Issue 13, July 2013

ISSUE #13 JULY 2013 |

Photo by Elizabeth Means

Success Through MTEC SmartZone’s SmartStart Program

| Inside This Issue: New and Returning Members

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MTEC SmartZone, whose goal is to increase employment, wealth, and recognition for the Upper Peninsula through entrepreneurism and hightech business acceleration, has had a hand in the creation of several new jobs through start-up businesses in the past couple weeks. The SmartStart entrepreneurial training program has played a key role.

The program provides mentoring and coaching assistance as well as access to office space and workshops. The collaborative process allows entrepreneurs to discover the operations, funding and marketing needed to launch and grow a business.

Board of Directors

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Business After Hours

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Egg & Issues

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Chamber Golf Outing

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AYA Tounament

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Afternoon On The Town

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Two start-up ventures, Early Spring Productions, LLC and LeClaire Surveying Services, LLC are the newest tenants of Jutila Center business incubator, and combined, they’ve created five new jobs in Hancock. Both companies opened offices in Jutila Center after successfully completing MTEC SmartZone’s SmartStart program, which is required to become an incubator tenant.

Pine Mountain Music Festival

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Canal Run

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KNHP Grant

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Business Consulting

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Great Serveice, Great Selling

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Web Conferenceing

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MI Chamber On Medicaid

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Business and Event Calendar

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Another growing MTEC SmartZone start-up, QTEK, LLC, received the “New Business Idea” award during the Statewide Business Plan Competition Award Ceremony. The event was hosted by Great Lakes Entrepreneur’s Quest (GLEQ), a support organization that assists entrepreneurs in starting, developing or accelerating high-growth businesses. QTEK was among 300 entrepreneurs who entered the competition. They placed third in the New Business Idea category, winning $1,000.

More information about MTEC SmartZone, their programs, or their startup ventures can be found on their website at www.mtecsz.com.

| Our Superior Partners. Thank You!

Proud Member of:

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KEWEENAW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWSLETTER

Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome our newest members and to recognize the dedication of our renewed members!

Board Of Directors

Welcome New Leadership Partner

Welcome Back Returning Members

Brent Burns, Vice President Director of Corporate Partnerships, Michigan Technological University bburns@mtu.edu

Michigan Technological University 1400 Townsend Drive Houghton, MI 49931 906.487.1885 www.mtu.edu

Century 21/North Country Agency

Greg Seppanen, Treasurer Assistant Vice President / Trust, Superior National Bank gseppanen@snb-t.com

Welcome New Community Partner Chickadees 514 Shelden Avenue Houghton, MI 49931 906.523.5363 www.chickadees.biz hm@monkbiz.com

Down Wind Sports Fred Gaff and Associate Goodwill Industries of Northern WI and Upper MI, Inc. Workforce Development Houghton Super 8 Keweenaw Petroleum Services Knights of Columbus Council #0692 Parkview Lodge and Grill Pisani Company Sherwin Williams Superior Screed Service Swift True Value Hardware The Bluffs of Arcadia U.P Oil Company Wells Fargo Western UP Planning and Development Region

Johanna Davis, President Owner, Spirit of the North Wellness Center johanna@spiritofthenorthwellness.com

Karyn Olsson, Secretary Chief Marketing Officer, Marketing Department Inc. karyno@marketingdepartmentinc.com Duane Aho Corporate Relations, Finlandia University duane.aho@finlandia.edu Lisa Dunnebacke Associate Member ladunneb@mtu.edu Michael Scott Publisher, Daily Mining Gazette mscott@mininggazette.com Matt Thyer Owner, Up and Running Technology Solutions matt.thyer@uartechsolutions.com Glen Tolksdorf Owner, Tolksdorf Realty and Forestry Tolksdorf@tolksdorfrealty.com

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KEWEENAW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWSLETTER

Business After Hours Hosted by InSight EyeCare InSight EyeCare hosted a Business After Hours event on June 26th at their new location on LPM Drive in Calumet. Both Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Kesti took guests on tours. InSight EyeCare has doubled their office space, integrating new diagnostic equipment, and adding two more exam rooms and wheelchair accessibility.

Thanks to Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Kesti for hosting the event and thanks to everyone that made it out!

While all Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce events provide members the opportunity to network, Business After Hours is specifically designed to provide an ongoing platform for members to meet and make meaningful connections with other members and associates in relaxed, social settings after work. For more information call 906.482.5240.

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Our Progress: Putting it all together to help you live happier, healthier lives.

Regional System Strength

Healthcare Excellence

Aspirus Keweenaw commits every day to ensuring the patient experience is the very best it can be Bringing excellent cancer care to the entire western Upper Peninsula

With over 1,100 employees, Aspirus brings $94 million in salaries, wages, benefits and business operations to the western Upper Peninsula

Dr. Ghanem

More than $20 million is planned in facility and technology improvements in the next three years alone

Introduced water birth as a holistic and natural birthing option

Dr. Hafeman

Dr. Pherson

Aspirus shares talent and resources across our system to counter the rising costs of health care

Dr. Rau

“As the area’s leading advocate for non-profit health care, we reinvest every margin dollar back into the organization to improve facilities, services and staff.”

Innovative, first-in-the-U.P. orthopedic surgeries, plus 24/7 emergency coverage

Bringing highly specialized providers in areas such as oncology, cardiology and orthopedics, offering advanced levels of care closer to home

Chuck Nelson

U.P. Regional Chief Executive Officer

Aspirus operates the region’s top-rated 24/7 MedEvac for critically ill and injured individuals

www.aspiruskeweenaw.org

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KEWEENAW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWSLETTER

Our five Pillars of Excellence guide our organizational strength and performance in the community

Eggus& s Iss e E

ON PART

SPOTLIGHT ON

HEALTHCARE REFORM

THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT: HOW WILL IT AFFECT YOUR BUSINESS? with special guest speaker

Brett Williams Michigan Consumers For Healthcare Coalition Thursday, August 8th, 2013 8:00 am - 10:00 am Shelden Grill, Houghton What Is The Health Insurance Marketplace? What Is The Small Business Health Options Program?

What Do Small Businesses Need To Know? What About Self-Employment? What Are The Business Tax Credits & Penalties? What Do Businesses With Over 50 Employees Need To Know?

Join us for breakfast to answer these questions and many more!

Extended Two-hour Event Please RSVP at 906.482.5240 or email info@keweenaw.org

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15th Annual Golf Outing Wednesday, September 11th, 2013 Portage Lake Golf Course Rain Date: September 18th, 2013

Contests, Cash, & Prizes

Sponsorships

Hole in One – Chance to Win $10,000 Cash!

Par Sponsor – $100

Contests – Closest to the Pins, Longest Putt, Longest Drive, Double Your Money and Have The Pro Tee Your Shot Don’t forget Raffle Tickets to win great prizes! Available All Day! $5 each or five for $20

Food & Refreshments Lunch and drinks on the patio

Register Today Chamber Member Team – $280 unless an Eagle Sponsor

Non-Chamber Member Team – $300 Skins – $20 per team Mulligans – $10 per team, 2 per player unless an Eagle Sponsor

Special recognition at the event Signage at 1 hole Listed on all materials given to players

Birdie Sponsor – $350 Beverage sponsor for the days event! (only 2 available) Special recognition and an introduction at the event Your business name and logo on 144 drink tickets Newsletter recognition of your sponsorship

EagleSponsor – $600 Registration for 1 foursome at event Mulligans (2 per player) 2 carts Special recognition and introduction at the event Opportunity to talk about your business.

Sponsor signage at the entrance/exit of course Hole sponsorship Listed on all materials given to players Newsletter recognition of your sponsorship Your product with logo put into all swag bags (you must provide 144 pieces)

Call 906.482.5240 or email info@keweenaw.org to register.

Can’t make it for a day of golf?

Join us from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm for a Chamber hosted Business After Hours event following the Golf Tournament.

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KEWEENAW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWSLETTER

Portage Lake Angler Young Angler Tournament Sponsors Needed After a successful tournament in 2012, which brought anglers from as far away as Minneapolis, the Copper Country Walleye Association is once again partnering with Lund Boats and Iron Mountain/ Houghton Power Sports to bring an exciting opportunity to local youth anglers this summer. Angler Young Angler (http://www.lundboats.com/experience/ayatournaments) is an international series of tournaments targeted at promoting youth fishing throughout the United States and Canada.

Teams composed of one adult and 1-2 youth anglers (age 17 and under) will be competing on Portage Lake on July 27th, 2013. The winning team will receive a 12’ boat motor and trailer package and an invitation to the AYA international championship to be held in Kenora Ontario in August. The winning team of the Kenora championship will receive a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida.

There are numerous other tournament prizes and door prizes for the participants in the local tournament and the international championship.

for purchasing door prizes that will help make the event a great and memorable experience for all participants. All sponsors will be recognized for their contributions to the event. Sponsors at the levels below will receive additional recognition commensurate with the level of their contribution.

Promotional activities for the tournament include participating in various local parades and other displays around town where possible. Sponsors will be recognized in these events in addition to at the tournament event and related PR activities.

Premier Sponsor - $1,000 • Headline sponsor recognition on all tournament promotion materials • Individual logo display at tournament meeting and weigh-in • Free tournament entry or sponsorship of individual team.

Platinum Sponsor – $500 • Logo listed under platinum sponsor heading on registration forms and event promotional materials.

• Large logo display at tournament and promotional events.

• Free tournament entry or sponsorship of individual team.

Gold Sponsor – $250 • Logo listed under gold sponsor heading on registration forms and event promotional materials.

• Collective logo display at tournament meeting and weigh-in (all gold sponsors on one sign).

We are currently seeking sponsorships to make this tournament the best it can be and to provide an opportunity for exposure to local businesses. The tournament planning committee has established sponsorship levels as below. If you are interested in competing or know someone who might be please fill out the registration form or find more information on our website at ccwalleyes.com.

Silver Sponsor – $100 • Logo listed under silver sponsor heading on registration forms and event promotional materials.

Thank you for considering an investment in sponsoring this tournament. Checks can be written out to the “Portage Lake Enrichment Fund/CCWA”, mailed to CCWA at P.O. Box 451 Houghton, MI 49931, or delivered to any CCWA Board Member (listing at www.ccwalleye.com).

Member News guidelines: • Anyone can sign up to receive the Chamber Update newsletter.

• Inclusion in the newsletter is exclusive to members.

Join today to receive this benefit.

• If your member company has news to share, email your press release to Elizabeth Means at: elizabeth@ keweenaw.org.

Portage Lake Angler Young Angler Tournament Sponsorship Levels NOTE: Sponsorship through donation of door prizes or cash at any level is welcomed and encouraged. Sponsor funds will be used to offset costs for running the event and

Want to have your own Member News article or upcoming event included?

For more information on becoming a member visit www. keweenaw.org or call 906.482.5240.

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All area businesses and non-profit organizations are invited to An Afternoon on the Town on Saturday, August 31, 2013 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Come prepared with information, materials, offers, deals, and handouts to let the college students know you are interested in their patronage.

In order to participate, please register online at www. studentactivities.mtu.edu. Payment confirmation (if applicable) and an event reminder will be sent out one week prior to the event.

Requests, Requirements, Recommendations:

• There is no registration fee.

• No alcohol promotions or alcohol advertisements please.

• Handouts, raffles, coupons, etc., are encouraged. It is ok to collect contact and mailing list information.

• You are asked to please refrain from selling any type of food or merchandise at your table.

• If you would like to provide food samples please refer

If you are a business or service located in downtown Houghton, this is what you need to know:

• You are encouraged to set up a table or have

promotional materials outside your place of business.

• Although you already have a location, please register your business so that we can add you to our walking map.

If you are a business or service NOT located in downtown Houghton, this is what you need to know:

• We will designate a location for you to set up along our walking path.

• Reserve a table and chair(s) if you will not be bringing your own. (See registration form for pricing.)

Questions? Please contact Student Activities at activities@ mtu.edu or call 906-487-1963. See you at An Afternoon on the Town!

Registration opens on Monday, July 1 at 8:00 AM.

to this website for permits, rules and regulations set forth by the Health Department: http://www.wupdhd.org/ download-forms/

• Please remember to respect noise ordinances.

• Each business is responsible for cleaning up their space after the event.

• Tables and chairs will be delivered to your designated location approximately 1 hour before start of event.

• The registration deadline is Monday, August 12, 2013 at 5:00 PM.

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KEWEENAW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWSLETTER

Pine Mountain Music Festival presents The Common Ground Interested In Baroque Ensemble Getting Involved?

Pine Mountain Music Festival presents UPstarts! Concert Pine Mountain Music Festival presents UPstarts! on July 11, 7:30 PM, at the Portage Lake United Church, Houghton. This concert showcases up-and-coming musicians from the Upper Peninsula, in a program featuring music by Vivaldi, Gallon, Platti, and Field.

Tickets are $15 and are available at the door.

We present, for the second year in a row, a group of artists born and raised in the Upper Peninsula. Danielle Teter, soprano, from Chassell and Tory Wood, soprano, from Escanaba are the featured vocalists. Joining them will be Anthony Barrette, saxophone, from Negaunee, Kaylee Whitfield, bassoon, from Marquette, and Susan Byykkonen, piano, from Calumet.

These sensational musicians offer a thrilling concert of music familiar and new. We believe it is vital to support the professional ambitions of our own musicians and are proud to offer these concerts in pursuit of this goal.

These concerts give the artists important experience on the concert stage and give you, our audiences, a chance to experience the level of talent that comes from our communities. It is vital that we support these talented musicians as they are the future of classical music.

We encourage you to get to know them as they are first rate musicians with bright futures ahead of them!

Pine Mountain Music Festival presents The Common Ground Baroque Ensemble on July 13, 7:30pm, at Portage Lake United Church, Houghton. This muchanticipated new concert is a trio of fine Baroque instrumentalists on the cello, violin, and theorbo, who will play time-tested Spanish, Italian, and French music.

The Common Ground Baroque Ensemble, a group of musicians with international lives and local roots, formed in the summer of 2012. They perform music from the 17th and early 18th centuries, a time before there was any concept of “classical music”, and when the common roots of art-, folk-, and popular music were unmistakable.

Violinist Edith Hines is based in Madison, Wisconsin, where she leads a busy life as performer, teacher, editor, and director. Cellist Kate Haynes can be heard in various cities throughout North America and Europe, as well as on the shores of Lake Superior in the U.P., where her family has lived for four generations.

English lutenist Matthew Wadsworth has released six critically acclaimed CDs on a variety of guitar-like instruments, of which his favorite is a 7-foot-long lute called a theorbo.

The program features music from along the Mediterranean – Spain, Italy, and Turkey. The Spanish dance, “La Chacona” by Juan Arañés, is an account of a wild party on the island of Chacona. It will be followed by the French version of the dance, “Suite from the Saizenay Manuscript” by Robert de Visee. The concert also features “Violin Sonata Op. 5 #12, La

The Chamber is the heart of business advocacy and economic development in the Keweenaw and as such we are working harder than ever for this peninsula we love. It is an incredibly exciting time as we bring our efforts into focus on supporting, attracting, and developing businesses like yours!

For more information on the benefits of a Chamber membership visit our website at www.keweenaw.org or call our office at 906.482.5240 to see how we can help your business launch, grow, and achieve its full potential.

Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce 902 College Avenue, P.O. Box 336 Houghton, MI 49931 p. (906) 482.5240 f. (906) 482.5241 e. info@keweenaw.org www.keweenaw.org www.facebook.com/ Keweenaw.Chamber KEWEENAW.ORG

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Follia” by Arcangelo Corelli and the Italian “Cello Sonata V” by Antonio Vivaldi.

Tickets are $20, $10 for students, and are available at Michigan Tech Ticketing Services (located in the Student Development Complex on MacInnes Drive, Houghton) by calling 1-877-746-3999 (toll free) or 487-2073 (local), and at the door.

Pine Mountain Music Festival produces superb classical music in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Each June and July the Festival presents a season of classical music in Dickinson County, Marquette County, the Keweenaw Peninsula, and in other communities in the central and western Upper Peninsula and northeast Wisconsin. Visit www.pmmf. org for season details or call 888-309-7861 for more information.

2013 Canal Run Local Business Promotional Opportunity & Volunteers Needed The Canal Run began in 1975 and is the premier running and walking event in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula.

The Canal Run follows the Portage Lake Shipping Canal along Highway M-203 in Hancock, Michigan. The event includes a 5-mile run, 5-mile walk, 10-mile run, 10-mile walk and, in case you haven’t heard - we will be adding a 1/2 Marathon! All five events finish in downtown Hancock between FirstMerit Bank and Quincy Green. That means we now have 5 events to choose from: 1/2 Marathon, 10 Mile Run, 5 Mile Run, 10 Mile Walk, and a 5 Mile Walk.

The Canal Run Race Committee is looking for any local businesses interested in putting items in the 2013 Canal Run participant swag bags. These items could be anything from gift certificates, promotional items, coupons, or any items that would get participants to shop locally.

If you would like to participate please contact info@ hancockcanalrun.com.

We are also in need of over 100 volunteers to make this event successful. Please consider volunteering for one of our many positions - traffic controllers, back-up timers, bag attendants, course set-up, clean up crew, dechipper, dispenser, kids dash assistance, registration, result printer, road crossing patrol, sweeps and water stop volunteers. There are volunteer shifts for July 19 and 20.

Please complete the form at www.hancockcanalrun.com/ volunteer.php and our Volunteer Coordinator, Jake, will get back to you shortly.

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Keweenaw National Historical Park Receives 2013 America’s Best Idea Grant From The National Park Foundation Keweenaw National Historical Park (NHP) is one of 34 national parks across the country selected to receive a 2013 America’s Best Idea grant from the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks. Inspired by the critically acclaimed Ken Burns’ documentary “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea”, the America’s Best Idea program funds park activities designed to connect diverse, underserved and underengaged populations throughout the United States with their national parks in innovative and meaningful ways.

“One of the great things about our national parks is that every American can relate to these treasured places if given the chance to experience them,” said Jonathan B. Jarvis, Director of the National Park Service. “It’s our mission to engage visitors from all backgrounds in the diverse stories that we tell in our national parks. Thanks to the support of the National Park Foundation, we can propel that outreach, and engage new audiences that would otherwise never have the opportunity to experience a national park.”

“The America’s Best Idea program gives people – particularly youth – incredible opportunities to connect to our national parks through unique and innovative ways,” said Neil Mulholland, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation. “From experiences that center on history, the environment and even adventure, we are able to capture the imagination of a new generation of parkgoers in ways that benefit their lives and the future of the parks.”

Project SISU is a local program designed to bring cultural awareness and pride to local Calumet middle school youth. Throughout the summer and fall, with the leadership of National Park Service staff and volunteers at Keweenaw NHP, the kids are visiting historical sites, volunteering at local festivals and events, and gathering information and photos. By the conclusion of Project SISU, the kids are to create a youth-focused activity map that directs local and visiting youth and families to interesting and fun places throughout the Keweenaw Peninsula.

For many of the kids, this is their first time visiting some of these sites and their enthusiasm is contagious. While the park is thrilled to have received this grant and connect with area youth, it’s even more exciting to see the kids develop an appreciation for the area.

KEWEENAW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWSLETTER

For a full listing of participating parks and program descriptions, please visit the National Park Foundation website (www.nationalparks.org/our-work/programs/ americas-best-idea).

The National Park Foundation wishes to thank L.L. Bean (www.llbean.com), the Anschutz Family Foundation (www.anschutzfamilyfoundation.org), and The Ahmanson Foundation (www.theahmansonfoundation.org) for their generous support of the America’s Best Idea program.

For more information on the National Park Foundation or how you can support and protect America’s national parks, please visit www.nationalparks.org. For more information about the National Park Service, please visit www.nps.gov.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 401 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION The National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, raises private funds that directly aid, support and enrich America’s more than 400 national parks and their programs. Chartered by Congress as the nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation plays a critical role in conservation and preservation efforts, establishing national parks as powerful learning environments, and giving all audiences an equal and abundant opportunity to experience, enjoy and support America’s treasured places at www. nationalparks.org.

Free Business Consulting at The Jutila Center for Global Design and Business The Finlandia University Jutila Center for Global Design and Business, Hancock, will offer free business consulting with Roger Woods of Homer Productivity Business Counseling on July 10, and July 25, 2013.

To schedule an appointment, please contact Liz Baumann at 906-487-7339 or liz.baumann@finladia.edu.

Tip #365 - Great Service, Great Selling

by Bob and Susan Negan of WhizBang! Training Dear Tip of the Weeker, This week’s Tip is a story from Jack Daly. Jack is a sales guru and exciting public speaker. He primarily focuses on corporate sales, but his ideas certainly apply to the world of retail. If you ever have the chance to go to one of his seminars, take it.

This story, about a bike store, is from Jack’s monthly newsletter,The Daly News. It is a perfect example of what we are always preaching at you, “great selling is great customer service” and I guess also the reverse... “great customer service is great selling!”

More and more companies and sales people are complaining about a drop-off in their sales levels. Whether this is occurring at the CEO level, the Sales Manager level or the Sales person level, the dialogue sounds “scary similar.” Lots of chatter about how difficult things are and how hard people are working.Yet, little seeming to show for the efforts.

Today’s economy demands that we work harder for business and sales. BUT, and this I believe is key, today’s economy demands that we work SMARTER as well.

If your efforts have proven to show little return on investment, then it’s time to question whether you are making the correct investments. Are you calling on the right prospects/customers? Are you calling on them in the best way? What are you calling on them with? Whose agenda is the priority? Is the agenda yours or theirs?

In answering the question “What’s in it for me?” are you the “me” or is the prospect the “me?” (Clue-it should be the prospect. Make it about the prospect and the fruits will flow to you). Focus your “selling” on high-payoff activities, with the priority on the client’s/prospect’s needs, not yours.

Let’s go with a real-life example/story.

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Is getting there half the battle?

We’ll help you get home with a River Valley mortgage

As many of you know, about 4 years ago I entered the world of triathlon racing (OUCH, that’s me after a serious bike crash last month where I broke my clavicle amongst lots of body bruises, and a smashed bike as well).

Now, the world of road bikes is certainly a world of discretionary buying, not a necessity. And, in a “depressed” or “recessed” economy, this would be a business one would expect to be “hurting.”

Some perspective for those not up to speed on the investments in such a sport is probably appropriate.

A decent racing road bike is probably about $4,000$5,000 fitted out. One can then invest more in computer technology, advanced racing wheels, and a myriad of accessories. In other words, not an inexpensive sport, and again, not a necessity like “food and shelter.” So, in today’s economic times, one could reasonably expect that business to be off, or “hurting.”

Building Financial Relationships since 1967

The bike shop I rely on is Edge Cyclesports in Laguna Woods, CA. I came to the owner, Hank, clueless as to what I needed and how it all worked. The Edge team took the time and care to educate me and never did I feel they were trying to “sell” me. Note, I had been to a number of bike shops prior to my going to Edge, but felt more like a “number” and someone they were just trying to “sell” something to (What something? Heck, anything, they just needed to sell!) What the Edge team seemed to be was in the education business, trying to help people better understand the biking world and the triathlon sport overall.

So here I am a neophyte, the proverbial lamb ready for slaughter. Instead of channeling me toward that visually spectacular tri racing bike, they instead recommended an entry level road bike that would get the job done until I could see if the sport was for me (and, with 2 bike crashes in the past 7 months, I’m beginning to wonder!)

Well, that deal went down at a price 70% LESS than I was prepared to pay. Happy Customer! Next, I do some riding, enter a few races, and a year later, I am hooked on the sport and am ready for a bike upgrade. Let’s see, where should I go? Do you really think there is a question? No haggling, just suit me up with that fine looking state-oftheart racing bike! Out I go into the triathlon race world, getting better all the time.

From time to time, I stop by the Edge shop, picking up accessories (hey, the bigger, impersonal bike shops have the accessories for less money, but I don’t give it a thought). Now, I’m really looking to improve my race performance times, and several competitors are touting the merits of racing wheels (best of class are the Zipps, at an attention getting $2,500 for a set of two wheels!) Just

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KEWEENAW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWSLETTER

makes sense and I go get them at the Edge from owner Hank.

In speaking with Hank, he asks me a ton of questions about my riding times and capabilities and his recommendation is at the Performance/speed levels I turn in, the wheels will not give me much benefit. (Folks, here I am, ready to fork over $2,500 and the “sales person/ owner” is telling me to keep my money as it’s not my best investment). How’s that for creating trust? Selling is the transfer of trust. People do business with people they trust.

What are you doing to create trust with your prospects and customers?

I had a couple races and lost my computer tracking device for speed and cadence, so in I went to Hank and asked for his recommendation. Without hesitation, Hank said the best solution, AND where I would reap a big improvement in my cycling performance would be something called the Powertap (which measures power expended amongst a number of things). I said “Let’s do it,” never even considering to ask “How much?” So, I pick up the bike with the new Powertap, which requires a special new bike wheel, and comes in at about $1,200. Imagine, you can buy a computer for your bike for $30 and here I am here, with no questions asked. How’s that for “selling?”

Disappointing to me, I’ve crashed and smashed that fine racing machine twice in 7 months, and the Edge team has repaired it on both occasions, ringing up more thousands in sales. My most recent trip to the Edge, I wanted Hank to look at the fit of the bike but had conflicts all over getting in the shop.

So, Hank said come in 2 hours before the store opened, he met me there, made a ton of adjustments to my bike, my shoes, and instructions on the Powertap. When I asked Hank what I owed him, he said “just go out and enjoy the sport,” he was glad to see me back at it. Is this service? Or, is this selling? You decide.

All of this prompted me to ask Hank how the Edge was faring in this “down” economy. Wanna guess his response? In this economy, dealing in a business that is totally discretionary, operating at price points generally higher than the competition, his business is thriving. What Hank and the Edge has built is not a bike sales and repair business. Edge has built a Customer Loyalty and referral business. No need for advertising. No need for special sales, coupons and discounts. Just plain old caring about your customers, helping them in the best ways possible, and letting the rest take care of itself.

Go back and re-read the story. Can you identify the “High

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Payoff” activities? Quit doing what hasn’t been working for you. Quit doing what most of your competitors are doing and trying to match that. Quit challenging your competitors to see who can sell at the lowest price. Quit trying to sell people things, and start helping them with their needs, opportunities and problems.

Google+ Hangouts enables users to chat face to face with free voice calls and large, clear video.

In addition to the ability to chatting face to face, Google+ Hangouts enables you to host a meeting, share documents via Google Docs, and collaborate - all on the web, for free. The only thing you need is a Google account, a webcam, and a microphone.

That’s the key to succeeding in any economic environment!

P.S. Four years ago I didn’t know Hank and the Edge team. Then, they became my bike store. Today, they are my friends, and like so many other of their loyal fans, I recommend them to as many folks that I can. Go reap those rewards and get your “selling” priorities straight.

To sign up for WhizBang! Training Tips visit www.whizbangtraining.com.

Web Conferencing Ideas via Designotype Printers@Work It is likely that many of the meetings you attend this year won’t take place in a conference room, but rather in front of a computer screen. Online meetings provide convenience and affordability for team collaboration, sharing documents, online trainings, etc. Here are a few examples of online meeting services worth checking out: Join.me can bring up to 250 viewers into the same room, share your screen with them, chat, send files around to your attendees, and incorporate iOS and Android apps for remote viewing. Join.me Pro enables you to make another attendee the presenter so they can share their screen, and gives you ability to pre-schedule and lock meetings.

AnyMeeting is a Web Conferencing & Webinar Service that enables you to host any online meeting, web conference, or webinar with no time limits or restrictions.

Cisco WebEx provides an easy to use online meeting service that enables you to share screens, pass the presenter roll, and even chat face to face in minutes, and much more.

GoToMeeting enables users to host online meetings, collaborate on documents, and share desktops and screens, as well as desktop sharing, HD video conferencing, and mobile apps.

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MeetingBurner is a fast and simple online meeting platform that is built in the cloud (with multiple redundancies) to compete with the big boys on features, speed, and reliability.

TeamViewer provides an easy way to troubleshoot remote computers, and also enables screen sharing, chatting, collaborating on documents, and meeting scheduling.

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Michigan Chamber Of Commerce Applauds House Passage Of Medicaid Reform Legislation The Michigan Chamber of Commerce today applauded the bipartisan passage of legislation to reform Michigan’s Medicaid program and provide insurance access to the uninsured. House Bill 4714, introduced by Representative Matt Lori (R-Constantine), passed the Michigan House yesterday, June 13th, by a vote of 76 to 31.

“We commend members of the State House from both sides of the aisle for working together to take action on a real solution to a real problem,” said Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich Studley. “We especially applaud the hard of work Representative Mike Shirkey (R-Clark Lake)

KEWEENAW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWSLETTER

in crafting a fiscally responsible solution to this tough issue – one that presents a real and unique opportunity to bend the overall health care cost curve and lessen the impact of Obamacare.”

“Make no mistake: The Michigan Chamber remains strongly opposed to Obamacare,” said Jim Holcomb, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber. “However, our 83-member Board of Directors believes Medicaid reform makes sense for our state and the business community.”

“Michigan’s uninsured citizens are entitled to health care today,” said Wendy Block, Director of Health Policy and Human Resources for the Michigan Chamber. “This access happens in our state’s emergency rooms, which is the most costly and inefficient form of providing care.

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“This delivery model results in uncompensated care costs being shifted from hospitals to insurers to private health insurance purchasers, including employers,” continued Block. “Medicaid reform makes sound economic sense because it will ultimately reduce the uncompensated care costs shift and control the upward spiral of health insurance rates.

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“Medicaid reform also will help employers control their costs under Obamacare,” noted Block. “Without this legislation, Jackson-Hewitt suggests employers will pay $54-81 million in ‘pay or play’ penalties under Obamacare.

“In providing low wage workers coverage through Medicaid, Michigan employers will be able to avoid penalties of up to $3,000 per employee that would otherwise apply,” Block concluded. “This is a key competitiveness issue for our state and we call on the Michigan Senate to take bold action on this proposal when they resume their work next week.”

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business organization representing approximately 6,400 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce. The Michigan Chamber represents businesses of every size and type in all 83 counties of the state.

Michigan Chamber member businesses provide jobs to 1.5 million residents. One of every 2.6 employees in Michigan works for a Chamber member firm. The Michigan Chamber was established in 1959 to be an advocate for Michigan’s job providers in the legislative, political and legal process. It is one of only six state chambers accredited by the U.S. Chamber and one of only four state chambers accredited with distinction.

A copy of this articlecan be found at: www.michamber.com/news

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Keweenaw Peninsula Events Calendar Your source for area Business Events and Community Events

July 2, 2013

Keweenaw Trail Services Meeting 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Held at the Convention and Visitors Bureau in Calumet.

Pine Mountain Music Festival David C. Jonies Recital 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Held at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lake Linden.

July 3 & 4, 2013

Dollar Bay 4th of July Held in Dollar Bay. For more information visit: www.keweenaw.org/businesscalendar.

July 3 & 4, 2013

Lake Linden 4th of July & Fireworks Held in Lake Linden.

For more information visit: www.keweenaw.org/businesscalendar.

July 4, 2013

Gay, MI 4th of July Held in Gay. For more information visit: www.keweenaw.org/businesscalendar.

Ahmeek 4th of July Held in Ahmeek.

For more information visit: www.keweenaw.org/businesscalendar.

July 4, 2013

Copper Harbor 4th of July Held in Copper Harbor.

For more information visit: www.keweenaw.org/businesscalendar.

Hubbell/Tamarack/Mason 4th of July Held in Hubbell.

For more information visit: www.keweenaw.org/businesscalendar.

Mohawk 4th of July Held in Mohawk.

For more information visit: www.keweenaw.org/businesscalendar.

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KEWEENAW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWSLETTER

July 4, 2013

South Range 4th of July & Fireworks Held in South Range.

For more information visit: www.keweenaw.org/businesscalendar.

Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce will be closed July 4th and 5th in honor of the holiday.

July 5, 2013

Friday Coffee 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Held at the First United Methodist Church in Hancock.

July 5 & 6, 2013

Strawberry Festival Held in Chassell.

For more information visit: www.keweenaw.org/businesscalendar.

July 6, 2013

Pine Mountain Music Festival Louis Nagel Piano Recital 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Held at the Rozsa Center for Performing Arts in Houghton.

July 6 & 7, 2013

Guts Frisbee Held in Calumet.

For more information visit: www.keweenaw.org/businesscalendar.

July 10, 2013

Free Business Consulting Held at Finlandia University’s Jutila Center in Hancock.

July 11, 2013

Pine Mountain Music Festival - UPStarts!

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Held at the Portage Lake United Church in Houghton.

July 12, 2013

Friday Coffee 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Held at the First United Methodist Church in Hancock.

July 13, 2013

Pine Mountain Music Festival - Common Ground Baroque Ensemble 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Held at the Portage Lake United Church in Houghton.

July 17, 2013

Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting 7:45 am - 9:15 am Held at Finlandia University in Hancock.

July 19, 2013

Participating in community events is a great way to network and create visibility for your company in the community.

If you would like more information about any of these events there are more details on our calendar at www.keweenaw.org/businesscalendar.

If you have an upcoming event that you would like to be included on our calendar or in our next newsletter let us know! We are also looking for photos of people doing business in the Keweenaw to use on our website and in our newsletters. If you have any you would like to share send them by email to our Marketing Assistant at elizabeth@keweenaw. org. Please include who took the photo and the area it was taken in so we can give proper credit!

Friday Coffee 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Held at the First United Methodist Church in Hancock.

July 20, 2013

38th Annual Canal Run Held in Hancock. Please visit hancockcanalrun.com for more information or to register.

July 25, 2013

Free Business Consulting Held at Finlandia University’s Jutila Center in Hancock.

July 26, 2013

Friday Coffee 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Held at the First United Methodist Church in Hancock.

Interested In Getting Invloved?

Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce 902 College Avenue, P.O. Box 336 Houghton, MI 49931 p. (906) 482.5240 f. (906) 482.5241 e. info@keweenaw.org www.keweenaw.org www.facebook.com/ Keweenaw.Chamber

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902 College Avenue, P.O. Box 336 Houghton, MI 49931

p: (906) 482-5240 f: (906) 482-5241 e: info@keweenaw.org Business Hours M, W, F: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm T, Th: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm www.keweenaw.org www.facebook.com/Keweenaw.Chamber

It is the mission of the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce to: SUPPORT: The Chamber supports businesses by providing information and referring inquiries to our partners like Keweenaw Economic Development Association, Small Business and Technology Development Center, MTEC SmartZone, Entrepreneur Support Center, Jutila Business Incubator or whichever organization is best to assist that business.

ATTRACT: The Chamber also provides information and referrals to people wanting to visit or relocate here. If someone wants to inquire about tourism, we send them directly to the Keweenaw Convention and Visitors Bureau. And whether someone is relocating a business or family here, we will continue to send them to the appropriate community resource(s) that will meet their need(s).

DEVELOP BUSINESS: The Chamber is going to continue growing networking and visibility opportunities for small businesses. We will continue to provide ribbon cuttings, promotion, Eggs and Issues, golf outings, and a monthly newsletter.

| Visibility Opportunities: Looking for a way to get your advertising message out to a fresh new crowd? The Chamber newsletter has a circulation of more than 200 local businesses. We can accept ad-ready copy or build an ad for you... just ask for details. Email advertising is also available and reaches 1800 emails!

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The ad deadline for advertising is the 20th of the month prior to the date of the newsletter. For example, May 20th to be in the June newsletter. If you have any questions, please give us a call!

Rate per issue Full page $100 1/2 page $ 75 1/4 page $ 50 1/8 page $ 25 Email campaign $ 25