Caveats of Outstanding Customer Service

With competition increasing in the Mecosta County Area we are all faced with improving our services and communication with customers. In this tough economy learn how to increase business using outstanding customer service. Bring the entire team for the best results. This program is designed for anyone who works with people. The program will be highly interactive with case studies to practice. You will have fun while learning valuable skills to apply immediately in your service setting and in your personal life.

What you will learn:

- Customer Service Skills 101 – A refresher on 3 core principles
- Communication skills for improved information gathering, listening, and responding to
customers
- Telephone - is it friend or foe?
- Using varied communication tools – email, texting, Facebook, etc. – social etiquette
- 5 things customers do not like
- AND many more………….


Join us for this one-of-kind educational workshop during your Chamber’s next Lunch and Learn Series on Wednesday,September 23, 2009 at the Big Rapids Public Safety Building located at 435 N. Michigan Avenue in Big Rapids at 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Cost is only $20 for Chamber members / $30 non-members and bring your own lunch. Make checks payable to: Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce. Deadline to register is Monday, September 21, 2009. RSVP by calling your Chamber at (231) 796-7649 or events@mecostacounty.com.

The tax treatment of life insurance premiums can be confusing. Before determining the proper treatment, the following information must be known about the policy: the nature and the type of policy, the beneficiary, the owner and the amount of the premium and death benefit. Key Man Life Insurance Businesses often buy life insurance policies on employees that are important and valuable to the business or as part of a buy-sell agreement of a closely held business. The company is usually the owner and beneficiary of the policy and the employee is the insured. In order for the company to receive the death benefit tax-free the insurance premiums are not deductible by the business for tax purposes. Group-Term Life InsuranceGroup-term life insurance is eligible for special tax treatment. The cost of a policy that qualifies as group-term life insurance is not includible in the employee's income if the coverage does not exceed $50,000. The cost of the coverage over $50,000 (minus the amount the employee pays) is included in the employee's compensation. The solutions for the circumstances discussed can be served with term policies. There are many other forms of life insurance that can be used for estate planning and risk management and can become quite complex. In order to achieve the most tax efficient results of using life insurance, be sure to consult with a competent tax advisor. For additional questions or assistance, please contact Bethanie Pollock at Bethanie Pollock at 616-538-7100 or bpollock@gabridgeco.com. For more information about our services go to www.gabridgeco.com.

ARRA Funding forum

You have been invited by Governor Jennifer Granholm’s Recovery Office and the Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth
ARRA Pathways Out of Poverty Grant
ARRA Health Care & High Growth Grant
ARRA Green Energy Training Partnership Grant
8/27/2009 Delta College - Room S105
*
1961 Delta Road, University Center, MI 48710
Free Parking Available
9:45 am - 10 am Registration
10 am - 11 am Grant Overviews
*
Discussion and resources available from Recovery Office and DELEG Staff
11 am - 12 pm Regional Partnership Breakouts
*
Breakout sessions to build partnership and establish common interest
RSVP:
HasbanyE@michigan.gov
For More Information: (517) 241-2885

Unemployment Extension Legislation Update

On August 2, 2009 legislation was introduced which would add an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits for workers in states where the overall unemployment rate on a three-month rolling average is at or above 9% (currently 20 states), including Michigan. In addition, the legislation would continue provisions in the Recovery Act set to expire at the end of the year, including extended benefits and increasing the amount of unemployment by $25 per week. Look for the House to pass this legislation in early September. We will continue to monitor the pending legislation, and keep you up to date on its progress.If you would like additional information, please contact Tammy Hancock at 616-538-100or thancock@gabridgeco.com.

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

How to Add Social Media to Your Press Release Strategy

With the explosive growth of social networking sites, small businesses have a great opportunity to gain extra publicity and online exposure by incorporating social media into their corporate press release strategy.
When thinking about a press release strategy for your small business, consider creating a comprehensive plan that includes your web site, online media outlets, and social media sites. For example:
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Marketing Tips


How Can Twitter Help Your Business?
Although Twitter continues to gain acceptance in the business community as a business communication and marketing tool, I’m still amazed at the number of small businesses that don’t see the value of using this micro-blogging service as a marketing tool for business.
Social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube are typically most effective when they are appropriately integrated with each other and with a company’s existing marketing efforts. But Twitter – even when used as a stand-alone social networking strategy – can be a powerful tool in any small business marketing toolbox.
Some of the benefits of using Twitter in your marketing mix include:
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Building Effective Web Sites


5 Things You Should Know About SEO
The topic of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) can certainly be a complex one, and for many small businesses it seems like talking about SEO is like speaking a completely foreign language – possibly a language from outer space. But there are some key concepts that, while not entirely simple, are vital to understanding the importance of SEO and what it takes to see a web site listed in the top search results.
To help you get a handle on what it takes to improve your web site’s search engine rankings, here are five key concepts that you really should know:
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Better Business Bureau Updates

Expert: Social Security needs major fixes. Should we trust it?A host of issues such as health care and national security are plaguing the U.S., but none may be as important as Social Security, which needs a bailout, Allan Sloan writes. Although Social Security is probably safe for another 25 years, it's important to realize that lower-paid people could be in a world of hurt in even less time. The Washington Post (8/2)

Hints of thaw for small companiesOwners of small businesses say they see signs of economic improvement, but they remain cautious. A recent survey found that 30% believe the economy is getting better, up from 26% a month earlier. BusinessWeek (8/4)

Small business, big government, and benefits reform

By The Center for Michigan - August 6, 2009
Two fresh pieces of news this week illustrate, in completely different ways, the value of considering House Speaker Andy Dillon's plan to overhaul and pool health care benefits for public employees.

First, small business owners got a shock when Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan announced plans to begin rating small employers and charging premiums based on claims experience. The change is likely to result in higher premiums for many small businesses and their employees, according to Crain's Detroit Business.

Dillon's statewide pool could be expanded to allow small businesses and entrepreneurs to take advantage of pooling and gain bargaining power over prices.

Second, Wayne County Commissioners came under fire by the Detroit Free Press for refusing to make benefits sacrifices when many other public workers across the state, and in Wayne County government, had already done so....Dillon's statewide pooling approach could, if successful, assure fairness and consistent coverage levels across borders -- and create economies of scale and bargaining power to the benefit of taxpayers.