Join your host, Lisa Smith from InVerve Marketing for a show dedicated to the small businesses of Michigan. You’ll hear from experts on a variety of topics as they explore the impacts on business; human resources, marketing, taxation, health, technology, legal issues, political issues, talent, money, operations, and much more.
Focus on Business airs Sundays at 11:30am on WLAJ.
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Business has changed greatly over the last decade and more often than not, both HR and IT experience the most change in tandem with one another. HR and IT developement is this week’s Focus on Business!
Sponsored by: Pollicella Tompkins PLLC, Small Business Association of Michigan, Cedar River Insurance Agency, Inc., and Krause, Bangs & Associates P.C.
Latest research shows that 75% of business owners do not have an emergency disaster plan. Join us to discuss disaster plans with our special guest Lt. Michele Sosinski of Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division.
Sponsored by: Pollicella Tompkins PLLC, Small Business Association of Michigan, Cedar River Insurance Agency, Inc., and Krause, Bangs & Associates P.C.
Passion for work and community is one of the things that makes small business owners so special. Work passion and small business is this week’s Focus on Business!
Sponsored by: Pollicella Tompkins PLLC, Small Business Association of Michigan, Cedar River Insurance Agency, Inc., and Krause, Bangs & Associates P.C.
A lot of companies are struggling to hire. What are smart companies doing? They’re embracing older Americans! Experience for hire is the topic of this week’s Focus on Business!
Sponsored by: Pollicella Tompkins PLLC, Small Business Association of Michigan, Cedar River Insurance Agency, Inc., and Krause, Bangs & Associates P.C.
Businesses can rack up huge fines if they don’t know about The Telephone Consumer Protection Act. It’s important for small businesses to understand what this is, and we’re talking about it on this week’s show!
Sponsored by: Pollicella Tompkins PLLC, Small Business Association of Michigan, Cedar River Insurance Agency, Inc., and Krause, Bangs & Associates P.C.
We live in a new world. We have experienced various movements towards change recently. How are current events translating into the workplace? Find out on this week’s show! With special guest Jocelyn Giangrande, Diversity and Inclusion Expert & Consultant
Sponsored by: Providence Consulting, Pollicella Tompkins PLLC and Small Business Association of Michigan.
We’ve seen a major shift in work patterns post 2020. In this week’s episode we’re talking about the changing attitude and behaviors towards remote work, and some things you will want to consider to avoid problems.
Sponsored by: Providence Consulting, Pollicella Tompkins PLLC, Small Business Association of Michigan, Cedar River Insurance Agency, Inc., and Krause, Bangs & Associates P.C.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives are included in corporations all over America. But how do we address inclusion on an individual level? Find out in this week’s episode.
Sponsored by: Providence Consulting, Pollicella Tompkins PLLC, Small Business Association of Michigan, Cedar River Insurance Agency, Inc., and Krause, Bangs & Associates P.C.
What does it look like? Join Focus On Business as we discuss what to do if your business is a target of defamation. Also the impacts of social media comments, negative reviews, and disparaging posts to businesses. With special guests: Jennifer Sleeper, Marketing Expert
Sponsored by: Providence Consulting, Pollicella Tompkins PLLC and Small Business Association of Michigan.
Telecommuting has become a full-blown movement that appears to be here to stay. We look at the many pitfalls of telecommuting and how to tackle them for both workers and organizations in this week’s episode. Guests: Theresa Kent & Jeff Dettloff, Providence Consulting
Sponsored by: Providence Consulting, Pollicella Tompkins PLLC and Small Business Association of Michigan.
This week we look at a success story from a company that has made the transition from a traditional in-office workplace environment, to a well-organized and highly profitable remote workforce. Guests: Jacob Sabins, Principal at Clark Trombley Randers.
Sponsored by: Providence Consulting, Pollicella Tompkins PLLC and Small Business Association of Michigan.
Join Focus On Business as we talk to guests who live on the front lines of cyber crime, and help us better understand it and how to avoid being a victim. With special guests: Jim Ellis, Michigan State Police Cyber Commander. Jeff Dettloff, Providence Consulting
Sponsored by: Providence Consulting, Pollicella Tompkins PLLC and Small Business Association of Michigan.
In this week’s very special episode of Focus on Business we learn how small businesses are navigating their way through the COVID-19 crisis. What types of measures are being put into place to ensure small businesses can remain operation during this difficult time? Find out from SBAM and get informed! Sponsored by: Providence Consulting, Pollicella Tompkins PLLC and Small Business Association of Michigan
Original Air Date: April 5, 2020
COVID-19 is impacting businesses in ways never seen before. Watch FOUCS on Business as Lisa Ellen Smith does in-depth interviews with Rob Fowler and Brian Calley for the latest updates from SBAM.
Original Air Date: March 29, 2020
This week’s episode focuses on the importance of succession planning. Guests include Ginny Sherrow, owner of Fenton Winery & Brewery and Jessica Starks of Transworld Business Advisors.
Original Air Date: January 26, 2020
This week’s episode focuses on business culture and how it can increase profitability. Guests include: Bob Fish, Co-CEO and Founder of BIGGBY COFFEE and Keith Huckaby, President, TGG Solutions. Sponsored by: Michigan Bankers Association, Providence Consulting, Pollicella Tompkins PLLC and Small Business Association of Michigan.
Original Air Date: December 1, 2019
Learn how to protect your IP and get great advice on marketing and branding in this week’s episode. Guests include Jacqueline Langwith and Denise Pollicella of Cannabis Attorneys of Michigan. Sponsored by: Michigan Bankers Association, Providence Consulting, Pollicella Tompkins PLLC and Small Business Association of Michigan.
Original Air Date: November 24, 2019
Our guests discuss their definitions, how they lead within their businesses and how leaders can find support and move up the ladder. Guests include: Rob Fowler, CEO, Small Business Association of Michigan, Bill Kimble, President, C2AE, and Alba Contreras Rodriguez, Owner & President, FonS, Focus on Solution, LLC.
Original Air Date: November 17, 2019
In a recent study, 72% of people believe that locally owned businesses were more likely than large companies to be involved in improving their communities. Learn how small business owners serve their community in this episode! Guests include: Brian Calley, President, Small Business Association of Michigan. Michigan State Representative’s Tommy Brann and Donna Lasinski
Original Air Date: November 10, 2019
How important is your physical space? What if you need to borrow, renovate or change your work environment? Find out what to do in this week’s episode! Featured guests include: Caile Richards of Small Business Association of Michigan, Brook Hall of Gordon Advisors, P.C., Rick Laver of Cinnaire, and Craig Wieland of Wieland Construction.
Original Air Date: November 3, 2019
Deciding to lease or own your business space is a big decision. That’s why we brought in experts to help you understand what you should consider when choosing the location of your business. Guests include: Brook Hall of Gordon Advisors, P.C., Craig Wieland of Wieland Corp, and Rick Laber of Cinnaire.
Original Air Date: September 22, 2019
Energy management and energy planning are areas that can greatly benefit your business. Learn what resources are available to you in this week’s show. Guests include: Scott Ringlein of The Energy Alliance Group of North America, Steve Klaver DBI Business Interiors, and Steve Trecha of Integrated Strategies Inc.
Original Air Date: September 15, 2019
Are your businesses benefit offerings competitive enough? Learn about innovative benefit opportunities that help small businesses compete for talent. With great insights from our guests: Scott Lyon of SBAM, and Eric Brogan of Brogan Reed VanGorder & Associates.
Original Air Date: September 8, 2019
This week’s episode is on Embezzlement. What should you do if this happens in your business, and how can you prevent it? Thanks to our guests from Pollicella Tompkins, Maner Costerisan, and Capital Insurance Services.
Original Air Date: September 1, 2019https://youtu.be/alcfqEM5Lrc
This week’s episode features some of Michigan’s most successful and inspiring women in manufacturing. Hear how they identified a need and turned it into a business. Thanks to our guests from Stormy Kromer, SISU Mouthguards and Thegreenglovedryer for sharing their experiences.
Original Air Date: August 25, 2019
This week’s episode focuses on how to grow your business with fractional employees. Guests include: Sarah Jennings of Maner Costerisan, Don Lee of Chief Outsiders, Terea Renaud of Outsourced Sales Management, and Rick Wilson of The Integrator Group.
Original Air Date: July 8, 2019
Think family businesses are all mom & pop shops? Think again! Tune in to learn all about the impact that family businesses have in this week’s episode of Focus On Business! Guests include: Erick Stewart of Stewart Industries and Steve Klaver of DBI We Do Office.
Original Air Date: June 30, 2019
In this episode, business owners ask questions of Marketing Technology experts about how MarTech can help their business. Guests include: Dan Tyre (HubSpot) Duane Forrester (Yext) and Jason Dodge (BlackTruck Media and Marketing).
Original Air Date: June 23, 2019
This week we brought in experts from HubSpot and Yext to discuss Marketing Technology. Learn how today’s marketing technology can build your sales and improve your customer’s experience.
Original Air Date: June 16, 2019
This week’s episode breaks down the question of when you’re too big to be small and too small to be big. This show is about how to traction in your business with the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). Join us for a show featuring Chad Paalman (NuWave Technology Partners) and Sue Tellier (JetCo Federal Supply).
Original Air Date: June 9, 2019
Talent and retention is on the mind of most small business owners. Join us for a show featuring Edythe Williams (Capital Area Michgan Works!), Brian Calley (Small Business Association of Michigan) and Sheri Welsh (Welsh & Associates).
Original Air Date: June 2, 2019
Most businesses will eventually face the hurdles of accessing capital, this week’s episode focuses on ways to finance your business! Featuring special guests Tim Jewell (Eaton Federal Savings Bank) and Constance Logan (Michigan U.S. Small Business Administration).
Original Air Date: April 7, 2019
Technology has empowered employees and employers to work virtually anywhere. Once you make the decision to offer Alternative Work Schedules, what’s next? Featuring special guests Jeff Dettloff (Providence Consulting), Phil Zeller (Dale Carnegie) and Michael Burns (American Society of Employers).
Original Air Date: March 31, 2019
This week’s episode focuses on cyber attacks. 88% of organizations feel like they are losing control of their data. Focus On Business talks to the experts to find out how to get some of that control back! Featuring special guests Sara Wurfel (Truscott Rossman), John Mashni (Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C.) and Jeff Detloff (Providence Consulting).
Original Air Date: March 24, 2019
Find out what the newest survey reveals about state economy projections, and how your business can adjust in order to contribute to Michigan’s flourishing economy. Featuring special guests Chris Holman (Michigan Business Network) and Rob Fowler (SBAM).
Original Air Date: March 17, 2019
This week’s episode focuses on how women business owners have made an impact on Michigan’s small businesses. Featuring special guests Lisa Speaker (Speaker Law Firm, PLLC) and Karen Gallagher (Wellness Institute of Michigan).
Original Air Date: March 10, 2019
This week’s episode is focusing on the smokin’ hot issues that business owners are dealing with because of new legislation on minimum wage, paid leave, new taxes, and of course the new marijuana law. Featuring special guests Brian Calley (SBAM), Katie Hamilton (Maner Costerisan) and Denise Pollicella, Esq. (Cannabis Attorneys of Michigan).
Original Air Date: March 3, 2019