Detroiter articles from December 2002

Detroiter archives from December 2002

Border heroes: meet two from the front lines.(From the President)(creative staffing solutions)
December 1, 2002... A willingness to sit down at the table. An ability to set aside ego and territorial issues to do what's best for the community. Implementing creative staffing solutions in times of crisis. I know what you're probably NOT thinking: government...

A 9-point cash flow guide for small businesses.(Finance)
December 1, 2002... Here are a 9 steps you can take to increase your cash flow during tough times: 1. Create a billing schedule. Set up an accounts receivable process to record sales, generate invoices and monthly statements, and track customers' current and...

Research & development credit.(Finance)
December 1, 2002... Recent changes in IRS rules governing the research and development (R&D) tax credit are good news for innovative companies. Under previous regulations many businesses found it difficult--if not impossible--to meet the very stringent...

Finance resource guide.(Finance)
December 1, 2002... The Michigan Retailers Association has added two loss-prevention seminars to its slate of online business courses. Topics include bad checks, credit card fraud, shoplifting, employee theft, counterfeit currency, returns and layaways. The...

Business plan resource guide.(Finance)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... For a detailed look at how to draft a business plan, visit the Stare of Michigan Website at http://medc.michigan.org/services/startups/businessplan/. For an example of what your completed business plan might look like, visit the U.S. Small...

Chamber tip: how to manage your audit.(Finance)
December 1, 2002... Mindset: "The audit is easy, it is getting ready for the audit that is difficult." Take this mindset, be prepared before the auditors arrive and your audit will go more smoothly. Anticipate: Some items you know are looked at every year....

5 cost-cutting strategies.(Finance)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... 1. Do the math. Look at percentages rather than dollars and cents. If your expenses are chewing up your profits, you need to take action. There are two ways to improve sagging profits: sell more or cut costs. However, if revenues and expenses...

Succession planning.(Finance)(family-owned businesses )
December 1, 2002... Over the next several years, it is estimated that over 40 percent of the nation's family-owned businesses will change leadership. Unfortunately, only about 30 percent of these businesses will be successfully transferred to the desired family...

Q&A: business insurance.(Finance)
December 1, 2002... The Sept. 11,2001, terrorist attacks caused business insurance premiums to soar. Q: So why are my rates going up? A: Basic supply and demand. The September 11 disaster was the world's largest property and business interruption claim...

Succes story: Detroit Medical Center.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... What do you do when your line of credit is cut in less than half? That's the situation the Detroit Medical Center faced in early 2000 when its three local lending institutions sliced the traditional line of credit used to fund DMC's daily...

Investing: 5 questions.(Finance)
December 1, 2002... As a small business owner, it's important to have a sound personal financial plan as well as a sound business strategy. Paying close attention to your personal savings now can help you to eventually retire on your own terms. It is...

Retirement plans.(Finance)
December 1, 2002... If your company, has a self-directed retirement plan, such as a 401 (k) or SIMPLE, you're offering your employees significant control over their future. Participation in such a plan can make retirement preparation easier and more effective in...

How to avoid workplace headaches before they strike.(Human Resources)
December 1, 2002... Employers often ask how they could've avoided an administrative headache--or even a crisis--after the problem has already occurred. It's easy to figure out what went wrong after the fact. The trick is identifying potential problems before they...

5 ways to avoid lawsuits.(Human Resources)
December 1, 2002... Relatively few legal claims arise from poor policies or failure to comply with complex statutory obligations. Rather, simple carelessness contributes most often to employment problems and resulting lawsuits. Here are five preventive actions...

Resource guide.(Human Resources)(Web site for small businesses)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... "Nolo's Law for All" is a handy Website that offers a wealth of down-to-earth resources and guides to help small businesses navigate the often treacherous waters of employer-employee relationships and other legal issues. Check out their...

Chamber tip: work environment.(Human Resources)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... How can you create a diverse positive work environment? You can do this by providing: * Personal and professional growth opportunities. * A comprehensive diverse benefits package. * A work environment that promotes mutual respect...

Success story: Nemeth Burwell PC.(Human Resources)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Nemeth Burwell PC, a Detroit law firm specializing in labor and employment issues, strives to make its 16 employees feel appreciated. In addition to competitive compensation and paid health-care benefits, the firm has implemented a number of...

How to write an employee manual.(Human Resources)
December 1, 2002... Lawyers representing employees and former employees regularly use employee manuals or handbooks in employment litigation. As a result, you should draft your manual with the same care you would use to prepare a legal contract. At-will...

5 keys tips for federal audits.(Human Resources)
December 1, 2002... If you're a federal contractor or subcontractor with 50 employees and $50,000 or more in government contracts, there's a good chance your human resources policies and practices will be audited by the U.S. Labor Department's Office of Federal...

7 questions to ask when choosing a PEO.(Human Resources)(professional employer organization)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Contracting with a professional employer organization (PEO) to handle all of a company's human resource functions is a viable solution for many businesses. PEOs are full-service human resource organizations that manage the day-to-day...

5 alternatives to layoffs.(Human Resources)
December 1, 2002... During difficult economic times, many companies are forced to consider drastically cutting costs. Cutting staff is often one of the best ways to maintain control of your cash flow, but there are viable alternatives to layoffs: 1. Establish...

Theft in the workplace.(Human Resource)
December 1, 2002... Here are some steps you can take to reduce theft in the workplace: Check backgrounds--Will a deceptive applicant be an honest employee? The best indicator of future performance is past behavior, so be sure to investigate applicants'...

HR Solutions Center.(Human Resources)(human resources)(Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce)
December 1, 2002... If you own or operate a business, you often find yourself asking dozens of human resource-related questions and taking valuable management time to find the answers. Now you can find all the answers--and much more--at the Detroit Regional...

Cut back? Not now!(Marketing)
December 1, 2002... The economy isn't recovering as fast as we all hoped. Many companies have reacted to the sluggishness by cutting back on marketing expenditures and activity--but that is just the opposite of what you should do. McGraw-Hill studied...

Marketing on a budget.(Marketing)
December 1, 2002... In an uncertain economic environment, marketing is more essential than ever. Here are some tips to accelerate your marketing strategies on a limited budget with a small staff: 1. Assemble the right team--Hire a marketing coordinator for...

Chamber tip: press releases.(Marketing)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Getting your company in the media spotlight can be a difficult task, particularly for those of us on limited promotional budgets. Here are some quick tips to remember when promoting your business. When writing a press release always make...

Q&A with Jeff Caponigro.(Marketing)(Interview)
December 1, 2002... Q: How can a company without enough money to hire an outside PR firm get the media to cover a story? A: There are several steps: * Make sure you have a real story; never pitch a non-story. * Do some research; find the right media...

E-mail marketing.(effective methods)
December 1, 2002... Marketers and sales professionals using e-mail to communicate with their target audiences need to learn how to make their point quickly and effectively, without alienating their recipients. Here are some quick tips to ensure that your mass...

Online marketing links.(Marketing weblinks)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Market It Right--Free step-by-step marketing guides www.MarketltRight.com. Free marketing plans are also available on these sites: www.bplans.com/dp/mp and www.webpageprofits.com/freemarketingplan.htm Guerilla Marketing Online--Tons of...

Media tip: managing the message.(Marketing)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... No one likes or wants negative publicity for their business, and no wonder. Unfavorable news coverage can severely impact your reputation and credibility, sometimes irreversibly. Yet, more often than not, when faced with the possibility...

Multicultural marketing.(Marketing)
December 1, 2002... Despite the current economic downturn, major global companies such as Ford, General Motors and DaimlerChrysler sustain specific budgets for multiethnic marketing. Industry insiders say Kmart's recovery strategy targets the African American...

Quick tip: direct mail.(direct mail tips)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... * Never use an address label on a business-size envelope, but use your return address. * If possible use commemorative stamps instead of a postage meter. * Always send envelopes First Class. * Laser print or type addresses on...

Success story: Budco.(Marketing)(Brian Unlimited Distribution Co.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Shortly after moving to its new headquarters in Highland Park in May 2000, Budco, a marketing services company, developed The Budco Giving Fund to support worthwhile social programs in the community. HP Devco, a nonprofit organization that...

Cold calling.(Marketing)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... * Call at the appropriate time. Don't call a prospect at an inconvenient time of day. For some cyclical businesses, there may be a time of year that is more likely to result in a sale than other times. Be sure to pick a time that is good for...

Getting on TV.(Marketing)(television assignment editors)
December 1, 2002... Local television assignment editors are inundated with hundreds of faxes, e-mails and press kits every day from companies vying for free television face-time. Here are some tips for getting their attention: Who to call--99 percent of...

Digital Drive.(Technology)(Oakland County's Automation Alley)
December 1, 2002... Digital Drive--the new brand name that ties together all of the technology "hotbeds" in the 10-county Detroit Region--is a story that needs to be told because it affects virtually everyone who does business in Southeast Michigan. If you're...

Protecting data.(Technology)
December 1, 2002... Best backup practices 1. Have a written backup policy. It should tell you what is being backed up, how often backups are occurring and who is in charge of performing and monitoring backups. 2. If you do a lot of data entry, consider...

Broadband technology.(Technology)
December 1, 2002... Small businesses generally have limited resources to spend on broadband communication systems. Here are the four basic broadband technologies available today for small businesses: DSL--Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) offers users a very...

Success story: Al Long Ford Inc.(Technology)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Cars are on the menu at Al Long Ford Inc. in Warren--literally. In August 2000, the dealership opened a 900-square-foot CyberCar Cafe where customers can listen to relaxing music, enjoy a pastry, sip a cup of cappuccino and, of course, shop...

How to win the e-junk-mail war.(Technology)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Your users are bombarded with junk mail every day. Sometimes there's so much junk that your users might wonder if there's a filter blocking all the useful stuff! There are lots of solutions to the junk mail problem, though. Questionable...

Quick tip: online agreements.(Technology)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... If you are using "click-through" agreements on your Website--an online agreement in which the user/customer clicks an "I Accept" button to indicate acceptance of the terms--here are some basic concepts for your Web developers to consider: ...

PDAs on a budget.(Technology)(Palm m125, Sony Clie PEG-S360, Handspring Visor Edge)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Personal Data Assistants, or PDAs, come in all shapes, sizes, colors and, of course, prices. Three budget PDAs, retailing for under $200, are excellent buys. Each runs on the Palm operating system, has a monochrome screen and a USB connection...

Chamber tip: security and privacy.(Technology)(electronic business security)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Security and privacy are two issues that must be considered when doing business online. Currently, a number of approaches are being developed to bring Amazon.com's 'one-click' shopping experience to the masses. This process allows customers to...

6 website tips.(Technology)(web design)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... If you have neither the time nor the money to maintain a real-time business Website, here are six simple tips to give your site the real-time look. 1. Add a calendar of events to entice your customers to visit your Website often, but make...

Chamber tip: e-brochures.(Technology)
December 1, 2002... The Detroit Regional Chamber experimented with e-brochures with generally positive results. The first was sent to the Leadership Policy Conference invitation list via e-mail just prior to conference registration. The second one was sent to...

Where do you fit?(Technology)(small business and technology adoption)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... When it comes to technology adoption, a study by Access Markets International (AMI) Partners Inc., a New York-based research and consulting firm, concludes that small businesses generally fall into one of these four tiers: Enterprise...

Coping in stressful times.(Professional Development)
December 1, 2002... With the world of work as well as the world at large increasingly uncertain, having the capacity to remain flexible and strong in the midst of ambiguity and change has never been more important. If you and your employees don't have a natural...

Chamber tip: professional development.(Professional Development)(Detroit Regional Chamber)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Here at the Detroit Regional Chamber, we operate on the principle that we must provide continuous professional development opportunities for our staff at all levels in order to recruit and retain the best people for the job. Our comprehensive...

Success story: NTH Consultants Ltd.(Professional Development)
December 1, 2002... At NTH Consultants Ltd. in Farmington Hills, professional development is a top priority. The infrastructure engineering and environmental services firm's Project Management Institute (PMI) is a multi-year, multi-faceted program that initially...

Chamber tip: workforce development.(Professional Development)(Detroit Regional Chamber creates a Workforce Center to train employers on employee recruitment)
December 1, 2002... With the economy still sluggish, thinking strategically is often the last thing on most employers' minds. It shouldn't be. Even with a slow economy, the unemployment rate is under 6 percent, a rate that was historically associated with much...

Steps for new managers.(Professional Development)
December 1, 2002... 1. Gain a clear understanding of the organization's priorities and process. Meet with your boss and gather as much information as possible. Ask for her or his expectations. Learn the vision and direction of the organization, the key goals in...

10 tips for training on tight budget.(Professional Development)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... When faced with a tight budget, there are a number of inexpensive ways to boost training effectiveness: 1. Take advantage of local colleges to the fullest. Many now offer instructional design services, multimedia production and online...

The art of listening.(Professional Development)
December 1, 2002... Listening is one of the most prominent activities in our daily lives. In fact, with the exception of breathing, there is nothing we do more frequently than listen. Unfortunately, most of us don't listen as well as we could. Research indicates...

Customer surveys.(Quality)
December 1, 2002... NTH Consultants Ltd., an infrastructure engineering and environmental services firm in Farmington Hills, conducts formal surveys every two years of its client base to measure quality. The company attempts to reach not only its existing...

Business assessment quiz: how good is your company's customer service?(Quality)
December 1, 2002... Invest three minutes in the health of your organization by completing this 10-point customer service self-assessment quiz. When completing this quiz, think about your experiences, your co-workers' experiences and most importantly, how you'd...

CRM checklist.(Quality)(Customer Relationship Management)
December 1, 2002... CRM (Customer Relationship Management) entails making business more profitable by helping them be more responsive to customers. It uses technology to support three business processes--sales, service and marketing. But before you move ahead to...

Success story: HarleyEllis.(Quality)(architectural company creates a Quality Customer Service Award)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... HarleyEllis, an architecture, engineering, planning and construction services firm based in Southfield, created a Quality Customer Service Award five years ago to nurture long-standing customer relationships. The annual award honors...

An ISO primer.(Quality)(ISO 14000, 14001, 9000)
December 1, 2002... ISO 14000 is concerned with environmental management and the way an organization goes about minimizing its harmful effects on the environment. ISO 14001, more specifically, is an environmental management system, based on the ISO 14000...

Smart boards.(Quality)(effective use of board of directors)
December 1, 2002... Have you ever wished that you could have someone who is really smart, experienced and committed help you with a key decision for your business? How about a team of people with these qualities who could brainstorm and advocate the best course...

Cutting costs.(Health Care)
December 1, 2002... Five tips when shopping around to decrease health insurance premiums: 1. Add an HMO to a PPO plan as a core plan. Then the employees should be allowed to buy up to the PPO. Adding vision and/or dental coverage can be done as a trade-off in...

Success story: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.(Health Care)(advertising the use of generic drugs)
December 1, 2002... With encouragement from the Detroit Regional Chamber, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan launched a major campaign in 2001 to increase the use of generic drugs. The campaign--called "Generic Drugs--The Unadvertised Brand"--seeks to raise...

Q&A on HIPAA.(Health Care)(Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... What is HIPAA? The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. The first two sets of HIPAA regulations--the Electronic Transactions and the Privacy Regulations--are finalized and the compliance deadlines for small health...

Chamber tip: summary plan description.(Health Care)
December 1, 2002... A lot of concern has been raised about the U.S. Department of Labor's new regulations affecting all health plans covered under ERISA, which covers most employer-sponsored health plans. These regulations provide for new claim, determination and...

A guide to economic development organizations in Southeast Michigan.(Economic Development)(Directory)
December 1, 2002... Detroit Economic Growth Corp. George Jackson, President & CEO 211 W. Fort St., Suite 900 Detroit 48226 Phone: (313) 963-2940 Fax: (313) 963-8839 Website: www.degc.org (under construction at press time) Detroit Regional...

Alphabetical listing.
December 1, 2002... A A & B Transmissions, Inc. Transmission--Repair Empl: 4 Mr. Nathaniel Hardy, President (313) 491-9974 11920 Grand River, Detroit MI 48204 Aactron, Inc. Metal--Finishing ...

Classified listing.
December 1, 2002... Accounting Services Walter A. Rosenblum West Bloomfield (248) 855-1841 Advertising Agencies Hargreaves, Charbonneau & Associates Detroit (313) 875-9553 Airline Companies Kalitta Charters Ypsilanti ...