A Joint Initiative Between     Heart of Wisconsin     Business & Economic Alliance and     Community Foundation of Greater     South Wood County

Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News February 18, 2008 - Join clusters to learn, grow business network By: Melissa Lokan, for the Daily Tribune Last week Wednesday was a day filled with Industry Cluster meetings with the common goal of fostering business growth and development. A particular meeting of interest that day was the Manufacturing Cluster. This is a group of diverse business owners and representatives that have realized the positive impact of participating in monthly cluster conversations and engaging in the work necessary to not only sustain our manufacturing base, but also to grow and expand it one business at a time. The meeting included a report from those participating in the Green Movement as part of the Community Progress Initiative. Members of this ambitious group are putting their efforts into four main areas: Earth Day, creating awareness around businesses that recycle, education and becoming an eco-municipality. You can be a part of this effort by joining us for a meeting at 4 p.m. March 4 at the Hotel Mead in Salon C. The Arts & Heritage cluster co-chairwomen Jeanne Weymouth and Mary Olson brought an energetic message to the Manufacturing Cluster detailing programs, events and initiatives that are not only making a contribution to the beauty of the area, but also leveraging the arts as an economic driver. Watch this column for updates about the Arts and Heritage Cluster as they live their mission -- engage, unite and illuminate our arts for a vibrant community. Next, the Manufacturing Cluster was pleased to welcome Debby Wallner from Mid-State Technical College to share her comments regarding the Manufacturing/Supplier Survey that was administered by her Marketing Research class. Debby stressed the need for our local suppliers to engage in relationship marketing, defined as, development, growth and maintenance of long-tem, cost-effective relationships with individual customers, suppliers, employees and other partners for mutual benefit. This involves creating a bond, trust, empathy and a true reciprocity between the manufacturer and the supplier. To aid us in the process of relationship building, asset mapping and gap analysis, we are pleased to be welcoming back Jack Ricchiuto and June Holley to work with our Industry Clusters. Everyone is invited to join us at the meetings to expand their business network. • Feb. 26 -- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Transportation Cluster at Hotel Mead; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tourism Cluster, Hotel Mead; 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Downtown Cluster, Hotel Mead; 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Agriculture Cluster, Heart of Wisconsin Alliance. • Feb. 27 -- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Health Care, Hotel Mead; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Forest Products Cluster, Hotel Mead; 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Manufacturing Cluster, Hotel Mead. • Feb. 28 -- 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. New Economies Cluster, Heart of Wisconsin Alliance; 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Workforce Training & Education Cluster, Girl Scouts of Woodland Council; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Arts & Heritage Cluster, Community Foundation of Greater South Wood County; 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Small Business Cluster, Heart of Wisconsin Alliance. Call me at 422-4856 for more information.
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