01 Feb 2013

Governor Quinn Announces 500,000 People Helped Through Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network

By Ryan C. Woods

Urges Homeowners to visit KeepYourHomeIllinois.org for Assistance

CHICAGO - February 1, 2013. Governor Pat Quinn today announced that, one year after he launched the Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network (IFPN) in his State of the State address, more than a half-million people have connected to its free statewide resources to help keep their homes.

"I launched the Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network to help give Illinois families the guidance they need to stay in their homes," Governor Quinn said. "Knowledge is power. By accessing this free, centralized source of trustworthy information we can help homeowners do what's best for their families, while strengthening communities and our economy."

As a result of the IFPN, 561,000 people have been connected to foreclosure prevention help:

· 446,000 homeowners have accessed the IFPN website or the Illinois Hardest Hit program website.

· More than 60,700 people have called IFPN help hotlines.

· More than 44,500 homeowners have received homeownership counseling.

· More than 3,400 people have attended a series of IFPN workshops across the state.

· More than 6,300 homeowners have received mortgage payment assistance with $144.1 million in funds approved through the Illinois Hardest Hit program.

Families are urged to reach out today to access the free resources that have helped so many other homeowners across Illinois. All of the services are available by visiting www.keepyourhomeillinois.org, calling the toll-free hotline (1-855-KEEP-411), or visiting 80 counseling agencies throughout the state.

In February 2012, Governor Pat Quinn created the IFPN to give Illinois homeowners access to a trusted and reliable source where they could receive one-on-one counseling, legal advice and financial assistance. Under Governor Quinn, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) and Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) partnered to establish this free, one-stop resource.

"When families fall behind on mortgage payments due to a job loss or pay cut, Governor Quinn's Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network (IFPN) stands ready to help them," IHDA Executive Director Mary R. Kenney said. "IFPN coordinates every available statewide resource for homeowners, and provides critical tools - such as counseling. Homeowners who undergo counseling are twice as likely to keep their homes."

IFPN has made a difference in the lives of so many Illinois families, such as Maria Perez of suburban Carol Stream. After her divorce in 2008, Perez struggled to pay her mortgage and save for her two sons' college education.

When she lost her job as a school registrar last year, Perez turned to the DuPage Homeownership Center - which assisted her in applying for temporary financial assistance available under IFPN's flagship program, the Illinois Hardest Hit program. The program enables qualified unemployed or underemployed homeowners to get current on their payments or receive monthly assistance.

"The Illinois Hardest Hit program bought me some time to consider my options calmly. It gave me time to breathe," said 48-year-old Perez.

IFPN events to enable homeowners to receive counseling or legal advice, apply for financial assistance and potentially receive an on-site loan modification from participating lenders are scheduled this spring. IFPN's next regional events are planned for Peoria and Rockford in April and June, respectively.

###

31 Jan 2013

Helping the Community by Getting the Word Out

By Mark McLaughlin

Greater Quad-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Names Results Marketing as Small Business of the Year

IA/IL QUAD CITIES - In a hectic world filled with an endless array of websites, broadcast channels, and print publications, placing a community message in front of its intended audience can be a difficult, time-consuming experience. To make the process easier for one social group, while giving back to the community, Results Marketing regularly assists the Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GQCHCC) with their communications needs.

The GQCHCC showed their appreciation to Results Marketing during the awards presentation at their Annual Gala, held Jan. 26 at the Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center, Bettendorf, IA. The GQCHCC presented Results Marketing with the award for Small Business of the Year, in recognition of the ongoing marketing and communications support that Results Marketing provides.

"The team at Results Marketing is deeply honored by this award," said Todd Ashby, Managing Partner of Results Marketing. "We enjoy working with the Hispanic Chamber and take great pride in contributing to the success of their growing organization."

The complete list of GQCHCC 2012 award recipients is as follows:

Corporation of the Year: Ascentra Credit Union

Small Business of the Year: Results Marketing

Community Leadership Award: Hola America Media Group

Student Leadership Award: Salvador Mojica

Ambassador of the Year: Mike Reyes

For more information on Results Marketing, call 563-322-2065. Feel free to befriend Results Marketing on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ResultsIMC.

For more information on the Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, visit www.gqchcc.com or call (309) 797-8650.

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26 Jan 2013

INQUIREHIRE ACHIEVES BACKGROUND SCREENING CREDENTIALING COUNCIL ACCREDITATION

By Alan Kinsey

Davenport, IA, January 25, 2013 - The National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS®) BackgroundScreening Credentialing Council (BSCC) announced today that Inquirehire has successfully proved compliance with theBackground Screening Agency Accreditation Program (BSAAP) and will now be formally recognized as BSCC Accredited.

Each year, U.S. employers, organizations and governmental agencies request millions of consumer reports to assistwith critical business decisions involving background screening. Background screening reports, which are categorizedas consumer reports are currently regulated at both the federal and state level. Since its inception, NAPBS has believedthat there is a strong need for a singular cohesive industry standard and therefore created the BSAAP. Governed by astrict professional standard composed of requirements and measurements, the BSAAP is positioned to become a widelyrecognized seal of approval that brings national recognition to background screening organizations (also referred to asConsumer Reporting Agencies). This recognition will stand as the industry "seal" representing a background screeningorganization's commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards and continued institutionalimprovement.

The NAPBS Background Screening Credentialing Council (BSCC) oversees the application process and is the governingaccreditation body that will ensure the background screening organizations seeking accreditation meet or exceed ameasurable standard of competence. To become accredited, consumer reporting agencies must pass a rigorous onsiteaudit, conducted by an independent auditing firm, of its policies and procedures as they relate to six critical areas:consumer protection, legal compliance, client education, product standards, service standards, and general businesspractices.

Any U.S.-based employment screening organization is eligible to apply for accreditation. A copy of the standard, the policiesand procedures, and measurements is available at www.napbs.com.

About Inquirehire: Inquirehire is a leading national provider of human resources solutions that include background screening, drug testing,assessment testing, and human resources management systems. Inquirehire solutions are fully integrated and web-basedto help employers manage risk more effectively while reducing cost, saving time, and improving quality throughout theirhiring and overall human resources operations. Inquirehire is a founding member of NAPBS® and Concerned CRAs. Formore information about Inquirehire, visit www.inquirehire.com.

About NAPBS®: Founded in 2003 as a non-profit trade association, the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS)represents the interests of more than 700 member companies around the world that offer tenant, employment andbackground screening. NAPBS provides relevant programs and training aimed at empowering members to better serveclients and maintain standards of excellence in the background screening industry, and presents a unified voice in thedevelopment of national, state and local regulations. For more information, visit www.napbs.com.

25 Jan 2013

Are You a Woman Launching a Business or Book?

By Ginny Grimsley

Your Competitive Advantage May Surprise You!
By: Marsha Friedman

What's your best advice for women in business?

It's a question I hear frequently as more and more women strike out on their own, whether it's to start their own company, write a book, turn their great idea into a product, or otherwise monetize their talents. The number of women-owned businesses in this country is growing 1.5 times faster than the national average. From 1997 to 2011, they increased by 50 percent.

I love seeing this surge of confidence! Putting yourself out there is risky, but it's better to try and fail then to spend a lifetime wondering, "What if?"

Yes, I do have a favorite piece of advice for women in business but first, a word about self-employed women.

Did you know that our businesses added 500,000 jobs over 10 years while other privately held firms lost jobs?

That in 2007, we accounted for $1.2 trillion in sales receipts?

Unfortunately, we're also less likely than men to borrow money to expand, so our businesses are smaller. They're also more likely to fail and, despite that huge number of sales receipts, we ring up disproportionately less than our male counterparts.

That information, by the way, comes from an interesting report produced by the U.S. Department of Commerce -- "Women-Owned Businesses in the 21st Century."

It details the progress we've made and some of the hurdles we still must overcome. The latter include the legacy of a long history of discrimination; our tendency to be risk-adverse; and even some of the ventures that we choose. The report says we can help ourselves by creating more supportive networks, having access to more information, and finding mentors.

That last point gave me pause. When I launched my first business, there were comparatively few female CEOs, and certainly no internet to foster communication among them. I learned how to run a business mostly through good old trial and error. That's also how I figured out how to balance that work with my roles as mother, wife and daughter, and how to fit in time volunteering for the community organizations I valued.

But women don't have to go it alone anymore, and nor should we. Which is why I welcome questions like, "What's your best advice for women in business?" I'd like to see the new generations of self-employed females blow through the hurdles that still remain before us and create even more opportunities for the generations to come.

So what's my best advice? That's impossible to say, but here's one for starters.

Know your audience.

And guess what? It's you!

Women account for 73 percent to 85 percent of all consumer decisions (according to Boston Consulting Group, Competitive Edge Magazine, and TrendSight Group founder Marti Barletta),. From the grocery store to the automobile dealership to the tech industry, women drive purchasing.

You need to communicate with that audience in mind. No, you don't want to exclude men, but you also need to be sure your message appeals to women.

When I'm writing anything, whether it's an email or a media pitch, I make a point to read over what I've written from the perspective of my audience. If I'm writing for industry peers, technical language is probably fine. If my audience is the media, concise and direct is best. If it's clients, I want to be sure whatever I write also reflects my appreciation of them.

And then there's the feminine factor.

As a woman, I'm a sucker for honesty and sincerity. I'm turned off by condescension. Unless the writer is somebody I already know and respect, I have little tolerance for preaching, judgment, or demands.

Any message that takes those things into account will work for men, too.

Whether you're writing marketing copy, posting on social media, or working on an article or newsletter, if your goal is to turn your readers into buyers, you need to write with your audience in mind.

That's not so hard - if you're a woman.

About Marsha Friedman

Marsha Friedman is a 22-year veteran of the public relations industry. She is the CEO of EMSI Public Relations (www.emsincorporated.com), a national firm that provides PR strategy and publicity services to corporations, entertainers, authors and professional firms. Marsha is the author of Celebritize Yourself: The 3-Step Method to Increase Your Visibility and Explode Your Business and she can also be heard weekly on her Blog Talk Radio Show, EMSI's PR Insider every Thursday at 3:00 PM EST.

24 Jan 2013

To Get Ahead at Work, Ditch the Flip-Flops

By Ginny Grimsley

Businesses are Again Moving Toward More Polished Attire

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg aside, for many men, the days of wearing hoodies and flip-flops to work are over.

After a decade of increasingly casual office dress requirements (inspired by Zuckerberg's 1990s Silicon Valley predecessors), CEOs began demanding a more polished look beginning with the 2001 recession. By 2002, more formal dress codes had been reinstated by 19 percent of companies with more than $500 million in revenues, according to a Men's Apparel Alliance survey.

"The 2001 recession gave Americans a taste of the tougher job market," says Darnell Jones, a business professional and creator of TUKZ Undergarments for men, (www.TUKZ.com), which have clasps that ensure shirts stay tucked.

"Then along came the Great Recession in December 2007 and, with it, the layoffs and high unemployment we're still experiencing. Today, if you want to get hired and if you want to get promoted, you've got to look like you mean business."

Jones notes that it's not just corporate leaders who want a more professional-looking workforce. In a 2012 survey by Salary.com, nearly 25 percent of respondents said their workplace's dress code is too lenient. Less than 10 percent said theirs was too strict.

"Right or wrong, how much care you take - or don't take - with your appearance communicates a lot about you," Jones says. "If you take pride in how you look, you probably take pride in the work you do. If your outfits are thrown-together or dated, you may be reckless with details and not up on the latest in your profession."

If you're ready to give up your office hoodie, but aren't sure what to replace it with, Jones offers these tips:

• Get a navy blue or gray blazer or suit coat: Solid colors are best, although pinstripes are fine, too. Get the best material you can afford. If wearing a jacket all day doesn't fit with your workplace vibe, keep one in your office or cubicle to have handy just in case. Whether it's a surprise visit from a client or an unexpected meeting with the CEO, slipping on a jacket is an easy way to make a good impression.

• Watch your feet: Invest in a good pair of lace-up shoes -- brown, black or, better yet, both. (The color should complement your trousers and match your belt.) Avoid square-toed shoes -- they're dated. Be sure your shoes are polished, and replace the heels when they get run down, particularly if you're going on a job interview or attending an important meeting. Of course, you'll need socks, too. They should coordinate with the color of your trousers - and with each other!

• Avoid the peacock effect: Your shirt should be a solid color - no patterns and no hot pinks. Be sure it's pressed. An undershirt is a must; it helps prevent unsightly perspiration stains and unwanted views of underlying body parts. If you're not wearing a tie and leaving the top button or two undone, make sure the T-shirt collar is not visible at your throat. If you're wearing a coat, about a half-inch of shirt cuff should be visible at your wrist.

• Flatter your face with a V-neck: A good-quality gray, V-neck pullover sweater worn over a blue dress shirt is a great look for business casual. The bottom of the sweater should stop at your belt line.

"You'll be amazed at how much more seriously people take you when you look the part," Jones says.

"The best thing is, dressing well makes you stand taller and feel more confident. That's really a winning look."

About Darnell Jones

Darnell Jones is the founder and president of TUKZ Undergarments, LLC, specializing in a unique functionality that prevents shirts from becoming un-tucked. He earned his bachelor's in health with an emphasis in management at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colo. Jones' vision is for TUKZ Underwear to reside in every household to improve appearance and build confidence in men and women of all ages. He currently serves as an investor and a Region Manager for Olive Medical Corp.

23 Jan 2013

Loebsack Statement on the Debt Ceiling Vote

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the House voted to temporarily suspend the debt ceiling. The bill also sets in motion legislation that would withhold the pay of Members of Congress if they do not pass a budget. Loebsack was the second cosponsor of the No Budget, No Pay Act in 2011 and is an original cosponsor of similar legislation this Congress.

"While today's vote temporarily moves us away from the threat of defaulting on the debt our nation has already incurred, it does nothing to address our most pressing problem - growing the economy and setting our country on a sustainable path. Today's vote is just another example of Congress kicking the can down the road without actually dealing with the issue at hand. Even though I believe we should provide more long-term certainty for our economy and job creators, I cannot allow the ineptitude of Congress to affect adversely small business owners and the pocketbooks of Iowans. Defaulting on our loans would simply be kicking the economy when it is already down.

"Further, it is unacceptable that Members of Congress continue to be paid without carrying out one of their main duties - passing a budget each year. It is time for Members to do their part, and that is why I strongly support the No Budget, No Pay Act to hold Members accountable for getting their job done."

###

23 Jan 2013

Vista Career Fair Offers Global Opportunities for QC Job-Hunters

By Mark McLaughlin

IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - Looking to leverage your experience and skills with competitive benefits and excellent salary potential? Most people might need to hire an employment agency to find such an extraordinary position, or spent months or even years sending out countless resumes. But according to Teresa Johnston, Communications Director at Vista International Operations, many qualified Quad-City residents will discover exceptional positions at an upcoming Vista Career Fair.

"Vista has many positions which may need to be filled very quickly," Johnston said. "We are gearing up to begin work on multiple potential contracts, and may have to fill hundreds of jobs, locally and abroad. It's a very exciting time for both Vista and the Quad-Cities. For many individuals who are unemployed or dissatisfied with their current positions, the Career Fair will provide outstanding opportunities."

The Vista Career Fair will be held 1 to 7 p.m., Thursday, January 31, 2013, at Western Illinois University-Quad Cities, Riverfront 103-104, 3300 River Drive, Moline, IL. Employment opportunity presentations will be held at 2, 4, and 6 p.m. Vista International Operations is a global provider of enterprise-level information technology (IT) services, logistics management, and engineering support services to government and private industry. Vista is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bristol Bay Native Corporation (BBNC), which was formed in 1972 as part of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.

According to Johnston, available positions with Vista include Call Center Associate, Computer System Support Specialist, Database Administrator, LAN Administrator, System Administrator, Web Developer, Email Administrator, and Application Programmer. The Career Fair will also include positions with Vista Technical Services, another BBNC subsidiary.

High-Paying Positions Here and Abroad.

"Many of the positions will be based locally, while others are overseas positions," Johnston said. "Vista is a global company, with 348 employees worldwide. The average salary is about $64,000." She added that in the last three years, Vista has paid more than $16 million in payroll to Quad-Cities employees.

In addition to Vista's work in the United States, the corporation also performs information technology and logistics on behalf of the U.S. Government overseas. Locations include Kuwait and Afghanistan and have salaries ranging from $100,000 to $190,000, depending on the position. For stateside opportunities, salaries will range from $45,000 to $95,000, depending on the position and location. Benefits offered by Vista include :

Medical, dental and vision insurance for employee and dependents
Cafeteria plan for dependent care/flex accounts/HSA accounts
Short-/long-term disability, company paid
10 paid holidays per year
Annual leave: Two weeks first year, increases after five years
Sick leave: One week first year, increases after five years
$5k spouse, $2k child life insurance, company paid
Life/accidental death insurance, company paid
Emergency leave
Civic leave: Jury duty/voting
Educational assistance
401(k) company match
Additional profit-sharing plan, contribution to 401K

"At the Career Fair, people will get to meet and talk with the actual hiring Project Managers," said Johnston, "so each attendee will have the chance to meet their potential boss, face to face. We encourage career-minded individuals to come to the event, get to know Vista, and check out the opportunities we have available."

For more information on Vista International Operations and the Career Fair, call Teresa Johnston, Communications Director, at 563-823-6657, or visit www.viops.com.

22 Jan 2013

Retired Hy-Vee CEO receives top industry honor

By Ruth Comer

Today, retired Hy-Vee CEO Ric Jurgens received the supermarket industry's most prestigious honor -- the Food Marketing Institute's Sidney R. Rabb Award, recognizing an individual for excellence in serving the consumer, the community and the industry. The award was presented to Ric at FMI's Midwinter Executive's Conference in Scottsdale, AZ.

To read more about the award, and view the video shown during the presentation, visit the FMI website:

http://www.fmi.org/news-room/latest-news/view/2013/01/21/hy-vee-s-jurgens-receives-food-retail-industry-s-highest-honor

21 Jan 2013

Quad City International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) February 11, 2013 FREE Seminar & Business Meeting

By Kat Riley

The Quad City International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) will hold a FREE
Seminar on Monday, February 11, 2013 at MRA, 3800 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 100 in Moline, IL.
The speaker will be Monica Poe, MVA, GVA, Founder and Owner of MoPoe & Associates. Monica
will be presenting "Virtual Meetings, Virtual Teams: How the Move to Virtual Is Affecting Admins".

Following the presentation, a Chapter meeting will be held.

Networking/Gathering begins at 5:30 PM, Dinner at 6:00 PM (reservation is required - meal cost is $8.00) and the speaker will begin at 6:30 PM.

To register, please contact Stephanie Noyd by 11:00 AM on Friday, February 8, 2013 at (309) 764-8354 or email her at Stephanie.Noyd@mranet.org.

For More Information, go to our website at http://www.iaap-quadcity.org.

IAAP is the world's largest international association of administrative professionals. IAAP offers professional development, leadership training and networking opportunities for administrative professionals. IAAP is a non-profit, volunteer association.

Joining a professional organization demonstrates your commitment to your career. Work is most rewarding when we do it with enthusiasm and give it our best. Through IAAP you will gain knowledge, confidence and contacts that will help you advance professionally. IAAP works to build a professional image of administrative professionals in the workplace.

IAAP membership is open to all persons working in the administrative field, along with business educators, students, firms and educational institutions. There is no test of sponsorship required. Through IAAP qualified professionals can test for the certification rating, the benchmark of excellence in the administrative profession.

For more information please contact Kathy Riley at (309) 786-2705

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21 Jan 2013

With Investments, Diversifying Is Key

By Steve Burke

By Jason Alderman

Ever wonder why Mom and Pop stores sell wildly unrelated products side by side, like umbrellas and sunglasses, or Halloween candy and screwdrivers? Customers probably would never buy these items on the same shopping trip, right?

That's exactly the point. By diversifying their product offerings, vendors reduce the risk of losing sales on any given day, since people don't usually buy umbrellas on sunny days or sunglasses when it rains.

The same diversification principle also applies in the investment world, where it's referred to as asset allocation. By spreading your assets across different investment classes (stock mutual funds, bonds, money market securities, real estate, cash, etc.), if one category tanks temporarily you may be at least partially protected by others.

You must weigh several factors when determining how best to allocate your assets:

Risk tolerance. This refers to your appetite for risking the loss of some or all of your original investment in exchange for greater potential rewards. Although higher-risk investments (like stocks) are potentially more profitable over the long haul, they're also at greater risk for short-term losses. Ask yourself, would you lose sleep investing in funds that might lose money or fluctuate wildly in value for several years; or will you comfortably risk temporary losses in exchange for potentially greater returns?

Time horizon. This is the expected length of time you'll be investing for a particular financial goal. If you are decades away from retirement, you may be comfortable with riskier, more volatile investments. But if your retirement looms, or you'll soon need to tap college savings, you might not want to risk sudden downturns that could gut your balance in the short term.

Diversification within risk categories is also important. From a diversification standpoint it's not prudent to invest in only a few stocks. That's why mutual funds are so popular: They pool money from many investors and buy a broad spectrum of securities. Thus, if one company in the fund does poorly, the overall impact on your account is lessened.

Many people don't have the expertise - or time - to build a diversified investment portfolio with the proper asset mix. That's why most 401(k) plans and brokerages offer portfolios with varying risk profiles, from extremely conservative (e.g., mostly treasury bills or money market funds) to very aggressive (stock in smaller businesses or in developing countries).

Typically, each portfolio is comprised of various investments that combined reach the appropriate risk level. For example, one moderately conservative portfolio offered by Schwab consists of 50 percent interest-bearing bond funds, 40 percent stocks and 10 percent cash equivalents. Usually, the more aggressive the portfolio, the higher percentage of stocks it contains (i.e., higher risk/higher reward).

Another possibility is the so-called "targeted maturity" or lifecycle funds offered by many 401(k) plans and brokerages. With these, you choose the fund closest to your planned retirement date and the fund manager picks an appropriate investment mixture. As retirement approaches the fund is continually "rebalanced" to become more conservative.

Although convenient, this one-size-fits-all approach may not suit your individual needs; for example, you may want to invest more - or less - aggressively, or may not like some of the funds included.

These may seem like complicated concepts, but the Security and Exchange Commission's publication, "Beginner's Guide to Asset Allocation, Diversification and Rebalancing," does a good job explaining them (www.sec.gov).

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