Detroiter articles from May 2004

Detroiter archives from May 2004

Great time at Auto Show.(Feed Back)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... Thanks to the Detroit Regional Economic Partnership for inviting me to be your guest at the 2004 North American International Auto Show during the Industry Preview Days. It goes without saying that the Auto Show was a wonderful and thoroughly...

It's the total package: we need to recognize our strengths.(From the President)
May 1, 2004... Nice tie," noted the tranportation security agent at Detroit Metro Airport. "Great tie," commented a fellow World Perks member. "Where did you find that tie?" I was asked entering a Washington, D.C. hotel. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "It's...

Detroit Regional Chamber opens Small Business Assistance Center.(In Box)
May 1, 2004... The Small Business Assistance Center, an initiative of the Detroit Regional Chamber and the Detroit Regional Economic Partnership, officially opened its doors in February. The SBAC is designed to offer one-on-one customized business...

Member benefit: Michiganmall.com.(In Box)(www.michiganmall.com)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Michiganmall.com, a member benefit of the Detroit Regional Chamber, is a great opportunity for Internet advertising. The Chamber offers its members at the Business Builder level and above a one-year membership in Michiganmall.com at no cost....

The Leadership Detroit experience.
May 1, 2004... In honor of Leadership Detroit's 25th anniversary, the Detroiter will feature a monthly first-person report from LD graduates who are making a difference in their communities. I recall my participation in Leadership Detroit as a dynamic...

April 29: spotlight on diversity.(In Box)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Punam Mathur, vice president for Corporate Diversity & Community Affairs at MGM Mirage, will give the keynote speech April 29 at the second annual "Leveraging Diversity for Business Success" conference co-sponsored by the Detroit Regional...

Technology solutions for business in the digital drive.(In Box)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... If you want to learn more about the latest trends in technology and how they affect your business, plan to attend the 2004 Detroit ITEC Conference & Exposition Conference, May 11-12 at the Novi Expo Center. The two-day conference is...

Future 50 deadline is May 31.(In Box)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... May 31 is the deadline for entries in the Future 50 of Greater Detroit competition sponsored by BDO Seidman LLP, the Detroit Regional Chamber, SmithBarney Citigroup and WWJ Newsradio 950. The contest is open to companies in Southeast...

New members.
May 1, 2004... Welcome to these companies who either joined the Detroit Regional Chamber or upgraded their memberships to the Executive Level in February. Gold BorgWarner Inc. Auburn Hills * Diversified...

Design: with a capital D; From annual reports to neckties, from corporate logos to artistic items for the home, Dominic Pangborn's signature designs have made his name a household word.(Cover Story)
May 1, 2004... When you stop and think about your business and where it's going, does the word "design" come to mind? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If not, Dominic Pangborn wants a word with you. The founder, president and CEO of Pangborn Design Ltd. in...

Market research: 4 cost-effective steps to find out more about your customers.
May 1, 2004... How many times have you sat in a meeting and thought "I know our customers because I use our product all the time?" The truth is, you're not a normal customer. Why? Because you think about, obsess about and dream about your products all the...

Effective selling: learn the techniques that will help you successfully close sales.(Marketing)
May 1, 2004... Salespeople talk too much! The typical salesperson talks more than 75 percent of the time (during an appointment, phone call or over an entire sales cycle). It's easy to do. Let's face a few facts: (1) most salespeople are proud of what they...

Detroiter tip: cold calls.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Here's some advice before you make that first cold call: * Determine objectives. What do you hope to get out of the call? Do you expect to set a face-to-face meeting? Are you hoping to close a sale on the phone? If you don't know where...

Detroiter tip: keep foot out of mouth.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Don't let your people (or yourself) offend clients and potential clients with off-the-cuff remarks. For example: * Never insult anyone in front of a customer. No matter how tempting, never bad mouth anybody in front of a client. It's just...

Data mining: a tool for marketers.(Marketing)
May 1, 2004... Clickstream analysis and data mining are marketing processes that use analytical patterns to predict customer behavior based on the customer's previous interaction or activity with the system. Clickstream analysis deals with capturing...

Public presentations: hate to speak in front of groups? Check out these tips.(Marketing)
May 1, 2004... Few things strike terror in the heart of a businessperson as much as speaking before a group. It doesn't have to be that way, particularly if you keep a few basic principles in mind. Whether it is a business presentation, a trade group panel...

Media relations: it's a process, not an art.(Marketing)
May 1, 2004... For many companies, media relations continue to be an elusive goal: clearly in the best interest of the organization, but complex and always out of reach. They see colleagues and competitors repeatedly mentioned in the media, but have no...

Planning for HIPAA medical privacy rules.(Dickinson Wright: In Brief)(Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act )
May 1, 2004... The new medical privacy rules under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) bar a doctor or health-care provider from disclosing a patient's medical information without the patient's authorization, unless the disclosure...

The value of publicity: how to get results and become a quotable expert in your field.(Marketing)
May 1, 2004... Your company has a story to tell and you need exposure. You need to set yourself apart from the competition. Publicity is a crucial and vital aspect to a company's success. Editorial placement is invaluable because it cannot be bought. When...

Marketing at events: 3 ways to turn your business into the main event.(Marketing)
May 1, 2004... Whether your business is big or small, whether you target a few select customers or want the masses to know who you are, event marketing is the most effective method to connect consumers to your company, your products or brand. To many, the...

Detroiter tip: customer feedback.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Customer feedback is essential to staying in touch with your target market. Surveying remains one of the tried-and-true methods of direct questioning, and can help your business by tracking customers and their preferences, determining levels of...

Capturing your market's attention: a concise guide to defining your 'phrase that pays'.(Marketing)
May 1, 2004... Your phrase that pays differentiates your business from the competition, leaves a lasting impression in customers' minds and gets targets and prospects to take notice. It is the moniker that sticks in minds long after the sales meeting has...

Detroiter tip: repeat business.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... In order to get repeat business from customers, you must remain in close communication with them after completing a sale. Here are some tips that can help: * Build a tickler file. Schedule regular calls or meetings with current and former...

Public relations: a glossary of terms.(Marketing)(Glossary)
May 1, 2004... Here are a few definitions of some of the key terms and strategies you need to know: Public relations -- According to the Public Relations Society of America, public relations helps an organization and its publics adapt mutually to each...

Beyond advertising.(Marketing)
May 1, 2004... When a CEO or business owner considers means by which to promote their company or services, advertising is often the first tactic that comes to mind. While buying ads can be effective, employing a larger "toolbox" comprised of a range of...

Marketing on a budget.(Marketing)(Pro-Search Inc.)
May 1, 2004... Three years ago I started Pro-Search with little capital and a low-cost marketing plan. The plan was to market our services in the least expensive manner while utilizing the same marketing tools as a company with capital. Although this meant...

Policy update: new rules for faxing and e-mailing.(Marketing)
May 1, 2004... Without modern communication mediums, what would your marketing efforts look like? Everyone in the office would probably take a shift wearing the company sandwich board. Modern forms of communication have saved our companies and consumers...

#6: the taxman cometh.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... A justice of the Supreme Court once said that no taxpayer has any moral, ethical or legal obligation to offer one penny more than the law absolutely requires. Accordingly, the lifetime goals of every business owner should be to take as much...

Redesigning your company's Website.(Technology CENTRAL)
May 1, 2004... If you think it's time to upgrade your Website from economy to first-class, here's a step-by-step guide to ensure the success of your project. The task may seem overwhelming at first, but with a process in place, you can take one step at a time...

Detroiter tip: customer service.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Drill your salespeople on these tenets to keep customers coming back: * Be forthright. While it may not make customers happy or help revenues, customers need to be told the truth. If you can't fulfill a demand, tell the customer at the...

Salute.(Detroit Regional Chamber's members)
May 1, 2004... To accomplish the goals set for the Detroit Regional Chamber, it takes a great deal of commitment from a diverse group of quality businesses. Members at the Gold, Silver and Bronze levels have embraced the Chamber's commitment to power the...

10 reasons: why you should use the Detroit Regional Chamber's office depot program for members ...(Illustration)
May 1, 2004... Office Detroit Regional Depot Chamber/Office Item List Price Depot Price Savings White Out 0.75 oz $1.89 $0.32 ...

Benchmarks.(The Network)(AAA Michigan)
May 1, 2004... The following honorees are Gold-level members Novi-based International Transmission Co. celebrated its first year as an independently owned, for-profit business on March 1. The company was formed when DTE Energy divested its electric...

Citizens Banking Corp.(Accounting/Banking/Finance)(Mark A. Bucciere and Ken F. Jones appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Mark A. Bucciere to senior vice president and director of investment sales for wealth management and Ken F. Jones to senior vice president and consumer lending manager at Citizens Banking Corp. in Flint

Small Business Banking.(Accounting/Banking/Finance)(Joseph E. Chasteen and Scott W. Wolffis appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Joseph E. Chasteen and Scott W. Wolffis to senior vice president, Small Business Banking, for National City in the Detroit area.

Grant Thornton.(Accounting/Banking/Finance)(Terry Conley appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Terry Conley to senior manager and practice leader of the state and local tax practice at the Southfield office of Grant Thornton. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

HarleyEllis.(Architecture/Construction)(appointments)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Peyman Ramin, PE and Arthur F. Smith, FAIA to principals at HarleyEllis in Southfield. Also: Suzanne G. Buckley, Gwen K. Chouinard, James A. Corsiglia, E. Kent Mitchell, George T. Paeth, Gerald F. Philo and Thomas A. Platz to associates and...

Kraemer Design Group PLC.(Architecture/Construction)(Mark Mardirosian appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Mark Mardirosian to principal at Kraemer Design Group PLC in Detroit.

Palmer & Cay Inc.(Kevin Youngs, Tim Cunnane appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Kevin Youngs to executive vice president and Tim Cunnane to senior vice president at the Detroit office of Palmer & Cay Inc., a benefits consulting and insurance brokerage firm. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Applied Science & Technology Inc.(Paul Rentschler appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Paul Rentschler to wetland and aquatic biologist at Applied Science & Technology Inc., an environmental services firm in Brighton. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Special D Events Inc.(Business Services)(Kim Kelly appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Kim Kelly to event planner at Special D Events Inc., a corporate event-planning company in Royal Oak.

Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce (APACC).(Chambers of Commerce)(Penny Zhao appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Penny Zhao to office manager at the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce (APACC) in Auburn Hills.

Comcast Cable Communications.(Communications)(appointments)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Deric Bomar to vice president of labor and employment at the Midwest Division, Laura McCallum to vice president, sales and marketing for the Michigan Region, Michael Casillo to area vice president for Detroit Area East, Bob O'Brien to director...

Associated General Contractors, Greater Detroit Chapter.(Construction)(William T. McCarthy appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... William T. McCarthy, president, McCarthy & Smith Inc., to 2004 chairman of the board for the Associated General Contractors, Greater Detroit Chapter in Southfield.

Clayco Construction Co.(Construction)(Kate Elder appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Kate Elder to construction administrator in the Livonia office of Clayco Construction Co.

Wayne State University.(Education)(Michael O. Smith appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Michael O. Smith to director of Wayne State University's Walter P. Reuther Library in Detroit.

NTH Consultants Ltd.(Environmental Engineering)(appointments)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Robert DeJaegher to vice president, Robert P. Matouka to manager of asset management for Midwest operations and Neal A. Gehring, P.E., to senior project consultant for NTH Consultants Ltd. in Farmington Hills.

MGM Grand Detroit Casino.(Entertainment)(Richard S. Duane Jr. appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Richard S. Duane Jr. to director of human resources, workers' compensation and safety programs at MGM Grand Detroit Casino in Detroit. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Providence Hospital.(Health Care)(Bill Manns and Denise Bertin-Epp appointed)
May 1, 2004... Bill Manns to chief operating officer at Providence Hospital in Southfield and Denise Bertin-Epp to chief operating officer and chief nursing officer at Brighton Hospital. Both are units of Detroit-based St. John Health. [ILLUSTRATION...

ADP TotalSource.(Human Resources)(John Rocholl appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... John Rocholl to client service executive for the Midwest region of ADP TotalSource in Novi.

QQuest Corp.(Information Technology)(Patrick Martin and Kevin Konczal appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Patrick Martin to director of sales and marketing and Kevin Konczal to sales manager at QQuest Corp. in Dearborn. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Detroit.(Legal)(Pauline E. Doohan appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Pauline E. Doohan to partner at Foley & Lardner in Detroit.

Dickinson Wright PLLC.(Legal)(Michael Schaldenbrand, Steven G. Howell and Theodore B. Sylwestrzak appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Michael Schaldenbrand to of counsel in the Bloomfield Hills office and Steven G. Howell and Theodore B. Sylwestrzak to members in the banking and financial services group in the Detroit office of Dickinson Wright PLLC.

Dickinson Wright PLLC.(Legal)(Miriam H. Maton and Stephanie A. Asheim appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Miriam H. Maton to of counsel and Stephanie A. Asheim to associate attorney in the Detroit office of Dickinson Wright PLLC.

Longley & Dahling LLP.(Legal)(Jane Derse Quasarano, Cortney E. Goldberg, Gene P. Bowen and Scott P. Gyorke appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Jane Derse Quasarano, Cortney E. Goldberg, Gene P. Bowen and Scott P. Gyorke to partners at Bodman, Longley & Dahling LLP in Detroit. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Plunkett & Cooney PC.(Legal)(Robert A. Marzano and Deborah A. Strain appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Robert A. Marzano and Deborah A. Strain to shareholders at Bloomfield Hills-based Plunkett & Cooney PC.

Butzel Long PC.(Legal)(John C. Blattner, James J. Boutrous II, Joseph J. DeVito, Daniel J. Dulworth, Antoinette M. Pilzner, John N. Raudabaugh, Daniel N. Sharkey, Michael F. Smith and Michael R. Turco appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... John C. Blattner, James J. Boutrous II, Joseph J. DeVito, Daniel J. Dulworth, Antoinette M. Pilzner, John N. Raudabaugh, Daniel N. Sharkey, Michael F. Smith and Michael R. Turco to shareholders at Butzel Long PC in Detroit. [ILLUSTRATION...

Tomkiw Dalton PLC.(Legal)(Andrey T. Tomkiw appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Andrey T. Tomkiw, principal in the Royal Oak law firm of Tomkiw Dalton PLC, to the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority.

Baron & Metzger PLLC.(Legal)(E. Jason Blankenship appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... E. Jason Blankenship to senior associate attorney at Foley, Baron & Metzger PLLC in Ann Arbor.

Fishman & Grauer PLLC.(Legal)(Michael K. Botts appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Michael K. Botts to associate at Rader, Fishman & Grauer PLLC in Bloomfield Hills. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Vercruysse Murray & Calzone PC.(Legal)(William E. Altman, Gary S. Fealk and Louis B. Eble appointed)
May 1, 2004... William E. Altman, Gary S. Fealk and Louis B. Eble to shareholders at Vercruysse Murray & Calzone PC in Bingham Farms.

Franco Public Relations Group.(Marketing/Public Relations)(Susan Ferraro appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Susan Ferraro, account manager at Franco Public Relations Group in Detroit, to a three-year term on the board of directors for the Public Relations Society of America-Detroit Chapter. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Bianchi Public Relations Inc.(Marketing/Public Relations)(Leslie E. Clark appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Leslie E. Clark to senior account executive at Bianchi Public Relations Inc. in Troy.

John Bailey & Associates Inc.(Marketing/Public Relations)(R. Andrew Hetzel appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... R. Andrew Hetzel to vice president at John Bailey & Associates Inc. in Troy.

Berline.(Marketing/Public Relations)(Michael S. Michalski appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Michael S. Michalski to senior account executive at Berline in Bloomfield Hills.

Detroit Local Initiatives Support Corp. (LISC).(Nonprofits)(Kandis Anderson appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Kandis Anderson to program officer at Detroit Local Initiatives Support Corp. (LISC) in Detroit.

ArtServe Michigan.(Nonprofits)(Kim Dabbs appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Kim Dabbs to director of service programs for ArtServe Michigan in Lansing and Southfield.

Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division.(Nonprofits)(John Hale, Cherri Hobbins and Kathleen Hovelman appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... John Hale to associate director of development, Major Cherri Hobbins to divisional secretary for programs and Major Kathleen Hovelman to divisional women's ministries secretary at the Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division in Southfield.

Insite Commercial Group/TCN Worldwide.(Real Estate)(David Sloan appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... David Sloan to associate broker in the Southfield office of Insite Commercial Group/TCN Worldwide.

NAI Farbman.(Real Estate)(Roselyn Perri appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Roselyn Perri to property manager with NAI Farbman in Southfield. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Grubb & Ellis Co.(appointments)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Chuck Ginster, Bob Pagano and David Giltner to senior vice presidents in the Industrial Services Group: Randall Allman and Scott Lyons to vice presidents in the Industrial Services Group; Robert L. Badgero to senior vice president in the Office...

Schostak Brothers & Co.(Real Estate)(Cindy Ciura and Patrick K. Windley appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Cindy Ciura, SCMD to senior marketing vice president and Patrick K. Windley to vice president, director of acquisitions at Schostak Brothers & Co. in Southfield. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Handleman Co.(Scott Wilson and Ron Lund appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Scott Wilson and Ron Lund to group vice presidents at Handleman Co. in Troy.

Pentastar Aviation.(Transportation)(Erica Wegner appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Erica Wegner to flight follower at Pentastar Aviation in Waterford. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Enrollment in the electronic age.(Health Care CENTRAL)
May 1, 2004... Collecting employee benefits data electronically saves a significant amount of time. Automating as many of these functions as possible can save time and headaches from an HR perspective. However, most mid-size organizations are still working...

Bright ideas--save time.(keeping benefit communication materials)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... It isn't necessary to keep all of your benefits-related communication materials in hard copy. Save time by reducing your involvement with certain plan administrative functions: * Almost all carriers have their provider networks online....