• The Office: After You
• Authenticity or Exaggeration
• Eight Business Technology Trends to Watch
• Current Economic Indicators
• Welcome New Chairman's Council Member Cancer Treatment Centers of America
  
• Illinois Chamber's HR and Safety Helplines
• HR Illinois 

The Office: After You

A business owner once said that every year at Christmas, he sent a box of liqueur-filled chocolate champagne corks to one of his corporate customers, with an enclosed note: "For all our friends at ___ Corp., Best wishes, etc...." One day he mentioned the candy in a meeting with representatives from that company. It seemed none had ever laid eyes on the bonbons. "I can only assume the boss kept them for himself," said the business owner. "I can't blame him. They were very good chocolates."

Authenticity over Exaggeration: The New Rule in Advertising

Advertisers thought technology was their friend in identifying and creating new customers. Funny thing happened along the way, though: Now consumers are using the Internet to blunt traditional commercial messages. Time for companies to rethink their strategy, says Harvard Business School professor John A. Deighton.

Eight business technology trends to watch

A number of new and emerging technologies, many aimed at enhancing the way the Internet is used, promise to change how companies innovate, managers make decisions, and businesses lower costs, tap talent, or realize new business opportunities. Although technology always promises benefits, actually gaining them requires a good understanding of its real business implications and of the concomitant managerial changes. Over the next decade, eight technology-enabled business trends will really matter. Smart managers should start doing their homework now.

Current Economic Indicators

• Illinois Unemployment Rate: Seasonally adjusted Illinois unemployment rate increased to 5.3 % in October, up 0.2 point from 5.1 % in September
• National Unemployment Rate: Nonfarm payroll employment continued to trend up in November (94,000), and the unemployment rate held at 4.7%
• Consumer Price Index (CPI): increased 0.6% in November before seasonal adjustment; November level of 210.177 was 4.3% higher than in November 2006
• Producer Price Index (PPI): rose 3.2% in November
• Import/Export Price Index: Import Index increased 2.7% in November, Export Index rose 0.9%
• Conference Board - Consumer Confidence Index: declined further in November; now stands at 87.3 (1985=100), down from 95.2 in October
• Conference Board - Help Wanted Index: now stands at 23; it was 29 one year ago

Illinois Chamber's HR and Safety Helplines

Knowing what you can and can't do will help you prevent costly mistakes. Call our staff of HR and Safety experts for assistance in HR and Safety compliance issues:

• HR Helpline: Pam Holleman helps you deal with HR problems and avoid disputes at 800-322-4722
• Safety Helpline: Steve Yates answers your Safety questions at 888-90SAFETY

HR Illinois

Your membership in the Illinois Chamber pays! We offer valuable programs and services to our members at special discounts. Click here to see the many posters and HR reference materials available from the Chamber to help you run your business. While you're there, don't miss our growing list of seminars and workshops designed especially for you and presented by experts and leading practitioners in the field. Don't see what you need? Contact Gloria Guy, VP of Business Services. We're here to serve you!

Support Your Guard & Reservists

The Chamber urges all Illinois employers to recognize their Guard and Reserve employees by signing and displaying the ESGR Statement of Support. To get yours, simply complete an online form and you will receive a personalized certificate that demonstrates your support. Click here for answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) for employers and reservists. Also visit the SBA Veteran's Business Development web site for assistance to small business owners that have employees activated in the Guard or Reserves. MORE