By Internet Marketing Experts
2012 Series Of Virtual Summits, Workshop and Webinars scheduled starting March 26, 2012 through March 29, 2012 exclusively designed for the franchising industry
March 16, 2012 (Birmingham, MI): Melih Oztalay, CEO of Smartfinds Internet Marketing is guest speaker at the first Franchisee Sales and Marketing Summit (FranSummit) started by FranSummit founders, Paul Segreto, President and CEO of franchisEssentials, and Jeremy LaDuque, President and CEO of Elements Local, announced that on March 26, 2012. FranSummit will be the first of many major virtual events, exclusively designed for the franchising industry, to take place throughout the year.
Smartfinds Internet Marketing (http://www.smartfindsmarketing.com ), an Internet Marketing pioneer for more than 20 years and leader in web marketing including Geographic Web Marketing and Local Web Marketing for franchisees, will present “Embracing Technology and Adapting to Change” by Melih Oztalay, CEO of SmartFinds Internet Marketing.
“As a web marketing agency working in an ever changing environment of web technologies and requirements, our company has to adapt to the industry. As algorithms change, new technologies are introduced, previous technologies updated we have to step up to be sure we can support our clients before they are aware of these changes,” said Melih Oztalay, Smartfinds CEO. “The presentation at FranSummit will discuss expecting and accepting change in web marketing along with sample industry changes that are important to understand for 2012.”
FranSummit will be divided into four, one hour-long sessions spanning the length of four days, from March 26 until March 29. Each session will cover a different topic, with Paul Segreto facilitating and presenting alongside an expert guest on the subject of focus. Additionally, Jeremy LaDuque will present opening comments 15 minutes prior to each daily session and along with Paul Segreto, will also present a detailed summary of the entire Franchisee Sales and Marketing Summit at the conclusion of the last session.
“It is crucial to cover a broad spectrum of information while remaining detailed, precise and succinct within a brief amount of time. The guest speakers who we hand-picked are revered experts in their fields and will contribute greatly in achieving these goals,” said LaDuque. “We designed the whole event to have a natural flow, with each successive lesson building upon the one delivered the previous day. With this layout, and Paul and I actively participating, recapping and summarizing the main points, we are confident that our guests will retain a great amount of information in a concise, manageable fashion.”
The four sessions of Franchisee Sales and Marketing Summit will occur in the following chronological order, starting from March 26 through March 29:
- Monday, March 26 – Consumer Sales and Customer Experience with Mindy Golde, Director of Sales at Listen360 (formerly Systino)
- Tuesday, March 27 – Social Media and Personal Branding with Debra Vilchis, Chief Operating Officer of Fishman Public Relations
- Wednesday, March 28 – Local Marketing and SEO with Jeremy LaDuque, CEO of ElementsLocal and co-founder of FranSummit
- Thursday, March 29 – Embracing Technology and Adapting to Change with Melih Oztalay, CEO of SmartFinds Internet Marketing
The Webinar Series are held daily, from: Mar 26, 2012 to Mar 29, 2012 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM CDT.
All sessions will be recorded and available for download after the event. Both franchisors and franchisees are encouraged to attend. In addition, the event may be customized and branded for any franchise system to serve as instructional materials for later viewing.
Registration to Franchisee Sales and Marketing Summit is currently open with a base price of $199 and a $50, early bird discount available until March 19. Group discounts are also available with a fee of $99 for 10-49 attendees, $79 for 50-99 and $59 for groups with 100 or more participants.
For more information about FranSummit and to register for Franchisee Sales and Marketing Summit, visit http://www.fransummit.com
About Smartfinds Internet Marketing
The most critical element of SmartFinds Internet Marketing services is the creativity and imagination to apply the technological aspects of the digital marketplace to the marketing objectives of a particular business. Initial research provides SmartFinds the ability to develop a digital strategy that can be measured every step of the way to insure business growth and revenue generation. Some of SmartFinds’ clients have included ComForcare Home Care, Delphi, Flagstar Bank, Guardian Industries, McCann Erickson, Penske Automotive Group, Soave Enterprises, Wendy’s, Ziebart and others. You can learn more about SmartFinds at http://www.smartfindsmarketing.com and their Geographic Marketing website at http://www.smartfindsgeographicmarketing.com
New Release Contact:
Melih Oztalay, CEO
Smartfinds Internet Marketing
Toll-Free: (866) 501-5758
Direct: (248) 568.2241
melih@smartfindsmarketing.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/smartfinds
330 East Maple Road #503, Birmingham, MI 48009
By Internet Marketing Experts
“What’s the Online Buzz?” is the third and final installment of the DMCVB membership educational series focusing on business ratings and reviews by local customers
September 26, 2011 (Birmingham, MI): Smartfinds Internet Marketing (http://www.smartfindsmarketing.com ), an Internet Marketing pioneer for more than 20 years and leader in web marketing including geographic marketing has been invited as the guest speaker for the Detroit Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau’s (DMCVB, http://www.visitdetroit.com) educational series for their members. The event focuses on learning how to manage the business online reputation at the local geographic level.
“As our Geographic Marketing Solution and Services has expanded over the past years, we have had to engage in helping businesses not just monitor, but also manage their ratings and reviews being posted by their local customers in the business’ local business listing,” said Melih Oztalay, Smartfinds CEO. “Geographic web marketing is a fast growing industry making it easy for local customers to post their positive or negative experiences with a local business store either through a web browser or through a mobile phone. Knowing how to approach the process of managing these ratings and reviews is an important factor to insure continued business to the local store by future prospects.”
The DMCVB’s 2011 Membership Educational Seminar will end with “What’s the Online Buzz?” as the third and final installment in the membership educational series. In the blink of an eye customers can share their opinions and experiences online, and you need to be aware of what they’re saying about your business. Learn how to manage your online reputation with presenter Melih Oztalay, CEO of SmartFinds Internet Marketing. Melih and an all-star lineup of panelists will discuss the latest ways businesses are monitoring their social brand image, attracting new customers through favorable reviews, responding to criticism, turning negatives into golden opportunities, and more!
Following the presentation a panel will convene for open discussion that includes representatives from Yelp, Motor City Casino, and WDIV.
The event is held on Thursday, September 29, 2011, from 2 – 4 p.m., at the Best Western Plus Sterling Inn at 34911 Van Dyke Avenue, Sterling Heights, MI 48312. You must be a DMCVB member to attend. You can contact Angela Gillis at the DMCVB for further information by phone at (313) 202-1973.
Geographic web marketing as a solution for multi-location businesses from Smartfinds Internet Marketing expands not only beyond Google Places, but also encompasses other elements that include Geo Tagging, Citation Marketing, QR Code Marketing, Consumer Rating and Reviews Management along with a Mobile Locations Finder mobile application. Geographic Marketing is a way to attract local customers online through strategies that leverage a business’ physical location. When a local customer searches online via mobile, web or GPS, a map appears with business listings related to the search criteria. When fully leveraged with the company’s marketing content, pictures, logos, videos, events, coupons, promotions, customer reviews and more, it helps to create a micro website for the client across each of the search engines.
About Smartfinds Internet Marketing
The most critical element of SmartFinds Internet Marketing services is the creativity and imagination to apply the technological aspects of the digital marketplace to the marketing objectives of a particular business. Initial research provides SmartFinds the ability to develop a digital strategy that can be measured every step of the way to insure business growth and revenue generation. Some of SmartFinds’ clients have included ComForcare Home Care, Delphi, Flagstar Bank, Guardian Industries, Soave Enterprises, McCann Erickson, Penske Automotive Group, Wendy’s, Ziebart and others. You can learn more about SmartFinds at http://www.smartfindsmarketing.com .
About The Detroit Metropolitan Convention and Visitor’s Bureau
The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCVB) is the only organization that promotes metro Detroit regionally, nationally and internationally as a convention, business meeting and tourism destination. To achieve this goal of soliciting and servicing the area’s second-largest industry, the DMCVB works with the Detroit and Windsor area business community, civic organizations and local government offices in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. You can learn more about the DMCVB at http://www.visitdetroit.com .
New Release Contact
Melih Oztalay, CEO
Smartfinds Internet Marketing
Direct: (248) 568.2241
melih@smartfindsmarketing.com
330 East Maple Road #503, Birmingham, MI 48009
Toll-Free: (866) 501-5758
http://www.smartfindsgeographicmarketing.com
By Internet Marketing Experts
Focusing on creativity and innovation as the primary drivers of entrepreneurial success, current and aspiring entrepreneurs will gather at TiECon Midwest 2010, where Melih Oztalay will discuss Local Business Marketing on the Internet using Local Business Listings.
Birmingham, Michigan – October 29, 2010 (SMARTFINDS INTERNET MARKETING) – Organized by Detroit Chapter of TiE (Talents, Ideas, Enterprise) at The Henry in Dearborn, Mich. on Oct. 28 and 29, 2010, the theme of the conference is Business Karma 3.0 – Create. Connect. Collaborate.
Amongst the speakers for the event will be Melih Oztalay, CEO of Birmingham-based SmartFinds Internet Marketing, who will be speaking on the topic of local business marketing using local business listings on the Internet. Additional top notch speakers from all over the world will discuss both technical and general business, including:
- Dr. Desh Deshpande, chairman of Sparta Group LLC, A123 Systems and other firms
- P.K. Agarwal, TiE Global Chief Executive Officer
- David O. Egner, New Economy Initiative executive director; president and CEO, Hudson-Webber Foundation
- Sandy K. Baruah, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber
- Bill Birdsall, president and chairman of MicroMed Cardiovascular
- Shawne Duperon, Six-time EMMY Award winning producer and networking expert
- Kanwal Rekhi, managing director, Inventus Capital Partners and
- Michigan Lt. Governor John D. Cherry Jr.
The Internet has created marketing tools since 2007 for businesses that are dependent upon the local market for their revenue. It does not make a difference if the business is a large national company with stores in local markets or a small florist. As the traditional marketing channels suffer various levels of decline, local business listings are experiencing growth as the preferred interactive yellow pages of the 21st century. Mr. Oztalay’s presentation on Local Business Marketing with Local Business Listings will help businesses capitalize on this growth by providing more effective ways of using the technology to improve local marketing results.
Melih Oztalay states, “The benefits to local business is incredible by being available to their local customers when the customer is looking for them through web searches, mobile searches while driving around town with their mobile device, or through mobile applications. The fact that the business can also update their offers anytime gives a local business the ability to adapt to market changes. I’m excited to be able to make this information available to the attendees of TieCon Midwest 2010.”
Melih Oztalay has over fifteen years experience with Internet and digital services in developing strategies that utilize all facets of the World Wide Web. As a Internet marketing agency, SmartFinds Internet Marketing’s major focus is to develop multi-directional marketing campaigns and use all aspects of the Internet.
Anyone interested in learning more about the ways in which businesses can use Internet local business marketing to be more easily located by local consumers may visit http://www.smartfindslocallisting.com.
About SmartFinds Internet Marketing
The most critical element of SmartFinds Internet Marketing services is the creativity and imagination to apply the technological aspects of the digital marketplace to the marketing objectives of a particular business. Initial research provides SmartFinds the ability to develop a digital strategy that can be measured every step of the way to insure business growth and revenue generation. Some of SmartFinds’ clients have included Delphi, Flagstar Bank, Guardian Industries, Soave Enterprises, Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau, McCann Erickson, Wendy’s, Ziebart and others. You can learn more about SmartFinds at http://www.smartfindsmarketing.com.
About TiECON Midwest
TiE (The Global Network of Entrepreneurs) is a global, nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering entrepreneurs internationally and is sponsored by top Venture Capital Firms, and Fortune 500 corporations; extending across 12 countries with 53 chapters, 1,800 experienced entrepreneurs and business executives as charter members, 12,000 aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals as members. TiE has grown to become the world’s largest nonprofit organization for entrepreneurs. Learn more about the TiE Detroit chapter at http://www.tieconmidwest.org
Contact: Melih Oztalay, 330 E. Maple Road, Suite 503, Birmingham MI 48009, 866.501.5758, melih@smartfindsmarketing.com.
By Internet Marketing Experts
Michigan Chapter of International Mobile Organization Will Feature Melih Oztalay, CEO of SmartFinds Internet Marketing, Strategic Growth Concepts, and Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce Speaking on Topics Related to “Location-based Services and Local Targeted Marketing Using Mobile Technology”
Birmingham, Michigan – August 13, 2010 (SMARTFINDS INTERNET MARKETING) –The Michigan Chapter of Mobile Monday today announced the speakers and topics for its upcoming monthly meeting. The event will be held on Monday, August 16th from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at Ann Arbor SPARK located at 330 E. Liberty Street in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Attendance to this event is Free, and those interested in attending may register at www.MobileMondayMichigan.org.
Featured speaker for the event will be Melih Oztalay, CEO of Birmingham-based SmartFinds Internet Marketing, who will be speaking on the topic of “Why Geo-Marketing is Becoming Increasingly Important for Marketing Your Business and How Mobile Helps You Achieve It”. Other speakers for the event will be Megan Crosbie, Marketing & Membership Coordinator at the Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce who will be speaking about the Chamber’s mobile app, A2YChamber, and Linda Daichendt, CEO of Strategic Growth Concepts, who will discuss recent studies regarding consumer cell phone usage and cell phone operating system market penetration rates.
In today’s marketplace, mobile marketing is being implemented by business owners and marketers from the smallest ‘mom & pop shop’ to the largest multi-national corporations. As the traditional marketing channels suffer various levels of decline, mobile marketing is experiencing triple-digit growth annually. Mr. Oztalay’s presentation on Geo-Marketing via Mobile will help businesses capitalize on this growth by providing more effective ways of using the technology to improve local marketing results; while Daichendt’s presentation will review mobile from the consumer’s perspective.
Featured speaker, Melih Oztalay states about Geo-Marketing, “The benefits to small business are incredible; to be available to their local customers when the customer is looking for them while driving around town with their mobile device is an opportunity they need to take advantage of. The fact that the business can also update their offers anytime gives a local business the ability to adapt to market changes. I’m excited to be able to make this information available to members of Michigan’s mobile and marketing communities.”
Melih Oztalay has over fifteen years experience with Internet and digital services in developing strategies that utilize all facets of the World Wide Web. As a Internet marketing agency, SmartFinds Internet Marketing’s major focus is to develop multi-directional marketing campaigns to drive traffic to client web sites from more than just search engines.
A co-founder of Mobile Monday Michigan , Daichendt explains the importance of mobile technology as part of local marketing efforts, “As methods of reaching customers become more and more fragmented due to the abundance of channels in use today, it becomes increasingly imperative for marketers to be able to focus their efforts on those methods they can be certain will produce the highest rate of return on the marketing dollars invested.”
Anyone interested in learning more about the ways in which businesses can use Geo-Marketing to be more easily located by local consumers may visit www.smartfindslocallisting.com.
About MobileMonday (MoMo)
MobileMonday (MoMo) is an open community of mobile industry visionaries, developers, influential individuals, and users fostering cooperation and cross-company business development through virtual and live networking events. The groups programs are designed to facilitate idea sharing, best practices development, trends identification, and Mobile Industry growth locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. The Michigan Chapter executes on these objectives by delivering a balanced approach of business and technical content from within the Michigan business community, as well as beyond our State, in order to insure the Michigan community is made aware of developments taking place outside our area that can aid local businesses. Those interested in learning more about Mobile Monday – Michigan can find the group’s website at www.MobileMondayMichigan.com; and information about the International organization can be found at www.MobileMonday.net.
About SmartFinds Internet Marketing
The most critical element of SmartFinds Internet Marketing services is the creativity and imagination to apply the technological aspects of the digital marketplace to the marketing objectives of a particular business. Initial research provides SmartFinds the ability to develop a digital strategy that can be measured every step of the way to insure business growth and revenue generation. Some of SmartFinds’ clients have included Delphi, Flagstar Bank, Guardian Industries, Soave Enterprises, Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau, McCann Erickson, Wendy’s and others. You can learn more about SmartFinds at www.smartfindsmarketing.com.
Contact: Esther Lastacy, 330 E. Maple Road, Suite 503, Birmingham MI 48009, 866.501.5758, esther@smartfindsmarketing.com.
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By Internet Marketing Experts
Bill Hagen’s Out The Window Advertising partners with SmartFinds Internet Marketing to introduce businesses to the benefits and components of Geo-Marketing, including Geo-Listings, Mobile Marketing and Geo-Social Marketing
FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA & DETROIT, MICHIGAN – July 28, 2010 (OUT THE WINDOW ADVERTISING | SMARTFINDS INTERNET MARKETING) – Out The Window Advertising (www.reachoutthewindow.com), a full service Arizona-based advertising agency, and SmartFinds Internet Marketing (www.smartfindsmarketing.com), a metropolitan Detroit-based agency which provides businesses with Internet marketing services and solutions, have recently partnered together to provide businesses with an opportunity to learn the many ways that Geo-Marketing can positively impact their bottom line.
The benefits and components of Geo-Marketing, include Local SEO, Geo-Listings, Mobile Marketing and Geo-Social Marketing. Geo-Marketing helps consumers to find local businesses, products or services through web searches, mobile searches and mobile applications. Geo-Listing Security, Consumer Reviews, and Reputation Management are additional components of the services offered.
“The partnership between Out The Window Advertising and SmartFinds Internet Marketing is an exciting opportunity to effectively introduce Geo-Marketing services to our clients,” commented Bill Hagen, President of Out The Window Advertising.
Most recently, Out The Window Advertising was ranked the 5th largest ad agency in Arizona by the Phoenix Business Journal. The team at Out The Window excels in the planning, development, placement, and creative execution of Television, Radio, Print, Direct Mail, e-commerce, social media and customer retention campaigns for over 90 clients nationwide.
Out The Window Advertising’s impressive client portfolio includes automotive dealerships. Commented agency President Bill Hagen, “Our car dealership clients are eagerly aware of the need for local marketing, local business marketing, and local dealership marketing.” Hagen added, “It’s interesting that the automotive industry relies on early adopters of automotive technology, and in the case of Geo-Marketing, car dealerships are themselves early adopters of Geo-Marketing technologies. The dealerships understand the importance of being found quickly by mobile and digital customers.”
SmartFinds Internet Marketing CEO, Melih Oztalay, stated “We are excited to partner with Bill Hagen and Out The Window Advertising in our effort to share the benefits of Geo-Marketing. We are currently working with Out The Window Advertising’s client base to claim and update local listings on behalf of 150+ car dealerships. Car dealerships are just one of many local businesses dependent upon local consumers for their revenue.”
Melih Oztalay has over fifteen years experience with Internet and digital services in developing strategies that utilize all facets of the World Wide Web. As a Internet marketing agency, SmartFinds Internet Marketing’s major focus is to develop multi-directional marketing campaigns to drive traffic to client web sites from more than just search engines.
Anyone interested in learning more about the ways in which businesses can use Geo-Marketing to be more easily located by local consumers may visit www.smartfindslocallisting.com. For more information about Out The Window Advertising, please visit www.reachoutthewindow.com.
About Out The Window Advertising
Out The Window Advertising was recently ranked the 5th largest ad agency in Arizona by the Phoenix Business Journal. The team at Out The Window excels in the planning, development, placement, and creative execution of Television, Radio, Print, Direct Mail, e-commerce, social media and customer retention campaigns for over 90 clients nationwide. For a true “one-stop shop,” Out The Window Advertising offers the use of their “In-House” production facility for all client projects. For more information about Out The Window Advertising, please visit www.reachoutthewindow.com.
About SmartFinds Internet Marketing
The most critical element of SmartFinds Internet Marketing services is the creativity and imagination to apply the technological aspects of the digital marketplace to the marketing objectives of a particular business. Initial research provides SmartFinds the ability to develop a digital strategy that can be measured every step of the way to insure business growth and revenue generation. Some of SmartFinds’ clients have included Delphi, Flagstar Bank, Guardian Industries, Soave Enterprises, Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau, McCann Erickson, Wendy’s and others. You can learn more about SmartFinds at www.smartfindsmarketing.com.
Contact: Esther Lastacy, 330 E. Maple Road, Suite 503, Birmingham MI 48009, 866.501.5758, esther@smartfindsmarketing.com.
By Internet Marketing Experts
SmartFinds Internet Marketing Introduction, A Michigan 50 Company
At SmartFinds Internet Marketing, an agency for businesses for stratecgic Internet marketing solutions, we take a rational approach to an irrational medium. Our digital marketing and advertising expertise along with our business intellect attracts multitudes of sophisticated team members, partners and clients.
In 2009, SmartFinds Internet Marketing was recognized as one Michigan’s “50 Companies to Watch,” an awards program sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Small Business Administration of Michigan, the Edward Lowe Foundation, and presented by Michigan Celebrates Small Business. You can learn about SmartFinds’ authority in the topic of Internet marketing at their Internet marketing blog. Follow SmartFinds Internet Marketing at .
Our energy and our ability to deliver sound strategies for our clients are directly tied to our entrepreneurial culture. We thrive on wit and passion for what we do, and our team is collectively involved in our leadership style of serving our teams, our employees, our partners and our clients.
When a client comes for big, meaningful ideas, we take these ideas and exceed expectations through collaboration and helpful education. We do not provide them simply with “services”, but rather act as an internal swat team of digital media experts – an extension to their organization.
We have been in the Internet business since 1994 and in the Advertising and Marketing business since 1987. We have a team of 13 that includes project managers, writers, creative developers, technical developers, advertising team and marketing team.
Five major sections of the business: Research, Strategy and Planning; Creative Development; Technical Development; Digital Marketing; Digital Advertising; Management, Measurement and Analysis. Our new Local Marketing services with Local business listings for local business marketing to reach local consumers through web searches and mobiles searches was started in January 2010. More information on local marketing can be found at the local marketing blog. You can follow SmartFinds Local Listing on .
KillerStartUps.com reviewed the SmartFinds Local Business Listing services in November 2009 with their own editorial commentary about the direction of the local listing industry and the affects upon the traditional yellow pages.
Major Clients include: American Community Mutual Insurance, BASF Chemicals, Big Boy, Checker Sedan, Delphi, Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau, DTE Energy, Flagstar Bank, Guardian Industries, McCann Erickson, Penske Auto Group, Soave Enterprises, Vietnam Veterans of America, Wendy’s and others.
Our CEO, Melih (“may-lee”) Oztalay, is a 16 year veteran of the Internet. As the CEO of SmartFinds Internet Marketing located in Birmingham, Michigan, providing Internet marketing solutions and services to businesses. The agency’s recent focus on local business listing management services helps small and local businesses reach local consumers through web and mobile searches. A recent interview by Metro Mode Media provides more information with Melih Oztalay and being an entrepreneur in the State of Michigan. Connect with Melih Oztalay on LinkedIn.
As a digital marketing agency, we are results oriented in our strategic approach. While our competitors are service providers and task oriented, our focus is to manage and aid all aspects of the client’s sales and business growth through integrated strategic marketing programs.
Follow SmartFinds at the following locations on the web:
SmartFinds Local Listing on Blog.com.
SmartFinds Internet Marketing on Google’s Blogger.
SmartFinds Internet Marketing on BizJournals.com.
SmartFinds Internet Marketing on Tumblr.com.
SmartFinds Internet Marketing on Vox.com.
SmartFinds Local Listing on WordPress.com.
By Internet Marketing Experts
If you're looking for resources on Local Business Marketing, look no further than the below locations. Each is a blog with information about Local Business Marketing.
Let your local customers find you and start generating leads from new online marketing sources. Your local business listings show up in search results and on mobile devices when your customers are around town.
Blloggs
Blog Catalog
Blog Lines
Blog Rankings
Blog Search
Blogarama
Buzzerhut
Feed Map
Feed Nuts
Google
Google Blog
Gozoof
Ice Rocket
Ice Rocket
Loaded Web
MV Blogs
On Top List
Sarthak Blogz
Search Sight
Technorati
The SEO King
Weblogs
You Say Too
Zimbio
It is certainly no secret what to do. The secret is knowing how you market your website, business and brand. Knowing how to execute Internet marketing tactics and strategy is a matter of experience, creativity, resourceful and expertise. Innovation has no limits. Imagine what SmartFinds Internet Marketing can do for you!
By Internet Marketing Experts
A Question and Answer with Melih Oztalay.
Oztalay has two words for Metro Detroit: early adoption. In the eyes of this downtown Birmingham-based entrepreneur, it’s a key phrase that will go a long way towards reinventing the region’s economy for the 21st Century
Oztalay started SmartFinds Internet Marketing in the early 1990s as an Internet service provider, getting in on the ground floor of the economic juggernaut that changed the world. His 13-person company specializes in everything from search engine optimization to mobile application advertising. He’s kept his firm at the forefront of technology trends, sometimes dragging Metro Detroit’s conservative business culture with him.
In the early years of his company, Oztalay couldn’t help but fantasize that he’d be retired on a South Pacific island if only he had set up his business in California instead of Michigan. Why? Because the dynamic entrepreneurial culture on the coasts doesn’t just make early adoption a priority, it makes it a necessity. Oztalay believes Michigan needs to be bolder, become a trendsetter instead of just waiting on the sidelines to see if something takes off.
“We’re just not open to innovation that is outside of our manufacturing space,” Oztalay says. He adds that introversion has broader implications than just job creation and profit margin expansion. “It’s difficult to change that culture,” Oztalay adds. “That goes to the fact that we’re not able to retain our next generation here in Michigan. They don’t see a future here. They only see what we had.”
Read more at: http://www.metromodemedia.com/features/MelihOztalay0171.aspx
Visit SmartFinds Internet Marketing at www.smartfindsmarketing.com and their geo-marketing services at www.smartfindslocallisting.com
