Michelle Flandreau is New Vice President Of Marketing at GuidantFinancial

Bellevue's Guidant Financial Names Michelle Flandreau VP Marketing

Bellevue-based small business financing specialist Guidant Financial has hired Michelle Flandreau as vice president of marketing. Based in Guidant's Bellevue headquarters,  Michelle Flandreau's hiring is in Guidant's 12th year in business.  Guidant Financial's state goal is to put $350 million to work for small business in 2015.  Reaching this goal will help empower entrepreneurs to help realize their dreams of business ownership. Michelle Flandreau will drive marketing and communications for Guidant and lead the strategic direction of the company.  She will also oversee earned and social media, email marketing and advertising and hopefully be working to renew a former partnership with Bellevue Business Journal.

Covenant Retirement Communities Promotes Terri Cunliffe to CEO

Terri Cunliffe Promoted to CEO After 25 Years at Convenant Retirement Communities

The board of directors of Chicago-based Covenant Retirement Communities (CRC), owner and operator of 14 senior living communities nationwide, has named Terri Cunliffe as its chief executive officer, effective June 1, 2015. Cunliffe, who has served as CRC’s COO since 2010 and has been part of the organization for more than 25 years, succeeds current CEO Rick Fisk.

Beginning her career as a nursing home part-time receptionist, Terri Cunliffe has held a series of progressive leadership roles within CRC, including nursing home administrator and executive director at Covenant Village of Florida. As CRC’s senior vice president of health and wellness and executive vice president of operations, Cunliffe effected change by developing and implementing the company’s LifeConnect approach to whole-person wellness. The program enables CRC to connect residents with resources and opportunities to help them fulfill their needs, interests and goals through educational and cultural programming, on- and off-campus activities and excursions.

While serving as COO Cunliffe developed the organization’s new customer service and hospitality platform – ‘We Believe.’ The platform, which is currently being implemented across CRC’s 14 senior living communities, focuses on enhancing the communities’ customer service and resident relations by focusing on individuality, hospitality, congeniality and spirituality.

“It has been a privilege to be a part of an organization that is committed to the Evangelical Covenant Church’s mission, and provides its employees the opportunity to impact the lives of others on a daily basis while practicing their faith at work,” says Cunliffe. “Our residents and staff inspire me daily, and I look forward to continuing to work with our executive leadership team and board of directors to further Covenant Retirement Communities’ strategic vision of assisting and meeting the needs of future generations of residents and staff.”

Covenant Retirement Communities Knows Cunliffe is Right Hire

“Throughout her tenure with Covenant Retirement Communities, Terri has earned the respect of the staff and board members as well as colleagues in the senior living industry,” says Neil Warnygora, executive director at Covenant Village of Northbrook. “With her long history with the organization and strengths – enthusiasm, experience, business savvy, and wellness perspective – Terri Cunliffe is the right person for this position and will effect positive change that will continue to reflect the mission of the Evangelical Covenant Church and Covenant Retirement Communities.”

A licensed nursing home administrator in the state of Florida, Cunliffe has been an active leader in LeadingAge Florida, formerly known as Florida Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, since 1995. She was named FAHSA Executive of the Year in 1999, received its chairman’s award in 2005 and was the organizations’ chair from 2009-2011.

Cunliffe earned a Bachelor of Science degree in long-term care administration from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn. and a master’s degree in health services administration from Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

About Covenant Retirement Communities

Covenant Retirement Communities is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit senior services providers. It serves 5,000 residents at 14 retirement communities nationwide and is a ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church. For more information, visit www.covenantretirement.org.

Top 5 YouTube Tips for Bellevue Small Businesses

If you haven't explored video as a powerful marketing tool you might be missing out on a powerful marketing tool. YouTube is FREE and easy to use with a massive market audience which gives small businesses the kind of leverage big businesses have with TV and Commercials. However, like any strategy or tool, in order for it to see positive results it needs to be put into action.



I have put together 5 tips to help Bellevue Small Businesses get the most out of YouTube.

1. Create and Brand Your Channel
Just get started and sign up for a YouTube Channel. Once you start your channel make sure you customize your channel so that it has your company's logo, looks similar to your website and look of your brand. You can have your designer to create a YouTube Banner with your logo and images that will share what your channel is all about. It is well worth the time and will only take a few seconds to set up.

2. Develop a list of topics
My tip on finding out what topics to create videos around is to search Amazon's Books around your topic or industry. Find a popular book such as 101 Questions for ________(fill in the blank with your industry). Click on a book and search the contents of the book and you will see titles that will be great topics you could do videos about for your audience.

3. Search Google Keyword Planner
Search Google's keyword planner to find out more relevant topics and keywords to focus your videos around. Doing this research ahead of time will help you get your videos ranked on the first page of Google.

4. You Don't Need Expensive Equipment
These days everyone has a smart phone or an iPhone that has a very high quality video camera. People love videos that are real and raw. Try to to shake too much or have someone hold your phone while you film your video. Make sure that the lighting is in front of you or else the video will look dark. You can also make sure that you don't do videos behind a window. I have more tips on this but for now just don't go out and buy fancy equipment if you are on a budget. You can easily do it with a simple iPhone or very low end flip type camera.

5. Call to Action
At the end of your videos make sure to let your viewers know what to do next after watching your video. That might be telling them to visit you on your website, like this video, interact with you by commenting or asking a question the comment box below. People need to know how they can contribute to you or what they should do next with the valuable content you just shared with them.

If you would like to know more about how to start a YouTube Channel for your Bellevue Business I would love to invite you to my next workshop.

Join me June 2nd, 2015 at 6pm - 8pm

at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue in the Pacific Place Board Room.

Limited Seating is available! Please RSVP at www.YouTubewithStacia.Eventbrite.com.

Can't make this event and want to learn more about me go to: www.StaciaLoo.com/aloha to Get on my VIP List for more tips and tricks and my FREE 5 Day Online Marketing Training. 

Stacia Loo to Hold Free YouTube Marketing Event in Bellevue

Bellevue-based Social media professional Stacia Loo, who has successful clients near and far, is holding a free class on YouTube Marketing in Bellevue on June 2nd, 2015.  The event will be held at the Parkplace Boardroom on the 2nd floor at the Bellevue Hyatt from 6-8pm.  Complimentary parking is available courtesy of The Bellevue Collection.

Some of what you will learn from Ms. Loo:

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  How to brand and optimize your YouTube channel to attract leads

  
  


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  How to develop video topics that are most relevant to your audience

  
  


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  How to pick keywords and titles to attract targeted leads

  
  


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  Suggestions on the best and low cost tools to produce videos

  
  


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  Using cards, annotations, and playlists to increase engagement

  
  


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  Plus Creative ideas that will have even a novice doing videos like a pro!

  
  


• and my favorite:  Why it is important for your business to have a constant and fresh presence on YouTube (including the relationship between Google and YouTube and why your business cannot afford to ignore it.

To reserve your seat, make sure to register for YouTube Marketing For Business at Eventbrite.

 

ABC of Western Washington hires new Membership Development Manager

[caption id="attachment_10192" align="alignright" width="225"] Katie Anfinsen ABC Membership Development Manager[/caption]

Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Washington has hired Katie Anfinsen as Membership Development Manager. She has taken over responsibility for membership growth from Wendy Novak who became president of the chapter in April.

Anfinsen has a strong background in relationship sales and customer service. She returned to the Seattle area after spending eight years in Whitefish, Mont. where she held positions with the Whitefish Mountain Resort and First Interstate Bank. She earned her bachelor of science degree in Recreation and Tourism Management from Central Washington University and where she also worked as an account executive for KXLE radio.

About ABC      

ABC of Western Washington represents more than 300 companies and their nearly 15,000 employees from both open shop and union contractors, professional service firms and suppliers. Its membership includes general and subcontractors as well as associated firms that are dedicated to promoting the free enterprise system through improved business conditions, increased training and safety and promoting positive employee/employer relations.

Mikayla Morgan Promoted to Marketing Integration Manager at LoanStar Home Lending

Mikayla Morgan was recently promoted to Marketing Integration Manager and Coordinator for the Marketing Department at LoanStar Home Lending.

“Mikayla has been with our core team since before LoanStar was founded and has a very intimate knowledge of how our marketing systems work best for our originators.  And now as a licensed originator herself, she brings even more experience to the team and will be a tremendous asset to new loan officers and branches that join LoanStar in the future,” said Kenn Bartley, SVP Marketing and Business Development. Mikayla has been with the company since November 12, 2013 and has held positions as Marketing Coordinator and Regional Marketing Manager.  She will continue to serve as a marketing concierge for LoanStar’s Bellevue, Vancouver, and the Walla Walla branches, supporting those loan officers with all of their marketing needs from on-boarding and beyond.

We are excited about this new position at LoanStar, the Marketing Integration Manager, will be responsible for coordinating and facilitating all marketing onboarding activities for new employees.  Kenn Bartley added, “LoanStar recognized the need for a robust onboarding process since we founded the company, and elevating Mikayla Morgan to the new position of Marketing Integration Manager is another sign of our commitment to make the transition to LoanStar seamless and smooth.”

Sue Lundquist and Her AwesomeSOXX to Represent Eastside at Oscars

Congratulations goes to Eastsider Sue Lundquist, whose AwesomeSOXX have been chosen to be part of swag bags at the Oscars after parties this year!!

According to a post on her blog, Lundquist plans to wear a pair of her inspirational socks on the red carpet while donning an evening gown for the night's events.  If all goes right, by the end of the night, she will have some A List celebs sporting AwesomeSOXX too!

Congratulations Sue!

Edelman Appoints New Digital Group Director for the Pacific Northwest

Edelman has named Gina Avila the senior vice president and group director for digital in the Pacific Northwest. In her new role, Avila will partner with leadership in Seattle and Portland to drive digital strategy for clients and lead a staff of digital specialists across the region. Avila will report to Will Ludlam, general manager of Edelman Seattle, and be based out of Edelman’s Seattle office.

Avila brings nearly 20 years of integrated marketing experience to the role. Most recently, she was the senior vice president of internet and mobile marketing for Citi. There, she drove adoption of Citi’s digital and mobile platforms such as the Citi Mobile Snapshot, the first mobile application to allow customers to view deposit and credit card balances and recent transactions without having to log into their accounts. She also oversaw channel marketing strategy and execution across digital, email, television, print and in-branch merchandising.

“Gina's ability to create and amplify authentic stories across multiple channels will no doubt strengthen our digital capabilities in the Pacific Northwest,” said Will Ludlam, general manager of Edelman’s Seattle office. "She also brings a wealth of consumer, technology, financial and corporate experience that will greatly enhance our ability to provide social marketing counsel to clients in those spaces.”

Prior to Citi, Avila was the vice president of business development services at IMG, where she built brand marketing opportunities and sponsorships for IMG College, which offers exclusive marketing rights to nearly 90 universities and conferences in the US. She was also a management director and vice president at Saatchi & Saatchi, leading brand identity projects and integrated marketing campaigns for Pay by Touch and New York State Tourism, among others. Avila also managed integrated marketing for American Express OPEN Small business products while a management supervisor and partner at Ogilvy in New York.

“It’s a great time to be in the Pacific Northwest, which is home to some of the world’s greatest brands, innovative start-ups and emerging technologies,” said Avila. “I’m excited to combine more than 20 years of integrated marketing experience with Edelman’s industry-leading reputation in the digital marketing space to help drive client innovation."