Facebook? Twitter? Dreamweaver? The Circuit brings high tech down to earth

We've long passed the time when technophobia was a quaint notion and once geeky gadgets were avoidable. Now, in both life and business, tech smarts are a necessary business skill and for the region’s innovators pushing into new technological frontiers, it can be hard to navigate the circuitry of new computer programs, electronic gadgetry, and that Wild West of the Web, social media.

But there exists a place where Greater Cincinnati entrepreneurs can brush up on or learn about new trends, network, and even relax, with other adventurers. The Circuit in Blue Ash, OH is the region’s IT hub for Northern Kentucky, Southwest Ohio and Southeast Indiana. Part of the Ohio IT Alliance, a network of regional organizations across the state, the organization aims to make the region’s IT sector more competitive.

Though the Circuit has been around for well over a decade, the past few years have seen an expanded outreach. Formed primarily to assist the IT sector, the Circuit has evolved as technology’s reach has broadened into most sectors of life and work.

The Circuit has opened up to the larger business community and to individuals in several ways. Among them include monthly networking events, Breakfast Bytes and Regional Entrepreneur Forums, in conjunction with partners including the Northern Kentucky ezone. The meetings are open to the public and feature topics such as:

•    140 Characters to Define your Success
•    Social Media, Trend or Trap
•    3 Ways to Win During Tough Economic Times,
•    The most important things leaders ignore during crunch time
•    Good Networking Gone Bad: What’s your Networking IQ?

Events are held at various locations around the region and are applicable to a wide range of businesses.

"The topics are applicable to any business. These exercises are so good, it doesn’t matter what field you are in," says Program Director Connie Wiedemann.

The Circuit also hosts peer circle groups, a no pressure meeting where regular people talk about current technology and marketing issues. Among the circles, or peer groups, are, Marketing, IT Job Search, IT Operations and Enterprise Architecture. Members of these groups often work outside of traditional IT companies.

There are also events where you can let your hair down.

"We have a beer tasting on June 9, and a wine tasting coming up. It’s a way to network and gather information in a comfortable setting outside a business," Wiedemann said. 

Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Connie Wiedemann, The Circuit