April 18, 2024 • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT In today’s fast-paced work environment, burnout has become a prevalent concern affecting both employees and organizations. Human Resources (HR) professionals play a critical role in identifying, addressing, and preventing burnout within their teams. This session aims to equip HR professionals with the knowledge and strategies necessary to effectively navigate and implement initiatives to combat burnout.
May 16, 2024 – The Henry, Autograph Collection
The MichBusiness Women Thrive Conference is a day of celebration, informative panel discussions, facilitated networking opportunities, and knowledge-sharing. It is advised by a distinguished board of businesswomen and community leaders.
Media from radio to newspapers to blogs as well as social-media sites exploded with the news: Detroit’s beloved Henry the Hatter had lost its lease for its longtime storefront.
People assumed the worst, and many longtime fans were afraid that Henry the Hatter was closing. The news, which came out in early July, has remained at the top of news sites and newspapers of all kinds ever since.
Paul Wasserman, owner of Henry the Hatter, said he has learned a lot from the past few weeks. Among the most important lessons he’s gained is that public relations is important. He’s learned that you should never take your place within the community for granted. And he’s learned how important it is for the store and its employees to communicate with the public.
“It’s been just amazing to see the chord we’ve struck with the people in the city of Detroit” and the state of Michigan, Wasserman said. “It’s weird, but in a good way. (This experience) has been like being a guest at your own funeral. You know how people really feel about you.”
Here’s the story: Wasserman knew this spring that his landlord and he would need to sit down and talk about extending his lease. Both sides had an option to terminate the lease, but Wasserman said he did not want to do that. But, unfortunately, he received a letter in mid-April from the landlord that it was not extending the lease and the store would need to move.
Wasserman went to Marx Layne, a well-known public-relations company, and asked for help spreading the news: After 65 years in its current location on Broadway Street in downtown Detroit, Henry the Hatter would mark August 5 as its final day of business. Founded in 1893, the company is the oldest hat retailer in the United States.
As background: Henry the Hatter was originally established by Henry Komrofsky who, in 1919, began a partnership with Gustave Newman. Newman became sole owner following Komrofsky’s death in 1941, later selling the company to native New Yorker Seymour (Sy) Wasserman in 1948. Several years later, Wasserman moved Henry the Hatter to its location on Broadway in 1952. Current owner Paul Wasserman, Sy’s son, joined his father in the family business in 1972.
Through the years, Henry the Hatter customers have included Kid Rock, Jeff Daniels, Jack White, Peter Karmanos, George Clinton, Mike Epps and Steve Harvey. In addition, President Dwight D. Eisenhower wore a Henry the Hatter homburg to his inauguration in 1956.
The impact of his closing was huge. “It’s been nothing short of staggering,” said Wasserman, describing the lineup of reporters who came to the store when he first made the announcement. Next came the calls from concerned friends, including Mayor Mike Duggan’s office. Then came the offers of other locations within the city. It was a whirlwind, and Wasserman was grateful that he had help managing the media onslaught.
Employees, who knew about the possible changes and the closure, were great to help keep a lid on the information until Wasserman was ready. They also helped to monitor the phone calls, emails and more that flooded the store, he said. Having their help was incredibly important in the weeks after people heard about the closure.
As for the rumors that circulated at first…Wasserman has a few things to clear up. The most important thing is that Henry the Hatter is not closing. That couldn’t be further from the truth, Wasserman said. Many business leaders in the city and elsewhere have stepped forward to talk about moving the store to their locations, and Wasserman is confident Henry the Hatter will find a new home somewhere in Detroit.
A legacy of more than 100 years in Detroit – that is too important and too precious to give up, Wasserman said.
“I’m scouring real estate, looking at everything and anything that comes my way,” Wasserman said. “My goal is to continue as city of Detroit business. … We’ve moved before; it’s just been a while. I’m confident I will have a new address to tell you.”
Professionals of all kinds are starting podcasts, those smartphone-friendly broadcasts that are like radio shows for a modern audience.
Recently, a Midwest office of Express Employment Professionals helped with an episode of its company’s national podcast series, “On the Job: From Hired to Retired.” The series, which began in May, has had thousands of people across the nation listening to the inspiring stories of people’s career journeys so far.
The fourth episode, “Gimmie Shelter,” features two Grand Rapids, Mich.-area professionals with very different backgrounds who have both found themselves working to help connect people with housing. The episode focuses on Terrica Ellis, a rental agent, and Mitch McNeal, an executive at a faith-based chain of assisted living facilities, and how the Grand Rapids office was able to connect them with the perfect jobs for their next steps.
“The stories in this series are great reminders that everyone has a unique background and life-story that has contributed to where they are today,” said Janis Petrini, owner of the Express Employment Professionals office in Grand Rapids.
Express Employment Professionals-Grand Rapids Director of Marketing David Robb said the process of helping to create a podcast was challenging and inspiring. Here are some of the ways that Robb, the local staff and podcast professionals worked together to make the episode happen.
• Grand Rapids is one of the top 10 offices in the Express Employment Professionals network of 760 offices, so its corporate office in Oklahoma City brought the opportunity to the Michigan location, Robb said.
• The company works with a podcasting expert to produce its episodes. A firm called Mencher Media under the direction of Steve Mencher helps to identify good subjects, conduct the interviews, edit the conversations and create the final podcast.
• Mencher does the interviews in person after talking to the potential 6 to 10 possible subjects on the phone. Then two people were selected for the final broadcast. Their two-hour interviews were edited down to about 30-40 minutes, the normal length for the average podcast.
• So far, the podcast has enjoyed strong downloads of about 15,000-20,000 each. That’s a great outreach for the company, which looks at these as brand-building opportunities, Robb said.
• Podcast materials are evergreen, Robb said, which means the company views them as being usable for a long time after the initial broadcast. So company officials feel the cost of producing an episode is well worth it.
Romero Britto’s artwork – sculpture and paintings that are vivid, playful and instantly recognizable – is found in nearly every nation, has included internationally known celebrities and hangs in the homes of world-class collectors.
Britto’s work can be seen throughout the U.S., including Florida (he lives in Miami), California, New York, Washington, D.C., and New Jersey.
Globally, his art is displayed in South Korea, Sweden, Brazil, England and Singapore.
And on the open seas—aboard Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas cruise ship.
But for Michigan residents and visitors, Britto’s work is also as close as galleries in Southfield and in cities such as Saugatuck, one of Michigan’s most scenic lakefront towns (southwest of Grand Rapids).
Britto, who was born in Brazil, wants his boldly optimistic artwork to inspire and encourage people across geographic lines.
While he believes that “the demands of the art world have changed heavily over the years,” Britto still feels like his neo-pop art can have a positive impact. By sharing his creativity with others, he has grown as a person and an artist.
“I have learned about the uniqueness of many cultures through the arts and travel, it is extremely inspiring to me and my work,” Britto said.
As an activist for charitable organizations worldwide and most of all an artist who believes “art is too important not to share,” Britto has donated time, art and resources to more than 250 charitable organizations including being an active board member of Best Buddies International, and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, and was recently appointed to the board of HRH The Prince of Wales charity, The Prince’s Trust.
Self-taught at an early age, Britto painted on scraps of paper or cardboard or any medium he could find before coming into his own and traveling to Paris where he was introduced to the works of Matisse and Picasso. His appreciation of these masters influenced him to create an iconic style that The New York Times described, “exudes warmth, optimism and love.”
Sharing his iconic work internationally, Britto’s work has been exhibited in galleries and museums in more than 100 countries, including the Salon de la Societe Nationale des Beaux Arts exhibition at the Carrousel du Louvre in 2008 and 2010.
He also created public art installations for the 02 Dome in Berlin, New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport, Cirque Du Soleil at Super Bowl XLI, and has been credited with the largest monumental sculpture in London’s Hyde Park history.
His pop sensibility has caught the eye of many celebrities and companies wanting to collaborate. He has created work for many international brands such as Audi, Bentley, Coca-Cola, Walt Disney, Evian, Hublot, and Mattel. Britto has worked with legends such as musician Elton John, actor Leonardo DiCaprio, jazz icon Tony Bennett, actress Jane Fonda as well as football star and supermodel duo Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen, to name a few.
While art museums are essential to the public enjoyment of art, Britto also wants people to find his work outside and in their communities. That is one reason why he is proud to have his work on display in Saugatuck and other iconic towns.
Saugatuck is home to “Big Temptation,” a sculpture of a curvy, cartoonish snake wearing a crown and looking out of the corner of his eye at an apple. His signature heavy black lines separate the snake into segments, and each segment is filled with color, pattern and movement. It is an inherently exuberant sculpture, and it is easy to see from examining it why people are drawn to it and to Britto’s work.
Britto hopes that people feel happy when they see his art, and he hopes that the happiness translates into good deeds. It’s a big ask, but the artist understands that art has the power to transform people and places, which is why he likes his art to be easily available and accessible.
“Unfortunately, people don’t have time to go to museums, except when they travel and they make time – that’s why art in public spaces is so important,” Britto said.
Plus, the state is where one of his favorite places to visit and exhibit his art is located.
“I love Michigan,” Britto said. “It’s where the largest gallery, Park West, was born.
To advance and gain points in this extreme learning exercise, Hack the Arch competitors have to solve a series of realistic web and network-based security challenges. Challenge categories include cryptography, SQL databases, programming, exploitation, packet analysis, steganography (messages hidden within messages), forensics and trivia. The challenges increase in difficulty as competitors get closer to hacking into the Arch. Stymied teams can purchase hints using a limited number of monetary credits.
Three Baker College of Jackson teams were in the top 13 out of 40 — placing 5th, 10th and 13th — in the all-day national Hack the Arch, an atypical capture-the-flag cybersecurity competition, June 24. It was organized by the St. Louis Chapter of the Military Cyber Professionals Association.
To advance and gain points in this extreme learning exercise, Hack the Arch competitors have to solve a series of realistic web and network-based security challenges. Challenge categories include cryptography, SQL databases, programming, exploitation, packet analysis, steganography (messages hidden within messages), forensics and trivia. The challenges increase in difficulty as competitors get closer to hacking into the Arch. Stymied teams can purchase hints using a limited number of monetary credits.
The participating students were Zane Babcock, Zachary Backes, Stephen DePew, Lucas Gorcyzca, Martin Johnston, Michael Morgese, C.J. Saathoff, Polina Shebolaeva and Liam Quick. They were assisted by alumni Keenan France, employed by ASK, and Lucas Gorczyca, with Consumers Energy.
To turn up the competitive heat, the Jackson chapter of MiSec, an open collective of Michigan IT security professionals, formed a team and competed onsite at the Baker College cyber defense lab. The MiSec team tied with the highest scoring student team for fifth place. Logging in for MiSec were IT professionals from Consumers Energy, Offensive Security and Secure Ideas.
Change can be dramatic, or it can take a more tempered approach. The slow-but-steady work taking place at Kelly Services headquarters shows how small, measured improvements in a space can create positive change all around.
TDG Architects is transforming physical floor space – and culture, it turns out – at Kelly Services Headquarters one floor at a time. TDG started with and recently finished the 5th floor of the ten-story building in Troy, Mich. and design plans are well under way to begin the 9th floor.
Everything on the 5th floor, with the exception of core building functions, was removed, updated and rebuilt. The new design is intended to give staff as many work style options as possible to accommodate how they wanted to work at that time and for that task. The previous design was described as outdated and drab. More importantly, it did not facilitate the type of “experience” or team collaboration that the Kelly leadership wanted.
The 5th floor was somewhat of a test floor and has really changed the way Kelly Services approached how their people work. With the implementation of the “Kelly Anywhere” program, not only can employees work from home but from any location from within the building.
Kelly employees who are out of the office the majority of the time do not have assigned spaces but can work at any of the spaces that meet their particular needs. More permanent employees have a “resident” station, but are encouraged to move about the space and work where they are the most productive.
“The reaction of the employees has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Brian L. Mioduszewski, Sr. Director of Kelly Real Estate Services. “The energy levels are much higher and people are seeing people that have worked here they never met because they were hidden in cubes. Even the CEO’s office is open space. They love having a choice in work-style accommodations and working side by side with the CEO on occasion.”
The general concept for the 9th floor will be the same as the 5th floor, which is to update an aged space to make it more collaborative, multi-functional, and flexible. The 9th floor in particular will focus on the customer experience by having large collaborative team meeting rooms, smaller break out rooms, and a concierge service to guide visiting customers to appropriate event spaces and food accommodation, etc. The entire building is expected to be complete in 2020.
“The existing floor plan layouts weren’t very collaborative and the color scheme was very monochromatic – basically tan with cubes that were 6’ high,” says Brian Gill, Principal at TDG. “I worked with Kelly’s Real Estate Services team to develop a refresh plan that would not only improve the building, but also facilitate and create an environment that was in keeping with Kelly’s cultural direction and be representative of the trend we see regarding ways talent wants to work. We chose the 5th floor because it was the least occupied.
“Everything with the exception of core building functions were removed, updated and rebuilt. The design is intended to give Kelly employees as many work style options as possible to accommodate how they want to work at that time and for a specific task. Going from private heads down space to open, social spaces, has already very noticeably improved collaboration between employees and higher productivity.”
Shown is Mr. Marc’s Dog House concession trailer before and after the rebranding by Baker College students in the digital media design and autobody technician programs. “The students exceeded my expectations,” Marc Schillinger said. “It’s obvious the faculty provides quality training and creates an atmosphere of collaboration. We were able to debut the reimagined trailer this summer as planned at the Port Austin Farmer’s Market, marking it the ninth year we have participated.”
Baker College digital media design students demonstrated their professionalism and honed skills though a real-world class project, thanks to Port Austin Insurance agency owner Marc Schillinger. He turned to the college for help in redesigning a concession trailer that benefits a charity.
Shown is Mr. Marc’s Dog House concession trailer before and after the rebranding by Baker College students in the digital media design and autobody technician programs. “The students exceeded my expectations,” Marc Schillinger said. “It’s obvious the faculty provides quality training and creates an atmosphere of collaboration. We were able to debut the reimagined trailer this summer as planned at the Port Austin Farmer’s Market, marking it the ninth year we have participated.”
Baker College student Stephanie Brown applies one of the vinyl transfer signs to Mr. Marc’s Dog House concession trailer. Baker College of Auburn Hills President Peter Karsten said, “An opportunity like this builds confidence as well as student portfolios and shows what it’s like to accomplish something tangible in a student’s chosen trade – something that will benefit a charity for years to come.”
Baker College students Hannah Burns, Royal Oak; Emily Carpenter, Lapeer; Stephanie Brown, Oxford; and Colin Morey, Lake Orion, pause for a photo after completing the rebranding of Mr. Marc’s Dog House concession trailer.
A view of Zeal Credit Union’s 2016 Incredible Science Machine as builders make final adjustments in advance of the huge chain reaction event.
Zeal Credit Union’s Incredible Science Machine (ISM) will attempt to break the record for the most dominoes toppled in America on Sun., July 30, 2017 at the Trillium Academy in Taylor, MI. In 2016, the Incredible Science Machine broke the Guinness World Record for the largest domino circle field.
A view of Zeal Credit Union’s 2016 Incredible Science Machine as builders make final adjustments in advance of the huge chain reaction event.
Life Directions is the Recipient of Newly Formed Philanthropic Giving Effort. 100 Businesses Who Care will be hosting their next meeting on Thursday, September 21 from 7:30-9:30am. The breakfast meeting will be hosted and sponsored by Rehmann located at 1500 W. Big Beaver Rd, Troy, MI 48084. To learn more and become a member prior to the meeting, visit www.100BusinessesWhoCare.com.
100 Businesses Who Care (BWC), a philanthropic group of executives from Southeast Michigan has made its inaugural donation of $27,000 to Life Directions, a Detroit based non-profit that serves at-risk youth.
Life Directions is the Recipient of Newly Formed Philanthropic Giving Effort. 100 Businesses Who Care will be hosting their next meeting on Thursday, September 21 from 7:30-9:30am. The breakfast meeting will be hosted and sponsored by Rehmann located at 1500 W. Big Beaver Rd, Troy, MI 48084. To learn more and become a member prior to the meeting, visit www.100BusinessesWhoCare.com.
There are days when you need another space to work outside of your office. When it comes to space to type, talk or meet, there are few places better than a local coffeehouse.
Having a favorite coffeehouse is essential to not only getting that all-important caffeine boost, it also can serve as a place for impromptu interview, a great meeting place or a sanctuary where you can finish off that stubborn project with a warm beverage and a tasty treat.
Here are some of Metro Detroit’s best coffeehouses where working is welcomed.
Press Room Cafe: Located in the Bedrock-owned Detroit News Building at 615 W. Lafaytette, the new Press Room Café offers an upscale, quality, quick dining experience featuring Italian fare as well as an upscale premium grill, salad and soup program operated by Eurest. This new hot spot, which opened its doors to the public on April 19, features food stalls including two Mercato by Fabio Viviani stalls, which offer Napoli-style made-from-scratch pizzas and a variety of authentic Italian paninos. Best of all, it serves Intellgentsia coffee featuring Avalon Bakery pastries and other scratch-made items.
Always Brewing Detroit: This Detroit coffeehouse has a friendly vibe that radiates throughout the space, its food and beverage offerings as well as its events. Whether you come for a cup of Joe, the blessing of the bicycles or to see the local artwork on the walls, there’s always something to see or do at Always Brewing. There is a variety of local eats and drinks as well to try, such as Eli Tea and Chazzano Coffee Roasters.
Caffe Far Bella: You know when you see a large community table at the front of this St. Clair Shores coffeehouse that you’ve found a work-friendly haven. Caffe Far Bella knows how to appeal to people of all ages and meeting needs with its relaxed seating, which includes comfortable chairs, cozy nooks with tables and larger meeting tables where groups can sit together. The menu is varied from soups to sandwiches to sugary treats. Plus, there are lots of local favorites in stock, including Better Made potato chips and the café’s famous s-shaped cookies.
Cornwall Bakery: With the weather warming up, it’s great to have indoor and outdoor meeting options. That is where Cornwall on the East side in the Kercheval district of Grosse Pointe Park fits in. The open, airy shop is known for its fresh bread, fun baking classes and friendly atmosphere. People with laptops are welcome to linger at its tables, to eat with co-workers at one of the many tables or check out the outdoor seating space.
Great Lakes Roasting Company: With two locations – one in Detroit along Woodward and one in Bloomfield Hills, there is a space for everyone at this beloved coffeehouse. The open area for seating as well as the bar beckons kids, families, office workers and meeting planners across Metro Detroit. The bar is a great spot to sit back and watch the coffee in the morning and drinks at night be made. The open seating area features smaller tables for people working on the next Great American novel as well as larger community-style seating for larger meetings.
Roasting Plant: If you are intrigued by robots, computers or watching machines at work, then the Roasting Plant in Detroit or Dearborn is ideal for a morning treat. There are so many gizmos at work here making the coffee that everyone will be fascinated. The space is like a modern coffee maze with beans, roasting facilities and coffee grinders seemingly everywhere. You can watch as your cup is made right in front of your eyes in a way that makes coffee seem more like an exotic experience. Plus, there are great drinks of all kinds – with and without caffeine – on the menu for all to try.
Volunteers from Ford Motor Company and Michigan Community Resources help Marygrove Community Association implement their Neighborhood Exchange Green Stormwater Mini-Grant
Michigan Community Resources (MCR) and volunteers from Ford Motor Company helped Detroit Abloom and Marygrove Community Association install green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) projects funded by the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation.
Volunteers from Ford Motor Company and Michigan Community Resources help Marygrove Community Association implement their Neighborhood Exchange Green Stormwater Mini-Grant
Volunteers from Ford Motor Company and Michigan Community Resources at the Marygrove Community Association site
Volunteers from Ford Motor Company and Michigan Community Resources construct a new raised flowerbed at Detroit Abloom
LAFCU Senior Vice President of Marketing Kelli Ellsworth Etchison receives the Contributor of the Year award from Tico Duckett on behalf of Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan. Duckett is a former Michigan State University football great and a Mid-Michigan entrepreneur.
Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan has named LAFCU’s Kelli Ellsworth Etchison as Contributor of the Year for her extraordinary support of the Institute over time. Denise Peek, EIMM executive director, describes Kelli as an ardent cheerleader for entrepreneurs and the spirit that drives them.
LAFCU Senior Vice President of Marketing Kelli Ellsworth Etchison receives the Contributor of the Year award from Tico Duckett on behalf of Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan. Duckett is a former Michigan State University football great and a Mid-Michigan entrepreneur.
Mastering a proper handshake is essential to not only greeting someone when you first meet but it also seals nearly every deal, serves as the start of many all-important interviews and acts as a polite way to end a conversation.
As today is National Handshake Day, it is an ideal time to review what makes a great handshake. Should you have a firm hold? Do you hold on for a second or more?
Denise Dudley is an expert on how to shake hands like a pro. Dudley, career guru and author of “Work It! Get In, Get Noticed, Get Promoted,” says there are definite rules for shaking hands properly, and if you do it right, you will leave a great impression from the start.
Here are her 10 steps for the perfect handshake:
1. Introduce yourself before extending your hand
2. Extend your right hand toward the other person’s right hand
3. Point your thumb upward and toward the other person’s arm
4. Slide your hand all the way into the other person’s palm, and wrap it around his or her hand
5. Grasp the other person’s hand firmly, and gently squeeze once
6. Pump the other person’s hand a time or two to show sincerity
7. Hold the handshake for two to three seconds and then break the grip
8. Look the other person straight in the eye, and don’t break eye contact
9. Smile
10. Continue with pleasantries once you’ve begun the handshake
Leather and textiles comprised more than 10 percent of trash sent to U.S. landfills in 2014. Firms like Simple Recycling are tackling the issue. Photo by Amanda Sweet
Leather and textiles comprised more than 10 percent of trash sent to U.S. landfills in 2014. Firms like Simple Recycling are tackling the issue. Photo by Amanda Sweet
Being human is a messy business, so much so that some say our mess is threatening the earth and even our future as a species.
Globally, the world generates about 1.3 billion tons of waste each year, a number that, if estimates from the World Bank’s Social, Urban, Rural and Resilience Global Practice hold true, could jump to 4 billion tons by the year 2100.
The U.S., accounting for just 5 percent of the world’s population, generates some 40 percent of the world’s trash, according to Greenscene.net.
In absolute numbers, that amounted to some 258 million tons of municipal solid waste or MSW.
MSW includes a variety of trash, including product packaging, grass clippings, furniture, clothing, bottles, food scraps, newspapers, appliances, paint, and batteries, all of which comes from schools, homes, business and hospitals.
Additionally, figures for 2014 produced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency show more than 89 million tons of trash was recycled and composted, equivalent to a 35 percent recycling rate.
Consider by comparison a country like Germany, which creates more trash than most nations but which, in 2013, had a 65 percent recycle rate for MSW.
Still, the U.S. is not the world’s worst. Both Turkey and Chile, for example, are said to recycle at a rate of just 1 percent.
At the state level, players such as Minnesota, Florida, Washington, Oregon, California and Massachusetts are all achieving recycling rates of 50 percent or better, according to the Governor’s Recycling Council (GRC), a body that advises Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and the Department of Environmental Quality on implementing a Residential Recycling Plan designed to increase residential recycling access statewide.
Returnables lag as a percentage of total
In 1976, Michigan passed the Beverage Container Act, which placed a 10 cent deposit on airtight metal, glass, paper or plastic containers or combinations, according to www.bottlebill.org.
Nine other states, including Massachusetts, Oregon, New York, California and Maine also have a deposit-refund system, said the National Conference of State Legislatures.
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality reported that more than 90 percent of bottles and cans are returned in the state.
But returnables only make up 2 percent of all waste in the state.
On every other reusable product— glass, paper, plastics, metals, organics— Michigan has fallen behind, reported MDEQ.
Michigan recycles its MSW at a rate of 15 percent, said Kerrin O’Brien, executive director of the Michigan Recycling Coalition. This is lower than every other Great Lakes state and one of the lowest in the country. The national average is 35 percent.
And for many years Michigan lacked reliable and comprehensive data on recycling activity.
“We have just begun to measure recycling in Michigan. So the data that we have now about recycling, are really just estimates,” said O’Brien. “We have a long way to go.”
Policy makers hope to make improvements
Many Michigan policy makers and influencers, such as O’Brien, are working to better the state’s recycling rate to 30 percent.
In 2017 the Solid Waste and Sustainability Advisory Panel (SWSAP) and the GRC developed two separate but complementary reports outlining the investment in the infrastructure needed to collect and process recyclable materials; establishing local planning processes with measurable recycling goals; launching educational campaigns to promote recycling and understanding waste management, and assistance to local governments for developing and operating collection and processing programs.
“We need to change the way we look at waste by fostering convenient, comprehensive and cost-effective opportunities that benefit Michigan’s economy and environment, as well as provide value for our families,” said Gov. Snyder.
Achieving these goals will require changes to Michigan’s Part 115 of the National Resources and Environmental Protection Act, which deals with solid waste management, said O’Brien, a member of both SWSAP and the GRC.
Out of the 83 counties in Michigan, only 25 give residents “convenient access” to recycling, according to the MDEQ.
And while a full two-thirds of Michigan’s households have some form of access to convenient recycling—either curbside recycling, or drop-off locations—the majority of the actual collection of recyclables in Michigan was performed by the private sector, frequently under contract to local units of government, with some effective, publicly operated programs across the state as well.
Local recycling efforts grow
Even so, many municipalities in Michigan are moving toward expanding their recycling efforts.
In Canton Township, for example, weekly single-stream recycling with curbside pickup is a reality, said Bob Belair, the township’s public works manager.
The township also holds a yearly hazardous household waste event, giving residents an opportunity to drop off materials such as paint and gasoline—anything that shouldn’t go to the landfill, added Belair.
Like a growing number of municipalities in the U.S., Canton Township is also making the disposal of textile waste easier for residents.
According to the EPA’s “Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: 2014 Fact Sheet,” 136 million tons of trash were landfilled in the U.S. Leather and textiles comprised more than 10 percent.
Annually, the U.S. generates 25 billion pounds of textiles, equal to 82 pounds of textiles per resident. Contrast that with areas where a curbside recycling program isn’t offered and 85 percent of textiles ends up in landfills.
While textile waste takes up only 5 percent of landfill space, the Council for Textile Recycling projects the amount will increase to more than 35 billion pounds by 2019, making it the fastest growing segment of the residential waste stream.
The Council also says the textile recycling industry processes some 3.8 billion pounds of post-consumer textile waste per year, accounting for approximately 15 percent of the total.
Simple Recycling, founded in Ohio in 2013, offers curbside textile recycling, free to municipalities like Canton Township, which started using the service in November.
Belair said Canton Township has around 95,000 residents, with 24,000 single family homes and 2,939 residential units participating in the program.
“Simple Recycling approached us and they provided a pretty good resume,” said Belair. “Also, we saw that there would be no cost to us. So here is another option for our residents and it will divert materials from the landfill.”
As of April, the company offers curbside textile recycling to 60 communities in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Texas, Minnesota and Massachusetts.
In a report sent to Canton Township in January, the curbside textile recycling company said it collected 43,000 pounds of material in the 45 days of 2016.
Sonny Wilkins, vice president of municipal relations for Simple Recycling, said aligning the day of pickup to the regular trash day is one of the key drivers of the program.
“There isn’t a special day to remember,” said Wilkins.
The company provides green bags for clothing, shoes and home goods such as lamps, hair dryers, tools, silverware, dishes, pots/pans and glasses, with tags provided for larger items such as small furniture.
A Simple Recycling truck collects those bags and or items. And for every bag the company collects, a new bag will be left.
In addition to being cost-free, communities receive $20 per ton of materials collected by Simple Recycling.
The company, a for-profit business, sells the material it collects, effectively diverting it from an otherwise landfill destination.
Wilkins said once materials are collected, they go to the company’s thrift-store partners, which differ depending on the region.
“They sort through it and determine what is reusable in the different, domestic retail locations,” said Wilkins. “Those are going to be in second-hand clothing-type of stores. That is going to be up to 20 percent of what we collect.”
The bulk of the materials are going internationally, said Wilkins. It is being sorted and graded, based on quality and best use, by those who deal with textiles on an international basis.
Wilkins said a winter coat is sent to an area of the world where it would be of most use.
“If that winter jacket wasn’t suitable to sell domestically, it then would go to somewhere like eastern Europe,” he said. “From there, is the next stream, where the folks actually break the material down. That would be the recycling where you take it from its original form, and use it for something else like, carpet padding installation for example.”
Since the mid 1940s, U.S. charities and the post-consumer textile recycling industry have repurposed and recycled billions of pounds of clothing, household textiles, shoes and accessories, according to the Council for Textile Recycling.
Still, not everything always runs smoothly, with charities and the post-consumer textile recycling industry sometimes being at odds.
“We have had local charities stand up and say that we are going to affect their donations,” said Wilkins of Simple Recycling. “One of our biggest challenges is the perception that this program affects local charities, where you can donate items. We don’t compete with local charities. We compete with the landfills.”
Wilkins said the company fills the gap between the folks that actually donate their stuff to churches and charities, and those who don’t.
“We work with such organizations,” said Wilkins. “There is enough material to go around.
Simple Recycling, based in Ohio, is able to extract economic value from what would otherwise be discarded trash. The company offers services to communities in Michigan and several other states. Photo by Amanda Sweet
Recently, Simple Recycling began partnering with Dress for Success, a Cincinnati-based nonprofit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support.
The organization, online at www.dressforsuccess.org, accepts donations of current, professional attire that is then worn by each of its clients so they can look their best during job interviews.
The clothing that Dress for Success needs is very specific and there are items that they can’t use. Simple Recycling offered to buy the items.
Some negative perceptions persist
There are those that see negatives in recycling. In a 2015 New York Times opinion piece by John Tierney, the writer pointed out that residents in the Big Apple were “spending for the privilege of recycling.”
Pointing out that recycling a ton of trash was $300 more than it would cost to bury the trash instead, Tierney asserted that recycling adds up to millions of extra dollars per year — about half the budget of the parks department.
The writer went on to quote an EPA official who advised state officials that no more than about 35 percent of the nation’s trash was worth recycling.
Also of note is the assertion that landfills can later be covered with grass and transformed, an example of which is the United States Open tennis tournament, which is played on the site of an old landfill.
Tierney writes that landfills are the easiest and cheapest solution for trash, with rural communities welcoming the installations because of large economic benefits.
There’s no landfill shortage as of yet and landfill operators have started capturing methane gas—using it to generate electricity. Added to the counter argument to recycling is the fact that modern incinerators, which are said to release few pollutants, are now accepted in various eco-conscious countries as a means of generating clean energy.
“The recycling movement is floundering and its survival depends on continual subsidies, sermons and policing,” wrote Tierney.
Still others believe recycling can put people to work and be of economic benefit.
The U.S. spends $200 billion yearly on solid waste management and lost energy resources from disposing trash, according to Washington-based Sustainable Connections.
Recycling can offset that cost, generate money and provide jobs, according
to Kerrin O’Brien, of the Michigan Recycling Coalition.
The Governor’s Recycling Council’s Report and Recommendations found Michigan’s waste has an estimated $368 million in market-valued recyclables, which are disposed in landfills and incinerators each year.
Diverting those materials to the market has the potential to grow Michigan’s economy by an estimated $400 million, and create over 2,600 jobs.
“People are working and making a living,” said Wilkins of Simple Recycling. “I am the first to raise my hand to that. I have a job because of what we are doing.”
If you ask Stephanie Miles what surprises her most about Americans and their work habits, it’s the fact that U.S. workers leave so much vacation time on the table.
Miles, senior vice president, Integrated Marketing and Member Benefits at AARP, says employees feel tired, uninspired and unwilling to do their best when they work all the time, backing her claim up with research that reveals that workers have 658 million unused vacation or paid days off—and hundreds of millions of those are forfeited annually.
Because worker morale, retention and wellness is affected by the loss of these vacation days, AARP and Miles are working together on a project called “Take a Day,” its goal being to encourage overworked Americans to break out of their routines, enjoy their vacation days and find stress-free trips to try with their friends and families.
“If you’re intimidated by planning a long vacation, we encourage you to start small: even taking one day, tacking on an extra day to a special trip, like a family wedding or college visit, can help you detach from work and return refreshed, recharged and focused,” Miles said. “By planning ahead, you can add to the enjoyment by looking forward to your trip and making sure you can get the most out of your time and money.”
Miles, whose focus includes mature workers and their need for time away from the office, offers thoughts on why vacation is good for businesses, good for an individual’s health and important for the overall nation.
Q: Why should employers/companies care if people don’t use their vacation days? A: Employers and companies should encourage their employees to use their vacation days because, according to the U.S. Travel Association’s 2017 Project: Time Off, State of the American Vacation study, employees who use their paid time-off are more productive and conversely those who do not use their paid time off benefits are lower performers. They are also more stressed than those who use their vacation time and are less likely to be promoted or receive a raise or bonus. Additionally, paid-time off is good for your health.
Q: What is the personal impact of people skipping a vacation? A: People who take their vacation time often report feeling more connected with family and loved ones. In AARP’s 2017 Travel Trends survey, most Boomers said they were looking to spend quality time with friends and family during their leisure trips. Those who skip vacations may be sacrificing personal relationships with friends and family.
Q: But what if someone really loves their work! What if they want to work 365? A: Even if someone loves their job, they should still take time off. According to the Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA), the connection between travel and healthy aging is strong. Travel and the activities associated with travel are linked to positive health outcomes, including decreased risk of heart diseases and promotion of brain health. It also helps to reduce stress, which strengthens the immune system and slows down the aging process. Plus, getting outside of the normal routine can spark innovation and out-of-the-box thinking.
Q: Should we check in on work during vacation? A: Take your vacation time as an opportunity to unplug from the office. This will help you enjoy your time away and return refreshed. In the long run, taking advantage of vacation and stepping away from your work, even for short trips, can make you a healthier person. Planning ahead with your boss, co-workers and team is a great way to ensure that you can fully unplug and get the full benefits of your time away.
Q: What advice would you give a company setting up a policy or revising one? A: The U.S. Travel Association’s 2017 Project Time Off: State of the American Vacation study found that senior leaders and non-managers at the same organization perceive the company vacation culture very differently. 50 percent of senior leaders say their company culture encourages vacation, compared to just 30 percent of non-managers. Closing this communication gap and reaching the conversation around vacation benefits is vital to creating or revising and successfully implementing any policy.
Otis Williams not only has a top-notch singing voice – he’s the last living original member of Motown icons The Temptations – but he has a mind for business, marketing and storytelling.
That is why Williams continues to focus on not only improving himself, but growing the Temptations brand. Looking at one of the music industry’s most beloved names as a brand may sound a bit cold – but, truly, it is not. For Williams, who owns the Temptations’ name, it is about maintaining, nurturing and developing his musical legacy into something that will last for another five decades.
“I knew that the Temptations name was a valued brand,” Williams said. “I was able to get ownership of it close to 40 years ago. It’s a wonderful thing to be able to own something that you put your blood, sweat and tears into.”
Williams is still touring, writing and producing music as well as musical entertainment. He will be on stage with The Temptations as well as The Four Tops, The Spinners and The Stylistics at “A Salute to the Legends of Motown” July 23 at Freedom Hill Amphitheatre. Tickets are on sale now, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Detroit’s Motown Museum.
The Temptations were born in Detroit in 1961, a marriage of members of the Distants and the Primes, and signed to Motown. “Dream Come True” became the group’s first chart hit, peaking at #22 R&B in 1962. In 1965, “My Girl” became their first #1 pop and R&B hit, and their first signature song. They hit no. 1 R&B again with “Get Ready” in 1966. In 1972, “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone” hit #1 pop and won two Grammys. In total, The Temptations can claim 43 Top 10 R&B singles (14 #1) and 17 pop Top 10s (four #1). In 1989, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Williams, the only original member still living, continues to perform with The Temptations’ line up consisting of Terry Weeks, Ron Tyson, Larry Braggs and Willie Green.
An avid reader, writer and listener, Williams said he realized quickly that entertaining was his life’s passion. But he also saw the business side and understood that marketing the band would be a key part of its long-term success.
“This is a business that generates billions annually. When you’re in an industry that generates that kind of money, you need to learn from that and take heed from that,” Williams said. “This is a business. It also is entertaining, and I love that part. But it is business first and entertainment second.”
That means understanding how to share his story. It started with the success of his book, “Temptations,” which came out in 1988 with updates in 2002. It continues with “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” a musical Williams is helping create from his book that tells the band’s story in dramatic form. The play, which is in rehearsals now in California, is slated to come to Broadway within the next 18 months, Williams said.
Williams said he never takes any of his work for granted – it is a privilege to perform for international audiences, to sing in front of loving fans and to get fan mail from people who feel the Temptations enriched their lives. He never expected to have such an impact on people, and for that Williams says he is forever grateful.
“When you break it down, all we have to do is entertain people for 45 minutes to an hour and a half,” Williams said. “That’s a lot better than getting up at 4 a.m. for a job you don’t like to do. … When I get out on that stage and I see people’s faces light up because they’re hungry for entertainment, it helps me forget life’s woes.”
Seeing his musical dreams come to fruition also is a blessing, Williams said. His play based on the book had to wait until the Motown musical had its run. Now, Williams is ready for his turn.
“The one thing that’s constant in life is change,” he notes.
That is why he keeps the drama of his profession at bay, knowing that he wanted more from life.
“You can have all the talent in the world but it’s more than that when it comes to being a professional performer,” Williams said. “When I work with singers, I look for the head and the heart. I’ve been around talented people all of my life but if you can’t take direction and listen to what people say will help you then that talent is going to waste.”
Classic cars line up at Father Murray's summer event
Father Murray, an Olympia Nursing & Rehabilitation Network facility hosted its annual community barbecue and classic car show on Saturday, June 24 which invited the local community to join its residence in celebrating the beginning of summer with classic cars, food, music and fun!
Classic cars line up at Father Murray’s summer event
Father Murray residents and family members enjoying the summer barbeque event
Buying local or the “Shop Small” movement has gained a lot of attention in recent years as small businesses remind people to buy nearby for basic needs and wants. But you don’t hear as much these days about “Buy American.”
The magazine Popular Mechanics decided to do something about that, and the most recent issue of the publication focuses on American-made products. For example, the magazine highlights Wolverine shoes on the state’s West side in Rockford as well as Detroit’s Third Man Records and its new record-pressing plant.
The main message Popular Mechanics wanted to share is this: American manufacturing isn’t going extinct, it’s thriving.
Wolverine shoes, for example, has been a business for the past 130 years, creating rugged footwear for working men and women. It has enjoyed a renaissance of sorts in the past decade, gaining new fans among Generation X and Millennials, who want style and quality.
Popular Mechanics selected both Wolverine and Third Man to highlight Michigan and the Motor in its July/August “Made in the USA” issue. The issue spotlights Detroit, Michigan as well as White Stripes frontman Jack White’s Third Man Records pressing plant.
Part of the reason it wanted to focus on Michigan is its reputation as the birthplace of American manufacturing, magazine officials said. In the new issue, Contributing Editor Kevin Dupzyk met with White to discuss the technology behind the records created in-house and why White feels vinyl is not only worth preserving, but is also relevant.
The issue simultaneously celebrates 130 years of Wolverine work-boot production in Rockford in an article about the best products made by companies in all 50 states working hard to keep their factories on American soil.
Kevin Begic, of University of Detroit Jesuit High School, was randomly selected to receive an additional $6,000 Comcast Founders Scholarship. Pictured with Begic are Jeannine Gant, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit and Craig D’Agostini, Vice President of External Affairs for Comcast.
Comcast recognized scholarship recipient Shelby Ankney of Vandercook High School and her volunteer organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Jackson County with a donation of $500 in honor of her community service. Shelby has donated over 140 hours to BBBS as a “big” sister. Pictured with Ankney are Ann Emmerich, WILX-TV Channel 10 Lansing news anchor, Anthony Hollow, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jackson County, Jeannine Gant, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit and Craig D’Agostini, Vice President of External Affairs with Comcast.
How do you ensure young minds expand and grow? You invest in them, show concern for their future and do what you can to enrich that talent.
That is what the Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program tries to do annually. This year, Comcast NBCUniversal awarded approximately $99,000 in scholarships for the 2017-18 school year to 93 Michigan students as part of its annual Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program.
The program, funded by the Comcast Foundation, is a one-time, $1,000 scholarship awarded to the best and brightest high school seniors for their community service, academic performance and leadership skills.
“Our Leaders and Achievers Scholarship winners exemplify leadership and are committed to academic excellence and community service,” said Tim Collins, Comcast senior vice president. “We are honored to recognize their achievements, and excited to support them as they continue their educational journeys.”
Comcast recognized the students at a special event held recently at Crowne Plaza Lansing West. The recipients each received $1,000 scholarships. One student, Kevin Begic, a resident of Taylor and student at University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy, was selected to receive an additional $6,000 Comcast Founders Scholarship, instituted in honor of Ralph J. Roberts, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Comcast Corporation.
Comcast Leaders and Achievers scholarship recipients were recognized at the Lansing Crowne Plaza West for their hard work inside the classroom and out in the community.
Additionally, Comcast recognized recipient Shelby Ankney of Vandercook High School and her volunteer organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Jackson County, with a donation of $500 in honor of her community service. Shelby has donated more than 140 hours to BBBS as a “big” sister. Executive Director Anthony Hollow was on hand to accept the donation and certificate.
The Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program provides scholarships to students who strive to achieve their full potential, who are catalysts for positive change in their communities, who are involved in their schools, and who serve as models for their fellow students. The philosophy behind the program is to give young people every opportunity to prepare for the future and to engage them in their communities. The program also demonstrates the importance of civic involvement, and the value placed on civic involvement by the business community.
This year, the program will award more than $2 million in scholarships to more than 2,000 students across the country to help them pursue higher education.
The Comcast Foundation was founded by Comcast Corporation in June 1999 to provide charitable support to qualified nonprofit organizations. The Foundation primarily invests in programs intended to have a positive, sustainable impact on their communities. The Foundation has three community investment priorities—expanding digital literacy, promoting service, and building tomorrow’s leaders. Since its inception, the Comcast Foundation has donated more than $195 million to organizations in the communities nationwide that Comcast serves.
Cassidy Ward, center, is heading to LCC fall 2017 with a LAFCU Write to Educate scholarship. She’s pictured with Dan McKean, LCC Foundation executive director, and Kelli Ellsworth Etchison, LAFCU senior vice president of marketing. They are at the Greater Lansing Food Bank, the charity that Ward chose to receive a Write to Educate $500 donation from LAFCU.
To help shape the state’s next generation of leaders, LAFCU’s Write to Educate Essay Contest awarded two $2,500 college scholarships with the requirement that each student select a charity to receive a $500 LAFCU donation.
The Lansing-based credit union hopes to show the power of giving back.
Cassidy Ward, center, is heading to LCC fall 2017 with a LAFCU Write to Educate scholarship. She’s pictured with Dan McKean, LCC Foundation executive director, and Kelli Ellsworth Etchison, LAFCU senior vice president of marketing. They are at the Greater Lansing Food Bank, the charity that Ward chose to receive a Write to Educate $500 donation from LAFCU.
Joe Wald, Greater Lansing Food Bank executive director, ceremoniously receives LAFCU’s $500 charity donation from Cassidy Ward, Write to Educate winner, and Kelli Ellsworth Etchison, LAFCU senior vice president of marketing. Ward selected the Food Bank to receive a LAFCU charity donation that is part of the Write to Educate contest.
Baker College-bound Elizabeth Rushford, center, ceremoniously presents LAFCU’s $500 charity donation to Lt. Jonathan Tamayo, The Salvation Army Owosso corps officer, second from right, to help fund the organization’s food and nutrition programs. As a winner of the 2017 Write to Educate contest, Rushford was able to select the charity to receive a donation from LAFCU. Also pictured are, from left, Morgan Brown, LAFCU St. Johns senior member service representative; Alyssa Sliger, LAFCU marketing and communications specialist; and Kelli Ellsworth Etchison, LAFCU senior vice president of marketing.
You may hear Millennials and younger generations don’t like email. Is the death of email upon us? Social media platforms continue to grow as a preferred method of communication. Despite this fact, email remains a powerful and universal digital marketing tool in your toolbox.
I believe the era of email is over when social sites such as Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter stop sending email to keep in touch with their members. It is true younger generations prefer social communication with their friends. However, when they enter the workforce, an email is required. According to Hubspot, a respected marketing resource, 86 percent of professionals prefer email when communicating for business.
Email is the most universal form of online business communication available. Other forms of communication are too segmented. Not everyone has a Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat account. Yet, I’m sure you are hard-pressed to find a business professional without an email account or two. It’s expected that email will continue to grow in the foreseeable future. Gmail has passed 1 billion users worldwide, which is one-third of the number of people expected to have an email account by 2020.
Why Email For Marketing? One of the most important reasons email works well for marketing is it’s an opt-in system. Most emails you receive are from people you know or companies which you have a relationship. You can find yourself on a random list, however, in most cases, it’s easy to opt-out.
The best email list is homegrown from your customer base. These are the people who already know and trust you. People who give your company their email voluntarily are your best future prospects. This means it’s important to start collecting emails before you need them. According to the online statistics and marketing research company Statista, 86 percent of consumers like to receive monthly promotional emails from companies they do business with.
It’s worth noting that only 15 percent of consumers like to receive daily emails. Obviously, it depends on the industry. However, if you can send something of high value every day or weekly, your customers are likely to appreciate the emails. Emails which focus on the company have lower success rates compared to emails which focus on the needs and interests of the customer. Unless you’re Apple, Google or Tesla, chances are most people don’t care about the company internal newsletter and press release information.
Collecting Emails While it’s possible to purchase an email list, most lists you have access to are tired and worn out. Collect your own emails. One of the best methods is to create a valuable download for your target market. For example, an ebook, white paper, a statistics chart, infographic or video. I’ve had many clients and associates earn new business by setting themselves up as a topic expert. Give people the option to receive your company blog via email. Creativity is important. Think about your customer, the questions they ask and the type of information they seek. Quality information can go viral resulting in a robust email list.
Sending Emails One of the most important things you can do is segment your email list. This means to create multiple lists. Each list should relate to a specific topic, message or customer demographic. In other words, send the right message to the best prospect.
I keep my email lists segmented based on how I earn the email. For example, my blog email list is separate from my download promotions and YouTube community email lists. If relevant, I’ll use multiple lists for a specific campaign. Yet, I want to make sure I only send emails to people who care about the topic. This improves open and reduces unsubscribe rates.
If you achieve a 25 percent open rate, the number of people who open your email, you are in good shape. Your email campaign is most likely trending above average for your industry. If you find your open rates below 15 percent you should consider the quality of your list, your message or both.
Click-through rates, when someone clicks on a link within the email, vary widely depending on the type of offer. You can improve all your email engagement by A/B testing of your emails. Take a sample of your email list, split the list and send a different version of the email to each group. Most marketing email providers offer this option.
It’s important to only change one item in each email test. The reason is if you test more than one element, you don’t know which adjustment improved your open or click through rate. Try testing headlines with words such as Thank You, or the name of the recipient, for better open rates. Test headlines and photographs inside your email copy. Even changing the color of the call to action button can affect results.
Everyone hates unsubscribes. If your unsubscribe rate is under half a percent, don’t worry about it. It’s normal, and people unsubscribe for many reasons such as a change of interest, industry or email. If you find your unsubscribe rate is regularly above 2 percent, it’s important to figure out why. It often has to do with the receiver not finding value or what they expect from your emails.
More Data There are many good reasons to use email as part of your marketing. Econsultancy states that 75 percent of companies earn good to excellent ROI (return on investment) from their email campaigns.
When you create a campaign, don’t forget about the importance of mobile. According to moveableink.com 2015 statistics, 48 percent of emails are opened via smartphone. Recent indications are it’s over 50 percent today. The percentage jumps to 75 percent when you single out Gmail users, as reported by TechCrunch.
Email is still strong. It’s a powerful way to gain loyalty, engagement, and retention of your customers. If you consider the development of an email campaign, start gathering emails now. If you are creative and think about the customer first, email will impact your bottom line with positive results.
Rosh Sillars is a digital marketing consultant, author and speaker. You can find daily business and marketing advice on his YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/roshsillars
People assumed the worst, and many longtime fans were afraid that Henry the Hatter was closing. The news, which came out in early July, has remained at the top of news sites and newspapers of all kinds ever since.
Through the years, Henry the Hatter customers have included Kid Rock, Jeff Daniels, Jack White, Peter Karmanos, George Clinton, Mike Epps and Steve Harvey. In addition, President Dwight D. Eisenhower wore a Henry the Hatter homburg to his inauguration in 1956.
Professionals of all kinds are starting podcasts, those smartphone-friendly broadcasts that are like radio shows for a modern audience.
Romero Britto’s artwork – sculpture and paintings that are vivid, playful and instantly recognizable – is found in nearly every nation, has included internationally known celebrities and hangs in the homes of world-class collectors.
As an activist for charitable organizations worldwide and most of all an artist who believes “art is too important not to share,” Britto has donated time, art and resources to more than 250 charitable organizations including being an active board member of Best Buddies International, and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, and was recently appointed to the board of HRH The Prince of Wales charity, The Prince’s Trust.
While art museums are essential to the public enjoyment of art, Britto also wants people to find his work outside and in their communities. That is one reason why he is proud to have his work on display in Saugatuck and other iconic towns.
Change can be dramatic, or it can take a more tempered approach. The slow-but-steady work taking place at Kelly Services headquarters shows how small, measured improvements in a space can create positive change all around.
P
C
G
Mastering a proper handshake is essential to not only greeting someone when you first meet but it also seals nearly every deal, serves as the start of many all-important interviews and acts as a polite way to end a conversation.
Here are her 10 steps for the perfect handshake:
Returnables lag as a percentage of total
Otis Williams not only has a top-notch singing voice – he’s the last living original member of Motown icons The Temptations – but he has a mind for business, marketing and storytelling.
Popular Mechanics selected both Wolverine and Third Man to highlight Michigan and the Motor in its July/August “
