Courier-Post from Camden, New Jersey • Page 16

courlerpostonline.combusiness 6B COURIER-POST, Friday, January 12, 2007 www.courierpostonline.com INDUSTRY TRENDS Stable beef prices Recent winter storms have driven up the costs of bringing cattle to market even though retailers tend to keep the price of beef stable for consumers. Monthly average retail cost of all beef, per pound Inside Foodmaker General Mills Inc. says sustaining its 6 percent sales growth is unlikely. The stock rises 55 cents to $57.31. Check other stocks 7B They said it "From a risk mitigation perspective, this helps both companies and gives us more shots on goal." Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

Chief Financial Officer Andrew Bonfield, discussing the news that Bristol-Myers and AstraZeneca PLC will share the risks and rewards of developing two diabetes drugs. Bonfield predicted that there will be more deals between drug companies as development costs surge and regulatory hurdles grow. (856) 486-2401 businesscourierpostonline.com Metro Editor Geoffrey FX C'Connell Success means tough choices tor small companies to make JT 'fT' ft n'. Li 1 i V7 I I I.i' I 1 CHECKLIST Prepare for class The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. offers tips on teaching students with visual impairments as part of its financial education partnership with the National Disability Institute and the National Cooperative Bank: Arrive at the class location early to set up and prepare.

Thus, you can personally meet and greet participants as they enter the room. Try for small class sizes, such as 10 to 15 students. Introductions help students to become more familiar with those sitting next to them. Recognize that students may have varying degrees of vision loss. To prepare your materials in the appropriate formats, familiarize yourself with the students by visiting with the organizer prior to class.

If needed and available provide readers to assist certain students during class. Consider using special tools for exercises. ENTREPRENEURS Consortium hopes to swell ranks As more nations outside the U.S. adopt an entrepreneurial culture, a consortium of nonprofit groups and companies is launching a program to entice more young Americans to consider self-employment. "Entrepreneurship is a driving force of the U.S.

economy," said the announcement for Entrepreneurship Week USA from sponsors including the Ew-ing Marion Kauffman Foundation. "During the past 15 years, businesses less than 5 years old have accounted for about 70 percent of the net job creation in the United States." Entrepreneurship Week USA, from Feb. 24 to March 3, is aimed at people 14 to 25 years old and carries the theme, "What's Your Big Idea? Take it On!" On the Web: www.en-trepreneurshipweeku-sa.com HOUSING Study. Prices still painful U.S. home prices may have dipped over the past year, but many American workers still struggle to afford a median-priced home in major cities, according to a new study from the nonprofit Center for Housing Policy.

While the median home price in the 202 largest metropolitan areas declined 2 percent in the third quarter of 2006 to $248,000 from a year ago, mortgage rates rose enough over the year that homes actually became less affordable as pay did not keep pace. The study found an annual income of nearly $85,000 was needed to afford the median-priced U.S. home. In the New York metropolitan area, a $500,000 median-priced home required a $171,000 annual salary. The median-priced home in San Francisco, the most expensive U.S.

market, was $759,000, requiring income of $260,000. In less-expensive Chicago, the median-priced home cost $254,000, requiring an $87,000 salary. The median-priced home in the Camden County area was $223,000, requiring income of $77,000. View the study online: www.nhc.orgchpp2p 1 TIP DU JOUR Web tool helps track tax refund Once taxpayers file their tax return, they can track their refund through the online tool "Where's My Refund?" at www.irs.gov. Taxpayers will need some of the exact information from their tax return in order to use the tool.

Accessing this secure Web site will allow people to find out if the Internal Revenue Service has processed the tax return and sent the refund. Additionally, the IRS is encouraging electronic filing, also at www.irs.gov, to "prevent problems for many taxpayers sorting through this year's changes," the agency said in a news release. PEOPLE Christian joins cardiology unit Deborah Heart and Lung Center announced the appointment of Dr. Sangita-Ann Christian to the hospital's CHRISTIAN cardiology department, where she joins the staff as a clinical investigator and specialist in critical-care medicine. Christian joins Deborah after four years at the East Orange V.A.

Medical Center, where she worked as an attending physician in the emergency department. She has conducted research in heart failure and transplants at Columbia University's Presbyterian Medical Center, and she has worked as a scientist in the pharmaceutical industry. Christian holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Seton Hall University and a medical degree from Saba University in the Netherlands Antilles. Heaney-Cutts to lead perinatal cooperative Tabernacle resident Gwen Heaney-Cutts has been elected to a two-year term as president of the South Jersey Perinatal Cooperative. Heaney-Cutts, who is a registered nurse, has been corporate director of Women's and Children's Services for the Kennedy Health System since 1997.

The cooperative is a state-licensed maternal and child health consortium of health-care providers and consumers serving pregnant women, as well as infants and children. SAVE THE DATE Venture capital focus of event The New Jersey Technology Council's Venture Capital Finance Peer Network will present the Annual Venture Industry Update, featuring Mark Heesen, president of the National Venture Capital Association Feb. 2, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., at the Wes-tin Princeton Forrestal Village, 201 Village Princeton. The event is free for council members and $50 for nonmembers who are venture capitalists, investment bankers and equity investors. For more information, visit www.njtc.org.

on 1 By EDWARD IWATA Gannett News Service At some point between youth and adulthood, many small profitable companies face a dilemma: Should they keep growing or stay the same size? Past the startup stage, successful small businesses boast cash flow, loyal customers and rising demand for products and services. Competitors, investors and bankers tempt them with merger inquiries or public stock offerings. Should the companies go for it, dreaming of becoming the next Starbucks? Or should they remain happy with their fates as small businesses? "Once a company goes through a growth period and reaches critical mass, it has all kinds of choices to make," says Bo Burlingh-am, an Inc. magazine editor and author of Small Giants: Companies That Choose to be Great Instead of Big. "There's a moment of truth." In researching his book, Burlingham found hundreds of thriving U.S.

businesses that decided smaller is better. Unlike thousands of publicly traded firms, these business owners refuse to chase double-digit growth, or kowtow to Wall Street. Instead, they've kept their companies at a manageable size, privately held by a few shareholders. Burlingham writes about 14 companies, including Anchor Brewing in San Francisco; the Union Square Hospitality Group of restaurants in New York; Ecco, a maker of vehicle backup alarms in Boise, Idaho; and Selima, a fashion design firm in Hollywood, COLUMN Employees with ADHD need special attention While there is no cure for attention-deficit (hyperactivity) disorder, if you're diagnosed with ADHD, there is help. Eve Smukler is a a Los Angeles psychotherapist and coach with a focus on ADHD.

Successful business owners Smukler has worked to develop strategies that help them compensate using technology and execu- ABOUT US ro.ou o.ao 4 rn 3.50 3.00 2.50 2.00 2005 2006 NOTE: 'All beer refers to all types of cuts including choice, select and ungraded beef. Associated Press SOURCE: National Cattleman's Beef Association STUDENT DEBT Proposal would cut loan interest rates A congressional proposal to cut student loan interest rates in half will save the average lower- and middle-income borrower $4,420 over the life of their loans, according to a new report by the nonprofit New Jersey Public Interest Research Group. The proposal, which the House is expected to vote on next week, would lower interest rates on undergraduate subsidized Stafford loans over the next five years until they are cut in half to 3.4 percent, starting in 2011. In 2004-05, more than 5.5 million students took out subsidized Stafford loans to pay for college, NJPIRG said. About 61,000 New Jersey students at 4-year colleges took out subsidized Stafford loans.

The average New Jersey borrower graduated with $14,367 in loan debt, NJPIRG said. FINANCIAL PLANNING Be wary of using bankruptcy option For people with severe debt problems, bankruptcy has always been the worst-case scenario, and now it's even more so, according to Consumer Reports, which offers some pointers: Because of federal laws that became effective in October 2005, declaring bankruptcy if you exceed the state's median income is more difficult, "even if you have extraordinary expenses." Judges often cannot discharge your debts "if you'd have even $100 left in your pocket each month after paying eligible living expenses," an amount set by the Internal Revenue Service. If you file for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy and don't qualify, you could be accused of abuse of process. BUSINESS TRENDS Poll: Managers work any time Almost half of U.S. small-business managers work during time meant for family and admit to making business calls and checking e-mail while driving, according to a national survey conducted on behalf of Staples Inc.

The poll explored the balance between work and personal time for 300 leaders of companies with fewer than 20 employees, a group representing nearly 90 percent of all U.S. businesses, according to the National Federation of Independent Business. For updated quotes, send text rsrzys message with stock unui ur Uf Ul FUND TICKER (e g. AGTHX) to 44636 (4INF0) i 4 me 1 PRINT ONLINE! Each additional line $1.96. MORE INFORMATION 'Small Giants: Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big' 256 pages, Portfolio Hardcover, $24.95 Small Giants Web site: www.smallgiantsbook.com 4 TP ft Liquid Library of small businesses.

The downside of staying small? There's less capital to increase production or to grow geographically, which can lead to losing customers. Burlingham adds that small businesses face the same risks as all companies, including fierce competition, cash-flow problems, poor management and recessions. loans 7.77 J.86 i 7.45 (www.informars.combestrates) Gannett News Service Ml 1 ti iTi i rtii in in preneurial spirit and the highest quality of their products and services. Maintaining ties to customers and suppliers who like the personal touch Average home equity rates This quarter 6 months ago Year ago Home equity lines of credit i. 8.08 y.95 A '31 Fla.

They've chosen to focus on what they believe to be more gratifying goals, including: Preserving their entre PREVIEW Andrea Kay AtWork Read the full column at eiiuntsffidijiiirtiiiiB eumtj tive assistants. There are medications, cognitive behavioral therapy and coaching to create routines, structure and systems to help with time management and organizational problems. Home equity Source: Infor ma Research Services TALK TO US A The 'Work Save' page of the 'Courier-Post' strives to provide readers valuable, concise information to help them at home and at work. Our aim is to give you tidbits of information to help you work smarter, be more productive, reduce debt and keep more money in your pocket. Work Save is compiled from staff and Gannett News Service reports.

For more tips and detailed information, go online to courierpostonline.comvirorkanrJsave. If you have a favorite dollar-stretching tip, saving strategy or productivity advice, contact us. Got a new job? A promotion? Let us know. Send us your news and suggestions. Contact Metro Editor Geoffrey F.X.

O'Connell at (856) 486-2401 or via e-mail at businesscourierpostonline.com or by mail at Work Save, Courier-Post Business News Department, P.O. Box 5300, Cherry Hill 08034. Please include a daytime phone number. MA ALL (Q) o) WILL MY OLD DINING ROOM SET FIND A IN THE COURIER-POST CLASSIFIEDS? GOOD HOME fr jrfcii CALL TODAY! JUST $23.95 FOR YOUR 7 DAY 3-Unes, private party ads (non-commercial) selling used personal Items priced CLASSIFIED ADS IN and totaling over $150 and under $750. Courier-Post South Jersey Classifieds In print and online at CourierPostOnline.com Reach more than 360,000 consumers with your ad.

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