Where are the bees? The number of bees have mysteriously fallen and is impacting plants being pollinated. As mentioned in the
The Ottawa Citizen article by Tom Spears. "Bee numbers may have declined at our research site, but we suspect that a climate-driven mismatch between the times when flowers open and when bees emerge from hibernation is a more important factor."
One of The Circuit Members,
B2Bee LLC, is actively participating in the quest to save the bees.
It's going to take research to figure out what's killing them off, and research takes money. So for every payment B2Bee receives, every single month, we'll donate 25 cents to the bees.The Bee (
http://getthebee.com) puts Invoicing, Expensing and Reporting online and makes it easy. Perfect for small businesses and other professionals who weren't made to handle numbers.
Our newest member, InfoTrust LLC, offered a recent advanced Facebook program and I wanted to share a a few of Michael Loban's tips:
- Article titles w/digits are shared more (i.e. Top 3 Things)
- People typically respond to: how, why and help - it's another way we like to have a voice in the social world, I suppose.
- Using "vs" in a title had less clicks (i.e. man vs food..ha, ha)
Interestingly, Facebook users like food pages with ice cream being at the top of the list. I'm guilty of this and cannot refuse voting on my Graeter's favorite ice cream.
If you are a fan of video, of course, add the YouTube application to your Facebook page and post.
Good stuff and with Facebook always changing, training and seminars are the way to keep up with this moving target.
By Kelly Berkemeier of ISOCNET
Cloud Computing is a loose term used to describe many different things. In general it is a hosted service delivered over the Internet, either to the public or limited to privately defined users. So it is just hosting! You pay for what you need on a user basis. When individuals discuss cloud computing, they are often referring to hosting of applications, software, desktops, and even a virtual data center. So, let’s elaborate and discuss the different types.
Software/Application Hosting (Software as a Service – SaaS): This often refers to hosting applications and can be one application or many. In some cases, you can purchase this service, like a salesforce.com, on a user’s basis and you can just choose to use this per application. Common applications include email services (such as exchange and spam filtering), CRM services, HR services, Payroll services, and Data Storage services.
Platform Hosting (Plaftorm as a Service – PaaS): This takes the Software Hosting to a new level, and offers operating system features. This no longer limits you to a per application usage, as you have the entire platform to run whichever applications may be chosen. This allows developers access to coding and making adjustments to the data being displayed from the software in both front end and back end situations. An example of this would be Google Aps. You can host, manage, and customize the applications and it usage in this Platform hosted environment.
Read entire post
Exciting news from the City of Blue Ash on local companies that either received Ohio Job Creation Tax Credit, increased revenue or more! Congratulations!
Read entire Article
Congratulations to the companies that were named in the Inc 500 and Inc 5000. We're so proud of the accomplishments made by all of the local firms and wish them continued success!
Kudos to The Circuit Member List Maker: 
CH Mack is a healthcare technology solutions company, committed to helping our clients solve their business problems for the government and healthcare sectors.
SmartIT Staffing places a wide variety of IT professionals in contract, direct hire, and consulting positions and provides managed payroll services. 
For a complete list of winners, visit Inc 500 | 5000Cincinnati Business Courier List of Local Companies
In a recent group discussion, someone asked what email software is being used by companies and I was surprised to learn of the number of programs mentioned. These programs were either mentioned (in no particular order) in the discussion or have been referenced by others:
ExactTarget (used by The Circuit)
Mail Chimp
Campaign Monitor
Dotmailer
Marketo
Swift Page
Vertical Response
RatePoint
Constant Contact
iContact
JangoMail
List Rocket
SilverPop
Each August since 1998, Beloit College has released the Beloit College Mindset List. It provides a look at the cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students entering college this fall.
The class of 2014 has never found Korean-made cars unusual on the Interstate and five hundred cable channels, of which they will watch a handful, have always been the norm. Since "digital" has always been in the cultural DNA, they've never written in cursive and with cell phones to tell them the time, there is no need for a wrist watch.
The Beloit College Mindset List for the Class of 2014Example: Few in the class know how to write in cursive.
(CNN) -- Ever have that sick-to-your-stomach, "Oh crap!" moment after sending an e-mail?
Did you get immediate second thoughts about that e-mail rant to your ex? Was that blistering message supposed to be about your boss -- not to your boss?
Well, at least with Gmail, there's something you can do about it.
To enable 'Undo Send':
1. Log in to Gmail and go to Google Labs. If you've never gone to Labs before, click the word "more" in the very top left corner, then scroll down and click "even more."
Read step-by-step instructions to set up your Gmail account.
IT knowledge will be more ubiquitous, but employers will clamor for these five specialized tech skills.
Computerworld - In the year 2020, technical expertise will no longer be the sole province of the IT department. Employees throughout the organization will understand how to use technology to do their jobs.
Yet futurists and IT experts say that the most sought-after IT-related skills will be those that involve the ability to mine overwhelming amounts of data, protect systems from security threats, manage the risks of growing complexity in new systems, and communicate how technology can increase productivity.
1. Analyzing Data
Read entire article by Stacy Collett
C-CAP, an initiative of The Circuit, works with the Queen City Angels (QCA) as a link with angel investors and 
potential high-growth entrepreneurs for possible seed funding.
Good news for Jacobs Automation, as QCA recently joined in the company's Series A funding. I asked one of the angels what was the attraction to Jacobs Automation and why the funding was initiated. QCA recognized that Jacobs Automation had developed a truly innovation product that has the potential to revolutionize the packaging and material handling industry. Line changes that require hours can be completed within a few minutes using the patented PackTrak system. PackTrak uses maglev technology instead of gear and motors to provide for maximum flexibility.
Keith Jacobs, the president and founder, has extensive experience in the industry. He brings a fresh perspective for solving today's packaging challenges. Jacobs Automation also has established relationships with leading equipment manufacturers.
Congratulations Keith and Jacobs Automation!
Read more of this news!
Okay, I'm a "jewelry junkie" and love seeing what other ladies like to wear. So, today, I've attached pictures of diamond and sapphire "bling" that I spotted in the office. Send me pictures of "bling" you've admired and I'll post in the next "bling" blog (
connie@thecircuit.net)
Shoppers - I guess I'm one of the few in town who was unaware of the finds at 4th Street Boutique. Such good news...thanks, Pam! Any other great places to shop? Send to me so we can post for the classy ladies of Cincy (
connie@thecircuit.net).
Good news for our member: CoStrategix
READ ENTIRE SOAPBOX ARTICLE by Alyce Vilines
Though start-ups represent only a quarter of the young company's business, they hold an understandably special place in the heart of the CoStrategix group. Everyone has to begin somewhere, and the Blue Ash company feels a true commitment to making success happen for those with the heart and determination they realize it takes.
"Start-up innovation has been integral to the foundation and growth of CoStrategix, which makes it important for us to nurture a sense of innovation and entrepreneurship in our community," explains Jayaram.
Evidence of that commitment is the company's involvement with Cincinnati Innovates, an area wide competition for people eager to jump-start their unique business concepts. This year, CoStrategix is sponsoring a $5,000 web development award to assist in bringing one lucky winner's dream to life.
According to VP of Sales and Marketing Bill Cunningham, this "village" philosophy puts everyone on top. "What we invest in the community will ultimately create value for our own company and the region as well."
STAR BASE Consulting, Circuit member, submitted the following content and survey should you wish to participate:
David and Goliath. Pepsi and Coke. Mac and PC. All are famous rivalries, and we’re wondering: Do “IT” and “the business” belong on the list? Or is the lack of a partnership between IT and the business a topic that’s been blown out of proportion?
STAR BASE Consulting is conducting a brief, confidential, survey among a select group of IT and business leaders like yourself. With your input, this pulse survey will create a snapshot of whether IT and the business work independently or in concert in your organization, how your organization’s approach impacts the outcome of business goals and what changes might be warranted, if any.
To learn more about whether IT and the business are aligned, how important IT and business alignment actually is, as well as what’s necessary to achieve it,
In appreciation of your input, we will not only send you a copy of the full survey report and a small token of appreciation, we will also enter you into a drawing to win an Illuminated LED Keyboard.
The Circuit Member: Rural America OnShore Outsourcing, Inc.
Did you know that outsouring is actually done in rural America through
Rural America OnShore Outsourcing, Inc.? They offer American development/quality expertise at offshore rates and provide clients worldwide with a variety of outsourcing services. A minority owned company, they offer customers a way to see project costs cut by up to 40 percent through use of lower cost, rural-based, American professionals.
A great use of American talent!
The Circuit today announced that Fast Switch, Ltd., a leading provider of information technology consulting and professionals services, has joined Peak 10 as a sponsor of the organization’s CIO Circle, a group of more than 50 senior IT professionals from local businesses.
Fast Switch’s service span a continuum from pure IT professional services to executive search and technical recruiting services. This includes program offerings such as temporary-to-permanent conversion programs, co-sourcing, performance-based recruiting and other value-added services. Fast Switch specialization in technology provides companies with experienced and qualified candidates that meet the most stringent of IT staffing requirements.
“As our most active and long-standing technology circle, the CIO Circle and its members have set high standards for industry and executive collaboration and leadership,” said Jim Cunningham, president of The Circuit and executive director of C-CAP. “I believe that like Peak 10, Fast Switch saw this, and wanted to be a part of moving forward technology and the role of the CIO in the Cincinnati area. We appreciate Fast Switch’s sponsorship, and look forward to their ongoing participation and role in furthering the mission and vision of the CIO Circle.”
“The Circuit has established itself as the leader of the IT community in Cincinnati, and its CIO Circle provides a tremendous avenue for c-level communications,” added Doug Dockery. “We want the group to continue to grow and help more organizations, and we felt a sponsorship was a great way to show our support.”
The Circuit's CIO Circle, which began in 2005, is moderated by Matt Mountain, founder of NexGen Consultants. The group grew to more than 50 members this year and meets six times a year. The CIO Circle is a non-vendor group that brings together IT Leaders of local companies to discuss current technology and management issues, learn about new technologies and products, and help each other solve pressing problems.
Read Entire Press Release by Kevin Wilson
The
Wall Street Journal features our member,
Scott Miller of B2Bee, LLC. Hear Scott as he participates in the
October 15th panel for The Circuit with Mahendra Vora entitled,
So, You Want to be an Entrepreneur.
For all the training they go through, entrepreneurs say it was vital to practice delivering their message in public. "You don't get better by reading and studying the craft," says Scott Miller of Cincinnati. "The only way to improve is to put yourself out there."
Mr. Miller, founder of B2Bee LLC, a developer of invoicing and bookkeeping software for very small businesses, says giving speeches didn't come easily. "When I graduated from college, I was a terrible public speaker and deathly afraid of the experience," he says.
He started off his speaking career with a Dale Carnegie course on professional selling, and then bolstered his training with lots of practice before technology groups. He also taught college classes, which kept him nimble by forcing him to answer tough questions on the fly.
"College students force you to be prepared and bring your A game," he says.
That practice didn't just help his speaking, he says. "Being prepared for a 45-minute talk followed by 30 minutes of Q&A helps develop the skills of preparedness and organization that all entrepreneurs need to succeed," says Mr. Miller.
Read the
entire WSJ article By
BARBARA HAISLIP
Good news for local students who wish to further their IT educatio
n at a local college or university! The Circuit will be awarding $7K in scholarships from proceeds of the 2010 Scholarship Golf Outing Presented by ISOCNET. The application and guidelines are located on the golf tab of The Circuit's website.
December 31, 2010 is the submission deadline. Applicants will be notified in the spring of 2011 and awarded through the college financial aid office for fall/winter 2011/2012 courses.
Good luck and help us spread the word. Thank you.
1. It’s rare when someone is their word; treasure it in others, cultivate it in yourself
2. Call AND email – the squeaky wheel does get the grease
3. Hold yourself to a standard of behavior and business
4. Pay attention to detail
5. It truly is win/win – don’t work with folks who think about it any other way
6. Focus
Read entire list BY FC Expert Blogger Alicia Morga
Congratulations to our member: Afidence!
Afidence, Inc., a Business & Technology Consulting Firm, is recognized by the City of Mason with a “2010 Small Business Recognition Award for Exceptional Professional Service”. Afidence, Inc. is a Microsoft Gold Partner that provides great people, proven best practices, and a dedication to knowledge transfer.
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