Biz Talk - Business Blog Roanoke and Beyond

This is a followup to my post on the Downtown Roanoke Wi-Fi project.   I was recently invited to attend a meeting with Roanoke City regarding the Downtown WIFI Hotzone.  Clearly Roanoke has been identified nationally as a technology leader and as a model for cities considering a downtown Wi-Fi hotspot.  Seattle, WA modeled their system after Roanoke. 

It was clearly recognized by those attending the meeting that the level and consistency of the service has deteriorated over the years and more attention needs to be placed on making the Wi-Fi service readily available in the designated areas.  It was also agreed that there was very little marketing done to promote the downtown Wi-Fi service.

Suggestions included:

1. Help Downtown Roanoke to understand the importance of Wi-Fi as a marketing tool.
2. Getting local downtown businesses involved in promoting the free Wi-Fi hotzone.
3. Work with the technical service provider (Cox) to offer local downtown businesses a hotspot using less expensive hardware to amplify the signal to their business.

These points were aimed to locally heighten the interest in the Downtown Wi-Fi project.  There have also been two recent articles in the Roanoke Times by Duncan Adams.  Roanoke Wi-Fi lingers on fritz and Downtown wireless may finally be fixed.

Based on this second article that the service MAY be fixed, I was delighted and scheduled a business meeting at the Roanoke City Market Building's International Food Court.  I started using the Wi-Fi connection but within 10 minutes it had slowed to a crawl and then it quit.  I was totally embarrassed without my technical tool.

If I were a business person or impressionable young professional visiting the area this would have definitely tarnished my image of Roanoke as a digital or technology leader.

What's the City of Roanoke's next step to monitor and maintain the Wi-Fi consistency?  Brian Brown, from Roanoke City's Office of Economic Development, told me that the City does have a plan.  He said within the next 3-6 months they will be doing a series of improvements, including upgrading the Wi-Fi technology at the City Market Building.  They intend to improve the consistency of the W-Fi connection.  Local users and vistors will greet this improvement with welcome arms! 

Let us know if you have any additions we can add to our Wi-Fi list at www.RoanokeBiz2Biz.com.

How many times have you wondered where the morning went?  Do you feel a constant distraction day after day?  Do you need a round tuit?  Successful entrepreneurs and business executives do recognize the 4 'D's of time management.  Maybe if you applied the 4 'D's of time management to your daily structure you wouldn't need the round tuit.

So what are the 4 'D's of time management…

Delete - never waste time by opening those junk emails.  If you don't recognize the sender or the subject it's probably spam.  If you have a friend or colleague who sends you joke after joke and those chain emails that say you'll receive bad luck if you break it, ask then to stop sending them to you or give them an email address you don't check on a regular basis.  Clear the clutter off your desk!  Delete it Shred it or Trash it!

Delay - Prioritize your tasks.  Manage your time by doing what has to be done first.  Fill in the remainder of your day with those things that benefit you, and remember you are managing your time, not others'.

Delegate - This is a hard one because NO ONE can do it like you can.  But, you must put your trust in others and ask them to help out in areas where they excel.  If you're doing work that someone else should be responsible for, give the responsibility back to them. Lighten your load!

Do - If you can't delete it, and you can't delay it, and there's no one to delegate it to…then you have to DO it.  Don't wait until you can get a round tuit! Get it done today. No more procrastinating, just DO it!

Without time management we put a lot of stress in our lives.  Stress is not good for our health and it can affect our success.  Darren Rowse of ProBlogger listed some great Productivity Tips for Bloggers.  Many of these tips can also work for non-bloggers and blog readers!

Press Release

Best Mailing Service and Best Computer Services have merged together to form BMS Direct, Inc, a one stop marketing solution. BMS Direct, Inc. offers a complete direct mail marketing package from creative design and printing to mailing and fulfillment services targeting Virginia, Maryland, DC, and North Carolina markets and serving clients nationally.

Lynchburg, VA (PRWEB) September 5, 2007 - Best Mailing Service (BMS) and Best Computer Services will merge together to form BMS Direct, Inc. The merger will combine the services of both companies to form a progressive direct mail marketing solution targeting Virginia, Maryland, DC, and North Carolina markets and serving clients nationally. The merger will become effective September 1, 2007, at which time customers will continue to receive the same high quality and personal customer service they have been accustomed to for the past 34 years.

BMS Direct, Inc will provide a one stop solution for our customers, from creative design and printing to complete mailing and fulfillment services. James LaPrade will continue to serve as President and Leif Aagaard will be Vice President of the new company. LaPrade explains "By combining our businesses together we will be able to reduce costs and improve our operations without jeopardizing the valuable service and customer support we provide our clients."

BMS operates multiple facilities in Virginia. They are headquartered in Lynchburg, where they maintain an 80,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility that includes their corporate offices, production and warehouse space. The Roanoke location houses their Presort Division and serves as their disaster recovery site.

For additional information on the merger of Best Mailing Service and Best Computer Services contact James LaPrade at 434-455-7724 or visit http://www.best-mailing.com

About BMS Direct, Inc. - A full service direct mail marketing company providing data processing, printing, letter shop, fulfillment and warehouse services in Virginia, Maryland, DC and North Carolina.

BMS Direct Press Release - September 5, 2007

Did you feel the enthusiasm from the area's young professionals? Did you share in the willingness of the leaders to help and guide them to a brighter future?  If you experienced these emotions then you must have been one of the seven hundred plus participants at Valley Forward's Forum for the Future at the Roanoke Civic Center on Thursday night.

John Lugar, Chairman of Valley Forward, opened the event by thanking those participating and explaining the format for the forum.  He encouraged the leaders and participants to listen to our young professionals and find out what is important to them.  He suggested the younger generation become energized by getting involved in the community.

Lugar stressed that we must showcase our community assets.  For a successful change we must consider what is GOOD for the Roanoke Valley, think differently, be solution-oriented, debate, discuss, decide and move on.  If we don't dream and think big our young people will move elsewhere.

Valley Forward takes an integrated approach to progress by focusing on Economic Development, Cultural Enhancement, and Community Involvement.  Platforms they have adopted include:

• Rebuilding of the Rockledge Inn
• Funding and awareness of Greenways in the Valley
• Building an Outdoor Amphitheater
• Carvins Cove conservation easement

The interactive forum then set off with attendees choosing informal roundtable sessions and panel discussions.  Speakers included various political and government officials along with local business experts.  Topics covered included business building tools, health and fitness resources, employment and jobs, sports, arts, museums and young professional organizations.  Ira Kaufman, President of Roanoke Biz2Biz, hosted a round table where he discussed blogs and websites and the marketing benefits from both. 

The night concluded with Tiki Barber, former NFL running back and NBC broadcaster.  He reminded the young professionals they can make a difference and encouraged them to get more involved in local government and push forward their agenda's and ideas of what they want the valley to become.  As Barber returned to his roots, he recounted how the Roanoke Valley has impacted his life as an NFL football star, author and TV broadcaster. 

It is my opinion the night was a success for the Valley Forward Group.  There is certainly room for improvement but I feel with the continued effort the next event will be bigger and better. 

One thing for sure, Roanoke would like to retain its young professionals. Events such as this that broaden the awareness in our government officials and community will make a difference. 

Business Leaders, City Officials and Political Organizations - our young professionals challenge you to LISTEN, OFFER OPPORTUNITY and THINK BIG!

Young Professionals in Roanoke and New River Valley - you are challenged to CHARGE FORWARD, BECOME ACTIVE and MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Biz Links - Business, Community, Government and a little on marketing…

• Real Estate Kiosk is up and running at Valley View Mall.  Realtors see this as a way to supplement traditional advertising.
• Tiki Barber returns to Roanoke to provide keynote address for Valley Forward's Forum for the Future.  Mike Stevens talks with Tiki Barber.
• Many in the valley headed to Blacksburg on Sept 6 to enjoy A Concert for Virginia Tech.  As a time for remembering the April 16 tragedy, music filled the air from big names such as John Mayer and Dave Matthews.
• Wonder why there was so much controversy regarding the New Drivers Fee's imposed by our Virginia legislators?  Ira Kaufman explains why Social Media will impact your business.

September 13 Valley Forward's Forum for the Future

Young professionals will have a chance to voice their opinions and ideas about the future of the region. Football great and Roanoke native Tiki Barber will be the keynote speaker. The event will include the keynote address, intimate round-table discussions, and interactive question-and-answer panels.

• 5pm - 9pm
• Roanoke Civic Center, 710 Williamson Rd, Roanoke
• Cost: $20.75 or $10.25 for students with valid ID
• For information: Melissa Byrd 704-995-3232
• http://www.valleyforward.net/

As a continuation of Valley Forward's commitment to improving and energizing our community, they have organized the "Forum for the Future."  The goal of the September 13 event is to provide a voice for the Valley's young professionals, while also informing, inspiring, and encouraging action in the community.

"Forum for the Future" we will be holding a variety of engaging segments, including a powerful key-note address by Roanoke native Tiki Barber, intimate round-table discussions, and interactive question-and-answer panels, where attendees can have direct access to community leaders to communicate, ask questions, and offer suggestions.

For more information, including the Event Schedule and the participating Discussion Panalists and Round Table Hosts, click on the following link: virginiavarsity.com/valleyforward

For more information contact Melissa Byrd.

Most people don't understand the power of social media.  They don't understand how blogging and other forms of social media can impact the business environment.  Viral Marketing is a marketing phenomenon that facilitates and encourages people to pass along a marketing message voluntarily.  Let me show you direct proof of how an ongoing internet conversation can effect a topic or situation.  Imagine if this were your business and why you have to be cognizant of the affects, good or bad, it can have on your business.

I found this article in the Washington Post regarding the rage over the new drivers fee's invoked by the Virginia Legislators.  Marc Fisher reported…

Since when do ordinary people take up the cause of offenders such as the 5 percent of drivers who are eligible for abuser fees because of their bad records? Since when do Virginia's supposedly hard-core anti-tax voters slam their lawmakers for avoiding a general tax increase by slipping in fees aimed at some small group?
Well, since the Internet changed the speed and power flow in politics, says Del. David Albo, the Fairfax Republican who finds himself the target of much of the popular rage.

Fisher added..

In the wild world of Virginia political blogs, that made Albo Public Enemy No. 1 — accused of concocting a dishonest way to raise money for transportation projects, making it extra unfair by exempting out-of-state drivers from the fees and topping it off by working in a field in which he stood to profit from an increase in court battles over these fees.

Social Media is changing the landscape of our politics as well as how we do business.  This is what we call viral marketing.  Several months back Roanoke Biz2Biz hosted a social media workshop where I explained about the Power Of Blogs. (see my white paper Blogs - Your Power Marketing Tool) 

You can accept it or not, but this is a part of your future.  Five years ago, few took a serious look at a Google search as a marketing tool.  Look at them now!  If you don't have a top ranking in Google you can bet your competitor does!  

Blogging has grown into a powerful venue for businesses to gain valuable exposure.  Companies now use various forms of social media marketing to introduce new products and services, announce events and generate leads for their business.

It's YOUR choice, you can be pro-active and an innovator in incorporating social media into your marketing strategies or you can lag behind as your competitors evolve.

"Cocktails for a Cause", Sept. 12, 5:00 - 8:00pm at Trio Restaurant in the Downtown Market. Support Opera Roanoke while attending this fun event.  It should be one of the best they've had, with the full cast from Hansel & Gretel attending and most staying for dinner. These are world class stars with impressive resumes.  There should be some singing during the evening. Here's an opportunity to help support Opera Roanoke.

Are you a business owner? 
Are you thinking about starting a new business or expanding your existing business? 

Cultivating the Business of Arts and Culture in the Roanoke Valley is a free workshop sponsored by Woods Rogers for people interested in starting a business in the Roanoke Valley.

On Friday, October 5 starting at 9 a.m. at the Roanoke Civic Center Exhibit Hall experts from local, state and national entities will present material and resources that will help you begin a business or grow your existing business. A panel discussion from successful local entrepreneurs and more personalized breakout sessions will occur following the morning presentations.

This workshop is a featured event in accordance with the City of Roanoke's 1st Annual Arts Festival. Please plan to attend and bring someone with you. The event is free, but it requires you to register by clicking below.

Registration
http://www.rvarc.org/entfair/entexpress/expressregister.html

Flyer
http://www.vastartup.org/roanokeoct5.pdf

Facebook Group
http://vt.facebook.com/event.php?eid=4152622641

For Immediate Release

Dublin VA – On September 26, 2007, employers in the New River Valley will have a unique opportunity to meet potential employees including seasonal workers, technically trained entry level employees, recent college graduates, and experienced professionals.  Job seekers will have a chance to meet some of the region’s finest employers who have positions ready to be filled.  Job seekers do not have to register in advance, but should come dressed for success and bring copies of their resume.  Employers can register online and should register before September 12.  The $95 registration fee for employers includes an exhibit booth, shared interview room, and lunch for two company representatives.

September 26, 2007
10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
New River Valley Mall
782 New River Road
Christiansburg, Virginia

Visit New River Valley Job Fair Expo for more information, including a list of participating employers and the sponsoring organizations.  Media inquiries are welcome.

Contact: 
Marty Holliday
New River/Mount Rogers
Workforce Investment Board
540-633-6764
mholliday@nrvdc.org

David Moore
Institute for Policy and Governance
205 W. Roanoke Street
Blacksburg, VA 24061
540-231-8954 (office)
540-230-6914 (cell)
dmoore@vt.edu

This is a great opportunity for young professionals to meet potential employers.