Smart Business asked the sponsors of the 2008 Innovation in Business Conference to tell us how their respective organizations
encourage and foster a culture of innovation or to share with us what makes them innovative. Here’s what they said.
At U.S. Bank, we view every transaction as an opportunity to build deeper relationships with
our customers. We have developed new, more comprehensive reporting and tracking programs
that let our bankers across all lines of business understand a customer’s full relationship so that
more advantageous recommendations and innovative solutions can be presented.
Sometimes, a single employee or product can be the right answer, but more often, it takes
the collaboration and teamwork of financial professionals across many areas of the bank
working together to make sure the customer gets the best we have to offer. Sometimes, the
answers are simple, but more often, our customers depend on our regional, national and
global capabilities and our expertise in specialized fields to see the big picture and to bring
to the table sophisticated solutions to complex questions.
For more information about U.S. Bank, visit www.usbank.com or call (216) 623-9228.
LaCentre Conference and Banquet Facility has quickly built a solid reputation as the premiere venue for hosting full-service conferences, special events and business meetings. Our
world-class facility has embraced elegance, high-tech communications and delectable culinary creations to assure your event is an absolute success.
LaCentre’s innovation extends to its technology, atmosphere, capability, flexibility, form and
taste. Our dedicated and devoted staff provides clients with a positive and enriching experience
with more than 25,000 square feet of meeting space to accommodate events of nearly any size.
For more information on LaCentre, visit www.lacentre.com or (440) 250-2000.
Lorain County Community College values innovation in its workplace and encourages its
employees to engage in leadership at all levels throughout the organization. Employees are
actively involved in achieving LCCC’s Vision 2015 goals. The LCCC employee brand demonstrates collaboration, respect, innovation and integrity that all contribute to a meaningful work
environment.
LCCC also promotes innovation through its support to entrepreneurs who are creating new
technologies and growing jobs through GLIDE, the Great Lakes Innovation and Development
Enterprise, a partnership of the Lorain County Commissioners, Lorain County and LCCC. The
creation of the LCCC Foundation’s Innovation Fund further demonstrates a commitment to
enhancing regional entrepreneurship through access to pre-seed funding. LCCC’s
Entrepreneurship Innovation Center, which opened in 2007, is home to the Entrepreneurship
Innovation Institute, which partners with organizations and entrepreneurs for education, support, and access to technologies and work force development opportunities.
For more information about LCCC, visit www.lorainccc.edu or call (800) 995-5222.
Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co. L.P.A.’s dynamic legal approach and commitment to innovation is what sets it apart from other collections and legal firms. The firm’s steady and impressive growth in representing banks, financial institutions, mortgage lending companies, credit
unions, service organizations, utility companies and consumer creditors, shows that they
agree. WWR has grown from just a handful of employees to more than 1,000 people in nine
offices providing legal services in seven states and collection services nationally. It is currently recognized by Credit and Collections Magazine as the nation’s largest debt collections
law firm.
WWR stays current with the technological demands of its business partners by providing
them the processing, reporting and metrics they need to track and manage their business.
Over the years, the firm has continuously adapted its service offerings, which has enabled it
to grow along with its clients. For example, back in the 1970s, WWR was one of the first law
firms to invest in computer technology. Advanced technology is now a mainstay of the firm’s
delivery platform.
For more information about Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co. L.P.A., visit www.weltman.com or call
(216) 685-1000.
At Hughie’s Audio-Visual & Computer, innovation is our lifeblood. As the premier live-event
design and production resource in the region, Hughie’s stays on the cutting edge by offering
audio, video, lighting, rigging, staging and roof systems for any type of event. Additionally, we
offer computers, event registration, event production and video production, making us a true
one-stop shop for all of a company’s production needs. Most importantly, with all of our
resources, years of industry knowledge and cutting-edge technology, you can rely on our
team working with yours to ensure many successful events.
For more information on Hughie’s Audio-Visual & Computer, visit www.hughies.com or call (216) 361-4600.
