Section B

Message from the President

A

nyone who

watched Mayor Dave

Bing deliver his

State of the City address last month had to come away believing in the future of Detroit. While there were no mincing words on how challenging the circumstances that we face are, the mayor spoke with conviction about the plans that are in place and the people who have stepped forward to engage in the transformation of Detroit.

When I think of all we

have to do and how daunt- ing a task it seems to be, I am reminded of the story of John F. Kennedy who as president wanted a tree planted. It goes some- thing like this. One day President Kennedy called in the White House garden- er. He pointed out that a particular spot on the grounds would be an ideal place to plant an oak tree so it would shade the oval office in the summer. The gardener smiled at Kennedy and said, “But Mr. President, that oak tree would take 20 years before it would be big enough to even begin to shade the oval office.” Kennedy replied, “Then by all means, you had better plant that tree today.”

David Girodat

What you should do now and

It’s a great story to

remember when we are planning for the future. Each journey begins with the first step and we have to make that step regardless of how steep the hill we have to climb appears. The early steps always seem the hardest, I have found. Often when we look in the rearview mirror it doesn’t seem quite as difficult as it did when we were facing it.

At Fifth Third Bank

we spend quite a bit of time talking about what we can do today that will create better tomorrows. For our customers, our employees and for the communities where we do business it is vitally important that we “plant that tree today.”

Detroit is an important

community to Fifth Third Bank and so I am com- mitted to participating in the process of its renewal. We are focusing squarely on those things that we can affect, like small busi- ness lending, a holistic approach to customer re- lationships, and standing up in the community with financial literacy training and basic needs sup- port.

It will be our way to

engage in Mayor Bing’s plan to bring Detroit back to the proud place it once held on the world stage. It is each of us doing what we do best to contribute to the plan. At Fifth Third we do banking best, and we will continue to in De- troit as we grow together into the big oak tree we want to become.

The weather is so nice

today. I think I will go out and plant a tree.

what can wait until later

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

April 14-20, 2010

Anthony Weekly

Fifth Third Bank mortgage

division manager

accepts position in Georgia affiliate

Anthony Weekly, senior vice presi- If you missed the April 15 tax deadline and believe

you owe taxes for 2009, Accounting Aid Society advises its clients to file an extension to avoid being charged with penalties and interest.

However, if a client doesn’t owe taxes, there is no

penalty for filing late, and Accounting Aid Society offers free help through its Summer Tax Program (see accompanying story).

Date for both federal and state taxes: If you can’t

file by the due date and owe tax, file IRS Extension Form 4868, available at www.irs.gov or by calling 1- (800)-829-1040. A State of Michigan Extension Form

See Tax services page B-2

Osborn Neighborhood Tax Center

4777 E. Outer Drive near Van Dyke Detroit 48234

Appointment preferred, call (313) 368-5220 after April 26

Northwest Neighborhood Tax Center

19556 Grand River, between W. Outer Drive

and Evergreen, Detroit 48223 Appointment preferred, call (313) 531-1829 after April 26

ACCOUNTING AID SOCIETY’S Northend Neighborhood Tax Center is one of four centers offering free tax services beginning May 3.

Summer Tax Assistance Program begins May 3

Accounting Aid Society’s

Summer Tax Assistance Program begins May 3 at four neighbor- hood tax centers. The centers will offer free tax services for those who missed tax deadlines, have prior year returns to file, need to amend returns, or receive IRS notices. Though the centers are located in Detroit, they are open to anyone in Southeast Michigan who meets the eligibility guidelines. Eligibility is

based on annual household income, which is $50,000 or less for families and $25,000 or less for individuals. Appointments at the centers can be made beginning April 26.

The agency’s Summer Home-

bound Program, for seniors and those physically unable to visit a tax center, begins June 1. Call (313) 556-1920 or toll-free 1-(866)-673- 0873 after June 1.

Southwest Neighborhood Tax Center

8634 W. Vernor at Lawndale Detroit 48209

Appointment preferred, call (313) 554-2884 after April 26

Northend Neighborhood Tax Center

7700 Second Avenue at Pallister Detroit 48202

Appointment preferred, call (313) 556-1920

or toll-free 1-(866)-673-0873 after April 26

dent of the Mortgage Division of Fifth Third Bank Eastern Michigan, has ac- cepted the position of affiliate manag- er for Mortgage in Fifth Third’s Geor- gia affiliate. He will officially begin his new position in the Atlanta office on April 19. Anthony joined the mortgage division at the bank in January 2005. In April, 2007 he was promoted to af- filiate manager in Eastern Michigan, charged with the tasks of maximizing revenues, increasing mortgage lend- ing in urban regions, and successfully partnering with all lines of business. Anthony’s new role, although similar

See AnthonyWeekly page B-2

Tyler Perry

Kim Burrell

Tyler Perry comes to Detroit

2008 and 2009 NAACP Image Award

winner, recipient of the National Asso- ciation of Television Program Execu- tives (NATPE) honor, and movie mogul Tyler Perry is coming to Detroit, where he will share his story of going from homelessness to wealth and stardom.

Perry is the featured speaker at the

upcoming Perfecting Community De- velopment Corporation, May 10 Plati- num Gala hosted by Pastor Marvin L. Winans, who recently appeared in Perry’s movie, “I Can Do Bad All By Myself.”

“I just praise God for favor and

friends in high places,” said Winans, adding that he is beyond thrilled that Perry has agreed to be the keynote speaker for the event.

See Tyler Perry page B-2

Five biggest networking mistakes

Effective networking is one

David F. Girodat

President, Fifth Third Bank, Eastern Michigan

Personal

Branding

By Chris Bryant

BRAND STRATEGIST

of the most valuable skills an individual can possess, es- pecially in a down economy. Those who are most effective at building meaningful rela- tionships will always have an advantage over others. If his- tory has taught us anything, it is that relationships make the world go ’round. No matter what your field or industry, you must become a great network- er and the best time to start is when you think you don’t need it. Here are the five biggest mis- takes to avoid:

Mistake #1 — Improper

Prep: Being prepared is beyond important. Know the purpose of the event. Who will be there

and have you identified those you want to meet? Do you have enough business cards? Proper preparation = peak per- formance.

Mistake #2 — Rambling: If

multimillion dollar corpora- tions can deliver their value proposition in a 30-second commercial, so should you. Don’t create more questions than you answer. Being clear, concise and compelling is the name of the game.

Mistake #3 — Self-Focused:

Networking is designed to be a two-way street. The key is to think of how to add value before asking for anything. Focus on what you can give and you will

be amazed at what you get. Mistake #4 — Poor Presenta-

tion: You must look the part to make your mark. This includes professional attire, grooming, quality business cards and ev- erything else associated with you and your brand.

Mistake #5 — Faulty Follow-

Up: Great follow-up should have the scent of enthusiasm with- out the stench of desperation. There is a fortune in follow-up, but most fail to turn contacts into contracts due to a faulty approach. Follow-up should be done promptly, consistently and in a way that strengthens the relationship.

Mastering the art of network-

ing, like any other skill, re- quires dedication, focus and a plan. Avoid these five common mistakes and reap the rewards of your networking labor.

Chris Bryant is a leading

brand strategist, national speaker, executive coach and former director of staff train- ing for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. He specializes in personal branding and cus- tomer relations. His clients include Nestlé, Mattel, Black Enterprise magazine and the U.S. Department of Treasury, to name a few. For more infor- mation visit www.ChrisBryant- Presents.com or send e-mail to MyStory@ChrisBryantPre- sents.com. Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27