Glbm October 2014: A Look at our Social Society by M3 Group Publications

G R E ATE R LANS ING

BUSINESS MONTHLY OCTOBER 2014

A Look at our Social Society In this issue •

CAPITAL CAUCUS WORKS TO ADDRESS BUSINESS CONCERNS

•

HIGH-END AMENITIES ATTRACT STUDENT RESIDENTS

•

BRINGING MESSAGES TO MARKET: A LOOK AT OLD AND NEW VENUES w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

Your LOCAL

BUSINESS LENDER Chris Nugent

Denise Kratzer

Adam Goss

Jane Sherzer

When you need a business loan, open new opportunities by turning to Horizon – your hometown bank. Our trusted loan advisors are more than financial experts. They’re your neighbors – local professionals who have the insight and experience to get you the loan you need to help your business thrive. Talk To Your Local Business Lender Today!

Dan Wilkinson

East Lansing 1600 Abbott Road (517) 664-1912 ii

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

OCTOBER 2014

Okemos 2151 W. Grand River (517) 853-5960

horizonbank.com

w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

G R E AT E R

L A N S I N G

BUSINESS MONTHLY

G R E ATER L A N S I N G

BUSINESS MONTHLY OCTOBER 2014

News Capital Caucus Works to Address Business Concerns............................................................ 6 Organizations Mix Old and New Venues to Bring Messages to Market...................... 10 High-End Amenities Attract Student Residents ....................................................................12

Features A Look at our Social Society

A Social Society .........................................................................................................................................14

In this issue •

CAPITAL CAUCUS WORKS TO ADDRESS BUSINESS CONCERNS

•

HIGH-END AMENITIES ATTRACT STUDENT RESIDENTS

•

BRINGING MESSAGES TO MARKET: A LOOK AT OLD AND NEW VENUES

Cover illustration by Brooke Erwin

Departments Commentary.................................................................................................................................................. 4 On the Road ..............................................................................................................................................18

The Greater Lansing Business Monthly (Volume 27, Issue 10) The Greater Lansing Business Monthly is published monthly by M3 Group at 614 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933. Periodicals postage paid at Lansing, Michigan USPO. USPS number 020w807. Subscriptions: Subscriptions are available at $22 per year for postage and handling or $38 for two years. Call (517) 203—0123 or visit www.lansingbusinessnew. com to subscribe.

Man on the Street .................................................................................................................................. 20 GLBM List ................................................................................................................................................... 22 Y We Care.................................................................................................................................................... 24 Regional Rotation .................................................................................................................................... 26 Real Estate................................................................................................................................................... 28 Economic Development ......................................................................................................................30

Postmaster: Send address changes to The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, 614 Seymour Ave., Lansing, MI 48933. Send additional subscription requests and address changes to The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, Inc., 614 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933. Copyright © 2014 The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, Inc. All rights reserved.

Financial Advisor .....................................................................................................................................32

Editorial Office: 614 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933 www.lansingbusinessmonthly.com

Business Calender .................................................................................................................................40

OCTOBER 2014

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

Collectibles ................................................................................................................................................34 Law at Work ..............................................................................................................................................36 Workforce Development ....................................................................................................................38

Notable News ...........................................................................................................................................42

HIGHEST CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

“HIGHEST CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AMONG AUTO INSURERS IN THE NORTH CENTRAL REGION”

Shinberg Insurance is your local independent insurance agency representing Auto-Owners. For all your life, home, car and business insurance needs, contact us today.

East Lansing • 517-337-8415 www.shinberginsurance.com

Auto-Owners Insurance received the highest numerical score among auto insurance providers in the North Central Region in the proprietary J.D. Power 2014 U.S. Auto Insurance StudySM. Study based on 44,661 total responses measuring 17 providers in the North Central Region (IL, IN, MI, OH, WI) and measures opinions of consumers with their auto insurance provider. experiences w wProprietary w . L a n study s i n results g B uare s ibased n e son s N e w s . cand o m perceptions of consumers surveyed March-April 2014. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

C O M M E N TA R Y

G R E AT E R

L A N S I N G

BUSINESS MONTHLY Publisher: Tiffany Dowling tiffany@m3group.biz Editor: Emily Caswell emily@m3group.biz Sales Manager: Jennifer Hodges jhodges@m3group.biz Media Specialist: Jill Bailey

Social Media as Strategy for Business Growth

veryone is managing priorities. In our personal lives, we’re taking kids to sporting events, raking leaves and finishing up household projects. It’s the same balancing act for small business owners and those setting strategic priorities for businesses of all sizes. A few years ago, many businesses were in a “wait and see” mode as it related to social media marketing. Small businesses considered time constraints as a major issue while larger companies were more concerned with how to control and evaluate return on investment. Today, most companies see that utilizing social media platforms on some level makes sense in the overall strategy of growing business.

Account Manager: Manny Garcia Production Director: Kelly Ritter Art Director: Brooke Erwin Graphic Artist: Mike France Web Manager: Skylar Kohagen Event Calendar Manager: Jaime Hardesty

GLBM Editorial Board: April Clobes - Executive Vice President, MSU Federal Credit Union Trish Foster - Senior Managing Director & COO, CBRE|Martin Lisa Parker - Director of Alumni Career and Business Services, Michigan State University Alumni Association Deb Muchmore - Partner, Kandler Reed Khoury & Muchmore Tom Ruis - Vice President, Fifth Third Bank Doug Klein - Executive Director, Mason Area Chamber of Commerce Mark Hooper - Partner, Andrews Hopper Pavlik Diontrae Hayes - Legislative Director for State Senator Coleman Young, II Correction: The September Greater Lansing Business Monthly List featured incorrect information regarding LAFCU. LAFCU’s CEO is Robin Frucci and they do offer small business loans. We apologize for any confusion. The current person listed as CEO is the president of the board of directors.

A recent Forbes article validating past predictions on social media for 2014 cites that 92 percent of business owners indicate that social media is important to their business, up from 86 percent in 2013. Businesses are continuing to reallocate budgets away from traditional methods of advertising toward social media and other inbound marketing strategies. Although social media is an important part of the overall plan, companies need an integrated approach to reach the most people. As a very visual person, I’m not surprised that the use of images and video platforms are changing the way many deliver messages. Using short video blogs to talk about a new product or service or to tell a story about events, wonderful people or company culture, are changing how we market ourselves. It is important to be thoughtful about how you’re using video. It isn’t just for social media. Attach the clip to your website, send out email blasts and use it in your face-to-face presentations. And, if you are not ready to jump into video yet, it is also very effective to couple a short message with a photo. According to Global Web Index data, Facebook still remains the clear winner, in terms of its user base, among social networking sites, but Instagram experienced the biggest rise in active user numbers between the second and fourth quarters of 2013. So, if you’re in the balancing act at the office and need to focus your efforts, Facebook and Twitter are still the best places to spend time. After many years in the realm, business owners are still concerned about how to measure the ROI for their social media efforts, but are continuing to move forward without strong data. Although most companies are diving in, issues that continue to hinder efforts include a lack of education, the fast-paced move into new platforms and untrained personnel incapable of strategizing social media into business goals. As you’re gearing up for 2015, be sure to integrate your strategy and find someone who can help get social media working your company. And of course, if you’re more interested in the face-to-face social program, I would like to invite you to our Nov. 18 GLBM Connections and Coffee event at the UClub at 8 a.m. It’s a great way to start your day with like-minded people. Be dynamic in all you do,

Tiffany Dowling | Publisher 4

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

OCTOBER 2014

Get More When You Switch Open a new checking account and receive a free travel blanket! Now, with ATMs in many State of Michigan buildings, you have access to your account at over 125 area ATMs and at twelve local branches.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great time to join MSUFCU.

Switch today and get your FREE blanket! www.msufcu.org 517-333-2424

Federally insured by NCUA

w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

Offer valid through 10/31/2014. New MSUFCU checking accounts only. Direct deposit of net payroll is required to receive gift. Does not apply to existing MSUFCU membership. Must qualify for membership to receive gift. Blanket will be mailed within two (2) to three (3) weeks of MSUFCU receiving first net direct deposit. Not valid with any other offers. While supplies last. First-come, first-served.

NEWS

Capital Caucus Works to Address Business Concerns BY MICKEY HIRTEN

hen it comes to priorities, Lansing’s business community wants what virtually every survey says people in the state really want, don’t have and say they need — better roads.

“I think we probably are more powerful because we bring in people from both sides of the aisle to fight for mid-Michigan,” Jones said. “The challenge is that you’ve got west Michigan, which is very powerful, and Detroit, which is very powerful. The Capital Caucus has to become just as powerful to make sure we get our fair share. Someone is always trying to pick off our resources.”

Where many just grumble, mid-Michigan businesses, represented by the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC), state their case with the Capital Caucus, a bipartisan alignment of legislators from the counties surrounding Lansing. And when the Chamber speaks, they listen. Roads are the Chamber’s top priority. At the Capitol, there are caucuses for Detroitbased legislators, mostly Democrats, and a caucus on the west side of the state, mostly Republicans. For mid-Michigan politicians, their caucus is a politically mixed marriage — Democrats and Republicans — which

members believe is an advantage, at least on issues that don’t entail fixed party lines. Diversity is its strength, said Republican Sen. Rick Jones, from Grand Ledge, who has participated in the caucus since its inception.

He cited the Caucus success preventing both the Granholm and Snyder administrations from relocating the state’s computer tech operation to Detroit or Ann Arbor. “We lobbied very hard with the director of IT,” Jones said of the Caucus. “We said if you want to build a new tech center, go ahead. Build it somewhere in the mid-Michigan area.”

Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Legislative/Policy Priorities BUSINESS CLIMATE

TRANSPORTATION

• • • • •

Support rational, fair and equitable funding mechanisms for transportation infrastructure.

Taxes and regulatory Agriculture Energy — Efficiencies, renewable Economic development policies Health care

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Support export strategy for greater Lansing region.

Continued support of state and federal funding for F-RIB project.

Transportation infrastructure improvements to support interstate access to Capital Region International Airport.

REGIONALISM

EDUCATION/TALENT

State support for local government consolidation and sharing of services.

Support efforts to keep talent in Michigan in developing the strongest workforce to support job creation and economic growth from employers.

FACILITY FOR RARE ISOTOPE BEAMS

CITY OF LANSING/LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL HEALTH

Support policies that provide local governments with tools to address long-term financial health.

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

Support ranges from early childhood development, K-12 and higher education.

OCTOBER 2014

925 S CREYTS RD | CROWNE PLAZA | 517 323 4190

FROM SUNRISE TO LATE-NIGHT, THE BORDEAUX TEAM IS HERE SERVING UP FLAVORFUL MADE-FROM-SCRATCH DISHES, OVER 70 WINES, MICHIGAN MICROBREWS, MUDDLED COCKTAILS, DESSERTS & MORE!

CROWNE PLAZA

wine happy hours & down fridays MON -FRI 5-7PM

LOOKING FOR A GREAT PLACE TO MEET UP WITH FRIENDS & COLLEAGUES? HEAD TO BORDEAUX TO ENJOY SPECIALS ON YOUR FAVORITE DRINKS & EATS!

5:30-7:30PM

NEED TO WIND DOWN FROM THE WEEK? JOIN US IN THE CORK ROOM TO SAMPLE 2 WHITE & 2 RED WINES EVERY WEEK!

SCAN THE CODE BELOW & LIKE US ON FACEBOOK TO STAY UP-TO-DATE ON OFFERS & HAPPENINGS!

$15/PERSON, INCLUDES ASSTD. HORS D’OEUVRES. WINE DOWN FRIDAYS ARE LIMITED TO 30 RSVPs CALL TODAY TO ! 517.391.4190 PERFECT IDEA FOR A DATE NIGHT, GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT, OR STARTING POINT FOR A BACHELORETTE PARTY!

WE ALSO LOVE PUTTING OUR CREATIVE SPIRIT & ENERGY INTO EVERY EVENT. HOST YOUR NEXT GATHERING IN ONE OF THREE STYLISH PRIVATE DINING ROOMS & LET US BRING YOUR VISION TO LIFE! w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

NEWS

TOPICS VARY FROM ENCOURAGING REGIONALISM TO LANSING BOARD OF WATER AND LIGHT TO JOB TRAINING/ ENTREPRENEURIAL SUPPORT. AND, OF COURSE, ROADS. Other than membership, the Capital Caucus is unstructured, said Chairman Rep. Andy Schor of Lansing. “We meet as the need arises. Last year we got together six or seven times. We had one meeting to talk about priorities. We got together with the Lansing State Journal Editorial Board and we got together with the Chamber.” Topics vary from encouraging regionalism to Lansing Board of Water and Light to job training/entrepreneurial support. And, of course, roads. “This is a great opportunity for the region, for us to come together and talk priorities in the legislative process, whether it’s economic development or appropriations,” said Rep. Sam Singh of East Lansing, whose district includes Michigan State University, the region’s largest economic engine. It also humanizes what can be a polarizing legislative environment. “We see each other in a different light” said Rep. Tom Cochran of Mason. “We’d hope that stimulating conversation and trust helps us to accomplish some things.” According to Caucus members, it was their lobbying that prompted the Governor and Legislature to direct up to $100 million from the Michigan Strategic Fund for the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, MSU’s new $730 million particle accelerator. The F-RIB is expected to place the Lansing region in the forefront of nuclear research, 8

and with it, business growth opportunities and hundreds of new jobs. It’s these interests that align in the Chamber/Caucus partnership. “The Caucus looks for the business community to drive an agenda,” said Kristin Beltzer, the LRCC’s vice president for Governmental Affairs. “We had an opportunity at the beginning of the year to lay out our priorities to them. We get our arms around the policies, the things that we can do to move forward.” The LRCC has a loaded wish list for its local legislators. Besides its push for better transportation funding — roads and mass transit — and for continued F-RIB funding and support, the Chamber is seeking help from the Capital Caucus for initiatives that support regionalism, particularly government consolidations and shared services. It seeks policies to help local governments strengthen their finances and for help building an infrastructure to enhance international trade.

THERE ARE 10 MID-MICHIGAN LEGISLATORS IN THE CAPITAL CAUCUS. THEY ARE: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Chair: Andy Schor (D-68, Lansing) (517) 373-0826, andyschor@house.mi.gov Vice chair: Tom Leonard (R-93, Lansing) (517) 373-1778, tomleonard@house.mi.gov Theresa Abed (D-71, Grand Ledge) (517) 373-0853, theresaabed@house.mi.gov Tom Cochran (D-67, Mason) (517) 373-0587, tomcochran@house.mi.gov Mike Shirkey (R-65, Clarklake) (517) 373-1775, mikeshirkey@house.mi.gov Sam Singh (D-69, East Lansing) (517) 373-1786, samsingh@house.mi.gov SENATE

Two of its most important initiatives deal with education and training and with regionalism, a particularly challenging initiative that often pits one locale against another.

Judy Emmons (R-33, Sheridan) (517) 373-3760, senjemmons@senate.mi.gov

But not always, as a recent Caucus field trip illustrated.

Rick Jones (R-24, Grand Ledge) (517) 373-3447, senrjones@senate.mi.gov

“I represent an urban area,” said Schor and Tom (Tom Leonard) represents a more rural area. We toured the Allen Street Market, stocked with fruits and vegetables. Rural producers bring their vegetables to an urban market where city businesses buy them at a one-stop shop.”

Gretchen Whitmer (D-23, East Lansing) (517) 373-1734, sengwhitmer@senate.mi.gov

Schor said that demonstrating how communities are interconnected and can share benefits show the promise of regional cooperation. “It can be a really good partnership.”

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

OCTOBER 2014

Joe Hune (R-22, Whitmore Lake) (517) 373-2420, senjhune@senate.mi.gov

Mickey Hirten is an award winning writer and editor. He has been executive editor of the Lansing State Journal, the Burlington Free Press in Vermont, and was the financial editor and a columnist for the Baltimore Evening Sun. He is the current president of the Michigan Press Association. His wife, Maureen Hirten, is director of the Capital Area District Library.

C H A N G E I S C O M I N G F O R T H E C A P I TA L R E G I O N . On Tuesday, Oct. 21 entrepreneurs, business owners, young professionals and community activists are invited to join others from Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties to be a catalyst for positive, rapid, sustained progress toward prosperity for our region. Your contributions and insight will become part of a five-year Economic Prosperity Plan.

YOU WILL: •

Respond to six visions for our region’s future

•

Hear from Gov. Rick Snyder, a special guest to be announced soon, and Mayor Virg Bernero

•

Contribute to a plan for action in one of five focus areas:

PLACE

GROWTH

TALENT

CORE

GLOBAL

Placemaking & Transportation

Jobs & Entrepreneurship

Education & Retention

Downtown & Density

Visibility & Investment

Lansing Center 333 E. Michigan Ave.

October 21st 8:30 A.M. — 4:30 P.M.

Register today at CatalystCapitalProject.com/register MADE POSSIBLE WITH SUPPORT FROM: Tri-County Regional Planning Commission Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce LEAP: Lansing Economic Area Partnership Capital Area Michigan Works!

Lansing Community College Michigan State University Greater Lansing Business Monthly MessageMakers w w w . L a n s i n g B u s i n e s s N e w s . c o m

NEWS

Organizations Mix Old and New Venues to Bring Messages to Market BY ANN H. K AMMER E R

onprofits provide a voice for many and they also speak up for themselves in the marketplace. Creating growth and awareness through marketing is as important for a nonprofit as it is in a for-profit corporation, but the practice requires a different perspective. The Greater Lansing Business Monthly chatted with several individuals acquainted with the methods and challenges of marketing a nonprofit enterprise. Here is some of what they said. MIND S E T MATTE R S

Joe Garcia started at Cristo Rey Community Center as the executive director about a year ago. He came from the private sector out of a love for the organization. Almost immediately, he noticed the differences in the marketing resources and methods versus the forprofit world. “In a profit organization, shareholders typically expect the corporation to spend money on marketing,” Garcia says. “You put money in until you get a positive return. But in the nonprofit world, your shareholders — being your donors — might say they don’t want you marketing. They want everything they give and everything you spend going directly to the people you serve.” Today’s nonprofits, Garcia says, can’t rely simply on grants to sustain their operations. Many, he says, need strong donor support and strategic planning to maintain and grow their services. That’s where marketing comes in. “In general, nonprofits are at a disadvantage in communicating our goals because the needs and goals we tackle are so enormous,” says Garcia. “And when you 10

consider that we usually have very small staffs, it’s like slaying the dragon.”

“micro-target” and pick-up cost efficiencies through free social media platforms.

Cristo Rey has earned name recognition and community loyalty by virtue of the services they provide: needs-based programs for vulnerable populations. But marketing, he says, can broaden that awareness and help attract people willing to invest for the long term.

“Social media is a pretty good bang for your buck,” says Fox. “Especially if you’re a nonprofit and you’re sharing with an audience that has empathy.”

“We don’t necessarily want to be known as the generation that keeps charity overhead low,” says Garcia. “We want to be part of making the world better. But to do that, we need to help change the mindset of people who give to us from simply being a donor to being an investor.” S O CIA L S AV V Y

Ted Fox, marketing and new media consultant at East Lansing-based 3T Communications, agrees that nonprofits, especially charitable organizations, have one advantage over for-profits: builtin empathy. That connection with the mission, says the East Lansing-based marketing and new media consultant, allows nonprofits to more immediately engage an audience through marketing. The challenge is finding the most effective and budgetconscious way to do that.

Twitter, Facebook, email firms like Mail Chimp and Constant Contact and texting enable communicators to microtarget messaging with minimal cost and investment. A good practice, Fox points out, is to build your database, fine-tune your message, and use the target the appropriate people and associations who use the tools at your disposal. “Tell don’t sell,” says Fox. “When you’re out there delivering a message, don’t preach as much as you inform.” N E TWO RK PO WE R

While TV, radio and print have their place in marketing, today’s organizations can build multi-prong approaches that combine new media with the traditional. “What we see a lot is the power of social media for storytelling,” says Terry Streetman, membership and public affairs coordinator for the Michigan Nonprofit Association. “People like to share their stories, particularly when they share a passion for what a nonprofit does.”

“The Internet is most responsible for increasing the importance of marketing,” says Fox. “There is an explosion of content at your fingertips. In the past, people would push content through TV, radio and print advertising. Today’s it’s user-driven how you get your content.”

Joan Bowman, MNA’s senior director of Public Affairs and Communication, agrees. She also observes that nonprofits have the unique ability to collaborate and partner with other organizations as part of an over-arching marketing strategy.

That, says Fox, both complicates and opens up venues for marketers. Unique Internet-based tools allow marketers to

Examining the habits and techniques of nonprofit marketing can be difficult, Bowman says, simply because of the

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

OCTOBER 2014

immense diversity of the nearly 42,000 nonprofits in Michigan. Lansing and East Lansing alone have about 1,340. Bowman adds, too, that a lot of marketing already takes place through events or other forms of face-to-face networking. “Nonprofits generally market to employees, organizations or community members, not necessarily to the people they serve,” says Bowman. “Events and other forms of professional networking are ways we can amplify our reach, strengthen our message, and spread the news.” Ann Kammerer is a freelance writer living in East Lansing. She has written extensively for a couple decades about business people, educators, artists and everyday people doing good things in greater Lansing.

Committing our staff to the success of your business.

DISTINCTIVE SERVICE. www.dartdevelopment.com

3120 Sovereign Dr., Suite 4B, Lansing, MI 48911 • 888.DART.001

in the your of

Greater

Lansing ü Venues & Rates For Every Budget ü Central Location Boosts Attendance ü Dedicated CVB & Complimentary Services 800.648.6630 | www.lansing.org

w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

NEWS

High-End Amenities Attract Student Residents BY MICKEY HIRTEN

Yet, even with its expanding student population — 49,300 enrolled in the spring of 2014 — and reasonable prices for land and construction, the success of Capstone Collegiate Properties’ new Hannah Lofts & Townhomes is striking. The 274-unit, 702-bed complex, near Hannah Plaza, just east of Hagadorn Road, started last summer and completed in late-July and August, is completely filled as the school year begins. Other large students housing complexes throughout the region are also filled, especially those with amenities and a mix of living options. Student housing comes in many forms: old homes in traditional neighborhoods just north of Grand Avenue, oncampus housing, sprawling apartment communities surrounding the campus and pockets of smaller multi-dwelling units in East Lansing, Lansing and Meridian Township. It’s a fluid market where the newest housing often draws students and the rest of the market adapts, said Vennie Gore, MSU’s Vice President for Auxiliary Enterprises. “My sense is that all pieces on the board get moved around.” MSU is the single largest provider of student housing. At the start of the fall semester it accommodated 14,500 students in its residential halls with another 1,000 students in University Village and Spartan Village apartments, said Kat Cooper, communications manager for the university’s Residential and Hospitality Services. “When the year opened we had a few students in transition housing,” that is, a “triple” — three students in a room 12

designed for two. Room and board for this year’s freshmen is $9,204. Cooper said most of those rooming issues have been addressed. But she offered this perspective on student housing “We have 49,000 students. We just cannot house everyone.” Nor does it need to. As the Hannah development illustrates, developers continue to invest in student housing. It is the fourth project developed in the region by Birmingham, Ala.-based Capstone College Communities, said executive vice president John Acken. “We developed the Lodges of East Lansing, right behind the Hannah Lofts,” Acken said. Capstone sold that housing complex to American Campus Communities. It also developed Abbot Place, north of Lake Lansing Road, which it also sold.

PH OTO B Y M A R K WA R N E R

f there is a sure bet in the post-recession real estate market, it’s student housing. And there are few places better to build and lease than in the shadow of Michigan State University.

The Hannah Lofts are located on Hagadorn Road in East Lansing.

Acken acknowledged that Hannah Lofts sold out unusually quickly. “But it’s unusual to have this quality of a product this close to campus. The unit type also plays a large part. The fact that we have townhouses is unique in the marketplace.” The Hannah Lofts reflect the trend toward higher-quality student housing. Most of the students there live in three-story, fourbedroom townhouses. The fourth floors have more conventional studio and multibedroom units. Annual lease rates are charged individually to the tenants starting at $575 a month and topping out at $1,065 for a one bedroom apartment. Furniture packages for the living room, dining room

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

OCTOBER 2014

and bedrooms are charged at a monthly rate of $15 to $25 per person. The region’s largest private student complex is Chandler Crossings along the northern border of East Lansing. It is owned and operated by WestPac Campus Communities of Santa Barbara, Calif., which purchased the 2,772 beds and 852-unit complex from Pierce Property Management in 2012, said Adam Martin, who manages the Chandler properties, known as The Club, The Villages and The Landing. WestPac has spent $9 million on upgrades since it acquired Chandler Crossings said Martin, who acknowledges the competitive market for students.

NEWS

“As new products come along you have to maintain customer service and amenities,” said Martin. At Chandler Crossings these include an indoor swimming pool, an indoor basketball court, tanning, hot tubs, ice skating, a movie theater and a free CATA pass to transport students to campus, about a three mile trip. As of midSeptember, Chandler Crossings was 94 percent occupied, Martin said, adding that “leasing doesn’t really stop or slow down until December.” Chandler has three tiers of properties: Emerald, Spartan and Traditional. Emerald is the elite package with hardwood floors, leather furniture, stainless-steel appliances and a 42-inch flat screen. Spartan is, well, somewhat more Spartan. And traditional lacks hardwood floors and granite counter tops. The top monthly leasing rate is $1,038 for a one bedroom, two bathroom unit in The Villages. At the low end in Chandler Crossings is a room in a four bedroom, two bath traditional apartment

for $451 a month. All units in the complex come furnished. The company continues to expand along its Chandler Road location. “We have just broken ground for construction of The Rocks — 379 beds. It is opening in August next year,” Miller said. Chandler Crossings’ away-from-campus location has proven popular with Asian students, who according to Martin account for between 15 and 20 percent of occupants. He said WestPac works with referral companies to help Chinese students with the language barrier and understanding of the American life style. For these students, some distance from the often chaotic East Lansing downtown scene, also is an attraction. More traditional students housing, in houses and smaller apartment complexes in neighborhoods surrounding the campus, is served by companies like Community

Resource Management Co. (CRMC) It offers hundreds of housing units, virtually all of which the company said on its web site are leased. CRMC and the other companies that provide student housing already have begun to focus on next year’s leases. Unlike the traditional housing market, where properties turn over through the year, student housing happens all at once. “Everyone with students lease at one time and they turn over (at) one time,” Acken said. Mickey Hirten is an award winning writer and editor. He has been executive editor of the Lansing State Journal, the Burlington Free Press in Vermont, and was the financial editor and a columnist for the Baltimore Evening Sun. He is the current president of the Michigan Press Association. His wife, Maureen Hirten, is director of the Capital Area District Library.

www.loomislaw.com

CELEBRATING

60 YEARS

OF PROVIDING LEGAL SOLUTIONS TO MICHIGAN BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS Loomis Law Firm lawyers have also been recognized as 2014 Best Lawyers in America, Michigan Super Lawyers, and as AV Preeminent Lawyers and Distinguished Lawyers selected by Martindale Hubbell. 2014 Lawyers of the Year: Karl Gotting (Administrative/Regulatory Law); James R. Neal (Natural Resources Law); Michael H. Rhodes (Health Care Law); and Paula K. Manis (Arbitration and Mediation) w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

COVER

A SOCIAL SOCIETY A Look at How Lansing Businesses and Organizations are Using Social Media Today BY MICK E Y H I RT E N | I L L UST R AT I O N S B Y B RO O K E ER W IN

F 14

EW ORGANIZATIONS IN MID-MICHIGAN HAVE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE AND SUCCESSFUL SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH THAT THE GREATER LANSING CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU. IT IS EVERYWHERE IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA WORLD THAT MATTERS: FACEBOOK, TWITTER, YOUTUBE, FLICKR AND PINTEREST. IT POSTS BLOGS AND PODCASTS. IT EVEN PUBLISHES AN OLD SCHOOL “NEWSLETTER,” IN A DIGITAL FORMAT, OF COURSE.

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

OCTOBER 2014

COVER

w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

COVER

Vegas or Disney World,” Lanspeary said, adding that promotion in this market is more personal, a style of communication nicely tailored to social media.

PHOTO S B Y M A RK WA RNE R

“When someone from Lansing talks about how much they love living here, people will pay attention. We don’t want to talk at people; we want to engage them,” she said. “Ninety percent of our customers trust ‘earned media,’ ” forms of personal communications that Lanspeary said differ from traditional print advertising. In order to manage its many social media outlets, the Convention & Visitors Bureau has developed a social media master plan and splits responsibility for the different sites across department lines. Lanspeary said that the traffic from, as well as the use of social media sites is increasing She called it real growth.

Soup Spoon Cafe utilizes social media to direct customers to special offerings and more.

“The thing to remember is that you can have a million likes on a Facebook page using sweepstakes or giveaways. All of our likes are organic. We are very pleased that they didn’t just like us because they were going to get something.”

Each social media platform offers different opportunities — quick hits on Twitter, pictures on Pinterest. Though the formats differ, the message is consistent: Greater Lansing is lively, brimming over with events, the place to be. The goal is engagement with those living here and those who should visit.

The staff measure social media marketing and branding success using metrics attached to the different sites and where possible measures the success of promotions.

The Convention & Visitors Bureau bundles its social media campaign using a brand it terms the “Lansing Social Club.” And For the Convention & Visitors Bureau, what powers the social media strategy is Lanspeary said, there is one surefire conversation, a person-to-person outreach winning topic: Michigan State’s Spartans — that pushes out a message and pulls in the a nationally-recognized brand. But not all audience. On Twitter, it has nearly 3,400 social media users can tap into that vibrant followers, people who subscribe to receive a market. Others are more targeted in their the organization’s regular updates. Its Soup Spoon owner and chef Nick Gavrilides. use of social media, which also makes it Facebook page has more than 8,500 likes. easier to measure the impact. On YouTube, results vary; some videos score big. A feature advancing the Lansing’s Dragon Boat races received over 650 views. A good In a fundraising appeal last year, the Lansing-based Firecracker showing. Another feature on bowling at the Royal Scot bowling lanes Foundation, developed by Tashmica Torok to help children who have had just16 views, which isn’t necessarily bad. survived sexual trauma, was able to raise the money needed to reach its fundraising target in a way that would not have been possible With social media, there is value in simply showing up, and even using traditional appeals. a small number of connections can succeed if they touch the right people, said Lori Lanspeary, Leisure Marketing Manager with the “My kids came home from school and heard me talking about how I Convention & Visitors Bureau. She explained that while the YouTube was so close to my goal. I was trying to raise $25,000 or something bowling video may have had very few views, if it reaches someone like that,” Torok said. “I was about $2,000 short.” who is interested in developing bowling events locally, it works. She said her children disappeared, but returned quickly. “They “The thing you have to always remember is that sometimes niche brought me their piggy banks and said I could have their money.” markets are important,” Lanspeary said. Torok shared this touching moment with her social media contacts, posting a picture of the piggy banks and asking donors to match the The Convention & Visitors Bureau is the marketing organization $10 offered by the children. for the Lansing region. “We’re not a huge destination like Las 16

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

OCTOBER 2014

COVER

“It was crazy,” she said. “I got the money in about two days.” Torok says her approach is simple: “Talk as if you were speaking to one person.” She said it makes those interested in the foundation, people who might be donors, feel special. The foundation’s primary social media site is Facebook, followed by Twitter and Instagram, which is used mostly for photos. Torak said she started using social media in 2009 and finds that a conversational approach is vital to success. “The companies that are most successful use their own voice and story. If you try to emulate someone else, it doesn’t really work.” Social media has proven particularly attractive for restaurants, which use it to strengthen their relationships with customers, old and new. The Soup Spoon Cafe on Michigan Avenue in Lansing highlights special food or beverage

items, primarily on Facebook and Twitter, the using single platforms like Hootsuite. This complements the restaurant’s overall branding strategy. “Our advertising is word of mouth,” said general manager Keith Buchele. But crafting the social media message is important. The Soup Spoon owner Nick Gavrilides, Buchele and a few other senior staffers promote what they find interesting, a well-plated dish, for example, “If it get me excited, makes my mouth water, it goes on the site,” Buchele said. Determining whether the messaging works, Soup Spoon analyzes sales and also less analytical, but important, customer response. “If a customer says something about a cocktail that they saw on Facebook or we get someone to come in and try one. Or if we promote a new wine for dinner and sell out. We count those as successes,” Buchele said.

A notable win was the restaurant special Firkin promotion. Firkin is a naturallyfermented and carbonated beer produced in small casks. It has an avid following. Buchele said that promoting the Soup Spoon’s special promotion through the restaurant’s social media sites led to a 27-minute Firkin sell out. The previous Firkin special, without heavy social media, sold out in 37 minutes.

w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

ON THE ROAD

Cities and Citizens Cutting Through the Noise BY VIRGINIA BERNE RO

Editor’s note: This is part one of a two-part series by Virginia Bernero, who traveled with Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, her father, to this conference.

During one seminar, there were presentations from the cities of Grand Rapids and Chapel Hill and others who shared their efforts in community engagement campaigns. Too often, in cities like Lansing — with bustling economic growth and commerce — there are too many negative headlines. Boosting community engagement and shifting the focus to current government projects are essential to improving a city’s image.

P H OTO B Y V IRG INIA B ER NERO

n August, I had the opportunity to join leaders from around the country at the Mayor’s Innovation Project (MIP) Conference in Chapel Hill, NC. The MIP is a learning network among worldwide mayors committed to “high road” policy and governance: shared prosperity, environmental sustainability and efficient democratic government. The conference supports these efforts through the study of concrete examples that can be adapted and initiated rapidly.

Mayors Bernero and Kleinschmidt discuss community engagement tactics with city administers from around the country.

There are two main processes in community engagement. The first one is a grassroots effort that gets the public on board with the goals of the administration. Once this step is complete, cities must engage in the second step: sharing the vision for the future and the successes along the way.

To me, this all sounds like branding. When companies (or cities) don’t give the public material, they only have each other and media to rely on for information. We encourage our clients here at M3 Group to brand forward, which to me means, “put your brand out there before someone has time to make one up for you.”

The conversation is not simply a stream of press releases to the public. In the presentations at MIP, administrations had real feedback from their citizens about plans and projects going on in their cities. In Grand Rapids, they actually had citizens play customized versions of Monopoly, LIFE and other classic board games to collect data on public opinion. Not only does this share positive news, but it also initiates a grassroots support system. When people feel that their opinion is valued by their government, they tend to be less skeptical about things going on behind the scenes.

After that data collection and market research, we start with mission and vision statements — and I believe that cities should do the same. The vision is where you need to get people involved.

In the next step of sharing the city’s plan, a few tactics can be used to continue the grassroots strategy. Host Mayor Mark Klienschmidt of Chapel Hill mentioned his community leaders in this effort. “We looked at our existing leaders in the community — the university, the neighborhoods, businesses, commercial associations, etc and used those people to drive our vision into every corner of our town,” the Mayor said. “Our goal was to engage 10,000 people, and we made it happen.”

Mayors attempting this type of engagement must be ready for the feedback. Remembering that this is a conversation, a democracy and not a dictatorship. The public shouldn’t have to wait for an election to voice their opinions. Chances are if the choices of city administrators are being lead in the best interest of the constituents, these public opinion venues will only serve to confirm that. But in the case of controversial projects, growth and change, the conversation should absolutely be supported.

The mechanics of government — the day-to-day processes, the behind the scenes work — are critical to a well-functioning city, but don’t usually make headlines unless something is wrong. But putting together simple, concrete points of focus and progress of city government give the media, the people and the region something to talk about.

Virginia Bernero is a Central Michigan University graduate, now the Communications Specialist for M3 Group. The full service branding agency employs her to work on events and marketing for their clients and publications, including the GLBM’s own Financial Expo and Entrepreneurial Awards.

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

Let your citizens dream with you, get them to throw their ideas out there and actually listen! You never know, they might just have a great strategy to fund the River Trail or revitalize a neighborhood. The point is, get the conversation going. Have platforms for your citizens to share their thoughts on what’s going on.

OCTOBER 2014

w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

MAN ON THE STREET

M AN on the STR E ET What do you think of the Pure Michigan campaign? COMPIL ED BY K YL E D OWL I N G

“I’d like to see more touristy spots around Michigan, especially around northern Detroit. I hear really good things from visiting family.”

John Raber

“I don’t feel like there’s a lot of focus on it, and it feels too plain. It needs to be louder than it is.”

Anita Demps

“I think it’s great; it gives Michigan a good reputation and represents us well.”

Cheryl Blancit

“I think Tim Allen is cool for voicing the ads and I think that it’s working out well.”

Derek Sova

“It’s been going on for a while and I can’t tell if it’s doing well or not. Maybe they could let people know how it’s going.”

Steve Barosko

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

OCTOBER 2014

L JOIN US FOR AN ULTIMATE

’ GETAWAY S E I AD

LADIES, Join Capital Area Women’s LifeStyle Magazine publisher Tiffany Dowling and the Capital Region International Airport for the ultimate ladies’ getaway in Mexico! Enjoy four days and three nights at the beautiful, all-inclusive Secrets Capri Resort in Riviera Cancun. Jan. 25 to 28, 2015

•

24-hour room and concierge service

•

Six gourmet restaurants (five a la carte and a buffet venue)

•

Five stylish bars and lounges (including a swim-up bar)

•

Vanishing-edge dual-temperature pool and outdoor Jacuzzi

•

Fitness center / water aerobics / Yoga / Secrets spa

•

Non-stop flights from Lansing

$250 DEPOSIT PLUS $255 PER MONTH

Book today!

Grand total: $1,270*

Final payment due Monday, December 8, 2014

•

Adults only – 18 and older

Call Liz Andrews, with the Fly Lansing Concierge Travel Center, 517-321-4688.

Includes airfare, accommodations, food and beverages. *Price is for double-occupancy room.

w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

GLBM LIST

Marketing and Public Relations Firms

Production Company

Phone

Address

Blohm Creative Partners

517-333-4900

1331 E. Grand River Ave.

Ciesa Design

517-853-8877

200 E. Grand River Ave.

Edge Partnerships

517-853-6787

117 E. Kalamazoo Street

Fahrenheit Creative Group

517-347-9733

3695 Okemos Road #100

G端d Marketing

517-267-9800

1223 Turner Street, Suite 101

King Media

517-333-2048

1555 Watertower Pl #200

Kolt Communications Inc.

517-706-0001

2104 Jolly Road

Lambert, Edwards & Associates

517-316-0210

215 S. Washington Sq., Suite 210

Lezotte Miller Public Relations Inc.

517-381-1900

2175 Commons Pkwy.

M3 Group

517-203-3333

614 Seymour Ave.

Marketing Resource Group

517-372-4400

225 S. Washington Sq.

Martin Waymire

517-485-6600

426 W. Ottawa St.

Michigan Creative

517-899-4533

934 Clark St.

Netvantage Marketing

517-580-3752

435 E. Grand River Ave. #211

Piper & Gold Public Relations

517-214-8621

313 1/2 E. Grand River Ave.

Publicom

517-487-3700

333 Albert Ave.

Queue Advertising

517-374-6600

410 S. Cedar, Suite F

Rizzi Designs

517-337-4469

1141 N. Pine St.

Spoke8 Marketing

517-485-7237

1035 N. Washington Ave.

Studio TEN Creative

517-803-4390

912 Centennial Way, Suite 300

Traction

517-482-7919

617 E. Michigan Ave.

Truscott Rossman

517-487-9320

124 W. Allegan St., Suite 800

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

OCTOBER 2014

GLBM LIST

Each month, The Greater Lansing Business Monthly compiles a list relevant to the publicationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s theme. The lists are not comprehensive, but rather, a snapshot look at what is publicly available on various industries and organizations. The following is a list of area marketing and public relations firms in alphabetical order.

City

Zip Code

Website

East Lansing

48823

blohmcreative.com

Lansing

48906

ciesadesign.com

Lansing

48933

edgepartnerships.com

Meridian Charter Township

48864

fahrenheitcreative.com

Lansing

48906

gudmarketing.com

East Lansing

48823

kingmedianow.com

Okemos

48864

koltcommunications.com

Lansing

48933

lambert-edwards.com

Okemos

48864

lezottemiller.com

Lansing

48933

m3group.biz

Lansing

48933

mrgmi.com

Lansing

48933

martinwaymire.com

Lansing Charter Township

48906

lansingmarketinggroup.com

East Lansing

48823

netvantagemarketing.com

Lansing

48823

piperandgold.com

East Lansing

48823

publicom.com

Lansing

48912

queueadvertising.com

Lansing

48906

rizzidesigns.com

Lansing

49806

spoke8marketing.com

Lansing

48917

studiotencreative.com

Lansing

48912

projecttraction.com

Lansing

48933

truscottrossman.com

w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

Y WE CARE

A Buzz can Lead to a Big Budget BY KEL LY RITTER

n a world full of marketing and advertising clutter, organizations are constantly trying to break through and be remembered.

As a marketing director it’s important for my team and me to consider all the different mediums organizations use to try and make an impact with their messaging. We must strive to maintain a presence with traditional media, such as print, outdoor or TV, through digital media outlets and with guerilla marketing tactics.

same across all mediums. And, no matter who your target market is, you need to consider that it takes a series of touch points to resonate your message with whoever it is you’re trying to reach. Not everyone reads the paper or is on Facebook. Not everybody listens to the radio. As we all know, the Ice Bucket Challenge may have started on social media, but the concept soon leaped onto the TV screen, into the radio airwaves and onto the pages of newspapers and magazines (like this one!)

Marketing and advertising can do more than just sell a product or service. Marketing and advertising can build bridges between two groups of people. It can connect folks with untapped resources, share concerns with the general public and promote positive stories.

WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE MARKETING AND ADVERTISING PLANS AND STRATEGIES THAT ARE

Think of the Ice Bucket Challenge. Before this year, people were somewhat aware that Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s Disease existed. Now, the disease is synonymous with the Ice Bucket Challenge. A man with an idea used social media to shame three of his friends into dumping ice water on their heads and the rest is history.

NEW, UNIQUE AND HAVE NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE. No matter how old your target market is, you’re going to have to utilize a strategized media mix to make the largest impact. But it’s more than just that.

Over $15 million has been donated to the ALS association as of Aug. 18, compared to only $1.8 million in all of 2013, according to alas. org. Even though the ALS association didn’t coin the idea, they were quick to adapt their business model to capitalize on the social media buzz. By doing so, they were able to let the social media campaign spread, increasing awareness throughout the nation. With all of the different marketing and advertising options available, how do you stay top-of-mind with your target market? Which media outlets should you use? What’s the best way to break up your marketing and advertising budget? How do you become the next Ice Bucket Challenge?

You see, the great thing about marketing today is that it’s not confined to the traditional media outlets we’re used to. We have the opportunity to create marketing and advertising plans and strategies that are new, unique and have never been done before.

Kelly Ritter is a graduate of Michigan State University. She currently works at M3 Group as the Marketing Director. M3 Group is a full-service branding agency that specializes in creating and implementing integrated marketing and advertising services to help brand businesses forward. For more information email kelly@m3group.biz.

The two things we stress most at M3 Group is consistency and integration. No matter what your message is, it needs to be the 24

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

OCTOBER 2014

w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

R E G I O N A L R O TAT I O N

Mason Area Partners to Build its Future BY DOUG K L EIN

ason is “rooted in the past and growing toward the future.” Sometimes you need to step back in time to get perspective on what lies ahead. Recent activity in restoring the historic character of the downtown business district proves that Mason is well rooted in the past. The expanded facilities at Dart Container Corporation, the opening of a new MSU Federal Credit Union branch and the upcoming construction of a new headquarters building for Dart Bank are examples that Mason is certainly growing toward the future. The Mason Area Chamber of Commerce partners with many local and regional entities. Ingham County, the City of Mason, area township governments, the Mason Downtown Development Authority and other government agencies all work together to ensure our community thrives and grows. These long-standing partnerships are now paying off today in increased economic development.

The three story historic redevelopment by Kincaid Henry Building Group is located on Ash Street.

In this particular mixed-use project, at least 10 apartments will occupy the upper floors of the buildings. The first floor will be the home offices of Oracle Financial Solutions. This $2,750,000 redevelopment has other partners, including Dart Bank, the Ingham County Land Bank, the City of Mason, the Mason Downtown Development Authority, the Michigan State Housing Development Agency Rental Rehabilitation Program, Michigan Economic Development Corporation Community Development Block Grants, Revitalize LLC and Capital Fund Title Services. A façade grant is in place for this project from the City of Mason Downtown Development Authority. However, Mason DDA façade grants are also being used by others to improve the exteriors of their properties. Bestsellers Books and Coffee Company recently contracted with Community Building Services to complete the restoration and signage for their façade on Jefferson Street. Other downtown businesses and property owners will also soon be doing similar projects. 26

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

P HOTOS PROVID ED

Proof of these new partnerships for economic development aren’t hard to find. For example, many partners are involved in the historically sensitive redevelopment of the long vacant threestory former Shopping Guide building and the adjacent twostory buildings of 124-140 E. Ash St., just south of the Ingham County Courthouse in the center of Mason. The buildings, one of which is about 150 years old, are being redeveloped with historic considerations in mind. Kincaid Henry Building Group anticipates that they will complete the project in mid-2015, Mason’s sesquicentennial year.

Bestsellers Books and Coffee Company after the restoration by the Community Building Services. Looking outside the downtown, our area’s businesses and industries continue their expansion. That means additional residents are coming into Mason and to other communities in greater Lansing. That growth also is due in part to the local, steady influence of Mason being the seat of Ingham County government. The Mason Area Chamber of Commerce facilitates that growth in a variety of ways. The Mason Chamber is continuing to put an effort into a number of partnerships that encourage Mason businesses, organizations and residents to buy more locally. Partnerships with the increasing number of financial institutions, service providers, retailers,

OCTOBER 2014

restaurants, organizations and many other specialty businesses serve the influx of new residents and people working in our area. The Chamber promotes the Small Business Saturday’s “Shop Small,” the statewide Michigan Retailers Association’s “Buy Nearby,” the regional Capital Area Local First and our own local “Mason Values,” “Grow Mason!” and “Mason Area Independent Business Alliance” programs.

Doug Klein, APR, CTA is executive director of the Mason Area Chamber of Commerce and is also adjunct professor of business and communication at Lansing Community College. He is a certified tourism ambassador and is a member of the Public Relations Society of America and the American Marketing Association.

Be the envy of your neighborhood when the power goes out this year. Whole Home Generators starting at $8,000. Don’t let winter storms ruin your holiday ever again.

517.482.5501 www.hagerfox.com

Because you really DO deserve to be comfortable

w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

R E A L E S TAT E

What is Marketing? BY TRICIA FOS TER

hat is marketing? It seems as though the definition of marketing has changed considerably over time. If you ask 10 executives today what “marketing” means to them and their organization, you are likely to get 10 different answers.

S US

O PI NG

MARKETING

P L E M E N TI N

Next, we must identify and embrace each marketing medium for what it does best to deliver your message whatever that message happens to be now and into the future. Since marketing is about deep customer insights, then marketing is the job of every employee not just those with “marketing” in their title. OFTEN THE TWO SHOPPING OPTIONS DO NOT CROSS PATHS FOR THE TYPICAL CONSUMER — YOU EITHER SHOP AT ONE OR THE OTHER. WHY ? BECAUSE AN

EFFECTIVE, LAYERED MARKETING STRATEGY TOUCHES YOUR MIND AND HEART CREATING LOYALTY AND AFFECTING THE CHOICES YOU MAKE WITH YOUR WALLET.

Remember the Coke vs. Pepsi blind taste test challenges of the 80s? When a Coke drinker picked Pepsi, many of the participants said they still wouldn’t switch brands. “Doesn’t matter, I still choose Coke!” It’s the same with Target and Walmart. Often the two shopping options do not cross paths for the typical consumer — you either shop at one or the other. Why? Because an effective, layered marketing strategy touches your mind and heart creating loyalty and affecting the choices you make with your wallet. 28

In our present business climate one must truly understand customer and client needs to deliver results. Doing so takes research, commitment to excellence, a strong team of professionals and fortitude. Developing long-term client relationships requires gathering information today and every day to build a repository of salient and historical information that you can incorporate into a strategy that speaks to your customer or client.

If you are a customer and you are interested in a product or service, how do you go about selecting that product or service? Typically, you seek information before you purchase something the first time. Often, however, we rely more heavily on word of mouth and reviews by others than the visual messages contained within traditional print and media advertising. Marketing satisfies the consumer’s need by linking them to one or more solutions; it then evolves into relationship building with the goal of cultivating customer loyalty that remains regardless of the information received from others about the product or service.

Peter F. Drucker, the grandfather of modern marketing, said, “The aim of marketing is to know and understand the customer so well the product or service fits him and sells itself.” Knowledge is power and today capturing that knowledge is key to developing a successful marketing strategy.

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

As each of us is moved to action by different methodology, employing a layered approach to your marketing strategy is essential. A combination of social media, commercials, print advertisement, website content, personal statements of satisfaction and promotions to both reward loyalty and engage first-time users allows the “brand” to penetrate multiple demographics. Firms that best understand the layered approach build the most effective brand loyalty.

This is also one reason that if you ask 10 executives the question about what marketing means to their organization you will get 10 different answers. Leadership’s demographic background (in the “C suite”) varies significantly today, as do their perceptions on how to best achieve a desired outcome. Developing, implementing and sustaining your firm’s marketing strategy and brand is a fluid process, even if the message remains

OCTOBER 2014

constant. Acknowledging and learning from the mistakes of yesterday will help develop a better strategy for tomorrow. This executive remains convinced that consistency in delivery of an innovative product or service that others find beneficial is the main foundation for any marketing strategy, followed closely by identifying the correct methodologies to support the message.

On your side, by your side. Good law firms make the right things happen for clients. We take that idea to the limit by offering powerful legal services in more than 70 practice areas: from antitrust to tax litigation, bankruptcy to probate, commercial litigation to utility law and everything in between. We’ve been on your side for 130 years and counting.

Tricia Foster, CPM®, ACoM® is Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer at CBRE|Martin.

Got a problem? Give us a call.

fraserlawfirm.com 517.482.5800

cusTomers To hear? What do you Want your KeeP your cusTomer’s aTTenTion! • • • •

Music and message on-hold Professional script writing assistance VOIP telephone auto attendant voice prompts Quick turn on production updates

• • • •

Overhead/background music for single and multi-site businesses Professional voice talents to deliver your message Use of the industry’s latest digital message on-hold equipment Free trial offer available

GeT your Free quoTe aT WWW.PdEPt.com

www.PdePT.com • 5126 w. Grand river ave., LansinG, mi 48906

The ProducTion deParTmenT • ToLL-Free: 888-262-6213 • LocaL: 517-327-7736 • Fax: 517-327-4780 w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

E C O N O M I C D E V E LO P M E N T

LEAP — Moving Mid-Michigan Forward BY BOB TREZIS E

he Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), represents and partners with Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties in economic development projects and programs. In 2012 and 2013, private development projects that LEAP has provided value-added assistance to have or will create 2,885 direct jobs and $565,064,000 in investment throughout the tri-county area. To remain as clear about real and measurable results, LEAP does not count indirect jobs, construction jobs or use multiplier effects, though clearly all of these factors produce additional and critical economic development to the people of our region. For a regional economic development agency, this is one of the top, if not the top, records of success in the state of Michigan. LEAP is always especially grateful to the continuous and vital partnership provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) with nearly all of LEAP’s projects. Most importantly, LEAP is grateful to the financial and leadership support of our private (2/3) and public (1/3) sector investors, who, through their annual support of LEAP, have enormously uplifted the well-being for thousands of families in our region. I urge you to look them up on our web site, purelansing.com, and express your thankfulness by exclusively using their services. Keep it local, as they say.

PHOTOS PROVID ED

Examples of LEAP’s projects include: JNL’s $112,000,000 national headquarters expansion with 1,000 jobs (construction nearly completed), GM’s new $40,000,000 Logistics Center with 200 employees (under construction) and Niowave’s $202,000,000 medical isotope production facility with 125 jobs (ground now broken). SO HOW IS THE YEAR 2014 GOING FOR LEAP SO FAR?

LEAP has led the way in putting together the one-of-a-kind in the nation $24 million Outfield Project and is working on the $170 million Red Cedar Renaissance Project. Also, LEAP recently completed work for GM’s multi-million dollar assembly plant expansions in both Lansing and Delta Township. LEAP is also handling several very significant tier one auto supplier plant projects yet to be announced at the time of this writing. And there are so many more highly complex yet important projects that LEAPis working on from start to finish throughout the region. 30

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

Top; City of Mason art piece. Left; City of DeWitt art piece. Right; DeWitt Township art piece. Programmatically, LEAP continues to partner and lead the way in developing a cultural shift throughout the region, creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem. LEAP works on a weekly and daily basis with Michigan State University (MSU), Spartan Innovation and the MSU Foundation, to solidify the development of a new and vibrant commercialization/

OCTOBER 2014

E C O N O M I C D E V E LO P M E N T

business start-up pipeline between MSU faculty and students and the businesses that may be created right here. Through a contract for services, LEAP has reconstructed the entire Lansing Regional SmartZone, its Board and its mission and responsibilities, which now includes fully managing the high tech TIC. Additionally, LEAP manages a very large array of annual incubator and startup grants from the MEDC, has started and operates the Regional Incubation Network (RIN), works closely with six regional incubators including handing out direct LEAP grants.

physics industry around the coming F-RIB at MSU. Our region is on fire and so is LEAP. Come join this historic leadership opportunity. Let’s change everything. Stronger Together.

Bob Trezise is the President and CEO of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP).

Under LEAP’s contract for services with the Lansing Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), LEAP has put together the recently opened fashion incubator, The Runway, in the Knapp’s building. Additionally, LEAP leads an incredible team that put together the state’s first “Lansing Maker Week,” www. lansingmaker.com, continues its oneof-a-kind Placemaking program and has created three more permanent art sculptures in public places throughout our region. Also, LEAP leads Global Lansing, a partnership working to help welcome and retain international students, investors, entrepreneurs, visitors, etc. to our region. LEAP is one of the leaders of the Regional Prosperity Initiative, grant and event to be held Tuesday Oct. 21. It has created DiversityLansing.com partnership, an initiative that assists HR Directors of corporations who need help selling to their high end, sometimes global recruits, which is one of our region’s greatest strengths, our diversity and global environment. LEAP held the region’s first ever Youth Entrepreneurship Day, an inspiring event that showcased 55 of the region’s top middle and high school entrepreneurs. LEAP is enhancing an aggressive and new Business Attraction program, is well on our way to visiting over 100 local businesses in a retention program and is deeply involved in leading the Accelerator Work Group, an effort to create an entire

We build business relationships from the ground up. Developer, David Krause Business Customer Since 1998

Ready to lend. Here to get you there . ®

For real estate developer David Krause, having the right financial partner is essential. Which is why he’s always turned to Mercantile Bank. For more than 15 years, our advisors have found solutions when other banks couldn’t. And, after five successful developments, it was no surprise when Mercantile suggested a tenant for Krause’s latest development—a restaurant group that also happens to be a Mercantile customer. Are you ready to grow? We’re ready to lend. Contact us today. MercBank.com/Business w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

FINANCIAL ADVISOR

The Retirement Mindgame Your outlook may influence your financial outcome BY THOMAS W. S MA L L , C F P A I F

WHAT KIND OF RETIREMENT DO YOU THINK YOU’LL HAVE?

An outstanding one? A depressing one? What if it all starts with your outlook? Qualitatively speaking, what if the success or failure of your retirement begins with your perception of retirement? A whole field of study has emerged on the psychology of saving, spending and investing: behavioral finance. Since retirement saving is a behavior (and since other behaviors influence it), it is worth considering ways to adjust behavior and presumptions to encourage a better retirement.

DELAYED GRATIFICATION OR INSTANT GRATIFICATION?

$ $

Many people close to retirement age would take the latter over the former. Is that a good choice? Often, it isn’t. Financially speaking, retiring earlier has its drawbacks and may lead you into the next phase of your life with less income and savings. If you don’t love what you do for a living, you may see only the downside of working longer rather than the potential boost it could provide to your retirement planning (i.e., claiming Social Security later, tapping retirement account balances later and letting them compound more). If you see work as a daily set of unfulfilling tasks and retirement as an endless Saturday, the latter will win out and your mindset will lead you to retire earlier with less money. On the other hand, if you change your outlook to associate working longer with retiring more comfortably, you may leave work later with a bigger retirement nest egg — and who wouldn’t want that? If you don’t earmark 66 or 70 as your retirement year, you can become that much more susceptible to retiring as soon as possible. You’re 62, you can get Social Security; who cares if you get less money than you get at 66 or 70; it’s available now! Resist that temptation if you can. While some retirees claim Social Security at age 62 out of necessity, others do out of inclination, perhaps not realizing that inflation pressures and long-term care costs may render that a poor decision in the long run. The good news is that Americans are waiting longer to claim Social Security than they once did. Increased longevity may be a factor in that trend, but the findings are encouraging nonetheless. The 32

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

number of men claiming Social Security at age 62 increased 2.3 percent from 2007 to 2009 to 35.8 percent, and the number of women claiming Social Security at age 62 increased 2.6 percent in that span to 38.9 percent. Still, these percentages fell short of those a generation before. From 1986 to 1997, roughly half of all women claimed Social Security when they turned 62 and nearly half the men did; since 1997, the percentages have never approached those levels. Setting a target age for retirement — say, 65, 66 or even 70 — before you turn 60 can help mentally encourage you to keep working to that age. Providing your health and employment hold up and you can work longer, patience can lead you to have more Social Security income rather than less. TAKE A STEP BACK FROM YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE.

For some perspective on what your retirement might be like, consider the lives of others. You undoubtedly know some retirees; think about how their retirements have gone. Who planned well and who didn’t? What happened that was unexpected? Financial professionals and other consultants to retirees can also share input, as they have seen numerous retirements unfold.

OCTOBER 2014

TEXTILE DESIGN HACKER 3D FABRICATE MAKE TEXTILE GADGETS GAMES FOOD DIY Maker Week FABRICATE MAKE6 -TEXTILE 3 October 10, 2014 p.m. Everyday DESIGNNoon DIY- 7:00 GADGETS FOOD FABRICATE MAKE DIY GADGET workshops.keynotes.demos GAMES FOOD DIY GADGETS GAMES FOOD FABRICATE DIY MAKE 3D TEXTILE DESIGN 3 DIY GADGETS GAMES FOOD FABRICATE MAKE FOOD DIY The GADGETS best reward FOODis DIY GADGET

REDUCE YOUR DEBT

Lansing

Rather than assume new consumer debts that advertisers encourage us to take on commensurate with salary and career growth, pay down your debts as best you can with the outlook that you are leaving yourself more money for the future (or for unexpected situations.)

www.lansingmaker.com

SAVE AND INVEST CONSISTENTLY

See if you can increase your savings rate en route to retirement. Don’t look at it as stripping money out of your present. Look at it as paying yourself first, and investing for the comfort of your retirement. Tom Small may be reached 517-349-7111 or Tom@MichiganMoneyManagement.com. www.MichiganMoneyManagement.com.

Week Includes:

Friday, October 10 @ 6:00 p.m. until Sunday, October 12 @ 6:00 p.m.

Maker Edition

No Talk, all Action. Launch a Startup in 54 Hours.

the sound of our happy clients;

hello@capital-imaging.com capital-imaging.com 517.482.2292

the awards are icing on the cake. Thank you to the Michigan business community for continuing to trust us with your design and print needs.

Voted Ingham County’s Best Print Shop AMERICAN GRAPHIC DESIGN AWARD 2013 WINNER

w w w

GREATER LANSING ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS

Printing Entrepreneur award 2012

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

COLLECTIBLES

In Collectibles, Even “Experts” Don’t Always Know the Right Answers BY PATRICK A. HEL L E R

id you know that there are four known surviving copies of the original Magna Carta signed by King John in 1215? This document established some of the bedrock limitations on the power of the kings and governments in both British and American history.

financial difficulties. Finally, in 1984, billionaire H. Ross Perot paid $1.5 million to the family. In my judgment, the Brudenell family made a good decision contacting the British Museum to authenticate and later evaluate this historic document. This is one of the most famous museums in the world. Almost certainly it would have many experts knowledgeable about British historical items.

For centuries after King John, each succeeding English King signed a new Magna Carta upon coronation. There are perhaps another dozen copies of these very old Magna Cartas still in existence. In 1974, the Brudenells, an aristocratic British family, created an inventory of their family records. It was quite a task as the family’s 10,000 acre Northhamptonshire estate included a 100-room manor. In an obscure storage area that may not have been examined for decades or centuries, they came across what appeared to be a water-stained vellum (literally — sheepskin) document that appeared to be a Magna Carta signed in 1297 by King Edward I. To see if this document really was a long lost treasure, the family needed to get it authenticated. They brought the document to the experts at the renowned British Museum. Initially, these “experts” misattributed the piece, calling it a 19th Century reproduction of no real value. Miriam Brudenell, the family member who contacted the British Museum staff about the document stated, “They were so patronizing. They treated me pityingly, as a half-witted girl.” The family did not accept this determination. They knew from the room where it was found that it had been passed down through generations of the family at least since the early 1500s. It was probably originally obtained by either Edmund Brudenell, who was the attorney general of King Richard II (1377-1399), or Sir Robert Brudenell, who was Chief Justice of the Common Pleas Court under King Henry VIII (1509-1547). Eventually the document’s authenticity was proved. Once again the family contacted the British Museum for assistance in evaluating the 1297-dated Magna Carta. They were astounded when the appraisal came out at only $23,000. The family eventually found an American buyer willing to pay $2 million. That deal fell through when the would-be buyer experienced 34

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

But, obviously the staff at the British Museum is not perfect in analyzing items for authenticity or in determining value of an exceptional item such as an early Magna Carta. So, I applaud the Brudenell family for not automatically accepting the words of the “experts” in this instance. The lesson to learn from this series of events is that experts can and do make mistakes. This is one reason why I frequently urge customers to check at least two sources before making decisions on what to do with their holdings. By the way, H. Ross Perot loaned this Magna Carta to the National Archives, where it was exhibited in the same room as the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution. I have personally viewed it twice. In 2007, the document was sold by the Perot Foundation to David Rubenstein, the managing director of the Carlyle Group for $21.3 million, who has continued to loan this piece of history to the National Archives. Patrick A. Heller is the 2012 American Numismatic Association National Coin Dealer of the Year. He owns Liberty Coin Service in Lansing, the largest coin dealership in Michigan. He writes a monthly newsletter, Liberty’s Outlook available at http:// www.libertycoinservice.com), and commentaries on precious metals and collectibles on various websites. His award-winning radio show “Things You ‘Know’ That Just Aren’t So, And Important News You Need To Know” can be heard at 8:45 AM Wednesday and Friday mornings on 1320-AM WILS in Lansing (which streams live and is archived at http://www.1320wils.com). He is also the Executive Producer of the forthcoming movie “Alongside Night.” Heller was the unofficial “artist” of the 2004 Michigan Statehood Quarter.

OCTOBER 2014

Keep your business heading in the right direction.

Treasury Management from FirstMerit Bank When John talked to FirstMerit Bank’s Treasury Management team, his goal was to increase his company’s working capital. Together, they came up with a plan to help John effectively manage receivables, control payments, and improve his company’s overall cash flow. Now John has all the tools he needs to keep his business moving in the right direction — forward.

TO L E A R N MOR E, C O N T A C T :

Michael Debri, Community President, at 517-337-4159 or michael.debri@firstmerit.com. Follow the latest market trends @firstmerit_mkt

firstmerit.com Member FDIC 2411_FM14

w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

L A W AT W O R K

Employers Guide to Drafting a Social Media Policy BY F RANK MAMAT

ocial media continues to be a “hot” topic among employers. It needs to be. In particular, employers are seeking to regulate work-related social media postings. However, in the last few years, the National Labor Relations Board “NLRB” has struck down numerous social media policies as unfair labor practices. Therefore, while drafting a social media policy, employers must keep in mind NLRB opinions about lawful compared to unlawful social media policies. When the NLRB finds a social media policy unlawful, it emphasizes that “an employer violates Section 8(a)(1) of the Act through the maintenance of a work rule if the rule would reasonably tend to chill employees in the exercise of their Section 7 rights.” Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act “NLRA” in part, protects employees’ right to “engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection.” Accordingly, Section 8(a)(1) makes it an unfair labor practice to interfere with the employees’ Section 7 rights. It is critical to remember that Section 7 employee “rights” also apply to non-union employees in nonunionized companies. In practice, the validity of a social media policy turns on the language in the particular policy. The NLRB continues to find policies that broadly prohibit employees’ posting about their employer in social media unlawful. Specifically, the NLRB held social media policies that contain blanket prohibitions on sharing information that is “confidential,” and policies that limit discussions that are “offensive, demeaning, abusive or inappropriate” are unlawful. In particular, the NLRB has found social media policies to be unlawful that prohibit or restrict:

• Making disparaging comments about

the company through any media, including online blogs, other electronic media or through the media • The use of employees, on their own

time, of micro-blogging features to talk about company business on their personal accounts • The use of social media to engage

in unprofessional communications or unprofessional/inappropriate communications, because the policy could reasonably be interpreted to include protected statements relating to employee pay or treatment. T HIS C A N B E ACCO MPL IS H ED BY A LWAYS T HINKIN G B EFOR E YO U P OS T, B EIN G CI V IL TO OT H ER S A N D T H EIR OPINIO N S A N D N OT P OS T IN G PER S O N A L IN FOR M AT IO N A B O U T OT H ER S U N L E S S YO U H AV E R ECEI V ED T H EIR PER MIS S IO N .

Although the NLRB has struck down numerous social media policies, on July 26, 2014 an NLRB Administrative Law Judge “ALJ” did hold that an employer’s social media policy was lawful. The policy at issue featured cautionary language that did not explicitly prohibit employees from posting job-related information on the internet. Specifically, the policy stated: While your free time is generally not subject to any restriction by the Company,

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

OCTOBER 2014

L A W AT W O R K

the Company urges all employees not to post information regarding the Company, their jobs or other employees which could lead to morale issues in the workplace or detrimentally affect the Company’s business. This can be accomplished by always thinking before you post, being civil to others and their opinions and not posting personal information about others unless you have received their permission.

Frank Mamat is a shareholder with Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC. He focuses his practice on complex employment and labor issues, with a special focus on contract negotiations, unfair labor practice litigation, National Labor Relations Board practice and Federal and State OSHA matters.

The ALJ held the policy did not tend to chill the exercise of Section 7 rights in violation of the NLRA given its cautionary nature, and the fact that it did not prohibit specific content. With this recent NLRB ruling in mind, while drafting a social media policy, employers should scrutinize their policy to determine whether employees reasonably would read the policy to prohibit discussions about the terms and conditions of employment for the mutual aid and benefit of the workforce. More specifically, there are a few key takeaways from NLRB decisions that employers should keep in mind: • BE SPECIFIC AND INCLUDE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES • INCLUDE LIMITING LANGUAGE • BE OBJECTIVE • DO NOT BE AMBIGUOUS OR BROAD • DO NOT USE SUBJECTIVE TERMS AND STANDARDS • DO NOT USE HIGHLYTECHNICAL LANGUAGE • DO NOT PROHIBIT POSTS THAT “NEGATIVELY” AFFECT THE EMPLOYER

For more information, please contact Frank Mamat at (248)539-9919 or fmamat@fosterswift.com.

w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

W O R K F O RC E D E V E LO P M E N T

Greater Lansing Prepares to Meet the Talent Challenge BY TIM DAMAN

he need for talent may be the most critical challenge facing our state and employers seeking to compete in the 21st century. There is an increased emphasis in the ability to compete in the so-called knowledge-based economy and in the technology, research, healthcare, transportation and science related industries. Similarly, the demand in skilled trade occupations is expected to grow by nearly 8 percent by 2020. The greater Lansing region is well-equipped to meet the talent challenge on both fronts. It’s been estimated by 2018 that 62 percent of Michigan’s jobs will require higher education. The result of people transitioning out of the workforce in the next decade will also mean that our state will need 900,000 new workers with at least an associate’s degree by 2025. Greater Lansing’s exceptionally strong higher education sector not only produces thousands of highly-qualified graduates each year, but also serves as an economic and cultural engine that fuels our regional economy and helps make our quality of life as good as any in the country. No single program speaks of our own ambitions for the community more than the Facility for Rare Isotope Beans (F-RIB) project being developed at Michigan State University. F-RIB will exceed a half-billion in development costs, with total economic activity to exceed $1 billion over the next decade. F-RIB is expected to generate $187 million in new tax revenue, support 5,000 construction jobs, employ 400 scientists, engineers and other staff, and make MSU an international center for innovation for decades. At Lansing Community College, the focus has been on science, technology, engineering and math. Among new programs offered are mobile and convergence technologies, electric and hybrid car repair and smart building technology. Davenport University responded to the need for more flexibility in degree offerings. Where it used to take a year-and-a-half to approve a new degree, Davenport can now grant that approval in 60 days. Recent additions include a new master’s in nursing, a master’s in analytics and an advanced degree in physical therapy. Thomas M. Cooley Law School has stepped up in recent years to meet the needs of greater Lansing’s booming insurance industry. Cooley partnered with Olivet College to allow students who graduate from Olivet’s insurance program to transition to Cooley for their law degree. Our region is fortunate to 38

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

have a number of other outstanding higher education institutions, including; Central Michigan University, Cornerstone University, Ferris State University, Great Lakes Christian College, Michigan Virtual University, Northwood, Sienna Heights, Spring Arbor and Western Michigan Universities. Manufacturing is the industry that was hit the hardest during the recession, losing nearly a half million jobs in the first decade of this century. However, manufacturing is also on the upsurge. Manufacturers are now faced with a new set of challenges — most notably an aging workforce nearing retirement and a virtually nonexistent pipeline of young workers to take their place. Manufacturing is in the midst of a structural transformation. Gone are the traditional rust belt processes, replaced by advanced, hightechnology systems that require a different set of skills and a more highly educated and trained workforce. The apprenticeship programs at LCC have stepped up to meet the needs of employers in a big way. LCC currently offers 35 apprenticeship programs in various skilled trades with the majority of apprenticeships in the applied manufacturing, technology, electrical, welding and IT disciplines. Apprentices are sponsored and often employed by a company that normally pays their tuition, but in some cases the apprentice will assume their own tuition. The demand for workers has led to a 30 percent increase in the number of apprentices in the past 18 months. The 21st century knowledge economy represents an opportunity for greater Lansing to move to the top of the class in global competitiveness. The region’s higher education sector is putting greater Lansing in position for future economic growth and prosperity.

Tim Daman is president and chief executive officer of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce

OCTOBER 2014

PNC

Introducing Mid-Michiganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Black Car Service! Dean Black Car provides a safe, professional and comfortable environment to get where you need to go in style. Whether traveling to the airport, a business meeting or a special event, Dean Black Car can take you there. Call us today to book your next trip or visit us at deanblackcar.com

1-800-282-3326 | deanblackcar.com w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

BUSINESS CALENDAR

October 2014 BUSINESS EVENTS

1 0 /23 10 /9

BUSSINESS EDUCATION SERIES — PROFITABILITY BY THE NUMBERS,

LANSING. Is your P&L showing a good profit, but there is never any

money in your checking account? Are you always running financial reports, but then quickly file them away after looking at the sales and net profit? Do you want to hire a new employee or make a large business purchase, but you aren’t sure if you can afford it? If so, join presenter Tom Donaldson, Small Business Development Center at the Lansing Regional Chamber Insurance Capital Board Room, located at 500 E. Michigan Ave. Suite 200, for Business Education Series — Profitability by the Numbers. This course will give you the basic tools that you need to know in order to simplify decision making and financial performance. The cost to attend this session is $15/person. Call (517) 853-6463 or visit www.lansingchamber.org.

10 /15

MICROSOFT EXCEL CLASS, EAST LANSING.

Learn all that you need to know to go beyond the basics and become a powerful Excel user. In this course, you will learn how to spend less time on your worksheets, discover the most 40

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

29TH ANNUAL DINNER & AUCTION, EAST LANSING. Join Tri-County Office on Aging for their

29th annual dinner and auction. This year’s event will be held at Eagle Eye Banquet Center, located at 155000 Chandler Road, beginning at 6 p.m. This year’s feature items will include an all-inclusive two night stay at the Grand Hotel courtesy of the Grand Hotel, dinner for two at some of capital area’s finest dining establishments including Stillwater, Capital Prime, Dusty’s Cellar and Red Haven to just name a few. Tickets may be purchased until Oct. 15 for $60/person. Join us and help benefit the Tri-County Office on Aging Meals on Wheels program and other in-home services. Visit www.tcoa.org.

11/18

CONNECTIONS AND COFFEE, LANSING.

The Greater Lansing Business Monthly and the University Club of MSU host Connections and Coffee on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at the University Club. Enjoy a light breakfast, fresh, delicious coffee and the chance to start your morning off right by networking. Event is free, please email virginia@m3group.biz to register.

OCTOBER 2014

10/15

1 1 /6

EC T I NN

NS O

Mark your calendars for this year’s ATHENA WIN Signature Celebration. This is an opportunity to network with current and past ATHENA Award recipients, as well as members of ATHENA WIN. Join keynote speaker 2013 ATHENA Award recipient, Kelly Rossman-McKinney and emcee 2012 ATHENA Award recipient, Stella Cash at this signature event at The University Club of MSU, located at 3435 Forest Road, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Email winmichigan@gmail.com. ATHENA WIN, LANSING.

annual “Strengthening Families” fundraising event at the MSU Kellogg Center in East Lansing on Thursday, Oct. 23. More than 300 businesses and community leaders are expected to attend, and individuals whose lives have changed thanks to Highfields will share their stories. Proceeds from the event will provide counseling and support to families struggling with violence, substance abuse and children’s behavioral issues. Sam Davis, Ingham County Sheriff’s Office, will be the master of ceremonies. The breakfast will take place in the Big Ten Rooms and will run from 8 to 9 a.m. Although there is no charge to attend, donations are welcome. Call (517) 628-2287 or visit www.highfields.org.

Erin Bowdell, Sam Goris, Evan Pinsonnault, Christina Minnis and Stephanie Minott at the 2014 Lady Classic.

STRENGTHENING FAMILIES FUNDRAISER, EAST LANSING. Highfields will host its

PH OTO B Y M I K E FRA NCE

underutilized tools and how to use them, how to customize your toolbar, link worksheets and so much more. This informative course will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. The cost is $139/person. If you are unable to attend this session, you can also take this course on Demand. For more information call (800) 258-7246 or visitwww.nationalseminarstraining.com.

COF

11/19

DINNER & SEMINAR, EAST LANSING . Join

Great Lakes Paralegal Association and Jospeh J. Viviano, an associate attorney with Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C., for the Trusts and Estates Practice Group for a Dinner and Seminar: Basics of Estate Administration. This quarterly opportunity to socialize and network, enjoy a great meal and learn more about how to eliminate uncertainties and maximize value through Estate Planning, takes place at Spartan Hall of Fame, located at 1601 W. Lake Lansing Road. The cash bar will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and the program beginning at 6:45 p.m. The cost to attend is $30/GLPA members and students or $45/ non-members. Seating is limited, so please RSVP by Nov. 10. For more information, email glpa.michigan@gmail.com or visit www. glpa-michigan.org.

What’s so special about the number 27? The 27th state to enter the Union is Florida

27 is the number of bones in the human hand

There are 27 cubies in a Rubik’s cube

There are 27 outs in a regulation baseball game for each team

There are 27 Managers and Senior Managers at Maner Costerisan Our manager to staff ratio isn’t one you would find at most CPA firms. We believe that personal attention is a necessity for both our clients AND our staff. Having a senior manager readily available for guidance and oversight allows us to provide our clients with quality and service beyond compare. At Maner Costerisan, the numbers speak for themselves.

w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

N O TA B L E N E W S

Michigan State University Federal Credit Union is pleased to announce that its new Mason Branch is now open. The branch is located at 1133 S. Cedar St. in Mason and is a full-service location with drive-up tellers and 24-hour ATMs. It also offers a range of services, including mortgages. The branch is 6,500 square feet and is staffed by 12 MSUFCU employees.

card and spend $250 within the first 90 days, $100 cash back on auto loans, 0.25 percent certificate bonuses and a free travel blanket upon opening a new checking account with direct deposit. Complete details about these special offers are available at www.msufcu.org.

To celebrate the grand opening of the branch, MSUFCU will have special offers available to members at all branch locations throughout October. Offers include: $25 or 5,000 points toward a Visa Credit Card when members open a new

ABEM EXPANDS TO MEET PROJECTED GROWTH The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) recently celebrated the completion of a 6,000-square-foot addition to its headquarters building with a ribbon-cutting reception. The building, which is now nearly 20,000 square feet, positions the 35-year-old, East Lansingbased organization to meet anticipated growth through the next 10 to 15 years. Assisting with the ribbon cutting were Alan Goschka, AIA, Bergmann Associates architect; East Lansing Council Member Kathleen Boyle, Mayor Pro Tem Diane Goddeeris and Mayor Nathan Triplett; Earl J. Reisdorff, M.D., ABEM executive director; Tom Dobie, Dobie Construction president; and Joshua Tudor, JPMorgan Chase. ABEM is the national certification board for emergency medicine physicians. ABEM’s classic prairie-style building is located at 3000 Coolidge Road, just north of Lake Lansing Road. More information about ABEM is at www.ABEM.org. MANER COSTERISAN NAMED ONE OF ACCOUNTING TODAY’S BEST ACCOUNTING FIRMS TO WORK FOR

Maner Costerisan was recently named as one of the 2014 Accounting Today’s Best Accounting Firms to Work for. This is the second year in a row Maner Costerisan received this accolade. Accounting Today partnered with Best Companies Group to identify companies that have excelled in creating quality workplaces for employees. This survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best employers in the accounting industry, benefiting the industry’s economy, workforce and businesses. The list is made up of 100 companies. Maner Costerisan is a mid-market accounting and consulting firm located in Lansing. As an Independent Member of the BDO Seidman Alliance, Maner Costerisan has full access to the national and worldwide resources of one of the largest accounting and consulting firms in the world. For more information, visit www.manercpa.com. BERANICH JOINS STEVENS WORLDWIDE VAN LINES Stevens Worldwide Van Lines is pleased to welcome Lisa Beranich as the new managing director of its International Division. In her new role, Beranich is responsible for setting the strategy to

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

OCTOBER 2014

PHOTO B Y A M I I CE M A N

MSUFCU OPENS NEW MASON BRANCH

grow Stevens’ international business and implementing programs to enhance sales to Stevens’ international agency network and to corporate and government accounts. Beranich previously spent time in a leadership role at Washington, DC-based Secor Group, where she increased sales volume and managed operations teams for GSA government moves and U.S. military domestic and international moves. As part of the role, she traveled to over 40 global countries. Beranich also served as director of business development for Colorado-based Graebel Companies, where she worked with C-level executives in the government and corporate sectors to create brand awareness and drive business to the company. “Lisa is a great asset to Stevens Worldwide Van Lines, and we’re very glad she’s here,” said Joe Biskner, president and COO of Stevens Worldwide Van Lines. “We’re working to scale up our global business and make our clients aware of our comprehensive international moving services, and Lisa’s expertise will help us deliver even greater value to those key global markets.”

N O TA B L E N E W S

CATA BOARD APPROVES SERVICE EXPANSION IN DELTA TOWNSHIP

CATAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Board of Directors recently approved an agreement with Delta Township that adds new service to the Township. Delta Redi-Ride is a curb-tocurb demand-response service that will be available throughout Delta Township Monday through Saturday. The general public service enhances both access to jobs for township and urban residents working in the Township as well as mobility services for persons with disabilities. Additional action taken by the Board of Directors authorized the suspension of the Zone 2 fare structure in Delta Township

NINE FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALS EARN MILLION DOLLAR ROUND TABLE MEMBERSHIP Nine financial professionals have earned membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) from the Centennial Group and The Principal Financial Group. Achieving membership in MDRT is a distinguishing career milestone, attained only by those who have demonstrated exceptional professional knowledge, expertise and client service. The Round Tableâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s membership represents the top life insurance and financial service professionals worldwide. The professionals include: Conrad Beeler, Steven Grimes, Steve Handeland, Robert B. Hughes, Reuben Levinsohn, Martin Marino, Ryan Moser, Kirk Sempsrott and Jeffrey VanStrien.

Beeler

Grimes

Handeland

Hughes

Levinsohn

Marino

Moser

Sempsrott

Vanstrien

Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce

www.lansingchamber.org 517.487.6340 || (f) 517.484.6910

ATHENA 2014 awards presentation

w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

N O TA B L E N E W S

effective now. Redi-Ride, Route 3 and Route 12 passengers will now pay $1.25 for a regular fare and 60 cents for the discounted fare. Spec-Tran rides will cost $2.50 each way starting next week. Delta Redi-Ride will operate Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 5

Siena Heights University Offers Master of Arts degrees in: • Clinical Mental Health Counseling • Teacher Education • Organizational Leadership • Higher Education Leadership • Health Care Leadership • Educational Leadership: Principal

p.m. Redi-Ride requires a reservation at least four hours in advance of a ride. Transportation needed before 10:30 a.m. must be reserved by 5 p.m. the day before. Reservations can be made at (517) 394CATA (2282). RICHARD J. AARON JOINS DYKEMA’S LANSING OFFICE

Unleash Your Potential wHat Makes us different…

“My classes are fabulous at Siena Heights University. We learn from our peers and share our experiences with one another. We can bounce ideas off each other and put practical ideas to work right away! If you are considering the Graduate College at Siena Heights University, I would definitely pursue it!

— Jenna Borck Organizational Leadership Student

Specialist of Arts degree in: • Educational Leadership Why Siena? • Courses designed for working adults • Evening and weekend courses • Small class sizes • Individualized academic advising • Blended and online courses

new CliniCal Mental HealtH Counseling PrograM…

“If you want to explore cutting-edge understandings from counseling, neuroscience and spirituality on how to help ALL human beings access mental health regardless of what they have been through or are going through, then Siena’s new Clinical Mental Health Program will be perfect for you. We keep a passionate focus on releasing the resilient spirit in humanity.” — Dr. Linda Pettit, Ed.D, Counseling Psychologist Dean of the Graduate College and Director of Counselor Education

Dykema, a leading national law firm, recently announced the addition of Richard J. Aaron to its Government Policy practice group as a member in the firm’s Lansing office. Prior to joining Dykema, Aaron practiced in the Lansing offices of Warner Norcross & Judd LLP. Aaron focuses his practice on energy, renewable energy, cogeneration, natural gas transportation and storage, negotiation of energy contracts and general business matters. He has advised and represented public utilities and other energy providers before regulatory agencies and state and federal courts on complex litigation matters, including taxes and accounting, rate increase requests, power supply and gas cost recovery, purchase agreements, optimization plans, the defense and prosecution of complaints, and spent nuclear fuel. He also advises clients on easements and rights of way, landfill gas, waste to energy and wind energy generation, power purchase agreements, hydroelectric generation and dam operations, counter party performance and related bankruptcy issues and renewable energy credits. MID-MICHIGAN CHAPTER OF THE RED CROSS ANNOUNCES NEW MAJOR GIFTS OFFICER The American Red Cross announces the appointment of Tonya Frisbey to the position of major gifts officer in the Central and Northern Michigan Region.

Now accepting new students! COntACt US tOdAy!

877.438.1596 or graduatecollege@sienaheights.edu

www.sienaheights.edu/graduate 44

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

OCTOBER 2014

Frisbey, whose hometown is Ithaca, Mich., is a graduate of Alma College and joins the Red Cross with extensive experience in major gifts management. Most recently she was employed in child services with abused and neglected children where she raised the entire operating budget for the organization through major gifts. Prior to that, she was a major gifts officer for Central Michigan University and Northwood University. A mom to four, Frisbey’s passions are distance running and boxing. The Red Cross is committed to ensuring that every community has the capacity and

resources to deliver our mission. Frisbey’s experience and enthusiasm will help to strengthen the goals and commitments the American Red Cross has to serve the community in times of emergency.

FOCUSED LEGAL STRATEGIES FOR YOUR BUSINESS »

INTACCT RECOGNIZES MANER COSTERISAN FOR ACHIEVING PRESIDENT’S CLUB STATUS

» » » »

Employee Benefits Employment Law Entity Selection & Planning Financing Intellectual Property

» » » » » »

International Expansion Real Estate Tax Planning Technology Transactions Other Services

Visit these blogs or subscribe to our newsletters for the latest business content: » » » »

Technology Law Blog - michiganitlaw.com Tax Law Blog - michigantaxblog.com Health Care Law Blog - healthlawyersblog.com Go to the publications section of fosterswift.com to subscribe Learn More: 517.371.8100 | FOSTERSWIFT.COM

Intacct, a leader in cloud financial management and accounting software, recently announced its Partner of the Year

Lansing | Farmington Hills | Grand Rapids | Detroit | Holland

Transforming Lansing ad3.indd 1

8/22/2014 10:19:31 AM

Rare and Well Done

Sensational

Tantalizing Steaks & Fresh Fish Organic Greens & Vegetarian Entrées Private Dining Available Live Music

2324 Showtime Drive Lansing, MI 48912 • capitalprimelansing.com • 517-377-7463 w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

N O TA B L E N E W S

award winners as well as the channel partners that achieved membership in this year’s Intacct President’s Club. These coveted sales and customer satisfaction awards, given annually by Intacct to its top-performing channel partners, recognizes value added resellers (VARs) and accounting firms for their success in helping clients migrate to Intacct’s best-

in-class cloud financial software. Intacct recognized Maner Costerisan, the leading accounting, audit, tax and technology consulting firm in MidMichigan, for achieving President’s Club status. Maner Costerisan was selected for its outstanding practice growth and its commitment to helping clients leverage cloud technologies for greater efficiencies

We’re more than mail

and faster, more reliable access to the key information needed for managing and growing their businesses. The Intacct channel program includes a select group of VARs and accounting firms, including 28 of the Top 100 CPA firms, 21 of the Top 100 VARs in the industry, and three firms on Accounting Today’s list of Technology Pacesetters. Backed by a 5-Star Partner Program and Intacct’s best-in-class cloud financial software, Intacct partners have achieved stellar results over the past year. MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF MUNICIPAL CLERKS ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS

We offer full marketing services including graphic design and print services! After 30 years in Lansing as Presort Services, we have outgrown our name with expanded services. Extend Your Reach is your single source for mailing services AND for integrated marketing services across all platforms. As Extend Your Reach, we can better meet the needs of our customers with innovative ideas and local services that will save you time and money. Our in-house technology can manage your data, customize the look and content using variable data, print and mail all in one facility. For more information, visit our website

ExtendYourReach.com

4908 Contec Dr, Lansing 517.887.2602

We are SOC II Type 2 Audited (SAS 70), HIPAA / HITECH compliant and FDIC regulated.

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

OCTOBER 2014

Members of the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks (MAMC) have elected new officers for 20142015. Chris Swope, City of Lansing Clerk, is the Swope new president of the Board of Directors. Joe Bridgman, Huron Charter Township Deputy Clerk, will serve as 1st vice president and chair of the Council of Election Officials, while Sarah Bydalek, City of Walker Clerk, will chair the Legislative Committee as 2nd vice president. Susanne M. Courtade, East Bay Charter Township Clerk, was elected to the Executive Committee as 3rd vice president, leaving a vacancy in one of four Township Director seats. Also elected to the Board of Directors during the MAMC’s Annual Conference in Grand Rapids were Jeremy Howard, City of Mt. Pleasant Clerk and Mary Clark, Delta Township Clerk. They join Lisa Hathaway, City of Grosse Pointe Woods Clerk, and Jennifer (Christian) Venema, Caledonia Charter Township Clerk, who were re-elected, and three other directors whose two-year terms continue until the next annual membership meeting. Carolyn Boersma, Spring Lake Township Clerk, will serve on the board as immediate past president. The newly seated Board reviewed applications for the vacant Township director seat. Lanie

N O TA B L E N E W S

McManus, Garfield Charter Township Deputy Clerk was appointed by the Board. In accordance with the group’s bylaws, the Board fills vacancies by appointment, with the appointee serving until the next annual membership meeting. ROTARY CLUB OF LANSING ANNOUNCES NEW MEMBERS

In April 2006, following a competitive selection process, Duncan was appointed by the LCC Board of Trustees to serve as the administrative assistant to the board.

award recipient, Duncan will contend for honors from the ACCT on the national level.

Duncan will receive the award, given annually by the ACCT, at the 45th Annual ACCT Leadership Congress in Chicago from Oct. 22-25. As a regional

The Rotary Club of Lansing is proud to welcome two new members, Joseph Garcia, executive director of the Cristo Rey Community Center and Stephen Purchase, vice president of H Inc. Urban Development. The nearly 250 members of the Rotary Club of Lansing are dedicated to a higher standard – Service Above Self. Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. The group’s weekly meetings and guest speakers provide members with insight on leadership, current events and other topics of interest. Membership information can be found at www. lansingrotary.com. LCC STAFF MEMBER RECEIVES AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FROM NATIONAL ORGANIZATION The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) announced that Lansing Community College’s Benita Duncan will receive the 2014 Central Regional Professional Board Staff Member Award for exemplary service to the school. With three campuses across MidMichigan, LCC serves a six-county area with 15 intermediate school districts. LCC expects a student population of more than 18,000 to attend classes in 2014-2015 and is Michigan’s thirdlargest community college. Duncan has been employed by Lansing Community College for more than 21 years. She joined the LCC staff following graduation from Howard University. w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

N O TA B L E N E W S

AWARD NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR 11TH ANNUAL MICHIGAN CELEBRATES SMALL BUSINESS EVENT

MiQuest. “Now is the time for small business advocates to make nominations. We are hoping to find those companies both well hidden and those in plain sight that exemplify innovation and growth in Michigan.”

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2015 Michigan Celebrates Small Business awards program, a prestigious annual competition that recognizes successful growing businesses and their supporters. The winners will be honored at the 11th annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business event on May 7, 2015. Last year, nearly 1,000 people attended the state’s premier awards program to honor the awardees. Nominations for these awards can be made through www.michigancelebrates.biz “Michigan Celebrates Small Business is the premier activity for recognizing the companies that are creating an expansive impact in our state,” says Miche Suboski, managing director of

OLD TOWN COMMERCIAL ASSOCIATION WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

With extensive experience working on cross-functional teams within a large non-profit organization structure and experience in public relations, community engagement, volunteer and staff management and event planning, the OTCA board of directors is excited about what Barrett brings to the table. Barrett will oversee all aspects of the daily functions of the OTCA office and manage the Old Town Main Street Program, paying particular attention to fund development and oversight of the four active OTCA committees.

For more information regarding Michigan Celebrates Small Business contact Miche Suboski of MiQuest, managing partner of Michigan Celebrates Small Business at msuboski@miquest.org or (517) 483-8210.

DENTAL ASSOCIATION EXPANDS LEGISLATIVE STAFF

Lansing resident Megan Barrett recently became the new executive director of the Old Town Commercial Association. Barrett succeeds Louise Gradwhol, the outgoing executive director who has served the OTCA since 2011. Gradwhol leaves the organization to pursue graduate studies in medicine. Her contributions to the organization were many, including program development and increased community awareness.

The Michigan 50 Companies to Watch will also be honored at the awards dinner. Michigan Celebrates Small Business is a partnership of MiQuest (managing partner), the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Edward Lowe Foundation, Small Business Association of Michigan, the Michigan Small Business and Development Center and the Michigan Business Network.

The 5,500 member Michigan Dental Association is expanding its legislative staff and has hired Josh Kluzak of Lansing in the new position of manager of government and insurance affairs.

MSUFCU EMPLOYEES RAISE MORE THAN $44,000 FOR HAVEN HOUSE

Kluzak previously worked as legislative director for State Rep. Gail Haines, who chairs the House Health Policy Committee. Kluzak is a 2011 graduate of Michigan State University and has assisted with numerous political campaigns.

Michigan State University Federal Credit Union is pleased to announce that after a six-month fundraising initiative, Credit Union employees raised more than $44,000 for Haven House, one of this year’s charity partners. To date, this is the largest amount ever raised by the Credit Union’s charity committee. Haven House plans to use the donated funds to upgrade the shelter and relocate the children’s playroom.

The MDA works to educate the public about oral health, promotes the science and art of dentistry, and provides educational materials and services to its 5,500 members, enhancing their ability to provide quality care. For more information, visit www.smilemichigan.com.

In addition to donating money to Haven House, employees also donated their time by volunteering at the shelter throughout the year. Credit Union employees helped out by preparing meals for residents, cleaning and organizing the shelter, gardening and much more.

Kluzak

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

OCTOBER 2014

NS IO

NNECT O

COFFE

BREWING BETTER BUSINESS JOIN US FOR OUR FOURTH QUA RTE R C ON N E CTION S A N D C OF F EE

8 - 9 AM NOVEMBER 18, 2014 FREE

UNIVERSITY CLUB OF MSU 3435 FOREST ROAD LANSING, MI 48910

RSVP or sponsorship inquiries to virginia@m3group.biz

w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

N O TA B L E N E W S

Haven House is a shelter located in East Lansing that provides emergency housing and support for homeless families and helps prepare them for permanent housing by developing and promoting self-sufficiency, stability, and financial responsibility.

Your CMU Center

in East Lansing

Central Michigan University close to home

Earn your CMU degree at our Global Campus Center here in East Lansing. • Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees • Graduate Certificates, too • AACSB accredited MBA degrees in 5 different concentrations - online • The MSA degree (with no GMAT or GRE required) in 11 concentrations (face-to-face, online, or hybrid)

Our degrees are first-rate;

our center has modern classrooms, a student lounge, and our local staff is ready to help from first questions through graduation. Why go anywhere else?

CMU’s Global Campus in East Lansing and Online Call 517-337-8360 or toll-free 877-268-4636 today! cmich.edu/EastLansing Lansing@cmich.edu CMU is an AA/EO institution (see www.cmich.edu/OCRIE). CMUglobal@cmich.edu 40307 9/14

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

OCTOBER 2014

NEW ALLEGRA FACILITY ADDS TO LOCAL BUSINESS PROGRESS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Allegra Marketing • Print • Mail’s new 9,000 square-foot facility in Okemos will help them continue to provide highquality print communications for their customers as well as their associates. Formerly located at 2805 Jolly Road in Okemos, the new facility at 2863 Jolly Road is nearly double the size and offers expanded capabilities. “We believe Allegra can provide better service, faster turnaround and a better overall product to meet the demands of today’s businesses,” said owner Dave Muhleck. “After 20 plus years of commitment and hard work from our team, a vision we initiated five years ago has become a reality.” Muhleck purchased a small, quick print shop 25 years ago. Originally operating out of a 1,500-square-foot facility with two staff members, the business has since grown to a team of 15 professionals. The company has also evolved far beyond just putting ink on paper. Allegra is providing new marketing expertise and resources to help businesses stand out from the competition, reach their market and build market share. This commitment to partnering with their clients has landed Allegra Marketing • Print • Mail of Okemos in the top 10 percent of their franchise system. PARAMOUNT ADDS KEY STAFF POSITIONS

Weyhing

Steven Weyhing was recently named general counsel to Paramount Coffee and Jeff Kolk was recently hired as assistant plant/quality assurance manager.

Weyhing’s legal career has been multifaceted, serving in both the public and

private sectors, in regulatory litigation, environmental, liquor and agricultural law. He has successfully litigated complex regulatory disputes through the highest courts in Michigan and federal judicial systems.

Andrew Abood F o r L C C B o a r d o f Tr u s t e e s LCC Alumnus

The former assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, Weyhing has also been a member of the Lansing offices of several prominent Michigan law firms during his 35-year legal career. He graduated with honors from the University of Michigan Law School in 1979 and serves as a director and advisor for the Lansing-based Todd Martin Youth Leadership Charity.

Kolk

Kolk is the former director of operations at Eastside Deli Supply Inc., where he developed and led the quality assurance, human resources and facilities management

Lifelong Lansing area resident Dedicated to high quality and low costs for students

Vote Nov. 4, 2014

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Andrew Patrick Abood

Design Print

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got you covered.

hello@capital-imaging.com 517.482.2292 capital-imaging.com

Our design and print services cover all your project needs. Professional graphic designers work alongside skilled print technicians every step of the way to ensure a high quality end product. After all, you didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go into business to worry about this, but we did. So, contact us today to get started!

w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

N O TA B L E N E W S

MICHIGAN WOMEN’S HALL OF FAME HONORS 2014 INDUCTEES Eleven women and one man will be honored at the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame Awards Dinner and Induction Ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 30 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing.

Davis

Findlater

Johnson

Krone

The 2014 contemporary honorees: •

Dr. MaryLee Davis of East Lansing.

•

Jeanne Findlater, born in Detroit, now of Naples, Fla.

•

Dorothy A. Johnson of Grand Haven.

•

Julie Krone, born in Eau Claire, Mich., now of Carlsbad, Calif.

•

Barbara Roberts Mason, born in Detroit, now of Dimondale.

•

Marylou Olivarez Mason of Lansing.

•

Andra M. Rush, born in Livonia, now of Howell.

•

Mary Ellen Sheets of East Lansing.

•

Elizabeth Lehman Belen (1886-1975) of Lansing.

•

Sr. Mary Carmelita Manning, RSM (1888-1962) of Detroit.

•

Dr. Lucille Farrier Stickel (1915-2007) of Hillman.

Roberts Mason Olivarez Mason Rush

Belen

departments for the company, which is now in 11 states. He got his start managing retail operations for his family’s bakery in Howell. THE PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP GREAT LAKES BUSINESS CENTER ADDS TWO NEW EMPLOYEES The Principal Financial Group, a global investment management leader offering retirement services, insurance solutions and asset management, recently announced the addition of Matt Kaas

Manning

Stickel

Sheets

Maine

This year’s recipient of the Philip A. Hart Award is Donald W. Maine of Grand Rapids. The 2014 induction ceremony and dinner begins with a reception at 5 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m. and ceremony at 7 p.m. Reservations ($125/person) and information about sponsorships and advertisements is available at www. michiganwomenshalloffame.org or by calling (517) 484-1880 x203.

and Logan Shanks to the Lansing. office of the Great Lakes Business Center.

PLANTE MORAN ANNOUNCES THE ELECTION OF NEW PARTNER

Kaas and Shanks will serve as financial advisors and Princor registered representatives that will work with individuals, business owners and professionals to help build plans and strategies to help ensure more financial success. The Lansing office is located at 511 S. Washington Ave. For more information, visit www.principal.com.

Plante Moran recently elected Margarete Chalker, CPA to the partnership. Based in the firm’s East Lansing office, Chalker is a member of the firm’s financial Chalker services group. A regional tax leader for the group, she focuses her practice on taxation of insurance companies, including property and casualty, health and captives. Chalker joined the firm in 2008 and is one

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

OCTOBER 2014

N O TA B L E N E W S

of 16 team members to be elected partner this year. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants. She is also a member of the Insurance Accounting and Systems Association. Celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2014, Plante Moran (www.plantemoran.com) is one of the country’s largest certified public accounting and business advisory firms, providing clients with tax, audit, risk management, financial, technology, business consulting and wealth management services. LAWYER MATTHEW GREENBERG JOINS MILLER CANFIELD Environmental lawyer Matthew Greenberg has joined Miller Canfield as an associate in the Lansing office. He will assist clients from several industries with all of their complex environmental issues. Greenberg joins Miller Canfield from Environmental Consulting & Technology in Ann Arbor, Mich., where he was senior associate scientist and Brownfield redevelopment specialist. Prior to that, he was in-house counsel and director of environmental services for Mile Rail, LLC, in Kansas City, Mo., a company that provided environmental and railroad services across North America. Greenberg earned his J.D./M.E.L.P. in 2010 from Vermont Law School, and a B.S. in 2000 from Michigan State University. He lives in Ferndale, where he is a board member for the city’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority. PUBLICOM WELCOMES KATHY YAGER AS MEDIA DIRECTOR

talented media executive, Yager brings a thorough understanding of strategic positioning, multichannel media distribution, multicultural advertising and analysis and negotiation techniques to Publicom. Yager, of Royal Oak, earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in communication

at Michigan State University and brings more than two decades of advertising media experience to Publicom’s health care, finance, insurance, education and professional service clients. She has held senior positions at both large and small agencies, working for large, multimillion dollar accounts in quick service restaurant, retail, automotive, industrial

2014

CENTRAL MICHIGAN PURCHASING CONFERENCE

Expand your network and your knowledge. Sponsored by NAPM-Central Michigan,Inc. Topics and guest speakers include: •

Just-In-Time Supply Chains - Linda Buckingham, Executive Director of Supply Chain Management, Sparrow Health System

•

Managing Risk - Dr. Sime Curkovic, Director of the Integrated Supply Management Program, Western Michigan University

•

Global Logistics - Gary Bartek, Director of Cargo and Global Logistics

•

Service Agreement Terms - Kevin M. Stanko, Senior Attorney,

Development, Capital Region Airport Authority

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Join us at the University Club of MSU Wednesday, November 5th & Thursday, November 6th For More Information and a complete schedule of events visit our website: www.napmcm.org Members: $300

Non-Members: $400

Students: $99

Publicom Inc., a fullservice marketing communications firm, has named Kathy Yager as media director. A Yager

w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

N O TA B L E N E W S

and financial markets and has expertise in franchise advertising. Most recently, she was broadcast media director for an agency in Louisville, KY., where she expanded the agency’s service offering by establishing its first national TV planning and buying group. She also established and coordinated the agency’s

quarterly third-party media audits that achieved exceptional ratings. NAPM - CENTRAL MICHIGAN ELECTS NEW BOARD MEMBERS National Association of Purchasing Management – Central Michigan recently

elected Board Members to the following positions: Debbie Twomley of Physicians Health Plan as president, Adam Koenigsknecht of Emergent BioSolutions who is now serving as first vice president, Membership and who will continue on as first VP, Programs; Kristine Gough of Full Spectrum Solutions as treasurer; Lupe Rangel of Accident Fund Holdings, Inc. as secretary; Boyd Shumaker, formally of MSU, as director; and Mike Butchart, formally of Consumers Energy, as director. Originally founded 1922, the NAPM - Central Michigan has served the purchasing and materials management professionals of the Lansing and Jackson areas for over 87 years. The local affiliate is a not-for-profit professional educational association with programs specifically geared for the ever-changing environment of the supply chain professional. MSUFCU INCREASES LOAN GROWTH BY 16.64 PERCENT Michigan State University Federal Credit Union strives to meet its members’ needs by providing low-cost, low monthly payment loans. Whether individuals are looking to buy their first cars or purchase their dream homes, the Credit Union is there to help make members’ dreams a reality. MSUFCU currently offers many different loans and has a consumer loan portfolio of $1.6 billion as of July 31, 2014, which is a 16.64 percent increase from July 31, 2013. The largest growth in loans was through consumer term loans and lines-of-credit loans with a 24.03 percent increase. MSUFCU’s first mortgage real estate loans were the second largest in loan growth, with a 17.02 percent increase over the previous year. MSUFCU offers a variety of loans for members such as mortgage and home equity loans, lines-of-credit, Visa credit cards, fixed-term loans, vehicle loans, and financing options for business account holders. GILLESPIE GROUP CHANGES THE FACE OF MICHIGAN AVENUE

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

OCTOBER 2014

PNC Bank opened a new branch in Lansing recently, joining Altu’s Ethiopian Cuisine and Gillespie Group in re-energizing Michigan Avenue.

DID YOU KNOW

Bringing young professionals as well as a mix of undergraduate, graduate and international students together, Midtown is already creating a new style of community in East Lansing.

Exit and succession planning and consulting is available now! Discuss specific goals, current obstacles and devise an action plan to secure your transition.

With the residents of Midtown and traffic from PNC’s customers, Michigan Avenue is transforming from a bridge between two downtowns.

75% of all business owners ready to retire don’t have a plan?

Is my company ready to be sold?

• Am I ready for the next phase in my life? • What is my company worth? • Do I have the right team to assist with this transition? The initial meeting is free.

Construction started on the plaza in March 2014 and was completed in early July.

Take charge of your own legacy. Call or visit our website today! 120 N. Washington, Suite 805 Lansing, MI 48933 P: 517.853.2570 I F: 517.482.9006

For more information on Midtown and other Gillespie Group properties, visit www.gillespie-group.com.

www.theexecutiveinfluence.com

Ownership. Pride. Responsibility.

Your job. Done right. We’re professionals — and it shows in everything we do. BRDPrinting.com

tel 517.372.0268

Seamless, secure project facilitation. From pre-press/graphic design and printing, to bindery and mailing — your project is in-house and under control. fax 517.372.4922

912 West St. Joseph, Lansing, MI 48915

w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

N O TA B L E N E W S

Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation (Requester Publications Only) 1. Publication Title: The Greater Lansing Business Monthly 2. Publication Number: 020-807 3. Date of Filing: September 9, 2014 4. Issue Frequency: Monthly 5. Number of Issues Published Annually: 12 6. Annual Subscription Fee: $22 7. Mailing Address of Publication Office: 614 Seymour Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933, Ingham County, Jaime Hardesty, 517-203-3333 8. Mailing Address of Publishers Headquarters: 614 Seymour Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933, Ingham County 9. Names and addresses of Publisher, Editor and Managing Editor: Publisher: Tiffany Dowling, 614 Seymour Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933; Editor: Emily Caswell, 614 Seymour Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933; Managing Editor: Emily Caswell, 614 Seymour Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933 10. Owner: Tiffany Dowling, The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, 614 Seymour Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933 11. Known bondholders, mortgages, and other security holders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities: None 12. Tax Status: 13. Publication Title: The Greater Lansing Business Monthly 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: October 2014 15a. Extent and Nature of Circulation, Average Number of Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: a. Total Number of Copies: 7500 b. Legitimate Paid and/or Requested Distribution:

1. Outside County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions stated on Form 3541: 6920

2. In-County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions stated on Form 3541: 0

3. Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid/Requested

Distribution Outside USPS: 0 4. Requested Copies Distributed by Other Mail Classes Through the USPS: 0

c. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation: 6920

d. Non-requested Distribution:

1. Outside County Non-requested Copies stated on Form 3541: 0

2. In-County Non-requested Copies stated on Form 3541: 0

3. Non-requested Copies Distributed Through the USPS by Other Classes of Mail: 0

4. Non-requested Copies Distributed Outside the Mail: 333

e. Total Non-requested Distribution: 333

f. Total Distribution: 7253

g. Copies not Distributed: 247

h. Total: 7500

i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation: 95%

15b. Extent and Nature of Circulation, Number of Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filling Date:

a. Total Number of Copies: 7500

b. Legitimate Paid and/or Requested Distribution:

1. Outside County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions stated on Form 3541: 6942

2. In-County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions stated on Form 3541: 0

3. Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid/Requested

Distribution Outside USPS: 0 4. Requested Copies Distributed by Other Mail Classes Through the USPS: 0

c. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation: 6942

d. Non-requested Distribution:

1. Outside County Non-requested Copies stated on Form 3541: 0

2. In-County Non-requested Copies stated on Form 3541: 0

3. Non-requested Copies Distributed Through the USPS by Other Classes of Mail: 0

4. Non-requested Copies Distributed Outside the Mail: 333

e. Total Non-requested Distribution: 333

f. Total Distribution: 7275

g. Copies not Distributed: 225

h. Total: 8000

i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation: 95%

16. Total Circulation Includes Electronic Copies. 0 17. Publication of Statement of Ownership for a Requester Publication is required and will be printed in the October 2014 issue of this publication. 18. I Tiffany Dowling, Publisher; certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. Signed and dated September 9, 2014.

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

OCTOBER 2014

Clark Corners Located on Clark Road at the US-127/I-69 interchange. Up to 30,000 sf available, flexible configurations. Great location, visible from the highway. Adjacent land available. Northwind Office Park Located on Northwind Drive off Grand River Avenue in East Lansing. Within walking distance to MSU campus. Plenty of free parking.

Southwind Office Park Located at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and W. Holmes Road. Convenient location with easy access to expressways and Downtown Lansing.

Marketplace Office Park Located off Marketplace Boulevard, just south of Saginaw Highway, near the I-69 interchange. Close to restaurants, hotels and shopping— including Wal-Mart, Lowe’s, Furniture Row and Menards. Adjacent land available.

View all of our available properties at:

eyde.com

•George Eyde •Sam Eyde •Nick Eyde •Nathaniel Eyde •Jim Rundell •Shirley Hyde •Matt Eyde

EYDE COMPANY 517-351-2480

eyde.com w w w

a n s i n g

s i n e s s

w s

c o m

Greater Lansing MarketView H1 2014

CBRE Global Research and Consulting

OFFICE Vacancy

Lease Rates

RETAIL

New Construction

Vacancy

Lease Rates

New Construction

INDUSTRIAL CBRE Lease Rates

Vacancy

CBRE|MARTIN KNOWS LANSING

New Construction

Behind every good real estate decision is solid information. At CBRE, our clients rely upon the quality of our research, and we work tirelessly to ensure its dependability. Our recently released local MarketViews deliver in-depth analysis on the ofďŹ ce, industrial and retail sectors, with up-to-date information on vacancy and availability, average lease rates and construction activity. The best part? We like to share what we know. Visit www.cbrelansing.com today to download our latest reports and sign up to have future reports delivered to you!

1111 Michigan Avenue, Suite 201 | East Lansing, MI 48823 +1 517 351 2200 | www.cbrelansing.com 58

Part of the CBRE afďŹ liate network

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

Part of the CBRE affiliate network

OCTOBER 2014