In this issue, Jason details how to improve your company’s business intelligence efforts, Amanda reminds us how in this digital age, it still boils down to people and relationships, and I somehow find a connection between my kids’ footwear and the future of the West Michigan economy.

Enjoy!

Last night was spent downloading all of my family vacation pictures, which naturally got me thinking about our region’s economic development strategy...why, you ask? Well, a picture of my four little kids on the beach all wearing Crocs sandals (even the one year old) got me thinking: Why would rational people (my lovely wife) spend $25 for a pair of sandals that cannot possibly cost more that 50 cents to produce? Quite simply-better design. And it is the extraordinary value that design can deliver that will help lead our region’s economic resurgence.

West Michigan has a rich history of utilizing great design to foster sizable business growth: home and office furniture, automotive, printing (graphic design), architecture (sustainable design), shoes, vacuums, packaging and appliances. This history has resulted in a rich talent pool of design across the region. As our economy transitions, everyone is searching for the next hot industry, from Life Sciences to Alternative Energy to Defense. The beauty of design is that it has the ability to assist and grow all industry sectors.

With funding support through a federal grant (WIRED) via the West Michigan Strategic Alliance, and in partnership with The Right Place, Lakeshore Advantage is launching Design West Michigan. Design West Michigan’s vision is to brand the region as a "Design Center of Excellence" and have design become a more strategic, integrated and "bottom-line" contributing resource for the West Michigan economy.

Our manufacturing excels at operational excellence, with many area firms running some of the most efficient facilities in the world. That makes for strong, healthy companies, but not necessarily ones that are able to add jobs.

To grow jobs, companies need a disruptive technology or design. Our belief is that in West Michigan we have the design talent that can deliver. Further, we believe our design firms can export their services across the globe, making design a core market segment. In the coming months, we will be connecting with users and producers of design and reshaping West Michigan’s competitive advantages. We are confident that we can strengthen the connect between business and design, making West Michigan a place where great design gets put into action.

As for all the Crocs in my home, after my initial frustration over the cost, I realized it was more than a fashion statement: I have not had to tie a single pair of shoes all summer. Great design! (And for you left brained thinkers like me, CROX is up nearly 100% since February!)  

In today’s business world getting information quickly is an absolute necessity. Knowing how to make the internet work for you can give your company the edge over your competitors. Search engines such as Google have tools that can increase the accuracy of finding exactly what you want in less time. There is so much information available, being very specific in your search will improve your accuracy and save you time & money. You just have to know what to ask for. Below are a few tips that will help you in general information searching, finding images, getting news alerts e-mailed to you automatically, using maps and other advanced search features. Start at www.google.com and use the tips below to begin or click on the links as you read to go to specific examples. General searching: When searching the web, word order matters.  Top priority is given to the words you type first.  Also, if you are searching for a specific subject that has more than one word, use quotes around the exact phrase to increase the accuracy of your search.

It is no secret that networking is one of the most effective ways to build your business. Why? Because people do business with people they know, like and trust, and do business with people who are recommended to them by people they know, like and trust. But you will not achieve this credibility factor during your first encounter. Networking is a process, not an event.

Typically, when people think about networking, they are focused on finding ways to meet new people. This is a big part of networking success, but even more important is cultivating the relationships you have already started.

Think about all the new business relationships you developed over the past year. Who did you meet that may impact your professional success? How do you plan to nurture these relationships?

Building relationships doesn’t happen by contacting people in your circle only when you need something. The most successful networkers think first of how to become a resource for others-with no expectation of reciprocation. This is how you build trust and credibility. Following are a few ideas of how you can nurture your network:

 

Be a connector: Who in your network would benefit from knowing each other? Do you know anyone with a common interest, industry or customer base who may be valuable resources for each other? Be proactive and set up an introduction.

Send information of interest: During your first couple of meetings, hopefully you have taken the time to get to know a person’s hobbies and interests. If you come across an article, book, Web site, speaker or event that would be intriguing, send the information to this person.

Invite people to events: Are you planning on going to a networking event or seminar that someone in your network would benefit from? Do you belong to a club or organization that a contact may want to join? Invite them.

 

Congratulate people on their accomplishments: Who in your network has recently won an award? Received a promotion? Run a marathon? If you read or hear about someone’s accomplishment, send them a note or give them a call.

Recognize special occasions: For birthdays, weddings, anniversaries or new jobs, send a card. People will be flattered that you remembered and took the time to acknowledge them.

Recognize challenging times: Do you know someone who has recently lost a loved one? Is ill? Lost a job? Connect with people in times of crisis. Your care and support will be appreciated and remembered.

Check in: Make a point of dropping a note, making a call or sending an e-mail just to touch base. Get together for coffee to catch up and see how you may be a resource for someone. Networking and building positive relationships is always easiest when you do not have an immediate need.

Networking is not a full time job, but it should be part of your regular routine. By meeting people and building positive, professional relationships, you will open doors and encounter opportunities that you would not encounter otherwise. Take time each week to go through your contact files to make sure you are staying connected with the people in your network.

Business Acceleration Bootcamp for Small Business Owners

 

The day-to-day responsibilities of running your own business leave little time to focus on long-term vision, goals, and strategies.  Created by the Kaufman Foundation, FastTrac Growth Venture  gives you the tools you need to take a closer look at where your business is today, what you want it to look like in three years, and the steps to get you there.

 

Dates:  (4) Fridays October

Time:    8:00am to 4:00pm

Where: Colonial Clock Training Room

Cost:     $350 (includes meals)

Call Amanda at 616-772-5226 for more information