Winter Networking Gathering January 12th, 2010

So many times when we hear about a networking event we think this is about having a business card to hand out to everyone. We often hear the phrase “work the room” when you are at a networking event. I particularly have found it hard to “work the room” and felt that when I spend most of my time with one or two persons at a networking event I had not done my job of promoting my business. Then a sage business person told me, that is what networking was about. Building relationships which means spending time with a person to understand their business, their drive, why they are in this business, what their hobbies are, their favorite sports teams, well you get the idea. January 12th 2010, the Highland Business Association, White Lake Township Business Association and Women In Business have dedicated 7:00pm-9:00pm at Dave & Amy’s in White Lake to allow their members the opportunity to build business and personal relationships away from all the demands of business, and personal lives. It is tempting to say, forget this networking event, after having worked a full day and the quiet and relaxation of home is calling. I would ask you to reconsider and set aside this time to find someone who may know that impossible business owner you have been trying to see or someone new whose product you may be able to use who is local and has added customer service and value than the big box store you have been using or just reconnect with an associate you have lost contact with. Start the new year by gathering with old friends and meeting new at Dave & Amy’s (www.daveandamys.com) they are located at 9595 Highland Road, White Lake, MI 48386-2314 and can be reached at (248) 698-2010. While you are there please welcome our newest members to the White Lake Township Business Association. This event is always well attended, with appetizers provided and a cash bar, so please RSVP to (248) 889-1422 so there is enough for everyone.

TGIF-Gracon Portrait Studio

Join us this Friday, December 11th between 8:00am-9:00am at Gracon Portrait Studio. If you need a map visit http://www.thehba.net for the link. Now a little bit about Gracon Portratit Studio which is owned and operated by Greg and Josephine Ockerman. Gracon Portrait Studio: have been in the same location since 1982 (that's 27 years folks) and they had nearly 12,000 photography sessions. Their portfolio includes - Family portraits which convey the special relationship of each member to each other; Child portratures flash freeze a moment in the everchanging way our children are; Pet portraiture shows their part of our families. (Joe & Greg's greeter of 14 years, Brittany, has been gone a year so they truly understand a pet's importance in the family.) If your pet won't fit in the studio on Milford Road then they will bring the studio to you, it’s your pet and your relationship that they want to capture; High School Senior Portraitures, as well as Wedding and Event photography close out their portfolio. http://www.graconportraits.com
When I look for a photographer I always have wondered why I like one portfolio over another, when going through Gracon's web site they talk about Greg being a Certified Professional Photographer having earned the Photographic Craftsman Degree from the Professional Photographers of America. Okay for me I had to know what all that meant. I was pretty impressed with the test specifications which include: CAMERA, LENSES AND ATTACHMENTS category which means he has to know both digital and film cameras, which is appropriate for the subject matter and final product; COMPOSITION AND DESIGN which covers the best color relationship to complement subject(s) to achieve the desired effects
(mood, power, size, strength, etc); then there were topics like DIGITAL POST PRODUCTION, EXPOSURE AND METERS, FILM, DIGITAL CAPTURE, OUTPUT and LIGHTING. After passing the test a portfolio of his work was submitted to a panel of judges made up of his peers for their approval. To maintain his certification, every 5 years he must participate in continuing education programs and submit his work for critical evaluation. This helps assure that certified photographers maintain their level of expertise and continue to develop new skills and techniques. On the Professional Photographers of American website they state "that there are less than 3% of all imaging professionals who have successfully completed and maintained a Certified Professional Photographer certification."
I'm impressed and the next time I want to capture that five generations picture, I'll rethink my ability to just grab my digital and do it.

Member Luncheon - Broadview Tree Farm

Highland Business Association's traditional December lunch at Broadview Tree Farm is on December 10th at Noon. Reminder dress warm, we will again be in the warming hut having hot cocoa and a casual lunch starting at noon. If you haven't gotten your tree for Christmas this is the time to do it! Again, as a previous local business I would remind you to shop locally because when you purchase at locally owned businesses rather than nationally owned, more money is kept in the community because locally-owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers and farms.

Now a little bit about our wonderful hosts for this event - straight from their website "Broadview Tree Farm www.broadviewtreefarm.com is located on 118 acres in Highland Township where wildlife abound. It is not uncommon to see deer, rabbits, pheasants, fox and occasionally coyotes running ahead of our tractors. Canadian honkers and sandhill cranes constantly cross our skyline. A little history about our luncheon site - Broadview Farm was farmsteaded by our ancestors in 1849. Cash crops and sheep were the primary endeavors until 1947 when Ott and Betty Brian planted their first Christmas trees. Through the years they covered many acres and eventually began selling them to neighbors and passersby. In 1972 their children and spouses joined in a joint Christmas tree operation, and Broadview Christmas Tree Farm became a reality. As our tree plantation grew, so did our need for help—family and friends came to our rescue and continue to do so. Each tree harvesting season they appear like helpful elves. Each weekend night everyone gathers in the kitchen to enjoy a potluck supper and talk over the day. Our farm operation involves year-round tasks, including planting seedlings, spraying for insects and weed control and pruning as well as harvesting during the holiday season. We would not be able to operate without our crew of local kids. Over the years we have watched them learn the value of hard work and take pride in their efforts, as well as have fun working together. Even after college graduation, many return to help out and share memories. The year we celebrated 50 years of choose and cut tree harvesting, we passed out a handmade Christmas tree ornament to each family as they came by our cashier window. When we gained sesquicentennial status (150 years same family line ownership), we gave out tree bags to celebrate. Over the years we have donated many Christmas trees to the community and participated in local fundraisers. We enjoy celebrating the holidays with a traditional real tree as the centerpiece and so do our families and neighbors and especially our customers, who return year after year to make more traditional holiday memories. At the present time six families live on this farm with a seventh one anticipated--the fifth through the eighth generations make the farm their home as do many pets, both dogs and cats. Broadview Christmas Tree Farm is truly a family operation."

Why belong to Highland Business Association

If you are an independent business without the funds that franchises or conglomerates have for television ads, radio ads or even online ads how do you draw traffic to your business. If have an at home business or an online business it is typically even harder to draw attention to your business. Local business associations can assist in marketing your business in a variety of ways. They have networking events throughout the month that allows members to share what they do with other members. Every member of your business association becomes a promoter of your business. Every networking opportunity is also an opportunity to let the other members know what you have to offer, so when they are talking to their clients, customers or even friends they can send business your way. The Highland Business Association is almost 200 members strong. Some of the events sponsored are TGIF Coffee Hour (second Friday of each month from 8:00am-9:00am) hosted by a local business, Luncheons (4th thursday starting at noon) hosted by a local business, 25,000 copies of the membership directories are distributed to every home and business in the Highland and White Lake Townships, listing on their website, discounted rate to participate in the Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce's Business Expo, Ladies Enrichment Day, monthly newsletters, advertising opportunites at a variety of events just to name a few.
The Highland Business Association coordinates many community service projects; such as, Red Box Food Drive, Movie Night at the Library, the Highland Christmas Tree Lighting and Sparks in the Park . The organization also awards college scholarships to outstanding area graduates.
All of these events truly support and promote your business and that may be reason enough to belong, but these activities also promote and support local communities and families. So whether you want to pay it forward because you have an established business or need assistance because you are a new struggling business consider joining the Highland Business Association where members become friend and business partners.