As many a Michigan worker knows, the times are changing.  Individuals and businesses need to acquire new skill sets to stay competitive in the 21st century. These changes have impacted not only the manufacturing industry, but the legal industry is also having to adapt to the new economy, especially as it relates to using technology and working in a global economy. To help both alumni and students beginning their academic careers better compete in the flattened world, Thomas M. Cooley Law School has expanded and restructured their career and professional development services by adding six professional advisors, all attorneys with experience in career development and placement.    These advisors are placed throughout the four of Cooley's campuses in the state and will help integrate new economy principles in the classroom so that students know the importance of relationship building, presentation skills, technology and effective communication, in addition to the mastery of subject matter. Cooley Law School Associate Dean Nelson Miller points out that many economic changes have impacted the legal industry. Like other service businesses, law firms and sole practitioners have to find new way to deliver their services. "They need to be more efficient and serve a more global market.  There is also more emphasis on international law and comparative law." It is not only individuals working in large firms that are faced with these pressures. Smaller firms and sole practitioners all need to better understand and utilize technology. Miller indicates there is a higher level of expectation with clients who are very tech savvy. They expect technology to be integrated in all their interactions with their law firms.  Source: Interview with Nelson Miller Writer: John Rumery

Looking for a sturdy, weather-resistant shelving unit for her herbs, Lynn Smith couldn't locate something that worked well on uneven ground. As a serial entrepreneur, this problem was only an opportunity to create something on her own. Using earrings and chopsticks to build the first prototype, she designed a model that served as a catalyst for her new invention. As the saying goes, the rest is history. <br><br>Smith and Mike Suman, owner-principles of AngleWorks, LLC, recently introduced the first product of their company,<a target="_blank" href="http://ileanstore.com/"> iLean™.</a><br><br>Their product is a sublimely simple solution to Smith's problem of needing impromptu shelving systems that can be used in a wide variety of environments. Featuring interchangeable shelves, steel support wires and multiple options for materials, the applications are limitless. <br><br>Smith states the reaction from customers, distributors and retailers has "been wildly wonderful. Everyone is enthused. They are enamored at the ease of the product." <br><br>Smith outlines how it only weighs 17 lbs., is delivered fully assembled and can be configured in a multiple ways. Smith and Suman refer to it as a "lifestyle tool" that can be used room-to-room, in the office, dorm or outside in a variety of settings.<br><br>Suman and Smith have also been surprised by a couple of applications they never thought of. "The RV industry was a pleasant surprise.&nbsp; You can buy an extra set of brackets and place (the product) outside of the motor home. It is perfect for a quick lunch setup." <br><br>Another surprise was with the retail display industry.&nbsp; Smith indicates the flexibility and design make it attractive for a point-of-purchase display. <br><br>As enthusiastic and optimistic as Suman and Smith are for their new venture, they are also very proud of the process and support system. "It was Michigan talent," they say. Besides being manufactured in Michigan, they also pointed out the legal, financial and accounting infrastructure they tapped into. <br><br>Suman explains, "since 2002, a cottage support system for inventors" has taken root. There is a "tremendous amount of talent here," citing the wealth of industrial designers who understand the dynamics of the new economy, "especially the need for speed."<br><br><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/idKnOBZTOjU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/idKnOBZTOjU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Source: Lynn Smith and Michael Suman<br>Writer: John Rumery

Dinderbeck, a made-up word that means nothing but sounds cool, is the creative moniker for a new studio and gallery space on Grand Rapids' West Side – a place where printmakers can fire up the presses, both vintage and modern, and express their artistic visions on paper. The studio, 323 Straight Ave. SW, is across the street from the former Tanglefoot Co. warehouse, which is now a hotbed of artists and art studios.With nearly 2,000 square feet of work and display space, Dinderbeck has plenty of room for artists to lease space for a private show or for those who want to rent time on the specialty printing presses: a 1951 325G Vandercook Hand Proof Press for relief printing, or the soon-to-be-refurbished Fuchs & Lang lithography press rescued from a scrap yard. An intaglio press is on the wish list. "Our first intent was to use the space as a private studio for our own work," says Brandon Alman, "but we wanted to figure out how we could use the space and generate interest within the space, so we decided to expand it and offer it to more people."Alman is a partner in the endeavor with Kyle Isbell, Trevor Hill-Rowley, Anthony Mead and Lucas Schurkamp. All of the partners are artists, four of them are printmakers and they are all students or graduates of Kendall College of Art & Design. Besides the print shop, artists can rent the studio's woodshop with woodworking tools.Dinderbeck hosted its first show in June and will be the site of "Kung Fu (hard work + reward)" on Oct. 22, featuring the works of the nine artists in The GR8 Death Squad, formerly The GR8.Source: Brandon Alman, Dinderbeck Studio, Dinderbeck GalleryWriter: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor

Hope College scientists received a major grant from the National Science Foundation to expand their work on the development of a computer assembled from off-the-shelf parts. Once finished, the computer will be housed at Hope, but will be accessible to other scientists from throughout the country. According to excerpts from the story from The Holland Sentinel: A group of scientists including Hope College chemistry professors Brent Krueger and William Polik recently received a major National Science Foundation grant to expand what's known as a "commodity supercomputer," assembled from high-end, but off-the-shelf, parts. Read the complete story here: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/topstories/x1616323356/Hope-scientists-score-300K-supercomputer-grant

The Muskegon Chronicle writes that despite the housing market crash and other horror stories brought about by the tough economic times, the renovation of a former bank in downtown Muskegon into high-rise condominiums is still planned.According to excerpts from the story:Nearly everything changed in the commercial development world with the economic meltdown in September 2008. But plans for a high-rise condominium in downtown Muskegon survived. Parkland Properties of Michigan's plans for the reclamation of the historic Comerica Bank tower at 285 W. Western have changed since the $10.5 million residential project was unveiled in mid-2008. But Parkland President Jon Rooks' resolve to complete the 48-unit bank tower project hasn't faltered. If sales and financing fall into place as Rooks suspects with the ongoing economic recovery, construction of High Point Flats could begin next spring and the building could be occupied by 2012. Read the complete story here.

John Rumery MINDSCAPE at Hanon McKendry recently completed an acquisition of Venux.net, a Grand Rapids-based firm with expertise in custom web and mobile applications software.  According to Pete Brand, the Co-Founder of MINDSCAPE at Hanon McKendry, the acquisition of Venux.Net is really a sign of the times.   In Brand's opinion, technology is changing so rapidly that organizations can't "take a week off of learning." For MINDSCAPE, "it was time to bring custom programming in-house," states Brand.   By adding the Venux.net team, their firm now has in-house expertise to rapidly meet the demands brought on by new technology.  Trending fast is the explosion in mobile technology. Many businesses are trying to figure out the best way to optimize an existing web site for a mobile device, or improve the engagement and transactions through a smart phone or tablet such as the iPad. Despite the tough economy, Brand indicates his firm has been able to grow at about 30% for the last five years.    "One reason for our growth is we are very diverse in the companies that we serve; we're really not focused on any one niche," he says. "Venux.net not only brings outstanding talent, but also adds to our geographic diversity with a concentration of clients outside of West Michigan. " Venux.net's "incredible, talented team" is an example of what Brand feels is a strength of West Michigan's workforce. "There is a tremendous creative community (of) designers, creative marketing people, in the area," he says. However, Brand cautions that "hardcore tech talent" can be a bit more difficult to find with some of these individuals having left town. As the knowledge economy continues to expand, Brand's advice to those in career transition is "to become an all-star." He stresses the need to "be extremely passionate about the industry and be a voracious learner. Everything changes." As an example, Brand points out that Google recently introduced "Google Instant," which he says is a game changer that will have a tremendous impact in search engine optimization.  "Organizations and individuals have to be flexible and adaptable," he says. John Rumery is the Innovation and Jobs Editor for Rapid Growth Media. He is an educator, board member of AimWest, WYCE music programmer, entrepreneur, raconteur and competitive barbecuer living in Grand Rapids, MI.  He can be reached at [email protected]  For story tips you can e-mail [email protected]

John Rumery

MomsinTow.com is an online community in West Michigan providing area merchant discounts and information on networking opportunities to mothers interested in maintaining an active lifestyle.  

MomsinTow.com Founder Jenny White, 29, came up with the idea for the online venture soon after she moved back to Holland, MI from Colorado with her husband, a professional cyclist, and their newborn son, Macen.

While in Colorado, White had been involved with a group of young mothers that got together for hiking and biking and supported kid-friendly stores.  Wanting to meet other new mothers in Holland, who were interested in active lifestyles with their children, White had an idea for a website that would serves a platform for these moms to interact and to share ideas, plus serve as a catalyst to meet offline as well.   

Taking it one step further, White felt that besides being a resource site, why not use this community of active moms to approach local businesses to see if they would provide discounts on their products or services in exchange for patronage by this customer base?

According to White, "merchants have loved this concept," and she has very positive and encouraging feedback from everyone she has discussed this with. 

Which is good, because White, who has no background in sales, admits to being  "very nervous" when initially approaching the business community with the idea. But, local businesses immediately saw the benefits of direct marketing to young families early in developing their purchasing patterns.

White now has a core listing of select businesses that provide discounts to members of MomsinTow.com. There is no cost to the merchant to become part of the first level of the network. White also has a paid sponsorship program for businesses that will provide them extra visibility to this community.

For the moms, in order to get these discounts, there is a $30.00 annual membership fee, soon increasing to $48.00.  White says the primary benefit of membership is to "save money at local businesses." 

White is also quick to point out these businesses are not just mom-related, but family-related. For example: "We just partnered with a plumbing firm," White says. "Moms are usually the ones at home and have to deal with the plumber."

White will be relying heavily on word-of-mouth and social media to spread the word. She points to their Facebook page as key source of marketing. 

White also is very appreciative and amazed at the help she has received from the entrepreneurial community. She recently pitched MomsinTow.com at pitch night at Startup West Michigan and took first place.

"I am just discovering the support groups for entrepreneurs," she says. "Pitch night was terrific evening."  

For more information, you can visit the MomsInTow.com or attend their launch party on Thursday, October, 14, details on their Facebook page.

Source. Interview with Jenny White

 

John Rumery is the Innovation and Jobs Editor for Rapid Growth Media. He is an educator, board member of AimWest, WYCE music programmer, entrepreneur, raconteur and competitive barbecuer living in Grand Rapids, MI.  He can be reached at [email protected]

 For story tips you can e-mail [email protected]

Deborah Johnson WoodTwo West Michigan business competitors, Kharmai Video Productions and Fresh Look Video & Multimedia, have discovered that collaborating on projects and sharing resources is a great way to make money and have fun doing it. And now, owners Navin Kharmai and Casey Stormes have moved the video production companies from individual home offices to a shared space at the Goei Center's International Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence, 818 Butterworth St. SE, Grand Rapids. The Goei Center is a renovated furniture factory that houses Eastern Floral, a banquet facility and collaborative workspaces designed to provide growth opportunities for startup businesses owned by women and minority entrepreneurs. "I am the first generation East Indian-American born here, and I was born in good old Butterworth (Hospital)," says Kharmai. "I grew up in Grand Rapids, so I like to tell people that I'm as Dutch as the next guy. Ninety-five percent of the time my skin color is not an issue with clients, and I've been really able to expand my interests in the film and video industry."Stormes operated Fresh Look for seven years in Hudsonville before moving to Grand Rapids on September 1. "Navin and I met about 10 years ago, and we've found it's beneficial to collaborate and share resources and equipment. We hire each other when we need help on projects, and offer advice on projects and a second set of eyes."Both companies provide similar services, such as HD video production for corporate clients, public relations videos, and live event production services, like video recording and playback, projection, and staging, sound and lighting. "We're a one stop shop in terms of creative new media storytelling," Kharmai says. "We looked at office spaces downtown, but they had very stark spaces with white walls, and we really liked the feel that's here – an old building that's very artsy with an urban feel."Source: Navin Kharmai, Kharmai Video Productions, LLC; Casey Stormes, Fresh Look Video & Multimedia, LLCRelated ArticlesAbandoned GR furniture factory now bustling International Entrepreneurial CenterDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Development News tips can be sent to [email protected].