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Succeeding at Planning: Results from a Survey of Higher Ed Leaders
Our analysis of the survey results revealed Seven Factors that are closely related to overall success in planning. The challenge to college and university leaders is to translate this understanding into specific action that will enable further develop a planning culture at the institution.
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The Important Role of Nonprofits
BSG looks at the role of nonprofits. Independent Sector says that Michigan has roughly 50,000 nonprofits representing 440,000 employed people (10% of the workforce), $16 billion in annual wages, $133 billion in annual revenue, $179 in total assets held, and $108 billion in annual economic activity.
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Workforce Development: Associations stepping up workforce development efforts
Michigan universities and associations are stepping up workforce development efforts to ensure that businesses are able to find talent that will help the companies thrive in Michigan.
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Area Economic Forecast
Washtenaw County is poised for economic growth. After weathering the 5-year economic slump, the forecast is encouraging.
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Downtown Retail
The holiday shopping season represents a large chunk of sales for many retailers. With a late Thanksgiving, though, there are six fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, making this year the shortest holiday season in more than a decade. A recent report by Adobe Digital Index estimated that these lost six days could…
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The Budgeting Process: How small and mid-sized businesses can effectively budget
Budgeting is an important part of good management. Planning experts say budgeting is critical for ongoing company success. To get some advice on how small and mid-sized businesses can effectively budget, we spoke to two seasoned Ann Arbor area tax and planning professionals.
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Storybook Village
Margaret Baker had the chance recently to read her children’s book, When I was a Girl I Dreamed, at one of the Storybook Village story times. While we were there, we spoke with owners Barbara and Tom Sims. We wanted hear about their dreams for Storybook Village.
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Ann Arbor Art Fair
Baker Strategy Group is located on Main St. right in the heart of the art fair. We thought it would be fun to ask people a few questions about their experience this year. Their answers had some interesting variety but also some clear similarities.
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Family Business
Family business is big business. They make up 64% of the U.S. GDP and about 2 out of every 3 jobs in the U.S., according to a study by Joseph H. Astrachan and Melissa C. Shanker. Family businesses are a large part of the U.S. economy, yet their advantages and management challenges can be quite…