optimumcompanies

Optimum wins Conway Family Business Center Award

noreply@blogger.com (Optimum Companies) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:14:00 +0000

Since the Conway Family Business Center of Central Ohio has been founded in 1998, they have provided support, insights and programming to help family owned businesses thrive and grow. 2009 marks the 11th year of Conway's Annual Family Business awards.

Optimum Print is the proud recipient of the Support of a Family Business Award. This award was achieved in recognition of the efforts made by Optimum to assist the IT consulting company R. Dorsey.

(From left to right - Optimum Companies CEO John Martin, Optimum Print President Dorothy Martin and R. Dorsey's Iggy Galli, Tim Cook and Robert J. Dorsey)

On January 17th the R. Dorsey building was swept up in a blaze that attacked the Kingswood Building in Grandview Heights. At that time, two of R. Dorsey's employees were working on a software update for Optimum. They received the news at the same time as Optimum's president, Dorothy Martin.

In response, Optimum opened it's doors and allowed R. Dorsey to operate out of consolidated offices within Optimum's headquarters building. Dorothy Martin stated that "We knew R. Dorsey was struggiling with insurance. When you have everything burn to the ground, it's a long processes in learning to recover from that. We wanted to help them, and I think it's important for small business to help each other out."

Aproximatley 10 R. Dorsey employees worked inside of Optimum's building until a new Worthington office opened in late September. "We really enjoyed their company." said Dorothy. "Once a month, we do a potluck, we invited them, and they brought food. I think with today's economy, we need to be supportive and from partnerships with small businesses. We need to help each other."

Visit Optimum Print at the Ohio State Fair

noreply@blogger.com (Optimum Companies) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:50:00 +0000

The theme of the Ohio State Fair this year is "Print is alive" and the printing industry is on site with a booth in the MarketPlace Building.

Come and visit our volunteer representative! For more information, and to find out how people in the print industry can get into the fair for free, click here.

Pride In Your Work and Good Customer Service: The Perfect Fit

noreply@blogger.com (Optimum Companies) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 21:26:00 +0000

Ken Renker – Director of Sales

For most of us, taking pride in what we do is an important part of our personal makeup. Doing a good job isn’t just something we’re supposed to do; it’s what we want to do. Hopefully, it’s encouraged…and even rewarded…where we work. I’m convinced these two things are “joined at the hip”. It’s like you can’t have one without the other. Without being a part of your company’s (and your personal) DNA, it’s difficult to ever really deliver world-class customer service.

For example, do you remember the last time you called a vendor and, rather than connecting with a person, you got stuck in voice mail limbo, unable to navigate through the maze? How did you feel about that experience? The odds are you didn’t like it, and they’re even better that you won’t go back.

Does this say anything about the sense of pride that company instills in their people? And, by the way, why does every computer message always include the ubiquitous phrase…”please listen carefully, because our menu items have changed”?
The flip side is that we all know companies that are great at customer service. You call with a question or problem, and the (live) person on the other end listens and responds to your situation. If needed, your item is returned with no hassle. My wife and I shop at a major retailer and one reason we are ‘customers for life’ is their return policy. They just know how to make it right.

At Optimum we work hard to provide the same level of service. Our goal is to deliver the best customer service in our industry. We believe it’s one thing that differentiates us from everyone else. That’s why if you call us, a person (and not a computer) will answer….and listen to what you have to say.

I’ve told the following story before, but I think it captures the essence of why taking pride in what you do is so important. Here goes...

For the record, I have never been a big fan of mowing my lawn. I would agree (sort of) that there is a sense of accomplishment to gaze back at a neatly trimmed yard…to both see, and smell, the fruits of your labor. I guess my problem is I simply got my fill of this when I was young and made a silent vow that someday, I would be able to afford to pay someone to do this for me.

Back in the late 1990’s I got my wish and took the plunge. I signed up for lawn service with one of those big, brand name companies. You know, the ones with the giant, extreme monster machines, with jet-propelled engines that sound like rush hour on the runway at O’Hare?

Every week, during the mowing season, you could hear them swarm through the neighborhood, the noise growing to a din, until they landed like bees returning to the hive. Seven minutes later, with grass cut, trimmed, bagged and blown, they left as quickly as they arrived. The problem was that while they were fast, quality was lacking, they missed spots and gouged the yard with their equipment. More importantly, no one ever taught the jet engine jockeys about customer service. It simply wasn’t their job and they didn’t have the time to listen anyway.

My solution was to do what I should have done in the first place. Check with the neighbors (especially the most finicky ones) and find out who they used. I found the perfect fit.

Jim had a small lawn mowing service that he ran to supplement his income from his normal day job. Jim knew about customer service. He knew it would differentiate him. He knew what I considered to be a ‘good’ job….because he asked me. He knew certain yards could only handle smaller equipment (no jet engines please…). If I happened to be there, after he was done mowing the lawn, he would ask what I thought. Was his effort meeting my expectations?

Early on, it was clear to me that Jim took tremendous pride in what he did. The best example occurred one Saturday, when his pick up truck pulled in my driveway and he got out and rang my doorbell. I asked what was wrong since he had just mowed my yard a few days prior. He pointed to his truck and said, “Oh nothing. I was just driving around in the neighborhood with my daughter, showing her some of the yards I cut. Would you mind if she got out and walked around with me? I’d like her to see the back and how good it looks.” He wanted to begin teaching his daughter that same sense of pride within him. After clearing the lump in my throat, I said, “Of course!”

We all know you lead by example. The man I hired to cut my grass was teaching his daughter, the value in doing a good job, the importance of taking pride in what you do, and the real meaning of delivering customer service. It was a life lesson for her that was just in bred into her father’s work ethic. It was a life lesson for me too.

Like I said, the perfect fit.

**************************************************************************************

To our current Optimum clients…thanks for your business. To everyone else; please give us a call. We will work hard to be your “perfect fit”.

Can You Hear Me Now? - Print Industry Safety

noreply@blogger.com (Optimum Companies) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:01:00 +0000

Optimum Companies recently received this handsome award from the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation for receiving a 100% for outstanding safety performance.

In all industries, but especially in the printing industry, safety is of vital importance. This is why Optimum staff members attend monthly educational seminars conducted by the Safety Council of Greater Columbus. The last seminar was on the subject of Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) and was conducted by Doctor of Audiology Karen Mitchell.

In the printing industry press operators are surrounded by loud machinery so sharing some tips on NIHL prevention is very important to everyone at Optimum Print Solutions. Did you know that NIHL is 100% preventable when you practice the proper precautions? OSHA will be glad to visit any company to test noise levels, or meters are purchasable for around $50.00 for companies that prefer to perform their own noise level testing.

Once hearing is lost at any degree, it is gone forever. It does not heal like some other parts of the body can. For example, if a smoker stops smoking, the lungs will heal themselves in time to the status of a lifetime non-smoker. In contrast, when the nerves or hair cells in the cochlea (a section of the inner ear) die, they do not regenerate.

There are different sizes of these hair cells in the inner ear which measure different frequencies. The smallest ones are used for high frequencies and since they are more fragile, they are usually the first to be lost. This makes speech difficult to understand. Vowel sounds are about 200hz as opposed to consonants which are a higher frequency at around 800hz. Losing the ability to hear S’s, T’s & D’s make words hard to distinguish. People who are affected by hearing loss usually think their hearing is fine, they just can’t understand why so many people mumble. When in fact, they are mostly only hearing the vowel sounds and struggle to make sense of normal conversation.

A few interesting facts learned from the Safety Meeting include:

Whereas eyeglasses correct vision and allow you to see sharp, hearing aids only amplify, they don’t clean up the signal or restore hearing to normal.

A 25 year old carpenter who works without ear protection has the hearing of a 50 year old.
Bose Noise Cancelation headphones actually WORK and are endorsed by audiologist Karen Mitchell Au. D.
There are names for each section of your ears. The little knob in front of your ear-hole is called a Tragus, the top of the ear is called the Pinna.

There are many different types of hearing plugs and noise reduction devices on the marketing. This particular model, E.A.R. Classic, is the kind we provide here at Optimum Print Solutions. These earplugs have a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 29 decibels when inserted correctly. Because properly installing typical cylindrical earplugs is important to their effectiveness, there are instructions for this procedure listed below:

Step #1: Wash hands.

Step#2: Slowly ROLL & compress it betwixt your thumb & forefingers. DO NOT JUST SMASH IT, ROLL IT!!! Continue rolling with pressure until it is a tiny crease-free spongy rod.

Step #3: Then gently pull your Pinna (top of ear) outward & upward & proceed with the insertion. The pulling of the Pinna straightens out the ear canal, allowing the earplug to go deep enough for a proper fit.

The right tool for the right job……

noreply@blogger.com (Optimum Companies) — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:39:00 +0000

Ken Renker – Director of Sales

My father ran his own plumbing and heating business for 40+ years, and was a big believer in having the right tool for the right job. Long before the days of “Home Improvement” and Tim ‘the Tool Man’ Taylor, my Dad’s shop was jammed with the latest gadgets guaranteed to be the envy of any current day Weekend Warrior. At its peak, in order to accommodate all of his ‘stuff’, he needed to add more space and so he decided to expand into the abandoned auto body repair garage next door to his shop.

I was a 12 year old kid that loved to operate equipment and machinery….the bigger and dirtier, all the better…, and to me, this new place was a combination Disneyland & Smithsonian Museum. I experimented with acetylene torches, sheet metal fabricators, soldering equipment, pipe threaders, wrenches, cutters, die machines…and on and on.

Luckily, I never got injured, started any fires, or destroyed anything. More importantly, my mother never found out. As I got older, though, I came to understand that in the hands of real craftsmen, the right tools and the knowledge to use them, make all the difference.

Our toolkit at Optimum is pretty full too. It includes:

Internet ordering capability – a “one stop shop” for all print and supply related needs
Management reporting – usage and trend analysis
25 years of financial market experience:
best practices to remove cost from your processes
subject matter experts to implement those solutions
Cost allocation of expenses – budget monitoring and reporting
Print on demand capabilities to eliminate inventory and reduce obsolescence
Warehouse / distribution support
Graphic design support / on line proofing

In short, we have the right tools to help you operate more efficiently and reduce expenses.
We can make it easier for your people to do their job…and give them more time to focus on their customers. We’ll provide the reporting and budget controls needed to improve your bank’s efficiency ratio. And we’ll train everyone, so they know how to use the tools to get you the biggest bang for the buck.

The question is do you have the right tool for the right job …..and do you have the know-how to use them?

Let us know. We can help.

Introducing the Card Caddy!

noreply@blogger.com (Optimum Companies) — Tue, 19 May 2009 20:35:00 +0000

Personal Accountability

noreply@blogger.com (Optimum Companies) — Wed, 13 May 2009 19:45:00 +0000

Personal accountability is one of the core values at Optimum Companies. That is why our team leaders are all required to read "QBQ" and "Flipping the Switch", books written by author John G. Miller.

QBQ stands for "Question Behind the Question" and is built on the observation that our first reactions are often negative, bringing to mind Incorrect Questions (IQs). But if in each moment of decision we can instead discipline our thoughts to look behind those initial questions and ask better ones (QBQs), the questions themselves will lead us to better results.

Here are some examples of IQ or "incorrect questions" - how often have you heard these before?

“When is that department going to do its job?”
“Why don’t they communicate better?”
“Who dropped the ball?”
“Why do we have to go through all this change?”
“When is someone going to train me?”

These questions put the blame on someone else and are not constructive. QBQ questions are centered around taking personal accountability. Here are a few examples of QBQ questions:

“What can I do to contribute?”
“How can I help solve the problem?”
"How can I communicate better?"

Miller’s book is a quick read that is full of practical methods for putting personal accountability into daily actions. You can tell this difference when you are working with someone from both branches of Optimum Companies, Optimum System Products and Optimum Print Solutions.

Optimum provides great customer service!

noreply@blogger.com (Optimum Companies) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:20:00 +0000

"I just wanted to thank you again for all your efforts and for providing me with such great service with my business cards. I'm sure it was much more than you wanted to spend time on but I greatly appreciate your professionalism with everything. I've already handed out about 30 or so and everyone was very impressed and immediate asked where I got them printed.

Thank you for all your help!"

- Monty
openimagestudio.com

Want to know more great things our clients are saying about Optimum?

Check out the company information section on the Optimum-Print website.

GEM (Going the Extra Mile)

noreply@blogger.com (Optimum Companies) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:58:00 +0000

Something new & exciting we’ve started at Optimum for 2009 is a little Self Promotion! In order to accomplish this, we’ve begun collecting & distributing (internally) “stories from the front lines” ~ stories we’ve affectionately dubbed GEMs. This is to remind us how we all are Going the Extra Mile. Of course, we want to share them with others who might be in need of inspiration, so we thought it wouldn’t hurt to re-post our first GEM right here:

Our First GEM...A Little Training
Last month a bank in Florida e-mailed Rita a simple question ~ "Do we have teller receipts on hand & if so, how many?" The answer was simple, "Yes, you have 34 Packs of 500". But, instead of stopping there, Rita took the time to empower the customer with the ability to use one of our system's tools - A tool that sets us apart. Here is a part of Rita's response:
You still have 34 packs of 500 (or 17,000) in the warehouse. You can find this information on the website by clicking on TELLER SUPPLIES under catalogs on the left after you log in. Click on the ? in the blue circle to the left of the item number. A new window will open. Click on the LOOKUP button (make sure the drop down menu below shows Warehouse Inventory). The number of pks., pads, bxs., etc. will display. Of course, you can order the item from warehouse stock when you close the window by entering the number of pks. like you would any office supply item. Just let me know when you're ready to replenish the warehouse stock. It usually takes about 3 - 4 weeks.Please feel free to call or email me if any of this is unclear or if you have any questions....

Nothing earth shattering...but it is how we always try to Go that Extra Mile for every one of our customers!

If you liked it, Here’s another short one…

Stories from the front lines...when a customer asks...can you really get us anything?
A bank president's secretary asked if we knew where to get a specific brand of pen with a specific color of ink. After a bit of research, we found it at Pilot Mfg...but could not get it in the USA. The rep in Tokyo (yup, we called Tokyo!) explained that Pilot markets different colored inks based on world geography. The pen we needed was only sold in Europe. We were able to get the pen from London, and our customers were amazed we had gone to such lengths - - - for a $2 pen.

Optimum Companies Corporate Caring

noreply@blogger.com (Optimum Companies) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:38:00 +0000

Companies foster community pride by supporting those in the community who advance our quality of life. Optimum Companies are proud to support several organizations. One of these is Kids 'n Kamp.

Kids 'n Kamp was founded in 1982 and is dedicated to children who have cancer and their families. In the early years, Kids 'n Kamp provided only a small group of cancer kids with a weekend camp, but has now grown to a full-service non-profit organization providing over 300 Ohio Childhood Cancer families (patients, siblings and parents) the opportunity to participate in much needed programs and services. All programs are free for kids ranging in age from infants to young adults who are either receiving chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments now or have finished treatments and are in remission. Kids 'n Kamp also maintains a close and active relationship with families who have lost children to cancer and continues to offer them all programs and services.

This summer, several Optimum employees and their family members helped with unloading supplies and assisting in craft projects for a weekend camp. This organization is special to our CEO, John Martin, who is a cancer survivor. Having been afflicted as a teenager with a brain tumor he knows first-hand how important these services are to a family stricken with cancer.

Kids 'n Kamp has fund raising events such as a Mystery Night and Auction in the fall and the Quilt Auction at the 'Shoe'. If you would like more information on Kids 'n Kamp, please call 614-262-2220 or visit www.kidsnkamp.org.

Over the next several months, we will be spotlighting other organizations which are a part of Optimum Companies' Corporate Caring.

Congratulations Ember

noreply@blogger.com (Optimum Companies) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:41:00 +0000

Congratulations to Ember on being voted Employee of the Year for 2008!

Here are some of the comments our Optimum team members had to say about why Ember was picked to represent us:

1. A great Team Player.

2. Always positive with me and great help with any problems.

3. Takes everything in stride.

4. Truly genuine and has Optimum’s success at heart.

5. She has won people over with her actions and work ethic.

6. Has become a driving POSITIVE force within her department but throughout Optimum. It is a pleasure to work with her on a daily basis.

7. I have always admired her composure in any situation. I’ve always wanted to be like her.

8. What a difference this young lady has made in the way she handles the Client Service department and her interactions with the other departments. She wants to learn everything and has a good demeanor about her.

9. She has many qualities of the award plus has taken on many hats effectively in her first year at Optimum. She goes above and beyond on a daily basis and is not afraid of challenges.

10. She has served a s the team leader in a great fashion. Does more than is expected and has made the customer service department function as a whole.

11. The way she treats customer service and the rest of the family is an excellent example for the rest of the team.

12. She has done so much in such a short time and will go above and beyond to do her specific job duties. She is the epitome of what Optimum represents!

Switch Kits

noreply@blogger.com (Optimum Companies) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:44:00 +0000

Are you looking for new customers?
Are you looking for tools to help you generate revenue?

With Optimum, your search is over. Our work with community banks, like yourself, makes
us an excellent resource for the marketing tools you need to accomplish your new business
goals.

We have a Switch Kit that will make it easy for you to “reel in” the new customers from
your competition. Let us help you personalize a switch kit that conveys your bank’s
image and message right away! Don’t wait, your potential customers are looking for an
easy way to sign on with your secure, well established community bank today!

Call us at 800.869.0632

ColumbusReads recognizes another year of service

noreply@blogger.com (Optimum Companies) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:44:00 +0000

ColumbusReads has recognized Optimum Companies volunteers for another year of great service!

ColumbusReads was started in 1998 by Les Wexner, chairman and CEO of The Limited Inc., at the request of Columbus Public Schools Superintendent Rosa Smith. Wexner recruited 400 employees to tutor 225 kindergartners attending three elementary schools during the 1998-99 academic year.

Every year staff members at Optimum volunteer to help elementary school children improve their reading skills. Thank you to all of our volunteers who keep this great program going!

Optimum Print Solutions Recognized for Print Excellence

noreply@blogger.com (Optimum Companies) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:01:00 +0000

Optimum Print Solutions is proud to announce it was recently awarded twelve 2009 Print Excellence Awards from the Printing Industries Association, Inc., serving Northern Kentucky and Ohio (PIANKO).

“Although the difficult economic times slightly reduced the number of entries, the creativity and quality of the entries made the judges’ selection incredibly hard,” said PIANKO president Jim Cunningham. “2009 Print Excellence Award winners exemplify the excellent work of our Ohio and northern Kentucky printers. Our members and the customers they represent should be incredibly pleased with their winning product or pieces.”

Each year, PIANKO holds its Print Excellence Awards Competition to reward Ohio and northern Kentucky printers that demonstrate excellence in 34 categories. This year member companies submitted more than 520 printed pieces and three out-of-state expert judges ranked them in a regional competition. This year member companies submitted more than 520 printed pieces and three out-of-state expert judges ranked them in a regional competition. This year’s judges were Susan Higgins, Worth Higgins & Associates, Inc; M. David Merrick, The Merrick Printing Company; and Richard Presley, Eastman Kodak Company.

Each of the gold award winners in the regional competition are entered in an association-wide competition for Best of Category and Best of Show prizes that will be awarded in June 2009 at the Grand Ceremony, being held in Columbus, Ohio.

Optimum Print Solutions won the following awards:

2 Gold Awards

4 Silver Awards

6 Bronze Awards

Printing Industries Association, Inc. serving northern Kentucky and Ohio (PIANKO) serves nearly 400 commercial printing companies and suppliers to the industry in tis service area. PIANKO provides a broad range of products and services to its membership, including worker’s compensation and product discounts. PIANKO is an affiliate of the national Printing Industries of America, the largest graphi arts association in the world. For complete information on PIANKO and Printing Industries of America, please visit www.pianko.org

Safety-Happy Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Optimum Companies) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:36:00 +0000

Back in late October some of us here at Optimum attended a safety seminar conducted by Mr. Gary Hanson.
The theme was "Improving Profits Through an Effective Safety Program" and besides making good points about
helping the company by employees making safety a priority, it also improves everyone's personal lives.

A few bullet points from the seminar:

Safety is for Life
• It is not a project
• It is not a one time event
• Every decision employees make will impact their future and the future of the business

Why Accidents Happen
• Accidents do not happen by accident; they are caused
• There are many reasons for accidents
• Accidents usually happen from repeated activities

Things we do routinely are things we tend to not think about as we do them. We start thinking about what to have for dinner or about the kids, etc. In this age of multi-tasking our attention is divided. Safety issues should always remain at the forefront of our activities.

Have a safe and happy holiday!
Jim "Doesn't Run With Scissors" Stahl

TD Bank gives to Capital Area Food Bank

noreply@blogger.com (Optimum Companies) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:03:00 +0000

This article originally ran on www.bizjournals.com:

Capital Area Food Bank, the area’s biggest, public nonprofit food bank, will get $25,000 this holiday season from TD Bank.

The Cherry Hill, N.J.-based bank’s charitable arm is giving $100,000 to four food banks to support families throughout the mid-Atlantic and in Florida.

Also receiving $25,000 each are Daily Bread Food Bank, which helps other Florida nonprofits feed needy people; Food Bank for New York, which nourishes low-income New Yorkers throughout the five boroughs; and Philabundance, which has a network of more than 600 agencies in the region to provide food for Delaware Valley residents.

“These donations support the basic needs of our communities,” said Elizabeth Warn, president of the TD Charitable Foundation, in a statement. “We are happy to step in and offer our help with the hope that no one goes hungry this holiday season and beyond.”

Its foundation has made over $40 million in charitable donations since its inception in 2002.

After TD Bank Financial Group bought Commerce Bancorp Inc. on March 31, TD Banknorth and Commerce Bank merged on May 31 to become TD Bank.

Banking on the Green

noreply@blogger.com (Optimum Companies) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:25:00 +0000

These are cautionary times, indeed. Economists, public officials, and journalists address are struggling to find the best explanations for subprime mortgage collapse and the ensuing turmoil in the financial sector. The Federal Reserve continues to experiment with possible economic cures. There is no single solution can resolve the country’s financial problems. But that does not mean that we are without hope.

New opportunities are emerging, especially in the western states, where climate change has become an economic stimulus. Climate change has moved from an abstract to an inconvenient truth.

In the West, in particular, it has become intermingled with discussions of water shortages, sprawl, and restoration of natural resources, rural development, tourism, population growth, and industrial expansion.

• The Western Governors’ Association which represents 19 states and three U.S. territories recently adopted a resolution to increase the use of alternative fuels and improve vehicle fuel efficiency while reducing dependence on foreign oil and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

• There is an enormous demand for energy - particularly clean, affordable energy such as wind power and biodiesel, which can be produced in America while adding value to agricultural products. Clean coal technology is an important solution for the near future, bridging the petroleum economy of the past together with the hydrogen economy of the future.

• In another major action, eight of the nation’s largest water agencies have formed the Water Utility Climate Alliance, which will develop unified strategies to understand, prevent and respond to climate change.

• In Colorado, a new Solar Residential Program offers $1 million in rebates to residents who install solar systems in their homes. The program is part of Gov. Bill Ritter’s commitment to build a new “energy economy” in the state.

Setting the standards in a relentless battle
Battling something like climate change is a daunting task, especially when viewed in a global perspective. Yet banks can make a difference. The key is to take a ground-up approach: attacking climate change first within their own operations, then in their communities, and finally at state and national levels.

Lewis Bank of America, which began in San Francisco in 1904, is setting a high standard for all banks. Last year, it launched an $18 billion program to promote environmentally sustainable business activity that addresses global climate change. The 10-year initiative encompasses lending, investing, philanthropy, and the creation of new products and services.
Among the initiatives are financing real estate projects incorporating LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification; offering homebuyers, through its Green Mortgage Program, a reduced interest rate or $1,000 back for each home-purchase mortgage meeting the federal government’s ENERGY STAR specifications; and working with nonprofit organizations committed to improving the environment, such as the Redwood Forest Foundation, which acquired 50,000 acres in the Usal Redwood Forest by using $65 million attained with flexible long-term financing.

Becoming Green
Bank of America’s environmental efforts are external and internal, with $1.4 billion committed to achieving LEED certification in all new construction of office facilities and banking centers. Needless to say, most banks can’t match Bank of America; however, they can initiate programs that match their own capabilities and goals.

Mechanics Bank of Richmond, Calif., for instance, has launched a program to make all of its 31 retail offices LEED certified. Yet although the bank has gained customers and reduced its utility and maintenance costs, ROI is not the sole stimulus for the green program.

Uzel’s National Bank is promoting a paperless system of operations and using recycled materials where possible. The bank also was instrumental in the launch of Greenecco.com, an ecologically inspired website, and in the creation of a green credit card, where 50 percent of the proceeds from the card are donated to the environmental charity of the cardholder’s choosing. These types of credit cards will no doubt find increasing favor among banks. Bank of America’s new Brighter Planet Visa credit card, for example, allows customers to earn points used to help build community-based renewable energy projects across the United States.

Alpine South Rifle At Alpine Bank, with 38 locations located throughout western Colorado, a Green Team was created two years ago to study every facet of the bank’s operations. The result is an impressive list of environmental initiatives. Among the many achievements are attaining ISO 14001:2004 certification — the internationally recognized gold standard for environmental management — and receiving LEED certification for its South Rifle location.

Getting Started
The creation of jobs related to climate change and the restoration economy translates into unprecedented opportunities for banks willing to be leaders and innovators, even when the risks may be high. Here are a few suggestions:

• Become involved in local, state or regional organizations as a member of a working group or advisory committee.

• Explore how to become an equity partner or a participant in a public-private partnership to promote local, county or state green projects.

• Develop lending programs to encourage existing customers — and potential new customers — to invest in green technologies, such as solar power and green construction.

• Help existing businesses to become more environmentally friendly and establish programs to help new businesses dedicated to helping the environment.

• Introduce new products and services, such as green credit cards, that strengthen your relationship with customers seeking ways to help the environment.
Make your bank green, such as gaining LEED certification for your facilities and introducing programs such as Alpine Bank’s “Reduce, Recycle, Renew.”

The banks mentioned here realize that improving the environment helps their customers, their communities, their own institutions and their business outlook. If you are still caught under the yellow caution flag, it may be time to explore how to turn your institution — and your community — green.

First Snow

noreply@blogger.com (Optimum Companies) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:31:00 +0000

If you are lucky enough to live in Hawaii, you probably aren't getting pelted. But here in Ohio, we've seen a few large fluffy snowflakes fluttering down.

Kawaii (sounds like Hawaii with a K)is the Japanese word for cute. This video is a collection of pets experiencing snow for the first time:

Ultra Kawaii - First Snow! @ Yahoo! Video

Hopefully this video can warm a few hearts up a bit.

Do you remember your first experience with snow? How about the first time you took your pet out into the winter wonderland?

10 Things to Do If You’re Alone for the Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Optimum Companies) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:19:00 +0000

For a wide variety of reasons, many of us might find ourselves alone for the holidays.

With the emphasis on families and being with others, the holidays can be an especially lonely and trying time, even for the most introverted among us. Don’t worry, there are many things you can do to make the holidays a little less lonely when you’re alone.

Adjust expectations. There are so many categories of expectations about the season being just right that it brings up all sorts of issues relating to family, stress and anxiety, eating disorders, sobriety, self-esteem, competency — the list goes on. The number of “traditional households” in this country is not in the majority.
Pick up the phone. Call friends and ask to be included in whatever they’re doing. Offer to bring a recipe or another way to help the host contribute to the gathering. Most people love opening their homes and expanding the celebration. It works for everyone.
Be proactive. Create an “alternative family” made up of people whose company you enjoy. Plan and prepare a potluck feast if you like. Remember that you are not alone in being alone during the holidays. Get together with others and have some fun.
Plan an outing. Go on a hike, a park or a museum, or see a movie. Enjoy the outing with a friend or by yourself.
Pamper yourself. Treat yourself to a day of beauty at a spa, get a massage or find some other special way to luxuriate. Do whatever you enjoy doing.
Reach out. If you can’t be with family or loved ones physically during this time of the year, send them letters or e-mails or call them — in other words, reach out to them.
Remember your bonds and blessings. Pull out photo albums and read old letters. If possible, get on the phone and talk with loved ones who are still living.
Help others. Volunteering at a mission or shelter for the homeless will help you feel connected. Participate in activities with this organization at other times of the year, not just on one day of the year. This will make the experience more fulfilling.
Travel. If you have the finances, get away for a few days. Go skiing or take a tropical holiday. Singles groups often have tour groups during the holidays.
Get through the day. If you’re unable to do any of these things, just get through it. Read. Sleep. Rent a video. And remember, tomorrow it’ll all be over.

The holidays can be a lonely time, but that doesn’t mean you have to feel alone. Stay focused on acknowledging and meeting your needs, and you’ll be surprised at how quickly the holidays are over.

- article requested by John Martin

6 Eco Friendly Terms Everyone Should Know

noreply@blogger.com (Optimum Companies) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:47:00 +0000

It should be easy to be green.

To make it a little easier, here is a list of some of the commonly used product labels.

Organic: Produced without using fossil-fuel fertilizer, synthetic pesticides or genetically modified plants.

Sustainable/Renewable: made from sustainable or renewable materials that can be replenished easily, i.e.: using plant fibers such as bamboo, hemp or cotton rather that wood or materials made from petroleum.

Reusable: Designed to be used repeatedly for an extended time period.

Recycled: Made from recycled materials that come from previously used consumer products (post-consumer waste); from scraps created during the manufacturing process otherwise earmarked for landfills (post-industrial waste);or other waste (elephant dung).

Recyclable: Produced using materials that can be reclaimed and reinvented into usable products.

Compostable/Biodegradable: Manufactured from materials able to decompose safely in the environment. Both natural, biodegradable materials such as paper or plastic made from polylactic acid (PLA) derived from corn starch and synthetics such z bio-plastics with added accelerators belong in this group.

Let them eat Turkey

noreply@blogger.com (Optimum Companies) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:15:00 +0000

I have no desire to crow over anybody or to see anybody eating crow, figuratively or otherwise. We should all get together and make a country in which everybody can eat turkey whenever he pleases.

- Harry S. Truman

Have a Great Thanksgiving from your friends at Optimum!

OC Blood Drive

noreply@blogger.com (Optimum Companies) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:50:00 +0000

Pardon me if my typing is imperfect here. I promise to use spell check and go through this before I click that "publish post" button below the entry box here.

My typing may be imperfect because I am proudly wearing a blue and white band-aid over my middle finger at the moment. This band-aid was part of the donation process today. One tiny little pinprick to test my iron and next thing you know I'm sentenced to the chair.

The blood donation chair that is.

This is of course a voluntary sentence. I've been giving blood since high school. My first time a disturbingly enthusiastic political science teacher prompted all of us to give.

A big congratulations to all who participated in today’s blood drive! You can tell which ones we are, we have the courage, we have the stickers, we have the snacks, and we have the yellow iodine stains on our arms to prove it.

Today Optimum Companies employees and friends were able to donate 13 units which will give people plenty to be thankful for during the holidays.

If you don't know how much giving blood matters, you might want to see this video:

If you are interested in giving blood you might want to check out www.givelife.org, where you can make an appointment.

- Molly

Oh how fun!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Optimum Companies) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:45:00 +0000

Well citizens, its that time again.
Time for the annual battle between our own Ohio State Buckeyes & The Team Up North.
I have respect for our evil neighbors in that mitten shaped state, so I don't like to talk a lot of crap, cuz crap tastes bad if things don't go my way.
I know this as fact. :)

I will leave it @ this.
I want the conservative sweater-vest wearing Jim Tressel to be asked the same question Wayne Woodrow Hayes was asked in 1968, 40 years ago.
And I want him to respond exactly the same.
While winning 48-14, Woody instructed the Buckeyes to go for a 2pt conversion (which we converted) after scoring a late touchdown. When asked by reporters in the post-game interview why he went for two despite a 34 point lead, Hayes narrowed his field of focus & testified...
"BECAUSE WE COULDN'T GO FOR THREE!!!"
I would love for Tressel to get the opportunity to re-visit a classic statement like that.

RIP Woody & Bo... & GO BUCKS!!!
And now a photo documentation of what to expect @ noon tomorrow.

*The statements & sentiment above is not representative of all employees @ Optimum Companies and should not be construed as such.

THE BIG GAME

noreply@blogger.com (Optimum Companies) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:10:00 +0000

Being one of the largest Buckeye Fans at Optimum Companies I am know for spreading Buckeye cheer everywhere I go through the building. Here are just a few of my Buckeye collectibles enjoy them as we get ready for the big game. Even our daily postman have a Buckeye bond.

- Myrna

Quotes of the Day from Charles Schwab

noreply@blogger.com (Optimum Companies) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:49:00 +0000

A man can succeed at almost anything for which he has unlimited enthusiasm.
Charles Schwab

I consider my ability to arouse enthusiasm among men the greatest asset I possess. The way to develop the best that is in a man is by appreciation and encouragement.
Charles Schwab

I have yet to find the man, however exalted his station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than under a spirit of criticism.
Charles Schwab