This month's guest writer is Jay Benshawel, of Holmes Murphy and Board Member of the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce.
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As West Des Moines continues to expand, we need to be concerned with growing our security along with our community. Between the recent catastrophic forces of nature and the fanatic acts of terrorism, we have a new found respect for "preparedness" and "planned recovery". We need to turn that respect into emulation and begin implementing those ideas into our own business continuity plan.

The key to keeping your company safe is to plan for disaster recovery and business continuity through risk assessment. Holmes Murphy is offering instruction in this new school of analysis. The goal of risk assessment is to map out the potential hazards within a business or community, then attempt to determine potential frequency and damage. Knowing the "most likely" and "most destructive" events enables a company to target its resources.

Initial risk assessment needs to be doubly faceted-the first should be directed toward analyzing risk and hazard and the second focused on business impact analysis. There are nine factors involved in risk assessment: natural, neighbors, human, environmental, geo/political, facility life safety, facility security, data security and client exposure. Categories such as "natural" have always been present whereas categories such as "data security" are a product of our time. Each category has a distinct affect on your business and will shape the way your continuity plan is structured.

Natural and Neighbor risks are affected greatly by location. Coast lines, flood zones, military facilities and government buildings are just a few factors that should be taken into consideration during the construction of a business continuity plan.

Human risks have intensified greatly since September 11, 2001 as terrorists have turned to biological, nuclear, chemical and explosive weapons of mass destruction. Once only in sci-fi movies, these nightmares have become real and unpredictable and must be planned for accordingly.

Environmental risks range from building materials and conditions to community health issues.

Geo/political risks include the assessment of the social, political, economic and competitive environments. Legal counsel provides valued insight on this category of risk that range from matters of human rights to protecting your trademarked brand.

Facility Life Safety assessment varies in complexity depending on your type of business. Your broker's loss-control specialists can advise you in this critical area that impacts liability, litigation, insurance cost and human life.

Facility and Data Security may uncover the need for upgraded equipment, tougher policies, and more-protective procedures.

Client Exposure means knowing the chain of relationship between your clients and those they serve. Association with high-risk or controversial customers can increase your company's risk.

After careful and studied analysis of these nine categories or risk, evaluate each on the scale of probability and potential impact. Rate the risks and focus resources on the risks with the highest probability of occurrence and the highest damage impact. Remember to always keep "life safety" as a priority.

If your interested in more information regarding business continuity planning - please contact me at 515-223-6918 or consider attending our business continuity seminar on October 3, 2006.

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October 14th will be the second annual OCTOBERWEST, "A WonderFALL Family Festival" that will feature a variety of activities and events geared for the entire family.

As part of the fun, First American Bank will again proudly be sponsoring the "Parade of Scarecrows" decorating contest; open to youth, church, community groups and local businesses throughout West Des Moines. Completed entries will be displayed on the City School campus during activities being held on October 14th. There is no fee to participate.

Local businesses and individuals can bid on their favorite scarecrow during a silent auction that will take place during the festival with all proceeds being donated to the WDM Human Services Department.

Trophies will be awarded to the top three scarecrows that raise the most money.

The scarecrow bodies will be provided by First American Bank and can be picked up at the office located at 1901 EP True Parkway in West Des Moines. The deadline for completed scarecrows will be Thursday October 12th, on that day all scarecrows will be taken to City Hall where they will be displayed along the lake during the OctoberWest event on Saturday October 14th.

Those interested in participating in the contest can contact First American Bank in West Des Moines at 515-221-1535.

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Shive-Hattery architects and engineers are proud to be a part of projects in West Des Moines and Clive.

Local Projects
Jordan Creek Town Center - Have you enjoyed a walk around the Lake District? Shive-Hattery civil engineers, landscape architects & surveyors worked behind the scenes to design the outdoor amenities at Jordan Creek.

Quail Cove Park - Construction is underway on a new neighborhood park in West Des Moines. The masterplan includes open play fields, a playground, a shelter with restrooms, walking trails and a small parking area.

Sacred Heart School - Students enjoyed the first full year in a new addition and remodel at the West Des Moines, K-8 school. Architectural improvements included a new front entrance.

Shive-Hattery Fast Facts
- "Best Engineering Firm" (Des Moines Business Record)
- 30th in the nation for building design (Building Design and Construction)
- Acquired Arcline Associates, an architectural firm in Downers Grove, IL
- 2005 revenues were $25.8 million
- Services include: Architecture, Interior Design, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Water/Wastewater Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Land Surveying, Roof Consulting, Wayfinding/Signage

Contact Mike Kammerer, Vice President & Office Director, at 223-8104 or e-mail mkammerer

If your business is interested in being featured as one of our "Business of the Month" articles, contact the WDM Chamber at 225-6009. Businesses will be asked to submitted an approximate 200-250 word article highlighting special events or activities in your business. Reservations for 2006 newsletter space will be taken on a first come, first served basis.

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Who Will Be #62?

It is once again time to submit nominations for this year's Citizen of the Year Awards. This will be the 62nd consecutive year the West Des Moines Chamber honors a citizen deserving of the title, at the Chamber's Annual Dinner in January.

Nominations for this distinguished award will be taken through an on-line nomination process, simply by clicking on the West Des Moines Chamber website at
www.wdmchamber.org/citizen-year/citizen.htm

Do you have a friend, neighbor, co-worker, or family member that is deserving of the honor this year? Just click on the link above and submit the name! The nomination and selection committees will be meeting after the November 1 nomination deadline to gather background information on each of the nominees and make the selection. The recipient for the 2006 award will be announced in December.

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Wal-Mart Store #3762 Beth Runyan, Store Manager 6365 Stagecoach Dr. West Des Moines, IA 50266 453-2747 www.wal-mart.com runyanbeth@yahoo.com Retail Shops and Stores Travel and Transport Vacations Susan Dunn 1551 Valley West Dr., Suite 101B West Des Moines, IA 50266 224-7619 www.travelandtransport.com sdunn@tandt.com Travel Siemens Building Technologies Amanda Brend, Account Exec. 335 SE Oralabor Rd. Ankeny, IA 50021 963-1400 www.siemens.com amanda.brend@siemens.com Contractor/Controls Dallas County News Ruth Carpenter 705 Main St., PO Box 190 Adel, IA 50003 993-4233 www.adelnews.com ruth.carpenter@adelnews.com Communications/Publishing Sammons Annuity Group Megan Condon, HR Specialist 4601 Westown Parkway, Suite 300 West Des Moines, IA 50266 440-5500 www.mnlife.com mcondon@mnlife.com Insurance/Finances Staples Business Advantage Jon Rutter 4927 Grand Ave. Des Moines, IA 50312 669-0370 www.stapleslink.com jon.rutter@staples.com Business Products/Office Supplies		JFG International/a CMA Company Richard Rowe 3737 Woodland Ave., Suite 225 West Des Moines, IA 50266 309-5530 www.jfgintl.com richard.rowe@jfgintl.com Business Services/Training Solutions Inc. Results Through Creative Marketing Keri Storjohann, President 4725 Merle Hay Rd., Suite 107 Des Moines, IA 50322 247-0001 www.solutionsinc.com keri@solutionsinc.com Marketing/Communications Molyneaux-Glienke Insurance Scott Glienke, CPCU 1200 Valley West Dr., Suite 208 West Des Moines, IA 50266 267-8555 www.m-ginsurance.com scott@m-ginsurance.com Insurance/Financial Services Quester Research Tonja Reinhardt, HR Director 1025 Ashworth Rd., Suite 504 West Des Moines, IA 50265 225-2500 www.questerresearch.com tonja.reinhardt@questerresearch.com Communication inPlay Michael Stessman, General Mgr. 615 3rd St. Des Moines, IA 50309 333-6130 www.inplaydesmoines.com michael@inplayfs.com Events/Facilities Biomat USA Mel Stoner, Operation Supervisor 1223 6th Ave. Des Moines, IA 50314 244-0771 Health Care

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Lunch & Learn returns with a great program presented by Paul Calkins, Director of Corporate On-Site Solutions for Dale Carnegie - Des Moines.

Most everyone has heard about the studies that show that we humans have far more potential than we ever use, yet we often beat ourselves up because we don't do some things as well as we think we should.

Now the fact is that each of us has special talents or abilities in one area or another. We've all met people who had amazing memory skills or musical genius or natural athletic ability. Those are gifts that can be developed to a phenomenal degree like Tiger Woods or Simon Estes. Most of us though, would just like to get better at some of the things we need to, or want to do; from being a better salesperson or manager to being a better tennis player or golfer.

In this short workshop we'll gain an understanding of the cycle of improvement and learn how it works by using it to improve our memory skill, sharpen our networking skill and learn some ways to improve relationships. This is a fun, lighthearted, highly interactive workshop with some great take-home pay for anyone who comes with an "I want to get better" attitude.

Lunch & Learn, sponsored by Regions Bank, will be held on Thursday, September 21, from 11:30 to 1:00 at the WDM City Council Chambers in City Hall. The cost of the session is $10 per person and reservations are required. Click here to reserve your space now!

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Historic Valley Junction will hold its annual Fall Art Market on Sunday, September 17th from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm. Seventy-five Iowa and regional artists and crafts people, with entrants from as far away as Tennessee, will have their booths located on 5th Street in West Des Moines, in the heart of Historic Valley Junction.

A wide variety of items will be available at this juried art show, including paintings, prints, sculpture, photography, pottery, jewelry, furniture, clothing, stained glass, fiber and much more. Throughout the day, musical entertainment will be provided as well as children’s art activities and artists’ demonstrations. Food vendors on the street will provide refreshments throughout the day and many Valley Junction restaurants and retailers will be open as well.

Sponsors include Historic Valley Junction Foundation, West Bank, Pattee Designs, Target, and KCCI News Channel 8.

The Fall Art Market will be held rain or shine. Admission is free.

Historic Valley Junction is six square blocks of antique and specialty shops, art galleries, fashion boutiques, hair salons, service businesses, and restaurants. Many of these businesses will be open to the public during Art Market. Visit our website, www.valleyjunction.com for more information and a complete calendar of events.

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BUSY,BUSY, BUSY! What a summer full of activity! Here are some shots of our many events throughout the past couple of months:

Ribbon cutting for Schooler Medical Professionals - 1045 76th St., Suite 1050, WDM
Wednesday, Aug. 2

Ribbon cutting for Merle Norman Cosmetics - 5465 Mills Civic Parkway, Ste. 228
Wednesday, Aug. 9

Ribbon cutting for People's Trust & Savings Bank - 12701 University, Clive
Tuesday, Aug. 22

Affiliate Chamber President's Float in the State Fair Parade
Wednesday, Aug. 9

Ribbon Cutting at Wine Styles - 5515 Mills Civic Parkway
Wednesday, Aug. 23

Ribbon Cutting at Restoration Dental - 5465 Mills Civic Parkway
Friday, Aug. 25

Ready to Go! The Wild Wild West Golf Shoot-out - Beaver Creek
Friday, Sept. 8

Best in the West! Lunch at the Wild Wild West Golf Shoot-out was generously provided by Texas Roadhouse. Thanks also to Sam's Club and Grounds for Celebration for their contributions toward breakfast!

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