"Sell Michigan"
Buying Michigan is very important at this time. Two great websites, MichiganMall.com and BuyMichigan.com provide information about businesses, products, and services based in Michigan that sell in Michigan. Our support helps the economy grow as Michigan's GDP grows.
We also need to think "Sell Michigan". The world has many wants and needs that could easily be provided by Michiganders. Here is a small sampling of the Michigan MBC Global is working to sell:
- Boats. We have identified a need by a foreign government to buy more than 30 boats, including speed boats and surveillance boats. It is a seed order for future business and MBC Global, a Michigan based company will assist in filling the order. We would love the boats to be made in Michigan, but if not possible, let us coordinate the sale using a Michigan distributor. Our only problem is we need a referral of a business that is willing to sell boats for foreign delivery (Fair trade agreement is in place). Do you have a recommendation?
- Teachers. We have been contacted by a college in Africa that is creating an American zone where their students will learn the American culture. We are not talking about removing talented Michigan teachers on a permanent basis as these are commitments for a semester or year. These teachers will be representatives for the state from which they come, building relationships that will result in commerce for their state. Wouldn't it be great to have these educators become ambassadors for Michigan? When they return they will be better teachers because they will have global experience to share with our students at a time when the world's economy is becoming global!
- Baseball equipement. I posted this before only to get comments about why, if used baseball equipment is available, it shouldn't be used here in inner Detroit. Although we do not despite a local need, the way business is done in some other cultures is that a relationship must happen first. If we can get the baseball equipment that has been requested and deliver it to the inner city in the foreign country where it has been requested, we will establish ourselves as a caring society that is more interested in people than their dollars. If Michigan is the state to establish this credibility, the person doing the requesting has the power and finances for major orders of basketball and baseball equipment. Is there a business in Michigan that would like to fill those orders? All they are asking for to show our good nature is used equipment.
This has been a lengthy message and hopefully one or two will get this far along in it. If so I hope you see how the global economy will greatly enrich our state finncially and experientially if we all work to "Sell Michigan"!
Contact me with any referrals that may assist in these endeavors. I will make sure that as a Michigan company we present the Michigan offers first. Florida and Virginia have already stepped up on items 1 and 2, so let me know as quickly as possible.
Thanks, Rick
MBC Global (www.mbcglobal.org)
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Great Post, Rick!
America's first soft drink - Vernors Ginger Ale - was formulated in 1866, and sold almost exclusively in Michigan until the late 1980s. The "sea change" that made it a national brand came when "migrating" Michiganders began asking family members to send cases of Vernors - they loved it, and couldn't find anything like it in their new communities.
What a cool thing it would be to see other Michigan-born products and services demanded by people across the continent, and across the world!
And, it would be great if someone (like you) put together a seminar/workshop/idea lab to find ways we can "sell Michigan" while we also "buy Michigan."
Linda, wanting some Vernors
Excellent points. We moved from Michigan to New York City in the 80s and had to drink Canada Dry. Not nearly as smooth and flavorful. We had to stock up when we came back on family visits. To add instult to our Vernor withdrawl, we only got a nickle when we returned the empty imported Vernor bottles in New York.
We are in the process of developing a workshop about Selling Michigan. One of the Downtown Development Associations has requested it for June and it one of the chambers of commerce has scheduled it for the fall. The June presentationis a members only but fall will be open to the public. Maybe a MCC presentation would be in order also - thanks for sparking the idea!
If you have to see it, join the discussion labeled "Response to a commercial- Michigan Pride". It was started by Tracy Lindsay and can be found in the "Ask" discussion forum.
Rick, have you met with Lisa Diggs. buymichigannow.com is the site she has been working on since November and she is very passionate about our economy. You may want to contact her as well.
Thanks Melissa,
Yes, I have met Lisa and she is very impressive with her passion and energy devoted to growing the Michigan economy. She understands the importance of educating us to the many Michigan based companies that deserve our support.
I really beleive that Motor City Connect has the power to dramatically impact the Michigan economy through both buying and selling.
Think about it: there are 11 million purchasers in Michigan. This is a significant spending machine that can readily fuel our economy. Outside of Michigan there are 6.6 billion shoppers. They do not relate as readily as a Michigander should to the innovation and quality of Michigan products and definately have different motivation factors. But they do buy products everyday - all 6.6 million of them (either directly or through their governing bodies). Motor City Connect could use their connections and entrepreneurial spirit to make a difference in buying and selling Michigan's products and services.