Blogs

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How does ‘the new normal’ in community banking affect dealmaking?: Part II

Editor’s note: This is the second post in a two-part discussion on local commercial lending and real estate development in a post-recession regulatory environment....

Is exporting right for your business?

Have you considered exporting your goods or services? Are you currently exporting and wanting to increase your export sales or expand into new markets?...

The Black Market spotlights minority businesses

Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses and LINC Community Revitalization share a similar vision: the economic flourishing of Grand Rapids’ minorities. It would be fitting, then,...

Forum discusses diversity and inclusion

A discussion about diversity in the Grand Rapids market is coming this week. The Diversity & Inclusion Forum, hosted by the Grand Rapids Area Chamber...

How can subcontractors stay ahead of schedule?

One of the regular challenges a subcontractor can face during a construction project is keeping up with the schedule. Below are three main components —...

How should you pitch journalists?

Getting publicity is a common goal. It’s a great boost for your organization to be featured by a print, radio, TV or online media...

Will Twitter’s IPO make it mainstream?

Twitter is about to fly into the world of publicly held companies. There has been much speculation about where the share value of Twitter will...

Are you sharing your vision?

As a business owner who’s married with four children, I've learned the hard way that a lack of shared vision — and lack of...

Park votes nurture urban life

The city of Grand Rapids’ fiscally responsible choices over the last several decades have laid the foundation for economic growth. Thanks to the tough...

Who will pay for Obamacare?

Washington’s talk about Obamacare is loaded with hidden messages. They all amount to the same thing: let the other guy pay. Unfortunately, the other...

Business Journal names 40 Under Forty class of 2013

The Grand Rapids Business Journal has revealed the 40 Under Forty class of 2013. The Business Journal shared photo galleries this week of the 40...

Hispanic Festival panel calls for more relationships

The key word was “opportunity.” It was a word spoken over and over at a panel discussion earlier this month that kicked off the Hispanic...

How does ‘the new normal’ in community banking affect dealmaking?

Editor’s note: This is the first post in a two-part discussion on local commercial lending and real estate development in a post-recession regulatory environment. In...

Content can’t be a commodity

A colleague recently shared with me an article in Harper’s magazine that discusses changes in journalism, advertising and, really, all things media. The author, an editor, talks...

What’s your company’s forecast?

Have you found the perfect crystal ball to accurately predict your company’s future? As a small business owner, budgeting is not something you get excited...

Is it time for the smartwatch?

Fanfare over global smartwatch rollouts is heating up, but is the wearable technology really ready for mass adoption? The smartwatch category of computing has been...

Good help is hard to find

The saying might alarm you, but it’s both a reality of the strong construction market in West Michigan and a sign of challenges to...

Will Detroit’s bankruptcy end irresponsible lending?

Detroit’s bankruptcy will ultimately have a positive impact on cities across West Michigan and the U.S. The initial reaction to Detroit’s bankruptcy stressed the impact...

Integrated Architecture collects help for boy’s bone-marrow transplant

This isn’t your standard run-of-the-mill garage sale. Cooper It’s one with a big heart and a lot of hope for an energetic four-year-old boy who is...

Heartside Gallery and Studio celebrates 20 years with ‘irregular’ book

Heartside Gallery and Studio will celebrate its 20th anniversary tonight with a book-release party for “An Irregular Heartbeat: The Artists and History of Heartside...