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BusinessJournal

OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO


THE
February 2013
The Regions Business Publication
www. busi nessj rnl . com
T h e B u s i n e s s J o u r n a l
4 0 5 N . M a i n S t .
D e l p h o s , O H 4 5 8 3 3
P R S T D S T D
U . S . P o s t a g e
P A I D
D e l p h o s , O H
P e r m i t N o . 2 1
Elder Care 5
Office
Technology 6
Meeting
Facilities 8-9
Business
& Financial
Services 11
INSIDE
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Shopping center demand slows amid sluggish growth in jobs
Honda to build new 2014 Accord Hybrid in Ohio
Auto plant in Marysville will
expand,
add 50 jobs
MARYSVILLE, Ohio Hon-
da of America Mfg., Inc. an-
nounced today that it will invest
$23 million and hire approxi-
mately 50 new associates at its
Marysville, Ohio auto plant to add production of the
new two-motor Accord Hybrid Sedan, scheduled to
go on sale nationwide this fall.
In another step toward bringing hybrid production
to the U.S., this will be the third hybrid model built by
Honda in America and the first in Ohio. Honda Manu-
facturing of Indiana, LLC in Greensburg, Ind. was the
first Honda plant in North America to build a hybrid
vehicle, and currently produces both the Civic Hybrid
and Acura ILX Hybrid models.
The Marysville Auto Plant is undergoing an ex-
pansion of 95,000-square-feet to house assembly pro-
cesses and logistics specifically for production of the
Accord Hybrid. The project includes lengthening the
main assembly line to accommodate the unique hy-
brid production processes, and adding space for relat-
ed parts receiving and sub-assembly operations. The
project also will increase overall ef-
ficiency of the plants parts logistics
operations.
With more than 30 years of con-
tinuously building eight generations
of the Honda Accord close to our
customers, our team now is using its
experience and flexibility to add this
sophisticated Accord Hybrid mod-
el, said Jeff Tomko, plant manager of the Marysville
Auto Plant. At the same time, we are continuing
with our commitment to manufacture new models in
Ohio, along with the resulting growth in jobs.
One of four efficient powertrains for the Ac-
cord lineup, the new Accord Hybrid Sedan joins the
2014 Accord Plug-in Hybrid Sedan in incorporating
Hondas first two-motor hybrid system. Both the Ac-
cord Plug-In and Accord Hybrid team a new Earth
Dreams Technology 2.0-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder
Atkinson cycle engine with a powerful 124-kilowatt
(KW) traction electric motor that can function as an
electric continuously variable transmission (e-CVT)
and a 105-KW electric motor for power generation.
All of the conventional, gasoline-powered 2013
Accords now on sale in the United States are equipped
Retailer demand for space at U.S. shopping centers slowed in the
fourth quarter amid sluggish economic and employment growth, Reis
Inc. (REIS) said.
Occupied space at neighborhood and community shopping centers
rose by a net 2.25 million square feet (209,000 square meters), down
from 4.12 million square feet a year earlier, the New York-based real
estate research firm said today. While it was the sixth consecutive quar-
ter of positive net absorption, demand remains incredibly weak, Reis
said in its report.
Slow growth in the U.S. economy and an unemployment rate stuck
at almost 8 percent are leading to smaller declines in retail-center va-
cancies. Gross domestic product growth of about 2 percent last year
was a clear disappointment, Reis said. Until economic growth and
labor-market gains shift into a higher gear, consumer spending will
be muted, said Ryan Severino, a Reis senior economist.
Theres a dearth of demand out there, he said in a telephone inter-
view. Its difficult to be more optimistic.
Shopping-center (BBRESHOP) vacancies dropped to 10.7 percent
in the fourth quarter from 10.8 percent in the previous three months and
11 percent a year earlier, Reis said. The fourth-quarter figure was the
lowest in three years. Effective rents, or whats paid after any landlord
discounts, averaged $16.59 a square foot, up from $16.51 a year earlier.
U.S. payrolls rose by 155,000 workers last month following a
161,000 gain in November, Labor Department fig-
ures showed Jan. 4. The unemployment rate held at
7.8 percent after the November figure was revised up
from a previously reported 7.7 percent.
Retail sales in November rose 0.3 percent, the lat-
est month for which figures are available, following
an October decline of 0.3 percent, according to data
from the Commerce Department.
At regional malls, which typically include depart-
ment stores and are larger than neighborhood and
community shopping centers, vacancies fell to 8.6
percent in the fourth quarter from 9.2 percent a year
earlier, and rents increased to $39.31 a square foot
from $38.92, Reis said.
See HONDA, page 10
2 TheBusinessJournal February 2013
PERRY proTECH and the Allen County Sheriffs Offce are organizing the frst annual Public Safety Event Preservation
of Life & Property to be held in Lima. This will be an important event and will include a large group of vendors that
represent both physical and network security solutions. Each vendor will have a booth to showcase their products and
services. This resource will be benefcial for operations, IT, maintenance, security, HR and managers responsible for security.
Date: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location: Veterans Memorial Civic & Convention Center, 7 Town Square, Lima, OH 45801
Preservation of Life & Property Event
TO REGISTER
for the success of this event
PHYSICAL SECURITY VENDORS: NETWORK SECURITY VENDORS:
There is no fee to attend our
event, but advanced registration
is required. You can attend at
your convenience and we hope
youll stay for lunch and hear
our keynote address.
PLEASE RSVP AT OUR WEBSITE:
www.perryprotech.com
[News & Events tab,
Upcoming Seminars link]
Questions or Information?
PERRY proTECH IT/Networking
937-498-7080
Digital C.O.P.S.
937-494-2290
Allen County Sheriffs Offce | Anixter | AccessData
Avigilon | Custom Audio | Gallagher | Select Security
PERRY proTECH Digital C.O.P.S. Cisco | PERRY proTECH
Microsoft | Mitel/MiForms | VMware
EMC | HP | Lifesize
AN EMPLOYEE OWNED COMPANY perryprotech.com
Lima, OH Brian Hurst of Touchstone
CPM has recently been promoted to Safe-
ty Coordinator. Since 2004, Brian has
worked as a Project Superintendent for
Touchstone CPM on numerous high pro-
file projects with owners such as St. Ritas
Medical Center, Orthopaedic Institute of
Ohio, Allen County Museum and several
area school districts including Fremont,
Defiance, Hicksville and Parkway Schools.
Brians educational background includes
an Associates degree in Applied Sciences
in both Civil and Electrical Engineering
Technologies. Now a 20-year construction
veteran, Brian will be responsible for the
oversight of Touchstone CPMs safety op-
erations including implementation of site
specific safety programs, subcontractor
safety orientation, and development of
new safety initiatives.
Touchstone promotes Hurst
to safety professional
www.businessjrnl.com
February 2013 TheBusinessJournal 3
The Business
Journal
Distributed in 13
counties...
ALLEN, AUGLAIZE,
DEFIANCE, HANCOCK,
HENRY, MERCER,
PAULDING, PUTNAM,
SHELBY, VAN WERT,
WOOD, HARDIN, LOGAN
Minster, Dayton & Columbus
(800) 713- 3190
www.CottermanRoofng.com
otterman &
ompany INC.
INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL ROOFING
19
78
20
13
TRUST EXPERIENCE TRUST COTTERMAN
Business
Journal
THE
of West Central Ohio
Volume 22, No. 2
Publisher: Donald R. Hemple
Contributing Writers
Jeffrey Gitomer
Advertising: Donald R. Hemple
The Business Journal is mailed to the top business
leaders in the 13-county region of West Central
Ohio. Although information is gathered from sources
considered to be reliable, the accuracy and com-
pleteness of the information cannot be guaranteed.
Information expressed in The Business Journal does
not constitute a solicitation for the purchase or sale of
any products.
Copyright, The Business Journal of West Central
Ohio, 2006, All rights reserved. Reproduction or use,
without written permission of editorial, photographic
or other graphic content in any manner is prohibited.
The Business Journal is published monthly at 405 N.
Main St., Delphos, OH 45833
Contact Us
Telephone 419-999-4762
Don Hemple 419-695-0015 ext. 138
Marilyn Hoffman 419-695-0015 ext. 131
Stacy Prine 419-695-0015 ext. 129
toll free 800-589-6950
Mail 405 N. Main St., Delphos, OH 45833-1598
For information concerning news,
advertising and subscription e-mail us at:
dhemple@delphosherald.com
or bizjrnl@delphosherald.com
www.businessjrnl.com
For the past 27 years, Ayers Mechanical Group has provided
N.W. Ohio with dependable plumbing and heating services.
Our Commercial Services include:
ServiceAgreements
MechanicalContracting
Allplumbing,heating&coolingneeds
Newinstallation&remodeling
BID/specificationservices
Design/buildservices
Licensed&bondedinthestateofOhiofor
Plumbing,HVAC,Hydronics&Refrigeration
CertifiedbytheStateofOhioforBoiler
Installation&Repair
LicensedbytheStateofOhiofor
BackflowCertification&Repair
Sales
Service
Leasing
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I-75 & SR 65, Lima
www.ssvolvo.com
Delphos na-
tive Dan Miller
recently joined
Garmann/Miller
& Associates
in Minster as a
Technology De-
signer.
Miller received
an Associate
degree in Busi-
ness Management
from Lima Tech-
nical College and
graduated from
Delphos Jefferson
High School.
He has A+ and CTP (Convergence
Technologies Professional) certifications
and is working toward obtaining a BICSI
(Building Industry Consulting Services
International) RCDD (Registered
Communications Distribution Designer)
certification. He is a member of the Lima
Regional Information Technology Alliance
and BICSI.
Garmann/Miller & Associates is a full
service Architectural and Engineering firm
established in 1993. The staff of 38 profes-
sionals includes Architects, Plumbing/
Mechanical/Electrical Engineers, Interior
Designers, Landscape Architects, Technol-
ogy Designers, Construction Administrators
and support staff.
Garmann/Miller adds
technology designer
TOLEDO, Ohio (GLOBE NEWSWIRE)
-- Marcos Pizza was recently ranked in En-
trepreneur magazines Franchise 500

, the
worlds first, best and most comprehensive
franchise ranking. Recognized by entrepre-
neurs and franchisors as a top competitive
tool of measurement, the Franchise 500


places Marcos Pizza as no. 103 for its ex-
ceptional performance in areas including
financial strength and stability, growth rate,
and system size, making a 10 point jump
from its ranking last year at no.113. In 2009,
the company was ranked at 236. Therefore,
the franchise has steadily climbed 123 points
in the past five years, despite the Great Re-
cession.
The stunning jump in our Franchise
500

rankings since 2009 is a demonstra-


tion of Marcos Pizzas ongoing growth. All
of this development has occurred in one of
the most challenging periods in American
business history. The 2013 year is easily
forecast to be the biggest year of expansion
in the brands history, said Jack Butorac,
Marcos Pizza CEO. One surprisingly
revolutionary driver of the growth is really
good, fresh Italian quality pizza sold at rea-
sonable prices.
The rankings for all 500 selected compa-
nies are determined using an exclusive for-
mula that takes into account objective and
quantifiable factors. An independent CPA
analyzes all financial data. The most impor-
tant factors include financial strength and
stability, growth rate and size of the system.
All franchises are given a cumulative score,
and the 500 franchises with the highest cu-
mulative scores become the Franchise 500


in ranking order.
Were delighted to share the positive
strides the companies in this years listing
Dan Miller
Marcos Pizza ranked among the franchise elite
See MARCOS, page 7
4 TheBusinessJournal February 2013
My friend, Andy Horner, and I were eating
lunch at Chick-fil-A last Friday. My three-
year-old daughter, Gabrielle, was with us.
The minute we walked in the door, we
were all handed a sample of their new tortilla
soup. A bit spicy, but absolutely excellent. I
should note the person serving the soup was
a smiling young woman who seemed both
happy to see us and happy to serve us.
We placed our order, and
it was ready before I got done
paying. I should also note both
the cashier and the food server
seemed both happy and happy to
serve us.
When we got to our table we
had a dilemma. Our food was hot
and ready to eat, but Gabrielle
wanted to go to the playground.
So we compromised. After she
ate three pieces of chicken, she
got to go on the slide. The play-
ground is a major kids attraction
at Chick-fil-A.
Meanwhile, as we were eat-
ing our lunch, not less than three
people came by our table to offer
us service of one kind or another.
When is the last time that happened to you in
a fast food restaurant? Never? I thought so.
These werent just people who asked us
if we needed anything else. They were also
smiling at us, chatting just a little bit, and
suggesting things they might do to help, such
as asking, Would you like a refill? or mak-
ing a comment about how Gabrielle was en-
joying her lunch. I should further note each
person was both smiling and exceptionally
sincere.
I put one of them to the test. I gave him my
credit card and asked him for a small bowl of
their new soup. Right away! he said. And
two minutes later the soup arrived.
I could not tell if the people who stopped
at our table were managers or janitors. It
didnt matter. They all acted exactly the same
way, as if they owned the place and their life
depended on our happiness and gratification
(not our satisfaction, rather building loyalty).
Andy and I began to talk after Gabrielle
returned for a second visit to the playground.
What is it about this place?
Why are we so enthralled with it?
Is it the service?
Is the playground?
Is it the friendly people?
Certainly all of the above are contributing
factors to the overall ambience
and experience. But we decid-
ed its the QUALITY OF THE
FOOD! We agreed that all of
these extra elements would fall
short of the mark if the quality
of the fast food was inferior.
What Chick-fil-A has done
is add amazing services, con-
veniences, and happy people to
a core of quality food. It sounds
pretty simple, but their com-
petitors, including the Burger
King next door which was
almost empty at lunchtime
have failed to understand that
quality is the attractor, not
price.
Chick-fil-As ad campaign
of EAT MOR CHIKIN is immortal. The
fact theyre closed on Sunday, and all holi-
days, has created a new standard in business,
not just in restaurants and not just in fast food
restaurants.
Theyre dedicated to family, and prove it
by offering excellent benefits, total diversity,
and the opportunity for their employees to
spend quality time at home.
For some reason all the people at Chick-
fil-A seem both happy and bright. Not just
happy to serve, rather happy as people.
Whatever they do to train their people is
working.
Whatever their competitors do to train
their people is not working as well.
Whoever creates the menu is on the mon-
ey.
Whoever creates the recipes is also on the
money.
Whoever is in charge of consistent quality
is really on the money.
Whatever their competitors are doing is
not nearly as effective.
Many people have told me, Chick-fil-A
is the only fast food restaurant Ill go to.
Thats a pretty powerful statement consider-
ing the fact there are hundreds of options. I
cannot make the same statement because I
also frequent In-N-Out Burger when Im in
California, and I have a very difficult time re-
sisting the seasoned fries at Bojangles.
YOUR TURN. Think about this story as
it relates to your business. Whats the center-
piece at your place? Is it quality? I challenge
Every success revolves around
one word. Whats your word?
A TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS WITH A COMBINED 47 YEARS EXPERIENCE
SNAPPYS OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT SALES & SERVICE, LLC
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A TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS WITH A COMBINED 47 YEARS EXPERIENCE
SNAPPYS OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT SALES & SERVICE, LLC
2120 N. Dixie Hwy., Lima, OH 45801 419 879 1196
WE SELL, REPAIR AND STOCK ALL PARTS FOR ALL BRANDS OF SNOW PLOWS, SALT SPREADERS AND MOWERS!
*We have hired the staff & purchased all of the inventory from Fowler & Hadding ~
so stop in today to visit with Judy; Sparky (Mike); Chuck; & Trevor and
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A TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS WITH A COMBINED 47 YEARS EXPERIENCE
SNAPPYS OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT SALES & SERVICE, LLC
2120 N. Dixie Hwy., Lima, OH 45801 419 879 1196
WE SELL, REPAIR AND STOCK ALL PARTS FOR ALL BRANDS OF SNOW PLOWS, SALT SPREADERS AND MOWERS!
*We have hired the staff & purchased all of the inventory from Fowler & Hadding ~
so stop in today to visit with Judy; Sparky (Mike); Chuck; & Trevor and
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www.ferrisindustries.com
Special Pricing through January
Financing Available
A TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS WITH A COMBINED 47 YEARS EXPERIENCE
SNAPPYS OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT SALES & SERVICE, LLC
2120 N. Dixie Hwy., Lima, OH 45801 419 879 1196
WE SELL, REPAIR AND STOCK ALL PARTS FOR ALL BRANDS OF SNOW PLOWS, SALT SPREADERS AND MOWERS!
*We have hired the staff & purchased all of the inventory from Fowler & Hadding ~
so stop in today to visit with Judy; Sparky (Mike); Chuck; & Trevor and
let them help take care of your winter equipment.****
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Special Pricing through January
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visit us at www.tjpaintingandrepair.com
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The Trophy Center
Engraving, A Specialty Since 1950
419.222.0841
1175 W. North St.
Lima, OH 45805
www.trophycenter.net
We also have
wedding party gifts!
Jeffrey
Gitomer
Full Payroll Service:
Direct Depositing Check Printing Tax Depositing
Quarterly Payroll Reports Year End Reconciliation W2s & 1099s
Eric M. Macwhinney, President
207 N. Main St. Delphos
419-227-9040 419-695-9040
www.psi-payroll.com
See GITOMER, page 5
February 2013 TheBusinessJournal 5
8 assisted living search mistakes to avoid
Elder Care
If youre looking for assisted living, you
know that you cant afford to make a poor
decision when the stakes are so high. Get
a leg up on the average senior living con-
sumer by learning from the mistakes other
families have made in their search for the
right senior care.
When families and seniors select an as-
sisted living community, its a life changing
decision. You want to get it right the first
time. It can be such an intimidating choice
that many families come down with anal-
ysis paralysis and indefinitely postpone a
decision out of fear of making the wrong
choice. Fortunately, the decision becomes
easier as you expand your knowledge.
Here are eight common mistakes fam-
ilies make when searching for assisted
living and how to avoid them:
1. Not Being Realistic About Current
or Future Needs
Its important to balance optimism with
a dose of realism. Be realistic about you
or your loved ones current care needs as
well as their anticipated care needs. Ide-
ally, you will choose a community that is
equipped to provide care now, and in the
future as your loved one ages. If your loved
one has mild dementia symptoms, it may
be prudent to choose a community where
dedicated memory care is available, even if
its not necessary at the moment.
2. Judging a Book by its Cover
People provide care, not facilities. Lav-
ish features are not necessarily an indicator
of quality care.
Sometimes families assume a communi-
ty is right for their loved one because it has
a high price and lavish features, but later
realize fancy furniture and beautifully land-
scaping are not telltale indicators of qual-
ity care. They often find that they need to
move their loved one to another communi-
ty, one thats, perhaps, less shiny but more
appropriate in terms of care or atmosphere.
Luxury senior living does not necessarily
equate to quality senior care.
Quality of care is not something you can
discern just by driving past a community
to see how green the lawn is, or by poking
your head in the lobby-door to gauge the
ambiance and whether or not it smells nice.
Before committing to a long-term con-
tract, you might also consider arranging a
temporary respite stay at communities your
family is exploring. Some communities
even offer no-cost trial stays to qualified
prospective residents.
3. Choosing a Community to Match
Your Tastes Instead of Your Parents
Thomas Bierlein, A Place for Moms
Director of Partner Services, told us about
another common pitfall families should
avoid, Often the adult child chooses the
place that they like most instead of think-
ing about what their loved one likes.
4. Overplaying the Importance of
Proximity
Another mistake that Bierlein has seen
families make is overemphasizing the im-
portance of finding the closest community
possible.
5. Making a Decision Too Quickly
We recommend that families visit at
least three communities before making a
decision so that they can form a clear pic-
ture of the options that are available, how
communities differ from one another, and
what makes each community unique. Af-
ter all, in order to make a good choice you
need options.
6. Choosing a Community Appropri-
ate for the Parent of Yesteryear Instead
of the Parent of Today
7. Not Reading the Fine Print
Assisted living contracts are relatively
straightforward, at least compared to other
legal documents, but they still can contain
confusing legalese, or involve additional
fees that arent completely apparent.
8. Going It Alone
Theres no need struggle through the
search alone, risking costly mistakes or
dangerous blunders. Our Advisors have
been providing local, personalized assis-
tance to families across America for over
ten years.
Many people pride themselves on their
independent spirit, but when making a de-
cision this big, its usually wise to gather
multiple perspectives on your senior hous-
ing options. Get feedback from as many
people as possible: friends who have gone
through the process, your loved ones care
management team, a geriatric care manager
and a Senior Living Advisor.
If you do find that your loved one is liv-
ing in an inappropriate senior community,
dont be afraid to admit that you may have
made the wrong decision. Its better to piv-
ot and make a change rather than digging
into a situation that isnt going to work out
in the long run.
Have you gone through the search for
assisted living? What was hardest about
it? Did you make any mistakes that other
families might be able to learn from? Or, if
youre in the midst of a senior living search
right now, what obstacles are you facing?
We invite you to join the conversation by
commenting below.
HOLGATE FACI LI TY
419-264-0700
Now Offering Assisted Living Apartments
00052850
Serving the Corporate
and Personal Community
for Over 30 Years.
Living the Rotary motto:
Service above self
Life Home Auto Business Income
Hukill Hazlett
Harrington Agency, Inc.
Insurance Since 1838
513-793-1190 FAX: 513-793-5730 Cell: 513-479-1193
Direct Line: 513-619-4621
Email: jbirckhead@hhhinsurance
www.hhhinsurance.com
Jane Birckhead, CPCU
Executive Vice President
Trustee - Stepping Stones Center
Life Home Auto Business Income
Hukill Hazlett
Harrington Agency, Inc.
Insurance Since 1838
513-793-1190
FAX: 513-795-5730 Cell: 513-479-1193
Direct Line: 513-619-4621
Email: jbirckhead@hhhinsurance.com
www.hhhinsurance.com
Serving the Corporate
and Personal Community
For Over 30 Years
Living the Rotary motto:
Service above self
you its most likely not.
Most businesses focus on the ridiculous-
ness of customer satisfaction.
Or try to sell things at the lowest price.
Or put things on sale to attract one-time
buyers.
Or have weekly specials.
Or present some other message that does
not focus on the central issue that has put
Chick-fil-A at the top of the fast food empire:
Customers will pay more for quality, and re-
turn if the experience was great.
If youre focusing on experience, and your
quality is not superior, you will lose to some-
one one cent cheaper. If, however, your focus
is on superior quality, and you add superior
service, or should I say superior, friendly ser-
vice, you will not just dominate your market
place, you will also dominate your bank ac-
count.
Want my formula for creating loyal cus-
tomers? Go to www.gitomer.com, and enter
the words LOYALTY FORMULA in the Git-
Bit box.
Jeffrey Gitomer is the author of The Sales Bible, Cus-
tomer Satisfaction is Worthless Customer Loyalty is Priceless,
The Little Red Book of Selling, The Little Red Book of Sales
Answers, The Little Black Book of Connections, The Little
Gold Book of YES! Attitude, The Little Green Book of Getting
Your Way, The Little Platinum Book of Cha-Ching, The Little
Teal Book of Trust, The Little Book of Leadership, and Social
BOOM! His website, www.gitomer.com, will lead you to more
information about training, seminars, and webinars - or email
him personally at salesman@gitomer.com.
2012 All Rights Reserved. Dont even think about repro-
ducing this document without written permission from Jeffrey
H. Gitomer and Buy Gitomer. 704/333-1112
Gitomer (Continued from page 5)
6 TheBusinessJournal February 2013
Office Tech
Feel like youre always scrambling to
keep up with the latest technology? Stop.
These are the only five things you need to
worry about.
Technology can be an enableror an
impediment. Installing a server in the back-
room for e-mail might have made sense in
2002, but today many companies are mov-
ing to cloud e-mail. Those BlackBerry
phones you handed out to every employee
a few years ago made sense from a secu-
rity standpoint, but now everyone keeps
squawking about the app selection and tiny
screen.
Just when you think you have a handle
on a new innovation and agree to a major
technology uprade, along comes a new,
improved approach. Yet, over the past 15
years, Ive learned a few important les-
sons about office technology that apply to
just about every situationand they have
proved nearly impervious to trends.
1. Develop a standard desktop
I remember first hearing about the stan-
dard desktop when I was a corporate man-
ager with a team of about 30 employees.
In some ways, the concept reminds me of
the office management dictum: Its best to
touch a document once and be done with
it. A standard desktop means you have re-
moved the clutterevery employee has the
same basic apps for word processing and
browsing the Web. The touch it once rule
applies because your tech staff only has to
deal with one set of apps and utilities.
2. Use good data to evaluate employees
Once again, a lesson from a bygone era
that still stands today: Let data drive your
employee decisionsand make sure its
good data. As a former manager, I learned
a ton about collecting data through the year.
We used a time-reporting tool that gave us a
wealth of insight into how employees spent
their time. We used a performance review
process that was not based on feelings or
even experiences, but a measure of accom-
plishments. When I evaluated employees,
I told them about how many projects they
completed and reveled together in succeses,
but also recounted any instances where proj-
ect budgets slipped and tasks went undone.
We scored accomplishments and behavior
together, and came up with a mutual perfor-
mance rating. One new tool to consider for
this: GoWerk.
3. Choose the best software, not the
least expensive
I learned this lesson the hard way. I was
a penny-pincher, so Id often approve soft-
ware that provided just enough utility for
a lower price. For example, my team of
writers and designers wanted to use Adobe
Photoshop but I insisted on having everyone
use a freeware clone. Bad idea: the software
crashed often, delaying projects. (As a side-
note, that same freeware app eventually be-
came a sound commercial product.)
4. Log every customer contact
During my tenure in management, I had
a co-worker friend who was an advocate for
a new software paradigm called customer
relationship management or CRM. This was
before Salesforce existed. He eventually
rolled out a CRM package companywide as
a way to record every customer interaction.
Today, the concept exists in many forms,
some of them as open-source offerings.
But the idea remains the same: The more
information you have about sales contacts,
complaints, and even former customers
the better. Interestingly, I find CRM to be
somewhat overlooked at smaller compa-
nies. I know of one SMB that only records
the basic address, phone, and e-mail for new
customers and thats it.
5. Break the tech rules
Another lesson I learned early on: Take
risks with technology and break the rules
sometimes. Its safe to stick with your stor-
age network in the back office, but a new
cloud-based file-sync tool like Dropbox
might free employees to work remotely or
when they travel on business trips. At times,
its wise to wait and see how a new trend
plays out, but then again, small business
owners are all about risk-taking. Go ahead
and dump your current smartphones and
move to Android. Try giving every employ-
ee a new iPad tablet. Take a leap of faith on
the cloud. These are the kind of risks that
could fuel new ideas or ways of working to-
gether with your team.
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Lima Offce
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5 tech trends that wont go out of style
February 2013 TheBusinessJournal 7
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are making and showcase them as represen-
tations of business strength, says Amy Co-
sper, VP and editor in chief of Entrepreneur.
The Franchise 500(R) are a major force
contributing to the franchise upswing. Their
ability to successfully satisfy customers,
continually add units, create jobs and grow
overall keeps them ahead of the rest and
worthy of distinction.
Over its 34 years in existence, the Fran-
chise 500 has become both a dominant
competitive measure for franchisors and
a primary research tool for entrepreneurs.
Marcos Pizzas position on the ranking re-
inforces its strength in the industry.
To view Marcos Pizza in the full ranking,
visit www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500.
Results can also be seen in the January issue
of Entrepreneur on newsstands on January
18.
ABOUT MARCOS PIZZA:
Headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Marcos
Pizza (Marcos Franchising, LLC) is the
fastest-growing pizza company in the U.S.
(based on the number of stores signed into
development since 2007). Marcos was
founded in 1978 by Italian born, Pasquale
(Pat) Giammarco and is committed to
making Italian Pizza with fresh ingredients.
The company has grown from its roots as
a beloved Ohio brand to operate more than
325 stores in 26 states, the Bahamas and
Panama. Marcos Pizza recently ranked 11th
place in the 2012 Pizza Industry Top 100
Movers & Shakers article sent out by Piz-
zaMarketPlace.com. To inquire about fran-
chise opportunities with Marcos Pizza visit
marcosfranchising.com.
Marcos
(Continued from page 3)
8 TheBusinessJournal February 2013
Meeting Facilities
Choosing the right
meeting space
However large or small the meeting,
location is key. Your environment, for-
mal or informal, helps set the necessary
mood and ambiance for the meeting to
take place. Think about choosing a com-
fortable, yet stimulating environment that
encourages attendees to concentrate, but
beware of making it too cozy and relaxing
that theyre likely to fall asleep.
When thinking about the right loca-
tion, consider the meeting objectives, the
length of the meeting and, of course, your
budget. Decide how appropriate/neces-
sary/important it is to hold the meeting
on or off-site. For example, sometimes a
neutral, off-site location is necessary for
confidential, top secret discussions.
Different types of locations to con-
sider:
1. Local off-site meeting space
2. Out-of-town off-site meeting space
1. Local off-site meeting space
When it comes to selecting an off-site
location, be it a local hotel conference
room, a restaurant or other meeting space,
your budget will rule and determine the
outcome. To play it safe, always inspect
the space first-hand before finalizing any
decisions. Make sure the space is the right
size for the meeting. You want to avoid
maxi-sizing, that is having a space big
enough to seat 200 for a 20-person meet-
ing. You only want to consider venues
that are larger enough to handle the event
youre planning. Much will depend on the
number of participants and the complex-
ity and/or variety of the program. Will it
be formal, informal or both? Do you want
a rural or an urban location? Chances are
that every event you plan will possibly
meet different criteria, and thus have dif-
ferent space requirements.
2. Out-of-town off-site meeting space
This option is usually used for extra
special meetings, such as sales meetings,
as costs will inevitably be much higher.
These kinds of meetings may well last for
several days so you want to make sure that
all necessary details are well taken care
of. If you want to make it high on your
colleagues popularity poll, consider us-
ing a resort facility, as they usually offer
various enjoyable relaxation options, golf,
swimming, fitness center, etc. A site visit
is essential so as to avoid any unexpected
surprises.
With this in mind, lets look at the
various venue options available to you:
Hotels
Conference centers
Convention centers
Resorts
Retreat centers
Cruise ships
Unique environments
Hotels
These fall into three main categories:
Well-known and established chains,
such as Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Sheraton,
Holiday Inn, that offer a certain level of
service that you can expect worldwide.
They offer a wide range of amenities espe-
cially if you need room for large banquets,
trade show or exhibit areas.
Independently owned properties, such
as those belonging to the Preferred Group,
whose luxury hotels and resorts offer a
unique character, one-of-a kind ambience,
and provide the highest standards of qual-
ity and extraordinary service.
Boutique lodgings service business
travelers in search of a home away from
home. They are small luxury hotels & re-
sorts with individual personalities - eclec-
tic, quaint hotels housed in historic urban
buildings or romantic resorts with flower-
ing gardens and beachside villas. Howev-
er, nice these sound, you definitely need
to check what meeting space facilities, if
any, they offer.
Conference centers
Conference centers encompass a broad
gamit of venues which are often purpose-
built specifically for meetings and events
and offer state-of-the-art facilities, many
including videoconferencing.
Convention centers
When youre looking for a combination
of an urban location, plenty of meeting
space, and substantial exhibition space,
then a convention center is a practical so-
lution. Theyre geared up large numbers
and generally situated close to airports or
in a convenient downtown location.
Resorts
Youll probably only consider a resort
property if relaxation and leisure activities
rank high on your priority list.
Retreat centers
These generally work best for smaller
more focused groups who are looking for
a quiet, serene meeting environment.
Cruise ships
These make an interesting and very dif-
ferent venue option. There are a few com-
panies who specialize in cruise meetings
offering facilities worldwide for a wide
variety of groups.
Unique environments
Unique environment dont always
make the best meeting spaces, but its
worth doing your homework to find out.
Some options to consider include muse-
ums, stately homes, (including castles in
Europe), sporting venues, and theaters.
February 2013 TheBusinessJournal 9
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underline
Courtyard by Marriott

936 Greely Chapel Road


Lima, OH
T 419.222.9000
Courtyard.com/Daycl

WE MAKE EVEN THE
SMALLEST
MEETINGS OUR
BIGGEST PRIORITY.
Courtyard by Marriott

is the
perfect location for our local
neighbors to conduct group
meetings.
Come for the Day
Stay for the night
480 Moxie Lane, Delphos, OH 45833
1/4 mile East of Delphos on Lincoln Hwy. Easy access to Rt. 30
Phone 567-765-1500 Fax 567-765-1501
Email microtel.delphosoh@gmail.com
Web www.microtelinn.com
Large meeting room
Ample parking
FREE internet, long distance, cable TV
Easy to fnd
Continental breakfast
10 tips for choosing
a meeting venue
If youre looking for somewhere
different to hold your office meet-
ing, or want to meet with clients or
other companies for an event, then
youll want somewhere that has ev-
erything you need.
Heres how to choose the per-
fect meeting venue.
1. Youll need to decide where
you want to hold your meeting. Will
it be in the same town or city as
your company is based, or will you
choose somewhere central so that
its easy for all guests to reach?
2. Youll want to book early so
that your chosen venue is avail-
able when you need it. The popular
places will book up soon, so if your
meeting has to be on a certain day
of the week, or at a certain time of
year, youll want to book as soon as
you can.
3. Its important to check that
the meeting venue you choose has
all the facilities you need. Does it
cater for the number of people in
your meeting or conference? Are
meals and refreshments available?
Are they included in the cost, or will
guests have to pay themselves?
4. You might want to choose a
location thats away from your nor-
mal working environment. If you
work in the city, why not see if be-
ing in the country side can be inspi-
rational, and help you think of new
ideas? Would a round of golf before
or after your meeting help your staff
or guests to unwind, and be open to
your ideas, or be more productive?
5. The room layout will need to
be flexible, depending on the pur-
pose of your meeting. If youre giv-
ing a talk to your staff, then youll
want the seats to be laid out facing
the front. If youre splitting your
guests into groups, then you might
want separate rooms or areas for
them to come up with new ideas..
6. Has the venue got the technol-
ogy you need? If you need a projec-
tor, or internet access, is this avail-
able as part of the cost, or will you
need to pay for this in addition? Per-
haps youll need video conferenc-
ing facilities, or access to additional
computers. Can the venue help you
with this?
7. Youll want to choose some-
where relatively quiet so youre not
interrupted. Perhaps youll want to
choose a hotel with a good reputa-
tion that has the conference or meet-
ing facilities that you need.
8. Youll want to make sure that
there are additional facilities for af-
ter the meeting. Is there a restaurant,
or will staff have to go elsewhere to
eat? Are there rooms to stay at the
venue, or will guests have to book a
nearby hotel? What sorts of leisure
facilities are available at the venue,
or nearby?
9. Spending time out of the office
can be a good way to help improve
productivity. By being in a different
environment, your audience is more
likely to listen to what you have to
say. You also encourage team build-
ing and staff from different depart-
ments to spend more time with each
other at a venue other than the of-
fice. If you want to impress your
clients, or show your staff that you
value them, youll want to choose a
suitable venue.
10. Youll want to make sure that
you get value for money and wont
be paying for facilities or extras that
you dont need, but you shouldnt
choose a venue solely on cost. You
wont want your staff or guests to
moan about the venue, or the fact
that they had to pay for everything.
Now you know more about how
to choose the right location, perhaps
now is the time to choose your next
conference or meeting venue.
10 TheBusinessJournal February 2013
If something happened to
our server, it would take us
hours, if not days, to get the
information back up, says
Scott Austermiller, IT Manager
at Rowmark Inc., a Findlay-
based manufacturer of plastic
sheets for the display industry.
As it is, if there is a problem,
I call Don and he is back at
our plant in 15 minutes with a
backup tape.
Don, is Don Thompson,
manager of Document
Service Company, and he
visits Scott at Rowmark once
a week to pickup fve backup
tapes. Don then stores the
tapes at the DSC facility in
Findlay.
Rowmark was founded in
Findlay about two decades
ago. It is a dynamic member
of the Findlay business
community.
Making backup tapes
daily and storing them off-
site is part of our security
procedure, Scott explains.
Many companies just
send the tapes home with
an employee, but there is
inherent risk in that. The tapes
can be lost or destroyed. The
price beneft with DSC for off-
site storage far exceeds any
calculated ROI.
Scott thinks it is important to
deal with another community-
minded local company, and,
frankly, he likes the personal
service he gets from Don
Thompson.
If we dealt with an out-of-
town company, it would take
hours, instead of minutes, to
retrieve a tape when we need
it, he says. Don and his
people are just a few minutes
away, and his service is top
notch.
Then, there is an intangible
personal touch.
Rowmark is an upbeat
company, says Scott, and
Don is an upbeat guy. He
DSC Provides Pick-up Service
for Rowmark Tapes
Intangible personal touch
I
www.documentmanagementcompany.com
I
1001 Lima Avenue
I
Findlay, Ohio
I
45840
I
419/422-3330
is a guy with a positive attitude. It is
great when you can do business with
a person who genuinely cares about
your company and the people there.
Findlay Surgery
Center
Relies On DSC
Service For
Medical, Busi-
ness Records
Committed
to exceeding
your
expectations
A Division of Findlays Tall Timbers Distribution Center
with a new Earth Dreams Technology power-
train, either a direct-injected 2.4-liter 4-cylin-
der engine or a 3.5-liter V6 engine equipped
with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM).
Manufactured at Hondas automobile engine
plant in Anna, Ohio, both of these new and ef-
ficient engines were named to Wards 10 Best
Engines list for 2013.
In the last three years, Honda has an-
nounced investments at its Ohio manufactur-
ing facilities exceeding $800 million. They
include projects to establish on-site parts
consolidation centers, renovate auto assembly
and painting operations, and major invest-
ments at the Anna Engine Plant, as well as its
transmission plant in Russells Point, to manu-
facture continuously variable transmissions
(CVTs).
Recently, the transmission plant started
a second phase of projects to expand CVT
production. This new investment of $90 mil-
lion includes an additional assembly line, and
new aluminum die casting and machining op-
erations. Investments at that the transmission
plant in recent years now total $235 million.
Honda in Ohio
Honda operates four manufacturing plants
in Ohio, including auto plants in Marysville
and East Liberty with the capacity to manu-
facture nearly 700,000 cars and light trucks
per year. Its engine plant in Anna supplies
engines and components to most of Hondas
auto plants in North America, with production
exceeding a million engines per year. And the
transmission plant in Russells Point manufac-
tures more than one million automatic trans-
missions per year, including the CVTs, for
Hondas North American auto plants.
In addition to manufacturing, Ohio is
the center for vehicle engineering in North
America. At its expansive R&D center in
Raymond, Ohio, Hondas largest R&D cen-
ter outside Japan, more than 1,300 associates
are engaged in complete product creation
of all-new products for Honda and Acura cus-
tomers.
Among all its operations, Honda employs
more than 13,500 Ohioans.
About Honda
Honda established operations in America
in 1959, and now employs more than 26,000
associates in its U.S. sales, R&D and manu-
facturing operations with a capital investment
of more than $22 billion.
Based on its longstanding commitment to
build products close to the customer Honda
operates 14 major manufacturing facilities in
North America, producing a wide range of
Honda and Acura automobiles, automobile
engines and transmissions, Honda all-terrain
vehicles, and power equipment products such
as lawn mowers, mini-tillers and general pur-
pose engines, using domestic and globally
sourced parts.
Seven Honda auto plants in the region, in-
cluding four in the U.S., have the capacity to
produce 1.63 million automobiles each year,
using domestic and globally sourced parts.
In 2011, 85 percent of the Honda and Acura
automobiles sold in the U.S. were produced
in North America. This will increase to 1.92
million vehicles per year in 2014, when the
sales percentage of locally produced auto-
mobiles is expected to rise to more than 90
percent.
Honda operates major research and devel-
opment centers in the U.S. that fully design,
develop and engineer many of the products
Honda produces in North America.
Honda (Continued from page 1)
February 2013 TheBusinessJournal 11
Business & Financial Services
First Defiance Financial Corp. (NAS-
DAQ: FDEF) recently announced record net
income for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2012 totaled $18.7 million, or $1.81 per
diluted common share compared to $15.5
million or $1.42 per diluted common share
for the year ended December 31, 2011.
For the fourth quarter ended December 31,
2012, First Defiance earned $5.2 million or
$0.52 per diluted common share compared
to $4.1 million or $0.36 per diluted common
share for the fourth quarter of 2011.
I am pleased with the record net income
in the full year of 2012 and overall perfor-
mance for the fourth quarter as the country
continues to rebound from the economic
challenges of the last several years. We are
happy with the strong mortgage banking
results this quarter and throughout the full
year, as well as the steady improvement in
credit quality.
We are pleased with the increase in our
net interest margin for the quarter and the
stability seen throughout this economic cy-
cle. The balance sheet restructuring we did
in the fourth quarter was an important move
as we anticipate that an extended low rate
environment and increasing pricing pres-
sures will put compression on the margin.
Non-interest income increased, driven
by mortgage banking and solid fee income,
which are part of our core operating strat-
egy. Gain on sale of mortgage loans was
higher this quarter compared to the 2011
fourth quarter driven by higher loan activ-
ity. The mortgage originations for the bank
in 2012 represented a record for the highest
dollar level of production in a year.
Also at the January Board meeting, I
informed the Board of Directors of First
Defiance that I plan to retire from my man-
agement role at First Defiance effective
December 31, 2013. With this announce-
ment, the Board approved the initiation of
its management transition plan. As a re-
sult, effective January 1, 2014, Donald P.
Hileman, currently Executive Vice Presi-
dent and Chief Financial Officer will as-
sume the role of President and CEO of First
Defiance. Jim Rohrs will remain in his posi-
tion as President and CEO of First Federal
Bank. I will retire as an active employee of
the Company, but will remain as Chairman
of both the holding company and the Bank.
This is part of the succession plan that has
been discussed for the last several years.
With improving performance trends we re-
main focused on the long term success of
the Company, including management suc-
cession. Implementing the plan now allows
us to better facilitate the transition.
For more in-depth discussion of the fac-
tors that impacted our results for the fourth
quarter of 2012, please see our earnings
release, which is posted on our website at
www.fdef.com.
First Defiance Financial Corp. fourth quarter report
4 new trends in small business lending
Small business growth was often in the lime-
light during 2012 as the American economy
struggled and unemployment continued to be a
problem, though very small headway was made.
Sunovis Financial notes that small businesses
across America contribute heavily to employment
and economic success, and unless small business
can access capital to grow, the economy will con-
tinue to be troubled. One positive trend that is
expected to continue into 2013 is the increasing
alternatives to traditional bank lending for cash
strapped small businesses looking to grow.
We have seen a noticeable trend in four sepa-
rate areas of small business lending that are quite
promising for small businesses in America, said
Terry Robinson, President of Sunovis Financial.
We have been incorporating these trends into our
own lending models and have been seeing a defi-
nite positive impact for small businesses, which
we find to be very encouraging.
Trend #1 Small Business Administration
lending volumes in 2012 hit $30 billion. This
is the second largest volume of lending by the
SBA in its 59 year history. The only year with
higher lending volumes was 2011, due to incen-
tives from the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010.
Smaller community banks are leading the way in
SBA lending.
Trend #2 Technology is becoming increas-
ingly important when it comes to small business
lending. Online platforms are being embraced
by busy entrepreneurs who appreciate the time
savings and convenience that these platforms
offer. Small banks and lending services are also
taking advantage of the cost savings that come
with online lending platforms. Leads are often
pre-qualified and smaller banks can reach out to
small businesses across the country, without be-
ing hampered by geographical boundaries.
Trend #3 Social media has become increas-
ingly important in personal lives, and it is now be-
ing embraced as a business tool as well. New so-
cial platforms that allow small business owners to
create loans from the small amounts of money of
a vast pool of people (called crowdsourcing) have
gained immense popularity. With the signing of
the JOBS Act into law last April, this trend is ex-
pected to pick up even more steam as businesses
will be able to use crowdsourcing to underwrite
their own IPOs and raise as much as $2 million
through these platforms without an SEC filing.
Trend #4 Alternative lenders are now be-
coming important and accepted, as they make
capital available more easily for small busi-
nessses. Microlenders especially are using tech-
nology to effectively analyze risk based on non-
traditional factors such as cash flow, rather than
credit scores. They can provide small businesses
with loans in short approval and funding periods.
With traditional banks maintaining tight lending
standards and requiring months to process loans
in some cases, these microlenders are revolution-
izing the small business lending environment.
We have built our business around provid-
ing small businesses with access to SBA loans.
Seeing the potential that microlending presents,
we also offer small business owners access to this
dynamic lending model as well, said Mr. Rob-
inson. We have embraced microlending because
we feel that it fits well with our mission to rebuild
the American economy one loan and one business
at a time.
12 TheBusinessJournal February 2013
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