Bob Sibert is the third generation of his family to serve as president of Bound to Stay Bound Books. His grandfather, Lawrence D. Sibert, began working for a Jacksonville printing and bookbinding company in 1908 and later started his own company with a business partner. Originally known as the New Method Book Bindery, Bound to […]
Newsletter – This Month SBJ
Posted inArticles
Illinois legislature makes efforts for the environment
A pair of Senate bills that aim to reduce plastic use in hotels and require waste recycling for event facilities have passed the Illinois legislature and are now awaiting the governor’s signature. Senate Bill 2960, introduced by Sen. Laura Fine, D-Glenview, takes aim at the overwhelming global issue of plastic pollution by prohibiting single-use toiletries […]
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Springfield: Not just a stopover, but a stay over
Springfield hotels are coming off of a record-setting year, according to Scott Dahl, director of Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau. He said 2023 hotel revenue was higher than any other year in the past two decades, due to a combination of occupancy performance and higher average daily rates. While the first quarter of 2024 hasn’t […]
Posted inColumns
New rules for non-compete agreements
I’ve had lots of questions lately about the new rule issued by the Federal Trade Commission that significantly restricts the use of non-compete clauses in employment contracts. This decision, announced in early 2024, aims to enhance labor mobility, foster competition and ultimately benefit both workers and the economy at large. Whether it will actually do […]
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The power of business networking
The phrase “networking event” sounds like a cringey waste of time, doesn’t it? Even as a verified extravert, the thought of talking to strangers and making meaningless conversation gives me a visceral reaction – pounding heart and sweaty palms as I imagine all of the awkward silences. At first, networking can seem intimidating, or at […]
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Illinois Women in Leadership is taking a service trip to Kenya
Illinois Women in Leadership has been empowering area women for two decades, and the nonprofit group has about 200 members in the Springfield area. Its IWIL credo promotes professionalism and leadership through purposeful inclusion, education, mentoring, networking and community involvement. Through its history, IWIL members have mentored many people and made an impact in various […]
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Q&A with Pat Joyce
Where were you born and raised, and what was your first job? I was born in Chicago, and we moved to Oak Park when I was 10. I caddied for a couple of years when I was a freshman and sophomore in high school and made decent money for a 15-year-old kid. When I was […]
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Navigating trends in the staffing industry
As the workforce shifts in response to changing trends, Springfield staffing agencies are navigating these changes across a variety of industries. Changing government regulations, remote work, artificial intelligence, immigration and diversity, equity and inclusion are forces prompting change in local agencies this year. New legislation for temporary workers Temporary staffing agencies are regulated by the […]
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Artificial intelligence is reshaping marketing
Generative artificial intelligence tools have been silently innovating how businesses market to consumers in big ways over the last year. However, proposed new AI disclosure laws in Illinois may soon shine a light on these practices. It should come as no surprise that AI has rapidly infiltrated countless areas of life. Whether you have noticed […]
Posted inColumns
The tax rules of giving
People frequently ask me how much they can give to someone at any one time. The answer for most of us is any amount you want. The federal government imposes a transfer tax on all American citizens and residents, but there is an exemption of $13,610,000 per person as of Jan. 1, 2024. This amount […]
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Supporting women at work
I think a lot about how women make workplaces better, as well as the opportunities and challenges women face. When consulting with individuals and organizations about management challenges, I try to balance organizational, systemic solutions with empowering individuals to take ownership of their situations. Focusing only on organizational solutions robs individuals of their power and […]
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Women for Women
When former Springfield Mayor Karen Hasara visited Hilton Head, S.C., nearly 20 years ago, she was inspired by a group she came across. “I saw a photo and article about a women’s giving circle there and thought it would work here, she recalled. “It seemed like a good fit for us in the Springfield area […]