Fargo INC! June 2021 by Spotlight Media

june 2021

jake joraanstad CEO, BUSHEL

my first job

// JUNE 2021

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My First Job

What Do Your Future Workers Want!?

Are Your Employees Bored?

Faces Of Fargo Business: The Romie Family

Service To Entrepreneurship: The Path Of Mike Dowell

Be Brief. Be Bold. Be Gone.

Five Ways To Avoid The Expense And Reputation Damage Of Litigation

Ladyboss Of The Month: Andrea Jang

10 Questions With John Machacek: Relocator

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E d i t o r ’s n o t e

Lessons Learned From My First Job

e ran an issue with the same theme as this back in 2019, but we decided to go back to the well because we feel that the power of lessons learned from a first job are timeless. For better or worse, that first experience with employment can shape a person, their work ethic and their career path quite a bit. My first real job was with a landscaping company in town. Prior to joining landscaping during the summer before

my freshman year of college, I had worked a few under-the-table jobs earning cash, but this was my first real job with a W-2 and everything. And I can tell you one thing, I took the job because I thought it offered me the chance to make the most money before I had to start my fall semester, not because I was necessarily a great fit.

Because of my lack of skills and experience, I was relegated to doing the grunt work with the commercial crew which included a lot of raking, a lot of hole digging and a lot of shoveling.

Okay, I wasn't a fit at all. I had no background in physical labor and no background in landscaping. Before I started, I couldn't tell you the difference between hydroseed and sod.

1. Time is money

3 Lessons I Learned In My First Job As A Landscaper

The more projects we completed, the more money the company would make. Our foreman took his dedication

towards the company very seriously and made sure we kept a sense of urgency when we were working. 2. Do it right Although the foreman I worked under wanted speed, he also wanted things done correctly. That's the beauty of landscaping, it is a craft that (ideally) improves a property's functionality AND aesthetics. No customer we serviced would have been satisfied at the end of the day if their property drained well but looked like shit.

3. You should respect the people in the field doing the dirty work During my short stint with the landscaping company, I gained a new appreciation for just how hard those people work, I was always trying to just keep up. The people I worked with are still, to this day, some of the hardest working people I have ever been around and I believe they deserve a tremendous amount of respect.

Brady Drake Fargo INC! Editor

Brady Drake, Fargo INC! Editor

fargoinc@spotlightmediafargo.com

EDITORIAL BOARD

KRISTINA HEINLANDIN Lead Content & Public Relations Strategist

ERICK WILKIE

SHANNON FULL

Moore Holding Company

FM Area Foundation

FMWF Chamber of Commerce

That was the sign we hung around town drumming up customers when I was a kid barely able to push a lawnmower. That first job taught me a lot about business.

My first job was at a Tastee Freez in my hometown in the northern valley. I was paid $3.75 an hour. What I remember most though wasn’t the work or the experience but the culture that the owner had created. My first day I was told that my priorities should be family, school, church…and then work. That lesson has stayed with me for all my years and one I work to incorporate with my teams. The culture of that small town restaurant also involved helping the local community and giving back. Businesses serving their neighbors and supporting local causes are a big part of what makes a vibrant community. If your company is looking at ways to maximize philanthropy to our local community, reach out to me at the FM Area Foundation. We can make the act of giving both simple and rewarding for you and your employees. The FM Area Foundation helps donors and businesses with charitable giving strategies that drive local impact, let us help you today to create the kind of culture in your business that your employees will never forget!

I have always enjoyed the question, “What was your first job?” In fact, in my former chamber we would use that as an icebreaker for our new members. My first job was quite unique in some aspects, yet very common in others. At the age of 13, I worked for my grandfather in his machine shop. I can still clearly remember the smell of the shop, the feel of the oil that was used to machine the parts and the cardboard cuts I would get from boxing the parts, but my favorite part of the job was delivery day. I would jump in the front seat of my grandfather’s old pickup truck and we would cruise with the windows down to the variety of different customers. I would be so proud as we unloaded parts that I had an opportunity to “make with my own two hands.” As the summer progressed, I found myself more and more comfortable having conversations with customers and forming relationships. This was the start of my professional life, and many of the attributes that have led to my success were learned from my grandfather that summer. I quickly understood the value of hard work, honesty, quality and integrity. I have also come to realize how impactful my grandfather’s leadership, patience and willingness to teach me has been in my life; I shared this story with him recently as we enjoyed a round of golf together. I can only hope that at 90 years young, I am as inspirational as he still is.

President & CEO

Acquisitions/Communication

Last month, Dakota Business Lending celebrated its 39th anniversary. Not only is this an important milestone, but a very special day for team members who play a vital role both our organization’s history and legacy. To us, this anniversary represents more than just 39 years in business. It represents 39 years of joining countless small businesses on their journey to success…39 years of developing partnerships that truly make a difference in our communities and in greater North Dakota…39 years of making small business owners’ dreams come true. But most importantly, it represents 39 years of working besides the very best borrowers, partners, lenders, and supporters we could ever ask for. Thank you to all who support us day in and day out. We look forward to serving small businesses throughout our state for years to come.

Dakota Business Lending

CEO

United Way of Cass-Clay

"The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members." – Coretta Scott King Our United Way would like to "tip our hat" to the Top 25 Most Engaged Workplaces. While their volunteerism has improved countless lives, it may have also played a role in boosting their own lives. Volunteerism has been shown to: -give a sense of purpose and teach valuable life skills -help people stay physically and mentally active -reduce stress levels and risk of depression In the wake of one of the most challenging times in recent history, people continue to show compassion for our neighbors. See this year’s list of Top 25 Most Engaged Workplaces (and watch the music video!), or learn more how you can get involved at unitedwaycassclay.org.

JUNE 2021

We needed capital. My dad bought our family a second lawnmower that we didn’t really need so my brother and I could have a mowing business. Promises made were promises kept. If we said we would mow a lawn on Monday, we better mow it on Monday. Weather was the only acceptable reason for deviation. The customer is always the customer. We once tried to increase the price on a regular customer. She didn’t appreciate it. The next time she paid the previous rate. These lessons, and many more, were well learned and are still valuable.

President and CEO

Director of Ecosystem

Founder and Director

Chief Innovation Officer

KODEE FURST Program Manager

Emerging Prairie

The Executives Club of Fargo - Moorhead

Greater FM Economic Development Corporation

The Nice Center

My first job was working as a bagboy at Blackduck Family Foods, the small grocery store owned by two intrepid entrepreneurs. I saw them making an impact in the community and being responsible for their own destiny.

Like many of our Fargo INC! readers, I grew up on a farm. Thus, my first “job”, was every hot, sweaty, dirty chore that only farm kids generally get to enjoy; picking rocks, hoeing beets, loading bales, et cetera. My first dollars earned off-the-farm, however, were made peddling Hawkeye Racing News up and down the grandstands and through the pits on Friday nights at the RRV Speedway. “Hawkeye! Get your Hawkeye!” This would have been sometime in the mid to late 70s, I was around 9-10. To the best of my recollection, the papers sold for $.50 and I got to keep a nickel from each sale. Straight commission! This is possibly why my favorite jobs since having been straight commission as well. Produce…and we’ll pay you. OK…I’m in!

At The Nice Center, our work is centered on preparing students for the first job they pursue and believe wholeheartedly that entrepreneurial thinking is key to adapting to a rapidly-changing world. Whether they start a company, become a social entrepreneur or decide to go work for someone else, helping students learn how to embrace an entrepreneurial mindset sets them up to explore the workforce with new perspective.

In college, I saw one roommate getting weekend gigs shooting videos and the other roommate dream about starting a butcher shop. Fast forward 10 years, they’re both entrepreneurs and I was there to see the seed of their idea blossom. Entrepreneurship is what pushes our community forward. When I think of what restaurants I love the most, it’s the ones started by a brave and foolhardy founder. When I think of those who give back to our community, it’s the small business owners and employees. Our community is our own and we have to make our own destiny. That’s what entrepreneurship has taught me.

Entrepreneurship is creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking – skills that will help tackle the problems that don’t come with a playbook, develop solutions that can transcend the moment and contribute to a culture of innovation.

BETHLEHEM GRONNEBERG Founder

uCodeGirl

I landed my first job out of college as a research assistant for an international natural products research in Africa. Five days after graduation, I find myself working at the Chemistry Department of Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. I knew a thing or two about Statistics and Computer Science but not a whole lot of Chemistry. Fresh out of water describes it best. I learned a ton, and gained practical skills in computing in the world of science. It led me to my dream job as a system administrator and then webmaster for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

If you have the privilege of supporting a young person on their career journey, I hope you encourage them to start building their entrepreneurial muscle now. Starting something - a project, a club or a business introduces resourcefulness, opportunity mindset and communication, all lessons that can be taken to wherever the next step on their path might be. FARGOINC.COM

JUNE 2021 Volume 6 Issue 6

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ReadiTech, A Client Focused IT Option

JUNE 2021

Our goal is to help your company work smoothly so you can be productive and efficient.” -Justin Farkas

The big deadline is just around the corner. You’re in the zone, full cup of coffee in hand, closing in on the finish line, and the technology in your office craps out on you again. This isn’t something you should be worried about. But, unfortunately, it’s all too common. That’s why ReadiTech is offering Managed IT services to help businesses operate at peak performance. With ReadiTech, you get an entire team of IT experts instead of having to go out and hire one or, perhaps, multiple IT professionals to meet your needs. This “team” works with you to help propel your business forward by creating efficiencies and technological improvements specifically for your business. “You don’t pay us overtime, you don’t pay us sick days, you don’t pay for our insurance, basically, there are a lot of costs that are eliminated by using us as an IT provider,” said Regional Manager Justin Farkas. “You’re paying us to limit your issues. Our goal is to help your company work smoothly so you can be productive and efficient.”

The companies that work with ReadiTech can be found all along the spectrum of technological knowledge. Some customers have backgrounds in the IT field or related careers while others know close to nothing about the technology they are using, and that is okay. Wherever the customer lies on that spectrum, ReadiTech thrives in addressing their pain points. A customer might have a problem with a muffled telephone connection or a printer that is printing slower than they would like it to, but they don’t know why these things are happening. With ReadiTech, that doesn’t matter.

ReadiTech’s IT Solutions • Business Intelligence • Cyber Security • Managed Firewalls • Managed Data Backup • Server Management • Virtual Private Networks Connections (VPN) • Network Configuration • Network Security • Network Performance • Bandwidth Management • Switching Networks Installation and Maintenance • Computer/Device Repair & Management • Hardware Purchasing • Software Licensing • Anti-Virus/Malware Software • Password Storage & Protection • Technical Assistance Support • Security Systems • Phone Systems

“We can work with you to address those pain points and we can run diagnostics to see what some of your issues are,” said Farkas. “From there, we can work with you to get things running like a larger successful company.”

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Reactive IT Services Model 1. An IT issue is detected. 2. You contact your IT solution provider. 3. Once you reach your IT provider, you describe the issue as you understand it. 4. If the issue cannot be resolved via e-mail or phone, your IT provider will need to travel to your location. 5. Once at your location, the issue is properly diagnosed. 6. The issue is resolved.

VS.

Proactive IT Services Model 1. ReadiTech’s remote monitoring and management tool conducts oversight of your network and IT assets 24/7. 2. The remote monitoring and management tool alerts the ReadiTech team to a potential issue or an issue about to occur. 3. A centralized dashboard allows for remote diagnosis and remediation of the issue by your ReadiTech technician - without disruption to your business flow!

JUNE 2021

What does working with ReadiTech look like? In addition to constant monitoring of your systems (computers, laptops and servers), you will have access to the following.

The Help Desk The help desk is a staff of dedicated people that you will get to know over time available to help with all of your day-to-day issues with your computers, your networks, your printers, your software or anything in between. If the issue goes above and beyond what the help desk is capable of providing in assistance, the ticket is sent to the escalation team.

The VCIO Every client that works with ReadiTech gets their own Virtual Chief Information Officer (VCIO) dedicated to making their business better. Each VCIO meets with leadership, usually quarterly, to determine how technology can be implemented to make the company better. “We’re there to be part of your team,” said Farkas. “We want to utilize everything at our disposal to make your company better.”

The Analysts ReadiTech also deploys a team of analysts to further dive into the information gathering process. These are the individuals that will be at your company on a regular basis, determining what needs to updated, what needs to be replaced, what’s not working and what the issues are. To learn more, visit readitech.com

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my first job A person's experience at their first job can impact them for the rest of their careers. Perhaps that first job ends up being a true calling, and there is no need to ever go anywhere else. However, for most, a first job can serve as a sort of low-stakes testing ground to begin learning what they do and don't want in a profession. Inevitably the majority will move on, but the lessons learned at a first job can stick with them for a lifetime. 40

JUNE 2021

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first job: Crew Member at Dairy Queen

JUNE 2021

Jake

Joraanstad Current Position: CEO and Co-Found of Bushel

Lessons Learned 1. I learned about timeliness.

5. I learned how having a boss felt.

In order to be "on time", I needed to physically be at the punch card station every time I worked. That was a great lesson I learned in how important it was to show up and be accountable.

You were never truly in control of what would happen the next day at work or if you had a job. It may be part of the reason I started my own business. I didn't enjoy that feeling.

2. I learned how to work with a huge variety of people.

6. I learned professional communication.

From my coworkers with highly varying skills of communication and ability, to angry or incompetent people trying to make orders at the drive-through, I had to work with them all.

3. I learned basic money skills. Lots of people still paid cash then, so counting change and using the till was a big deal. I learned how important checks were and that they could bounce. Yes, people bought ice cream with paper checks.I don't remember seeing a lot of credit cards back then.

4. I learned how great ice cream is. I love ice cream, and I ate enough for an entire lifetime when I was there.

When you work at the till, with a boss, or at the drive-through window, clear communication is really important. I think it improved my communication skills really early on.

7. I learned how to be accountable. I had to make sure we followed through accurately on orders, cleaned the dishes and bathrooms, and made sure everything was ready for the next shift. That consistent set of tasks that needed to be completed helped me understand how accountability worked early in my life.

8. I learned why having a driver's license mattered. I got myself to work each

day because in North Dakota you could have your permit at 13 and license at 14. So keeping that license was pretty important to keep a job!

9. I learned the value of money and time. I got paid hourly, had opportunities for raises and learned the value of working and the value of money. Then I went and spent it on cars.

10. I learned that businesses can create value and wealth. I watched the Dairy Queen owner work hard to make this restaurant make money for their family. They did well, and I learned early that a business is one way to create long-term wealth and value.

first job: Housekeeper with James Valley Nursing Home

JUNE 2021

Billi

Zielinski Current Position: President and CEO, Make-A-Wish North Dakota

Lessons Learned 1. Stay curious Everyone has a story to tell and if you are willing to listen and learn, the older generation has much to share and teach us.

2. Be prepared Getting old does not discriminate. Living to our golden years will happen to all of us...if we are lucky. This experience informed how I may hope to live out my life.

3. Teamwork Go the extra mile, it is never crowded. I was part of this interconnected circle of care and every role in that facility contributed to the quality of life of the residents.

4. Be kinder than necessary While I wheeled around a cleaning cart and was more behind the scenes, any interaction I had could make an impact so I needed to bring my best self to work every day. Everyone appreciates a gracious word or a smile.

5. Empathy I put myself in their shoes - thinking about their

journeys. It made me think about the continuum of life and how at that stage of the line, they were looking back and reflecting where as a teenager, I was only looking forward with anticipation.

6. Celebrate A bouquet of flowers, school kids singing carols, a milestone birthday, and other joyous activities mean the world and everyone can be a part of celebrating. Rejoice!

7. Relationships Human connections are so very important throughout life. From family to the stranger cleaning your room, we choose to engage and create those opportunities for bonding.

8. Here today, gone tomorrow Everyone was once a young adult and every detail, from big to small, up to this very moment in time, makes us who were are. Those moments are finite like life itself - live fully and make memories to think about later!

9. Compassion Looking back, this experience furthered my desire to care for others in life. Throughout my career, one common thread is my service to others from the elderly and people with disabilities to people in a foreign country to children with critical illnesses.

10. Dignity Everyone deserves a clean bathroom.

first job: Grunt for Arthur Elevator

JUNE 2021

keith peltier Current Position: President and General Manager of Proseed

Lessons Learned 1. No job is beneath you.

I Literally started at the bottom of the food chain cleaning the elevator pits, underneath the elevator. and cleaning out the bottoms of grain bins. Doing this, I learned that you don’t start at the top in most businesses and if you start at the bottom you can relate to most of the experiences workers have.

2. Work hard but have fun doing it.

I learned you can have fun and still work hard. We invented a fake employee at the elevator and punched him in late and out early so the guy on the night shift would go crazy trying to figure out who the new guys was.

3. Mistakes are not the end of the world, they can be fixed and learned from.

When setting up grain bins, we used a jig to make a round slab to put the grain bin on. After pouring our first three slabs of the new year we discovered that we were six inches short all the way around. I Solved the problem by putting the bin outside the slab and repoured a slab around the bin. The elevator guys had used our jig for another purpose and cut six inches off our board.

6. The importance of all jobs in the grand scheme of things.

If you didn’t clean out the bottom of a bin, there could be a mixture of grain that might spoil the value of a whole bin of grain. If you didn’t clean out the grain boot all the way, then rotten grain could work its way into the system and spoil whole bins of grain.

7. Team work.

When we used to bag seed wheat and seed soybeans, things would go five times faster if we had one guy putting the bags on, one guy sewing and one guy stacking.

8. Competition works as an incentive.

When we were bagging, we used to have contests to see who could stack the most pallets at one time without getting the forklift to move the pallets. We found that, generally, we got more done that way.

9. Always check to see if the driver of the truck was on or off the scale when weighing empty or full. It was a game some guys played to see if they could get an extra bushel or two on a load. It was a good exercise in human nature.

10. Treat everybody fair and square.

If you treated everybody fairly usually you got the same in return.

4. Measure twice cut once.

See the above story, if we would have measured instead of assuming, we wouldn’t have had to improvise.

5. What a henway was.

Answers might vary depending on circumstances. FARGOINC.COM

first job: Paperboy

JUNE 2021

Nicholas Flom Current Position: Executive Director, Northern Plains UAS Test Site

Lessons Learned 1. Time Management Even at an early age, I balanced school, church, and extracurriculars on top of work. As a paperboy, my papers were delivered on Tuesday and needed to be stuffed and prepped and ready to go on Wednesday. You find time for the things that are important to you.

2. Accountability Some things are not negotiable. The paper needed to be delivered by Wednesday night, and I had to make sure it was delivered on time. People who received the paper expected it, and my bosses expected it. More than that, though – I had high expectations for myself. I had made a commitment.

3. Pride There’s a sense of accomplishment in doing your job well – and in going above and beyond. Sometimes that’s memorizing which houses need papers, or getting a week with no complaints – and sometimes that’s the incremental steps involved in rolling out a statewide unmanned aircraft network. The details matter.

4. Responsibility There are consequences to your actions. If I didn’t

stuff and prepare the papers Tuesday night, I’d have to find time to do it all on Wednesday, either before or after school, and Wednesday was also a church night.

5. Foresight You have to account for changing circumstances. If it was raining, I would have to put the papers in bags instead of just rubber banding them – but if you throw them while they’re in a bag, they risk sliding out and getting wet anyway. Anticipating those problems can help you avoid them.

6. Reliability Even though it was a free newspaper, our customers expected the paper on the right night, at the right time, in the right condition. They would complain if things weren’t right. Even people who had chosen to opt-out of the free paper would complain if they got a paper by mistake. I learned early on that being reliable when you’re given a task – getting things right – was important.

7. Teamwork If my family went on vacation, I needed to find help. If I had a busy night, I need to rely on family or friends to help out. A lot of

times, you need to rely on others to make sure a job is done right.

8. Communication I had to communicate with my boss on a regular basis. I found that the earlier I would communicate, the easier a problem could be solved. I still find that useful today when leading a large team.

9. Confidence Having spending money as a thirteen year old – around $200 a month – brought a certain amount of freedom. It also created selfsufficiency. Knowing that you can pay for things on your own, and that you can rely on yourself to create that freedom and selfsufficiency, gives you a lot of confidence.

10. Learn from Mistakes I would miss houses, or deliver to houses I was not supposed to. I would take that feedback in stride and make sure that I would do better the next time. These are important lessons to learn. Don't hang your head when you don't get it 100 percent right; learn from it and make it better in the future.

first job: Staff Writer (intern) with AgWeek Magazine in Grand Forks

JUNE 2021

Janell hauck Current Position: Marketing Manager at DRN ReadiTech

Lessons Learned 1. Meet your deadlines.

Agweek is a weekly publication with timelines necessary to meet press deadlines in order for the paper to get out on time. Today, it is still extremely important to stay on task in order to meet the deadlines as I juggle several projects.

2. With any first job, a person is young and inexperienced.

I learned to accept constructive criticism to grow and develop my skills. My co-workers and supervisors were great to work with and provided me with many opportunities to learn and grow.

3. Smile.

People who are upbeat about the day are contagious. It is easy to be excited about the day when the people you work with are fun and welcoming.

6. Be creative.

There are many ways to complete tasks. Think outside the box and look for new and creative ways to work on projects.

7. Strive to be the best you.

In everything you do, do the best that you can. If tasked with a complex project, break it down into smaller tasks and tackle them first.

8. Show up.

Whether it is work or play, show up and be in the moment.

9. Love what you do.

Find the joy in what you have been tasked to do. I particularly enjoyed writing feature stories. The interviewing process allowed me the opportunity to grow and expand my worldview. People are creative and can travel many paths to accomplish the same goal.

10. Success is 90% attitude and 10% aptitude. Like many of the above things I learned, this statement sums it up. Even today, when interviewing career applicants, we look for attitude. For the most part, we can teach/coach aptitude. But applicants need to have the right attitude to fit into our culture.

4. Get involved.

When I moved to Grand Forks, I didn't know anyone in the community. You have to be outgoing and introduce yourself to others, join organizations and get involved.

5. Follow through on tasks to completion.

Just because your shift is over or it is 5 p.m., doesn't mean you have to be done. Finish your tasks so you can feel good about what you have accomplished during the day. FARGOINC.COM

first job: Working On The Family Farm

JUNE 2021

Terri Zimmerman Current Position: CEO of Packet Digital and Botlink

Lessons Learned

6. Be optimistic.

Optimism is contagious and can drive you to succeed. It’s important to generate positive energy in your team and within yourself, and that is so much easier to do if you approach life with a sense of optimism and hope.

1. People matter most.

7. Good hard work feels good.

The people around you and everyone’s well-being matter most. The people around you, your team, create the energy and momentum that makes things happen. Everyone has a role on the farm and every role is important. Having a great team of people who work well together is the best determinant of success in any venture.

I learned very early in life how to work hard; I was pitching s*** before I was five and throwing hay bales before I was ten. But more importantly, I learned that working hard leads to good results and builds confidence. When a big task comes your way, you know you can seize the day.

2. Love your community.

8. Listen to learn.

Life on the farm is often a team sport that is supported by the whole community. Having the ability to count on others to have your back when you need some help is a force multiplier. Helping others when they need help makes the community stronger. The healthier and more productive the community the more your business can succeed.

3. Believe it and love it.

You really must believe that what you are doing is important, that it is making a difference for the farm, for your community, or for the world. You might call this a mission statement for your company or for yourself but believe in a mission, and more importantly, living one, will fuel you when you need it most.

4. Care for real.

Honestly and truly caring deeply about people, their wellbeing, and their success is one of the most important things you can do to succeed. Caring about your mission and your farm enables you to take on hard challenges and big risks more easily.

5. Smile, laugh and enjoy the ride.

Have fun while you’re doing it. Embrace your opportunity and enjoy the ride. My dad always made it fun to be on the farm, he was the life of the party.

One day I was going out to plow the fields and my dad said something about a wet drainage ditch. I was not really paying attention and was excited to go jump on the tractor and get to work. So, I proceeded to drive straight out into the field and right into the first wet area surrounding the drainage ditch. The tractor was stuck in the mud and I quickly learned the importance of listening to learn. In life, you can learn so much about people, the challenges they are trying to overcome, the work they are doing, their desires for the future and so much more. The more you know, the more effective you can be at helping customers, partners, team members and friends.

9. Do the right thing.

On the farm, our equipment, our partners, our community and our family were all essential to our success. We needed our equipment to work, our partners to be fair, our community to thrive for us to succeed as a family and as a business. The best way to ensure that was to always do the right thing. You know what it is, and you know when you aren’t doing it.

10. Respect others' knowledge.

You are surrounded by knowledge. Respect and learning from that knowledge presents an opportunity to collaborate. That new knowledge and collaboration enables you to be just a little bit better the next day than you were today. Be better at your job, be better to your friends and to your family, and be better to your community and your partners and customers. FARGOINC.COM

first job: Diamond Supervisor for the Fargo Park District

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Aaron Hill

Current Position: Managing Partner, Fargo Brewing Company

Lessons Learned 1. I learned a lot about the rules of baseball. 2. I learned how to be a coworker and “team member”. 3. I learned how to take constructive feedback. 4. I learned how to work with the public (coaches, parents, kids). 5. I learned valuable coaching skills. 6. I learned how to set up baseball fields. 7. I learned the value of a dollar and earning for myself.

8. I learned how to create schedules and organize events. 9. I learned a lot about how the recreation department at the Park District works. 10. I learned that sunscreen is very important.

first job: Farm Minion on the family farm

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Eric Mauch Current Position: Managing Partner, Razor Consulting and Razor Tracking

Lessons Learned 1. Work hard; play hard

I often had to work later in the evenings and weekends than my friends and classmates in town, but then I also didn’t have a curfew; as long as my work got done, I could enjoy the evening. Not all “jobs” utilize a time clock, but rather align to completing the task or job at hand. So, complete the job, work hard and with purpose, but then enjoy the down time!

2. Work smarter AND harder

Just working smarter in itself doesn’t get you ahead; it will simply free up time. Many people are very intelligent, and many work their asses off, but the biggest multiplier you will ever find is someone who does both.

3. Listen and learn; and never stop learning

You are not the expert in almost everything. You can be more efficient and grow much faster utilizing the expertise of others. Especially as a teenager, you always think you know best but those old fellers that have been doing this for 30-40 years. They have some pretty slick tricks to maximize productivity!

4. Everything has a price

The price, however, isn't always money; and everything has a priority. Especially everyone’s time. A great example is timeliness; everyone can run late now and again, but when you do, you are saying everyone else’s time is a lower priority than yours. You’re paying the price of their respect and their future prioritization of your time.

to belong, to be liked, respected and valued, but don’t let it be at the expense of your integrity and happiness.

7. Try to never burn a bridge

That may be the bridge you need later to get to where you are going.

8. Try before you buy

My parents supported us kids returning to the farm. But first, we needed to go out, get a degree, and our first career job. After that, it was our choice. Even as Carla, my business partner, and I started the Razor companies, we first worked together on a couple part time projects to ensure we meshed well.

9. Learn personal responsibility

Bad things happen; it’s your job to overcome them. I was always wrecking stuff on the farm, but the need for completing the task at hand didn’t go away. With that, be empowered to try whatever you want to do, attempt to be the best at it, but be prepared for the consequences.

10. No one is on their deathbed wishing they spent more time at work

This circles back to the very first point I highlighted. Although it goes well beyond a first job ‘lesson’, it is something I learned early on. Nowadays, I truly love what I do day-to-day, and I put in long hours; but I also know that at the end of the journey, if I regret the time I missed with my family, friends and life outside of work; then……

5. Accountability

You did not want my dad or uncle completing a job you were supposed to do! One of my biggest points of focus is things not falling through the cracks. It usually creates more work for others cleaning up after you or keeping track of your stuff.

6. You can’t please everyone.

With keeping #4 and #5 in mind, you don’t need everyone to agree with you and not everyone may like you. It’s human nature to want FARGOINC.COM

What do your future workers want!? The two biggest things I am looking for in a job are flexibility and culture. Flexibility to me is being able to work on my own without someone hovering over me, watching and commenting on every task I do. I would like to be able to spend time in the office, and out of the office whether that be working from home or going out to meetings or lunches. Being cooped up in an office all day is not ideal for me. As far as culture goes, I want to know my coworkers on a personal level, and I want them to know me the same. I want to be able to be there for my family when necessary. I want a big part of the culture to be that everyone has a life outside of work."

-Evan Blackwell, Junior, Bussiness Administration Major

I look for an environment with open communication where ideas can flow across all levels of employment. I look for clear job descriptions where I know exactly what the job entails before I am hired. I look for a good company culture that is implemented and demonstrated within the work weeks. I look for high professional development."

-Hailey Verkuehlen, Senior, Marketing Major 58

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Recruitment and retention. Recruitment and retention. Recruitment and retention. We know we want to excel in these

areas, but do we know what the incoming class of college graduates wants?

Liberty Business Systems hosted a roundtable discussion with students from North Dakota State University Center for Professional Selling and Sales Technology to get feedback on that very question. Here is what a few of them had to say.

I look for a lot of things in a job. As of now, I would like to at least start my career in sales. So, I want to sell something I'm confident in, something that I truly would buy myself, something I know all the ins and outs of and something that sparks a lot of interest for me. If I can't get excited about the product I'm selling, I will most likely not have a lot of luck closing sales and I will probably be miserable! Another thing I look for in a job is what the culture of the company is like. If the job I'm looking at is for a company with rich history and traditions, core values I agree with, and a strong leadership presence that speaks to me, the job will probably be more enjoyable. At the end of the day, if I am treated as a human being and not just some exposable robot, I'll be happy with my job!"

-Jackson Tracy, Sophomore, Marketing

"I am looking for a fair salary, a place that feels energetic, hard-working people who strive to be better people every single day. I want the "work hard play hard" mentality, as well as room for growth and learning."

-Alexis Bachmeier, Senior, Business Administration

I look for a couple of things in a job. The ability to grow with the company and the feeling that the company wants to invest in me is an important factor foremost. I also look for a company that I personally believe in, whether that be the product or service. My level of belief in the company would directly affect my day-to-day work."

-Sam Huffman, Junior, Business Administration

I'm looking for an employer that wants ME as a person to be a part of their team. I believe I can provide a lot of value to a company, not only in bringing in revenue but by being relational and being more than just a co-worker. I am looking for a job that will allow me to work hard and also be a family man."

-Brady Kuta, Senior, Business Management

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I look for individual gratification, responsibility to analyze and act on risk for reward, healthy competition between both co-workers and outside businesses, a respected and professional working environment, room for advancement and promotions, face to face interaction with potential customers, inspiration and influence to work past the bare minimum and transparency in business structure."

-Colton Hernesman, Senior, Business Administration

I am looking for a job that allows me to develop great skills early on in my career that I can use throughout the remainder of my career. I am also looking for a job at a company that has a great company culture with people that love to work hard and play hard. I also want to find a job at a company that is competitive because I am a competitive person myself and I love to be a winner. I am also looking for a job at a company that I can see myself growing with for many years."

-Connor Laughridge, Junior, Marketing Major

By Brady Drake

JUNE 2021

JOSIAH KOPP FARGOINC.COM

JOSIAH KOPP

CoreCounts is an online tool imagined and created by local entrepreneurs to help companies with culture growth, performance management and employee engagement. Historically, these things are often overlooked because they are not easy to measure. Slightly shifting your focus toward these three things will help you boost your operating income and earnings growth, while also creating an environment filled with employees who are excited to fulfill your mission. "I have so many conversations with business people throughout the community and they all have a lot of the same issues," said Sarah West, Co-Founder of CoreCounts and Founder of Light Consulting & Coaching. "I had lunch

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with the president of a nonprofit and the next day with a client of Light Consulting. In both conversations, they were talking about the same issues... culture issues. These problems can be easily solved with CoreCounts.

Unlikely Beginnings The concept from CoreCounts comes from an unlikely place. The gridiron. Sarah West's Co-Founder, Matt Baasch, had a problem early on during his tenure as a Quarterback Coach at Minnesota

State University Moorhead (MSUM). They didn't have much to offer incoming recruits: not much money, a less-thanmediocre record, and no real culture. "We only had nine scholarships to offer and the max in the conference was 27. We had a pretty crappy grass field, old uniforms, a rundown locker room and things just weren't that great," said Baasch." We basically decided that our selling point had to be who we were as people." From there, Baasch and the rest of the MSUM staff set out to create a sustainable culture. The foundation was built by individuals aligning their personal

The Fargo Air Museum is a nonprofit museum with the mission of promoting Aviation through Education, Preservation, and Restoration.

values with developing their athletes beyond the field. It worked. The result was a program that maximized individual potential to create the best possible people from the top down, from the coaching staff to every player on the roster. During Baasch’s first two years, the Dragons went a combined 3-19 . In his final three years with the program, once the culture had begun to take shape, MSUM went a combined 14-19. The program went 6-5 in 2015, enjoying its first winning season in nine years. "Once we turned the culture around, we started winning more games, getting more scholarship money, and we got a new turf field and new jerseys," said Baasch. That experience showed Baasch the true power of culture and had him thinking about how it could apply to a business setting.

From Concept To Application After leaving MSUM, Baasch sat on the concept for CoreCounts for a while. "A few friends and I got together to talk about it, but no development happened," said Baasch. "It went nowhere."

The idea was shelved until 2020 when he spoke with Sarah West, his Fractional CFO through Light Consulting & Coaching. "He told me about the idea and I knew it was something we had to do," said West. "We brought a development team on board, held focus groups with local organizations to narrow our focus and started the process of creating the tool." After just under a year, the CoreCounts product is ready to roll and already has multiple organizations signed on and using the product. West and Baasch both say the tool will be periodically improved to meet and exceed the expectations of users, utilizing the latest market research and findings.

YOUTH CAMPS Our education program is chock full of exciting opportunities designed to rev the engines of future pilots, aircraft mechanics, air traffic controllers and more. We have been working hard to triple our monthly camp offerings and to include advanced education STEM and STEAM Courses in technology, engineering, aviation and robotics. Our aviation camps and school partnerships offer a variety of hands-on learning for school age flight enthusiasts including flying drones and getting up in the air with certified pilots to experience flights first-hand. To learn more about what we offer or to sign up, visit

fargoairmuseum.org 1609 19th Avenue North, Fargo ND 701-293-8043

How does CoreCounts help? 1. Define who you are and where you are going Clarity is a leadership trait often overlooked. Clearly communicating who you are as an organization and where you are going is paramount, ensuring everybody is moving in the same direction. You cannot stop here, though. The behaviors living beneath the surface of your core values must be defined; clarity is key.

2. Measure what matters So now you have gone through the trouble of plastering your core values and your mission statement all over the walls, on your marketing materials, on your website… How do you know if your organization is living out the values and mission? Are you sure that your employee out on the floor is having the same experience as the employee sitting in the corporate office? Consistently communicate with team members to reinforce your values and measure what matters.Every member in the organization plays their role in creating eternal results.

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3. Hold people accountable “Midwest nice” is a way of living around here, meaning we never want to step on peoples’ toes. This can be harmful in organizations because it does not hold people accountable for their actions. When everybody is engaged and involved in setting and reaching goals, you ensure each individual moves forward and succeeds in their roles. People can say they want to do big things but you need to hold them accountable and make sure they “walk the talk”. According to Entrepreneur, a goal is 65% more likely to be achieved if someone else is aware of the goal. Stop being so “Midwest nice” and start helping people get where they want.

4. Do the necessary evil Checking in with each individual in your organization at least once a year has proven to create a more cohesive environment. Your organization will reap the benefits whether you complete reviews annually, quarterly, or more frequently. Think about how different it would be if you had an “easy button” to press before your review, pulling in all relevant data and talking points housed and continually tracked by the system.

5. Reward the behavior you want

Interested in learning more about CoreCounts? Visit corecounts.com and schedule a demo.

Increase your focus and culture and you will see your revenue increase by 28% and your net operating income increase by 20%, according to the BDC Network. By measuring what matters all year long, you will be able to make quicker decisions backed by data. You will be able to see problems before they blow up as well as see and reward the shining stars in your organization. Keep in mind that with visibility comes responsibility! Now that you know this, what are you going to do with the knowledge?

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THE ROMIE FAMILY (Left to Right) Louie, Lacey, Nick and Vinny The Romies are a military family through and through. Lacey and Nick met during their service, both are veterans. Now, they have a blossoming family with two sons, Vinny (7) and Louie (5). After 15 years of service, Lacey is retired from the military world. Since 2014, she has worked as a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones. Nick is still in the military and is currently serving as a Maneuver Platoon Sergeant in the Minnesota Army National Guard. We interviewed Lacey to learn how they make it all work. 70

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Faces of

Fargo Business

What made you want to join the military?

How did your experience help your career?

As a junior in Grand Rapids high school, I made a decision at age 17 that would forever shape my future. I enlisted in the Minnesota Army National guard. I did this for three reasons: to serve my country, state and community; to establish a plan to pay for college, and to see as much of the world beyond “The Range” as possible.

My experiences in the military prepared me for a fast-paced career in Finance. The hours per day and work ethic I obtained as a military leader, most definitely prepared me to lead my clients through 2020 successfully. The military assisted me in building a solid foundation as a servant-leader and as a trusted professional who thrives in stressful situations.

How did joining the military change your life? Joining the military prepared me for life more than I could have imagined. For the first time in my life, I experienced travel and different ways of life. I traveled all over the United States and also partook in a NATO exercise in Europe. My NATO exercise included cross-country skiing up a mountain with a pack on my back. As a parent, I naturally cross country skied with a young toddler on my back in a hiking pack. When folks asked how I was able to do this, I reflected back on my military experience in Norway in 2009. I served alongside folks from every walk of life and background. The military instilled a winning drive in me to never give up or quit. This drive and determination led to my success in attaining multiple degrees and building a solid financial practice to serve folks in our community.

I served alongside, over and under military professionals from all walks of life and backgrounds. I gained a diverse skill set, which allows me to have valuable conversations. With your husband still being active in the military, how do you as a family manage time and raise children? Do you have any tips for people in similar situations? As a former dual military family, I made the tough decision to hang up the boots after 15 years and 10 days of service. The driving force was maintaining the integrity of our family unit and raising healthy children. I now proudly serve as a military spouse to my husband’s unit in Moorhead. He is a senior leader and works full-time for the Minnesota Army National Guard. My decision to step back on the guard side allowed him to shine, while I consistently care for our two incredible sons. In 2020, he was mobilized

Faces of

Fargo Business

multiple times. We are a very effective team and include each other in all family decisions, even while he is away serving our state or country. We have a master schedule and it is color-coded. We map out upcoming deployments, mobilizations and typical activities like sports and family trips. After the mandatory events are on the calendar, we outline everything we want to do as a family, to ensure nothing gets in the way of our time together. Pro tip - put family events on the calendar and don’t let anything get in the way. Your family is what matters most and what needs to come first. What have you learned through the military that others in the business community should know? Folks in the military have immense skill sets. If you take the time to learn more about what they have done in the military and help to translate that to your workforce, you will be able to increase the strength of your business. Also, the military demands on guard and reserve employees are much higher these days. A quality military service member is worth it and they will bring more diversity to the table and leadership experience. Retired and current military members should have a seat at the leadership table of any company striving for success. Do

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not underestimate their abilities, instead, help them to translate their military experience into civilian terms. How has raising a child with special needs impacted your family? Our youngest son, Louie, is the hardest working person I know. He is a happy, healthy 5 year old, and he also happens to have Down Syndrome. We treat him just like his hero and best friend, his big brother Vinny, who is 7. Louie teaches our family how to focus on what really matters in life. One great example is when Louie gives a hug, he focuses only on that person he is giving a hug to. When you give a hug are you only thinking about that hug, or are you thinking of the next thing you need to do? He also works about 300x as hard to accomplish every single milestone, inspiring me and those around him to do better and be better. He is a great friend and adds immense value to his typical classroom, YMCA basketball team and will be participating in his third year of Tricity United Soccer. He is very active in our community and enjoys swim lessons and will be supplementing his school work with free math and literacy tutoring from GiGi’s Down Syndrome achievement center in Fargo. It takes planning, patience and a good community to effectively give Louie and his friends the tools they need now, so they are effective members of our community always.

What is one lesson you learned from the military? One of the biggest lessons the military taught me was to “embrace the suck." I learned this best when I had to lead my platoon in a line through a muddy and swampy field to look for a Raven that went down on base. I told my platoon that they are getting paid for this excellent workout. It was all about looking with a fresh perspective. The way I lead my branch team at the office is quite similar, but of course sans literal mud. We are in the thick of everything together and we are an effective team.

Service To Entrepreneurship:

The Path of Mike Dowell husband-and-wife team, Mike and Sandy Dowell (not pictured) know what it’s like to support each other through every adventure that life brings. Married for 37 years, Sandy and Mike met shortly after he finished his tour in the Army. Mike was a tank commander in which he was in charge of many important missions. “The military set me up for success," said Mike. "It taught me how to be a leader and how to persevere through hard times. The Army taught me the importance of teamwork. Being a tanker gave me the strength of independent leadership. One takeaway from my tour in the Army is, ‘Fight a good fight, for tomorrow will still come.’ I use all these skills from my time in the service daily in all aspects of my life, especially for my business ventures.”

By Wendy Klug

JUNE 2021

After his four-year stint in the Army, Mike and Sandy set out on multiple business ventures

ranging from automotive to digital photography, each one leading closer to the culmination in Mobile Recon Systems (MRS). They started MRS in 2014 with the intent of designing and prototyping a ground-based unmanned vehicle, an Advanced Video Rover, or AVR. It was outfitted with multiple cameras with full 180-degree coverage and a six foot depth of field robotic arm, and a footprint comparable to a laptop computer. Its intended purpose was for border patrol. This design progressed to an airborne variant as they determined that fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or (UAVs) descending from gliders had already penetrated the market, but multi-rotor aircraft had been barely touched, especially for heavy payloads with long endurance. A short time after designing and building some of their earlystage multi-rotors, they caught the attention of the National Science Foundation and received a grant. This NSF grant enabled MRS to refine its designs. By 2018, the company reached a point where they needed to expand.

Mike Dowell (middle)

MRS works to solve problems that drones have such as low lift capacity, short flight time, high cost, limited by weather and more. Mike states, “With the technology that we bring to the Unmanned Aircraft Systems, we are able to help advance the UAS world with breakthrough technology to find solutions to problems drones typically have. We are able to break barriers that help improve time efficiencies, costs and keep workers safe. Drones can help with surveillance work, carrying cargo for military, border patrol, search and rescue missions, imagery and seeding for agriculture and more!” MRS was one of the first drone companies that designed a drone that could carry true heavy weight. This was a huge breakthrough in the UAS world. Offering three different drone models, each one serves a specific purpose and has a variety of different capabilities. The MR-10 is most efficient with a payload of 10 pounds. The MR-20 is most efficient at a

20-pound payload and has the ability to carry 50-pound payloads. The Dauntless MR-100 is efficient with 100 pounds and can carry up to 250 pounds. The MR-20 and Dauntless MR100 are both in the prototype stage, with the MR-20 scheduled to launch in Q3 2021. First located in Kentucky, MRS relocated its manufacturing operations to Grand Forks, North Dakota in 2020. When asked why they moved their business to Grand Forks, Tom Nickell, CEO, stated, “We were looking to expand in an area that offers a skilled workforce, research support and people knowledgeable about the UAS industry. Because North Dakota has all these options, we relocated here. The ecosystem is vital for our business and we are grateful to be part of a UAS community that embraces just that, being a community. The spirit of working together - among the business community, city, state, universities, and military bases - is tremendous. “

MRS benefits from having both a veteran and woman team that founded the company. MRS designs and assembles its products in the USA to ensure quality. They can integrate various payloads for modularity of functions, ranging all types of sensors to cargo, to devices for airborne distribution of both solids and liquids. Mike and Sandy, along with their CEO Tom Nickell, are very excited about the future holds for the UAS Industry and for Mobile Recon. Sandy stated, “I didn’t know what to expect when moving to Grand Forks North Dakota. After being here it feels like home. The community has embraced us personally and professionally. Making the move to North Dakota was a decision we are glad we made.” To learn more visit movilereconsystems.com

FARGOINC.COM

By James Leiman, Ph.D., Commerce Commissioner

JOSIAH KOPP

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Be Brief. Be Gone. James Leiman, Current Commerce Commissioner, spent over a decade fighting terrorism before deciding to focus his efforts on domestic issues. in his most recent position as the Department of Commerce's director of Economic Development and Finance, Leiman was involved in statewide economic development and finance initiatives.

“Be Brief. Be Bold. Be Gone.” This sums up the 67th North Dakota legislative assembly. Governor Doug Burgum and Legislators from all corners of the State of ND made huge bets on the future of the state’s economy. The bets include hundreds of millions of dollars that will be invested in the next generation of the energy sector, 20% of our Legacy Fund principal will now be invested in projects and firms in North Dakota, tens of millions of new dollars focused on accelerating commercialization of intellectual property and innovation, and the list goes on. This is among the very best times in the state’s rich economic history to invest in our state and the Department of Commerce invites you to join us on this journey.

North Dakota’s Next Generation Economy The private sector is going big on economic diversification. As I write this article, ADM just announced that it is investing $350MM in a new crushing facility at Spiritwood; this value-added production provides jobs, a stronger local price for soy and greater demand for North Dakotan products. We are especially adept at agriculture and are rapidly creating similar yet bigger opportunities for the energy sector. This effort will improve the

environment, generate larger private sector investment and develop tens of thousands of new well-paying jobs. Simultaneously, we are driving major growth in biotech and additive/ advanced manufacturing to create a more resilient and diversified economy. Workforce development efforts coupled with more livable communities, smart infrastructure investments and a rapidly improving tourism sector are ensuring that we can continue to recruit, retain, train and deploy talent throughout the state. Commerce leads a synchronized approach within this space to optimize state support to public-private partnerships thereby creating high returns on investment for all major sectors. New activities and research in healthcare augments a strong tech sector in several cities while rural communities leverage these innovations for improvement in healthcare delivery. The rural-urban nexus continues to strengthen across the state.

A Stronger Financial Continuum Companies of all sizes and stages are flourishing within North Dakota as well. We have among the most robust financial continua in the nation. A startup can leverage grant and loan programs such as the InnovateND program or ND Venture program managed by Commerce. A little further along the continuum are programs such as LIFT where zero-interest loans for the commercialization of IP are available. Creative financing within the North Dakota Development Fund are also available from convertible equity to higher risk loans. We have several grants for companies in the tourism sector as well as workforce development. Programs such as Operation Intern fund interns. For more mature companies, the Bank of North Dakota offers among the best lending programs in the nation! Having our own Central Bank is a huge benefit and many consider this to be our greatest tool for development. With state Legacy

Fund opportunities on the horizon, we can think even bigger as the state makes major investments in companies of all types in the coming years. All of this is augmented by solid side-by-side investment relationships with venture, angels, private equity firms, the list goes on.

Big Ideas. Big Investments. The legislature made amazing investments in marketing the state; over the next few months, North Dakotan marketing and tourism efforts will exponentially increase thereby creating more awareness of our amazing assets. Couple this with major investments in unmanned systems growth, now exceeding over $100MM and North Dakota has caught major attention from large investment firms and tech companies on the coasts. In addition to giants like Microsoft, we have firms like General Atomics and Northrup Grumman making tens of millions of dollars in investments and creating well-paying jobs. Grand Sky UAS park and VANTIS, also known as the nation’s first Beyond Visual Line of Sight platform in the nation, continue to draw large investments to our region. A new $25MM investment in clean energy will also propel our state to greater growth within the energy sector. The Grand Farm continues to grow in the Southern Valley while companies like Bushel and Aldevron attract hundreds of millions of dollars. North Dakota is just getting started as growth in sectors across the state demonstrates to the rest of the nation that value-added and value-chain development can occur in rural states with access to broadband, beautiful communities that offer small-town charm and a well-trained workforce. Governor Burgum and the legislature saw this vision and went big! Commerce is well funded and has a suite of several dozen programs to assist companies and communities across the state to realize their full potential. We are amid a major transformation and welcome you to join us! “Be Brief, Be Bold. Be Gone,” -MAJ Megan McClung

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FIVE WAYS By Aubrey Zuger & Abigale Griffin Photo provided by Fredrikson & Byron

TO AVOID THE EXPENSE AND REPUTATION DAMAGE OF LITIGATION

s litigators, we represent clients in a wide range of complex business matters, ranging from contract and employment disputes to real estate and securities litigation. Since being involved in a lawsuit is time-consuming and expensive – not to mention bad for your reputation – we also counsel our clients on ways to avoid litigation.

Here are five tips that can help your business avoid litigation: 1. Have a Written Agreement in Place and Be Clear About Your Expectations Having a written agreement in place is a great way to protect your business from becoming involved in a legal proceeding. While oral agreements may be legally enforceable, they frequently prove to be problematic. The terms of an oral agreement are often ambiguous. As a result, oral agreements may lead to disputes between the parties because the responsibilities of each are unclear. The best way to make sure the expectations of each party are certain is by reducing your agreement to writing. Aubrey Zuger is a litigator who represents clients in a wide range of complex business matters. She can be reached at azuger@fredlaw.com.

2. Include Litigation Avoidance Provisions Within Your Written Agreement Along with having a written agreement, it is a good practice to consider including certain

litigation avoidance provisions within your agreement. Depending on your business, it may make sense to include a mediation or arbitration clause in your agreement. A mandatory mediation or arbitration clause may save your business time and money and, more importantly, may help your company resolve disputes privately and keep the conflict out of a public proceeding. Another provision you should consider including in your written agreement is a choice of forum clause. If a dispute does arise, a choice of forum clause allows you to choose where the legal proceeding will be held. At the very least, being able to control where your business will be litigating its conflicts will help save the company time and money. 3. Spot and Solve Problems Quickly An additional step you can take to help protect your business from becoming involved in a lawsuit is to respond quickly to problems when they do arise. Even the smallest of complaints can turn into a major issue if not dealt with properly. For a business, it is crucial that employees know how to identify issues that could potentially expose the company to liability and to make sure they report those problems to management. When management is notified of an issue, it should act quickly to address the

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problem. Complaints are certainly unpleasant, but avoiding an unhappy customer will only make the problems worse. Businesses that provide quality customer service are far less likely to find themselves involved in litigation. 4. Insure Your Business and Contractually Limit your Liability Your business can also avoid expensive legal proceedings by making sure it is adequately protected. This can be done through purchasing liability insurance and/or including contractual language that narrows the scope of your company’s liability. While having insurance might not prevent your business from being sued, it can reduce the impact of a legal proceeding. Each business is unique and so are its needs. As a result, you should identify what potential risks your company faces and find a policy that best fits those needs. The broader your coverage, the more you can minimize the impact a lawsuit could have on your business. Contractually speaking, including a limitation-on-

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liability provision within your agreement could help narrow the scope of your business’s exposure to liability. A limitation-of-liability clause may establish the maximum liability or exposure your company faces if a dispute does arise. An additional way to limit your liability is to include an indemnity provision in your contract. An indemnity provision is a promise by one party to pay for potential losses or damage caused by another.

the unfortunate reality that sometimes lawsuits are inevitable. If your business does find itself involved in litigation, the above tips should help you defend your company.

5. Keep Organized Records A final way you can protect your business from being involved in costly litigation is to make sure you keep organized and detailed records. You will be in a much better position to respond to customer complaints and, if needed, defend yourself in a litigation matter, if you are able to easily access the relevant documents. Simply stated, being able to assemble the relevant material quickly and efficiently will save your business both time and money. Despite all of your best efforts to keep your business out of court, you may face

Abigale Griffin is an associate who represents clients in a range of regulatory and compliance litigation matters. She can be reached at agriffin@fredlaw.com.

Andrea Jang

Q. Tell us a bit about yourself. A. I live, along with my husband YuYoung, daughter Charlee and chihuahua rescue Tink, in Northern Minnesota. As a bi-racial and multicultural family, we have hopes of visiting YuYoung's family in South Korea someday soon. I was awarded the City of Fargo Human Relations Commission Human Relations Award in 2015 for my non-profit work with New Americans, immigrants, low-income individuals, at-risk populations and minority populations in Fargo, North Dakota. My hobbies and passions include: my dear friends, Lake Superior, feel good music, great food, philanthropy, volunteerism, hunger relief, hospitality, event planning and coffee! You will find me utilizing my passions while building community for all momkind as the owner of Duluth Mom. Q. How did you get involved in your work? A. After working for four years in the food service and hospitality industry, I made a career change and started working in community outreach at a grassroots nonprofit in Fargo, ND. I met refugee families right where they were, helping women and their children thrive and be connected to their new community. I also ran the organization's food pantry and community garden, lessening food insecurity in the city’s food desert.

Andrea Jang is the owner of Duluth Mom, and believes women are much more than one single piece of their identity. She talks with Ladyboss about her Fargo roots, the freedom to change your mind and why women need supportive communities. By McKenzie Schwark

JUNE 2021

In 2015, I became a mom myself and just before my daughter turned two, we moved to Duluth. For the first time in my life, I was unemployed—by choice—in a new city with zero connections. I wanted to get my family settled and get to know the city as we looked to purchase a house and got connected to health services and activities. I started skimming Facebook events and came across a Duluth Moms Blog Christmas event at the Glensheen, and there aren't many things I love more than Christmas at

the Glensheen. My grandma and mom used to take me to the Glensheen when we would make day trips to Duluth growing up, and I will always remember those times spent together. I didn't know anybody in Duluth yet, so I asked if my mom would go with me. We realized it was grandma’s 75th birthday so we invited her, too!

proud of our work and being role models for girls and women of the future.

We really enjoyed the event and that night when I got home, I started digging around the Duluth Moms Blog website and social accounts a bit more. It quickly became the resource that I referred to as I got to know the city, and it is how I connected and made friends quickly. When they started recruiting contributing writers, I applied and was accepted. Then I volunteered at the annual Bloom event and had so much fun being a part of something with women and hospitality again. When I saw that the previous owner was looking to sell the business, I inquired. I knew absolutely nothing about owning a business. But I knew I wanted to continue serving moms and families in a community, and helping them build connections and friendships.

My Instagram “friends.” (I know I am not the only one who has these!) I have many but the two accounts I check in with most often are Rachel Allene —she is so creative, a small business owning mom, and makes everything she does so pretty. Tanya Rad is another—I feel like I am living vicariously through her single woman lifestyle in the spotlight. She is totally and completely 100 percent herself in every situation and I really admire that.

I have owned Duluth Mom for 2.5 years now, one of those being the year of 2020. In the middle of the pandemic, I successfully rebranded Duluth Moms Blog to Duluth Mom with the help of our parent company. I knew that Duluth Mom was more than “just” a blog and I wanted the name to reflect that. We have online community groups, events, an engaged social media audience and awesome hyper-local resources published regularly. I am growing and learning every day, and I love it. Q. What does it mean to be a Ladyboss? A. To me, being a Ladyboss means “Show(ing) up every single day in spite of the things you believe disqualify you from trying.” - Jordan Lee Dooley from her book Own Your Everyday. Not letting imposter syndrome get the best of us, bonding together, sharing modern woman energy to create change, being really

periods of time, mornings anywhere along Lake Superior and spending time with extended family.

Q. Who inspires you? A. Locally, the Duluth Mom contributing team and my friends and fellow female entrepreneurs in Duluth.

Duluth Mom is a sister site of our parent company City Mom Collective. Through the collective, I have connections with hundreds of inspirational women nationwide where I can turn to for business advice, bounce ideas off of, and then engage in relevant continuing education. Online and small business ownership can feel isolating for women, especially during these times. My sister-in-law-{to be} unapologetically gives herself the freedom to change her mind about whatever she wants to in life. She does what makes her happy, and what she is feeling led to do. She doesn’t get stuck in one place often—which for me and my upbringing was hard to understand or more so follow where she was in life at first, but now I feel it is really refreshing. Whatever she is passionate about or pursuing at the time, she gives 110 percent to. She shows that it is never too late to try something new in life, and never too late to unlearn and continue to learn.

Q. What is the best piece of advice you’ve heard recently? A. “Her success is not my failure.”—again from the book Own Your Everyday by Jordan Lee Dooley. There is enough space for every woman to be successful! Q. What do you think women need right now? A. These responses were more challenging to write out than I expected, I rarely ever get asked questions about myself. Questions asked of me are normally aimed towards my daughter, my business, or just basic personal information in the forms of stats and numbers. This realization alone is proof that women need a sense of community where they can have honest conversations with and get to know other real life women. Women need society to honor their original identity as unique individuals—who they are before their titles of “mom” or “entrepreneur.” Women need to be able to be those individuals without the guilt attached to being themselves! Feeling guilty about not getting outside enough when they are tackling a project, feeling guilty about forgetting to respond to a friend, feeling guilt around utilizing childcare and working outside of the home, feeling guilt about self-care and physical maintenance. Women have so much to coordinate and keep track of as it is, they don’t need to be weighed down by guilt—conserve that energy. Do you know a Ladyboss that you would like to see featured in a future issue? Email hello@ladybossmidwest.com to tell us about her!

Q. What is your favorite form of selfcare? A. Sleep, holding a hot cup of coffee, buying plants, setting intentional device-free

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WITH JOHN MACHACEK

Questions

1 Tell us your Relocator elevator pitch?

ohn Machacek, Chief Innovation Officer for the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation, has worked with countless startups throughout our community over the past seven years. He knows their ups, their downs, but most of all, he knows the questions to ask them. Here are John Machacek’s 10 questions for Andy Soheim, CEO and Co-Founder of Relocator.

Everyone knows that moving can be stressful, so we devised a web app to help. Relocator is a PropTech company that simplifies your move by using a combination of our SaaS platform and our Concierge Team. We partner with realtors and loan officers across the country and not only simplify our referral partner’s clients move while saving them money, but also free up their time by answering the questions they have that pertain to the moving process.

2 So, what are some examples of what Relocator helps simplify in the moving process? Think of Relocator as "Expedia for moving" with a live concierge for the clients to assist them. Clients can get quotes, book services online or have the concierge do it for them while they are on the phone. They can book a moving truck or locksmith, transfer utilities, set up garbage service, forward their mail and even sign up their kids for a new school.

BY John Machacek PHOTOS BY Hillary Ehlen and Nolan Schmidt

JUNE 2021

About John: John Machacek has been helping local startups with the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation since prior to his position with the GFMEDC. Before joining the team, Machacek was the VP of Finance & Operations at United Way of Cass-Clay and a business banker at U.S. Bank.

How do the end-users, who are moving, learn about Relocator? Is this through the referral partners you mentioned? Correct, our referral partners enter their clients into our platform triggering a welcome email to be sent to their client on their behalf. The email is branded with the picture and logo of the referral partner and that helps increase the trust factor when we reach out to them. On average we know that a client is moving about 42 days prior to their move. This gives us ample time to help assist them and on track.

4 If I am the client receiving that email from the realtor, for example, what can I expect for my next steps? Once you’ve accepted the Terms of Service Agreement, you will enter the Relocator platform and go through a seven-question onboarding process that confirms your moving date and asks you a few questions that assess your needs. For instance, “Are you planning on using a rental truck or hiring a full-service moving company?” We also generate a helpful email reminder campaign for items like updating your driver’s license, getting insurance and setting up your internet.

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Where is the revenue stream for Relocator? Our revenue model is based upon commissions earned from the business we book for our vendor partners. For instance, if we close a deal for an internet company, HVAC business, plumber, painter or garbage company we get a percentage of the revenue.

JUNE 2021

As you enter new metro markets, I am assuming the onboarding of vendor partners is a key early step. Have you figured out an efficient and effective way to do this? Onboarding vendors is crucial to our business model and we have failed forward over the years as we figured out an effective system. We now have a vendor management team in place with the sole responsibility of new market buildouts. All of our spreadsheets are located in a live shared drive and each team member is responsible for specific market tabs housed on the master spreadsheet. The biggest thing we learned early on was not to set up vendors too far ahead of the influx of new clients or the vendors would need to be followed up with so our client was taken care of.

Andy Soheim, CEO and Co-Founder of Relocator.

7 And with new markets and vendors, that must bring the need for continuous learning of your “concierge” staff members. How do you go about training new and current staff? Great question, we use an online training platform that allows us to tailor our questions specific to the multiple industries and affiliate partners that we represent. Some affiliates have training links that allow us to build them in and we crafted our own training platform that pertains specifically to Relocator best practices. The telecommunications industry is the hardest to stay on top of as it has the most changes in regard to its offerings.

8 As a growing and evolving startup, what are some new things you are excited about? We have a lot to be excited about right now! On the tech side, we recently deployed our online booking platform. On the referral partner side, we signed an Enterprise Software Agreement with United Real Estate that will help us expand into 26 states by the end of the year.

9 If you could go back in time to Andy from several years ago, what hindsight advice would you give yourself? I would tell myself to quit being a wantrepreneur and take the leap. Although stressful at times, being an entrepreneur is highly rewarding.

10 What can we do as a community to help Relocator succeed? I think the state of North Dakota has a great offering of programs for startups. For Relocator specifically, we are yet to find a local residential cable/ internet company to partner with in the North and South Dakota markets. If anyone could help with that it would be greatly appreciated!

Academic Insight

ecently, I took my car into a local auto repair center to get my routine oil change. While there, I requested that the automotive service technician also check my alignment, because I noticed that even with my steering wheel set straight, my vehicle seemed to be pulling to the right as of late. What I have learned from my own research and experience is that vehicle alignment problems can happen suddenly (e.g. hitting a big pothole) or gradually over time (e.g. normal wear and tear of the parts of the suspension system). A vehicle with poor alignment can result in a shorter than expected life cycle

BY Shontarius D. Aikens, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Management at Offutt School of Business at Concordia College 90

JUNE 2021

GARY USSERY

Using The 7S Model to Improve Organizational Alignment for the tires and could lead to more dangerous driving situations in the future.

will be a good starting point if you feel that your organization is due for an organizational alignment checkup.

Just like an automobile needs to be aligned to function properly, an organization needs to be properly aligned as well. Misalignments within an organization can affect its ability to implement a strategy in the marketplace. The 7S Model created by consultants at McKinsey and Company provides a framework for organizations to determine if their primary organizational elements are in alignment. In the context of the 7S Model, alignment is defined as “a condition where organizational elements fit together and reinforce each other.” The process involves first assessing each organizational element (strengths and weaknesses), second, determining which elements are aligned or misaligned, and third, determining appropriate actions needed to ensure future alignment. The seven organizational elements to examine for organizational alignment are strategy, structure, systems, staffing, skills, style, and shared values. The definitions for each organizational element are provided below along with some items for consideration when using this model. It is my hope that this

Strategy Strategy is defined as “the plan or process that creates and sustains a competitive advantage for a firm.” In general, firms typically choose between either a low-cost leader strategy or a differentiation/niche strategy when trying to achieve a competitive advantage in the market. Reflect on any adjustments that need to be made to your firm’s overall strategy given recent changes in the general environment (e.g. emergence of new products/services, changes in customer demographics and preferences, changes in technology, etc.). Structure Structure is defined as ”the division of labor and tasks within the organization into separate units and the reporting authority structure of the firm.” Due to the recent pandemic, some organizational tasks could have been expanded, reduced, or eliminated. Be clear about those tasks that will continue for the foreseeable future, and those tasks that no longer serve a purpose. Then, revisit

Dr. Aikens can be reached at: saikens@cord.edu

your organizational chart to determine if any adjustments need to be made regarding the reporting structure in the organization and if any tasks need to be reassigned to different departments or units. Systems Systems refer to “mechanisms, policies, or processes that coordinate and control the work of the different units of the organization.” As managers, the ultimate goal is to be both highly effective at achieving goals and highly efficient when utilizing resources. Examine existing procedures and processes to determine if both effectiveness and efficiency goals are being achieved. It would also be good to review underlying technology (i.e. programs, software, apps) to determine if they are being utilized consistently and uniformly by employees across different units and departments. Staffing Staffing refers to “the processes in the organization for recruiting, hiring, training, and deploying human capital.” Ayelet Sheffey’s recent article in Business Insider discussed factors contributing to a labor shortage in the U.S. Economy and the difficulty that businesses are experiencing when it comes to hiring. Given this, it would be good for organizations to start reassessing their recruiting and hiring practices to determine what adjustments (if any) need to be made to be successful in hiring in a competitive marketplace. This could also extend into employee retention policies as well. Skills Skills refers to “the abilities of individuals, groups, or

organizations to perform tasks.” There is a clear connection between this area and the structure element (in regard to tasks) and the staffing element (as it relates to training). Do the employees working in your organization possess the necessary skills to perform their tasks both effectively and efficiently? If any gaps or misalignments are identified, determine appropriate training programs that need to be established to close the gaps. Style Style is defined as “the interpersonal relationships and patterns of interaction that organizational members consider appropriate and legitimate.” Another way of thinking about this is the workplace culture. Here’s an example to consider. For the past year, virtual meetings and working from home or remotely have become the norm. As it pertains to your organization, will this be the standard going forward? While this is just one example, there may be other style issues to consider for your organizations. When determining what will be best for the organization going forward, be sure to gather input from employees and customers on their preferences. Shared Values Shared values are “the priorities, values, and virtues that members of the organization see as important.” In most organizations, these are often articulated in a mission statement or a vision and values statement. And with that, shared values should be a driving force to positively affect and influence the other six organization elements listed above.

J U N E / J U LY

BUSINESS EVENTS

2021 CALENDAR

Fargo Events JUNE 8

JUNE 15

June Eggs & Issues: Midwest Energy Summit

Chamber 101: Connect. Engage. Maximize.

Join in June for a special Eggs & Issues as The Chamber hosts a Midwest Energy Summit. Speakers from across the energy industry and with varying beliefs on longterm energy approaches will be present to have a robust discussion about energy in the Midwest. The morning will be energized by dynamic speakers giving TED-style talks and several panel discussions made up of diverse perspectives on various trending topics in the world of energy.

If you’re not familiar with The Chamber, are a new member, new contact, new hire, or just want to re-engage with The Chamber, this session is for you! Chamber 101 is a laid-back discussion designed to share some of the great benefits of Chamber membership and what opportunities exist that you need to know. No need to dress in business attire; you are welcome to come as you are!

Tuesday, June 8 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Hiltong Garden Inn and livestream 4351 17th Ave. S, Fargo, ND 58103 fmwfchamber.com

JUNE 9 Gain a Competitive Edge with 5 Continuous Learning Practices Wednesday, June 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Organizations of all types and sizes are in a state of flux. Knowledge and technology have been steadily increasing at a dizzying pace, and now even non-tech organizations are feeling the frenzy. What is the antidote? Growth mindset. Almost gone are the days of anyone wearing one hat and punching a time clock. For organizations to prevail, they must cultivate an environment that values Continuous Learning. Doing so provides advantages far beyond the tiny investment. Just watch as your empowered teams ignite with innovative, resourceful contributions to the bottom line. Radisson Hotel Fargo and livestream 201 5th St. North Fargo, ND 58102 fmwfchamber.com

JUNE 2021

Tuesday, June 15 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Here, Casey Sanders, The Chamber’s manager of membership, will walk you through events, programs, discounts, online tools and more, so you can begin maximizing your membership right away. It’s great way to introduce new faces to what we have available, or to simply say hello and meet fellow business professionals. Other chamber staff will be around so you can ask questions, get answers and feel supported. Light refreshments provided. Optional networking is at the end; we hope you can stick around. Don’t forget your business cards! The Chamber Office 202 Ave. North Moorhead MN 56560 fmwfchamber.com

JUNE 17 Chamber 101: Connect. Engage. Maximize. Tuesday, June 17 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

JUNE 29 Women Connect Celebration with Holly Hoffman Tuesday, June 29 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Join in celebrating the seventh anniversary of Women Connect at this special event with Holly Hoffman! During life’s challenges, we come face-toface with fear and uncertainty. Challenges may allow us to step out of our comfort zone and push ourselves above and beyond our own self-limitations. It is how we choose to overcome challenges that make us who we are in life. It is our strength in times of difficulty that prove our character and selfworth. Holly will share her experience of being on a reality show, and encourage you to think about how you decide to survive on a daily basis. Adversity is not so much contending with problems as it is learning more about who you really are and what is inside of you. Follow Holly on Twitter @HollyHoffmanS21 or visit her website, hollyhoffman.org. Delta by Marriott and livestream 1635 42nd St. Southwest Fargo ND 56103 fmwfchamber.com

WE ARE YOUR RETIREMENT SERVICES EXPERTS.

Monica Millette

Jana Samek

HAVE PEACE OF MIND KNOWING YOUR RETIREMENT PLAN IS IN GOOD HANDS. Our services include:

PLAN DESIGN AND CONSULTING EDUCATION AND GUIDANCE INVESTMENT ANALYSIS FIDUCIARY SUPPORT Find a full list of services on our website

HEARTLANDTRUST.COM

1202 27th St S, Fargo, ND 58103 | (701) 235-2002

BUSINESS EVENTS

CALENDAR Fargo JULY 13 July 2021 Eggs & Issues

Tuesday, July 13 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

If you're not familiar with The Chamber, are a new member, new contact, new hire, or just want to re-engage with The Chamber, this session is for you! Chamber 101 is a laid-back discussion designed to share some of the great benefits of Chamber membership and what opportunities exist that you need to know. Courtyard by Marriott 1080 28th Ave. South Moorhead MN 56560

2021 Sponsor a Family - Military Appreciation Night Tuesday, July 13 from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

In 2019, more than 1,000 members of our military community were guests of honor at the event. Help thank another family for their service through a VIP experience at this year's event. Multiple levels are available, by registering online or contacting Darren Dunlop at 218.359.0514 or ddunlop@fmwfchamber.com This annual event brings together hundreds of military members and supporters allowing our community to honor and recognize them and their families with a night full of patriotism and fun for the whole family. fmwfchamber.com

JULY 14 Creating a Successful Project Environment Wednesday, July 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Have you ever been assigned to lead a project, but don't have experience in project management? Or, been assigned to a project and not sure what your role is? Maybe you're a leader who wonders how teams can work better together to drive results. This training will focus on four key principles related to project management: begin with the end in mind, stakeholder engagement, project team dynamics, and good processes. Holiday Inn Fargo 3803 13th Ave South Fargo, ND 58103 fmwfchamber.com

Grand Forks JULY 21

JUNE 8

2021 Chamber Challenge Golf Outing

Business Builders Workshop: Personalized Marketing

Get ready for the summer’s annual golf tournament for Chamber members! Join for fun, networking and friendly competition in the sun!

Use customer contacts to create an enhanced personalized customer experience. In this webinar you will learn 3 critical steps:

Wednesday, July 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Entry fee includes 18 holes of golf; cart; food provided by sponsors on the course; 19th Hole Happy Hour Social; on-course contests and giveaways from sponsors. Then stick around for the 19th Hole Happy Hour Social at the clubhouse afterward and treat yourself to heavy hors d'oeurves! Awards will be given for men's and women's team best score, and individual prizes for closest to the pin and longest drive. Sponsors and golfers are invited to get creative! The best themed golfer and Tee Box sponsor will be named Best in Show at the awards presentation following the tournament. You pick your own theme! Edgewood Golf Course 19 Golf Course Rd, Fargo, ND 58102 fmwfchamber.com

JULY 27 Fearless: An inspiring experience featuring Kat Perkins Tuesday, July 27 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Kat Perkins Making fearless choices, taking leadership and following the lead, becoming the most successful person you can be, and how attitude can help you rise above. Kat Perkins will share an engaging, powerful message about being brave, staying positive and taking chances in life.

Tuesday, June 8 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

1. How to collect and utilize contact information to create a personalized experience for your customer base. 2. Identify the most effective personalized service for your customer base. 3. Learn how to use personalized marketing to receive feedback and to increase your referral base. gochamber.org

JUNE 15 Chamber Agribusiness Committee Meeting

Tuesday, June 15 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. gochamber.org

JUNE 18 Biz over Brews: not just another boring networking event. Friday, June 18 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

This beer's on The Chamber. Catch up and chat about business over some beers. Pop those crisps and join for an hour to network with other startups, entrepreneurs, and champions of small businesses. Rhombus Guys Brewing Company 116 S 3rd St. Grand Forks, ND 58201 gochamber.org

Kat will perform an hour-long concert following her keynote presentation. The Lights at Sheyenne 3150 Sheyenne St. West Fargo ND 58078 fmwfchamber.com

FARGOINC.COM

Fargo INC! June 2021

Articles inside

10 Questions With John Machacek: Relocator

Academic Insight

Ladyboss Of The Month: Andrea Jang

Be Brief. Be Bold. Be Gone

Service To Entrepreneurship: The Path Of Mike Dowell

Five Ways To Avoid The Expense And Reputation Damage Of Litigation

Are Your Employees Bored?

Faces Of Fargo Business: The Romie Family

Sponsored Content: ReadiTech, A Client Focused IT Option

What Do Your Future Workers Want!?

Sponsored Content: Five Tips For A Smart Succession Plan