Written by Brian Alcorn on November 26, 2008
During a recent meeting of businesspeople in Morgantown, there was some discussion about the struggling economy. However, more emphasis was placed on methods to help each other cultivate opportunities, with less attention on gloom-and-doom thinking.
Networking expert Ivan Misner recently suggested at Entrepreneur.com that he would “refuse to participate in a recession.” This doesn’t mean putting your head in the sand. Instead, simply focus on what you have control over so that your business is not at the mercy of uncontrollable forces—like a down-turned economy.
During this meeting, two real estate executives discussed their economic outlook. Despite the condition of their industry, they projected sustained growth in 2009, and attributed such to the professional relationships they had worked to develop, which often lead to increased business.
You can’t hide from a recession, but it’s fully within your control to develop mutually-beneficial professional relationships. In your experience, how important are business relationships to weathering out an economic storm? Someone out there is positive about the opportunities that exist in the upcoming New Year, right?
~ Alcorn is an executive director with BNI.
Posted in Business, Economy 
3 Comments »
Written by Jason Keeling on October 22, 2008
After an exhaustive program offering, the 2008 Create WV Conference wraps up today on Snowshoe Mountain. Almost 400 attendees have shared experiences and challenges surrounding the “new economy” in West Virginia, which includes the expansion of sectors such as technology, research, arts, and tourism.
Entrepreneurs, non-profit officials, and civic leaders are working to create sustainable local opportunities that can endure the ebb and flow of economic cycles. They are capitalizing on West Virginia’s existing assets, such as affordable living, quality-of-life considerations, and proximity to major markets. They are also working to instill values of innovation and diversity in their communities.
One of the greatest challenges to moving forward in the new economy is the fear of change, or “misoneism.” Buttons displaying “No Misoneism” were circulated throughout the conference, serving as a reminder that the future is shaped by one’s outlook and actions.
Are You Fighting ‘Misoneism’?
How are you fighting “misoneism’? Readers are invited to share local examples of new economy in West Virginia, discussing the people, places, organizations, and initiatives that characterize an orientation toward the future and creative economic development. Attendees are also encouraged to share their thoughts on the conference as well.
Posted in Culture, Economy, Education, West Virginia 3 Comments »
Written by Jason Keeling on September 26, 2008
In preparation for the Create WV Conference, Oct. 20-22, officials from the non-profit group Create West Virginia are inviting bloggers across the state to highlight “Creative Communities Under Construction,” by demonstrating local examples of the “new economy” in West Virginia. Several bloggers helped jump-start the effort, and others will be added to this list as it expands:
Artist Rebecca Burch | Spencer WV, Creative Community? You Betcha!
Health Care Attorney Bob Coffield | “WV Creative Communities Project: New Martinsville and Bethany”
Justen Deal | “We Are Created Creative”
Marketing Genius Blog | “W.Va. Eastern Panhandle - A Creative Community Under Construction”
Oncee@Blogger | “Creative Communities Under Construction, Richwood, WV”
Platinum PR | “Creativity in the Eastern Panhandle”
The Purple Moon | “Creative Communities Under Construction: One Entrepreneur’s Story”
Two-Lane Bloggin’ | “Creative Communities Under Construction”
Vec3 | “Helping Create West Virginia”
West Virginia State University | “Institute, West Virginia - Creative Communities Under Construction”
West Virginia State University | “Essence of Entrepreneurs”
Bloggers are asked to answer any one or more of the below primer questions, citing an example(s) from their community/county. For those readers that don’t have a blog, you can still participate. Leave thoughts here via comment, comment on the above listed blogs, or spread the word through social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.
Bloggers/readers are welcomed to spread variations of the adjacent cone image across the Internet to spur discussion of new economy expansion in West Virginia. Physical cones are occasionally being placed in downtown areas across the state to generate buzz about the conference.
‘Creative Communities’ Primer Questions
- Creative Entrepreneurship – Who is taking a risk and starting a new business or project in your area? Who is taking advantage of the Internet to sell their art, publish their work, or sell their stuff?
- Arts and Culture – Who is cutting edge and breaking new ground in your area? What organization is championing creativity and innovation at home, work or in the schools?
- Creative Education – What is your local school or school district doing to promote innovation and creativity? Who is offering unique technical or scientific skills? Any creative camps for kids, or efforts to augment what kids get from school? Any unique adult education programs?
- Technology – What is your community doing to bring broadband or wi-fi to your community? To help people acquire tech skills? To promote social networking and communication between and within communities?
- Diversity and Inclusiveness – Who is reaching out to make sure people of all backgrounds feel welcome and included? What organizations or individuals are being proactive in talking about the value of diversity and pushing back against hate and discrimination?
- Quality of Place – Who is starting a cool new place to hang out and connect? What is your community doing to provide trails and other outdoor amenities? How is your town trying to build a better aesthetic to brighten downtown or neighborhoods?
Posted in Business, Economy, West Virginia 3 Comments »
Written by Jason Keeling on August 11, 2008
Cultures are heavily influenced by creative people, whose individual values often help shape collective perceptions. Three young men from West Virginia have found rock & roll to be one of the most powerful means of expression, and they are working diligently to inspire others through their music.
The Redding Brothers grew up in a musically inclined family from Hurricane. Their father played guitar and often sang tunes by Johnny Cash and The Beatles. The violin was their grandpa’s instrument of choice. Naturally, the boys developed an appreciation for music, and during their teenage years they began playing together: Micah (now age 26) on guitar, Josiah (age 24) on bass, and youngest brother Gabriel (age 21) jamming on percussion.
“We started as cheesy acoustic” said Micah jokingly, in reference to Rough Draft, a five song EP the band first released during October 2003.
‘The Progression of Song-Writing’
“Through the progression of song-writing, we became more philosophical,” further commented Micah. “Rather than songs of dependency, we’re trying to describe the ability to pick yourselves up.” There’s more focus on “contributing, rather than being a victim,” stated Josiah.
Guitar in hand, Micah leads an impromptu rendition of “Throwing Stones,” a track on their first official album, Wisdom from the Green Shag Carpet. In unison, the lyrics “I won’t be trapped, I will be free” echo across the stage, impressing the interviewers with harmony and words of liberation.
“Most modern popular music has little meaning, other than ’shake your booty,’ “added Gabriel, who agreed their musical talents and focus have evolved since forming the band. A recent career highlight included a 25-day trip to the Middle East earlier this year, in which the group performed for U.S. troops.
Tour Schedule
The Redding Brothers are now headquartered from Nashville, Tenn., but they maintain a touring schedule that brings them home to West Virginia several times: Aug. 21 (Glenville State College), Sept. 20 (City of St. Albans), Oct. 9 (Concord University) and Nov. 2 (Roanoke, W.Va. Student Activities Programming Conf.)
You can sample the band’s music here and a photo stream of this interview is available courtesy of Sarah Cooper.
Readers, if The Redding Brothers inspire you, add thoughts via comment, and you’ll be entered into a drawing for autographed band swag.
Posted in Culture, Media, West Virginia 3 Comments »
Written by Jason Keeling on July 31, 2008
Generation West Virginia leaders are poised to attract and retain more young professionals, and the statewide group is working to better understand their target demographic, which includes those age 21 to 45. A survey has been launched to more clearly identify perceptions regarding social and professional opportunities in West Virginia, and readers across the Internet are invited to provide their feedback.
“For decades, West Virginia has experienced a ‘brain drain’ in losing our young talent to other parts of the country,” GWV’s Paul Daugherty said in a news release. “This survey will provide us with much-needed insight into what young professionals want and need in their local communities, neighborhoods and employment opportunities.”
“This information will enable Generation West Virginia to pursue appropriate policy initiatives or potential development opportunities, ultimately making West Virginia a better place to live and work,” he continued.
Interested readers may complete the survey here.
Posted in Business, Culture, Economy, West Virginia No Comments »
Written by Jason Keeling on July 20, 2008
West Virginia-based marketing firm Maple Creative has been sharing professional insights and gaining national recognition via its “Marketing Genius” blog since 2004. In June, Advertising Age recognized the blog within its Power 150 listing of the most influential media and advertising blogs on the Internet. This week, however, Internet cyber-jackers overtook the “Marketing Genius” site and stripped its original content.
Maple Creative’s award-winning blog is now infected with solicitous ads that may be part of a phishing-type scam, according to Skip Lineberg, chief creative officer. He is warning the public not to click on any of the site’s links at present. “Even though I knew what to look for, they still duped me, and I lost my domain,” admits Lineberg. “I am urging all bloggers to be extra careful. I have always been very skeptical of email scams and bogus claims.”
Lineberg says the hackers may have portrayed themselves as Blogger.com representatives, and over the course of several correspondences, they somehow gained control of the “Marketing Genius” blog. Maple Creative is working to regain control of the site, which was hosted by Blogger.com, a subsidiary of Google, Inc. Lineberg contacted Google several days ago to assist in confirming what occurred and helping to rectify the situation. At present, he is still waiting for a response.
“We are going to use this as an opportunity to recover, rejuvenate and re-launch our marketing blog,” Lineberg promised. “Let me be clear. We will not be deterred by this incident. Instead, we will harness the power of social networks and call upon the tremendous voice of all our friends across the online community to help us prevail. ‘Marketing Genius’ will be up again and stronger than ever.”
For now, readers are advised not to visit the site given spammers may have placed malware upon the domain marketinggenius.blogspot.com. Maple Creative plans to notify the public when their marketing blog is re-launched.
Update | 7/23/08 | The Marketing Genius blog has been restored to its original form, with the assistance of Google Inc. The process was expedited after the Charleston Daily Mail contacted Google for comment, according to Skip Lineberg, who provides initial details of the situation here.
Posted in Business, Media, West Virginia 7 Comments »
Written by Jason Keeling on June 20, 2008
Today is important for several reasons. First off, it’s West Virginia Day. But even more important is the movement of state bloggers that have contributed in an effort to reflect a more accurate view of our beloved state. To celebrate our successes, people, places, and culture.
Residents, expatriates, and general observers should enjoy the below collection. These works represent the best of West Virginia, reflecting the state’s true diversity and character. Don’t get me wrong, we have our challenges, and there will be a time to talk in detail about those issues. For now, we’ll focus mostly on the good.
Those who don’t normally comment on blogs, perhaps you’ll be compelled to share thoughts with your fellow West Virginians, who have put their blood, sweat, and passion into this effort. A sincere thanks to each of the below contributors.
- Stacey Abshire | West Virginia Day
- Backwoods West Virginia Blog | We are NOT Western Virginia | What Makes West Virginia So Great?
- Todd Beane, West Virginia State University | The Perception of Today’s West Virginian
- Andrew Beckner, The Candid Christian | A New Stereotype of West Virginia Christians
- Rachelle Beckner, YWCA of Charleston Blog | Fighting Racism, Since 1863
- Emily Bennington, Marketing Genius Blog | Promoting West Virginia from the Inside Out
- Rebecca Burch, Artist/Teacher | A New West Virginia Stereotype: Avant Garde Arts Mecca
- Robert Cagna, WVU Health Sciences | June 20th is West Virginia Day
- Charleston Area Alliance Blog | Eleven Alliance Staffers Declare: ‘I Am’ West Virginia
- Bob Coffield, Healthcare Attorney & Technologist | West Virginia Stereotype: Wild and Wonderful
- Michael Connick, Stay Connected Blog | We Chose to Live in West Virginia
- Create West Virginia Blog | Series: Today’s West Virginia Stereotype
- Maura Conway | West Virginia My Home
- Sarah Cooper, The Putnam Scoop | Help Me Do My Homework | Changing What They See | Whatever You Are, Be a Good One | The Power to Change Your World
- Jeremiah Dys, Family Policy Council of W.Va. | Toward a New Stereotype
- David Epp, The West Virginia Optimist | Tolerance (Ltd.) in West Virginia
- Fork You Blog | A Better West Virginia: Insight Through Food
- Bill Gardner, Oncee@Blogger | Building the new West Virginia Stereotype: Technology
- Jamie Harman | Happy West Virginia Day
- Robin Holstein, Robin’s Desktop | West Virginia: 145 Years and Counting
- Chris James, A Sour Apple Tree | ASAT Rejected West Virginia Stereotypes
- Rick Lee, Photographer | A New Image for West Virginia
- Jim McKay, Wabi-Sabi | New Stereotype for West Virginia (And What State Can Learn from Swiss Cheese)
- Dale Morton, Costume Blog | I’m Not Your Typical West Virginian
- Brian Peterson, West Virginia Legal Weblog | West Virginia: Where Freedom Rings
- Point, Click, Shoot Blog | West Virginia Day
- Justin Seibert, Direct Online Marketing (Consulted for aBetterWestVirginia re-design) | Marketing a State: Online Reputation Management for West Virginia
- Charles West, The Charlestonian Blog | Happy Birthday, West Virginia
- West Virginia Hot Dog Blog | West Virginia Day - Let’s Celebrate With a Hot Dog!
- April Woody, The Folded Leaf Yoga | New West Virginia from the Inside Out
- Anonymous, Buzzardbilly | West Virginia Day: The State of the State’s Stance Toward Stereotyping | Can David Letterman Help Us?
- Anonymous, The Film Geek | You Don’t Look a Day Over 140
- Anonymous, Infinity Ranch | Birthday Wishes
- Anonymous, Jedi Jawa | Happy West Virginia Day - 145 Years
Posted in Business, Culture, Economy, Education, Government, Media, Tourism, West Virginia 37 Comments »
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