Detroiter articles from November 2005

Detroiter archives from November 2005

Personal blogs may create legal issues for employers: over the past few years, blogs and blogging have made tech headlines as a sometimes risque alternative to mainstream news coverage. What happens when blogs intersect with the workplace?(NEWSLETTER)
November 1, 2005... For the unfamiliar, blog is short for weblog. Blogging is the practice of maintaining a weblog. A weblog is a personal web site that uses a dated log format (usually with the most recent addition at the top of the page) and contains links to...

Beware the watchdog: responding to the Business Software Alliance.(TRENDS)
November 1, 2005... Using technology and the Internet, enormous amounts of information can be created, distributed and duplicated in a matter of seconds. However, technology has produced copyright infringement concerns. Commercial software companies like...

Does Grokster decision sound the death knell for Internet file sharing?(TRIALS)
November 1, 2005... Earlier this summer, the United States Supreme Court ruled unanimously against Grokster, Ltd. and StreamCast Networks, Inc. for "inducing" copyright infringement arising from the distribution of filesharing software and other affirmative acts...

Employee options: is the new Roth 401K hope or hype?(NEWS)
November 1, 2005... A major challenge faced by all 401(k) sponsors is encouraging and maintaining broad employee participation. Increased participation reflects employee satisfaction, and is a continuing benefit to employees as they prepare for their eventual...

Don't let free software cost your company trade secrets.(TOOLS)
November 1, 2005... Whether or not you know it, if you've used the Internet you have probably used Open Source or free software. What companies don't know about free software is that it is licensed software. Using it to develop proprietary software may have a...

Another great conference.(Feedback)
November 1, 2005... I want to congratulate the Detroit Regional Chamber on another stellar gathering of leaders at the 25th Mackinac Policy Conference. The continued growth of the conference reflects and underscores its importance to regional decision-making....

Partners for results.(Feedback)
November 1, 2005... In the past year, we have obtained through the Detroit Regional Economic Partnership hundred of marketing statistics on our particular target market, numerous business contacts including our banker and accountant, advice on federal, state and...

Powerful connections.(Feedback)
November 1, 2005... The 2005 Mackinac Policy Conference was my first. As a new person to this event I wanted to write and let you know what a useful and worthwhile three days this was for me. The opportunity to connect with so many leaders throughout our state and...

International hosts.(Feedback)
November 1, 2005... On behalf of the French Embassy Economic Department in Chicago/Detroit, thanks to the Detroit Regional Economic Partnership for hosting us for our various Tuesday SAE meetings. Not only did the Chamber provide an excellent backdrop for our...

Vision and dreams: they're the first steps on the path to success.(From the President)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2005... In this issue of the Detroiter, we pay tribute to the 2005 Future 50 of Greater Detroit. These are the smaller and in many cases newer businesses that are setting the highest standards of job growth and investment in Southeast Michigan....

Small Business Conference wins 'Best of Show" Award.(InBox)
November 1, 2005... The Detroit Regional Chamber's 2004 Small Business Conference received the "Best of Show" Award in the 21st Annual Awards for Communication Excellence (ACE) competition sponsored by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. "We had an...

Introducing: 'Bizzy Awards' for small businesses.(InBox)
November 1, 2005... Are you making money, saving money or growing your business? If so, the Detroit Regional Chamber's first annual "Bizzy Awards" program is for you. We want to recognize you for your achievements, and we want other small businesses to be inspired...

Introducing: Tips4Biz.(InBox)
November 1, 2005... The Detroit Regional Chamber's new weekly e-newsletter is now available to all members. It's called "Tips4Biz: Helping You Make Money, Save Money and Grow," and it's specially designed for small businesses looking for expert advice on a variety...

Health-care costs: Chamber advocacy pays off.(InBox)
November 1, 2005... Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's recent announcement that its rate increases will be in the moderate range of 4 percent is good news for small employers and evidence that Michigan's Small Employer Health Market Reform Act of 2003 is...

Crain's honors Chamber VP.(InBox)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Crain's Detroit Business selected Sarah Hubbard, vice president of Government Relations at the Detroit Regional Chamber, as one of its 2005 "40 Under 40" honorees. Each year the publication cites 40 business leaders under age 40 for their...

Our new Employers Directory is a valuable business resource.(InBox)(Directory)
November 1, 2005... The Chamber's new "Top 100 Companies in Regional Detroit: A Major Employers Directory" is hot off the press. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This directory is a valuable resource for your business. Most listings include company name, top...

BoardConnect SE: a tool for stronger nonprofits.(InBox)
November 1, 2005... The Detroit Regional Chamber is collaborating with Ann Arbor-based Nonprofit Enterprise at Work (NEW) on a new leadership program called BoardConnect SE. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] One of BoardConnect SE's primary goals is to connect...

Thanks, Automation Alley!(InBox)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Automation Alley CEO Ken Rogers presents a framed print to Chamber President and CEO Dick Blouse in honor of the new partnership between the two organizations. The partnership will enable the Chamber and Automation Alley to collaborate on...

Chamber Board of Directors welcomes 9 new members.(InBox)
November 1, 2005... Nine new members joined the Chamber's Board of Directors for the 2005-2006 program year. They are: Barbara Allushuski, managing principal, Mercer Human Resources; Brian Balasia, president, Digerati Solutions Inc.; Ralph Burrell, president and...

New members.(InBox)
November 1, 2005... Welcome to these new members who joined the Detroit Regional Chamber from June 1 through Aug. 15, 2005: Silver Cingular Wireless Farmington Hills Herlong Cathedral School ...

Winner's circle: the 2005 Future 50 of Greater Detroit.(Cover Story)
November 1, 2005... The Future 50 of Greater Detroit competition is sponsored by BDO Seidman LLP, the Detroit Regional Chamber, LaSalle Bank and WWJ Newsradio 950. The 50 companies listed beginning on page 21 were chosen based on their impact on the economy of...

Managing the media: what to do if a reporter calls. Hint: 'no comment' is not an option.(Marketing)
November 1, 2005... You return to your office from a business meeting to several voice-mail messages, just like any other day. But on this day, you have a message that is different. It's a reporter from one of the daily newspapers, wanting to talk to you about...

Volunteerism as a business strategy: community participation is a great way to enhance your business image.(Marketing)
November 1, 2005... If you're looking for a quick way to leverage your public relations and marketing budget, tap into a little-used resource--your employees and strategic volunteerism and community participation. With Super Bowl XL coming up, Detroit...

How to protect your trade secrets: a legal expert answers six critical questions.(Legal)
November 1, 2005... It's no secret that departing employees pose the biggest threat to a company's confidential information. Protecting this information must be an on-going process. Here are six questions that must be considered: Q: Should I choose patent or...

The 7 elements of successful business transitions.(Finance)
November 1, 2005... It's easy--even human nature--to get caught up in day-to-day concerns of your business and leave transition planning until the 11th hour. Too often, business owners spend their time working in the business rather than on the business, and when...

GPS solutions on wireless devices: it's a new tool that's now available to smaller businesses.(Technology CENTRAL)
November 1, 2005... Today, most companies are not strangers in deploying wireless technology as part of business solutions that improve efficiency and customer satisfaction. However, what may be less apparent is how wireless solutions are increasing the utility of...

ISO and your business: an outside audit can boost your chances of success.(Manufacturing CENTRAL)(International Organization for Standardization)
November 1, 2005... Many small to medium-sized businesses have implemented some form of an ISO-based management system. Whether mandated by industry requirements or simply a decision by company management driven to develop a more formal processes, the application...

Insurance update: what you need to know before you set up shop outside the U.S.(Manufacturing CENTRAL)
November 1, 2005... Progressing from conducting business from a base in the United States to having a facility abroad can be a great step for business development, but is not as simple as leasing a factory and setting up shop. Besides having to deal with currency...

Update on the 2005 Bankruptcy Act: it's a boon to creditors and a bane to debtors.(Manufacturing CENTRAL)
November 1, 2005... The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 will spur significant changes that will have an impact on Detroit-area businesses, particularly the automotive industry. Its provisions are, for the most part, beneficial...

Temporary staffing: the ABCs of making it work for your business.(Workforce CENTRAL)
November 1, 2005... What is temporary staffing? If you were to ask 10 people what comes to mind when they hear those words, you'd most likely get many different responses. Employers, employees and the client companies who utilize the services of this industry all...

Domestic violence: a bottom-line issue; The annual price tag could be as much as $5 billion.(Workforce CENTRAL)
November 1, 2005... There's no question that the cost of domestic violence is devastating to individuals and families. What you may not realize is that domestic violence also affects American businesses, costing them as much as $5 billion annually in medical...

Tip for a stress-free workplace: stress carries a $300 billion price tag for U.S. industries.(Workforce CENTRAL)
November 1, 2005... Most business owners face the common and costly problem of worker stress whether they are aware of it or not. In a recent Gallup Poll, 80 percent of workers said they feel stress on the job. Nearly half said they need help in learning how to...

Business insurance 101.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... You've invested lots of time and money to get your business to where it is today. Make sure you protect that investment. Minimizing risks through safety programs, employment practices policies and security systems are fundamental practices of a...

Medicare Part D: what employers need to know about this voluntary program.(Health Care CENTRAL)
November 1, 2005... Medicare Part D is a voluntary program that provides prescription drug coverage to Medicare beneficiaries. This program is administered through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and will become effective on Jan. 1, 2006. ...