Detroiter articles from September 2008

Detroiter archives from September 2008

Corrections.(Correction notice)
September 1, 2008... The caption for the upper right photo on page 60 upper of the June/July Detroiter should have read: Joyce Hayes Giles was a lucky winner of a Blackberry Curve courtesy of T-Mobile. The June/July Detroiter incorrectly identified the photos...

A year in review: keeping members posted on our progress.(YEAR IN REVIEW)(Detroit Regional Chamber)
September 1, 2008... As you read this Year in Review edition of the Detroiter, you will learn about all of the successes we had during the last program year. As a new program year gets under way at the Detroit Regional Chamber, I am proud to report the state of our...

Five ways to wow members: take a look at some of the work the Chamber is most proud of.(YEAR IN REVIEW)
September 1, 2008... We improved the region's workforce The Southeast Michigan WIRED Partnership got its program to help transform the region's economy off the ground after the first of the year, following approval of our action plan by the program's funding...

Looking back: 2007-2008 results.(YEAR IN REVIEW)(Detroit Regional Chamber)
September 1, 2008... It's hard to believe a full year has gone by since 1 took the helm as chair of the Detroit Regional Chamber's Board of Directors. It was an exciting, rewarding and fast-paced twelve months. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As someone who has...

New leadership: a look back at Mackinac and ahead to the next year.(YEAR IN REVIEW)(Detroit Regional Chamber)(Conference news)
September 1, 2008... It is with great enthusiasm and expectation that I assume the role of" board chair for the Detroit Regional Chamber during the 2008-2009 program year. Not withstanding the many challenges facing our community, it is a promising time for the...

Where it all happens: the Chamber's Government Relations team frequently makes trips to Lansing.(Government Relations)(Detroit Regional Chamber Government Relations team )(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... The Chamber's Government Relations team spends its time advocating for a pro-business agenda in local, state and federal government. They also act as a resource and guide to Chamber staff and members looking to learn more about Lansing and...

Keeping a watchful eve on the border: highlights of Chamber advocacy on border issues.(Government Relations)(Detroit Regional Chamber)(Conference news)
September 1, 2008... The Detroit Regional Chamber remains vigilant to continue the recent progress made to improve passenger ft freight traffic across our Michigan/Ontario Border. Approximately $1.1 billion in goods cross between the U.S. and Canada everyday. With...

Long nights, long days: what happens when the legislature pulls an all nighter.(Government Relations)(Detroit Regional Chamber Government Relations team )(Sarah Hubbard)(Interview)
September 1, 2008... During the budget crisis of 2007, The legislature chose to hold marathon session episodes several times. The Chamber's Government Relations team was constantly in attendance or monitoring session throughout the budget and tax negotiations. ...

Hot topics: The Chamber's environment and energy committees are working for Michigan business.(Government relation)
September 1, 2008... Environment Over the past year, the Environmental Policy Committee has helped advocate for the passage of positive reforms to the State's brownfield redevelopment program, resulting in a faster, more flexible process for developers and...

Industry outlook.(Environmental Committee Chair)(Michigan. Department of Environmental Quality)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Considering today's grim economic picture, the loss of Michigan jobs, the preference for new manufacturing plants to locate in places other than Michigan, it is about time that the MDEQ take a close review of its programs and its practices so...

TranslinkeD: get involved with the Chamber's latest initiative.(Government Relations)(Detroit Regional Chamber)(Conference news)
September 1, 2008... As the heart of the automotive supply chain and the most valuable North American trade entry point, the Detroit Region depends on an effective and integrated infrastructure system to support our economic base. Our future transportation system...

Industry outlook.(Government Relations)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... In the future, carriers will be looking to offset rising fuel expenses. In addition to passing costs to shippers, carriers will be focusing on other options: * Tightening supplier management * Reducing hefty maintenance costs and...

Driving change: one year out, AJAC's making progress.(Government Relations)(fuel economy standards for auto industry)(Conference news)
September 1, 2008... The Detroit Regional Chamber began the Automotive Jobs Action Coalition last year in an effort to support the auto industry as it faced changes to Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. We started small with a few interested chambers...

Leading through action, influence & access: highlights & accomplishments of the chambers PAC.(Government Relations)
September 1, 2008... As your "Voice for Business," the Chamber, through its Political Action Committee, helps build and maintain key relationships that at the end of the day enable us to gel the job done! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] While 2007-2008 was not a...

New forums for members: the Chamber organized new events for members to meet politicians.(Government Relations)
September 1, 2008... The Chamber held a City Council Meet & Greet for members of the business community to have the opportunity to meet with Detroit's City Council. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For the first time ever, the Chamber held a State of the Region...

Other issues on our agenda: the Chamber's government relations team tackled a lot of issues during the 2007-2008 program year here's a look at some of them.(Government Relations)
September 1, 2008... Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative The Chamber's ongoing commitment To ease travel between the Detroit-Windsor border continues with our work on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHT1). The Detroit Regional Chamber plays a key...

True regionalism: a business agenda for economic transformation in the Great Lakes region.(Super Regionalism)
September 1, 2008... A recent Brookings Institute study says if the Great Lakes region were a country, it would have the second largest economy in the world--second only to the U.S. Defined as the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,...

Investing in the economy: John Carroll works to make sure the Partnership stays strong.(Talent)
September 1, 2008... As the Detroit Regional Chamber's economic development arm, the Detroit Regional Economic Partnership is funded almost completely by investors from the private sector, and a large part of Executive Director John Carroll's role is to identify...

Fusing generations: Fusion helps bridge the gap in the workplace.(Talent)(young professionals to be trained on personal development )
September 1, 2008... With the importance of keeping this generation here and involved in the community, the emergence and proliferation of young professional organizations is evident in the area. Fusion is the one organization that gives young professionals a voice...

Still wired: a look at workforce innovation in the past year.(Talent)
September 1, 2008... The Southeast Michigan WIRED Partnership got its program to help transform the region's economy off the ground after the first of the year, following approval of our action plan by the program's funding source, the U.S. Department of Labor, in...

The need for internship programs.(Talent)
September 1, 2008... The need for a broad-based internship initiative is compelling. The benefits of internships for students, employers and ultimately the whole state are many. The tank is large. To carry out the initiative, it was clear that it would take a true...

Regional skills alliance.(Talent)(Detroit Regional Chamber selected by State of Michigan for providing economic development training to employees)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... The Detroit Regional Chamber was selected by the State of Michigan as a convener for the Regional Skills Alliance--an initiative designed to support employers and economic development needs by providing training to fill job vacancies in high...

Higher education and the new economy.(Talent)
September 1, 2008... The Detroit Regional Chamber, the DTE Energy Foundation and WXYZ-TV Channel 7 hosted the "Higher Education and the New Economy" Town Hall on April 30. The program aired on Channel 7 and focused on the need for students to get an education or...

Studying the schools: the Chamber supports engaging business leaders in education.(Talent)
September 1, 2008... While the most important stakeholders in the schools are the students and their parents, civic and business leaders also have a vested interest in the success of schools within a community. The Detroit Regional Chamber, in partnership with...

Mackinac Policy Conference results: 2008 conference produces Detroit Region's business agenda for building a stronger Michigan.(Makinac Policy Conference)
September 1, 2008... During the 2008 Mackinac Policy Conference, the Detroit Region's business community identified the top public policy issues that need to be addressed for building a stronger Michigan. Of all the topics discussed during the event, these three...

Helping entrepreneurs: The Chamber Small Business Advisory Council works to support Michigan's talent.(Small Business)
September 1, 2008... Resilient and persistent are two words that I have used to describe the small business entrepreneurs of Southeastern Michigan. In an economic climate where challenges are more prevalent than opportunities, small business owners are faced with...

Best practice workshops.(small Business)
September 1, 2008... Two Best Practice Workshops were held during the year, where recognized industry experts conducted interactive sessions that gave attendees the opportunity to learn easily implemented business ideas. Pictured here is Denise Roberts, president,...

5 Minute Networking.(Small Business)
September 1, 2008... The Chamber held several 5 Minute Networking events during the 2007-2008 program year. Among the most popular were the ones held on the Detroit People Mover (pictured here) and at IKEA in Canton. Approximately one hundred companies are...

New reads for entrepreneurs.(small Business)(Bibliography)
September 1, 2008... The Detroiter magazine launched a new section during 2007-2008, Small Biz Beat. The regular section examines topics crucial to small business success, including finance, law, event planning, wireless technology and more. The section also...

Next on our agenda ...
September 1, 2008... On October 13th the Detroit Regional Chamber will launch a brand new workshop for small to mid-size business owners called "Maverick Marketing Mondays." This lunch meeting with a twist will feature a presentation, Q&A and square table...

Improving on the system: the chamber works to engage members in health care reform.(Health Care Initiatives)
September 1, 2008... There are several ways to consider the term "health care"--cost of insurance, quality of care and access to care are some of the most pressing concerns to small business owners. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Chamber has long played a role...

Upcoming summit on covering the uninsured.
September 1, 2008... The Chamber is cosponsoring a summit on Health Coverage in America: Understanding the Issues and Proposed Solutions. The purpose of the summit is to build informed voters on the issue of health care. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHAT: An...

Pushing boundaries: leadership Detroit wraps up another successful program year.(Leadership Detroit)
September 1, 2008... Most of us who have important leadership roles in the many companies located in southeast Michigan have easy access to leadership development programs designed to enhance specific leadership competencies needed in our particular role or...

New member of the year: for Rukmal Fernando, Michigan's struggling economy offered the perfect launching pad for a new, high-end design company.(Member Outreach)
September 1, 2008... Fernando started Breeze Design Studio in 2007 after a group of six designers approached him with their portfolios and asked the Sri Lankan native to back them financially. He agreed, and decided to head up the new venture. [ILLUSTRATION...

Volunteer of the year.(Member Outreach)
September 1, 2008... Matt Friedman has been a media pro since age 11. That's when the founding partner of Tanner Friedman public relations firm got his start in the news business, working as a disc jockey for WBFH 88.1, broadcast from Andover High School. ...

Ambassador of the year: the key to staying successful in a tough economy? Make new friends.(Member Outreach)
September 1, 2008... Ray Moulden, a sales executive with Office Furniture Rental Alliance and winner of this year's "Ambassador of the Year" award, says networking is what keeps his business going strong. Moulden still writes new contacts' name in black book, and...

Corporate advocate of the year: from day one, one of the most active investors in the Detroit Regional Economic Partnership has been the Chrysler.(Member Outreach)
September 1, 2008... Foundation--the primary source of charitable grants made by Chrysler LLC. The Foundation, led by W. Frank Fountain as president, annually supports hundreds of charitable organizations with an emphasis on community growth and enrichment, arts...

Using your membership to its fullest: efforts help members get the most from their investment.(Member Outreach)
September 1, 2008... Twelve months ago, the Chamber reinvented its member relations strategy and 1 hope that for you, our members, it has paid off. With a goal to increase member activity, interaction and engagement, we introduced a variety of new strategies to...

Member looking out for each other: the Chamber's Ambassador Committee seeks to help new members find their niche.(Member Outreach)
September 1, 2008... Tangible results is the bottom line to the membership in the Detroit Regional Chamber. Simply defined: building relationships with potential clients with the assistance of a dedicated sales person. That is what the Ambassador's Committee is...

Geeks with vision: the Chamber's technology advisory panel focuses on how technology changes business.(Member Outreach)
September 1, 2008... Our Technology Advisory Panel was started back in 2004 with the idea that we wanted to support our technology member companies by finding ways to help them to deal with challenges that are unique to this new and expanding part of our economy....

Event planning: members can now help plan the Chamber's many events.(Conference news)
September 1, 2008... Imagine being awash in resources and not realizing it because you're busy trying to accomplish business goals using only resources that are apparent? Tapping into ingenuity is simple--it's a matter of involving people who can see and access the...

Helping members communicate: the Chamber's PR/Marketing Advisory Council helped launch Detroiter online and bring YPs to Mackinac.(Member Outreach)
September 1, 2008... You could make the argument that the Detroit Regional Chamber has never played a more important role for Southeast Michigan than it is playing right now. With the challenges we face as a business community, our Chamber needs to bring us closer...

Executive committee.(Leaders)
September 1, 2008... Chairman of the Board Leslie A. Murphy President and CEO Murphy Consulting, Inc. First Vice Chairman Sandra E. Pierce President & CEO Charter One Bank, Michigan Vice Chairman Barbara Allushuski ...

2007-2008 Sponsors: from networking events to seminars to initiatives and endeavors, over the past year wouldn't have been possible without the support of these sponsors.(Sponsor Recognition)
September 1, 2008... 5-Minute Networking Detroit People Mover Hard Rock Cafe IKEA Canton Joe Louis Arena MGM Grand Detroit Casino & Hotel The Westin Southfield Hotel The Ritz Carlton Hotel [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 2007 Annual...

Financial report.(YEAR IN REVIEW)
September 1, 2008... Where our dollars came from * Dollars Percentage Products and Services 8,541,389 48% Programs and Events 3,190,410 18% Membership Investment 2,725,734 ...

Membership report.(YEAR IN REVIEW)
September 1, 2008... Member numbers At the close of fiscal 2008 22,393 At the close of fiscal 2007 23,021 Loss 1 percent By location ...

Dollars and sense: what small business owners need to know about finance.(SMALL BIZ BEAT)
September 1, 2008... Pastures haven't been so pleasant lately, according to small business owners. Over 70 percent of them view the U.S. economy as getting worse, while over 50 percent have consistently rated the economy as "poor" each month since January '08. What...

Entrepreneurial spotlight: Wauldron design associates.(SMALL BIZ BEAT)
September 1, 2008... Business Wauldron Design Associates Location Beverly Hills What is it that you do? My firm offers clients a full range of interior design services I emphasize the creation of a total environment through the integration of...

On the roster: join us in welcoming these new members to the Chamber. We encourage you to contact them for future business opportunities.(MEMBERSHIP MATTERS)
September 1, 2008... Silver Michigan Education Association P.O. Box 2573 East Lansing, Ml 48826-2573 (517)337-5507 www.mea.org The Michigan Education Association represents about 160,000 teachers, faculty and education support staff...

The Parade Company.(Community Outreach)
September 1, 2008... Joan A. LeMahieu, President, The Parade Company and Matthew P. Cullen, Chair, Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation announced that The Parade Company was recently awarded an $110,000 grant from The Skillman Foundation. The Skillman Foundation...

Henry Ford Hospice-Residence Oakland.(Community Outreach)
September 1, 2008... A ribbon cutting ceremony was held June 18 at the first full service Hospice Residence in Oakland County. Henry Ford Hospice-Residence Oakland, located in the Lake Land Center in Southfield, is an innovative resource designed to provide a...

Medicai Metwork One.(Awards & Achievements)
September 1, 2008... Medicai Metwork One announced that the Michigan Institute for Health Enhancement has been selected by the Greater Detroit Area Health Council (GDAHC) Save Lives Save Dollars initiative to serve as its first worksite education partner for the...

Bodman LLP.(Awards & Achievements)
September 1, 2008... Detroit-based business law firm Bodman LLP is the only law firm in Michigan to receive the highest possible ranking in Banking and Finance Law from the prestigious journal Chambers USA 2008. Chambers ranks law firms in major areas of practice...

Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, P.C.(Awards & Achievements)
September 1, 2008... Carole BenEzra, a partner with the Southfield office of Michigan-based Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, P.C., has been appointed to the Government Relations Committee of the Electronic Transactions Association (ETA). The ETA, based in Washington...

Butzel Long.(Awards & Achievements)
September 1, 2008... Butzel Long attorney and shareholder Robert A. Boonin was elected a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, a prestigious and highly limited national honorary of employment law practitioners. Throughout North America, fewer than...

University of Michigan health system.(Awards & Achievements)
September 1, 2008... The doctors, nurses and other health professionals of the University of Michigan Health System provide some of the highest-quality health care in the country--and some of the safest, too. That's according to the American Hospital Association,...

Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, P.C.(Awards & Achievements)
September 1, 2008... More than 400 children and families from Inkster, Mich.-based Starfish Family Services, Western Wayne County's largest human non-profit service agency, and Southfield Public Schools -recently enjoyed day at the Detroit Zoo on July 17,...

Henry Ford Hospital.(Awards & Achievements)
September 1, 2008... Geraldine Muller, an emergency nurse at Henry Ford Hospital, was awarded the 2008 Michigan Excellence in Emergency Nursing Award by the Michigan Emergency Nurses.Association (MENA). The award honors nurses who advance the professional values of...

Spalding DeDecker Associates, Inc.(Awards & Achievements)
September 1, 2008... Frank DeDecker, PE, PS, co-founder of Spalding DeDecker Associates, Inc. (SDA), received the 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award from Michigan State University's College of Engineering. Recipients of this award, first presented in 2003, must be...

Dickinson Wright PLLC.(Awards & Achievements)
September 1, 2008... Dickinson Wright PLLC has been selected as a Go-To Law Firm for Leading Financial Services Companies. As a Go-To Law Firm, Dickinson Wright is recognized as one of the law firms that Leading Financial Services companies rely upon. Dickinson...

ASG Renaissance.(Awards & Achievements)
September 1, 2008... ASG Renaissance was recently honored by the International Academy of the Visual Arts (IAVA) with two Communicator Awards for creative excellence in communications. In the creative design category, ASG received a Silver Communicator Award for...

Skidmore.(Awards & Achievements)
September 1, 2008... Royal Oak creative studio, Skidmore, was awarded eight Renaissance Awards, including Best of Show for the fifth straight year, from the Detroit chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (lABC). The IABC's annual awards...

Garan Lucow Miller, PC.(Awards & Achievements)
September 1, 2008... Shareholder in the Detroit office of Garan Lucow Miller, PC., has been selected as a recipient of the 2008 American Pediatric Medical Association's Meritorious Service Award. This award is an honor reserved only for individuals who demonstrate...

BlueWater.(Awards & Achievements)
September 1, 2008... BlueWater Technologies Inc. a turnkey technology provider including Design & Engineering; Systems Integration; Live Events and Information Technology Service has received national certification as a Women's Business Enterprise by the MICEED, a...

Nemeth Burwell PC.(Awards & Achievements)
September 1, 2008... Anne Widlak, a partner with Detroit-based employment law firm Nemeth Burwell PC, was named a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America (LCA). The LCA is a trial lawyer honorary society comprised of less than one-half of one percent of lawyers...

BERLINE.(Contracts & Expansions)
September 1, 2008... BERLINE, a leader in advertising, marketing communications and public relations, announced the creation of an exciting new division, B-Experiential. This separate, but fully integrated division signals BERLINE's continuous growth, innovation...

Marx Layne & Company.(Contracts & Expansions)
September 1, 2008... Marx Layne & Company, a full-service marketing and public relations agency announced it has been 1named public relations agency of record for Summit Sports, Inc. Founded in 1990, Summit Sports boasts top-of-the-line gear and apparel for the...

Global LT.(Contracts & Expansions)
September 1, 2008... Global LT, a leading provider of language and cultural services, and Mango Languages, an innovative online language learning software provider, jointly announce the appointment of Global LT as an authorized marketer of Mango Language's...

Habitat for Humanity Detroit.(Contracts & Expansions)
September 1, 2008... Habitat for Humanity Detroit--a nonprofit Christian housing organization dedicated to building affordable housing in partnership with those in need in the city of Detroit--has chosen Bianchi Public Relations, Inc. to execute its pro bono media...

McGraw Wentworth.(Contracts & Expansions)
September 1, 2008... Group benefit consultants McGraw Wentworth announced it has been retained by Virginia Tile Company of Livonia, Mich., to manage health benefits for the company's 215 employees located in Michigan, Illinois and Ohio. Headquartered in Livonia,...

Automation Alley has signed a collaborative agreement with TeachTown.(Contracts & Expansions)
September 1, 2008... Automation Alley has signed a collaborative agreement with TeachTown to offer the combined resources of both organizations in the center of Detroit. "Collaborating with TechTown is a fantastic opportunity for Automation Alley and a tremendous...

Henry Ford Macomb Hospital.(Contracts & Expansions)
September 1, 2008... Nintendo's popular Wii video game system is good for more than just fun and games, as patients at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital are finding out. Wii is now being used by patients as part of their physical or occupational rehabilitation therapy as...

I have nor met one patient yet who does not love it," McDaniel says.(In the News)
September 1, 2008... "I have nor met one patient yet who does not love it," McDaniel says. "The idea of playing something on a screen fascinates them, it's really interesting. This is a unique activity that helps engage our patients but also aids in their recovery....

Following the buzz: The latest people, events, places, gadgets and things that have Southeast Michigan's business community buzzing.(MEMBERSHIP MATTERS)
September 1, 2008... Tired of your network going down right in the middle of a busy day? Send a note to your IT department using this stationary. Just because the ns:work's down doesn't mean you can't complain. On sale for $4.49 at www.merlinsbox.com ...

Up and coming: mark your calendar with these regional business events.(MEMBERSHIP MATTERS)(Calendar)
September 1, 2008... Sept. 18 Emerging & Disruptive Technology: Transforming the Face of Business FOX Theater 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm $50 Gartner will present research and perspectives relative to Emerging Technologies and how they relate to the...