Daily Business Report — Aug. 5, 2011
MiresBall Ranked One of the Top Places to Work
San Diego-based MiresBall is one of the top places to work in America, according to a new national ranking by Outside magazine, a lifestyle publication that focuses on fitness, travel and adventure. The local brand agency is one of 50 companies recognized for setting a new standard for a healthy work-life balance. Scott Mires, partner and creative director, said the firm’s emphasis on a healthy work-life balance helps to motivate employees, foster collaboration and deliver quality work for clients. Employees keep reasonable hours and can spend time they need away from the office to maximize productivity at work, said Mires. In addition, comprehensive benefits packages provide medical and dental benefits, retirement savings, paid vacation and sick leave. Employees also enjoy a mix of high-profile projects involving Fortune 50 companies, among others. “We are a creative services business and we generate big ideas outside traditional business hours, not to mention outdoors,” said John Ball, partner and creative director.
Ball said the firm has added clients in the luxury products, health care and technology sectors, and increased revenues by 31 percent and staffing by 20 percent in the last three years despite the weak economy. Earlier this year, the agency relocated to larger offices, a one-time coffin warehouse that now features near floor-to-ceiling gallery-quality art, to accommodate its strong growth.
The “Best Places to Work” fourth annual ranking is included in the September issue of Outside magazine and online at outsideonline.com.
(Photo: The MiresBall office, designed for the comfort of employees, is open, airy and flooded with natural light.)
Women’s Foundation Names Program Associate
The San Diego Women’s Foundation has named Bridget Murphy as program associate to handle day-to-day operations, the grants process and committee relations. Murphy has more than nine years of fundraising and marketing experience in the nonprofit field. She worked at the UCSD Shiley Eye Center, managing annual donor and membership campaigns, doubling membership income. She also worked at La Jolla Playhouse and was a development officer at the North Coast Repertory Theater. Murphy was most recently at New Village Arts Theatre where she created a development infrastructure, established donor and donation policies and created a fundraising plan, grants calendar and donor acknowledgment. Murphy earned a bachelor’s degree from UCSD.
Michael Neil Elected President of International Organization
Michael Neil, a trial lawyer and senior partner of Neil, Dymott, Frank, McFall & Trexler, has been elected president of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Council, an international organization composed of the nation’s leaders in the legal community. Neil is a past president of the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel and holds the rank of Diplomate in the American Board of Trial Advocates. He is retired from the Marine Corps Reserve with the rank of brigadier general and is a recipient of the Navy Cross. In 2008, Neil was the recipient of the Daniel T. Broderick Award for civility, integrity and professionalism in trial advocacy presented by the San Diego County Bar Association.
Jim Benson Joins Cassidy Turley BRE Commercial
Jim Benson has joined Cassidy Turley BRE Commercial’s industrial division as a leasing and sales specialist. Benson, formerly with Coldwell Banker Commercial, has more than 15 years experience in industrial/flex sales and leasing as well as investment sales in North County. He will work out of the company’s Carlsbad office. Prior to joining Coldwell Banker Commercial, Benson spent five years at CB Richard Ellis. He received his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Arizona State University.
Sara Berns Leads Hospitality Task Force
Discover Pacific Beach has named Sara Berns as the new executive director of its Pacific Beach Hospitality Task Force committee. The committee’s work is to maintain and promote Pacific Beach as a safe and family-friendly location. The move follows Berns’ three years of service at Discover Pacific Beach as program manager for the task force. A resident of San Diego for over 12 years, Berns received a master’s degree from USC and a bachelor’s degree from San Diego State.
Small Business Workshops
SCORE San Diego continues its series of low-cost workshops. Fees range from $29 to $109, depending on the program. To register online, visit score-sandiego.org. For more information, call (619) 557-7272.
• Aug. 6 Business Plan 101: How to Develop Your Best Competitive Advantage 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $79, $89 at the door).
• Aug. 6 Costing, Pricing, Break-Even Analysis 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).
• Aug. 8 Introduction to Starting Your Own Business 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• Aug. 10 Internet Marketing 303: Social Media for Small Businesses 9 a.m. to noon at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).
• Aug. 11 – Effective Marketing: Identify and Target Your Customers 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• Aug. 12 Import/Export 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• Aug. 13 QuickBooks Basic 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• Aug. 15 Business Basics 101 9 a.m. to noon at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; no charge please pre-register).
• Aug 16 Legal Issues for Small Business: Organizational Structure 9 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).
• Aug. 17 Internet Marketing 304: Cost-Effective Internet Marketing Tools 9 a.m. to noon at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).
• Aug. 18 Good Governance for Nonprofits: Effective Board Performance 9 to 11:30 a.m. at The San Diego Foundation in Point Loma (2508 Historic Decatur Rd., #200, San Diego 92106; pre-paid registration $39, $49 at the door).
The Daily Business Report is produced by REP Publishing Inc., publisher of SD METRO, the North Park News, Kensington News and the West Coast Craftsman. Contact: Manny Cruz at manny@sandiegometro.com or (619) 287-1865.
