New Partnership Brings Assisted Living to Frankenmuth

 

An aging local population and longer average lifespan have created an area of need for communities. Some seniors choose an independent living community where they enjoy freedom without the worry of home maintenance, lawn care and snow removal issues while others due to health issues require the skilled care of a nursing home. For those seniors who are” in between”, requiring some support services and the security of having staff available 24 hours, but do not need the medical care of a nursing home, there is assisted living.

In partnership, the Wirt-Rivette Group, KEVA Investments, and Covenant HealthCare proudly introduce the assisted living community of Covenant Glen to Frankenmuth.

A ground breaking ceremony will take place Thursday June 20 at 2:30pm at 1040 Covenant Drive in Frankenmuth for the 35,000 square foot structure. The facility will be comprised of 45 rooms, 15 dedicated to memory care and 30 assisted living beds. This $5.0 million investment aims to provide residents of Covenant Glen the support and independence they need to enjoy a worry-free life.

The facility operations will be managed through Johnsha Corporation, under the leadership of John Czarnecki. Johnsha Corporation currently manages Sheffield Bay Assisted Living in Bay City, Michigan and will bring experience and focus on customer service.

John Czarnecki states, “We try to make it simple for potential residents and their families as they explore assisted living options, providing them with the educational tools they need to make the best decision for their situation.”

Like Sheffield Bay, Covenant Glen will offer an “all inclusive” care service that combines the privacy of one’s own residence, with the support services a resident needs all in one package. The facility includes amenities like a common area, activity center, and salon, all just a short distance away from the private rooms. The staff will provide full housekeeping, transportation, three meals per day, medication management and more.

Dan George, Vice President of Ambulatory Development at Covenant HealthCare says, “We are excited to work with our partners to provide a vibrant assisted living community for residents. John and his corporation share the same caring values as Covenant, deeply rooted in the desire to satisfy customers and striving for continuous improvement.”

Covenant Glen of Frankenmuth is scheduled to open in spring of 2014.

Other Covenant HealthCare facilities in Frankenmuth include the medical facility at 600 North Main, since 1999.

To schedule a presentation, receive additional assisted living information, or for media inquiries please contact

John Czarnecki at 888.595.5506. For additional media inquiries or directions, contact Kristin Knoll with Covenant HealthCare at 989.583.7655 or 989.714.4473.

MCVI Foundation Changes Name, Expands Charity Status During National CPR/AED Awareness Week

June 5, 2013

For more information contact: Diane Fong – CEO, Office (989) 754-7283, Cell (989) 293-2217

Saginaw, Michigan – The death rate from heart disease in Michigan and the Great Lakes Bay Region is higher than the national average. For decades, the Michigan CardioVascular Institute (MCVI), its physicians and staff have served patients and conducted research to bring this rate down. Members of the practice created the MCVI Foundation in 2007 with the goal of further improving cardiovascular health. Over the years, the foundation has worked to develop, promote and support educational and community initiatives that empower people to live healthier lives.

Today, during National CPR/AED Awareness Week, the MCVI Foundation announced a new name and an important change to its status as a charitable organization. Pulse3 Foundation (pronounced “pulse three”) is the new name, and the foundation is changing from a private foundation to a public charity, as defined by the Internal Revenue Service.

“To achieve our vision of a community free from heart disease, our board of directors believes the foundation needed to evolve,” said Diane Fong, CEO of Pulse3 Foundation. “The issue of heart disease demands even greater involvement by people and organizations in the region. We are reorganizing this private foundation – where the operating support came almost solely from MCVI – to a community-based, public charity with widespread regional involvement and support, as well as MCVI’s continuing support.”

The new name focuses on the “power of three,” according to Fong, who has been at the foundation’s helm since 2007. “The average human heart beats about three billion times in a lifetime,” she said. “There are three areas that we build all of our efforts around: living, learning and lifesaving. There are three communities – Bay, Midland and Saginaw, as well as the entire Great Lakes Bay Region – that are coming together in unity to address a health issue that affects us all.”

“The greatest tragedy of cardiovascular disease isn’t just that it is America’s leading cause of death,” said Peter Fattal, M.D., chair of the Pulse3 Foundation’s board of directors and an MCVI cardiologist. “The tragedy is that it is preventable much of the time. Eating right, exercising, controlling our weight, managing stress and screening for cardiovascular disease are things we can all do to keep our cardiovascular systems more healthy. The foundation has provided over $200,000 to programs and services, training and special events to help encourage and educate our community.”

Some of these programs include: Run for Your Heart Fitness and Wellness Program, Run for Your
Heart Community Races, Shocks & Saves® alert system for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) emergencies, deployment of AED units in the community, CPR/AED training, community education programs, college scholarships and continuing education programs for healthcare professionals.
The foundation’s board of directors has grown in size with this reorganization – increasing from eight to now 13 members. “With this, there is greater representation from Bay, Midland and Saginaw counties,” said Fattal. “We also have broader institutional representation, too. The larger board will continue
to be guided by cardiovascular experts and community leaders who are results-driven and committed
to our cause.”

“Together, we have the power to beat heart disease,” said Fong. “This public, community-based foundation will bring local people – the true pulse of our region – and local dollars together to create location solutions.”
The Pulse3 Foundation, formerly known as the MCVI Foundation, was formed in 2007 to develop, promote and support educational and community initiatives that empower people of all ages to live and lead healthier lives. The foundation, its donors and volunteers strive to create a community that is heart-healthy and vibrant by championing causes related to the education, prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. The foundation also provides grants to organizations throughout the region to impact factors that can influence a community’s heart disease rates – whether they are economic, social, or environmental. For more information: pulse3.org or (989) 754-7283.

The Michigan CardioVascular Institute was founded in 1998 to improve the quality of life for individuals with cardiac-related health problems. As one of the largest cardiovascular medical practices in Michigan, MCVI’s breadth of experience allows it to provide patients with state-of-the-art care in a compassionate environment.
In 2008, the United States Congress designated the first week of each June as National CPR/AED Awareness Week. The goal for the week is to encourage organized programs that provide training to the public on CPR and AED units.

1015 S. WASHINGTON AVENUE, SAGINAW, MI 48601 | P 989-754-7283 | F 989-754-3365 | pulse3.org

Global Glimpse- Singapore Sets the Standard

Arriving by sea or by air, Singapore provides immediate visual images of the economic, cultural, and globalization successes achieved by this unique city-state.  The nation and its leaders, past and present, have capitalized on the country’s natural harbor and strategic geographical location.

            Towering modern skyscrapers, the world’s fifth busiest port, efficient public transport, and cleanliness from corner to corner clearly set the standard for other countries in Southeast Asia. In contrast, the other nations in the region struggle to find the balance between their economic growth, social programs, and environmental impacts.

            The city-state has a culturally diverse population of 5.5 million with additional global citizens active in finance, banking, and other business service activities that support the growth and stability of Singapore.  Most of the population trace their roots to China, the Malay peninsula or India. Hindus, Arabs, Buddhists, and Christians work side by side in Singapore, exemplifying the unique socioeconomic climate of this small island nation. 

            Over the past 25 years, the government has driven an aggressive, visionary program to position Singapore as a finance, logistics, tourism, and service hub for all of Asia.  It continues to reclaim land from the sea to support population and business growth. The structure of government in Singapore allows for a participatory democracy to co-exist with strong, family- based ministerial leadership reinforced by strong moral grounding.

            Despite only achieving formal independence in 1965, the country’s leaders engaged their vision and popular support for a unique “Singapore Style and Substance” agenda that has facilitated the economic and social achievements of the nation.  Political and business leaders in Asia, and from our own country, the USA, should consider what can be achieved by better understanding and modeling Singapore’s style and substance results in their own respective nations.

            Businesses establish a presence in this country because they understand the benefits of Singapore’s efficient infrastructure combined with the integration of technology. These dual catalysts provide companies with the ability to locate their best human assets in a region where they can quickly access the world’s fastest growing nations and their expanding middle classes, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Vietnam. Please refer to earlier Global Gimpse commentaries for information on several of these countries and their markets.

Clarence Rivette

www.WirtRivetteGroup.com

 

Contact crivette@wirtrivettegroup.com regarding Global Growth, and Consulting opportunities. Your Growth. Our Business.

Global Glimpse – Indonesia

The Wirt Rivette Group’s (WRG) Global Glimpse Series continues with a focus on Indonesia where Clarence Rivette and Nicholas Rivette, manager at American Indo-China Management and WRG’s representative in Southeast Asia, traveled in March 2013. The island nation of Indonesia offers unique contrasts in the context of globalization that are evident in the country’s culture, religions, economy and government. 

Indonesia’s distinct cultures and religions reflect the cultural diversity of this archipelago nation.  Perhaps the most poignant examples of the complex interplay of culture and economics is animated by celebration of one of the Bali island’s most important Hindu holy celebrations: Nyepi Day. Imagine a global destination closing the airport and all businesses, limiting guests to their hotel grounds, not allowing people on the beaches, banning any type of transportation, and limiting the use of lights for a 24-hour period. Nyepi Day is observed on the island of Bali to mark a day to reflect, atone, and replenish nature from the effects of people and globalization. The influence of this island culture to essentially “shut down” for 24 hours and forego almost all economic activity is unique in the world. 

As one of Southeast Asia’s most populous and fastest growing economies, Indonesia’s large population and natural resources provide catalysts for continued development and opportunities for foreign direct investment. Like other nations in the region, scooters and motorcycles are rapidly being replaced by cars produced in Asia and designed for the growing middle and professional classes.  With increased mobility, the country’s transportation infrastructure is challenged to keep pace with the movement of both tourists and native Indonesians, a fact that is evident in heavy traffic in large and small towns. 

In addition to transportation, the effects of globalization are readily apparent in the urban hypermarkets and local village vendors, where consumer products are available and specially packaged to meet the needs of the populace. For example, a global consumer contrast is evident in the small packets of shampoo, laundry detergent, and toothpaste sold in local market stands. These packets, about the size of a lottery ticket, can be purchased in various quantities and easily carried by foot, scooter, or car as opposed to the large bulk sizes marketed and sold in western markets. Looking forward, the marketing, packaging, and transport of products in this island nation will continue to be a factor for consideration as companies assess opportunities for consumer goods in Indonesia. 

Indonesia’s growing professional class also provides technology and communication opportunities. Blackberry has recently launched its newest mobile device – the Z10 – in Indonesia and recognized the nation as its third largest market behind the US and Great Britain, bringing the country into the highly competitive global mobile technology market.

Indonesia’s government will continue to face challenges on managing growth in this diverse nation.  The acceleration of development, decisions on infrastructure investment, and reducing corruption must be addressed in a more efficient manner to recognize the role of local and village governments in the country’s islands. In a regional context, Indonesia’s complex cultural and economic dichotomy is not wholly unique in Southeast Asia. Similar challenges and opportunities can be seen in Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar and Thailand. These nations have a vibrant tourist market, a wealth of natural resources, a growing consumer class, and their annual economic growth rates exceed those in developed Western countries. Furthermore, these nations are aggressive competitors for foreign direct investment to develop infrastructure, expand their growth in the region, and form strategic economic partnerships in the larger global marketplace.

The Wirt Rivette Group’s partners in Ho Chin Minh City, Vietnam, Nicholas Rivette and Viet Nguyen of Viet Orient Tours, provide unique insight into Southest Asia’s economies and cultures. 

WRG’s Global Perspective consulting program provides companies with their own unique awareness assessment and market opportunity perspectives for their products and services in today’s dynamic, global marketplace.

 

For additional details please contact Clarence Rivette at crivette@wirtrivettegroup.com.

Good Partners, Good Projects

 

Wirt-Rivette Group Partnership Builds Homes in Downtown Benton Harbor, MI. 

Wirt-Rivette Group (WRG) and Mark of Quality Construction formed a partnership, Alpha Omega Construction, LLC to participate in an urban, residential construction project, Harbor Town, in Benton Harbor, MI.

 “It is our privilege to partner with a quality home builder, Mark Valenti, in this unique project administered by Cornerstone Alliance in downtown Benton Harbor, MI.”, stated Clarence Rivette, President of WRG. 

Cornerstone Alliance,www.cstonealliance.org, selected Alpha Omega Construction as one of the builders for this unique urban, residential project.   “This is just one example of the various revitalization projects administered and led by Cornerstone. Their efforts and vision are changing and improving the quality of life for the city’s residents and the environment for the businesses in Benton Harbor”, stated Mark Valenti. 

 The Wirt-Rivette Group utilizes partnerships to create and support residential and commercial development opportunities throughout Michigan.

 For additional information regarding partnering with WRG please visit www.wirtrivettegroup.com.

Myanmar: Opportunities, Transitions and Unknowns

This final Global Glimpse-Myanmar will conclude our observations and experiences over the past week as we visited this unique nation.

 

The modern, efficient international airport in Yangon, Myanmar (the former capital of the country) captures what the Burmese people must believe are the opportunities which lie ahead for their country.  Clean, modern and ready to accept more international flights, tourists and international investors, the airport stands as a gateway to this resource rich country.

 

Yangon is teaming with 6 million people, some of  whom still see visitors, especially Americans,  as a novelty.  Its crowded streets are full of small shops and markets set among colonial buildings from the former British colonial period. 

 

Opportunities and the pace of development to support them will be very dependent upon the current political transition from a military government too a freely elected democracy. It is important to remember that democracy did exist in Myanmar (Burma) following its independence from Britain in 1948 until 1962 when the military took control of the country.

 

The people of Myanmar recognize the opportunities and are hopeful for a peaceful transition.  Almost all of the people we met stated positively, “it is so much better than two years ago. “

 

The unknowns will be the level of commitment by the military to continue the transition to free and fair elections. These political reforms must be supported by economic reforms which allow for entrepreneurialism and open foreign direct investment, unencumbered by political and military corruption.

 

With a population of 60 million hard working people and rich natural resources, the country can play a major role in the SE Asia and global economies.

 

The Wirt-Rivette Group and our partner in Vietnam will further explore business activities in Myanmar through the affiliates we met during the visit.

Unique handicraft imports and travel programs will be the initial focus.

 

Custom and group travel programs are now available to Myanmar with add on programs to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos through Viet Orient Tours\The Wirt-Rivette Group. Group trips to Myanmar and Vietnam are planned for the late Fall off 2013.

 

For additional information on business and travel to Myanmar and SE Asia, please contact Clarence Rivette at crivette@wirtrivettegroup.com.

 

Thank you for your interest in Global Glimpse- Myanmar

 

 

Clarence Rivette

The Wirt-Rivette Group

Mynamar, Economic Challenges

The Myanmar Times: “Help us build a new Myanmar”.

During the visit to Mandalay, this article was found on the front page of the government sponsored paper, The Myanmar Times.

It has been a unique week for the USA and Myanmar. Their focus on the future and the balance of economic development and their current military based government are noted in this article, the commercial activities we witnessed in Mandalay and the perspectives of small entrepreneurs in Inle Lake.

Additionally, a leading dissident was awarded a congressional medal this week during her visit to Washington DC.

With a large population of 2 million people and a central commercial location on a major river and in the center of the country Mandalay is positioned for rapid economic development. In fact, our guide, a former English teacher commented that Myanmar would be a future Asian Tiger. Certainly, the natural resources and the work ethic of the people will provide critical support for this vision.

The challenge for Myanmar’s desire to modernize, could be their commitment to the past from both social and political perspectives.

Traveling onward from Mandalay to Hehoe brought us to Inle Lake. The lake is part of a conservatory which protects the water wildlife and unique lake living culture. The villages are primarily built on stilts, with unique fishing and farming systems to support the local economy.

Textile weaving with silk and lotus are one of the highlights. In a conversation over the discount we would receive for our purchases, the manager of the “store on stilts” was encouraged by our visit. We discussed exporting the unique woven scarves and garments. She replied, as politics improve between Myanmar and US so will business. “Maybe we can accept credit cards next year.”

I definitely could see their unique hand woven products in boutiques in the USA. In fact, we have a recent client with a retail store in Kalamazoo, MI where these products could have their debut, if politics step aside.

Clarence Rivette
The Wirt-Rivette Group

Global Glimpse: Myanmar

The Wirt-Rivette Group

Global Glimpse: Myanmar

Two worlds coexist in Mayanmar. Myanmar is now accessible with a two hour direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City. It is located west of Thailand and has a population of approximately 60 million people.

A devout Buddhist culture co-existing with a military controlled government inching towards considering reforms to open the country to foreign direct investment and possibly democratic reforms.

This unique balancing act can now be experienced by foreign tourists, to include curious Americans who are still in the minority of foreign visitors.

A visit to the former capital, Yangon, is highlighted by a trip to the Shwedogan Pagoda, encased in 60 tons of gold. From a foreign investment perspective, China, South Korea and Japan are leading development activities in infrastructure and tourism investments. Most investments involve joint venture partners with state owned enterprises.

Like Vietnam, investment activities managed by the government in Myanmar will experience challenges with productivity, corruption, western investor confidence and market based innovation perspectives.

Traveling by air from Yangon to the interior cultural and Buddhist capital of Bagan, one experiences the time warp of the country. The landscape is dotted with over 3,000 temples and pagodas. Today the region is primarily a tourist destination. The population of the region in the 11th/12th century when the region was the Kingdom of Bagan was 500,000 and today it is a sleepy tourist destination of 50,000 people.

Myanmar will open quickly with the various natural resources available in the country, to include oil and gas. The U.S. will continue to move cautiously until further reforms are made while China, Vietnam and South Korea press on with their investment programs.

Clarence Rivette
The Wirt-Rivette Group

Global Glimpse SE Asia Fall 2012

You may have noted from the recent press release that our activities continue to take us to South East Asia, but this Global Glimpse report also finds my partner Steve Wirt in British Columbia, Canada and a new client for our group is enroute Bangladesh from Taiwan.

 The current “Global Glimpse”, from a true global perspective seems disconcerting.  We know from the media that we are faced with tensions and violence in muslims nations, continued economic uncertainty in our country and abroad and significant shifts in global economic, political and military forces and players.

 Over the summer our partner in Vietnam, Viet Nguyen, visited us and we conducted various meetings to continue to develop our consulting and experience and education activities in SE Asia.  Discussions were held with Northwood University and other organizations in Michigan and Ontario. A follow-on visit to Ho Chi Minh City by a representative from Northwood University is also scheduled for October.

 This trip to Vietnam, our 7th, comes at a critical time for the country. Various national and global factors have created a violent monsoon for what was once an emerging tiger in SE Asia.  The global economic slowdown, internal corruption, a weakened banking system and challenges at all levels of the Vietnamese government to institute reform and economic transition discipline make for an interesting opportunity to assess the country’s next chapter.

 During this visit you can enjoy reports from my perspective, but more importantly from the perspectives of our partner, Viet and our colleague, and my son Nick Rivette, University of Michigan 2012, who is living and working in Vietnam. 

 We look forward to seeing you online, receiving your questions and engaging in our Global Glimpse of SE Asia, Fall 2012.

Find us at www.facebook.com/wirtrivettegroup for some more amazing pictures.

Clarence Rivette

The Wirt-Rivette Group

 

Top 5 Facebook Apps For Your Business

After reading through Social Media Examiner’s “Top 75 Apps for Enhancing Your Facebook Page,” I decided to choose the top 5 that I know from experience work great on our page, and hopefully will help yours too.

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The first one is a Welcome Page. I feel this is a must-have for any business page. A Facebook Welcome Page can help you convert viewers to friends based on a first impression. Once the app has been added to your page, you will need to use Static FBML to add your custom content. You can find the Welcome Page application here.

Above is Social Media Examiner’s Facebook Welcome Tab. They attract fans with a welcome message that explains the company and what their fans can expect to learn from them. They also give fans an opportunity to sign up for daily emails on the Welcome Page…another clever way to build your contact list.

Facebook Welcome – Reveal Page

If you want to get really fancy, you could try a Facebook Fan Reveal Page for your fans and non-fans. This feature will help you turn non-fans into fans more quickly, by letting the fans see a different screen after they “Like” your page. First, you must give non-fans a reason to “Like” your page. For example, you could offer a discount to an upcoming seminar, a coupon for one of your products, or a publication you have just released that would interest your audience. After the non-fan clicked “Like”, they will then view a new Welcome Page, which would include the content of your choice, but make sure you give them what you promised. If you are interested in this Reveal Page, you can view the article that taught me here. If you have any questions on how to create a Reveal Page for your business, leave a comment below and I can answer any questions.

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My  second favorite is the  Social RSS app. This application allows you to connect your blog to your Facebook page. This app will help with time management of your social media marketing by automatically updating your status to your new blog post.

Some other RSS feed applications:

• RSS Grafitti
• Involver – RSS Feed
• North Social – RSS Feed
• Networked Blogs

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My third personal favorite is the You Tube Channel App by Involver. This application will add a YouTube tab to the top of your page and will post new videos for fans to view. This app comes in handy when you are recording live webinars or have video advertisements.

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And #4 goes to Selective Tweets.  This application allows you to select which Tweets you would like to post to your Facebook page. You would do this by adding #fb at the end of the selected Tweet. It’s that easy! At the start of our social media adventure, I was using Facebook’s Twitter App. I wasn’t the biggest fan of this application, and felt like most of the time I would post to Facebook and then have to go to Twitter and delete the post, because the Facebook post was too long for a Tweet.

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Last but not least goes to…. Reviews. This app is very important to our business because it allows us to monitor and make changes regarding what reviews have been published about our company. This app is great to show potential clients the great things customers have to say about your business. The best part about this app is, whenever they write a review on your business page, it will get posted to their News Feed and their friend’s News Feeds, gaining more exposure for you!

 

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Well, those are my top 5. Like I said earlier, if you need any help with any of the above apps, or even others that I have not mentioned, comment below and I will do my best to help!