Space Coast BUSINESS - Technology Edition

AUG 2019 OCT 2019

SYNERGISTIC SUCCESS

SENA-TECH & VEYTEC: TOGETHER THEY ARE BETTER

Nicholas Roney & Steven Terry

INTENDED CONSEQUENCES

The Lockheed Headquarters Story

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WELCOME

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Back to Our Roots My relationship with Space Coast Business began as a monthly contributor when the publication was launched in 2006. It was very exciting, as the initial vision was to be a platform to inspire, educate and inform the business community in Brevard.

Later, the company acquired Space Coast Living and added its subsidiary publications, SCL Health, SCL Home and SCL Flavors. In 2013, I became one of the owners, when we introduced our Orlando magazine, i4 Business.

During the summer of 2019, Joseph Duda and I took over Space Coast Magazines, the publisher of Space Coast Business, Space Coast Living, Discover the Space Coast and other specialty publications. More than anything else we wanted to get all the magazines back to that primary vision of inspiring, educating, informing and

celebrating, not only the business community, but the whole of Brevard’s culture.

Probably the biggest difference you the reader will see, was that we decided to move away from being a marketing company (SCB Marketing) that publishes magazines, to being a group of publications that celebrates the incredible live, work and play dynamic of the Space Coast. You may not have seen the change yet, but it is a shift in focus that we think will have a transformative impact on our organization and ultimately better serve you, our community.

Eric Wright PUBLISHER ERIC@SPACECOASTMAGAZINES.COM

THIS MONTH’S THEME: Technology

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COVER STORY SENA-TECH AND VEYTECH

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HOSPICE CLINICAL STAFF IMPROVES PATIENT CARE WITH IPADS [ By Michael Polarchy, Health First, Contributor ]

Photos provided by Health First

W

hen Jeanne Simpson, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), found out over a year ago that she would be involved in an iPad pilot program, the first thought that came to mind was better patient care.

“Getting accurate information and getting it faster,” said Simpson, the social work lead for Hospice of Health First.

Fast forward to 2019, and the Hospice clinical staff team has more than 60 iPads. So far, everyone has noticed a big improvement compared to using their former work laptops. With the iPads, there are no delays when it comes to patient care. The devices start quickly and come with automatic cellular service, which is extremely useful when clinical staff members need to find vital information on the iPad during visits in the field with patients.

“We have people who depend on us 24/7 for routine and crisis issues, so the quicker we can see the ‘whole picture’ through previous documentation from their physician, other team members, medications and goals, the better customer service and patient care we can give,” Simpson said.

To learn more about Hospice of Health First and its quality care services, visit HF.org/hospice.

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risty Smith has had many mentors, though not necessarily in the traditional

sense. For Smith, many family members and EXECUTIVE HIGHLIGHT

colleagues have played a part, big and small, in helping her advance in her career and reach her fullest potential.

Though her mother passed away when Smith was young, she credits her mother as a mentor, sharing that the loss forced her to see the fragility of life. In turn, this caused her to work harder than most. She also shared that her husband, Ray Smith, has always been a driving force, and that he and their children have inspired her to do and be better. She wants them to understand there are no limits to what they can achieve if they try hard enough.

For Kristy Smith, fostering a team environment in where every person is valued is of great importance. She talks highly of G & G’s, what she refers to as, “behind the scenes” team, which includes: the office staff who deal with customers and general contractors (GCs); and the people out in the field who work tirelessly in the heat, day after day, to ensure all customers and GCs are happy. “I have to admit, those guys [in the field] are my heroes,” said Smith.

As most of the team have been with G & G

Kristy Smith Vice President

since the beginning, she thinks of her G & G team as family, and she does everything she does, not just for her immediate family, but for her work family as well. She is a hard worker, but most importantly, she is a dedicated leader who cares deeply about the people with whom she works; she finds joy in helping each member of her team see and reach their

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SPONSORED SPONSORED

L

ess than a decade ago, Eric Parent was a self-described (with a laugh) unknown “rock star” who played in “dive bars.” He was a “bar musician” who sang and mostly played acoustic guitar, living in parts of Massachusetts and Connecticut. He actually began to perform years earlier, barely a teenager.

So, ask Parent to title a song that would aptly represent his thriving Melbourne advertising agency, and what does he come up with?

“Data Is King.”

And the theme? “There’s a lot of truth in looking at the numbers,” he explains.

Much has changed in Parent’s life since those early days, but his intrigue with numbers — of the data — clearly hasn’t.

Back then, he used such information to help attract patrons, through social media, to watch his shows around town. He was his own promoter. Not coincidentally, he shifted his song choices from acoustic hip-hop to more mainstream music pop music — “playing what people wanted.”

Then eventually, he began to help bar and restaurant owners promote their other events and dining coupons. And with success, although he concedes that the pay wasn’t especially great.

“I really found the whole strategy of everything quite fascinating,” he recalls.

Now, as cofounder of Next Level Digital Media and Marketing, LLC, Parent has a very different set of clients, but his approach to marketing is largely the same.

“The agency a machine of data-focused marketing and advertising, focusing on return for clients,” Parent said without a hint of boast. “We only spend [clients’] money when we should.”

DIFFERENT SETTING, SAME TUNE NEXT LEVEL DIGITAL MEDIA AND MARKETING, LLC'S CLIENT-FOCUSED MARKETING STRATEGIES HIT THE RIGHT CHORD

A month later, they decided to partner and establish Next Level Digital Media and Marketing, LLC. They were ideal complements. Parent was enamored with social media, vowing to be paid only when his work “moved the needle” for a client. Vasquez brought the requisite business sense.

“I was interested in recording results, data and analytics, and quantifying. Matt knew how to turn that into a business,” said Parent, now 35, adding that Vasquez serves as CEO. The move to Melbourne was made following an initial 2.5 years in Eau Gallie.

Agency services range from web Search Engine Optimization and creating relevant brand content to video production, web design and using YouTube and Facebook to target audiences with strategic messaging.

For example, regarding Search Engine Optimization (SEO),

[ By Michael Candelaria, Writer ]

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In September 2016, Parent met Matthew Vasquez, a Titusville native who, Parent noted, has “sort of business-focused mind.”

They met over “whiskey and wings,” Parent joked.

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work is centered on crafting digital experiences that drive revenue and profits by delivering top-notch web-search results.

According to Next Level Digital Media and Marketing, LLC's own website, “… To avoid being pushed down under competitors, we integrate a great variety of strategies in order to ensure that your website is always optimized to show as a top rank.”

“You’re the pioneer, we’re mission control,” the website wording continued.

Another sample of the agency’s thinking: “Reserving a TV spot was the golden ticket to advertising success. YouTube and Facebook have changed that; the ability to target specific audiences, track engagement, make them more effective and they’re cheaper than TV.”

engagement — in the community.

Both Parent and Vasquez are omnipresent in groups, organizations and efforts that span philanthropy, economic development and general civic service, among others. They encourage their staff to do same.

Almost like lyrics in a song, Parent waxes poetically about the desire to help others.

“Community is 100% how we’ve been able to succeed this entire time — by having people believe in us, even though many have never been clients,” he said. “… I like to think it’s helping our whole area become better.”

And again, Parent repeats his mantra of cost conservation: “We only spend money when we should.”

Next Level Digital Media and Marketing, LLC has five full-timers along with approximately 14 others who work on projects. “My team is way better than me at everything when it comes to advertising and marketing. I’ve been smart enough to know that I’m not smart enough to do it all,” Parent said.

In addition, Parent adds the agency is committed to nurturing organic growth from within. He points out that among his top professionals is a former intern who worked at a coffee shop next door to his office.

Similarly, a significant component of Next Level Digital Media and Marketing, LLC's success is its presence — and helpful

Eric Parent and Matthew Vazquez (top) Eric Parent (below) Photos provided by Next Level Digital Media and Marketing, LLC

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SYNERGISTIC SUCCESS

COVER STORY

SENA-TECH & VEYTEC: TOGETHER THEY ARE BETTER

[ By Eric Wright, Publisher ]

R

esearch and personal experience both confirm that in the mathematics of synergy, one quickly moves from arithmetic, to geometric progressions, where potential can become something exponential. As author Steven Covey said, “Synergy is what happens when one plus one equals ten or a hundred or even a thousand! It’s the profound result when two or more respectful human beings determine to go beyond their preconceived ideas to meet a great challenge.”

All businesses and economies are built on the principle of collaboration and interdependence, but on occasion, professional synergy moves to a unique level. This is the case with Steven Terry of Melbourne based Sena-Tech and Nicholas Roney of Veytec.

Terry’s company is one of the area’s leading contractors for system design and installation of structured cabling, access controls, intrusion detection, video surveillance and audio/ 12: SPACE C OAST B U SI N E S S

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video systems. Veytec is an IT infrastructure and services firm, locally representing Cisco Systems, the industry leading vendor of technical integration equipment from the Data Center to Collaboration and Network Security. By finding ways to work together and leverage the synergy found in complimentary skillsets, Sena-Tech and Veytec are able to offer and deliver complete, end-to-end technology solutions from the data center all the way to phones, video and security devices.

WHY IT WORKS “What Sena-Tech offers, Veytec doesn’t, and what Veytec offers, Sena-Tech doesn’t” Terry said. Adding, “Between our complimentary expertise, along with a focus on delivering an exceptional customer experience, the dynamic of our partnership has worked really well.” According to Roney, Veytec and Sena-Tech are very similar in size and approach.

S PAC E C OAST B U S INES S .CO M

SPONSORED

(L to R) Steven Terry, Nicholas Roney, Jonathan Bonnett and Mike Williams Jr. Photography by Jason Hook

“We are both locally concentrated and very relationally driven, while bringing state of the art technologies and business solutions to our clients,” he said.

Being “relationally driven” means that each company spends a lot of time listening and getting to know the needs and expectations of the customer before deciding which customized solutions to implement. When it is a campus as large and complex as Mike Erdman’s new Nissan and Toyota dealership, located where 520 intersects with I-95, the challenges are considerable. Their experience, of working not only with the client, but with the general contractor – in this case MH Williams – becomes paramount. This hands-on approach also allows both local partners to deliver tailored and specific solutions for each complex project.

It is not the first time the companies have teamed together.

Last year, Pirtek – an international hydraulic hose company –

opened its national headquarters in Rockledge. It is a state of the art 120,000 square foot facility on a 10-acre site, which is the base for its U.S. operations. Again, Sena-Tech, Veytec and the general contractor worked together to produce a center where franchisees from around the country come, along with being their national distribution center.

CUSTOMIZED VALUE ADD Roney came to Veytec after serving as an intelligence officer with the U.S. Army Special Forces. It was an experience that trained him to analyze copious amounts of data, before making recommendations that could put Soldiers in harm’s way. It is a skill set that has bridged into his current profession quite well.

After his Army career, he was trained by an organization founded by a former head of sales for Cisco, which works exclusively with veterans to provide them a fast-track to O CTOB ER 2 019: 13

an Account Executive position. He then went to Veytec. “We are, what is referred to as, ‘a value-added reseller,’” Roney explained, “serving in that integration space between what vendors (such as Cisco) can supply and what a client needs.

Our engineers and I do extensive discovery of the network and the organization, then work with the clients to produce a uniquely tailored and cost-effective solution for their company.”

For instance, in the Pirtek facility, there were multiple conference rooms, which used four or five different types of Cisco collaboration gear tailored to meet the specific requirements of that room. As companies have more and more employees working remotely, as well as many needing global access, Veytec supplies the technology and Sena-Tech provides expert Project Management and installation to produce – among other things – board and conference rooms that have full audio/video displays and cameras that even move to track the person who is talking.

voltage cabling, security cameras, access card readers, etc.

Sena-Tech and Veytec came highly recommended, especially

by MH Williams, and offered that complete solution” Jonathan Bonnett, Mike Erdman Auto Group’s IT Manager said.

Bonnett went on to say that the two companies “seemed to know exactly what we wanted and anticipated our needs.”

Through their experience with other locations, the Erdman Group had a number of ideas and Sena-Tech and Veytec came back with solutions that exactly fit their requirements.

“From an IT perspective, the system they designed and implemented is very easy to manage,” Bonnett said. “It is a lifesaver for me,” he added, “I can manage the networks on or off site. It is all cloud based; with features you just can’t find from other manufacturers.”

WORKING WITH PEOPLE YOU TRUST On major projects, like the Toyota and Nissan dealership, the buck ultimately stops with the general contractor, who oversees all elements of the construction process, in this case MH Williams Construction Group.

Even if a subcontractor is to blame for a problem, the client always defaults to the general contractor to make it right.

Fortunately, Steve Terry of Sena-Tech and Mike

Cisco/Meraki MS250 switches

MAKING AN EXPERIENCE When Mike Erdman moved his car dealership from Merritt Island out to I-95 in Cocoa, he wanted his customers to have an experience they couldn’t find anywhere else. That vision can be seen in everything from the car tower, which is visible from the interstate, to the technology that enhances the customer, sales and service experience, along with the technology that facilitates the dealer’s operations.

“When the project was moving forward, we started reaching out to different vendors for the IT solutions we needed. We wanted a team who could provide the network, phone systems, low 14: SPACE C OAST B U S I N E SS

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Isonas card reader for access control

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Williams Jr., the vice president of MH Williams, have known each other personally and professionally for a number of years. This has led to collaborating on several projects, including facilities for Embraer and Satcom Direct.

“I really like Steve’s approach,” Williams said. “He and his team are extremely professional, well prepared and always delivering on time. Plus, you can tell they stay abreast of the ever- evolving technology which clients are looking for.” Williams added that Terry is also skilled at interfacing with a client to discover their needs and is quick to recognize when additional experts in the industry are needed. Then he will bring in experts, like Veytec, who can address specific desires or questions the client has.

“There are an immense number of options customers can choose from. It is great having someone like Steve, who is local, who can meet with the client and work with them from concept, through installation, to testing and then being fully operational,” Williams said.

More and more, whether it is a corporate headquarters or a place where clients are making purchase decisions, the goal is to create environments where technology and human interaction produce a productive, memorable and pleasant experience. The only way to generate that connection, is the same type of synergy seen in talented musical groups, where each musician’s special expertise is blended together to create that unique/harmonious combination.

This is what Sena-Tech and Veytec have been able to deliver.

Cisco/Meraki wireless access point

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PALM BAY

PICTURE THIS: 142 PRODUCTIONS [ By Eric Wright, Publisher ]

T

here is an old cliché that, “A picture speaks 1,000 words.”

Even before he was teen, and before everyone could take pictures on their cell phones, Duncan Moore of 142 Productions always had a camera with him. He grasped the power photography had to capture a moment and tell a story, but soon realized that video could take that power to another level. “I heard someone say, ‘What is better than a picture?’ Why, 20 pictures per second,” Duncan said.

There is nothing new about the compelling value of a well-produced video. Since the 1950’s and ’60s, when television became a fixture in every American home, video has been there to entertain, educate and engender sales. What is different today is the cost of video production is a fraction of what it was 30 years ago. In addition, the internet provides platforms for delivering video content that multiply daily.

However, like the difference between the kind of photos that don the covers of magazines and your typical selfie, effective videos require the right combination of technology and creative thought. “We have a process that goes into every video we produce,” said Jessica Moore, Duncan’s wife and business partner.

“We want to differentiate each client, to effectively tell the client’s ‘why’ to their particular target audience.”

From passion to business

Photos provided by 142 Productions

Jessica and Duncan met in film school, though both grew up here on the Space Coast. “In school we shot on 16mm and 32mm film,” Duncan said. “When you do that, you have to carefully script and plan every shot and every scene.” That commitment to both the craft and the process is something that they are able to bring to clients and their audiences;

audiences which are becoming more and more demanding and discriminating about the video content that will hold their attention for 60 seconds.

people are drawn. That is that nugget that sticks in people’s mind,” Duncan said.

Their name, 142 Productions, comes from the tale of Christopher McCandless’ journey into the Alaskan wilderness, told in the book and film, Into the Wild. The abandoned “Magic Bus,” where McCandless found refuge, was number 142. “We were inspired by the story and actually spent two years traveling around the country before we started our company,” Jessica shared. “In retrospect, ‘3-2-1 Productions’ may have been better in this area,” Duncan added. But, 142 certainly gives Jessica and Duncan Moore the opportunity to share an interesting story.

Because Jessica and Duncan Moore trained to produce great videos, running the business side of 142 has been an admitted challenge. “We were so focused on our craft, that P&L’s and business projections were not familiar territory for us,” Jessica shared. Together, the Moores reached out to the Palm Bay Chamber for advice and mentoring. “It was hard at first to ask for help, but the Chamber really stepped up,” Duncan said.

On the business side

Good video content, like all compelling content, educates, demonstrates, performs and entertains. They call it the EDPI model and 142 uses that strategy in all its videos.

“This approach builds trust between the company and the viewer, providing value to which

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Our mission is to serve, advocate and promote as the trusted voice for our business community.

Another source of training they connected to was weVENTURE at FIT. Their Ignite 360 program paired them with a team who served as a board of directors, both encouraging and challenging the directions, decisions and assumptions the Moores were making; it provided a group of mentors.

“We had to learn to sell ourselves, which I wasn’t comfortable doing” said Duncan. “But people want to buy from a person, not a company. So, we learned to network and build relationships.” Another aspect of that transition was moving from being a video company, to a company that helps people market themselves through video. “We begin by asking a lot of questions to find their why, their competitive edge,” Jessica said.

It has been a successful formula upon which 142 Productions is continuing to build.

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A PERFECT PLACE TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS 4100 Dixie Highway NE, Palm Bay, 32905 info@greaterpalmbaychamber.com 321-951-9998 www.GreaterPalmBayChamber.com

Presents

Join us for a fun karaoke party that promotes purpose, power and positivity! Hear Our Voices is our annual fundraiser with a twist. Come sing your hearts out for weVENTURE with our karaoke DJ. Get ready to have your voice heard, challenge a friend or just enjoy the show!

When: Thursday, Oct. 17, 5:30–8 p.m.

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1002 E. New Haven Ave. in Downtown Melbourne

Donation: $25 for entry;

$25 more to be on the “no sing list” 662-0919

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TITUSVILLE

Photos provided by 8K Solutions

TOUCHDOWNS IN HIGH DEFINITION:

8K SOLUTIONS IS ALL ABOUT SCORING POINTS WITH THE BEST FOOTBALL COACHES IN AMERICA [ By Michael Candelaria, Writer ]

B

ill Belichick, head coach of the New England Patriots — winners of six Super Bowl championships — is a fan of Dan Aton.

pixel resolution and viewing size — the company is part of teams nationwide at practice facilities, team meeting rooms, locker rooms and coaches’ offices.

So are 31 of the other head coaches of the National Football League, along with more than 100 top coaches in Division I college football.

Using technology to analyze video and give instant feedback to players has become a powerful tool in sports. In that sense, 8K Solutions, established in 2014 with a roster of approximately 25 employees housed in a 26,000-square-foot headquarters, scores touchdowns all over the place.

Aton doesn’t run with the ball elusively, make great passes from the quarterback position or lead a team in tackles on defense.

But he does help coaches get the most out of their own players.

Dan Aton

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Aton is founder and CEO of 8K Solutions in Titusville, which relies on decades of technology know-how to provide expert service and innovative lines of ultra-high-definition cameras to professional and collegiate sports organizations. In essence, as a trusted tech partner for the design, integration and maintenance of video solutions — with immense |

“We’re focused on the needs of what in the big scheme of things is a pretty narrow niche of customer base,” Aton says.

Leading the way: mastRcam. Talk about a versatile player.

Arriving on the scene about five years ago, the mastRcam is best known for its ability to film from tall heights while being operated by a person safely on the ground. That’s especially important during use in windy conditions. Plus, there are multiple versions, each literally rising to the occasion, positioned high above practice fields. They include the mastRcam mobile, mastRcam SC and mastRcam Tower, all more maneuverable than traditional lifts or stationary structures.

Notably, both teams from last year’s Super Bowl, the Patriots as well as the Los Angeles Rams, ran the mastRcam through its paces in preparation for the big game.

SPAC E C OASTBU S INES S .CO M

“We definitely don’t want to lose our focus on our core customer base,” Aton adds about his customers and the continual development of new technologies.

That isn’t likely to happen, not with newcomers such as the Lyvve Coach and its instant video review on screens located right on the practice field.

The system’s highlights: Each play is automatically created and "loops" until the next play is executed. Also, remote control and tablet interfaces enable coaches to illustrate their teaching points. Designed with the coach in mind, it’s the “world's first and most costeffective practice field replay system,” according to Aton.

The newest star is the Walk Through Wall. One can call it the NFL’s popular Madden video game on steroids. The system produces projected images of approximately 40 feet wide and 10 feet high — with either virtual characters graphically generated or actual video

stretched and formatted to fit a wall of that size. Teams use it to “walk through” their game plans.

“It really creates almost a [virtual reality] kind of experience,” Aton says, noting the challenge for teams is having an available room large enough to accommodate the viewing screen.

Actually, all of 8K Solutions’ equipment can be described as larger than life.

They have to be, Aton says, because the competitive stakes are that high.

“There is a place for it,” Aton explains about the technology and equipment.

“But people going out in their normal home and buying an 8K 65-inch TV, the cost is probably not worth the payoff. It’s more of an industrial and commercial application, where you’re viewing it on a very large screen. Then there’s a difference; then it’s worth the investment.”

technology, now with more than two decades of related industry experience.

He mostly hasn’t strayed from a game plan that is squarely centered on football. And it’s a game plan that is closely tied to Titusville. He went to high school in Titusville, and his wife grew up there. In addition, he’s an integral part of numerous local organizations.

In the end, he wants to win in football, and he wants to do it from home, describing Titusville as a “big part of my personal life and community life.”

It’s happening — and you can view it on big screens.

Aton and 8K Solutions are betting on it.

Aton is a pioneer in sports video

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AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Rich in history, nature, recreation and technology, Titusville is the place to begin your visit, your business, your career, your family, your life.

Today Titusville and the surrounding area includes many of our highest-visibility corporate neighbors, and we're on the move.

The economy is ramping up (along with our rocket launches), and three major cycle trails converge right here. Keep watching.

Begin to make connections that can make a difference.

Start Here

Marcia Gaedcke Gaedcke@Titusville.org

CIT Y OF

F L O R I DA

Edyie McCall Edyie.McCall@Titusville.com

Troy Post, CEcD, CBE Troy.Post@BrevardFL.gov

LAUNCH FROM HERE is a community-forward initiative to help tell the story of Titusville and provide a vital and united way to bring greater attention to its unique accomplishments, places, people and opportunities.

O CTO B ER 2 019: 21

MELBOURNE

Photos provided by CNI

CREATIVE NETWORK INNOVATIONS (CNI) [ By Mili Godio, Writer ]

F

or many people, living in a society where technology is an important part of everyday life means placing value on Internet security and privacy. For business owners, it is extremely important to maintain a digital security strategy to ensure that information and data of the business, as well as that of their customers, are safe from threats. This is why a company such as Creative Network Innovations, or CNI, is vital in today’s technology-rich culture.

CNI is a small IT firm based in Melbourne that focuses on outsourced Information Technology (IT) services and data solutions that assist and empower businesses. CNI is different from other companies in the surrounding area in that the company not only services clients through its outsourced IT department, but also services clients out of its own data center located in Melbourne, the first purpose-built data center in Brevard County. The services that CNI provide are not only limited to managed IT solutions but also includes cloud and data center solutions, structured cabling and software development, high level technical consulting and projects for companies and security awareness training and assessments.

CNI uses a holistic approach when providing services, giving clients the opportunity to use several items at once and tailoring

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solutions to specifically align with a company’s personal goals and business strategy.

Corey Johnson founded the Corey company 22 years ago after being Johnson stationed at Patrick Air Force Base and setting up tactical data centers for the air force. Once Johnson retired from the military, he began to do high end consulting with various big-name firms, thus resulting in the birth of CNI. Each year, CNI has managed to grow substantially through mainly wordof-mouth and referrals, contributing to an organic growth as a company.

CNI upholds customer satisfaction and trust as a primary value throughout the company. Its primary focus is servicing clients properly and communicating with them to ensure that the services are being implemented to their satisfaction. Being a locally based company has allowed CNI to service its customers as efficiently as possible, inviting clients to come into the main office for questions, maintaining a ticketing system to

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WHAT CAN Chamber Membership DO FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

track issues, providing a live person each time a client calls in and even utilizing an after-hours service with techs working overnight to assist clients. CNI’s clients also maintain several contacts within the organization that they may reach if needed, making the company accessible and reliable for businesses in need of assistance. Alex Dunnam, head of sales for CNI, emphasizes that the company’s philosophy is to serve the community as best that it can. Dunnam states, “We like to call ourselves the ‘IT Problem Solvers’ because we don’t like to just Band-Aid problems and hope they don’t happen again; we like to find the root cause to solve it and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

In terms of online security, CNI mitigates risk as much as possible inside each client’s infrastructures. According to Dunnam, proactive monitoring and management mixed with several layers of security is key to maintaining comprehensive security infrastructure. CNI understands that IT security is a crucial part of a company that stems not only from the IT firm but also from integrated staff support in part of the client.

By providing awareness training, CNI educates the client’s employees on basic security measures that they may face regularly. Ensuring employees are aware of potential threats paired with continued assistance and a variety of services makes CNI a useful resource for security of crucial company data and information.

Find out more about Creative Network Innovations at www.cniweb.net or contact them via email at info@cniweb.net.

• Business support and development resources • Networking events, including monthly business breakfasts, business after hours events, council events, and more • New business opportunities • Access to professional development, including seminars and workshops • Participation in councils and committees pertaining to your field • Complimentary listing in Melbourne Chamber Member Directory on website and app • Complimentary Traffic Catcher website • Exclusive advertising and sponsorship opportunities to other chamber members as well as the community • Representation on governmental issues • Advocacy for a strong business community

Contact the Chamber today for more information.

1005 East Strawbridge Avenue Melbourne, FL 32901-4782 Tel: (321) 724-5400 www.MelbourneRegionalChamber.com O CTO BER 2 019: 23

COCOA BEACH

‘RESORT’ REHAB: VIERA DEL MAR HEALTH AND REHABILITATION CENTER IS ON THE WAY TO SETTING NEW INDUSTRY STANDARDS

[ By Michael Candelaria, Writer ]

R

achael Mazer leaves little doubt about her willingness and ability to engage with others throughout her community.

“I’m a social butterfly,” Mazer said.

As the administrator/chief executive of Viera del Mar Health and Rehabilitation Center, which opened to patients last spring, Mazer’s pleasant disposition fits well. Owned by Gulf Coast Health Care, a leading multistate provider of short-term, postacute and skilled nursing services, the center has ambitious plans.

Built on Stadium Parkway, the center is a senior rehabilitation and nursing care center to serve Viera and surrounding areas — with eyes on being a resort.

“We didn’t want to be like everybody else,” Mazer noted about the vision. “Our expectations are higher.”

Specifically, Viera del Mar is designed to expert care in recovery from accidents, illnesses or injuries. Specialists customize in medical, nutritional, mental and behavioral treatments; work with referring doctors to issue progress reports or update treatments and clinical care as needed; and collaborate with local specialty physicians to further individualize your care.

In addition, personalized discharge plans are created with follow-up support. Meanwhile, outcomes meet and typically exceed industry standards, with the rate of return to hospitals considered exceptional, cites Mazer.

There are 131 beds in all, with 77 private rooms and 27 semiprivate rooms.

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Services encompass physical, occupational and speech therapy; medication management provided by a wellness team; 24hour skilled nursing care; specialized skin and wound care with weekly consultations as needed; respiratory therapy; stroke rehabilitation; diabetes management; VitalStim® therapy to correct swallowing problems; cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation; hospice care; and postsurgical care.

That’s just a sampling. The full list is long.

Also, included throughout the center’s 92,600 square feet are more than 3,850 square feet of therapy space with state-of-theart equipment and modalities. Mazer calls it a “rehabilitation gym.” There is a rehab courtyard, too, along with a studio apartment that provides therapy teams the opportunity to conduct complete therapy evaluations by studying daily activities, plus a beauty salon/spa, restaurant-style dining and room service.

A few more amenities: a movie theater, bistro, active life enrichment programs, private dining for family celebrations, WiFi Internet access and flat screen televisions.

The overriding message: “No matter the need, we are committed to helping you or your loved one achieve the highest level of independence and health.”

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Notably, the center already has received national recognition from NRC Health, an organization that honors top-performing hospitals and health systems. NRC recognized the center’s ability to discover and fulfill residents’ most important needs and expectations.

The center, according to Mazer, holds true to ownership’s motto, “A New Generation of Care.”

Gulf Coast Health Care operates 43 skilled nursing and assisted living centers throughout Florida and Mississippi with a team of more than 6,000 employees, referred to as associates.

Mazer, who has been part Gulf Coast for more than five years, says the company understands that the mindset and needs of caregiving is ever-evolving. As a result, the company cultivates a proactive, progressive approach to meeting that challenge — particularly when it comes to staffers, who currently total more than 90 nurses, therapists, counselors and other care providers, with addition personnel planned in the future.

COCOA BEACH REGIONAL Chamber of Commerce

Think of the CBRCC when you’re ready to market your business to the local community!

Partnership of more than 1,500 local businesses Expanded offices in Viera, Cocoa Beach and kiosk desk in Port Canaveral’s Exploration tower Consists of 80% small business

While the center looks forward to contributing to the area’s economic development through jobs, employment positions won’t be filled without ample due diligence.

“We don’t just higher people who walk through the door.

Associates [staff members] are part of the interview process, peer review,” she describes. “They can confirm or deny [a hiring], and it gives them a voice. … We try to promote empowerment and compassion.”

For Mazer, that also means customer service, both to patients and to their families.

Assists in bridging the gap between big business and small business Fosters a pro-business environment while providing valuable tools and resources to ensure business success

Stop into any of our locations for area information, coupons and more!

“Customer service is really our big focus,” she said. “Quality is a given in our industry that we have to have good quality of care.

But we really have a huge focus on customer service and guest service.”

Rachael Mazer

It’s an accommodating approach, she added, that extends throughout Greater Melbourne. The center is a frequent sponsor of community events, such as health fairs, while volunteerism from locals is welcomed at the center and is encouraged outward among staffers.

“We want to be able to help the community, too,” Mazer concludes. “… We want to show the community what we’re made of.”

Photos provided by Viera del Mar

Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce (Main Office) (321) 459-2200

The Avenue Viera (321) 454-2021 Convention & Visitors Bureau Tourism Information Office (321) 784-6444 Tourist Information Kiosk, Exploration Tower 670 Dave Nisbet Dr. Port Canveral

CocoaBeachChamber.com O CTO B ER 2019: 2 5

EDC

INTENDED CONSEQUENCES

THE STORY BEHIND THE SPACE COAST’S NEW HEADQUARTERS [ By Sebastian Northside, Writer ]

T

he real story behind the new headquarters, that are being located on the Space Coast like Lockheed Martin’s Fleet Ballistics Missile headquarters’, is one that began quite a while ago. Like the awe of seeing a huge wave break on the beach, we usually do not realize that wave may have traveled hundreds, if not thousands, of miles to make that dramatic splash. This story actually began during a sixty-one-day period in 2005.

In that fateful year, Florida was facing the possibility of losing up to five military installations, and Brevard County was especially vulnerable. Three years earlier, United States Secretary of Defense, Donald H. Rumsfeld, announced that 20-25% of all U.S. Military Bases would be closed in an effort to increase the efficiency of our military.

Known as BRAC, or a Base Realignment and Closure, this process had only been conducted four times throughout the United States’ history. However, this round was

to equal the total of all the last four BRAC rounds combined.

Taking Action The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) began a strategic approach to maximize the military’s presence in Brevard County. Primary Goals were established, and the community rallied together in a joint effort of support.

On May 13, 2005, also known as “BRAC Friday,” the official list of recommended closures and relocations was released.

Fortunately, Patrick Air Force Base (PAFB) skirted the recommendation to close, saving a huge economic engine for Brevard County.

Currently, there are over 13,000 military, civilian, military dependents and contractors on the base.

The good news that Patrick Air Force Base would remain, came with the news that a recommendation was made to relocate the Nuclear Test and Evaluation at the Naval Ordnance Test Unit (NOTU) in Cape Canaveral, to the Strategic Weapons Facility Atlantic in Kings Bay, Georgia. The work began again. This time, the stakes were clearly defined, and the timeline was extremely tight.

Photos provided by Lockheed Martin

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The EDC and the community had just 61 days to review this new recommendation and prepare a formal argument that would convince the BRAC Commission to reverse their recommendation.

By analyzing the BRAC criteria, the EDC found that if relocated to Kings Bay, NOTU military operations would be degraded and cost significantly more due to the vast increase in transit time from pier, increasing a single mission’s duration by 22-26 hours. In addition, NOTU leadership would lose the Joint Force interaction with the 45th Space Wing, and with NASA. The final step was to testify before the BRAC Commission in New Orleans on July 12, 2005.

Speaking on behalf of Brevard County and the EDC was Captain Bill Borger, U.S Navy Retired, and Congressman Dave Weldon, M.D. In an 8 – 1 Vote, the Commission overturned the recommendation, and NOTU remained at Cape Canaveral.

The Differentiating First Domino Saving NOTU was the first domino in a line which would ultimately lead to the recent announcement that Lockheed Martin would be moving its Fleet Ballistic Missile Program Headquarters from California, to Titusville, Florida.

The sequence was: Lockheed Martin’s Post Production Center of Excellence coming to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in 2006. Then, the Navy Engineering Service Facility in 2009, followed by the Navy Strategic Weapons System Ashore in 2012, then the Lockheed Martin E & O Operation in 2013. All were projects and successes that created the dynamics and catalysts which were key to bringing this important headquarters to Titusville today.

Celebrating a New Headquarters On July 30, nearly 15 years after EDC efforts played an essential role in retaining NOTU in Cape Canaveral, civic and community leaders joined Lockheed Martin executives in recognizing the significant milestone of Lockheed Martin’s Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) Headquarters officially marking its relocation to Titusville, Florida.

The FBM program supports NOTU and its submarinelaunched Trident missiles. The presence of NOTU was one of the key factors in the decision to relocate the FBM Headquarters, announced by Lockheed Martin in February 2017.

This move has already led to a commitment to invest nearly $40 million into the Titusville campus and the transition of 350 jobs from Sunnyvale, California.

Lockheed Martin has developed, built and sustained six

O CTO B ER 2019: 2 7

generations of submarine-launched ballistic missiles under the FBM program.

Sarah Hiza, Lockheed Martin Space’s vice president for Fleet Ballistic Missile programs, said the Space Coast’s significant defense and space industries were crucial in Lockheed Martin’s decision.

October 16, 2019 5:30pm to 8:00pm Cocoa Beach Country Club

20 V I S I O N 20

Sarah Hiza

“The beauty of being in an area where you have a workforce and it’s already mission-focused,” she told the Orlando Sentinel at the dedication, “Is they understand when they are hired what we do. They know what they signed up for.”

Sixty years from now, the success celebrated that day will still be felt on the Space Coast, as a move of this magnitude will positively impact generations to come in Brevard County. In a recent interview, Lynda Weatherman, President and CEO of the EDC stated, "Lockheed Martin's Fleet Ballistic Missile program in Titusville is equivalent to what Embraer was to Melbourne 10 years ago. Coming in, starting in with 200 or 300 jobs, but then as you make the case, it's at 1,000 jobs."

THE IMPORTANCE OF A HEADQUARTERS • Headquarters are the hub of an organization’s operation and administration, and holds a high level of influence not only within its own corporation, but also within the business ecosystem in which it operates.

• By holding a company's executive management team and key managerial and support staff, key business decisions related to functions such as strategic planning, corporate communications, taxes, law, marketing, finance, human resources and information technology are handled within a headquarters • Where a corporation's headquarters is located can play a significant part in helping form its culture and mission, as well as steering its philanthropic and business practices.

• Potential benefits from headquarters include:

2019 annual meeting

Join the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast as we venture forward with 2020 Vision at what the EDC has in store for its next fiscal year, and beyond.

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• Investment into community • Production of well-paying jobs and key executive positions in the area • Attraction of new companies who will want to do business with these well-established companies

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@EDCofFloridasSpaceCoast

www.Spacecoastedc.ORG

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inspirational and memorable anecdotes called, “The Rest of the Story,” so our story is unfinished, so long as we don’t keep pushing “replay.” Perhaps the reason he told these stories, which always came with a surprise ending, was revealed when someone asked him the secret of his success? He simply replied, “I get up when I fall down.”

The Phoenix Like many words in the English language, “Phoenix” comes from Greek. However, the Persians, the Egyptians, the Chinese, the Hebrews and the Romans all had a mythology of the Phoenix. A fabled bird that burns to ashes, but out of the ashes an egg is brought forth, from which a new Phoenix is born.

In both the 1965 film and the 2004 remake, "The Flight of the Phoenix," a group of oil drillers crash land in the

desert and wait, with dwindling supplies, to be rescued.

One survivor, an aeronautical engineer, proposes that they build a plane out of the spare parts left from the crash and fly out of the desert, which most of them agree is preposterous.

But often, passively waiting to be rescued is the more foolish strategy. Whereas, taking stock of what we have, even if it is in disarray, namely our values and what we can do with them, rather continually rehearsing the odds against us. Then realizing, we’ll never feel our way into acting, but instead we must act our way into feeling and move forward to rebuild.

That is the only way we will ever gain the altitude we need to fly beyond where we are.

O CTO B ER 2019: 3 1

SPONSORED

BEST PRACTICE

INNOVATION

Lynda L. WEATHERMAN Lynda L. Weatherman is the president & CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast. She administers all operations and provides strategic direction to an organization responsible for a $2 million budget within a 1,557-square-mile area that is the Palm Bay-MelbourneTitusville MSA.

DESIGNING THE FUTURE OF INNOVATION:

THE SPACE COAST AND FLORIDA TECH MAKE HISTORY AS ISO’S FIRST U.S. HOST

T

he Space Coast is known for many firsts in innovation and technology; from NASA’s first launch in 1950, to man’s first steps on the moon in 1969. Fast forward 50 years and today our region is once again pioneering the innovative ecosystem through our private space industry, high-tech manufacturing sector and educational organizations. It is this new age of innovation which was a key factor for another significant first. In September, the Space Coast became the first United States venue for the Innovation Management World Congress, ISO 56000, hosted by the Center for Innovation Management & Business Analytics at the Florida Institute of Technology and the International Association of Innovation professionals.

ISO, or The International Organization for Standardization, was founded in 1946 “to facilitate the international coordination and unification of industrial standards.” To date, ISO has published tens of thousands of standards covering virtually all parts of manufacturing and technology. These standards help consumers

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understand the quality and safety of products and services, benefit businesses to increase productivity and reduce costs, as well as increase marketplace advantage.

Taking our place in innovation history When innovation is unpredictable, so is growth.

Dr. Abram Walton of Florida Tech explains that the gap in economic value creation between those who can identify and capitalize on new opportunities and those who cannot is growing disproportionately. Of the world’s 6,000 largest public and private organizations, 10% are capturing 80% of the economic profit, with a mere 58 of those firms accounting for 6% of the total profit. Staggeringly, over 95% of new product innovations and 50% of product improvement initiatives fail, with only 3,000 out of 1.5 million U.S. patents being commercially viable. This means 99.8% of those patent efforts consume resources but fail in the market.

Winning organizations are those that level-up their ability to create predictable and sustainable

Aerospace

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Facilities

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competitive advantage by strategically and systematically implementing proven innovation methodologies that execute on the most Innovative and profitable opportunities.

This year’s ISO Congress, ISO 56000, will shape the future of innovation. Why is this critical? Bartlett D. Cleland, Executive Director of the Innovation Economy Institute, explains that not all national policy is made in the U.S. Congress or in the state legislatures. Some are found elsewhere, such as the International Organization for Standardization.

Cleland describes the ISO 56000 series of standards as a means for organizations to share their best practices in innovation management. The new standards will enable collaboration and development of innovations, to make innovation predictable, measurable, and repeatable. Decisions were made around intellectual property, audits, assessments, idea management and even definitions and terminology. And this all took place at the Space Coast’s own Florida Tech, cementing our place in the innovative history books.

What ISO 56000 brings to the Space Coast, and beyond: • Over 75 thought leaders from ISO’s 164 national standards bodies created international exposure to our region.

• These thought leaders discovered more about the history and future of the space industry that is rooted in our community, as well as the best and brightest of what our region has to offer, creating possible opportunities for investment in the future.

• ISO 56000 will spin off partnerships, creating valuable and rare sustainable competitive advantages.

(321) 267-8100 www.rushinc.com

Building with

Integrity

Since 1984

• ISO 56000 demonstrated to a global audience that the Space Coast, much like Silicon Valley, is a key location for innovation and technology. The standards created at Florida Tech are the culmination of hundreds of studies from over a decade of research and collaboration from the best minds across the globe.

• There are around 1.5 million patents in the U.S., yet only around 3,000 of them are commercially viable, and with ineffective innovation practices the growth of these innovations is up to chance. Creating standards for innovation will ensure a level playing field, enabling competitiveness in the international marketplace.

To learn more about ISO 56000 visit https://iaoip.org/innovation-managementworld-congress/

O CTO BER 2019: 33

SPONSORED

BEST PRACTICE

LEGAL

Jack PLATT Jack Platt has been representing injured people for over 25 years and believes in his heart that he has always given his best in representing his clients and that as result of his work, thousands of lives are different. Jack has never worked for an insurance company, and in fact, he has spent the last 25 years fighting against insurance companies and for individuals and will continue to do so for the rest of his career. Should you have any questions about what you need to do, please do not hesitate to contact him.

Platt Hopwood Russell & Cole | 321.725.3425

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS:

WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW?

I

f you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, there are several steps that you need to take immediately.

Unfortunately, one of the most important steps that you must take needs to be addressed prior to the accident. It is imperative that you get the proper type and amount of insurance to cover, not only damages in case you hurt someone else, but also damages in case someone else hurts you through their negligence.

When you are purchasing automobile insurance in the state of Florida, I highly recommend that you purchase, not only the required personal injury protection benefits of $10,000, but also medical payments coverage of $5,000, which covers medical expenses incurred as a result of an accident no matter who causes it.

In addition, we find more and more that people who have caused a motor vehicle accident have either failed to purchase any bodily injury liability coverage, which would cover you for your injuries if someone else is negligent and hurts you, or they purchase minimal bodily injury 34: SPACE C OAST B U SI N E S S

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liability coverage, which is woefully insufficient in covering your damages. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is imperative in today’s world where medical bills are increasing at record rates. I strongly urge you to purchase at least a $100,000 worth of uninsured /underinsured motorist coverage.

If you are a family or individual that owns multiple cars, please make sure that you choose the stacked version of uninsured/underinsured coverage. This means that for every vehicle that is on the policy, you will get another level of coverage. Say you purchase $100,000 worth of coverage and there are three (3) cars on the policy. You would actually have $300,000 worth of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. If you have any questions before meeting with your insurance agent, please feel free to give me a call to discuss these issues.

The next thing I would like to emphasize is how important it is for everyone to be wearing a seatbelt. I have watched over the last 25 years how effective seat belts can be in preventing

deaths and serious injury, but only if they are being used.

Once you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, however, there are a number of steps you need to take.

Following a motor vehicle accident immediately call 911. Even if the accident is relatively minor, it is best to report it to the authorities and make sure that at least a cursory investigation is completed by the police. After you have called 911, simply stay in your car and wait for the police and ambulance to arrive.

Do not hesitate to go to the emergency room by ambulance, if necessary, if you believe you may be injured. It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your health. In addition, you may waive important claims and benefits if you fail to treat with a medical provider within 14 days of your accident.

It is also extremely important that you get photographs of all the vehicles involved in the crash, the scene of the crash and other damage such as skid marks and damage to property. This is important, so whether it is you getting out of your car and taking these photographs or calling a friend or family member to come and be with you and take the photographs while they are there, it needs to be done! I cannot express to you how important it is

to have these photographs later for your claim. It is sometimes impossible to recreate the scene without photographs taken at the time of the crash.

Once the situation is stable, you should immediately contact an attorney. The accident needs to be reported to your insurance company and an experienced attorney can walk you through that telephone call and the recorded statement which is going to be required by your insurance company. I can assure you that once the insurance company for the person who hit you is notified, they will begin their investigation and begin preparing to make sure that this accident costs them as little as possible. If you are going to make a claim for compensation for the injuries you may have received in the crash, it is crucial that you are as prepared as the other side. I want to reiterate that before you contact either insurance company, you should speak to an attorney. You would not enter into a contract that may affect the rest of your life without speaking to an attorney, which is exactly what you may be doing by speaking to either insurance company prior to getting legal representation.

O CTO B ER 2 019: 35

BEST PRACTICE

BUSINESS MARKETING

Geo A. ROPERT Geo A. Ropert, APR is the founder and president of Ropert and Partners Public Relations. His firm develops and executes customized PR and marketing communication strategies for businesses and organizations that want to “rise above the noise” of their competition. Learn more at RopertAndPartners.com.

HI-TECH BUSINESS NEEDS HI-TOUCH PR/MARKETING

H

ave you heard the booms lately? No, not the sonic booms of Space X rockets returning to land at Kennedy Space Center, though they’re a great sound and signal incredible advances in spaceflight. I’m talking about the booms of hi-tech businesses landing in Central Florida, the loud sounds of growth in industries that are turning our area into a dominant player in the tech sector and a desirable location to start and grow a business.

Our area is well known for tourism and retirement villages, but now we’re getting the reputation for building tech villages, clusters of entrepreneurial startups and established businesses bringing their research, development and products, along with skilled workers, to the 23-county region known as Florida’s High Tech Corridor.

To be successful, these businesses need public relations and integrated marketing strategies that are as advanced as they are but still able to make personal connections necessary for building strong customer relationships. So how do you blend hitech with “hi-touch?”

Content, content, content!

In the digital world, building and maintaining a strong brand and getting the attention of your target markets require being able to rise above the

noise of the millions of posts, tweets and online ads that fly through the Internet every day. That’s where your content comes into play.

Compelling content tells your story — who you are, what you do, and the benefits you provide in ways that gets someone’s attention and keeps it. It comes in the forms of articles, case studies, blogs, infographics, photos and videos. One of the fastest-growing segments is interactive content, which requires the participant’s active engagement; more than simply reading or watching.

While you only have seconds to capture a reader’s attention, you can keep it by providing content they value. Articles and blogs, especially longform blogs — over 1,000 words — are gaining in popularity, as they provide more education and in-depth information than can be captured in a short-form of 250-500 words.

Buyers want your business’ content. According to Stratabeat (stratabeat.com), 80% of business decision makers prefer to get company information in a series of articles versus an advertisement. In a 2016 survey by Demand Gen (demandgenreport. com), 95% of buyers are open to considering vendor-related content as trustworthy, and 73% reviewed a case study during their research.

Tech matches tech

Building relationships with bloggers and industry influencers can

It’s not only the content you develop and share but how you track and measure its effectiveness that provides your ROI. While Google Analytics provides great data about your website’s performance, having a sophisticated customer relationship management (CRM) platform to track your marketing, lead generation and sales efforts is a must. A good CRM system will help you leverage efficiency in creating a customer experience that builds brand loyalists and keeps customers buying through automation and analytics. CRMs also ensure you’re reaching the right audience, with the right message, at the right time and through the right communication channels.

also have great value. They can count just as much as traditional

Journalists, bloggers and influencers

responses to website inquiries, but there isn’t one person who

Gone are the days of sending the standard text-only press release to the media. Today, those press releases need eye-catching headlines and content, accompanied by photos, video and website links if they’re to get the attention of a reporter or editor. Journalists need to produce content that gets read and viewed, and most are now required to include photos and video, especially for the stories that get posted to their online news sites. Make their job easy and you’ll be rewarded with more earned “free” media coverage.

media in spreading the word about your business and products.

The authority and trust factor many have cultivated among their followers can validate and leverage what you’re putting out to that same audience.

That personal touch I say this any time I can: Nothing beats cards and letters, preferably hand-written and sent through the U.S. mail. Yes, snail mail still rules. Automated greetings are fine for email campaigns and doesn’t appreciate getting a letter saying that you value their business or were thankful for the opportunity to meet, or receiving a note of congratulations for getting an award or being recognized for their accomplishments.

Technology is taking us places and giving us things we’ve only imagined, but it’s still people who are creating that technology and people who decide what they’ll buy. Don’t forget the human touch.

TECHNOLOGY Protecting inventions, analyzing supply chains, licensing your technology, paying attention to the details from conception through retail.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY From concept through commercialization.

Protecting inventions, analyzing supply chains, licensing your technology, paying attention to the details.

CORPORATE Formation and expansion locally, nationally and internationally.

Financing, leasing, governance… whatever and wherever your business needs.

lowndes-law.com | 321.215.0088

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LOCAL ROOTS. BROAD REACH.SM

UP CLOSE with

MARCIA GAEDCKE

President of the Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce [ By Jack Roth, Writer ] 38: SPACE C OAST B U S I N E SS

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lifetime resident of Titusville, Marcia Gaedcke knows that the Space Coast is truly the “comeback king,” having recovered from the devasting job losses from the Space Shuttle retirement at the beginning of a national recession. As a passionate and thoughtful leader, her efforts as president of the Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce are a big reason why things are looking up in North Brevard, and she’s willing to roll up her sleeves and work to ensure the future remains bright.

What inspired you to take the professional path you have chosen?

Many people have inspired me along the way – teachers, friends, relatives. In my interview for employment at the Chamber, I was asked to name one person I admired who was famous or notable, and I answered Lawton Chiles. The reason I picked him is he made it a point to stay grounded and in touch with the citizens he represented in his career as an elected official. He didn’t let the power of his position(s) influence his perception of his importance or self-worth, and he wasn’t afraid of hard work.

How has your past experience helped you in your current role?

I was fortunate to grow up here, so I have institutional knowledge about this community that has been invaluable over the years. I’m a product of Brevard Public Schools (go Oak Park Eagles, Madison Mohawks and Astronaut War Eagles!). For me, it’s about having an impact in the community where I was raised and building a better place for current and future generations so they can have the opportunities to make positive memories and get a solid foundation for their success.

How would you define your role at the Titusville Area Chamber?

I joke I’m the chief cook and bottle washer … but it’s not really a joke. We’re led by an amazing group of passionate community leaders with our volunteer board of directors, and they set the vision and direction for the organization, but the business of the Chamber isn’t their primary responsibility – it’s mine. I have an incredibly dedicated team I have the privilege of working with every day, but in the end, I’m responsible to the members of this organization and the community to provide value and to keep this organization relevant and growing. In many ways I’m running a small business like many of our members. I worry about the same things they do, and this gives me perspective to help them face their challenges and meet their needs.

For me, it’s about having an impact in the community where I was raised and building a better place for current and future generations so they can have the opportunities to make positive memories and get a solid foundation for their success.

– Marcia Gaedcke

How important is building relationships with the local business community?

Relationships are everything. We’ve worked extremely hard over the last year to look at how we’re communicating with our members and the community, as well as improving our systems and procedures.

Being responsive to input, open to conversation and discussion, and genuinely interested more in the other person/entity than in yourself are key. I constantly remind my team it isn’t about us, it’s about the person needing assistance and what we can provide to get them the results they desire.

How would you define the relationship between the Chamber and the City of Titusville?

There aren’t enough adjectives to describe how much I value the positive relationship we have with the city of Titusville. I’m a big fan of our city manager, and his approach to leadership and development of our city, and he has an amazing team of leaders throughout the organization. We’ve got a solid city council that’s ⊲ O CTO BER 2 019: 39

I constantly remind my team it isn’t about us, it’s about the person needing assistance and what we can provide to get them the results they desire.

– Marcia Gaedcke

tackling opportunities and challenges in a thoughtful manner, and I’m grateful for my friendship and business relationship with each and every one of them. The Chamber and the city work very closely on many things, including our Launch From Here community brand, and we’re so much stronger and impactful as a result.

What is your greatest challenge?

First, I would say resource development. Maintaining relevance and being innovative and involved in literally every aspect of the community takes a lot of hard work and funding. We’re masters at doing a lot with a little and stretching our resources to cover all of our bases, but it would be nice to not have to worry sometimes.

The second challenge is more personal. When you’re in my position, people associate you with that more than anything else, and when you speak or express an opinion, it’s usually viewed as the opinion of the Chamber. That’s a lot of responsibility, and I take it very seriously.

What is your No. 1 goal for the Chamber?

Right now, it’s financial stability and building a solid reserve. We’ve weathered a lot as a community with the recession and the retirement of the Space Shuttle, and the Chamber has suffered along with every other business and organization. We’re in a bit of a rebuilding mode too, growing our membership, increasing our revenue streams, continuing to innovate and stay on top of the latest trends and technology, so focusing on that reserve base to free ourselves up to embrace new opportunities and provide more services is my biggest priority.

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What do you love most about your job?

The diversity. I can’t imagine another place where I could be involved in so many different things. We’re engaged in education, advocacy, environment, recreation, social services – you name it. I’ve learned so much, and every day presents a new challenge or opportunity.

How does technology help the Chamber with outreach and other initiatives?

It’s changed the way we communicate, but it has also increased the expectations of our constituents.

We’ve integrated texting reminders, targeted e-mails and blogs, and added social media channels to our repertoire. We’re also working with interactive maps and videos on our website and are always looking at new ways to share information and get our message across. Technology is also a top concern for many of our members, so we’ve developed programming to help them navigate their way and make informed decisions about what’s best for their business.

What do you love the most about the Space Coast?

We’re in close proximity to anything we could possibly want, and if it’s not here we have access to major transportation hubs to get us there. I also love the intersection of nature and technology. Seeing the commitment of this community to our natural environment while still challenging the edges of human exploration and technological development continues to be a thrill for me. My favorite place to watch a launch is from my kayak out in the lagoon.

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