Screening the caregivers
Lisa Morrell, a management consultant, went online to find two babysitters for her 4-year-old daughter, Krista, and now considers the sitters part of her family. "When I posted the job, I wrote in detail what I expected, and I learned to search by criteria, such as whether the sitter knew CPR, liked animals and had good references," said Morrell, a single mom. "It shortcut the interview process because [the would-be sitters] had already passed my list of 20 criteria."

Customer service helps shops outlast competition
Sanda Guy: Two female entrepreneurs in the South Loop are beating the odds by welcoming shoppers during the bleakest economic times since the Great Depression and amid historically low holiday sales forecasts. The two women, experienced businesspeople living their dreams of entrepreneurship, are preparing for their stores' first Christmas holiday.

'Shenanigan' author Ross wins business award
Sandra Guy: A Chicago author whose passion for inspiring African-American children to read family-friendly stories has found technology an ally in her quest. Jil Ross, who grew up in Pullman and lives in the Beverly neighborhood, wrote the Shenanigan Series (www.shenaniganseries.com) of books based on her family values and experiences.

Building bridges over the digital divide
Sandra Guy: James Edwards wanted a promotion at his telemarketing job, so when he saw a sign for a computer-training program, he jotted down the number and ended up getting hired as a part-time computer instructor. Edwards, 38, joined the program at the Chicago Commons Employment Training Center at the West Humboldt Education and Training Center at 3441 W. Chicago.

U of C prof has Obama's ear on fixing U.S. economy
Sandra Guy: A Chicago economist who foresaw the market-driven advantages of the Internet and who is among President-elect Barack Obama's brain trust is expected to head the White House Council of Economic Advisers. Austan Goolsbee, 39, is a University of Chicago Booth Business School professor and political newbie who describes himself as a research academic and a Jon Stewart Democrat.

Seeing fashion in a new (LED) light
Today’s fashion shows are as much about the technology as the glittering gowns and billowing fabric. Macy’s Glamorama fashion show in August, headlined by Cyndi Lauper and MC Hammer, was the first to use a see-through screen made of strings of computerized light-emitting diode, considered the next generation of theater staging.

Seeing fashion in a new light

Today's fashion shows are as much about the technology as the glittering gowns and billowing fabric.

Sears, Walgreen may find CEOs within
Sandra Guy: Chicago's venerable Sears and Walgreen retailers are looking for new CEOs, and names are starting to surface as contenders. Sears' challenge is to find a CEO to work under Chairman and hedge-fund manager Edward S. Lampert, while the Hoffman Estates-based retailer reorganizes into separate business units.