Perspectives - Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick

A Useful Exchange

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

In early 2008, before we knew officially that we were in a recession, before the greatest part of the upheaval in financial markets, and before Americans’ balance sheets deteriorated with the worst of the housing crisis, the U.S. dollar reversed a long-term decline and actually began to appreciate against foreign currencies. In retrospect, the 20 percent appreciation of the dollar from March 2008 to March 2009 was a “safe haven” event.

Don�t Blame Marketing For The Lack of Sales

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

We all know of many companies who have single positions of "Sales and Marketing". Often times, these are the same companies who blame marketing for the lack of sales.

Waste Not, Want Not

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

When was the last time you reviewed the costs associated with your garbage pick-up? Probably it’s been two or more years ago. After all, your business isn’t about waste. It’s about producing a product and providing a service. The waste is merely a result of conducting your core business operations.

Key Economic Development Issues For The Indiana General Assembly to Consider During The 2010 Legislative Session

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

At a time when Indiana is aggressively competing to retain and create new jobs for its citizens, the state must continue to examine ways that it can maintain a competitive advantage over other states. Even though Indiana has been the leader of the pack in the Midwest during the past five years, it can not afford to rest on its past accomplishments. The “winning” states during the economic recovery will be the ones that continue to innovate.

Homebuyer Credit Expanded and Extended

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Just nine months ago, my article in this column described how first-time homebuyers could qualify for a tax credit of up to $8,000. The offer just got better! The deadline has been extended and more people will qualify.

United States Patent and Trademark Office Settles Litigation over Controversial Patent Rules but Backlog Remains an Issue

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

On October 9, 2009, many patent applicants, patent owners and patent attorneys were delighted to hear that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) had settled the litigation over the controversial patent regulations that were proposed in 2007. In particular, the news that the USPTO had agreed to rescind the regulations as a component of the settlement was met with a favorable reaction from a great majority of the patent community.

Why The State of Our Education is so Important

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

No issue is more important to the future of our state than the quality of our workforce and the education of our citizens. Frankly, Indiana has done well, for a long time, with high paying jobs that relied mostly on hard work and a minimal education.

Musings of a Maniacal CEO

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

I’m often asked if I have lost my mind…that from folks who, upon learning of my retirement in Hilton Head, wonder why I returned to re-purchase the advertising and public relations firm I sold. Seriously, who trades walks on the beach and flip-flops for 7 a.m. meetings and RFP deadlines? I confess I did it in part because I wanted to see the venerable old gal (Caldwell VanRiper, not me) turn 100 years old—a milestone she will celebrate next year. I refer to the firm as “she” because we are proud once again to be a WBE.

Holiday Retailing: Watch Your Inventory � of Loyal Customers

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Last year's holiday sales were more attuned to Halloween: a nightmare. The dismal fourth quarter of 2008 saw a 4.5 percent loss for retail overall; some retailers, such as apparel and accessories, saw losses up to 9 percent.

Higher Education Tax Credit

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

If you are paying college tuition and expenses for yourself or a dependent, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit that is only available this year and next. To take full advantage, you may need to plan ahead.

Having Your Employees Cash You Out of Your Business: Time is Money

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Many, probably most, business owners would like to sell their businesses to their employees, but for one nagging problem: Their employees have no money. The desire to sell out to employees collides with the overarching need for financial security. Owners simply cannot risk selling a business to employees who have no cash.

Township Budgets and Expenditures Receive Local Scrutiny

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT

When things get lean, it is even more important to use limited resources as wisely as possible. And so it goes with local government.

Ideas Are Exponential: Even Sales People Have Them

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT

We've all heard the old adage that two heads are better than one. Well, how about three, six or twenty heads. How about if some of the heads are on sales people?

Business And The Economy: Perceptions Through A Recessionary Year

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT

The Dow recently hit 10,000. Indiana economic pundits say the recession was over in February. The Wall Street prime interest rate is below four percent. Sounds good, right?

What to Expect From a Financial Planner

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Have you ever wondered if you got what you paid for? If you choose to work with a financial planner, what should you expect? You should expect to participate in a process that begins with a discussion of your goals and works through a variety of issues to create a personalized plan.

Recovery is Near (or perhaps here) What Are You Doing to Boost Your Marketing?

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Did you know companies that maintained or increased their marketing during recessions averaged significantly higher sales growth during the recessionary years and for the following three years than those which eliminated or decreased marketing? We hear it all of the time. So the question is: what is your organization doing as economic pundits say we are nearing the end of this recession?

Don't Wait For Reform; Prepare For The Future Now

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT

President Barack Obama's ongoing push for health care reform is making one thing clear: Change is coming to America's health care system.

Volunteerism -- For Such a Time As Now

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT

“For such a time as now.” Many theologians agree that these are the most significant words in The Bible’s “Book of Esther”. Roughly 2,500 years later, the same phrase is just as relevant; but instead of referring to a quiet Jewish girl’s bold decision to risk everything to rescue her people; it refers to a society’s return to service and volunteerism during a time of financial hardship.

Option to Re-Do a 2009 IRA Distribution

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT

If you took a required minimum distribution from your IRA in 2009, you have the option of returning the funds and avoiding the taxation. It’s a “re-do” that you may want to take in order to consider other planning strategies.

A Guide to Nonprofit Survival in Tough Times

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Ever tried talking to a child under ten when their attention is on television or a video game? That’s what nonprofits face today in an economy that is giving everyone the jitters. This is no time for pessimism, be bold! Here are several suggestions to consider if you want to have your story heard above the buzz of negative news that’s keeping consumer confidence down:

Marketing Strategies in a New Economy

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Marketing and advertising strategies have changed over the decades. There are always the fads from "inventing" a new formula for cleaner shirts to utilizing the greatest technology ever created (at least for this hour). I've seen the changes throughout my marketing career and others have written about it as well. Right now there have been three main strategies from the mid- 1960's to the present day.

Fostering Indiana's Innovation Future

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Controversy rages over whether the budding recovery will be sustained, given the consensus that unemployment will remain unacceptably high as the economy grows. I have advocated that innovation is the way out of this recession, and it is essential to creating quality new jobs. Employment opportunities now tend to be generated by new high-growth businesses, rather than the giant firms that dominated the 20th century economy. Innovators develop new products and processes that provide jobs not only for their workers, their suppliers and the rest of the economy as wages get spent on consumption.

Courts Take The Lead on Patent Damages Reform

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Initially $1.5 billion, then $357 million, and then back to square one. That path summarizes the history of Alcatel-Lucent’s patent infringement damages in a case against Microsoft, Dell and others. With its recent decision in this case, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, which decides all appeals in patent cases, may have weighed in on the need for reform of the law on patent damages by demonstrating that even under existing law large awards will receive careful scrutiny and must be justified by the evidence.

Purchasing a Hybrid Car

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT

The desire to purchase a hybrid vehicle seems to be in direct proportion to the price of gasoline. The higher the per gallon price, the more demand there is for hybrid vehicles. However, hybrids are more expensive than gas-powered vehicles. When is the higher price a better value?

No Longer Either/or Decisions

Fri, 9 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT

When people ask me whether they should publish a print newsletter or an email version, run radio commercials or newspaper ads, or choose direct mail or billboards, my answer is always the same: yes.