Michigan Business Network

Jeffrey Mosher speaks with Kim Bode, Owner, 8THIRTYFOUR Integrated Communications a 50 Companies to Watch award winner for 2021.

In the interview, they cover Kim's career path, the company's history, focus of the company in 2021, what winning this award means for the company, additional information, and how to contact them.

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Jeffrey Mosher speaks with Mark Greathead Superintendent of Woodhaven-Brownstown School District and President of the K-12 Alliance of Michigan of Woodhaven, MI

Their discussion covers the Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference was held recently in Lansing, with economists estimating roughly $1 billion in additional funding for the School Aid Fund in the year ahead. What does that mean for schools?

· The K-12 Alliance of Michigan is calling on legislators for a generational shift in the way schools are funded. What would that look like, and why is now the time for that?

· The School Aid Fund currently includes higher education funding. Is that how it was originally designed?

· You’ve said it’s important for the Legislature to move quickly on school funding. What’s the rush?

Jeffrey Mosher caught up with Josh Gembala, Enhanced Security Services Manager, ASK, REO Town / Lansing, MI

that recently merged with Convergence Networks/Grade A.

Their discussion covers the recent Colonial Pipeline, an American oil pipeline system that originates in Houston, Texas, and carries gasoline and jet fuel mainly to the Southeastern United States, suffered a ransomware cyberattack that impacted computerized equipment managing the pipeline. In response, Colonial Pipeline Company halted all of the pipeline's operations to contain the attack. Colonial Pipeline paid the requested ransom (75 bitcoin or nearly $5 million) within several hours after the attack. The hackers then sent Colonial Pipeline a software application to restore their network, but it operated very slowly.

Have there been other cyberattacks on US infrastructure?

To wrap this interview up, with the corporate merger mentioned earlier, how will that impact the ESS portion of ASK?

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Take a walk in your guest's (customer's) shoes and see a whole new world from their point of view! Disney cultural expert and owner of Out The Door Travel Agency, David Zanolla returns to the show for a second time! There is so much to learn and to discuss when it comes to getting customer service right, creating positive cultures, and making the right business moves!

David reminds us that simple can feel like magic, even though it isn't that magical, it's just good common sense and thinking the experiences through! This philosophy carries over to his business at Out The Door Travel, he says their goal is to ensure clients have a simple, personalized, and worry-free travel experience.

We rarely find this kind of expertise in customer service and getting the business right! We are glad he took the time to join us and you will be glad you tuned in to this edition of the Leadership Lowdown!

Chris Holman welcomes Kevin Schoen, CEO, ACD.net, Lansing, MI, to the MBN studio for a discussion about how the company adapted to and succeeded during the pandemic.

Kevin shared how they are still broadening the internet fiber placement across Michigan, and how important that is for not only family use, but business in this new age.

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Jeffrey Mosher speaks with Dirk Arends, President, Virtual Systems, a 50 Companies to Watch award winner for 2021.

In the interview, they cover Dirk's career path, the company's history, focus of the company in 2021, what winning this award means for the company, additional information, and how to contact them.

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As Michigan transitions through the initial days of the work-from-home order being lifted. Digital Wellness Expert Mark Ostach of Oakland County works with businesses and organizations to improve employee engagement and avoid burnout. He is energetic and informative.

Jeffrey Mosher has a discussion with Mark about Tips to Ease Anxiety for Back to the Office Return, and how to cope with something known as Return-phobia.

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Patrick M. O’Keefe is the Founder and CEO of O’Keefe. Mr. O’Keefe is recognized as an expert in the fields of strategic advisory services, corporate reorganization, debt restructuring, turnaround consulting, due diligence support, valuation, and litigation support.

Recently Pat was elected to the MSU Board of Trustees for an 8-year term. He served as the 100th president of the Detroit Athletic Club and was recognized as the Detroit Executive of the Year in 2018. O’Keefe was inducted into the M&A Advisor Hall of Fame and was recognized by Irish America as a top 100 Irish businessmen for four years. He serves on the DAC Foundation; is the CEO of Glycadia, a diabetes research firm in Philadelphia; and is CEO of Grow Michigan, a mezzanine fund that is backed by the Michigan Strategic Fund and 16 banks to provide financing to middle-market and minority-owned businesses in Michigan.

Pat has a lot to offer on leadership, mentorship, and his business journey. Grab a notepad and get ready to be inspired by his ideas that have been collected all along the way in his distinguished career!

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Jeffrey Mosher catches up with Lee Graham, Executive Director, Labor Management and Education, Operating Engineers 324.

The focus of the interview is around May which is Professional Trades Month. Why is it important to call attention to this topic?

They also cover:

Why are Apprenticeships – and Registered Apprenticeships in particular - so important to the future of our state?

How does working with employers themselves make a stronger workforce?

What about the impact of the pandemic on professional trades jobs?

How does an apprenticeship training program compared to a traditional college path?

As the Executive Director of Operating Engineers 324 Labor Management Education Committee you have a lot of experience with apprenticeships. Can you tell me more about the apprenticeship opportunities offered by Operating Engineers 324?

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Jeffrey Mosher speaks with Ryan Fewins-Bliss in response to Gov. Whitmer releasing the MI Blueprint for Comprehensive Student Recovery, the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) released the following statement of support: "MCAN is honored to have played a role in the creation of the MI Blueprint for Comprehensive Student Recovery, and commends the ongoing work of the Student Recovery Advisory Council of Michigan," said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, MCAN executive director. "By addressing the pandemic's impact on students in Michigan and supporting local education leaders as they create a recovery plan for their communities, the Blueprint's goals and high-leverage actions support our momentum in reaching Michigan's Sixty by 30 goal.

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