special section

Transcription

special section

Volume 15
Issue 13
January 24, 2009
www.columbiabusinesstimes.com

photo by jennifer kettler
Local firms embrace
online marketing
By Jacob Barker
Who knew that tucked away in a strip
mall on Bernadette Drive in Columbia
is one of the major players in the soccer
retailing business: SoccerPro, which is
attracting customers from New Jersey to
New Zealand.
But with the Internet, a store doesn’t
need a supercenter to be considered big
these days.
“We knew from the very beginning
that a retail soccer store would be nice for
Central Missouri,” SoccerPro co-owner
Tony Marrero said. “But to be what we
envisioned our company to be, we knew
we needed a strong online presence.”
SoccerPro.com first appeared on the
Internet four years ago when Marrero
and co-owner Curtis Stelzer opened the
physical store. Online sales of soccer
equipment and apparel now account for
at least 90 percent of their business.
Marrero said his store is now at the
top of the niche industry, just behind a
similar store in North Carolina that began
online soccer retail before SoccerPro. A
Google search for “soccer equipment”
puts SoccerPro.com in the first or second
spot of search results, a feat that Marrero
said takes a lot of work.
“Our online sales have grown rapidly,”
he said. “Even in 2008, which would be
considered a slow year, we saw significant growth in our online business.”
(continued on Page 14)
6
13
19
Business Profile:
FactoryGreen.com
MU students run
online, eco-friendly
clothing store
People You Should
Know
Weekday radio
commentator talks
about her passions
and what she and
Kenny do for fun
Tech Sessions
Jonathan writes about
businesses using
Twitter, a micro-blog
riding a new wave of
online marketing
1
$ 50
Newsy.com Vice President Alexandra Wharton, left, and President Jim Spencer work with MU students in the Newsy.com newsroom. The media company
blends information into three-minute video clips from various media outlets around the world.
News site prepares marketing launch
By David Reed
For months now, Alexandra Wharton
and students in her global online marketing course at the Missouri School
of Journalism have been sowing the
Internet with chat and commentary
contrived to draw users to a new online
video news service, Newsy.com.
In the newsroom a block from the
J-School, teams of professional journalists and students have been putting
together video newscasts for the beta
version of the Web site, which came
online in late September.
They focus on fresh national and
international stories, such as world
reaction to the inauguration of President
Obama and a cease fire in the Gaza
Strip, and they make video newscasts
that include multiple sources to provide
wider perspective.
The inauguration story used video
clips from a French TV channel and
snippets from China Daily, Russia Today
and Tehran Times. The Gaza fighting
story included information from the Al
Jazeera TV network, FOX News, NBC,
the Palestine Information Center and a
German online site.
A news anchor videotaped in the
Newsy.com studio introduces each segment, provides a summary and a general question at the end and then asks
viewers to comment on the story.
Now that Newsy.com has worked out
its startup bugs, compiled an archive of
videos and reached what President Jim
Spencer calls a critical mass of viewers,
the news site plans to launch its nontraditional marketing campaign next
week.
PRST STD
U.S. Postage
SPECIAL SECTION
Permit #353
Columbia, MO
Online Marketing
Strategies
PAID
See Page 14
2
January 24, 2009 Columbia Business Times | ColumbiaBusinessTimes.com
8
9
26
Dream Job
Matt Pitzer
analyses fantasy
football for a
living. Really
Online Guru
Lawyer turned
Web editor, David
Kurtz is the force
behind Talking
Points Memo
Smart Thinking
Forget excessive
planning. Action
is the key to
success
Addison's..................................................... 10
Agents National Title Insurance............... 14,17
Bank of Missouri...................................... 14,16
BCNB............................................................. 4
Bengals Bar and Grill.................................... 10
Blueroot Studios........................................... 22
Caledon Virtual............................................. 18
Callaway Bank.................................... 14,16,17
Casey and Company...................................... 4
Central Trust & Investment Co....................... 4
Cevet Tree Care.............................................. 4
Crane & Crane Real Estate............................. 4
Delta Systems.............................................. 19
Event Solutions............................................ 27
Factory Green................................................. 6
Fay Street Lofts............................................ 22
Girl Talk......................................................... 16
Glenn's Café................................................. 19
JF and Associates.......................................... 4
Kerry Bramon Remodeling & Design.............. 4
KFRU............................................................ 13
Light Sum..................................................... 22
Mesaba Airlines............................................ 11
Missouri Theatre........................................... 27
Mojo's........................................................... 19
New Chapter Coaching........................... 14,15
Newsy.com................................................ 1,23
Plaza Real Estate Services............................. 4
RE/MAX Boone Realty................................... 4
Sandler Systems.......................................... 26
Shakespeare's Pizza............................... 19,20
Slaughter House Studios............................. 22
SoccerPro............................................. 1,14,15
Sophia's....................................................... 10
TalkingPointsMemo.com................................ 9
The Blue Note..................................... 15,19,27
The Insurance Group...................................... 4
Top Ten Wines.............................................. 19
True Media.................................................... 14
U.S. Cleaners............................................... 10
Woodruff Sweitzer................................... 14,15
Boone County National Bank....................... 28
Business Conference & Showcase................ 3
Caledon Virtual............................................... 6
CBT Sunday Morning
Round Table on KFRU�� 23
City of Columbia Parks & Recreation........... 21
City of Columbia Rolloff &
Commercial Waste Services........................ 18
City of Columbia Water & Light...................... 8
Columbia Home & Lifestyle Digital Edition... 24
Columbia Regional Airport........................... 21
Columbia Turf................................................. 5
Corporate Identi-T's..................................... 26
Delta Systems.............................................. 22
First National Bank......................................... 2
Huber and Associates.................................... 4
KFRU Morning Meeting................................ 17
Midwest CompuTech................................... 19
Paul Land - Plaza Real Estate
Commercial Division..................................... 18
Shelter Office Plaza........................................ 9
Smart Business Products............................... 7
Socket Internet............................................. 12
Towner Communication Systems................... 7
UCIE............................................................. 23
UMB............................................................. 20
UMB Titan Awards....................................... 25
United Country Missouri Land & Home........ 21
Visionworks.................................................. 27
Willie Smith's Magic Services...................... 18
Gov. Jay Nixon's first task as Missouri's chief executive is perhaps his greatest challenge: dealing with the
state's languishing economy.
Nixon, who was sworn in as the state's 55th governor on Jan. 12, focused his first press conference
on three executive orders aimed at streamlining an
economic development proposal. Nixon unveiled the
plan—dubbed Show Me JOBS—in December.
Nixon's plan includes:
• Expansion of the Missouri Quality Jobs Program,
which started in 2005 and provides tax credits to
companies in targeted industries that plan to provide,
within two years, a certain number of new jobs with
above-average wages.
• Development of a program for providing small
businesses with low-interest loans through the
Missouri Development Finance Board. Funding would
stem from a 4 percent fee garnered through MDFB tax
credits.
• Creation of tax credits for businesses to offset
some pre-employment costs. Nixon's office said an
example of such training would be tuition at a community college or vocational school.
• Establishment of a task force focusing on ways to
jump-start the state's automotive industry.
• Coordination of state activity with federal officials involved in choosing projects for any stimulus
package that Congress passes.
In his initial press conference, Nixon signed three
executive orders meant to dovetail with his economic
development plan. Two of the orders established
governor-appointed boards that will examine the auto
industry and coordinate funds derived from the federal stimulus plan.
The third order directed the Department of
Economic Development to work with the Missouri
Development Finance Board to create a roughly $2 million pool of loans for small businesses. Nixon said the
money would provide around $25,000 worth of lowand no-interest direct loans to roughly 80 businesses.
"We'll provide these loans on a revolving basis to
provide the greatest possible impact," Nixon said. "The
young entrepreneurs who met with me yesterday… the
No. 1 challenge they indicated was access to capital."
Nixon was referring to a group of business owners
whom he met with almost immediately after his
swearing-in to talk about his economic development
plan.
When Nixon introduced his plan in December,
it received praise from House Speaker Ron Richard,
R-Joplin, and Senate President Pro Tem Charlie
Shields, R-St. Joseph. It also garnered positive sentiments from the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, an
organization that endorsed former U.S. Rep. Kenny
Hulshof's gubernatorial bid.
Earlier this month though, Richard expressed concerns that the funding source for Nixon's loan proposal
is currently being used for the DREAM Initiative. That
program provides assistance to smaller communities
to refurbish downtowns.
"I'll see what happens," Richard said. "I'll give him
his dues. … Gov. Blunt tried the (DREAM Initiative). It
worked out pretty well. We'll see."
A Nixon spokesman told the Associated Press that
he believes there was enough funding for both programs to coexist. State Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia,
said it isn't clear yet how much the DREAM Initiative
would be affected by Nixon's proposal.
"I think the DREAM Initiative has been very successful, and I think those communities that have been
a part of it have been very satisfied with it," Schaefer
said.
(573) 499-1830 | (573) 499-1831 fax
[email protected]
Chris Harrison | General Manager | Ext.1010
David Reed | Group Editor | Ext.1013
Cody Moore | Graphic Designer
Alisha Moreland | Graphic Designer
Betsy Bell | Creative Marketing Director
Jennifer Kettler | Photo Editor | 573-529-1789
Cindy Sheridan | Operations Manager
Becky Beul | Marketing Representative
Claire McNett | Marketing Representative
Joe Schmitter | Marketing Representative
Writers in this issue: Cathy Atkins, Jacob Barker,
Mary Paulsell, Nelly Roach, Jason Rosenbaum,
Jonathan Sessions,
Columnists in this issue: Al Germond, Mike Martin,
Bill Watkins
The Columbia Business Times is published every other Saturday by
The Business Times Co.
2001 Corporate Place, Suite 100, Columbia, Mo 65202.
(573) 499-1830.
Copyright The Business Times Co., 2008. All rights reserved. Reproduction
or use of any editorial or graphic content without the express written
permission of the publisher is prohibited.
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The Columbia Business Times strives to be Columbia’s leading source for
timely and comprehensive news coverage of the local business community.
This publication is dedicated to being the most relevant and useful vehicle
for the exchange of information and ideas among Columbia’s business
professionals.
By Jason Rosenbaum
3
Nixon’s job plan gets positive reviews
4
people on the move
Coriden
Farris
John
Hirings
The Columbia office of Central Trust &
Investment Co. hired Patricia Coriden as vice
president and administrative officer. Coriden
will work directly with clients to structure and
maintain investment management and trust
accounts. Prior to joining Central Trust, Coriden
was senior trust officer for Wells Fargo Bank in
Wisconsin and has more than 20 years of experience in the field.
The Insurance Group has hired John Russell
as an insurance advisor. Russell will provide
insurance advice and consulting to individuals
and businesses. Before joining The Insurance
Group, Russell served four years as deputy chief
of staff for administration for Gov. Matt Blunt.
Previously, he served as an assistant to Blunt
when he was Missouri's Secretary of State.
Terry Phillips, CPA, has joined Casey and
Company, LLC, as a tax manager. She has 16
years of business and personal tax experience in
Columbia. Phillips will focus on small-business
needs and individual tax issues.
Dawn Blackburn has been named recruiting
manager for JF and Associates, the professional
staffing division of JobFinders Employment
Services. She will oversee sales and recruiting for
the division. Blackburn’s background includes
degrees in business, marketing and management. Blackburn has worked in sales and management for more than 10 years.
Recent graduate Dustin Dometrorch has joined
the Columbia office of HighPointe Financial
Group, of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance
Company. Dometrorch earned his undergraduate degree at Missouri State University,
where he majored in finance. He will serve as
a specialist in disability income insurance, life
insurance, business succession strategies and
retirement planning.
Cevet Tree Care has hired Gary Farris as consulting arborist. Gary is responsible for customer
care, safety training and sales. He has more than
a decade of experience in tree care throughout
the Midwest, earned a bachelor’s degree in horticulture and is an industry-certified arborist.
Awards
Andy Babel, broker and officer for Plaza Real
Estate Services, was named Realtor of the year by
the Columbia Board of Realtors. Babel has been
involved in real estate since he earned his broker's license in 1982 and joined Plaza Real Estate
in 1986. Babel has served on numerous committees for CBOR in his 20 years of membership.
CBOR gave the Denny Douglas Recognition
Award to Sam Bornhauser. The award was
developed in 1996 to recognize Realtors who
give time, energy and money to the community.
Borhnauser is the designated broker for Plaza
Real Estate Services. CBOR named John John as
2008 Realtor Salesperson of the Year. CBOR said
John, a member of the RE/MAX Boone Realty
team, makes continuing education an important
component of his professional development.
CBOR named Jessica Kempf as the recipient of
the Joel Radman Award, which is given every
Babel
Kempf
year to a new, quickly progressing local realtor.
Kempf joined Crane & Crane Real Estate in 2006
and is the company’s vice president. She is an
active member of the Columbia Chamber of
Commerce, the Downtown Optimist Club and
the Women’s Council of Realtors. Kempf was
recently elected to both serve on the board for
the Columbia Board of Realtors and as state
director for the organization.
Karnatak University, Dharwad, India, has
given an honorary doctor of science degree
to Kattesh Katti, professor of radiology and
physics in the University of Missouri’s School of
Medicine and College of Arts and Science, senior
research scientist at the MU Research Reactor
and director of the MU Cancer Nanotechnology
Platform. The degree was to be awarded during
the 59th annual convocation on Jan. 21 and recognizes Katti’s contributions to nanoscience and
medical and environmental issues.
The University of Missouri’s division of
Development and Alumni Relations honored six
staff members with the Columns of Excellence
award. Tom Boren, director, advancement services, received the award for discovery. Helen
Pattrin, executive staff assistant for the School
of Journalism’s office of development, was the
winner of the award for responsibility. Sharon
Smith, executive staff assistant for campaign
administration and donor relations, received
the award for respect. Mike Haggas, director
of development for the Trulaske College of
Business, earned the award for diversity. Linda
Crane, executive staff assistant for the Mizzou
Alumni Association, received the award for
tradition. Helen Oetting, director of development
services in the School of Medicine, was honored
with the award for pride.
Promotions
Boone County National Bank promoted
Gretchen Warnhoff to financial specialist and
assistant manager for the Keene Financial
Center, which opened Dec. 30, 2008. Warnhoff
began her career at First National Bank of St.
Louis in January 2004. Joe Ferling has been
named assistant manager at the West Broadway
Bank. Ferling has been with BCNB since August
2007. Lindsey Barnes has been named assistant
manager at the Columbia Mall Bank. Barnes
began with BCNB in 2005. Nicole Taylor has been
promoted to senior teller at the Columbia Mall
Bank. Taylor joined BCNB in July 2007. Kim
Schwend has been promoted to a relationship
banker at the Downtown Bank.
Achievements
Angela Holloway, in-house designer for Kerry
Bramon Remodeling & Design, recently earned
the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist designation, identifying her as one of the building
industry’s top professionals with skills and
knowledge specific to home modifications for
aging in place. The program was created by the
Remodelors Council of the National Association
of Home Builders.
5
economic index
receipts
1% Sales Tax Receipts October 2008: $1,589,658*
October 2007: $1,666,357
Change (#): -$76,699
Change (%): -4.6%
labor
Columbia Labor Force
November 2008: 92,744
November 2007: 94,015
Change (#): -1,271
Change (%): -1.4%
Missouri Labor Force
November 2008: 3,009,244
November 2007: 3,030,332
Change (#): -21,088
Change (%): -0.7%
Columbia Unemployment November 2008: 3,960
November 2007: 3,254
Change (#): 706
Change (%): 21.7%
Missouri Unemployment November 2008: 192,936
November 2007: 147,674
Change (#): 45,262
Change (%): 30.6%
Columbia
Unemployment Rate
November 2008: 4.3%
November 2007: 3.5%
Change (#): 0.8%
*lowest unemployment rate in a
metropolitan area in MO
Missouri Unemployment Rate
November 2008: 6.4%
November 2007: 4.9%
Change (#): 1.5%
construction &
housing sales
Building Permits – Residential
December 2008: 53
December 2007: 33
Change (#): 20
Change (%): 60.6%
Value of Building Permits –
Residential December 2008: $4,210,658
December 2007: $1,829,836
Change (#): $2,380,822
Change (%): 130.1%
Building Permits – Detached
Single Family Homes
December 2008: 8
December 2007: 6
Change (#): 2
Change (%): 33.3%
Value of Building Permits
– Detached Single Family
Homes
December 2008: $2,217,765
December 2007: $1,325,000
Change (#): $892,765
Change (%): 67.4%
Building Permits – Residential
Additions/Alterations
December 2008: 42
December 2007: 24
Change (#): 18
Change (%): 75.0%
– Residential Additions/
Alterations
December 2008: $413,329
December 2007: $287,336
Change (#): $125,993
Change (%): 43.8%
Building Permits –
Commercial
December 2008: 24
December 2007: 18
Change (#): 6
Change (%): 33.3%
Value of Building Permits –
Commercial December 2008: $1,405,139
December 2007: $8,383,145
Change (#): -$6,978,006
Change (%): -83.2%
Building Permits –
Commercial Additions/
Alterations
December 2008: 20
December 2007: 16
Change (#): 4
Change (%): 25.0%
– Commercial Additions/
Alterations
December 2008: $961,272
December 2007: $6,920,449
Change (#): -$5,959,177
Change (%): -86.1%
Units Sold in Boone County
Homes
December 2008: 73
December 2007: 99
Change (#): -26
Change (%): -26.3%
Volume of Sales in Boone
County – Detached Single
Family Homes
December 2008: $13,055,914
December 2007: $16,993,102
Change (#): -$3,937,188
Change (%): -23.2%
Median Price of Home Sales
in Boone County
December 2008: $148,000
December 2007: $139,900
Change (#): $8,100
Change (%): 5.8%
Units Sold in Boone County
Homes
2008: 1,740
2007: 2,110
Change (#): -370
Change (%): -17.5%
Volume of Sales in Boone
County – Detached Single
Family Homes
2008: $308,640,088
2007: $372,654,592
Change (#): -$64,014,504
Change (%): -17.2%
Median Price of Home Sales
in Boone County
2008: $152,500
2007: $153,000
Change (#): -$500
Change (%): -0.3%
Foreclosures in Boone
County
December 2008: 26
December 2007: 29
Change (#): -3
Change (%): -10.3%
Foreclosures in Boone
County
Year to Date 2008: 312
Year to Date 2007: 231
Change (#): 81
Change (%): 35.1%
utilities
Water Customers
December 2008: 44,199
December 2007: 43,673
Change (#): 526
Change (%): 1.2%
Electric Customers
December 2008: 44,919
December 2007: 44,425
Change (#): 494
Change (%): 1.1%
Sewer Customers –
Residential
December 2008: 39,807
December 2007: 39,257
Change (#): 550
Change (%): 1.4%
Sewer Customers –
Commercial
December 2008: 3,558
December 2007: 3,484
Change (#): 74
Change (%): 2.1%
Contributors include: Lori Fleming, Karen Johnson, Linda Rootes, Sarah Talbert and Carol Van Gorp
Compiled by David Walle
Announcing
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Columbia’s Economic Indicators
photos by jennifer kettler
6
Business profile | factory green
Factory Green owners Daniel Lyons, left, and Jack Short. The college students run an online clothing store.
MU students run online,
eco-friendly clothing store
By Joanna Schneider
Most college seniors take it easy in their
final semester, but University of Missouri students Jack Short and Daniel Lyons are running
an online, eco-friendly clothing business while
maintaining nearly perfect grades and preparing
for medical school.
Short and Lyons, from Kansas City, have
been best friends since childhood. Although the
two have always been interested in protecting
the environment, the idea for FactoryGreen.com
arose when the two studied abroad in Europe
separately in 2007 and noticed the genuine commitment there to a green lifestyle.
Upon returning to the states, their ideas
percolated. In July 2007, FactoryGreen.com was
born during a 1 a.m. phone call. Short and Lyons
began brainstorming and soon had created a
business plan, pitched their idea to Kansas Citybased investors and secured start-up capital.
“So much of starting this business was sweat
equity,” Lyons said. “We went to the library
and hit the books on business, marketing and
economics. And then we found the right people,
took a great idea and a solid business plan and
sold the hell out of ourselves.”
FactoryGreen.com, which officially launched
in April 2008, focuses on eco-friendly clothing,
accessories and apartment wares. Short and
Lyons wanted to tap into the college market, creating products that had widespread appeal.
“We partner with wind- and solar-powered
factories in India that operate under fair-trade
agreements,” Short explained. “We strive to offer
carbon-neutral products, which have 90 percent
less emission than the average T-shirt. The only
carbon emissions involved in our products are
transport related.”
To round out the FactoryGreen.com team,
Short and Lyons sought out the creative talents
of several MU students in schools throughout
the campus. From Web design to photography,
modeling, writing and public relations, the day-
to-day operations of the business are run by
students.
“We look for students who are superbly talented and exceptional,” Lyons said. “They work
as independent contractors and help the business to continually grow. Everyone who works
for FactoryGreen.com is under 23—except our
lawyers.”
Jake Hammel, a junior textile and apparel
management major, is the creative director and
oversees activities like T-shirt design, Web site
layout and photography.
With the company since the beginning, he
sings the praises of its products. “These aren’t
just clothes,” he said. “They are clothes with a
message that advocate a social cause.”
In addition to promoting a positive message
of green living, Short and Lyons have worked
hard to establish a global Web presence. The
company brings in about 100 orders a week,
many of which come from outside the U.S.
Canada, the Netherlands and even some African
countries are on the list.
The young entrepreneurs have employed a
targeted marketing scheme that uses resources
such as Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and environmentally conscious Web sites and blogs such
as TreeHugger.com. In February, the two plan
to travel to Las Vegas to promote their products
as part of the Magic Tradeshow, the largest convention for wholesale and retail clothing in the
country.
For the Web site, Short and Lyons wanted
to find a balance between artistic and practical
functions, creating a visually pleasing product
with flash elements, bright colors, easy navigation and interactivity.
“This is really people’s first look at our company and our products,” Short said. “We want
them to be interested and be able to successfully
sell our cause.”
To take the site from concept to reality,
Jonathan Harrison, a business major at MU,
works as the company’s webmaster and lead
Short and Lyons recruited fellow MU students to develop their Web site.
designer. With six years of commercial Web design
experience, Harrison provides practical and technical
expertise along with creative elements.
“I strive to involve myself with not-for-profit
organizations and eco-friendly endeavors like this
one,” Harrison said. “Projects that have a real social
consciousness.”
FactoryGreen.com’s T-shirts are its biggest seller.
MU art and design students have created more than
30 designs, and the company also offers custom
printing. Offline, the shirts are sold at the University
of Missouri Bookstore and the University of Ottawa.
They bear slogans such as “Solar is sexy” and “Go
organic.”
Although $20 to $26 per shirt might seem steep, the
pricing helps the company compete with mass produced, traditional T-shirts in foreign factories.
Similar eco-friendly products can sell for between
$60 to $100 at trendy boutiques and national, luxury
department store chains, so the partners don’t think
their prices are that much of a leap.
“You can buy a regular shirt for around $18 at the
Gap or an outrageously expensive eco-friendly version at a high-end store for upwards of $60,” Short
said. “Or you can have the best of both worlds and
wear eco-friendly for a fraction of the cost.”
A percentage of each sale is also donated to “Water
for Life,” a global United Nations foundation dedicated to bringing clean water to the more than one
billion people in the world without potable water.
In the future, Short and Lyons hope to expand their
company. But more than anything, they want to see
people make environmentally conscious changes in
their lives.
“Because of how this sort of product has been
marketed in the past, many people have felt excluded
in the younger demographic,” Lyons said. “Now we
want to see our product promote a change in lifestyle
and help people to realize that changes, even if they
are small, are valuable and worthwhile. Ride a bike,
recycle, use fluorescent lighting — there are so many
things.” v
FactoryGreen.com's home page.
7
business profile | factory green
8
Matt Pitzer takes notes on a football game in his home office.
Watching football for a living? At home?
Local writer has fan’s fantasy job
By Jason Rosenbaum
As a fantasy football writer for USA Today
and Sports Weekly, Columbia resident Matt Pitzer
hears plenty of sob stories like mine during the
NFL season.
The trials and tribulations of my fantasy football franchise make the winless Detroit Lions
look feisty.
After starting off strong, my team — christened Brock the Vote in honor of University of
Missouri football great and unsuccessful political
candidate Brock Olivo, — started to lose. A lot.
Without question, the most painful defeat
came near the end of the season when I lost to
my league's defending champion by a whisker.
Had I started anyone at the wide receiver position except Justin Gage — a Mizzou alum, who
suits up for the Tennessee Titans — I would have
made the playoffs.
Pitzer, who has been writing about fantasy
football since 1998, is one of many go-to guys for
people seeking to guide their imaginary teams
to the Promised Land.
Pitzer told me that he's been surprised about
the emotional attachment people have for their
squads. He said he regularly corresponds with
fantasy football players who — like me — fell
painfully short of victory.
"I've been doing it for a little bit now, so I'm
kind of used to people being so passionate and
so emotional about it," Pitzer said. "I get e-mails
all the time from readers and people who are
completely up in arms about something unbelievable that happened."
Pitzer did give me props for showing so
much loyalty to my alma mater. After all, Pitzer
is enrolled at MU, where he’s working to obtain
a master’s degree in business administration
when not researching, writing and blogging
about fantasy football.
In his online bio, Pitzer writes, “When I’m
not trying to help you, I hack my way around
the golf course, chase my kid around the house
and bake bread.”
One wall of his home office in southwest
Columbia is filled with four flat-screen televisions. He takes notes on his desktop computer
while games are being televised and surfs the
Internet to get extra statistics and other information needed for his analyses.
Over the years, Pitzer watched fantasy football's transformation from a fanciful diversion
to a passionate ritual for millions of pigskin
fanatics. He credits the Internet with growing
the activity's popularity.
"Before that, you really had to be committed
to getting up and opening up the paper and getting all the stats by yourself," Pitzer said. "Once
it became a lot easier to manage your team and
manage your league, I think a lot more people
became interested in playing."
How fantasy football typically works
• Before the National Football League season begins, a group of eight to 14 people "draft"
a set number of players. Competitors take turns selecting quarterbacks, running backs,
wide receivers and team defenses from multiple teams in the NFL.
• Every week during the regular season, competitors have head-to-head matchups. In one
week, for instance, “Brock the Vote” would compete against a team controlled by my friend
Jonathan that he calls the “Best Team Ever Assembled.”
• Participants select the players at each position they want to start for the week. Arizona
Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, for example, was my quarterback for the season. New
York Jets running back Thomas Jones was my premiere running back.
• Each of those starting fantasy football players receive points that are based on the
performances of the real players during the actual games that week. They can gain points
when their namesakes score touchdowns and gain yardage, and they can lose points when
they fumble the ball and throw interceptions.
• At the end of each week, the cumulative score for each team is tabulated. The team in the
head-to-head matchup with the most points is the week's victor.
9
David Kurtz was practicing law in Columbia
and posting blogs on a popular Web site devoted
to politics and current events when he got an
offer that led to a drastic change in his lifestyle.
The founder of TalkingPointsMemo.com, Josh
Marshall needed a break from running the site,
and Kurtz was asked to take it over in 2007.
The promotion from guest contributor to
managing editor wasn't a big professional jump
for Kurtz, who had worked at alternative newspapers before he started practicing business law
five years ago.
"I had gotten to know [Marshall] just by
reading the site," said Kurtz, who started off as David Kurtz
merely a reader and a tipster. "And there were
some stories that they had covered before I attorneys, a scandal that likely led to Attorney
started working there that I was familiar with or General Alberto Gonzales' resignation. For the
had tips on or knew something about. … So we site's efforts, Marshall won a distinguished Polk
just got to know each other that way."
Award for Legal Reporting.
The Web's explosion in popularity as a
"In a way, this model of reporting is a great
conduit for news and insight provided fertile example of straddling the divide between old
ground for sites such as TalkingPointsMemo. school shoe-leather reporting and the more
com. The site—commonly referred to as TPM aggregate method of Web reporting," Paul
—was created by Marshall at the beginning of McLeary wrote in the Columbia Journalism
George W. Bush's first term as president.
Review about TPM's coverage of the U.S. attorOver time, the site expanded into one of neys issue.
the most widely read left-of-center outlets for
Beyond accolades from traditional news outinvestigative news, expanding from what was lets, the site has also steadily increased in Web
essentially a one-man operation to a staff of 12 hits since its inception. TPM's family of sites
people.
receives about 2.5 million hits per month. And
Kurtz, who stopped practicing law, said the since 2000, a number of companion sites have
change in routine was a striking characteristic opened to focus on investigations, commentary,
of his career shift. He used to spend most of his policy discussions and election coverage.
work days in an office. Now, he primarily works
One factor driving the site's popularity
from home.
and growth, Kurtz said, was Republican
"Doing everything remotely was probably rule of the presidency and—for part of the
the hardest thing to adjust to," Kurtz said. "It can decade—Congress.
be isolating at times. I think that was the biggest
"The infrastructure on the left for discussion
adjustment — figuring out how to balance work and the… ferment of ideas was not very welland life when you're sort of doing everything developed," Kurtz said. "So there was a real
remotely."
hunger amongst people with the way things
In his role as managing editor, Kurtz oversees were going politically. This sort of provided a
TPM's editorial operations. He posts on a wide place for that."
range of current events such as national elecAlthough it's unknown which direction the
toral politics, the firing of federal prosecutors Internet winds will blow with an incoming
for political reasons and debate over the use of Democratic administration and a Democratic
torture in interrogations.
Congress, Kurtz said TPM could remain
Does anyone work 9–5 anymore? My official relevant because of original reporting and
workday starts at 7 and usually ends a little after investigations.
6 though I usually do work-related stuff later
"Our reporting is almost grass roots in a
in the evenings, too. During campaign season, sense," Kurtz said. "We sort of talk about being an
it often went much later and included lots of insider's publication for outsiders. … So people
weekend work.
who are really interested in this, but aren't really
Traditional media outlets have taken notice directly involved themselves, can really follow
of TPM. The site was one of the driving forces what's going on and feel like they've got a relibehind investigating the firing of eight U.S. able narrator to carry them through." v
Fantasy Football ... continued from Page 8
Although the concept is relatively simple,
there is strategy behind success. In print and
online, Pitzer's advice on whom to start and
whom to bench can help.
"There's certainly luck involved," Pitzer
said. "I mean, you can't control who's going to
get hurt. You can't control the weather, so you
might wake on Sunday, and your quarterback's
playing in a blizzard. But there's a lot of skill
involved, too, just in knowing what's going on
with the teams, what's going on with the individual players, doing that research and being on
top of every team and every situation."
An estimated 30 million people play fantasy
sports in the United States, according to a 2007
Harris Interactive study. On the USA Today Web
site, fantasy football is one of the 10 sports links
at the top of the page.
But how much skill actually goes into it?
Seth Trachtman, the new media editor for
the St. Louis-based Fanball.com, said luck plays
a bigger role in how fantasy football games get
decided than in other fantasy sports. Fantasy
baseball, he noted, requires more skill because
there are significantly more people who can contribute to a competitor's team.
"For football, I'd say it's quite a bit of luck,"
Trachtman said. "I think that's one of the things,
on top of the Internet, that's made football
specifically so much more popular. It's easier
to play. And you don't have to follow as many
players as any of the other sports.” v
By Jason Rosenbaum
Lawyer becomes Web site editor
10 January 24, 2009 Columbia Business Times | ColumbiaBusinessTimes.com
voices
CBT View
Watkins should pick proven leader as police chief, Tom Dresner
When it comes to selecting a new chief of police for
the city, why go outside Columbia and make a selection from a group of four unknowns when the best
candidate is already on the job?
Let's strip the word "interim" from Tom Dresner's
title and make him our new police chief.
On the job since last July when Randy Boehm
retired, Dresner has proved that he has the leadership
skills and judgment it takes to lead the department.
Dresner has been with the city’s police force for 25
years and most recently was the commander of the
administrative support division and in charge of the
SWAT team.
Dresner is a graduate of the Missouri School of
Journalism, and his greatest tout is communication.
Reaching out across the community, venturing where
predecessors rarely visited, while tackling controversies head on, Dresner has turned out to be a good
listener as well as a forthright communicator with the
necessary management skills. At the start of a CBT Power Lunch forum addressing
Columbia’s crime problems, Dresner made a straightforward admission, “Your police department hasn’t
done a good job in talking to you.”
Under Dresner, the department created a professional standards unit and a more transparent system
for dealing with complaints, set up a street crimes
unit focusing on “career criminals” and began putting together a strategic plan that included public
input gathered from questionnaires. Dresner called
the department’s new system for handling complaints
one of the most transparent in the country.
Watkins could choose Dresner if he decides none
of the four outside candidates have the mettle to lead
the department.
Watkins is understandably skittish about the situation. At least one council member is nipping at the
process, scornful of the city manager's charter-granted
exclusive power to pick the police chief. Activists of
many stripes continue their push for a civilian police
review board that many in the community believe to
be superfluous while the continuing controversy over
the use of Tasers will face whomever is selected to lead
the department.
During a recent KFRU interview, Watkins said
he was very pleased with Dresner's stewardship of
the department, and they worked well together. But
Dresner agreed not to be a candidate when he took
the interim assignment, and Watkins reiterated that he
was not a candidate for the chief's position. But that
could—and should—change.
The field of four outsiders will be narrowed down
to two, leading Watkins into further investigation,
visits to the communities where the candidates serve
and huddles with the consultant and the local advisory group.
In 2000 when he was city manager, Ray Beck
chose Boehm to lead the police department after the
Pennsylvania-based chief originally named to the
position decided he didn't want to move.
One of the original five candidates has dropped out
and another, the police chief of a small town in Texas,
recently applied to become chief in two larger Texas
cities. Another candidate recently resigned as police
chief in a small Texas town for what he called political
reasons. None of the four stands out as an obvious
choice.
Watkins could choose Dresner if he decides none
of the outside candidates has the mettle to lead the
department, and that’s the pick he should make.
Citizen Journalist
Eminent domain’s inauspicious encore
Mike Martin
Mike Martin is a
professional journalist
and National Press Club
member. Locally,
he operates the
Columbia Heart Beat,
an online alternative
newsweekly at
columbiaheartbeat.
blogspot.com. Reach
him at mike.martin@
weeklyscientist.com
In late December, swirling rumors turned
into a comedy of errors when an important
item suddenly appeared on the Columbia City
Council’s Monday agenda: an ordinance to
“acquire, by negotiation or condemnation,”
several parcels of privately held property to
make way for a new Missouri State Historical
Society museum.
Declaring the acquisitions “necessary for
the welfare and improvement of the city and in
the public interest,” the ordinance was on track
for a Jan. 5 public hearing, during a holiday
period when many residents were either busy
or away.
Included in the condemnation package
were: U.S. Cleaners at 501 Elm St.; Bengals Bar
and Grill, at 227 S. Sixth St.; and a recently renovated rental house at 216 S. Fifth St., owned by
Addison's and Sophia’s restaurant proprietors
Matt Jenne and Adam Dushoff.
Information vacuum
“The Missouri Historical Society has outgrown its current location,” a city staff report
declared, getting the museum’s name wrong.
Society members have “requested the assistance of the City in acquiring the south half of
the block, if the Society is unable to reach agreement for sale of the properties with the current
owners.”
But landowners say nobody from either the
historical society or City Hall bothered to contact them. “Outside of a few rumors, this is the
first I've heard about it,” Jenne told me. “No
one has made any offers; no one has initiated
any negotiations.”
Mistakenly calling the museum the
“Missouri Historical Society” on David Lile's
KFRU radio show, Mayor Darwin Hindman
said he “wasn't sure” who would own the newly
acquired land—the city or the society. He also
said he “didn't know” if anyone had contacted
property owners Jack and Julie Rader, Dushoff
and Jenne.
Fourth Ward Councilman Jerry Wade called
the mess an “information vacuum” on full display as council members considered moving
the land acquisition ordinance to their Feb. 2
meeting (they ultimately did).
“No one approached my clients,” publicist Mark Farnen—representing Dushoff and
Jenne—told council members. “We just now
talked about how to proceed in the hallway—
that hallway,” said Farnen, gesturing toward
the chamber door.
Representing the Raders, who own Bengals
Bar and the U.S. Cleaners building, attorney
Craig van Matre asked for “maybe as much as
60 days” for proper consideration, especially
“given the critical nature of the ordinance.”
Even museum director Gary Kremer said
he hadn't been told about the council agenda
until hearing from a reporter “like everyone
else here.”
Expressing surprise over the lack of communication with so many of the project's “key
stakeholders,” Fifth Ward Councilwoman
Laura Nauser asked for an explanation.
“We're going to look into it,” Kremer told
her. “We definitely have questions.”
History of thievery
Such haphazard handling of a hot potato like
eminent domain suggests its handlers didn’t
realize that depriving private citizens of their
rights to own land is morally and economically
repugnant to many voters and taxpayers. “In
this troubled economy, downtown property is
a pretty solid investment,” a Columbia business owner e-mailed me on hearing the news.
“Our little lot is very important to my mother’s
retirement income. Eminent domain is a retirement nest-egg thief.”
Indeed, many people consider Columbia’s
past use of eminent domain tantamount to
thievery.
Fifty years ago, the Columbia City Council
constituted a group called the Land Clearance
for Redevelopment Authority to “reclaim” the
Flat Branch Creek area and 126 acres around
Douglass High School and Cemetery Hill in
central Columbia.
Columbia’s black community owned and
occupied much of the eventually bulldozed
land, which included homes, business districts
like Sharp’s End, and by some estimates, as
many as 125 black-owned barbershops, saloons,
movie theaters and other enterprises.
An LCRA consultant estimated the Douglass
Reclamation area’s worth at $1,042,750 in 1958.
But a July 1958 Missourian article reported that
City Hall and the LCRA used eminent domain
to get the tract for $591,000, or about 50 cents
on the dollar.
Stan Kroenke’s empty Osco eyesore now sits
on Cemetery Hill and the Columbia Daily Tribune
building sits on LCRA land that publisher Hank
Waters bought in 1968. River shipping magnate
Ray Eckstein purchased LCRA land and built
the downtown post office around the same
time. The Wisconsin-based multimillionaire
has owned it ever since, collecting sizeable rents
from the federal government for 40 years.
Feeling swindled to this day, many members
of the black community harbor nothing but ill
will toward City Hall and Columbia’s other
eminent domain co-conspirators. They look at
who owned the land then—black folks—and
who owns the land now—white folks.
But Hank Waters sees it differently. Faced
with today’s imminent eminent domain, he
recently opined: “Private property rights are as
secure as ever. The feverish hand wringing we
are seeing is unwarranted. Remedies for abuse
remain. Relax, and have a beverage of your
choice.”
If you want to have that beverage at Bengals,
you’d better get in there soon.
City View
2008 brought new approaches and measurable achievements
As city manager, I believe that government
works best when it takes positive, incremental
steps toward the community’s collective vision.
Our citizens have high expectations and understand the value of working together to achieve
success. Columbians also recognize the value
of timing and the limits of resources. With that
in mind, I am pleased to share with you some
highlights of city achievements during 2008.
Bill Watkins City tightens up and stays financially stable
Despite tough financial times, the city has
Bill Watkins is maintained strong bond ratings and generally
Columbia’s city smooth operations. Sales tax growth is slower
manager.
than expected and, over the last two months,
is running below last year. Through conservative budgeting and curbed spending, we maintained a stable financial position that meets
reserve and debt service requirements while
continuing to perform essential city functions.
We also analyzed and changed the way city
government does business with itself. Six units
that serve and support overall city operations
prepared business plans leading to significant savings in some areas and more accurate
budgeting in others. Currently, spending on
all General Fund supplemental budget items,
including new staff, requires the manager’s
specific approval.
Voters support public infrastructure plans
With approval margins of more than 75
percent, Columbia voters supported sewer
and water ballot issues proposed last April
and November. Community satisfaction with
management of the city’s utility infrastructure
is crucial, especially during a time of rising
prices and planned, annual rate increases.
Thanks to council leadership, solid planning,
sound financing proposals and effective public
education, we’re making substantial progress
on completing capital improvement projects
approved by voters in 2005.
Capital improvements get more public
scrutiny
Once buried in general budget discussions,
capital improvement planning now gets special community attention. Our comprehensive
document describes all projects inprocess and
on the drawing board without setting limits on
resources. We’ve increased citizens’ awareness
and input through dedicated public council
work sessions and online viewing. With better
internal coordination and more timely staff
review, projects can be efficiently bid through
the city’s purchasing agent and get done on
time and (in most cases) under budget.
Permitting achieves two goals
We’re also working to stamp out unneeded
delays in the city’s building-permit process.
Instead of passing applications from desk to
desk, a new work group, based in our Protective
Inspection Division, meets every two weeks for
joint discussions and decisions. We want to
increase efficiency for local business and government without jeopardizing public safety.
Developers can also schedule inspections,
check inspection results, check the status of
plans and pay fees online or by telephone.
Technology aids comprehensive planning and
public service
Columbia changes its shape and dimension
daily. We’ve seen accelerated change downtown, in the roads that define our boundaries,
in our trail- and green-space system and at
major traffic intersections. There is a legitimate
demand for community planning that keeps
pace with this evolution.
We have laid the groundwork for a revised,
fully integrated comprehensive plan that
incorporates growth management planning,
scenario modeling and consistent, reliable
data. Specific steps include a natural resources
inventory, digital mapping of geographic and
other data (GIS) and social and economic data
projections. GIS technology augments physical
planning and policy decision ranging from
neighborhood status to public health.
A new document-imaging system is
reducing our use of paper forms and the time
it takes to process them. Our city Web site continues to attract users with its options for online
payments, facility reservations, opinion surveys, public information, electronic publishing,
access to city documents and online calendars.
Local partnerships strengthen Columbia and
the region
We continue to exceed community expectations for cooperating with public and private
organizations. Partnerships with Boone County
government and the University of Missouri
benefit Columbia and the surrounding area.
Our mutual work includes GIS mapping; tax
collection; elections; information technology;
bidding and purchasing; planning, zoning and
code enforcement; transportation; emergency
services; health and social services; downtown
development; public safety; economic development; public participation and more.
Public transportation goes to next level
People are pleased with the improved
service at Columbia Regional Airport. I don’t
remember the last time we could make this
claim, but the flying public is showing its
approval by increasing its use of service provided by Mesaba Airlines, a subsidiary of
Northwest Airlines. A regional customer coalition abandoned our business-as-usual reliance
on air connections to St. Louis and Kansas City
in favor of a Memphis, Tenn., connection to
almost 100 destinations.
Along with free parking, a single security check, wireless Internet access and other
amenities, service out of Columbia Regional
exceeds the company’s expectations. Passenger
numbers are also climbing on city buses
despite modest fare increases that took effect in
October.
City employees start to see new approach
After years of employee and supervisor
disappointment with the city’s overall compensation strategy, we modernized—in
increments—our practices. We adopted a new
performance-evaluation system that provides
several tiers of pay increases based on employee
competency and achievement of goals. The
intent is to inject fairness, consistency and
transparency into the system.
We continue to review all employee classifications to assure that job descriptions align with
work performed, to adjust work performed to
organizational needs and to compare city pay
scales with those in the wider job market. To
attract and keep well-qualified employees,
we “broadbanded” city department head job
classifications and provided more salary range
flexibility. We will apply this to more positions
over the next two years.
Community participates in key staff
leadership decisions
Columbia Water and Light Director Kraig
Kahler joined the city last year with the advice
of a citizen advisory committee. Using an executive search firm to recruit and screen applicants
for the position, we asked committee members to identify desirable qualities in a Water
and Light director and to review the short list
of applicants. Our new director is a smart,
resourceful, responsive and committed public
servant who can effectively guide the city’s
energy and water systems. This community
process worked so well that we are currently
using it to select Columbia’s new police chief.
Police department involves community
The convergence of council, staff and public
concerns created an environment ripe for
change. With advice from independent consultants with national reputations, we established a new internal affairs unit to investigate
complaints against police officers and gather
data that can be used for further department
reforms. We created a four-person street crimes
unit to attack and prevent crime, and officers
are learning to use effective practices for crisis
intervention.
Other actions opened up communication
with the public as never before: public discussion of Taser use, work with a council-appointed
Citizen Oversight Task Force studying the need
for a citizen review board, groundbreaking for
a new police training facility and more department-initiated contacts with citizens and local
media.
Community vision takes shape
While a key city staff member was on
extended leave, we retained an independent
consultant to help us take the next steps toward
implementing the community vision plan. We
reignited community interest, assured that
the vision plan would not be a dust collector
and facilitated community discussion of the
proposed plan and implementation process.
Council enacted a city ordinance authorizing
a new Vision Commission, which met twice
in January. On Jan. 13, the Vision Commission
established its 2009 officers. Jeffrey Williams
will serve as chair, Dan Goldstein as vice chair
and Julio Lorio as secretary.
It has been a busy year at City Hall. I
appreciate the opportunity to serve the public
and look forward to working with you in the
coming year.
Send your letters and comments to CBT via our Web site, www.columbiabusinesstimes.com, by mail to
2001 Corporate Place, Columbia, Mo 65202 or by e-mail to [email protected]
voices
Bond's departure
affects MU funding
By Jason Rosenbaum
University of Missouri system president Gary Forsee's presence at U.S. Sen. Kit Bond's retirement announcement could be
seen as an example of the symbiotic relationship between the
state's senior senator and Missouri's flagship campus.
After Bond took a few questions from reporters at the Jan. 8
gathering, the four-term lawmaker cajoled Forsee to come up to
the lectern. Forsee praised Bond as a man who left an indelible
mark through his service.
One of Bond’s guiding passions, Forsee said, was higher
education.
"It takes that shoulder muscle to get some of these things
accomplished," Forsee said.
Bond's decision not to seek re-election after the 2010 election
cycle not only brings an end to the Republican senator's long
and winding political career, but it also could prompt changes to
how the University of Missouri is perceived in Washington, D.C.
Although he attended Princeton University and the University
of Virginia, Bond had a knack for getting appropriations for MU.
Bond was often on hand at dedication ceremonies over the past
few years, which often included effusive praise from university
officials for his help in landing funds for major projects.
The most obvious example is the Christopher Bond Life
Sciences Center, a sizable facility on the Columbia campus that
Bond helped fund through the federal appropriations process.
When asked about how MU and the UM system would be
affected by his departure, Bond said that he hoped his successor
would be able to "serve many more years" than he. He also said
he would devote his final two years to assisting the university.
"I really believe the key to the university's success and others'
success is that the university has developed a reputation," Bond
said. "It has the resources to compete on its own successfully."
Bond pointed to Warren Erdmann, a member of the UM
System Board of Curators, as one of the people who would lead
the university in a successful direction. Erdmann formerly served
as Bond's chief of staff.
Erdmann said new people will "step to the plate" to assist
higher education institutions. But he conceded that Bond would
be a tough act to follow when it comes to supporting the UM
system and MU.
“The generational cycle will go on," Erdmann said. "We've
lost a true leader for Missouri and an exceptional leader for the
University of Missouri. I can't think of an elected official who has
led and contributed more to the university than Kit Bond. While
he'll be here for two more years, we'll make the most of it."
Although Bond will remain in the U.S. Senate until early 2011,
the scramble to replace him began soon after he made his retirement announcement.
Democrats seem to be coalescing around the potential Senate
candidacy of Secretary of State Robin Carnahan. Possible
Republican candidates include U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Strafford,
former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman, former Sen. Jim Talent,
R-Missouri, U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, R-Tarkio, and former U.S.
Rep. Kenny Hulshof, R-Columbia.
State Rep. Chris Kelly, D-Columbia, said the race to replace
Bond could have far-reaching consequences for MU.
He said the university could be at a disadvantage if somebody with loose ties to the institution—like Blunt—wins the seat.
Blunt's congressional district includes Missouri State University
and Missouri Southern University.
George Connor, a political science professor at Missouri State,
doesn't expect the home region of the next U.S. Senator to make
much of a difference in terms of support for MU.
He pointed to the example of Gov. Bob Holden, who graduated from Missouri State University with a degree in political science. Despite his ties to the university, Connor said the institution
didn’t derive much benefit from his administration.
"We didn't get anything from that because he bent over
backwards not to [show favoritism]," Connor said. "And I think
Congressman Blunt would do the same."
Kelly said U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Missouri, who did
undergraduate and law school work at MU, could pick up the
slack in the wake of Bond's departure.
"When she was here as a legislator, she was incredibly supportive of the institution," Kelly said. "There's no question
that Claire is a very, very active supporter of the University of
Missouri. … Claire is a pretty effective legislator." v
Renee Hulshof
Weekday radio commentator, KFRU News Talk 1400
AGE: 41
JOB DESCRIPTION: Co-host with Simon Rose on KFRU’s long-running talk show,
“The Morning Meeting.”
YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA: 23
ORIGINAL HOMETOWN: Hannibal, Mo.
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in journalism, broadcast sequence,
University of Missouri School of Journalism
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: Missouri Attorney General’s office,
communications assistant, 1989-1993; Vangel Associates, account
executive, 1993-200; Boone Hospital Foundation, executive director,
2002-2004
A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE AND WHY: Mike Vangel. I worked
for Mike for nine years and saw firsthand how he conducts business. Our
work environment was like being in a family, the functional sort. He not only
talked about being involved in the community, he lived that way himself. He
encouraged staff to join organizations. When I came to work for him in 1993 he
said, “You are going to join the Chamber of Commerce, and you’re going to serve on
a committee.” I loved that he walked the talk.
WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB: I accepted this job because I believe the station needed a
woman’s voice. I also wanted to be a voice for conservative women. The vilification of Sarah
Palin convinced me that people need to meet and get to know conservative women. We’re all
over the place. A void needed to be filled. I hope to bring that to this community in a small
way.
IF I WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR A LIVING, I WOULD: I’m still for the most part a full-time mom, and I
would still be a full-time mom. This job takes a few hours a day and is very flexible. I’m still
able to volunteer at my children’s classrooms and still be engaged professionally—it’s the best
of both worlds.
BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME AND HOW: Balancing the job of mom with my career. It
was a struggle for me to parent largely alone (with Kenny in Washington, D.C., weekly) with
two small children and a full-time job. With flexible employers and working some at home, I
made it work.
A FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT: It isn’t sexy, but I have loved getting our farmhouse in order—
sorting, storing, throwing out and organizing. It looks and feels fantastic.
WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROFESSION: People thought radio was dead with the
advent of television, just like people think newspapers will die because of the Internet. I tend
to believe there is room for all media to exist. So long as there are people in their cars who want
to hear about current events and want to listen to good music, radio will be with us. There is no
substitute for local conversations about current events. AM radio has found its niche and I look
for it to be around a long time.
WHAT I DO FOR FUN: I love to read escapist fiction. I just read Jan Karon’s “Home to Holly Springs,”
and I’m reading “Confederates in the Attic” by Tony Horwitz. I also love to cook. Kenny and I love
to go to our farm, and we love to do home-improvement projects. We love to travel and drink wine.
FAMILY: Kenny, husband of 14 years; and two girls—Casey, 9, and Hanna, 6.
FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: My house. Maybe it’s because we didn’t spend much time there in the
past year when Kenny was running for governor.
ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: I was very much a full-time political partner with my husband
(though I did it sporadically in the last 12 years when Kenny was in Congress). I had to step outside of
who I thought I was. I gave speeches, talked about policy and put up with personalities I didn’t think I
could put up with. I had to run some fundraisers on his behalf and deliver intense, substantive speeches.
I did it and even grew to enjoy it. When Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal came to town, Kenny was not able to
be here, and I had to do the whole event.
MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT I…am a weather geek. I love the Weather Channel (Jim Cantori!)
and even asked for a Weather Challenger jacket for Christmas (and got it, too!). If I were
proficient in science, I’d have to go to school for meteorology. v
people you should know
Market Overview ... continued from cover
Retail sales are only one example of how the Internet can extend a business’s reach. The marketing opportunities the
Web provides are multiplying, and companies are scrambling to find ways to take advantage of them and direct online
traffic to their sites.
Whether it’s through use of social networks, exemplified by Bank of Missouri and New Chapter Coaching, a superior
operating system, like the one Agents National Title Insurance has set up, or just keeping the company Web site fresh,
as Callaway Bank does, the bottom line of marketing in the online world is making it easy for potential customers to find
and use a business’s Web site.
Ten years ago, a company’s Web site might well be little more than a business card. Now, it is the cornerstone of a
successful marketing strategy. Today a business card without a Web address is little more than a piece of paper.
“If you’re not on the Internet, your business doesn’t exist,” said Peter Meng, director of interactive at Woodruff
Sweitzer, a firm that helps companies with advertising, corporate branding and innovation. It’s a common Internet axiom,
he said, but one that becomes truer every day.
The trick is directing customers to the Web site whether the interaction between customer and company takes place
online or offline. Every message must point to the company’s Web site whether that message is in print, on TV or on a
billboard above a highway.
Online advertising, Meng said, does the same thing. Traditional banner ads on a site are simply links to a company’s
Web page. Search engine optimization or making sure a site has the keywords most likely to produce a high ranking in
the results of a search, is also extremely important, he added.
“Especially in times like these with slower growth, online advertising is what clients are looking for,” said Amberly
Engert, director of non-paid media for True Media, which specializes in helping clients place advertising online. “It allows
businesses to target ads based on Web behavior, which is more cost-effective and more measurable.”
Although companies are still realizing the potential for targeted Internet advertising, even that might not be the best
online opportunity.
Social media, like blogs and social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn, are allowing companies to
spread their message via their customers.
“What’s happening now is you’re trying to bring consumers to advocate for your product,” said Steve Warme, vice
president of account services at Woodruff Sweitzer’s Calgary office.
That’s turning the traditional marketing funnel, where the end result is a sale, into a megaphone, Warme said.
“The best way to reach people is through word of mouth,” Meng said. “And electronic word of mouth moves pretty
rapidly.”
SoccerPro’s owners have been able to spread the word about their business by just having fun. They started producing a podcast, called the Goalmouth Scramble, in the summer and post two or three a week to their site.
The podcasts, which can be streamed directly from the site or downloaded from iTunes, feature Stelzer talking and
joking about the game with other soccer enthusiasts. They’ve even had KFRU host Simon Rose as a guest. It might seem
like just a fun addition to their Web page, but as the site says, it’s “just wacky enough for you to take seriously.”
Marrero said the podcasts have provided another interactive opportunity for SoccerPro and its customers. They’ve already produced around 80 episodes and have received e-mail from kids about the show, including some from England.
“It’s a matter of understanding how our customers are communicating, how they want to talk to us and how they want
to learn about us, and we’re just using those tools,” Marrero said.
Curtis Stelzer
of SoccerPro
answers listeners
questions about the
English Premiere
League during a
podcast recording
of his show
the Goalmouth
Scramble.
Zack Burleson records a podcast with Curtis Stelzer
of SoccerPro. The two record a show every week and
have a large following in the United Kingdom.
Carolyn Sullivan uses her Facebook page to
direct online traffic to her Web site.
Twitter, Facebook not just for friends
SoccerPro customers tired of
shopping can take a break and
listen to the zany podcasts put
together by the store’s owner.
One of the newer social marketing tools is Twitter, which allows users to use short group messages to
constantly let their friends and associates know what they’re doing. The challenge is providing further content
like a Web address in a character-limited message, Meng said, but it’s “a great way to create buzz if you have
something buzz-worthy.”
Marrero and Stelzer at SoccerPro have already begun using Twitter to reach their customers, informing them
of deals and events. They also have a company Facebook page that serves the same function.
“Twitter and Facebook are some social marketing tools that are relevant to the kids that buy our stuff, and we
want to let them know we’re right there with them,” Marrero said.
But kids aren’t the only ones using Facebook these days. Politicians discovered the site’s marketing potential
this election, and companies from The Blue Note to Citigroup have official Facebook pages. Carolyn Sullivan, who
started a business consulting firm four months ago, joined Facebook for fun. But after she launched her business,
New Chapter Coaching, she quickly saw Facebook’s marketing potential.
“I use it to keep my business in the minds of my friends and family,” Sullivan said. “That allows referral opportunities in a business where a referral is most important.”
When she was getting ready to launch her business, she let her friends on Facebook know so they would create
business buzz. She’s also a member of LinkedIn, another networking site that caters to business professionals,
and is in the Columbia Chamber of Commerce online directory. But Facebook generates most of her Web site’s
visitors.
Sullivan already has a blog on her Web site that provides professional development tips and will soon begin
producing videos with a “coaching tip of the month.” She’s also working hard to get other sites to provide links
to her site, newchaptercoach.com. She’s even using old-fashioned direct mail but noted that it’s a lot cheaper to
use an e-marketing company — only $15 to contact 500 people.
“Because you can be relatively nimble online with a relatively low budget, it allows smaller companies to grow
and get their message out there,” said Warme at Woodruff Sweitzer.
SPECIAL SECTION | online marketing strategies
Similar to Facebook, Girl Talk is a social
network for central-Missouri women and is
sponsored by local businesses that offer expert
advice to the site’s members.
Girl Talk ‘grew wings’
The Internet can even grow companies out of what was
intended to be a hobby. Kathy Onwezen launched Girl Talk,
a social networking site for Central Missouri women, to stay
connected with other women after she left her job as a nurse
to start her own business.
Since the site started in May, she’s already attracted more
than 500 members and five contractual sponsors. She’s
probably going to have to hire someone this year to help run
the site, she said.
“I just thought it would be a place where we could all
e-mail each other,” Onwezen said. “And it just kind of grew
wings and flew.”
When Brooke Watkins at Bank of Missouri heard about
Onwezen’s idea, she immediately saw the marketing
opportunity.
“We saw Girl Talk’s potential at the very beginning,” said
Watkins, who is Branch Retail Services officer at the bank. “We
realized it would become more than a hobby for her.”
One of Girl Talk’s features is that it provides a way for
members to get expert advice from sponsors in areas such
as finance, health and family. The opportunity coincided perfectly with one of Bank of Missouri’s focuses for 2009, female
entrepreneurs, Watkins said. Now Watkins is a featured expert
on the site, gotogirltalk.com, and answers questions from
members along with other Bank of Missouri representatives.
On a professional level, the bank’s sponsorship of Girl
Talk is already starting to draw customers, Watkins said. She
personally uses the site for the restaurant reviews and new
recipes, she said, and is looking forward to an upcoming girls’
poker event.
The online community, Girl Talk, has created meets for live
social events, too. Companies and professionals have contacted Onwezen about sponsoring events to promote their
businesses, especially lately, when “people are very interested in no-contract advertising,” she said. In the last few
weeks she’s received quite a few calls from businesses that
are looking to reach customers through Girl Talk.
Callaway Bank’s new site can be updated in-house, allowing
the CEO to regularly communicate with customers.
Content (management) is king
Meanwhile, Callaway Bank recently redesigned its Web site for a fresher look
that offers more online services, the bank’s director of marketing and public
relations, Debbie LaRue, said. The goal is to better connect with its existing
customers. But the site is also much faster, which is important to keeping the
attention of potential customers who may not wait more than a few seconds for
a site to load, she added.
The biggest improvement, though, is the content management system built
into the new site. It allows the bank to manage the site in-house without having to wait on a webmaster. Now the marketing department can make needed
changes, and features like a message from the bank’s CEO can be updated
regularly. The content management system will also allow Callaway Bank to
design surveys to find out more about their customers, LaRue said.
“It is very important for us to know what our target audience is and what
they want,” she said. “The Web site is a great way to gather that information.”
The development of content management systems is a major trend for
businesses right now, Meng at Woodruff Sweitzer said. Ten years ago, a company would spend half a million dollars to create a system that allowed it to
manage Web content in-house. Now, they can do it for under $1,000. Meng
estimated 50-60 percent of businesses still need someone to manage their
content for them, “but that is changing rapidly.”
Business functions move online
Agents National Title Insurance just launched its new in-house managed
Web site this month. But CEO David Townsend said “it’s more than just a Web
site; it’s our Web system.”
The site, developed by Delta Systems, has moved all of the company’s
accounting and reporting procedures online, reducing the time spent on “mundane paper pushing,” Townsend said. For a real estate title insurance underwriting business, that’s important because it attracts customers — title insurance agents who aren’t necessarily tied to a specific underwriting company.
Before agents did everything on paper, so it took more time for agents and
underwriters to communicate, Townsend said.
“Every bell and whistle we add to this system is designed to make it easier
for our agents to do business,” he said. “As soon as they see it, they love it.”
The system was one of Townsend’s main goals when he started the title
underwriting business three years ago. By consulting with title agents on the
system, he made sure it was designed to make the process as easy as possible
for them, he said.
“By having a more efficient system, we hope that it will translate into a
higher number of policies issued on us than competitors,” Townsend said.
Not only does Townsend think his site will draw more agents to his company,
he also hopes to eventually market the system to non-competitor title underwriters. The patent on the system is pending.
Agents Title’s system is indicative of the future of business, a shift not only
of marketing but also accounting and internal processes to the Internet, Meng
said. Businesses may not realize it at first, but “when you look at the Web, you
need to understand that in the next 10 years, the majority of your business will
be run through the Internet,” he said.
Although Meng sees a wave in the near future of advertising through
games and applications and more targeted social networks, for now companies
need to make sure they have a Web site that not only presents their products
but also reflects their company’s personality.
“Whether a business knows it or not,” he said, “their Web site is already
their primary marketing tool.” v
Nixon plan ... continued from Page 3
Several Columbia-area state representatives said they were initially pleased with Nixon’s plan. But state Rep. Chris Kelly, D-Columbia,
said he wants to see more concrete details on the initiative.
“We need more detail, but I think his small-business initiative is
excellent,” Kelly said, referring to the loan proposal. “The most important thing for me on the economic development picture is, I want
to know who’s going to go to work doing what.”
Rep. Steve Hobbs, R-Mexico, noted that elements of the plan were
“Republican ideas,” adding that he didn’t have a problem with any
portion of the economic package. But he shared Richard’s concerns
about funds being taken away from the DREAM Initiative.
“That’s been extremely successful,” Hobbs said. “I think that the
(loan idea) has merit. The devil’s in the details about who decides and
who qualifies and how it all works.”
Although still needing to examine the details of the proposal, Rep.
Stephen Webber, D-Columbia, said Nixon was smart to start his tenure focusing on the issue of economic development: “Hopefully, the
House can work together to make it happen.” v
SPECIAL SECTION
Guest Column » Nelly Roach
Simplicity key for successful
online marketing strategy
For most small-business owners and marketing professionals, the phrase “online marketing strategy” prompts a cringe. In truth, it doesn’t need to be complicated. A well-planned yet simple online strategy makes all the difference. The following is a simple checklist of 12 things to keep track
of, and you can use this list to spearhead in-house efforts or to speak more confidently with your
consultant.
Search engines: For most sites, the bulk of your traffic will come from searches performed by
visitors who follow a link in the search results to your site. In my experience, traffic from search
engines accounts for 50-65 percent of your site’s traffic.
Key words: The first step in a solid search engine is developing a core list of key words and key
phrases that relate to your business and are likely to be typed by search engine visitors. Write them
down.
Content optimization: Keep it simple, start with the basics. Make sure the title of each Web page
has your key words or key phrase in it, make sure your title tag is the first tag in your Web page’s
head section, and make sure each Web page has an H1 tag with your key word or key phrase in it.
If you’re not familiar with HTML, that’s OK. Any Web designer can make these changes for you at
a reasonable cost.
Link building: In most cases, link building refers to the practice of recruiting other Web sites to
link to your site. Although this is important, it’s best to start with your own site. For example, if you
have a page that showcases your plastic widgets, be sure that every time you use the phrase “plastic
widgets” it links to that page. Then, start asking family, friends, customers and suppliers to link to
your Web site, too.
Google analytics: There are many different Web traffic reporting solutions but for me, Google
Analytics is the most powerful and easiest to use. Visit www.google.com/analytics, and click the
Product Tour link for more information. For more information about search engine strategies and
techniques, visit www.searchenginewatch.com and subscribe to the newsletters.
Pay-Per-Click: Pay-Per-Click advertising refers to advertising on a Web site (usually a search
engine, content provider or social networking site) by bidding a certain amount per click you receive. Be sure to set clear and measureable goals before you start spending money. Google AdWords
(www.google.com/adwords) is the most popular and provides a great video tour to help you get
started.
Budget: Determine how much you’ll need to spend each month. Most of the time, an initial
monthly budget of $150 is a good place to start. As you tweak your strategy and it starts producing
good results, you can increase this.
Ad content: PPC ads are typically more effective with direct response (presumes an immediate
sale) copy rather than image (attempts to create a brand preference) copy.
Landing page optimization: Pay particular attention to the page your visitors will see when they
click your ad. Avoid sending the visitor to your home page, and consider sending the visitor to a
page specific to the content of the ad. Include a strong call to action. Let your customers know what
to do next.
Conversions: Determine exactly what you want visitors to do once they get to your site (fill out
a form, call a phone number, buy something), and determine how you’ll measure whether that was
accomplished. Review your Web traffic reports on a regular basis, and determine to what extent your
visitors are accomplishing that task. Then, look at your site, and figure out what changes you need
to make to increase the percentage of visitors who accomplish the goal.
Traditional media integration: Be sure your Web site address is on your business cards, envelopes, brochures, sell sheets, counter displays, print ads and television ads, and mention it toward
the end of your radio ads.
Include downloadable PDF versions of your brochures and sell sheets and streamed versions of
your radio and television ads on your Web site.
E-mail marketing: There has never been a less expensive and more effective marketing communications vehicle than e-mail.
Collecting e-mails: Chances are, you receive corporate communication via e-mail that you like
(or at least don’t mind) receiving, and those that are a regular nuisance. An important part of your
strategy is to avoid being labeled a nuisance. Use only opt-in e-mail collection techniques. Tell your
customers why you’re collecting the address and exactly what you intend to do with it. Don’t take it
personally if they refuse, and be sure to thank every customer who is willing to give it to you. They
are paying you a high compliment.
Appropriate content: Most of your customers consider e-mail to be personal and private, so take
care to focus less on what you want to say and more on what they want to hear about your company.
Include a link from the e-mail to the specific page you want your customers to see.
Inconsistent time frame: Avoid sending e-mails according to a consistent time schedule. Your
e-mails will become routine and more likely to be ignored. Send communications when you have
something interesting to say such as to announce the launch of a new product, a special promotion,
a new hire or other interesting news. There’s a lot more you can do, but very little of it matters until
the points above are in place and working for you. Go through the exercise above once every month.
After a year, you should see substantial progress. Then, you’ll be able to take your online marketing
strategy to the next level. v
Nelly Roach is the general manager for Caledon Virtual LLC, a marketing consultant firm in Columbia
that specializes in online strategies. She can be reached at [email protected]
Tech Sessions » Jonathan Sessions
Sounds trivial, but Twitter is a seriously useful tool
Note: Twitter account listings follow style used to reply
on Twitter, @name.
By now you’ve probably heard of Twitter, micro-blogging and the new wave of online social
marketing.
However, you might not be sure what it is, how it
works or how to use it as an effective marketing tool
for your business. Jumping into Twitter definitely
takes time, even for technologists and avid bloggers,
but many local businesses have taken the plunge and
are effectively using Twitter for promotion.
Twitter is a micro-blog because it allows users to
post short (140 characters) public messages (tweets)
and follow other users’ tweets. Tweets can be posted
and followed via twitter.com, RSS feeds, e-mail, thirdparty applications and SMS messages from mobile
phones.
Twitter is a challenging medium for many. Most
approach Twitter with concerns about making the private public. They wonder, why would anyone want to
know what I am doing all day?
Even David Pogue a New York Times technology
columnist, had problems getting involved (Article:
http://tinyurl.com/8gzqs8). He shares his journey as
a Twitter newbie and makes an important point about
using Twitter effectively: “Don’t tweet about what
you’re doing right now.” Even though Twitter.com
asks, “What are you doing?” Twitter is a tool for communication and collaboration.
Over the past year, Twitter has more than tripled in
size from an estimated 900,000 in January 2008 to more
than 3 million at the beginning of January ’09. This
dramatic increase is largely due to increased media
coverage of the service and the presidential election.
During the election John McCain (@johnmccain)
used the service sparingly, posting a couple dozen
links to campaign ads and news articles. Barack
Obama (@BarackObama) actively used the service
and became the most followed person on Twitter with
more than 165,000 followers. Obama’s staff used the
service to post more than 250 links to information on
his site, videos of speeches and the announcement that
Biden was his running mate.
Jen Reeves (@jenleereeves), a fellow at the Reynolds
Journalism Institute, new media director at KOMU (@
KOMUnews) and long-time local Twitterer (yes, actually a word for Twitter users), remembers seeing the
first influx of local users when CNN covered a story
about a student arrested in Egypt, who was ultimately
freed after letting friends know about his arrest via
Twitter (Article: http://tinyurl.com/a4ab7u).
Reeves is a huge fan of Twitter and an avid user. In
an arena where she does not stand out like an on-air
reporter, Twitter helps her to connect to the commu-
Local Business Twittering:
Top Ten Wines: @TopTenWines
True/False Film Festival: @truefalse
The Blue Note/Mojo’s: @the_blue_note
Shakespeare’s Pizza: @ShakesPizza
Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau: @
ColumbiaMOCVB
Glenn’s Café: @glennscafe
Delta Systems: @deltasystems
We Always Swing Jazz Series: @jazzseries
The YouZeum: @youzeum
Columbia Chamber of Commerce: @
COMOChamber
Columbia Business Times: @ColumbiaBiz
Y107: @y107
nity and stay heavily involved. Twitter friends are the
source of most of the interesting news she receives.
“Twitter is what people were hoping RSS would
be,” Reeves said. “But it goes beyond RSS because you
can have conversations at the same time.” To illus(continued on Page 20)
SPECIAL SECTION
Sessions ... continued from 19
trate her point, during the recent Hudson River plane crash new
agencies were reporting on posts and photos from people tweeting from the ferries assisting the victims (Article: http://tinyurl.
com/9azobw).
Reeves reacted quickly, posting links and twitter feeds about
the crash. As a journalist, she aims to “help sort information
and provide more context.
Twitter is a great way to do
that.”
Local News Twittering:
While news agencies have
KOMU: @KOMUnews
found their place in Twitter,
The Maneater: @
so have businesses.
themaneater
Locally,
Shakespeare’s
The Watchword: @
Pizza (@ShakesPizza) has
thewatchword
been twittering since July
and has found it very effecMissourian: @
tive. “It’s free,” said the Big
CoMissourian
Cheese, Kurt Mirtsching,
Tribune: @
“so we’re going to use it.”
columbiatribune
With roughly 350 followers,
Shakespeare’s posts come
every couple weeks and are
only things, as Mirtsching
put it, “worth bothering people for.”
Their point of sale system allows them to track the success of
posts that blend immediate deals, witty comments and requests
for follower involvement. such as: “$1 Slices. At the parking lot
door. Tonight only.”
At the same time, Mirtsching recognizes the importance of creating a relationship with customers by requesting feedback and
finishing the posts with comments like: “You have been warned.
Beware The Stache.”
After learning about the technology at a tourism summit in
San Francisco in October,
Megan McConachie created the Twitter feed for
Politicians Twittering:
the Columbia Convention
Claire McCaskill:
and Visitors Bureau (@
@clairemc
ColumbiaMOCVB). Created
as a resource for visitors to
Columbia, the feed is prominently featured on the CVB
Web site (visitcolumbiamo.com).
McConachie updates the feed with local variety and uniqueness. “The hope is people from outside Columbia are looking, and
we want to show off what makes Columbia stand out as much as
promoting local businesses.”
Even though I’ve used Twitter for a long time (@JSesh), I’m
still learning how to use it effectively. Most of the time I use
Twitter to follow the Tribune (@columbiatribune) and Missourian
(@CoMissourian) feeds, but recently I have been more actively
involved in collaborating with colleagues and friends (especially
while writing this article). Only after several days of research and
interviews do I feel like I have an understanding of its practical
uses.
This past week, via Twitter, I found a blog discussing the five
stages of Twitter acceptance (http://tinyurl.com/9hu8eq). I have
to admit, I found it to be a pretty accurate depiction of the experience I had learning to use Twitter. For a long time I was in denial
about the possibilities of Twitter as a tool.
Although at first Twitter might seem like just another way to
consume time on the Internet, it is a free way to connect with a
large, active user base ready to interact. Twitter is about collaboration and giving people a line into your business. Keeping active
by posting useful information and responding to followers helps
keep clients and potential clients engaged and active in your business, and it gives them the feeling that they are involved. Spending
a few minutes a day tweeting might be the best online marketing
investment you make. v
Jonathan Sessions (@JSesh) is an owner of Tech 2. Reach
him at [email protected] or 573-443-1555.
http://www.jonathansessions.com
Baby boomer’s perils in online
social network
See commercial properties available throughout Missouri at
www.mo-commercial.com
By Mary Paulsell
Late last year, some friends of mine convinced me that I needed to create a profile on Facebook
and another one on LinkedIn, which is supposed to be like a Facebook for business people.
“This is not for me,” I thought. “No one needs to know about me or what I do in my spare time
or what books I’ve read.”
But the needling continued, so I finally just went “out there,” set up a page and went on my
happy way.
Then, within 24 hours, I started getting invitations to be a “friend.” “What do you mean, friend?”
I thought. “We are friends. That’s how I got into this situation in the first place!” So I went back to my
profile, realized that I hadn’t really filled anything out completely
and that people were finding out about me through some magic in
the program that alerts them when someone from their area joins
I had known these
the social network.
I started getting messages stating, “So-and-so wants to be your
people for years…
friend. Please accept them as a friend.” Well, it wasn’t that I didn’t
been to their
want to accept them; it was more a case of not knowing how or
what to do once I had. Something told me that once I took that step,
weddings, babysat
I would have to start updating my profile, and I really didn’t have
their kids, done
time for that.
So, I ignored the messages. Some folks tried a second and third
business with them time; others disappeared.
But then I started running into them in town. Warm hugs and
and volunteered
handshakes turned into curt hellos. People averted their eyes.
with them. What
Others turned their backs. Some sat on the other side of the conference table.
in the world could
“What’s up with this?” I wondered. Then one day I asked.
Came the reply: “You didn’t accept my invitation to be a
be so important
friend.”
about this online
“What are you talking about? I’ve known you for 25 years! Of
course
we’re friends!”
networking?
“Not on Facebook we’re not.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sakes,” I said. “You can’t be serious! I don’t
have time to do all that stuff. I can’t keep up with it. I just put something out there so everyone would quit hounding me.”
“If you can’t do it right, you shouldn’t be ‘out there,’” I was told. “You are either part of the network or you are just taking up bandwidth. You need to choose.”
And another back was turned.
Now, this really puzzled me. I had known these people for years… been to their weddings,
babysat their kids, done business with them and volunteered with them. What in the world could be
so important about this online networking?
Then I saw the teachable moment – not only for me but also for the businesses and entrepreneurs
we work with on a daily basis.
Either do it right out there, or you’re just taking up bandwidth.
Online marketing is often confused with setting up a Web site and waiting for the orders to come
in. That might have worked early on in the cyber revolution but no longer. There is so much competition out there, that you must create a reason for people to come back to your site and/or profile
often, or they will go elsewhere for their information, entertainment, products and services.
In addition to keeping content updated, relevant and timely, it’s wise to remember a few additional tips.
Respect your users’ time. Don’t use large graphics that take forever to load; many users are still
on slower dial-up connections.
Complex backgrounds, blinking icons and overuse of color are things of the past. Users come for
content, not bells and whistles.
Offer educational information in addition to just trying to make sales. That’s a value-added reason for users to return.
Refresh your content on a regular basis. Create excitement by offering short-term promotions.
Provide a variety of ordering options, including online, phone or printing an order form for mailing
or faxing. Not everyone is comfortable sending information online.
Study your competition. Make your site, and its features, better, more interesting and more worth
a return visit.
Establish a social network. I know. This is coming from me? But it’s a good way to keep some
people visiting your site.
So, I’m resolved to quit just taking up bandwidth. It may not happen right away, but I’m going
to give this online networking a try. I’m going to start by trying to keep up with my three e-mail accounts, updating the blog on our center site and then branching out into the Facebook and LinkedIn
world.
Maybe everyone will be “friendlier” then! v
Mary Paulsell directs the University Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. She can be reached at
[email protected] or 573-882-1353
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Three micro-businesses have recently opened studios in the
Fay Street Lofts, a historic warehouse at the corner of Fay and
Hinkson streets that was converted into apartment, studio and
commercial space. Operators of all three businesses have said the
location will enable them to bounce ideas and concepts off of one
another, and they hope to collaborate on their various projects.
LightSum, Suite 210, 505 Fay St.
Chris Ellingsworth, [email protected]
573-356-9250
The Web design firm owned and operated by Ellingsworth specializes in creating interactive experiences for commercial Web
sites. As Ellingsworth puts it, the whole idea of his company is to
take an existing concept and make it more interactive and enjoyable. He uses video and motion graphics but also designs games
and applications for Web sites. He’s also preparing to release his
own software product later this year.
Sharing the studio with LightSum is:
Blueroot Studios, Jamie Stephens
www.blueroot.com, [email protected]
573-356-5181
Blueroot is a software design and marketing firm that specializes
in Web site design and appearance. Stephens has operated Blueroot
Studios since June 2007 but decided to move to the Fay Street Lofts
for the interaction with other artists that the space provides.
Slaughter House Studios, Suite 201, 505 Fay St.
DJ Smoke, proprieter
573-489-0546
[email protected]
Brandon West, production manager
573-356-4949
The audio production and mixing firm works with all genres of
music, from gospel to rock to hip-hop. Their forte is rap and hiphop, but “whatever you can think of, we can do it,” West said.
The two have been mixing for years, but Smoke said the location
at Fay Street will provide opportunities for collaborative projects
with other artists. v
Wharton said they plan to use some traditional
public relations, such as writing e-mails with Web
links to reporters about Newsy, and newly popular
methods such as Internet search marketing.
But they also plan to reach out to influential bloggers and try to get them to write about Newsy.
Other methods they’re already using are “stealth”
and “non-stealth” marketing that taps into the popularity of online community messaging within sites such
Spencer
cites
statistics
from
eMarketer,
PermissionTV, ComScore Metrics, Nielsen and other
sources to back his argument that Newsy.com is offering the right news product at the right time and will
draw enough advertising revenue to turn a profit:
• More people are getting their news online than
through newspapers, and the percentage of households that have watched video streamed through
a browser increased from 32 percent in 2007 to 63
in 2008. The most popular category of online video
content in 2007 was news and current events.
• Video ad spending growth will run counter to
overall economic trends, rising a projected 45 percent in 2009. A sharp increase of professional video
content on the Web, mainly from TV networks, is
creating a viable base for brand marketers. In one
survey asking companies about their online marketing budgets in 2009, 70 percent of respondents
said they would focus on online video, a much
higher percentage than social media, search engines, podcasts and webcasts and banner ads.
“Newsy finds itself in a high-growth market,
with content that appears to be the most popular
Wharton goes over marketing strategies with student Thanyarat Doksone.
and a revenue stream that is growing,” Spencer
said. “Our team must come up with an economias Crooks & Liars, Talking Points Memo, Huffington
cally viable way to produce content and attract an Post, Partisan Cheese and Mashable. Another target
audience.”
site is Del.icio.us, which enables consumers to bookSpencer and Wharton said the huge shift in the mark and tag content that interests them and get inway people get their news requires a shift away from sight into the tagging of others.
standard marketing tactics and a focus on Web 2.0, the
Students join online communities and gain crednewest phase of Internet use in which the public is in- ibility by offering thoughtful commentary and convolved in managing content and building communi- tributing content, such as links to articles they find
ties to help process information.
interesting. After “establishing themselves,” Wharton
said, they promote Newsy and help drive traffic to the
site, which makes it more valuable to advertisers.
For example, one post on a popular social media
site by Caitlin Short, a student who uses the alias Cait_
Monster, drove 299 people to the Newsy site, Wharton
said. Short wrote a message on Reddit.com, a Web site
that allows users to share information about news and
trends about Newsy’s coverage of the scandal involving Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich scandal. She commented on Newsy’s comparison of how Fox News
and MSNBC had significantly different approaches
to the story when it first broke. Another posting
on the Blagojevich story, made by student Jackie
Mejia on the political site, Pajamas Media, drove 30
people to the site.
While the blogosphere does seem to be picking
up on the presence of Newsy.com, most of the site’s
online references thus far appear to be from students and employees working for the site.
In an effort to get the word out about Newsy.
com, posts on news outlets’ comment boards,
from the Dallas Morning News to Fox, reference
Newsy’s coverage of a particular story and provide a link to the site. Many of the posts’ authors
have online aliases suggesting a connection to MU
or Columbia.
Wharton said working with Newsy.com is teaching
her students valuable, real-life lessons.
“They’re gaining Internet startup experience and
they’re learning highly sought-after skills in a down
economy,” Wharton said. “Online marketing is still a
really hot area for jobs. Companies are realizing the
benefits of social media sites and are trying to get in
on the game.” v
Newsy.com ... continued from Page 1
CH & L Magazine to Come
Alive with Digital Edition
Columbia’s premier magazine for women is proud to announce an innovative twist to
our publication with the launch of the nation’s first digital Home & Lifestyle magazine.
Beginning in January 2009, Columbia Home & Lifestyle will expand from six printed
issues per year to include six digital editions. Our digital publication will house an expanded edition of our printed publication, complete with “behind-the-scenes” content
such as extra photos, more editorials, and expanded interviews with feature articles.
In addition to being a ground breaking addition to our printed magazine, the digital
edition revolutionizes the world of online publishing. Our digital magazine allows the
reader to have a more interactive reading experience than a paper-printed publication
could possibly allow. The new digital version will be home to video and audio clips,
podcasts, interactive calculators, virtual 360 degree tours, and clickable links to outside advertising. With this new cutting-edge technology, Columbia Home & Lifestyle
Digital Edition provides a host of viewer-friendly features that were not previously
available in printed publications.
Columbia Home & Lifestyle Digital Edition is also doing its part to “go green”. Going digital saves hundreds of trees and thousands of gallons of
water, as well as reduces the need for petroleum based ink products for printing. This new digital edition is not only viewer-friendly, but eco-friendly
as well. If you are interested in subscribing or advertising in this exciting new endeavor in the world of online publishing, simply send an e-mail to
[email protected]. We look forward to seeing you in ’09!
READER ADVANTAGES
ADVERTISER ADVANTAGES
It’s a wired world – Most ads today include website URLs. Digital
magazines offer readers hot links directly to these sites. You won’t
forget to go back and request the information you want.
Hyperlinks-Lead Generation – Readers can instantly request information from your business, rather than waiting until a later time. Stop telling people to go to your website and
start taking them there.
Searchability – Looking for something specific? Use the built-in
search feature to find your keyword or phrase anywhere in the
magazine.
Connect with Readers/Prospects – Share your favorite content online in blogs, forums,
and social networks with built-in permalinks for every page of the publication.
Read Now, Save for Later – Digital Magazines can easily be saved
to your hard drive for later access.
Do Your Part – Digital Editions save trees. Every page you read
online is a page that didn’t go through a paper mill.
Watch the Magazine Come Alive! – Look for audio clips, video
segments, and animation sprinkled throughout the magazine.
Search Engine Visibility – An XML file containing all content runs in the background
behind the Flash-driven Player. Search engines, such as Google, use the XML file to properly
index your data and users enjoy a robust reading experience, resulting in more users and
more visibility of your message.
Offline Viewing – Readers are 3 times more likely to archive digital issues than to save past
print issues.
ROI Information – Stop relying on circulation figures and estimated viewer/listener data.
Actually view how readers react to your offer.
If you are interested in subscribing or advertising
in Columbia Home & Lifestyle Digital Edition
simply send your email address and request
to [email protected].
Digital Edition
For information on Advertising in our digital edition call or email:
Joe Schmitter [email protected] (573) 499-1830 ext. 1006 or
Claire McNett [email protected] (573) 499-1830 ext. 1007
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Deeds of Trust more than $302,600
$197,735,000
EDR COLUMBIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
RED MORTGAGE CAPITAL INC
LT 1 JEFFERSON COMMONS PLAT 1
$8,100,000
JENNE HILL TOWNHOMES LLC
REGIONS BANK
LT 1 JENNE HILL SUB
$2,686,403
RIVER BIRCH APARTMENTS WEST
LLC
BOONE COUNTY NATIONAL BANK
LT A-1 RIVER BIRCH WEST CONDOMINIUM
$574,000
BLANE HOLDER CONSTRUCTION
LLC
HAWTHORN BANK
LT 21 BRISTOL LAKE PLAT 1
$396,250.00
WALKER, BRUCE J & PAMELA REVOCABLE TRUST
LT 1430 HIGHLANDS PLAT 14-A
$574,000
HOLDER, BLANE L & SHEILA
HAWTHORN BANK
LT 37 GANS CREEK SUB PLAT1
BLK 3
$385,916
WOOD, ARLEN C JR & BONDI JO
CALLAWAY BANK THE
STR 25-49-12 //SE SUR BK/PG:
1171/598 AC 20.000
$460,000
DOWLING, JOHN W & TAMERA L
PREMIER BANK
LT 223A Plt Bk/Pg: 3138/13 FF THE
VINEYARDS PLAT 2
$422,307
MARTIN BUILDERS INC
LT 52 SETTER’S KNOLL PLAT NO 2
$2,000,000
TIDE N TIGER LLC
PROVIDENCE BANK
LT 1 BENTLAGE
$417,000
HOFSESS, ROBERT M & DANA R
CALLAWAY BANK THE
STR 9-47-13 //NW SUR BK/PG:
564/683 FF TRACT 9
$1,800,000
OVERTON, JACK & DORIS J
REBEL HILLS MOBILE HOME PARK
FF W/EXCEPTIONS
$417,000
BERRY, RUSSELL W & DENISE R
HAWTHORN BANK
STR 24-49-14 //SE SUR BK/PG:
3247/37 AC 20.000
$755,000
GLENN, WILLIAM JEFF & BARBARA M
FIRST NATIONAL BANK & TRUST CO
STR 13-48-13 //SW SUR BK/PG: 297/5
FF LOTS 3 & 4
$408,000
JONES, BRENT D & PATRICIA L
TRUST
LT 14 COUNTRY FARMS SUB
$750,000
BAKER, DONALD F & MARY F
COMMERCE BANK
LT 113 OLD HAWTHORNE PLAT
NO 2
$400,000
PAYNE, STELLA ALICE & THOMAS
LEE TRUST
MID AMERICA MORTGAGE SERVICES INC
LT 15 HUNTERS RIDGE SUB
$600,000
TIDE N TIGER LLC
TRICE, J DUDLEY & NANCY A
LT 1 BENTLAGE
$400,000
WHITE, RICHARD A & PAULA K
LT 132 SPRING CREEK PLAT 1
$375,196
KOLB, BENJAMIN F II & PEGGY G
FLAT BRANCH MORTGAGE INC
LT 12124B HIGHLANDS PLAT 12-C
THE
$367,322
GEYER, WILLIAM L & KIMBERLY M
LAWSON BANK
LT 1524 HIGHLANDS PLAT 15-B THE
$363,845
CAREY, ROBERT D & LESLIE M
CALLAWAY BANK THE
LT 21 BRADBURY ESTATES
$344,330
BAUMAN, CHRISTOPHER G &
NICOLE
LT 20 GRASSLANDS SUB BLK15
$342,950
MCHUGH, WILLIAM B & LAURA
LT 96 CASCADES PLAT 1 THE
$320,000
BOWN, CHARLES R & STANKOS,
MARY A
MISSOURI CREDIT UNION
LT 29 CHAPEL HILL ESTATES PLAT 2
$315,000
STEPHENSON, PAUL E & FAWN E
PREMIER BANK
LT 15 PT JOHN A STEWART SUB
$302,600
MARTIN, SHANE & TONIA
STR 18-50-12 //SW SUR BK/PG:
1562/480 AC 20.69
construction permits
Graff Enterprises
3220 Bluff Creek
$783,034
Commercial alteration,
nonresidential
Kliethermes Homes &
Remodeling
2005 Bates Creek
$400,000
New single family detached
Trittenbach Development
303 N. Keene
$230,874
nonresidential
Sam H. Boyce
2003 August Briggs
$195,000
Beacon Street Properties, LLC
1905 Hilda
$110,000
James Pounds Construction
4471 Brown Station
$60,000
New single family attached
Mark Pulliam
104 Strawn
$100,000
4473 Brown Station
$60,000
Coil Construction
2300 Bernadette
$89,136
nonresidential
4475 Brown Station
$60,000
St. James in North Village, LLC
210 St. James
$77,269
nonresidential
Sam H. Boyce
2107 August Briggs
$195,000
Manor Homes, LLC
601 W. Business Loop 70
$60,288
nonresidential
On Point Construction
1804 Moss Creek
$180,000
4469 Brown Station
$60,000
4477 Brown Station
$60,000
4479 Brown Station
$60,000
4481 Brown Station
$60,000
4483 Brown Station
$60,000
PUBLIC RECORD
Smart Thinking » Cathy Atkins
Perfection, paralysis and procrastination: the 3 Ps to avoid
Striving for perfection leads to paralysis, which, in
• If you could do one thing to improve the relaSetting goals is a waste of time. Developing action
plans is a waste of time. Formulating implementation turn, leads to procrastination. The more you try to re- tionship with your customers, what would you do?
• If you could do one thing to make better use of
strategies is a waste of time. Writing affirmations to fine your prospecting call or presentation, for instance,
support goal achievement is a waste of time.
the more things you’ll find to add, change or delete. The your time and energy, what would you do?
• If you could do one thing to improve your abilIt’s all a waste of time, if you don’t act.
more you tinker with it, the less likely you are to ever be
ity to respond to the needs of your customers, what
Some people plan and plan and plan but fail to act. finished. After all, it can always be better.
Others fail to plan but take action and succeed in spite
Strive for progress, not perfection. At some point, would you do?
• If you could do one thing to leverage your busiof their somewhat chaotic behavior. Even though the preparation must stop, and you must do sometheir actions might not be the most efficient, at least thing. Make the calls, deliver your presentation. ness relationships to identify new selling opportunities, what would you do?
they are doing something. And acIf you answer the questions,
tion, even without planning, trumps
Strive for progress, not perfection. At some point, the
you will have a list of things you
even the most meticulous planning
can do to reach a greater level of
that’s not followed through with acpreparation must stop, and you must do something.
success. Choose one action and
tion. So, don’t waste your time on
begin today. When you’ve complanning unless you are committed
pleted the activity, choose anto taking action.
Whatever it is, do it. Then, you can evaluate the reother. Then, when you’ve completed the list, repeat
You might have studied, calculated, identified, sults and fine-tune if necessary.
researched and graphed. You’ve scripted, practiced,
Keep in mind that a high level of success in sell- the process. Continuous improvements over time will
fine-tuned and rehearsed. You’re prepared.
ing is typically not the result of a major breakthrough. add up to major breakthroughs. That’s the definition
If you’re so prepared, why aren’t you doing Most often, it is the result of several minor improve- of progress. And if there is such a thing as perfection,
anything?
ments made over time: an extra step, a small change, constant progress will get you as close to it as humanly possible. v
Maybe you’re trying too hard. It’s admirable that a slightly different approach.
©
you want your approach to be perfect when you put
2009 Sandler Systems, Inc. Sandler Training is the
To discover small steps you can make, answer the
your plan in motion. But it just doesn’t work that following questions:
global leader in sales & management training and consultway. Perfection comes from doing, not planning.
• If you could do one thing to expand your cus- ing. Catherine Atkins is your exclusive authorized franchiYour quest for perfection will prevent you from mov- tomer base, what would you do?
see of Sandler Training. Visit her Web site at www.savant.
ing forward. Besides, who said you had to be perfect?
• If you could do one thing to expand the number sandler.com or e-mail at [email protected].
For now, you just have to be good enough. Perfection of products or services your customers buy from you,
will come later.
what would you do?
Previews and reviews of mid-Missouri events
By the staff of Events Solutions, www.eventsolutions.com
New Year Means New Trends in Event Planning
Color Trends for 2009: Grape, Vintage Olive, Bright Yellows and Oranges
Last year’s colors focused on white, grays and greens. A more understated natural tone was
preferred. Get ready for the colors of 2009, which are going to be bold and bright.
Décor Trends for 2009: Bright, Minimalistic and Sustainable
Growing eco-consciousness and the nation’s lean economy will mean décor will gravitate
toward a thoughtful, more minimalistic approach. Lighter and brighter colors will be useful to
keep spirits high, and eco-friendly materials that can be reused will be popular for everything
from table décor to party favors.
Venue Trends: Keep it In-house
Venue rental can be one of the largest costs for an event, particularly corporate events.
Consider using the space you have, an office or house, in an innovative and creative way
to save yourself or your company from unnecessary cost. Transforming a room or building
requires more décor, but the price is still substantially lower than renting.
PREVIEWS
The 2009 Miss Columbia Pageant
Where: Missouri Theatre and Center for the Arts
When: 7 p.m., Feb. 14
Cost: TBA- Tickets will be available online or at the MATC Box Office
Details: The 37th annual Miss Columbia Pageant is a preliminary for the Miss Missouri
Scholarship Pageant, whose winner goes on to compete for the title of Miss America. The pageant has many areas of competition, and the contestants must show the inner and outer beauty
they possess with poise and grace.
More info: Visit the Miss Columbia Pageant Web site at www.misscolumbiamissouri.org
An Evening with Joan Baez
presented by Thumper
Entertainment
Where: Missouri Theatre and Center
for the Arts
When: 7 p.m., March 16
Cost: $32-42 per ticket, available
at the MATC Box Office, The Blue
Note Box Office and any other
Ticketmaster Outlets
Details: 2008 marked the 50-year
anniversary of Joan Baez’s incredible music and activist career. She
has been an unparalleled influence
on the musical culture of America,
introducing the music legend Bob
Dylan in the process. She marched
on the front line of the civil rights
movement with Martin Luther King
Jr., inspiring Vaclav Havel in his
fight for a Czech Republic, singing
on the first Amnesty International
tour and just this year, standing
alongside Nelson Mandela when
the world celebrated his 90th birthday in London’s Hyde Park.
More info: Visit the
Missouri Theatre’s Web site at
www.motheatre.org
HIT LIST
1. “Picnic” by William Inge on the UMC Campus- Jan. 29 thru Feb. 8
2. Dr. Zhivegas at The Blue Note- Jan. 30
3. Menopause the Musical Out Loud at the Missouri Theatre- Feb. 5
4. “Anastasia” at the Macklanburg Playhouse- Feb. 13-15
5. “Moonlight and Valentino” at the Warehouse Theatre- Feb. 25-28
Time Well Spent

special section

Transcription

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