Biz Talk - Business Blog Roanoke and Beyond

Come celebrate with Cameron Johnson, Roanoke native entrepreneur and self made millionaire, as he competes in the final three for "Oprah's Big Give".  The celebration will be held on Sunday evening, April 13, at the Roanoke Civic Center's Exhibit Hall.  It's free and open to the public.  Doors will open at 7pm and the shows "Going Home" episode begins at 8pm.

The City of Roanoke released a press release in which Roanoke City Manager Darlene Burcham says, "We are pleased with Cameron's success on the 'Big Give' and celebrate that he is now one of the final three contestants".

The show is about Giving and the contestants are challenged to give away thousands of dollars to complete strangers and dramatically change their lives.  They apply creative strategies to give away the weeks loot and then are judged on how well they did.  At the end of each week someone is eliminated.  Our man Cameron is still in the hunt to be winner of the first "Oprah's Big Give".

For more information contact Stuart Mease at 853-2384.  Good Luck Cameron!!

Has the current job market and slumping economy caused you to think about starting your own business?  Fortune Small Business on CNNMoney.com canvassed the country to find towns with the best mix of business advantages and lifestyle appeal. They put together a list of their 100 top picks for the perfect place to launch a new business and build your dream.

The list included 4 Virginia area's that are great locations to for a startup company.  Southwest Virginia was included on the list as Blacksburg was noted as the # 43 best city.  Blacksburg, home of Virginia Tech and the Corporate Research Center and was listed as one of the 6 Technology Launching Pads.   CRC is a 120-acre research park and incubator, with 130 private companies in occupancy, ranging from corporations to tiny startups and covers technologies from computer hardware to pharmaceuticals.

Southwest Virginia can now boast about adding to their list of BEST's. Not only are we among the best areas to launch your business but we are also one of the Best Places to Retire.

December brings many Roanoke families together for the holidays.  Native young people return home to visit family and friends.  Stuart Mease and the City of Roanoke, along with MyHometownJobs, will capitalize on the young professionals returning to the area by hosting the second annual Roanoke Holiday Career and Lifestyle Fair on December 28 at the Roanoke Civic Center Exhibit Hall.

Last years event was a huge success with over 800 people attending the event, most of whom were young professionals. It was promoted with 15 unique media exposures including traditional marketing as well as social media. 

What a great opportunity for businesses in southwest Virginia to exhibit!   The companies participating this year should see results exceeding last years.  In addition to the job fair there is also a special video gaming event being planned to attract more attendees. 

For more information about the event and to become an exhibitor, contact Stuart Mease at stuart.mease@roanokeva.gov.

Roanoke and New River Valley business owners have a unique opportunity to increase the value of their businesses.  Rob Slee, national speaker and author of Midas Managers, will be in Blacksburg on October 10 for a seminar, In Search of the Midas Touch.  He will be joined by Blacksburg businessman, Joel Williams, contributing author, wealth manager and owner of Joel S Williams & Associates. 

The program will show owners and managers of privately held businesses how to dramatically increase the value of their businesses.

• Gain insights to double revenues and sharply raise profits in the next three years
• Implement new business models that will increase personal wealth
• Learn to become financially independent in the risky business environment

The event will be held at the VT Corporate Research Center on Wednesday, October 10 from 2:00pm - 5:30pm.  Click here for additional information and to register.  When registering be sure to look for the special Biz2Biz rate.

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!

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!

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.

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

Attracting and retaining young professionals has been addressed by many in the Roanoke and New River Valleys.  I recently learned of a new organization for our area young professionals.   NewVA Connects is a young professional organization affiliated with the Roanoke Chamber of Commerce.  Their mission is "Through action, voice and interaction, NewVaConnects will make the region a more vibrant and welcoming community of opportunity for young professionals."  They have also recently started a new blog.

Roanoke City has also recognized the fact that we need to retain these young people in the Roanoke Valley.  Stuart Mease was hired by the City of Roanoke, to create programs and events, both social and professional, with existing regional entities to retain and attract young adults to the city and its surrounding region.

We posted on our blog an article asking businesses to step it up.  I would be interested to know what your business is doing to help retain these young professionals.  Post your comments here.