William E. Finn: Hospice is an integral part of Ohio’s health care continuum
Northern Ohio is known the world over as a major hub for medical innovation. From the cutting-edge research, clinical trials and promising breakthrough treatments developed at our hospitals, to the new Global Center for Healthcare Innovation, our region continues to play an instrumental role in shaping the future of health care. Lesser known, but just […]
Outcomes, not inputs / Thomas F. Zenty III leads University Hospitals toward a new model for health care delivery
It was 11 years ago this month that Thomas F. Zenty III took over as CEO of University Hospitals. Since then, he’s stemmed the bleeding from a row of financial losses and turned the operation around. While he’s quite proud of that achievement — for his team and himself — it’s not the only accomplishment […]
4moms' Rob Daley and Henry Thorne manage rapid growth while keeping the culture that got them there
In 2004, two friends — Henry Thorne, a world-leading roboticist, and Rob Daley, a successful businessman — discovered over lunch they shared a vision for the type of company they each wanted to build. Rather than working alone, the two teamed up.
Big data, little kids: Highlights for Children leverages customer data to provide great experiences worldwide
Highlights for Children might be best known for its Highlights magazine, which many children — and before them their parents and their parent’s parents — get at school or thumb through in doctors’ and dentists’ waiting rooms across the U.S. While it’s proud of its past, the company has invested heavily in its future, propagating […]
Why it makes business sense to let a third party handle HR functions
Small and midsize companies are increasingly looking to outsource HR functions in order to focus on core operations and growing the business. “Companies have been moving that way as HR has become more complex — it’s no longer an HR person sitting in an office planning parties. There are complicated employee and compliance issues to address,” says Liz Howe, Director of Business Development at Benefitdecisions, […]
Steve Jacobs: Your annual business plan — Are you ready to fully execute your 2014 blueprints?
After careful planning to refresh company strategy, a major financial services company set aggressive objectives for the coming year. The executive team aimed to create a consistently outstanding customer experience across every access point. Leaders resolved to hire a new chief service officer, broaden the roles of field personnel to “quarterback” the service experience across […]
Lessons learned as an African-American owned business
Moody Nolan set up shop in 1982 as one of a few minority-owned architectural firms in the United States. The company started out with loads of confidence in our abilities and a drive to succeed, just as all start-ups do. Of course, it takes more than confidence to succeed, or every business would. It takes […]
Directors and officers liability: How to establish policies, procedures that will protect your company
While it is obvious that directors and officers shouldn’t steal from their company or commit other criminal acts, running a business can be very complex and it’s a good idea to set clear policies and procedures for what should and shouldn’t be done, says Nicole S. Healy, a partner with Ropers, Majeski, Kohn & Bentley […]
2014 Pillar Awards: photos and video
Medical Mutual 2014 Pillar Award for Community Service On Jan. 16, 2014, Smart Business and Medical Mutual presented the 2014 Medical Mutual Pillar Award for Community Service event to a well-deserving group of honorees. The evening event, held at the Statehouse, not only recognized corporate philanthropy in many forms and the special relationship between the […]
James D. White found the right blend of strategies to create a smooth turnaround at Jamba Juice
When James D. White came on-board with Jamba Juice Co. in December 2008, same store sales dipped 8 percent and the company lost $149 million for the year. The recession had prompted consumers to cut discretionary spending, and smoothies just weren’t considered essential. Management created a road map to get the business back on track. […]