Biz Talk - Business Blog Roanoke and Beyond

Important Read!

Working with young adults in the Roanoke and New River Valleys, I have come to realize the critical role youth play in changing marketing strategies.  One instance of this is Viral Marketing as noted by Stuart Mease in his blog Connecting People.  Today's youth and young adults are forming the marketing trends of the future.  They are driving up the importance of social media - blogs, video, podcasts and social networking.

Mark Federman, summarized in his talk, Generation Gap: Why Today's Youth are Living in Tomorrow's World "We are now facing a generation gap of historic proportion, the nature of which has only been seen twice before in 3000 years. It almost goes without saying that every aspect of our society is changing in profound ways, including business and how we manage and structure organizations."

According to a recent Label Networks survey, 84.3% of 13-24 year-olds read blogs. Tweens use IM as much as 20-somethings speak on the phone. It's clear there is a lot of action in the digital space, and youth are the ones driving it. 

Fleishman-Hillard Inc., a leading global communications consultancy has launched a new Group - Next Best Thing (www.nextgreatthing.com) to track and stay ahead of the youth vanguard for the digital future.  They will focus on global shifts in culture, communications and demographics.  This marketing group is responsible for preparing the agency and its clients to better understand and embrace the new media paradigm straddling the online, offline and wireless worlds of today's consumers.  Their blog/website will be a comprehensive resource for anyone interested in how today's youth are revolutionizing communications.  Read more about Fleishman-Hillard's Agency Blogs About What's Next.

Marketing is not just about gaining exposure in traditional media. Marketing in 2007 and the future requires an Integrated Marketing Strategy, one that analyzes all media to design the ideal combination of tools (TV, radio, print, search engine optimization, social media and online marketing) needed to accomplish the client’s goals.

Roanoke, VA., April 26, 2007–  Jeremy Holmes, Transportation Alternatives Coordinator with the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission and Program Director for RIDE Solutions, today announced a new bike rack donation program in support of this year’s Clean Commute Day event.  Up to ten racks will be given to qualifying area businesses and organizations who encourage their customers and employees to cycle as an alternative to the daily commute.

“This year, Clean Commute Day falls within Bike to Work Week,” said Holmes.  “RIDE Solutions wants to encourage cycling as one of the healthiest commute options.  Not only is it good for the region’s environmental quality, drastically reducing vehicle traffic and emitting no pollution, it also builds physical fitness and is a great way to enjoy the Valley’s natural beauty.”

Already popular in the Valley for recreation, cycling has been adopted by several residents as their primary form of commuting.  As fuel prices rise and Americans face ever more dire warnings about health and obesity, commuting by bicycle is fast becoming a natural solution to both problems.  Through this program, RIDE Solutions and the Regional Commission hope to increase the visibility of cycling as a commuting option, and provide a simple way for area businesses to show their support for increasing the area’s bicycle-friendliness.

“It’s more than just being Green,” said Holmes.  “Certainly, replacing vehicle trips with bicycle trips has an enormous impact on our air quality and fuel consumption.  But it’s also about promoting a lifestyle and community that is increasingly attractive to the types of companies we want to see more of in the Roanoke region.  Some of the biggest Fortune 500 companies – such as Qualcomm, Yahoo!, and Google, according to Best Workplaces for Commuters – have very active bicycle commuting programs.  It reflects a quality of life their employees want, and they want to support.  This is a small way to bring attention to that lifestyle.”

RIDE Solutions and the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission are organizing this year’s Clean Commute Day event.  Clean Commute Day, held May 18, 2007 to mark the traditional start of the summer ozone pollution season, is an opportunity for area commuters to explore the links between their transportation habits and air quality in the Valley, and encourages them to take an active part in improving the region’s air by taking the Clean Commute Pledge at RIDE Solutions’ website.  More information can be found at http://www.ridesolutions.org.
Contact  Jeremy Holmes, RIDE Solutions Program Director
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
jholmes@rvarc.org, (540) 342-9393

Virginia Tech has joined with AXA Advisors, Brown Edwards & Company, FNB, and Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore to launch the Virginia Tech Family Business Forum to serve as a resource to family and closely held businesses in Southwest Virginia.

They will be conducting an engaging program on May 8, 2007 with a session titled "The Life Plan: Overcoming the Eight Challenges That Face Family Business Owners." Greg McCann is an author, attorney, CPA, consultant, and faculty member who has also worked in his own family's business.  Mr. McCann will be combining his talents and experiences in an interactive session that will cover the eight challenges and the benefits of the life planning process in addressing those challenges. He will bring both real life examples and practical advice that you can apply to your business and personal life immediately. You will also have an opportunity to do a self assessment in each of the eight challenge areas to see where your strengths and areas for development are.

Please attend this program in Room 212 at the Roanoke Higher Education Center (108 North Jefferson Street) at 7:30 a.m. on May 8th for a light breakfast, coffee and conversation. The program will begin at 8:00 a.m. and will wrap up by 11:30 a.m.  This special event has something for everyone and they encourage those of you with multi-generational businesses to do your best to have adult members of your senior and next generations in attendance if at all possible.

Come on May 8 and meet the charter members, corporate partners, and the Virginia Tech Family Business Forum team. You will also get to hear a top notch presenter in Greg McCann. And, when the morning is over, consider becoming a member and joining the growing number of businesses that recognize the specialized focus and value that is the Virginia Tech Family Business Forum.

To register for this event contact Rich Lasher at 540-767-6108 or e-mail rllasher@vt.edu on or before May 1, 2007.

Have lunch with Professional Network Services and learn how your business can leverage the powerful applications included in Microsoft Small Business Server 2003.  Dates for the LUNCH & LEARN sessions are Monday, May 7 and Monday May 14, from 11:30 – 1:30 at PNS.

Attend a “LUNCH & LEARN” session hosted by Professional Network Services and discover the benefits and cost effectiveness of Microsoft’s Small Business Server 2003.  All participants that attend are eligible for a drawing for a copy of Microsoft’s Small Business Server 2003, including Microsoft Exchange, with Five (5) Client Access Licenses, a $500 value.

• Share Equipment and Resources
• Enhanced Security and Back Ups
• Better Communications – with Customers and in house
• E-mail Hosting In House – Professional Appearance & Controls
• Centralized Data

For information and to register contact Bill Coan 265-1200 ext. 256 or e-mail bcoan@pnsinc.net.  Register now, seating is limited to 6 participants per session.

Are you looking for a new copier?  Do you need bookkeeping, insurance or payroll services?  Want to learn about some good ideas for promoting your business? 

Then you should plan to attend the FREE Roanoke Regional Chamber Business and Technology Expo at the Roanoke Civic Center New Special Events Center Tuesday, April 24 from 12 - 7PM.  You can connect to regional businesses and discover the latest technologies.  Not only will you have a great day for networking but plan to attend free "how-to" workshops.

Blue Ridge Copier, a member of Roanoke Biz2Biz is one of the sponsors of the EXPO.  Be sure to stop by their booth, #102, to see the latest in digital technology.  Roanoke Biz2Biz will be at booth # 708.  Stop by to say hello and check out our demo on Video Email technology.

For more information on the EXPO, contact Jamie Snead at (540) 983-0700 ext. 231 or jsnead@roanokechamber.org.

April 17, 2007 - Press Release
BLUE RIDGE BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE
Aftermath Support Project

Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare (BRBH), the Community Services Board that serves citizens of the Roanoke Valley, has announced that it is setting up a temporary emergency response center to assist anyone who may be having difficulty in the aftermath of Monday's horrific events at Virginia Tech.

While the shootings have thrust Tech onto the national news stage, for many residents of southwestern Virginia this is an intensely personal experience. BRBH is reaching out, in an effort to help those crisis responders already mobilized in Blacksburg, with a temporary location where people can go for help and support in Roanoke.

Beginning at 8:00AM tomorrow, Wednesday April 18, mental health professionals from BRBH will be available at the Marriott Courtyard to counsel friends and family of those impacted by this tragedy. Counseling staff will be on site until 9:00PM each evening through next Tuesday April 24. Hospitality staff from the Agency will be there from 6:00AM until midnight each day. You can contact this emergency center directly by calling (540) 266-9201 for information or directions.

The Marriott Courtyard is located at 3301 Ordway Drive, off Hershberger Road, near the Roanoke Airport.

The Roanoke and New River Valley Career and Lifestyle Fair hosted by the City of Roanoke, sponsored by MyHometownJobs.com, and presented by Delta Sigma Pi, scheduled for Wednesday, April 18 at Owens Banquet Hall on the campus of Virginia Tech has been canceled due to the series of on-campus events in Blacksburg this morning.No re-scheduled date has been set at this time. For more information about the fair, visit http://www.roanokeva.gov/fairs.

Mail-It PLUS… has scheduled the first in a year long series of seminars to help you make the most of your direct mail marketing dollars. 

The topic is Data Cleaning. Is every piece of mail you send reaching the intended person?  Has anyone on your list moved?  Are your addresses missing information that you are not aware of?  If this is possible, then let Mail-It PLUS…identify these issues and show you why it is so important.

The seminar is Wednesday, April 18, 2007 from 11:30am - 1:00pm at 419 West Restaurant on Electric Rd. 

Mail-It PLUS… will provide an hour long discussion, filled with postal information that will increase the Return on Investment for your next direct mail project…PLUS…you will get a free lunch!  You must RSVP to attend.  For more information and to register call 540-772-7612 or email to seminar@mailitplus.com

Roanoke Connect is using viral marketing to bring young people and college graduates back to the Roanoke and New River Valleys of Virginia. The City of Roanoke, entrepreneurs and businesses are putting forth efforts to retain young people in the region. Roanoke Biz2Biz will be hosting an event May 11, at Salem Civic Center, focusing on Grow Roanoke and New River Valleys.  More details will be published in this blog.  For information you can email info@roanokebiz2biz.com.

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Roanoke Times columnist, Elena DeRosa, wrote a column about the Roanoke Biz2Biz Bloggers workshop. As you can read from the article, those attending walked away with a new respect for the Blogger, especially when used as a business tool. The gathering provided a medium for local Roanoke and New River Valley Bloggers to come together as a group.

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