Wednesday, December 24, 2014

It's official! We are one of the best & brightest companies to work for.

NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


For Further information:
Contact:  Sue Voyles (734) 667-2005
-or-           Jennifer Kluge (586) 393-8800               


National Association for Business Resources Names theBest and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Country For 2014

December8, 2014 – Warren, MI — For the fourth year running, the National Association for Business Resourceshas named the Best and Brightest Companies To Work For™ in the country. (See following list of winners.)
The 2014 winning companies were assessed by an independent research firmwhich reviewed a number of key measures relative to other nationally recognized winners. They include Compensation, Benefits and Employee Solutions; Employee Enrichment, Engagement and Retention; Employee Education and Development; Recruitment, Selection and Orientation; Employee Achievement and Recognition; Communication and Shared Vision; Diversity and Inclusion; Work-Life Balance; Community Initiatives; Strategic Company Performance and the Best of the Best Small Business.
Additionally three companies were named Elite winners. Elite companies demonstrated exceptional innovative human resource practices and set high standards for all businesses. Winners are selected based on their high scores and then named an Elite winner in their respective category which included: The Best of the Best Small Business,  The Best of the Best Medium Business and The Best of the Best Large Business. The three Elite winners are:
Category                                                                                Company

The Best of the Best Small Business                          TransTech IT Staffing (Itasca, IL)
Best of the Best Medium Business                             Peckham, Inc. (Lansing, MI)
The Best of the Best Large Business                          WOW! Internet Cable Phone(Denver/Englewood, CO)
With nearly 15 years of experience conducting Best and Brightest Company competitions, the National Association for Business Resources (NABR) have identified numerous best HR practices and provided benchmarking for companies that continue to be leaders in employment standards.

“Nationally recognized award recipients keep innovative human resource initiatives at the forefront of their company culture and make it a priority to consider their workforce as an essential aspect in their company success. Our Association is proud to recognize and honor these winning companies for this impressive achievement,” said Jennifer Kluge, NABR president.

The companies that have been selected to be recognized nationally as a Best and Brightest Company to Work For™ will be featured in the December 18th online edition of Corp! Magazine.The winning companies will also receive additional recognition as a national winner at a Best and Brightest Companies to Work For™ awards symposium and gala at a location of their choosing in several U.S. cities.

The “101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For®” is a national program with annual symposium and award galas presented in Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Milwaukee, San Francisco, Grand Rapids and Dallas. Nominations are now being accepted for 2015. Visit www.101bestandbrightest.com to obtain an application.


About the Best and Brightest Programs
The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® is a program of the National Association for Business Resources that provides the business community with the opportunity to gain recognition, showcase their best practices and demonstrate why they are an ideal place for employees to work. This national program celebrates those companies that are making better business, creating richer lives and building a stronger community as a whole.  There are numerous regional celebrations throughout the country. 

The National Association For Business Resources based in Warren, Mich. boasts a sphere of influence that no other organization of its kind can claim, leveraging a depth of programs and community initiatives that positively impact more than 150,000 businesses.
National Association for Business Resources
27700 Hoover Rd.
Warren, MI48093-6306
(866) 321-1822

2014 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For™ Winners



2313 Inc
7Summits
Accruent
Acoustics By Design, Inc.
Acro Service Corporation
ADS, Inc
Advanced Resources
Aerotek
ALL4 Inc.
Allied Business Services, Inc.
alligatortek
Altair Business Consulting
American Academy of Pediatrics
Andy J. Egan Company
AnnieMac Home Mortgage
Applications Software Technology
Corporation
Applied Imaging
Ashton Staffing
Asset Plus Companies
Assurance
Audiology Systems, Inc.
Austin Benefits Group
Axios
Baudville, Inc.
BDO USA, LLP
Bel Brands USA
Benenson Strategy Group
Better World Books
Billhighway
Birkman International, Inc.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Bounce Exchange
Brad’s Deals
Brightwing
Brilliant™
Broder & Sachse Real Estate Services
bswift
Buckhead Business Consulting, Inc.
Burwood Group, Inc.
C-4 Analytics
Care Communications, Inc.
Carson Health
Celergo LLC
Citra Health Solutions
City Of Atlanta
College Works Painting
Commune Hotels + Resorts
Community Counseling
Centers of Chicago
Computer Generated Solutions
Computer Systems Institute
Computerized Facility Integration LLC
Connectivity Wireless Solutions
Consumers Credit Union
ContextMedia, Inc.
Conway MacKenzie, Inc.
Coretek Services
Corporate Visions, Inc.
Crane Worldwide Logistics
Credential Check Corporation
Credit Acceptance
Crowe Horwath LLP
Crown Motors LTD
CSM Group
Daugherty Business Solutions
DFCU Financial
DIAG Partners
DigitasLBi
DMC Atlanta, Inc.
Domino’s Pizza
Dynamic Marketing Group
Easter Seals - Michigan, Inc.
Edlong Dairy Technologies
Educational Data Systems, Inc.
Elzinga & Volkers
Construction Professionals
EMKAY Inc.
Employer Flexible
Enesco, LLC
Epitec, Inc
EPMA
EVC Scottsdale
Farbman Group
Flexfab
FONA International
Futurewave Systems
Gables Residential
Garden City Hospital
Geneca
GiftCard Partners
Grand Prairie Services
Grand Rapids Label Company
Greeley and Hansen
Greenleaf Hospitality Group
Greenleaf Trust
GreenStone Farm Credit Services
Harley Ellis Devereaux
HealthLink Dimensions
Henry Ford Health System
Hitachi Consulting
HNI
Holland Hospital
Honigman Miller
Schwartz and Cohn LLP
Hooker DeJong, Inc.
HRsmart
HUMANeX Ventures
Ifbyphone
imageOne
Impact Networking, LLC
Inktel Contact Center Solutions
iVision, Inc.
Jonathan Wesley, Inc.
kCura
Kelco Industries
Kelly S Mathews LLC
Kent Companies
Keystone Resources
Lake Michigan Credit Union
LaSalle Network
Legal Copy Services, Inc.
Life EMS Ambulance
LNE Consulting Inc
Longnecker & Associates
LTG Marketing & Development, Inc
Mastery Technologies
Maven Wave Partners LLC
McGraw Wentworth, a Marsh &
McLennan Agency LLC company
Medicus Solutions, Inc.
Metro Health
Michael Page/ Page Group
Michigan Financial Companies
Michigan First Credit Union
Michigan Office Solutions
Modern Business Concepts, Inc
Mortenson Construction
MotherG
Motivate, Inc. dba EPMG
MSU Federal Credit Union
Mutual Trust Financial Group
National Futures Association
Navigate Research
Navint Partners LLC
NCSA Athletic Recruiting
Nemeth Law, P.C.
Nichols Paper & Supply
NOW Foods
Obsidian Learning
OLN Inc
Omni One
Omron Automation & Safety
One Source Provider
Open Systems Technologies
OpTech, LLC
Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan
OxBlue Corporation
PBD Worldwide
Pcubed Inc
Peckham Inc.
Plastic Omnium Auto Inergy
PM Realty Group
Potestivo & Associates, P.C.
Prominence Advisors
Protiviti
PSI Repair Services, Inc.
Purchasing Power, LLC
Quest Healthcare Solutions
Ranir
re:group
Red Frog Events
Regal Financial Group, LLC
Rise Interactive
Rockford Construction Company
RSG
Ryan, LLC
Sachse Construction
Scarlet Management Group
Schupan & Sons, Inc.
Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc.
Seco Tools, LLC.
Service Express Inc.
Shamrock Financial Corporation
Shoemaker Financial
Shure Incorporated
Sikich LLP
Sonoma Partners
Southwest Michigan First
SpartanNash Co.
Spot Trading LLC
Springthrough
Sun Coast Resources, Inc.
SunCoke Energy
SWC Technology Partners, Inc.
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Taylor’s Special Care Services Inc.
The Futures Company
The Intersect Group
The Mannik & Smith Group, Inc
The Marketing Store
The SMB Help Desk, Inc.
Total Quality Logistics
Total Technology
Solutions Group, Inc.
Transportation Solutions Enterprises
TransTech IT Staffing
United Shore Financial Services, LLC
University of Michigan Athletic
Department
w3r Consulting
Walbridge
Willis Law
WOW! Internet, Cable and Phone
Xcution, Inc.
Zen Planner, LLC.

 National Association for Business Resources
(866) 321-1822 * www.nationalbiz.org

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Don't let the holidays put you in a spiral!

With the holidays approaching stress can be at an all time high. Life gets crazy regardless and we have to be aware of when we are pushing ourselves too far. Recognize when your at at good level of stress (cause hey, its healthy to challenge our brains) or if your overdoing it before you get sick. Your working memory can only hold seven pieces of information. Dump out your brain, get everything onto paper, and prioritize whats important to you. Choose to do a few things each day instead of bogging yourself down for a whole day or weekend. Take time to pause! Know what's important to you and make time for it. (If you have to ponder whats important to you, its time to stop and think about your core values). Everyone deserves to have leisure time, so don't feel guilty when you do. Go ahead have some fun!


Saturday, November 15, 2014

Set Goals and Reach Them!

A goal can seem daunting if you focus only on the end results, so break down the goal into more achievable milestones. Hitting smaller goals along the way is much more motivating. Pick a date and commit to it! Having something specific makes your goal more concrete. Make a visual of your goal to focus on, it will them become more powerful. Tell everyone about your goal! It makes you more accountable and your loved ones will help you work towards it. Set realistic yet challenging goals. Get scared, shoot for something big.

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Top 5 Pieces of Advice We Have Received

1. Do things now! Do the things that people don't want to do because they seem hard. You'll be able to do things later that others can't.

2. Make decisions but never when you are emotional. Before you make a decision think if its coming from an emotional standpoint. If its, table it and come back to it.

3. Why. Always know it! When you know the why you can endure the how.

4. Be very careful who you get advice from. You wouldn't take financial advice from a person who just claimed bankruptcy so make sure the person you are taking business advice from is qualified to give it.  

5. It's not easy. If it was easy to be successful everyone would be so new flash its hard work. 

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Celebrating a Successful Year

My team members are usually heard saying phrases like "work hard play hard". And "have fun make money". It's nice to see these come into play. 
This year, we had a lot of accomplishments. The most recent being promoting another managing partner and expanding to White Plains, NY. I think it's finally time for our annual management vacation. 
We like to treat the management team annually to a vacation where they can unwind and celebrate their victories. We've done this everywhere from Puerto Rico to Arizona, and this year, we're doing the Carribean. Stay tuned for pictures on all our social media. 
As if this trip wasn't good enough, I was also personally invited to an entrepreneur training conference for young up and coming business owners. It actually takes place the same week as our vacation. There's nothing like filling up my notebook with new information and then celebrating with my team! 

Here's a few pictures from our last few annual management vacations. 

Venice Beach, California 

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Scottsdale, Arizona 

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Why is our expansion so awesome?



As you all know, we are expanding our company into the downstate market at the end of the month. We're super exited but it got me thinking, what are some actual reasons why expanding into a new market is so great? For one, its another chapter in our life book! Most of the team that is relocating has been born and raised in the CNY area, so this will be their first experience moving away from home. I, personally, have lived mostly in the Northeast but have resided in RI, NYC, NJ, and upstate NY. It has given me a ton of life experience and I have met some life long friends along the way. Visiting is great, but living in a new area is an eye opening experience and hey you'll have better stories to tell when you get old. 

Another factor is that this move will cement our team bond. Six of us have decided to relocate for this expansion and it was a big decision for everyone. We will be venturing into a new experience both personally and professionally. It has already brought us all very close together. The crew already has an invite to their first NJ Thanksgiving, courtesy of my mom. It's nice to know that your coworkers have your back no matter what and will be going through the same joys and challenges that comes with growing a company in a new market.

The driving forces for our company are meeting client demands, expanding our brand and preparing our staff to grow our organization by reaching their professional goals. The expansion team is getting a full dress rehearsal for what it will be like when they reach their goals and branch off into overseeing their own branch office. This is an amazing opportunity to see first hand the amount of work and reward that comes from intense planning and goal setting. It will also make it that much easier for them when that day comes!

At the end of the day the more you challenge yourself and push yourself out of your comfort zone, the more your grow as a person. Also tomorrow is my birthday, just thought I'd throw that in there :)

-Stephanie Melas

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Some Life Tips for our Summer 2014 Interns!



It's always a bittersweet time when the summer comes close to an end. At LTG, it's mostly because the interns go back to school! We have a lot of fun with our internship program and we usually end it by awarding a few of the top performers. "I made the most money I ever made. I had the most fun at a job that I ever have" says Cam Kyle, our intern who won "Best Office Presence".


We treat our interns exactly like Full Time employees. They attend the same meetings. They learn the same things. Although it's more heavily sales based, they get a taste of our management development program. All of our top interns became great trainers. Our "Top Intern Award" went to Bryan Weinert, who actually started developing a sales team and became part of our "Core Leader Group", which is group of exceptional leaders. He was recognized in a nation wide sales magazine as "Number 1 Rep in the Verizon FiOs Campaign"... in the entire country! Our intern Dan DeBottis won the award for Most Consistent Intern. He was always on his top game! I'm very proud of our intern's growth and accomplishments.
One really nice thing about our internship program is seeing the growth of an individual! In just a matter of 2-3 months, our interns grow from an average college kid to a business professional. Our winner of the "Most Professional Growth" went to Kevin Black. Our interns, especially Kevin, became more positive, more professional, and more resilient with their goals. Here's some tips that could help our interns, as well as anyone else looking to accomplish something big!


1) Celebrate the small victories. Don't look at your mission you give yourself as a mountain. It's overwhelming. Break it down into sections. Celebrate each step of the way.

2) Create a habit of being resilient. Don't give up on your goals. Know that you're going to do it no matter what. Other people are going to be better, but you can work harder! Hard work beats talent.

3) Don't hold yourself back by comparing yourself to others. Competition is healthy until it affects your mentality in a negative way. If anything, compete with yourself. Make yourself better. Don't worry about anyone else.

4) Set your goals extremely high. Most people work their whole lives and they're satisfied with their life. They're just satisfied with the salary, home, car, and lifestyle. This has probably always been the case. It's only those that look above the average that achieve it. It's only the one's that see what the norm is, and set their goals past it. Don't settle for mediocrity.

5) Don't fear failure. Most people don't shoot higher because they're afraid it'll hurt more if they fall. Well, that may be true. But those who are successful don't care. They bounce back. Most people fear something "different" than what they're used to and never allow themselves to see a new opportunity. They use excuses to explain to other people why they're not doing something, when really the excuses disguise their fear. We see this all the time in our business. Let yourself go! You'll be surprised about what you can accomplish.



Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Winning the Most Improved Award

It was really a humbling moment to win the Most Improved Award at the most recent Conference. It had been my goal for the whole year. I joked with my office and said that winning the "Most Improved Award" usually means you were really bad at some point. To go from where we were to one of the top offices in the nation says a lot. But it doesn't say as much about me as it says about my team. My team is awesome. I think if someone didn't have the best attitude they wouldn't fit in. That just shows in our numbers. We've been number one in the country many times this year, promoted an Assistant Manager, and will soon be promoting her into management. We'll be expanding to an available location in a few months, and again within the next year.
I ran a meeting with my office about how I believe that I earned this award. I said it was all about being in your zone. You have to be relentless. You have to act as if there's someone working full time to take your goal away from you. You have to be mad that you didn't get it last year. Really believing you can do it is huge. If somebody doesn't actually believe they can do it, they never will.


                                                  

Monday, May 26, 2014

'Tis the season to slack off

Happy Memorial Day! It’s the official kick off of summer which means nice weather, barbeques, and feeling anxious at work due to the former. In order to get the most out of your summer you need to attack work with a plan to be more productive and get the most out of this time of year.

1.       Start your morning early – kick start your morning with an outdoor activity
2.       Make a progress map – print out a monthly calendar and add your goals and action plans to it
3.       Start your day strong – prioritize your to do list, some of those emails can probably wait
4.       Adopt a two minute rule – if you can address an email in two minutes do it! You take longer thinking about the response while doing other tasks
5.       Know when you need a break – a quick break goes a long way mentally
6.       Build a rhythm – identify the time of day you begin to procrastinate, during that time close out all distractions and set a time for 20 minutes to focus on one task

7.       Give yourself an out – if you have something planned at the end of the day you will push harder at work to make sure you can leave at a certain time

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Have a Happier Monday

I recently read an article in Self about how attractive one feels during the week. According to their studies we feel less attractive on Saturdays and Mondays. The reasoning behind these feelings lean towards our mindset of weekday vs. weekend.

Everyone knows that Friday anticipation and the dread of a Sunday evening. Don't we all wish that everyday felt like a Saturday? Here are some pointers on keeping a balanced mood and mindset everyday:

1. Don't push back your sleep and wake up times. That all nighter on Saturday leads to sleeping in on Sunday which leads to going to bed later and waking up exhausted Monday AM.

2. Maintain the same diet and exercise routine. Allow yourself two cheat meals on the weekend instead of a two day binge. Nobody likes to start their week bloated and dehydrated.

3. Wake up at a reasonable time. The most effective way to tackle the work week is not by waking up extremely early on Monday, only to walk around like a zombie for the second half of the work day. Pre-plan your week on Friday so you can walk in feeling confident on Monday.

4. We feel our most attractive on Thursday. Why you ask? Your almost done with the week, you feel accomplished! Why not have everyday feel like that? Do little things for yourself to you reclaim your week. Plan something special for everyday - check out that new place around the corner for lunch, catch a movie with your best friend, get some pampering at a salon.

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Stay Motivated!

One ability that is vital in our business is the ability to be self motivated. As a manager, I can set incentives and bonuses for all types of rewards. I've set challenges to win time off, LED TVs, cash, Wine Tours, and even something as simple as a beer. That's only a temporary boost. You need to be able to still work as hard when there are no extra incentives. What can you do when the reward is strictly your long term growth? Here's how you can stay motivated.

1 Reward yourself. Small victories. Set benchmarks
2 Know what motivates you and act on it-  surround yourself around positivity. One example us music. As humans, we typically listen to sad music when we're feeling down. Why not always listen to music that can keep you productive?
3 Don't let the small stuff affect your opportunity
Albert Einstein once said "Life's like riding a bike. To get balance, just keep it moving."
4 Be unique- be something different and you'll stand out



Thursday, February 6, 2014

Set Goals for Your Life!

One of the groups we belong to on LinkedIn is the Leadership Think Tank. Here is an awesome email we received from them right after the holidays. 

  • Group: Leadership Think Tank
  • Subject: Notification from Olivier Madel
January 2014 comes to an end this Friday. What were your top New Year's Resolutions and how are you doing so far? Be sure to set goals for your life, share them with others, & create a solid support system for greater success!

I speak with lots of people everyday about how the can meet their goals in life. And I came to the conclusion, that, we all share 4 primary goals in life and they are as follows:

1. The first is to be healthy, enjoy high energy, and live a long life.

2. Second, everyone wants to have good relationships with people they love and care about and who love and care about them.

3. Third, everyone wants to do work that they find interesting and challenging and that pays very well.

4. Fourth common goal of humanity is to achieve financial independence, to reach the point where you have enough money so that you never have to worry about money again.

The best news is that it is more possible for you to achieve these four goals, at a higher level, faster, by starting and building your own successful business than in virtually any other way.

When you start and build your own successful business, you take complete control of your life. You become the master of your own destiny. You remove all limits to what you can do, have, and be in life. By building a successful business, you open up a world of opportunities and possibilities that the majority of people can only dream about.

And that's the chose I made 4 years ago. I started my own business, and I have the honor everyday to tell my story, share my knowledge and help other people enhance their quality of life.

Up until now, I was really reluctant to share what I do here with you guys. This morning I wake up feeling that this was not right, this could only mean that :

“I don’t believe in me.”
“I don’t believe in my opportunity.”
“I don’t believe in my product.”
“I’m too ashamed to talk to you.”
“I don’t think this opportunity is a good deal for others.”
“I’m worried about what you will think of me.”
“I’m afraid that you will not join and that I’ll feel rejected.”
“What if I fail? I wouldn’t want my friends and family to know that I even tried.”

And all of that is just not looking like me. Right now, my first obligation is simply to let you know that I have started my own business. My job is not to sell my products or to convince you to join. I'm here to educate you with the facts so that you can make the best choice for yourselves. That’s it. I'm an Herbalife Health Coach and Network Marketer, this is not high-pressure selling, convincing, manipulating, cold-calling, or a coercing business. Networking is simply giving people an additional choice in their lives, and allowing them to accept that choice if it helps them get what they want. That’s my job – educating people. That’s what I do as networker.

I take Herbalife nutrition products, I eat healthy balanced meals, I train, I do personal development every single day so I maintain a positive mental attitude about myself, others and life, I make money doing what I would do for absolutely free which is help people enhance their quality of life. I am clear that some want it and some don't.. My mission is to just simply share the opportunity to beast this beautiful life with me whether you want health results, or make some extra income helping your friends and family along with your self get health results. This life is for everybody who wants it and are serious so if you’re looking to lose weight, gain lean muscle, need more energy or need a lifestyle change contact me so I can explain you what this is all about.

Remember this is a notification. Not a call to action. Since I know we're all reactive people, I expect any kind of reaction to me.

Have a great day,

Olivier