Jody Thompson co-created ROWE with her business partner Cali Ressler at retail giant Best Buy, revolutionizing the workplace as we know it. Today, Jody and Cali are leading a global movement to forever change the way people work and live.

INDIANAPOLIS (October 29, 2011) — TechPoint, Indiana’s technology growth initiative, is bringing Jody Thompson to Indianapolis to deliver an afternoon keynote address at Innovation Summit presented by Comcast Business Services on November 8, 2011.

Thompson is the co-founder of CultureRx and co-creator of Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE). Her first book Why Work Sucks and How to Fix It, written with her business partner Cali Ressler, was named “The Year’s Best Book on Work-Life Balance” by Business Week. A revised, updated version of Thompson’s revolutionary book is now available in paperback.

Thompson has been featured on the covers of BusinessWeek, Workforce Management magazine, HR magazine, Hybrid Mom magazine, as well as in the New York Times, TIME magazine, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal and on Good Morning America, CNBC and CNN.

Thompson is leading the charge to throw out traditional work schedules and completely revolutionize the way people work and live. “It’s time to change the conversation from ‘flexibility’ to ‘results.’ What’s important is that results are being achieved, not where or when the work is being done,” Thompson says.

Many businesses are already seeing the benefits of ROWE. “Since going ROWE three years ago, my company has seen tremendous, measurable gains in productivity and even better customer service,” said Michael Reynolds, president and CEO of Indianapolis-based digital agency SpinWeb. “Cali and Jody are progressive innovators and working with them has been inspiring.”

Thompson is one of the keynote speakers being featured at the day-long conference and exhibition being held at the Indiana Convention Center. Former Facebook Spokeswoman and Director of Market Development Randi Zuckerberg will deliver a keynote luncheon address and spend an additional 45 minutes taking questions from attendees. Michael Stelzner, an entrepreneur, author and founder of SocialMediaExaminer.com – one of the world’s largest business blogs – is scheduled to deliver the opening keynote.

In addition to keynote addresses by Thompson, Stelzner and Zuckerberg, Innovation Summit will feature presentations by more than a dozen other thought leaders, and Innovation EXPO display booths will showcase the latest breakthroughs and developments from Indiana startups, universities, service providers and established companies alike.

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About TechPoint

TechPoint is Indiana’s statewide technology initiative focused on growing Indiana’s tech sector by promoting the successes of technology companies and professionals; supporting the formation, expansion, and attraction of technology companies; and advocating appropriate public policy. For more information, please visit www.techpoint.org.

About CultureRx

CultureRx is a professional consulting firm founded by Cali Ressler and Jody Thompson, creators of the Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE). ROWE is a management strategy focused solely on results, increasing organizational efficiency and output while creating a climate in which employees can manage all of life’s demands. CultureRx is the official provider of the ROWE implementation process in public and private sector organizations – in both for-profit and non-profit settings. For more information about ROWE and CultureRx, please visitwww.gorowe.com.

]]> http://indy-biz.com/2011/11/06/jody-thompson-to-discuss-results-only-work-enviroment/feed/ 0 http://indy-biz.com/2011/06/11/indiana-tween-designs-app-for-iphone-and-raises-money-to-fight-breast-cancer/ http://indy-biz.com/2011/06/11/indiana-tween-designs-app-for-iphone-and-raises-money-to-fight-breast-cancer/#comments Sat, 11 Jun 2011 21:24:52 +0000 admin http://indy-biz.com/?p=4903 FORT WAYNE, IND, Brooklyn is more than your typical 12-year-old.  She takes dance lessons, plays tennis, and argues with her twin brother like many other girls her age, but on the side, she’s an entrepreneur.  And with her family’s help, she designed Giggle Bear™ for the iPhone mobile digital device.  The game, available today on iTunes, is the brainchild of Brooklyn.

While at a friend’s house last summer, she was downloading games on her father’s iPhone and thought they were a bit boring.  Her dad challenged her to design her own game, and Giggle World Productions, LLC was born.  Brooklyn went on to draw what she thought would be fun—a game where you could design your own giggling animal friend and then play with it online.  She added more and more details and tested her ideas on her friends to get a broad range of input.

“I want my children to know they can do anything they want,” said Geoffrey, Brooklyn’s father and a local physician.  Impressed with the detail and direction of her app, he and his wife Marsha decided to back Brooklyn’s dream and help her go to market.  So they set about finding someone who could take Brooklyn’s idea and turn it into reality.  They found Agile Poet, an Austin, Texas-based interactive developer.  The family visited the company and the game went into development in September of this year.  Brooklyn and her brother, Geoffrey Jr., attend business meetings and continue to contribute through the whole process.  When asked what the most surprising thing was about starting a business, she said, “I have a lawyer.  It’s kind of cool.”

Just as the app was begun, Marsha found out she had breast cancer.  The family decided that part of the proceeds for the app should go to support breast cancer research.  “I am most moved by the outpouring of support I’ve received, even from strangers, and I want to give back,” said Marsha.  Although still undergoing treatment, the family has continued to keep moving along with the business and is planning for the next game, a music app designed by Brooklyn’s twin brother Geoffrey.

The family understands the risks involved in starting a business such as this.  “I’m the Nervous Nelly,” says Marsha, “but it’s fun to watch her take initiative and do something.”  “My husband, Geoff, is more of the risk-taker.”  “My father died in 2009, and it made me realize you’ve got to live life and do things now.  This isn’t cheap, but we don’t have a lake house or spend money crazily.  This is something that will teach the kids life lessons.”

Giggle Bear is now available on iTunes for $1.99, with a portion of the sales going to support breast cancer research.  With every download, Free or Paid version, Giggle World will donate money to support breast cancer research. A total of $50,000 in funds will be donated once we reach 500,000 downloads.

About Giggle World Productions, LLC

Giggle World Productions, LLC is a privately held company based in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Learn more at gigglebear.com or go to iTunes® application program to download immediately.

iPhone and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Indiana State Senator, David Long, Appoints Indianapolis Businesswoman

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. – Erin Smith, co-owner of Spotlight Strategies, has been appointed to the Indiana Commission of Women (ICW) by Senator David Long, President Pro Tempore of the Indiana Senate. Smith has been a long time advocate for women and women business owners in Indiana.

Smith serves on the Board of Directors of the Indianapolis chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners
(NAWBO-Indianapolis) and has been a member of the organization since 2007. She also served as the chairperson for NAWBO-Indy’s annual panel discussion, Trailblazers 2011: Empower, Inspire, Educate.

Smith has earned numerous business and community awards including Indy’s Best and Brightest Retail and Manufacturing & Services award; Indiana Commission for Women’s Torchbearer award finalist; NAWBO-Indy’s 2008 Member of the Year award; Starkey Entrepreneurial Woman award finalist; Diplomat of the Year for the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce; and the Ernest C. Mishler Community Service award.

Smith states, “I am honored and humbled with this appointment. I am looking forward to continuing my journey of promoting Indiana women propelling them both socially and professionally.”

“With Velocity™ Home, we have created a systematic way of creating more success stories,” says Rainmakers President, Jamar Cobb-Dennard.  “We want to help more people like the CJ McClanahan, Kyle Lacy, and Chris Reeds of the world build their business from new to big, and local to national.”

Velocity™ is a comprehensive program that includes weekly coaching calls, a home study course, private coaching from Rainmakers executives, and 3-months of group coaching.

About Rainmakers:

Rainmakers started in 2002 as a gathering of a few business owners who were looking to connect with each other’s network, and has grown to be one of the 10 largest associations in the Indianapolis region, with over 1450 members, and events in 3 states.  For more on Rainmakers Marketing Group and how their product helps business owners grow revenue through relationships, visit http://gorainmakers.com.

Rainmakers Marketing Group, 6208 N. Dobson, Suite A, Indianapolis, IN 46268.  Contact:  Jamar Cobb-Dennard, 317-946-5984, jamar@gorainmakers.com.

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IndyCREW will be observing their 10 Year Anniversary with celebratory luncheon at the Conrad on February 15th at 11:30am.  The luncheon will feature a panel discussion of the past, present and future of IndyCREW with founding members: Donna Hovey , Lisa L. Ingram, Mary Beth Kohart, and Shokrina Radpour Beering.

Additionally, IndyCREW members with 10 yrs of membership will also be recognized during the meeting.

For more information on attending this or other IndyCREW programs or learn how to become involved, call 317.564.4698 or visit www.indycrew.org.

For more info contact: FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Steve Berry Office: 317.577.3915 | Cell: 317.727.1292

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CompuChild, the only children’s technology education franchise on the list for 2011, saw its rankings jump considerably from last year and added the distinction of being ranked #1 in their category. “The Franchise 500 ranking for 2011 reflects on the efforts of our entire organization.” said Julie Standish, president and CEO of CompuChild Services of America, Inc. “With the change in senior management a couple years ago, we have made great strides in increasing customer satisfaction, improving our financial strength and building our brand.  Additionally, we have made operational improvements to ensure our students are receiving the highest quality education.”

All companies regardless of size are judged by the same criteria:  objective, quantifiable measures of a franchise operation.  The magazine bases its rankings on financial strength and stability, growth rate and size of the system.  The full list is available online at www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500.  The “Franchise 500” list is published in the magazine’s January 2011 issue, which hit newsstands on December 21.  To learn more about a CompuChild franchise or technology program, visit www.compuchild.com.

NAWBO-Indianapolis congratulates the 2010 Visionary Award winners!

»  Laura Sniadecki, A.G. Maas Company Avatar of the Year

»  Joyce Rogers, Esq., Ivy Tech CC Indianapolis Choice

»  Deb Walton, Indy City GiftBaskets Member of the Year

»  Bev Miller, A Sign by Design Woman Business Owner of the Year

The winners were honored at the seventh annual awards luncheon, Celebrating Women presented by PNC Bank

Dominate your Destiny conferences help leaders start, develop, grow and sustain prosperous small businesses. Using problem resolution techniques, current market trends, up-to-date understanding of business processes, and first-hand knowledge of what it takes to fire up a company and keep it competitive, Dominate Your Destiny motivates, inspires, and trains leaders at all levels to envision their purpose, establish their strategies, pursue their dreams, and transform their enterprise.

“I am very happy to be a part of the brain trust for this event”, said Ball. “It is exciting to help small business leaders discover new avenues for growth, and to watch them rekindle their passion for their business.”

The cost of the course is $20. Please visit dominateyourdestinyindy.eventbrite.com/ for more information or to register.

About Lorraine Ball:

An award winning marketing professional, Lorraine and the team at Roundpeg help small business owners become big business owners.

Active in the local Indianapolis business community, she is the former President of the Network of Women in Business and Rainmakers and currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Hamilton County Business Alliance Entrepreneurship Advancement Center.

She frequently shares her expertise in public seminars, and presentations around the country. In addition, her articles on marketing planning and business development have been featured in numerous including Contracting Business, The New York Forum, The Indianapolis Business Journal, and Carmel Business Leader.

Serving as President, Lewallen will be responsible for day-to-day operations and leading and supporting all Rainmakers markets.  Reed will be the leader of 30 “power teams” to include daily training and support for the Central Indiana region.

“This is a big move to get us to one model,” says Rainmakers CEO Tony Scelzo.  “We have always been member driven, member inspired and member led. We know this move will help us live out our core mission of helping businesses become more, so they can serve more.  Nikki and Chris bring completely different energies to the Rainmakers organization and create a more synergistic team,” says Scelzo.

Nikki Lewallen has been a member of Rainmakers for the past five years, starting her leadership initiatives as an Action Board member, evolving to the leader of expansion into markets (VP of Development) like Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky.  “Nikki has been the heart of the explosive growth in membership, especially into new markets.  Nikki’s passion for our mission of ‘Be More, Serve More.’ glows.  She makes our business development process simple for our members.  She will now take her mastered techniques and apply them to our core leadership,” says Scelzo.

Chris Reed has been a member of Rainmakers for over two years and has fulfilled many roles from Chairperson to trainer and public speaker.  “Chris has evolved, even transformed into a leader in this association. We know that in order to grow we have to become transformational leaders. This means being incredibly caring and incredibly demanding. Reed brings this to the table,” says Nikki Lewallen.

About Rainmakers: Founded in 2002, Rainmakers is a business development system, committed to helping individuals meet, learn and grow. Today, Rainmakers has more than 1,800 members and is the fastest growing organization of its kind. For more information go to: www.gorainmakers.com.