Michael Rogers, vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan, talks with tech expert Tony Merlo, owner of SmarterPhones.net, about the new Apple phones and watch, how to maximize your battery life and an update on augmented reality.
Michael Rogers, vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan, interviews nationally-known small business advocate Chris Holman about the top reasons employees leave their jobs, four cornerstones of success and good news about MEDC funding for entrepreneurship in Michigan.
Michael Rogers, vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan, talks with Linda, Daichendt, executive director of the Mobile Technology Association of Michigan, about how to avoid damaging email scams.
Michael Rogers, vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan, talks with Mary Peacock, owner of Peacock Real Estate in west Michigan. Her firm is a member of the Inc 5000 list of 2016 fast growing companies.
Michael Rogers, vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan, talks with social media expert Veronica Gracia-Wing, associate strategist for Piper & Gold Public Relations in Lansing, about visual design tips for social media posts, how to avoid legal trouble when engaging in social media, responding to negativity in social media posts, using social media surveys and the growth of social commerce.
Michael Rogers, vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan, talks with nationally-known small business advocate Chris Holman about tips for hiring entry level employees, business potential for fracking, having a defensive intellectual property strategy, identifying leadership skills in college grads and the rise of senior entrepreneurs.
Michael Rogers, vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan, talks about the new Blue Cross’ Personal Choice PPO product with Aaron MacDonald, Director of Small Group Sales and External Distribution at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, and Dr. David Share, Senior Vice President, Value Partnerships at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. They discuss Key Differences and Marketplace Distinction, BCBSM Plan Offerings, Employer and Member Benefits, Organized Systems of Care and Michigan Providers and Organized Systems of Care and Value Partnerships.
Michael Rogers, vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan, interviews Melissa Douglas, co-founder of Douglas & Co. Detroit. Douglas & Co. Detroit was recently named to the Inc. 5000 list of fast-growing companies in Michigan. Melissa and her husband Shane founded Douglas & Co. Detroit to be a lifestyle brand that celebrates the unique characteristics of individuals. Inspired by the diversity of people, the brand offers a limited run of products within a series, less than 20-50.
Michael Rogers, vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan, talks with Perry Ballard, owner of Manager Perceived Value and a veteran SCORE counselor, to learn more about how to put together a winning loan proposal. Perry built an ad agency in southwest Michigan from a one-man-spare-bedroom-office to 28 people and $2 million per year annual income working in markets across the U.S. and overseas from local retail and services through travel/recreation and into light and heavy manufacturing. "That 30+ years proved two motivational paths increase response, no matter the message delivery channel – print or broadcast, social media, publicity/public relations, technical work – motivating a prospect starts by changing where YOU start thinking about your message," Perry says.
Michael Rogers, vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan, talks with Martin Stein, founder and managing director of Blackford Capital, a small Grand Rapids firm recently named to the Inc. 5000 list of fast growing companies. Founded in 2000, Blackford has grown its work force from 4 to 16 employees. Blackford currently owns and oversees 9 portfolio companies, which have aggregate revenues of over $225 million, 800 employees, and operate in 11 states. In the past 5 years, Blackford has reviewed more than 14,000 transactions, completed detailed analysis on 1,200 companies, visited 150 possible acquisition opportunities, and completed 16 majority-control and 5 minority-control investments.
