May
29
The future of marketing is electronic
Filed Under Going "Green", Profiles, Technology, Trends | Leave a Comment
An interview with Lisa Sparks
By BOB MASSEY
Editor
One thing Lisa Sparks knows about is small business marketing. And she doesn’t need a crystal ball to see its future.
As regional director of Constant Contact (www.constantcontact.com/southflorida), an e-mail marketing and survey firm, she has to be on top of the subject to be effective to her clients. But she spent time on the other side too, as a freelance commercial writer.
She was so successful at that career, she was cited by Peter Bowerman in his book “Back for Seconds” – the sequel to his bestselling “The Well-Fed Writer.” She was also featured in another sequel: “99 Cows” by internationally known marketing guru Seth Godin, author of numerous business bestsellers including “Purple Cow.”
“Lisa Sparks is one of my heroes in this biz,” Bowerman writes. “Here’s this extraordinarily impressive then-27-year-old African-American woman, who, through a winning combination of moxie, persistence, enthusiasm, resourcefulness, ingenuity, strong faith and plain old hard work, was building a thriving writing business, Integrity Writing in the small and predominantly white Fort Myers, Florida market area.
“Crucial to her success has been her mastery of e-mail marketing.”
It was that mastery that led her to her present position – and a place on the cusp of a growing trend.
Apr
30
Lee’s $25 million is mighty attractive
Filed Under 2007 Issues, Going "Green", Trends, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Countywide partnership gets big bucks to spend on biz development
By ANNIE LINDSTROM
Business Writer
It hardly seems possible but – at the moment – Lee County could be in a better position than ever before to attract new business and jobs to the area.
For the first time in its history, the Lee County Economic Development Office (EDO) has $25 million at its disposal to use to attract businesses. And the group is putting the finishing touches on its new brand: the Fort Myers Regional Economic Partnership.
The mere fact that the EDO has $25 million to work with is a positive sign to site selectors who are considering Lee County as a new home for their clients, said James Moore, director of the EDO, in an address he gave to the Cape Coral Construction Industry Association at its April meeting.
“It says we are well managed and open for business,” Moore said, adding that the county’s Moody Rating had been upgraded to A2 earlier in the day.
Apr
30
Firm cuts expenses by nearly half
Staff Report
Fort Myers-based Internet Services Group cuts its expenses nearly in half by “going green.”
A local Web design firm has discovered that “going green” has more benefits than just those warm and fuzzy feelings you get from helping the environment. As this business owner discovered, helping the environment can also significantly help a company’s budget.
When he set out to do his part by making his business a little “greener,” Charly Caldwell II – founder and president of Internet Services Group (ISG) – never dreamed it would make such an impact on his bottom line. He figured his decision would probably save them a little on the electric bill, but had not anticipated that it would result in cutting his company expenses by 40 percent.
“We started out with the goal of saving 10 percent on our expenses, and ended up nearly cutting them in half,” said Caldwell. Read more
Apr
30
Kitson to build city of the future in Charlotte County
Filed Under Economic Development, Going "Green" | Leave a Comment
Babcock Ranch slated to become a solar-powered paradise
By Neil Hughes
Courtesy of the Charlotte Sun
Syd Kitson knew he had a great idea – he just had to convince someone to listen to him.
And so the multimillionaire developer and former Green Bay Packers offensive guard resorted to stalking.
Kitson traveled to Tallahassee, where he waited to catch Florida Power & Light President Armando Olivera as he left a meeting. There, he presented him with a concept: Accept 400 acres of land in Southwest Florida, and build the world’s largest photovoltaic solar plant on it.
“He was very receptive,” Kitson said. “And he didn’t call the police on me.”
Nov
21
Secondhand gets the upper hand
Filed Under Economic Development, Going "Green", Trends | Leave a Comment
In tough economy, “gently loved” gains greater appeal
By SARA FITZPATRICK
Associate Editor
Storefronts plastered with “out of business” signs compose an increasingly familiar ghost town landscape of Southwest Florida’s retail districts.
Among the tumbleweeds, though, is an oasis. It’s not a mirage; one retail sector really is booming: Consignment shops, secondhand stores and other resellers are seeing an increase in traffic and actual sales.
Nov
21
Israeli consul general to speak at CleanTECH Market briefing
Filed Under Economic Development, Going "Green", Technology | Leave a Comment
“Israeli water management is among the best in the world,” according to the Economic Development Council of Collier County (EDC). And “Israel has more solar panels per person than any other country in the world.”
In the hopes of gleaning from that technology – and to encourage economic development in Israel and Southwest Florida, the EDC has invited Israeli Consul General Ofer Bavly to address attendees of the CleanTECH Market briefing this month. Read more
-
Subscribe Now
Get 26 issues of Southwest Florida Business Today! [by major credit card] We'll help you stay on top of your business game. Subscribe Now!