Soapbox

Kevin Reynolds
SoapBlog 2 - why public radio matters

A not-so rhetorical question….does the growth, or possible explosion, of one type of media, automatically mean the end of another type of media?

There are examples of that happening to be sure…cassettes killed 8-tracks; CD's temporarily killed vinyl (though it's fighting its way back); VHS killed Beta.

So with the advent of internet, iPods, satellite and other music and radio sources, what about the over-the-air radio stations, and more specifically, what about public radio stations?

The fact of the matter is that, here in Cincinnati, the two public radio stations I work for – Classical 90.9 WGUC and 91.7 WVXU – are doing very well in terms of number of listeners and memberships, and corporate underwriting is strong and seems to be on an uphill slope. All that bodes well for public radio and, more importantly, for our listeners.

Public radio is a unique institution. Remaining commercial free and often carrying content (classical or Americana music, round the clock news, jazz, talk with no pomposity or screaming) that commercial stations seem to have no real interest in airing. Public radio also fills the niche with community stations, often airing a different format of music or talk each and every hour, while the homogenization of commercial stations continues to take hold.

In global terms, the number of people relying solely on some other form of radio or music provider is still relatively small. Radio remains the primary source of music, news and information in the car, and often during times of crises (take the recent power outage for instance…battery operated or crank radios were in high use all over the region.)

Public radio audiences have become more reliant upon the news we provide because it is not influenced by sponsors or the general political leanings of the station's ownership. We are not formatted by consultants or media executives who have never been in Cincinnati.

Our classical music station is one of the last dozen or so of its type left in this country, but even a market the size of Cincinnati supports it because it is another cultural icon that they don't want to lose.

As for news and information, where else on the dial will you hear intelligent, engaging, provocative programs like "This American Life," "A Prairie Home Companion," "Wait! Wait! Don't Tell Me," "The Diane Rehm Show," and so many others? It's not just the same 40 songs in heavy rotation, or loud battles between hosts and guests, or a block of 10 commercials each and every hour. Public radio respects the intellect, offers an alternative, and asks those who listen to us to help fund us. What a concept!

And as technology grows, so does public radio. With HD Radio technology, did you know we can split our signal and add new formats? In order to meet the desires of our listeners, we now offer a 24 hour jazz programming service on one of our HD signals, and the other is the simulcast of the award-winning internet station woxy.com. We believe these are formats completely ignored in this market, and since we have the technical capabilities and financial support from our listeners to provide them, we do.

There's no doubt that our listeners feel a personal stake in our operations because their donations fund over half of our annual operating budget. They know we are local…our stations are across the street from the back of Music Hall and we are easily reachable by phone or e-mail…we are here, not sitting somewhere in Texas deciding what to play here. We spotlight local arts and cultural organizations, spend three hours each weekend doing stories of local interest to go along with the national stories that we air. We provide local businesses a way to reach a very strong demographical audience with their message.

As you pop in your ear buds and listen to your iPod, consider using iTunes to download some of public radio's best, and realize what else is out there. If you aren't a listener, try us for what we can bring to your life…information, comfort, news, entertainment. Then dial us up in your car and enjoy radio with character and emotion.

SoapBlog 1 - Survivor
Kevin Reynolds

At this moment, I am a cancer survivor. I have been free of cancer (and both my kidneys) for a year and a half. I'm always happy to be able to say that, but also realistic in the knowledge that my status could change at any time. That's a truth that will keep you on your toes.

My story isn't much different from many others…cancer is rarely an anticipated outcome of a doctor's visit or medical test. When you're told, the words hang heavy in the air, your heart and soul constantly waiting for a "but…," or a "however…" followed by a "kidding" or "not you." That doesn't really happen. If they say it, they mean it. The dominoes then begin to fall.

Life…death…family…friends…hospitals…jobs…treatments…existence…pain...

The list is lengthy…it flies through your head like a hummingbird on crack. Fear grips you and you find it hard to breathe.  You grab the one you love and hug, or you look at one another in total disbelief. You cry. You cry a lot.

Then you begin to figure things out. You and the doctor develop a plan. You start looking at a calendar, figuring out how to make this new reality fit into your existing reality. Then comes the really uncomfortable part…telling people.

I never knew the right way to tell people I had cancer. You can tap dance around it for awhile, but eventually it will come out. When you say it straight out, it's like slapping people you care about with an icy cold bath…knees buckle, jaws drop, words fade into stutters. Suddenly you, the patient, have to become the comforter to the listener..."it's okay…I have a great doctor…we have an aggressive plan…I'm going to fight this," anything to ease the shock.

Some of the hardest conversations took place with my employer and co-workers at Cincinnati Public Radio. It was a scant two years after I joined the stations that I received my diagnosis. I was heartbroken…this is my dream job and I knew I would have to be gone for at least 6 months, maybe longer. How do I tell them? How do I tell my co-workers, knowing many of them will have to pick up my duties while I'm gone? Will I be treated differently? What about the events I was in the middle of planning? How easily replaceable am I?

That last question is one that hurts, because it transcends just the job. How replaceable am I as a husband, friend, parent, and employee? To maintain some sanity, you have to believe that your family will stand by you, support you, and care for you. But you feel incredibly vulnerable when it comes to your job.

I admit that I was glad at this point that I was not working in a cut-throat corporate setting. I've been working for non-profit organizations for over 20 years and one reason, among many, is because the work environment is more to my liking. I prefer working for a greater good and that usually involves working with others with my same sensibilities.

When I returned to work after receiving my cancer diagnosis, I was in a fog. But I knew that I had to tell people because, in time, it was gong to come out. I wanted to do it my way. I met with our general manager and my immediate boss to explain the situation. They deserved to know first and to help me determine the best course of action. At no point did either of them ask me anything about the job or my upcoming events. Not once. Every question was about me, what was going to happen, how my family was doing, and repeatedly wondering what they could do. I felt a significant weight lifting from me.

I then had to tell the other folks in my department. Having held it together when telling my bosses, I wasn't so lucky with my co-workers. I felt the sadness creeping up my throat and it was hard to get the words out. I tried to stay matter of fact, focused, almost keeping it as if I was talking about someone else. I'm not sure it worked, but I got it out. Words of encouragement, support, and concern flowed…including offers to learn what I was working on so they could fill in.

There are a million stressors when you are diagnosed with a chronic illness. Finances, insurance, telling your child, telling your parents, travel details, medicines, keeping up the house and the yard, trying to remain an active partner in your marriage…everything is magnified, everything is not as it was. But knowing that your employer has your back…is more concerned about you than about the job…that your co-workers will happily pick up the slack…removes about half of those stressors. I can't imagine going into my surgeries concerned about my future employment. I had to worry about my future existence, and Cincinnati Public Radio allowed me to do that.

During my time off, I received regular cards, emails, calls, and gifts from the people at the stations. As soon as I was able, I visited the office to say hello, see what was going on, clear out any mail, and to feel like I would be useful again. I was out seven months, but was allowed to come back part-time while I built up my stamina. I had long talks with my boss about my schedule now that I was on home hemo dialysis. I planned on doing treatments in the evening after work, but there would be some days I'd have to go in the morning. I would have monthly doctor, counseling and clinic appointments. There would be occasional screenings for any reoccurrence of the cancer. I promised that I would keep up with my responsibilities despite these disruptions, and during the last year and a half, I have checked with my boss to make sure how we were going worked for her. She has assured me that all is well. Again, more stressors relieved.

Surviving a chronic or critical illness requires so much more than just good medicine and good doctors. It's a mental, spiritual and physical journey that is never smooth…a true roller coaster of emotions. My ride was made much smoother with the never-ending support of my employer. I thank Rich Eiswerth, Chris Phelps and everyone at Cincinnati Public Radio for being such an integral part of my healing, and for allowing me to return to a job I truly love.

SoapBlog 3
Dan Neyer
Commercial Building's Economic Outlook for 2009: More Difficult Before it Gets Better, Neyer Predicts

There are a lot of challenges coming up in 2009, the biggest of which is the credit squeeze. The ability to obtain loans is very difficult in today's environment, as many banks are afraid to make mistakes.

There are also many development, or short-term loans coming due in 2009 and 2010 due to increasing vacancies and downward pressure on rental rates, which will require a substantial amount of additional borrower equity at a time borrowers can least afford to provide it. We are very fortunate at our company that we continue to obtain loans due to the strength of our balance sheet.

Construction for private (non-public or non-profit) companies will be virtually non-existent in 2009 due to the lack of credit and the fact that construction costs have not been reduced enough yet to justify new development.
 Cincinnati will not suffer as badly as other cities because we're not so dependent on the financial services industry. We have a diversified economy and the strength of  P&G, Kroger, General Electric, Western Southern and other companies helping us weather the storm compared to cities such as Dayton and Detroit, which have economies more closely tied to the automotive industry. 

I think the recession will last as long as the overall mood of our country is negative and lenders restrict the amount of available capital. This time around, commercial real estate overbuilding in our town is limited compared to other recessions we have had in the past. Compared to other cities, we will not fall as far as others will. 

If you look at the past, we've gone into a commercial recession just about every eight to 10 years. These are generally caused by greed by either borrowers or lenders ignoring the basic principals of good, sound real estate investment and getting ahead of their skis. 

Cash is King even more today than is has ever been. If you have the cash, you will be able to seize opportunities that come your way.

High growth areas will continue to be infill locations south of I-275 along the I-71 corridor, and the I-75 West Chester and Liberty Township corridor.

During times of stress and uncertainty, companies which have invested and spent wisely will be the winners. I personally believe 2009 and 2010 will be looked upon years from now as one of the greatest times for opportunity and think that businesses need to adjust their thinking and look to the future, not dwell on what occurred in 2008. Those who keep a positive frame of mind will be better for it.

Dan Neyer
SoapBlog 2: Why Neyer Properties Has Gone Green

Three years ago, I didn't know much about green building, but the concept intrigued me. 

My staff is committed, progressive and curious, and we began to investigate green building because we felt it was the right thing to do and would be an effective marketing tool. But was green building a sound business investment, or just a feel-good practice? 

We had a lot of questions, and the only way to find the answers was to do the research and do the math. What was the return on investment for installing high-efficiency HVAC or energy-efficient windows? Could xeriscaping be attractive and still offer significant water savings? Did offices with lots of natural light and green products in flooring, carpet and wall coverings really improve the health and attitudes of workers, or were they just cosmetically cool? 

What we found was that green building is not only the right thing to do for the environment and our physical and emotional health, it makes economic sense, too. 

Our green office buildings use up to 30 percent less energy and provide a 50 percent savings in water use over typical office buildings. Employees are healthier in a green environment—there are fewer allergens in natural carpets, flooring, and wall coverings-- which translates into fewer sick days. Fewer sick days means more employee productivity. Every business wants that.  And happiness from being in a green, clean environment aids in employee job satisfaction and retention. 

Now let's picture the following scenario and crunch some realistic numbers: A company named Green Living, Inc. rents 10,000 square feet of office space at $15.00 per square foot for a total of $150,000 a year. Average salary per employee is $60,000. Health insurance, employment taxes, and benefits add another 40 percent; and overhead adds another 30 percent for a total cost of $100,000 per employee per year.
 
Each employee is also at least 2 percent more productive in the green office space. This is because air in the space is cleaner and fresher, more natural light comes in, and employees are happy to work there. This small gain of 2 percent productivity (one less sick day per person per year) translates into a large number—$8.00 per square foot. For these same reasons, there is also a half-percent gain from employee retention over time, or reduced turnover, which equals $2.00 per square foot. 

Energy savings knock off 25 percent of the utility bill, and green landscaping combined with low-flow restroom fixtures eliminates 50 percent of water use and treatment costs. These operating cost savings equal about $1.00 per square foot.
 
Added all together, this 10,000 square foot green office saves an employer $11 per square foot over renting a traditionally-built, non-green building. Net result: green building makes this effective office rent cost only $4.00 per square foot.

Now compare these numbers to the added cost of $11.00 to the $15.00 per square foot rent in a typically-built, non-green building. With two percent more sick days, a productivity drop, employee turnover, and increased water and utility costs, the cost to rent a non-green building is now actually $26.00 per square foot.

In essence, because employees are the biggest expense for a company, creating a healthier, more efficient work environment is a win-win for both employee and employer. Going green means increased productivity and quality of life for each employee, as well as an increase in revenue and cost savings for the company. 

Green building significantly reduces a company's net effective rents. It transitions rent from an obligation to an investment that pays dividends in real dollars and human capital.
 
Dan Neyer is president of Neyer Properties, a leading commercial real estate, land development, and commercial development company in the greater Cincinnati-northern Kentucky region. It is headquartered at Keystone Parke in Evanston, the first LEED-certified Gold office campus in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.

Dan Neyer
SoapBlog 1

Lately people have been asking me what it takes to lead a successful commercial real estate development company, one that has been successful even in a down economy. While I can't speak for every leader in every situation, I can talk about what has worked for Neyer Properties. 

First of all, you have to lead with passion and strong convictions. You must be able to inspire and motivate people and make sure you have the right culture that promotes honesty and integrity above all else. Profits and sales goals should never be the only goal; they are a result. If you provide good value, profits and growth will follow. If you do the right things in the right way, you will have opportunities to grow and be profitable. 

Everything ties into that. Our company committed itself to green building, for example, because it was the right thing to do and it benefits everyone in the long term. We started with that concept, and did the research, discovering along the way how green building and its subliminal effects on people adds to their contentment level at work as well as their good health, which results in improved employee retention. Happy employees come to work more often and stay longer in a job, which increases productivity and reduces employee training costs.

These are benefits in addition to helping conserve natural resources, energy, and water.

Secondly, embrace change, or, in my case, pursue change. It genuinely works. See things that others don't see, and don't wait to act. If you wait too long to act, you may end up with tire tracks on your forehead. View obstacles as opportunities and figure out a way to go over, under, through them. Turn the negative to a positive. 

Third, never give up. If you are knocked down, get up. Failure sometimes is the best way to enlighten you on the road to success.

Fourth is motivation. There are more reasons not to do things than reasons to do them sometimes. Provide something that others will want and desire, even if they don't fully understand what it is. It's all about value; how you create it and how you provide it. 

Finally, stick to your knitting. Keep focused on what you do best, but be flexible enough to try new things. You don't want to be too focused, like the auto industry has been. They built cars that they wanted to build, and not what people wanted to drive.

Today's environment is one of the best in which to start a business. Technology is at your fingertips. Find a need and fill it, but be certain it's the right thing for you and your potential customer base.

Dan Neyer is the recipient of the 2008 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award; 2008 Better Business Bureau (BBB) Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics; and the 2008 National Assn. for Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) Developer of the Year Award.

Jeremy Neff, Post 3

“Where were you last weekend, and the weekend before that?” the bartender shot back when I complained that Courtyard Café’s kitchen was closed too early on Friday of Bockfest weekend.  They were short-staffed because of the blizzard, but that didn’t change the fact that we were hungry and running out of options (Lucy Blue pizza window turned out to be our salvation).

Shauntae had a point.  If I wanted Main Street to have a variety of late night dining options I needed to patronize places that provide that service more often than during the occasional festival.  “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”  Gandhi was talking about more important things than pizza at one in the morning, but you get the point.

That offhand remark by the bartender at Courtyard Café is part of the impetus behind the BuyCincy Holiday Guide.  The guest contributors are all folks who have committed to putting their money where their mouths are when it comes to having a great city.

Why don’t more people spend their time and money at locally-owned businesses?  I think there are two main reasons.  First, it is easier to go to the familiar.  Shopping, especially around the holidays, can be a real pain.  Why potentially prolong the pain by going to unfamiliar shops when everything you could possibly need can be found at a big-box store?  Second, there is the perception that shopping locally is more expensive.

In my experience, shopping locally does take longer, but not always for the reasons you would expect.  When I go to a big chain store I get in a zone, quickly seek out what I want, and keep time at the check-out to a minimum.  It is not a pleasant experience, the other folks there (workers and customers) seem generally unhappy, and I want it all to be over with as soon as possible.  When I shop locally I get to know the owners and workers, as well as other customers.  I linger to chat about neighborhood news, plans for the future, and sometimes just to soak in the atmosphere (Findlay Market trips can become particularly prolonged for this last reason).

In fairness, local businesses can’t even come close to the marketing power of big chains.  It is not surprising that people know more about shops at the mall down the highway than they do about the ones right in their neighborhood.  That’s where www.buycincy.com comes in.  They profile local businesses throughout Greater Cincinnati year-round, and are currently running the Holiday Guide with a focus on holiday shopping.  Not finding what you need there?  Let them know, or, better yet, do a little investigative journalism yourself and let them know what you find.

The issue of cost is not as easily dismissed.  As a preliminary matter, price differentials really depend on what you are buying, and transportation costs are quickly eating away at the price advantage offered by some chain stores.  I find that I save quite a bit of money at farmers’ markets, and mom and pop restaurants have offered “value menus” since well before fast-food chains became the default eateries for hungry Americans.

But more fundamentally, you aren’t getting the same thing when you buy Product A at a big-box retailer versus the comparable Product A at a locally-owned business.  My prior posts have spoken at length of the benefits of local shopping: walkable neighborhoods, superior customer service, and an enjoyable experience just to name a few.  These things don’t just happen on their own – they happen because you are shopping locally.  In other words, you aren’t just buying Product A at a locally-owned store; you are buying a stronger city, a happier day, and, if you’re lucky, gemütlichkeit.

Jeremy Neff, Post 2

I woke up this past Saturday morning to see the city with a beautiful coating of snow with big, fluffy flakes continuing to fall.  The news reported that the highways were getting a little sloppy, but I had no plans to drive anywhere.  Our home in the West End is within easy walking distance of the Over-the-Rhine and downtown restaurants and shops.  It was the perfect day to do some local shopping for the BuyCincy Holiday Guide.

On my way to the Gateway Quarter I noticed that Minges Candy was open.  Never having been there I didn’t know what to expect, but that’s part of the local shopping experience.  The friendly manager showed me around and pointed out the candy canes made by Doscher’s, a candy shop just a few blocks from my house.  One of the other customers showed me some of her favorite sweets.  Minges was a good find, and I’ll definitely be going back.

Laden with a sack of candy that would make a trick-or-treater jealous, I proceeded to Vine Street.  I stopped in to pick up a couple items at Park + Vine and to check out the plants at City Roots on my way to Metronation.  I ended up buying some candles there, but the real reason I stopped in was to chat with the owners, who happen to live down the street from me.  Supporting your neighbors is a big part of what it means to shop local.

Next up was a quick visit with one of the owners of the Joseph Williams furniture store which recently relocated to the Gateway Quarter.  I congratulated him on a great new space, and continued on to Main Street.  There I talked about the local art scene and picked up a gift at Urban Eden, stopped in a few temporary craft shops where I bought some earrings and was offered cookies and hot cider, lingered over the delectables at Shadeau Bread, and then proceeded downtown.

Downtown is my beat for the BuyCincy Holiday Guide, so I’d already done some shopping at the Ohio Bookstore and City Cellars fine wine shop.  I stopped in a few places and went to the Duke train display, but I really just wanted to see Fountain Square decked out for the holidays, crowded with happy skaters, and dusted with snow.  I was not disappointed (the waffle and hot chocolate I got at the Taste from Belgium tent by the rink didn’t hurt, either).  Far from the maddening crowds at the suburban malls I got to experience what holiday shopping is supposed to be like.

Do yourself a favor this holiday season.  Resolve to spend a portion of your holiday budget on local shopping.  Pick up a bottle of wine at the neighborhood wine shop and go to Findlay Market for some cheese for your holiday party.  Pass up the chain coffee store and get your caffeine fix from an independent shop when you need to re-energize for more gift-buying.  And while you’re at it, find a few of those gifts at locally-owned businesses.  Check out the Holiday Guide at www.buycincy.com if you need more ideas – there will be posts from all over the city.  No need to wait for the New Year for this resolution.

Jeremy Neff, Post 1

Gemütlichkeit.

Before moving to Cincinnati five years ago this word was as foreign to me as "goetta," "who dey?" "cornhole," and alternate uses of the word please.

I still have a hard time defining gemütlichkeit, but I know it when I’m experiencing it.  Meeting up with friends for burritos and bluegrass at the Comet.  Having a snowball fight walking home from Bockfest during the blizzard.  Discussing recipes with the folks at Madison's or Herbs and Spice at Findlay Market.  Playing Apples to Apples at Grammer’s.  Singing a few bars from Aida with downtown barber Fausto Ferrari while he cuts my hair.  Spending a warm Oktoberfest afternoon in the Spaten tent.  Spending a cold February night at a City Cellars wine tasting when a heavy coat of ice shut down all but foot traffic.

I never thought I would call Cincinnati home.  I was going to be here for three years of school.  If everything went just right I would get an offer from the firm that inspired me to be a lawyer, I’d move back north to Columbus, and all would be good.  Regardless, I certainly wouldn’t stay in a city that my northern Ohio upbringing taught me was hardly even worth mentioning unless the Browns were playing the Bengals.  I worked hard, things went just right, and I did get that dream job offer.  And like a lot of people my age I chose a city first, job second.  By the time that offer came I had chosen my city: Cincinnati.

I don’t know exactly when it happened.  Gemütlichkeit is like that.  That sense of comfort and belonging becomes so ingrained in your psyche that it is hard to remember when it wasn’t there.  Maybe it was the first time I entered Music Hall and had my breath taken away – not just by the remarkable beauty of the structure and the sound of the symphony, but by the fact that I was part of a city that so values the arts that it built and maintains such a monumental temple of the arts.

It might have been at one of the festivals and celebrations that fill the calendar here.  Maybe while I toasted the haggis with a glass of scotch at Nicholson’s for Burns Night.  Perhaps when I looked over and saw Bootsy Collins nodding along to the same music I was enjoying at Know Theatre during Midpoint Music Festival.  It could have been while I was sipping contraband bourbon from a flask at Tall Stacks while getting a lesson in Cincinnati’s musical heritage from none other than Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys.

Whenever it was, I am sure of one thing: it was at a local business or local event.  Gemütlichkeit does not lend itself well to mass replication.  It requires a degree of identity – of soul – that can’t be put in a box and shipped from place to place.  While comfort and leisure are hallmarks of gemütlichkeit it doesn’t happen without some effort.  Local businesses, events, and organizations require a commitment from the community to sustain them.

With that in mind, I approached the people at www.buycincy.com about putting together a holiday shopping guide that featured guest contributors from throughout the city writing about their experiences making a conscious effort to spend at least some of their holiday shopping dollars at locally owned businesses.  BuyCincy already profiles local shops and restaurants, so the Holiday Guide is sort of a reality-tv take on the good work they do throughout the year.

Check out BuyCincy’s Holiday Guide, and head to a local business in your neighborhood for a little gemütlichkeit of your own.