Juneau, Alaska Chamber of Commerce

Ever heard the expression "a picture is worth a thousand words"...well, I recently had the opportunity to visit Juneau, Alaska and all I can say is "you should have been there!" With it's tree-lined, snow-capped mountains, and breath-taking glaciers, a picture just does not do it justice. By the way, while waiting at the airport to return back to Virginia, I noticed this sign from the Chamber. Here are a few photos for your enjoyment along with some Alaska State Facts!
State Capital: Juneau
Area: 570,374 square miles
Population: 621,000
State Flower: Wild Forget-me-not
State Bird: Willow Ptarmigan
State Motto: "North to the Future"
State Tree: Sitka Spruce
State Flag: The North Star points to the future, the Great Bear or Big Dipper, symbolizes strength, and the blue field recalls the deep blue Alaska sky and the wild forget-me-nots.

Newsletter Tip #27

I wanted to share a tip regarding sending and receiving newsletters embedded in email (e-newsletters) that require html formatting.

As business owners, we have no control over the type of email software that our clients and customers may have. But we want to ensure that they receive the information that we send and can read it.

Although sending information embedded in email is a fast and efficient way to communicate, not everyone has html ready email software and even if they do, the message may not appear exactly as we sent it. So how do we ensure that our clients can read what we have sent? One way is to ask our clients if all the recipients have html capable email software (this is not that difficult if the newsletter is meant for internal distribution). However, if the newsletter is going to be distributed to a wide variety of users, then we are back to square one.

A common solution is to send the newsletter in pdf format. Yes...I know what you are thinking. Not everyone has a pdf reader. This is certainly true, but Adobe provides a free pdf reader to be quickly downloaded and utilized. For a quick comparison of html versus pdf formatting, see http://www.lib.waldenu.edu/orientation/htmlvspdf.html.

Personally, when I send embedded information within an email, I also like to attach a pdf version. I certainly recognize that in today's fast paced world, embedding information in an email format takes away an extra layer that your customer won't have to deal with. But just be aware that there are drawbacks to this method.

Let me hear from you. I'm always interested in different points of view. Any information and/or comments that will remove "roadblocks to success" in reaching customers are welcome!

What is SWaM?

I've had the privilege to attend several seminars through the Loudoun County Small Business Development Center (SBDC). These seminars are informative and provide up to date resources that are applicable to managing your business. At the end of each seminar, I am exhilarated and ready to incorporate some of the recommendations into the operations of my business.

On March 29, 2007, the SBDC hosted the "A Celebration of Women in Business" seminar. This seminar showcased several dynamic women business owners who shared their challenges and triumphs. One presenter in particular caught my attention as she spoke of the opportunity to become Small, Women and Minority-owned Business (SWaM) certified by the Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise. Although a business does not need to be SWaM certified to compete for government contracts in the State of Virginia, this certification adds another layer of credibility.

As a business owner, I encourage you to participate in these free seminars and utilize the skills and expertise of the presenters. These seminars are also excellent forums to network and build professional relationships. But don't just take my word for it...go see for yourself!

Your Newsy Notes, LLC Joins Chamber

Your Newsy Notes, LLC is a proud member of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce.