Public Records – Research & Reason

October 31, 2008

In May 2007 I participated in a two-city three person panel continuing education event that was all about using the Internet for research.  “Find it Free and Fast…” a seminar sponsored by National Business Institute was an all-day event with a focus on legal research using Internet resources.

I presented the sections on company research and public records.  I became a reluctant “expert.”   Reluctant, because that area of accessible information is a tease.  Find a phone number, get an address and maybe we can just keep going.  The information is often free or very cheap.  The path you follow is twisty and sloping until suddenly stops dead at a high cliff or an impenetrable wall.

I’m referring to public records information that is available on-line.  This article about the Money Trail and The Transparency Train discusses how the Internet has opened up the amount of public records on-line in Rhode Island.  Some public records have become easier to find as agencies take full advantage of the Internet’s power to provide access.  Other records have become that needle in the haystack that makes you tear your hair out because you know you are just a click away.  The reason for that frustrating cookie crumb trail is that other agencies have tightened regulations regarding the amount and type of data they will make available on-line.

A while back I told you to search yourself, this goes for public records research too.  Identity theft is sometimes aided by less than careful oversight of the information made available on-line.  Sometimes, scary though it is, SSN’s and other private data just might not get redacted despite best efforts and there you are…exposed.

Another caution about public records research is that all is never all and cheap isn’t always affordable.  A thorough search of pubic records requires an investment, if not in dollars for a full-service aggregated report then you will invest significant time to do a thorough investigation.

The power of public records should never be underestimated in your daily business.  Is Mr. Smith a good investment partner?  Check property records and other assets thorough public records.  Is Ms. Tess really Ms. Tess or is she Mrs. Avery?  Public records allow you to know who you are dealing with from criminal records to assets to other seemingly personal information.  Remember that every transaction you perform with the government is a part of the “public” record.

1 Comment | Research Tip | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Answer Maven

CTO in the White Houe?

October 23, 2008

Under the Bush administration librarians found themselves suddenly struggling to access government documents that were readily available in the Clinton administration.  FOIA was a hot topic and wire-tapping was/is a reality upheld by courts with less than proper restrictions in some minds.

According to this blog post if Obama becomes President there will be a CTO.  That’s a great idea but where will the technology lead without a strategic plan for the management of the information all the broadband will provide access to?  Will this broadband benefit those who can’t and don’t already pay for it.

In Kentucky there is a project called ConnectKentucky which is a part of Connected Nation.  Learn more about Connection Nation here.  The technology solutions are already well underway, will a CTO help or hinder the progress already being made.

A bigger question is with the mass of information that is ultimately the “responsibility” of the President is the current structure suitable.  Has there been enough critical thought given to information management and sharing.  I mean after 9/11 we found that the various security agencies responsible for the nation’s protection were not sharing information well.

We know that improvements have occurred.  My curiosity is, with the multitude of agencies that are responsible for safety, health, finance, education and more is the highest office giving enough critical thought to strategic planning for information and content management?  Ideally, the strategy would result in business intelligence applications for information across all agencies that would positively affect regulations and policy to the benefit of the economy and overall health of the country.

Skeptical though I am of behemoth organizations successfully apply strategies to this positive effect, I think the ideal of a CTO is intriguing, just give the new CTO a spouse in office, I suggest a qualified CIO with a strong background in technology and information management.  For this great country technology is not enough, application of technology is required as well.

Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Answer Maven

Info Pro’s and Strategic Planning

October 22, 2008

It’s been about a week since I posted anything new here on the blog.  That’s not because I’ve been totally lazy, it’s just that I don’t want to rehash library blog stuff, I have nothing worthwhile to add to the wisdom of the economic crisis and I haven’t had time to do much more than catch up on my reading.  I’ve been doing some writing on a few other blogs.  With that work and my desire to write something worth your time has caused a bit of quiet time at Answer Maven.

Last week, while Janice LaChance, CEO of Special Libraries Association was visiting Keeneland (and there is no better place to experience your first horse race, except perhaps somewhere in England or Ireland) we heard about a few iniatives that SLA was working on.  Janice has pushed SLA and its members for several years to speak about our work to C-Level executives. Information professionals should talk about their impact on organizational goals.  Use numbers, speak to the work being done that supports the goals of the organization and be professional and consistent.

A critical part of any organization is the need for strategic planning.  Executives who have IT, HR, CFO’s, CMO’s but not Information Professionals at the table will miss critical pieces of the strategic planning pie.  No individual, in any organization, has a better ability to blend their knowledge of technology, information management, organization needs, capabilities, and potential than a librarian or information professional.

If you want to impact your entire organization positively make sure you have all of the players at the table and let each one inform you about the impact their department has or or could have on the company goals.

Leave a Comment » | Business | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Answer Maven

Information = Knowledge?

October 16, 2008

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending a talk by Janice LaChance, CEO of SLA.  I was struck by Janice’s discussion about the importance of information professionals and research analysts in business.

Information availability does not necessarily mean that there is a direct correlation to intelligence.  This is especially true in light of the recent Wall Street fiasco.  If research analysts were able to warn against sub-prime lending trends based upon the accurate analysis of available information policy decisions at the top corporate level, perhaps disaster could have minimized or averted.

What is apparent, is that despite the wealth of information out there, without qualified information users, analysts and managers knowledge is lost.

Business intelligence doesn’t mean accessing information.  It means using information intelligently to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the activities affecting business at many levels and executing informed, knowledgeable decisions.

Leave a Comment » | Business | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Answer Maven

Somerset Oil Refinery – Update

October 15, 2008

For those of you who may be interested, I wanted to follow-up to my Executive Briefing on Somerset Oil to let you know that this morning I was able to access the Grunberg Realty website.

It is interesting to note that Michael Grunberg, when interviewed about the Somerset Oil investment, stated that he wished to diversify his investments and after visiting Somerset felt that the business and people instilled the confidence to pursue the acquisition.

Leave a Comment » | Business | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Answer Maven

Executive Briefing – Somerset Oil Refinery

October 14, 2008

A few weeks ago I posted about the recent acquisition by New York based Grunberg Realty of Somerset Oil Refinery operations.  I have conducted a very brief investigation into the company and have provided the Executive Summary for your viewing pleasure below.

Note:  This briefing is a very brief overview and summary.  If you have an interest in a more in-depth analysis, of this company or any other company please contact me.

Somerset Oil Refinery

Executive Briefing

Current Owner Grunberg Realty, Michael Grunberg, Managing Principal (as of 10/13/2008 the Grunberg Realty site was not accessible.) Purchased for $2.2M. According to a Commonwealth Journal article the refinery is expected to be back in operation by early 2009.

(http://www.somerset-kentucky.com/local/local_story_272014547.html)

William Spears acquired the refinery from Frank Lynch and Roy Shirley in late 2007. Spears first business actions were to begin layoffs and a bankruptcy filing. Spears bid for the facility during the bankruptcy sale in early 2008 but the transaction was never finalized. The company then went onto the auction block with Lexington office of Transon Asset Advisors. The advertising undertaken by this auction company captured Grunberg’s attention.

History/Timeline:

1898 First pipeline build from Monticello, KY to Somerset, KY and on to Hamlin, WV. A corporation owned by R.C. Snyder purchased the Cumberland Pipeline Company in 1931. Retail operations began in 1932.

Crude Oil was purchased from KY, WV and TN wells and refined to produce 3 grades of gasoline.

Prior to the recent bankruptcies the company changed hands 3 times and was purchased in 1999 by a private entity. This entity became the parent of the supporting subsidiaries.

  • South Kentucky Purchasing Inc. procured crude oil.
  • Somerset Refinery, Inc. refined the crude oil.
  • Sales & Transportation undertook the wholesale, commercial and retail marketing
  • Somerset Environmental Services, Inc. provided environmental services in the field and laboratory.

The current structure is not known as the sale is not final (at time of writing) of Somerset Refinery to Grunberg Realty. However, previous structure can be located at http://somersetrefinery.net/Structure.htm (accessed on 10/13/08.)

At the time operations ceased the refinery employed 178 people. Somerset Pulaski Development Fund director, Carroll Estes was quoted in a Sept. 4, 2008 Daily Independent article that incentives were available to get the refinery operational again. (http://www.dailyindependent.com/opinion/local_story_247192843.html?keyword=secondarystory )

Another important detail to note for the new owner and the future of Somerset Refinery is that many small well operators have no source for their own crude to be refined. In the same Daily Independent article previously quoted the author states that the profitability of these small wells depends on a refinery that saves the expense of transportation.

Industry:

http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/steo/pub/contents.html This report is the EIA Short Term Energy and Winter Fuels Outlook from September 2008. Original projections of non-OPEC supply were affected by Gustav and Ike and the projection is now: 115,000 bbl/d during the second half of 2008 the first negative growth since 2005.

Analysis:

With oil prices dropping I’m not sure the future for Somerset Oil refinery is as bright as it was just a month ago. I do think that there is some solid business opportunity there as the small well operators try to profit from their reserves. If the new owner looks at this as a regional business the potential may prove the cost worthwhile. It seems that more and more people are trying to live locally in order to keep their own personal costs down. A business such as Somerset Oil should not ignore this new trend; it may just be the key to profitability.

S – Small refineries are “critical to meeting the Nation’s liquid fuel supply, because they make many fuel formulations that are unique to a particular region.” DOE Report: http://www.science.doe.gov/sbir/solicitations/FY%202008/23.EE.Petroleum.htm

W – Cost of operations is more expensive for smaller refineries.

O – The rejuvenation of small well operators in Tennessee and Kentucky will benefit from an operational refinery within closer proximity.

T – Credit crunch threatens ability to fund daily operations.

Caution: With the Grunberg Realty site down there may be some difficulty related to the latest economic turmoil that would put the latest acquisition in jeopardy. I will investigate further and provide an update at my earliest convenience.

2 Comments | Business | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Answer Maven

Rule 502 and E-Discovery

October 9, 2008

On September 18, 2008 President Bush signed into law S. 2450 which included a new Federal Rule of Evidence 502.  The bill provides a bit of clarity in the murky E-Discovery waters of inadvertent disclosure.  It applies to all discovery but as we all know most information is created and stored electronically now and thus the clarification for e-discovery provided by this rule is welcomed.

An October 8, 2008 law.com posting by Robert A. Schwinger and Eric Twiste provides a good summary of the key provisions.  The highlight seems to me to be that inadvertent disclosure provides for reasonableness in both preventing and rectifying inadvertent disclosure.  I’m sure there will be test cases to push the limits of reasonable but this rule does seem to provide much needed clarity on the issue as it applies in e-discovery.  Using automated systems to screen for key words and concepts appears to be considered a part of the “reasonable” step concept.  Perhaps this will even move forward efforts to reduce the cost of e-discovery, although the costs can be exponential and thus reduction may only seem to be a drop in the bucket.

Editor Note:  I am not an attorney and thus my interpretation on Rule 502 is that of an information consultant interested in the topic of E-Discovery.

Leave a Comment » | Legal Issues | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Answer Maven

Hodge Podge

October 9, 2008

Catching up on my blog reading after attending a conference and doing a bit of travel late last week and early this week has brought several items to my attention that I’d like to share.

First, The Boston Library Consortium commissioned this paper about the need for a new approach to digitizing collections written by Richard K. Johnson.

The report takes on the concept of “enclosure” for public domain works that are being digitized by commercial publishers such as Google in what has been assumed to be an “Internet Public Library.” The argument presented juxtaposes the business profit versus public good cultural differences. The paper concludes with a call to find a middle ground that allows the preservation of a digital culture that benefits the public good and the shareholders.

I’ve heard many pro and con arguments on the topic of commercial scanning projects using public institutions collections to provide a comprehensive digital library. This is the first time I have read anything that discusses the cultural manifestations of this type of project so clearly. I fully support a digital library and feel that if Google wants to expend capital to make it so, great, but let’s make sure that those who should have access do. The digital divide is shrinking but it is still there and the crack will probably just widen with today’s economic reality.

Second, a report was released that describes trends in nursing home complaints from 2005 to 2007. Thanks to the Resource Shelf for bringing the report to my attention. In my other job, I am serving as a Marketing Director for a service provider to nursing homes so I will give this report a thorough review. Alarming from the report is that 17% of homes in survey were cited for harm. As our population ages and with the trend for less in-home care I find this disturbing. On a positive note private facilities were cited more than government or not-for-profit facilities.

Last, take a look at this site for ITLA 2008 conference downloads. Items that might be of particular interest are sessions related to virtualization of services, integration of application with Sharepoint and Web 2.0 adoption. I’ve not had a chance to review any of these in-depth myself but as law firms struggle with business challenges and client service ITLA continues to offer content worth paying attention.

Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Answer Maven

Boom or Bust

October 7, 2008

Last week Heller Ehrman dissolved.  Mergers in the law firm world seem to be minimal, large businesses are failing as evidenced by the legislative scramble last week to jump start the commercial paper and credit markets.

I found this AmLaw Daily post quite interesting.  It seems to bring to the forefront some practical advise that firms should heed to ensure their longevity.  A few things that really captured my attention:

  1. “Bigger is not always better.”  Client service is the meat of law firms.  If you make your clients happy, you keep them.  Adding more attorneys and increasing your costs to accommodate those additions is not for the client’s benefit, is it?
  2. “Lack of organizational glue.”  In the comments field of this posting someone wrote in that firms attract talent.  I think that in the boom times, firms, didn’t work hard enough to retain talent.  As the economic strain filters down many levels of firm staffing will suffer including associates who are talented but now have no place due to the need to reduce costs.  Easy to downsize groups of talent when a merger has/will occur in order to provide the best bottom-line to your suitor but is it best for your clients?  Sometimes the bottom line is actually better served by the talent than the numbers.

The bottom line interpretation of this thought provoking piece is selling customers your value.  Do you have experience, talent, added-value service that keeps the customer’s priorities as your ow

Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Permalink
Posted by Answer Maven

Search Yourself

October 6, 2008

Tonight I was doing some background research on an individual.  I did not find a lot of current information.  I followed the research rule of performing the search on multiple search engines.  In doing so, I found, as expected different search results.

Then I realized it had been quite some time since I ran my own name through the search engines.  So, I performed a search for Constance Ard.   As usual, I received different results and retrieved items that I had forgotten. I even found items where other bloggers are referring to my own items that I had not seen.

It is wise to monitor your Internet presence regularly.  This will help safeguard your privacy and your reputation.  Knowing who is writing about you and what is being said is critical.  Being able to remove incorrect references will help you maintain your web credibility.  Understanding that you are reaching beyond your known world will help in your continue effort to grow your business or  spread your message.

So search yourself regularly on the web in order to know thyself.

1 Comment | Uncategorized | Permalink
Posted by Answer Maven

« Previous Entries
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 246 other followers