A is for AGE

By what age does a child achieve virtually all of the brain architecture that will
occur during their lifetime?

Answer: 3 years old

74-percent of Michigan voters support investing in early childhood programs - even if it will mean theyʼll have to pay higher taxes.

See the survey results by visiting www.greatstartforkids.org

READY OR NOT, HERE THEY COME

Is Your Business "Fit" Enough to Be Advertised?

by Barb Lezotte, president of Lezotte Miller Public Relations in Okemos(From SBAM's member-only Focus on Small Business magazine)

In a down economy, “survival of the fittest” may apply to businesses. Those that have gotten by with mediocre customer service and products in a good economy may not fare as well when competition intensifies for a smaller customer base. Businesses that want to get in better shape to compete can’t merely beef up their advertising and marketing efforts. Instead, they should evaluate their relationships with clients and take a critical look at whether their advertising promises match customers’ actual experience.Whether large corporation or small company, every type of business develops a reputation based largely on how it interacts with its key publics – employees, suppliers, customers and clients. A company’s advertising and “image-building” is secondary because customers will constantly compare how they’re treated with the company’s promotion. They will also listen to and observe those in the know – employees and suppliers – to determine if the company’s image-building efforts match reality.All the advertising, public relations and marketing a budget can buy can’t create a positive image for a company if the company can’t deliver product and service satisfaction. The higher customers’ expectations are raised through advertising, the unhappier they will be when a company doesn’t deliver (and they’ll share their story.)
(Read more here)

FastTrac® New Venture™ Informational Session

FUTURE BUSINESS OWNERS

Interested in comprehensive small business startup training? Not sure if small business is a fit for you? Join us for a no cost informational session that may help you decide.
INFORMATION SESSION: The information session will provide an overviewof the FastTrac® New Venture™ program, cost of theprogram and scholarships that are available.
WHEN: Monday, August 39:00 a.m. - 11 :00 a.m.
WHERE: NCEDO, Inc Newaygo County Economic Development Office4684 Evergreen DriveNewaygo, MI 49337
REGISTER FOR THE SESSION BY: Visiting - www.misbtdc.org/training
Calling - 989.386.6630
KEY OBJECTIVES: Test your business idea; Broaden your understanding of the business; Plan your financial needs to avoid cash flow problems; Structure your business operations for efficiency; Develop entrepreneurial skills by learning from other entrepreneurs

'Cash for Clunkers' details: Five ways to prove your trade-in vehicle is eligible

by Jonathan Oosting MLive.com
Friday July 24, 2009, 10:00 AM
AP PhotoA sign advertises the government's "Cash for Clunkers" incentive at Tropical Chrysler Jeep in Miami Shores, Fla. on Thursday.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning released final details of the Car Allowance Rebate System, otherwise known as "Cash for Clunkers."
The program, designed to encourage consumers to trade-in older vehicles for more fuel-efficient models, officially begins Monday, according to the government's CARS Web site.
The document finalized qualifications of trade-in vehicles. Keep reading to learn the details and find out how to prove your vehicle is eligible.
1. MAKE SURE YOUR TRADE-IN VEHICLE HAS A FUEL ECONOMY VALUE OF 18 MILES PERS GALLON OR LESS
Don't try to argue this one. The only way your vehicle qualifies is if the fueleconomy.gov Web site says your vehicle gets 18 mpg or less.
The only exception is Category 3 vehicles, which include work trucks rated between 8,500 and 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.
2. PROVE YOUR VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE
You've got to do two things to prove the vehicle is drivable:
• Show the dealer on the day you trade it in that the vehicle can run on its own power on a public road.
• You also must certify it is in drivable condition
3. PROVE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN "CONTINUOUSLY INSURED" FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR
You can prove your car was insured three ways:
• Show one or more insurance cards containing the make, model, model year, and vehicle identification number (VIN) of the insured vehicle, but only if, taken together, the cards display on their face a continuous one-year period of insurance coverage.
• Insurance policy documents (e.g., declarations pages) showing the same information as above.
• A signed letter, on insurance company letterhead, identifying the same vehicle identification information (i.e., make, model, model year, and VIN) of the insured vehicle and the period of continuous coverage.
There are no exceptions for state's that don't require insurance.
4. PROVE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGISTERED FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR
You can prove this in any of the following ways:
• Show a current State registration document or series of registration documents in the name of the purchaser evidencing registration for a period of not less than one year immediately prior to the trade-in.
• Produce a current State registration document showing registration in the name of the purchaser and a document of title that confers title on the purchaser not less than one year immediately prior to the trade-in.
• Show a current State registration document showing registration in the name of thepurchaser and a document from a commercially available vehicle history providerevidencing registration.
5. PROVE YOUR VEHICLE IS 25-YEARS-OLD OR LESS
You can do this two ways:
• Bring the title
• Show the safety standard certification label that appears on the frame or edge ofthe driver's door in most vehicles
There's one caveat to this rule: Category 3 vehicles, described above, can't be newer than 2001.

WHEN YOU DON'T ADVERTISE, SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENS ...

As you well know, we are in a very tight market; making it extremely difficult to decide what to do and which direction to take in business. We at Johnson Outdoor take pride in keeping outdoor advertising affordable for small town businesses, and in an attempt to continue this mission we have developed a marketing strategy which will include an “Outdoor advertising stimulus package” on our L E D billboard located on US127 near Harrison, Michigan and Perry Street in Big Rapids, Michigan.
This newest advertising package will offer you the opportunity to advertise on a one year lease (described as 13 – 4 week payment cycles) for only $250. We have restructured the marketing and pricing system to allow you continued monthly exposure at a fraction of the cost. It is our intention through this diversification to make it easier for your business and ours to work together moving forward.
Because this advertising package will be popular to other businesses, we urge you to not hesitate and remember that even though times are tough … we need to be tougher to make our business successful.

We look forward to working together

Johnson Outdoor Staff

You Sample, You Sell . . . That Simple!

There's nothing better than giving away free samples to get your customers to try, love, and buy whatever it is you have to sell.

Sampling has long been a mainstay of the food industry (I know you love those people giving away samples of cakes, meatballs, sodas, dips, and breakfast bars in the grocery store on Saturday afternoons!) but you find sampling everywhere. Paint stores give tiny packets of paint so you can sample the colors at home. iTunes lets you play 30 seconds from every song on an album before you download it. And clothing retailers even take away display space to provide for sampling - the dressing room.

Why so much sampling? You sample, you sell!

Here are two reasons why giving samples is such a powerful, positive tactic:

1. Sampling proves the value of a product. The customer doesn't just hear that the sour cherry jam tastes good, they experience the amazing taste themselves. They don't just read about how much fun a new board game is, they experience the fun themselves. The customer doesn't merely sit on a mattress in a showroom, they sleep on it for 30 days and experience the comfort for themselves.

2. Sampling takes away risk. By trying a sample, the customer knows for sure that they are going to like a product before they buy it. There's no waffling back and forth about whether the buying decision is a smart one. They have already road-tested the product and know they like it. Or, they know they don't like the product and are happy with their decision not to make the purchase. No wondering if they made the wrong decision by walking away.

Either way, it's great for you. You don't want customers to take home products they end up disliking as soon as they've tried them... You want long-term, deeply satisfied customers!Are you giving free samples?

I challenge you to find ways to give samples of at least some of your products. You'll have happier customers and higher sales.

Couresty of:

Bob and Susan Negen
WhizBang! Training

25th Anniversary Open House August 4th - You are Personally Invited

DW Video & Multimedia, LLC
Duane & Brenda Weed
5510 Maple Hill Road, Howard City
(231) 937-5420.
August 4, 2009 * 8am to 6pm
Stop by and register to win a Fishing Charter for six provided by Captain D’s Fishing Charter on Lake Michigan.
Plus other Great Prizes.
Bring a friend, business colleague.
Check out the new technology and how your business can benefit.
Video Means Business for You!
Hope to see you there.
dw
--
Duane Weed
Using Today's Media to Market Your Business
Corporate & Special Event Video, Interactive Media (CD & DVD) Web Sites, Streaming Video, Film Transfers, Duplication and more.
Check out our web-site http://www.dwvideo.com (231) 937-5420
Visit our blog at http://www.dwvideo.blogspot.com for marketing tips and tricks with video

Chamber Launches Ad Campaign To Fight Proposed Health Care

U.S. Chamber of Commerce this week stepped up its advertising and lobbying efforts to combat a government-run public health plan option favored by most Democrats crafting health care reform. The big-business group announced Tuesday that it was launching a print and online advertising campaign -- worth more than $2 million -- in five states and that it was stepping up its grass-roots and political organizing to beat back attempts to include the public plan option in health care reform. The five states are Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Maine and North Carolina. Read more Take Action Now

American Opportunity Tax Credit

For 2009 and 2010, the American Opportunity Tax Credit expands the tax breaks under the Hope credit for individuals seeking a college education. The credit increases the Hope credit to up to $2,500 of the cost of tuition and related expenses paid during the tax year, including expenditures for course materials-i.e., books, supplies, and equipment needed for a course of study. The credit is available for the first four years of post-secondary education in a degree or certificate program (rather than just the first two years). If you would like additional information, please contact Bethanie Pollock at 616-538-7100 or bpollock@gabridgeco.com .
For more information about our services go to www.gabridgeco.com.

Employee Free Choice Without Card Check: "Card Check Lite?"U.S. News and World ReportIn an effort to get moderate Democrats in the Senate on board with the Employee Free Choice Act, the key "card check" provision of the bill has been scrapped, The New York Times is reporting. Opponents centered their fight around this section of the legislation, which would allow workers to form unions by signing cards instead of holding a secret ballot election. But the fight isn't over--even if card check is scuttled--as opponents are taking aim at possible revisions.Business interests have argued that card check would make workers vulnerable to union intimidation, while unions argued that the existing process of holding secret ballot elections has left workers open to intimidation and threats from employers. To form a union now, at least 30 percent of workers must sign cards indicating they want a union before they can hold an election, then a majority must vote to organize. During the election process, some employees have been subjected to "threats, interrogation, harassment, surveillance, and retaliation for union activity," according to the Economic Policy Institute, a think tank focused on labor issues that receives some funding from unions.

BBB Small Business Advice: How To Avoid Six Common Advertising Offenses

Small business owners often have to add the title of Advertising and Marketing Director to their long list of duties and may not be aware of the various laws regarding common advertising claims. Creating an effective advertising strategy isn’t just about where and when ads are placed, but also what claims are being made and the Better Business Bureau is providing guidance about some advertising phrases that can be misleading if not used properly.

According to Ad-ology research, 97 percent of small business owners in the U.S. are concerned about the economy but, regardless, 60 percent plan to spend the same amount on advertising in 2009 as in 2008 and 26 percent plan to increase advertising spending. Perhaps these businesses have been doing their research; a McGraw-Hill study found that during the economic downturn from 1980 to 1985, firms that advertised aggressively had sales that were 256 percent higher than companies that cut back.

“Small business owners recognize that advertising and overall marketing are not the ideal categories for budget cuts in a rough economy,” ,” said Ken Vander Meeden,
BBB-WMI President. “Advertising regulation issues though, are not necessarily something small business owners have time for, but ignorance of truth in advertising laws is not a defense and any business owner engaging in advertising should familiarize themselves with the BBB’s guidelines to help avoid inadvertent violations.”

Following are six examples of commonly used phrases and tactics in advertising that are often misleading when not used properly:

“Free”

The word “free” may be used in advertising whenever the advertiser is offering an unconditional gift. If the shopper has to purchase an item in order to receive the free gift, the advertiser must clearly and conspicuously disclose the conditions. Also, an advertiser may not increase the price of the purchased item, nor decrease quantity or quality in conjunction with the free offer. Additionally, free offers should not be advertised when the item to be sold is customarily a negotiated-priced item such as an automobile or home.

“Save up to…”

Price reduction claims that cover a range of products or services should state both the minimum and maximum savings without a misleading emphasis on the maximum savings. Also, the number of items available at the maximum savings should comprise typically 10 percent of the items being sold unless local or state law requires otherwise.

“Lowest price in town…,” “Our prices can’t be beat…,” etc.

Prices for products and services fluctuate regularly and it can be extremely difficult for an advertiser to claim with certainty that their prices are lower than their competitors. Such claims should be avoided unless the advertiser can provide substantiation.

“Best,” “Most,” “Tops,” and other superlative claims.

Superlative claims can be objective, based on fact, or subjective, based on opinion. Objective claims relate to tangible qualities and performance which can be measured against accepted standards. When making objective claims, an advertiser must be able to substantiate all claims.
Obvious use of puffery, such as an advertiser stating they think they offer the best customer service in town, may not be subject to truth-in-advertising standards. However, advertising is all about trust from the consumer’s perspective and businesses should be vigilant against making subjective superlative claims that are misleading.

“Factory direct,” “Wholesale prices,” “Direct from the maker,” etc.

Claims such as these imply significant savings from the actual price being offered by retailers. These claims should not be made unless the implied savings can be substantiated. Furthermore, claims such as “factory to you” or “factory direct” should not be used unless the advertiser actually manufactures the merchandise or owns the factory where the advertised products are made. Similarly, an advertiser cannot falsely claim to be a wholesaler, nor can an advertiser claim to offer “wholesale prices” or items “at cost” unless the items are being sold at the same price as would be purchased by a retailer for resale.

*Use of Asterisks

Asterisks can be used in advertising if they offer additional information about a word or term that is not inherently deceptive. However, an asterisk or similar reference symbol cannot be used as a means to contradict or substantially change the meaning of the statement. The information referenced by the asterisk should also be clearly and prominently disclosed.
For more guidance on advertising, see the BBB’s Code of Advertising at:

http://www.bbb.org/us/code-of-advertising/.

Small business owners and consumers can file a complaint regarding questionable advertising claims with their BBB at http://www.bbb.org/.

More advice and guidance on small business management and becoming a BBB Accredited Business is available online at http://www.bbb.org/.

BBB Advises Cash-Strapped Small Business Owners Against Using Shelf Corporations to Deceive Banks and Attain Loans

While businesses find it increasingly more difficult to qualify for loans and lines of credits, small business owners are resorting to applying for loans from behind the façade of shelf corporations. The Better Business Bureau is advising small business owners that, as tempting as these schemes sound, using a shelf company in order to misrepresent your credit worthiness to a bank could be considered loan fraud.

The term “shell company” generally refers to a limited liability company and other business entity with no significant assets or ongoing business activities. The term “shelf company” refers to a shell company that is created and maintains little or no activity - or put on the “shelf” to season. The shelf company can then be sold to someone wishing to start a company without going through steps to create a new one.

Companies that create and sell shelf corporations often recommend to the buyer that they will be able to use the creditworthiness and business history of the shelf company to obtain credit for their business. The companies also recommend that buyers can exploit the age of the shelf company to get government contracts - which usually have requirements for how long the company has been in business.

“Small business owners are finding it harder and harder to attain loans and lines of credit, and relying on a shelf corporation to portray a better picture of financial health and stability is an increasingly enticing, and deceptive, option,” said Ken

Vander Meeden, BBB of Western Michigan President. “Not only could the scheme prove unsuccessful and a waste of money, but the business owner could be found guilty of loan fraud and lose everything they’ve worked so hard to attain.”

While the scheme may be tempting to small business owners who are strapped for cash, the possible outcomes far outweigh the potential benefit. Many banks are growing increasingly stringent when handing out loans and could see through the ruse and deny the loan; which means that the small business owner wasted thousands of dollars on the scheme. Also, the bank will likely require a personal guarantee and since the scheme doesn’t actually increase the business’ creditworthiness, the bank could come after the owner’s personal assets if he or she defaults on the loan. In the worst case scenario, the small business owner could be found guilty of loan fraud, face the penalties and be required to pay the money back.

One such business selling shelf corporations to struggling business owners recently came to the attention of the BBB serving Northeast California. The business was selling shelf companies for a fee of $7,500 upfront or 20 percent of the loan received. Potential borrowers were advised to request a line of credit below $150,000, suggesting that bank underwriting standards at this level are less stringent. The business recommended which banks the borrower should apply to and promised that the borrower will not have to provide business or personal financial statements, income tax returns or personal guarantees, and that the lending financial institution will not pull a personal credit report.

A BBB representative spoke with the owner of the company who admitted that he had 60 other salesmen working across the country selling shelf companies and the secrets to his method for deceiving banks. The BBB spoke with business owners who attested that they had a difficult time getting loans for their small business but successfully received loans under the identity of the shelf corporation.

Instead of resorting to deceptive tactics to get a loan, the BBB advises small business owners to learn more about the Small Business Administration’s new America’s Recovery Capital program which provides no-interest, deferred-payment bridge loans to struggling businesses. Information is available online at www.sba.gov/recovery/arcloanprogram.

For more advice on managing the finances of a small business, visit http://www.bbb.org/

New energy efficiency programs in Michigan offer rebates, incentives to entice customers

Posted by Sven Gustafson Michigan Business Review July 16, 2009 10:43AM
Sven Gustafson blogs about energy technology for Michigan Business Review.

State and electric utility officials are hoping that a new law requiring greater energy efficiency will help businesses and residents realize the power of green. The message that they hope catches hold is this: By spending money up front – sometimes a lot of money – electricity customers can reduce their carbon footprint and lower their monthly energy bills over time.
The program could also create badly needed jobs in Michigan, as the utilities look for hundreds of contract partners to help them meet their targets. Those contractors in turn would likely sub-contract with specialists in HVAC systems, lighting, energy audits, process engineering and electrical systems.
"We're specifically going to be hiring people here because of" the new law, said Casey Murphy, a manager with Fairfax, Va.-based ICF International, an energy consultancy that expects to open two Michigan offices to help Consumers Energy implement its plans.
DTE Energy Co. and Consumers are rolling out their energy optimization programs and enlisting contractors through a series of trade fairs with the Michigan Public Service Commission, including one today in Grand Rapids and another July 23 in Lansing.
The initiatives are the result of a package of energy reform bills signed last fall by Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Under the law, electric utilities must demonstrate lower electricity sales to customers, starting with 0.3 percent this year and rising each year through 2015.
"The goals are very, very difficult to attain the first few years," said Emmett Romine, manager of energy optimization for DTE, during a trade fair Wednesday in Dearborn. "If you compare these to other states, they're very difficult goals to attain."
DTE and Consumers, the state's largest electric utilities, began implementing surcharges last month to customers to cover the costs of the programs. Each utility is also offering rebates and incentives to customers who elect to install weatherization technology; DTE is offering a maximum $1,500 for residential customers who also get heat through its MichCon subsidiary.
"Over three years of utilizing the program with how much is going to be spent and how much customers are going to put in, you can get up to $1.2 billion in energy savings over the lifetime of those efficiency installments," said Monica Martinez, a Michigan Public Service commissioner. "So $1.2 billion, that's a lot of money."
The programs hold significant promise for industrial and large business users and commercial buildings, which consume the most power and often are the least efficient types of buildings.
Lowering energy bills could help make businesses more competitive, even for those most focused on containing everyday costs and delivering quarterly returns for investors, Martinez said.
"Hopefully with what the state's doing, what the utilities are doing, it'll help complement and incentivize you to do that even more so that you can take advantages of those competitive options of being efficient," she said. "That's a key piece."
But the challenge will lay in communicating a message of energy bill savings to businesses and residents hammered by the state's persistent recession.
"That's our biggest barrier, that customers may understand that over the life of the equipment they may have a very big savings," said Terry Mierzwa, manager of marketing, energy efficiency and research for Jackson-based Consumers.
He estimates the utility's rebates can reduce the premium of purchasing more efficient HVAC, compact fluorescent lights or other equipment by as much as 50 percent. Federal and state tax credits can help further cushion the financial blow, Mierzwa said.
"In terms of customers who are in the market to buy equipment, there has never been a better time to buy equipment because there is a lot of help in clearing that first hurdle," he said.
Consumers has already launched its program for commercial customers and expects to launch its residential program the week of July 27 in conjunction with a comprehensive advertising campaign. It will include a $30 bounty program for customers who agree to let the utility pick up second refrigerators that have outlived their useful lives.
The utility also has enlisted participating retail stores where workers are expected to be knowledgeable in explaining how the various incentives work.
"We plan on having incentives available in some way, shape or form until 2015, when legislators will revisit the law," said Teri VanSumeren, manager of energy efficient solutions for Consumers. "Our programs will be in the marketplace for the foreseeable future."