Back to Business

The Grand Rapids Junior Chamber has been making a difference in Grand Rapids for decades. The organization is a group 21-40 year old young professionals. In addition to networking and talent development programs, the Junior Chamber is committed to giving back to the community. One of their biggest events of the year is the upcoming Santa Clause Parade. We had a chance to sit down with Levi Cipcic, the Junior Chamber's President to learn more about the impact the Junior Chamber makes on the community. 

Childcare is one of the number one issues preventing people from returning to the workforce. The State of Michigan's solution is a new program called Tri-Share. This program helps parents get back to work by making childcare more affordable. The program splits the cost between 3 partners: the state, the employer, and the employee.

On the final episode of our workforce development series, we learn more about the ins and outs of Tri-Share. 

Learn more about Tri-Share: https://www.michigan.gov/mwc/initiatives/mi-tri-share-child-care 

Talent attraction and development is a top concern for employers in West Michigan and across the country. We’re excited to be hosting a 3-part series on Workforce Development with resources businesses can use to strengthen their workforce.

One barrier to talent attraction and development is access to education and workforce training programs. The State of Michigan is working to address this with the Michigan Reconnect program. This program is designed to help make college more affordable for those over 25 who are seeking an education. On this episode of the podcast, we interviewed our Director of Government Affairs, Nate Henschel, and Grand Rapids Community College's Assistant Director of Adult Recruitment and Community Outreach, Jason Schueller to learn more about the ins and outs of this innovative program. 

Learn more about MI Reconnect here.

For more information or to get involved in our Workforce Development & Education committee, contact Nate Henschel, Director of Government Affairs, at [email protected].

Talent attraction and development is a top concern for employers in West Michigan and across the country.

The Going PRO Talent Fund is one way that employers can attract and retain top talent, and give them skills to succeed on the job. On this episode of the Back to Business Podcast we had a chance to learn more about how employers can utilize this money to their advantage. 

West Michigan Works! is hosting an informational webinar where you can learn more about how you can take advantage of the Going PRO Talent Fund Register here: https://westmiworks-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_z17jkUhATsyAYG80KSqZ8w 

Families come in all shapes and sizes and from all across the world. Ama International and Bethany Christian Services are working together to create welcoming environment for all in West Michigan. Whether that be working to place foster children in loving homes or helping a New American with their residency paperwork, these two organizations work in a variety of ways to help the people who need it most. 

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the largest grassroots mental health organization in the country. Their focus is on helping those who with mental illnesses or caretakers of someone with a mental illness to have access to resources and feel a sense of belonging.

On this episode of the Back to Business podcast, we had a chance to sit down with Kevin Fischer, Executive Director of NAMI of MI. Kevin explains NAMI's goals for the future, as well as the ROI for businesses who invest in their employee's mental health.

In an era where talent attraction & retention is the number one issue for employers, this is an episode you can't afford to miss!

DJ Tony Banks has been DJ-ing since he was in high school. The Grand Rapids DJ does weddings, corporate events, and more. He's been the official DJ for a few Chamber events.

On this episode of the podcast, we had a chance to sit down with DJ Tony and learn more about the ins and outs of being a DJ.

This is an episode you won't want to miss!

Dr. Richard Pappas has the big responsibility of leading Davenport University students, faculty, and staff and enabling them to succeed in the ever-changing world that we live in. 

On this episode of the Back to Business podcast, host Connor Smithee and Dr. Pappas sat down to discuss how Davenport is setting itself apart from the competition by staying innovative. The university can create a new major in 60 days to enable them to respond to changing trends in the talent market.

The Back to Business Podcast: CEO Summit Series is brought to you by Davenport University.

Talent is the top of mind issue for employers across both West Michigan and the country. Floriza Genautis is the CEO of Management Business Solutions. MBS works with employers to fill temporary and full-time positions in the West Michigan area. 

With Floriza being on the front lines of the talent shortage, we had a chance to ask her what she's seeing in the talent space, and what trends she's expecting to continue into the future.

If your organization is struggling with talent, you can't afford to miss this episode. The CEO Summit Series is brought to you by Davenport University.

On this episode of the CEO Summit Series, we spoke with Jamie Stuck. Stuck has been an elected official of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) since 2006. He was recently appointed Tribal Council Chairman and serves as the Ex-Officio Board Member of the Waséyabek Development Company, LLC.

Stuck and host Connor Smithee look closer at the work of Waséyabek and what Stuck's day to day looks like, as well as how he's working to prepare for the next 7 generations that will come after him.

This is an episode of the Back to Business podcast you won't want to miss! The CEO Summit Series is sponsored by Davenport University.