Today's number: $400,000 - Amount Ely Callaway, after almost 30 years in the textile industry, paid in 1982 for a small company called Hickory Stick, which eventually became golf-club powerhouse Callaway Golf Co.

        Today's money tip: The cash basis of accounting is a system in which a firm recognizes revenues when it receives cash and recognizes expenses as it makes disbursements. Accrual accounting, deemed more accurate and used more widely, recognizes revenues and expenses when the accounting event happens.

        For example, if a sale is made but no payment received yet, accrual accounting still records the transaction and recognizes the revenue. Cash accounting doesn't recognize the deal until cash is received.

        Today's career advice: Negative co-workers or people can drain you of your power, according to Terry Cole-Whittaker in her book Every Saint Has a Past, Every Sinner a Future.

        She calls negative people “psychic sappers,” and suggests that the best way to avoid the spiral of envy, doubt, ridicule and fear is to instead focus on the positives of a work setting.

        Find a quiet place and silently repeat this phrase: “My cup of every good and wonderful thing and experience is overflowing.”

        Today's company: Steed Hammond Paul

CENTENARIAN: Founded in 1901, this architecture firm is one of only 15 businesses in Cincinnati today that have reached or exceeded the century mark. Starting from a one-man practice in Butler County, the company now has locations in Hamilton, Cincinnati and Columbus. Its Cincinnati office occupies the 21st floor of the Kroger Building.

        PUBLIC WORKS: Steed Hammond Paul has specialized in schools and other community projects. Notable among these are the Hospice of Cincinnati, Fairfield's Lane Public Library, the Goggin Ice Arena in Oxford and several schools in the Lakota school district. The firm pioneered the “Schoolhouse of Quality” process, which facilitates customer input.

        CENTURY OF EMPLOYEES: Steed Hammond Paul employs 100 people, 21 of whom are registered architects.

        Send tips and questions to Bill Ferguson at bferguson@enquirer.com

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