Seidman School of BusinessGrand Rapids, Michigan

John W. ReifelInterim Dean

L. William SeidmanHonorary Chair

Dwane BaumgardnerRetired, Donnelly Corporation

Charles E. BennettPolymer Products, Inc.

Carole D. BosBos & Glazier, P.L.C.

Keith R. BurnsErnst & Young LLP

John C. Canepa Crowe Chizek & Company

Edward J. ClarkAmerican Seating Company

Joseph A. DavioComerica Bank

John L. DeMariaQuoin, Inc.

Harvey N. GaineyGainey Corporation

Robert GrootersRG Companies

Doyle A. HayesPyper Products Corporation

Thomas W. Hiller BDO Seidman, LLP

Earl D. HoltonMeijer, Inc.

David HoogendornErnst & Young LLP

J. C. HuizengaWestwater Group

William W. Jack, Jr.Smith, Haughey, Rice & Roegge

Dorothy A. JohnsonAhlburg Company

Jeffrey B. KaneBDO Seidman, LLP

Derek D. KaufmanKaufman Peters, LLC

Fred P. KellerCascade Engineering

Robert L. (Buzz) KersmanLorin Industries

Christopher B. MontaguePlante & Moran, LLP

Mark P. OlesnavagePerrigo Company

Seymour K. PadnosLouis Padnos Iron & Metal Co.

Jon E. PikeBeene Garter LLP

Sharron J. ReynoldsHuntington National Bank

Nancy SkinnerNancy Skinner & Associates, Inc.

Stephen A. Van AndelAlticor Inc.

Charles C. Van LoanIndependent Bank Corporation

Curt WellsHuntington National Bank

Dan WiljanenGlobal Executive Search

DEAN’S ADVISORY BOARD

From the Dean

— John W. Reifel, Interim Dean, Seidman School of Business

A fter four years of leading SSB to the next level (see the following page), Dean David E.Mielke decided to step down as Dean this past June. Under Dean Mielke’s leader-ship SSB’s enterprise expanded, both internally in terms of program and teaching

initiatives, and externally in outreach to the community. Dave was thanked for hisvisionary service to SSB at a reception in August.

A Dean Search Committee has been formed and is in the process of recruiting our nextDean. Assuming that the search process proceeds as planned, a new Dean will assume dutieshere next July 1. Until that time, I have been appointed as Interim Dean. When I was beingintroduced as the Interim Dean at a gathering late in the summer, someone asked where Icame from. I replied that I came from the “fourth floor.” I have been an economics pro-fessor at GVSU for over thirty years. My teaching interests are in microeconomics, urbaneconomics, and public finance. My research has concentrated on an array of housingissues ranging from housing demand to discrimination in housing markets.

This year the business school will continue to modify and develop its strategic planfor AACSB International (Association for Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business)reaccreditation. AACSB adopted a revised set of criteria for business school accreditationlast spring. In contrast to the old content standards that simply required that certainsubject matter be presented to business majors, the new standards require assurance oflearning. Accredited business schools must develop not only general education and man-agement specific learning goals, but also assessment measures that can be used to measurethe amount of learning that has occurred. Feedback from these measurements must thenbe used to revise curriculum and improve learning outcomes.

The theme of this issue of Seidman Update is “knowledge is our business.” This is trulya timely theme in light of the revised AACSB standards that now stress assurance of learning.Our faculty is the key here. Faculty members are involved in the creation of new knowledge,presenting relevant knowledge to students and making sure that students understand, andsharing their knowledge in ways that will benefit the West Michigan community.

Family Owned Business Institute Family Owned Business Hall of FameCenter for EntrepreneurshipGreat Lakes Venture Quest

Partnership with U.S. Department of CommerceErnst & Young Entrepreneurship AwardsReal Estate Forecast SeminarDirect Selling initiative

SmartZone initiativesMichigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center State Headquarters/Small Bus Technology Development CenterMichigan Small Business & Technology Development Center

$3 million Public Service Commission grant E-CommerceSAP initiativeCurriculum enhancement

Strategic PlanLaw School PartnershipPizza with the DeanMaster of Science in Accounting

Professional Development SeriesRecruiting, motivating, and rewarding faculty excellenceInternational Business MajorNew Product Development

Newsmaker of the YearMove to DeVos CenterThird highest GMAT scores in State of MichiganGMAT Preparation Workshop

Seidman Dean’s Advisory BoardInternational Business ScholarsRaised entrance GPAFreshman admission for National Merit students

Increased enrollments 48% in 4 yearsRe-vamped faculty evaluation systemInternational exchange with Shanghai UniversityHired 17 new faculty

David Mielkecame … envisioned … took us to the next level.

Dave E. Mielke served as Dean of the Seidman School of Business for a period of four years. This series ofphotos attempts to chronicle his many accomplishments as he led the School to new levels. The students,faculty, alumni, business community, and friends of Seidman and GVSU have benefited in numerous waysthrough his service.

3

4Seidman Update • Fall 2003

Seidman Update is a bi-annual publication ofGrand Valley State University’s Seidman Schoolof Business, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The Seidman School offers the Bachelor ofBusiness Administration (BBA), Bachelor ofScience (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) inEconomics, Master of Business Administration(MBA), Master of Science in Accounting(MSA), and Master of Science in Taxation(MST) degrees. The school is fully accreditedby AACSB International.

Project Coordinator: Vonnie Herrera

Editors:Vonnie Herrera, Claudia Bajema

Update Faculty Advisor: Paul Lane, Ph.D., E. Seidman Chair

Graphic Design & Production:Ruth Oldenburg/Rainstick Studio

In this issue …

Faculty:6–7 The Many Facets of New Faculty8 Seidman Stars— Faculty and Staff Recognized for Excellence9 Class Acts10–11 Managing Scholarly Work: A View from the Trenches12–13 Knowledge is our Business

International:14 Building Knowledge through International Experiences15 Supporting International Activities

Seidman in the Community:16 Growing Technology Businesses through Shared Knowledge17 Celebrating Entrepreneurship17 Seidman Faculty Collaborate with The Economic Club 18–19 Faculty … Key Resource in Carrying out our FOBI Mission!

Alumni:20 Secchia Shares Project for the Millennium with SSB Alumni21 Spectrum Health CEO Defines Healthcare Value for SSB Alumni21 Seidman Alumni Board 22 Alumni Notes22 Alumni Golf Outing

Other:3 David Mielke … came … envisioned … took us to the next level.5 Seidman School Benefactor Honored in Washington, D.C.23 Great Lakes Entrepreneur’s Quest23 Seidman Business Services

Contents:

Seidman School of Business Mission StatementThe Seidman School of Business creates a rigorous learning environment with a student focus, regional commitment, and a global

perspective. The School strives to excel at innovation, the application of concepts, and the integration of knowledge.

5 Seidman School Benefactor Honored in Washington, D.C.GVSU founding father and Seidman School supporter L. William Seidman was honored in Washington, D.C. for his role in creating The Washington Campus Program 25 years ago.

6 The Many Facets of New FacultyMeet SSB’s newest faculty. Seidman welcomes nine members with diverse backgrounds and interests.

10 Managing Scholarly Work: A View from the TrenchesSSB Professor Stephen Margulis discusses the intersection of scholarship and project management with respect to editing a scholarly journal.

20 Secchia Shares Project for the Millennium with SSB AlumniAlumni visit new 1500-acre Millennium Park, which is hailed by Park Commission leader Peter Secchia as a tribute to the Millennium from a community that thinks about its future.

5 6 10 20

5www.gvsu.edu/ssb/

L.William Seidman, a founding father of Grand ValleyState University, was honored in Washington, D.C.in June at the 25th anniversary celebration of The

Washington Campus Program. GVSU representatives joinedseveral hundred others from around the country to recognizeSeidman who in 1978, with other visionary business leaders,created the program to provide public policy training forgraduate business students and corporate executives.

Grand Valley, one of eight of the original consortium businessschools, sends about sixteen graduate students to Washington,D.C. each summer to gain a better understanding of howgovernment works. Today, seventeen schools form theconsortium, including Arizona State University, Universityof California-Berkeley, University of California-LosAngeles, Cornell, Indiana University, The University ofMichigan, The University of North Carolina, PurdueUniversity, and others.

Seidman, CNBC’s Chief Commentator, also served as Chair ofthe Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation from 1985–1991,was Dean of the business school at Arizona State from 1982to 1985, and provided service to three U.S. presidents —Ford, Reagan, and G. H. W. Bush. He continues to serve as afinancial consultant in many countries.

As a founder of GVSU, Seidman played a key role in raisingover $1 million in initial funds and obtaining the charter thatcreated the University in1960. The Seidman School ofBusiness was founded through a generous gift provided by theSeidman Family Foundation in 1973 and was named after L.William Seidman’s father, the late Frank Edward Seidman, afounding partner of the accounting firm now known as BDOSeidman and advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

L. William Seidman continues to be involved with GVSU andthe Seidman School of Business.

Seidman School Benefactor Honored in Washington, D.C.

Bill Seidman at lecturn; Vice President Dick Cheney (center), and DefenseSecretary Donald Rumsfeld

David Gergen,Commentator, atlecturn; RogerPorter of HarvardUniversity; andBill Seidman(foreground)

Bill Seidmanand VicePresidentCheney

Photographs Courtesy of Doug DeMark Photography

6Seidman Update • Fall 2003

Seidman Faculty

Asli Akbulut, Assistant Professor of Management

MBA, Ankara University, Turkey; MS and Ph.D., Louisiana State,Information Systems and Decision Sciences

Research: electronic information sharing between organizationsand innovative uses of information technologies in an educa-tional setting

Alex Balan, Visiting Instructor of Economics

BS, University Politehnica, Bucharest, Romania; MA and Ph.D.,Western Michigan University, Applied Economics

Research: the effect of insurance type on the cost and use ofemergency and outpatient medical services

Denise de la Rosa, Associate Professor of Accounting

BA, Wayne State University; Master of Accountancy, Ferris StateUniversity; Master of Arts, University of Southern California;Ph.D., University of North Texas, Accounting

Research: privatization of state-owned enterprises

Vijay Gondhalekar, Assistant Professor of Finance

BS, University of Bombay, India; MBA, University of Akron;Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, Finance

Research: mergers and acquisitions, behavioral finance, andexploring issues about how the behavior of market participantsaffects security prices

The Many Facets

The Seidman School of Business is pleased tointroduce nine new faculty members this year.

www.gvsu.edu/ssb/7

of New FacultyVipin Gupta, Assistant Professor of Management

B.Com. (Hons), University of Delhi; MBA, IndianaInstitute of Managment – Ahmedabad; MA and Ph.D.,University of Pennsylvania, Managerial Science

Research: management, leadership, and entrepreneurshipin different cultures of the world; modeling the influenceof cultural forces on technological growth

Parag Kosalge, Assistant Professor of Management

Bachelor of Engineering, College of Engineering, India; Ph.D., Indian Institute of Management, MIS

Research: object oriented organizational modeling,business processes, process redesign and automation,and SAP implementation

Aaron Lowen, Assistant Professor of Economics

BA, University of Northern Iowa; MA and Ph.D.,University of Iowa, Economics

Research: to determine how real people incorporatenew information to make meaningful decisions

Jennifer Pope, Assistant Professor of Marketing

BA, College of Wooster; MBA and Ph.D., University ofTexas-Pan American, Marketing

Research: international business relationships, countryof origin, and international advertising

Dennis Stovall, Affiliate Instructor of Accounting

BS, Central Michigan University; MBA, Grand Valley State University

Research: British and Irish economies

Seidman Faculty

(Answers found below)

1. One new facultymember likessnow skiing andcycling and, infact, was his/herUniversity’s state cycling goldmedalist on the road and on the track.

2. One new faculty member is a choirdirector, plays the piano, organ, and

trumpet AND singsevery Christmas ina group called theOriginal DickensCarolers.

3. This new faculty member enjoysmaking friends in different cultures ofthe world and once sat with unknownscholars from 50 countries. Theyhave continued to interact over thepast six years, and this person servesas the PrincipalCo-Investigator ofthe worldwideGLOBE project.

Can You Match the FacultyMember to the Activity?

1. Denise de la Rosa, 2. Dennis Stovall, 3. Vipin Gupta

8Seidman Update • Fall 2003

Seidman Faculty & Staff

America’s Small Business Development Center Network rec-ognized Nancy Boese, Regional Director for the MichiganSmall Business & Technology Development Center (MI-

SBTDC), as Michigan’s 2003 “State Star.” SB(T)DC employeesfrom each state were recognized at the San Diego Conference onOctober 4, 2003. State Stars were recognized for exhibiting exem-plary performance. Nancy was identified by her peers, statewide,for making a significant contribution to the state’s SBTDCprogram, as well as for showing a strong commitment to smallbusiness. Nancy Boese represents the best of the MI-SBTDCNetwork. Region 7 of the MI-SBTDC is housed in the SeidmanSchool of Business.

Seidman Stars—Faculty and Staff Recognized for Excellence

P aul Lane was appointed as the Esther Seidman Chair forhis innovative leadership in business. The Esther SeidmanEndowment was made possible by a generous gift from the

Seidman Family Foundation in 1989 to recruit and maintainexcellent educational leadership.

Professor Lane joined the Seidman School of Business in1998 and served as chair of the Marketing Department 2000 –2002. He has chaired the MBA Curriculum Committee, launchedan E-Commerce Certificate Program for the School, and helpeddevelop the international program initiative. In addition, heheads the team for the production of the Seidman Update and hasled the School in developing new products. His service in thecommunity as a youth leader and for many social causes, inaddition to providing consulting and service to boards, brings aunique set of experiences to Seidman.

Professor Lane earned his B.A. from Earlham College, hisM.B.A. from Stetson University, and his Ph.D. from MichiganState University.

Gregg Dimkoff, Professor of Finance, wasnamed Grand Valley’s 2003 OutstandingEducator. Graduates selected Dimkoff for

the award and credit him as an astute communi-cator and intelligent observer of world capital.Dimkoff earned his Ph.D. from Michigan StateUniversity and joined Grand Valley’s faculty in1975. He was honored at the Grand ValleyCommencement ceremonies in April.

N ancy Levenburg, AssistantProfessor of Marketing, washonored as the 2003 U.S. Small

Business Administration’s MichiganAdvocate of the Year for 2003. Aspecial presentation was made to herat a luncheon hosted by the EconomicClub in Jackson, Michigan.

www.gvsu.edu/ssb/ 9

S tudents in Professor Gerry Simons’ Emerging Markets class had theopportunity to find out exactly how the Federal Government enforcestrade agreements with developing countries. Guest speaker William

H. Lash III, (left) Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Complianceat the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, shared theBush administration’s stance on pursuing trading agreements with a number of emerg-ing markets, and his own duties in ensuring that countries follow the rules of thosetrade arrangements.

S tudents in Professor Vipin Gupta’s capstone class(above) were required to interview a furniture manu-facturing firm in Grand Rapids to identify the factors

that have enabled the firm to survive in this economicallychallenging market, including the transformational strate-gies being undertaken and needed for survival in the future.

“Interviewing Brian Higgins, head of SteelcaseInternational Operations, helped us learn how a globalcompany runs and what it values,” explained Katie Foltice,Kelsey Schauman, and Melanie Thompson. Brenda Cusackshared that her group very much enjoyed interviewing theexecutive of John Widdicomb. “He was extremely respon-sive and helpful, and we think the face-to-face interview atthe company created a unique learning experience for us.”Many students were surprised at how friendly and receptive

the executives were tosharing information,and they realized thatindividuals sitting inimportant positions are“real people” working

diligently to solve theircompanies’ challenges.Collectively, the students

will make recommendationsback to the class on the policies

and strategies needed to help revive thefurniture manufacturing sector, which has been experi-encing substantial upheaval over the last couple of years.

Learning for Real

Trade-offs

Seidman Faculty

CLASSACTS

CLASSACTS

by Stephen T. Margulis [1]

Most scholars associate scholar-ship with preparing individualarticles (chapters, books)

based on the scholarly demands of con-ducting research, developing theories,evaluating and reviewing topical areas,and the like. Allow me to offer a com-plementary perspective: the managementof scholarly work (i.e., the intersectionof scholarship and project management).I will base my discussion on three yearsediting a recent (June 2003), 210-page,single issue of a scholarly journal. Thetopic was privacy [2].

How did this opportunity arise? I was usingmy sabbatical [3] to identify and readnew material on privacy. But, as I gotdeeper into privacy as a social andpolitical issue, I considered a volumeon privacy that could familiarize psychol-ogists (my doctoral discipline) withcurrent issues.

After the initiating idea, then what? I con-tacted a colleague, also interested inprivacy, to ask about co-editing an issueon privacy for the Journal of Social Issues(JSI). I chose the JSI because it is one ofthe few major journals in psychology thatallocates entire issues of the journal tospecific social issues. When it becameclear my colleague and I could not meldour ideas, he graciously allowed me topropose my ideas to the JSI. The JSIagreed that an issue on privacy wasviable. It took six months to findauthors, then to prepare a proposal. In

Seidman Faculty

10Seidman Update • Fall 2003

Managing Scholarly Work: A View from the Trenches

the 100-page proposal, the authorsdescribed their 12 articles, and I providedthe justification for both the proposedarticles and the entire journal issue.

How did you find 12 contributors? I neededto find scholars in specific areas who wereavailable, willing to work on mutually-agreed upon topics, and experienced atpublishing scholarly work. To accomplishthis, I had to know a good deal aboutprivacy and who was contributing to thefield. Because some areas were relativelynew, I also relied, in part, on networkingskills I had honed in the 1970s at a federalresearch laboratory. I had found that, bycarefully selecting the first person to call, Icould usually locate a needed expert infive or fewer phone calls. My calls andemails took me throughout the U.S. andto five cities in Canada, Europe, and EastAsia. The networking worked. In one caseit worked in an unusual way: Those Icalled convinced me there was notenough good research on my topic for anarticle. So I dropped the topic.

When I found potential contributors, Idescribed the proposed volume, and weshared our visions of their proposed arti-cles. We would then negotiate theirarticles’ coverage. I preferred a tight fitbetween our visions. A loose fit was agamble I was willing to take if a contrib-utor proposed an exciting alternative.

Unfortunately, when creating an editedwork, losing contributors is a commonexperience. I lost three authors who quitfor very different reasons. I tried to makethose lemons into lemonade. I replacedone author to ensure at least 10 articles.In the other cases, I reallocated recapturedpages to contributors. Like most scholars,mine (and I include myself) gladlyaccepted additional pages for their articles.

With everyone on board, what did it take tocomplete the journal issue? Getting pub-lished meant overcoming a sequence ofobstacles, starting with having my pro-posal approved, having articles acceptedby me and then by external reviewers, andthen having the resulting articles acceptedby me and, ultimately, by the journal’sown editor, who oversees the editors ofsingle issues.

During the article acceptance phase, I hadtwo roles: as the issue editor and as a con-tributor, each with its own scholarlydemands. As the issue editor, I must knowenough about each author’s topic to eval-uate an article’s completeness, coherence,sources, and persuasiveness, the qualityand organization of arguments, and eventhe mechanics of formatting. When I edit,I review articles from the author’s perspec-tive and aim for a published product thatmakes the author look good. Editingrequires negotiation, tact, diplomacy, andhelping my authors in any way I can. For(most) authors, getting published meansaccepting requests to revise their manu-scripts. However, there are limits to anauthor’s willingness to comply. I lost twoauthors because their tolerances wereexceeded. Consider the following: myauthors were being asked to make revi-sions by me, external reviewers appointedby the journal, and finally by the journal’seditor, often more than once. Tolerancescan be exceeded. As a contributor, I facedthe same demands as my other authors.There is much time and effort invested inidentifying, obtaining, and closely readingarticles and books, and in writing andrewriting and the constant hard thinkingand “sweating the details.”

Why did it take three years? I initiallyexpected the process to take two years.However, when I replaced an author

halfway through the process, I started anew clock that extended my end date.Fortunately, this author completed hisinitial manuscript relatively quickly, aplus. In addition, one author, a very seniorscholar, was to provide a capstone articlethat would present the “big picture” onprivacy and, in it, incorporate the contri-butions of the other contributors. The JSIencouraged this option. The wrinkle wasthat the author decided he could notbegin his article until he received all thearticles in final or near-final form. Thatreally extended my end date. Ironically, ashe prepared his drafts, his article trans-formed from a capstone into a stand-alonearticle. Fortunately, the journal’s editorapproved a shift in role (and what provedto be a fabulous article).

Final thoughts. I am relieved the process isover. Editing and authoring were moreperspiration than inspiration. I am pleasedthat the journal issue is published. If andwhen it will have an impact is for thefuture to say. I gave it my best shot, but Iam also the guy who said about a peer’storrent of scholarly twaddle, “How manytrees died for his sins?”

[1] The author is in the Management Department, Seidman School of Business. [2] The publication is “Contemporary Perspectives on Privacy: Social, Psychological, Political,” Journal

of Social Issues, 2003, volume 59, number 2. For a free copy of the introductory essay and information on ordering the volume, please send an email to Margulis@gvsu.edu.

[3] It is time off for full-time scholarly activity, granted after seven years of full-time teaching, hence called a sabbatical.

www.gvsu.edu/ssb/11

12Seidman Update • Fall 2003

Seidman Faculty

www.gvsu.edu/ssb/13

Seidman faculty are

… Teaching 263 classes in Grand Rapids,Allendale, Holland, and Muskegon fall of 2003

… Responsible for the delivery of 26,919 credithours fall of 2003

… Mentoring and serving as role models for2,656 business students fall of 2003

… Directing or mentoring students for study in9 countries

… Serving on 63 SSB and University committees

… Publishing at a rate of 119 articles, books,and proceedings per year

… Making presentations at a rate of 54 conferences per year both nationally andinternationally

… Participating in more than 52 professionalorganizations and societies

… Writing business columns and regularly interviewing with local media

… Performing community service for more than30 organizations or causes

Seidman faculty are

… Creating a rigorous learning environmentwith a student focus, regional commitment, anda global perspective

… Striving to excel at innovation, the application of concepts, and the integrationof knowledge

Seidman faculty are

Committed

Seidman Update • Fall 2003

How do faculty facilitate learning inan international environment? Inthe summer of 2003, GVSU spon-

sored a number of programs around theworld. Four Seidman faculty members ledtwo of those programs. Gerry Simonsfacilitated an MBA course in France; whileJoe Godwin, Paul Lane, and JaideepMotwani traveled to England with a groupof undergraduate students.

What does it take to impart knowledgeand to facilitate a successful learningexperience in another country? Facultymembers give a great deal of thought tomodifying the syllabus to take advantageof the unique environment. Considerationis also given to a location for the classes.Is the most ideal site a classroom or acompany, or perhaps a museum, a bank, abusiness association, or a local school?

Different cultures offer opportunities aswell as challenges. What is it like to havea lecture from a French professor? How

are students prepared for understandingthe country’s culture? Joe Godwin founda wonderful video series on the historyof the British Isles and the UnitedKingdom that primed students for theirvisits to the palaces, castles, Romanruins in Bath, and Stonehenge.

Given the brevity of the programs, whatexperiences optimize learning about cultureand international business? Last yearstudents studying in London were ableto meet with representatives of HermanMiller in Bath, Wolverine Worldwide,Deutsche Bank, International AccountingStandards Board, and many others.

What historical monuments or resourcesare available? Museums have turned outto be favorites. This year the Londongroup visited the historical Londontheater district early, and the studentstook over from there, organizing manynights of theater events for themselvesand faculty. The financial district was

toured, including business monumentslike the Bank of England and Lloyds ofLondon. The Globe Theater featured anevening of Shakespeare, and the open airtheater at the famous Regent’s Park wasincluded for a light musical, “HighSociety.” Some visited St. Paul’s to see highchurch, Anglican style, and some traveledinto the country for the small villages andPerry Green, the home of the famoussculptor, George Moore.

Program leaders are challenged to moti-vate students to explore more and more.Not only did students fan out all overthe UK, visiting the Lake Country andseashore, but they also covered manyother European countries includingSpain, Italy, Switzerland, France,Germany, and Holland. Some studentstraveled to explore, while others followedsports to Wimbledon, the Scottish Open,and the Tour de France. All shared inthe richness of knowledge acquired in adifferent environment.

14

Seidman International

Building Knowledgethrough InternationalExperiences

Above left, Barcelona tour; left, London tour; above, London financial district tour

15www.gvsu.edu/ssb/

Seidman International

SSB’s International Business Programand the Van Andel Global TradeCenter recently received a federal

grant of $161,000 for two years to supporta new project called I-TEAM2. I-TEAM2,International Trade Education andAssistance in West Michigan 2, is thesecond phase of a similar initiative thatended in June 2003. I-TEAM2 is a neweffort that will enrich international businesseducation at SSB and provide internationaltrade assistance to the business communityof West Michigan. I-TEAM2’s goal is tostrengthen our competencies, develop inno-vations, and apply our expertise ininternational business education to activi-ties targeted to students, faculty, and thebusiness community of West Michigan.

Carol Sánchez, SSB associate professor ofmanagement and director of internationalbusiness programs, and Jeff Meyer, execu-tive director of the Van Andel GlobalTrade Center (VAGTC) are co-directors ofI-TEAM2. “On the academic side, ourbiggest goal is to help more SSB studentsstudy abroad and develop their capabilitiesto do business internationally,” Sáncheznotes. “We will do that by developing ourstudy abroad programs, providing scholar-ships, and encouraging our faculty to getmore international teaching and researchexperience as well.”

I-TEAM2’s success is its collaborativeapproach that brings together several GVSUunits, West Michigan companies, and com-munity organizations. Key GVSU unitsinvolved, in addition to SSB and VAGTC,

are the Modern Languages Department andthe Padnos International Center. WestMichigan organizations involved includeclient companies of the VAGTC, the WestMichigan World Trade Association, theWorld Affairs Council, the Michigan SmallBusiness Development Center, the GrandRapids Area Chamber of Commerce, andthe U.S. Department of Commerce. Thiscreates a sizeable support network toaccomplish three common objectives:

1. To create and expand international business activity among small and medium-sized firms in West Michigan. Activities include training in trade management and individual trade counseling with local small andmedium-sized companies.

2. To strengthen the quality and quantity of international business education at SSB. Activities include an “Early Interest” program in international business for freshmenand sophomores, and new under-graduate and MBA courses in international business.

3. To improve the competencies of GVSU faculty to teach international business and languages. Activities include programs for faculty to improve teaching international business and language for business,research support, and new study abroad programs.

The Accounting and FinanceDepartment of the CracowUniversity of Economics

(CUE) and the Accounting &Taxation Department of GrandValley State University co-hostedan international conference onGeneral Accounting Theory April23–25, 2003, at CUE in Cracow,Poland. Three GVSU faculty fromthe Accounting & TaxationDepartment presented papers thatwere also published in the confer-ence proceedings. Joe Godwin andSteve Goldberg presented“Understanding German FinancialStatements: Surviving CultureClash.” Sue Martin presented“Accountability in FinancialReporting and Independence inAuditing for Governmental Units inthe USA.” The conference attractedscholars from throughout Poland,Europe, the USA, and Australia.

Left to right – George Staubus UCLA-Berkeley, Belverd Needles DePaulUniversity-Chicago, Stephen Goldberg GVSU,Susan Martin GVSU, Mieczylaw Dobija CUE,Joseph Godwin GVSU, and Shayam Sunder –Yale University – New Haven.

Cracow, Poland

GVSU students visit the beautiful countryside of the French Alps in Grenoble.

SupportingInternational

Activities

International Trade Education and Assistance in West Michigan

Seidman Update • Fall 2003

Seidman in the Community

T oday’s small technology businessesare challenged with issues such aspreparing for alternative financing

and developing a comprehensive businessplan. What may seem basic to some isimperative for a company’s success. It hasbeen demonstrated that the entrepreneurwho plans is the entrepreneur who suc-ceeds. For this reason alone, the MichiganSmall Business & TechnologyDevelopment Center (MI-SBTDC) andVarnum Consulting provided a uniqueplatform for both high-growth and flatlining small technology businesses togain hands-on knowledge from localventure capitalists and business execu-tives through a four day “boot camp”— NxLeveL™ Growth.

NxLeveL Growth participantscompleted a business plan to act as aroadmap for future growth, whileimplementing their ideas in a dynamic,interactive environment. They receivedcoaching from successful area businessowners on topics such as learning theintricacies of structuring equity anddebt, marketing, and dealing with thesoft economy. The four-week coursealso provided business owners with theunique opportunity to interact withangel investors and venture capitalists.By presenting their business to a teamof venture capitalists and businessexecutives, business owners receivedfeedback on how to improve their pre-sentations, as well as determine theessential factors that investors evaluateand how to improve in those areas.

NxLeveL Growth participants wereprovided with market research via theSeidman School of Business - InformationServices. Such research allowed businessowners to analyze market trends, customerdemographics, and competition in an effortto improve their businesses and/or identifybusiness opportunities. In addition, courseparticipants were provided with one-on-one, confidential counselingthrough the MI-SBTDC.

Through counseling and workingthrough the course materials, severalbusinesses found that they had losttheir focus following the downturn inthe economy. However, like many creativeservice businesses, they had a wide rangeof talent that was not being utilized to itsgreatest potential.

To date, NxLeveL has assisted over26,000 entrepreneurs nationwide. TheNxLeveL Training Network™ is a group oforganizations engaged in entrepreneurialtraining, including Small BusinessDevelopment Centers, Chambers ofCommerce, business incubators, etc. It is aclearinghouse for many diverse groupsinvolved in various aspects of assistingbusinesses and promoting community andeconomic development.

— Jill Wallace, Michigan Small Business &Technology Development Center

For more information, please call616.331.7370 or visit

www.misbtdc.org/region7 http://www.misbtdc.org/region7

The October 2002 class (L to R): Ray Lokers, Surge Medical; Ron DeVries, Surge Medical;James Bodenner, Varnum Consulting; Clark Anderson, AJ Boggs and Company; Bob Jacobs,VI Engineering; Chris Willis, Media 1 Interactive, Inc.; Jim Slicker, Microstar; Larry Brannan,Corporate Computer, Inc.

“One of the suggestions shared by aventure capitalist was the establishmentof an advisory board of directors. Iwasn't sure how to establish a board andwhat liabilities were involved, both for mycompany and for potential boardmembers. The course gave me solidguidelines in the establishment of aboard, and within forty-five days of com-pleting the course I recruited six trustedadvisors. We meet quarterly and theirinput has become extremely valuable.” — Larry Brannan, PresidentCorporate Computer, Inc.

“NxLeveL Growth forced us to face ourproblems head on, analyze them, andcreate a plan of attack. It has been difficult,but by removing the miscellaneous mar-keting and web development projectsfrom our sales offerings and focusing oneLearning, we have begun to develop aunified message in our sales and mar-keting efforts. The hard work back at theoffice continues to go on in our sales andmanagement team and with the develop-ment team, as they adjust to majorchanges in the type and scope of pro-jects we bring on board. However, as Itell them, growth and change — theseare the kinds of problems you want toface in business.”

— Chris Willis, President/CEOMedia 1 Interactive, Inc.

Growing Technology Businesses through Shared Knowledge

16

www.gvsu.edu/ssb/17

The Second Annual West Michigan Ernst & YoungEntrepreneur of the Year Awards paid tribute to all areaentrepreneurs and recognized eight winners at a special

black tie event held at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. TheSeidman School of Business was pleased to partner withErnst & Young; The Grand Rapids Business Journal; Miller,Johnson, Snell & Cummisky, P.L.C.; Marsh Inc.; NationalCity Bank; and WOOD Radio to promote and celebrateentrepreneurship.

Awards were presented to entrepreneurs who havedemonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in areassuch as innovation, financial performance, and personalcommitment to their businesses and communities. Winnersare eligible to compete for one of several national awardspresented at a gala hosted by Jay Leno in Palm Springs,California in late fall.

Seidman in the Community

The Economic Club of Grand Rapidsand the Seidman School of Businesshave a long-standing relationship

dating back to the founding of theEconomic Club in 1976. Seidman’s activeinvolvement with the Economic Clubincludes the chairmanship in 1984 of Dr.Marvin DeVries, then Dean of the SeidmanSchool of Business. DeVries was alsoinstrumental in the development of anessay contest, first held in 1978, that hasgrown to be the largest essay contest inWest Michigan. The Seidman EnrichmentFund also supports the Economic ClubSpring Essay Contest.

Each year a current economic topic isdetermined, and contest information is dis-tributed to all public and private highschools in Kent County. Cash prizes areawarded first place, second place, and up to12 third place winners selected by ajudging committee. Matching cash awardsof more than $8,000 are given to thewinners’ schools to support the teaching ofeconomics. The winners are announced at one of the Club’s bi-weekly luncheon

meetings attended by three to fivehundred local business professionals,where the keynote speaker addresses thecontest topic. Dr. Jim Sanford, Professorof Business Law, has been an activemember of the Essay Committee and ajudge for the past seven years.

The Economic Club also offers fourcollege scholarships to area students pur-suing a major in economics or anotherbusiness field, as well as two study abroadscholarships. All applicants must submit anessay and meet established criteria forfinancial need, grade point average, andextracurricular activity. Often the scholar-ship winners ultimately attend GVSU andearn degrees through the Seidman Schoolof Business.

Lorna Schultz, Executive Director ofthe Economic Club, stated, “The SeidmanSchool of Business has been an invaluableresource to the Economic Club of GrandRapids, and everyone appreciates Seidman’sinvolvement and support of our economicmission in the West Michigan area.”

Seidman FacultyCollaborate with The Economic Club

Celebrating

Entrepreneurship

Front row: Richard Davis, Second Chance Body Armor, Inc., Manufacturing categorywinner ; Donald Nugent, Graceland Fruit, Inc., Master winner; Stanley Wisinski III,Real Estate - Development; back row: John Loeks Jr., Celebration! Cinema,Consumer & Business Services; Greg DeHaan and Scott Sanderson, Allen EdwinCompany, Real Estate - Construction; Lisa Wehr, OneUpWeb, InformationTechnology; Michael Snodgrass, Distribution.

F amily businesses make up 89% of all businesses in the U.S.and three-quarters of the firms worldwide. They represent64% of the GDP, employ 62% of the U.S. workforce, and

they represent one third of the firms within the S&P 500. Yet,statistics show that the survival rate from one generation ofleadership to the next is only 30%.

Popular opinion among many business people, consultants, andeducators is that when family and business are interrelated, aless efficient business enterprise generally results. Many ask: “Isfamily management contrary to the fundamental American creedadvocating free competition, equality of opportunity, and thebest person for the job? Does family influence contradict allprecepts of professional management?”

The creation of the Family Owned Business Institute (FOBI) atGrand Valley State University was borne out of the collectivebelief that family businesses — large and small — are the cor-nerstone of a community’s prosperity and a vital ingredient in itsquality of life. By providing support through research, curriculum,and knowledge management, the Institute serves to develop,retain, and expand the understanding of family businesses withinour communities.

Faculty research is the key to uncovering the truth underlyingthese discussions. Recent and growing academic research con-cludes that the family business enterprise is an efficient form ofmanagement and ownership structure that most often outper-forms the non-family organization. To further facilitate this lineof rigorous inquiry, the FOBI created its Research ScholarsProgram. This competitive program provides two $5000research awards annually.

Since the inception of the program, the Institute has spon-sored nine faculty scholars. In 2003, the Research ScholarsProgram was opened up to include colleagues from the worldcommunity. As a result, the Institute received over 40 applica-tions from as far away as Australia, Canada, Great Britain, andItaly. This breadth of participation is an indication of strongand growing interest in family business research. Recently, theFOBI Advisory Board approved expansion of the program byincreasing the number of annual Scholarships to four $5,000awards. We anticipate even further faculty participation andlook forward to their critical review of family business issuesin our region and around the world.

A summary of our current FOBI Scholars and their researchtopics follows.

Professors Sid Barton, Glen Kreiner, and ChamuSundaramurthy - University of CincinnatiProject: Governance in Family BusinessThis is an interdisciplinary project that draws on major researchstreams from organizational behavior, corporate strategy, organi-zation theory, psychology, and family business. The study is parttwo of a three-part research project that examines the tensionsbetween the “family” and the “business” identities inherent infamily businesses.

Professor Yatin Bhagwat – Grand Valley State UniversityProject: Investigation of Differences in theManagement of Founding Family ControlledFirms between Founders and Their DescendantsThis study aims to identify the differences

between the founding and the successive generations in familybusinesses on the basis of performance, risk, and value.

Professor Jim Lee –Texas A&M University – Corpus ChristiProject: Family Businesses and Employment StabilityThis study examines the effect of family owner-ship on employment stability over time,particularly during a cyclical downturn.

18Seidman Update • Fall 2003

Seidman in the Community

Faculty…Key Resource in Carrying outour FOBI Mission!

Professors Nancy Levenburg and SimhaMagal – Grand Valley State UniversityProject: A Framework for Evaluating e-Business Applications for Family-Owned BusinessesThis study examines the types of e-businessapplications that are implemented byfamily-owned businesses, the influence ofselected characteristics on the types of e-business applications utilized, and whichapplications appear to be most beneficialto these businesses.

Professor JaideepMotwani, – Grand ValleyState UniversityProject: SuccessionPlanning Practices in SME’sThis study examines the

importance of succession planning in WestMichigan family businesses, specificallysmall and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Professor RamSubramanian, – Grand Valley StateUniversityProject: Is MarketOrientation Related to

Performance? An Empirical Analysis ofFamily-Owned BusinessesThis project aims at studying marketorientation of family owned businessesand its impact on growth in revenuesand ROI capital.

Seidman in the Community

www.gvsu.edu/ssb/19

In support of our SSB faculty, leaders from theGrand Rapids family business community recentlyjoined forces for a panel presentation entitled,

“Preparing Future Leaders within Family OwnedBusinesses: The Family Member’s Perspective andExperience.” The presentation was part of the annualmeetings of the Family Firm Institute (FFI). Thehighly successful program featured Grand Rapidsfamily business leaders John Jackoboice of MonarchHydraulics Inc., Jim Gordon of Gordon FoodService, and Len Slott of Vi-Chem Corporation.

Monarch Hydraulics (www.monarchhyd.com) is theoldest family firm in Michigan and the 64th oldestin the U.S. and is an industry leader in the manu-facture of hydraulic power units and ergonomicequipment. Gordon Food Service (www.gfs.com) isthe largest privately held food service distributor inNorth America with worldwide operations. Vi-ChemCorporation (www.vichem.com) serves globalcustomers in the manufacture of engineered vinyland thermoplastic elastomers compounds.

During the meetings, SSB faculty members JaideepMotwani and Ram Subramanian presented theirresearch entitled “How Market Oriented are FamilyFirms?” and Jeff Meyer of the Van Andel GlobalTrade Center participated in the workshops. TheFamily Owned Business Institute serves as a majorsponsor of FFI’s research publication, the FamilyBusiness Review. Faculty also serve on FFI’s Body ofKnowledge Committee, help foster FFI serviceprovider study groups, and are part of a web consor-

tium of partners bringing forth asingle worldwide web portal forfamily business issues.

Faculty and Family Firms Combine forPresentation in Toronto, Canada

Left to right: Tom Schwarz (Seidman Schoolof Business); Jaideep Motwani (SeidmanSchool of Business); John Jackoboice(Monarch Hydraulics); Jim Gordon (GordonFood Service); Jeff Meyer (Van Andel GlobalTrade Institute); Len Slott (Vi-Chem)

Peter Secchia

Area children hand-paintedthe tiles (below) that adornthe bathhouse at the Park.

Seidman Update • Fall 2003

Seidman Alumni

20

It was a chilly fall morning when Seidman alumni metfor the first of the 2003–04 breakfast series at the newMillennium Park to hear the Secchia Park Commission’s

leader relate the history of and future plans for MillenniumPark. Former U.S. Ambassador to Italy and Chairman of theBoard of Universal Forest Products, Inc., Peter Secchiashared his passion for this significant community project.

Established to honor the past, look to the future, and cele-brate the Millennium, the new park will eventually extendfive miles from John Ball Park to Johnson Park and willreturn approximately 1,500 acres of industrial land topublicly owned, urban, green space. It touches fourcities: Grand Rapids, Walker, Grandville, and Wyoming,and will be more than twice as large as New York’s CentralPark. Like the eventual population redistribution andgrowth around New York’s Central Park, it is envisionedthat as the metropolitan area continues to move towardthe west, Millennium will become a centrally locatedpark. And what a park it is!

Clean water for swimming and fishing, meadows, play-grounds, picnic areas, beach houses, canoe and bike trails,recreation areas of all kinds, gardens, pavilions for recep-tions and parties — this park has everything, and it’s allstate-of-the-art. It’s also free to the public. Secchia sharedthat, with no advertising, between 7,000 and 10,000 peopleof all ages and socioeconomic groups visited the Park thefirst two weekends that it was open in late summer.

The Park is a product of millions of state, county, and citydollars, but in true West Michigan style, the differencebetween a good park and a great park has been the privatemoney, which has supported such features as an adventureplayground, a “spray” ground, and a clock tower.

Spearheaded by Secchia and others, new and exciting Parkfeatures are materializing, and benefactors continue tocome forward. Plans are in the works for a ferris wheelthat will overlook the surrounding cities — and more,much more! Secchia envisions that Millennium Park willbe featured in national magazines in the future and hailedas a tribute to the Millennium from a community thatthinks about its future.

Secchia SharesProject for theMillennium withSSB Alumni

Millennium Park willbe more than twice aslarge as New York’sCentral Park.

… the $1.5 trillioncost of healthcare

in 2002 is projectedto be $2.6 trillion by

2010, when the numberof Americans over the age of

55 will increase from 61 millionin 2002 to 75 million.

It’s an exciting time in healthcare. Americans areliving longer, and new drugs and technology aresignificantly improving our quality of life.

Current research promises even more techniques,therapies, and disease prevention measures. So saysMichael Freed, Executive Vice President and ChiefFinancial Officer of Spectrum Health and a 25-year-veteran of the healthcare industry.

Freed shared his perspectives on the current state ofhealthcare at the second of the 2003–04 AlumniBreakfast Series. He discussed a consequence of

Americans living longer and having access to new technology and drugs — rising costsof healthcare. In fact, the $1.5 trillion cost of healthcare in 2002 is projected to be $2.6trillion by 2010, when the number of Americans over the age of 55 will increase from61 million in 2002 to 75 million. Rising costs are causing purchasers, primarilyemployers, to make difficult coverage and benefit decisions. Spectrum Health isresponding with its vision to lead Michigan in healthcare value by delivering the finestcombination of quality, service, access, and cost.

Spectrum defines healthcare value with four factors. Its quality standards are determinedby the risk-adjusted outcomes of the highest volume medical conditions for which

patients are admitted. An investment of $567 million in infra-structure and new technology is planned through the year2007. Since the Butterworth-Blodgett merger, Spectrumpatients and insurers enjoy among the lowest hospital

prices in Michigan, with a 1.5% annual increase accomplishedthrough $373 million in hospital operating efficiencies. A fourthmeasure of value, community commitment, is demonstrated bySpectrum’s service to the needy. In fact, Spectrum provides moreindigent care than all but one other hospital in Michigan.

The value of healthcare in West Michigan has not gone unnoticed,as evidenced by the eighth place national ranking that GrandRapids enjoys with respect to trust in its hospitals.

www.gvsu.edu/ssb/21

Claudia Bajema

Chris Barbee

Sharon Buursma

David Casey

Mark Coaster

Mark Derwent

Emery Freeman

Kirby Fuller

Jim Gillette

Glenn Good

Kathleen Guider

Kathy Gulembo

Vonnie Herrera

Craig James-Heer

Mildred Johnson

Ken Kolbe

Mark Kubik

Tony Lawrence

Chris Lipka

Jonathan Nelson

Amy Norkus

Steve Peterson

John Reifel

Sharron Reynolds

Mike Rosloniec

Bill Smith

Sue Stoddard

Marsha Visser

Kathy Vogelsang

Seidman School of Business Alumni Board

Seidman AlumniSpectrum Health CFO Defines Healthcare Value for SSB Alumni

22 Seidman Update • Fall 2003

1980sKelly Israels (’89 B.B.A.) has accepted a position asproduct analyst with Meijer Inc. of Grand Rapids.

John Marquis (’84 M.S.T.) was named one of the“Best Lawyers in America” in the 2003-04 edition ofBest Lawyers, which bases its listings on a yearlongsurvey of attorneys. He is employed at WarnerNorcross & Judd LLP in Holland.

Paul Nicholson (’87 B.B.A.) is an AccountRepresentative with the Wausau InsuranceCompanies for West Michigan.

Christopher Wolter (’88 B.B.A.) is the SeniorManager of Federal Income Taxes for The BoeingCompany. Chris works in the company’s worldheadquarters located in Chicago, Illinois.

1990sZachariah Brevis (’99 B.B.A.) was promoted to internprogram manager/grassroots assistant director for theArmenian Assembly of America in Washington, D.C.

Carol A. Crawford (’98 M.B.A.) has joined TheAlternative Board (TAB) as a certified facilitator forthe West Michigan area. She also manages her owncompany, The Crawford Group, Co., LLC, and is amember of the faculty of the University of Phoenix,teaching courses in management, human resources,and organizational behavior.

Edwin Darrell, Jr. (’96 B.B.A., ’98 M.Ed.) hasaccepted the position of remittance analyst consul-tant at Met Life in Tampa, Florida.

Kalyn Redlosk (’98 B.B.A.) received a law degreefrom Michigan State University-Detroit College ofLaw. Kalyn is an associate attorney at Miller,Canfield, Paddock and Stone PLC in Kalamazoo.

Kathy Vogelsang (’95 B.B.A., ’99 M.B.A.) hasaccepted a new position as Vice President/SeniorPortfolio Manager in the Wealth ManagementGroup at Fifth Third Bank.

Anne Marie Worfel (’98 B.B.A.) has accepted aposition as Product Analyst at Meijer Inc. inWalker.

Amy Ziel (’98 B.B.A.) has joined the humanresources department at Macatawa Bank as a humanresources generalist.

2000sMelanie J. Anderson (’03 B.B.A.) is working parttime at University of Michigan, while attending U ofM to earn her Master of Science in Information. Shehopes to be a Reference Librarian and eventually aLibrary Administrator.

Sarah Brenner (’99 B.B.A., ’02 M.B.A.) is the firststudent to complete the dual JD/MBA throughMSU/DCL and the Seidman School at GVSU. Sarah

passed the Michigan bar exam May 2003 and joinedthe law firm of Raymond, Enwright & Ulrich, P.C.,located in Farmington Hills, as a Junior Associate.

David DeVore (’02 B.B.A.) is the area sales managerfor OnStar, a General Motors Company, and XMRadio for the San Francisco and Hawaii regions.

Scott Pawlowski (’01 B.B.A.) is a ClaimsRepresentative for the Social Security Administration,Holland field office. He specializes in determiningapplicants’ eligibility for federal social insurancebenefits through interviewing applicants applyingfor retirement and disability insurance benefits.

Stephanie L. Sloan (’02 B.B.A.) has accepted aposition with Sam’s Club in Comstock Park as theOperations Manager.

Rachelle Warrick (’99 B.B.A., ’03 M.B.A.) waspromoted to SAP HR project implementation teamleader at Holland USA Inc. of Muskegon. Rachellehas worked in the human resources departmentfor three years.

Peter Whitehead (’03 B.A.) received a fulltuition scholarship to attend Michigan StateUniversity Law School.

Please send us news about you! Send your information via e-mail to

SSBalumn@gvsu.edu

Anxious golfersawait the startof the annualSSB AlumniAsscociationgolf outing atEgypt ValleyCountry Club

Alumni Notes

W est Michigan has a long history of entrepreneurship. From our pioneeringancestors in the fur and logging trades to those who put furniture, soap, andfood in offices and homes across America, West Michigan entrepreneurs

have changed the world.

Today’s entrepreneurs continue the dream … and you can be part of it! Great LakesEntrepreneurs Quest (GLEQ) brings together Michigan’s finest entrepreneurs withthe consultants, angels, and venture capital industry through its trainings, net-working, and business plan competition.

Now in its fourth year, the Quest has provided more than 2,300 people with trainingsessions and given away nearly $500,000 in prize money. Entrepreneurs have con-nected with resources, businesses have been launched, and capital has been raised.

Each year’s Quest provides free instruction, coaching, and educational materials, allaimed at helping participants put together a reality-based plan and to learn thespecifics of launching a business in Michigan. GVSU has taken the lead in streaminglive training video from its Grand Rapids campus to locations throughout the stateincluding Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan University in the Upper Peninsula.

GVSU’s faculty and staff are serving as trainers, coaches, judges, event hosts, and Boardmembers. The SSB, through its Center for Entrepreneurship and the Small BusinessTechnology Development Center, was one of two founding university members (in part-nership with the University of Michigan), and served as co-managers of the program forthree years. Other sponsors include the Dow Foundation, the Kellogg Foundation, theMichagan Economic Development Corporation, and McKinsey & Company.

If you have the drive and the dream, the resources are available with a click on yourkeyboard. Visit the website www.gleq.com and take the next step to making your ideaa reality.

www.gvsu.edu/ssb/ 23

Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center616.331.7370 www.www.misbtdc.org• No-cost one-to-one business counsel• Low-cost small business seminars• Market research• Referrals to business development resources• Small business advocacy

Information Services616.331.7370 www.gvbizinfo.com• Demographic profiles of GR and Lakeshore• Customized research services• Market data/business related information• Online commercial databases

Family Owned Business Institute616.331.7200 www.fobi.gvsu.edu• Research• Family business resource center• Family business coursework

Ethics Center616.331.7449• Business ethics roundtables• Seminars and workshops• Research• Ethics coursework

Other Partners in Outreach—

INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE:

Van Andel Global Trade Center616.331.6811 www.vagtradecenter.org• Conferences, seminars, and workshops• Custom/Contract training• Certificate programs• Electronic resource room• Import/Export counseling

U.S. Dept. of Commerce Export Assistance Center616.458.3564• Export counseling• Trade finance assistance• Conferences, seminars, and workshops• Market research• Export market representation

Partnerships Serving the Business Community

Michigan Works! West Central 616.331-7370 (to schedule an appointment)Small business counsel in area of procurement/government contracting

Kent Area MicroBusiness Loan Services (KAMLS)616.771.6880233 E. Fulton, Suite 101Loans between $1,000 and $35,000 for Kent Countystartup and young “pre-bankable” businesses

SBA Business Information Center 616.771.6880233 E. Fulton, Suite 101A one-stop shop for entrepreneurs to access resourcesto build their business or launch their company

SEIDMANBUSINESS SERVICES

…outreach to the Greater Grand Rapids Business Community

Join colleagues and friends from many professions, including: Business • Government • Manufacturing • Education • Health Care

Science • Engineering • Liberal Arts • Social Services

Short-term international and Washington, D.C. programs

NON-PROFITUS POSTAGE

PAIDGRAND VALLEY

STATE UNIVERSITY

SEIDMAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESSFIFTH FLOOR, DEVOS CENTER401 FULTON STREET WESTGRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN 49504-6431

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Seidman School of Business Graduate ProgramsGeared to Working Professionals

For information on specific programs, contact Claudia Bajema, Director, Graduate Business Programs616.331.7400 • Go2gvmba@gvsu.edu • www.grMBA.com