Workshop- The Creative Workplace Lives Up to Its Name

Stephanie Ringer must have a great sense of humor. That's what I thought as I read two recent articles about the entrepreneur and her business, Workshop – The Creative Workplace. The inspiringly successful company provides a range of services, from simple rental of meeting space to fully-catered team building exercise sessions. Fun and creative sessions.

Ms Ringer was featured in a blog at Louisville's WHAS11, "Louisville Native Helps Baby Boomers Change Jobs." Writer Claudia Coffey praises the company's program that helps small businesses progress. She describes:

"Louisville native Stephanie Ringer went from working in insurance to launching a company that helps Baby Boomers change jobs,  even become entrepreneurs.

"It's an idea that landed her in Money magazine's May issue.

"If you're thinking about changing jobs, Ringer has an interesting way to get the juices flowing. How about spinning a plate, frog hopping or hula hooping."

Ringer and the company, co-owned by Jenness Bunn, were also highlighted in the Business First article, "Workshop Takes Businesses on adventures to Build Staff Rapport, Give Back to Community."

Correspondent Whitney Harrod described a team exercise she observed there, and described:

"The Wells Fargo group was participating in Team Adventures, one of three programs and services offered by Workshop. For the adventures, participants get clues, complete tasks and work toward a common goal, according to Workshop’s Web site. . . .

"During an economy that had many businesses cutting their staffs, Workshop launched Team Adventures in 2009 to help recharge companies’ employees and get them excited to work."

From its headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky, Workshop—The Creative Workplace helps workers build connections, develop stronger teams, and launch careers. We're glad to see them get some recognition for their unique contributions.

Cynthia Murrell, May 01, 2012

Registration Now Open for AppRapids Conference

Our friends at Beyond Search and AppRapids have announced that registration is open for the first AppRapids Conference in Louisville, Kentucky on March, 28, 2012.

The enterprise information service, AppRapids, is a Monday through Friday service which focuses on app-related issues in the digital world. AppRapids targets important developments in the field and provides critical comments about these developments.

The one-day conference, held at WorkShop, the Creative Workplace, will bring together participants and speakers, allowing everyone to collaborate and share ideas and insights in the field of mobile applications.

The press release, “Apps are Where it’s at: Register Now for AppRapids Conference” tells us more:

“Apps have been integrated into every aspect of life on both personal and professional levels. However, a lack of knowledge, and consequently agency, exists among many app users and potential app creators. Apps have roots in the past, are impacting the present, and will construct the future. Conference sessions will range from planning and development to implementation and business implications. Speakers will provide details of real-life use cases, best practices and lessons learned.”

The conference will include presentations by women and minorities, and discounted rates are available for students and Seed2020 members. Conference sponsors include: Arnold IT, PolySpot, WorkShop, the Creative Workplace, and Interactive Media Lab.

To register and view the schedule and speaker information, head over to http://www.apprapids.com/conference-registration/.

Andrea Hayden, February 23, 2012

Mobile Apps the Wave of the Present

For programmers looking for a new challenge, Minnesota’s The Co$t of Doing Business advises, “Mobile App Developers in High Demand.” It makes sense; our population can’t seem to shift to mobile computing fast enough, and that means a skyrocketing call for mobile apps. Anyone who could put together a decent app should take advantage of the boom. And every company should consider hiring such developers to create its own app offerings.

The article focuses on trends in Minnesota, but it is common sense to say the direction is widespread. Some of us, however, may not have considered the collateral benefits. Writer Chris Newmarker reveals:

“Kathy Northamer, district president of Robert Half Technology in Minneapolis, has found the interest in mobile apps is also kicking up salaries for the security professionals needed to make sure the apps don’t compromise corporate database. There’s also a greater need for help desk professionals who understand apps.”

To really delve into the world of mobile apps, plan to attend the Inaugural AppRapids Conference on March 28^th in Louisville. Apps have quickly become critical to our modern lifestyle, but most of us lack a thorough understanding of them. The Conference will inform and guide participants in pursuing their own app initiatives. Speakers and panelists will bring wisdom from both business and academia to help navigate this new but crucial field.

Cynthia Murrell, February 15, 2012

Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook Implores Women to Take Charge

There is no doubt that Sheryl Sandberg is a remarkably successful woman. At this year’s World Economic Forum in Switzerland, she encouraged women around the world to take charge of their careers, as The New York Times reports in “The $1.6 Billion Woman, Staying on Message.”

 You would think Facebook’s second in command would have plenty on her plate what with that recent public offering and all. However, she obviously realizes the unique position she is in; she is using her powers for good. Journalists Nicole Perlroth and Clare Cain Miller write:

 “Ms. Sandberg sees herself as more than an executive at one of the hottest companies around — more, too, than someone who will soon rank among the few self-made billionaires who are women. She sees herself as a role model for women in business and technology. In speeches, she often urges women to ‘keep your foot on the gas pedal,’ and to aim high.”  

The lady’s message is resonating. Her speeches (here and here) on YouTube have had over 200,000 hits and have been incorporated into business classes at Stanford and Harvard.

Some question Sandberg’s message, however, with two related points. First, they say, she has benefitted from near supernatural luck and does not understand the challenges mere mortal women face. Secondly, they accuse her of a version of “blame the victim;” her message that women should take responsibility for their careers and stop blaming men for their failures misses the point, they say. They charge that she discounts the difficulties other women face.

To these naysayers, I say this: first, I applaud anyone who has enjoyed such good fortune who is driven to help and inspire others. Would you want others to hold it against you if you were so lucky? Sounds a tiny bit like jealousy to me.

As for the idea that Sandberg is being too harsh on women who find themselves in difficult situations, I say her critics are the ones missing the point. Yes, women face many disadvantages in our careers. However, those circumstances are not changing quickly, and we have to work within reality. In order to get anywhere, we must accept that life is not fair and push as hard and as smartly as we can. Excuses, even if valid, do not build a successful career.

Cynthia Murrell, February 08, 2012

Inaugural AppRapids Conference – Louisville, KY, March 28, 2012

Overview

A new enterprise information service called AppRapids, published Monday through Friday, covers enterprise infrastructure, solutions, and applications. Unlike other services, AppRapids focuses on important developments and provides critical comments about technology, products, and services. Providing space for discusions of apps-related issues is an important part of an the mission of AppRapids' services.

Conference

Inspired by quick integration of apps into not only our daily personal lives, but also embedded into the process of enterprise environments, the conference aims to provide guidance, practical advice, and case study reviews that can be used to help in the development and implementation of your own apps. We are excited to offer a Keynote session from Ric Manning of Louisville's The Courier-Journal and an afternoon Spotlight Session with Craig James on Social Applications. An additional highlight session for the conference will focus on opportunities for women and minority-owned businesses in the applications space.

Topics to be covered include:

• costs controls
• implementation
• user experience
• business applications

 We welcome any original contributions on these topics for presentation.

Paper Submission

• Call for Papers Opens January 9, 2012
• Call for Papers Closes February 3, 2012
• Speaker Acceptance: February 24, 2012
• Conference; March 28, 2012

Accepted speakers will receive free conference registration.

To submit a proposal for your 40-minute session that includes a Q&A, send an email to:  theseed2020@yahoo.com. Questions about the conference, including sponsorship opportunites, can also be emailed to theseed2020@yahoo.com.

Return all fields completed as follows:

1. Your full names, title, and organization
2. Contact information, including your address, email, and phone number
3. The name of your proposed session (keep your title simple, interesting, and relevant to the topic)
4. A 75-200 word overview of your presentation. (Panels are acceptible.)
5. A 100-200 word speaker bio that includes prior conference speaking or related experience

To be considered, proposals must be received by 12 Midnight Eastern Time, Friday, February 3, 2012.

The conference will be held in Downtown Louisville. More information will be available shortly at www.apprapids.com and theseed2020.com. Conference presented by PolySpot and ArnoldIT.