ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) today announced the publication of a new study detailing the credit scores and payment behavior of ten local chambers of commerce across the United States, comparing their member businesses with other regional, state and national business averages. Produced by Cortera™, a community-driven business credit bureau, on behalf of ACCE, the study includes the Bowling Green (KY) Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Boca Raton (FL) Chamber of Commerce, Greater Durham (NC) Chamber of Commerce, Greater Omaha (NE) Chamber of Commerce, Helena (MT) Area Chamber of Commerce, Lake Champlain (VT) Regional Chamber of Commerce, Lubbock (TX) Chamber of Commerce, Salem (OR) Area Chamber of Commerce, San Diego (CA) Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Tulsa (OK) Metro Chamber. According to the study, chamber of commerce members possess an average credit score of 629, compared to a 557 average score for businesses at large. Such scores – the payment behavior from which they are derived -- play a significant role in attracting lines of credit and securing favorable terms from lenders and suppliers.

“What this study indicates is that the perception is right. From a credit standpoint, chamber members on average are better businesses, and as a result they have significant advantages in obtaining the funds they need. In this economy and the tight credit environment we are experiencing, that's especially important.”

A complete copy of the study, which includes both the aggregate findings, as well as the individual commercial credit scores for each of the ten local chambers, is available on the ACCE and Cortera sites. The study was contracted by ACCE and performed by Cortera, which reviewed payment behavior for chamber member businesses.

“Chamber members have long been seen as responsible and reliable members of their community,” said Mick Fleming, president and CEO of ACCE. “What this study indicates is that the perception is right. From a credit standpoint, chamber members on average are better businesses, and as a result they have significant advantages in obtaining the funds they need. In this economy and the tight credit environment we are experiencing, that's especially important.”

“The economic health of the entire supply chain is dependent on the payment behavior of each of its stakeholders,” said Jim Swift, president and CEO of Cortera. “This study suggests that chamber members are among the most dependable participants in this ecosystem.”

About the American Chamber of Commerce Executives

Established in 1914, ACCE is the only national association serving the professional development needs of chamber professionals throughout the United States and Canada. Representing more than 7,300 individuals, ACCE enhances the knowledge, leadership skills, and management effectiveness of chamber executives and their staff through education, benefits programs, trend analysis, benchmarking, and network development. ACCE promotes the highest standards of professional excellence and integrity within the chamber profession.

SUCCESS STORY: Majoring in Michigan entrepreneurship

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SUCCESS STORY: Majoring in Michigan entrepreneurship

By The Center for Michigan - February 25, 2010

By Jo Mathis

Small businesses employ half of the private workforce and generate about 70 percent of the country's new jobs each year.

But about 40 percent of native Michigan college graduates are now leaving the state to find work.

Hoping to put a plug in that brain drain, Michigan colleges and universities now offer classes and majors in entrepreneurship, as well as conferences, competitions, and programs devoted to the independent spirit.

A prominent University of Michigan economist thinks this is a very good idea.

"I fear that most people who have lost their jobs are going to need to create their own new jobs, and not wait for some business to hire them," said Donald R. Grimes, senior research associate at U-M's Institute for Research on Labor, Employment and the Economy.

Grimes believes students in many fields should take entrepreneurship courses, and he says the focus on re-training at all community colleges should be broadened to include entrepreneurship.

"(The focus on re-training) seems to have ignored the need to teach people how to start their own business, in any field, from cutting hair to cutting lawns or even writing software for the I-phone, or even figuring out how to make money as a news blogger," he said. "People need help in understanding regulations, taxes, writing up funding proposals, and even thinking through ideas."

Eastern Michigan University started a major in entrepreneurship in 1998-99, and its College of Business recently held its annual entrepreneurship conference to show students how to get started in a variety of fields.

EMU junior Melissa Heatlie hopes to eventually earn an MBA with a concentration in entrepreneurship at EMU. She's not sure if she'll stay in Michigan.

"But one thing is certain," she said. "I have faith that the economy in Michigan will rebound from this tough economic time and come out on top. During this rough patch, I think the citizens are really learning how to become innovative again."

We couldn't find a single institute of higher learning in Michigan that does not offer something for students considering going into business for themselves.

Michigan State University offers a specialization in entrepreneurship, for instance, while both Washtenaw Community College and Hope College offer entrepreneurship certificates. Cleary University's BBA in entrepreneurship requires courses in entrepreneurship; creativity and innovation; marketing the new business; new business finance; and negotiations. Central Michigan University also offers a major in entrepreneurship that prepares students to begin or take over a business or work in a not-for-profit organization. Kettering University last month received a national award from the Kern Entrepreneurship Education Network (KEEN) for teaching students how to become innovators. Kettering's "Entrepreneurship Across the Curriculum" program will eventually expose all students to entrepreneurship and innovation concepts multiple times during their college years.

Each fall, U-M's MPowered Entrepreneur Club holds 1,000 Pitches, a campus-wide entrepreneurship competition where students can pitch their ideas for new inventions, businesses and non-profit organizations. The winning pitches in each category received $1,000.

"MPowered's goal for the 1000 Pitches competition was to get Michigan students thinking entrepreneurially, and to prove to them that you don't have to be an engineering or business student to start a business," said club president Lauren Leland.

Winners included a group of six graduate engineering students who want to create a device that removes the clots that become lodged in the blood vessels of stroke patients; a student who pitched the idea of a vibrating metronome that would attach to a musician's arm so he or she could keep beat individually without the distraction of trying to hear a traditional metronome; and a student who pitched the establishment of a Renewable Energy Science Foundation in the state that would promote renewable energy research.

Students want to stay in Michigan.

"They just don't know where they can go," said Doug Neal, director of The University of Michigan College of Engineering Center for Entrepreneurship (CEF), which was formed two years ago to facilitate an entrepreneurial mindset within U-M.. "Our small businesses in the area – which are the economic driving force of the future – can't seem to get access to this talent."

So U-M recently held its third annual MPowered Career Fair, where about 2,000 students across all majors learned about getting jobs and internships with 80 small companies and start-up firms.

"That was just one example of the many programs we have to stop the brain drain and increase economic development and entrepreneurship," Neal said.

Neal is a self-described "serial entrepreneur" who moved back to Michigan from California to raise his family. He said the center's 30 programs have helped more than 3,000 students and helped facilitate hundreds of student ideas into more than 30 student companies in Michigan.

As an example, he cited Mobiata, an Ann Arbor company founded in December of 2008 that creates top-selling mobile travel applications. Mobiata was founded by Ben Kazez, a Minnesotan who heard about all the exciting things happening in Ann Arbor. He moved here, connected with students in the U-M Business Accelerator (TechArb), and hired several of them to take his company to the next level, Neal said.

By The Center for Michigan - February 25, 2010 - By Jo Mathis

Small businesses employ half of the private workforce and generate about 70 percent of the country's new jobs each year. But about 40 percent of native Michigan college graduates are now leaving the state to find work. Hoping to put a plug in that brain drain, Michigan colleges and universities now offer classes and majors in entrepreneurship, as well as conferences, competitions, and programs devoted to the independent spirit. A prominent University of Michigan economist thinks this is a very good idea.

"I fear that most people who have lost their jobs are going to need to create their own new jobs, and not wait for some business to hire them," said Donald R. Grimes, senior research associate at U-M's Institute for Research on Labor, Employment and the Economy. Grimes believes students in many fields should take entrepreneurship courses, and he says the focus on re-training at all community colleges should be broadened to include entrepreneurship.

"(The focus on re-training) seems to have ignored the need to teach people how to start their own business, in any field, from cutting hair to cutting lawns or even writing software for the I-phone, or even figuring out how to make money as a news blogger," he said. "People need help in understanding regulations, taxes, writing up funding proposals, and even thinking through ideas."

Eastern Michigan University started a major in entrepreneurship in 1998-99, and its College of Business recently held its annual entrepreneurship conference to show students how to get started in a variety of fields. EMU junior Melissa Heatlie hopes to eventually earn an MBA with a concentration in entrepreneurship at EMU. She's not sure if she'll stay in Michigan. "But one thing is certain," she said. "I have faith that the economy in Michigan will rebound from this tough economic time and come out on top. During this rough patch, I think the citizens are really learning how to become innovative again."

We couldn't find a single institute of higher learning in Michigan that does not offer something for students considering going into business for themselves.

Michigan State University offers a specialization in entrepreneurship, for instance, while both Washtenaw Community College and Hope College offer entrepreneurship certificates. Cleary University's BBA in entrepreneurship requires courses in entrepreneurship; creativity and innovation; marketing the new business; new business finance; and negotiations. Central Michigan University also offers a major in entrepreneurship that prepares students to begin or take over a business or work in a not-for-profit organization. Kettering University last month received a national award from the Kern Entrepreneurship Education Network (KEEN) for teaching students how to become innovators. Kettering's "Entrepreneurship Across the Curriculum" program will eventually expose all students to entrepreneurship and innovation concepts multiple times during their college years.

Each fall, U-M's MPowered Entrepreneur Club holds 1,000 Pitches, a campus-wide entrepreneurship competition where students can pitch their ideas for new inventions, businesses and non-profit organizations. The winning pitches in each category received $1,000.

"MPowered's goal for the 1000 Pitches competition was to get Michigan students thinking entrepreneurially, and to prove to them that you don't have to be an engineering or business student to start a business," said club president Lauren Leland.

Winners included a group of six graduate engineering students who want to create a device that removes the clots that become lodged in the blood vessels of stroke patients; a student who pitched the idea of a vibrating metronome that would attach to a musician's arm so he or she could keep beat individually without the distraction of trying to hear a traditional metronome; and a student who pitched the establishment of a Renewable Energy Science Foundation in the state that would promote renewable energy research.

Students want to stay in Michigan.

"They just don't know where they can go," said Doug Neal, director of The University of Michigan College of Engineering Center for Entrepreneurship (CEF), which was formed two years ago to facilitate an entrepreneurial mindset within U-M.. "Our small businesses in the area – which are the economic driving force of the future – can't seem to get access to this talent."

So U-M recently held its third annual MPowered Career Fair, where about 2,000 students across all majors learned about getting jobs and internships with 80 small companies and start-up firms.

"That was just one example of the many programs we have to stop the brain drain and increase economic development and entrepreneurship," Neal said.

Neal is a self-described "serial entrepreneur" who moved back to Michigan from California to raise his family. He said the center's 30 programs have helped more than 3,000 students and helped facilitate hundreds of student ideas into more than 30 student companies in Michigan.

As an example, he cited Mobiata, an Ann Arbor company founded in December of 2008 that creates top-selling mobile travel applications. Mobiata was founded by Ben Kazez, a Minnesotan who heard about all the exciting things happening in Ann Arbor. He moved here, connected with students in the U-M Business Accelerator (TechArb), and hired several of them to take his company to the next level, Neal said.

U-M has experienced tremendous growth in research over the last 10 years, Neal said.

"So the level of innovation is rising consistently, yet the opportunities to innovate and create and effect change locally have never been greater," he said. "In many ways our efforts to foster entrepreneurship within the university are to address both those needs. To help take advantage of the tremendous technology and innovation that’s happening. And to stimulate economic growth in the area."

Heatlie has discovered lots of organizations willing to help the new entrepreneur get started, including SPARK; Bizdom; the SBTDC (Small Business & Technology Development Center); and B Side: The Business Side of Youth.

"I think if citizens learn to utilize these resources to harness their innovations and ideas, then the future of Michigan is brighter than most may think," she said. ng consistently, yet the opportunities to innovate and create and effect change locally have never been greater," he said. "In many ways our efforts to foster entrepreneurship within the university are to address both those needs. To help take advantage of the tremendous technology and innovation that’s happening. And to stimulate economic growth in the area."

Heatlie has discovered lots of organizations willing to help the new entrepreneur get started, including SPARK; Bizdom; the SBTDC (Small Business & Technology Development Center); and B Side: The Business Side of Youth.

"I think if citizens learn to utilize these resources to harness their innovations and ideas, then the future of Michigan is brighter than most may think," she said.

: Senate Passes Lifetime Benefits Ban -- 1:09 p.m.

www.mirsnews.com/alert.php?alert_id=345

The Senate today passed a ban on the so-called lifetime benefits for future lawmakers, HB 4194 sponsored by Sen. Dian SLAVENS (D-Canton). The bill moved from the Reforms and Restructuring Committee earlier today. On the floor, it passed 28-10. It was vociferously opposed by Sen. Bruce PATTERSON (R-Canton), whose statement was adopted by many senators as their "no" vote explanation. "We are destroying this institution and we should be ashamed," Patterson declared.

Sen. Mickey SWITALSKI (D-Roseville) offered an amendment to tie-bar the bill to SB 0133 Sen. Wayne KUIPERS (R-Holland) that establishes a graded premium.

It failed on a mostly party-line 16-22 vote. Switalski said that the Kuipers bill was better reform that put lawmakers on the same footing as other public employees. "This bill goes too far," said Switalski of HB 4194. "I think lifetime health care benefits are wrong and must end." Kuipers said he didn't support the amendment. Switalski's amendment would "weaken" HB 4194, he said. "I think the drastic time that we're in . . . requires us to take drastic measures,” Kuipers said.

Sen. John PAPPAGEORGE (R-Troy) said it didn't make sense to tie-bar the legislation because it was a different issue.

He said there should be a substitute. Switalski said he had a substitute and would offer it Pappageorge would back him, but there didn't appear to be any interest in doing so. Sen. Deb CHERRY (D-Burton) said no lawmaker gets lifetime benefits, as lawmakers qualify for health care from ages 55 to 65 until they are Medicare-eligible. "It's part of the rhetoric, but it's not the truth," she said.

Sen. Gilda JACOBS (D-Huntington Woods) said that there might be public pressure for things that aren't the right policy. What lawmakers really should be focusing on is eradicating poverty, she said. "We know how angry and rightfully so people are in Michigan. We know what the pollsters are saying." She asked lawmakers to remember an old saying: “Don't spit in the water because someday you might have to drink it.” HB 4194 is tie-barred to SB 0132 sponsored by Kuipers, which would eliminate health care coverage for the retired judges and state executive officials who are elected after Nov. 1, 2010.

Today's Contingent Workforce

The temporary or contingent workforce is the fastest growing segment of the national workforce in today's economy. Contingent workers are those who are hired through staffing firms or leasing companies and whose jobs are structured to last only a certain length of time. The contingent workforce may include part-time temporary workers, independent contractors, consultants, contract employees, leased employees, and direct hires. Other than some leased long-term employees, most contingent workers are considered "temporary" and therefore the terms "contingent" and "temporary" are often used synonymously. While most companies hire only a few contingent workers at a time, some firms may lease their entire workforce on a quasi-permanent basis

Using contingent workers may provide employers with flexibility and cost-savings. However, there are numerous legal and practical considerations that employers must take into account before utilizing contingent workers.

Legal Points that need to be covered:

Employee or independent contractor? If a contingent worker is an employee, then the employer has a variety of obligations under federal and state law. The individual may be an employee of both the company and the staffing agency.

At will. Are contingent workers at will? If there is a contract, is it in writing? In the absence of a written document that states either that the worker is at will or the terms of employment, the company may face a claim of an oral employment contract.

Immigration laws. Contingent workers who are employees must still be qualified to work in the United States. If you obtain contingent workers through an agency that employs them, you can require the agency to confirm the individual's right to work in this country. If you attempt to use contingent workers as "independent contractors" to avoid the I-9 form, please keep in mind that the Immigration Service may maintain that the worker really is your employee, and that you are still responsible for completing an I-9.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Contingent workers who are employees are to be provided a safe work place under OSHA standards. Contingent workers who are not employees may be able to sue for negligence if harmed at your workplace.

Discrimination laws. Generally, if discrimination laws apply to you, they protect not only your regular full-time employees, but also contingent employees and some independent contractors. EEOC looks at the following factors to determine if a contingent worker is an employee or an independent contractor.

For additional information, please contact Tammy Hancock at 616-538-7100 or thancock@gabridgeco.com.

For more information about our services go to www.gabridgeco.com.

Online Training and Free Article on Age Discrimination Available from MSU

If your workforce is aging (like the rest of us), you may need to read the latest of our free articles available on adverse impact claims by employees protected by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. This article describes regulations which have just been proposed by the EEOC on how an employer can avoid liability if a decision is based on a reasonable factor other than age.

Webinars Available in Your Office

Two new webinars will provide you with information on how to manage HR records, including privacy protections, and additional information on the legal rights of an aging workforce.

Personnel Recordkeeping and Privacy

Do you have every piece of paper ever put in employees’ personnel files? Do you know what you are legally required to keep and how long you must keep it? Do you know what information you can share and what must be kept confidential? This webinar will cover various aspects of personnel recordkeeping and privacy in both the private and public sector. Does include FOIA.

Presenter: Dr. Tina Riley
When: Thurs., March 11, 2010

Employment Laws Affecting the Aging Workforce

As the average age of the workforce in the U.S. rises, issues of age discrimination arise from both the layoff or discharge of employees as well as the provision of benefits. In addition, restrictions on offering or changing benefits under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) will be considered. We also look at the implications of the amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for older employees.

Presenter: Stacy A. Hickox, J.D.
When: Thurs., April 22, 2010Live webinars run from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. EST. Only $50 each! Ask questions of the instructor!

E-Guidebooks with copies of slides presented and many links to electronic resources are included with each webinar. Webinars can be viewed from any computer with internet access. If you miss the live presentation, you can view a recorded version after the live presentation.

All webinars are approved for 1 hour of continuing education credit.

Questions about registering?

Contact Carrie Mejorado at comclm@msu.edu or (517) 355-9592.

Give 'em What They Want Today!

"Retailers have complained incessantly about unfair competition from e-commerce stores," writes Mark Riffey at the Business is Personal blog, "but not enough have done something about it."

Online shopping is undeniably convenient and efficient. After all, customers can browse, comparison-shop and make purchases from the comfort of their favorite chair. But—despite all the talk of instant gratification—there's one thing no e-commerce retailer can do: give their customers a non-digital product right now. Even with a pricey up-charge, most online stores can do no more than promise next-day delivery.

According to Riffey, "Instant gratification (or close enough) happens when I can drive 18 minutes, walk into the store, plop down my Bert and Ernie-branded Mastercard and walk out with a product under my arm after being helped by a salesperson or clerk who acts like it matters that I walked into their store."

"Retail stores often fail because they don't exist to serve the customer, or they don't recognize that the reason for getting a sale is to get a new customer," Riffey notes. "[T]hink of what the customer is trying to accomplish and help them do so," he advises. "Next time, they might think of you again—and you might have the item they need in stock."

The message for local stores here? If you're an offline retailer competing with online rivals—a challenge compounded by a down economy—play to the strength of instant gratification. Keep your shelves stocked and provide quick, helpful service that goes above and beyond what anyone with an Internet connection can get.

The Po!nt: Retailers can win this battle face-to-face. Compete in the downturn by making your brick-and-mortar store a more convenient and immediate option than your online-and-virtual competition.

Source: Business is Personal. Read the full post here.


Give 'em What They Want Today!

"Retailers have complained incessantly about unfair competition from e-commerce stores," writes Mark Riffey at the Business is Personal blog, "but not enough have done something about it."

Online shopping is undeniably convenient and efficient. After all, customers can browse, comparison-shop and make purchases from the comfort of their favorite chair. But—despite all the talk of instant gratification—there's one thing no e-commerce retailer can do: give their customers a non-digital product right now. Even with a pricey up-charge, most online stores can do no more than promise next-day delivery.

According to Riffey, "Instant gratification (or close enough) happens when I can drive 18 minutes, walk into the store, plop down my Bert and Ernie-branded Mastercard and walk out with a product under my arm after being helped by a salesperson or clerk who acts like it matters that I walked into their store."

"Retail stores often fail because they don't exist to serve the customer, or they don't recognize that the reason for getting a sale is to get a new customer," Riffey notes. "[T]hink of what the customer is trying to accomplish and help them do so," he advises. "Next time, they might think of you again—and you might have the item they need in stock."

The message for local stores here? If you're an offline retailer competing with online rivals—a challenge compounded by a down economy—play to the strength of instant gratification. Keep your shelves stocked and provide quick, helpful service that goes above and beyond what anyone with an Internet connection can get.

The Po!nt: Retailers can win this battle face-to-face. Compete in the downturn by making your brick-and-mortar store a more convenient and immediate option than your online-and-virtual competition.

Source: Business is Personal. Read the full post here.