28 Aug 2012

The 'Moneyball' Approach to Business Hiring

By Rick Martin
Expert Offers Tips for Creating Championship Teams

Great coaches take into consideration an athlete's talent and heart when they're building a team, but they consider group dynamics, too, says entrepreneur J. Allan McCarthy.

"It's not just a matter of getting the fastest, strongest and smartest players on your side," says McCarthy, an international scaling expert and author of Beyond Genius, Innovation & Luck: The 'Rocket Science' of Building High-Performance Corporations (www.mccarthyandaffiliates.com).

"If you're building a championship team, you're gauging how the individual athletes fit together; how their personalities, talents, drive and abilities will mesh to meet the team's goals. It's exactly what you need to do to build a winning corporate team. As Michael Jordan, put it, 'Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.' "

In the 2011 film Moneyball, Coach Billy Beane picks his players based on analysis and evidence, says McCarthy, who has worked with hundreds of companies. He doesn't ever just "go with his gut."

McCarthy provides key points for building a successful, effective team:

· Lead with a team, not a group: A team of leaders behaves very differently than a group of leaders. Many companies don't know the difference. "It comes down to clear goals, interdependencies and rules of engagement," McCarthy says, Every corporation claims to hire only the best and the brightest but it is evident that getting the best and brightest to function as a team can be a challenge.

· Know your goals: McCarthy cites Bill Gates - "Teams should be able to act with the same unity of purpose and focus as a well-motivated individual." Many big-name CEOs like to say their talent runs free with innovative ideas. "It makes for compelling literature," McCarthy says. But would that work on the football field? Corporations need their personnel to think out-of-the-box but also act in a prescriptive culture - to work within a system in order to achieve common objectives.

· Not everyone can be the coach - or the quarterback: The problem with executives is that they all want to lead and none want to follow, McCarthy says. A team made up of executives is like a group of thoroughbred stallions confined to a small space called an organization -- plenty of kicking, biting and discord. Thoroughbreds don't naturally work well as a team. Better to define responsibilities that build a "foxhole mentality," wherein one person has the gun, the other the bullets, McCarthy says. It's in the best interests of both for each to succeed.

· The strongest teams are adept at resolving conflict: Hiring the best and the brightest should create a diverse, competent group ? but inevitably these stallions generate friction that can sabotage company progress. So, sensitize team members to the early warning signs: know-it-all attitudes, multi-tasking during team meetings, exhibiting dominant behavior, not responding in a timely fashion or engaging in avoidance. Agree, as a team, on how to mutually manage and minimize counterproductive behaviors as they surface.

· Create individual and team agreements: Here is where the "rubber meets the road" - it's the final stage of planning who will do what for team objectives, as well as a collective agreement on team rules and interdependencies. Ask individuals to openly commit to what they will do, and how the team is to function. The public declaration stresses employee obligation and collaborative management.

"We live in a 21st-century economy where speed and efficiency is a top priority, and that often means a 'shoot first, ask questions later' mentality," McCarthy says. "But you get the team that you plan for, not necessarily what you pay for. If time is money, then I'd invest it in creating and building a championship team."

About J. Allan McCarthy

J. Allan McCarthy, principal of J.A. McCarthy & Affiliates, has more than 20 years of experience across 15 industries and more than 200 companies. He is a scaling expert who helps organizations determine how to best align strategy, structure and workforce capabilities. He earned his master's of management from Golden Gate University, a Stanford University AEA MBA refresher, and has worked with many international companies, including Cisco Systems, Raychem Corporation, SAP Inc., Redback Networks, BEA Systems and Ericsson.

28 Aug 2012

Governor Quinn Vetoes SB 1849

By Illinois Revenue and Jobs Alliance
OFFICIAL STATMENT FROM THE ILLINOIS REVENUE AND JOBS ALLIANCE:

We missed an opportunity today to add 20,000 new jobs and generate more than $1 billion in one-time licensing fees and more than $200 million in new annual revenue. Despite efforts that would have satisfied the Governor's call for tighter restrictions and additional oversight, fiscal relief for the state has now been further delayed. Our leaders in Springfield are committed to getting us back onto steady financial footing and providing more economic opportunity to Illinois residents. We're confident that they will do what is necessary so the state can benefit from sorely needed jobs and revenue.

Former State Representative Bill Black, Chairman, The Illinois Revenue and Jobs Alliance

28 Aug 2012

Rural school districts receive grants of up to $25,000

By Paul Spooner

Winners announced for America's Farmers Grow Rural Education?

BOONE, IOWA (Aug. 28, 2012) - Rural schools help grow the next generation by planting seeds of knowledge, passion and imagination in the youth of rural America. Now, local farmers and America's Farmers Grow Rural EducationSM are helping to prepare the next generation of industry leaders to meet the challenges that come with feeding an ever increasing population.
America's Farmers Grow Rural Education, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, gives farmers the opportunity to nominate a public school district in their community to compete for a merit based grant of either $10,000 or $25,000 to enhance education in the areas of math and/or science. More than 1,000 nominated school districts submitted applications. The Monsanto Fund will invest $2.3 million in 176 rural schools through this program.
"School districts were innovative and creative in their applications," said Deborah Patterson, the Monsanto Fund president. "We are really looking forward to seeing the proposals come to fruition and learning how the students benefit from them."
After being nominated by local farmers, school districts completed an online application and finalists were chosen by math and science teachers from ineligible school districts. The America's Farmers Grow Rural Education Advisory Council, a group of 26 prominent farmers from across the country, then reviewed the finalists' applications and selected the winners.
"Who better to judge the practical content and quality of these applications from rural school districts than experienced, working farmers?" said Jim Andrew of Jefferson, Iowa, America's Farmers Grow Rural Education Farmer Advisory Council member. "We devoted many hours at home evaluating and scoring the applications and then met as a group in St. Louis for two days to discuss and select the schools we recommended to the Monsanto Fund for grants. It was personally very rewarding to read the creative and practical grant applications that were eventually selected by our advisory group to receive the grants."
There were 176 school districts in 35 states that received grants of up to $25,000. Winners are posted at www.growruraleducation.com and below. America's Farmers Grow Rural Education started with a successful pilot in Illinois and Minnesota in 2011, in which farmers were given the opportunity to nominate public school districts in 165 eligible counties in those two states. The Monsanto Fund awarded more than $266,000 to local schools in sixteen communities. Now, the program has expanded to 1,245 eligible counties in 39 states. 
America's Farmers Grow Rural Education is sponsored by the Monsanto Fund to help farmers positively impact their communities and support local rural school districts. This program is part of the Monsanto Fund's overall effort to support rural education and communities. Another program that is part of this effort is America's Farmers Grow Communities, which gives farmers the opportunity to direct a $2,500 donation to their favorite community nonprofit organization in their county. Farmers can participate in this program through Nov. 30, 2012 by visiting growcommunities.com.

 

About Monsanto Fund
The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the farm communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work.  Visit the Monsanto Fund at www.monsantofund.org.

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Alabama- Geneva City, Madison County

Arkansas-Des Arc School District, Estem Elementary Charter, Monticello School District, Southside High School, Texarkana School District, Valley View School District

Arizona-Buckeye Union High School District

California-Brawley Elementary, Esparto Unified School District, Farmersville Unified, Hilmar Unified School District

Colorado-Frenchman School District Re-3, Limon School District, No. Re 4J, Re-1 Valley School District, Walsh School District No. Re-1

Delaware-Smyrna School District

Georgia-Burke County, Terrell County, Wilcox County School System

Iowa-George Little Rock Community Schools, Hampton-Dumont Community School District, Lamoni Community School District, Logan-Magnolia School District, Mormon Trail Community School District, New Hampton, New London Community School District, North Tama County Community School District, Northeast Community School District, Riceville Community School District, Schleswig Community School District, Sidney Community School District

Idaho-Caldwell School District No. 132, Filer School District

Illinois-Allendale CC School District 17, Brussels CUSD 42, Farmington Central CUSD 265, Indian Creek CUSD 425, Morrisonville CUSD #1, North Greene CUSD 3, Olympia CUSD 16, Oregon Community Unit School District 220, Red Hill CUSD10, Tolono CUSD 7, Willow Grove SD 46

Indiana-Clay Community Schools, Delaware Community School Corporation, Fairfield Community Schools, Flatrock Hawcreek School Co, Jennings County Schools, Oregon-Davis School Corp, Pike County School Corp, Salem Community Schools, South Central Com School Corp, Southwest Parke Com School Corp

Kansas-Bucklin, Girard USD 248, Hoxie Community Schools USD 412, Royal Valley, Scott County Schools, Sedgwick Public Schools, Sterling USD376, Wamego, Washington County Schools, Wellsville-USD 289

Kentucky-Calloway County, Daviess County Public Schools, Logan County, Nelson County School District

Louisiana-Pointe Coupee Parish

Maryland-Harford County Public Schools, Talbot County Public Schools

Michigan-Breckenridge Community Schools, Frankenmuth School District, Fremont Public Schools, Ida Public School District, Lowell Area Schools, North Huron School District, Springport Public Schools, St. Louis Public Schools

Minnesota-Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Schools, Farmington Area Public Schools, Glacial Hills Elementary, Greenbush-Middle River School District, Lakeview Public Schools, Lancaster Public School District, N.R.H.E.G. School District, United South Central Independent School District 2134

Missouri-Community R-VI School District, Johnson Co. R-VII, Liberal R-II, Lone Jack C-6, Miami R-I School District, Monroe City R-I, Northeast Nodaway Co. R-V, Oak Ridge R-VI, Orrick, Pleasant View R-VI, Strain-Japan R-XVI

Mississippi-Pontotoc Co School District

North Carolina-Craven County Schools, Perquimans County Schools, Rowan-Salisbury Schools

North Dakota-Carrington School District, Dakota Prairie, Hatton Public School 7, Richland 44, Wishek 19

Nebraska-Cambridge Public Schools, Falls City Public Schools, Hayes Center Public Schools, Lyons-Decatur Northeast Schools, Mitchell Public Schools, Northwest Public Schools, Osceola Public Schools, Rock County Public Schools, Thayer Central Community Schools

New Jersey-Chesterfield Township

New York-Albion Central School District, Argyle Central School District, Arkport Central School District, Canton Central School District, Greece Central School District, Tully Central School District

Ohio-Clinton-Massie Local, Crestview Local Schools, Eastern Local Schools, Garaway Local, Northeastern Local, Ridgedale Community, West Liberty-Salem Local, Westfall Local

Oklahoma- Garber Public School , Navajo Public School

Oregon-Vale SD 84

Pennsylvania-Danville Area SD, Greensburg Salem SD, Manheim Central SD, Northwestern School District, Seneca Valley SD, Tyrone Area School District, Upper Adams SD

South Carolina-Calhoun 01, Dillon 02

South Dakota-Dell Rapids School District 49-3, Milbank High School-01, Parker School District, Wolsey-Wessington School District 20-6

Tennessee-Franklin County School District, Obion County School System, Robertson County, South Carroll County Special School District

Texas-Brownsville ISD, Dalhart ISD, Edna ISD, Hillsboro ISD, Ira ISD, Levelland ISD, Memphis ISD, Southland ISD, Wall ISD

Virginia-Southampton Co Public Schools

Washington-Warden School District

Wisconsin-Cadott Community School District, Chilton School District, Cornell School District, Gillett School District, Lake Geneva-Genoa City UHS School District, Lancaster Community School District, Marathon City School District,  Monticello School District, School District Of New London, Sparta Area School District, Tri-County Area School District, Wrightstown Community School District

28 Aug 2012

Governor Quinn Takes Bill Action **Tuesday, August 28, 2012

By William Palmisano

CHICAGO -August 28, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bill:

 

 

Bill No.: SB 1849

An Act Concerning: Gaming

Creates the Chicago Casino Development Authority and amends several other statutes to expand gaming in Illinois.

Action: Vetoed

 

 

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28 Aug 2012

GYM GIVES NEW MEMBERS OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT NICK TEDDY FOUNDATION

By Holly Larson
PORT BYRON, IL - The Nick Teddy Foundation, in partnership with Nelson Chiropractic, is excited to announce a new, long-term partnership with Core Fitness Bettendorf.

Core Fitness Bettendorf has provided generous contributions for the "Nick Teddy Fight Against Ewing's Sarcoma 5k." The gym will be giving away four 3-month gym memberships to 5k participants.

Additionally, 5k runners will have the opportunity to give five dollars each month to the Nick Teddy Foundation by signing up for a 1-year membership at Core Fitness Bettendorf. For each race participant who signs up for a 1-year membership during the 5k, Core Fitness Bettendorf has agreed to donate five dollars every month to the Nick Teddy Foundation for an entire year!

The "Nick Teddy Fight Against Ewing's Sarcoma 5k" starts at 9:00 AM on Sat., September 15, 2012. More information on how to register can be found online at http://www.NickTeddy.org, on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/NickTeddyOrg), and on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/NickTeddyOrg).
28 Aug 2012

Davenport Parks & Rec Fall Session Begins

By Davenport Parks & Recreation
Thrive this fall with the City of Davenport Parks and Recreation!
Fall Session begins September 10 - Sign up now!
Nothing kills a program quicker than everyone waiting until the last minute to register for it.  Please register well in advance of the registration deadline to make sure your favorite courses run!
Register at the River's Edge, 700 W River Dr. or
28 Aug 2012

Inspired by the Past - September 9 - October 7, 2012

By Lynn Bartenhagen

Muscatine Art Center Announces Opening of New Exhibit

The Muscatine Art Center will open the new exhibit Inspired by the Past on Sunday, September 9 with a reception hosted by Friends of the Muscatine Art Center from 1 to 5PM. The exhibit will continue through October 7, 2012.

Inspired by the Past includes the sculpture, paintings photographs,  drawings and assemblages of six area artists who based their work on that of Muscatine photographer, Oscar Grossheim. The participating artists: John Deason, Randy Elder, Charles Knudsen, Tony Ledtje, Randy Richmond, and Dan Rohde, chose four to six original Grossheim images that inspired them and used those images as a springboard to their own artistic interpretations.

Oscar Grossheim was born in Muscatine in 1862, the son of Theodore & Bertha Kirschbein Grossheim.

Grossheim's career as a photographer began when he was only 15 and continued until the late 1930s. Grossheim's work included much more than portrait photography.  He also left a legacy of over 50,000 images of life as it unfolded in Muscatine during a historically significant time.

The concept of the exhibition is to ask artists and the public to reflect on their past and, as a community, on our collective past, and how the process of self-reflection might lead to a heightened awareness as we map our future course.

28 Aug 2012

Governor Quinn Takes Bill Action Monday, August 27, 2012

By William Palmisano

CHICAGO- August 27, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:

Bill No.: HB 1261

An Act Concerning: Public Health

Adds zinc air button cell batteries to the list of merchandise which cannot be sold or distributed in Illinois.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

 

Bill No.: HB 2582

An Act Concerning: Criminal Law

Makes technical changes to the Criminal Code.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan.1

 

Bill No.: HB 3366

An Act Concerning: Criminal Law

Reorganizes provisions in the Criminal Code of 1961 concerning harm to children, and incorporates provisions from certain other similar acts.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan.1

 

Bill No.: HB 4753

An Act Concerning: Local Government

Allows a board of trustees in a designated renewable energy district to set up and run a renewable energy facility as a business.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

 

Bill No.: HB 5033

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Creates a specific timeline for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to act upon applications to perform additional services submitted by currency exchanges.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

 

Bill No.: HB 5142

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Reinstates and expands the ability of hospitals to establish Freestanding Emergency Centers (FECs) throughout the state, particularly in rural areas.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

 

Bill No.: HB 5771

An Act Concerning: Certificates of Good Conduct and Relief from Disabilities

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections to make the criteria for receiving certificates of good conduct and certificates of relief from disabilities more inclusive.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1

 

Bill No.: SB 548

An Act Concerning: Local Government

Extends the completion dates for redevelopment of TIF projects in the cities of Carlyle and East Peoria.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

 

Bill No.: SB 2934

An Act Concerning: State Government

Restricts the employment of certain relatives of members of the Health Facilities and Services Review Board (HFSRB) at facilities under the HFSRB's purview. Also revises the process for issuing permits and making progress reports; expands HBSRB's powers and duties; and authorizes fines for permit holders who fail to comply with requirements.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

 

Bill No.: SB 2937

An Act Concerning: Local Government

Creates the Northwest Metra Commuter Rail District for McHenry County.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1

 

Bill No.: SB 3320

An Act Concerning: Revenue

Extends the Quality of Life instant scratch-off lottery game through 2017; creates three new tax check offs; and requires the Diabetes Research Check Off Fund to remain on Illinois tax returns permanently.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

 

Bill No.: SB 3349

An Act Concerning: Criminal Law

Creates the Offender Initiative Program, to enable state's attorneys to select non-violent felony defendants, without prior felony convictions, for an intensive 12-month program, and to offer legal services. Upon successful completion, the state's attorney shall dismiss the case.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1                             

 

Bill No.: SB 3399

An Act Concerning: Beer Wholesalers

Allows a beer distributor to seek arbitration if a brewer terminates a contract with a distributor when the product is 10 percent of the distributor's volume - instead of the existing 15 percent requirement.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

 

Bill No.: SB 3458

An Act Concerning: Criminal Law

Provides that the Illinois State Police (ISP) shall provide specified financial institutions detailed information regarding the conviction of a felony or crime of dishonesty, breach of trust or money laundering of applicants for employment or other specified individuals, and gives the Prisoner Review Board (PRB) the authority to seal records for certain Class 3 and 4 offenses.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1

 

Bill No.: SB 3497

An Act Concerning: The Lottery

Allows Powerball tickets to be sold online; creates an Internet Lottery Study Committee; and allows the Illinois Department of the Lottery to hire investigators.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

 

 

Bill No.: SB 3631

An Act Concerning: State Government

Increases membership to the Choose Chicago Board to 35, and sets forth requirements for the Board.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

 

Bill No.: SB 3685

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Amends to the Boxing and Full-contact Martial Arts Act.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

 

Bill No.: SB 3746

An Act Concerning: Volunteer Emergency Responders

Creates Volunteer Emergency Responder Appreciation Day.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

 

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28 Aug 2012

"What to eat or not to eat? That is the question ....." (apologies to Shakespere's Hamlet)

By Narveen Aryaputri
Moline and Rock Island were on the cover article of the Business Day section of last weekend's New York Times featuring the push against obesity, a national affliction, now growing worldwide.
 
The excellent article covers the work of area dietitians Dawn Blocklinger in the Moline Hy-Vee and Chrissy Watters in the Rock Island Hy-Vee showing clients how to shop for foood and teaching them what to eat.
The rest of our parody, with due appologies to Shakespere, and a copy of the article will be available for you to take home.
Open Discussion on the methods used, effective or otherwise, in attempts to stem the growing problem.
 
Independent Scholars' Evenings
7.00 p.m.
 
1530 Fifth Avenue.
Moline, Illinois. 61265
Doors open at 6.30 p.m.
 
DRESS CODE: Business Casual.

Elevators are located through the 16th. Street entrance.
Independent Scholars' Evenings are sponsored byThe Institute for Cultural and Healing Traditions, Ltd. a 501(c)3 organization at State and Federal levels since 1996. Please visit:  www.qcinstitute.org
28 Aug 2012

The Moline Foundation Announces Grant Deadline

By Linda Martin

A grants submission deadline has been announced by the Moline Community Foundation. Non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply if they serve the citizens of Moline and the surrounding region, including the Quad Cities. All materials necessary to receive funds are due in The Moline Foundation offices by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 28, 2012 or must be postmarked by or on Friday, September 28, 2012.  Any non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, including those who have never received Moline Foundation funding in the past, is welcome to apply.

An application should consist of eleven copies of a written request stating the name and address of the organization, its mission, names and addresses of Board members, income and expense statement, balance sheet, and the specific purpose for which any money received would be used including a project budget. The name, telephone number, and email of a contact person must also be included. The requested materials should be mailed according to the above deadline. Other important information about grant submission is available on The Moline Foundation's web site at www.molinefoundation.org.

The Moline Foundation offices are located at the Deere-Wiman House, 817 11th Avenue, Moline.

The Moline Foundation, founded in 1953, is a community foundation which provides grants to health, human services, education, workforce development, the arts and other charitable organizations which benefit the citizens of Moline and the surrounding area, including the Quad Cities region in both Iowa and Illinois. The Moline Foundation receives and administers charitable gifts and works with citizens to achieve their dreams to improve the community.

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