Successful business owner writes marketing book

Using the experience she accumulated from three decades of running her own marketing agency, Debbie G. Fliehman wrote a book with all her tips.

The Lincolnshire business owner recently released "Make Success Happen - Seven Steps to Developing a Marketing Plan," on Amazon and in Kindle format.

She says businesses of all sizes can learn how to organize a team, develop purpose statements, create a corporate identity, identify customer opportunities, select marketing activities, prepare a budget and implement and evaluate a marketing plan.

"The reason I wrote the book is because I had so much information gathered over the years and I realized that when people take the time to plan ahead, they will get the best results," she said. She added that if people follow the steps, they will be successful. "It's a nice guidebook," Fliehman said.

The target audience for the 126-page book is "anyone who wants to start a business or has a business and wants to reignite the energy in their marketing plan," the Long Grove resident said. Those in corporate America have also been finding it helpful, she said. "It works for anybody responsible for marketing." This is Fliehman's second book. Her first one is titled "Customer Retention Through Quality Leadership."

Fliehman is president of Creative Technical Resources Inc., a marketing, communications, advertising and sales promotions agency. She founded the company in 1987 after spending about 8 years in the corporate world. She left her job when she saw there was a need for her marketing and communications skills. "I saw the window of opportunity and it was big and open," she said.

The Glenview native's agency provides graphic design, identity/branding, incentive programs and sales promotion, marketing materials, plans and campaigns, newsletters, presentation development, special events management, video and audio production and more. She works with clients, representing more than 20 industries at businesses of all sizes, including Fortune 500 companies.

Fliehman, who describes herself and energetic and passionate, says a favorite part of running the company is watching clients succeed.

Parksite expands in Minnesota

Parksite Inc. based in Batavia, said it will market, fabricate and distribute the full-line of Therma-Tru doors into the Minnesota marketplace, including the thriving Minneapolis area out of their Fargo, North Dakota facility.

Parksite, a national building material distributor and manufacturer of Therma-Tru doors since 2010, will inventory, fabricate and deliver the fiberglass and steel exterior door system. "As part of our strategy to best serve the Minnesota market, we've hired several experienced sales associates, purchased new trucks and implemented a five-day delivery schedule to provide our customer's the options they need to succeed," said Parksite Category Manager Dan Olson.

Parksite was founded in 1971 by John Morrisroe and Ray Biggins and is 100 percent employee-owned. Nationally, Parksite has 10 locations and over 400 employee-owners.

Engineering a move

Northbrook-based Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates is opening offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. This is the first office outside of the U.S. for the company that is more than 60 years old.

"This is an important milestone in our company's history," said William Nugent, WJE president and chief executive.

The company is an interdisciplinary firm of engineers, architects and materials scientists that specialize in the investigation, analysis, testing and design of repairs for historic and contemporary structures.

New appointment

Baxter & Woodman based in Crystal Lake appointed Sean E. O'Dell as the 2017 President of the Chicago Metro Chapter of the American Public Works Association. Under O'Dell's leadership, the organization will provide members with educational and leadership opportunities while increasing awareness of the vital role of public works in everyday life, supporting causes to advance the profession, and providing a forum for the exchange of ideas, knowledge and information.

O'Dell has been involved APWA since 2008. He has served in numerous roles on the executive committee of both the Southwest Branch and Chicago Metro Chapter. O'Dell was also selected as a 2015 recipient of the APWA National Young Leader Award.

He joined Baxter & Woodman in 2002 and currently serves as vice president of civic innovation and infrastructure.

Building sold

Elk Grove Village-based Brown Commercial Group recently completed the sale of a 24,483-square-foot industrial building at 385 Wegner Road in West Chicago.

Financial terms were not disclosed. Mike Antonelli, vice president of sales, represented the seller, M&D Properties LLC, in the sale to AMREJ Properties LLC. The buyer, which is expanding its manufacturing business, was represented by Brendan Sheahan of Darwin Realty.

The vacancy rate in the West suburban market has been below 7 percent for several quarters, with some areas seeing rates below 6 percent. The listing produced multiple offers for the seller.

"Many business owners are looking long-term at their space needs and moving toward purchasing instead of leasing," Antonelli said.