Workshop for Small Businesses

September 30, 1997 - On October 23, the Washington Business Journal (WBJ) will present the "Small Business Strategies" workshop. Jeffrey Gitomer, an industry leader in sales training, will discuss sales and marketing techniques. Bob McDonald and Don Hutcheson, authors of "The Lemming Conspiracy: How to Redirect Your Life from Stress to Balance," will address ways in which individuals can cope with the demands of life and career. The workshop will take place at the Tysons Corner Ritz Carlton with registration and breakfast beginning at 7:30 a.m. To register, please e-mail your name, company name, address, phone and fax numbers, and credit card information to Christian Munson. For more information, call WBJ at (703) 875-2200.

Internet Community Builder

September 30, 1997 - Reston, Virginia-based Proxicom recently launched the Proxicom Community Suite, a combination of software modules for building Internet communities on Web sites, intranets or extranets. The suite includes a Java-based discussion group application; Proxicom Chat, an HTML-based client interface for real-time conversation with an online community; and a content authoring and administration tool that enables members of virtual communities to publish and maintain their own Web pages. Visit Proxicom's Web site for more information and for examples of current organizations building community-based applications with the Suite.

Stock Tournament for Students

September 26, 1997 - CNBC and MCI recently joined efforts to launch the CNBC-MCI Student Stock Tournament on October 1, 1997. The Tournament will give student investment clubs across the nation the opportunity to compete in a test of stock-picking skills, while learning the ways of Wall Street and improving their financial literacy. Each club will receive $10,000 in play money to invest in up to 20 stocks. In addition, at the end of every semester, the club whose portfolio earns the greatest quarterly return will be awarded 250 shares of General Electric stock - donated to their school - and will be invited to appear on CNBC. Visit the Tournament's Web site, developed by MCI and Proxicom of Reston, Viriginia, for more information.

"Spinning Mail" Over the Web

September 26, 1997 - Nascent Technologies, Inc., recently launched Mailspinner, a Web-based client-server system which provides access to existing e-mail accounts. Mailspinner enables users to read and send mail over the Internet from within their Web browser. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Nascent Technologies provides Internet marketing, strategic development and technology services to corporations, government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Visit Nascent's Web site for more information and to launch a demo.

Focus on Minority-Owned Banks

September 24, 1997 - Creative Investment Research (CIR) surveys, evaluates and publishes information collected on minority- and women-owned banks, thrifts and brokerage firms. CIR's Web site includes CD-rates information on select minority banks and a listing of newspaper and magazine articles on minority banks and brokers. In addition, visitors may order a copy of the Minority Bank Monitor™ which contains information such as industry overviews and financial ratings for minority-owned institutions.

Donate to CHiCOs for Area Youth

September 23, 1997 - Virginia Tech, the Falls Church School District and the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service recently launched a nonprofit effort in the Falls Church and Fairfax areas called "CHiCOs" (Comunidad Hispana Comunicando con Otros). The program is designed to help improve the computer skills of lower-income Spanish speaking youths with the prospect that they will pursue technical careers in the future. CHiCOs is currently seeking donations of used computers, software and printers from area businesses. Volunteers will refurbish the equipment and train local youth to use it for schoolwork. E-mail CHiCOs for more information.

The U.S. Nonprofit Gateway

September 22, 1997 - Vice President Al Gore recently launched the U.S. Nonprofit Gateway Web site to help nonprofit organizations access Federal information and services online. Linked to Cabinet departments and other federal agencies, the site includes information on grants, regulations, taxes and programs. In addition, visitors may browse for information in the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches; link to federal information clearinghouses and services; and access resources on the management and policies of nonprofit organizations.

Spend A Night with the Stars

September 19, 1997 - On Tuesday, October 21, the Morino Institute will present "An Evening with the Stars of Telecom," the second in a series of Potomac KnowledgeWay Netpreneur Program CEO Forums. The forum will feature five local entrepreneurs who founded or co-founded businesses encompassing the different facets of the telecommunications industry: Morgan O'Brien, Nextel Communications; John Puente, Orion Network Systems; Brian Thompson, LCI International; David Thompson, Orbital Sciences; and Mark Warner, Columbia Capital Corporation Inc. The forum will take place at the J.W. Marriott in Washington, D.C. with registration and a pre-reception beginning at 5:30 p.m.; the Program will begin at 7 and admission is free. Visit the Netpreneur Program's Web site for details and to register for the event.

Recognizing "Earthly" Sites

September 18, 1997 - The OneEarth Gallery is a browsable public service directory that recognizes organizations and companies working to improve society's culture and environment. The Gallery is currently accepting suggestions on Web sites that promote social and environmental causes for inclusion in their November 1997 online newsletter. The Gallery is maintained by OneEarth, an Internet presence provider based in Herndon, Virginia.

Web Hosting and Registry

September 17, 1997 - For a limited time, VirtualServing.com is offering new clients free use of the Central Registry. Central Registry is an Internet promotion service that submits organizations' homepages to over 600 indexes and directories on the Web. VirtualServing.com is a Web hosting service with offices in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland. Visit their Web site for more information.

Call for Entries for GII Awards

September 16, 1997 - The Global Information Infrastructure (GII) Awards is holding its third annual Call for Entries through November 24. This year, the GII Awards added three categories to the program: the Netpreneur Award, created in collaboration with the Potomac KnowledgeWay Netpreneur Program, honoring digital age entrepreneurs; the Promise Award, honoring uses of information infrastructure by, or in support of, volunteers, volunteer initiatives or volunteer organizations that benefit young people; and the Commerce Award, recognizing excellence in the use of electronic commerce. The Morino Institute is one of this year's sponsors. Visit GII's Web site for more information.

Business Center on the Web

September 15, 1997 - The Business Resource Center provides small businesses and entrepreneurs information on marketing, managing and financing their business; includes interactive discussion groups; and contains templates for press releases, business plans and checklists. In addition, visitors may download shareware and demo versions of business-related software such as CheckPrint, ContractMaker and Business Plan Master. Visit the Center for more information and to subscribe to their e-mail newsletter.

Area Firm Provides Financing Information

September 12, 1997 - American Capital Strategies, Ltd. (ACS) based in Bethesda, Maryland, is a venture capital firm dedicated to funding small and medium-sized businesses and specializes in buyouts and growth-financings. The ACS Web site contains a "Request for Information on Financing" form, which generates a reply based on individual companies' needs, and a message board where visitors may post comments or questions. In addition, the site includes samples of transaction-related documents, such as confidentiality agreements and employee agreements, suitable for printing. Visit ACS' site for more information.

Consult at the "OBELISK"

September 11, 1997 - Maryland-based AP Consultants recently added a new section to their Web site entitled, "MARKETING OBELISK." In an effort to assist aspiring Web developers, business people and other Internet users, the site features articles, facts and stats on marketing strategies and Web development. In addition, the OBELISK includes a page of links to other Web sites containing information on marketing and Web development.

Local Organization Launches Site

September 11, 1997 - The Virginia Scotland Partnership recently launched their Web site. The site includes information for Virginia and Scotland-based businesses interested in overseas ventures. Visitors may access profiles of the Partnership's target industries - biotechnology, electronics, IT and telecom, and software - in both Virginia and Scotland. Based in Herndon, Virginia, the Partnership is an initiative to stimulate international trade and technology business development for Virginia and Scottish high-tech companies. Visit their Web site for more information.

Tax Policy and Cyberspace Seminar

September 9, 1997 - The Potomac KnowledgeWay Netpreneur Program and Ernst & Young LLP are cosponsoring a seminar entitled, "Navigating Cyberspace Tax Policy." The seminar, scheduled for Tuesday, September 23 from 8-10 a.m., will be held at the Fairview Park Marriott in Falls Church, Virginia. Agenda topics include income taxes, sales and use taxes, and other taxes as they apply to the Internet and companies involved in electronic commerce. There is no fee to attend and CPE credit will be given upon request. For more information and to register, visit the Netpreneur Program's Web site, the Netpreneur Exchange.

The Learning "Continuum"

September 5, 1997 - Virginia-based, iNEXT™ Corporation recently launched CONTINUUM™ Internet Based Training (IBT), a suite of netcentric, self-paced learning courses. The series of Java-based courses enables users to experience learning through the use of graphics animation, audio and video and operates over the Internet, intranets and extranets without the use of a plug-in. iNEXT, based in Farifax, Virginia, designs software and systems for online training. Visit iNEXT's Web site for more information and to "test drive" CONTINUUM.

Electronic Press Release Distribution

September 5, 1997 - Xpress Press distributes business and technology news to a variety of media publications ranging from the Associated Press to Vogue Magazine. In addition, their Web site offers tips on writing and editing press releases; provides information on new Web sites and trial software offers; and includes a listing of online sources for obtaining media clippings. Visit Xpress' Web site for more information.

Web Applications for Project Managers

September 3, 1997 - Virginia-based Computer Strategies, Inc., an IT consulting firm, recently announced two Web-based productivity tools in their UnaNet line of products: WebTime and WebPlan. Through the use of a Web browser, these products enable employees to record time worked and perform project oversight. Features of both applications include standardized project plan entry and recording; integration of data with other WebTools applications; and an e-mail alert which notify managers to update a project's status. Visit Computer Strategies' Web site for more information and to view a demo.

Ryan McGinn Launches Web Site