Today's Number: 9 hours, 17 minutes

        The average time computer users spent online each month in the year ended in April, up from 8 hours and 15 minutes the year before, according to a study by Nielsen/NetRatings Inc.

— Bloomberg News

Today's Mover

        Jason Smith has been named department engineer at International Paper in the energy and chemical recovery solutions group at the Cincinnati Technology Center. Mr. Smith has been with the company for two years and holds a doctorate in chemical engineering from Georgia Tech.

— Shirley Dees

Today's Career Talk

        Only the individual who holds a belief can actually change the belief, insists Randy Schwantz, author of Breaking the Sales Barrier: How to Develop Million Dollar Producers. The first step for a sales executive is to identify a belief that is holding him or her down. “The fastest way to change the belief or behavior is through pain,” he says. “What pain does your negative belief cause you? How much does it hurt? Will painful consequences escalate with time? What if you just can't take it anymore?”

— John Eckberg

Today's Money Tip

        With more than 6,000 mutual funds on the market, picking one to invest in takes diligence and research. Don't just put money in a fund that performed well last year. Look past the short-term ratings and rankings and pick a fund that has had consistently good performance over time.

— Amy Higgins

Today's Company: Independent Computing Group LP

        Making Web Sites Work: ICGLP began in 1995 as a staff augmentation company, supplying computer programmers on a temporary basis to area businesses. From there, the venture moved into custom Web site applications and then into Web site design. The company also does e-marketing work to help client sites increase their visibility on the Internet. Founder Mark Dare launched his Fairfield business with five people; the staff now numbers 15.

        Getting The Wires Straight: Many businesses need custom applications in order for their Internet, intranet or extranet systems to work in concert with their Web sites. Most recently, the Maisonette chose Independent Computing Group to handle its custom Web site applications and development.

        Click To Change: Staffer Adam Siler has designed an application for businesses that want to display a large number of products on a Web site. The “CAT” program allows a person with minimal computer skills to change inventory items or prices daily and from a remote site.

— Jenny Callison

Fifth Third arm to pay $1M fine
Consumer prices flat in May
Milacron approves sale of Valenite
Credit card promotion seeks top baseball memories
Firm helps out the little guys
Expense cuts help Oracle beat profit expectations
Industry notes: Banking
Tristate Summary
Morning Memo
PEALE: What's the Buzz?