News & Resources

The fading allure of being in charge

By Dan Van Slambrook, courtesy of SBAM Approved Partner ASE For decades, employees have viewed promotion to the ranks of management as a primary career goal. At the same time, […]

December 10, 2015

It’s no joke – bedbugs are showing up at work

When the subject of bedbugs comes up, most people’s thoughts turn to travel and infestations in hotel rooms. But according to a 2015 survey of pest management professionals by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) …

December 3, 2015

How you can positively impact your team during the holidays

Like it or not, the holiday season is upon us. For all of its stress, the time from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day serves up ample opportunities for managers to demonstrate leadership that positively impacts …

November 25, 2015

Rate trends and other electricity issues

The Small Business Association of Michigan recently held its annual Leadership Council Summit at Crystal Mountain.

November 20, 2015

How to make thoughtful use of market intelligence

Use market intelligence to help improve the flexibility of your business operation. Hear tips from author and business consultant Seena Sharp on the latest edition of the SBAM Entrepreneurial Insights podcast.

November 19, 2015

Small businesses owners: be aware of energy scams

Small business owners need to be alert to energy payment scams that are emerging across the state this holiday season. Energy scam attempts so far this year have led to $81,000 in losses.

November 16, 2015

Flex work policies

Two years ago when Yahoo and HP made major news by disbanding their telecommuting policies, many workplace observers figured it was the end of the marriage of convenience between home computing and workplace practice.

November 10, 2015

Why so many family businesses fail and why yours won’t

It’s estimated that about 40% of all family businesses are successfully passed down to the next generation, and only 13% survive being passed down to a third generation. If you’re a business owner looking to transfer ownership …

November 9, 2015

Market forces are chipping away at retail dress policies

For office graybeards who still can’t understand why everyone doesn’t wear suits to work, it must be a comfort to walk into their local retailers and see all the workers smartly turned out in matching …

November 6, 2015

Timely tips for managing your small business

Three mistakes small business owners make when trying to create a culture of accountability.

November 2, 2015

Having happy employees does not always translate to high retention

Do you know what your employees are really thinking? That’s the magic question that managers and HR professionals would love to know the answer to, in order to engage and retain their employees.

November 2, 2015

Business Bowl

International Bancard recently announced a multi-year partnership with the Detroit Lions that focuses on supporting Michigan-based businesses through the International Bancard Business Bowl.

September 25, 2015

Avoid this one management mistake

Avoid this one simple management mistake to improve your odds of entrepreneurial success. Today on the SBAM Shorts audio report. Michael Rogers, vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan, talks with management …

September 21, 2015

The seven deadly sins of entrepreneurship

Michael Rogers, vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan, talks with sales coach and trainer, Greg Coyne, of Gerry Weinberg and Associates Sandler Training, about the seven deadly sins of entrepreneurship: not …

September 21, 2015

Innovate State kicks off speaker series with Christen Rochon of Divas & Dorks

The MSU Innovation Center welcomes Christen Rochon, creator of www.divasanddorks.com to start the 2015/2016 Innovate State Speaker Series at 6 p.m. on September 23. Rochon, a NYC-based graduate of MSU, is an accomplished writer and …

September 18, 2015

Nearly a thousand small business owners expected at Sept. 22 SBAM Matchmaking Summit

Almost one thousand entrepreneurs from all across Michigan are hoping to snag business opportunities with buyers from large companies when they attend the SBAM Matchmaking summit taking place 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tues., Sept. …

September 4, 2015

Tourism has huge economic impact on small business in the state

Michael Rogers, vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan, interviews Michigan State University Tourism professor Sarah Nicholls, Ph.D. Sarah is Coordinator/Facilitator of the 2012-2017 Michigan Tourism Strategic Plan. She talks with Michael …

August 27, 2015

Navigating five stages of small business growth

Charlie Gilkey, author of The Small Business Life Cycle: The No-Fluff Guide to Navigating the Five Stages of Small Business Growth, is interviewed by Michael Rogers, Vice President Communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan.The …