Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 12 May 2000 — Page 31

FRIDAY, MAY 12 v 2000 ■ PAQED1

r INSIDE*D*SECTION*CLASSIFIED*REAL ESTATE

BUSINESS BRIEFS

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straps fastened tight because the long-running economic expan-

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is the economy hot, he said.

The Bureau of Labor Statis-

nual rate during the first quarter monthly

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of this year, following a 13.4 by the Bureau

road to wealth is getting a bit si°n where the possibility of a tics reported retail price infla- percent rise over the course of for March wbs caused , bumpy, says a Ball State Uni- recession is being seriously tion was the highest in almost 1999. . ing gas prices, the Fed’s I versity economic analyst. 'considered.” 10 years during the first quar- But even filtering out the on the fast pace of man* The significant correction in Barkpy said trimming the ter of 2000. Prices moved up at volatility induced by the oil ing output will wrintU high-flying technology stocks - sails on the economic jugger- a 5.8 percent annual rate dur- markets, there is causft for con- brow of those concernedj many have lost a quarter of their naut is proving to be a difficult ing the first three months of the cern, he said. economic overheating.* value since February - has been task for the Federal Reserve, year, due in large part to two The CPI for all sectors but Restrictive Fed policy^ an educational experience for Since the disastrous experience consecutive months of surging food and energy rose by four dampening investor new and seasoned investors, with inflation in the 1970s, the energy prices ending in March, tenths of a percent ip March, a tions could make it a li! said Patrick Barkey, director of organization has typically cho- The Consumer Price Index for noticeable accelefttiofT from for firms to acquire the < the Bureau of Business Re- sen to err on the side of caution March was seven tenths of a previous months. they need to meet grp* search. when it comes to the question percent higher than one month “The direction of change in gets for the coming i “Now that we have all learned of how much braking power to earlier. consumer spending and indus- said, that the law of gravity does ap- a PPly- Barkey said the alarming trial production revealed in the “Whether or not Ili ply to the stopk market, we must While gyrating energy prices rate* of inflation are heav^ ^March reports doesn’t signal is soft, the st address the more important is- continue to cloud the overall influenced by the energy sec- any Tet-up in pressure on of economical sue of its implications for the picture, the message in the data tor. The CPI for energy rose at 'priees,**' Barltef lailf: “Even clehrlybeen #0

Ingrid Saunders Jones

T. , The board of directors of the '••’Coca-Cola Co. has elected Ingrid Saunders Jones senior ‘•^ice president of the company '‘4hd elected Coretha Rushing "'ii a vice president. Juan D. '’tj’bhnson was also named as vice president and director of diver'kity strategies. Saunders Jones was elected ' Senior vice president, corporate Eternal affairs. Jones began '‘Hfer career at Coca-Cola 18 years ■•kko as assistant to the vice presi- ' , tlfcnt' , ah<l'Trtanager of urban 1 af- ’

Coretha Rushing ’.>■

\, Rushing was elected vice ..president of human resources. ;She joined the company in 1996 as director of human resources •for corporate communications, external affairs and legal. She . also supported the Africa Group as director of human Ipesoufces until 1997.

Juan D. Johnson '«•! •.t'*-Johnson has been a vice president of the company since ’‘fl993 and has worked in senior 'positions in human resources, corporate communications, WVarketing and finance. In his ' hew position, Johnson will be ' Responsible for developing and JMecuting company strategies r for building, maintaining and leveraging diversity throughout the business system.

Survey reflects notable change from the traditional mind-set

Special to The Recorder A generation ago, most accounting and finance graduates sought jobs at large public accounting* firms or major corporations. But a new survey suggests that the growth of the high-tech industry and the enticement of smaller, entrepreneurial firms has shifted this trend. Small- to mid-sized companies now rank first among the most desired business environments, according to a new poll of chief financial officers (CFOs). The survey was developed by Accountemps, the world’s first and largest temporary staffing service for accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals. It was conducted by an independent research firm and includes responses from

1,400 CFOs from a stratified random sample of U.S. companies with more than 20 employees. “The career opportunities with rapidly growing small- to mid-sized companies are enticing, particularly the promise of having an equity stake in the business,” said Max Messmer. chairman of Accountemps. “In addition, smaller firms are the ideal training ground for hands-on experience with a variety of business functions.” Still, many college graduates are hesitant to begin too small: Startup companies were perceived as the least attractive employment option by CFOs, (seechart). “Small, yet established businesses offer an entrepreneurial, fast-growth environment with fewer of the risks associated with an untested ven-

ture,” Messmer said. Not surprisingly, CFOs at the largest companies in the survey (those with 500 or more employees) viewed jobs with the Big Five as most appealing. “A position with a large public accounting firm has been the traditional first step in an accountant’s career,” Messmer said. “It’s likely that the finance executives surveyed at large corporations began their own careers this way.” Karen Ellis, Accountemps branch manager, said, “Accounting graduates pursuing employment opportunities at smaller companies should be sure to demonstrate initiative, flexibility and an ability to multi-task — qualities that are especially valuable at these firms.” Provided by Accountemps.

What digital divide? Special to The Recorder Thierer asks. “After all, 99 percent of all Americans - includIn a country where Internet- ing 97 percent of all poor houseready computers are now holds - now own a television cheaper than televisions - and set.” even given away for free - the Thierer also notes that a numnotion that a digital divide sepa- ber of companies are now givratesthetechnological“haves” ing away “free” computers if and “have nots” doesn’t com- the customer signs up for pule, says a Heritage Founda- Internet service, usually for 36 tion study. months. At the six companies «“Today’sdynamic market for Thierer surveyed, the highest pCTsonal computers and access monthly fee was $29.99 and to the Internet is generating a the lowest $21.88. “With the ‘digital deluge’of opportunity ‘free PC’ era now in full for Americans to get con- swing,” he says, “it would seem nected,” says Adam Thierer, there is little reason to create a Heritage’s Walker fellow in national computer entitlement economic policy studies. “Free program,” a reference to a procomputers and inexpensive posal to give low-income famicomputing technologies are lies a $500 tax credit toward filling any digital divide that the cost of a PC. remains.” And even if computers reThierer examined the prices main too pricey for some famiof Internet-ready computers at lies, Thierer says emerging 18 different vendors and found technologies are rendering the four machines priced under PC irrelevant. He sees particu$400 and one machine priced lar promise in hybrid systems under $300. Even the cheapest known as “Internet appliances" machine was more than ad- or “dumb terminals”-stripped-equate for most of today’scorn- down machines, often costing puting needs (with a 466 mega- less than $99, that provide inhertz processor, 32 megabytes slant Internet access without the of RAM, and a 56K modem), need of a hard drive. By comparison, the price of a “If Americans really want a 25-to-27 inch color television personal computer and access at the vendors surveyed by to the Internet, they can get Thierer ranged from a low of them at very little cost,” Thierer $288 (Wal-Mart) to a high of says. “Expensive federal en$402 (Circuit City), with an titlement programs will not faaverage price of $332. cilitate this process. In fact, “If Americans can purchase they could make things worse an internet-ready PC for less by putting pressure on computer than the cost of many TVs, just prices to hold steady or inhow real is the digital divide?” crease.”

Kellogg’s cereals will contribute $100,000 this year to Tom Joyner Foundation for students at Black colleges

(BUSINESS WIRE) — Kellogg’s cereals is teaming up with the Tom Joyner Foundation to contribute $ 100,000 this year to deserving students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Joyner, an alumnus of Tuskegee University, is host of the Tom Joyner Morning Show, the premiere, nationally syndicated urban radio program. The popular show is heard daily over the ABC Radio Network. Through Joyner’s Foundation, Kellogg will be contributing $10,000 a month for 10 consecutive months, joining some of his 5 million listeners to help make education affordable. “We’re pleased to be able to expand this fantastic program with our $100,000 contribution,” said Jorge Flores, director, ethnic marketing for Kellogg Co. “The next time lis-

Tom Joyner, host of radio’s nationally-syndicated the Tom Joyner Morning Show (left), shares a proud moment with Jorge Flores, director of ethnic market development, Kellogg's. teners of the Tom Joyner Morning Show pour a bowl of Kellogg's cereal, they could be helping students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities continue their education.”

Alcorn State University in Lorman, Miss., and Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn., were the first colleges selected by the Tom Joyner Foundation to benefit from Kellogg’s contribution. Each month, Kellogg will present $10,000 to benefit selected Historically Black Colleges or Universities at a Tom Joyner Sky Show, a series of live, remote broadcasts of Joyner’s hit radio program. In addition, Tony the Tiger will be on hand to help serve a complimentary Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes breakfast to the Sky Show’s live audience. Established in 1998, the Tom Joyner Foundation raises and contributes funds to Historically Black Colleges and Universities throughout the United States. One hundred percent of the funds are used to assist col-

lege students in completing at the end of the year, their education. Tom Joyner In addition to supporting the Morning Show listeners have Tom Joyner Foundation, contributed more than $1 mil- Kellogg contributes nearly $1 lion to the foundation since its million every year to Africaninception. American organizations includKellogg is also the sponsor Ing the UNCF/Cpjlege Fund of Thursday Morning Mom, a and NAACP. Witqilll.es of $6.8 weekly segment on the Tom fHlion, Kellogg Cc^. U the Joyner Morning Show featur- world's leadingprotjtfeer ofcfeing letters from listeners ex- real and a leading producer of plaining why their Mom de- grain-based convenience foods serves to be honored. Each and vegetable-based meat alweek's winning letter is read ternatives. on-air. Each Thursday Morn- The company’s brands tning Mom receives a $1,000 elude Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes, check, compliments of Kellogg’s Honey Crunch Corn Kellogg. Flakes. Kellogg’s Apple Jacks Winners also receive and Kellogg’s Froot Loops. Kellogg's Gr-r-reat Morning Kellogg icons such as Tony the Kit, which is filled with a Tiger and Snap!Crackle!Pop! month’s supply of Kellogg's are among the most recognized cereal and special gifts, characters in advertising. Weekly winners also are eligible for the Thursday Morning Mom Grand Prize drawing