Detroiter articles from December 2003

Detroiter archives from December 2003

A day in the life: running a small business is a big job.(From the President)(Small Business Assistance Center)(Third Annual Complete Business Resource Guide)
December 1, 2003... You're up and out before the sun to open up shop. You get the lights turned on. The cash drawers ready. The computers humming. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For the next 16 hours you're on all the time. You're available for your employees,...

Future watch: trends in human resources.(Human Resources)(Arbor 20/20 Trend Report)
December 1, 2003... Globalization, concern for ethics, advancements in technology, customized employment relationships and increases in the costs of health care are among top 20 trends for employers to watch in the future. As a result, the human resource function...

Detroiter tip: have a heart.(Volunteer Impact )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... A good way to draw bright people is by building bridges with the Detroit Region's nonprofit community. Partner with local nonprofit organizations, give employees the day off to pitch in and make their communities a better place to live, work...

Smart hiring: follow these three steps to find the right candidate for the job.(Human Resources)
December 1, 2003... There are three core steps as you review candidates to ensure you find the best fit: (1) Get ready with the right questions, (2) Manage the interview and (3) Compare the candidates. 1. Get ready with the right questions -- Your personal...

Detroiter tip: your first employee.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... When your workload is getting out of hand or if you find you lack the skills to get a particular job done, it may be time to hire your very first employee. Here are some tips to integrating your first employee: * Put it in writing. Fill...

Credit unions: why you should consider memberships for your employees.(Benefits)
December 1, 2003... Virginia Tile Co., a tile distributor based in Farmington Hills, offers its 200-plus employees an added benefit--credit union membership. About 40 percent of them are currently taking advantage of the opportunity, says Joan Morrison, the...

FSA debit cards.(Human Resources)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... A recent Internal Revenue Service ruling permits the use of electronic debit cards to reimburse employees in Flexible Spending Accounts, health reimbursement arrangements or other employer-funded health accounts. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Detroiter tip: credit checks.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... As a business owner, you are entitled to use consumer reports, such as credit reports, criminal reports, motor vehicle reports and workers' compensation reports, for employment purposes. They include information that can help decide who to...

Military leave: what you need to know if an employee is called for military duty.(Human Resources)
December 1, 2003... Given the events unfolding around the world, any business owner could be informed that an employee who is a reservist, or has enlisted, has been called up for military duty. To prepare for such an occurrence, employers should become familiar...

Promoting core values.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... At the beginning of 2003, we adopted an initiative to reinforce the five core values this company was founded on: positive team attitude, accountability, commitment, entrepreneurial and relationship focused. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Each...

Workplace harassment: your company needs a clear policy against harassment--and a mechanism to handle complaints.(Human Resources)
December 1, 2003... Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks more than two years ago, there has been a significant increase in the number of charges alleging workplace harassment based on an employee's national origin and/or religion. Because the Detroit area has one of...

Employee agreements.(Dickinson Wright: In Brief)(Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act)(Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Recently, courts in Michigan have begun to fully embrace provisions in employment agreements that shorten the statute of limitations for employment actions. To be enforceable, a contractual limitation period provision must be reasonable,...

Detroiter tip: improving morale.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Here are a few simple ways to lift the spirits of your employees: * Start the day off right. Send daily e-mails that include a joke or success story to inspire a great day. * Surprise them occasionally. Hiring high school students to...

Detroiter tip: setting salaries.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Here are some factors to consider when setting salaries: * Scope out the competition. Salary surveys are available to determine what other companies are paying their people. An especially valuable survey is the one put out by the American...

Employee orientation program.(services and human resource management of Compsat Technology Inc)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Employee orientation is an important part of employee retention and morale. In July 2002, Compsat Technology created a comprehensive program that begins on the employee's first day and continues through the first year of employment. Key...

Personal experience: how the Detroit Regional Chamber became one of the 'best places to work'.(Human Resources)
December 1, 2003... The Detroit Regional Chamber offers its staff an inclusive work environment, competitive wages, a diverse benefits package and a wide array of professional development opportunities. We're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to...

Marketing from the heart: a first-person look at the value of relationships.(Marketing)(relationships)
December 1, 2003... Marketing textbooks fall short. They don't address the best part. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Marketing 101 teaches aspiring business students that marketing is about memorable advertising, colorful brochures, customer research, attractive...

Picking a name and identity.(Marketing)
December 1, 2003... Seven things to remember when naming or re-naming your company: 1. Respect: A name must have an alpha-character to qualify and gain respect. Face of honesty, integrity, reliability and credibility. No room for "PurpleFrog," "PinkRhino,"...

Effective selling at trade shows: how to get a measurable return on your investment.(Marketing)
December 1, 2003... Exhibiting at trade shows doesn't have to cost a lot, and it can give your sales and marketing a big boost--if you do it right. While statistics, show that attendance at most trade shows is down from the early '90s, the percentage of qualified...

Breakfast Club.(American Megacom Inc. in Breakfast Club celebrations for Detroit Regional Chamber's 2003 best practices awards)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... We have a division that reduces technology expenses for our clients. Our team shares detailed executive reports with clients spelling out how they can achieve big expense reductions. We found that some of our clients greet this report with fear...

Detroiter tip: bulk e-mail delivery.(electronic marketing campaigns)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Got the bulk mail blues? Marketing direct to consumers via e-mail instead of snail-mail can save you a small fortune while adding interactivity and convenience for customers. Bulk e-mail delivery to a targeted list of willing subscribers can...

10 tips for better business brochures.(Marketing)
December 1, 2003... 1. Start with a strategic outline. Before you even begin to write your brochure, write out a brief strategic outline. Some questions to answer: Who is going to read this brochure? What do I want them to know about my company? What do I want my...

Policy update: federal fax rules.(Marketing)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... In late 2003, a new rule was supposed to take effect that would limit associations and businesses from communicating by fax with people whom they have an "established business relationship," unless they received their prior written consent. The...

E-mail strategies.(Marketing)
December 1, 2003... As Federal Communications Commission regulations and laws continue to progress and consumers become more outraged about spam, the way companies communicate with customers via e-mail is under new scrutiny. Marketing executives are left...

Detroiter tip: e-marketing.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Here are some tips on e-marketing when you're selling a service. * Include references on your Website. Include case studies of a few clients that you have a good relationship with. Try to solicit a quote from them to put on your Website....

E-commerce: do you really need it? What can it do for your business?(Marketing)
December 1, 2003... E-commerce is simply a new way to sell your stuff. If used properly, e-commerce technology can make it easier for you to: (1) eliminate geographic barriers between you and your customers, (2) market your products and services more affordably...

Getting your Website on the radar screen.(Technology)
December 1, 2003... An estimated 85 percent of Web users use search engines, such as Yahoo, Google and Netscape, to find what they're looking for online. Registering your site with a search engine, however, is only part of the process--and it doesn't come with any...

'Optimization' steps.(Technology)
December 1, 2003... Factors to consider when developing a search engine optimization strategy for your site: Goals -- Set some simple attainable goals at the beginning of your campaign and measure them monthly. Content -- The more relevant content you...

Detroiter tip: Website tracking.
December 1, 2003... You can unearth loads of information by mining your Website's usage data for clues as to what works and what doesn't. Here are some strategies to help you sift through the rubble to find valuable nuggets of information: * Follow the path....

7 ways to prevent computer hacking.(Technology)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Security threats to information systems have increased 65 percent over the past two years, and the number of network intrusions has quadrupled. Any small business with a broadband Internet connection needs to guard against becoming a...

Electronic signatures: they're legally binding--so think carefully before you click.(Technology)
December 1, 2003... Many people don't realize that the term "electronic signature" can actually include any electronic sound, symbol or process associated with an agreement or transaction. Clicking a button can constitute an electronic signature. Courts,...

Policy update: spam laws.(Technology)
December 1, 2003... Aruling signed into Michigan law now requires regulation on commercial e-mail. Due to increasing spam (also known as unsolicited commercial e-mail), Michigan lawmakers decided to enact measures similar to other states to control Michigan-based...

Click Home.
December 1, 2003... A first in the Detroit market, our regional office went live last April with an online reservation system for apartment rentals on the company Website at www.homeproperties.com. We call it Click Home, and 20 of the properties we own and operate...

Quickhead-E.(Technology Weblinks)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Quickhead-E is a great new way to help you monitor your e-mail accounts. It performs various tasks, such as downloading headers in the background of your PC, notifying you of the arrival of new mail and providing you with a cumulative summary...

Retina Network Security Scanner.(Technology Weblinks)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Retina Network Security Scanner can expose and fix vulnerabilities in your servers and workstations. With a suggested retail price of just under $1,000, Retina is professional grade, but you can download a demo for 15 days free of charge....

Registry Mechanic.(Technology Weblinks)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Registry Mechanic is a free-to-try program that can clean up your Windows registry, the database where your operating system and program settings are stored. Compatibility: Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP. To download: www.winguides.com/regmech.

Rapidocs.(Technology Weblinks)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Rapidocs is a document assembly program that can quickly and easily create boilerplate text for legal and other documents. It lets you build complex documents module by module. Compatibility: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP. To download:...

Broadbandreports.com.(Technology Weblinks)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Broadbandreports.com offers all types of broadband information. Internet Service Provider (ISP) reviews allow you to read about user experiences with different providers based on ZIP code. It's free to register, but if you find yourself using...

Titanium Checkbook.(Technology Weblinks)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Titanium Checkbook is a financial shareware product designed with personal finance in mind, but it's also useful for small business managers looking for an inexpensive way to monitor savings and checking accounts, receivables and credit card...

Google Toolbar.(Technology Weblinks)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Google Toolbar packs all the functionality of the popular Google search engine and squeezes it into a tiny little bar in your Web browser. It's easy to use, it's non-intrusive and it saves time. To download: http://toolbar.google.com.

Namo WebEditor 5.(Technology Weblinks)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Namo WebEditor 5 software helps you design, create and publish Web pages. Some of the nicer features include preformatted pages, photo album creation, image touch-up tools and tables. The 45-day free trial version lets you try before you buy....

CleanCenter.(Technology Weblinks)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... CleanCenter can scan your PC to identify and remove unnecessary junk files, freeing up valuable space on your hard drive. CleanCenter is a powerful, fairly easy-to-use alternative to the disk cleanup utility that comes standard with Windows....

WS_FTP LE.(Technology Weblinks)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... WS_FTP LE is a free download that lets you transfer data to and from any server on the Internet using the FTP protocol. If you need to share scores of huge files, but don't want to have to e-mail them back and forth, put them on a Web server...

PDFEdit995.(Technology Weblinks)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... PDFEdit995 is a freeware application that can easily create PDF files from almost any document. Just hit print on your document, select PDF995 and you've got a free PDF file. To download: www.pdf995.com/download.html.

Noah Lite.(Technology Weblinks)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Noah Lite lets you download virtually the entire English lexicon to your Palm. It's got it all from "aback" to "zymotic." Best of all, it's free. Compatibility: Palm OS. To download: www.arslexis.com.

Armor2net.(Technology Weblinks)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Armor2net is not just a personal firewall that protects your computer from hackers, data-thieves and Internet-borne viruses. Armor2net allows you to decide which programs should accept an Internet connection, and which should not. It prevents...

Remote PC Access.(Technology Weblinks)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Remote PC Access is great new way to access and control your computer from any PC in the world through the use of the Internet or local area networks (LAN). The software is simple to use, but effective enough to work through firewalls and...

VirtualLab Data Recovery.(Technology Weblinks)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... VirtualLab Data Recovery can rescue information from hard drives, flash cards and even ZIP disks. Compatibility: Mac/Windows. To download a free demo: www.binarybiz.com/vlab. Don't want to bother with all of these long-winded URLs? Visit...

Application security.(Technology)
December 1, 2003... According to the National Institute for Standards and Testing, software bugs could cost the economy as much as $60 billion. If that number strikes you as incomprehensible, just consider the number of software vendors producing new commercial...

Detroiter tip: security.
December 1, 2003... In an era of heightened national security, it is more important than ever to beef up the security of your network to prevent attacks from common hackers or even terrorists. The best way to do this is to integrate IT security into the day-to-day...

Acro XRM[sm] Solutions.(Technology CENTRAL)
December 1, 2003... For procurement, accounting and human resources personnel that work with contract services firms, XRM[sm] Solutions is the future. Designed by Livonia-based Acro Services Corp., XRM[sm] is an end-to-end application that covers every aspect of...

Successful bank financing: an expert's advice to small and medium-sized businesses.(Finance/Legal)
December 1, 2003... Denial won't work when your banker curtails your credit. Here are some corrective action steps: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. While verbal repartee may satisfy your ego and remind the banker of the previous good days of the banking...

Policy update: SBT phase-out.(Finance/Legal)
December 1, 2003... Michigan's Single Business Tax (SBT) is scheduled to be phased out completely by 2009. Currently, the phase-out was paused for two years to stabilize the state budget. The tax generates approximately $2.3 billion in revenue for the state...

#2: the fifty percent solution.(to business ownership planning)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Frequently, when a business owner dies unexpectedly and hasn't planned adequately because he is "too busy running the company," the consequences for the company, its employees and the family survivors can be devastating. Almost always, business...

Legal update: embezzlement; How to prevent it--and steps you can take when it happens.(Finance/Legal)
December 1, 2003... Embezzlement is a crime of broken trust that can severely damage your company's reputation, morale and bottom line. Here are some simple steps you can take to prevent and detect employee theft and comply with laws related to obstruction of...

What to do when trouble comes.(Finance/Legal)
December 1, 2003... Businesses that are either unable or unwilling to tightly control their cash flow often find themselves with large inventories, small lines of credit, high management turnover and low employee morale. Plagued by the mistaken belief that...

Harassment: gender or sex?(Finance/Legal)(Haynie v State of Michigan)(civil rights law)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... A recent decision of the Michigan Supreme Court has again brought the issue of harassment claims to the forefront. In Haynie v State of Michigan, the court held that a claim for hostile work environment sexual harassment must be based on...

Business ethics: how to build real values into your business.(Finance/Legal)
December 1, 2003... The field of business ethics, which has been formally recognized for only about 40 years, is receiving more attention now than ever before. Business schools are adding classes on it, the press is talking about it, consultants are selling...

USA Patriot Act.(Legal Update)
December 1, 2003... The USA Patriot Act, enacted following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, requires a wide variety of businesses to establish antimoney-laundering programs to fully document and identify the parties to a number of financial transactions. While the law...

8 steps to manage your benefit plan.(Health Care)
December 1, 2003... The best approach to managing your benefit programs is to perform critical plan management functions throughout the year and not just annually at your policy review date. Here are eight key management areas that will help your company deliver...

Senate Bill 460.(Did you know)(small business insurance)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... In 2003, the Detroit Regional Chamber led a statewide coalition to successfully pass Senate Bill 460, legislation designed to reform Michigan's small group insurance market by modifying how rates are regulated. SB 460 can help stabilize a...

Are you compliant? The Chamber can help.(Health Care)(Summary Plan Descriptions)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Have your Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs) been recently rewritten? If not, they probably do not contain key changes made in ERISA and HIPAA in the last few years. ERISA penalties range from $110 per day for failing to meet disclosure...

Benefit review: is the price right?(Health Care)(review of benefit programs)
December 1, 2003... Most organizations review their benefit programs once a year. As part of the process, they often have their consultant release "requests for proposals." Although price is a driving factor in your review process, it shouldn't be the only...

Benefit update: over-the-counter medicines.(Health Care)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The Internal Revenue Service has ruled that Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) can pay for over-the-counter medicines with pre-tax dollars if their plans allow it. FSAs let employees put a limited amount of pretax income into an account each...

Long-term care insurance: it's a health-care benefit you might want to consider for your employees.(Health Care)
December 1, 2003... Family episodes of care giving can have a tremendous impact on employees and employers. Here are some facts: * Today, 12.8 million Americans need assistance with everyday activities. Forty percent of them are working age adults between the...

Policy update: SBT and health care.(Health Care)(Single Business Tax )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... State Sen. Nancy Cassis, R-Novi, is pushing legislation to remove the cost of health insurance from Michigan's Single Business Tax (SBT) calculation. Currently, employer-provided health insurance costs are added back into a business' payroll to...

Year-end health-care checklist.(Health Care CENTRAL)(COBRA regulations)
December 1, 2003... Here's a list of some of the key issues to address as your business closes 2003 and looks forward to 2004: New COBRA regulations: In May 2003, the Department of Labor released new proposed COBRA regulations. Specifically, the new...

Bright ideas--save time.(frequently asked question )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Do you answer the same questions for different people over and over again? It may not seem like a time drain, but frequently, everyone's plate in Human Resources is always just a little too full. If you track the questions you answer, you could...

Introducing ... ClickonCareers.com: a new workforce development system for the digital drive.(workforce development tool)(K-12 education system)(ClickonCareers.com)
December 1, 2003... While many businesses are dealing with the current "jobless recovery," long-term demographic trends point to workforce shortages in the future. The Detroit Regional Chamber, in partnership with three other associations, is offering a new...

Detroiter tip: BeeFreeway.(BeeFreeway)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Be more competitive by making your people more effective. BeeFreeway offers more than 1,400 online technology and business courses to Michigan employers with 25 or fewer full-time employees. In a recent survey of BeeFreeway users, 74 percent of...

Mentoring program.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Mentoring is a highly effective tool for individual and corporate development. Budco has developed a program that features two tracks--New Hire and Career Development. Although focused on two audiences and interests, for both it provides...

Empower your employees: four steps to more creative problem solving at your business.(Workforce Development)
December 1, 2003... As small business owners, we want to recruit and hire smart, capable and enthusiastic employees. Why not add "creative" to the skills list? But wait, isn't creativity something that only a few special people are born with? Not at all. As...

Detroiter tip: attracting the best.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Here are some tips if you want to attract good talent and create a buzz about your company on college campuses: * Hire interns. Work with internship program coordinators to bring college students in to intern at your business. Interns will...

Succession management: how to develop a 'talent strategy' for your business.(Workforce Development)
December 1, 2003... Succession planning is a process that offers a company a roadmap for developing future leaders. Tied directly to a company's business strategy, succession planning requires experience and finesse. Succession management improves senior team...

The Detroit Regional Economic Partnership: at your service in the digital drive.(Economic Development)
December 1, 2003... In simple terms, economic development is a process--typically a long-term process--leading to investment, growth and job creation in a community or region. In Southeast Michigan, the Detroit Regional Economic Partnership is taking the lead in...

Merci beaucoup!(Economic Development)(Chevalier of the National Order of Merit )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... John W. Carroll Jr., senior vice president of business development for the Detroit Regional Chamber, received the Chevalier of the National Order of Merit from France at the French American Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala Dinner. ...

Create Detroit: who needs it? We do!(Economic Development)(Detroit Regional Chamber)
December 1, 2003... Imagine a metropolitan city with a high-energy nightlife. Imagine a thriving urban environment downtown, lined on its south side by three miles of park space and a river separating it from its bustling Canadian neighbor. Imagine high-tech,...

Policy update: land use.(Economic Development)(Michigan Land Use Council Report)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The Michigan Land Use Council report for land use policy recommendations focuses on four areas: urban revitalization; land resource-based industries; planning and development regulation; and infrastructure and community services. These...

Policy update: business tax credits.(Economic Development)(Michigan Economic Growth Authority)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The business tax credit offered by the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) was scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, 2003. The Detroit Regional Chamber supports extending this expiration date. MEGA provides a Single Business Tax credit for...

Take advantage of EPAC Online.(Economic Development)(partnerships and services of Electronic Procurement Assistance Center)
December 1, 2003... The Detroit Regional Chamber and Internet Operations Center Inc. have partnered with the Electronic Procurement Assistance Center (EPAC) to provide Chamber members with free access to EPAC's online procurement services. EPAC lets you bid...

A quarter century of leadership.(Leadership)(Leadership Detroit 2003-2004 program)
December 1, 2003... For 25 years, Leadership Detroit has been guided by the mission to provide the foundation for a lifelong commitment to leadership by creating awareness of key issues that affect the Detroit Region and to challenge emerging and existing...

What it takes to be a great leader.(Leadership qualities)
December 1, 2003... Pop quiz: What qualities describe a great leader? Take a minute to think about it and jot down the first four or five that come to mind. Pencils down. Does your list include words like inspiring? Visionary? Ethical? Did you consider...

Leadership Development Guide.(Hidden Treasures Coaching and Training LLC)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Our Leadership Development Guide provides a road map for employees and their supervisors to initiate a formal or self-directed development plan. The guide supports a self-evaluation of critical leadership skills and their importance to the job....

Leadership skills: a checklist.(Leadership)
December 1, 2003... These are the hallmarks of great leaders: * Leaders need to serve versus being served. Leaders meet a need, if they don't meet it, people will find other ways to meet that need. Serving leaders is not a need that people have. * Leaders...