Podcasts about chicagoland chamber

Live from The Second City in collaboration with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Kelly interviews Alison Fragale, the Mary Farley Ames Lee Distinguished Scholar of Organizational Behavior at the Kenen-Flagler Business School at the University of North Caroline Chapel Hill. She has an incredible new book, it's called “Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They […]

In this episode, we revisit our interview with Kristie Paskvan. Kristie is an experienced board member and CFO/COO/President with over 25 years of experience assisting diversified financial services, asset management, real estate, insurance, and professional services companies to grow their businesses worldwide. Kristie is a board director at First Women's Bank (FWB) - a de novo bank launched in 2021; SmithBucklin - a Chicago-based association management company; and the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), which provides objective state insurance rate and loss cost recommendations. She is a member of the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago board of directors, where she chairs the Stronger Neighborhoods committee and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce board. Additionally, she is a member of the University of Illinois Dean's Business Council for the Gies College of Business. Kristie is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), attaining Certified Board Director status. Kristie was a member of the Mesirow Financial board of directors for 6 years, participating in or leading numerous committees including strategy, audit, information technology, HR & compensation, and enterprise risk management. She is a part-time Associate Director in the Magelli Office of Experiential Learning at the University of Illinois Gies College of Business. Previously she was the CFO and COO at Mesirow Financial, a global financial services company. Kristie received her bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois. She has an executive MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management. She is a member of the Illinois CPA Society for which she is a contributor to its quarterly Insight magazine.

Tune in to hear from Lake Forest resident, Jim Carris, as he shares his goals and perspectives as the Republican candidate for Illinois' 10th Congressional District.

Get ready for an exclusive sneak peek into The Exchange, the ultimate business networking event of the year! Jack Lavin, the President and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, joins the Steve Cochran Show to unveil all the exciting details about this upcoming event at Soldier Field on April 16th. Whether you're representing a small startup or a corporate giant, this is your chance to connect with industry leaders, create valuable partnerships, and elevate your business game.  If you're interested in attending, you can purchase your tickets at: https://www.chicagolandchamber.org/the-exchange/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to another episode of The DNA Of Purpose Podcast. Today, we're delving into the critical need for increased funding for underrepresented startup founders. Despite possessing a wealth of innovative ideas reflective of their diverse experiences, these founders face significant challenges. They not only struggle to access networks and resources but also contend with biases that underestimate their expertise and potential for success.  This disparity in funding, where Black, Latino, and women entrepreneurs receive only a fraction of venture capital compared to their White male counterparts, not only perpetuates social inequalities but also hampers innovation and economic growth.  I'm thrilled to introduce Joey Mak, the CEO Of Chicago Blend. Chicago:Blend is a nonprofit organisation working to advance diversity, equity and inclusion  in Chicago's venture capital and startup community. They measure the VC diversity gap, help underrepresented professionals secure VC jobs and are building a growing community of investors who share our commitment to improving the industry. Before joining Blend in 2021, Joey was the vice president of programs at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, where he created their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative and oversaw the Chamber's COVID-19 economic recovery task force. He served as director of innovation & economic development for the University of Illinois System and as a deputy director at the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity.  Today Joey and I embark on a journey through the critical landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion in venture capital. We'll explore the personal narratives driving this mission, dissect the challenges hindering inclusive cultures, and highlight the imperative role diversity plays in investment decisions. Along the way, we'll uncover success stories of underrepresented founders, delve into strategies for fostering diverse corporate cultures, and address biases in both hiring practices and technology.  Takeaways Increasing diversity in the venture capital space is crucial for providing more opportunities to underrepresented founders and entrepreneurs. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just checkboxes but essential business practices that lead to a more resilient and innovative organisation. Creating a diverse and inclusive corporate culture requires intentional effort and a focus on business strategy and goals. Unconscious bias can perpetuate a lack of diversity and equity in investments, but strategies like expanding networks and setting up inclusive processes can help overcome this challenge. Fostering diversity in technology involves ensuring diverse voices are included in the design process to avoid biases and create inclusive products and services. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Pondering Questions 03:08 Personal Journey and Purpose 06:19 Importance of Diversity in Business 07:44 Defining Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 09:35 Challenges in Creating Diverse and Inclusive Cultures 11:43 Addressing Challenges in the Startup Ecosystem 13:31 Lack of Diversity in Venture Capital 16:35 Success Stories of Diverse Founders 20:01 Creating Diverse and Inclusive Corporate Cultures 22:20 Overcoming Unconscious Bias 28:55 Technology and Addressing Biases 36:10 Fostering Diversity in Technology 39:24 Exciting Trends in the Industry 43:03 Importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Learn More About Joey: https://www.chicagoblend.org/ Book Your IGNITE Discovery Call: https://www.rebeccamaklad.com/advisorSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost all Illinois employees will be eligible for a minimum of 40 hours of paid leave per year thanks to the Paid Leave Act. Brad Tietz, Vice President of Government Relations and Strategy at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, joins the Steve Cochran Show to discuss how small businesses are adapting to the new act, who is eligible for paid leave, and what this act means for the future workforce in Chicago.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A coalition of business groups and small-business owners is urging the City Council to reject the Chicago paid leave proposal that would devastate businesses and nonprofits of every size and kind across the city. Businesses understand that access to paid time off is crucial for workers and their families, which is why we reached an agreement earlier this year on the current statewide law of five days and made repeated efforts to negotiate in good faith to reach a compromise on a paid leave policy that is fair and balanced for both workers and businesses. However, the proposal currently before the City Council — which would provide 15 days of paid leave — ignores the concerns of the business community. It will instead put in place the most expensive and complicated form of paid leave in the country. The proposal is opposed by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce, Hospitality Business Association of Chicago, Illinois Health and Hospitals Association, Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association, Illinois Manufacturers' Association, Illinois Restaurant Association, Illinois Retail Merchants Association, Little Village Chamber of Commerce, Pilsen Chamber of Commerce, and the Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago.Most expensive paid leave in the countryJack Lavin, president of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, said the guaranteed payout was one stumbling block — but not the only one — standing in the way of what he called “the most expensive, most expansive, most complicated paid leave in the country.”The coalition proposed a compromise that offered the broadest paid leave policy of all major U.S. cities, doubling the amount of time off Illinois workers receive from five days to 10 days while limiting cost increases for businesses, providing businesses the ability to ensure continuity of operations, and limiting exposure against excessive liabilities for businesses. Organized labor groups rejected the compromise and instead insisted on implementing a policy that nearly triples the new, yet-to-be-implemented, state paid-time-off requirements and inflicts a tremendous financial burden on businesses across Chicago.The proposal before the City Council also requires businesses to pay employees for days not taken, which is not required by the state of Illinois or other large cities like New York or Los Angeles. In addition, it does not include a small business exemption and, combined with the rushed implementation timeline, leaves businesses, especially small businesses without large human resources departments, vulnerable to the threat of significant penalties and lawsuits for minor infractions.“No other city is at 10 days. They want to start it two months from now, and if you don't comply, you can be sued. There's no small-business exemption. And you're setting them up to be sued,” Lavin said. “New York has five days. No payout. This is 10 days, double New York. L.A. has six days. No payout. No other major city has a payout. This is 40% higher than L.A,” he told the Sun-Times.“That is why we successfully reached an agreement”For Chauncey Rice, associate vice president of government relations for the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, businesses know their strongest asset is their people and support by providing employees with paid leave.“ That is why we successfully reached an agreement on the state law of five days, which is considered a model of effectiveness and simplicity for the employee and employer. However, the proposal before the City Council will have an outsized impact on the businesses that anchor our neighborhoods,” Rice said “It's because of policies like this that retailers of every type and size, including pharmacies, grocers, restaurants, and hardware stores, are increasingly unable to keep their doors open.”According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the current cost of paid leave to Chicago employers is estimated at $31.7 billion, with minority-owned businesses bearing a significant share at $4.02 billion. Each additional mandated day of paid leave will cost Chicago employers an estimated $1.4 billion, with an additional $177 million burden for minority businesses. These figures do not include the additional cost to businesses to find last-minute replacements due to Chicago's Fair Work Week regulations.“My family is proud to have grown a food stand in Maxwell Street Market to a wholesale produce distribution company. But all the dedication, determination, persistence, and resourcefulness that helped us succeed is no match for bad policies that threaten the dreams of entrepreneurs in neighborhoods across Chicago,” said Yadira Enriquez, chief financial officer of Enriquez Produce. “I encourage the City Council to reject this proposal on behalf of those who know how important it is to create and grow jobs in our communities.”More challengesThe proposal comes amid an onslaught of anti-business proposals recently passed or expected to be passed by the City Council, including restrictive scheduling and Fair Work Week regulations, the elimination of tip credits, and efforts to quadruple the real estate transfer tax. This is on top of continued supply chain and labor challenges, persistent crime, and skyrocketing property taxes that leave businesses across every neighborhood struggling to make ends meet.“Margins in restaurants are notoriously small; it's already exceedingly difficult to make ends meet because of soaring goods prices, rising property taxes, and the chaos caused to the dining industry by the pandemic,” said Sam Sanchez, CEO of Third Coast Hospitality. “This proposal, on top of the recent elimination of the tip credit, has me wondering how much more we can take.”“While the business community does not support the current paid leave proposal, we do support and understand the need for balanced paid leave policies. What labor groups insist on presenting to the City Council goes too far too quickly and completely disregards the concerns of Chicago businesses, particularly small and minority businesses. Rather than striking a balance that works for workers and businesses, this proposal will hinder economic development and employment opportunities in the communities that need it most,” said Brad Tietz, vice president of government relations and strategy for the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.

Welcome back to the more we know. The More we know, the more we grow! Today your mentor is Robert Blackwell Jr.  the founder of Killerspin, the world's leading table tennis engagement brand, and the founder of EKI-Digital, a digital investment consulting firm.  Blackwell is also a former employer of then-state Senator Barack Obama, as well as a political supporter and personal friend of Obama. Killerspin creates table tennis experiences that connect family/friends/customers and employees and is the world's leading producer of designer table tennis equipment and media. EKI-Digital helps organizations turn IT into money. EKI has helped organizations design, implement and manage business applications that have generated $Billions in revenue and savings.Robert has also served on many civic boards. He currently serves  the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Civic Federation of Chicago, Business Leadership Council. He is also an  executive committee to Choose Chicago. In addition to EKI-Digital and Killerspin, Blackwell founded a number of other companies. Those include Urban Fishing Development, Bytewise International and Blackwell Consulting Services. In May 2016, Blackwell presented Pope Francis with a customized ping-pong table for the Vatican. As Crain's Chicago Business put it, "Here's one way to get more people playing pingpong religiously: Get the pope on your side." Blackwell planned a table tennis showcase hosted by his company Killerspin called the "World Unplug and Play Day" in Vatican City in August 2016. The governing body of Italian table tennis came up with the idea to encourage ping-pong playing as a way to get people away from "technology-induced isolation.Learn more here: https://www.killerspin.com/https://www.eki-digital.com/Listen To The More We Know ⇨ https://www.buzzsprout.com/1134704Subscribe ⇨https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxvfd5ddf72Btbck8SdeyBwFollow my Instagram ⇨ https://www.instagram.com/sameer.sawaqed/?hl=enFollow my Twitter ⇨ https://twitter.com/commitwithmeerSent from my iPhoneListen To The More We Know ⇨ https://www.buzzsprout.com/1134704​Subscribe ⇨https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxvfd5ddf72Btbck8SdeyBwFollow my Instagram ⇨ https://www.instagram.com/sameer.sawaqed/?hl=enFollow my Twitter ⇨ https://twitter.com/commitwithmeer

After one month of the Brandon Johnson administration, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce President Jack Lavin likes what he sees. But he's still not yet willing to back any of the $800 million in business taxes Johnson needs to fund the social programs that are key to his anti-violence strategy.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jack Lavin, President & CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, joins Lisa Dent to talk about the organization’s meeting held last night where Mayor Brandon Johnson and Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison were in attendance. Lavin also talks about how the business community can work together by investing in the city’s youth to […]

Tune in for Episode#6 of Season 3, when Pon Angara, VisionReady's Creative Director and Disrupt Your Day Host, chats with Yvette Steele, VP Technology Talent, Strategic Partnerships & National Expansion at SnapIT Solutions.Yvette is a passionate executive who helps businesses realize the promise of a diverse workforce through the implementation of data driven initiatives that eradicate barriers many face in launching and thriving in tech careers, maximizing their potential, and integrating inclusion into day-to-day interactions. "If you're a solopreneur and you own a company with one to ten employees, your approach will be starkly different than one who has dozens or hundreds of employees," points out Yvette. "What many soloprenuers fail to realize, though, is that they are not too small top leverage diversity even if they are a company of one." Yvette has been recognized as a diversity thought leader on the Channel Futures DE&I 101 List for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion through words, actions, and leadership and has served on the DEI Advisory Committee for YMCA-USA, the Tech Advisory Board Steering Committee for the National Urban League, and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force for Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. Toward the end of our podcast, Yvette helps us further by broadening the meaning and impact of diversity for business success. "When you think about the way we can make an impact as leaders, socializing with other leaders who are doing the same things we're doing and have different skill sets from ours and are more successful at it, benefits us," says Yvette. "These are people who we should emulate and identify as role models so we not only go through the challenges but also grow through the challenges." Watch the full interview with DEI Insider Founder Yvette Steele on our podcast channels today. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When you find your voice, you don't find something new inside of you; instead, you find a little more of yourself. That's what our guest for today helps her clients “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” CEO and Founder of Improve It! Erin Diehl shares how she helped countless individuals find their voice through the art of improvisation.   Erin Diehl is a graduate of Clemson University and former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater and The Annoyance Theatre. Erin conducts workshops across the country leveraging improvisational techniques to improve employees' skills in corporate settings.   Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Lowe's, Accenture, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. Erin was a speaker for Disrupt HR Chicago, hosted the 2016 RedEye Big Idea Awards, and has been a speaker for HRMAC Chicago, SHRM Chicago, Disrupt HR, the Business Marketing Association, and Emerging Leaders of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. She is also a proud member of The Chicago Innovation Awards Women's Cohort and a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program.    Among her many accolades, Erin is most proud of successfully coercing over 12,000 professionals to chicken dance.   Connect with her at: Website: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erindiehl/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/keepinitrealdiehl   Listen to her podcast: The improve it! Podcast at: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast Access her Hybrid Hype worksheet: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/hybrid-hype   Show notes: [0:00] Intro [0:10] Her experiences with the people who take her course [3:43] On having her own podcast: The improve it! Podcast [6:14] Her rewards for having her podcast [7:40] What does money mean to Erin? [9:17] Where to find more of Erin? [11:00] Outro Connect with Bill Bloom  Web: https://www.bloomfinancialco.com/ https://bloomfinancialco.kartra.com/page/bNJ87 Email: bill@bloomfinancial.us  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bloomfinancial/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/retireasyoudesirepodcast   Securities and investment advisory services are offered through Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. (WFS), member FINRA/SIPC. WFS. is separately owned, and other entities and/or marketing names, products, or services referenced here are independent of WFS.   Views expressed in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to provide or be a substitute for specific professional financial, tax or legal advice or recommendations for any individuals. Information is based on sources believed to be reliable; however, their accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed.

When you find your voice, you don't find something new inside of you; instead, you find a little more of yourself. That's what our guest for today helps her clients “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” CEO and Founder of Improve It! Erin Diehl shares how she helped countless individuals find their voice through the art of improvisation.   Erin Diehl is a graduate of Clemson University and former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater and The Annoyance Theatre. Erin conducts workshops across the country leveraging improvisational techniques to improve employees' skills in corporate settings.   Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Lowe's, Accenture, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. Erin was a speaker for Disrupt HR Chicago, hosted the 2016 RedEye Big Idea Awards, and has been a speaker for HRMAC Chicago, SHRM Chicago, Disrupt HR, the Business Marketing Association, and Emerging Leaders of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. She is also a proud member of The Chicago Innovation Awards Women's Cohort and a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program.    Among her many accolades, Erin is most proud of successfully coercing over 12,000 professionals to chicken dance.   Connect with her at: Website: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erindiehl/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/keepinitrealdiehl   Listen to her podcast: The improve it! Podcast at: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast Access her Hybrid Hype worksheet: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/hybrid-hype   Show notes: [0:41] How Erin started in the world of comedy [3:51] Transitioning to making scripts from scratch [5:23] Being able to find her voice through improvisation [8:15] On people not finding their BIG [10:00] Outro   Connect with Bill Bloom  Web: https://www.bloomfinancialco.com/ https://bloomfinancialco.kartra.com/page/bNJ87 Email: bill@bloomfinancial.us  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bloomfinancial/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/retireasyoudesirepodcast   Securities and investment advisory services are offered through Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. (WFS), member FINRA/SIPC. WFS. is separately owned, and other entities and/or marketing names, products, or services referenced here are independent of WFS.   Views expressed in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to provide or be a substitute for specific professional financial, tax or legal advice or recommendations for any individuals. Information is based on sources believed to be reliable; however, their accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed.

Host Karl catches up with Yvette Steele. Yvette Steele is a global diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) leader building inclusive and equitable workplaces one employee at a time. Her belief that “inclusion is everybody's job that anybody can do” was the catalyst of the book “Impactful Inclusion Toolkit: 52 Activities to Help You Learn and Practice Inclusion Everyday in the Workplace.”  Since entering the workforce in the late 1980's, she was frequently the only African American woman on the team or one of a few where bias, sexism, racism and prejudice were served daily making it impossible to consistently perform at peak levels. Decades later, these issues persist with the same intensity where many continue to be disempowered in their efforts to maximize potential.  In this time of increased awareness of unfair systems and practices plaguing people of color, individuals with disabilities, the LGBTQ+ community and others, her book provides the roadmap to acquire the skills needed to create cultures of equity, inclusion and belonging. Yvette has been recognized as a diversity thought leader on the inaugural Channel Futures DE&I 101 List for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion through words, actions, and leadership and has served on the DEI Advisory Committee for YMCA-USA, Tech Advisory Board Steering Committee for the National Urban League, and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force for Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.  You'll find her calling out the issues and providing solutions on diversity and workforce focused podcasts, blogs, news articles and panel discussions to include the Wall Street Journal, the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and the ChannelPro Network.  Resources and Links:  https://www.amazon.com/Impactful-Inclusion-Toolkit-Activities-Workplace/dp/1119930200/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvetteportersteele/ Sponsor Memo: SBT Tech Community his podcast is sponsored by the Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community.  Check us out at SmallBizThoughts.org Forms, templates, and checklists are just the start. Our Community includes ALL of the best-selling books on managed services in all available formats, plus free training, members-only programs, and the best business training available to managed service providers anywhere. Plus, we have weekly live members-only Zoom calls. The average member saves more than 200% of their membership cost each year.  We are totally dedicated to YOUR success. Just because you're in business for yourself doesn't mean you have to go it alone. Join us today at SmallBizThoughts.org

In this episode, we're talking with the Director of Learning and Development for On-Cue, Matt Elwell. We invited Matt on to teach us about training, but we ended up learning so much more. This episode is full of actionable advice to help your attendees retain the messaging of your event. So hit the download button, screw your headphones on tight, and get ready to take notes.Matt Elwell, CPTD has been using the principles of improvisation to improve professional performance for 15 years. He has created learning experiences used by 100s of organizations including AT&T, McDonald's, Astellas Pharma U.S., SRR, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S. Navy. Matt is a Certified Professional in Talent Development, and has shared his insights on interactive learning and improvisation at both professional and academic conferences. He has been active in the Applied Improvisation and Learning & Development communities, including as President of the Association for Talent Development, Chicagoland Chapter.CREDITSHosted and Written by Jeremy DobrishProduced by Bethany PotterTheme Music by Mike ManciniLogo design by Shraddha MaharjanSpecial thanks to Dossie McCraw WHERE TO FIND USProscenium WebsiteLinkedInInstagramTwitterFacebook

  In this episode, we interview Kristie Paskvan. Kristie is an experienced board member and CFO/COO/President with over 25 years of experience assisting diversified financial services, asset management, real estate, insurance, and professional services companies to grow their businesses worldwide. Kristie is a board director at First Women's Bank (FWB) - a de novo bank launched in 2021, SmithBucklin - a Chicago-based association management company, and the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) which provides objective state insurance rate and loss cost recommendations. She is a member of the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago board of directors where she chairs the Stronger Neighborhoods committee and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce board. Additionally, she is a member of the University of Illinois Dean's Business Council for the Gies College of Business. Kristie is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), attaining Certified Board Director status. Kristie was a member of the Mesirow Financial board of directors for 6 years, participating in or leading numerous committees including strategy, audit, information technology, HR & compensation, and enterprise risk management. She is a part-time Associate Director in the Magelli Office of Experiential Learning at the University of Illinois Gies College of Business. Previously she was the CFO and COO at Mesirow Financial, a global financial services company. Kristie received her bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois. She has an executive MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management. She is a member of the Illinois CPA Society for which she is a contributor to its quarterly Insight magazine.

How to Make Employee Wellbeing a Competitive Advantage for Your FirmWe live and work in stressful times. On today's Inside BS Show, Dave Lorenzo interviews Jonathan Eisler, the VP of Business Development for an Organizational Effectiveness company called Perspectives. Jonathan and Dave discuss the importance of providing a safe space for employees to share their mental health challenges and how do so can make your firm an employer of preference.  Chapters:00:00How to Make Employee Wellbeing a Competitive Advantage for Your Firm01:39  What does Jonathan love About his Job?05:00  The Importance of Organizational Consulting During the Pandemic09:56  What are the advantages of using an Employee Assistance Program?12:28  How to educate and empower people to provide consulting services before a tragedy occurs.16:56  What method does Jonathan use to help CEOs understand their employees' needs?20:32  What did Jonathan do to help his clients deal with the pandemic?27:07  When is the best time for a business to engage Jonathan?31:20  Recognizing the importance of employee assistance programs andcreating a more positive workplace culture.33:24  What Makes Jonathan Happy?Jonathan EislerVice PresidentBusiness Development (312) 636-6609JEisler@Perspectivesltd.comhttps://www.perspectivesltd.com/About Jonathan Eisler:Jonathan helps organizations articulate their goals then build, grow, and retain winning teams that achieve results that matter. At Perspectives, he oversees efforts focused on helping more and more companies support their employee's mental, emotional, and overall wellbeing. Jonathan works with their bench of consultants as they develop leaders' skills so they can cultivate engaged, well-rounded employees looking to grow along with the company.Jonathan has been a business leader since 2003 and began working as a consultant in 2006, with experience in clinical psychology, interpersonal coaching, human resources, organizational development, survey design and analysis, leadership training, program design, and team development.He's a certified professional behavioral analyst (CPBA) with a master's degree in industrial and organizational psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology; master's degree of business administration (MBA) from the Morris Graduate School of Management; and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Flagler College.His love for giving back has motivated him to get involved with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, the Association of Consultants to Nonprofits and the Chicago chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management. As part of his passion for helping today's youth succeed in school and beyond, he actively volunteers his time to iMentor Chicago and LINK Unlimited.The energy he brings to supporting the teams and organizations he works with is based on the same philosophy he follows outside of the office: Live life to the fullest without entertaining ideas like “someday,” “later” or “should.”I live in Chicago with my amazing wife and our two Jack Russell Terriers, travel frequently, thrive on new experiences, play a 3-string cigar box guitar and love extreme sports.

When you find your voice, you don't find some new thing inside of you; instead, you find a little more of yourself. That's what our guest for today helps her clients “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” CEO and Founder of Improve It! Erin Diehl shares how she helped countless individuals find their voice through the art of improvisation.   Erin Diehl is a graduate of Clemson University and former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater and The Annoyance Theatre. Erin conducts workshops across the country leveraging improvisational techniques to improve employees' skills in corporate settings.   Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Lowe's, Accenture, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. Erin was a speaker for Disrupt HR Chicago, hosted the 2016 RedEye Big Idea Awards, and has been a speaker for HRMAC Chicago, SHRM Chicago, Disrupt HR, the Business Marketing Association, and Emerging Leaders of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. She is also a proud member of The Chicago Innovation Awards Women's Cohort and a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program.    Among her many accolades, Erin is most proud of successfully coercing over 12,000 professionals to chicken dance.   Connect with her at: Website: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erindiehl/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/keepinitrealdiehl/   Listen to her podcast: The improve it! Podcast at: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast   Access her Hybrid Hype worksheet: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/hybrid-hype   Show notes: [1:53] How Erin started in the world of comedy [5:03] Transitioning to making scripts from scratch [6:35] Being able to find her voice through improvisation [9:27] On people not finding their BIG [11:14] Her experiences with the people who take her course [14:59] On having her own podcast: The improve it! Podcast [17:29] Her rewards for having her podcast [18:55] What does money mean to Erin? [20:32] Where to find more of Erin?   Connect with Bill Bloom  Web: https://www.bloomfinancialco.com/ https://bloomfinancialco.kartra.com/page/bNJ87 Email: bill@bloomfinancial.us  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bloomfinancial/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/retireasyoudesirepodcast     Securities and investment advisory services offered through Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. (WFS) member FINRA/SIPC. WFS. is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of WFS.     Views expressed in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to provide or be a substitute for specific professional financial, tax or legal advice or recommendations for any individuals. Information is based on sources believed to be reliable; however, their accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed.

“There's a sense of no plan. That's what's most concerning to the business community,” Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jack Lavin told the Sun-Times. “Our businesses---and it's not just retail as you hear on the Mag Mile. It's restaurants, offices returning to work, banks. They want to know how are we gonna solve the violence and the public safety problem this week. This weekend. Tomorrow.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kristina Wynne, founder and owner of the Wynner's Club, LLC, a business development consulting company that offers business coaching access to business funding and business education. Her devotion to the small business started almost 20 years ago when she began working for her family's company, 200 Pharmacy Inc as a licensed pharmacy tech. Her love for her family's business and science led her to achieve a Bachelor's of Biophysics from Chicago State University and a Masters of Public Health from St. Benedictine University. Ultimately, Kristina worked for her family's business for eight years. She stepped down as a Director of Business Development in 2017 to take on an opportunity with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, where her true passion was revealed, helping small businesses grow. Ultimately, she worked with the Goldman Sachs Program for three years. And in December of 2020, Christina was brought on as a business advisor with the Illinois SBDC located inside the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and sits on the board of two non-profits. Her greatest achievement is raising her amazing 11-year-old daughter. This‌ ‌episode‌ ‌talks‌ ‌about:‌ How her experience working in her family's healthcare business helped develop her business coaching skills. Difference between Business Coach/Advisor and their important roles in contributing to your business. The difference between a Business Plan and Pitch Deck and the use of each Good business plan vs. bad business plan What makes a business plan fundable? Why is it important to have an articulate pitch deck and business plan? Pitch decks used as a way to promote your business How can one participate in a business pitch competition, the guidelines and criteria judges look for? Venture capital vs angel capital. What are the available programs to support microloans for startups? Common factors for small businesses that fail The importance of working with a coach in your business To connect with Kristina Wynne, please visit: ➡️Company Website:

Jack Lavin, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, joins Anna to talk about how crime is impacting the Chicago economy.

‘Focus on what you can right now,” on the Daily Grind, your weekly goal-driven podcast. This episode features Kelly Johnson and special guest Robert Blackwell Jr. Robert Blackwell, Jr. is the founder of EKI Digital, as well as a successful entrepreneur, former trader, and Executive Director at Alpha Mission. He also founded Killerspin, the world's leading table tennis engagement brand. The Killerspin experience reaches hundreds of thousands of people annually in over 160 countries around the world. Robert has served on many civic boards over the course of his career, and he currently serves the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Civic Federation of Chicago, Business Leadership Council as well as being on the executive committee to Choose Chicago. S3 Episode 16: 09/14/2021 Featuring Kelly Johnson with Special Guest Robert Blackwell Jr. Audio Credit Intro: Draw The Line Mastered by Connor Christian Follow Our Podcast: Instagram: @dailygrindpod Twitter: @dailygrindpod Podcast Website: http://www.kjfwi.org/the-daily-grind Shop Our Merch: https://kelly-johnson-foundation.square.site Follow Our Special Guests: Killerspin Instagram: @killerspin Killerspin Website: www.killerspin.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dailygrindpod/support

The Illinois Film Production Tax Credit Incentive Program aims to keep the film industry in the state following the pandemic. The film industry uses hotels, restaurants, and a number of other local businesses when they film on location. It is a big money maker for all of Illinois. Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer Jack Levin joins John Howell to explain the tax credit and how it will help the state.

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Jack Lavin, President & CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, joins Steve Bertrand on Chicago’s Afternoon News to discuss what businesses are doing to get people back to work as Illinois prepares to enter the Bridge Phase of its reopening plan Friday. Follow Your Favorite Chicago’s Afternoon News Personalities on Twitter:Follow @SteveBertrand Follow @kpowell720 […]

In this episode of Restarting America, Josh Gibbs from 97 Switch interviews Carolyn Fraser, the founder and CEO of The PR Shoppe. Throughout the interview, they discuss the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on business and society. Fraser shares how the current health pandemic has affected her company and how she is adapting to new circumstances. Over her 15+ years as a strategic communications practitioner, Fraser has led winning integrated marketing campaigns for some of the top brands in the world, including Revlon, Visa, BET Networks & Black Girls Rock!, Laila Ali & ABC's Dancing with the Stars, Maytag/Whirlpool, Ernst & Young and CURLS. In 2016, Fraser married her passion for marketing and mentorship and founded an online empowerment platform to help entrepreneurs and small business owners strengthen their ‘mental grit' and better hold themselves accountable to success. In 2020, she was honored for her own successes, as she received the Young Entrepreneur of The Year Award from the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Chicago chapter. Fraser has a B.A. in Business Administration with a minor in Communications Studies from The University of Missouri – Kansas City. She has completed several professional development courses, including a hard-earned Crisis Communications certificate from Northwestern University's School of Communications, and course completion for the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth's Building a High-Performing Minority Business, and Goldman Sachs 10K Small Businesses programs. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.

Meet Jack Lavin. Jack has a storied business career including his current role as CEO/President of the Chicago Chamber of Commerce. He's the father of three children including Emily, 24, who has Down Syndrome. We'll hear Jack's inspiring story and the commitment he and his wife Kathy have made to serving those with disability, on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.Show Links:Contact Jack Lavin at: JLavin@chicagolandchamber.org Find out about the Gateway to Learning at: https://www.gtlchicago.com/programsThe email is: info@gatewaytolearning.orgAnd find out more about the Special Fathers Network at 21stcenturydads.org

Jack Lavin, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, joins Anna to talk about how the looting that happened over the weekend, combined with the coronavirus pandemic, will impact the Chicago economy.

Jack Lavin, President and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, joins The Roe Conn Show to discuss why people may not go back to using public transportation over coronavirus fears as the city slowly reopens. Follow your favorite Roe Conn Show characters on Twitter: Follow @RoeConn Follow @kpowell720Follow @LaurenLapkaFollow @kgfrankenthal And be sure to […]

Segment 1: Michael Miller, Associate Professor of Economics at DePaul University, joins John to talk about the week in the economy including retail sales numbers, Thursday’s unemployment claims and the current real estate market. Segment 2: Jack Lavin, President and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, tells John about The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce’s […]

Robert Blackwell, Jr is the founder of Quant16 as well as a successful entrepreneur and former trader. He also founded Killerspin, the world’s leading table tennis engagement brand. The Killerspin experience reaches hundreds of thousands of people annually in over 160 countries around the world. Robert has served on many civic boards over the course of his career, and he currently serves the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Civic Federation of Chicago, Business Leadership Council as well as being on the executive committee to Choose Chicago. http://robertblackwelljr.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-blackwell-jr-4218023/ 2:00 - How do people go from poverty to prosperity? 15:30 - The advantage of growing up without money 22:15 - Robert’s long-time friendship with former president Barack Obama 25:30 - Why Robert sold his car to use ride share services exclusively 26:30 - Robert’s life-changing visit to West Africa 34:30 - Learnings from the ‘87 market crash 45:30 - Robert’s formula for decision making 49:30 - Killerspin’s company values 52:30 - Investing in ongoing economic opportunities for those with special needs 54:00 - Lagniappe: a little something extra you weren’t expecting 56:30 - What’s next for Robert and Killerspin? 1:02:30 - Why you should have an innovation budget 1:08:30 - Quantitative analysis vs. quantum computing 1:18:35 - You can get mentorship by reading, listening, and watching 1:19:05 - Rob’s takeaways Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: http://ditchdiggerceo.com/ Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg/featured?view_as=subscriber

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by president and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce to discuss the city's reopening plan, economic recovery after the pandemic and where the plan for a Chicago casino stands.

Jobs programs and what's next for displaced employees are at the core of this think tank with Jack Lavin.  Jack is the CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, and he gives Lissa & Thom a resource guide for small business owners in this time of crisis.

Robert Blackwell, Jr is the founder of Quant16, formerly EKI Digital, as well as a successful entrepreneur and former trader. He also founded Killerspin, the world’s leading table tennis engagement brand. The Killerspin experience reaches hundreds of thousands of people annually in over 160 countries around the world. Robert has served on many civic boards over the course of his career, and he currently serves the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Civic Federation of Chicago, Business Leadership Council as well as being on the executive committee to Choose Chicago. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Blackwell_Jr. http://robertblackwelljr.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-blackwell-jr-4218023/ 13:40 Growing up in the first black family in the Western suburbs of Chicago 22:35 Three great pieces of advice from Robert’s father 26:00 How Robert got his Mom to quit smoking. 36:37 Why Robert gets rid of stuff as soon as he starts to get too attached 51:24 Robert’s greatest blessings in life 1:3:02 The decline of black neighborhoods in America, and what Robert’s doing to combat it 1:16:20 Why you should avoid being a “minority business” 1:17:15 Be #1 in the world at something (anything), and you’ll never be broke 1:25:57 Robert’s take on responsible giving and how to revitalize free enterprise Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: http://ditchdiggerceo.com/ Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg/featured?view_as=subscriber

When firms have big-company problems without the big-time budgets, where do they go to get support? The National Center for the Middle Market's Thomas A. Stewart and Doug Farren welcome Jack Lavin, President and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce to hear how his organization works to help mid-sized companies in the region.

Manuj Aggarwal and Robert Blackwell Jr talk about how to create an environment of growth where your workers can develop their talents.What are you waiting for? Tune In Now!In this episode, we will learn about:· How to be a good leader· Recruiting talents for your business· How to create an environment where your workers can develop their talents· Importance of starting entrepreneurship early in life· Working for business chambers and community organizations· Managing very talented workers· Learning from your employees About Robert Blackwell Jr. A technology industry leader with a career spanning nearly 30 years, Robert Blackwell Jr. has cultivated Electronic Knowledge Interchange (EKI) into a leading management and technology consulting firm well-known for its ability to respond to complex business challenges with efficient, intelligent and innovative solutions. Starting at IBM in 1981, Blackwell began his long career in building innovative systems that improve business operations. With a keen passion for entrepreneurship, he then went on to found several Chicago-based companies, including Urban Fishing Development, Bytewise International, and Blackwell Consulting Services. A former professional table tennis player. Blackwell also founded Killerspin, the leading table tennis equipment, apparel, and promotion company. Blackwell is currently an active member of the Alliance of Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs (ABLE), Executive's Club of Chicago and Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce as well as other business and community organizations.  Links And Mentions From This Episode: Robert's Website: http://robertblackwelljr.com/ Robert's Email: rblackwell@killerspin.com FREE MindSparkers' Inner Game Mastery Accelerator Series: http://mind.innerget.com FREE Startup Founders' Technology Accelerator Series: http://tech.innerget.com TetraNoodle Professional Training: https://courses.tetranoodle.com Thanks for Tuning In!Thanks so much for being with us this week.Have some feedback you'd like to share? Please leave anote in the comments section! Enjoyed the episode? Kindly share it with your friends.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Support the show (https://tetranoodle.com)

Bill Cameron sits down with President and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Jack Lavin. They discuss the fair work week ordinance, and the importance of its implementation. Lavin shares what is next on the Chamber’s agenda, with issues including infrastructure, transportation, and pensions. He presents a new asset transfer idea, which could help fund pensions, and explains his position on the new $15 minimum wage. Bill also talks with Chicago Congressman, Dan Lipinski. Bill asks about Lipinski’s position on the two year budget bill, and the raising of the national debt. On this week’s roundtable, Bill Cameron is joined by Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun Times, Ray Long of The Chicago Tribune, Greg Hinz of Crain’s, Fran Spielman of The Chicago Sun Times, and Heather Cherone, of The Daily Line. They discuss Mayor Lori Lightfoot and her role in the fair work week ordinance, as well as her “live mic” comments, and a verbal altercation she was involved in this week. They also discuss Alderman Ed Burke and the new issues he faces due to the Ethics Reform in Chicago. This week’s Community Spotlight segment with John Dempsey is on Mayor Lightfoot's plan to reform the way the city hands out fines for not paying parking tickets, or not having a city sticker.

Sun-Times City Hall Reporter Fran Spielman sits with President and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Jack Lavin to discuss new developments that could be on the horizon for high rises and casinos.

  Linda Maclachlan is the CEO of Entara, a successful IT support firm. Entara was originally named YJT Solutions, and operated for 17 years under that name. Expanded services for the company led to a rebranding with an attention on the future of the IT industry. Linda also serves on the Board of Directors for the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. Previously Linda had served as owner and CEO of Bracken Resources, LLC.   Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: [07:30] The 4 Core Values of Entara [16:08] Measuring employee fulfillment of the Core Values [37:05] Linda gives advice for adopting culture to lead a company   Resources Mentioned on this episode Linda Maclachlan Entara EO   Connect with Will About Me Culture Czars Linked In

Segment 1: David Smith, Microsoft Vice President, is focused on working with the Small and Medium Business (SMB) partner ecosystem. In this capacity, he is responsible for a global team of sales, marketing and partner management professionals to ensure Microsoft's ecosystem of partners delivers technology-based high value experiences meeting the unique needs of over 100 million SMB's across the world.  Segment 2: Edward G. Brown is the author of “The Time Bandit Solution: Recovering Stolen Time You Never Knew You Had”. Segment 3: Ali Valdez is a high-tech executive, business entrepreneur and long-time teacher of yoga and meditation. Through her own practice success and mentoring of others, she has found the key for combining corporate management experience with sacred science of yoga to create a number of successful businesses. Segment 4: Barry Moltz shows you how to get your small business unstuck.Segment 5: Florence Hardy has been a successful attorney and business consultant for over 8 years.  She worked for the City of Chicago, DePaul University and had her own law practice before joining the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce as Manager of the Small Business Development Center.   Sponsored by Nextiva and Sage Summit.

This week: Two features for the price of...well....nothing actually, but you get where I was going with it. First Richard talks to Attorney Scott Hodes, about his work with Christo and Jean-Claude, keeping public art programs honest, the Visual Artist Rights Act and more! Then BAS India correspondant and Fullbright Scholar Tanya Gill checks in with a report of the 2013 India Art Fair, and tells us why it is totally different than last years fair. Scott Hodes has been in active practice for more than four decades. As a corporate lawyer, he represents clients in sophisticated corporate transactions from structuring of corporate entities to financing at all levels from private placements to public offerings, and frequently, to counseling clients in merger and acquisition activities. He also handles complex financing transactions as counsel for a variety of large Chicago banks. Mr. Hodes also practices in the field of art law and represents a number of prominent artists, dealers and collectors in all aspects of their business. He has published three books on art and the law, and has written and spoken extensively on this subject. Mr. Hodes serves as a director of Richardson Electronics, Ltd. and a director emeritus of the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association in Washington, D.C. In 2007, he was elected a director of the Chicago Bar Foundation. He is a founding member and former chairman of the planning committee for the annual Mutual Funds and Investment Management Conference now sponsored by the Investment Company Institute. Mr. Hodes is a recognized leader in metropolitan Chicago’s business community. Long active in bar, civic and political affairs, he was elected to serve three terms on the Democratic State Central Committee (1970-1982). He has served as co-chairman of the Illinois Attorney General’s Advisory Commission and as chairman of Chicago’s Navy Pier Development Authority from 1988 to 1990. He has served as principal outside counsel to the Arts in Embassies Program of the U.S. State Department from 1991 to 1993. He was co-chairman of the Private Enterprise Review and Advisory Board of the State of Illinois from 1992 to 1994, and was appointed in 1994 by the governor and served as a member of the State of Illinois Savings Board until 2010. Mr. Hodes was the national chairman of LAWBOOKS, U.S.A., a program sponsored by the United States Information Agency, and served as a member of the U.S. State Department’s Advisory Committee on Investment, Technology and Development. He was counsel to The Harold Washington Foundation. Mr. Hodes is a founder and past president and a director of The Lawyers for the Creative Arts. He serves as a trustee and member of the Executive Committee of the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago, a director of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, and as a consultant to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. Tanya Hastings Gill has mastered the age-old art of paper cutting in a contemporary context. She utilizes reflective color, shadows and open installation to engage the space with her hand cut paper creations. Gill has been a fellow at McDowell Artists Colony, an Artist in Residence at The Ragdale Foundation, an Affiliate at Headlands Center for the Arts and a recipient of the Individual Artist Grant from the Marin Arts Council. In 1997 she received her MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art and in 1992 her BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Tanya Gill is a devoted teacher of visual art. She has taught at the California State University of Sacramento, California; Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia; and at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Contemporary Practices Department.          Tanya Gill has been awarded the Nehru-Fulbright 2011-12 Scholarship to conduct research and evolve her own artwork. Her focus is the intersection of Indian Contemporary Art and Handicraft. She is currently living in New Delhi, India, with her family. **Please note, Atty. Hodes bio and headshot were perilously lifted from the Bryan Cave LLP website. Yes, we know we should have called and asked and yes, we know you could squash us like bugs. It's 1:23 a.m. early Monday morning, we decided you'd rather sleep. Besides, we love you fine folks at Bryan Cave LLP. http://www.bryancave.com/scotthodes/ Don't hurt us. If you need a sacrificial offering we'll send Duncan over post haste.