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A Special Press Release for a Special Client

An annual report and save-the-date postcards are spring projects I enjoy doing for my client Forward Mutual Insurance Company. This year is special. Forward’s president and CEO is retiring after 33 years of defining leadership and the company is honoring him with great hoopla. Normally, Forward does a news release after the meeting, however this year I suggested we run an advance article as well. The committed president of a successful mutual is newsworthy indeed and I’m honored for the opportunity to write this story.

Howard Wiedenhoeft, Forward Mutual Insurance Company, Ixonia, Wisconsin

Chairman of the board Stephen Zillmer recently represented Forward Mutual Insurance Company in expressing gratitude to President and CEO Howard Wiedenhoeft, left, for his many years of service. Wiedenhoeft will be retiring at the end of March after managing the company for 33 years. 

 

WIEDENHOEFT TO BE HONORED FOR HIS SERVICE TO INSURANCE FIRM

IXONIA, WI – Forward Mutual Insurance Company will recognize the retirement of Howard Wiedenhoeft at its annual policyholders meeting on March 22 in Ixonia. Wiedenhoeft has managed the company for 33 years.

In 1981, when Wiedenhoeft agreed to serve as secretary-treasurer of the board for Ixonia Mutual Insurance Company, he did so on two conditions—that the company acquire a permanent address and its own phone number.

“At that time, the secretary-treasurer managed the company and he did so out of his home, with the company using his address and phone number,” says Wiedenhoeft. “I felt it was important the company get its own post office box and phone number.”

The mutual company did that and more under Wiedenhoeft’s leadership. Since 1981 it’s moved from using typewriters to computers, from $66 million to $977 million of insurance in force, and from Ixonia Mutual Insurance Company to Forward Mutual Insurance Company.

Wiedenhoeft was well-qualified for managing a rural mutual insurance company. As a fifth generation farmer on his family’s rural Ixonia dairy farm, he understood the agricultural industry that at that time made up a majority of the mutual’s customer base. Wiedenhoeft also was experienced in the insurance industry, having founded Ixonia Insurance Agency in 1974.

Throughout his career Wiedenhoeft has been an innovative visionary for the mutual. In 1990 he began the application process for A.M. Best Ratings, a proprietary rating system of creditworthiness. By 1994, the company was awarded a B+ and since 2002 has maintained an A-.

In 1995, after 120 years of residing in a manager’s home, Ixonia Mutual built a 1,500-square-foot office in Ixonia. In 2011 the company doubled the size of the building.

Perhaps the most noteworthy change Wiedenhoeft brought to Ixonia Mutual Insurance Company was its merge with Watertown Mutual Insurance Company. In 2010 the two companies joined to form Forward Mutual Insurance Company. Now, four years later, Forward Mutual is represented by 80 agents in 16 agencies, and writes policies in 16 counties throughout Wisconsin.

Wiedenhoeft is professionally involved outside Forward Mutual as well. He served on the NAMIC Farm Conference Committee from 1993-1999, serving as chairman in 1997. He served as a board member for WAMIC from 1992–1998, serving as president in 1996. He was named WAMIC’s person of the year in 2013. Currently, Wiedenhoeft is serving on the Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance Property and Casualty Advisor Committee, is a member of NAMIC’s Merit Society and maintains his Professional Farm Mutual Manager designation.

Outside the insurance world, Wiedenhoeft has been active on various church boards. He was a 4-H leader for 15 years and served as the Jefferson County Fair beef superintendent. He served on the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors for eight years.

When asked who has been the most important person he’s worked with in his career, Wiedenhoeft immediately says his wife, Lois.

“Lois actually started working for Ixonia Mutual the year before I did. She worked part-time as a policy processor,” says Wiedenhoeft. “I wouldn’t have taken the job without Lois. We’ve worked together every day all these years. We’ve never fought about money or kids, but once in a while we have about insurance.”

Although he’s no longer running his acreage, Wiedenhoeft and Lois continue to live on their family farm. They have three children; Lisa, Laura and Michael, and five grandchildren.

“When I took the position for Ixonia Mutual in 1981, I vowed I would never resist change. Change is necessary to move forward into the future,” says Wiedenhoeft. “I’ve now come to the age where change is harder to do. My goal was to leave the mutual as strong and vibrant as it was when I started. I think it is.”

The annual policyholders’ meeting for Forward Mutual Insurance Company will take place on Saturday, March 22 at 1:30 p.m. at the Ixonia Fireman’s Hall. A luncheon to honor Wiedenhoeft will be held before the meeting, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Article as published in the Watertown Daily Times

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Showcasing My Entrepreneuring Clients

The Real Estate Duo

This week is National Entrepreneurship Week and what better time to showcase my newest clients: The Real Estate Duo! Owners June Herman and Terry Donahue are dynamite examples of the entrepreneurs we’re celebrating this week. They’ve planned their new business well and are going forth with exciting gusto.

June and Terry came to me several months ago looking for help branding their new real estate business. On the phone, they described themselves as fun ladies with a combined 63 years of real estate experience. I immediately picked up on the fun and their expertise came through no less than two sentences later. They said they’d achieved high points in their careers with large real estate firms, but now they wanted to return to the heart of working with people and selling homes. And they want to enjoy life while doing so.

These are ladies with my kind of values! I jumped at the chance to work with them!

The duo, as they’re often referred, were well prepared for our first meeting. They’d already done a business plan, had chosen a business name and were well educated in successful marketing. They also had a good idea for their logo.

In the weeks following, June, Terry and I worked to fine tune their logo and use it to properly brand their business. We did business cards, envelopes and, of course, they came up with an awesome sign—there’s nothing more important than a yard sign in the real estate business!

Our overall goal was to communicate three things about The Real Estate Duo: Professional, Friendly (fun) and Unique. I think we did just that.

Ladies, you done good!

The Real Estate Duo

 

Branding That Stands the Test of Time

JohnBhendII

My husband and I are remodeling one of the bathrooms in our 96-year-old American Foursquare house. Actually he’s doing the work and I stand by offering creative direction (which is pretty much how we do all our home renovation). Anyway, while tearing up some of the floorboards we came across this label. It’s the name of the man who built our house.

John Bhend.

This is a name we know pretty well because it’s branded all over our house. Usually, it’s handwritten, like you see here. It’s on the underneath of stairboards. On 2x4s in the walls. On trusses up in the attic. According to those in the know, when a builder received his order of lumber, it came with his name written on many of the pieces. Are any of you in the trade? Is this still true today?

Anyway, our house is one solid specimen of honest architecture. It sits square on a hill and even on the windiest days (of which we have plenty), I’m cozy inside without so much as a creak or a groan. To me, the name John Bhend represents quality, strength and security.

Isn’t it interesting how nearly a hundred years later this name still holds such weight? I wonder what people will think of our work a century from now? Whether we’re building a house or branding a product, will it accommodate such long-standing distinction?

gray bathroom floor tiles

When it comes to quality, renovating with my husband is like having my very own John Bhend. His craftsmanship parallels that of the rest of our house and I know it will stand the test of time. Check out the new floor in our bathroom. Each of these pretty little accent tiles came independent of the larger tile. This means as my husband laid them out one by one, he ran down to his wet tile saw in the basement and custom cut each corner. (Honestly, I don’t purposely come up with the most labor-intensive ideas.)

In any event, didn’t he do an awesome job?

copper sink with concrete countertop

Here’s the concrete countertop. It’s the fifth one he’s built for our house, so by now he’s pretty well got the groove for these things. I just love the contrast of materials against each other—wood, concrete and metal.

So here’s our bathroom renovation thus far. We still have a ways to go, but I know it will be good—we’ve got a brand to carry on!

 

Keeping My Clients in the News

Every March Forward Mutual Insurance Company hosts its policyholders’ meeting at the Ixonia Fireman’s Hall. Yes, the company presents its annual report, but probably even more important to this faithful crowd of mutual supporters are the door prizes, tasty luncheon and gathering together with longtime friends. It’s so very Wisconsin; I love writing such news! 

Interestingly, in an era when “online content marketing” is all the buzz, sometimes an old-fashioned press release in the local newspaper is still the best. For Forward Mutual, this is one of those times.

Howard Wiedenhoeft congratulations Donald Bohn, Ixonia, WI

President and CEO Howard Wiedenhoeft represented Forward Mutual Insurance Company in expressing gratitude to Donald Bohn for his years of service as treasurer of the board of directors. Bohn announced his retirement at the company’s 138th annual policyholders’ meeting.

 

BOHN RETIRES FROM FORWARD MUTUAL, NEW BOARD ELECTED

IXONIA, WI, (March 25, 2013) – Director Donald Bohn announced his retirement as a board member of Forward Mutual Insurance Company at its recent annual policyholders’ meeting. Bohn has served as treasurer for the Ixonia company since 2010.

“Don has been a strong leader for our mutual,” says Stephen Zillmer, Forward chairman of the board. “He is a quiet man, but when he speaks he has something meaningful to say. He is conservative, in that he’s careful to do what’s good and safe for the company. Yet he’s progressive, in that he supports moving into the future when he knows its best. We’re going to miss him here at Forward.”

Bohn began serving on mutual boards in 1984, when he was elected as a board of director for Watertown Mutual Insurance Company. He served as its secretary/treasurer for 12 years. In 2006, he guided Watertown Mutual through a merger with Concord Mutual Fire Insurance Company.

In 2009, Bohn once again guided Watertown Mutual through merger agreements, this time with Ixonia Mutual Insurance Company. On January 1, 2010, the two companies joined together and formally adopted the new name of Forward Mutual Insurance Company. Bohn was elected to serve as treasurer for the board.

Bohn has been a lifelong dairyman in the Watertown community and involved in local farm cooperatives. He is now retired from milking and enjoys working for Glacier Rock Farms in Lebanon, where he gives tractor rides to children visiting the farm.

Also at the meeting, policyholders re-elected David Blank, Randall Wegner and Dale Wolf to serve as board members. Other members of the board are Roger Degner, David Flood, Mark Mallow, Donald Reese, Robert Salov, Dale Zastrow and Stephen Zillmer. Zillmer serves as chairman of the board, Degner serves as vice-chairman and Reese will serve as secretary/treasurer.

Forward Mutual Insurance Company provides insurance to home and farm owners in 16 counties throughout southeast Wisconsin. It maintains a policyholders’ surplus of $5.2 million and an A.M. Best rating of A minus.

“Forward Mutual is the only town mutual in Wisconsin to have an A.M. Best rating,” says Wiedenhoeft. “As our organization grows in many ways, we’re confident about the future and await the challenges that lay ahead.”

 

Putting My Clients in the News

Does social media make promotional benefits of the newspaper press release a thing of the past? Of course not. Especially in small town chronicles where local items make up a majority of the news. Adunate’s recent copywriting project was this release for Forward Mutual Insurance Company—a strong, innovative company befitting of its name.

 

Charles Crave retirement from Forward Mutual board

Forward Mutual Insurance Company and Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company recently presented Charles Crave with appreciation for his leadership and contribution to the mutual insurance industry. From left, Howard Wiedenhoeft, president and CEO, Forward Mutual Insurance Company; Charles Crave, retiring chairman and director, Forward Mutual Insurance Company; and Curt Capper, regional marketing manager, Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company.

CRAVE RETIRES, FORWARD ELECTS NEW BOARD

IXONIA, WI, (March 24, 2012) – Chairman Charles Crave announced his decision to retire as a board member of Forward Mutual Insurance Company at its recent annual policyholders’ meeting. Crave, who has headed the Ixonia company since 2010, wishes to devote more time to his farm and family.

“Chuck has been a guiding force for our mutual,” says Howard Wiedenhoeft, president and CEO. “Two years ago, his leadership made the merger of Watertown Mutual and Ixonia Mutual possible and made us the strong organization we are today. We’re going to miss him here at Forward.”

Crave has been involved in the insurance industry since 1996, when he began serving as a director for Watertown Mutual. He was elected to serve as the company’s president the following year. In 2006, he was instrumental in the merger of Watertown Mutual Insurance Company and Concord Mutual Fire Insurance Company.

In 2009, Crave once again guided Watertown Mutual through merger agreements, this time with Ixonia Mutual Insurance Company. On January 1, 2010, the two companies joined together and formally adopted the new name of Forward Mutual Insurance Company. Crave was elected chairman of the board.

Crave, together with his three brothers, owns Crave Brothers Farm and produces Crave Brothers Farmstead Classics specialty cheeses.

Also at the annual meeting, policyholders re-elected Mark Mallow, Robert Salov and Dale Zastrow to serve as board members. Other members of the board are David Blank, Donald Bohn, Roger Degner, David Flood, Donald Reese, Randall Wegner, Dale Wolf and Stephen Zillmer. Stephen Zillmer was elected to serve as chairman of the board and Roger Degner was elected to serve as vice-chairman.

In the fall of 2011, the mutual began construction on a 1500 square foot addition to its office building, located at W1202 Glenview Ave., in Ixonia. The project will be completed in spring and an open house is scheduled for Friday, May 18, from 2 to 6 p.m. All policyholders and the public are invited.

Forward Mutual Insurance Company provides insurance to home and farm owners in 16 counties throughout southeast Wisconsin. It maintains a policyholders’ surplus of $5.1 million and an A.M. Best rating of A minus.

“Forward Mutual is the only town mutual in Wisconsin to have an A.M. Best rating,” says Wiedenhoeft. “As our organization grows in many ways, we’re confident about the future and await the challenges that lay ahead.”

Forward Mutual Insurance Company officers

Serving as officers for Forward Mutual Insurance Company are, from left, Donald Bohn, treasurer; Roger Degner, vice-chairman; Stephen Zillmer, chairman; and Donald Reese, secretary. 

Arts & Crafts: A Movement of Beauty and Integrity

Prairie-style home, Milwaukee, WI

When I was a kid, my paternal grandparents lived in an awesome house. It certainly wasn’t as grand as this one, but I loved it nonetheless. It was a bungalow, most likely from the turn of the century, and its enclosed front porch was filled with black wicker furniture and fringe-shaded lamps.

Things didn’t get more Arts and Crafts than that front porch.

At the time of my 1960s childhood, such style was beyond its original popularity. Today, however, it’s celebrating a magnificent revival and it’s one of my favorite styles in architecture, interior design and graphic art.

(This past weekend I got to feed my Arts & Craft fix with 14 Milwaukee homes in the Wright and Like 2011 Tour. Jealous? The house above is one of them, along with the one below.)

The linear style of Arts & Craft

The Arts and Crafts movement started in England in the 1870s as a reaction to the industrialized Victorian excesses of the mid-nineteenth century. Here in the U.S., it’s heyday lasted well into the 1930s.

According to Isabelle Anscombe in her book Arts & Crafts Style, “the new idiom of Arts and Crafts was strong and simple in form, rich and intricate in craftsmanship, with a fresh morality based on fitness for purpose.”

Simply put, this was a style that evoked honesty, warmth, informality and unprentiousness. It emphasized clean lines and quality, natural materials.

 

Owen Jones Grammar of OrnamentDigital ID: 818869. New York Public Library

Architect and designer Owen Jones (1809-1874) was a great influence in the Arts and Crafts style. In his book The Grammar of Ornament, he formulated 37 propositions for form and color in architecture and decorative arts. For example, Proposition 5 says “Construction should be decorated. Decoration should never be purposely constructed. That which is beautiful is true; that which is true must be beautiful.”

This could be a credo for life in general, couldn’t it?

William Morris

Digital ID: 118685. New York Public Library

Another leading member of the Arts and Crafts movement was William Morris. Involved in textiles, wallpaper and anything related to interior design, he brought great influence to the decorative arts. He later started Kelmscott Press, where he strived to produce high quality, hand bound books using traditional, 15th century methods. He was dissatisfied with the commercially available typefaces of the day, so he designed Golden, Chaucer and Troy, which he based from historic Gothic typefaces. Many of the popular Arts and Crafts style fonts we see today are based from these three typefaces.

Arts & Craft home, Prairie-style, Milwaukee, WI

Of course, if we’re speaking of leading influences, we have to come back to the Wright and Like Tour, namely Frank Lloyd Wright. This huge icon, as we all know, was an architect, interior designer, writer and educator. His design is likely the most revered by Americans today and many architects have followed his example, including Milwaukee architect Russell Barr Williamson.

Williamson worked as Wright’s draftsman and office manager from 1914-1918, and in 1922 he constructed the house shown above (my favorite on the tour). Note the geometric stained glass windows—definitely a style Williamson carried over from Frank Lloyd Wright’s stained glass designs.

For more information on the Arts and Craft movement, check out this great resource on design history.

 

A Website Costs HOW Much?!

A&B Roofing, Wisconsin

I recently participated in Ilise Benun’s The Pricing Group. Ilise is the founder of Marketing Mentor and helps creative professionals grow their business.

The Pricing Group was a 90-minute conference call and Ilise guided the eight participants through an exercise in pricing a website project (in a non-price-fixing way, of course). For our assignment in advance, we were all given the same hypothetical project and instructed to create our own estimate using her provided worksheet.

Her project was two full pages of specs, but I’ll give you a very brief rundown:

  • The client was a non-profit arts association looking for an updated website
  • The site was to be 6-7 pages, and include:
    • Flash slideshow (motion portfolio of multiple images)
    • CMS (content management system, meaning the client can make his own changes)
    • SEO (search engine optimization)
    • Many other specifications of the not so “bells and whistle-ish” nature

The resulting ranges were intriguing, to say the least!

The lowest quote was $2800 for a WordPress template from a designer who’s only begun working in web. The highest was $22,825 for a handcrafted site from an agency that’s been in business for 22 years. As professionals, we were located in all areas of the country and the diversity of our target markets was equally vast. (Just for your interest, I was somewhere in between all those ranges!)

So just where do we come off charging so much for a website? Even $2800 sounds like a lot for a WordPress when your next door neighbor’s kid can make one for the same price you pay him to mow your lawn.

In upcoming posts I’m going to cover the in-depth design process of an effective website. I’m going to explain what professionals do before we even turn on the computer and why paying a little more pays off a lot in the end.

In the meantime, check out this site I’m wrapping up for A&B Roofing LLC. This is a pair of ambitious guys setting the standard for roofing homes and businesses throughout southeast Wisconsin.

Looking for a website for your business? Email me today!

Wednesday Webs 4-27-11

Logan Circle, Washington DC

Last weekend we visited our daughter in Washington DC. One of the things I enjoy most about this awesome city is its architecture—definitely a historical preservationist’s dream!

A few blocks away from my daughter’s place is Logan’s Circle (DC neighborhoods are labeled by the park-like circles formed at the intersections of streets and avenues). Logan Circle is primarily residential, with most of its dwellings being historic row houses.

HIstoric Logan Circle

Check out the houses in the top photo—they’re the same as those pictured in this informative sign. According to a DC neighborhood blogger, the building on the left recently underwent a lengthy renovation. Isn’t it beautiful?

My Logan Circle door of the day Not only do these homes have handsome doors, architecturally speaking; their owners also decorate the entryways to be welcoming works of art for those passing by. The same DC blogger (who pens himself as the Prince of Petworth, by the way) features these gems in his Door of the Day series.

Take a stroll through DC’s neighborhoods. They’re beautiful building blocks of our nation’s history!