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• JANUARY 24, 2011
THE SPOT WHERE OUR STRATEGIC PARTNERS CAN SHINE
Heart attack: Be prepared, act fast
The headquarters of Scripps Networks, visible from I-40. The company relocated here from Cincinnati after investing $30 million for a 150,000 square foot expansion.
As we approach February, American Heart Month, it is a great time to discuss the importance of acting fast in the event of a heart-related emergency.
Rob Webb Division General Manager of Rural/Metro
lifelines Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States and in Tennessee. Once heart attack symptoms develop, every moment is critical. More than half of all deaths from heart attack happen outside the hospital within one hour of the onset of symptoms. If you or a loved one experiences symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 immediately. As soon as our emergency team arrives on the scene, they can begin life-saving care. Rural/Metro ambulances are outfitted with LIFEPAK 12 mobile electrocardiogram (EKG) patient monitors. These devices transmit vital data to area hospitals while en route so they are able to diagnose the problem prior to your arrival and be prepared to begin treatment immediately. According to the Tennessee Department of Health, most Tennesseans know they should call 911 immediately when they feel symptoms, but only 31 percent can name the five warning symptoms of a heart attack: ■ Chest discomfort that can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain ■ Pain or discomfort in one or both arms or shoulders ■ Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, back or stomach ■ Shortness of breath ■ Weakness, nausea or lightheadedness Women’s symptoms can differ significantly from men’s symptoms and can include unusual fatigue, sleep disturbance, shortness of breath, indigestion or anxiety. Symptoms during the attack may include shortness of breath, weakness, unusual fatigue, cold sweat and dizziness. With approximately 480,000 fatal heart attacks in the United States each year, Rural/Metro urges you to remember the symptoms and act quickly. It could save your life.
Scripps Networks:
It’s all about lifestyle By Sandra Clark Cindy McConkey speaks East Tennessee. That was obvious when she visited with the West Knoxville Rotary Club recently. “Yes, that was my dad’s drug store in Norwood and Powell,” she said. McConkey has scored several firsts. After graduating from Powell High School and UT, she snagged a job as a sports reporter at the daily Knoxville Journal. It wasn’t about a glass ceiling so much as a plastic shower curtain when female reporters first entered those locker rooms. Cindy prevailed. In fact, she went on to cover sports for USA Today and work as a consultant with Ackermann PR. Now she is in senior management for a fast-growing company that is limited only by imagination since splitting from the parent E.W. Scripps Co. in 2008. Her
duties include media relations, employee communications, government relations and more. McConkey was attracted to Scripps Networks because of its quality management and core values – making decisions for the right reasons. Scripps Networks was the brainchild of CEO Ken Lowe, who had worked for Scripps in radio sales and McConkey realized the comPhoto by C. Garvey pany was about to dump radio. He had an idea, based on his own experiences with home remodeling. Why not create a cable network around home décor and landscaping. HGTV (Home and Garden Network) was born in 1996. “We grew
from a dozen people in a loft to 2,200 people worldwide today,” McConkey said. “We now have six cable networks, and we own almost all of our video content. That allows us to take the content across more platforms.” Already, Scripps Networks has 20 websites. “Television is our core business. Our viewers are more engaged (than those of typical networks),” she said. “Our viewers lean in rather than lean out. “We have nailed the lifestyle issues – food, home, travel.” She said as emerging economies (formerly called Third World countries) develop a middle class, “that bodes well for our company.” Scripps Networks moved into the United Kingdom and surpassed a UK competitor in just two years.
In response to questions, McConkey said newspapers are “reinventing themselves” and she observed, “We are not in the news business.” While local expansion is not planned, she said the headquarters was designed with the capacity to add a third story on the original building. Scripps Networks gives back to the community, she said. To celebrate the opening of the new headquarters, about 400 employees got involved at some level and built a Habitat House. The company respects diversity and supports the local and national Urban League. Networks include HGTV, DYI (do it yourself) Network, channels for food, cooking and travel, as well as GAC, a country music channel based in Nashville.
Some optimism for the real estate biz Local Realtor John Blair was installed last week as president of the Knoxville Area Association of Realtors (KAAR) and immediately struck an optimistic note both for area homeowners and also for members of his profession who have struggled through some tough times the last few years. Blair, who is with West Knox Realty, told association members at the installation ceremonies at Rothchild, “indicators are that we have bottomed out.” Blair said that while the last five years have seen a nationwide slide both in home values and in the number of properties sold, the average sales price in the 11 county area served by KAAR has held relatively well. He added that while total volume of properties sold in the area was down by 409 units
Anne Hart
during the 2009-2010 period, the average sales price increased during that same period. “Granted, the increase was very small, just half of 1 percent, but it was an increase. I think that is a very encouraging statistic. This leads me to believe that the Knoxville area has bottomed out and will trend upward in 2011.” The local KAAR staff will also see a change this year. Helen Carter, who succeeded the late Barney Thompson as association execu-
tive officer a little more than three years ago, is no longer with the organization. Blair said a search committee has been appointed to find a replacement. In the mean time, Donna Roach, who heads up the association’s MLS division, is serving as interim director. Other new officers are Mike Pappas of Coldwell Banker Wallace & Wallace, past president; Amanda Stone of Realty III, president-elect, and Dave Santi of Re/ Max Preferred Properties, treasurer. With this new John Blair position, Santi, a longtime local Realtor, has now held every position on the board.
someone to know who wants to know you
Contact: annehartsn@aol.com
Authentic - Inspiring - Real Access to proven marketing and sales strategies as well as guidance from accomplished leaders who are ready to help you grow your business is what this Summit is all about. Success is something you earn, which means it's something you do, which means it's teachable if you are open to learning new strategies that will help you grow your business.
Joe Melia
Kaeser & Blair eWomen Network Business Matchmaker for February 865-539-4104
In the interest of full disclosure, I must confess that I am particularly interested in Blair’s optimism because I am one of those Realtors who has endured (and not patiently!) the market slowdown. And in an act of shameless selfpromotion, I want my clients – past, present and future – to know that I have changed offices and am now affiliated with the Realty Executives Bearden office. That said, nothing could be better for the well-being of all of us – Realtors, homeowners, business owners and the nation as a whole – than for Blair’s optimism to be well founded. The decline of the real estate market brought home (no pun intended) to all of us the vital importance of this one industry to the financial stability of the entire country.
Thursday, February 17 Rothchilds Catering, 8807 Kingston Pike • Knoxville 11:30am - 3:00pm
Sandra is joined by a select group of entrepreneurs who will share their wisdom, mistakes, and successful moves as well as answer your questions.
Doors open and informal networking begins at 10:30am
What You Will Learn
: For more information ector Dir g gin na Linda Parrent, Ma 247-0157 ork.com www.eWomenNetw twork.com Ne en om eW nt@ rre lindapa
• Discover Sandra's new "C.A.S.H." model • How to generate more profitable business • Effective ways to stand out and be noticed • How to grow your business bigger in slow times • Collaboration strategies that accelerate your profits
Featured Panelists:
Judy Irmen
Dawn Steimer
Holli McCray