Today's number: 681,973

Cars, trucks and buses produced in August in Japan, down 5.6 percent from the same month last year and down for the second straight month, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers' Association said.

The Associated Press

Today's career talk

One of the blessings - and curses - of most open offices is that everybody knows everybody else's business. One way to enhance your stature, Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht say in The Worse-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Work is to look busier than you are: "Purchase a headset and attach it to your phone. It doesn't matter whether it's actually connected - tape it to the bottom of the phone if it won't hook in. Wear it constantly and talk loudly whenever someone passes by."

John Eckberg

Today's mover

• Maggie Dillman has been named director at Deloitte & Touche LLP. Dillman, CPA, tax services, specializes in tax consulting to partnerships, S corporations and limited liability companies in the real estate and construction industries. She has been with the company since 1992 after graduating from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in accountancy. She is a young executive team captain for Catholic Inner City Schools Education Fund and a member of United Way's Community Care Week Committee. She is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Shirley Dees

Today's money tip

Diversify, diversify, diversify has long been a Wall Street mantra.

A key strategy called asset allocation helps achieve this investment goal. A person's hard earned financial savings are distributed among a variety of investment options, such as bonds, equities and mutual funds. This approach helps reduce exposure to risk and the chances of a financial meltdown. How does asset allocation work? One site that can help is at Invest1to1.com. It offers an article with asset allocation tips and insights.

Knight Ridder News Service

Today's Company: Waltz Business Systems

Keys To Success: Frank Waltz started his typewriter repair company in 1892. Just as the keyboard has evolved over the years, his business has changed with the times. When James and Janet Jehn bought the company in 1961, they acquired an Olympia franchise. The company opened a second Cincinnati location in 1981 and further broadened its product line to include more office machines. Waltz moved operations to a new Crestview Hills facility in 1997 and soon afterward purchased a computer/networking company.

Waltz Kings: Today, Waltz is owned and operated by the five sons of James and Janet Jehn.

Technology Infusion: Company products range from office machines such as printers and copiers to computers and telephone systems. It offers IT services and support, and trains people to use many business software programs.

E-Commerce: Customers can order online at Waltz's virtual store: www.waltzbusiness.com.

Jenny Callison