Letter from the Editor

Whether you own or manage or represent a company, (for many of us, it’s all three,) recent economic events are sure to be shaping your business strategy. The marketplace changes quickly and you must react quickly too. But it’s not enough to simply “network” and be the face of your business. You are also the voice of your business and it’s heard louder than ever on the internet channels.

Mastering social media marketing and networking is not much different than mastering traditional marketing and networking, except that everything on the web is amplified and immediately shareable. It’s essential to be precise and thoughtful about what actions you take… because everyone is watching. Your successes and failures are magnified. It’s not just for small businesses either. Corporate powerhouses have jumped on the social media bandwagon to communicate and interact with their customers. Names like Coke, Rubbermaid and General Mills are all well represented on sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Zappos and Whole Foods have been lauded for their effective use of Twitter for customer service. Locally, my sister is responsible for the Internet marketing and social media presence for Quintiles. I follow her business “Tweets”. Smart companies of any size monitor blog sites for mention of their company names. A quick and public response to issues often garners future customer goodwill.

Have you Tweeted yet? If you’ve been waiting to see if this was just a passing fad, it’s not. And social networking is not just for the young. Recent Facebook statistics show that the 55+ online crowd is growing about 500%, crowding the younger demographics. The Business Alliance classes have touched on Linked-In and Twitter. Effective social media campaigns should be a part of your overall marketing plan. In essence, it bridges the gap between the company and the consumer. The internet has given the consumer a voice, and they are using it to force companies to deal directly with them and respond to complaints in a public arena.

You have many opportunities in August and September to learn how to effectively showcase your business, make sure your message is on target and maximize profits. I urge you to take advantage of these classes. Remember; you are the voice of your business. Make sure it’s a good one.

Beth LaSasso
Editor, Business Alliance

Job Opening! The Business Alliance newsletter needs a new editor for 2010. If you enjoy writing, organizing content, editing member submissions and staying current on Club events, this is a perfect opportunity for you. The BA Newsletter is published 6 times per year as the voice of the BA community. See Lee Heinrich if you are interested in further details.

August Issue 2009

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Happenings

Business Alliance After Hours (2nd Wednesdays)

Join fellow Business Alliance members monthly on the 2nd Wednesday for a little after-work relaxation in the newly renovated Caps Grille.

 

 

Business Alliance Open Table (3rd Thursdays)

Join other Business Alliance Partners and Associates on the 3rd Thursday for a casual lunch and free-ranging conversations in the Main Dining Room at the Capital City Club.

 

Leader Luncheon: Boost your EXPO Power

Chuck Norman, current Executive Vice President of S&A Cherokee Intelligent Communications and former Vice President of Communication and Government Relations with the Cary Chamber of Commerce, will provide specific tips for getting the most benefit from your Expo experience. Chuck, recently named Rotarian of the Year by the Cary MacGregor Rotary Club, has provided his expertise to multiple organizations and realized significant growth over their previous efforts. Whether you are at a major trade show, a local Chamber of Commerce event or other display/networking venue, there are specific actions that you can take to maximize your investment. Regardless of your tradeshow experience, you will benefit from this presentation. It is especially timely since the Fall Business Connection Expo is coming in September! Learn important tips to network more effectively and successfully promote your business.

You will learn:

• Show promotion and generating traffic to your table
• Creatively setting up your display area
• Do’s and Don’ts prior to, during and after the show
• Communicating with Leads after the show

Leader Lunch: Keeping Profits Up in a Down Economy

When the economy falters, most companies are faced with lowering expenses to maintain some profit or to simply stay afloat--and hope for better times. Barrett Joyner, former president of SAS North America and current Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing for Mi-Co, a mobile data capture software company, will help us identify assets companies often overlook in working to establish win-win relationships with customers, employees and investors. He will point out business assets, including intangible assets such as loyalty and personal networks, to reduce expenses, increase productivity and ease the pain brought on by a down economy. He also will share a specific process you can use to help qualify situations to see if/how these intangibles could be helpful in your company.

Barrett Joyner has over two decades of leadership and management experience in enterprise software companies. He is currently Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing of Mi-Co, a mobile data capture software company. Previously, he spent 16 years at SAS Institute holding a number of key roles including President of SAS North America. Barrett has also served as CEO of FullSeven Technologies and VP of Marketing at SciQuest. Barrett frequently speaks and consults on the executive's role in building productive and fully aligned work teams. Barrett holds a BA in Political Science from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Business Connection Expo: An Event to Showcase Exciting Businesses, Services and Products

Join us for an exciting showcase of wonderful resources. Make new contacts, network, check out services and products – even shop. Browse unique Jewelry, Cosmetic Lines, Gifts, Men’s Tailoring, Travel Opportunities and more. Explore services in the Financial, Accounting, Insurance, Business Coaching, IT and other Professional arenas! Enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and soft drinks and a cash bar. Check out the Business Alliance - you will be amazed at the array of business services and wonderful products available to you from folks you know at your Clubs! And by all means listen for your name to be called… just in case you win a door prize!

 

Navigation Class: Authenticity & Results - Tips on Making Your Business Communications Sing

Most business – large and small – struggle to tell their stories compellingly, consistently and strategically enough to attract the attention of prospects, to retain customers, to build partnerships and to boost their position in their markets. Anyone involved in generating business – the owner, the sales force, the marketing team, your advertising/PR agency, your web developer – needs to be singing the same song. And that song needs to be crisp, memorable and focused on customers' needs, not your products or services. Some simple tips can strengthen all your business communications, from email to sales presentations, from web content to the company’s elevator speech. This session combines advice from an experienced corporate communications professional with workshop exercises that will enable participants to leave with their elevator speech and customer-focused marketing messages in their pocket. We’ll cover:

• Key approaches to make your email generate business and boost productivity
• Tips to make your web content strategic, crisp, expert and focused on your customers
• The importance of creating a communication plan across your company that is consistent and focused (including your written elevator speech)

This session is presented by writer Keith Hayes. Keith has bachelors and masters degrees in English and four years toward a PhD in literature. A chance to work as a writer for Hill and Knowlton Communications began a successful twenty years of agency and corporate experience that includes twelve years of teaching PR writing to college students. His writing ability and a great ability to understand and drive business strategies, is centered on helping his clients deliver the message they wish clearly and powerfully.

BA Member Announcements

(Please send submissions to bag_editor@yahoo.com)

Greg Brissette, Vice President/Investments for Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, will host nationally renowned speaker Mike Schwager - Claymore Securities, Inc.’s Chief Market Strategist. In an overview of the market, Mike will offer his perspective on the potential impact inflation may have on different asset classes and market sectors. The event will be held on Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 6:30 pm. at Brio Tuscan Grille. Contact Jennifer Sales at 919-791-3821 or jsales@jmsonline.com for more information. RSVP required.

Delores P. McNair, of Married and Complete, will host the annual women's GCW conference on Saturday, August 22, 2009 at Brier Creek Country Club in Raleigh. The theme: You've been motivated. Now get activated! The day includes inspirational speakers, cash prizes, music, shopping and lots of fun. Call (919) 384-5890 or email mcna07@marriedandcomplete.com for more information. (Open to all ladies married and single.) Delores P. McNair and Natalia Fisher-Jackson also hosted a women's discussion on Saturday July 11, 2009 at the Homewood Suites in RTP. Discussion topic: Valued-Inspired-Proven Women of God. The event was sponsored by Married and Complete and Empowerment Christian Center of Durham.

Debra Simonette, President of Creative Gifting, Inc., is proud to announce that Creative Gifting has been selected as one of the Top 100 Small Businesses in North Carolina by Business Leader Media. The selection was made from companies that have shown considerable business achievement and community involvement. Business Leader limited the list to companies that conduct a greater part of their business in North Carolina and have less than 100 employees. Creative Gifting, Inc. specializes in unique gift designs and corporate branding. It offers gifts for every occasion, from weddings to business events. For more information, call (919) 303-6198 or visit www.creativegifting.com.

Brian Rosenthal of RDUTennis, LLC announces a partnership with Forsyth County Parks & Recreation, Woodcroft Club in Durham, and Reedy Fork Ranch community in Greensboro. RDUTennis, LLC is a tennis service offered throughout North Carolina located at resorts, country clubs, communities, and local parks. Contact Brian regarding the many locations, programming, and fees of RDUTennis at brian@rdutennis.net or 919 395 7329. You may also visit www.rdutennis.net.

Chris Basnight of Imp Designs, LLC announces the re-launch of the website for the North Carolina Medical Board (http://www.ncmedboard.org). The site content was completely reorganized and the graphic appearance was overhauled. The site now includes a revamped media center for communicating with the press as well as a new Consumer Resources section and an interactive timeline displaying the history of the board. Imp Designs has also just launched a redesigned site for the Partnership for Assistive Technology (http://www.pat.org). Contact Chris at (919) 790-9800 or www.impdesigns.com.

Adam Saad of Rush Hour Karting announces that Rush Hour held it’s first ever 2.5 hour Endurance Race for teams on August 9th. Based on the success of the event, Adam hopes to expand the race in the future with proceeds benefiting a charitable cause. For more details, Rush Hour Karting can be reached at (919) 662-9101 or email: info@rushhourkarting.com.

Janice Cutler, owner of North Raleigh Florist, is proud to announce the launching of their first newsletter packed with information and tips about flowers, plants and what's happening at the shop. Call the shop at (919) 847-3381 or go to www.northraleighflorist.com. View the newsletter online and sign up to receive future newsletters. Have kids? Be sure to check out the “kids corner."

Steven Dieckhaus is enjoying a new position at the Six Forks Road branch of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, as a Home Mortgage Consultant. He is helping clients with traditional, VA, USDA, FHA mortgages and discussing their mortgage and credit options. Contact Steven at 919-601-7134 or Steven.Dieckhaus@wellsfargo.com

Dyanne Matzkevich of Pine Forest Memorial Gardens announces the opening of the first Green Burial Cemetery in the area. The “Garden of Renewal” is a return to the “natural” way of doing burial. Call Dyanne at (919) 219-2256 for more information.

Daniel Trimpey, of Page Progressive Web Development, would like to announce the launch of EDS Waterproofing's new website: http://www.edswaterproofing.com. It sports a new look, new content and an updated content management system.

New Members

New BA members will be announced in the October issue of the BA Newsletter. We apologize for the inconvenience.

BA in the Community

(Please send submissions to bag_editor@yahoo.com)

Shaila Pandya, of RNS Expense Reduction, is assisting with the “Chip In for the Red Cross” Golf Tournament on September 21, 2009 at the Lonnie Poole Golf Course on NCSU’s Centennial Campus. The event includes a Silent Auction, $5,000 Hole-in-one Contest, $4,000 Team Putting Contest, Guess Your Distance Contest, Raffle, Mulligan Packages and Breakfast/Lunch. Contact Shaila at (919) 349-2665 or rns_savings@yahoo.com for more details.

Chris Basnight and Imp Designs, are advocates for PAT, the Partnership for Assistive Technology (http://www.pat.org). The Partnership for Assistive Technology is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing access to assistive technology and information technology for North Carolinians with disabilities through training, equipment recycling, advocacy, and technical assistance. Assistive technology empowers people of all ages to move, to see, to hear, to communicate, to read, to learn, to access computers and the internet, to plan, to play, to control their environment and to independently accomplish the tasks of daily life. The new site has large type and other features to maximize the accessibility of its content for the disadvantaged. Imp Designs invites Club members to contact Sonya Van Horn at PAT and contribute to this worthy organization.

Shop Local Raleigh (SLR), gives local businesses a boost. SLR helps local independent businesses compete effectively and offer a wider diversity of choices for consumers. The campaign strives to raise public awareness of the overall value offered by local businesses, demonstrate the economic impact of daily spending decisions, and nurture and enhance Raleigh’s passionate business community.

A centerpiece of Shop Local Raleigh is a website – www.shoplocalraleigh.org – where Raleigh residents can find locally owned businesses that offer everything from retail merchandise to dining options to professional b-to-b services. Consumers can also visit the site to learn about the benefits of spending their dollars locally, and businesses can go there to join the campaign. SLR is supported by local television, radio and web advertising.

We welcome qualifying businesses to join the movement by becoming a Shop Local Raleigh member. Visit the website for online registration, if you have questions, please contact Susan Thompson at susan@shoplocalraleigh.com or 919.755.9235. (SLR is affiliated with the Greater Raleigh Merchant’s Association.)

Beth LaSasso, Owner of Molly Maid, hosts an annual volunteer drive with her clients every October as part of an ongoing relationship with Interact of Wake County. Interact assists in the prevention of domestic violence and rape/sexual assault. Damita Chambers, Communications Outreach Specialist at InterAct, announces the recent opening of a new Family Safety & Empowerment Center in Raleigh, near Cameron Village. This center allows InterAct to share space with nine other agencies, including the Raleigh Police Department, and provide comprehensive, wrap-around services to families impacted by violence and abuse. This collaborative model is so unique in the domestic violence and sexual assault field that it will likely become a national model program. If you would like to support the organization through volunteering and donations, please contact Damita directly at 919-865-1616 or 919-828-7501 - Administrative Line. You can also reach Interact at damitac@interactofwake.org and www.interactofwake.org

If you are involved in community projects, we want to hear about them! Many of our members serve meals, help build Habitat homes, and volunteer their time to help others in need. Please share your experiences, or your company-related activity, with your fellow BA members.

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