The new year is a perfect time to say “hello” to workplace happiness and “good-bye” to the bad habits that make you miserable and hinder your professional success. You’ll enjoy your time in the office a little more — and improve your professional reputation — if you make it your New Year’s resolution to cut down on these 11 counterproductive behaviors:

1. Excessive Complaining

Enough already. Constant whining about insignificant things (“It’s horribly unfair that Department X got a casual day and we didn’t!”) doesn’t serve a purpose and keeps you in a perpetually bad mood. Plus, happy people will avoid you.

2. Gossiping

Ditto for gossiping. The next time a colleague tries to engage you in the office drama du jour, offer a one-word response, like “interesting” or “wow,” and follow it with, “I’ve got to go. See you later.” Repeat as necessary.

3. Heartlessly Criticizing Others

Sometimes you must criticize a colleague’s or subordinate’s performance. But have a heart when doing so. If possible, mention a few positives for every negative, and try to be constructive rather than cruel.

4. Beating Yourself Up

So you made a mistake, or your brilliant idea actually turned out to be a bad one. No one is perfect. Own up to your mistake, or take responsibility for your failure. Then move on.

5. Taking Yourself Too Seriously

C’mon, lighten up. Admittedly, this may be tough for overworked employees in a difficult labor market. But that is precisely the reason to flash those pearly whites and crack a joke now and then (even of the “gallows humor” variety): Everyone benefits when the tension is brought down a notch, even for just a minute.

6. Stagnating

Are you content to be bored at work? Do you want your boss to consider you uninspired? Probably not. So make it a resolution to learn something new or try something different in 2014.

7. Isolating Yourself

In today’s topsy-turvy job market, professional networking is more important than ever. So this year, don’t hole up in your cubicle. Get out there and meet some new folks — both inside and outside the company — who share your profession or work in your field.

8. Blending into the Woodwork

Even if you’ve always had a hard time speaking up in meetings or expressing your opinion to your boss, it’s never too late to start putting in your two cents. Pick one work-related issue that is close to your heart and that you’re knowledgeable about. Contribute a few comments on this issue during a meeting — you may be surprised at how seriously people take the input of someone who speaks sparingly!

9. Blabbing Unnecessarily

Stating your mind is important, but don’t just talk to hear your own voice in meetings, either. Speak up only if you’re adding something of value to the discussion.

10. Burning Bridges

Don’t assume that colleagues, customers and others who cross your professional path will forgive and forget when you do them wrong. So make it one of your resolutions in 2014 to stay on good terms with your professional acquaintances. Yes, it’s sometimes hard, but oh-so-worth-it in the long run.

11. Wasting Time Via Social Media

Wasting time at work is as old as work itself. But a particularly timely pet peeve of many bosses is the overuse and/or misuse of Facebook, Twitter and other forms of social media. Alas, this final resolution — to curb your social media addiction — may not make you happier at work in the short term, but it will protect you professionally in the long term.

Last Updated: December 12, 2013

Everyone is anticipating a record-breaking event on January 1 and we couldn’t do it without the 45,000 Toronto Maple Leafs fans joining us for the main event. For many of them, this will be the first time visiting Ann Arbor and we’re excited to showcase our amazing, unique city. We hope to make their entire visit a memorable one.

With a $15 million estimated economic impact, the NHL and Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (AAACVB) are expecting the Winter Classic to be on par with some of the largest home football games, but with even more guests from out of town. Special arrangements are being made, including:

• Local restaurants and businesses are extending their hours for those two days to accommodate the needs of out of town visitors. We are updating information weekly at www.visitannarbor.org/things-to-do/winter_classic. If you would like to add your information to the web site, please email Jen DeGregorio (jldegregorio@gmail.com) with details.

• The most up-to-date transportation details are available at the bottom of the page at www.nhl.com/winterclassic. See the Transportation section of this Fact Sheet for a high level summary

‘The Puck Drops Here’ New Year’s Eve Street Party

The NHL is working closely with the City of Detroit and The Detroit Red Wings to offer an amazing array of events in Detroit to help commemorate the occasion. However, the AAACVB wanted to provide an alternative community-centric option here in town for anyone not heading east for New Year’s Eve.

Puck Drops Here will take place along Main Street in Downtown Ann Arbor from 8pm – 12:30am and will feature live entertainment by Michelle Chamuel, last year’s runner up on NBC’s ‘The Voice’ and former Ann Arbor resident. In addition, we will countdown to midnight as we lower a 10-foot puck lit with 6,000 LED lights designed by local fabrication studio METAL.

The University of Michigan Health System is the presenting sponsor of the event and is providing a warming tent at the corner of Main Street and William in the surface lot near Palio restaurant.
Street Closures

Streets will close for the event starting at 8am on December 31 lasting through 6am on January 1.

• Main Street from Huron to William

• Washington from Ashley to Fourth (the Washington parking structure will be available)

• Liberty from Ashley to Fourth

Call for ‘The Puck Drops Here’ Ambassadors

The AAACVB is looking for 30 volunteers to serve as Event Ambassadors during the New Year’s Eve Street Party. Volunteers will help people with directions and answer questions. Ambassador program details include:

• Must be at least 18 years of age

• Check-in on December 31 between 7-8pm (location TBD) and stay until 1am

• Attend one of two training sessions at the AAACVB offices

o Training #1: Thursday, December 19 at 5:30pm

o Training #2: Saturday, December 21 at 10am

• Dress warmly! The AAACVB will provide an official ‘The Puck Drops Here’ hat but volunteers will be outside for extended periods and should dress appropriately.

In addition, volunteers will be entered into a drawing to win various gift cards and other items as a thank you for their participation. The drawing will occur at 1am and ambassadors will need to be present to claim the item. NOTE: Volunteering as an ambassador will not guarantee access to any official NHL events or the Winter Classic.
If interested, email Meghan Hughes at mhughes@annarbor.org. Please indicate which of the two training sessions you will attend.

Transportation

New Years Eve and Day will be an exciting and busy time as we welcome new events to downtown Ann Arbor. Specifics for each day are below. If you have additional questions, please contact the DDA at 734-994-6697 or Republic Parking at 734-761-7235.

New Years Eve, December 31
Downtown on New Year’s Eve is always busy, and the ‘Puck Drops Here’ event will make it even more exciting. Because many patrons will be exiting the structures around the same time shortly after midnight that night, Republic Parking will be charging a prepay flat special event rate of $5 will be in effect at two structures so they can simply lift the gate arms up at midnight, thus helping patrons avoid sitting in at line at the cashier booths. All other facilities will operate and charge as normal.

• Forest Structure beginning at 3pm

• 4th & William structure beginning at 7pm

New Years Day, January 1
Representatives of the NHL have requested that the downtown public parking lots and structures be staffed to assist their patrons coming to the hockey game. This request includes having flaggers on the sidewalk to waive people into the facilities and staff members to hand out maps, give directions, and otherwise be available to assist patrons. Republic Parking will have staff at the parking facilities beginning at 8am on January 1. They will be charging a $5 entry flat fee on New Year’s Day at all parking facilities, with the exception of metered lots and on-street parking spaces.

After careful consideration and extensive planning with the Ann Arbor Police Department, the University of Michigan Police Department, the Downtown Development Authority and the Briarwood Mall, the NHL will operate a shuttle bus system that fans can utilize on game day that services the same hotels and parking lots that the AATA normally services for Football games. The NHL will be adding service to downtown Ann Arbor with two routes and vastly increasing the number of buses operating from the Briarwood Mall.

• Cost for the Winter Classic Shuttle Bus will be $4.00 round trip

• Hotels that normally assist in selling the AATA bus tickets will be asked to assist in the same way for the Winter Classic Shuttle

• SP Plus Gameday will be operating the School Bus Shuttle system on behalf of the NHL and will be contacting the hotels to arrange for distribution of these Winter Classic Shuttle wristbands on game day

• Shuttle Buses will operate from 9:00am – Noon

• Additional buses have been scheduled for post-game for quicker service

• In total there will be approximately 115 school buses servicing these routes and to accommodate the anticipated extra capacity

Winter Classic Shuttle Bus Routes that will operate from the same stops as the AATA football shuttle are as follows:

• North Route: From the Holiday Inn off Plymouth Road and the Plymouth Road Park & Ride.

• South Route – Boardwalk Drive: There will only be one pick- up and drop-off stop servicing all hotels on Boardwalk Blvd. The Winter Classic shuttle bus stop will be located on Boardwalk Drive, across the street from the Sheraton Hotel and adjacent to the Courtyard Marriott. Shuttle passes may be purchased from these hotels along Boardwalk Drive: Holiday Inn Express, Court Yard Marriott, Fairfield Inn, Sheraton Hotel, Residence Inn, The Hampton Inn and The Red Roof Inn.

• South Route – Briarwood Mall: There will be only one pick-up and drop-off stop servicing those fans who park at Briarwood Mall and the hotels along Briarwood Circle. The Winter Classic shuttle bus stop will be located on the adjacent to the South West Mall entrance across from JC Penny and MC Sports.

• East Route: From the Regents Hotel and Day’s Inn on Carpenter Road.

• Downtown East & Campus: Winter Classic Shuttle Buses will stop at three locations: From East Huron Street across from the Campus Inn, at the corner of South Thayer Street and North University Ave and on Church Street adjacent to the Piazza House close to Willard Street. This East and Campus shuttle will be able to service fans staying at the two downtown hotels, parking garages in the proximity to the S. Thayer Street stop and Campus garages off located off Church Street. These buses will have short trip to a bus drop off and post-game load zone on East Hoover Street on the North side of the Stadium.

• West Route: From Clarion Inn and Webber’s Inn (hotel guest parking only) off Jackson Ave and the Miller Road Park & Ride.

• Downtown – West: Winter Classic Shuttle Buses will operate from one location on South 4th Avenue between East Liberty Street and East William Street adjacent to the Blake Transit Center. Shuttle buses will service fans that park in garages and lots on the West side of downtown and in proximity to the Blake Transit Center. These buses will have a quick, short trip to a bus drop off and post-game load zone on East Hoover Street on the North side of the Stadium.

On game day Winter Classic Shuttle wristbands can be purchased at participating hotels, from attendants at the Miller Rd and Plymouth Rd Park & Ride lots, attendants at the Blake Transit Stop, S. Thayer & N. University Stop, Church Street Stop and the Briarwood Mall. Participating hotels with questions may contact Steve Poulsen at SP Plus Gameday at spoulsen@spplus.com or by calling 801-420-1384.

2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic®

The fun begins on New Year’s Day starting at 9am outside Gate 1 at the University of Michigan Football Stadium. The NHL Spectator Plaza will be open from 9am to 1pm for everyone (a ticket to the Winter Classic is not required) and will feature live music, food and beverages, and interactive hockey-themed attractions for the whole family. The pre-game ceremonies begin in the stadium at 1pm. For tickets, visit nhl.com. Tickets are limited and prices will vary.

Additional Information
The NHL Winter Classic (www.nhl.com/winterclassic) site provides the most up-to-date information about driving, parking, and tickets. Links to Visit Ann Arbor are available at the bottom of the page (see image below for an example).

Please allow us to introduce ourselves! We are the Executive Learning and Conference Center at the Stephen Ross School of Business.

Located in the heart of Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan campus, we are close to fine restaurants, shopping, attractions and many local events.

The Executive Learning and Conference Center was designed to exceed the lodging, dining and conference needs of executive guests. In addition, is also a great place to come home for alumni returning to campus or for a proud parent visiting their future graduate!

The conference center is home to the Ross School of Business executive learning programs and builds off of the University of Michigan’s excellence in academics. The facility supports the needs of the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, guest speakers, alumni, supported events and conferences affiliated with the University of Michigan, prospective students and parents.

Easily accessible and convenient to everyone, the hotel features 105 executive guest rooms and can deliver all of your conference and accommodation needs.

We welcome the opportunity and privilege of having you as our guest whenever business or pleasure finds you in Ann Arbor!

Kemner Iott Benz is an employee-owned independent insurance agency providing insurance and financial services to individuals and businesses, with offices in Adrian, Ann Arbor and Cassopolis, Michigan.

The company’s goal is to help individuals, families and businesses protect their assets from financial loss. Representing many of the region’s top insurance companies, Benz and Kemner-Iott owners have access to a number of products and services, allowing for customized insurance planning. From workers compensation, property and liability, homes and autos, and life insurance, many coverage options, payment plans and group discounts are available, such as the Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti Regional Chamber.

Located at 955 W Eisenhower Cir, Ste G, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, Benz staff includes the company’s CEO Dan Iott; office manager Jennifer Lopez; accountant Robert Saur; customer service professionals Marty Schoonover, Diana Castle, Mary Ellen Zinke, Nicole Pearson and Kerry Watkins; and sales agents Curtis Iorio, Don Hughes, Tina Heusel, Laura Settles and Kara Dominique.

The company supports positive community activities, including donations to local food banks and charities, area chambers of commerce, trade associations BRAG and NARI, and United Way of Washtenaw.

Benz Insurance. We know insurance. You know us. Let’s talk

The Nutritional Healing Center of Ann Arbor was founded in 2004. NHCAA evolved from Dr. Darren Schmidt’s first office called The Wholistic Doctor which heopened in Ann Arbor in 2000.  In 2004 after searching for more than a decade for natural health remedies that would make people truly healthy Dr. Schmidt discovered Nutrition Response Testing.

The success was immediate, using Nutrition Response Testing℠ real food, whole-food supplements and traditional chiropractic he finally started getting the results he’d knew were possible. Patients began attaining stable health improvement that lasted. Where Chiropractic alone couldn’t handle every health challenge paired with Nutrition Response Testing he was now able to help people achieve Total Health Restoration.

Since the transformation to the Nutritional Healing Center in 2004 the purpose has been to create a truly healthy Ann Arbor. NHCAA has grown by more than 10 times and now has helped thousands upon thousands to become free of pain, hormone problems, digestive issues and many other chronic health conditions. All without drugs or surgery. Healthcare as Mother Nature Intended.

With the addition of Kerry Cradit, B.Scn in Nutrition and Dr. Amanda Childress, PharmD in 2011 the Nutritional Healing Center of Ann Arbor has truly started achieving its purpose of creating a healthy community made up of healthy people achieving their full potentials in life.

Darren graduated in the spring of 1997 from the National College of Chiropractic in Chicago. He then opened a practice in Toledo for 3 1/2 years. He moved to Ann Arbor in 2000.

While in Chiropractic College, Dr. Schmidt attended nearly 50 seminars in 24 months searching for the most effective therapies to get a person well. This is when he discovered the power of nutrition. He saw the effectiveness and the huge need for good nutritional work in this country. He also looked at other doctors and saw that the best doctors had a holistic view and were using natural therapies and muscle testing. Dr. Schmidt has traveled the country teaching Nutrition Response Testing℠ to over 3000 Chiropractors, Medical Doctors, Acupuncturists, Nurses, staff and other healthcare practitioners.

Taking Measure of Your Business

Free. That sounds good, doesn’t it? In truth, free is more than good, it’s great, and it’s the price of a professional Business Energy Consultation (BEC) from DTE Energy. No business owner can afford to pass up this opportunity to reduce energy costs and increase profitability.  When it comes to improving the energy efficiency of your business, DTE is committed to helping Michigan business owners reduce energy costs. If you succeed, Michigan succeeds. We can’t think of a better reason to offer this free consultation.

The BEC is for every business owner and it can help anyone save on energy costs. It doesn’t matter if your enterprise is large, small or in between. This detailed and extensive energy
consultation service is available to all our customers, both natural gas and electric.

Request your Free Business Energy Consultation

What’s not to like about a free BEC that can demonstrate how you can improve the energy efficiency and profitability of your business? Our energy educators will install free upgrade equipment in your place of business and provide a complete energy analysis. To schedule your free BEC today, call a DTE Energy Consultant at 855-234-7335. Find out more.

Get a free subscription to EnergySmarts for Michigan Business magazine.

David Merritt graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelors degree in Sports Management and also served as a Radio Color Commentator for the Michigan IMG Sports Network from 2009-2013.

Since his time at Michigan, Merritt recently launched a cause-based fashion brand and storefront called Merit. Every Merit purchase shapes the fate of students in need and helps send them to college (20% of all purchases fund college scholarships for youth in Detroit).

David Merritt was born on February 26th, 1986 in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in West Bloomfield, MI and attended West Bloomfield High School, where he graduated with academic honors and was an All-State basketball player. Merritt then accepted an academic scholarship to the University of Michigan, and later was selected as a walk-on to the Men’s Basketball team in 2006. During his last year in 2008-2009, he served as a Captain, and Michigan reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in eleven years. Merritt graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelors degree in Sports Management and also served as a Radio Color Commentator for the Michigan IMG Sports Network from 2009-2013.

Fay Poissant joined the Ann Arbor Jaycees in July 1999. Since then, Fay has taken full advantage of all the opportunities the Jaycees have to offer. Locally, she served on the Board of Directors for three years before being elected Chapter President in 2003. After that, Fay got involved at the state level, holding a number of positions, including State President in 2009. Following her service to the Michigan Jaycees, Fay took her experience to the national level. She was recently elected to serve as National President of the United States Junior Chamber in 2014. The knowledge and skills Fay learned through her early experiences with the Ann Arbor Jaycees has helped her excel within the organization and give back to thousands of members across the country.

The Ann Arbor Junior Chamber (Jaycees) is a group of dynamic young professionals between the ages of 21 and 40. Since 1936, this organization has been providing their members with opportunities to develop as leaders and create positive change in the Ann Arbor area. A variety of programming is offered, including personal and professional development, community and civic involvement, networking, fundraising and socials. The Ann Arbor Jaycees have a number of signature projects that benefit the community each year: Easter Egg Scramble, Summer Carnival, 4th of July Parade and Holiday Helpers. The chapter runs these annual favorites while incorporating new programs that come from the needs and interests of the members and the community. Through active involvement in planning projects, serving on committees and serving on the Board of Directors, members learn skills needed to be leaders in their careers, government and beyond.

The Ann Arbor Jaycees is part of a much larger organization. There are more than 30 chapters in Michigan and approximately 650 chapters throughout the United States. In addition, Jaycee chapters are in close to 120 countries around the world, making the organization the leading global network of young active citizens.

Beal Properties, LLC was founded by Stewart W. Beal in 2002. The company manages 300 apartments and office spaces in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Detroit, and Toledo.

The company specializes in purchasing distressed properties and renovating them and holding them for the long term. Beal Properties also provides extensive property services to clients including management, marketing, maintenance, and development.

Rachelle Smith is the principal of Positive Creative Infusion Consulting, LLC. Her services include marketing and sales consulting/coaching/training, copywriting, personal branding, and public speaking. Positve Creative Infusion Consulting, LLC is based in Metro Detroit, Michigan, and accept clients across the United States, and around the globe.

Rachelle Smith’s collegiate background includes a bachelors degree from LSU-S (Shreveport, LA), and dual masters degrees from Florida International University (Miami, FL), and world renowned Marketing education trailblazer, Northwestern University (Evanston, IL). Smith began her career with marketing and branding powerhouse General Mills (Minneapolis, MN) in the Betty Crocker Division. She went on to have a successful career, including Sales, in corporate America for several more years, which included other Fortune 500 companies. In her spare time, Smith is a dedicated non-profit volunteer with several organizations. Smith’s passion is to make a difference in the world by volunteering her time and talents.

Smith’s unwavering and undeniable vision is to help solopreneurs, business owners, organizations and individuals to market and sell themselves and their respective companies or organizations with consistency, clarity, and confidence.

At Positive Creative Infusion Consulting, LLC, you can expect three things:
(1) positive energy
(2) creative concepts
(3) an infusion of innovative ideas!