Re:New Michigan

Welcome back to Re:New Michigan! This week, Larry welcomes back Mike Brennan to the program. Mike serves as Editor and Publisher of MITechNews.com. Brennan has worked since 1980 as a technology writer at newspapers. From this perspective, Mike has witnessed the economic evolution happening throughout Michigan. Whereas the state was once known for cars and the Motor City, Michigan has moved toward biomedical development.

Economic gardening is a concept discussed quite often these days, with it's roots in developing small businesses across the state. As Larry and Mike discuss, biomedical development is laying the foundation for a strong economy with pillars in Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Detroit.  Mike also points to Former Governor Granholm's focus on alternative energy as a viable sector of growth. With so much new development, investment is nearing.

This week's conversation closes with a look at Mr. Brennan's first novel, Cyber Styletto. This mystery explores the story of a black-hat hacker turned CIA operative defending the US against international data theft. As Mike articulates, this info must be brought to light. The mystery novel, co-authored by Gian DeTorre, can be found at Barnes and Noble and other online retailers.

Tune in and download this week's podcast to hear more about Michigan's continued development and Cyber Styletto!

Welcome to another edition of Re:New Michigan from Eiler Communications. This week's conversation with Brother Francis of the Catholic-oriented, nonprofit child care and family preservation agency, Holy Cross Children's Services has been transcribed due to some recording issues. We invite you to listen along while reading the transcription. For more information on Brother Francis and Holy Cross Children's Services, please visit the company's website: Hccsnet.org.

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Larry: This is Larry Eiler with another edition of Re:New Michigan. And today I have Brother Francis Boylan who’s the head of Holy Cross Children's Services, which is an organization across Michigan that takes care of Children that are at risk. And we’re going to talk about what “at-risk” is. But we’re doing this right now because Brother Boylan and his colleagues at the Holy Cross at the Samaritan Center in Detroit have dedicated the new Ford Dental Clinic at 555 Connor.

We’ll talk a little bit about that and see how that fits into the overall offering of services of Holy Cross and Samaritan Center. So Brother Francis, good to welcome you. So tell us about Holy Cross and what it is and what it does, because it’s a state-wise organization that helps boys, girls and families.

Brother Francis: Thanks Larry. A brief history: In the 40’s and 50’s, we primarily housed and educated young men and women.  The 60’s and 70’s we recognized we really have to find the family and support the family. In the 80’s and 90’s, the families taught us, if the communities don’t change, we can probably predict, our children won’t finish high school, etc.

So today, we moved up to our community centers, that we call Samaritan, who is my neighbor, located east side Detroit. The real concept of Samaritan is what we might think is prevention; helping moms with their young children now, so their kids stay in school and live productive lives. So that’s how we get involved in programs like head-start. Because, everyone of those, the early years are very important.

Larry: Those are national programs that have been around at the national level since my kids were very little.

Brother Francis: And it’s a program that has proven to be very successful. On the other end, we try to find our young people’s’ moms. And we try to help them find a job and a home. And today it gets somewhat complex, because if you don’t have resources, how do you get a job? It’s crucial to a job today.

Larry: And you need the proper clothing, you need training in how to behave in an interview, and you offer all of that?

Brother Francis: And that’s what we do. So, we’re going to have training services. For those who can’t afford the physicals, we have doctors to administer physicals. As you mentioned in those articles, we were the first monks to open a beauty salon.

Of course, the most important part is how we prepare people for the interview, so they have the self-confidence to go. So, it’s been a wonderful experience of providing diverse services that we believe bring love and hope and the education to folks that perhaps haven’t been loved and aren’t sure what they can truly believe in.

Larry: And to those in broken families and broken lives?

Brother Francis: Yes, indeed.

Larry: And you do this with a lot of young men, a lot of young women and with families and you do it through an organization called Holy Cross Children's Services which in fact has different outlets to perform these services all across Michigan.

Brother Francis: Yes, and for some, Holy Cross Children's Services is the organizational name. In each community we chose to have their name, so the community can get involved. And our goal is, do we support the community in caring for kids? We don’t want to be the group that says, “We’ll only do it when they’re dependent.” So yes, every center does have its own name. 

We’re probably most recognized for the Boysville Campus. Secondly, St. Francis Saginaw because they’re now celebrating their 135 years of existence. So different communities have been very supportive and we hope to support them and care for the kids.

Larry: So you now have the Holy Cross Children's Services center is down Clinton, Michigan. And you have property that was given to you by the Ford family half a century ago. How much property is down there and what is that campus like?

Brother Francis: Henry Ford I in Macon, Michigan had set up a network of 6 country single-room schools and then had set up a campus to teach the high school kids agriculture and domestic work. That for a variety of reasons closed in about 1948 when we were trying to figure out how we can support young people with educational services.

So that’s where we are: Macon, MI. Today we still farm about 300 acres and the school is on 300 acres. The kids that live there came from almost 83 of the 85 counties in Michigan.

Larry: Yea, they’re from all over the state. They’re referred to the program through certain clerk systems and the kids have been involved in different things that have put them in the certain at-risk situations they’ve been in.

Brother Francis: Yes, yes.

Larry: so how many total acres are there on the campus down there?

Brother Francis: About 600.

Larry: About 600. So, 300 of the farming and 300 of the school yard. So what do they do with the farming? Do they have crops they farm?

Brother Francis: The students aren’t really involved in the farming today. The students stay with us probably less than a year now. So the major goal is reading, writing arithmetic, if you will. The farms really just help us bring some income to help us support the young people but basically, it’s just using the land productively.

Larry: So what kinds of crops are farmed?

Brother Francis: We still do soybean and corn. The gentleman that does our farming, Mr. Rule actually graduated from the Henry Ford Agricultural school and really done our farming for all of the 50 years. And I believe it’s all through the same Ford Tractor; a fairly simple operation.

Larry Eiler: Tell me about the Samaritan Center. That’s a partner organization of Holy Cross Children’s Services – it’s down in Southeast Detroit. And tell me what goes on down there.

Brother Francis: Several years ago, Ford Motor company a strategic plan. And the concept there was “how can the children that come to us, make it to college?” Because if we can prepare our young folks for college, they may be the first one in their family to finish high school and even think about college.  There are many opportunities for our young people to go to college.

The Samaritan project really came into existence to find all the services that might be needed to support a child and a family so the child gets to this point in life. So the Samaritan project came into existence to really help the moms and dads.

So we brought together now, about 80 organizations that are committed to the east side of Detroit. And they are also committed to the beautification of Detroit. So, they’re going to do things like help providing doctors if you have no insurance, providing a physical if you need one. Resume writing, beauty salons, clothing stores, barber shops.

Larry: Ah yes, like barber shops and the like. You talked about someone who started a janitorial service for all the companies.

Brother Francis: That’s right, and at the same time, how do we really support the mom’s needs. Maybe she has special mental health needs or substance abuse needs. So how do we help mom? And how do we help mom take care of the kids? And how do we help mom take care of the kids…for example, our high school starts at noon and goes until 9pm.

So if the young person does have a job that is providing income for the family, it doesn’t mean he or she can’t go to school. So we’re very flexible, building a system around the needs of the kids. Of course, some organizations have wonderful programs, except there’s a number of problems like no transportation or the times are wrong, etc. etc.

Larry: You also have a charter school down there, and that’s for boys and girls. About 100 students too.

Brother Francis: Yes, boys and girls. We are expanding that school to the Westside. It’s designed for at-risk. Mr. Evans is an MIT grad. We have a robotics program, which is fairly unique for at-risk kids and provided an opportunity for our at-risk kids last summer actually to go to Africa to set up a solar network at a village. Besides our kids, there’s been an ongoing relief relationship with the kids in that community and through skype.

Larry: Skype’s a wonderful way to communicate.

Brother Francis: We’re just learning about this. The kids are teaching me.

Larry: That’s a good tool to learn. Skype’s free!

Brother Francis: It’s a wonderful opportunity.

Larry Eiler: One of the people that’s down working at the shop that you’re talking about, I’ve talked to him last week. He’s a product of Holy Cross. He graduated from Holy Cross and then he got involved in working there. And now he runs the model shop down there.

Brother Francis: Oh you’re talking about Sal, he started with us forty five years ago and had early businesses – he’s theoretically retired. He wanted to teach kids and come back to work with us. Much like himself, so that’s a nice coincidence.

Larry: That’s a great story. And now we have the Ford Ross Dental Clinic official dedicated on May 22. That’s the fourth building on that campus I believe.

Brother Francis: Cardinal Mathis will have a prayer service for all those we serve in that community because we’re really trying to follow the message of god to care for the least of our brothers and sisters. So it’s a time to thank and celebrate the people we love.

Larry: Well this is a fascinating story Brother Francis, and I’m glad you could take the time to talk with us and the Re:New Michigan audience because it’s very important that we pay a lot of attention to people who are at risk as well as others. So thanks for coming on here and we’ll talk more as this program develops and the new structures that we’re all having to face in terms of hardships in the state.

Brother Francis: Thank you. People are welcome to come by! We’ll be happy to share with you our services that are provided.

Larry: There’s always people in the front lobby and there’s parking over there, although it is pretty full from time to time with all the employees and business visiting. But there’s always someone in the lobby there willing to visit and talk about their service offering and what they can do.

This is Larry Eiler with edition of Re:New Michigan, signing off for today. Thank you very much for stopping by today Brother Francis.

Brother Francis: You’re welcome.

Welcome to another edition of Re:New Michigan from Eiler Communications. This week's conversation with Bruce McCully of the computer problems and services company, Dynamic Data has been transcribed due to some recording issues. We invite you to listen along while reading the transcription. Fro more information on Bruce and Dynamic Edge, please visit the company's website.

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Larry: This is Larry Eiler with another edition of ReNew Michigan, in which we talk to community leaders and business leaders about their businesses and how they’re growing and thriving in Michigan.

Today I’m happy to have With me Bruce McCully who is the founder and owner, and called the supreme overlord of Dynamic Edge. Dynamic Edge is an Ann Arbor based company that has a number of people working for it. And basically, what they do is they maintain information technologies, computer systems for different companies around Michigan and around other places, I believe. And they also help to develop websites and do things like that.

So Bruce, welcome and can you start off by telling me a little bit about your background with Ann Arbor and University of Michigan and starting this business at a pretty young age – I think in your teens.

Bruce: Well Larry, not quite in my teens, but I started dynamic edge while still going to school at the U of M and basically what happened was, I was doing some work for some folks around town just kind of helping them out on the side and I got an internship and I was about ready to take off and leave Ann Arbor.

I started telling people, “I’m about ready to leave, you need to find someone else to take care of your computers and your issues and all that stuff.”

 This was back in 1999 and there weren’t a lot of options back then and a number of those folks, business owners said, “You know what? If you stay in town, we’ll refer you enough business to keep you busy.” So what I ended up doing is, I ended up staying and I learned how to rollerblade that summer because there weren’t that many referrals and I also learned how to cold call. I learned how to really sell and I think that’s a critical component of being a business owner. Not only selling your idea of service or idea of product to your customer, but really selling a vision to your team and getting them to stand behind you.

Larry: So how did you go about selling – how did you got about identifying who had the need of maintain computer systems, or did everybody have that need because you were really moving into the computer era?

Bruce: Well it was a little different back then. Everybody wanted to have a computer system to keep track of their information. They wanted to do accounting on their computers and so it was smaller businesses trying to figure out how to best utilize this new tool.

Larry: And you needed to be educated on it and you needed someone who could maintain it and help them learn about it?

Brue: Absolutely. Absolutely. We used to do classes every week, to every three weeks on some aspect of their computers. We actually still do that sort of thing. We do webinars now. It’s a little different.

Larry: Yea, yea.

Bruce: It’s a little more hectic, getting people into one big room you know, standing in front of them. But basically, what we did, we built a client base of folks that when they needed something or they had a problem they called us. And then over the years, that’s actually changed a little bit.

We’ve been able to develop some tools, and come up with a way to make it so that so now, today instead of having a number of clients around town who call us when they have a problem, we have a number of clients around town  that we call when they’re starting to have issues and we tell them, “Hey, we’re working on your system right now”, because it’s important to communicate with them to let them know what’s going on, “and we’re going to work through the issues for you.”

Larry: So you now have tools or techniques that you developed to help find, isolate and fix different problems that occur in anybody’s computer system.

Bruce: Yea, think about it like this: If your car were a computer system, back in the day, people would drive their car until it stopped running. And then they’d call us and say, “Hey, what’s going on?” That slowly evolved into saying, “You need an oil change every 3,000 miles.” 

To today, which is, when you’re done with your car at night, you park it in your garage and our little elves come out and perform maintenance on it and fix everything on it, to make sure that tomorrow, when you’re ready to go, it drives just like it did today.

Larry: So how has the business evolved, because now, I don’t know how many customers you have - and that doesn’t matter - but how has the business evolved so that you’re providing additional services besides just keeping computer systems fine-tuned and upgraded?

Bruce: Well, there are really two different groups in our organization. There are the folks that provide that support, and really help folks maintaining their computer system and keeping them running. They also help those same people from a strategic component coming up with ways to make sure that they’re best utilizing their systems and getting the most out of them.  

For example maybe one of our customers is doubling in size and we need to help come up with a strategy to grow their infrastructure to match that growth requirement, as well as introducing new systems to make sure that they can capture the data required to run their business.

Larry: So is this kind of like a holistic approach where you’re programmers, your people will look at a system and say hey, “We better upgrade here, we better turn up performance here, we better do this so it’s like a whole approach that looks at things that could happen to different companies an different computer systems?

Bruce: Yes, but not only in a bad way, in a good way. I mean, basically what we’re doing, we’re looking at computer organization as a whole, as kind of a organism and we’re looking at that and making sure that it’s growing and that it’s healthy, and as that need changes for the customer, and we actually do a strategic planning session with our customers every year – helping them plan out their computer organization or organism – we help them plan that out.

Larry: So you’re using that computer strategic advantage, instead of just reacting to problems or issues, you’re making sure everybody understand the system and used it to its best advantage.

Bruce: Exactly, Exactly. So not only do we eliminate downtime for the customer,  but we help move that into a strategic advantage.

Larry: So can you name some of the companies in the area, around your market area that you deal with.

Bruce: Well, in Ann Arbor, just to name a couple, we have the folks out at flat out bread, you’ve probably seen their product End of the Aisle. Umm, staying in the food area, if you walk down the aisle, you run into Jiffy Mix, Chelsea Milling is also one of our customers. And then the produce station, and as you drive down State Street into the downtown area, you run into Bivouac.

These are all customers you would recognize. We also have some customers that you may not recognize like adaptive materials and some high tech manufacturing folks out there. All-and-all, we have about 300 active clients.

Larry: So you do on-going work for them, to keep the systems up and maintained and to fix issues as they come up.

Bruce: Absolutely.

Larry: What do you do in the area of web development and internet activity for companies? Do you help them as well?

Bruce: Yes. Originally I mentioned the side of our team that helps customers maintain their infrastructure and grow their infrastructure. We actually have another group in our organization that’s our innovation group. Basically what they do is a little bit different. They’re continuing to come up with and produce products for customers. And the product can be as simple as a shopfloor control mechanism to gather data from machines, so you can understand how much machining costs and how much labor costs you have involved with manufacturing a certain part - or tracking to build materials that are part of the assembly for a specific part. To a brand new product, like the one we launched about a year ago for a company called Disasters Net, and we’ve been working very closely with them and partnered with this organization, to help them become the go-to solution for hospitals when it comes to responding to an emergency like pandemic flu or natural disaster like a tornado or hurricane.

Larry: That’s a good success story. One more thing that I’d like to talk about is giving back to the community. Lots of computer companies like yours and other companies see Michigan for what it’s been for several years, everybody’s been down – we had an inferiority complex; this is not a good state. There’s a lot of that changing and changing in a hurry. It has a lot to do with new leadership and the state that people are in and their desire to fix things. So in giving back to the community, I know you started a program with Cody High School down in Detroit. Can you tell us how that fits into this whole giving back movement?

Bruce: Yea. At Dynamic Edge, we’ve always wanted to be a part of and support the community around us. And what’ we’ve done in the past is our Tech grad program. And with our Tech Grad program, we have an application process that happens in the Fall and we pick out a number of winners.

And then we work on projects for them, to do an in-kind donation of between $25,000 and $45,000. We’ve worked with organizations like Safe House, and Special Days Camp and Boys and Girls Club, etc. But this year we’re doing something a little different.

This year we decided that we might have a better chance at changing the world if we picked out a smaller world. So what happened was, I was at a leadership treat and one of the folks at a high school called Cody spoke and talked about a change that’s happening. Pilly, instead of basically building a brand new school or push everybody to a charter school, what they’ve done – they’ve actually taken Cody High School who had a graduation rate of something like 12% or something. They took this school- they closed it down and reopened it as four different schools. They divided the whole school, a city block in Detroit. And I was listening to this woman talk about the project and it just sounded so compelling, so I started to listen to the different schools and one of them was called the Detroit School of Technology.

And I was thinking about our designer to be proud and apart of the community. So we contact them, and we said, “Hey, do you guys need anything? Curriculum? What can we do to help out?”

Larry: Problem things they didn’t even know they needed at that point.

Bruce: No idea. What ended up happening was remarkable – we found and secured a job. We actually had on the people in charge of hiring in our organization go out and talking to them about it. We ended up going out and talking to a history teacher about it there – and their principle who has been very supportive. We created a curriculum for them and we’re there in the classroom every Wednesday afternoon and we teach the kids something useful that they can actually apply in their lives about technology. We’ve done everything from removing viruses from a computer to how to how to use the internet. It’s been very helpful and we’ve already been asked to come back next year. And according to their principle, this has been one of the most successful projects she’s done out there.

Larry: That’s exciting because you’re probably tapping into a source of young people that probably want to learn something but probably have had no direct guidance on it and from people with hands on experience that’s a great way to learn something new. And that might lead into careers down the road.

Bruce: Yes, hopefully so.  Currently there are 18 students that attend this class every Wednesday afternoon.

Larry: So you send out a team of people from your company Dynamic Edge and they help teach them new things each week.

Bruce: Yes, absolutely. And really, what has happened here is, I came up with this concept and Brian and Debra (two Dynamic Edge employees) ran with it. They really made a great impact on the school. And our team, if you’re going to work for Cody that afternoon, we take care of your pay and your lunch.

Larry: This is  a great story Bruce and I appreciate you talking to me on Re:New Michigan because it certainly seems like you’ve done it for 11 years already with your company. So I welcome the chance to talk to you again in the future.

This is Larry Eiler signing off for another edition of Re:New Michigan.

Welcome back to another insightful edition of ReNew Michigan. This week's guests are Eric Bradley and Bill Roberts of Huron Financial Mortgage Company. Mr. Bradley serves as the company CEO and Mr. Roberts is the company's CFO. The two friends founded Huron Valley Financial in 1997 and have grown the company from a core seven individuals to a team of 51 employees. Huron Valley is one of the many great success stories told here on the ReNew Michigan Podcast produced by Eiler Communications.

Eric and Bill met in class at Eastern Michigan University's business school, talking about their goals to own a business in the future. After rejoining and founding Huron Valley Financial, the new company focused on achieving referrals and new business through handshakes and one-on-one relationships. They maintain this strategy in the acquisition process as well, seeking new opportunities with a company-wide commitment to strong involvement in the community with volunteer activities and business organizations. 

The mortgage business, like many around the nation suffered in the wake of the recession in 2008. But as Eric and Bill report to Larry, the mortgage industry is rebounding nicely due to recent regulation and recovery legislation.  Many of the recovery efforts have made progress in protecting the consumer, but others on the horizon may change the mortgage landscape.  Bill and Eric explain this position and more in the podcast.

Thanks for listening! Click here for more information on Huron Valley Financial Mortgage Company.

 

John Harding, Founder and Chief Executive of Current Motor Company, talks with Larry Eiler of Eiler Communications on another edition of ReNew Michigan. Current Motor is develops and manufactures all-electric motor scooters in Ann Arbor, Michigan filling an un-met need for electric vehicles (EV). Larry and John discuss the growth of the scooter manufacturer from a personal passion in 2007 to a company eyeing international markets. 

After purchasing and upgrading his own electric scooter in 2007, John encountered a curious customer base leading to a more robust operation in the founding of Current Motor in 2008. Since then, the company has focused on an audience of Green interests, similar to the mindset of Ford Prius owners. Current Motor offers motor-scooters that can be recharged with a regular household outlet. Currently offered scooters include three distance and mileage ranges: 

• Operating Distance: 50 miles; Top Speed: 70 mph
• 40 miles; 55 mph
• 30 miles; 55 mph

John points to two major factors propelling the EV market in years to come. The first being technological innovations. And the second factor coming in the form of lowered prices stemming from these innovations. As John tells us, the last big push for EV came in the early 1990's, but a great deal of development has occurred since then making EV a more realistic option in today's market.

Current Motor's success, like many smart business ideas in Ann Arbor and Southeastern Michigan, found support in the growing venture capital community. John points out that businesses like his must be "ready when the wave comes". As you'll find in today's podcast, the wave is closer than many think.

Thanks for listening. For more info on Current Motor Company, Ann Arbor's Venture Capital Community or Eiler Communications, click the links below:

·     Current Motor Company

·     Ann Arbor SPARK

·    Eiler Communications

 

In this very special edition of ReNew Michigan, Larry welcomes esteemed business journalist Andy Chapelle to the show for a conversation with Jeff Burnstein and Brian Huse of the Robotics Industries Association (RIA). Mr. Chapelle, a Senior Associate at Eiler Communications, has served many roles in the Detroit business community. As the current Managing Editor at Crain's Detroit Business Review, he is close to the growth in the robotics industry. Mr. Burnstein, IRA President and Mr. Huse, the Director of Marketing and Communications for the IRA, talk with Larry and Andy on the subjects of robotics and the such an industry plays in the economic recovery not only of Michigan, but the nation as well. 

In a spirited question and answer format, Burstein and Huse point out the success stories many of Michigan's robotics partners can draw from as our economy aspires to bring more jobs and benefits to the state's population. When the recession practically ended sales in the robotics industry, manufacturers and wholesalers had to adapt. Recent robotics trends are encouraging though, with a rebound occurring globally.

The RIA is primiarly a North American organization with 250 member companies, but as the discussion reveals, no country is out reach from the RIA's robotic arm. The association conducts business with manufacturers in Japan and Europe as well as other international operations. From March 21-24 the RIA is hosting Automate 2011, America's Broadest Automation Event. The convetion, to be held at McCormick Place in Chicago is intended to inspire US businesses to retain and reinvigorate America's job market; rather than outsourcing labor, the focus is placed on automating functions and procedures in exchange for adding full-time positions domestically.

Over Mr. Burnstein's 27 years involved in the RIA he has seen technology bring better, cheaper, faster products to market. This edition of ReNew Michigan closes with an encouraging look foward. With the economy starting to turn, he and the RIA are excited for the years to come.

Find more information at the following links:

Robotics Industries Assocation (RIA) Online

Automate 2011 - March 21-24

Eiler Communications

The concept of economic gardening is gaining momentum across the state of Michigan thanks to the hard work of many individuals, many of whom have appeared on past editions of ReNew Michigan with Larry Eiler. Today Larry welcomes Dr. Graham Toft and Michael Rogers to continue the discussion on economic gardening within Michigan. The conversation also covers the annual Score Card the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) releases each year. 

Dr. Toft is a strategic planner and primary figure in Michigan's economic recovery due to his role with SBAM and the economic Score Card the organization assembles yearly. Dr. Toft outlines the purpose of the Score Card, tying the evaluation to the concept of gardening; SBAM assesses the resources, capital and business conditions like a gardener considering a plot of soil.

Michael Rogers, the Vice President of Communications with SBAM, explains how the Score Card is disseminated throughout the state and how its findings help decision makers propel the state’s recovery. According to Rogers, whereas legislators and government officials once found the negative scores upsetting, they now see the evaluation as a means to an end, implementing suggestions and correcting errors.

The conversation closes with a look at economic gardening’s rise from its roots in Littleton, Colorado to buzzword status amongst today’s business leaders. Many businesses remain uninformed on the basics of economic gardening. SBAM’s efforts strive to erase this uncertainty and fuel economic recovery.

Click here for SBAM's news release regarding the2011 Score Card, the organization's seventh edition of the report.

 

Larry Eiler and Eiler Communications continue the ongoing conversation with emerging and leading businesses in this week's edition of Re:New Michigan. Mike Miller, the leader of Google's Adwords' Ann Arbor office stops by the studio to discuss Google's 4 year anniversary in the city as well as other topics relevant to Michigan business. 

Mike graduated from the University of Michigan and spent time in Google's California headquarters before returning to Ann Arbor to head up the Adwords office. As many know, a majority of Google's revenue is derived from the paid search product Adwords. Adwords focuses primarily on helping small-to-midsized businesses around the world grow and find new customers. 

Mike and his Ann Arbor office are helping Michigan companies as well through several community programs, specifically Adwords in the Curiculumn. This program improves digital marketing literacy around the state in high schools and Eastern Michigan University. These students then apply these skills in helping non-profits attract search engine attention and traffic.

Larry and Mike then turn their attention to an explanation of Adwords and other Google products (mostly free) that can help Michigan companies conduct efficient and smart business practice. This first hand analysis of Google's products simplifies the bounty of ways the tools can be implemented.

Please click the following links for more information on Mike Miller and Google Adwords. Thank you for tuning into this week's edition of Re:New Michigan.

In this week's edition of Re:New Michigan, Larry welcomes Willie Newman. Willie is a leader in the Greater Detroit area, currently serving as President of the Mortgage Division at Cole Taylor Bank. In his years working in Michigan and mortgage banking, Willie has learned many valuable lessons to be implemented during Michigan's economic revival.

Willie touches on an interesting point while articulating a path towards a strong economy. It is no secret that Michigan has been experiencing a long-term downturn in terms of financial and economic development. But Willie and Larry focus on the silver lining; in terms of mortgage banking, Michigan was one of the first into the basement...so why shouldn't the state be the first one to revive?

Willie and Larry then focus their discussion on the resources that will accelerate Michigan's recovery: entry level workers, affordable working space and diverse resources. It is for this reason Willie has remained in Michigan despite numerous offers to pursue opportunities elsewhere. It is business leaders like Willie that will continue to drive Michigan forward.

Thank you for listening and please follow these links for more info on Willie or Cole Taylor bank.

Larry sits down with another great Michigan business leader for this week's issue of Re:New Michigan. Larry Freed, CEO of ForSee Results discusses the growth of his company as well as the ways in which the state of Michigan can renew its economy. 

Forsee Results offers technologies that measure the satisfaction of those viewing websites. The company's service offerings brings the world renown Customer Satisfaction Index of University of Michigan Professor Claes Fornell to the web.  ForSee helps clients measure the satisfaction of visitors to their website, while also suggesting areas to improve and change customer behaviors leading to increased sales. As Freed points out, this era of internet marketing must be built around accountability and measurement.

Customers have more choices than ever before when it comes to product purchasing. Consequently, marketing and customer satisfaction is more significant than ever when it comes to moving products. Companies around the world have recognized this need and worked with Freed and his team. 

ForSee Results is a leading company based in Michigan with 108 employees working inside the state, with 20-40 added each year. Like many on the Re:New Michigan podcast, Larry Freed sees technology as a way to reinvent the state's economy. He also sees large growth opportunities in the renewal of the state's researching divisions.  As he says, "Economic development depends n attracting companies and incubating these businesses with the job growth coming in between".

For more information, please visit the ForSee Results homepage.