Business Expo was a success
Posted by Lake Superior Community Partnership on November 7, 2016
I have to start my column today bragging about how successful our first Business to Business Expo and Workshop was at Northern Michigan University on October 27. And it wouldn’t have been the event it was if not for our many sponsors: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Eagle Mine, Bennett Media Group, Holiday Stationstores, Peninsula Fiber Network, Semco Energy, SmartPrize, Spectrum Business, Goodwill of Northern Wisconsin & Upper Michigan, UP North Airways, Upper Peninsula Health Group, Champion, Inc., 906 Technologies, Barton and Associates, Honor Credit Union, Integrated Designs, Ojibwa Casinos, Range Bank, Select Realty, SGS Minerals, State Farm – Kara Applekamp and Jill Leonard, UP Health System and UPPCO. Add to that 39 vendors for the expo, 10 presenters and all of the attendees and you have a daylong event with something for everyone.
Our keynote speaker, Deb Muchmore from Kandler Reed Khoury & Muchmore reminded us that no matter what size business or organization, your reputation is key. You need to be deliberate and purposeful in your reputation management including being authentic, sincere and genuine in your words and actions.
She went on to talk about her work in crisis management with companies of all sectors and sizes. Messaging through the good, the bad and the ugly has to be a priority, and if done well, will keep you from your “checkmate” or “coleslaw” moments. Deb shared in depth a nine step process to managing a crisis in your business:
- Honestly acknowledge the problem
- Find a place of empathy and make an apology without using the word “but”
- Quickly get out in front and explain what happened; be brief and focused
- Affirm what you have learned about the problem and how it is influencing your next steps
- Commit to openly discussing what has happened and what corrective measures you are taking
- Provide sincere and genuine “contrition”
- Invite those impacted in; listen and resist being defensive
- Commit to zero tolerance
- Make restitution
Certainly valuable information for all those in attendance in both their personal and professional lives.
The day continued on with some outstanding breakout sessions. Do you know how many extraordinary presenters we have in this community? Don Grisham, Northstar EAP, Glenn Johnson and Rebecca Duke, Range Bank, Karyn Olsson, U.P. Marketing Department, Inc and the rest all knocked it out of the park last week. The day ended with a traditional Business After Hours open to the public with wonderful prizes donated by many of our investors.
Because off the interest and positive feedback, we are set to announce the date for the second B2B Expo. Mark your calendars for October 26, 2017!
One quick note. If you haven’t heard, last week we, along with Marquette County, announced the return of non-stop air service from Sawyer International Airport (MQT) to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) on SkyWest Airlines, operating as Delta Connection. Non-stop service to Minneapolis will return in March 2017. This new service will conveniently give Marquette residents the ability to connect to over 500 flights worldwide from Minneapolis. Retaining and growing our air service at Sawyer International is key to successful economic development and now you have another option to fly from your home airport. Please take advantage of the service offered.
Amy Clickner, CEO, writes a bi-weekly column for the Mining Journal.
