The ART OF BUSINESS CARD DESIGNS

The art of the lasting impression begins with the printed business card.  Great Designs make you look good. Today's digital print shops can turn your idea into a reality-- at a low cost. I know, because I am working in a digital print shop, after coming from the tech world of computers. The marriage of digital printing and paper is very good. It fact it is good for journalism.
Journalism is moving away from  newspaper print and transferring itself into e-books and magazines, but communication is still bonded to the printed word ---  bonded to paper.

The zen of communication is painted on paper and packaging. It is a cultural must have. It is expected that all new things come gift wrapped.  It doesn't matter that new job candidate is a person.   The idea is that "the best of the best" come gift wrapped in a new suit, shiny shoes and a special resume. Plus, they will be remembered because they left a special calling card -- the Designer Business Card that pops out from the pile.

The Technology Edge is Here:

Software programs like Adobe Photoshop and inDesign , when matched with Professional Digital Printers has made it possible for individuals to create unique images for each business client.Today job seekers are creating unique resumes for each job posting, and tweeking their business cards for each unique business opportunity.

To make this easy, you can download business card templates from the internet. Use them as a starting point, then step back and think outside the box and think of the BIG IDEA.

Steven Whiteley, Builder, created a business card using a ruler border. It was simple, elegant, and unique. (see the picture at the top of this article.) That was his Big Idea and it works for him. You have your own ideas that work for you. Go for it.

There are so many possibilities --- yet so little design.

In the technology world it seems all of the standard icons and symbols have been taken. There is nothing new. In fact, the symbols of technology have aged and are no longer hip, such as the CD as a symbol, or the image of a desktop computer and keyboard. Everybody does it. Currently, the hip object is an image of a tablet or smart phone but that is aging too. Everything is moving from the desktop to the CLOUD - (remote services) and software as a service (Sass). It's like technology is in the ether and not physically there.

So what graphic symbols are really meaningful?  What will be hip 6 months from now?  The old flip phone with a visible antenna as a symbol looks ancient as an image on a business card.  At one time it was smart to put your skills set on the back of the card, but it would be dating yourself to put BASIC, WordPerfect, COBOL, or Windows 95. 

So the thing to do is go back to the basics. If you can't say it in words, then say in Color, Style, and Shape. Don't put your face on the business card. Your face is not ageless. Put your job title.  Remember the the engineering slogan.  It is all about FIT, FORM, and FUNCTION before design.

FIT = Who needs to see this? What industry or Service are you serving?
.
FORM = What is a business card?  Who says it has to look like a business card? What about a key chain doggle with your business card information on it? Why not a calendar poster? Why not a paper flyer? Why not a post card or magnetic sign?
This is the age of digital printers, You can print on anything.  Your choices are varied. Go for it.

FUNCTION = The purpose of a business card is to share your profile with as many people as possible. An attractive business card is the short list that your clients carry. It's a resume in your pocket. It's a link to your name, address, email, website, cell phone, and social media contact list.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK:

Show me your best business card design idea.  Tell me how it will work for you?  Share your thoughts Your ideas are welcomed.




http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2010/06/how-to-design-your-business-card/

Colorado State Labor Dept. Receives $5 million Technical Skills Training Grant

Department of Labor and Workforce Centers to address labor shortages that prompt employers to recruit H1-B workers

(DENVER) – The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment announced (14-Oct-11) that it has been awarded a $5 Million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to launch a training initiative that will prepare workers for careers in Information Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, and the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industries (with a focus on Aerospace).

Many Coloradans are lacking the skills to compete in these industries and the problem will only get worse in the years ahead if action isn’t taken now says Department of Labor and Employment Executive Director Ellen Golombek. “Our economic recovery must focus on skills, not just jobs,” she says. “This grant – called Strategies to Advance Colorado’s Highly Skilled Workforce -- is designed to help close Colorado’s growing skills gap.”
Even in an economy with an unemployment rate over 8 percent, employers in high-demand, high-wage occupations are still not able to find workers with the right skills and training to fill their job openings. How bad is the problem? Between January of 2010 and the present, Colorado employers spent more than $19 million in H1-B visa fees to bring in 5,761 foreign workers to fill job openings they couldn’t fill with Colorado workers. These workers have taken jobs as computer programmers, computer software engineers, IT analysts and other occupations requiring technical skills.

Importing workers is no long-term solution to Colorado’s skilled worker shortage. Through this initiative, businesses stand to save nearly $3 million in visa costs and approximately $2.3 million in training costs they would have paid to keep their workforce competitive. The grant’s return-on-investment for business and for Colorado exceeds $6 million for the 4 year grant period of performance.

Strategies to Advance Colorado’s Highly Skilled Workforce will target 797 workers statewide, upgrading their skills in information technology, advanced manufacturing and STEM (Scientific, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) capabilities. Of the individuals selected, 558 will be incumbent workers whose skills need upgrading to ensure they stay employed. The grant will also speed the rehire of 239 long-term unemployed workers. A priority of service will be offered to veterans, minorities and women.

The Department of Labor and Employment and local Workforce Centers aren’t tackling this initiative on their own. Innovative partnerships will make the initiative successful and Workforce Centers will be partnering with educators and trainers, businesses and non-profit industry-based organizations in targeting workers for training that will build a stronger economy and get Coloradans back to work.

Partners in the initiative include:

• Colorado’s Workforce Development Council;
• Other state agencies (the Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the Department of Higher Education and the Department of Human Services);
• Educators (the Colorado Community College System and the University of Denver
• Women’s College);
• Business Associations (the Metro Denver Economic Development Council, the Longmont Area Economic Council, the Colorado Association for Manufacturing and Technology, Colorado Photonics Industry Association, the South East Business Partnership, Coolest Women We Know, Colorado Coalition for Gender in InformationTechnology, Colorado CleanTech Industry Association and the Boulder Economic Council) and
• Employers (Allon Hill, Atlasta Solar Center, Evraz, GPS Source, IBM, Imprimis, Inc.,
• JGMS, Inc., Leitner Poma, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, RK Mechanical, Trane, Wall Street On Demand and Wren Industries); 

“This is very much a collaborative approach,” Golombek says, “and it is a catalyst for creating a solid foundation for the future of technical skill occupations and for workforce development in Colorado.”

Source: Colorado Dept of Labor.
http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheader=application%2Fpdf&blobkey=id&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1251745929879&ssbinary=true

GE will employ 355 people in its Aurora, CO PrimeStar Solar plant

Summary Update: 

• GE picks Aurora, Colorado for the site of its PrimeStar Solar production plant.  It beat a New York location which was its closest competition. 
• It will employ 355 people.
• GE will spend $300 million to retrofit an existing Aurora warehouse into a state-of-the-art manufacturing production plant.
• The plant will produce enough solar panels to power 800,00 homes a year.
• Ten states were in the running for the proposed plant.
• This is a big boost to the solar industry in Colorado.
• The technology  was developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden and PrimeStar, an Arvada-based company GE bought in April.
• Work will begin in January.
• Colorado has a talented workforce which was one of the deciding factors over other states.
• http://www.primestarsolar.com/

The Denver Post reports: 

"With a PrimeStar fabrication plant here, you see a really strong cluster of solar companies emerging in Colorado," said Christine Shapard, executive director of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association.

"GE wouldn't have picked Colorado if we hadn't had the workforce and the talent that they need. That differentiates Colorado from many other states."   

Read more: Aurora lands PrimeStar Solar plant, which will employ 355 people - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19110118#ixzz1bkn4S1TN

SHHRP Harvest Opportunity Fair

SHHRP HARVEST OPPORTUNITY FAIR

Hosted by CU Denver

DATE: October 18, 2011

TIME: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

PLACE: Turnhalle, Tivoli Center, Auraria Campus

Accessible by light rail or bus; self-paid parking nearby.

At Society of Hispanic Human Resources Professionals (SHHRP) we serve all of the diverse components of metro Denver’s job- and education- seeker populations.

We help people find the jobs and education they need.

Among our exhibitors will be:

Safeway, Lowe’s City, of Denver

Enterprise Rental,Wells Fargo, Denver Public Schools

Strategic Programs, U.S. Navy,HSS Security Services

City of CO Springs, UCD PAR2A Center, Heritage College

Regis University, Premier Solutions Int., Wells Fargo Bank

FirstBank, REI, Prudential Insurance

Express Employment, Sprint, FedEx

Heritage College, First Transit, U.S. Army

CollegeAmerica, Comcast Cable, CNA Insurance

fieldwork DENVER, Social Climb,World Financial Group

Telemundo Denver, Colorado Department of Labor, Ashford University

Adams County School District 50, University of Colorado Denver

Art Institute of Colorado, Jefferson Center for Mental Health

The event is free to all job seekers.

This Opportunity Fair is for everyone!

Arrow Electronics Moves its Global Headquarters to Colorado

According to Arrow Electronics' website, the existing Englewood, Colorado site will become the company's global headquarters, effective Nov. 15, 2011.  This could mean a big boost for the Colorado job market.   See the press release listed below:

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Oct 11, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:ARW) today announced that its Colorado operations will become the company's global headquarters, effective Nov. 15, 2011.

Arrow Electronics, with 2010 revenues of $18.7 billion, is currently headquartered in Melville, N.Y., and has had a significant presence in Englewood, Colo., since 2000.
"With our Colorado operations serving as Arrow Electronics' global headquarters, our commitment to our employees, customers and suppliers remains the foundation of our strategy to create value for our shareholders," said Michael J. Long, chairman, president and chief executive officer for Arrow Electronics. "As we embark on the next phase of the company's history, we look forward to Colorado being the headquarters for the 52 countries that we serve."

"This is one of those moments when focus and discipline pays off," said Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper. "We haven't been shy about working to retain, grow and recruit new businesses in Colorado. Today, we are proud to welcome Arrow Electronics' global headquarters to Colorado. We look forward to doing all we can to help the company continue to prosper."

The Englewood facility has served as the global base for the company's Enterprise Computing Solutions, Americas components and global services businesses.
"Our New York operations will continue to play a key role in the company," said Mr. Long. "Our global reach and local touch serve as a differentiator with our more than 115,000 customers and 1,200 suppliers around the world. We are looking forward to continuing our tradition of excellence from our new headquarters in Colorado."

About Arrow Electronics
Arrow Electronics (www.arrow.com) is a global provider of products, services and solutions to industrial and commercial users of electronic components and enterprise computing solutions. Arrow serves as a supply channel partner for over 1,200 suppliers and 115,000 original equipment manufacturers, contract manufacturers and commercial customers through a global network of more than 340 locations in 52 countries.

***   *** ***   *** ***  *** ***

A related story from 9News reports that suppliers of Arrow Electronics are also urged to relocate to Colorado.

"Colorado's Office of Economic Development and International Trade and will begin actively recruiting Arrow Electronics' supply chain partners to also locate to Colorado or at least start doing business in the state. The company partners with more than 1,200 suppliers and 115,000 original equipment manufacturers around the world."
 http://www.9news.com/news/article/224043/75/Arrow-Electronics-relocates-headquarters-to-Colorado

Denver's Alpine Access will hire 1,000 new workers - Onshore

Denver's Alpine Access will hire 1,000 new U.S. workers in a move to reverse the trend of hiring customer service representatives off shore. This was reported by 9news.com (http://www.9news.com/rss/story.aspx?storyid=216124), 30-Aug-2011.

The idea is to hire local workers onshire because customers prefer talking to others that know the local dialect and culture, plus the Denver Metro Area does not have the high cost of living expense of cities such as San Francisco or New York.

Job Requirements are listed here: http://www.alpineaccess.com/en/apply/qualifications/
Basically,  in addition to being a great customer service rep, you must have an internet home office setup which includes  the following :

• Computer
• High Speed Internet Access
• Telephone
• Headset
• Home Office 

Go to alpineaccess.com for more details.  

Starting pay rate is about $10.00 an hour. This is not an independent -contract position You are an employee.

Here is what its website states: http://www.alpineaccess.com/en/apply/employee-benefits/

As an Alpine Access customer care professional, you are an employee—not an independent contractor.  We are committed to you and believe that an employee relationship creates the best experience for you and our clients. We’ve found that when you feel valued and excited about your work, you want to provide great service to your customers.

ACE-Loveland, CO. Technology Project: New Jobs & Businesses

The City of Loveland, Colorado Chamber of Commerce & Visitor's Center put together a summary of information regarding the ACE-Loveland technology project which is projected to bring thousands of new jobs to Colorado.

"After a three month process where the city of Loveland worked with the Colorado Association for Manufacturing and Technology (CAMT) to consider the Agilent Campus for the Aerospace Clean Energy (ACE) project, it was confirmed that the Agilent Campus has been chosen as the sole existing space left in the running, along with two undeveloped sites in Greenfield." -- City of Loveland Chamber of Commerce.

Employment Information or Business Owner Information:

"If you seeking information about employment, or a business owner who needs information concerning ACE-Loveland, please click here. http://www.loveland.org/ACE-Loveland-Business-and-Employment-Information"

For current summary information click here. http://www.loveland.org/ACE-Loveland

NASA campus in Loveland could mean 10,000 new jobs

This was reported on 9News.com:

"LOVELAND, Colorado - It could be the biggest economic development project Colorado has seen in 25 years. The prospect of 10,000 jobs would help Larimer County's unemployment rate, which has started to spike in recent months. But there are still a few steps that must be completed before the jobs are on their way".

http://www.9news.com/news/article/192033/75/NASA-campus-in-Loveland-could-mean-10000-new-jobs

===================================

Here is a press release from Dec. 13, 2010 with more details:

NASA Partners With Colorado In Technology Acceleration Initiative

DENVER -- NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver and Colorado Governor Bill Ritter Jr., participated Monday in a Space Act Agreement signing ceremony at the Colorado State Capitol Building in Denver to promote the commercialization of technology developed for the space program.

NASA's agreement with the Colorado Association for Manufacturing and Technology (CAMT) created a Technology Acceleration Program and Regional Innovation Cluster for Aerospace and Clean Energy. A manufacturing park focused on rapid new product development and production will be developed to assist growing Colorado businesses.

"This park will use Colorado's existing competitive strengths to boost economic growth while creating new jobs and products for aerospace and energy industries," Garver said. "NASA is pleased to collaborate on new technology developments like the one being created through the Colorado Technology Acceleration Program and Regional Innovation Cluster."

Under the agreement, small and mid-sized businesses will have direct access to a NASA "innovation ambassador," an agency expert who can identify NASA and partner technologies ready for commercialization. The ambassador will conduct forums to drive partnerships among NASA and Colorado businesses and help identify businesses that can benefit from commercialization technical assistance.

"The new agreement with NASA is a perfect fit for Colorado because it will enhance our leading aerospace industry and growing high-tech business and research sectors," Ritter said. "Most importantly, this will bring high-tech jobs to our state. Colorado is a hub for innovation and continues to attract the best and the brightest workers. Congratulations to CAMT and NASA for making this historic agreement."

The Technology Acceleration Program will allow companies to work with NASA and expedite product development from an average of five years to as little as 18 months. New products will get to market more quickly, and new high tech jobs will be created.

"Aerospace and energy are the fastest growing industries in Colorado, sharing the same supply base and similar workforce needs," said Elaine Thorndike, chief executive officer of CAMT. "Through regional innovation clusters, public and private sectors can work together to increase business opportunities, technical assistance programs and market penetration for aerospace and clean energy manufacturing strength."

The NASA-CAMT partnership will provide technical assistance and identify gaps in commercialization and scouting services to help companies looking for space-developed technologies and services. It will help companies bridge the gap between prototype design, manufacturing and commercialization, while identifying commercial applications for NASA technologies.

Innovation is necessary to expand the U.S. economy and ensure competitiveness in a global economy. Many new, innovative technologies are developed by small and mid-sized businesses that do not have a robust, in-house product development capability and lack commercialization resources.

Through the agreement, NASA joins the state of Colorado, the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory and CAMT in a pathfinder collaboration to promote innovation and global competitiveness in the new energy economy.

CAMT is a statewide manufacturing assistance center dedicated to increasing the competitiveness of Colorado manufacturers. The association is the state affiliate of the national Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a program of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

==============

(Here are Related Stories:)

• ACE-Loveland Colorado Technology Project: New Jobs and Businesses
• Decision on ACE park likely in June | Boulder County Business Report
• Loveland celebrates, but aerospace research park deal not final | Daily Camera. Read more:Loveland celebrates, but aerospace research park deal not final - Boulder Daily Camerahttp://www.dailycamera.com/news/ci_17784190#ixzz1Iz2p6nxz

Our Digital Future: Jobs of Tomorrow

Photograph of J. W. Mauchly leaning over UNIVAC console, of the past.

What are the Digital Jobs of Tomorrow?

There are a range of jobs that will provide careers in the future, in the areas of High Tech, Medical technology, Social Media, Mobile Developers, and Energy Conservation careers applied across a broad range of traditional careers that have been updated with a technology twist.

For example: Watch this video:

"Choosing A College Major To Prepare For the Hot Jobs of the Future - ABC News."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVnEUD26yeA

1. Green Jobs:

Creating Jobs for the future. There will be jobs in Conserving Energy, Weatherizing, and other Clean Energy areas. New Job Skills training dollars are available from the Federal Government.

Here are two examples from Van Jones from the White House Council of Environmental Quality

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iYIY9XHOUg

Building a Clean Energy Economy: Van Jones Takes Your Questions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTgwdz2_FzY

2. Mobile Developer:

Mobile devices sales are growing faster than desktop PC sales. This presents a new opportunity for developers to reach more people across the globe. There will be a need to create mobile applications on these devices. Here is one example from Google's Android Development Demo. P. S., Apple also has a development kit as well.

Android Demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoyoUpawfgU

3. Import/Export Consultant using High Tech.

For example, small businesses are entering the growing exporting business with the help of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, by learning the rules of selling overseas, changing their websites to include other cultures.

For example http://www.pizzaovens.com learned how to become a "Worldwide Restaurant Equipment Specialist". They are a distributor who expanded their market by selling pizza ovens overseas. Later they convinced other dealers to let then sell other products overseas and now they are a success.
If importers can sell U.S. consumers toaster ovens, why can't U.S. small businesses export pizza ovens?
"In the first 11 months of 2010, U.S. businesses increased their exports by 17 percent over the prior year, to $1.7 trillion," according to the Wall Street Journal.

Mutual trade between countries is not a win or lose proposition. The Jobs of the Future will include selling outside of the U.S., which will provide jobs at home.

http://www.smartmoney.com/personal-finance/employment/small-businesses-big-exporters-1301502316713/#ixzz1IbwRYQkZ

4. (Data Mining) Business Analytics Specialist:

Businesses are collecting more and more data. There will be a need to analyze this information which is gathered from various data sources, organize it, use new software tools that turn data into business intelligence used for decision making. Here is an example from IBM.

How It Works: Analytics : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HbjsNaUJ2A

5. All industry sectors will open up an opportunity to go mobile and transforms how society becomes a connected world. An article titled "Mobile Makes Millions — But It’s Not as Simple as It Seems | Wired.com" reports that its not a specific business model that will capture the market, it is the individual service that each consumer selects that counts. Therefore, there's room at the top and the bottom for everyone to stake a claim, even with today's methods of text-messaging, social media networks, blogging, websites, and email. It's all about information and business trade in a connected world.

http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2011/04/mobile-not-simple-as-it-seems/all/1

India/U.S. Jet Deal could bring 27,000 jobs to U.S.

India/U.S. Jet Deal could bring 27,000 jobs to U.S.

17 OCT, 2010, 10.19AM IST,PTI

Oct. 18 – In a potential deal that would be completely off-limits for China, two major U.S. jet manufacturing companies, Boeing and Lockheed Martin, are vying for a US$10 billion Indian tender.

“If either jet wins, we estimate that it could bring 27,000 jobs to the U.S.,” Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert Blake told the Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs. Read More ...

Wall Street Journal reports:

U.S. Seeks Billions in India Deals

NEW DELHI—The U.S. is aiming to sell up to $5.8 billion of military-transport aircraft to India and secure other major deals when President Barack Obama travels to New Delhi early next month, a visit that will seek to alter the tenor of an increasingly tense commercial relationship between the world's largest democracies. Read More ...

Colorado Job Rate September 2010

Colorado Unemployment Rate grew from 8.1 to 8.2 Percent in September 2010.

News from Colorado Department of Labor and Employment:

Colorado’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased one-tenth of one percentage point to 8.2 percent in September from the revised August rate of 8.1 percent, according to Donald J. Mares, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.

“Colorado’s economy remains relatively flat,” Mares said. “We have not seen the economic jumpstart that everyone is eager to see and these last several months have underscored the fact that little activity is an expected part of a slow recovery process. We are hopeful that upcoming seasonal hiring may have a positive impact in the months ahead.”

The number of working Coloradans rose 1,600 over the month to 2,441,500. The civilian labor force increased 4,000 to 2,660,400. The number of residents unsuccessfully looking for work increased 2,400 over the month to 218,900. One year ago, total employment was 2,469,500 and the number of unemployed was 206,500. The civilian labor force has declined 15,600 since September 2009.

The unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 28 of Colorado’s 64 counties, decreased in 24 and was unchanged in 12. The lowest rate was 3.2 percent in Cheyenne County and the highest was 14.9 percent in Dolores County. In September 2009, the unemployment rate declined in 52 counties, rose in 9 and remained unchanged in 3. Last year, the lowest rate was 2.1 percent in Cheyenne County and the highest was 13.6 percent in Dolores County.

Read More...

Answers to the Unemployment QUIZ #2. There's a Map for that!

Amaze your friends by showing them a dynamic application that will visually MAP the answers to life's unemployment geography questions.

You decide.

Locate the unemployment rates by States, Counties, or Metro Statistical Area (MSA). Pick a category and press the Draw button and a custom map will be created based on the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

To get you started, here are a few Quiz Questions.

1. What states have the lowest unemployment rate in the nation?

2. In Colorado, what counties have the highest and lowest rate?

3. Is the unemployment rate increasing or decreasing in your area over time?

4. The Basic question: Are there greener pastures elsewhere?

To Answer the question, do the following:

1. Navigate to : ( The Bureau of Labor Statistics web site http://www.bls.gov )

2. Click on this link to view the main map.

http://data.bls.gov/map/servlet/map.servlet.MapToolServlet?survey=la

3. Select the tab by States, Counties, or MSAs.

For example, here is an map for colorado.

http://data.bls.gov/map/servlet/map.servlet.MapToolServlet?state=08&datatype=unemployment&year=2010&period=M08&survey=la&map=county&seasonal=u

4. Move the cursor over the map to see more detail.

Summary: Overall, Colorado is in the middle of the range between high and low employment rates across the nation.

The dynamic nature of the map can reveal trends without having to read all of the details. The answers just pop out.

How did you do on the Quiz?