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BRIEFLY:
U.S., Uruguay sign pact to boost trade
The United States and Uruguay recently signed a pact laying down guidelines for boosting trade between the two countries, a move Uruguayan officials said is key to the small South American nation's future economic growth. The Trade Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) calls for a bilateral group on investments and
commerce to meet at least once a year to identify areas of future trade liberalization.
Deputy U.S. trade representative John Verbena joined aides to President Tabare Vazquez in signing the agreement in the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo. Uruguay is the first South American nation to sign a TIFA with the U.S., a format Washington has used to expand trade with several African and Asian partners. A joint investment treaty between Uruguay and the U.S. was signed earlier this decade.
In 2005, Illinois exported more than $11 million to Uruguay. Through September 2006, the U.S. exported more than $9.3 million worth of goods, an amount in excess of the same period in 2005.
Manufacturing jobs steady for 3rd consecutive month — Job losses in 2006 hit 8,500
Illinois' industrial sector grew by 500 workers statewide in December and helped the state's unemployment rate remain at 4.1 percent. However, in the last 12 months, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) recorded an overall loss of 8,500 manufacturing jobs.
"While the growth rate in manufacturing was fractional in the fourth quarter of 2006, any growth is good news," said Gregory W. Baise, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association. "However, the good news is tempered by the fact that last year thousands of Illinois workers lost
good-paying jobs with benefits." According to the IDES, the number of manufacturing
workers now stands at 678,900. Since January 2003, nearly 50,000 manufacturing jobs have left Illinois.
"While Illinois employment news this month is positive, our manufacturing sector remains in need of attention from state policy makers," Baise continued. "It's time to enact a sweeping package of legislation that will make Illinois a more attractive destination for manufacturers." He said the IMA will propose legislation designed to attract new industrial ventures and retain existing business. It will provide for tax incentives to offset high energy costs and expand research and development tax credits, as well as address issues such as affordable health care, transportation improvements and continued reform of Illinois' judicial and workers' compensation systems.
The SEC gives temporary relief from Sarbanes-Oxley requirements for small companies
The Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) has given small public companies at least an extra five months to file reports that are required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act's Section 404, and at least an extra 17 months to have auditors confirm that the reports are accurate. The commission adopted an extension on December 15 to the deadlines set by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for internal controls reporting.
Specifically, the SEC has given the extensions to companies that are designated as "non-accelerated filers" under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Typically, those are companies with less than $75 million worth of their shares held by the public.
Those companies will not be required to submit a management report on internal controls with their annual report until the first fiscal year that ends on or after December 15, 2007. Also, those companies will not be required to submit an auditor's confirmation on their internal controls until their next year's annual report, or for their fiscal years that end on or after December 15, 2008. For more information, visit www.sec.gov.
Exceptional leaders know how to serve and direct their employees
It's been said that "nice guys finish last," but in today's corporate world that theory is just not true. In fact, the companies who are known for treating their employees well – UPS, Fed Ex, General Mills, and even Yahoo — are the frontrunners in today's economy.
"Great companies realize that employees are their most important resource," says Ed Rehkopf, author of Leadership on the Line — A Guide For Front Line Supervisors, Business Owners, and Emerging Leaders. "They foster a leadership style that motivates leaders to serve their employees as well as their customers. This approach to leadership creates relationships — the deep and abiding bonds that sustain the efforts of the company."
This outward focus of the leader sets up a dynamic where:
- Employees are continually recognized.
- There is an open flow of ideas, opinions, and information.
- Initiative and risk are highly regarded.
- Problem discovery and solution is a focus while placing blame is unimportant.
- Every employee feels energized and part of the team and is valued for his or her contribution.
- Prestige is derived from performance and contribution, not title or position.
- Customers are treated well because employees are treated well.
- The energy and initiative of all employees is focused on the common effort.
It is in the best interest of a leader to be as supportive of employees as possible. The ultimate concern is satisfying the customer and how employees are treated has an immediate and direct bearing on how customers are treated. Employees who feel good about themselves, whose welfare and problems are attended to in a supportive way, who are provided with the right tools and training to do their jobs, will continually and enthusiastically communicate their satisfaction in countless small but vitally important ways.
"Being the best leader is an evolutionary process. No one is perfect," says Rehkopf. "The gradual understanding of what makes people tick, of what motivates and de-motivates, of what does and doesn't work, will eventually develop into a storehouse of common sense proven to be successful."
"The accumulated wisdom should bring a leader to a state of profound humility. What gets accomplished is not so much a result of your efforts, but the efforts of your willing and committed employees. Your singular role is to articulate the vision and stand aside while coaching and cheerleading."
"Thinking about this points directly and dramatically to where you should focus your attention, not inwardly on yourself and your ambitions, but outwardly on the quality of your interactions with others."
Leadership on the Line — A Guide for Front Line Supervisors, Business Owners, and Emerging Leaders is written by Ed Rehkopf. To purchase the book, visit http://www.probizcom.com.
Ed Rehkopf is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and received a Masters of Professional Studies degree in Hospitality Management from Cornell's School of Hotel Administration.
EPA offers tips for electronic waste reuse, recycling in Illinois
Chances are you bought or received some new, high-tech electronic equipment over the past year. What happens when changes in technology render your old equipment obsolete? It becomes "e-scrap," one of the planet's fastest growing environmental concerns. E-scrap contains heavy metals and other toxins that can be hazardous to human health and the environment. For example, monitors and TVs can contain between two and eight pounds of lead and smaller amounts of other contaminants like cadmium and mercury.
To keep hazardous materials out of landfills, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency encourages businesses to recycle or reuse old electronic equipment.
As much as four percent of municipal solid waste is e-scrap. Americans discarded more than 154 million computers in 2005, not counting the latest generation of game systems, cell phones, PDA's and MP3 players that will soon enough lose their glow and be replaced with some shiny new device.
"Recycling electronic equipment isn't quite as easy as leaving it in a bin in your front yard, but the health and environmental benefits of recycling e-scrap are tremendous," said EPA Region 5 Administrator Mary A. Gade, "Also, we know that half of the devices thrown away still work. They can be donated to non-profit organizations, which keep the device out of the landfill, but with the added benefit of a charitable contribution."
For more information on recycling electronic equipment, visit http://www.epa.gov/ecycling and/or http://www.earth911.org. Illinois residents should check http://www.commerce.state.il.us/dceo/bureaus and click on "energy & recycling." Another source for recycling information is http://www.illinoisrecycles.org.
Customized shipping discounts available for IMA members
Through a unique partnership with the leading transportation providers in the industry, including Yellow Transportation, Roadway Express, UPS Supply Chain Solutions and DHL, the IMA makes it easy for members to save on all types of shipping services. Whether you ship envelopes, packages, or heavy freight, these carriers have a cost-cutting solution for you.
- Save at least 52 percent with Yellow and Roadway on North American LTL (less than truckload) freight.
- Save 20 percent on International air freight and four percent on heavy North American air freight with UPS Supply Chain Solutions.
- Save up to 25 percent with DHL on express air, ground, and international services.
To take advantage of your IMA member benefits, or to find out how much you can save on your next shipment, call the shipping benefit consultants at 800-MEMBERS (636-2377), Ext. 303. For more information about the IMA Shipping Program, visit http://www.1800Members.com/ILMA.
Emerald Ash Borer quarantine expanded statewide
In a little noticed press release last November, the U.S. Department of Agriculture expanded its quarantine on untreated ash products to all of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio in an effort to combat the Emerald Ash Borer. The USDA took its action to prevent the artificial spread of the Emerald Ash Borer from infested areas in the U.S. into non-infested areas.
According to Jeff Coath of the USDA's Des Plaines, Illinois, office, the quarantine will impact manufacturers of products containing ash, particularly pallets. Ash wood treated with an ISPM 15 process, and finished products that carry the ISPM 15 stamp are exempt from the quarantine. Any other untreated ash wood products will be subject to a compliance agreement and manufacturers will need to obtain a compliance agreement from the USDA before products can leave the state. Strict documentation must accompany such products and only the USDA can authorize the issuance of a compliance agreement or certificate of limited permit.
Significant fines on individuals or companies who break the quarantine will be imposed. Under the Plant Protection Act of 2000, violations of a domestic quarantine may result in a monetary fine of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment for each occurrence.
For more information, contact Jeff Coath or Steve Knight of the USDA, 847-299-6939.
ETIP grants reimburse companies for employee training
The Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP) supports Illinois companies' efforts to upgrade workers' skills in order to remain current in new technologies and business practices. The ETIP grant will reimburse Illinois companies for up to 50 percent of the cost of eligible employee training taken between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007.
Illinois companies that are retraining/upgrading the skills of their existing workforce may be eligible for ETIP grants if they meet certain criteria.
Apply for grant funding today! For details, contact Judy Parker, IMA Director of Training at 217-522-1240 ext. 3036, or email jparker@ima-net.org
Purchase the 2005-2006 IMA Benefits Report today . . .
The biennial Benefits Report contains data on employers' plans for a variety of different benefit plans in addition to total number of holidays provided and for additional paid holidays. To order the 2005-2006 Benefits Report, contact Janie Stanley at 800-875-4462, Ext. 3020, or e-mail jstanley@ima-net.org.
Order the IMA's 2006 Annual Compensation Report today
We're sure you'll find the IMA's 2006 Compensation Report to be a valuable tool for determining fair and appropriate compensation levels for your business. If you have questions, contact Janie Stanley at 217-522-1240, ext. 3020 or email jstanley@ima-net.org. Online access, print, or both, order yours today at . . . http://www.ima-net.org/reportorder/login.cfm
DATES OF NOTE:
More events may be found at http://www.ima-net.org/calendar.cfm
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
HR Networking Forum
9:30-11:30 am, Holiday Inn,
222 Potomac Blvd., Mt. Vernon
Facilitator: Donna Rogers, SPHR, IMA's HR Director. Back by popular demand for the second year in a row, this no fee HR Networking Forum is designed for building relationships with other HR professionals in the manufacturing field. Manufacturing Members and Associate Members of IMA are invited and encouraged to attend. Discuss similarities and differences on current HR issues among peers as well as potential solutions. Finally, provide valuable feedback to the facilitator regarding HR related IMA member services. Register online at: https://www.ima-net.org/0307_seminar.cfm. For more information, contact: Kim McNamara, 800-875-4462, ext. 2109, email: kmcnamara@ima-net.org
March 6, 2007
Workplace Trends: Current Issues Affecting Managing Your Employees
Holiday Inn, 222 Potomac Blvd.,
Mt. Vernon, IL — 1:00-4:00 pm
Specific topics are: Investigating On-the-job Accidents & Fraud in Workers' Compensation Claims; and Workplace Immigration — An Intensive Update on the HR Issue of the Decade. Stay up-to-date on the latest employment-related issues facing your organization related to Workers' Compensation Investigations and Immigration issues affecting your workplace. IMA's employment law expert Jim Spizzo, and his partner, Gabrielle Buckley, both of Vedder Price Kaufman & Kammholz, P.C., will discuss in-depth recent trends, cases and new legislation regarding these aspects of Workers' Compensation and workplace Immigration. Bring your personnel/human resources questions related to these topics. COST: $125 for IMA members, $100 for additional attendees from same company and $200 for non-members. Register online at: https://www.ima-net.org/0307_seminar.cfm. For more information, contact: Kim McNamara, 800-875-4462, ext. 2109, email: kmcnamara@ima-net.org
Additional dates for the above mentioned program include:
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Oak Brook Executive Plaza Conference Center,
1225 W. 22nd St., Ste. 140
Oak Brook
To register contact: Kimberly McNamara, 800-875-4462, ext. 2109, email: kmcnamara@ima-net.org
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