COSE: Recent Episodes
COSE
COSE, the small business division of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, one of the nation’s largest metropolitan chambers of commerce, serves as a one-stop resource for nearly 16,000 member companies.
Welcome to COSE Small Business After Hours, a podcast where Northeast Ohio entrepreneurs discuss their business journeys and candidly share what keeps them up at night. In each episode, our hosts, Megan Kim, Executive Director of COSE, and Kevin Johnson, Chairman of the COSE Board, interview local business people to hear their entrepreneurial journeys and the successes and challenges they’ve encountered along the way.
Learn how the founder of LocalBizGuru transitioned from working a corporate job to building a full-service digital marketing agency, and how he's continued to grow his business in our inaugural episode.
Thursday, May 20
Led by: Brady Cohen, Point to Point
Topic: Measure Your Social Media Efforts
You need metrics to measure all of your other marketing efforts but how do you measure social media? This webinar will show you the tools you need to measure your marketing efforts on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Thursday, April 1 @ 11 a.m. (EST)Led by: Kyle Sexton, Salem Chamber Topic: Create Your Own Social Networking Site
Social networking is a great way to develop relationships with your customers but it only works if you're comfortable with the platform. Facebook or LinkedIn may not be for you and that's ok. Learn how you can create and run your very own social networking site for your members or customers.
Everything you ever wanted to know about Workers Comp. What to do and what to expect when an accident happens. You'll hear insights from COSE Compensation Services Account Managers and attorneys giving both the employers and injured workers perspectives. Kelly Baker & Maria Mastrandrea, COSE Compensation Services; Michael Duber, Bentoff & Duber Co. L.P.A; & Donald E. Lampert, Calfee, Halter, and Griswold LLP
Take home some timely tips and tricks for building or upgrading your web site. Learn whats hot now and how you can stay ahead of the curve! Andy Halko, Insivia
Virtualization is changing the computing landscape. More than 100,000 companies of all sizes have been able to slash the costs of IT infrastructure while streamlining the management of IT environments. Learn how virtualization can help you save time and money while achieving more with the IT resources you already own. Discussion Topics Capacity Optimization, Business Continuity, Desktop Management and IT Service Delivery. JJ Digeronimo, VM Ware
In this workshop, youll learn to use more than your Gut Feeling in selecting your next employee. You will become confident using the Behavioral Interview Technique to discover each candidates past behavior to predict their possible future behavior with your organization. The key is to learn what questions to ask and listen carefully to their answers. Roy Henretty, RT Consulting
Learn about the ins and outs of transitioning to Vista. This session will discuss reasons to make the leap and what tools to use for a smooth transition on your own schedule. Toni Bradley & Mario Cipriano, T&M Technology
Learn about resources for getting started, essential items to include and how to implement across the organization. Elizabeth Crosby, Elizabeth A. Crosby & Associates Co., LPA
The entrepreneurial mindset is a different way of looking at the world. Once understood, it will expose new opportunities, ignite ambition, and foster the innovation, creativity, drive, and determination that we all possess. You will learn specific attitudes, behaviors, and characteristics and what it really takes to succeed as an entrepreneur.
From hiring to termination, this session will address how to handle employee situations requiring disciplinary and/or termination actions, how to craft employee handbooks to guide behavior, and how to reward successes. Emphasis will be placed on how to document performance, coaching strategies and how to conduct an impact analysis surrounding a potential termination. Robert Gilmore, Kohrman Jackson & Krantz LLP
Learn some free or cost effective technology tools you can easily access to grow and support your business. Andy Halko, Insivia
Learn how to develop a strategic marketing plan and why it is the most effective approach to growing sales in a smart and profitable manner. This session will help you understand how to work your marketing plan by integrating it into your promotional and selling plans for maximum revenue growth. Steve Homolak, Compelling Business Solutions
This session will teach you how to use your current business software to its maximum potential. You will learn how to make your software more functional and interactive with your customers and suppliers and how these solutions can be affordable for small businesses. Erich Leipold, Evosolutions LLC
Create and utilize new media marketing strategies that harness the power of social media and Web 2.0 to connect with current and potential customers. Learn how to build your business using blogging, podcasting, RSS, social networking sites and other online social mediums. These tools can help you drive traffic to your site, build your brand and convert visitors to clients. Anita Campbell, Small Business Trends; Ivana Taylor, Strategy Stew
In todays competitive marketplace, enhanced results demand change change in how you think and in what you do. This session shows you how different thinking, different questions, and different metrics can supercharge your business. Key deliverables include different questions to improve your results, the power of measuring the right numbers for your business, how the right numbers will drive the actions you want in your business, and the power of accountability.
How do you break into the C level of selling? What are the tools, tips and tricks that work to get the attention of the CIO? Learn how to get into the C suite, develop relationships and build customers at the CIO level. John Schindler, CIO and Matt Hallock, Expedient
People are increasingly resistant to the hard sell and often put up barriers that make the sales cycle adversarial, lengthy and extremely difficult to close. How can you sell when no one wants to be sold to? Consultative or solution selling provides the basis for earning customers trust and respect while building solid, long term relationships essential for strong and continued sales growth. Keith Strauss, Sales Concepts, Inc.
Most business insurance is about bodily injury or property damage. This seminar identifies the new types of business insurance for businesses and business owners. Within this session, speakers will identify the physical and technical security tools available for businesses today. Mike Mandato, System Care; Seth Zaremba, Zinc Insurance; Kevin Goodman, BlueBridge Networks, LLC; & Neal Alexander, National Premier Protective Services LLC
As a responsible business or corporation, you must understand and implement security strategies for every person, employee and package/mail that comes through your door. Find out how to ensure the safety of everyone that engages in business with your organization and your employees. Tim Dimoff, SACS Consulting
If your company employs tech talent, like programmers, application specialists, web developers and the like, then you know how difficult it is to attract good people. Most tech companies share this problem, but some are finding ways to overcome this challenge and successfully bring on great people. Learn how to target prospective employees effectively, position your company and grow your staff. Ellie Chalko, Cynergies Solutions
Learn how your business can reduce down time and lost earnings in the event of a disaster. No matter what type of business you run, learn best practices to back up your business files and protect confidential information stored on your network. Whether it is a natural disaster, terrorism, power outage or epidemic, prepare your business for survival before it is too late. Ray Gordon, Sales Engineer, Time Warner Cable Business Class
This workshop will discuss managing the future and goal setting for success. You will learn how to identify and understand your priorities, the best strategies for unlocking your potential and the best way to evaluate yourself and make the right changes. Jack Thomason, Customer Care Services, Inc.
Learn how to design your site to be search engine friendly, how to submit your website to search engines, and how to create link building strategies and techniques that will improve your rankings in search engines. Discover the importance of copy, meta tags, image alt tags and optimizing with key words to drive targeted traffic to your site. Andy Halko, Insivia
Learn how to use traditional methods of marketing (print, ads, direct mail) and newermedia (viral marketing, e-newsletters, blogging) to meet the needs of your business. Make the most of your direct-mail marketing dollars, hear what you need to know about postal code requirements and discover new technologies to reach your audience. Tracy Smuts, Capstone Media
Learn effective techniques for consistently putting forward the best possible first impressions of both yourself and your business. This practical session will cover communication style and important aspects of nonverbal communication such as body language, appearance and appropriate dress. Wendy Evans, The Brinoth Group
The Weatherhead School of Management at CWRU has created a program to learn what design, art, music and other artistic disciplines can teach managers about creative problem solving. Bringing together the left and right side of the brain for a unique approach to management, this session will offer an overview of these ideas as well as hands on exercises. Fred Collopy, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University with live meeting graphics illustrated by Mark Pinto.
This session covers the best methods for bullet proofing your business against EEOC, wrongful termination and other discrimination lawsuits. Additionally, we will discuss the resources available to ensure the business owner stays abreast of the changing legal landscape. Specific case studies will be provided. Robert Gilmore, Kohrman Jackson & Krantz LLP
You know you cant do it all. But who else is there? In order to grow, you have to delegate some of your responsibilities, and that can be difficult for a small business owner, because delegating means giving up some of your power. This session will provide you with easy steps to help you let go. Joel Rathbone, Javitch, Block & Rathbone
Learn various ways to work virtually by exploring all of the options available to a mobile executive. Identify, on an individual level, what is necessary to stay in touch with your company at all times. Kent Iler, Iler Networking and Computing
Web 2.0 has leveled the playing field for many organizations. It is no longer about the size of your marketing budget, or how many impressions you can generate. It is about how intelligent and innovative you can be in adopting emerging online technologies like blogs, forums, optimized press releases and social networks. By concentrating on the activities that build inbound links, drive website traffic and convert visitors into leads, your organization can grow smarter and faster than the competition. Paul Roetzer, PR 20/20
Think all your customers should be from Cleveland? Wrong! In order to grow your customer base you need to reach outside your hometown and your comfort zone. What are some proven business strategies and tactics to do just that? Our panel will address: mistakes to avoid when dealing outside the area; ways to market cost effectively to a broader audience; how to make a choice between hiring reps or using a rep firm and common challenges in reaching outside of Northeast Ohio. Andy Birol, Birol Growth Consulting; John Fox, Hyland Software; Rob Felber, Felber and Felber Marketing; David Hunt, Skylight Financial
The session will show you how you can help the environment without breaking the bank. Learn easy to implement strategies and get your whole staff on board to support the cause. Tina Hamrick, SJK Beringer Group
Within this workshop, you will explore methodologies and strategies for retaining top talent and competing with the compensation and benefits packages of larger organizations. Learn proven techniques and incentives that are proven to work. Robert Sullivan, Career-Forward
Strategic alliances can be key building blocks for business growth. Most people fail to work at building strategic alliances, either because they havent identified them or because they dont really understand them. In this workshop, we discuss the lasting value of strategic alliances and help each other identify worthwhile partners with which to pursue relationships. Diane Helbig, Seize This Day Coaching
Discover the secrets to building, targeting, sending and tracking a successful email marketing campaign. Learn how to build an opt-in mailing list, create emails that have value, write powerful subject lines and avoid spam filters. Find out when to include links and how to track the effectiveness of your campaigns. Explore low cost, do-it-yourself email marketing services that help you from start to finish. Kristy Amy, OnMark Solutions
Learn how to effectively drive traffic to your website with little or no advertising budget. Blogging, article distribution and optimizing for organic search in major search engines are a few low cost strategies that can work for you. Jim Conley, Datacore Consulting
Managing small business finances can seem daunting. Learn what to focus on when deciphering your financial documents and when you need to involve an accountant. This session will teach you the best strategies for record keeping and planning, separating personal finances from business finances, forecasting, budgeting and managing cash flow. John Bonfiglio, Bellini & Bonfiglio, CPAs and Business Advisors
Having trouble collecting what you are owed? What can be done when your customer is having financial trouble? This session will cover your legal and practical rights and options. Jim Lawniczak & Nathan Wheatley, Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP *All financial information was current at the time of ther recording consult with an advisor on current laws and regulations.
This process teaches you how to create a plan to assess, score and realize the full value of your business relationships and tie that value to the accomplishment of your sales and growth goals. Three essential qualities are the cornerstones of the process - credibility, integrity and authenticity. Learn how they are critical components of sales success and long-term, sustainable growth for your organization. Roxanne Kaufman, ProLaureate
Get the knowledge and skills to plan, develop and apply a contact relationship management database. Quickly identify important opportunities and create targeted marketing approaches to turn those prospects into sales. Steve Krisfalusy, SJK Beringer Group
Getting involved with your community can mean more than a charitable donation. Learn about the ways your business can benefit from creative involvement with various aspects of your surrounding community and hear from business owners who have done it. A panel discussion moderated by Karen Sandstrom, Plain Dealer with panelists Mike Dungan, ZeroLandfill; Rachel Downey, Studio Graphique & Ricardo Sandoval, Fat Cats
This seminar explores the potential challenges faced by most business owners who eventually will have to exit their businesses. It provides an overview of the main objectives and plans the owner should consider as well as the various ways to leave a business. Additionally, you will learn the key elements of an exit strategy and how to design and implement an action plan that leads to a successful transition. Robert Nemeth, Apple Growth Partners; Mario Fazio, Meyers, Roman, Freidberg & Lewis
Understand the financial impact of positive culture in the workplace and how fostering happiness in your employees can improve your bottom line. Learn how to make happiness an agenda item equal in importance to sales and profit because in an era of instant access to infinite data, the only thing that differentiates you from your competition is your people. Jim Smith, The Executive Happiness Coach
Take your companys visual appeal to the next level, and implement a branding strategy across ALL your companys marketing materials. Learn how to create a powerful marketing message and an image to match. Jonathan Ebenstein, Skoda Minotti
Blogging and social networking can be a low cost, cutting edge way to market your business and position yourself as a leader in your field. Learn from those who have experience both in the creative and business sides of this new media outlet. A panel discussion moderated by George Nemeth of Brewed Fresh Daily/CoolCleveland with panelists Doug Wood, Modern Arts and Music; Carolyn Jack, Co-Director of the Genius Group LLC & John Ettore, Working with Words.
How do you get financing when the bank says no? Learn opportunities and strategies you can put into place: Micro Enterprise loans, SBA, AngelInvestors, Venture Capital, factoring and more. The session will also cover access to capital options and when it is appropriate to get a business loan, business loan options and the processes used in obtaining the loans. John Doucette, Liquid Capital of Northeast Ohio *All financial information was current at the time of the recording, please consult your financial advisor and bank for current regulations and laws.
Tight budgets need creative marketing solutions. Learn clever, low-cost and even free ways to market your business. Rachel Torchia, Gateway Title Associates
One of the greatest organizational learning tools ever invented is the individual quarterly plan. In the Execution Discipline, every person in the company works with his/her team leader to develop Individual Plans for the upcoming quarter. These individual goals are reviewed and checked for alignment with company goals. This quarterly plan serves as a timesaving template for a weekly status report. The result is that every individual in the company (if applicable) learns how to set goals, understands company priorities, takes responsibility for their own goals, learns to become accountable, reports progress and uses their innovative capabilities to solve problems.
The Planning Disciplines - Well-defined goals are among the most effective communications tools available to any leader-yet most leaders don't know how to set goals that lead their people in the right direction. The result of this Planning Discipline is to produce goals that are both clear and measurable. Pursuing these goals will lead the people in the organization to align their daily activities with the vital few objectives set in the Strategy Discipline. The result is a brief company goals statement that every team member can understand and support in their daily activities.
This podcast is the first of 7 in a series on goal setting and accountability and how it all relates to MindShare groups.
The Measurement Discipline - Innovate Purposefully. Innovation is just another name for problem-solving, and everyone in the company has the ability to solve problems. The Measurement Discipline is unlike the rest in that it provides principles and measurement tools that are used throughout the other disciplines to help leaders set clear goals - and align daily activities toward meeting them. These goals will align with company priorities, and employees use their innate creativity to meet or beat those goals.
Want to learn more about how MindShare can help your business? Download this podcast for an informative Q & A session with Nicole Stika, COSE's Director of Education Programs and Products, and Jennifer Frimel, Editor of the COSE Update.
The Strategy Discipline - The foundation of all strategy formulation is deciding what is most important to your organization (and by implication what's not important) so the allocation of resources-time, money and creativity-can all be aimed toward this end. In this annual discipline, business leaders systematically and regularly review and renew their mission, values, strategic position, vision, their most vital few objectives, as well as agreeing what to stop doing.
The most important asset of any organization is its people. This webinar will teach you how to maximize your human capital to achieve greater revenues and profits. You will learn how to improve workforce performance in all aspects of your business, including sales, manufacturing, and customer service, clerical, administrative, and engineering. Provided by Joe Davenport, Workforce Designs.
Social Media Leaps Webinar - Exploring the capabilities of facebook for your Chamber or Small Business, February 12, 2010
Presented by Brad Kleinman
2009 COSE Small Business Conference Wednesday, October 21 and Thursday, October 22 International Exposition Center (IX Center), Cleveland, OH
Your business needs to be both lean and marketing aggressive. No more wasted advertising and marketing. Hear firsthand, how to target the right audience, create the right message, and use the right vehicle to get ‘A’ quality leads. You will learn how to generate BANT qualified leads; leads that give you their Budget, their Authority, their Needs and the Timing.
Learning objectives: The three legs of building the ‘trust’ stool The five elements necessary for every successful campaign The four areas of customer marketing How to find the right list and your sweet spot What offers to make to get leads How to write a B2B letter that works
Speaker: Matt Minarik; International Presenter and IBM’s #1 Marketing Award Winner
Is your business ready for the green economy? Find out with our panel of local experts who will share insights on how you can save money and become more energy efficient, reduce waste and how to green your supply chain. We will be joined by Athan Barkoukis, Green Energy Ohio, Beau Daane, Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District and Melanie Kintner Knowles, a green building consultant. This panel will be moderated by Courtney DeOreo, Tri-C Green Academy and Center for Sustainability.
Steve Millard, President and Executive Director of COSE, discusses how Card Check can affect your small business.
Companies like Coke and Nike will often see better returns and do not have to attract customers by lowering prices, even during hard times, because they have developed strong and recognizable brand names. No matter what the size, every organization has a brand ... and that brand is its most valuable asset. It isn't just what you sell or offer or your logo. It's who you are, what makes you unique. It's a distinction that only your company or product can deliver. It's your foundation and it influences the experiences and emotional connections that the world has with you.
We will take you through the necessary steps to build a brand that stands out among the competition, and provides the foundation to consistently create effective communications. Rosemary Breehl, President of Breehl, Traynor & Zehe (BTZ), is the lead speaker joined by Courtney DeOreo, sustainability specialist with Tri-C’s Green Academy and Sustainability.
COSE Mindspring - Laura Leggett - How not to get taken advantage of by the phone company
Tips on Voicemail Etiquette, by Phil Stella, Effective Training and Communication, Inc.
Elevate Your Elevator Speech, by Phil Stella, Effective Training and Communication, Inc.
Olympia Candy is a Cleveland institution and long-time COSE and Greater Cleveland Partnership Member. Known for hand made premium chocolates since 1911, Olympia is one of the few legacy family-owned chocolate factories in the United States. Tucked away in suburban Cleveland and deep within the nation's "Chocolate Belt" Olympia also sells incredibly rich fudge, nut brittle and roasted nuts.
Stop spending your money on marketing that does not work!
Bill Truax, Joe Muttilo and Katherine Miracle will help you to understand how to increase sales by utilizing the best methods from prospecting, e-commerce and promotions.
Learning Objectives for Power Marketing:
Understanding how e-commerce can increase revenue Best techniques for prospecting Creative solutions for high touch marketing Best practices in branding and promotion 10 key revenue maximizing elements of a successful e-commerce storefront Join this interactive session as this dynamic panel provides you with the right tools, skills and knowledge for today’s competitive marketplace.
Bill Truax has made over 10,000 face to face prospecting calls in virtually every city in North America. Katherine Miracle is the Founder and Owner of Miracle Resources. Miracle Resources is a full service marketing, advertising, public relations and fundraising firm. Joe Muttillo is a solution oriented IDEA man, whose ideas are targeted to practical, real world, budget conscious results. For over 15 years he has listened to real business owners with real issues and helped them forge a tailored online solution that addresses much more than just technology alone.
Vista Data Systems will provide a list of items and processes needed for a step by step successful installation of VoIP.
Listen as Sherrill Paul Witt, President of Trolley Tours tells how she developed the concept and grew Lolly Trolley into the successful business it is today!
Wondering what is all the buzz about Voice Over IP Phone Systems? Curious if it’s something that would help save costs and create efficiency in your business? Please join us for a free Member Education Teleconference on Voice Over IP, Understanding the Technology.
Vista Data Systems will provide an overview of the various VoIP technologies available today. They will discuss the differences between systems that are hosted, on premise hardware versus software based solutions. Don’t miss this informative session that could impact your telecommunication solutions.
Strategic planning, everyone needs it, but few have the time for it (at least for traditional strategic planning). I’m just a small business, it takes too long, its too high level, and it doesn’t help me today! But there is an alternative, strategic action planning includes mission, vision, values and long term goals, but it’s practical and focused on short term goals, critical business metrics, action plans and accountability (who’s responsible for what). Imagine having an actionable plan for the next quarter, next year and next 3-5 years, all based on your company’s core purpose and values and all tied to your long term goals. Imagine having a clear vision for your business and knowing what numbers will drive your future success and now being able to work with laser focus toward achieving your critical objectives. With strategic action planning, no imagination is necessary, it’s reality.
Strategic planning, everyone needs it, but few have the time for it (at least for traditional strategic planning). I’m just a small business, it takes too long, its too high level, and it doesn’t help me today! But there is an alternative, strategic action planning includes mission, vision, values and long term goals, but it’s practical and focused on short term goals, critical business metrics, action plans and accountability (who’s responsible for what). Imagine having an actionable plan for the next quarter, next year and next 3-5 years, all based on your company’s core purpose and values and all tied to your long term goals. Imagine having a clear vision for your business and knowing what numbers will drive your future success and now being able to work with laser focus toward achieving your critical objectives. With strategic action planning, no imagination is necessary, it’s reality.
Can you ever imagine a commercial airline leaving the ground without a flight plan? The airline pilot flying from Detroit to Phoenix never loses sight of the final destination, safely transporting passengers to the Phoenix airport. He knows where he is going, how he’s going to get there, and how to measure his progress along the way. In the same way, organizations need to know where they’re going, how to get there, and how to track their progress. This session will aid you and your organization in defining the plan and getting the work done with complete organization alignment. The final result is controlled, desired business growth. You will learn:
Part 1: Creating your Flight Plan - In order to grow your business you need to have a clear vision of where your company wants to go.
Part 2: Flying the Plane - In order to grow your business your employees need to align their everyday activities to work toward accomplishing company goals.
Part 3: Getting the Right People Onboard and in the Right Seats - In order to grow your business you need to have the right people on your team.
Our Speaker: Eric Kurjan, President, Six Disciplines, Ohio Group. Six Disciplines provides a consistent process to guide small- and mid-sized companies through strategic plan definition, implementation and ultimately execution that results in long-term business success.
Meet the Entrepreneurs: Real Life Stories and Advice, Presented by COSE The 20/30 Club, in conjunction with COSE, presents a panel discussion on entrepreneurship featuring local entrepreneurs and other experts discussing the realities of owning and running a business. If you currently are an entreprenuer, have plans to become an entrepreneur, or if you have ever dreamed of starting your own business but are not sure how to begin, be sure to attend to meet and network with other entrepreneurs, have your questions answered and swap stories.
The panel will feature the following entrepreneurs:
Chris Brauser of BBP Partners, LLC www.bbppartners.com Rebecca Sweet of Viva Dance Studio www.vivadancestudio.com Liz Powell of G2G Consulting,LLC www.g2gconsulting.com Geoff Moore of CyGem, Ltd. www.cygem.com Chad Zimmerman of Stack Magazine www.stack.com
Closing a sale is one of the most difficult aspects in the selling process for many of today's sales representative or service industry professionals. Most sales and service industry staff members simply talk too much, demonstrate the wrong features and benefits or use a memorized sales pitch that misses the mark altogether. That's why 80% of the sales consummated in the United States and Canada are closed by just 20% of the sales and business development professionals.
Virden Thornton, The $elling Edge, Inc. will be discussing the proven steps in the selling process, if applied, eliminate the need for a sales or service industry professional to learn other closing techniques. Closing sales is a process, not a problem!
Objectives:
Strike just the right balance between listening and speaking Set the stage for an easy and effective closing transaction every time, Address a prospect's questions and objections with confidence, Master a system where closing a sale is automatic and not a technique, Tailor your sales demonstrations to each prospect, customer or client, Learn techniques to build rapport with your prospects and guide them to a successful close, and Obtain a competitive edge in every sales transaction using field-tested and proven selling methods.
COSE knows small business owners face unique challenges and opportunities and can feel alone at times. But, through COSE, you are connected to a network 17,700 peers. Tales from the Trenches brings COSE members together to share their success stories, case studies, best practices and strategies. You'll gain tips and tactics to enhance your abilities as a small business owner.
- share common experiences
- challenges and blunders
- talk about innovative/fresh ideas and techniques
Trend Chasers in Aisle Five at Heinen’s Presenter: Jeff Heinen, Heinen’s Fine Foods, Inc.
Cultural patterns are shifting to confront third generation supermarket owners Jeff and Tom Heinen. The brothers face two annoyingly conflicting trends in the marketplace, and fight their battle as one of the last of a dying breed: a family run, local chain of grocery stores. But the Heinen family doesn’t run from change of challenge, they embrace it. Here how the two brothers are managing to stay competitive in a competitive industry and learn tips on how to compete in a changing economy.
Joseph Heinen first opened the doors of a small meat market, appropriately named “Heinen’s,” in 1929 on Kinsman Road (later renamed Chagrin Boulevard). Nurturing a personal relationship with his customers, Joe’s business grew and so did his customers’ demands for additional groceries. He added homemade peanut butter, pickles and donuts and from there, Heinen’s Fine Foods as we know it today was born.
Today, grandson Jeff Heinen runs the business and represent the third generation to be involved in leading their team of knowledgeable associates in continuing to serve area customers by delivering on Joe's original philosophy … to provide world-class customer service while offering the freshest, highest quality foods.
Jeff is the President of Heinen’s Inc., a 17 store family owned grocery chain located in Northeastern Ohio. He and his brother Tom He grew up in Cleveland, graduated from Stanford University and has worked with Heinens for 28 years. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Cleveland Foodbank, University School and Ursuline College.
EMarketing is Like Any Other Marketing, Except ... EMarketing is Like Any Other Marketing, Except...
Unless you have been living under a rock for the last few years, you have probably heard about e-marketing. And you have heard about it from several different angles. Still, you may feel like you don't understand e-marketing at all. What is Web 2.0 all about? And most importantly, is there a way for you to participate? If you have an e-marketing strategy, how might you get started implementing it? If you have had questions like these, then this seminar will help out by exposing you to the entire e-marketing advantages. Everything you need to know about doing business on the Internet and how to effectively market your business. How-to's for small-to-mid-sized business businesses. The Web has exploded in the last 10 years. Find out how e-marketing works and how you can harness the potential of e-marketing.
Hear from Barb Cagley, COSE MindSpring Editor and President of SCK, Inc., a Web development and graphic design firm in Tremont. In 1996, after 20 years of designing and producing award winning graphic design projects, Barb, along with three of her colleagues, founded SCK Design, Inc. The three wanted SCK to be unique by combining the skills of visual designers and the technical skills of programmers to deliver clients the most comprehensive marketing materials. Now, 10 year's later, Barb's focus at SCK is on new business development and providing innovative marketing solutions for a client base that includes the healthcare industry, higher education, non-profits, service industry and manufacturing.
Network with your current MindShare group, but also meet other MindShare members from the MindShare community and share tips for maximizing your group's success.
COSE knows small business owners face unique challenges and opportunities, and can feel alone at times. But, through COSE, you are connected to a network 17,700 peers. Tales from the Trenches brings COSE members together to share their success stories, case studies, best practices and strategies. You'll gain tips and tactics to enhance your abilities as a small business owner.
share common experiences challenges and blunders talk about innovative/fresh ideas and techniques
Fat Fish Blue is a place where you can relax, unwind and just be yourself. It is a place where blue jeans and t-shirts mix with tuxedos and ties: where people from all walks of life can just 'lay back' and enjoy live blues, great food and most of all, each other. Since opening during the Gateway District's revitalization, Fat Fish Blue has created a niche as Cleveland's approximation of the French Quarter. The modern two-story downtown space -- really a restaurant with a bar and stage dropped right in the middle of the plush dining area -- has become one of the top local spot for the blues. The club brings in top jazz and blues artists from around the country. Talk with Steve Zamborsky , founder and managing partner of Cleveland's Fat Fish Blue restaurant and live music club about his successes, challenges and best practices he has learned along the way as he has grown this unique venue!
This Electric Advocacy Summit discusses electricity rates and its possible impact on business and consumers.
In 1999, the Ohio General Assembly voted to deregulate the electric utility market. Taking effect in 2001, the plan called for a 5 year freeze on prices so that the market could develop. However, toward the end of that 5 year period, the Public Utilities Commission (PUCO) saw that the eventual switch to full market-based rates in 2006 would not be as beneficial to consumers and businesses as was originally hoped. In response, the PUCO worked with Ohio 's energy companies to stabilize rates until the end of 2008.
The end of rate stabilization is now fast approaching, and businesses & consumers are once again faced with potential increases in electricity rates. Even COSE's discounted rates could be affected. Coalitions and working groups are being formed to tackle this difficult issue and determine a way forward that will provide fair rates for businesses and consumers.
Have you ever wanted a personal board of advisors? Learn more about becoming part of the COSE MindShare program where you will have access to a network of dedicated business owners from diverse backgrounds.
Have you ever wanted a personal board of advisors? Learn more about becoming part of the COSE MindShare program where you will have access to a network of dedicated business owners from diverse backgrounds.