Today's number: 3,000 to 5,000

Number of people that Microsoft Corp., the world's largest software maker, will hire as it also boosts spending on research to $6.9 billion this fiscal year, up from $4.66 billion last year.

Bloomberg News

Today's money tip

Don't forget that if you've lost or quit your job, you may be entitled to keep your group health insurance benefits under the COBRA. The federal law (named for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) requires most employers with 20 or more employees to give you the opportunity to continue your health insurance for up to 18 months - but at your expense.

Amy Higgins

Today's mover

Rich Bitting has been named director of sales and marketing at Alley Shop Inc., a full service trade show exhibit and display company. Bitting's past experience includes sales management and business-to-business marketing. He will focus his efforts on strategic initiatives to increase customer retention and acquisition. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati and has more than 20 years of experience in sales and marketing. He is president of the Cincinnati Chapter of the American Marketing Association and a member of the Cincinnati Rotary Club.

Shirley Dees

Today's career talk

Pirates along the Atlantic coast of North America were among the first democratic organizations and among the first to offer members a pension. In Piracy & Plunder: A Murderous Business by Milton Meltzer, the code of conduct of pirate captaion Bartholomew Roberts was detailed: "Every man who shall become a cripple or lose a limb in the service shall have 800 pieces of eight from the common stock and for lesser hurts proportionately."

John Eckberg

Today's Company: Bard Nurseries Inc.

Growth Industry: This venture first took root in Pleasant Ridge about 40 years ago, cultivated by Stan Bard and his son Clint. The owners moved it to Amelia in 1970 and then in 1998 to a larger, 3.5 acre site on Ohio Pike. The company participates annually in the Cincinnati Flower Show and Cincinnati Home and Garden Show.

A Bard On Every Branch: The Bard family is heavily involved in all company divisions. Clint Jr. runs the garden center and nursery. The landscape division is the turf of his brothers Bob and Doug. Sister-in-lawTeresa Bard and staffer Stacey Garcia manage the five-acre growing center in Milford. Clint Sr.'s wife, Kathy, and daughter-in-law Elizabeth do the accounts. Clint Bard Sr. oversees the whole operation.

Growing Their Own: All Bard's annuals, perennials and about 60 percent of other plants it sells are produced at its growing center. Especially popular this year have been the dwarf Korean lilac, boxwood, reblooming day lilies and ornamental grasses.

Helping Hands: The company's landscaping division can do a complete job of design and installation, but will also work with do-it-yourselfers by providing a plan and guidance at no cost with purchase of all the plants and materials from Bard Nurseries.

Jenny Callison