Changing times require a newspaper to change along with them
It’s been a wild and crazy ride for this thing we call newspapering. A hundred years ago the industry got on a rumbling steam locomotive, loaded with hot lead and linotypes, and headed off on a magnificent journey. We didn’t know where we were going, but we sure knew when we arrived at the…
Read MoreTechnology, insurance will catalyze change in world of work
For the past four years I’ve been telling everyone who would stand still — and some who wouldn’t — that a change was coming in the American workplace. I think what you will see is a gradual shift away from our traditional office, employer-employee setting to a more free-wheeling, freelancing, entrepreneurism in which…
Read MoreState chamber floats its own health insurance marketplace
Small businesses can help employees get appropriate, affordable health insurance, thanks to a new online marketplace offered through the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. The new Illinois Chamber Benefits Exchange is a partnership of the Chamber and Flexible Benefit Service Corp. (Flex), provider of InsureXSolutions. The exchange is similar to the online marketplaces established under…
Read MoreRegional Chamber is revving the engine of entrepreneurism in St. Louis
After years of talk and trying, entrepreneurism is taking off in St. Louis. Jay DeLong is the St. Louis Regional Chamber’s vice president for new ventures and capital. Recruited by the Chamber, he came to St. Louis seven years ago from Southern California to work with startup companies and to attract venture capital. …
Read MoreSIUE promoting entrepreneurism through business plan competition
University Park at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the Metro East Small Business Development Center teamed up in January to host a business plan competition. First round applications and executive summaries were due Feb. 21. After review, a group of semifinalists were selected from the initial entries and asked to submit consolidated business plans…
Read MoreColumbia’s Zettie’s Confections brings grandma’s recipes out of kitchen
The city of Columbia is just beginning to focus on developing entrepreneurship within its borders, according to Paul Ellis, Columbia’s director of community and economic development. “When I started in economic development many years ago it was all about chasing smoke stacks,” Ellis said. “Now it’s a lot more about economic gardening and recognizing…
Read MoreHighland promoting entrepreneurism and building elite fiber optic system
For a relatively small rural community (pop. 9,919), the city of Highland has a progressive entrepreneurial spirit. The city started an entrepreneurship program, holds an annual business plan competition and is in the process of installing a high-speed, fiber optic system throughout the town. In addition, four banks have banned together and are…
Read MoreFostering the ‘entrepreneurial spirit’ at McKendree University
For more than 186 years, McKendree University has provided students with a high quality, personalized education. Focused on student success, McKendree offers specialized programs and activities designed to support the development of entrepreneurs. From undergraduate and graduate business degree programs, to classes on free market and capitalism, to guest lectures on entrepreneurship, McKendree’s programs…
Read MoreEntrepreneurism in Southwestern Illinois
Former editor investigates new research role By KATE GENO Kerry Smith has focused her talents and energy on serving the Southwestern Illinois business community for the past 13 years. From launching the Illinois Business Journal in 2000 to her new venture, Informationworks, Inc., Smith seeks to provide services that will help companies thrive. Smith’s…
Read MoreQ&A with Georgia Costello, president of Southwestern Illinois College
IBJ: You came in as president in July 2008. What did you see as job one? Costello: Strategically, I did an analysis of the budget, personnel, how the college was performing and what was best for our students and the community to determine how we could fine-tune our performance. Tactically, my first priority…
Read More