metromode - Blog

Composition as Explanation: a platform for an independent press

Megan O'Connell — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0400

A printing press, as a shaper of culture and dispatcher of narratives, continually reflects back its context, even after the fact of its existence. It provides a portal into the ideals, structures, priorities, production modes, economies, and material assets of a particular era. Salt & Cedar – a newly-minted workshop in the heart of Eastern Market – is focused on print production in support of Detroit's creative economies. Within its 3,000-square-foot accessible space, the studio generates custom posters, books, and ephemera increasing the visibility of Detroit cultures. The press also yields new alliances and initiatives through visiting artists and educators, exhibitions, a pop-up cinema, farm-to-table events, panels, and workshops.

This press exists as a conduit for its time and place; it actively responds to and promotes that which is suggested by those coming through, those seeking to help grow it. In an economically vulnerable, post-industrial city such as Detroit, it is imperative to engage beyond one's specialization and secure a broader platform composed of a variety of stakeholders. This inclusive tone comes from the fact that there are no a priori formulas or mandates for Salt & Cedar's success: over the course of just four months, it has been organically built from the ground up – one printing job, binding commission, and workshop at a time.

It is a case study in the power of artistic entrepreneurship, as it sparks curiosity, invites participation, and serves various populations with the forthright messages that letterpress delivers so succinctly. No loans have been taken out or credit cards charged to the limit. For the record, there's zero corporate dollars at work here puppeteering for what would appear to be a 'start-up', nor is there an invisible partner/ granting agency subsidizing staff salaries and programming. In fact, the sum needed to open the doors and secure the first month's rent was raised through a curated show of local artists who kindly donated a portion of their sales. Only last week did the operation receive its first bit of funding: a matching grant for improvements to the façade awarded by Eastern Market Corp. Plans are underway to paint a mural and a printer's mark on the freeway-facing side of the building, at the corner of Riopelle and Fisher, to help promote visibility and assert a strong graphical identity.

Fast-becoming iconic and a signal of 'inventiveness' in our urban landscape, the press has already received numerous accolades. An internationally recognized writer, cultural critic, and journalist who commissioned the first books made at the press coined it the studio that says 'yes'. Archivist and filmmaker Rick Prelinger, who showed Lost Landscapes of Detroit at the press last month, observes: "[I]n just a short time you've built a wonderful home for both quotidian production and events that stand out from the everyday. I don't think I would have felt the utopian breeze blowing had you not hosted the screening."

The press flattens hierarchies and allows the possibility for the participant to become the teacher, the person on the street to be the curator, and the volunteer sorting the type to speak about the aspirations of the organization. As proprietor, I will aver that this phenomenon strengthens our case, performs what is important to us, and gives the opportunity to share ownership. There's this sense of: What might I do? What is a problem worth having? It's a mechanism that produces new alliances and conversations. And, yes, there is more than a minor strain of Utopianism at work here.

Salt & Cedar is the publishing arm for Market Studio Kitchen, a non-profit organization registered in Michigan as a 501(c)(3) whose mission is to restore grace and health to the tables of Detroit by connecting communities to food, art, and culture through education. MSK is a year-round art and food ecologies lab and workshop teaching and experimenting with a range of communities. The school also features an annual Summer Intensive, Detroit Emergent Futures Lab, pairing students and scholars from around the world with Detroit Communities. The school's founder is Leon Johnson.

Salt & Cedar's recent partners and collaborators include:

1/X
Al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here
AnExact
Corktown Cinema
Detroit Design Festival
Eat Your Sidewalk
Ex Podium
Fritz Haeg
Mildred's Lane; see also 'Common Senses' at the Museum of Modern Art
Paul Moxon
Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning | U of M
Trinosophes

The interest in the mythology of Detroit is far-reaching. There's something that captivates people's imaginations, whether they are in Berlin, Brooklyn, or Boulder, when they witness resources being redirected, new forms of collaboration emerging, and a thoughtful reweaving of social fabric. Salt & Cedar embraces the rich tapestry of this milieu and aims to add fibers daily.

A Messy, Loving Business

Mark Stutrud — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400

What's the difference between sharing in life and serving someone? Simply put, sharing in life is more intimate. It requires an invitation from the other person to enter into their life. It comes with a perspective of I'm going to help that isn't condescending. It's about meeting someone where they are, getting to know them and together, and figuring out a path.

Sharing in life is a mutual exchange. It's not just about getting needs met, but rather about developing a relationship and being involved in another person's life.

It's knowing what they hope for and asking how you can participate. It's caring about another person's hopes and dreams and asking their permission to help them work out the intricacies of whatever mess they might find themselves in.

At Lutheran Social Services of Michigan, everything we do is driven by a mission of sharing in life with the people we interact with. Our staff are wonderful at getting in there and doing it compassionately, caringly, expertly.

Everything we do comes down to the individual person. In any business it should be this way – and especially in ours. All of our services are designed to share in life with someone else – you truly can't do it any other way. I characterize the work we do as being a messy, loving business. It's always messy, and it's always loving.

We try to be compassionate in everything we do, excellent in everything we do, and do our best to be stewards in the most efficient way. Although our organization is large and spans the entire lower peninsula of Michigan, it is essential that we view ourselves as a local business. If you're not local, you can't achieve those goals.

Sharing in life means being present, being aware, being with another person. You can't do it remotely.

We help others by first understanding the context in which they live, their community and their dreams. What is important to the person I'm sitting with? You have to ask again and again.

Throughout my organization, you'll find examples of sharing in life. Take our group homes – it's a home like any other, no sign out front, just several individuals living in the same space. That's their community, and all of their activities of daily life take place within the same walls. Their family is nearby, the staff lives locally, everything they eat and do and say comes from a shared culture, a shared slate of values.

Our home care and senior services are all about helping people maintain their lifestyle and stay in their most comfortable settings. Our refugee services – how can that not be personalized? It's about helping individuals and families build a new life in a new land. It's understanding their fears, the barriers they face, and their wish to live safe, free and thrive.

Our Heartline program is another über-personal model. We help women leaving incarceration merge back into society at large. Eighty percent of them have kids, so they're coming home to family, making the transition from prison to neighborhood and community. We help with that.

And our foster care and adoption services, that's also sharing in life. We search far and wide for relatives who can take in children whose parents aren't up to the task. We stay in the picture, guiding auntie-uncle-grandma-grandpa to help their children, all the emotions swirling around and the practical questions too. It's incredibly intimate. It's quite a gift.

In everything we do, every step we take, our staff seeks to help families repair whatever rifts have appeared in the fabric of their framework and rebuild. We help parents get a handle on raising their children, and we become surrogate parents for children who've aged out of foster care with no one to guide them. We are everywhere another individual will let us be in their darkest hours.

When you're driven by a higher mission like this, the work you do becomes so much bigger. Written in invisible ink on every wall throughout our organization is this purpose of sharing in life with the people we seek to help. It's really the only way.

Training Our Entrepreneurial Gaze Higher

Mark Stutrud — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Not every CEO admits to being driven by a higher power. The truth is, most of us are.

For me, it's easy. I sit at the helm of a faith-based organization, Lutheran Social Services of Michigan. Although we serve any and all who need our services, we are very much Christ-centered and that is core to our mission.

I know many CEOs in the secular world who profess to the same convictions. That's because you can't operate for personal gain alone. It doesn't work. Everything falls apart. True service leads to work satisfaction and every person who realizes this lives a life of sustained gain, happiness, and contentment.

Answering to a higher power changes your business model entirely. It becomes about people connecting with other people; caring comes into the equation, service is a word that pops up again and again.

For me, love of Christ is so important that it permeates my executive thinking, my beliefs of excellence, my stewardship and my passion. I'd be the same at the helm of any organization and my higher power would lead me to do good before doing well, always.

In an organization like this, though, there is an inherent expectation on me as leader of a faith-based mission. It's part of the language, part of the job description. It's ok to be faith-based in an organization like this.

The question is, why isn't it ok in any capacity?

Americans are so careful not to mix church and state that I fear we sometimes abandon belief for a view of a plain brick wall. We should be awe-inspired every step of our journey – in the workplace as much as on our personal paths. I'm not talking about preaching or proselytizing. I'm saying instead that being guided by a higher power changes the landscape entirely and makes the whole world better.

It elevates our conversations. It makes our work more than punching a clock to pay our bills. Answering to a higher power, being driven by a mission to serve others, illuminates the work we do – any kind of work – and makes us kinder, more compassionate, more effective.

Let's train our entrepreneurial gaze higher. It takes all of us to a better place.

Stumbling Into a Startup

Lynne Golodner — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400

When I started my business five years ago, I didn't have a clear map of where I was headed. I knew where I was leaving – the uncertain world of journalism that was changing at a rapid (and often unpaid) clip. I knew I had filed for divorce and had three small children, the youngest of whom was just one year old. I knew I would keep the house as it had appraised dangerously low and I knew I would have to pay a nanny to be with my little one until he was old enough for preschool. What I didn't know, after ten years of freelancing for publications local and distant, was how I'd keep a steady stream of income rolling in.

And so I hatched an idea – a way to work with businesses that had money to pay me – and use my communication skills to benefit everyone involved. Somehow, I landed my first client, Hiller's Markets, and began a journey that quickly morphed into a full-scale marketing, public relations and business development company.

I operated on instinct, never looking too far ahead or voicing the what-ifs that plagued my sleepless nights. I did the work in front of me and went to yoga when the kids were with their father and hoped that we'd all be ok. I founded my business on a belief that if you build strategic relationships, you will grow your business.

And when people told me that was a stupid idea, I stubbornly soldiered on, believing that what my gut told me held some shred of truth.

It did, and it all worked out OK. So much so that five years later, I've moved from the home office to a recently renovated pay-the-lease office in Southfield, and have two part-timers and one full-timer working for me.

And all these clients who are driven by a desire to make the world better, one client at a time.

What I didn't see five years ago when I was setting out on the entrepreneur's path was that if you're working for the money, you'll always struggle. But if you're working to contribute, to be of service, to build community and to care about others, you'll always have more than enough.

Entrepreneurship is a perspectives game. It's an exercise in defining your very being, in understanding why you're standing on level ground, what your role is in the fast-paced scheme of life.

It's not just I-have-a-great-idea or I-am-so-much-smarter-than-the-rest. It's constantly focusing on a goal of helping, of building, of contributing. And that is a very different ride.

There was a time when I swore off wearing pants and tank tops for religiously-sanctioned modest attire, ate only kosher food and covered my curly hair with hats. I did so to belong to a religious community I was part of for ten years. I checked every observance off the list – muttered prayers before and after every meal, refrained from working on the Sabbath, had three kids in four years.

But something was missing.

In some weird way, I became my most spiritual through my work. I spent ten years living a religious lifestyle but in that time, I worried more about surface concerns than anything with depth. When I took off the hats and reclaimed my clothing, people in that community stopped being my friends – and I started seeing the world differently.

You can follow all the rules, satisfy the concerns and judgments of others, but that doesn't mean your life will amount to anything meaningful. For that to happen, you have to peel away the outer layers and really hunker down into the depths of your soul to KNOW what it is you're meant to do, in your own unique way.

How many business people look at their work this way? We live in a society where it's either punch-a-clock-to-collect-a-paycheck or it's gimme-gimme-gimme until you have more than anyone else. More awards, more money, more fame, more notoriety.

I'm happy to say that the clients I attract are those who care deeply. They take skills and degrees and put them to work on behalf of helping heal the world. That may sound hokey, but it's absolutely true. My clients are different kinds of business owners. They see the world differently. They have become my teachers.

The CEO of one client, Woodward Asset Capital, explained the difference between a vision statement and a mission statement like this: The vision is the private mandate that's etched into the glass of the window above your desk. As every project and task arrives, you check in with that etching to make sure it's in the purview of what you intend to do. The mission is for the public domain to consume, it's the face you put to the world.

When you work with a higher purpose driving your every step, you're sure to succeed because your job is not simply to do work and get paid. It's to raise the conversation to a higher level. Enhance the vibration of society at-large.

Here's what I've learned in my five years of entrepreneurship: it's not about me. It never was.

Entrepreneurship Without a Map

Lynne Golodner — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400

When I was a new parent at the age of 30, I found the 24-7 unspoken needs of my newborn overwhelming. Stifling. Perplexing.

Like so many parents, I wanted sleep and I wanted just a little bit of time to myself. Don't get me wrong – my whole life, I couldn't wait to be a parent, but when that gift arrived, I wasn't prepared for the way my life would change.

I wanted to control the situation. I wanted it my way.

The minute I gave up that wish for control is the minute I began to love being a parent.

I now have four children between the ages of six and ten and every day feel lucky to have the gift of them in my life. They are unique and original individuals with their own needs and ways of learning. They always have been. I know this now innately and know that when my first newborn wailed for two hours straight in the middle of those first few nights, I should have wailed with him, surrendering to the moment and loving him for the lesson.

That's the essence of what I teach in my new curriculum, Parenting Without a Map™. It may seem odd for a public relations and marketing expert to launch a parenting class midstream, but that's exactly what I did last spring after an eye-opening client trip to Bali.

In March, I served as blogger and photographer for Deborah Williamson's yoga retreat in Ubud, Bali. She started as a public relations client and asked me to accompany her around the world to promote her inspiring work in real-time.

While I was there to observe and report, she also invited me to take part in her program. And while doing so, I realized that my long-held teaching skills (I've taught at Wayne State, University of Detroit and Oakland University, among others) were untapped and my passion for parenting my be a prime venue.

I love to teach. I find it supplements my client work and so some semesters I throw a college English class into my schedule just to keep me on my toes. That sense of discovery, the learning that occurs when teaching others, the attention to the How and the Why instead of the Do – it's what I love about teaching.

And, in the role of the serial entrepreneur that I am, I spun out a new product with an outline and a wish and a page added to my personal website. Presto-changeo- it was a reality.

That's the beauty of entrepreneurship. You don't analyze and assess the wisdom or likelihood of success. You just DO.

I taught my first Parenting Without a Map™ class in Staten Island, N.Y., at a yoga studio. The curriculum combines ancient knowledge with modern perspectives, writing exercises and meditation and conversation, to empower parents to surrender to the art of parenting.

More than anything, I give parents a forum for their concerns and insecurities and I help them build a community of like-minded peers who want desperately to succeed in being the best parent for their children.

It's not hard to start a new business when you believe in it. When passion drives the train, you go fast. This is something I can do, it's something people need and it comes from a place of giving rather than getting. That's all you need to launch.

You can build your own web page. You can create a gorgeous flier. You can print business cards for cheap online. And then you find the people you need to spread the word.

After I launched Parenting Without a Map™ and before I even taught the first program, parents from my son's soccer team (which I coach) approached me at practice to ask my advice on parenting matters. I didn't tell them what to do; I listened and reflected. I told them they know the answer. And they did. They just needed a sounding board.

In this era of too-much-access, of Facebook and Twitter and dinner-table-texting, we are connected to so many but lonelier than ever. We don't know quite whom to trust because so many people are chiming in – but most of them don't really care.

And in the secret darkness of our minds, where we dwell with our misgivings and insecurities, we need a voice to guide us back to the light.

I embrace social media to the nines. It's all a great tool to round out every business (and personal) effort on the table.

If anything, social media has shone the light on the absence of true friendship today and revealed how important it is to have handshakes and face-to-face connections. We cannot rely solely on distant forms of communications. We must retreat to the old-fashioned relationship-building approach to make our lives better.

Anyone who gets that should have no trouble launching a brilliant business.

Grooming Talent

Lynne Golodner — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400

When I transitioned from journalism to public relations and marketing, I never intended to manage people. I didn't envision building a staff or hiring others or becoming The Boss Man.

And that is exactly where I stand today.

In May, my company, Your People LLC, moved out of my home and into a 500-square-foot office in Southfield. My long-time administrative contract worker who showed up occasionally to file and buy supplies now works 12 hours a week in a very organized manner.

I hired a graphic designer (a former student of mine from University of Detroit-Mercy) who also does account work (mostly social media). He works 20 hours a week. And in August, my first full-time salaried employee joined the team.

It took me four months and one bad hire to find her.

When you're an accidental entrepreneur (and by that I mean, no MBA, no legitimate road map telling you to do this now and follow this protocol), no one teaches you how to hire others, how to manage a staff and how to delegate and supervise. You learn it on the fly – sometimes to your detriment and sometimes to everyone's success.

We are truly a team now. My company is so much more than it was when I hung out my shingle five years ago. There is more at stake, more investment, and a familial feeling. When Michael generates a gorgeous eight-page booklet for a client, I feel like a proud mamma watching my chick take wing. When Ingrid makes contact with a new-to-us member of the media and expertly, artfully weaves a nascent relationship into something really nice, I feel like walking on clouds.

And when someone sends an email with misspelled words or repeating something I've already said, I remind myself to teach with kindness.

Here's what I've learned thus far as I've stumbled into the world of finding, and nurturing, local talent.

1.   It is really hard to find the good ones. I interviewed nearly 18 people for Ingrid's position over the course of four months. I posted ads in several places, fielded calls and emails, turned people away for misspellings on resumes, inability to make time to meet with me, or just inappropriate behavior in some way (beware of what you put on Facebook!). Everyone thinks there are no jobs in Michigan. That is entirely not true. There are jobs; there just isn't always incredible talent to fill them with.

2.   When you find the good ones, take care of them. I feel protective of my team, in part because they are giving me their heart and soul, and in part because I realize the responsibility of employing someone. That doesn't mean I excuse bad behavior – but I don't see much of it anyway because when you treat someone with appreciation and kindness, it comes back at you.

3.   Don't forget, business is business. I hired a bunch of placeholders before I found my true team because I needed the help. When someone cries over an email that has no harshness behind it, or gets passive aggressive because they're not really loving the work they're doing, it's just too bad. It's not personal. It's business.

4.   Build in rewards. As the business grows, I want every member of my team to feel it in increased pay and benefits. It's only right. I establish a work ethic in my company that nurtures, encourages and rewards.

5.   Hire only people who are 100% on board. I've tried out people who were just looking for a job. I don't care what industry you're in – if it's just a job, there is no loyalty, no teamwork, no longevity. Explain exactly what to expect and check in regularly to make sure everyone is on the same page.

6.   Create a company protocol and mission. This summer, I wrote a 32-page employee handbook that outlines all protocols, policies and expectations for everyone in my company. I included a huge section about vision statements and mandated that every employee write their personal career vision as well as their vision for their job at Your People. And I pledged to do the same – for the company as well as for each position. That way we are articulating our goals and expectations and have a way to measure growth and accomplishment.

7.   Have fun. I love going to work every single day. I feel lucky to do what I do. I thank people regularly and show gratitude. I communicate my mission and vision to my team constantly and make sure they're happy with their work. We spend so much of our lives working, it might as well be fun, right?

More Matches for Detroit Singles?

Kerrie Schneider — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0400

I used to cringe when people said it's impossible to find true love in metro Detroit versus in a bigger city. Why? Because at that time I was single and refused to drink the Kool-Aid. Remember the Law of Attraction: You will likely attract what you put out there and by thinking positively, you can bring about positive results.

Yes, people are leaving Michigan for greener pastures. Yes, we are vehicle-bound, not simply walking everywhere and making it easier to find true love on the way to grab dinner with a friend. Yes, our community has a preponderance of married couples and older folks, shrinking the pool of available singles in a certain age range. But this simply makes the big D and surrounding areas less date-friendly, not impossible to date and fall in love.

There's a flurry of entrepreneurs choosing Detroit or Ann Arbor for their startups because there's talent, cheap leases, and the typical Motor City belief in the ability to be reborn. Since the 1960s, Detroit has nurtured a kind of we-can-do-it bootstrapping mentality that all of us have deep in our bones and it still very much exists today. This glass half-full mindset is crucial for success in and out of the workplace. Positivity breeds positivity, whether in a business environment or a romantic setting.

We are in a new economy, but nonetheless creating new opportunities, so there's plenty of room for people to blossom. Just as in everything else, if you create opportunities for yourself, there will be opportunities available to you. If you sit back and take a reactive approach, possibilities will pass you by and soon become someone else's budding reality.

Some people say that there is a brain drain effect, where many of our great talents have fled Michigan, negatively affecting the dating scene. While a lot of good talent did fly the coop when the automakers took a hit, there's new talent and singles too, in places and business models we never anticipated.

We are all creatures of habit, but this isn't necessarily an advantage in business or romance if we hope to spread our wings and soar outside of our usual network. Sometimes you have to venture into unfamiliar territory if you wish to gain more personal or brand exposure and open new doors for opportunity. If it means visiting a new city or working out at the gym a few miles outside of your beaten path, do so.

While many companies folded in the recent recession, many did not – in fact many flourished. And those that survived face a wide, open landscape of possibility for growth. The key was their perseverance and preparedness. The same is true for finding love.

The rules of dating are a lot like having a good business sense. Focus on the variables you can control – rather than those you cannot. Keep a healthy mindset, be assertive, be prepared and you are sure to have a leg up on your competition – in both the workplace and your love life.

The Business of Love

Kerrie Schneider — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0400

I started Bella Introductions after making many successful matches among friends, family and former colleagues and I knew I had that intuitive, innate skill that is required of any successful matchmaker. You have to be able to find and make the right connections for people on all levels – physically, mentally, and emotionally. And as a bonus, I love what I do.

As happens with so many of us, I went through my own relationship hiccups, and realized how hard it can be to find that special someone you want to spend your life with. Life can throw curve balls when it comes to love. After kissing a lot of frogs and refusing to settle in order to settle down, I was lucky enough to find my best match this time around. But not everyone is.

And so, with a successful career history under my belt, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the belief that I could find a better way to match couples, I created Bella Introductions to fill a void in the Metro Detroit area; a 100% confidential, personalized and effective approach for hard to find, attractive singles – to be found and matched to one another using our matchmaking services.

My members and clients go through an extensive screening process before coming on board with our matchmaking agency. Members are placed into our singles portfolio and are matched based on client criteria, while clients elect a more proactive approach. We search anywhere and everywhere in the metro Detroit and surrounding areas to find the right matches. So look your best when you head to the grocery store. You never know when we will approach you in the cereal aisle!

There are many quality singles out there – but it's hard to find them in the crowd. You have to know who and what you are searching for and it takes assertiveness. Even then, you can't be certain that the compatibility factors and core values are intact to endure the next twenty-plus years. Even online dating, which has grown in acceptance and usage, can be quite complicated. Many online daters know that searching through profiles becomes a full-time job. Yes, the business of love is challenging, like finding needles in a haystack.

To help build our matching blueprint, every one of my clients and members fills out a 15-page packet about themselves and what they are seeking in a match. The process is eye-opening. People come into their face-to-face appointment saying, "This is what I want in a life partner," and sometimes throughout the experience, they've revised their perspective. It is through this introspective approach that singles learn more about themselves and who would actually be the right fit.

Being forced to put what you want out of love, on paper, can be scary. It makes it real. We make lists for groceries, birthday presents, places we want to visit. We build bucket lists for all the things we want out of life. But it's not natural to make a list of what we're looking for in another person. When in fact that's the most important list you could ever make – and it could have the single most important impact on your life. Yet we put the least amount of thought to paper, choosing to let our eyeballs oversee the selection process instead.

And just like a company vision statement, this 15-page packet that I have my clients and members complete is often times a living, breathing document, not necessarily set in stone. It's an opportunity to revisit the questions, who they are, and who would best fit into their life-scape. Suddenly dating and falling in love becomes an exciting, reflective journey – the way it was meant to be.

Truth in Matchmaking

Kerrie Schneider — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Those of us who start a business recognize that there are rarely new ideas, and there is always competition. But what all entrepreneurs have in common is a belief that the way they do their type of business is unique enough to succeed.

I created Bella Introductions knowing full well I was up against a lot of skepticism about the art of matchmaking and the "type" of singles that use a matchmaking service – and so I set out to prove those skeptics wrong.

There is often a fallacy that singles sign on to use a matchmaker as their LAST HOPE, an act of desperation. It's embarrassing. Hiring a matchmaker to find your true love screams to everyone that you just can't do it on your own, so something must be very wrong with you.

But the truth is, matchmaking used to be the only way people met. Think Fiddler on the Roof. In many countries today, matchmaking is still the only way people meet their future spouse, and those countries have the lowest divorce rates. So only if you have a thing against meeting the right person and living happily ever after should you ever overlook matchmaking as a valuable dating option.

In the United States, though, we are consumed by popular culture representations of the whirlwind of love. Movies direct us to think we can find this amazing, divorce-proof connection just by walking down the street. I have known very few people to whom this actually happens.

In a lot of divorce situations, you hear, "We just grew apart." Often times, people get married to the person they find sexually irresistible – and without having a conversation about long-term goals, core values, and shared dreams.

True love and instant gratification are rarely compatible. When the sexual chemistry begins to fade, and it always will to some extent, you better have more in common. Anything good takes time and is worth waiting for. Matchmaking services require patience, realism and a complete openness to the process – which includes receiving feedback and being introspective. This is how you find true love and a meaningful connection.

Perfection At What Cost?

Beverly Price & Samara Johnson — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Samara Johnson

Inner Door Foundation is the first non-profit foundation in the Detroit area – and all of Michigan – dedicated to supporting treatment and outreach for eating disorder recovery. Eating disorders if diagnosed and treated early can have a diminished relapse potential. Although eating disorders can affect all ages, a pivotal time for eating disorders to emerge is prior to, during, and post-college. These individuals can benefit from seeking treatment early. For loved ones and significant others, the Inner Door Foundation offers a way to get involved and give back to those who need help desperately. The fundraiser, which took place at the Detroit Opera House and featured local art and the music of Marcus Belgrave and DJ Terrence Parker, was intended to be a hipster gathering, loose and casual and fun, against a backdrop to start conversations about something very serious.

Eating Disorders: This is the subject focus of my work and my passion. Yes, I work as development director for the Inner Door Foundation, which raises money to advocate for and support adults seeking treatment for eating disorders. The Inner Door Center is a one-of-a-kind place where yoga and therapy combine for incredible, lasting eating disorder treatment that truly makes a difference.

I won't go into my own sordid story, but suffice it to say that I know firsthand the pain of an eating disorder. It's not just about wanting to be thin and pretty. It's something that starts much deeper and simmers, an unspoken need to feel equal and full and well, a disconcerting sense of not being enough – pretty enough, thin enough, smart enough, enough.

I'm healthy now and I love who I am, but it took a lot of work to get here. And so many others never do. These deep-seeded insecurities and inferiorities can run the lives of those we love if not confronted and dealt with.

And that's where my work comes in. I want everyone to realize how beautiful they are, inside and out. I want everyone to look outside at the morning sky and see a beautiful day, no matter what lies ahead for them. I want everyone's life to be full and meaningful.

And that starts with acceptance of the self. Eating disorders are a mental illness that manifests in the physical. It's an emotional hunger that leads people to demonize food and the body and ultimately, it's a killer if untreated.

It's not only young women who suffer from eating disorders. In fact, it is estimated that eight million Americans have an eating disorder – seven million women and one million men. Diagnoses of an eating disorder have been made in children younger than 12 and adults as old as 75.

Some of our tools used to treat eating disorders and empower the people who are battling them include traditional therapy, art therapy, yoga, dance, drumming and meditation.

What bothers me more than seeing a bones-and-skin person who clearly isn't happy is the way society sweeps this issue under the rug. You can't always tell by looking at someone if they're suffering. This is an internal, existential problem, and so many of us live on the surface. You have to dig deep to get to know what's really eating away at someone. You have to care.

If we regular people don't see it, then you can bet insurance companies don't either. They are experts at the game of avoidance, and when it comes to covering eating disorder treatment, they are masters. If I succeed at one thing in this job, I hope it is to achieve parity and get eating disorders in all stripes covered by insurance. Treatment can be costly – upwards of $30,000 for in-patient! And treatment is necessary. Without it, you cannot recover. There is no emotional Band-Aid to slap on. It takes time and a reorientation of perspective to get over an eating disorder.

The reason my event this summer focused on art and music is because those are things people can connect with, easily. We can all come together over art and music and make connections – and then it's easier for conversation to flow. Then our ears, and our minds, are open.

Why Eating Disorder Treatment is Underfunded

Beverly Price & Samara Johnson — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Beverly Price

Eating disorders are not a cool type of lifestyle led by a famous actress or actor. Eating disorders are a deadly mental illness that can affect anyone. Although we see individuals of all ages who struggle with eating disorders at the Inner Door Center – metro Detroit's first and only comprehensive eating disorder treatment center – we have found that the "twenty-somethings" are drawn to treatment at this pivotal time of searching for their purpose in life.

As mentioned in Part 1 of this blog series on eating disorder awareness in our own community, Stereotype-Event – hosted by the Inner Door Foundation – was the first fundraising benefit of its kind in metro Detroit. The most difficult challenge of this event was educating donors on what they were contributing to and why. I created the Inner Door Foundation in 2006 in order to raise awareness about eating disorders and to provide treatment. Establishing the foundation was the easy part.

Getting people to recognize that eating disorders are an important cause to which to donate was and still is the most challenging aspect of running this foundation. Cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and the like are an easy sell. More often than not, our requests for funds are met with replies such as, "Ha ha, I have an eating disorder! I love food, and I eat too much!" Or, "Oh how I wish I had an eating disorder for just one week so that I can lose the pounds that I have always wanted to drop!" These opening lines are classic examples of how the disease of eating disorders are so misunderstood. Those who do actually understand, and who are questioning their own mental health, begin to get very uncomfortable....associating themselves with our cause could perhaps be contagious...they, their loved one or their inbred community might just "catch" a mental illness. The stigma would be too great. Cancer, on the other hand, would be more acceptable.

I do not want to appear that I am insensitive to cancer, endocrine, and autoimmune disorders. Send me a postcard, and I will donate to any chronic disease. In fact, I personally have struggled with a mixed connective tissue disease in my twenties through early thirties. However, my condition was yet just another manifestation of my eating disorder – a way to isolate, disengage and block out feelings at that time in my life. Eating disorders have the highest morbidity and mortality of any mental illness. If left untreated, eating disorders will fester like an open wound and manifest into physical disorders.

Our healthcare system, in its quest for preventive care and cost containment, would be best served by early detection, education, and insurance-covered treatment. Primary or family docs just need to ask the right questions, starting with, "Do you feel sad or blue...tell me MORE (vs. Yes or No). If MORE then resembles an eating disorder, well then: "Here are resources for treatment in our own community." And, given that the Blues are the largest insurers in the Detroit area, for heaven's sake, hey Blues! Cover all levels of eating disorder treatment at programs specifically designed for just eating disorders vs. catch-all psychiatric facilities (cancer centers aren't combined with diabetes treatment programs)!

And, how about covering freestanding, non-hospital based treatment facilities? Our twenty-somethings and beyond do not want to be treated in a sterile and cold environment, but at a warm and inviting atmosphere. If you would like to learn more and become more involved with creating awareness of eating disorders, you can find me and my devoted staff at the Inner Door Center Foundation.

Potential Legal Pitfalls for Employers Using Social Media

Jennifer Neumann — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Social media ranging from Facebook, to Twitter, to Linked-In, to individual blogs and even Wikipedia is omnipresent and often takes place at work or is about work. For example, as of March 2012, Facebook had 901 million monthly active users and almost 400 million who used Facebook six of seven days a week. This has spawned employer concerns about productivity, harassment, and defamation. Employers need to be concerned about how they use social media in selecting and retaining employees and in advertising their businesses.

Making hiring decisions is difficult. Employers want to find individuals with the education and skills necessary to perform the job, but also want to make sure the candidate will be the right "fit." Ascertaining the elusive "fit" from a resume and interview can be nearly impossible but, up until a few years ago, that was all that was available to employers. Now, however, many people broadcast extensive details about their lives on social media. Employers are increasingly tempted to review this wealth of information when hiring or even trying to learn more about current employees.

Employers should be careful before taking that leap to social media when making hiring or other employment decisions because it is not legally permissible to consider at least some of the information that may be available on social media sites. For example, employers perusing social media sites may learn of a person's age, disability, race, familial or marital status, or religion -- all information that may not be considered when making hiring or other employment decisions. If faced with a lawsuit, an employer may claim not to have taken any of that information into account when making a decision, but proving this could be difficult. If an employer just cannot live without social media, and wants to avoid the potential that it may learn previously unknown protected characteristics of candidates or employees, consider hiring a third party company to run an online search of the individual in question. Such companies then present a summary of only the information that an employer may lawfully consider during hiring, eliminating the risk that a protected category influences the employer's decision.

Not all accounts are accessible by employers or the third parties an employer may hire to conduct a search. Wise users of social media keep their accounts private and only allow access to approved friends or subscribers. Some employers may be tempted, therefore, to ask an applicant or employee for the password to the account or for the applicant or employee to "friend" the employer on Facebook so the employer can see info about a candidate. Be very cautious before taking this step -- the government is viewing this issue with a critical eye and some states have proposed legislation that would make it illegal to ask for such passwords. In addition, doing so may subject an employer to a lawsuit, just like the one filed a few months ago in Michigan by an individual who was fired after refusing to provide her employer her Facebook password.

Beyond the concerns associated with using social media in hiring and other employment decisions, employers need to be cautious when using social media to advertise their company or product. Several laws apply and govern how employers can use social media for advertising. For example, under the CAN-SPAM Act, companies that send out marketing emails must
provide a means of opting out of receiving the messages. These rules apply to social media posts made by employees at their employer's request as well. The employer might be considered the "sender" and liable if there is no "opt out" method provided. In another example, the FTC Guides regarding advertising require that employees promoting an employer's product on social media sites identify himself or herself as an employee. Failure to do so may result in employer liability.

In short, be careful with social media as the law is just beginning to catch up in this ever- evolving area! Stay tuned for tips for employees and then later for suggestions for employers in developing social media policies.

The Inescapable Past: Job Applicants Beware of Your Social Media History!

Jennifer Neumann — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Social media is all about speed. Not only does the information get out with the click of a button, but users also don't hesitate to hastily make comments or share pictures. Composing a message that the entire world can access no longer requires writing a book, or utilizing TV or radio stations. Now, while standing in line at the grocery store or relaxing on the couch, a person can type out what's on his or her mind, post it on Facebook, Twitter, or a blog, and have the potential to reach a worldwide audience.

The rate at which people post makes it much more likely that they will say things they may regret later. On some sites, a user may be able to go back and delete comments or posts, but that is not always the case. The posts may potentially be too numerous to deal with, or the website owner may be unwilling to remove the content.

Employees and individuals looking for a new job need to be especially cautious. Employers may review public Facebook profiles or Google the applicant's name to learn more about the candidate. A recent CareerBuilder survey revealed that 37% of companies research job candidates by reviewing social networking sites. My previous post discussed the risks associated with employer social media use, but, regardless, applicants should know that any incriminating posts, pictures, or videos may be disadvantageous to you, if not cost you the job. Some employers even hire companies to do the research for them and create a report card about the applicant. Job applicants can use this to their advantage by posting positive things and portraying themselves in a manner in which they want to be seen.

People who are currently employed should also be wary of what they post. Although a status update complaining about poor pay may be protected concerted activity under the National Labor Relations Act -- even for employers who do not have unions -- other posts poking fun at a boss or embarrassing a coworker may get you a promotion to "newly fired."

Candidates and employees should take charge of their online image. Even if a resume is impressive, employers still won't want to hire someone who is rude or irresponsible as it will reflect badly on the company. It's wise to delete embarrassing or offensive comments, posts, videos, pictures, "likes," or retweets. It is better just to avoid posting anything inappropriate
in the first place. A final option is to delete accounts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and any other social media sites. Although extreme, it does solve the matter once and for all (if anything is actually ever really deleted from the Internet).

Don't let social media get between you and a job. With so few jobs available, it is important to take all precautions to ensure you get ahead of the crowd.

Good Social Media Policies and Practices

Jennifer Neumann — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0400

According to a recent Pew study, 65% of adult internet users claim they use a social networking site, such as Facebook or Twitter. Chances are good that many employees are part of the social networking world. Since the line between personal and professional use is often blurred, employers are wise to implement a social media policy. Policies should be specifically
tailored but there are some general guidelines highlighted below.

1. Avoid being extreme when creating a policy. An absolute ban on use of sites like Facebook may be unrealistic, especially as employers increasingly use social media to accomplish their own business objectives, and employees have easy access to social media offsite. In fact, a recent survey of young professionals and college students found that 56% of them would not accept a job from a company that bans social media or at the very least, would circumvent any such policy.

2. The policy must be worded and implemented in a manner that it doesn't interfere with or deter employees in the exercise of their Section 7 rights under the National Labor Relations Act. Even non-union employees have the right to engage in protected concerted activity, which is when two or more employees take action for their mutual aid or protection regarding terms and conditions of employment or when one employee does so on behalf of a group of employees. Such activity can include, for example, complaining about working conditions or wages. Social media policies that broadly prevent an employee from "disparaging" an employer may be viewed as interfering with or chilling Section 7 rights and, therefore,
unlawful. According to the NLRB, social media policies should provide specific examples of conduct that would violate the policy and have limiting language reassuring employees that their Section 7 rights are still protected.

3. Clearly state in the policy that employees should have no expectation of privacy when using company technology or electronic communication resources. Confirm that the computer/electronic communications systems belong to the employer and should only be used for authorized purposes. State that the company has the right, but not duty, to monitor employees' use of such resources.

4. A policy should include a reminder that the company's restraints also apply to social media. For example, state that the company's sexual harassment and non-discrimination policies apply as equally to social media as they do to in-person communications. Reiterate that company rules regarding trade secret and confidential information apply to information sent via the Internet and that no trade secret or confidential information may be posted on social media. The difficulty with many social media outlets is that once something is posted, it spreads quickly, and is almost impossible to contain. Competitors, news outlets, and bloggers may quickly take note of the information and distribute it even if the initial post is later removed.

5. Instruct employees that they need to identify themselves as employees if they are endorsing a product or service since a failure to do so may result in a violation of, for example, the CAN-SPAM Act or the FTC Guides regarding advertising.

Beyond these provisions, make sure to provide employees with a copy of the policy and collect signed copies from them. This will provide evidence that they were given notice of the rules and consented to the terms.

A well-written policy will not only benefit the employer, but it also provides an employee with greater clarity regarding the parameters of internet use. Make time to train employees regarding the policy and be consistent when applying the policy. Precautionary measures may save you from major problems down the road.

Why Karma Yoga is Flourishing in Detroit

Katherine Austin — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Why not?

To say that Detroit is not a good place for business to thrive is giving up, throwing in the towel, quitting. And people who succeed aren't quitters. It doesn't matter where you live or work; if you are dedicated and you answer to a higher calling – if your business is guided by something greater than money or ego – you'll do well, plain and simple. This is the law of the universe.

We started with 24 classes a week when we opened eight years ago at the corner of Maple and Lahser Roads in Bloomfield Hills. Now, we have 50 classes a week with 3,000 students coming through my studio every month.

I had been teaching yoga locally for five years before I opened Karma. I was walking a more traditional path of yoga – not just as an exercise, but a spiritual practice, and so I didn't really fit into the format of other studios in town.

After helping Peter Nielsen set up his yoga programs at local health clubs, I took the plunge and started looking for commercial space. I was 43, looking for something small. When I found the 1,500-square-foot space we currently have, many people tried to talk me out of it. They said that space was in a very strict zoning order with the township and I'd never get approved to put a yoga studio there.

A 1960 zoning ordinance restricted my space, which faces residential Lahser, to not intrude on the neighborhood with a strong business presence. When I presented my case to the Bloomfield Township board at a hearing, I said, "I have the quietest business in the world," and they let me in.

I've kept the letter of admission as proof that when it's right, anything is possible. And it comes easily.

That's the thing with business: when it's right, when it's your calling, it just works. I never tried to be huge or different or expensive. I simply had good intentions for a business that helps people improve their lives. And that mission has guided my growth.

The other key to our success has been maintaining perspective. To open a yoga studio, you need an empty room and a lemonade box with cash. You don't need a computer even to start! Keep it simple. Keep it about what it's about.

My staff grew organically. When word got out that I opening a studio, many colleagues called, offering to teach. Every one of us had some students who followed us to this new venue. We never poached students from a competitor – it's not the integrity I wanted to steep my business in.

Location is important, too. I opened in a neighborhood, where we created our own student clientele.

I don't see being in Detroit as a detriment to succeeding in business. You can't operate from fear; banish any notion of "there's not enough" or lack or limitation. There's no barrier to succeeding in Detroit – that's a figment of our collective imagination. The universe knows there's only abundance.

In fact, for my kind of business, this is a perfect place to be.

Our nation has been rapidly evolving for the past century, the speed of technology and innovation overtaking our ability to evolve as spiritual beings. That has created a disconnect; now it's time for us to alleviate the stress that comes with progress. Businesses that heal the disease that comes from overworking and not taking care of our selves will do well.

Detroiters are hungry for healing, resolution and evolution. That's yoga.

The Secret to Business Growth: Constant Creativity and a Commitment to Evolve

Katherine Austin — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Business growth comes from integrity. If you walk the walk, your business will too.

What I mean by that is we have to be well-rounded enough to take care of ourselves and our employees if we want our businesses to thrive.

Our souls are being guided into this new business era. There are meditations for alleviating stress, anxiety and depression and we all must enter into a daily practice of something bigger than trudging to work and trudging home, crossing things off to-do lists that never seem to disappear.

The past business model that was most prevalent in this country was very stress-producing. It was not a picture where employee health and wellness, and well-balanced lifestyle, were encouraged. It was get-the-job-done-and-go-home.

In Europe, it's completely different. New hires start with six weeks of vacation time every year and it grows from there. Some countries give new mothers a year of maternity leave.

Some U.S. companies are paving the way to a new reality and their businesses are profiting from it. Oprah, for instance, paid for all of her employees to be trained in transcendental meditation. She pays $1,000 per employee per year for health and fitness. (One of her employees practices at my studio!)

Even Compuware put in a gym downtown; I used to teach yoga there for employees to take better care of themselves. Americans will have so much more creativity, better attendance and thus better overall financial gains, when every member of a team is respected, taken care of and supported.

There's nothing worse than an angry resentful employee who's sick and tired all the time. A business is a reflection of its owner.

Where are we headed with business in this country? The first step is one of deepening your own awareness, self-development and connection. Then the business will blossom.

Also, we each need to listen to our callings. We are all here to share our gifts and talents. After years of working with adults, I realized I had a bigger mission: to help heal whole families. This summer, Karma Yoga is launching prenatal yoga, parent-child yoga, family yoga – because I believe I'm being called to help in this way.

Continuing on my own creative path and being guided by inspiration helps my business to thrive.

It just keeps coming to me that if you learn to treat yourself with respect and dignity and love, then you'll do that with everyone around you and your business will show it.

Drop the manipulation and the fear. Embrace the sense that there is enough to go around and there always will be. And, the more you continue to shine and grow and evolve and study and learn and expand yourself, you'll inspire others to do the same. And your business will grow from it, too.

I encourage my staff to travel so they can grow, study and expand what they do. They bring it back and our business grows as a result.

Your world is always a reflection of who you are. We create our own reality. If we're out of control or chaotic, it reflects in your world. Your world is a mirror, a reflection of who you are. The business is the reflection of the person at the top. If you're greedy and demanding and aggressive, that is going to be your business.

You will attract into your world a mirror of what you're putting out. If you believe that.

I believe that. I believe everything is energy, and I believe this is the only path toward business success.

A Spiritual Approach to Business

Katherine Austin — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0400

I start my day before the dawn, with a cup of hot tea and at least 20 minutes of meditation.

It's not because I own a yoga studio or teach yoga for a living. It's because if I didn't meditate, my business wouldn't succeed like it does and I wouldn't maintain my own equilibrium amid the ups and downs that define life.

Call it spirituality, call it yoga, call it what you will, but my business flows easily because of the daily practices and rituals I have instituted and stick to. They guide me and keep me focused on a higher purpose so I can be my best self- not focused on money or acquisitions or the need to grow bigger and have more people follow me.

I wasn't always like this. Years ago, before I really tuned in to what lurks beneath the physical practice of yoga, I lived in the ego just like many people do. That's when life was messy.

For me, the key to a successful business – and a successful life – is taking care of the self. That's on all levels – physical (healthy body temple), emotional (in touch with feelings), mental (meditation) and spiritual (believe in something bigger than you). The tough times come from when we don't put that focus on self–care front and center – anything from not getting enough rest to lack of spiritual connection.

I stay present, in this moment in front of me, and that is a very manageable place to be. This is easier for me to do now. I know everything is always working for my highest good. As a business owner and someone who tries to live by the principles I teach, I believe there are three solid steps to running a business from a spiritual place. Here they are:

1. Get up every morning and make the first thing you do, personal time connecting to something bigger than you. Do not check email or use electronics first thing in the day. Sit quietly reading a spiritual book or a poem, meditate, do yoga. It doesn't have to be big or long. But it will make a huge difference in the way your day unfolds if you begin the day by spending a few minutes centering yourself, getting grounded in the here and now.

2. Secure a spiritual connection – in whatever form works for you. Your business will be more successful if you have some spiritual connection – be it to a higher power, the universe, God, energy, the divine – name it what you will. If you think you're in charge, it's never going to work out as well as you hope. "May I know the joy of being used by you."

3. Get selfless. In yogi-speak that's called Seva – selfless service. Engage in service work, give back in some way. At Karma, every teacher gives some portion of their teaching income to Urban Farming (http://www.urbanfarming.org/). I also teach people to meditate. Service work is really important for humility. It gets you out of your small little self and your small world and oh my problems are so bad and all the things we can spin into – only then do we really make a difference. And you know, that's karma – what you put out there will come back to you.

Women in Michigan's Defense Industry

Amy Courter — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The defense industry has very recently seen a number of women raised into positions of prominence in large defense organizations – General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin come to mind immediately – as significant positions were filled by women in 2012. While it may not be a tsunami-sized wave, it is certainly a rise in the tide. I am reminded of JFK's paraphrase from the New England Council that "A rising tide lifts all boats" which illuminates the premise that improvements in an economy will have positive impact more generally on that economy, too. The idea that one should look at the macro indicators to understand trends that may apply throughout is a good way to find early indicators of change.

It's great to have a positive trend line; we have many women in Michigan in key defense industry leadership positions. For example, Janet Iwanski is engineering product manager for Abrams Tanks for General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS). She and GDLS played key roles in forming the Women In Defense Michigan Chapter. In Janet's words, "Women in Defense Michigan started as a perceived need internal to GDLS, where women could mentor and support each other. The idea was extended to the local defense community by hosting a program to assess interest. That first program in September of 2007, where Dr. Grace Bochenek spoke on the history of women in the military, was so well received and attended that WID-MI was launched!"

Today, Iwanski serves as an advisor to WID-Michigan, helping us grow to more than 500 members in four short years. Dr. Bochenek, formerly of GDLS, is now the director for the US ARMY Tank Automotive Research Development Engineering Center (TARDEC).

Two additional, incredible examples are women who have received recognition from WID-Michigan: Ms. Monica Emerson and Ms. Janet Bean. Emerson received the 2011 WID-Michigan Excellence in Leadership Award. She has been U.S. Navy diversity officer since August 2009, and is principal adviser to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for manpower and reserve operations. Bean recently retired from a 27-year career in defense at the Detroit Arsenal, including her last four as executive director of Tacom's Integrated Logistics Support Center.

As women have access to more opportunity in large defense organizations and government, it helps to raise the awareness of the benefits women bring to the team. Across the supply chain we see that in medium and small businesses, women have increasingly more opportunities. While perhaps you didn't anticipate it, Michigan is a great place for women in the defense industry as evidenced by my examples shared above!

To be successful in leadership roles – defense industry or otherwise, one has to be both technically competent in their field as well as competent in leadership. A trend is beginning to be better understood that, at times, we may be more successful if we think one way and lead another way.

As an information technology professional, I need to think logically and structurally when I see an opportunity or a challenge that I need to conquer using technology. However, to motivate a team to tackle a larger technology problem, it is far more effective to lead by alignment of the motivations – to get the team to drive their solution in the right direction and for all the right reasons.

In a leadership diversity study by a partnership of BusinessWeek and the Hay Group a couple years ago, the company's female executives were significantly more likely than their male counterparts to coach and develop others and to create more committed, collaborative, inclusive – and ultimately more effective – teams. I believe that this does not say that "women are better leaders" but rather it says that diverse teams stand a better chance of having all the necessary skill sets to be the most effective.

Now, combine the topic "Women in the Michigan Defense Industry" with my last statement of all the necessary skill sets. There needs to be a pipeline – not a gender-biased network – of girls and women who develop the STEM skills of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics – as well as the balancing skills of leadership and management. Leaders are made, and they can't be made if they're not on the production line.

Women In Defense – Michigan Chapter has many initiatives to support girls and women as they develop the skills necessary for the defense and security industries. Our events are attended by a nearly evenly represented mix of women and men. Join us. Help us build an ever stronger Michigan Defense Community!

Why STEM?

Amy Courter — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0400

"Math – yuck!" "Technology – what?" "Science – why do I need to know that?" Any of this sound familiar? If you have the good fortune to be around young people, you may have heard these lines before. However, there are many reasons that STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – are a global imperative. From a universal perspective, many enhancements to our way of life have come through these disciplines. Nationally, it is important for our economy and our security to have the skills, including the reasoning skills, which are inherent in these disciplines. Personally, everyone should be able to follow their passions – and very personally to me, my passions are heavily involved in STEM. STEM has served me well.

There could be a bit of "the chicken and the egg" problem when we consider that girls choose to not be involved in STEM subjects in their schooling, and similarly women are incredibly under-represented in STEM career fields. I suppose it makes sense – how would a person develop passions – or even interests, for that matter – if they don't have any experience on the topic? We don't know what we don't know. For me, wow, I can't even imagine what my life would have been like without the opportunities I have had in the STEM area.

As I speak to audiences – whether locally or globally, I receive questions about why I pursued the information technology (IT) career field. I can assure you that my answer is not "so that I could be one of the only women at the top levels!" I pursued it because knowledge of IT allows me to make a larger impact on organizations – I can instill processes and systems that accelerate growth while improving the customer experience. Perhaps the ability to leverage technology intrigues me as much as, although very differently from, the ability to leverage leadership to compel and propel teams to achieve more.

Even if you don't choose a STEM subject for your career field, take the opportunity to inspire the younger generation. I was fortunate to be encouraged into the fields of computer science and mathematics by a teacher when I was 13 years old – and he found me a scholarship to explore those talents. Today, my success in multiple organizations can be attributed to my exploration and education in STEM.

There are many organizations that provide access to STEM subjects to youth – I think one of the best is Women In Defense – Michigan Chapter (WID-MI), and the organization that I currently chair, which creates connections between schools and industry to provide access to STEM through fun and interactive experiences for girls. Find your passions and follow them!

Servant Leaders

Amy Courter — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0400

"Soft Skills" – how can those be of significant importance to my career? I need to be technically competent. I need to have confidence to stand my ground and the communication skills to let people know what I know – I get that, but other soft skills – really? Isn't that what people fall back on and use when they aren't strong technically? Or when they are leading people who have different skill sets from their own? Leaders need to be strong and forceful, right? Leaders get more out of people when they boss them around, don't you think? Leaders shouldn't show their soft side – that would make them vulnerable.

Are you nodding your head in agreement just about now? Well, then, I hope to change your mind. I emphatically disagree with my tongue-in-cheek assertions in the paragraph above. I know from experience the incredible force multiplier it is when you are well skilled in the "soft skills", or the ability to work the people side of the equation.

This might be surprising, given my position as a 2-star major general and the national commander of the Civil Air Patrol, the all-civilian United States Air Force Auxiliary. In this position, I led 61,000 civilians on serious missions across the nation and Puerto Rico for four years. The team carried out our congressionally-chartered missions of emergency services, cadet programs, and aerospace education. In my "Command and Control" environment, I had over 500 aircraft and 1,000 vehicles under my command. At its core, though, my work was to align the needs of the nation with the motivators that would incite my team to get the job done. My people skills were never more important!

I recently read the book CIO Edge by Waller, Hollenbeck and Rubenstruck. In it, many CIOs of Fortune 500 companies share their insights and their stories of their success in their technical fields – their success in leading by putting people first.

The best way to lead is to serve your team. Being a servant leader means to invert the organizational triangle – flipping over the normally "pointy top" of the triangular organization chart to instead depict the leader at the very bottom of the triangle. The leader "holds up" their followers – providing them with the resources that they need to be successful – while also holding them accountable.

Both organizationally as well as personally, my teams have thrived because I put people first. It is important to not only use and model the best skills, but also to expect it from others.

Why Business Incubation in Michigan?

Julie Gustafson — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

As the founding director and CEO of New Hampshire's Amoskeag Business Incubator, also known as the abi (and now known as the abi Innovation Hub), how did I end up in Sterling Heights, just north of Detroit, as the executive director of the Macomb OU INCubator?

After directing the abi for close to 14 years, I took some time off to spend with family and friends while helping to plan my eldest daughter's wedding. I had the notion that I would give consulting a crack in both the non-profit and business incubation sectors once the matrimonial hubbub subsided.

I had a grand time helping to plan my daughter's wedding, which was small, intimate, and absolutely beautiful – such a special time for the entire family. Spent some priceless time visiting friends and family in various areas of New England that included a couple of trips to Boston, Vermont, and the Maine Coast. I also visited New Jersey, NYC, and Florida.
With the wedding and my wanderlust in the rear-view mirror, I started setting up an office for my consulting business. I converted my now-married daughter's bedroom into my headquarters. Bought an antique desk and refinished it with the help of my husband and took care of all the other necessities that came with setting up a business. In short time, JMG Consulting was on its feet.

I landed myself a couple of jobs, and in doing research for one organization on the National Business Incubator's Association's website, I came across the posting for the Macomb OU INCubator director position. If fate led me to the posting, choice brought me to Michigan. These are some factors that I weighed in making that choice.

First, the job intrigued me. I liked the fact that it had multiple strong partners: Oakland University, the city of Sterling Heights, and Macomb County Planning & Economic Development. I liked the fact that it focused on specific industries: defense, homeland security, and advanced manufacturing – I came from a mixed-use incubator model with anywhere from a 50-60% technology base. The location to me was also exciting, in the heart of your state's defense corridor, surrounded by prime defense contractors – TACOM, TARDEC, Selfridge, and a great manufacturing base. It was a totally different environment than what I was accustomed to.

I also liked the idea that the incubator was located just north of Detroit, an area that was hit extremely hard by the recession. I had read quite a bit about Detroit looking to reinvent itself and liked the idea of being part of that initiative. In doing further research, I was also thoroughly impressed with the resources that Michigan provided to its small businesses, especially through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. I loved the whole Smartzone concept. I also discovered that your current governor was not only involved in incubation, but was a proponent of it as well.

Last, I think I just had the inclination to see and be part of another area of our great country. Maybe my wanderlust wasn't in the rear-view mirror, after all. I always heard midwesterners were hospitable and hard-working (I have since learned, firsthand, how very true this is!). So I applied in the spring of 2011, and much to my great surprise, was soon after offered the position. I finished up my current consulting job, took off the rest of the summer, and started in the fall of 2011.

I look forward to sharing information with you about the Macomb OU INCubator in my third blog!

Ramping Up an Incubator

Julie Gustafson — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

I started my position as the executive director of the Macomb OU INCubator, an organization designed to accelerate businesses with an emphasis in the defense, homeland security, advanced manufacturing, energy and technology industries, in September 2011.

Leaving New Hampshire and my family behind (they will be joining me this fall), I was ready to delve into work. I was thrilled with the facility, the Velocity Collaboration Center – 35,000 square feet of new! New was an exciting concept, having come from two previous incubator locations nearly as old as the state of Michigan itself! Not only is the facility NOT a relic of the 1800s, but every single office has windows! The old, converted textile mills my previous incubators inhabited had very few, so being able to see outside (and knowing whether or not to wield an umbrella) has been another new joy.

The building is new, but it comes with a history of its own. It was generously donated to the city of Sterling Heights by A.J. Damman Co. in 2009 and in its previous life had been a day care center for Ford Motor Company. When I came on board the building was still in the process of being renovated for office space use, one of the highlights being the removal of the mini-toilets!

The facility currently has 20 offices for lease and six cubicles ranging in price from $185 to $1,200 a month, and everything in between. Leasing of the space includes abundant parking, wireless internet, all utilities except communications, use of extensive common space, access to staff, use of a business advisory board comprising 60 subject matter experts, on-site business training and networking, and a great location in the heart of extensive manufacturing and the Michigan defense corridor.

I immediately set to work with a transition team that was in place due to the absence of an executive director during a ten-month period. The only full-time person on the transition team was Larry Herriman, the CFO, and now assistant executive director. Larry and I hired a full team including a marketing manager, a grant compliance officer, a capital advisor, a commercialization advisor and an administrative assistant.

Along with the team, we secured additional funding, revamped current processes and procedures, developed new programs, finished up the construction, and participated in the grand opening of the building with its new name the, Velocity Collaboration Center. Along with our partnering organizations, Oakland University, the City of Sterling Heights, and Macomb County Planning & Economic Development, we also built a full curriculum of on-site business development training, defense-related training, and industry specific networking. In addition to providing training, we have also been quite successful in helping businesses to access capital to take their companies to the next level and to achieve their planned milestones.

To view our upcoming events please click here. We also run a monthly newsletter that provides all of our event information and more. Click here to subscribe!

So what's on deck for the upcoming year? In addition to many programs including our current Green and Black Belt Lean Certification programs, we are in the process of developing a new Start-Up Lean program that is specifically targeted towards start-up companies to be introduced this fall. The premise behind this training: do not just become lean; start lean.

During the next year you can also expect to see us coordinate larger state-wide entrepreneurial and pitch-type events to be held at the Macomb OU INCubator. We anticipate further engagement with our current partners as well as new partners to bring you the very best in business and industry-specific business development. Last, with the need for speed in today's market, you can expect to see us adopt our own speed. We will aim to provide business assessments to all of our business clients within a 24-hour period.

Stay tuned by visiting our website, calling us at 586-884-9320 or by dropping by at 6633 18 Mile Road, Sterling Heights, Michigan – just minutes from Detroit.

Why Start-Ups; Why Business Incubation?

Julie Gustafson — Thu, 17 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Small business accounts for approximately 99% of the employers in the United States and represents 98.3% of all employers in Michigan. Given this relevant statistic, it is no wonder that business incubation has increased more than five-fold in our country in the past decade. Incubation provides an entrepreneurial ecosystem in which to support small businesses. If run well, incubators are effective in helping to accelerate the pace of small businesses in our country as well as across the globe.

I have been in business incubation for close to 15 years, which is a fairly long time in this relatively new industry (in 1980 there were only 12 incubators in the United States). When I started in New Hampshire in 1997, there were no incubators in New Hampshire and less than 200 incubators in our country. Today there are over 1,100 incubators in the country – and counting. Yes, I was the brunt of many egg-and-chick jokes.

How did I end up in business incubation? Although my career "hatched" in New Hampshire, my love and passion for small business was "incubated" in New Jersey where I was born and bred. Back when I was in fifth grade, my father made the decision to leave Wall Street to start his own retail business, the Sport Spot, a sporting goods store with a major focus on downhill skiing. Yes, New Jersey had skiing and was only a 4.5 hour drive to some of New England's finest.

I can remember the months my parents spent prepping, planning, and passing many late nights sitting at the kitchen table. It did not seem like a big deal to me at the time, but had to have been a huge decision for them. I remember sitting with my father in his car, at numerous locations, at various times of the day, counting and timing traffic. How many people drove by his potential business location?

It was not long after the store opened that it did become a big deal. It was a family affair. Towards the end of fifth grade, I was cleaning store windows and mirrors, hanging the piles of clothing back up that were left in the dressing rooms, vacuuming (hated that old Electrolux), counting inventory (this was before it was computerized)…. and you get the idea. I had four siblings. We all worked in the store. It was a big part of all of our lives; we lived and breathed it.

I believe anyone starting a business, whether it in New Jersey, New Hampshire, Michigan, or anywhere else in the country, needs to have willingness to "live and breathe it." It is a LOT of work! That being said, it is not a bad idea to like it either! Fortunately, in our case, we did.

Growing up in a family business, I learned some essentials for starting a successful business that are still very relevant today. More than I can possibly share in one blog. I learned the importance of a strong work ethic, customer service, integrity, honesty, and how critically important it is to respect all, including: customers, vendors, suppliers, employees, service providers, your community, and yes, even your competitors!

I learned creativity and the value of seeking out new opportunities. I watched my parents start satellite stores and a travel agency that ran ski trips around the country as a result of fulfilling customer needs. I learned to work in the face of adversity – inventory not coming in on time, rain during ski swaps, a substantial fire in the store, unhappy customers, long hours – but most importantly I learned that work can be fun! As we got older, we went to the trade shows, tested equipment and helped make purchasing decisions. We also had the opportunity to meet and ski with some world-class skiers.

My upbringing in a positive family-owned company is absolutely what led to my career in business incubation. I love working in an industry that supports small business!

In my next two blog posts, I look forward to telling you about how, and why, I ended up in Michigan, and then I will share with you how the Macomb OU INCubator is helping to support entrepreneurs in Southeast Michigan!

Unethical SEO: A Case Study and Cautionary Tale

Kentaro Roy — Fri, 04 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

As detailed in the first post about SEO in Michigan, the SEO industry in our state is still very young. And that makes it very easy for part-timers, moonlighters, and scammers to take advantage of the growing numbers of businesses who want to use SEO as a business tool. There are some very good, professional agencies out there, but unfortunately we've heard too many stories like Andrew's.*

Andrew is an appeals attorney working out of Ann Arbor, and he had been working with an SEO agency for several months when we met him. He was concerned because it seemed he was paying hundreds of dollars a month for nothing: he wasn't seeing any results, and we later found out that four months of SEO had only sent three visitors to his website. In fact, Andrew had made a separate website for his business on his own, and that website (with zero SEO) was ranking better and receiving more traffic than the site he was paying the SEO agency to promote.

It turns out that his SEO company told him that he was ranking for ‘hundreds of keywords', but upon closer examination we learned that the keywords he was ranking for were not competitive at all, and received little to no search volume. So Andrew's website was ranking for keywords that nobody was actually searching for. Their work had provided him with very little value, and he had paid what comes out to over a thousand dollars per visitor.

We participated in several conference calls with Andrew and his agency, to help him figure out just how much he was getting out of their service. The longer we spoke with them, the more obvious it became that Andrew's actual ROI was next to nothing. The representative we spoke with was evasive, and couldn't tell us more than "SEO takes a while to gain traction" and that "Andrew's site was ranking for hundreds of keywords". He is no longer working with that agency, and was even able to get some of his money back from them when he canceled their services. He isn't a client of ours, but we were happy to help him get out of a bad situation.

Unfortunately, it's very easy for business owners who are too busy to do their own independent research to get taken in by these types of companies, who may say things that seem promising (like "you're ranking for hundreds of keywords" or "we'll make you rank #1 in a week".) That sounds great, but how many keywords your website ranks for is not important, because Google associates keywords with others that are closely related. So even if you were only theoretically targeting one keyword, you could also rank for several others that are closely related. Also, a keyword that is not competitive and has no search volume is not worth your time. And you should never trust a company that says they can get your site to rank first for any keyword within a week (or even within a year)--no one can guarantee number one rankings within a set amount of time.

Unethical SEO companies will tell you things that sound like good progress is being made, but actually mean nothing for your business. If you're working with an SEO company, it's worth your while to do a little research and ask questions. Most SEOs will be happy to answer their clients' questions and clearly outline the results of their work for you. And if they aren't, consider that a red flag.

Our state's SEO industry is a young one, but that doesn't mean that Michigan-based businesses should have to deal with unethical companies taking advantage of the situation. Like any other investment, a little research can go a long way when selecting an SEO company to work with. Don't hesitate to ask the following questions when shopping around for an agency:

   1. How will the progress and any results be reported to me?
   2. How will you change my website to optimize it?
   3. What information do you track, aside from rankings? Will you be tracking conversions and performing ongoing keyword research?
   4. Will I retain complete access to my website during and after your work?

An ethical SEO company should be able to answer these questions fully, and provide you with regular reports. Don't settle for less!

*name changed to protect individual's privacy

The Place is Here, The Time is Now: Why This is the Perfect Time to Invest in SEO in Michigan

Kentaro Roy — Fri, 04 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Unlike Washington or California, which have thriving SEO (Search Engine Optimization) industries, Michigan is a little behind. While businesses that survived the recession are growing rapidly here, SEO hasn't fully caught on yet in many industries. Here's what that means: it is the perfect time for a few forward-thinking companies to jump in and get a leg up on their competitors, taking advantage one of the most common consumer behaviors today: Internet search.

Almost everyone uses search engines to find information online. By optimizing your website, you're making it easier for people to find your business when they need you. Usability and relevance are two crucial elements of SEO, which sets it apart from other marketing methods, since making your information more findable and user-friendly directly benefits the consumer. Some search terms (keywords) are more competitive than others because they have high search volumes (think "shoes" or "low fat recipes"), so it is difficult to get your website to rank well in search engines for these keywords. Less competitive, but highly-relevant keywords can help you more narrowly focus on your target market and qualify your website visitors. Businesses that start SEO campaigns before anyone else have the advantage, and will be ranking for keywords long before their competitors even enter the arena.

Geo-targeted (or localized) SEO helps Michigan businesses place themselves in front of the customers who will be walking through their doors: the locals who are using the Internet to look for a service like "barber" or "coffee shop". Though increasing your web traffic can definitely help your business, a million hits doesn't do anything for you if none of those visitors convert. Geo-targeted SEO allows you to qualify your visitors and market directly to your target audience.

Just how important is search in modern marketing? A PEW Research survey taken earlier this year found that 74% of all Americans use search engines, with 91% of those users reporting that they "always or most of the time" find what they needed when using a search engine. Internet users of all ages have faith in the power of search engines to help them find what they need, and satisfaction is high.

Because SEO is an ongoing endeavor, the sooner Michigan businesses begin optimization, the more visible their site becomes online, leaving their competitors far behind.

Perspective of a student-realtor-web design entrepreneur

Kentaro Roy — Thu, 03 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Kentaro Web Design + SEO is a little over two years old, and growing fast. I established myself as a freelancer for several years in the real estate industry, helping real estate professionals get more business from the Internet. As a licensed Realtor in the state of Michigan with years of real estate experience, I had begun to see a need in the market for a web marketing professional catering specifically to the real estate industry. I began offering web design and web marketing services to local professionals, growing my client base until it became clear that I needed to hire someone to help out.

Starting a web company as a student was very time consuming, but I wouldn't call it challenging or difficult because I loved every minute of it. One of my main concerns when starting the company was age discrimination – I remember telling a friend jokingly that I should invest in Touch of Grey for my hair. I wasn't sure if people would think I was too young and inexperienced to want to work with me. This never became an issue in the evolution of our company, as we always had results to show for our work at meetings with prospective clients. I believe that anyone passionate about what they do will find a way to manage their time and resources to work towards their long term objectives.

I'm originally from South Lyon, but our company is based in Ann Arbor, which is where our first office was located: a work space we shared with about a dozen other professionals. As our clientele grew, we continued to hire employees with additional skill sets, and we grew to be the agency that we are today: five employees in an office in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor. Our team is made up of young people with talents ranging from content creation to web development to sales. It takes a lot of collaboration to get from point A to point B in a small business, so finding a good fit is a crucial part of our hiring process.

Though I started out working with real estate agents almost exclusively, we've diversified quite a bit in the past 2 years. We now work with businesses in manufacturing, health and supplements, tech startups, and service professionals to help them capitalize on their online presences to bring in more revenue and generate leads. Right now, we offer a variety of web marketing services: web development and design, SEO, web analytics, and pay-per-click ad management. We focus on making websites profitable, using both on-site and off-site techniques to create sites that can convert leads and do more than just look pretty on the Internet. Geo-targeted SEO has been very successful for many of our clients, who are all Michigan-based businesses. We also integrate online marketing with clients' existing offline marketing, like direct mailings or billboards. One advantage of being a small business is that we can easily tailor our services to meet each client's needs, instead of selling a pre-packaged, one-size-fits-all product.

We've also begun to offer consulting services, and I like to act as a resource for people who may not be able to commit to a web marketing contract with us, but still need information or may want our help in the future. Last month, we actually helped a local small business owner get out of a one-year contract with a company that had taken thousands of dollars of his money for SEO, but sent literally zero qualified visitors to his website. He isn't a client of ours, but we were happy to help him get out of a deal that was wasting his time and resources.

As we move forward, our goal is to continue to brand ourselves as a Michigan-based web marketing agency. We will continue to help more brands in new markets, as well as provide our services to more national and international clients. We're very excited to continue building our team, and are planning on adding two staffpersons this year.

Why I Funded a Scholarship at Eastern Michigan University

Kentaro Roy — Thu, 03 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

In 2011, I established a scholarship fund at my current school, Eastern Michigan University. Kentaro Web Design + SEO sponsors a $500 award to a student enrolled in the Information Assurance program at the College of Technology, which is renewable for three years. I chose to make this contribution to the program for two reasons.

First, the technology field in Michigan is still young, so we need smart, talented people to stay and work here and help us grow it. We've heard it over and over, but keeping professionals and young talent in Michigan is very important for our economy. We need to make Michigan a place where the next generation of leaders wants to study, work, and live.

My second reason is that cyber security has grown into a crucial component of doing business in the twenty-first century, but again, the industry is still very young in Michigan. Every business has digital data that must be kept confidential, which we are obligated by law to protect. The safe storage and transmission of sensitive data is crucial, and for many companies it's a full-time job. As technology continues to develop and businesses pursue options like cloud storage, the demand for cyber security professionals' skills will increase.

Though the scholarship fund is not a large one at this point, I plan to grow it along with my business. As a student myself I know that every bit helps, and I'm happy to take this opportunity to give other EMU students a hand. My professional and academic experiences have proved to me that Eastern produces many high-quality students (four of our five employees either graduated from Eastern or are currently studying there, including myself). I'm convinced that the university will continue to produce top-notch talent. We've worked with several interns and independent contractors who also were Eastern students or grads, and they were just fantastic to do business with.

We love our relationship with Eastern and look forward to building that relationship for many years to come.

We Solemnly Swear To...

Michele Hodges — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

We started the week with a transit related topic, right? So why not end with it? The Regional Transit Authority is advancing through the legislative process at this very moment, and a lot is at stake. I won't suggest what one's disposition should be on the matter, but I will make a plea that we commit to these grounding principles.

1) Accept nothing less than scholarly, informed debate.

2) Commit to data driven decision making, and source facts from credentialed bodies.

3) Be respectful at all times.

4) Seek common ground.

5) Pursue a mutually beneficial outcome.

6) View the matter through an apolitical lens, and direct the focus on what is best for the Detroit region, and the state of Michigan et al.

7) Ensure advocates and viewpoints originate from a diverse group of stakeholders.

8) Maintain a AAA mindset.

9) Conduct thorough analysis, but be swift decision makers. Don't bog the process down.

10) Possess "zero tolerance" for any entity that steps outside of these stated ground rules.

11) Remember, "The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; to be kind, but not weak; to be bold, but not a bully; to be thoughtful, but not lazy; to be humble, but not timid; to be proud, but not arrogant; to have humor, but without folly." Jim Rohn.

12) And, finally, don't ever forget the most important thing of all – our actions today will determine the future, and we must have deep respect for that responsibility.

Given the discussion we've had over the last week, I dare to hope we have strengthened our problem solving abilities, and that a more fertile future awaits. If we can remember the importance of leveraging controversy, assuming a AAA mindset, and committing to a competitive spirit, we can expect nothing less than remarkable outcomes. Let's go for it.

Important Resource to Highlight: The purpose of the 2012 Mackinac Policy Conference (May 29-31) is to "Create a globally competitive, financially attractive business environment in Michigan to increase economic development through collaboration, visionary ideas and partnerships with business, government and philanthropy." The conference is a perfect venue for problem solvers and solution identification.

The AAA Mindset

Michele Hodges — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

In the last post, controversy in communities was positioned as a potentially positive matter, if in fact skilled leadership is in place. A method such leaders can implement to build the foundation of trust, respect and credibility required for controversy to have a positive impact on communities comprises today's topic.

It is difficult to research initiatives impacting our communities in a highly charged political environment where neutral, scholarly debate is infrequent, and when accountability for sources contributing to the stream of information is lacking. How does our Detroit region overcome this? How can one take a more measured, scholarly approach to decision making? What will lead to empowered voters, elected leaders, and any other stakeholders seeking to weigh in on matters that have the potential to propel a thriving marketplace? How can they all become better decision makers?

I'd like to suggest one solution might lie within the context of three recognizable letters – AAA. If communities invest in a "AAA mindset", the outcomes could be tremendous, for it is safe to assume jurisdictions with an AAA bond rating have excellent schools, quality housing, credentialed management, access to infrastructure, diverse neighborhoods, and top rankings in all other categories of significance.

Perhaps an initiative could be launched that seeks to measure initiatives within the context of AAA. Simply put, is the initiative likely to positively or negatively impact the bond rating of the neighboring jurisdictions? Is it of an "AAA mindset" or, put another way, can it be considered "AAA behavior"? Having such insight would inspire more substantial outcomes.
Who could lead this analysis? Clearly it would be critical to identify a credible, trusted, respected and, to the extent possible, neutral authority that has the capacity to manage the process. Early suggestions would include university and/or foundation presidents that have a stake in our region, yet aren't as likely to be mired in the political process.

It would be difficult to debate the value of data driven decision making, and it is tantalizing to imagine a future that empowers us all to be the highest quality decision makers. A "AAA mindset" is an opportunity to raise the bar, and to strengthen the advocacy process. When data driven analysis is joined with the passion we all feel for our communities, suddenly we all become statesmen, yet we still have the freedom to be advocates for the viable future we all seek. Doing so honors the future, and creates an environment wherein the word "controversy" suddenly sheds its negative connotation, and the Detroit region takes a healthy step forward.

Important Resource to Highlight – The Center for Michigan leads the "Michigan Truth Squad", which seeks to minimize the number of false and misleading statements sometimes made by candidates, or issues advocates. Our communities are strengthened when accountability is enhanced.

Yes to Healthy Controversy

Michele Hodges — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Transit. My hunch is a multitude of readers just developed a rash, for the mere term causes some level of angst for just about everyone, no matter where on the spectrum one may lie. There are those that are frustrated it continues to be discussed, and those discouraged that transit assets aren't satisfactorily in place. Either way, not many would disagree if we were to label the topic "controversial".

I purport that controversy is a good thing if managed properly. It serves the purpose of grounding the due diligence process with opposing points of view, which ultimately leads to higher quality outcomes when properly integrated into the decision making process.

Where controversy crosses the line and becomes destructive is when paralysis results and impedes economic health. This is why it must be managed by highly skilled, respected leaders, and why our communities must be anchored with an inspired vision that has been created by a diversity of stakeholders, and built on a foundation of integrity. Integrity is crucial, because it leads to trusting relationships, which are an important vehicle for action.

What we have striven for here in Troy, with respect to the Troy Transit Center, is a vision that speaks to a diversity of stakeholders. For example, if one happens to be of a liberal ilk, there is comfort in knowing government has invested in infrastructure and, for those of a more conservative bent, the stepped approach to reducing the financial burden on the taxpayer is favorable. By engaging a wide spectrum of stakeholders, Troy is moving forward as a result of the controversy, and paralysis has been avoided.

If communities embrace and manage controversy, it can be a positive. Together we can reform the problem solving process and inspire an efficiency that doesn't damage the spirit of our Detroit region, and unites, rather than divides. I look forward to discussing potential tools and tactics for achieving continued forward momentum in future posts.

Important Resource to Highlight – as the communities comprising our Detroit region seek an inspiring vision, the Michigan Municipal League can help. It has identified the "Eight Essential Assets" of 21st Century Communities. Transit happens to be one of them.