Kiger's Notebook

Roch. Chamber bash 2009 - awards and pics

Here's a little bit from my story about about tonight's Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce Celebration and a few pics.

A crowd of 634 area business leaders heard a message of optimism tempered with the knowledge of the difficulties that lay ahead Thursday.

“ We must dream big and the time is now,” John Wade told the crowd gathered for the annual Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce celebration at the International Event Center.

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He concluded his time at the podium by saying, “ We are indeed the front door of free enterprise and we are indeed open for business in Rochester.”

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A special President’s Award, only the second ever presented in the Chamber’s 150 year history, was given to  A.M. ‘”Sandy” Keith for his long service to the community culminating in his role as executive director of the Rochester Downtown Alliance.

Keith, known for his gruff, but playful demeanor, stalked up to the podium and barked “Absolutely no standards” into the microphone as he accepted the award.

With a grin, Wade said he along with the staff at the chamber and the RDA will miss that gravely voice.

Other awards presented included:

• Business of the Year: John Hardy’s Bar-B-Q. The award was accepted by owner John Brockman.

• Jan Warfield Volunteer of the Year Award: This went to two Chamber volunteers this year. Kristine Ihrke of Best Western Soldiers Field and Eric Jenney of IBM.

• Lamp of Knowledge: Kathy Meyerle of Mayo Clinic.

• Ambassador of the year: Vinny Barry of Value Place hotel.

Growing up Rochester

Rochester once again tops a “Best Places” list, though this one is different since its looks at U.S. cities through the eyes of a child.

U.S. News and World Reports magazine, a long-time fan of Rochester, named the city as one of America’s 10 Best Places To Grow Up in a list published Thursday.

Described on the list as having “… Enough activities to tire out even the most energetic youngsters,” Rochester is ranked among other cities such as Boston, Denver, San Jose, Calif., and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The magazine delved into its database of 2,000 communities to look for place  with a low crime rate, a strong school system, lots of green spaces and plenty of opportunities for recreation and artistic outlets.

When mapping out Rochester’s child-friendly features, the magazine spoke with Brad Jones, the executive director of the Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau.

He described the variety of activity options, like “85 miles of trails for in-line skating, 3,200 acres of public parks for touch football, and 56 different playgrounds.”

The list also included the Graham Arena hockey facilities and National Volleyball Center.

U.S. News and World Reports has often named Rochester to its many lists, starting with the Best Places to Live. It also has made the Best Places to Work and Best Places to Do Business lists.

3 area firms + Inc. Mag.'s fastest growing list

Three local firms popped up on the Inc. Magazine 5,000 fastest growing companies list that came out today.

Two of the names are familiar (and still interesting) to the list – BuyOnlineNow.com and Xylo Technologies – both of Rochester. 

However, the top ranked local company - WaterFilters.Net of Zumbrota - made its first appearance on the list at 309 and is 15th within the retail sector.

I wrote about WaterFilters.Net when it moved into Zumbrota early last year. Company President  Jamin Arvig was very high on Zumbrota then.

Sporting 774.4% growth between 2005 to 2008, I'd guess he is still pretty pro-Zumbrota.

I should have a short story on WaterFilters.Net's ranking as well as BuyOnlineNow and Xylo for Tuesday's print edition.

Here's the info from the magazine's ranking list:

No. 309

WaterFilters.net

Zumbrota, MN

	Year	2009
	Industry	Retail
	Founded	2002
	Growth	774.4%
	2005 Revenue	$417,509
	2008 Revenue	$3.7 million
	Employees	11

WaterFilters.net's Business Model:

WaterFilters.net is a water treatment superstore, offering an extensive variety of water filters and replacements for showers, faucets, refrigerators, and under sinks.

Here are the listings for BuyOnlineNow and Xylo:

No. 1,236

BuyOnlineNow

Rochester, MN

	Year	2009
	Industry	Retail
	Founded	2000
	Growth	257.8%
	2005 Revenue	$7.7 million
	2008 Revenue	$27.4 million
	Employees	38

BuyOnlineNow's Business Model:

BuyOnlineNow sells office products and office furniture through an online store. The company has 85 warehouses across the country and offers same-day shipping, allowing it to fulfill orders quickly.

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No. 1,698

Xylo Technologies

Rochester, MN

	Year	2009
	Industry	IT Services
	Founded	2000
	Growth	187.8%
	2005 Revenue	$3.5 million
	2008 Revenue	$10.1 million
	Employees	63

Xylo Technologies's Business Model:

Xylo Technologies offers IT consulting services, software development and testing, and staff augmentation for mid-size and large corporations.

Top Mayo chief + leadership award

Here's a tidbit that rolled in late Wednesday/early Thursday:

The National Center for Healthcare Leadership has named Denis A. Cortese, MD, president and chief executive officer of Mayo Clinic, as the recipient of the 2009 National Healthcare Leadership Award for his significant and lasting contributions to healthcare.

"Renowned for his commitment to teamwork and mentorship at one of the nation's premier healthcare organizations, Denis Cortese is also applying his leadership to impact the national healthcare agenda by building nationwide consensus for patient-centered change, advocating for a system that ensures that all patients will receive outstanding quality care," NCHL President and CEO Marie E. Sinioris said. 

"As an extraordinary leader and teacher, his innovative tenure at Mayo Clinic has included cutting edge programs in information technology and medical records, using new discoveries in genomics to customize patient-specific treatment strategies, and emphasis on bedside nursing to improve patient care.

 And under Dr. Cortese's leadership, Mayo Clinic launched the Health Policy Center, attracting thousands of patients and prominent thought leaders from across the nation to participate in a series of events to develop principles and action steps to guide healthcare reform."

Dr. Cortese will be honored on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at an award event and recognition dinner at The Millennium Knickerbocker in Chicago that is being held in conjunction with NCHL's Invitational Symposium earlier that day. Dr. Cortese will be presented with an original glass sculpture by Czech-born artist Martin Rosol.

"The role for leadership in U.S. health care is wide open," Cortese said.

"Leadership is less about 'you' or 'me' and more about us; what we can accomplish by working together. And much needs to be done to assure quality, affordable healthcare for all patients."

Fawn Lopez, publisher of Modern Healthcare, which is co-sponsor of the NCHL National Healthcare Leadership Award, cited Dr. Cortese's many contributions to the field. "He has worked tirelessly and effectively to assert his leadership and influence to help frame the dialogue toward national healthcare reform. He sets a prime example for others to follow." 

HSBC closing all offices, including Roch.

Household Finance Corp., which has 800 branches across the U.S. including a Rochester one on Elton Hills Drive, announced Monday it is closing the doors on all of them.

Here's how Becky Yerak of the Chicago Trib describes it:

Six years after Prospect Heights-based Household International was acquired for $14 billion, its British owners Monday said the deal, in hindsight, was a mistake and the unit will be closed.

Mettawa-based HSBC Finance Corp., part of HSBC Holdings PLC of London, said it would close all 800 remaining Household Financial and Beneficial U.S. branches, resulting in 6,100 job cuts nationwide, as the effects of rising unemployment keep mortgage delinquencies stubbornly high.

So I called the office yesterday afternoon and they passed my call on to a national PR flack. She called back and she they were not releasing details about specific markets, like Rochester.

OK, whem do they expect to start shutting everything down?

That is unclear at this point.

OK, how many people work in a typical office?

We can't say.

Through some research I came up with an average number of five in an office.

So another big company is floundering and yet another Rochester business is being pulled down with it...sometime...in the near future...probably.

Mayo Bros. named to Health Care Hall of Fame

I don't suppose this is too suprising, but Mayo Clinic announced today that Dr. William J. "Will" Mayo and Dr. Charles H. "Charlie" Mayo are being inducted into the Health Care Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame is the creation of Modern Healthcare magazine and the American College of Healthcare Executives. It was started in 2004.

The Mayos and two other new inductees will be honored at a ceremony March 22 at the Hilton Chicago in conjunction with the American College of Healthcare Executives' 2009 Congress on Healthcare Leadership. 

Besides Drs. Will and Charlie Mayo, two others will be inducted into the hall of fame. They are Dan S. Wilford, retired president and CEO, Memorial Hermann Healthcare System (hospital system), Houston; and Patricia Cahill, retired president and chief executive officer of Catholic Health Initiatives, Denver.

Builders' bash @ Warners Stellian

Jeff and Carla Warner of Warner Stellian, along with folks from Cambria and Electrolux, rolled out the brats, the keg, the steaks, the wine and big prizes like a new washer and dryer Thursday night at the Rochester Area Builders Fall Networking Night.

And the crowds rolled in. The economy, politics, housing and hairstyles were hot topics.

I heard managers from two businesses - in different conversations - tell me that they have to tell their staff to stop reading Kiger's Notebook and get back to work.

MESSAGE FOR WORKERS WHO HAVE BEEN TOLD TO NOT LET READING MY BLOG GET IN THE WAY OF WORK - Don't listen to those supervisors! They have no vision. They are not innovators. Keep reading and one day you'll be the managers…Heh.

That's enough of my lobbying. Speaking of which , RAB President Brent Buchan of Energy Products & Design, Inc. gave a good non-partisan political pep talk about how important this election cycle is and encouraging everyone to be informed about the candidates.

And he even encouraged people to check on the Post-Bulletin's online election guide. See, another reason to read the P-B rather than working.

Buchan had a captive (he was standing in front of the door) and interested audience. of course, it was door prizes he was handing out that seemed to put a hush across the place.

Check out the tense faces (expect Mike Pruett, of course) in the crowd as the names were called.

A couple of electric drills that are part of the massive Trading Post tool auction that Grafe Auction is running this weekend were handed out.

Lots of towels (Check out how excited Diane Quinn of Beyond Kitchens was about hers) and coolers with built speakers (?).

Then the big deal - the washer and dryer was won by Jerry Jensen of Superior Plumbing.

All in all, an interesting night.

More Than You Know awards 2008

I rolled in a little late (I missed Steve Lange's video), but I did catch the 2nd annual presentation of the More Than You Know awards.

Here's a breakdown:

Known for Families:
What’s your favorite family-friendly spot? - The Rochester Athletic Club

Known for Free:
What’s not only great, but free too? - Thursdays on First and Third

Known Trendsetter:
What place or person sets trends and builds business? - About Face

Known Character:
What/who has a personality all its/their own? - Big Mark Clark of Laser 101.7

Known Romantic:
What person or place is known for creating sparks? - Victoria's

Known at Night:
What in Rochester gets better by moonlight? - Kathy's Roof Top Bar

Known for Talent:
What person or institution is truly talented? - Six Mile Grove

Known for Relaxation:
What’s the best way to relax after a stressful week? - Goonie's

Known Annually:
What’s great that comes around only once a year? - St. John's Block Party

Known for Networking:
Where do you go to meet or be introduced to people? - Rochester Golf and Country Club

Known Leader:
What/who is a catalyst, putting Rochester on the map? - RCTC President Don Supalla

“Little Known” Video Category:
What’s great that few people know about? - Minnesota Ice Hawks

Caterpillar rolls in w/ award for Crenlo

This morning Crenlo in Rochester is being presented with an award from Caterpillar for meeting the requirements of the MQ11005 Supplier Certification program. This quality program is a big deal and crenblo is the first cab maker to ever earn it.

I couldn't make the ceremony this morning, but it sounds like it will be a big deal with more than 400 Crenlo employees there.

Here's a little from the release on this:

Performance levels required for Crenlo’s certification include:

Quality: Less than 1000 PPM for 5 out of the last 6-months. This is a significant threshold for products of the complexity and volume supplied by Crenlo.
Delivery: 95% Production, 80% Service. Crenlo is 98% and 95% respectively…..emphasizing a core value driven by the Crenlo team.
PPAPs on time: The goal is to submit Production Part Approval Process documentation for 90% of the material before initial shipment. Crenlo is 100% on time, recognizing the close relationship Crenlo has with Caterpillar’s development groups
Engineering Deviations: No Supplier caused deviations in most recent 6-months, assuring that Caterpillar is not impacted by supplier “issues”.
TS 16949 quality certification elements: This requirement drives automotive industry “best practices” for Design for Manufacturability and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP).

Fall Parade of Homes winners

Here's a quick note from the RAB (Rochester Area Builders) group about the builders that won in the recent Rochester Fall Parade of Homes:

The Fall Showcase of Homes features new homes and developments in a variety of subdivisions. This event allows the public to see the newest trends in home building and have the chance to visit with the builder.

Division 1, which included homes over $450,000, was won by entry number 45, by Craig Swanson Builders, Inc. Division 2 featured homes between $300,000 and $449,000, and went to entry number 36, by Stonebridge Builders. Maplewood Homes won division 3, which features homes between $250,000 and $299,999, with their entry number 5. Homes under $250,000 were featured in division 4, and the winner was entry number 35, by Advanced Builders.