Monthly Message — April 2014Breaking Through the Clutter:How to Get YourFamily Business Noticedin Today’s WorldApril 17 – 7:30-9:00 a.m.Ohio Dominican UniversityCommunity Room in Alumni Hall1216 Sunbury Road, Columbus, OH 43219Advertising Age estimates that consumers are exposed to between 250 and 5,000 commercials each day from television, radio, social media and other outlets. It’s not surprising that it has become increasingly difficult for your business to connect with prospective customers. In this challenging environment, how is a family business supposed to get their message heard? When and where do your customers “tune in” and how can you make sure your message is front and center? We’ll tackle this challenge with the help of three Conway Center Service Providers and family business leaders they’ve helped. You’ll hear from Kelly Borth, of GREENCREST, Jeff and Mark Rinkov, of Rinkov Eyecare Centers, Kari Palmer, of Oxiem Brand Interactions, Chris Grosely, of Hague Quality Water, Amy Marshall, of Fathom, and Rebecca Chapman, of Integrated Building Systems. The panel will be moderated by Mark Cooper, Vice President for Marketing and Public Relations at Ohio Dominican University. Find out how you can maximize your presence on social media, utilize content marketing, manage your online brand reputation, and improve SEO (Search Engine Optimization) at this educational program that will be packed with information you can use to help your family business stand out in a crowded marketplace. RSVP to Heather Howell at Admin@FamilyBusinessCenter.com or 614-253-4820. The program is free for Conway Center members and $35 for non-members. Family business leaders attending for the first time may attend as our guest. Family Dynamics:An Inside Look at Parent/Child Relationships in Family BusinessesMay 15 – 7:30-9:00 a.m.Ohio Dominican UniversityCommunity Room in Alumni Hall1216 Sunbury Road, Columbus, OH 43219One of the most interesting (and sometimes challenging) issues family businesses face is the question of how to invite and integrate children into a family business. The cliche about the issues of every family business being unique is amplified by the difference in the kinds of business challenges that each business enterprise faces in working to be successful. In our May meeting we will talk about opportunities and pitfalls in bringing children into a family business. Three family business owners will talk about their approach to creating a path to successful integration: Chris Converse of Converse Electric will discuss what he and his dad and sister learned through the company’s leadership transition. Mark DeBellis, owner of Suburban Steel Supply, will talk about his efforts to get his son ready for leadership through mentoring, and Steve Ulrey, President of Flyers Pizza, will lay out steps he and his brothers are taking to get their children ready for a role in the highly competitive pizza business. Thaddeus O’Brien, of O’Brien & Associates, will set the stage for the discussion and moderate the panel. RSVP to Heather Howell at Admin@FamilyBusinessCenter.com or 614-253-4820. The program is free for Conway Center members and $35 for non-members. Family business leaders attending for the first time may attend as our guest. Directors’ InsightThe Conway Center recently hosted a Roundtable on “Resources and Incentives for Central Ohio Family Businesses” and two of our long-standing members, Highlights for Children and Kimball Midwest, shared information about ways they’ve been able to grow their businesses through the use of local and state incentives. One of the key points that both Kent Johnson and Dave McCurdy mentioned was that you need to investigate available incentives and involve your advisors at the beginning of your planning process. They emphasized that once you break ground or hire additional employees, it’s too late to look for incentives. You should take advantage of some of the great informational resources in Central Ohio when you are considering plans for growth. Columbus 2020, who coordinated the recent Roundtable presentation, can assess your needs and connect you to incentives and resources. In addition, you can find a list of available incentives here. Marti Brenner, of GBQ, is another great resource and she would be happy to help you explore your options. Of course, you can always count on the staff at the Conway Center to help you find local resources and provide programs focused on family business topics like succession planning, advisory boards, generational issues, leadership challenges, and more. Be sure to check out all of your options as you make plans to take your family business to the next level! Dick and Deana Summer FUN Trifecta!Family Business Night at the Clippers!Wednesday, June 18 – 7:05 p.m.Huntington ParkThe 6th Annual Family Business Night at the Columbus Clippers is coming up soon! Root for your home team as the Clippers take on the Buffalo Bisons, while you enjoy an evening with your family, employees, clients, and others who are passionate about family business. We’ve purchased a block of tickets in Sections 2 and 3 and hope you can join us. Reserved seats are $10 per ticket (adult and youth). The tickets go fast, so be sure to reserve yours by emailing your desired ticket quantity to Deana Gordon at Gordon@FamilyBusinessCenter.com or calling the office at 614-253-4820. Golf Outing with the Conway Center!Sign up now!Tuesday, July 22 – 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Little Turtle Golf ClubJoin us at Little Turtle Golf Club for a fun day of golf and family business fun and games! Your day on the course will include a golf scramble, fun competitions, and lunch, followed by drinks, appetizers, and a very special auction. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to connect with family business leaders and support the Conway Center! Tickets are $125 per person, $500 per foursome and include golf, cart, box lunch, appetizers, and 2 drink tickets. There are also sponsorship opportunities available. Founder level is $1000 and includes: one foursome, one hole sponsorship, your logo on the banner at registration, recognition in the program, and a mention in the announcements. The Next Generation Level is $500 and includes: two players’ fees, one hole sponsorship, recognition in the program, and a mention in the announcements. Hole Sponsorships are also available for $200. To register, become a sponsor, or request more information, please contact Deana Gordon at Gordon@FamilyBusinessCenter.com or 614-253-4820. Family Business Tour and Networking EventThursday, August 14 – 4:00-6:30 p.m.Spartan LogisticsLogistics are hot right now and we’re going to give you a behind-the-scenes look at a key player in this industry during the 11th Annual Family Business Tour and Networking Event at Spartan Logistics. Mark your calendar now for this always fun event – More details will be coming your way over the next few months!! Survey ResultsThank you to everyone who took the 2014 Family Business Survey. We appreciate your input on issues and challenges facing Central Ohio family businesses this year. We were happy to see that the majority of respondents have a positive outlook and are planning to hire more employees this year. If you are interested in viewing results of the survey, please click here to view a press release or an infographic Advisory Board ResourcesSeveral members have told us that they would like to find advisory board members for their family businesses. If you would like more information about starting an advisory board, are interested in serving on an advisory board, or want to meet those who are, please contact Executive Coordinator Jill Hofmans at Coordinator@FamilyBusinessCenter.com or 614-253-4820. Conway Center Peer GroupsTo sign up for any of our Peer Group meetings or to learn more about peer group opportunities contact Executive Coordinator, Jill Hofmans, at Coordinator@FamilyBusinessCenter.com or visit www.FamilyBusinessCenter.com for a full schedule of Peer Group programs. CEO Peer Group Business Development Peer Group Next Generation Leaders Peer Group Human Resources Peer Group Online Strategy Peer Group Succession Planning Peer Group Women’s Peer Group Welcome New MembersBuying Time Concierge Services Buying Time Concierge Services was established to help business owners and other individuals strapped for time. Buying Time Concierge Services is bonded and insured and offers busy people errand services ranging from dry cleaning, bank and grocery runs, to courier services, pet care and house sitting. Buying Time can serve as a right hand man to small business owners without the cost of hiring a full-time employee. Concierge services also can be a perk for company employees. Employees no longer need to leave work to take their car to the mechanic, their dog to the vet, or wait for the furnace repairman. Buying Time does that for them, saving the employee time, and increases company profitability. Real estate agents can use Buying Time to make sure each listing has clean sidewalks and drives, signage and brochures. In addition, individuals and businesses can benefit from inventory and organizational planning services provided by Jim Bemiller, who has 25 years of inventory management experience. Hylant Hylant is one of the largest privately-held insurance brokerage firms in the United States. Founded in 1935 by Edward P. Hylant, Hylant is committed to delivering long-term results through customized insurance and risk management programs. The company offers specialized services in a variety of industries, including: executive risk, property and marine, aviation, medical risk, and international coverage, and an array of personal insurance solutions. Headquartered in Toledo, Hylant’s executive team includes Patrick Hylant, Chairman of the Board, Michael Hylant, CEO, and Richard Hylant, who functions as President of the Toledo office. Additionally, Hylant has 700 employees– 40 in Central Ohio– and over 10 other family members across six states and fourteen offices. The Columbus office was opened in 1993 with Bob Brewster operating as Client Executive. Hylant is a member of Worldwide Broker Network–the industry’s largest international network of independent brokers. Welcome New Service ProviderRobin Technologies Robin Technologies is a family owned website design, multimedia and technology company, with offices located in Worthington, Ohio. In business since1998, Robintek is the primary web developer for over 250 companies nationally and has done work for many more. Robintek offers much more than a basic web design. Clients select them not only because of the excellent service and personal care, but also for their unique ability to blend custom web design with dynamic web programming that will help businesses engage their audience and automate their business processes to make them more efficient. Robintek will personally work with a company to identify and define its needs and apply web based business solutions through content management systems, marketing, e-commerce, custom programming, event registration, contact lead management and much more. Member NewsGummer Receives AWMA Hall Of Fame Award IGS Adds New CNG Fueling Station Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls Gets New Chef Kimball Midwest Planning $7.8 Million Facility Expansion, Adding 50 Jobs Velvet Ice Cream Expands Distribution To Louisville, Ky. White Castle Plans Waffle Sandwiches Interesting ReadingSpouses Are Guilty Until Proven Innocent Oscars for Family Business Advice: Stop procrastinating and start estate planning YOUR MONEY: Is succession in your business plan? Family Business Owners Must Set the Agenda (Without Micromanaging) More family businesses put reins in women’s hands Attracting and retaining top talent in a family-owned business Family business leaders who think they “know best” hinder succession process Managing the Family Business: Firing the CEO Three things family businesses do better than the rest At Family Firms, Do CEOs Work Fewer Hours? 9 Essentials for Any Family Business to Thrive Should You Keep Your Family Business in the Family? |
Upcoming Programs
Connect With UsContact UsConway Center for Family Business J. Richard Emens Deana Gordon MembershipMembership in the Conway Center for Family Business is open to all family businesses in Central Ohio. For more information on the benefits of membership, visit: familybusinesscenter.com |
