Board Nominations
The board nominees gave their speeches  today.  Ballots were collected by those in attendance.  We will give absent members until Wednesday to email in their votes.  We will contact the new board members Thursday.  The new board will be announced Friday.  There will be a brief board meeting after next Friday's regular meeting.

Bob Busch - I have been a board member before.  I have been on lots of board.  I was president of one.  I have lots of experience.  I hope to bring to the board fresh ideas.  I would like to get back to helping members build their businesses.  I miss acknowledging members that I have used.

Chuck Hultstrand-  I am honored to be nominated.  In the time honored tradition, I would encourage you to vote for the other three.  I would like to see a balance of the old and the new direction.

Don Ellis - I have been on the board twice before but is has been many years.  It is my time again.  This is a good time.  We have had up and down times in this group but right now we are up and I would be proud to be part of it.  Vote for who you think would be the best.  If you choose me, I will try as hard as I can.

Jake Ulrich - I had a whole speech prepared....being my 3rd week and all!  I thank you for the nomination.  I do hold a board position with the Boys and Girls Club as well as one with M&I.  I make a big goal of streamlining efficiency.  Thank you again.  I look forward to participating.

Website Update
The newest section to our website is "Items of Interest" under the visitors section.  This section is for posting items submitted by members.   Check out our first submission by Carole Weishaar. 

Membership Dues
Dues are now due!  You should have received you monthly e-invoice on 9/15/09.  Although we are now billing monthly, you can still pay quarterly if you prefer.  We also now accept automatic monthly bank drafts for your convenience. (Click here for more information and to print form). 

Social Event
Dave Lathrop may host a social "game" night sometime in October.  He did mention that he is on the west side so it may be a bit of a drive for some. 

Russ Perry showed the group his company's promotional video. 

My services range for different clients.  We are a brand interactive company.  We do more than graphic design.  We do research and case studies.  We look at the companies logo, website, colors they use, etc.  We can do website portals, blogs, and so much more. 

Measurement - Google Analytics.  We measure everything we do.  We track visits, keywords, etc.  If your webmaster doesn't provide this service you are being ripped off because it is free. 

We never make any decisions blind.  We take time to research.   

We also do email marketing.  We can help a client develop a custom email template.  We also have programs that can test email open rates, who opened them and what links they visited.  It is not perfect but it does give you some useful information.   If you saw that somebody opened your email before you made your sales call, wouldn't that give you a tremendous advantage?

How can you give me business?  We cost less than a lawyer, more than a mechanic.  We charge $150 per hour.  We bill all of our services at this flat rate.  We will come out and evaluate your needs and give you an estimate.  We bill for hours performed in 5 hour increments.  Things change so the estimate of hours can also change.  We don't charge you for more work than is performed.  You don't have to go to other vendors for different services.  With our staff of five we can provide all the services you need.

We try to deliver solutions in a more holistic approach.  For instance, launching a blog is only part of the whole package we offer.

I want to encourage everyone to venture out and take your business to the next level.  Conversations, discussions, bouncing ideas off of us...that doesn't cost you a dime.

We have seen a wide range of clients.  We have seen what works and what doesn't work.  One thing we have learned is advice and knowledge is the number one service we can offer for free.  We would rather help you start a program on your own and when you need us we can take you to the next level.

If you double your prices now and loose less than half of your customer base, you are making more money.  Be aggressive.  Charge what you feel you are worth. 

The number one thing about your website is you want to convert.  Determine what your conversion goal is.  You also need to consider your ROI.  There are a lot of free services that can provide the same benefit of a website.  Never get on anything (website, twitter, Facebook) just to do it.  Have a goal.

I grew up in Miami, AZ.  I went to Arizona State on a full-ride leadership scholarship.  I graduated with honors.  I first went to work for LG.  I also worked for Apple when they released the first iPod ever.  I started Keane Creative while working with Apple.  From there, in 2007, I quite everything to focus on my business full time.  In 2008 we opened on Mill Avenue.  I have a 4-year daughter.  My wife is a retired stock broker.  She is now getting her masters and will go into teaching.  I main reason I joined MABE to get business advice.