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Business Machine: Learning from our mistakes
Episodes
Tuesday Oct 13, 2015
Tuesday Oct 13, 2015
Today on Business Machine is Mike Maddox, president and CEO of ASK, a Lansing-based Information Technology company. He made the jump to small business from his career in sales where the further he moved up in his corporate work, the more internal and impersonal his work became.
Mission
Take the hassle out of technology so that you can focus on your business.
Learning From Our Mistakes
When he took over as president, he sat everyone in a room and they decided on a tagline. He notes this is very important when communicating with colleagues and strangers. This ties into another challenge he’s encountered, which is focusing on what the company does best, not what it can make time for. As a leader, he also believes in keeping a personal connection with employees, which can be difficult when work needs to be done but it is something he treasures.
Recommendations
Favorite quote: "Never confuse activity with achievement" from a board hanging in his office.
Eating: Big dip ice cream scoops from Quality Dairy, preferably in the summer.
Eat with: Steve Jobs to learn how he managed the growth of Apple, not just the creation.
App: Microsoft One Note
Contact
Phone: 877-ASK-4-ASK
Webpage: www.justask.net
Podcast: Bottom Line IT every Tuesday at noon on the Michigan Business Network.
Friday Oct 09, 2015
Friday Oct 09, 2015
Today on Business Machine is Amanda Washburn, owner of Rough Draft Solutions, which specializes in creating and articulating content for businesses to bring customer relations to the next level. This includes blogs, proposals and grant writing and website content.
Mission
To help businesses realize the investment of marketing to create meaningful communication with their audience.
Learning From Our Mistakes
Rough Draft started in March of 2014, so one mistake Amanda notes as a young owner was a lack of an actual plan. This was important to realize because she also had no prior business network to pool from and get the word out about her goals. She posits that if she had made a strategic plan first instead of realizing its importance after nine months, she may have reached the success she enjoys now more quickly. She also speaks on how her family balances work with outdoor activities and turning off technology.
Recommendations
Favorite quote: "It’s a terrible thing I think, in life, to wait until you’re ready.... generally speaking, now is as good a time as any.” from Hugh Laurie.
Reading: Epic Content Marketing by Joe Pulizzi.
Eating: Soup Spoon Cafe in Lansing, MI.
App: Google docs.
Contact
Email: amanda@roughdraftsolutions
Webpage: www.roughdraftsolutions.com
Friday Oct 02, 2015
Friday Oct 02, 2015
Today on Business Machine is Amanda Stitt, CEO of Change Media Group (CMG), started by her husband who saw a market full of saturated services. Amanda always admired small business owners in her own family while never seeing herself as an entrepreneur. Now, she excels in the business of helping people connect. She envisions the company as space for young talent to enjoy their work.
Mission
a full-service creative agency providing targeted media services including direct mail, print, and digital advertising to a broad range of clients.
Learning From Our Mistakes
Amanda’s number one advice is exercising the ability to say no. She urges others not to stray from specific services just to please clients. Use time wisely and meaningfully, and refer clients to other trustworthy colleagues. This is especially paramount for businesses who provide services to other businesses.
Recommendations
Favorite Quote: “If I asked people what they wanted, they would’ve asked for faster horses.” from Henry Ford.
Eating: Beer Grotto
App: Asana for project management.
Podcasts: Fresh Air, Death Sex & Money, and Here's The Thing.
Contact
Email: amanda@changemediagroup.com
webpage: changemediagroup.com
Friday Oct 02, 2015
Friday Oct 02, 2015
Today on Business Machine is Tom Stewart, who first had thoughts of entrepreneurship with a group of high school friends. Over the last decade, he has provided consultation to 44 organizations in a wide range of industries – the majority of which were new or small companies. Tom has also worked on transition teams for larger organizations, including the State of Michigan, and his efforts have resulted in nearly $7M in new client revenues and 60 new jobs in the Capitol Region.
Mission
Helping people start businesses. In 10 years, Tom would like to accomplish a private multi-million dollar fund for greater opportunities, as well as an actual office and team. He also talks about automation and getting small businesses able to function with one process and expand their opportunities from there.
Learning From Our Mistakes
He advises inspiring entrepreneurs to not tackle their dreams alone because you have to know your limits. Tom learned that balance is important to assure your personal life is taken care of too. He regrets that, at the time, he did not pay attention to his relationships outside of his work, which risked his stability outside of work.
Recommendations
Favorite Quote: "To whom much is given, much is expected." from Luke 12:48 of the Bible.
Eating: Cosmos Pizza Restaurant and Zoobies Old Town Tavern in Lansing.
App: Pocket Informant
Contact
Webpage: neocenter.org
Visit the NEO Center at 934 Clark St., Lansing, MI!
Friday Oct 02, 2015
Friday Oct 02, 2015
Today on Business Machine is Chad Jordan, owner of Craving's Gourmet Popcorn in Old Town Lansing and Okemos, who started with nothing but debt and a willingness to learn from others.
Mission
Craving’s Gourmet provides world-class popcorn to making people happy. In 10 years, Chad imagines a more robust brand that acts as a staple of Michigan and reaches more urban areas.
Learning From Our Mistakes
Chad believes that his biggest mistake was not strategically thinking about worst-case scenarios, substituting confidence with money. He also strives to improve his time management skills at all times. While business is business, it is also about building relationships to build confidence in those business dealings. His employees rely on him and he does his best to do right by them every day.
Recommendations
Eating: Any good BBQ
Apps: Google Drive and other apps
Contact
Facebook: Chad Jordan or business page.
Twitter: @CravingsPopcorn