud in 1972, joining Lawrence and Mike Hall, and George Byers. (Top) George Byers waves at the camera in his characteristic friendly style. When Hanson (above, far right) first started practicing law Byers sent him to Becker to become the city attorney. Hanson ultimately helped negotiate the land contract that helped establish the Becker power plant.

★★★

TIMELINE 1969

Lee Hanson clerks for District Court Judge Urban Steimann AUGUST 1, 1970

Hanson starts practicing law in St. Cloud with Lawrence and Mike Hall, and George Byers 1972

Hanson assists with the incorporation of the St. Cloud Boys Club, later renamed Boys & Girls Club of Central Minnesota

Some of Hanson’s first commercial clients are well-known names in Central Minnesota, including Anderson Trucking, Bauerly Brothers (now Knife River) and Hardrives. “I’ve learned that businesses want the benefit of what you’ve learned,” Hanson said. “If you don’t give it to them, they’ll go find someone who will.” Because of his farm background, Hanson particularly enjoyed working with agri-businesses, especially if they were having some type of financial trouble. “That allowed me to use my financial background and my legal background,” he said, the self-deprecating smile appearing, “and let me twist bankers’ arms to provide money for the business.” Joking aside, Hanson firmly believes that the most rewarding part of his years in law have been helping people in

trouble. “Many times the things you’re advising your clients about is a mixture of personal, social, business, and legal,” he said. “And it’s not all fun – facing issues you’d rather not deal with. I don’t think many people learn nearly as much from their successes as from their failures. Once you work through them, though, you feel good you helped someone through a very difficult time.”

1972-1982

Hanson serves as the city attorney for the City of Becker. During this time, he negotiates the annexation of township property, allowing NSP (now Xcel Energy) to build the Becker power plant. 1973

The law firm moves from its office on 6th Ave. N in St. Cloud (current site of eBureau) to the Hall Building on 1st Street N in St. Cloud 1974

KEEPING LOCAL BUSINESSES LOCAL

Lawrence Hall passes away

oday Hanson focuses his time primarily on estate planning and family business succession planning. The topic is a passion for him. “We were seeing our local successful businesses being bought by outside companies,” Hanson said. “I’ve spent a lot of time in Florida and I’ve seen the

Hall & Byers law firm moves to its current location at 1010 W Saint Germain St Ste 500

1988

1999

Hanson and his partners buy the office building from US Bank 2002

Hall & Byers merges with Gray Plant Mooty

J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m

B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3

Hanson receives 2013 Business Central Mark of Excellence Award Lee Hanson, Gray Plant Mooty, has been a fixture in the St. Cloud business community since 1970. In May he was honored as the 2013 St. Cloud Area Business Central Mark of ExcellenceSmall Business Advocate of the Year. Originally from Brooten, Minn., Hanson attended law school at the University of Minnesota where he and Mike Hall were classmates. Hall was returning to St. Cloud to enter his father’s law firm and encouraged Hanson to join them.

With a degree in accounting as well as his legal training,

Hanson has always sought out opportunities to combine the two disciplines. “I kind of like it when a business is in some

“He said that when a community loses its locally owned business, it loses the soul of the community. We take

what we have here for granted, but it doesn’t just happen. People have to care and work at it.”

— LEE HANSON

kind of financial trouble,” Hanson said. “It allows me to use my financial background, my legal background, and I get to twist the banker’s arm to provide money.”

Hanson laments the change in the business environment.

“There are a lot fewer businesses and business opportunities today,” he said. “In the 1970s to the ‘90s any business that got started and worked hard, made money. You could afford to make mistakes.” Not so, today, according to Hanson. “You can’t take the kinds of risks today that you could back then. Capital was not an issue. Today if you have too much debt or too little capital – and capital is tough – you’re going to fail.”

In the 1990s Hanson began encouraging his law partners to

open an office in the Twin Cities, what he saw as the legal and financial population center of Minnesota. The result was the eventual merger of his firm, Hall & Byers, with the Twin Cities firm, Gray Plant Mooty, expanding both their services and their territory.

Hanson credits much of his success to the community. And

much of what is successful in the community can be traced to Hanson. He helped incorporate The Boys and Girls Club in 1972 and has sat on the board of directors for the Central Minnesota Council of Boy Scouts for 30 years. He’s been involved in the Initiative Foundation and served as chair of the Anderson Center for 10 years. He’s a founding partner of Falcon National Bank and helped start Granite Equity Partners in 2001.

All of these things Hanson has done with an eye to the

future. “We need to keep our successful local companies,” he said. “We need to keep discretionary income here, we need to keep educated leaders here. We need to build the kind of place where our children and grandchildren can find good, educated, well-paid jobs.”

Lee Hanson was honored at the St. Cloud Area Chamber’s

Business Awards Luncheon, along with the Small Business Owner of the Year, Scott Warzecha of Netgain (see the May 2013 cover story) and the Entrepreneurial Success Award Recipient Bob Strack, Strack Companies, who will be featured in the September issue of Business Central.

impact on a community that doesn’t have roots and doesn’t have people who will give back or care about the community’s infrastructure.” Hanson first had this concern brought to his attention by an elderly attorney in Chicago. “He said that when a community loses its locally owned business, it loses the soul of the community. We take what we have here for granted, but it doesn’t just happen. People have to care and work at it.” Hanson had been watching local businesses sell to outside interests with growing concern when he was approached by long-time family friend Rick Bauerly. “Rick explained how we could keep our companies locally owned by pooling our resources and forming what is commonly known as a private equity firm,” Hanson explained. Bauerly’s idea became what today is known as Granite Equity Partners, with Hanson as a founding partner. “I consider Lee to be the spiritual founder of Granite Equity,” Bauerly said. “By that I mean he was a champion of the idea. He helped me think about the idea and most importantly encouraged me to take the risk of starting and growing the company. I’m not sure I would have done it if he hadn’t been there with his hand on my shoulder in the beginning.”

J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m

FUN FACT In 1970 Lawrence Hall spoke German to one-third of his clients.

Granite Equities’ purpose, to purchase companies that enhance the vitality and prosperity of communities in Greater Minnesota, fit easily into Hanson’s goals. “We want to buy companies that are within a one-day drive of St. Cloud,” Hanson said. “We want to keep these companies locally owned and locally controlled so our educated children and grandchildren have a place to come home to and live and work at good jobs and raise families right here in Central Minnesota.”

COMMUNITY CHAMPION

★★★

BUSINESS PROFILE

Gray Plant Mooty & Bennett, P.A. ADDRESS: 1010 W Saint Germain St. Ste 500 St. Cloud, MN 56301-3406 PHONE: (320) 252-4414 FAX: (320) 252-4482 WEB: www.gpmlaw.com NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN ST. CLOUD: 50 BUSINESS DESCRIPTION: A law

ocal control has additional benefits, according to Hanson. When people live in the community, they’re more likely to provide paid time off for employees to volunteer and provide leadership in the community.

“George and Lawrence immediately involved me in the community,” Hanson said. “They just insisted that I become part of the town and be included. Because they were so well respected people accepted me.” Hanson believes that one of the “main ways he attracted clients was as a result of his charitable work early on in his career. When he was still new to St. Cloud, he was encouraged to become active in the United Way and the Jaycees, bringing him life-long connections. “By becoming active in those organizations, I met many business leaders I wouldn’t have met otherwise,” he said. “Those business leaders want to see a

“That was important to me – to try to provide some

stability for these children who didn’t have it in their lives.” — LEE HANSON

office with attorneys practicing in the areas of corporate/business law, tax law, estate planning, probate, banking, general and commercial litigation, personal injury, construction, real estate, and family law. Offices in St. Cloud, Minneapolis, and Washington, D.C. MERGER BETWEEN HALL & BYERS AND GRAY PLANT MOOTY: 2002 CHAMBER MEMBERS SINCE 1938

TEAM PLAYER Lee Hanson was on the team of Jaycees who incorporated the Boys Club of St. Cloud, later renamed the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota.

B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3

professional person giving something back to the community before they will hire you to provide professional services.” “Those of us who know Lee know he’s a champion of youth as well as a champion of small business,” Bauerly said. “Some of us might say we’ve worked for this non-profit or helped that group. But Lee has helped hundreds of people through his involvement in literally dozens of organizations. He’s a great community champion.” Hanson’s list of involvement is long. In addition to the United Way and Jaycees, he has served on the board of the Boy Scouts of Central Minnesota for 30 years, on the Initiative Foundation board, the St. Cloud State University Foundation board, the

Minnesota State Colleges & Universities Foundation board, numerous committees, and was part of the team of Jaycees that incorporated the Boys and Girls Club of Central Minnesota In fact, it is Hanson’s signature that appears on the articles of incorporation. “Everything you read then and now talks about how important it is for boys and girls to have strong male role models in their lives,” Hanson said. “That was important to me – to try to provide some stability for these children who didn’t have it in their lives.” “Lee gives the success that he’s had away,” Bauerly said, “through time and talent and quite literally through donations across the community.” At 69, Hanson keeps on giving with

no plans for retirement. “There’s nothing I’d rather do,” he said. “My law practice is where all my friends are. I’d lose all my social contacts if I stopped practicing – both in my office and with my clients. My younger partners do most of the merger and acquisition work now,” he said, and paused for his trademark smile, “but I try to maintain relationships by pouring coffee for the clients when they come in.” Then on a serious note, he added, “The community has been so good to my family and me, I would never call any place else home.” BC Gail Ivers is vice president of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce and managing editor of Business Central Magazine.

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J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m

FEATURE

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PROFIT

WELLNESS IN.

STRESSED OUT.

YOUR CHOICE. Reducing stress in the workplace is management’s responsibility, but everyone is responsible for workplace climate. By Mary MacDonell Belisle

usan pulls into the company parking lot, dreading another day’s interaction with her critical supervisor. Her brain runs on fastforward, constructing scenarios to avoid conflict. She’s feeling sick… . Jim slams down an energy drink and lurches out the door, wondering how he’ll perform on three-hours of sleep. That mistake on the job kept his brain in relentless playback all night. He’s exhausted… . Stress can sicken employees, weaken, and whittle down a workforce. In fact, it’s dangerous to the company’s bottom line and an owner’s peace-of-mind. And the only sure-fire way to defend against this enemy of business success is through understanding, strategic prevention and a wellness mindset. Stress is physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension. In this state of high nervous excitement, adrenalin levels soar as the body, mind, and spirit are challenged to deal with an event demanding high sensory response and performance. A person under extreme stress must manage their “flight-or-fight” response. “Cumulative” and “acute” are two types of stress, said Matt Steinkamp, Workplace Behavioral Solutions, St. Cloud. “Cumulative stress” builds up over time until small challenges lead to a sense of feeling overwhelmed. An employee might feel this with a hovering supervisor. “Acute stress” hits a person fast, demanding an instantaneous response. This would happen to an employee after being fired. However, stress can also motivate. Most of us have heard a colleague state she “works better under stress.” Steinkamp uses the analogy of the guitar string. With too much slack,

STRESSED AT WORK ... BY THE NUMBERS 65 percent of Americans are stressed over work.

74 percent

of corporate America workers would consider finding a new job.

B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3

32 percent

22 percent

were actively looking because of unhappiness.

of executives wanted to start a company.

the tone is flat. Too much tension, and the string breaks. The string is in tune when the right amount of balance is found in the tension. So it goes with employees.

“You can’t motivate others; motivation is a door with the handle on the inside. But you can create a climate in which people can become self-motivated.” –– DENNY SMITH

More with Less “The notion of doing more with less and of being in the peak performance zone from the time we plug into the desk in the morning until checkout time at night is unrealistic,” said Dave Faust, owner and trainer with Stonehouse Resources, St. Cloud. He teaches that human performance cycles in 90–120 minute periods, where employees function in four performance zones––peak performance, renewal, high stress survival, and burnout. The last two zones need to be addressed as part of an organizational and personal stress management program. Balance is key. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) warns, “High and constant stress levels

can negatively affect a person’s physical and mental health.” High blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, cancer, asthma, migraines, anxiety, and depression are the result. The APA reported in 2012 that 69 percent of Americans reported being stressed over money and 65 percent over work. Companies can spend up to $7,500 per employee for stress-related expenses like medical attention, vacation/ sick days, accidents, property damage, and training, Steinkamp said. Employees quit if the stress is unbearable, costing the company 75–120 percent of the former employee’s salary in rehiring and training.

Forbes’ contributing writer Alan Hall noted in his 2012 article ’I’m Otta Here!’ Why 2 Million Americans Quit Every Month (and 5 Steps to Turn the Epidemic Around) that 74 percent of people working in corporate America would consider finding a new job, that 32 percent were actively looking because of unhappiness, and 22 percent of executives wanted to start a company. “Deep in their hearts, they feel and know they will enjoy more satisfaction and fulfillment by establishing a healthier business,” said Hall, noting business needs to develop an employee-centered culture to keep “the best and the brightest.”

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FEATURE

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PROFIT

Workplace Climate

According to Denny Smith of Denny Smith Training & Development, every individual is also responsible for workplace climate. Positive attitudes will create a positive, productive work environment where everyone models the company’s mission statement.

HERE ARE SMITH’S TIPS FOR BUILDING A BETTER ‘YOU.’ •• An attitude of gratitude •• A solution-conscious attitude •• People-affirming skills •• Positive expectancy •• An attitude of action

“Why people leave is usually not the dollars or the job,” Faust said. “It’s the manager who creates the negative emotions and thus, the stress.” Indeed, an Accenture report suggested in 2012 that 31 percent of unhappy employees didn’t like the boss, and 43 percent felt a lack of recognition. “Reducing stress in the workplace is management’s responsibility,” said Denny Smith, of Denny Smith Training & Development. Managers need training in people skills and coaching, including the development of a friendly, open attitude toward employees. Management-bywandering-around also helps break down barriers. “Just because you have a whistle doesn’t mean you’re a coach,” Smith said. “The key to success in any organization is the coaching skills of the supervisors and managers.

“Positivity makes a difference. We all have the ability to coach each other through the stress, to lead by example,” said Mary Dingmann, a St. Cloud wellness educator with Alphay International, focusing on creating healthy internal/external environments. “Ultimately, the biggest cure for stress is gratitude.” She noted employees should focus beyond the “to-do” to the opportunity a challenge presents. Also, people need to take personal responsibility and positive steps to deal with stress––sleep, exercise, and diet as well as being organized, setting priorities, and having a sense of purpose for life. Ultimately, we’re overly hard on ourselves and need to forgive. “Many people worry over things they have no control over, so they need to be disciplined to make healthy attitude choices at work––cope, change the system, or move on,” Dingmann said.

Coming September 2013

GROWTH GUIDE Deadline: July 26, 2013

Featuring: New Businesses • New Ownership • New Locations • Expansions The Face of Leadership & Smart Business Profiles

For more information contact Wendy Hendricks - 320.656.3808 or whendricks@BusinessCentralMagazine.com

B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3

Check us out online at www.BusinessCentralMagazine.com

People need to take personal responsibility and positive steps to deal with stress––sleep, exercise, and diet as well as being organized, setting priorities, and having a sense of purpose for life. –– MARY DINGMANN, ALPHANY INTERNATIONAL Steven Vincent, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist and Director of Behavioral Health Services at the St. Cloud Hospital, had this advice: •• Accept that stress is a reality that you are dealing with •• Consider whether the stressor is something you can control, or something you cannot influence and need to cope with, or is it something that is both––namely, something to cope with and something to influence •• Use existing experts like the American Psychological Association to identify strategies for coping and influencing.

Dingmann, Faust, Smith, and Steinkamp agree that stress can be handled with attitude readjustment and actions as simple as deep breathing or as complex as effective leadership coaching and a full-blown corporate wellness program. However, Smith cautioned, “Outside trainers aren’t going to wave a magic wand to train your employees. It’s what you as employers can do after they leave that makes the difference.” Employers need to pay attention to the effects of stress in their workplace, Steinkamp said. They can survey their people for warning signs and become proactive with health

initiatives. They can diffuse internal conflicts by modeling good communication. They can work with individual employees through outside counseling programs. Finally, they can change their corporate culture into one that is more employee-centered. “Remember, employees leave coworkers and supervisors, not their jobs,” Steinkamp said. BC St. Cloud writer Mary MacDonell Belisle operates “mary macdonell belisle – writerforhire.” Her mission is to help businesses and non-profits craft effective communication messages and celebrate, through the written or spoken word, their unique story and vision.

For a list of sources used in this story, visit www.BusinessCentralMagazine.com

HARNESSING TECHNOLOGY. UNLEASHING

YOUR POTENTIAL.

C a l l t o d a y for all your IT needs: • Web Site Design and Development • Content Management Systems (CMS) • Search Engine Optimization (SEO) • E-commerce

• Custom Applications Development • Dashboards and Reporting • Project Management • Network Design and Support

Contact Jaime Engel 320.257.7100 www.jdb.com

Featured Project GLTArchitects

Highlights: Content Management Tool Visions: Custom BLOG Social Media Integration www.gltarchitects.com

J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m

SPECIAL FOCUS S E N I O R H E A LT H & LIVING

Social Purpose Careers A

mericans are launching “encore careers” at staggering numbers. Between 5.3 million and 8.4 million people have found positions that combine income and personal meaning with social impact. That’s the result of a MetLife Foundation/ Civic Ventures Encore Career Survey. As promising as this finding is for individuals and society, the potential is even greater.

Of those workers ages 44-70 not already in encore careers, half are interested in them, specifically jobs in education, health care and the nonprofit sector. And those respondents most interested in social purpose careers tend to be the youngest: 50 percent of boomers ages 44-50 say they want to join the 7 percent of their group already in such careers.

The report finds that a majority of Americans in this age bracket express a desire to use their skills and experience to help others. Of those currently in encore careers, 84 percent report a high level of satisfaction and 94 percent say they see the positive results of their work and know they are making a difference. Most survey respondents

SENIOR HEALTH & LIVING

On the following pages you can learn more about the many programs, services, and opportunities available for older adults in Central Minnesota. It’s not about the place, it’s about the

people.

Memory Cottages

Supervised assisted living with a household routine The Good Shepherd Community ANNIVERSARY

Located in Sauk Rapids and Becker (320) 259-3476 www.GoodShepherdCampus.org

SENIOR HEALTH & LIVING

About us:

We offer YOU piece of mind and independence for your LOVED ONE. Link to Life is an easy-to-use, affordable personal emergency response system that puts a call for help right at a person’s fingertips. Services: Personal Emergency Response System. Medication Dispenser. Fall Detector.

At a glance: Link To Life 1406 Sixth Avenue North St. Cloud, MN 56303 Email: LinktoLife@centracare.com Phone: (320) 255-5700 Website: www.centracare.com

B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3

About us:

Hearing Solutions for Life The audiologists of The Hearing Clinic partner closely with the physicians of St. Cloud Ear, Nose and Throat to provide our patients with complete hearing health care. Services: Hearing evaluations, hearing aids, balance disorders, tinnitus management, & hearing protection devices

At a glance: The Hearing Clinic of St. Cloud Ear, Nose and Throat 1528 Northway Drive St. Cloud, MN Phone: (320) 310-0683 Website: www.stcloudhearingclinic.com

Source: Civic Ventures, a think tank on boomers, work and aging.

A majority of Americans over 50 want to use their skills and experience to help others.

Source: The Kauffman Foundation ; Source: American Express OPEN State of Women-Owned Business Report

who are interested in encore careers are worried that these positions may be hard to find and may not meet their needs. Eight in 10 expressed concern about having the flexibility to take time off, and a majority were worried about having adequate income and benefits. However, respondents currently in encore careers reported few problems with these same issues. While most (59 percent) of those in encore careers work full time, 73 percent say they have the flexibility they need to work when they want to and take time off when they need to, and three-quarters (76 percent) report having the pay and

benefits they need. Two concerns of those interested in social purpose work did match the experiences of those in such careers. More than one-third of people considering encore careers were worried about the need to learn new technologies and skills or go back to school for certifications, and 41 percent of people in encore careers said this was in fact an issue. And one-third of respondents interested in encore careers expressed concern about the loss of seniority or status that comes with a new career, about the same percentage of people in encore careers who said they are coping with that issue. BC

DID YOU KNOW?

STARTING OVER Americans aged 55 to 64 start new business ventures at a higher rate than any other age group, including twentysomethings. In 2010, 23 percent of new entrepreneurs were aged 55 to 64, up from 14 percent in 1996.

Growth Trends

Women-owned firms in Minnesota are making an economic impact.

138,000

the estimated number of women-owned firms in Minnesota –––––––––

143,600

the number of people employed in Minnesota’s women-owned firms

8.1 million

the number of womenowned firms in the U.S. –––––––––

44th

Minnesota’s national ranking in the growth of number of firms in the last 14 years

To review the complete report visit www.BusinessCentralMagazine.com

SENIOR HEALTH & LIVING

EVERY DAY. EVERY WAY. We’ve Got You Covered. Bringing independence and living options to life. Full spectrum of senior services include Retirement living | Income based apartments | Assisted living | Memory care | Home care

About us: Your Bridge Between Hospital & Home. St. Cloud’s Leader in Short Stay Care!

Every day. Every way. We’ve got you covered. Services: Rehabilitation services, Short stay care, Memory care and Long term care.

At a glance:

St. Benedict’s Senior Community 1810 Minnesota Boulevard SE, St. Cloud, MN 56304 Contact: Information & Registration Email: sbcinformationregistry@centracare.com Phone: (320) 654-2355 Website: www.centracare.com

Call for a complimentary lunch, tour and DVD.

St. Cloud Campus (320) 203-2747 A faith-based, nonproﬁt organization. All faiths welcome. Equal Housing Opportunity EOE/AA

Evening and Saturday tours available! www.centracare.com

J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m

SENIOR HEALTH & LIVING

You Are What You Eat

New research indicates that older adults who follow the Mediterranean diet receive protection from memory loss and cognitive decline.

calls for eating an abundance of foods that contain omega3 fatty acids, such as fish and olive oil, and avoiding saturated

diet were 19 percent less likely to develop cognitive problems or experience a decrease in memory skills. Diet is an important modifiable activity that could help in preserving cognitive functioning in late life, according to the researchers, but it is only one piece of the puzzle Other important lifestyle activities that might play a role in latelife mental functioning include exercise, avoiding obesity, not smoking cigarettes, and taking medications for conditions like diabetes and hypertension. BC

About us:

It’s the simple things

It’s the simple things... * We provide Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing in a 10 resident home. * Private master suite and bath with home cooked meals. * Choice in how to live each day to the fullest.

SIMPLE PLEASURES. EXCEPTIONAL CARE

B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3

St Cloud Location Open July (320) 257-7445 www.cherrywoodal.com

We provide assisted living and skilled nursing in a small 10 resident house. Home cooked meals, private suites and baths as well as a high staff to resident ratio.

At a glance: Cherrywood Advanced Living Locations in Richmond, Big Lake and St Cloud St Cloud location: 1030 Voyageur Street, St Cloud, MN 56303 Email: info@cherrywoodal.com Phone: (320) 257-7445 Website: www.cherrywoodal.com

Source: The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA)

any longevity-related studies have been done on the the Mediterranean diet, which

fats found in meat and dairy items. Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham reviewed the dietary information of over 17,000 participants with a mean age of 64, to determine how closely they adhered to a Mediterranean diet. Participants were also given annual assessments to measure their memory and cognitive abilities over a period of four years. The research team found that individuals who more closely followed the Mediterranean

SMART BUSINESS: PATTI GARTLAND

Patti Gartland Proven local leader named President of the Greater St Cloud Development Corporation

“Patti is a transformational leader with

excellent private and public experience, who will help us move into the next phase of evolution for the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation. —Bob White, GSDC Board Chair

”

he Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation (GSDC) was established in 2011 with the mission to lead economic development for the benefit of the greater St. Cloud community. Business retention, expansion and attraction are the foundation of the corporation’s

work. Further, five strategic initiatives support the business development efforts: restoring commercial air service to the St. Cloud Regional Airport; attracting, developing, retaining and expanding the talent pool; identifying and promoting best practice corporate wellness programs; contributing to the

planning for and vibrancy of Downtown St. Cloud; supporting new technologies, products, markets and companies. On June 1, 2013 GSDC welcomed Patti Gartland as its president. Patti is a lifelong resident of the greater St. Cloud community and has more than 30 years of experience in community and economic development, private sector business, and higher education. She is a graduate of St. Cloud State University. Prior to joining GSDC, Patti served as the City Administrator for Sartell for nearly 12 years. During Patti’s tenure, the City of Sartell experienced a more than 65 percent increase in population growth and development activity totaling nearly a half billion dollars. Specifically, she was instrumental in negotiating agreements between developers and public entities in multiple

About the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation The GSDC is a non-profit organization whose mission is to lead economic development for the benefit of greater St. Cloud. Learn more at greaterstcloud.com