Thursday, December 27, 2012

20 New Books

The Complete List of New Books in the Business Center Collection this Week

1. Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies
2. The Careerist: Over 100 Ways to Get Ahead at Work
3. Deliver the Unexpected: A Business Fable and 6 Other New Truths
4. GMAT 2013
5. Grateful Leadership: Using the Power of Acknowledgement
6. The Great Persuasion: Reinventing Free Markets since the Depression
7. How to Read a Client From Across the Room
8. Knock 'Em Dead: The Ultimate Job Search Guide 2013
9. Mean Girls at Work: Staying Professional when Things Get Personal
10. Misunderstanding Financial Crises: Why We Don't See Them Coming
11. The New Ecology of Leadership: Business Mastery in a Chaotic World
12. No B.S. Guide to Marketing to Leading-Edge Boomers & Seniors
13. The Only Budgeting Book You'll Ever Need
14. The Outsiders: Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success
15. Plan Your Prosperity: The Only Retirement Guide You'll Ever Need
16. Quicken 2013: The Official Guide
17. Shock of Gray: The Aging of the World's Population and How It Pits Young Against Old
18. Social Security's Investment Shortfall: $8 Trillion Plus - and the Way Forward
19. Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business
20. The Winner Effect: The Neuroscience of Success and Failure

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Holiday Closing Reminder

GDL branches are open during Genesee County's school closings Thursday & Friday

Holiday Closing:
All Genesee District Library branches will be closed
Saturday, December 22nd, through Tuesday, December 25th
regular hours will resume
Wednesday, December 26th

Please have a safe holiday weekend!

 

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

FT/Goldman Sachs Book of the Year

2012 Financial Times / Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year


A while back I posted the finalists for the FT/GS Business Book of the Year on the Business Center's Facebook page, and the winner has been announced: Private Empire: ExxonMobil and American Power, by Steve Coll. Coll has previously written about the CIA and the Bin Laden family, and again in this book sheds significant light into something shrouded in secrecy: America's largest, and arguably the most private, publicly traded company.

This is surely a good read, and there are multiple copies available, including one here in the Business Center. Stop by for a great read for the holiday weekend.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Write Your Business Plan with SBA's Help


Build Your Business Plan with the SBA

If you or someone you know is looking to start a business, chances are you will need a business plan. While the business center has many resources for the start-up business, the Small Business Administration also has an online tool to aid those writing a business plan. 

The 7 parts of the business plan you can choose to write are:
1. Cover Page
2. Executive Summary
3. Company Description
4. Market Research
5. Product/Service Line
6. Marketing & Sales
7. Financial Projections

Please click HERE for this free online resource. Your newly minted plan can be saved and exported once it is completed. And be sure to explore other aspects of the SBA's site.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Holiday Party Today!

Children's Holiday Party Today!

Step out of the predicted rainy weather, and stop by McFarlen Library this afternoon beginning at 1 PM for our annual Children's Holiday Party.

Sponsored by our Friends of the Library Group, the party will include holiday crafts and treats. Please be prompt, as it is while supplies last! 

from Genesee District Library

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Financial Literacy for Kids!

Online Financial Literacy Exercises
 
There are a number of free resources designed to help parents and educators discuss financial issues with kids of all ages. The President's Advisory Counsel on Financial Capability has created a website, Money As You Grow, which contains practical advice for children at any age. Divided by age range, the site offers not only tips, but directs the users to other online resources to involve the child in the process of learning how money should and should not be used.
 
For example, for those ages 14-18, the site guides students on choosing a college with the final cost in mind, and suggests using the FAFSA4caster on the FAFSA website. To gain experience with credit cards and interest rates, students can click to the website of the Federal Reserve, to estimate payments on credit card expenses.
 
With student debt rising, and the ease with which credit cards can be obtained, please take advantage of these resources to keep our kids money smart!
 
 

Monday, November 19, 2012

Market Your Business with Our Help!

A Targeted Marketing Approach is Critical...We Can Help!

The Genesee District Library Business Center wants your business to thrive. Engaging the community can be daunting, and professional marketing can be expensive! Over the past few weeks I have demonstrated one of our online resources, ReferenceUSA, to business owners interested in attracting professional clientele. 

How can ReferenceUSA help your business grow?

1. Locate local, regional, and national competition, and see how they're doing
2. Locate companies with which you'd like to partner
3. Use the mapping function to target areas in which your services might be needed

So I know an area in which I'd like to market my services, now what?

This is where Bresser's, a print reference guide becomes invaluable. It is similar to a phone book, but instead of listing individuals by Last Name, First Name by city, it is organized by street name. This will allow you to collect the mailing addresses for a given area should you wish to contact individuals or businesses. This publication is library-use only, but well worth your time if direct-mail marketing is your goal.  

If you'd like more information about our online resources, please click on "contact us" at the top of this page to call the Business Center or email a librarian. Feel free to drop by and we will be happy to show you how to best search the database.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

NEW BOOKS

The Business Center has seen a large number of new books in the last two weeks. While I post short lists on our Facebook page, this blog allows more space to list even more of them. 

The following books were received today:

1. Capitalism at Risk: Rethinking the Role of Business
2. The Heart of Change: Real-Life Stories of How People Change Their Organizations
3. How They Got Away with It: White Collar Criminals and the Financial Meltdown
4. The Great Brain Race: How  Global Universities Are Reshaping the World
5. Renegades Write the Rules: How the Digital Royalty Use Social Media to Innovate
6. The Success Equation: Untangling Skill and Luck in Business, Sports, and Investing
7. LLC or Corporation? (A Nolo Legal Guide)
8. Leading Apple with Steve Jobs
9. Young, Broke, and Beautiful: Broke-Ass Stuart's Guide to Living Cheaply
10. How the Church Fails Businesspeople
11. Working from Home: Earn a Living Where You Live
12. Pay: Why People Earn What They Earn and What You Can Do Now to Make More
13. How the Trading Floor Really Works

Look for these titles in the Business Center!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Event Reminder!

THIS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3 @ 3:30 PM in GRAND BLANC

Just a reminder that HGTV's Ali Azhar will speak at both the Davison and Grand Blanc branches on Saturday. There are reservations available for this FREE event. Maintaining your property is no small task, come hear tips from an expert.

Please visit the GDL's homepage for more information and to register for the event at either location.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Upcoming Resume and Interviewing Workshops

Need to update your resume?
Have an upcoming job interview?

Genesee District Library's own Heather Gill, a certified professional in human resources (PHR), will host an informational session on  Wednesday, November 7th at 2PM, here in the Grand Blanc branch. Entitled "How to Write a Winning Resume," Heather will discuss the "do's" and "dont's" when organizing your experience and qualifications. This is a free event, but you must register in advance. Register by clicking here.

After your resume is well-organized and ready for a potential employer, your mind will likely go to the critical first interview. What questions can you expect? How should you dress? On Wednesday, November 14th, the Grand Blanc branch will be hosting "Sharpening Your Interviewing Skills" at 2PM. This even is also free, but registration is also required. To register, click here.

If you're working during these two events and would still like some information about resume writing and interview tips, please stop by the Business Center, or contact me directly (click "Contact Us" at top of page), and I will gladly assist you in any way possible.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Interested in Studying Entrepreneurship?

Entrepreneur magazine (which we receive here at the library), has ranked graduate and undergraduate entrepreneur programs in the United States. It appears that these rankings are specific to entrepreneurship programs, and not the various other business programs at the universities. The University of Michigan's graduate program has been ranked #2, while it does not appear on the undergraduate list. The Top 5 in each category are below; for a complete list click the link above. 

Undergraduate Programs
1. Babson College (MA)
2. Baylor University (TX)
3. University of Houston
4. University of Southern California
5. Washington University in St. Louis

Graduate Programs
1. Babson College
2. University of Michigan
3. Brigham Young University (UT)
4. Rice University (TX)
5. University of Texas at Austin

If you're looking to study business or other disciplines, stop by the Business Center or check out our online catalog ("Find Books" at top of page ). Genesee District Library has many resources to aid you as you choose an academic program that fits your personal and professional goals.

HGTV's Ali Azhar


 A Quick Note about Upcoming Events

On Saturday, November 3rd, we are pleased to host HGTV's Ali Azhar at the Grand Blanc and Davison Branches. Mr. Azhar host's "Design on a Dime." He will be discussing how to protect your biggest investment - your home, including how to identify possible repair scams, how to work with a contractor, and how reverse mortgages work.

Date: Saturday, November 3rd
Locations
Davison - 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Davison Registration Form
Grand Blanc - 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM Grand Blanc Registration Form

While these events are FREE, registration is required, so please click on the appropriate registration form link above, or go to thegdl.org for more information.


Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Upcoming Events


On Friday, October 5th, we enjoyed an informative discussion of financial issues with money expert Liz Weston. The Q & A portion of the evening was especially useful to those in attendance as they took advantage of the opportunity to ask questions specific to their situation. Liz was kind enough to speak about Genesee District Library in the above video.

If you missed this event there are still many more taking place in your community libraries.

Want to learn how to create and manage a Facebook  or Pinterest account?
Events are located in Davison, Clio, or Grand Blanc
     Davison: Facebook - November 13, 6PM 
                     Pinterest - November 29, 6:30PM
     Clio: November 19, 6PM (Facebook only)
     Grand Blanc: Facebook - November 20, 6PM 
                            Pinterest - December 6, 6:30PM

Investment Fraud seminars are taking place in October and November:
     Burton Memorial: October 17, 2:30PM
     Flint Township: November 1, 2:30PM

Additional seminars include avoiding home repair and equity scams, protecting your home with HGTV's Ali Azhar, the dangers of PayDay loans, and challenging errors on your credit report.

For more information or to make a reservation click over to GDL's Homepage or call 810.230.3327. Events are FREE, but registration is required.

Saturday, September 29, 2012

FREE Business Counseling

There are numerous resources for the small business owner, whether prospective or established. One such resource is SCORE, Service Corps of Retired Executives. And just as it sounds, it is a group of retired executives spread across the Unites States who volunteer their time and expertise counseling small business owners free of charge. If you need some advice from experienced business professionals please contact me by phone (810-694-5190) or email (twinn@thegdl.org) and I can put you in contact with a member of the Ann Arbor Area Chapter. They also regularly host free seminars, so please take advantage of this great resource. 

The business world has long been referred to as a "boys club," but there are also resources specifically for female entrepreneurs. The Michigan Center for Empowerment and Economic Development, lead by award-winning Executive Director Michelle Richards, created Michigan Women's Marketplace, a site where women can network with one another; over 6,000 have joined so far. Ms. Richards is also the founder of the Women's Expo, which is taking place next weekend, October 5th and 6th. 

Financial Expert Liz Weston, who will join us here at the Grand Blanc branch on Friday, October 5th will also appear at the Expo on Saturday, October 6th. Check out the video below for details. 


Saturday, September 22, 2012

The Women of Newsweek


On my drive home from the library on Wednesday evening, I happened to be listening to American Public Media's The Story on local public radio. Host Dick Gordon was interviewing Lynn Povich, the first female senior editor at Newsweek, and one of many women that brought suit against the magazine in the 1970s for sex discrimination. Povich, who has also edited Working Women magazine, has written the above book, entitled The Good Girls Revolt, which not only recounts her experiences at Newsweek, but also includes discussion of why equality is an ongoing process. 

The day after hearing the show, the copy I ordered for the Business Center arrived! Check the catalog for availability, and place a hold if it has been checked-out. You can also listen to the interview on APM by clicking here.

Enjoy this first weekend of autumn!

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

BOOK SALE

Photo by Michael Maggs, Wikimedia Common
McFarlen Library Book Sale Begins Today!

At 5:00 PM this afternoon you have the opportunity to browse thousands of books collected by our generous Friends of the Library organization. 

We've stacked them deep and are selling them cheap, so stop by for an amazing deal on some great reads!

Book Sale Hours:
Sept. 19                5-8 PM
Sept. 20               Noon-8 PM
Sept. 21 & 22      9-5 PM
Sept. 23               1-3 PM

Saturday, September 15, 2012

We're on Facebook!

Want to receive the latest local and state business news right to your Facebook news feed?

Simply "like" the GDL Business Center, and when you login to your account, news stories and events posted to the Business Center page will appear. New items posted daily!

And as a reminder, our event with Financial Expert Liz Weston, on October 5th, is less than 1 month away. There are open seats available, click HERE for more information and to make a reservation. 

All event attendees will receive a free ticket to the Women's Expo, which is the same weekend.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Back to School


Many parents and students will have financial aid in mind as the school year begins.  The Wall Street Journal has published two articles so far this week concerning students, parents, and aid. The first addresses common mistakes regarding student financial aid while the other offers the negative aspects of Parent Plus Loans. Check them out. 

Wondering if you qualify for financial aid from the federal government? You can read more about the types of aid and the application that must be filed each year (FAFSA) on the federal government's student aid website, or ask your college or university financial aid office.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Free Resume Workshop September 13th!

Please join GDL's Heather Gill, a certified Professional in Human Resources for a FREE workshop entitled "How to Write a Winning Resume." A well-written resume is critical to gaining employment so please take advantage of this opportunity to speak with a professional regularly involved in the hiring process. 

While the event is free you MUST register in advance. 
Register online by clicking HERE or call 810-230-3340.

Date: Thursday, September 13th
Time: 2:00 PM
Location:  Davison Area Library 
                    203 E. Fourth Street 
                    Davison, MI 48423


Friday, August 31, 2012

Enjoy Your Holiday Weekend!


McFarlen Library is open today (Friday) from 9AM to 5PM, so stop by for some last minute reading material for this holiday weekend. We will be closed Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Have a safe Labor Day weekend, and enjoy what our great state has to offer!
Source: Mackinaw Bridge Authority

Thursday, August 30, 2012

NEW BOOKS

The Business Center received 25 new titles today; please find below a portion of those new to the collection. As always, I am happy to take requests for print material. Please click "Contact Us" for the Business Center phone number and email address.

1. Rethinking the MBA: Business Education at a Crossroads
2. No One Ever Told Us That: Money and Life Letters to my Grandchildren
3. Raising Financially Confident Kids
4. The AMA Book of Business Letters (4th ed, 2012)
5. Graduate Admissions Essays (4th ed, 2012)
6. American Dream 2.0: A Christian Way Out of the Great Recession
7. The 4% Solution: Unleashing the Economic Growth America Needs
8. Colleges that Change Lives: 40 Schools that will Change the Way You Think about Colleges
9. Entrepreneurial Nation: Why Manufacturing is Still Key to America's Future
10. Unlocking Your Brilliance: Smart Strategies for Women to Thrive in Science


Monday, August 27, 2012

Writing your Resume?


If you've asked more than one person how your resume should be formatted you've probably heard 2 or more different answers. This is for good reason: a resume is a reflection of you, an individual with specific experiences, talents, and views. While resume's are unique, there are certainly best practices that should be considered.

The Genesee District Library offers a free resume builder on all public computer terminals. Your resume can also be formatted and easily altered in Microsoft Word, also available on GDL computers. Print, Fax, and Copy services are available here in the Grand Blanc branch. 

If you have questions about your resume, the Business Center Librarian is happy to speak with you and assist you in formatting a resume which will best suit your specific career goals. Please see the "Reference Desk Hours" tab at the top of the page for availability. 

Lastly, I wanted to list several books which might help you in constructing your resume:
Career Change Resume (2003, Available for Download)
The Damn Good Resume Guide (2012)
Gallery of Best Resumes (2012)
The Google Resume (2011)
The Quick  Resume & Cover Letter Book (2011)
Resume and Cover Letter Phrase Book (2011)
Resumes for the 50+ Job Hunter (2009, Available for Download)
Same-Day Resume (2012)
 
Choose the "Find Books" tab at the top of the page and search by title for current availability. 
There are many more relevant titles here in the Business Center, so stop by!
 

Thursday, August 23, 2012

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT: Is Your Money Making You Crazy?



On Friday, October 5th, the Genesee District Library is pleased to welcome Financial Advice Columnist Liz Weston to the Grand Blanc branch. Weston has appeared on CNBC, The Today Show, and National Public Radio, and will offer tips on how to deal with tough financial times and the resulting stress.

You MUST register in advance for this FREE event.
Attendees will also receive a free ticket to the Woman's Expo

Location: McFarlen Library, 515 Perry Rd. Grand Blanc, MI
Time: 6PM-8PM, Open Seating
Light refreshments will be served.

Click HERE for more information and to register online or call 810.230.3327
Registration closes September 20th

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Job Hunting?

Looking for work can be frustrating. Very. Frustrating.

Yesterday I spoke with 2 patrons who were looking for work, and it was yet another reminder of the diverse and relevant sources here in the Business Center. Maybe you're looking to refresh your resume or need to prepare for an important interview. Google any job-related term and you get a multitude of hits, but it can be daunting to sift through the results and decide who to trust. 
While the task of job-hunting can be daunting, and much of the process is out of your control, there are many actions you can take to be prepared. Stop by McFarlen Library and browse the many resources related to resumes, interviewing and other workplace etiquette and be better prepared for your next opportunity.


Saturday, August 18, 2012

Back to the Bricks!

I have been reading automotive magazines and the latest car reviews since childhood. As I was driving home from the library the other day there was no mistaking that Back to the Bricks was in full swing on S. Saginaw here in Grand Blanc. People lined the street watching (and listening) to the beefed-up muscle cars, and I happened to be driving behind one seriously loud Mustang.

Like to know more about the Big Three? Stop in to the Business Center, just east of S. Saginaw on Perry Road and check out the numerous books which chronicle the auto industry from its early days to the present. Here are two:

Pelfry, a Michigan Native, has worked in PR for General Motors

Vlasic, the Detroit bureau chief  for the NYT, has also written a book about the Daimler/Chrysler merger.






Thursday, August 16, 2012

Welcome to business @ GDL!

GDL's newest blog is devoted to the Business Center, located in McFarlen Library on Perry Road in Grand Blanc. Stop by, say hello, and check out our extensive business materials!

Check back for current news, events, and other business happenings around Genesee County and beyond. Our next event is October 5th!