Connecting People

Local Entrepreneurship Efforts

The Blue Ridge Business Journal and Joanne Anderson featured what local colleges and universities are doing to encourage local entrepreneurial start-ups on the cover if its latest issue. Dan Smith and his team have done a nice bringing more light to this very important regional topic.

Many people say all the time "there are no jobs in the region." That is simply false. Recruiters and staffing agencies will tell you they cannot find people to fill open spots. The real issue is what is an individual doing to acquire the necessary skill sets to make themselves employable. That is the REAL issue. We have far too many folks without billable skills. Companies pay employees for their time and skill, and then make a profit off of it. That is the deal.

Let's say for argument purposes that there are no jobs here. Under this scenario, one must ask what is the region doing to encourage entrepreneurship. You can do one of two things. You can work for someone else or you can work for yourself. The latter is not always encouraged as a viable option, especially in educational institutions at all levels. 

Homegrown entrepreneurs creating micro, web-based, and small businesses is the future. We must encourage, celebrate and support people who make this decision to work for themselves. We all benefit in the end.

As a result, we are working to promote and communicate this concept with two upcoming events with Roanoke native Cameron Johnson. One will be held in Dr. Chris Neck's class at Virginia Tech on February 16 and the other at the Roanoke Civic Center on April 4. Both events are free, but require registration as space is limited. To participate, send me an email.

Let me know your thoughts on entrepreneurship.

Kauffman Foundation Entrepreneurship Week USA Feb 24 - March 3

The Kauffman Foundation, which promote entrepreneurial growth in the US, has created a program called Entrepreneurship Week USA. This program will uncover the ins and outs of business owenrship in schools across the country. The national exposure of promoting "working for yourself" will occur Fenruary 24 through March 3, and frankly, should be done 365 days of the year to our next generation. Congrats to the Kauffman Foundation on this fantastic program!

Jason Dorsey - My Reality Check Bounced

Jason Dorsey visited Roanoke in the fall and talked about issues facing Generation Y. His new book, "My Reality Check Bounced" has been released. Jason was on Atlanta's FOX affiliate this morning. For a video preview of his book, check out the interview.

Roanoke Young Adult Initiative Featured in Suzanne Morse Blog

Suzanne Morse featured some of our programs in her very insightful blog. Suzanne is working as a visiting faculty member at Virginia Tech and her expertise on economic development issues is quite interesting.

Lynchburg Big G Generational Conference with Rebecca Ryan

The Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce and the Young Professionals of Central Virginia are hosting the 2nd Annual Big G Generational Conference on Wednesday, March 28 from 11:30 - 1 pm at the Kirkley Hotel and Conference Center.

The keynote topic is "Brain Drain: Why Cities are Losing Talent and what you can do about it," by Rebecca Ryan founder of Next Generation Consulting.

I highly recommend everyone interested in the subject of this blog attend this conference. You will not want to miss out on hearing Rebecca speak. For more info, click here.

Roanoke and New River Valley Career and Lifestyle Fair - April 18 - @ Virginia Tech

We are planning a sequel to the popular Roanoke Holiday Career and Lifestyle Fair in Blacksburg on April 18 at Owens Banquet Hall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. called the Roanoke and New River Valley Career and Lifestyle Fair. View a partial list of expected exhibitors.

The event will showcase ONLY local employers, entrepreneurial and lifestyle organizations. The event is catered to Virginia Tech students, but is open to all students and all people in the region. Admission for attendees and seekers is free.

There will be more on this event to come.

 

Providence, RI Journal Recognizes Roanoke's Young Adult Initiative

Arthur Kimball-Stanley of the Providence Journal called last week and said he had read a lot on the Internet about what Roanoke was doing to attract and retain young adults. He wanted to include these efforts in an article he was writing about the same issue in Rhode Island. (It is still amazing to me that a journalist in Providence would find a lot of our efforts online.)

Reading his interviews, the story is the same no matter where you live. It is not a lack of jobs or things to do in these regions that are struggling with brain drain, yet it is a lack of effective communication and promotion of available jobs and things to do.

New and old communication channels are isolating and fragmenting generations and it is crippling the ability for people to effectively communicate a mass message. As a result, each side gets frustrated, without having a solution, and ultimately they either move elsewhere or just settle in a job in which they are UNDERemployed.

There is no one way to solve this issue, however, one way is to encourage the use of multi-communication channels (new and old) by both Boomers and Gen X and Y. Also, creating and forming personal offline relationships with people either older or younger than you can also help bridge the divide. 

If you have an opinion or solution, then please share your thoughts.

Jason Dorsey on 20/20 Tonight for "My Reality Check Bounced"

Motivational speaker of Generation Y and best-selling author - Jason Dorsey - will be featured on ABC's 20/20 tonight promoting his new book My Reality Check Bounced, which goes on sale today.

Jason spoke in Roanoke recently to a program jointly arranged by the NCTC and Virginia Western Community College on issues related to young adults. After his speech in the fall of 2006, many wanted to hear additional stories and ask more questions. This book will pick up from where he left off that evening.

I highly recommend buying a copy of his book and reading it for those who read this blog.

Cox Communications Job Fair - Saturday

Cox Communications is having a job fair at 5121 Starkey Rd in Roanoke on Saturday, January 20 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. They are hiring specifically for 6 inside sales positions with a target salary of $40,000 (base + commission). One year sales experience is required. For more info, contact Brooke.

Roanoke Times Cast

The Roanoke Times has really hit a home run in trying alternative technologies to present the news to people who do not read the newspaper. Their daily Times Cast piece provides all the news in a 6-minute clip.

They are very wise in getting guests to be part of the action, so that they will forward it to their friends virally like I am doing now. Check out today's version.