Will it work, is it something that truly fills a need and can replace what it claims?

In our opinion and recently qualified experience (go TJ Colonials Class of 2016!), the book should sell incredibly well but offer very little actual advantage. The actual investment required for maximum ROI (return on investment, or the “golden ticket” of admission to this #1 high school in the nation) is difficult, complex, costly, lengthy and in many community circles a closely guarded portfolio of “secrets” both proven reasonable and purely conjecture. This is obviously in addition to starting with the raw goods – a very bright, motivated, confident and academically-successful child who’s sincerely, demonstrably and passionately interested in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) subjects.

The book will sell well, because the local, regional and international demand for any edge at all to be gained in the dramatically-increasing competitiveness for only 480 slots is rapidly intensifying, in lockstep with the rapid increase in the newer, very academically-motivated demographics of Northern Virginia (particularly eastern Loudoun and Fairfax). There also really isn’t such a book available right now with this explicit focus (and therefore marketing exposure) – though the existing volumes of test-prep books to prepare for the PSAT, SAT, and SHSAT tests are well-known and utilized.

What such a book won’t do, is replace the multitude of teachers, administrators, tutors, family members and friends that form the broad educational achievement team and irreplaceable support structure behind a child’s overall success in reaching their academic goals, along with critical and focused achievements such as admissions to TJHSST. As well, harnessing and participating in such a group effort costs a lot in many ways, from actual money for project supplies, tutoring, books, field trips, camps, gas, software (…an endless list), to the unpaid costs in time and emotional energy spent on your child’s behalf by volunteers, family members, friends and neighbors. A $200 book doesn’t replace this, and is actually just a tiny drop in the years of expense and effort that amount to a worthwhile and successful education.

The highly-selective TJHSST admissions process includes not only the entrance exam, but demonstrated, high-caliber success in school (particularly math and science), writing samples, extracurriculars, noteworthy achievements, honors and awards, teacher recommendations, etc. The focus is on the student’s personal and academic achievement in 7th and 8th grade – but it’s clear that preparation for success here begins far earlier in elementary school.

In our experience, major outside credits for an example of success over this time begin with The Nysmith School and their fabulous, amazing teachers and tutors, utterly knowledgeable administrators and supportive community of parents and students. No elementary/middle school, public or private, in Northern Virginia is as capably demonstrable in preparing and supporting their students for these kinds of advanced academic challenges and opportunities. Note that the Fairfax GT program is of course an extremely successful, leading public school alternative in this area to the private schools – though no similar structure exists for Loudoun students.

Another set of major credits go to the MyEdMaster tutoring team in Herndon – the depth of educational experience, wisdom and compassionate attention co-owners John and Sagar personally and professionally expended to the benefit of their students and parents is simply unmatched, and the results absolutely speak for themselves. MyEdMaster provides individual tutoring for SAT/PSAT/TJ Test Preparation, College/GT/JT/AOS applications, and tutoring for all K-12 courses and test scenarios. Most importantly, MyEdMaster expertly coaches and guides the students (and parents) through the test-taking processes and application-completion strategies necessary for their individual success.

Between the Nysmith School, MyEdMaster and self-study Internet sources, quite literally hundreds of “practice” tests and exercises were leveraged and taken over many years (after/during/before school and on weekends), with personal, engaged and expert assistance – a far more valuable and extensive universe of test-prep assistance than a single book could ever offer.

The State of Virginia VDOE Governor’s Schools Program and Fairfax County deserve significant credit as well, along with supportive taxpayers, as part of the overall team for academic success – for allowing our young resident made in Loudoun the opportunity to apply to and attend such an amazing on-ramp to future contributions in STEM fields.

At the end of the day, we could certainly write a book about the experience, filled with tips, techniques and actual input from admitted students…but it will then be just that – a book, and not a replacement for the dedicated individual effort and committed educational village that’s ultimately required.

In small service businesses, evidence of sustained economic depression can be seen with every single customer and partner. Most receivables lag by a month, two, often more. The 20-year restaurant owner is sleepless, worrying over details of a crucial catering event. The established photographer is working twice as hard for twice as many customers, but 50% of the revenues. Dentists and lawyers are cutting office costs, bringing on junior, part-timers and seeking only the quickest ROI on advertising spend. Cleaners, hotels, furniture suppliers, IT service providers still see the demand numbers, but the actual spend is way down as their customers in turn look to cut spending. Legions of at-home moms, new graduates and over-qualified, underemployed wage-earners are attempting the entrepreneur/inventor route without significant, sustained investment or attention – but with irregular small infusions of cash from portfolios of just-in-time gigs, side jobs, sleepless nights in addition to the day job. Small businesses everywhere are ditching their expensive print advertising, but reluctant to hire or spend the necessary time and effort on what should be cheaper online marketing, with its overbearing requirement for real-time, omnipresent social customer engagement.

The emphasis for all is immediate cash in hand – from the onshore suppliers and overseas IT and virtual admin staffs, to the Mechanical Turk, eLance and oDesk armies willing to do just about anything not for a long-term commitment, but for fast, hard currency. Contracts, guarantees, long-term maintenance, retirement, strategic planning, compliance with standards and methods, overhead, invest for the future, IT, benefits, testing, mailers, office space and décor, experience, employee retention, training & classroom education, creative or broadcast advertising spend – these are all words used pretty infrequently among our 100’s of smaller customers. Free, quick, cheap, non-committal, open source, disposable, after hours, online certification, the cloud, quid pro quo, risky, public services, Tylenol PM, do-it-yourself, Skype, Facebook, “let’s just meet at Panera” – this is the current economy.

And yet…

Web traffic and impressions are up (surveying our own clients) – with slowly improving purchasing, albeit more carefully, in smaller chunks that provide immediate ROI. People are poking at everything with a skeptical stick. More round-the-clock customer and shopper activity requires additional attention – some can be dealt with automatically, but in-person (physical or virtual) communication is more important than ever. The supplier networks and business services are more dynamic, diverse and efficient than ever – leading to more supervisory and management attention to keep pace. While the big purchases are still hard to justify, many little purchases are easier to align with a variable income stream. Profits are not only improving through aggressive cost-cutting and liability control, but now also with actual revenue (though asset-building or investment is still stalled). The high-tech and gaming industries, attendant venture capitalism and the software entrepreneurial community is back in high gear – creating many new diversions and ways to waste time and money if not carefully evaluated with the help and guidance of professionals. Families and the need for government services (and therefore the resulting procurements) continue to grow, albeit slower and more carefully. The “shock” of the economic downturn is over; the “awe” however is still constraining non-commodity spending – but it’s seeping out, through a web of cracks in the spending dam.

So the economy is turning slowly, and businesses now need the kind of marketing and communications help Fulcrum Marketing Group was formed uniquely to serve. Many more businesses than ever need help to market and communicate in this new economic context; help that’s not only classically professional and experienced, but personal, social, locally-knowledgeable, flexible, responsive, cost-effective, technologically-current and right-sized for the business, the budget, the style of interaction. Grounded in significant engineering, business and financial management experience, but wholly conversant, intelligent and current in varied advertising channels, digital marketing, creative design, real-time campaign management, social media, IT investments and services. Subject matter experts without costly overhead, unconstrained by antiquated corporate policies, processes or methodology.

Check out Fulcrum Marketing Group, based in the Dulles, Washington DC Metro and Northern Virginia Region of Loudoun and Fairfax Counties.

One of the more compelling and integrated-community initiatives was the discussion about whether Loudoun should implement an “Arts and Culture District” to support the Leesburg District. The relationship between economic development and a strong arts and culture environment is indisputable – as was put “the more businesses that are attracted and retained in the area, the more the arts and cultural district will flourish, thereby creating more foot traffic and revenue for the Town and County.”

Read more at the Gateway to Loudoun County business and community blog…

Get yours today, and take advantage of the Search Engine Optimization/Online Marketing benefits that result…for example, your link to EDC helps your page ranking, your affiliation with “Loudoun Business” related search terms, your backlinks (from sites like this and social media amplication, for example via @loudounbusiness), and much more!

2011 Loudoun is for Business Badge participants:

KME Internet Marketing & Communications
Gateway to Loudoun Blog (KME – Loudoun Community)
Made in Loudoun Blog (KME – Loudoun Business)
Frias and Daisy LLP Government Contract & Contract Business Law
Notaviva Vineyards
Mesh Multimedia
Clarke-Hook Real Estate
The National Conference Center
Loudoun Chamber of Commerce
Loudoun Small Business Development Center
Fabbioli Wines
Blooming Hill Garden Gift Shop
Susan Wight Business Matchmaking
Ritu Desai – Realtor, Sampson Properties
The Curiosity Zone
Doukenie Winery
Northgate Vineyard
AR Group
Willowcroft Farm Vineyards
Don’s Dahlias
Future Harvest Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture (CASA)
Distilled Intelligence Startup Event
2011 Life Science Industry Awards

(Please let us know if we’ve left someone out! – KME)

A couple of representatives from the local entreprenuer community included C2 Management out of Berryville, offering investment recovery and asset management services, software solutions and a service very apropos to the burgeoning Loudoun data center community – secure, onsite sensitive data storage media destruction and removal. The franchise brokerage community was represented, along with startups in the digital marketing, event management and data warehouse analytics spaces. As these Loudoun area startups gain traction and come to market, I’ll highlight their succeses here.

While most of the startup projects and companies in this group are technology-focused, i.e. creating IT services, software or apps to meet consumer or business problems, a very common thread of discussion (at least this night) revolved around a real chicken-or-egg problem for fast-moving, committed, funding-constrained new businesses. How robust, feature-rich and essentially complete does my offering need to be, before I can confirm and define my target market? When can I stop developing, and start selling?

Eager, enthusiastic software developers are typically loathe to release code to the user base, before every last function, image and configuration tweak is fully complete and tested. This includes both the core functions, and usually a whole bunch of other very thoughtful, insightful and frequently esoteric capabilities for many of the users.

The business or project investors are usually unwilling to move too far down the software lifecycle investment path without pretty clearly researched and vetted information regarding who might actually buy the software, and under what circumstances and timeframes. They usually need clear details about the target demographics and the most likely ROI thresholds.

Here’s where inclusion of some professional marketing strategy can be very helpful – to translate and package the core product and all its complexities in a way that is readily consumed and understood by the priority, target demographic. Many times there will not only be a launch marketing strategy, but also a “pre-launch” marketing strategy, to gain early buy-in, to vet the target demographics and to surface early indicators as to whether the ROI is justifiable. An early marketing strategy that also evaluates the digital, social landscape and search engine rankings can very quickly provide input for nailing down the ROI, and therefore the software engineering plan moving forward.

More to come on the Loudoun startup community, a fundamental component of the regional economic recovery and Loudoun business ecosystem in particular.

The-DeckMate is a patent-pending polished, aircraft-grade aluminum and solid glass deck railing table tray, easily and securely installed for additional working or entertaining space on any deck, porch or patio railing. This absolutely unique and highly functional deck railing table is an all-weather, durable and beautifully-designed addition and compliment to any outdoor living area, whether installed permanently or for temporary use.

The-DeckMate is now available for purchase in limited quantities here at The-DeckMate.com, and is available to resellers and retailers in wholesale lots. The-DeckMate is currently available in two sizes, with many additional configurations and uses to come – including a deck rail mounted herb garden, disposal bin and with additional decorative and adjustment features.

Truly Made in Loudoun

Invented and designed in Ashburn, VA by Chris Petrakis of Over The Edge Creations, The-DeckMate is wholly manufactured, assembled and shipped from Tallulah, LA – an agriculture-based yet growing regional center for shipping and manufacturing in the heart of Bayou Country USA. All corporate, marketing and manufacturing operations are based in the Southeast USA, in full support of the renewed and critical “Made in America” movement sweeping the nation during this troubled economic recovery.

“It’s incredibly important to both support local economies and help small businesses such as mine create and produce products that employ Americans and save jobs” says Mr. Petrakis, “my own story is similar to many, many others generated out of family-run startups, balancing the needs of raising a family with building a small business in a very tough economy. I’m very happy to support the engine that drives America’s growth and global leadership for future generations”.

The-DeckMate solves many challenges and offers many solutions for small or cramped outdoor deckspace, quickly and easily creating an extra surface that’s both practical and decorative. It functions as a removable deck caddy, a temporary deck tray, a deck railing table accessory and as a porch or balcony rail table – highly functional, extremely useful and set up or removed in minutes.

Purchase The-DeckMate today for your own deck, as a winter or spring holiday gift (Christmas to Mother’s Day), and find additional space and use for your outdoor deck railings when entertaining, gardening or simply for decorative appeal!

Join a timely gathering of Fairfax, Loudoun County and Northern Virginia’s most interesting and successful local businesses and business leaders for this valuable Dulles area regional networking and business development event. Experience over 100 exhibitors and sponsors, onsite catering plus door prizes, social media and marketing seminars. Hear opening remarks and leadership address by Gerald Gordon, President and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority and Kristina Bouweiri, President and CEO of Reston Limousine.

This is THE local business networking event this holiday season in the Dulles region – sign up early as a visitor or sponsor!

Friday, December 2nd, 2011, 08:00am- 01:00 pm
NORTHERN VIRGINIA SPORTSPLEX (Formerly Hoop Magic)
14810 Murdock Street Chantilly, VA 20151-1018
More Info and Registration at: www.ultimatenovabizexpo.com

Register today to visit the EXPO, and network with our broad, diverse and accomplished local and DC regional business community…knock a few items off the holiday gift list, as well!

For more details on sponsorships/exhibitors reservation, email basilelemba@yahoo.com or call (703) 359-5642.

Events Schedule:

7:30 – 8:15am: “Introduction to Engagement Marketing & Social Media” – Gina Watkins, Constant Contact
7:30 – 8:00: Networking reception (exhibitors only)
8:00 Doors Open!
8:00 – 8:30: Registration, Exhibit and Networking
8:30 – 8:50: Introductions, keynote speaking and ribbon-cutting
8:50 – 12:15pm: Exhibit and Networking
12:15 – 12:45: One-on-One Networking
12:45 – 1:00: Door prizes session and farewell remarks
1:00 – 2:30: “Social Media Made Easier” Seminar by Gina Watkins (optional, with lunch for attendees/Must register)

The NOVA Business Expo asks each attendee to bring one or more unwrapped toys to lighten up the Holiday Season of underprivileged children. These toys will be received and distributed by Reston Interfaith, Inc.

Booths are now on sale! Call (703) 359-5642 or e-mail to basilelemba@yahoo.com to reserve – discounts are available for early registrants. Only 3 companies per local industry segment.

Local Media Sponsor:

KME Internet Marketing – DC and Northern Virginia Digital Interactive Marketing, Social Media

This heart-warming musical will be performed on Friday, December 2 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, December 3 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Friday, December 9 at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, December 10 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase online via Paypal at the Pickwick Players website, or at the door.

There will be a $50 Wegmans gift card given away at every performance to one of the lucky people who brings canned goods for Loudoun Interfaith Relief. In addition, a portion of the proceeds from the performances will be donated to Loudoun Cares.

Featuring over eighty local children, teens, and adults, Scrooge, The Musical is adapted from the classic Charles Dickens ghost story “A Christmas Carol”, and set to lively music by Leslie Bricusse. Taking place in London, England in 1843, wealthy yet miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former partner, Jacob Marley, and the Ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, causing him to realize the error of his ways. Filled with crowd-pleasing songs such as “I Hate Christmas”, “Thank You Very Much”, and “December the Twenty-Fifth”, Scrooge, The Musical is a holiday classic the whole family can enjoy together!

Since their incorporation as a non-profit organization in 2005, The Pickwick Players have provided entertainment and enrichment for the Northern Virginia community with their quality, wholesome, and family-oriented musical productions. The Pickwick Players’ website and Facebook page contain additional information about the organization, including current happenings and photographs.

One of the most persistent issues we face is the difficulty in attracting and retaining large commercial taxpayers – complete with local employment and economic trickle-down, community development and investment, and contribution to local market, transportation and educational amenities.

From one of the many “rampant-population-growth-without-corresponding-large-commercial-development” centers of the County, here in the Dulles District, we asked the Dulles BOS challengers:

“How can the Board of Supervisors help the local business community work together to attract and/or retain new commercial businesses?” Also, “What immediate or very tactical activities will you undertake or consider, if elected, with respect to improving Loudoun County’s economic development posture, outreach, activities or other initiatives – with the goal of dramatically improving the commercial investments and resultant tax base in the County?”

Read the responses from Republican challenger Matt Letourneau, and Democrat challenger Larry Roeder here at Gateway to Loudoun County …

Excerpt – Mr. Letourneau:

“Economic development is a major focus of my campaign for Dulles Supervisor. My experience at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business organization, has given me insight into what the business community needs to be successful in Loudoun. Right now, our county is far too reliant on residential property taxes, resulting in high taxes for homeowners. By bringing in businesses, we’ll create new revenue streams to help pay for needed infrastructure, and we’ll improve traffic by reducing commutes.

I believe that Loudoun County should create an Economic Development Authority (EDA), like Fairfax County did in 1976. We need a professional sales force that will sell Loudoun to the global business community. With a world class airport that has room to grow, excellent schools, and a highly educated workforce, we can be more successful in attracting businesses, but we must be much more aggressive and make it the next Board’s mission from day one. ”

(Advertisement) Need to get the word out, about your business or message in Loudoun County, Northern Virginia or DC? KME Internet Marketing offers the #1 Online Digital Interactive Marketing services and channels in Loudoun and Northern Virginia, including a Twitter network reach of over 50,000 followers, and access to the Dulles Corridor’s only Mobile Events Apps for iPhone and Android at GoFFX and Loudoun360…

Spaces are going fast for this exclusive, engaging and extremely timely business information sharing and network event among the Dulles Regional area leaders, investors and business stakeholders. We’ll be writing about the event, speakers and topics – look for an update here!

The nation’s wealthiest county is also home to some exciting new mixed-use projects including Kincora, Arcola, and Dulles World Center. Loudoun is also the site of a growing number of data and technology center projects.  Come hear from the developers and executives leading the projects that are shaping the future of the county. What significant mixed-use projects are underway?  And when will they deliver? Is the data center growth trend likely to continue?  And what will that mean for the county? What impact will the metro have on Loudoun? What are the other key trends and obstacles that will affect Loudoun County over the next decade? Tuesday, October 25, 2011 Hilton Washington Dulles Airport 13869 Park Center Road, Herndon, VA 20171 Agenda 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM Breakfast & Networking 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM Mixed-Use Project Panel 8:45 AM – 9:30 AM Data Center & Technology Panel 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM Post-Game Networking Or email advertising@bisnow.com Price $54 Space is limited   Scott York Chairman Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chairman York was elected as Chair in Nov. ‘99 and was re-elected in ‘03 and ‘07.  He currently serves on the Board of Supervisors’ Transportation/Land Use Committee and Finance, Government Services and Operations Committee.  He also represents the Board on the County’s Economic Development Commission, on the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority and on the Northern Virginia Regional Commission.   Jim Duszynski SVP Greenfield Partners Jim oversees Greenfield Partner’s assets in the DC market including Dulles World Center, a mixed-use community in the Route 28 corridor that will include 4.1M SF of office, retail, hotel and civic space and apartments.   Daniel Coughlan Principal Tritec Dan focuses on financing, leasing and asset management for Tritec including Kincora, a $2B mixed use project at the intersection of Rtes. 7 and 28, that Dan will include 4M SF of office, 1,400 residential units, and 475k SF of retail, plus a $25M, 5,500-seat baseball stadium for the Loudoun Hounds.   Peter Stevenson CEO Latysis Peter co-founded Latisys (formerly Managed Data Holdings) in 2007.  Latisys operates high-density Tier III data centers located in all four U.S. time zones, including a very recent expansion into a 123k SF data center campus in Ashburn.   Arthur Fuccillo EVP, Development and Construction Lerner Enterprises Since 1972 when Ted Lerner bought the property at Route 7 and Route 28, Lerner has been an integral part of Loudoun’s growth.  In the 1980s along with the Abramson Family, Lerner purchased what is now Vintage Park at Loudoun Gateway, Sterling Business Park, Highpoint Business Park, Beaumeade, The 1757 Golf Club Property, The residences at Roundhill and the 554 acre Dulles Town Center mixed development.  Lerner is the largest taxpaying entity in Loudoun with assessed values directly and thru partnerships of close to $600 million dollars.   Bill May VP Miller and Smith Bill is the Managing Director of One Loudoun, a 358 acre mixed-use community at Route 7 and Loudoun County Parkway that will be home to the World Trade Center Dulles Airport, 3.1M SF of office, 700,000 SF of retail, 750 hotel rooms and 1040 residential units. One Loudoun is a joint venture of North America Sekisui House (NASH) and Miller and Smith.   Buddy Rizer Director of Business Development Loudoun County Buddy is the Business Development Officer for Loudoun County. His focus is on the technology arena including Loudoun’s thriving Data Center cluster. He works with a stable of companies that include Digital Realty Trust, DuPont Fabros, Equinix, AOL, Orbital Sciences Corporation, Neustar and the Washington Redskins.     *More Speakers to be Announced*