Michigan Blog - Featuring Michigan Shopping, Travel, Business & People

The Million Kiss Campaign - you may have heard about it, you may have thought about it and you probably forgot about it.

Take a moment to think again, because it is truly a cause that is worth spending some thought on.

PeaceKeeper Cause–metics is an all–natural cosmetics line founded in 2002 that donates 100 percent of its profits after taxes to women’s health and human rights advocacy organizations - and they are sponsoring the Million Kiss campaign

Kissing for a Good Cause is even Better!!
Join our Kiss Campaign and send a kiss to someone you love and a dollar to a girl or woman in need!
Just print out the Canvas by clicking thru to here, Kiss it and send it in to us at 50 Lexington Ave, Suite 22G, NY, NY 10010.

Obviously kisses don’t always lead to love but there is hardly a love that does not involve kissing.

You also obviously don’t want to share kisses with just anyone nor can you if you are talking about kisses leading to love being the basis for global politics, but PeaceKeeper has a way to share your kisses to help women in need, which seems like a good start to learning to let love be the motivator.

While you are visiting Peacekeeper - checkout the line of natural cosmetics that they provide. If you are even just a bit green- you will love them.

PeaceKeeper Cosmetics has been rated one of the safest cosmetics on the market. We offer natural mineral makeup without toluene, formaldehyde, acetone phthalates, parabens, FD&C coloring and no animal testing.

Labels: Million Kiss Campaign and Natural Cosmetics

Did you know?

WebEx is the global leader in web conferencing and collaboration services for individuals and small/medium businesses at low flat-rates

• 3.5 Million people use WebEx every month
• 82% of the Fortune 100 use WebEx
• Industry leader with more than 60% of marketshare
• WebEx MeetMeNow Free Trial

I found a new way to avoid talking face to face to people and I'd like you to hear about it. Sorry about the sarcasm, but it is the way the world is going, isn't it? No communication face to face.
With the vent gone, Web conferencing has it's place in business and it sure is easy with WebEx. I tried Webex Meet Me Now for the first time yesterday and thought that the easy of use was unsurpassed.

Web conferencing is a virtual meeting conducted via the Web between two or more people in different locations. Can you say "Save on Gas?". Text, audio and video may be used to communicate in real time.

WebEx has features such as whiteboarding and shared applications that make the conference truly collaborative and almost "Face-to-Face"

When the conference is essentially one-way, for example one person conducting a presentation for a large audience, it is often referred to as "Webcasting." Webcasts can be recorded and streamed over the Internet, or archived for viewing at a later time.

Start meeting online today. Choose the best plan for your needs. Get unlimited meetings for one low price. Starting as low as $39/month

• $49/month (One low monthly fee. No long-term commitment)
• $39/month with prepaid annual plan (Save $120/year!)
• Unlimited meetings, up to 10 participants
• Conference calling is included!
• MeetMeNow Free Trial - CLICK HERE
  

Just a click of your mouse starts a WebEx meeting - and it's just as easy to invite participants, demonstrate products and annotate documents.

Labels: Web Conferencing

For many, the first quarter of any year is the slowest for business and 2008 may be at a slower start than other years. Retail has been hit harder than usual this year.

Whether you are a B2B business or a B2C business - the continous influx of new leads and prospects is essential to the continuing prosperity of your company. At times, it seems like the lead "well" has dried up - and it's time to look for new sources.



One of the biggest mistakes that a business can make is failing to prospect for new customers. Even when your company sales are at their peak, someone in your company needs to devote time to looking for more customers. Few companies can survive without a steady influx of new customers, so no business can afford not to prospect for them.

INFOUSA is one of the largest list management companies in the US and you may have heard about thier current offer: 100 FREE leads or prospects just for trying them. Buying a prospect list may not be for everyone - but if you have a defined customer profile - than finding a list at INFOUSA just might be the carrot you are looking for.

Michigan Business Tip of the Day:

Do not just listen to what your customer is asking for and what they verbalize; look past the words to find out what they need.

Too often salespeople recite the praises of a product without truly hearing what the customer wants and needs. You cannot sell to someone if you do not know what they want or more importantly what they need.

Listen to your customers, identify the need, and fill it.

Do some research before the sales meeting or phone call and get a good idea of your prospect's likes, dislikes, interests, and manner of doing business if possible.

Happy Selling and have fun with those 100 Sales Leads!

Labels: Sales Tips

Fathead®, the number one brand in sports and entertainment wall graphics and the brand best-known for its official life-size images of professional athletes, animated heroes and entertainment characters, is launching a new line of Fathead wall décor featuring Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana, and characters from both the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy and the Disney Pixar film Cars, just in time for holiday gift-giving. Disney Pixar Cars characters include Lightning McQueen, Mater, Sally, Luigi, Guido, Doc Hudson and Ramone, and Pirates of the Caribbean features Captain Jack Sparrow and Will Turner. These spectacular life-size images are a must-have for this holiday season.

Hannah Montana rocks! Disney Pixar Cars characters roll! And Pirates swashbuckle! It's just that simple “Hannah Montana rocks! Disney Pixar Cars characters roll! And Pirates swashbuckle! It’s just that simple,” said Brock Weatherup, Fathead CEO. “We are thrilled to be offering Disney fans of all ages a unique way to decorate their homes with images from these popular franchises like Hannah Montana.”

A “Fathead” is a bold, colorful, life-like, life-size wall-graphic of well-known stars like Hannah Montana. Fathead is an especially popular brand among sports fans, teens and tweens, moms, dads and gift-givers. A special adhesive backing allows them to be moved from wall to wall, making them a mobile and fun part of any family’s home décor.

Each Hannah Montana image captures the essence of the character it portrays. Fathead images are perfect for decorating a bedroom, office or entertainment area and can be purchased by visiting the company’s website.

Labels: hannah montana Fathead, Hannah Montana Room Decor Coupons

Labels: Material Lifting Injury Avoidance

The post before this one (scroll down) lists all of the school districts in the state of Michigan. If you are interested in finding out your high school's report card from the state educational board, click on the corresponding link.

The Michigan Department of Education annually makes a determination of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for all public elementary, middle schools, and high schools in Michigan. AYP evaluates schools and school districts in the areas of academic achievement, participation in state assessment, graduation rate for high schools, and student attendance for elementary and middle schools.

In addition, the Department reports on Education YES! - a Yardstick for Excellent Schools, the state school accreditation system under which letter grades are assigned for academic achievement and indicators of school performance to determine state accreditation of Michigan schools.

This report card system is available for parents, citizens, teachers, and school administrators to learn about how schools are both performing and improving. You may search or browse for a school to view its report card. The report card provides a composite grade for the school.

Labels: MDE Report Cards, Michigan Schools

Brooklyn Schools Brown City Schools Brownstown Schools Brownstown Township Schools Buchanan Schools Buckley Schools Burr Oak Schools Burt Schools Burt Lake Schools Burton Schools Byron Schools Byron Center Schools Cadillac Schools Caledonia Schools Calumet Schools Camden Schools Canton Schools Capac Schools Carleton Schools Carney Schools Caro Schools Carrollton Schools Carson City Schools Carsonville Schools Casco Schools Caseville Schools Cass City Schools Cassopolis Schools Cedar Lake Schools Cedar Springs Schools Cedarville Schools Cement City Schools Center Line Schools Central Lake Schools Centreville Schools Charlevoix Schools Charlotte Schools Chassell Schools Cheboygan Schools Chelsea Schools Chesaning Schools Chesterfield Schools Chesterfield Township Schools China Schools Clare Schools Clarklake Schools Clarkston Schools Clarksville Schools Clawson Schools Climax Schools Clinton Schools Clinton Township Schools Clinton Twp Schools Clio Schools Coldwater Schools Coleman Schools Coloma Schools Colon Schools Commerce Township Schools Commerce Twp Schools Commerce Twp. Schools Comstock Park Schools Concord Schools Conklin Schools Constantine Schools Cooks Schools Coopersville Schools Copper Harbor Schools Coral Schools Corunna Schools Covert Schools Croswell Schools Crystal Schools Crystal Falls Schools Curtis Schools Custer Schools Dansville Schools Davisburg Schools Davison Schools Dearborn Schools Dearborn Heights Schools Decatur Schools Decker Schools Reed City Schools Reese Schools Remus Schools Republic Schools Richland Schools Richmond Schools Richville Schools River Rouge Schools Riverside Schools Riverview Schools Rochester Schools Rochester Hills Schools Rock Schools Rockford Schools Rockwood Schools Rogers City Schools Romeo Schools Romulus Schools Roscommon Schools Rose City Schools Rosebush Schools Roseville Schools Rothbury Schools Royal Oak Schools Rudyard Schools Saginaw Schools Salem Schools Saline Schools Sand Creek Schools Sand Lake Schools Sandusky Schools Sanford Schools Saranac Schools Saugatuck Schools Sault Sainte Marie Schools Sault Ste. Marie Schools Sawyer Schools Schoolcraft Schools Scotts Schools Scottville Schools Sebewaing Schools Shelby Schools Three Oaks Schools Three Rivers Schools Toivola Schools Traverse City Schools Trenton Schools Troy Schools Tustin Schools Twin Lake Schools Twining Schools Ubly Schools Union City Schools Unionville Schools University Center Schools Utica Schools Vanderbilt Schools Vassar Schools Vermontville Schools Vernon Schools Vestaburg Schools Vicksburg Schools Wakefield Schools Waldron Schools Walker Schools Walkerville Schools Wallace Schools Walled Lake Schools Warren Schools Washington Schools Waterford Schools Watersmeet Schools Watervliet Schools Wayland Schools Wayne Schools Webberville Schools Weidman Schools Wells Schools Wellston Schools West Bloomfield Schools West Branch Schools West Olive Schools Westland Schools

Deckerville Schools Deerfield Schools Deerton Schools Deford Schools Delton Schools DeTour Village Schools Detroiit Schools Detroit Schools DeWitt Schools Dexter Schools Dimondale Schools Dollar Bay Schools Dorr Schools Douglas Schools Dowagiac Schools Dowling Schools Drummond Island Schools Dryden Schools Dundee Schools Durand Schools Eagle Schools East China Schools East Jordan Schools East Lansing Schools East Leroy Schools East Tawas Schools Eastpointe Schools Eaton Rapids Schools Eau Claire Schools Eben Junction Schools Ecorse Schools Edmore Schools Edwardsburg Schools Elk Rapids Schools Ellsworth Schools Elsie Schools Emmett Schools Engadine Schools Erie Schools Escanaba Schools Essexville Schools Eureka Schools Evart Schools Ewen Schools Fair Haven Schools Fairgrove Schools Fairview Schools Farmington Schools Farmington Hills Schools Farwell Schools Felch Schools Fennville Schools Fenton Schools Ferndale Schools Fife Lake Schools Flat Rock Schools Flint Schools Flushing Schools Fort Gratiot Schools Fowler Schools Fowlerville Schools Frankenmuth Schools Frankfort Schools Franklin Schools Fraser Schools Frederic Schools Free Soil Schools Freeland Schools Fremont Schools Fruitport Schools Gaines Schools Galesburg Schools Galien Schools Garden City Schools Gaylord Schools Genesee Schools Gibraltar Schools Gladstone Schools Gladwin Schools Glen Arbor Schools Glenn Schools Glennie Schools Gobles Schools Goodrich Schools Grand Blanc Schools Grand Haven Schools Grand Ledge Schools Grand Marais Schools Grand Rapids Schools Mt Morris Schools Mt. Clemens Schools Mt. Morris Schools Mt. Pleasant Schools Muir Schools Munising Schools Muskegon Schools Muskegon Heights Schools N. Muskegon Schools Napoleon Schools Nashville Schools Negaunee Schools New Baltimore Schools New Boston Schools New Buffalo Schools New Era Schools New Haven Schools New Hudson Schools New Lothrop Schools Newaygo Schools Newberry Schools Newport Schools Niles Schools North Adams Schools North Branch Schools North Muskegon Schools Northport Schools Northville Schools Norton Shores Schools Norway Schools Nottawa Schools Novi Schools Oak Park Schools Oakland Schools Oakley Schools Okemos Schools Olivet Schools Onaway Schools Onekama Schools Onondaga Schools Onsted Schools Ontonagon Schools Orchard Lake Schools Orion Schools Orleans Schools Ortonville Schools Oscoda Schools Ossineke Schools Otisville Schools Otsego Schools Ottawa Lake Schools Ovid Schools Owendale Schools Owosso Schools Oxford Schools Painesdale Schools Palo Schools Paradise Schools Parchment Schools Paris Schools Parma Schools Paw Paw Schools Peck Schools Pelkie Schools Pellston Schools Pentwater Schools Perry Schools Petersburg Schools Petoskey Schools Pewamo Schools Pickford Schools Pigeon Schools Pinckney Schools Pinconning Schools

Grandville Schools Grant Schools Grass Lake Schools Grayling Schools Greenbush Schools Greenville Schools Grosse Ile Schools Grosse Pointe Schools Grosse Pointe Farms Schools Grosse Pointe Park Schools Grosse Pointe Woods Schools Gwinn Schools Hadley Schools Hale Schools Hamburg Schools Hamilton Schools Hamtramck Schools Hancock Schools Hanover Schools Harbor Beach Schools Harbor Springs Schools Harper Woods Schools Harris Schools Harrison Schools Harrison Township Schools Hart Schools Hartford Schools Hartland Schools Haslett Schools Hastings Schools Hazel Park Schools Hemlock Schools Hermansville Schools Herron Schools Hersey Schools Hesperia Schools Hickory Corners Schools Highland Schools Highland Park Schools Hillman Schools Hillsdale Schools Holland Schools Holly Schools Holt Schools Holton Schools Homer Schools Honor Schools Hopkins Schools Horton Schools Houghton Schools Houghton Lake Schools Howell Schools Hudson Schools Hudsonville Schools Huntington Woods Schools Ida Schools Imlay City Schools Indian River Schools Inkster Schools Interlochen Schools Ionia Schools Ira Schools Iron Mountain Schools Iron River Schools Ironwood Schools Ishpeming Schools Ithaca Schools Jackson Schools Jenison Schools Johannesburg Schools Jonesville Schools Kalamazoo Schools Kaleva Schools Kalkaska Schools Kawkawlin Schools Keego Harbor Schools Kent City Schools Kentwood Schools Kimball Schools Kincheloe Schools Kinde Schools Kingsford Schools Kingsley Schools Kingston Schools Kinross Schools L'Anse Schools Lachine Schools Laingsburg Schools Lake City Schools Lake Leelanau Schools Lake Linden Schools Lake Odessa Schools Lake Orion Schools Lakeland Schools Lakeport Schools Lakeview Schools Lambertville Schools Lansing Schools Lapeer Schools Lathrup Village Schools Lawrence Schools Lawton Schools Leland Schools Lennon Schools Leonard Schools Leonidas Schools Leroy Schools Leslie Schools Lewiston Schools Lexington Schools Lincoln Schools Lincoln Park Schools Linden Schools Linwood Schools Litchfield Schools Livonia Schools Lowell Schools Ludington Schools Lupton Schools Luther Schools Mackinac Island Schools Mackinaw City Schools Macomb Schools Madison Heights Schools Mancelona Schools Manchester Schools Manistee Schools Manistique Schools Manton Schools Maple City Schools Marcellus Schools Marenisco Schools Marine City Schools Marion Schools Marlette Schools Marne Schools Marquette Schools Marshall Schools Martin Schools Marysville Schools Mason Schools Mattawan Schools Mayville Schools McBain Schools Mecosta Schools Melvindale Schools Memphis Schools Mendon Schools Menominee Schools Merrill Schools Mesick Schools Metamora Schools Michigan Center Schools Middleton Schools Middleville Schools Midland Schools Milan Schools Milford Schools Millersburg Schools Millington Schools Mio Schools Moline Schools Monroe Schools Montague Schools Montrose Schools Morenci Schools Morley Schools Morrice Schools Mount Clemens Schools

Ada Schools Addison Schools Adrian Schools Akron Schools Alanson Schools Alba Schools Albion Schools Algonac Schools Allegan Schools Allen Park Schools Allendale Schools Alma Schools Almont Schools Alpena Schools Alto Schools Ann Arbor Schools Armada Schools Arnold Schools Ashley Schools Athens Schools Atlanta Schools Atlantic Mine Schools Attica Schools Au Gres Schools Auburn Schools Auburn Heights Schools Auburn Hills Schools Augres Schools Augusta Schools Avoca Schools Bad Axe Schools Baldwin Schools Bancroft Schools Bangor Schools Baraga Schools Barryton Schools Bath Schools Battle Creek Schools Bay City Schools Bear Lake Schools Beaver Island Schools Beaverton Schools Belding Schools Bellaire Schools Belleville Schools Bellevue Schools Belmont Schools Benton Harbor Schools Benzonia Schools Bergland Schools Berkley Schools Berrien Center Schools Berrien Springs Schools Bessemer Schools Beverly Hills Schools Big Bay Schools Big Rapids Schools Bingham Farms Schools Birch Run Schools Birmingham Schools Blanchard Schools Blissfield Schools Bloomfield Hills Schools Bloomingdale Schools Boon Schools Boyne City Schools Boyne Falls Schools Breckenridge Schools Brethren Schools Bridgeport Schools Bridgman Schools Brighton Schools Brimley Schools Britton Schools Bronson Schools Westphalia Schools Wetmore Schools White Cloud Schools White Lake Schools White Pigeon Schools White Pine Schools Whitehall Schools Whitmore Lake Schools Whittemore Schools Williamsburg Schools Williamston Schools Wilson Schools Winn Schools Wixom Schools Wolverine Schools Woodhaven Schools Woodland Schools Wyandotte Schools Wyoming Schools Yale Schools Ypsilanti Schools Zeeland Schools Springport Schools St Charles Schools St. Charles Schools St. Clair Schools St. Clair Shores Schools St. Helen Schools St. Ignace Schools St. Johns Schools St. Joseph Schools St. Louis Schools Standish Schools Stanton Schools Stanwood Schools Stephenson Schools Sterling Schools Sterling Heights Schools Stevensville Schools Stockbridge Schools Sturgis Schools Sunfield Schools Suttons Bay Schools Swartz Creek Schools Tawas City Schools Taylor Schools Shelby Township Schools Shepherd Schools Sheridan Schools Shingleton Schools Sidney Schools Skanee Schools Snover Schools Sodus Schools South Haven Schools South Lyon Schools South Range Schools Southfield Schools Southgate Schools Sparta Schools Spring Arbor Schools Spring Lake Schools Springfield Schools Tecumseh Schools Tekonsha Schools Temperance Schools Thompsonville Schools Pittsford Schools Plainwell Schools Plymouth Schools Pointe Aux Pins Schools Pontiac Schools Port Hope Schools Port Huron Schools Portage Schools Portland Schools Posen Schools Potterville Schools Powers Schools Prescott Schools Prudenville Schools Quincy Schools Rapid River Schools Ravenna Schools Reading Schools Redford Schools Redford Township Schools

Labels: MDE Report Cards, Michigan Schools

Eco Friendly Home Decor

Let's define Eco Friendly before I go any further - because there are alot of imposters out there - claiming to be eco-friendly .. but just aren't there.

My personal definition of eco-friendly products is: "Products made of environmentally-friendly materials. They usually contain recycled materials or rapid renewables. Recycled product materials are those that had a previous use and are now being re-used in a new way."

Many online stores and home and garden product manufacuters have been quick to climb on the eco-friendly bandwagon, touting their products as eco friendly, in the hope that you will purchase their product for this "green" reason.

The name VivaTerra means "living earth" and is inspired by dedication to living in harmony with nature - for a healthier life now and for future generations. VivaTerra is truly an eco-friendly online retailer and you have to take a peek at the unusual and beautiful products they offer.

Pictured above is the Himalayan Salt Lamp

The Vivaterra plug-in spa salt lamp casts a calming tangerine glow and broadcasts a warm, luminous message of purity and health. Its ancient salt crystals emit negative ions, the natural purifiers you feel in the air after a cleansing rainstorm.
6"D x 7"H

Other eco-friendly companies in the directory:


gDiapers Earth Friendly Diapers - Flushable
Green and More Eco Friendly Products
Ideal Bite - FREE Eco Living Tips

Labels: Eco-Friendly Stores, VivaTerra Coupons

Confessions of a business owner

"I started this business in 2000 and it has operated in a profitable range for 7 years now. I never wrote a business plan because I did not need any capital to get it going.

Now seven years later, I need to expand and I realize that the whole plan is jumbled in my head and the direction of the business is not even clear to me."

What percentage of new business owners actually write a formal business plan? Of course, if you need to borrow money or obtain investment capital, you need to write a plan - but do you really need to write one to be successful?

Only 40% of aspiring CEO's write a business plan and of those, 65% say that they strayed significantly from their original conception, adapting their plans as they went along.


So why is does the systemic tried and true method of starting a business include writing a good business plan? In a nutshell, whether a person is learning to play tennis or starting a new business- they need to find out as much as possible about what they are trying to do. They need to collect as much knowledge as is available about the goal.

Since the business world in general has not collected much systematic knowledge about starting new businesses, instruction on how to write a plan becomes a crutch or staple in this vastly varied and unknown world.

Here are some great resources that can get you started writing a business plan - for DIY Business Plans or just a little bit of information:

Business Plan Software -BizPlanBuilder
Socrates Business Plan Templates
VPS Pro for Starting or Expanding a Business
Restaurant Business Plans and Financials

Best of luck to you and please feel free to post comments on this subject!

Labels: DIY Business Plan

• Zales Fine Jewelry - 12 Oaks Mall
• Zales Fine Jewelry - Rivertown Crossing
• Shenoa Diamonds and Fine Jewelry

• Irish Tea and Irish Treats - TastyIrishTreats
• Gourmet Cookie Bouquets Design Your Own
• Hickory Farms Gourmet Food Gifts
• Mrs. Fields Cookies and Baked Goods
• Candy Warehouse Online Candy Store
• Worlds Finest Chocolate - Chocolate Gifts

Labels: 1-800-Flowers Valentine Day Deals, Amethyst Jewelry Coupons

Labels: Business Valuation Software Biz Pricer