The Essence of Zoom
Meet the creative minds behind Hebron-based ZoomEssence, a nimble research and development firm, working to make over the powder flavor industry.
Partnership between The Circuit, Op4G mixes market research, nonprofit giving
The Circuit, Greater Cincinnati's IT Association, has a new partner in online market research that allows the region's consumers to give product opinions, earn dollars and give back to their favorite nonprofit.The Circuit recently partnered with Op4G (Opinions for Good) a national, online market research company that gives members cash for their feedback. Op4G also helps fund nonprofits by requiring members to contribute at least 25 percent of those earnings to their favorite nonprofit.Op4G is working with The Circuit's membership to get Cincinnati area opinions, but the site is open to anyone interested in the market research program. This is the first time The Circuit has worked with a market research company. As a nonprofit itself, The Circuit also benefits from the partnership, said President Jim Cunningham."We're promoting it to our members, and we can make money off it. Op4G will pay the individual who takes the survey, then part of it goes to a nonprofit like us. We're also interested because it's an IT-based business," Cunningham said. Op4G's panel is comprised of non-profit supporters and organization from across the country, including alumni groups, civic organizations, charities, and others. Organizations needing consumer insight to improve their marketing decisions turn to Op4G to conduct research among Op4G's members who have agreed to donate a minimum of 25 percent of their compensation to their choice of non-profits."We are always looking for ways in which our organization and members can make positive contributions to our communities, and Op4G provides a simple and effective program that can serve as a catalyst for fund-raising efforts for The Circuit and a variety of local non-profit organizations," said Cunningham.The Circuit is the information technology association for the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region and is dedicated to raising awareness for the region’s growing IT community by providing support and services for local technology professionals, companies and institutions. The association’s growing membership consists of a variety of professionals and organizations representing all areas of information technology.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSources: Jim Cunningham, The Circuit and KWPR You can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites
Cincy American Institute of Architects chapter launches leadership dev program
The Cincinnati Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (or AIA) has launched a new program aimed at shaping the next generation of leaders in the profession.AIA's VISION: Architect's Leadership Forum launched in mid-November with its first class of area architects from a variety of backgrounds. The 10-person class includes young professionals from large and small firms, as well as sole practitioners.AIA has spent the last year and half developing program curriculum and raising funds for the program. The inaugural class is a mix of architects identified as potential leaders by their employers and an open call to the region's professionals.The program is designed to teach leadership skills to professionals in their 30s and 40s who soon will be tapped as leaders as current leaders begin to retire. About 40 percent of today's industry professionals are 50 or older, said VISION co-chair Miranda Mote."We recognized there was a gap in support for young architects who will have to move up in firms more quickly as CEO and in firm management than those before them," Mote said.To qualify for the program, architects had to be licensed and able to demonstrate experience in the field.There are only a few programs like this in the country. Some of the most recognized are in Kansas City, Boston and Atlanta, Mote said.The 10-month program includes four keynote lectures by nationally recognized speakers, seminars, workshops, professional networking opportunities, panel discussions and a group service project. Throughout, participants will be asked to consider challenge's that Cincinnati faces including legacy, design, project delivery, politics, management practices, community, education and economics. The class takes place once a month.Keynotes will be publicized and open to the public, Mote said. Each day following the keynote presentation, VISION participants will work one on one with the speaker and offer short presentations on the topic each speaker covers. They will also address these topics in a blog that will be available at aiacincinnativision.com. AIA is working with nationally recognized Architect Magazine to offer blog content to a wider audience of professionals in either an online or print format, Mote said.The presentations are key to building leadership skills, she added."Communication is one of the key skills lacking in the architect community, and this is where the presentation comes in developing those skills," Mote said.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: VISION co-chair Miranda MoteYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites
Fledgling Cincy deal sites combine, form revamped YoDeal
Three Greater Cincinnati websites devoted to partnering with local business to offer group discount deals have merged to form a revamped version of YoDeal.YoDeal relaunched on Nov. 15 with a coupon for $10 dollars worth of bagels for $5 at Marx Hot Bagels in Blue Ash. The site sold 702 coupons, said YoDeal founder Keith Kollstedt.YoDeal went dark in early August. It was one of several new sites that have popped up in Cincinnati in the last year offering discounts for products and services at local business, generally at 50 percent off or more. The sites all relied on group buying, and the deals were available only after a certain number of people purchased them.The assets of the new site have been purchased by Blue Ash-based Reach USA, a multimedia direct marketing company that produces the Valpack, Reach magazine and other marketing and coupon products. Reach also rolled in the assets of deal site WouldURather, which is no longer online.Reach briefly ran its own group purchasing site, ereach Big Deal of the Day, which has been temporarily suspended, said Kollstred who now works with a 10-person digital sales team in Blue Ash. This new arrangement makes the locally founded YoDeal more sustainable, Kollstedt said."Reach offers a solid foundation and is a well-known name in the city and the country. This also gives us access to Reach's full media suite," he said.While YoDeal's ownership has changed, so has the site itself. "We have actually changed the look and feel of this site to make it more crisp. We're trying to define it as a more premium site, and our deals (will reflect that). We'll be offering deals for the area's premium spas, restaurants and activities," Kollstedt said.The site has kept its commitment to nonprofits as well. Up to 10 percent of purchases each week goes to a local nonprofit organization."I think we are in the position where we need to be. We're with a well-established company and we are a little different from sites like Groupon and Living Social because of our relationship with charities. That opens up a lot of different avenues for us as far as the businesses we work with and the individuals who buy from us," Kollstedt said.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: YoDeal founder Keith KollstedtYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites
NKY YPs to “adopt” six area non-profits, deadline approaching
Legacy, the Northern Kentucky Chamber's YP group, is "adopting" six area nonprofits linking legacy's 300 members with organizations looking for volunteers. This is the second year in a row that Legacy has adopted local nonprofits. Though an application process, Legacy will choose six Northern Kentucky area non-profits to attend one monthly networking event as well as a couple of other large, annual Legacy events. During that time, representatives can tell Legacy members about their nonprofit and invite them to volunteer for events or even board openings. Nonprofits also will have access to Legacy members through the organization's web site and e-communications.The group atmosphere of these events makes Legacy members more inclined to get involved, making it a win-win for the YPs and for nonprofits, said John Muench, co-chair of Legacy's community committee."What we find is that people want to volunteer and want to give back, but it's kind of intimidating to just walk in somewhere by yourself and say "'I want to volunteer,'" Muench said. Legacy is looking for a wide range of nonprofits focused on varied projects and work. The effort is geared toward Northern Kentucky opportunities, but Legacy will consider Cincinnati nonprofits if the fit is right, Muench said.If you have a nonprofit and would like to connect with Legacy members you can find an application online. Applications must be submitted by Dec. 10 and chosen organizations will be notified by Dec. 22.Eligible nonprofits must be a charitable 501 (c) 3, have an employee who is a current LEGACY member or will join upon "adoption," and be willing to participate in the Legacy Networking Happy Hours, the Holiday Party and Annual Meeting.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: John Muench, co-chair of Legacy community committeeYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites
Macy’s makes extensive plans for holiday season
Macy's prepares across the nation for a series of special events and displays for children and adults for the upcoming holidays. Despite the low purchasing rate due to the economy, Macy's has high hopes for the season by creating a magical setting to inspire the joy of the holidays. One of the events includes the "Nutcracker Market Fashion Show," celebrating the Houston Ballet and giving the proceeds to the Houston Ballet Foundation's academy and scholarship program. Read the full story here.
High Street’s “shopping with cocktails” gets noticed
MSN's News on Main asked small businesses across the nation about their tactics for attracting customers for the upcoming Black Friday. Featured lifestyle design store, High Street, hosts an annual White Russian Party. Last year, nearly 1000 customers came to the event, celebrating and shopping with cocktails. Watch the video here.
Ohio school goes from dead end to high-tech star
Cincinnati's Taft High School, once known as one of Ohio's worst, has reached a high-tech level. Graduation rates increased from 21 percent to 95 percent and Taft earned an "excellent" rating along with the National Blue Ribbon Award. The turnaround is a result of good leadership internally and from corporate citizens like Cincinnati Bell, innovative planning, and a desire to make a difference. Read the full story here.
UC brain pathways research finds food, sex reduce stress
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati found that food, sex, and other pleasurable activities reduce stress by inhibiting anxiety and producing pathways in the brain. Researchers conducted testing on rats, giving them a sugar solution twice a day. Stress responses lowered with lower stress hormones and heart rate. These results could help provide potential strategies to prevent obesity and other metabolic disorders. Read the full story here.
Soapdish: Cincinnati Stock Exchange Returns
Unknown to many current Queen City residents, the Cincinnati Stock Exchange operated from 1885 until 1995 and was a leader in the technological transformation of the global securities markets. Soapdish columnist Casey Coston looks back at the CSE's history via the innovative work of UC journalism students.
