Published: September 12, 2008 11:22 pm      

9-13 Business briefs

Local resident promoted to new comfort level

Edmond resident Kelly Ranney has been promoted to team leader by Jockey Person to Person, the direct sales division of the well-known brand of comfort apparel Jockey International Inc.

Kelly Ranney started working for the company May 1 as an independent comfort specialist consultant and has worked hard to build the business by setting and achieving significant sales goals and exhibiting outstanding leadership skills.

“This is a very exciting accomplishment for me and it is very rewarding to be recognized for my achievement,” Ranney said. “Jockey Person to Person offers great business opportunities with the backing of a strong, recognized brand.”

Ranney said she will focus on recruitment, holding home parties and helping others to build successful businesses of their own.

“I am thrilled to have obtained this new level and to continue offering Edmond and the surrounding communities with comfortable, quality products,” Ranney said. “My mission is to spread and share comfort, both in terms of offering comfortable clothing and also a business opportunity which affords women a comfortable lifestyle.”

Happenings Business Events

“The Business of Sports” will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 18 in the Kerr McGee Auditorium at the Meinders School of Business at Oklahoma City University, N.W. 27th St. and Blackwelder Ave. Lunch will be provided and a question-and-answer session will wrap up the event.

Francis Tuttle Technology Center and Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance will host “Lean Enterprise 101” 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at Francis Tuttle, 3500 N.W. 150th St., Oklahoma City. The cost is $250. For more information, visit, www.okalliance.com/Index.aspx?page=lean or call Kevin Barber at 717-4133.

Careers Tips

Work-time Web surfing not so taboo

Surfing the Web on the job? It turns out you might not need to minimize those windows every time the boss walks by, after all. More than half of advertising and marketing executives polled by the Creative Group, a specialized staffing service for creative, advertising, marketing and Web professionals, said it’s acceptable for employees to visit non-work-related Web sites during business hours.

The Washington Post

But, don’t waste too much time shopping or reading the news: When asked the maximum amount of time that should be permissible each day, the executives’ mean response was just 32 minutes. If you find yourself wasting too much time shopping for shoes, consider setting a timer. Two guilt-free breaks of 15 minutes each will give you plenty of time to keep up with the news and your online acquaintances.

Business In Brief

Three Edmond-based businesses ranked in 2008 Metro 50

Three Edmond-based businesses recently were ranked among the 2008 Metro 50, a prestigious award that recognizes the fastest-growing companies in the Oklahoma City metro area.

Edmond-based Aduddell Development Group, Noah’s Park and Playgrounds and Pelco Products Inc. will be honored at the 13th annual Metro 50 gala at 6 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Cox Business Convention Center.

Aduddell Development Group, a fast growing real estate firm that specializes in multi-family and student housing, as well as retail and office buildings, has ranked in the Metro 50 for three consecutive years.

Noah’s Park and Playgrounds is a leading commercial distributor of playground structures and equipment. Headquartered in Edmond, the company has offices throughout the United States including Missouri, Texas, New Mexico, Kansas and Arkansas.

Pelco Products Inc., a leading manufacturer of traffic signal hardware and accessories, is represented by distributors in all 50 states, Canada, the Caribbean Islands, United Emirates, Pacific Rim and other foreign countries.

Local resident joins Jockey Person to Person

Susan Kierl recently joined Jockey Person to Person as a new comfort specialist consultant.

“It is very exciting to have these individuals as a part of our company,” said Diane Nopenz, vice president of sales. “It is a perfect business to start at any point in life.”

Jockey Person to Person is the direct sales division of Jockey International Inc., offering an exclusive line of women’s intimate apparel, sleep wear, active wear, men’s underwear and lounge wear and an apparel collection for infants and toddlers in a home party setting sold only by independent comfort specialist consultants.

Communications provider offers companies alternative to traditional phone systems

A Utah-based technology company is expanding its services to the Oklahoma City market and bringing innovative communication systems to companies who want and need more than a traditional telephone system.

Rimrock Technologies provides cost-effective alternatives to traditional phone systems by using technology that merges the telephone and the Internet to provide voice and data access across multiple office locations. This service uses the client’s existing computer network and offers enhanced capabilities at a cost that is usually lower than traditional land lines.

OGE Energy Corp. donates computers

Working with the United Way of Central Oklahoma and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, OGE Energy Corp. donated more than 350 computers no longer in use at the company to nonprofit organizations across the state.

United Way of Central Oklahoma and the Regional Food Bank coordinated the efforts on behalf of OGE. Eligible organizations in the service territories of OGE Energy’s subsidiaries OG&E Electric Services and Enogex LLC, were notified earlier this year about the availability and criteria for the recycled computer giveaway.

Sixty-six nonprofit agencies in 20 cities across Oklahoma and western Arkansas received computers for their organizations. The donated computers are expected to assist with routine office duties, yearly agency programs, technological advancement and expansion of services to their clients. This is the fifth year for OGE to donate computers to the communities that it serves.

AT&T announces expansion of 3G mobile broad band wireless network

AT&T Inc. has announced a major expansion of its third-generation (3G) mobile broad band wireless network across the greater Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Customers living in and traveling through the area now have more options in how, when and where they can use their mobile handset devices, access the Internet, retrieve and send e-mail or view a variety of entertainment services.

With the addition of 3G technology to cell sites in the area, AT&T’s 3G network is now available in Jacktown, Jones, Luther, Meeker, Blanchard, Purcell, El Reno, west Mustang and Interstate 40 to Calumet.

Family businesses face common challenges

A family business can be a rewarding and challenging endeavor. Family businesses are a major contributor to the overall economy, employing more than 60 percent of the U.S. workforce, according to the Family Firm Institute. OSCPA members offer these tips to overcome some of the issues small businesses face.

First, decide who’s in charge. In most companies, it’s clear who has the authority to make decisions in various departments and for the entire business. In a family business, the lines can be blurred, with parents sometimes overruling a son or daughter’s decision or siblings second guessing each other. The best way to avoid such problems is for a company to set up formal lines of responsibility and stick to them.

Second, make room for outsiders. Family members bring a unique dedication to their business, but sometimes can’t provide all the experience and knowledge that the company needs.

Third, have an exit plan. It can be satisfying for a younger person to learn the ropes of the family business and take on more responsibility during the years, until finally he or she reaches executive status. In many family businesses, however, the company founder is often both the CEO and the parent of many top managers. Those roles may become so intertwined that it can be difficult for him or her to retire gracefully and let the next generation take over.

Finally, to formalize your company’s future, it’s a good idea to create a written succession plan, describing how the transition to the next generation of leaders will be handled. The company leader also should have a will that sets forth who inherits his or her share of the enterprise, as well as other assets.

Visit www.Know WhatCounts.org for more financial tips and a free CPA referral and free consultation.

Edmond Active Aging Health Fair at Touchmark

Touchmark at Coffee Creek will be the setting again Sept. 20 for the annual Edmond Active Aging Health Fair, co-sponsored by Choice Home Health Inc. Free and open to the community, the fair is scheduled 1-4 p.m. and is in conjunction with National Active Aging Week.

“We designed these events to help people gather useful information that can assist them in achieving healthy, fuller lives,” said Touchmark Life Enrichment/Wellness Director Cathy Bird.

Local experts on hand, other than Choice Home, will be: audiologist David Hough; Tim Rudd, D.D.S.; Chase Hunter, O.D.; Citizens Bank; Churchill-Brown; Autumn Life Center; Senior’s Helping Hands; Alzheimer’s Association; Senior Transitions; Humana One Insurance; New Balance; Active Care Chiropractic; Heartland Home Medical; Touchmark fitness instructors and many more.

Touchmark will provide healthy refreshments, such as fruit, cheese, smoothies, flavored iced tea and nutrition bars. Complimentary copies of the Centennial Edition of the “Guide to a Strong and Healthy Oklahoma” will be available. This publication was produced by the Strong and Healthy Oklahoma initiative.

For more information about the health fair, call 340-1975 or visit www.touchmarkedmond.com. Touchmark, 2801 Shortgrass Road, is in north Edmond, on Covell Road between Broadway and Kelly.