3 Moving Tips from Lowe's and 1-800-PACK-RAT

Our friends over at 1-800-Pack-Rat and Lowe's put together a quick list of 3 moving tips that we wanted to share with you!

A lot of folks are getting ready to move and store their stuff. We are here to help! Check out these three tips to get your move off on the right foot:

- Take an inventory: Things are so harried during a move; it's easy to lose track of the stuff that's coming and going. Protect your possessions by creating a home inventory. Take snapshots or create a written list of your belongings and keep that with you.

- Make yourself available: Make yourself available to your mover answer questions during loading and unloading. Review the home inventory paperwork and make sure the driver has your contact information and details of your delivery.

- Be safe: Whether you're hiring professionals or moving yourself, remove all rugs, low hanging items and tripping hazards. Keep walkways clear at all times. Arrange a baby-sitter for very young children, and make sure pets are away from loading and unloading. 

Thank you for making us your Columbus movers of choice!

Chris King Graduates from AMSA Leaders Program

This past month, Chris King, Operations Manager at E.E. Ward Moving & Storage Company, graduated from the AMSA Leaders Program during a three day ceremony in Las Vegas, Nevada. This year marked the 20^th anniversary of the prestigious training program.

King began the program back in October. Over the following 20 weeks, he attended online classes where he learned skills ranging from conflict resolution to different management techniques. Once in Las Vegas, King attended the three day training and graduation ceremony. For the first time, King was able to meet and network with his 18 other classmates from across the county.

All of us at E.E. Ward Moving & Storage Company congratulate Chris on his accomplishment. As Columbus, Ohio movers, Chris’s newfound skills and abilities will help us grow and better serve the Central Ohio area. 

Beatty Appointed to Small Business Council of the Columbus Chamber

This past month, Otto Beatty III, co-owner of E.E. Ward Moving & Storage Co. LLC, was appointed to the Small Business Council of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce for a 3-year term.  Beatty joins other Council members who are owners and operators of small and mid-size businesses in an advisory capacity to help guide the Chamber’s policies and priorities.  The Small Business Council reinforces the Chamber’s mission to better serve the small business community and ultimately, the Columbus business environment.

As a small business in Columbus, Ohio, we look forward to the progression of the Columbus economic environment. We continually strive to be your Columbus movers of choice and we look forward to Otto’s participation in the Small Business Council.

My Visit With the White House Business Council Office

Otto Beatty and Ari Matusiak, Executive Director, White House Business Council

On Tuesday, February 7, I accompanied Mayor Michael B. Coleman and a group of Columbus business leaders to a meeting at the White House with Obama Administration Officials led by Ari Matusiak, Executive Director, White House Business Council.   The purpose of the meeting was two-fold: 1.) to get feedback on what the Administration can do to support job creation and growth of the economy; and 2.) to ensure local Columbus local business leaders are aware of the Administration programs and resources that can help them grow and succeed.  I was joined by a diverse group of Columbus companies from larger organizations, such as Momentive Speciality Chemicals,  The Ohio State University and Columbia Gas/Ni-Source to rapidly growing high-tech companies such Oxford Consulting Group and CallCopy Inc.  Likewise, we were joined by well-respected educators, advocates and thought leaders from the Columbus College of Art & Design, the Ohio Hospital Association, and SkillsUSA Ohio.  From the beginning of the program in became clear that Administration officials viewed the Columbus business environment under the leadership of our Mayor as a model of success in these challenging times.

After a short economic briefing from the Chief Economist from the Department of Commerce, we interacted with a panel of Administration officials on job creation and business expansion.  Rosie Rios, The Treasurer of the United States, spoke briefly regarding the Treasury Department’s expanded role in housing finance, corporate tax reform, and small business business lending initiatives as part of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010.  After many of the businesses leaders identified finding qualified workers as a significant challenge in growing their businesses, Jane Oates, Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training Administration, advised us to utilize the Department of Labor’s One-Stop Career facilities to advance their talent acquisition and training objectives.   John Porcari, Deputy Secretary of Transportation, outlined the substantial federal infrastructure investments in the Columbus region.

The highlight of the day was a presentation by Capt. Brad Cooper, the Executive Director of Joining Forces, a White Initiative to assist Veterans as they transition out of the services and pursue civilian careers, higher education, or start their own businesses.  Cooper made a strong case to the businesses to take advantage of the resources and tax credits enacted under the Veterans Opportunity to Work to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 (VOW act). I was personally inspired to explore these resources in E.E. Ward’s search for additional talent to grow our business and reach our objectives..

The day concluded with an open discussion of the issues that the Columbus businesses believed inhibited business growth and job creation.  The thoughtful discussion resolved around taxes, immigration policy,employment, and access to capital and business resources. I shared the need for more resources to be devoted to mature, second stage and growing businesses, similar to the vast resources devoted to business start-ups.  Administration officials seemed to be particularly interested how the current  immigration policy negatively impacts business growth, diversity, and talent acquisition in a Midwestern city such as Columbus.    

My visit was truly an invaluable experience to learn more about the Administration’s investments and resources designed to foster job creation and business growth.  Furthermore, I benefited from the thoughtful and insightful comments by the other Columbus business leaders who participated in the meeting.   I look forward to sharing this experience with others and participating in future discussions about job creation and business growth.


Otto Beatty
Co-Owner, E.E. Ward Moving & Storage Co, LLC