OpenOffice is the free solution to those who do not have or cannot afford the Microsoft Office Suite. In fact, I just recommended it to two of my son’s classmates who had lost data on the school server using Word. It is easy to download, looks like Microsoft, is compatible with Microsoft products, and is free. Hard to believe that a company would be so giving? Read on…

When downloading the latest version of Apache OpenOffice, users are given an opportunity to donate to the OpenOffice project. The project strives to provide free productivity applications on a global scale. They are seeking contributors for a variety of jobs, including coding, bug fixing, and design. OpenOffice offers a volunteer orientation for those unsure of how to help as well as a student page for students to contribute as part of their school projects. In other words, they seek volunteerism as donation, rather than fiscal donations. Any fiscal donations go toward the technical infrastructure.

This is a huge non-profit project that has gained Apache an amazing following. 50 million downloads of the latest version of OpenOffice was hit within one week of the anniversary of the release of OpenOffice 3.4 on May 8, 2012. It is also significant that Apache OpenOffice is the number one free and open source office application suite for Windows, Mac, and Linux. The first version was released in May of 2002. It is offered in more than 50 languages.

OpenOffice is not the only open source software that Apache offers, but it is the most widely used. You may have heard of SpamAssassin, a free spam blocker software that is used on college campuses and in small businesses as well as personal computers to reduce spam. Many more open source programs are available through Apache as development continues.

As for OpenOffice, this product has components nearly identical to Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Paint, Access, and Publisher. The menus look very similar and the results are nearly the same. In fact, the user can choose to save their projects in Microsoft formats. They may be opened and worked on with Microsoft software.

So, why bring up a non-profit business? Two reasons. The Apache business model is very successful and could extend itself into a for-profit business if they wished to do so. The second reason is likely more applicable to the entrepreneur. Apache is offering OpenOffice and all of its other programs, from coding to programming, to cloud network management, to large data storage for free. How much do you think these necessities might cost for a startup? The latest version Microsoft Office alone costs between $139.99-$399.99 and that’s for only one computer. For a business it can be as high as $12.50 per user per month for a small business plan. That adds up quickly over time. Large business plans go up to $20 per user per month.

Starting your business? Go to http://www.apache.org/ and see what they can offer to your startup. And once you are up and running, don’t forget to volunteer and give some of your time and expertise back to this thriving, wonderful organization.

These days, everything needs to be insured, from your home, to your car, to life insurance protection, even planning for retirement to benefit your family later in life when you are gone. It's just smart. Knowing that you need it is easy, but finding someone who you actually trust to manage these things is a whole different ball game.

That’s where people like John Cysewski come in handy. He's a down to earth guy that knows insurance from top to bottom, but isn't focused on getting you to whip out your checkbook. He's more interested in how to save and put money back into your pockets. He also makes it a priority to donate to charity on a frequent basis, using profits from referrals that he receives from his clients, or as he likes to call them, his friends.

To really know how valuable John is to your future insurance ventures, you really have to know how he worked from the bottom up and what it took to become the insurance guru that he is today, as well as the future friend of yours he could be.

John's path started out in the military, which eventually led him to Boeing. Afterwards, with help and guidance by a friend and coach that thought he would be the perfect fit for the business, he was lead to insurance. Much like everyone else, he had to dip into a few pools to really know where his passion was.

"Once I was lead into the insurance business I found my passion. I was offered a management position to start off, and things just evolved from there. The experience was priceless, and I knew what kind of business I wanted to run," said John.

His Allstate family business started from scratch in 1992. Currently, it’s ranked #18 nationwide, and in 2011 was voted with the highest customer satisfaction rate out of the entire region, showing his commitment to his clients. With those kinds of accolades, it makes you want to know more about what makes him the best of the best.

Now, John has built his small family business to give back to his customers based on hard work, professionalism, and values that he believes are the core of his success.

"We're a family owned business and we are largely based on referrals. Our commitment to doing what's best for our clients is what really sets us apart from all the rest," says John, "We have a philosophy of listening to our clients, hearing what they want, and working to get their rates as low as possible to provide the best value for their dollar."

Want to know what actually happens with referrals? It’s definitely not something you hear every day, let alone not your average referral system.

"When we get a referral, we give the person who recommended us a gift card to thank them. Additionally, we put their name in a drawing, which we do monthly and also annually, to give back and say thank you. Then, the profits from these referrals we give to our charity, Eastside Academy in Bellevue," says John.
"This charity donation helps fund a high school for at-risk youth, providing them with education, counseling, and life skills. Customers relate to that because it’s something that they want to support, but might not be able to on a consistent basis. It's great to tell them that as a result of their referrals we were able to make a generous contribution to the charity."

His charity contributions don’t just stop there. He is currently and  has been committed to his community and church as a volunteer for 27 years  and also providing a helping hand with organizations such as Lutheran Alliance to Create Housing, also known as LATCH and Habitat for Humanity. He has helped out with the Jubilee outreach program affiliated with his church, participating in rebuilding homes and public schools.

John takes pride in making everyone who walks through the door a long lasting friend and returning customer.

"It's nice to be so close to these people that they are your friends and you can be comfortable talking about these important things."

This is evident when you look at their customer retention rate being one of the highest in the country, which stays at 93% to 95% compared to average which is in the eighties.

"We have the commitment to do the extra work and the tough jobs. We always follow up with our clients to make sure they are getting all their discounts and receiving the best rates," says John, "Bottom line our clients are number one." John makes this evident because he is a personal confidant, friend and insurer on a different level.

"Recently, I had a client that I've known for years call to tell me he had water coming into his basement causing flood damage and repairs upwards of ten thousand dollars," says John.

John did what he always does, by using his expertise he was able to provide the best solution available.  In the end he was able to help the family in their time of need and save them thousands of dollars.

"I enjoy feeling like I am making a difference and helping someone outside the office.”

John’s drive not only is impressive but also heartfelt and full of good will and intentions.

His agency is a resource for the Northwest University work study program and has multiple part time students throughout the year. He mentors them in everything from running and owning a small business to marketing and providing excellent customer service.

From newsletters with tips and tricks at his Allstate branch, to their philanthropic attitude and passion for people, his team is knowledgeable, caring and wants to know who you are as a person to better help with your insurance decisions. They’re a small business with big accomplishments and even bigger things to strive for.

If you want to contact John Cysewski and his team about anything from auto, home and life insurance to long term care, disability insurance or retirement planning, visit the AllState website, call his office at  425.889.8500 or email him personally at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Construction has begun on what may be the greenest commercial building in the world. The Bullitt Foundation is creating The Bullitt Center, a six-story solar powered commercial building in Seattle. The center will be located at the intersection of Capitol Hill and the Central District in Seattle.

If you go to check out the construction, the first thing you are likely to notice is the roof. Designed to capture both solar energy and rain water, it is functional as well as remarkable looking

The roof isn’t the only sustainable feature of the Bullitt Center. The 50,000 square foot building also ensures that every area has sunlight. The higher ceilings that are needed to meet this goal are just another way to make a pleasant and healthy human environment. There is an outer glass-enclosed staircase to lure people into walking rather than using the elevator, thus increasing health.

This building will be the first city-based commercial building in the United States to meet the goals of the Living Building Challenge. (https://ilbi.org/lbc) The location supports the use of eco-friendly transportation such as walking, bicycling, or mass transit. Water will be supplied by a collection system on the roof and stored in a cistern under the building. The building will be supplied with energy via the specialized solar roof panels. Construction contains no hazardous materials such as PVC, cadmium, or lead. These items that are usually used in construction have been reengineered by experts, using greener alternatives. All windows will be operable, so occupants can breathe fresh air. The unique look of the building is meant to enhance the surrounding area and has plenty of native plants to keep the green feeling. Every occupant of the Bullitt Center will have access to sunlight and windows.

The site even has the health of Puget Sound in mind. There will be no pollution from runoffs from Bullitt Center. A green roof and permeable pavement will reduce the effects of the “grey water” water from sinks in the building.

When the building, which is now taking applications for leasing, opens, the first two floors will be dedicated to reaching out and educating the public. Hands-on instruction of the latest green technologies, research, systems, and classes will be offered to students as well as the community and lawmakers.

Denis Hayes, President of the Bullitt Foundation, is devoting the resources of the Bullitt towards “human ecology and wellbeing” through its efforts. This project strives to raise the bar for sustainable building. The Bullitt Foundation had to work closely with the city of Seattle because the structure did not meet the current building codes that are based upon the use of less environmentally friendly materials. The city officials had to look at the structure, its sustainability, and their codes, to provide approval for the green building. Other cities or companies that wish to follow the Bullitt Foundation example will have to work with government officials to ensure that they have proper permissions to build these incredibly unique, environmentally aware structures.