Striking Iron
"You've got to strike the iron while it's hot." In metallurgy, in business, in life - a phrase that rings true. Iron, in the metaphorical sense and according to Wikipedia, used as an adjective and sometimes as a noun, refers to something stern, harsh, strong, unyielding, inflexible, rigid, sturdy, durable, robust, or hard. Moreover, it is the traditional symbol for the 6th Anniversary - and it so happens that Made in Germany turns six years ...
InnovationWV Inaugural Meeting Remarks
With the motto "Connect, create, and innovate - let’s move West Virginia forward,” the West Virginia Chapter of the International Association of Innovation Professionals (IAOIP) invited the innovators of the Mountain State. The inaugural meeting of the chapter took place on Tuesday, April 16, at the University of Charleston's Innovation Center. (more…)
“De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats” @ ATD WV
From the blog of the Association for Talent Development West Virginia Chapter by Breanne Myers CHARLESTON, WV – On Friday, March 15th, Charleston-area professionals tackled West Virginia’s education issues during a workshop hosted by the Association for Talent Development, or ATD, at the University of Charleston’s Innovation Center. (more…)
What’s in a Logo?
Hold that thought, and let us challenge your first association - the word "logos" in Greek philosophy and theology stands for the divine reason in the cosmos. It provides order, form, and meaning. Back to your first association, though, the logo as the visual representation of an organization and the core element of the brand - doesn't it provide similar function? (more…)
Holiday Message 2018
“What we need is tolerance and brotherhood, and simple humanity.” -Senator Arlen Specter In Germany, “drinking to brotherhood” is a common ritual, during which two individuals change the personal address from the German formal “Sie” to the more familiar “Du.” With forearms hooked into each other, the two individuals bring their glass to their mouth. Afterward, they state their first name, often followed by a kiss on the cheek or ...
From the Kitchen: Going Slow for Fall
By Judy Grigoraci For the Gazette-Mail (October 10th, 2018) We’re into October and that always means autumn foods come into play. As soon as the leaves start to fall, I begin to think of low and slow cooking. It’s the season when, after the summer sunshine has faded from iced tea and chilled salads, the likes of roasted pork, chicken and dumplings, homemade sausage, simmering beef stews and sauerkraut begin to come into their ...
Out of Many, One
“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me; I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” -Emma Lazarus, The New Colossus (more…)
On Aristotle and Brand Value
Reading up on Aristotle this weekend, and the Golden Mean. In business, the balance is an essential factor in economic and ethical means. I know that leagues of leadership books have been written to define the process in detail and how to create advantage from it, I want to look at the how our social expectation defines our professional ones, and how they differ. While advertising and lifestyle promote the extreme, the cutting edge, the ...
National Mentoring Month Is a Good Time to Measure the Health of Your Small Business
By Karen Friel, U.S. Small Business Administration West Virginia District Director @ www.wvnews.com Making New Year’s resolutions is a common practice for most Americans this time of year. While many resolutions typically revolve around health and fitness goals, it is equally beneficial to measure the health of your small business. January is National Mentoring Month and a good time to reap the benefits of counseling and mentoring ...
Holiday Message 2017
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, shine, shine! Another year is almost over, can you believe it? And what a year it has been: In January, we moved the office from up Joplin Park in South Charleston to the Charleston Area Alliance downtown. We traveled to a German chamber, representing the Kanawha Valley in the Rhein-Ruhr region. And we ushered the brand of an industry leader into the 21st century, redefining ...