Can anyone tell me things are looking up in the job market? What do we tell people who are waiting for the economy to pick up so they can find jobs? What exactly are people waiting for… uncertainty? Why? Well one reason is that they believe the government is going to bail them out… just like the automobile companies, some banking institutions, etc. Isn’t there something we can do… be proactive in order to ensure we are not caught up in this economic paralysis taking place all around us?

What is it about people that make them want to look for government to provide solutions? How many have ever heard John F. Kennedy’s quote “Fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what can you do for your country”?  This was in a speech given on January 20^th, 1961… I was only 10 years old and there were huge opportunities for everyone. Fast forward to 2010 – what ever happened to the proud Democratic Party and the American people who are now “demanding” they have rights to free this, free that or affordable this, affordable that? Government spending was bad enough during the Bush administration and many of us fought congress to curb spending then knowing our children will bear the burden of these debts – but in a little over a year and a half congress, now under total control of an entire Democratic leadership, has escalated America’s debt out of control into Trillions and Trillions of dollars which actually takes place next year. And during this time many businesses have gone under as a result of actions taken by government intervention which is why we have seen unemployment skyrocket with no sign of relief. And for those businesses still standing, owners are afraid to do anything out of uncertainty as to what the government will do next, so they are tightening their own belts by laying people off just to survive.

CNNMoney reported on July 25, 2010 “White House: Unemployment at 9% until 2012.” The article starts out with:

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The White House said Friday it expects that unemployment will stay at or above 9% until 2012, but at the same time forecast that the economy will grow by at least 4% in 2011 and 2012.

It also revised its long-term deficit estimate under President Obama's proposed 2011 budget: The administration now believes the 10-year deficit will be $58 billion less than projected in February when the budget blueprint was first released. Under the revised estimates, Uncle Sam will ring up $8.474 trillion in deficits between 2011 and 2020, down from the $8.532 trillion estimated in February.

In the near-term, the administration expects the 2010 deficit to come in at $1.47 trillion -- slightly lower than originally forecast and slightly above last year's deficit of $1.41 trillion. Meanwhile, the 2011 and 2012 deficits will come in somewhat higher than the White House forecast in February.

‘The economy is still weaker than we'd like, and [there is] a medium-term and long-term fiscal situation that requires attention,’ outgoing White House Budget Director Peter Orszag said in a call with reporters”. Does any of the above make any sense… to the average person? Does it help anyone feel comfortable about their future? Does any of this indicate jobs are soon to be readily available? Who really does make up the job market, private industry or government? So are people looking to government to create jobs… and if so where is the money coming from to pay our wages? In the private industry, our paycheck comes from the making and selling of products and services. In government, our paycheck come from taxes levied and collected from people who have jobs, taxes from just about everything we purchase, taxes from interests earned in our savings account, taxes from our retirement accounts, even our retirement pay. Did you know there is even an unemployment tax… a tax on each employer? Here is a quote straight from IRS.gov: “The Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA), with state unemployment systems, provides for payments of unemployment compensation to workers who have lost their jobs… Only the employer pays FUTA tax; it is not deducted from the employee's wages.” 

So when a person no longer has a job and begins collecting unemployment, it is that money, collected by government, which supports and pays your unemployment benefits. It is very similar to an insurance policy and is only suppose to be a “temporary” safety net… a bank account of sorts with money placed there through collected taxes, from the employer, for the employee, in the event the employee looses his or her job. But what happens when there are no jobs? What about those who have been collecting unemployment? In yet another CNNMoney story “Kevin Landry had to give up his San Diego apartment because he couldn't afford the rent after his federal unemployment benefits were cut off in early June.

Since then, Landry and his cocker spaniel, Curley, have been sleeping in his 1991 Dodge Dakota in a church parking lot. He sold his possessions and applied for food stamps in order to survive.” Read the rest of the story yourself.  Words have meaning… do they not? The media’s play on words in the above statement is actually not accurate… “…federal unemployment benefits were cut off…” is totally inaccurate. They were not cut off… the funds (money) ran out much like my bank account runs out of money when there are no deposits. Federal government isn’t receiving any deposits for jobs have been disappearing because of government intervention. It is a vicious circle.

This is an on-going spiraling decline leading to the destruction of the middle class. There is mounting proof; as a matter of fact there are 22 Statistics that prove the Middle Class is being systematically wiped out of existence in America. A story found in the Yahoo Finance brings a clear picture as to just how this is occurring. “So why are we witnessing such fundamental changes? Well, the globalism and "free trade" that our politicians and business leaders insisted would be so good for us have had some rather nasty side effects. It turns out that they didn't tell us that the "global economy" would mean that middle class American workers would eventually have to directly compete for jobs with people on the other side of the world where there is no minimum wage and very few regulations. The big global corporations have greatly benefited by exploiting third world labor pools over the last several decades, but middle class American workers have increasingly found things to be very tough.” 

So, why bring up this tale of doom and gloom? To bring home a very powerful and positive fact! There are many solutions available, companies working hard for the hard working. I am no different than anyone else. Cheryl and I live right alongside many finding it difficult to make it from day to day, week to week. But like many UnFranchise owners and independent distributors, we are finding ways with which to help people, organizations, and businesses with a myriad of solutions few other companies are capable of providing. So the question can again be asked, what are people waiting for? A solution correct… so why wait? There are answers everywhere but there are many who will take advantage of people and situations… so be diligent, evaluate everything before making an educated decision. Market America is not the only company providing solutions for the average person, but they could very well be the only company providing the vast array of customizable and affordable business solutions and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Here are some amazing facts found in our Corporate Profile. It is a start which provides the confidence in knowing there really are available solutions. We are available in helping move people forward through an evaluation process, and without risk if necessary. Schedule an appointment by contacting me directly to see just which of the many areas might be a fit for you and your family. This is a process where we look for the right fit… I provide the information, answer all your questions… you decide which direction to take. No matter which direction you take… doesn’t it just make economic sense… isn’t it a far better option than sitting and waiting for someone, some agency, or government entity to “maybe” help you? Face it, the government cannot help everyone with a job… if they did, then where would the money come from?

So, what are you waiting for?

Sincerely,
Bruce I. Swartz
Business Development
B&C Enterprise
InYourHomeMall.com 
GrowOnlineNow.com

I met Dr. George Barkett in June at the Advanced ONDAMED training symposium in New York. During that weekend, Dr. Barkett told me about a rather worthwhile project he was working on called Songs for Peace. “We have started an annual worldwide contest to see who around the world can write the best songs promoting world peace, brotherhood, acceptance, tolerance, kindness etc. We have a website www.songsforpeace.net where songs from anywhere in the world can be uploaded and people from all over the world can listen to and vote for their favorite song.”

Successful Online Presence: Songs for Peace allows peace-loving people everywhere to use music, the one universal language, as a bond in order to help promote harmony among all the people of the world. Their website is now receiving over 200,000 hits a month with 41% staying on the site for an hour or longer. George has been privately financing this project since its inception, and according to George, in order for this project to become self-sustaining and accomplish the vision of Songs for Peace they will soon be a 501-3c non-profit organization.

Challenging Times: George went on to say “… in these very difficult economic times many would be contributors are stressed financially, and many worthwhile charities are suffering as a result. We feel that our project cannot totally rely on the generosity of donors sustaining us and we should take steps into becoming somewhat self sufficient. We are looking into programs that involve innovative ways with which to efficiently and effectively generate charitable contributions and memberships.”

A Unique Solution: It may have been by accident or by divine intervention that George and I met and was teamed together during the ONDAMED symposium. Once I learned about Songs for Peace it became apparent that I may have the missing link for George. Market America, a Product Brokerage and Internet Marketing company, recently introduced an entirely new program specifically designed for Non-Profit Organizations (NPO). Although the concept had been around in many ways, shapes, and forms, this new program was truly an “original” concept designed from the ground up. It is so unique and beneficial it will forever change the way charities generate funding and operating capital while “automatically” growing their membership through a totally free program where there are no Membership or Sign-up Fees for the NPO members; a totally FREE program providing an unequalled support vehicle for non profit organizations. Even non profit organizations are not required to spend a single penny.

When George and I went over the new NPO program, how it was designed and implemented, he described it as a uniquely “Embedded Contribution” program. Thanks to Dr. Barkett, I now refer to the Market America’s NPO program as the ENPOC (Embedded Non-Profit Organization Contribution) Program.

For more information on how this program works, view the video and/or contact Bruce Swartz at Bruce@GrowOnlineNow.com or 678-392-3218. “The concept is one that fills the need for everyone; Songs for Peace, our supporters, and their families. It truly is a win-win-win for everyone. The ENPOC Program makes it possible for many more people to help a cause that they believe in without any undue financial stress.

Look for Dr. Barkett’s announcement in the coming weeks introducing Songs for Peace’s ENPOC Program.

Referral Marketing Like You have Never Seen...

When shopping where do we go, Home Depot, Target, Wal-Mart, or any number of stores at malls or locations near us correct? In today’s economy we look for deals... we save as much as we can… always looking for ways to make every penny count... but in doing so, we often waste gas and preciouse time. Well what if we could save time and gas... would that be of value? For my family it is. But here is something else that became a value to our family... Cash Back...

Think about it, when you do go shopping at that favorite store of yours, do they or will they:
1.    Pay you cash back for buying from them?
2.    Pay you when you tell your friends you found a great deal on that thing
       you bought?
3.    Or even pay you for simply stopping in and looking around – my wife
       calls it window shopping?

Of course the answer will always be no… well that was until now, and what is truly amazing, it costs consumers absolutely NOTHING. The beautiful aspect of this portal of ours? We don’t have to sell anyone anything! The portal exists to help you search to find the products and services of your choice, saving you money at the same time, stretching every dollar as far as possible… and we even pay you to do just that, and to spread the word.

Everyone Wins... Businesses we refer & customers who refer us. marketamerica.com – The Ultimate Online Destination with partner stores including Target, Best Buy, GAP, Sears, Travelocity, Apple, Victoria’s Secret, Office Depot, Wal-Mart, and thousands more. Includes a universal shopping cart making checkout easy! We have Comparison shopping and “Exclusive Hot Deals” you do NOT want to miss out on. Everything you will want and need in one simple place. Powered by Microsoft FAST, blogs and social media content, weather, digital magazines, it is truly the Ultimate Online Destination. Combined with people power we provide the most efficient and friendly experience found anywhere on the World Wide Web. But it gets even better.

Watch Loren as she explains just how anyone can get paid to shop… that’s right, paid to shop. Anyone can get anywhere between 2-35% cash back just for shopping… and there are No Membership or Sign-Up Fees. And, what if you tell your friends… We will pay you? Yes, you also get on-going residual income just by sharing this with your friends, family, neighbors! And again – NO MEMBERSHIP OR SIGN-UP FEES! Learn more – and begin searching, shopping, saving and sharing – this is the shopping destination of the future... here... now… marketamerica.com 

And to help you realize we are not like any other cash back program... you can do your own comparison by going to our Search, Shop, Save & Share page. Cheryl and I do value your opinion, and your friends oppinions... visit us online and check us out... and soon we will be paying our customers just to browse. The concept of "Pay it Forward" is at hand... and no one else has it... NO ONE!

We refuse to allow the economy to slow us down... and our affiliate stores are paying our customers back just for our sharing this beautiful concept.

All the Best, Bruce & Cheryl Swartz with B&C Enterprise & GrowOnlineNow.com

The maWebCenter Internship Program

The Internship program is a 90 day program where qualified candidates can develop either a part-time, or full-time, business within the maWebCenter division of Market America or other UnFranchise business markets. GrowOnlineNow.com is a division within B&C Enterprise specializing in the maWebCenter division. B&C Enterprise is an independent distributor with marketamerica.com, a product brokerage and internet marketing company.

This is an Earn-While-You-Learn program with a profit margin between 30-1,000%.

GrowOnlineNow.com Mission Statement:
Identify “Small- & Mid-Size” businesses that have a need for a Business Class Internet solution and simply provide them with state-of-the-art maWebCenter technology and services to meet their requirements. Our motto says it all:
“We earn your trust before we earn your business”.

The Process:
Our mission is simple – to identify small- and mid-size businesses experiencing challenges in today’s economy that are not properly set up on the internet to move their products and/or services to the end consumer. These businesses can be placed into one of two categories:
1. Business that do not have a web presence and do have a need for a Business Class solution
2. Businesses that have a web site but either are not happy with the site, or looking to update to a Business Class & Professional looking presence on the Internet.

Once a business has been identified, Technology Walk-through or Demo appointments are scheduled between the business owner, all decision makers, and our maWebCenter Product Specialists. Product Specialists are responsible for walking our potential clients through the technology, showcasing features and benefits which are of specific interest to the business owner, and based on the success in meeting business owner’s needs and requirements, closes the sale.

Intern Responsibilities:
The responsibility of the Intern is simply to identify small- and mid-size businesses that are experiencing challenges, setting appointments, and being on the conference calls during the walk-through of the technology by our Product Specialists with the perspective client. The Intern is not to try and sell the technology, merely to identify businesses having a need for our services and technology, setting appointments and learning by being on the call during the walk-through demonstration.

Leads are the sole responsibility of the Intern and may be developed in whichever fashion or method he/she is comfortable in generating. Leads can be developed in person, via internet search, yellow pages, networking, and the Intern is not limited to any geographical area within the United States or Canada. We are now able to sell maWebCenter sites to businesses in Mexico.

The Intern may also pursue clients in any of the 3 languages maWebCenter sites are currently available. We directly support English, Chinese, and Spanish in all three of our divisions, Technical/Customer Support, Product Specialist, and Design. All aspects of our maWebCenter business in kept within the United States,
we do not outsource any part of our company and services.

Earnings:
Earnings generated by the Intern are earmarked for business development for the Intern. Funds will be used for both capitalization and their business and for business expenses. Upon successful completion of at least 2 sales, the Intern is eligible to purchase his/her UnFranchise business with funds which have been generated from web site sales. Any and all money left over after the initial capitalization of their business will be turned over to the new business owner.
At that point, all profits earned will be kept by the new business owner. The new business owner also becomes eligible to work directly with us in developing their Internship program in order to duplicate their business. This process will lead to qualifying for commissions on top of the 30-1,000% profits generated by
the maWebCenter business.

This is an Earn-While-You-Learn Internship Program for the specific purpose of providing individuals a business opportunity, not a job. In today’s economic uncertainty, we are providing a solution and service where the individual has no risk in developing a business either on a part-time or full-time basis.

Qualifying:
Qualifying is not difficult. Applicant must:
1. Agree to this program in principle
2. Be coachable
3. Be a Self Starter, self sufficient, and capable of working Autonomously
4. People person who is willing to help others identify solutions to their business challenges
5. Stay committed to the program for 90 days.

An Internship can be terminated before the 90 days should it deem necessary as a result in inactivity or in any inappropriate activity or conduct by the Intern.

This is a win-win-win program which has a successful track record. UnFranchise owners and Market America refuses to take part in what many believe is an economic recession!

We are moving businesses and people forward who have the desire to succeed!

With the music industry at its most volatile time ever, major labels are having difficulty selling some of their biggest artist's albums. So if major labels are experiencing difficulties, what about the aspiring artists trying to make it in what could be the most difficult of all industries?

I can only imagine the numerous occasions which people have talked with aspiring artists interested in, or actually attempting to, break into the music industry only to be disappointment in finding the right agent, the right label, the right producer, etc. They experience unbelievable costs, over promising and under delivering agents and label executives, hypes and scams not to mention unethical, delusional, and despicable managers who more frequently than not leech off these young aspiring entrepreneurs and artists. How many of us know or have talked to these talented men and women looking for that break? Well, their break is about to take place... and in a huge way.

I am extremely proud to have this opportunity of introducing Conquer Entertainment and the UnLabel®, simply a genius of an idea and concept that is now being launched as an additional vertical market within Market America’s UnFranchise business model where music artists of all kinds will be able to successfully create, brand, promote, market, and distribute their own music independently by implementing the UnLabel® System through the Market America UnFranchise® infrastructure. Nothing but sheer brilliance! There has never been an industry or company that has so successfully been able to identify and implement so many varied and diverse vertical business channels in order to give more people opportunities in developing businesses; and now within a very “Popular” industry, this entertainment industry will simply blow the lid off everything else Market America has accomplished. Not only will it multiply current explosive growth (68 consecutive quarters of growth) through leveraging this new channel, it will give unprecedented opportunities for artists, young and old, to become successful with a guaranteed chance no other manager or label can possibly offer… immediate and equal opportunities across several avenues, businesses and markets. This will be the ultimate leveraging tool, unlike anything we have ever seen in the history of the music industry, or even business.

There's no question about it; digital music distribution is the wave of the future, and the annual distribution package from Conquer Entertainment™ will make it simple and effective… the UnLabel will:

• Offer artists the ability to earn royalties while selling their music to the 3 million (and growing) loyal Market America customer base.
• Get their own “MyWorld” artist page, featuring their biography, songs, and shows.
• Have access to a user-friendly download interface that will allow the user to preview and save downloads on their personal computer in their own media file.

As you can imagine, the beautiful thing about this new marketing and business channel is how huge of an opportunity it is going to be for aspiring artists! And for those who have been in the industry, they have an unprecedented opportunity in benefitting like nothing they have ever experienced before by simply “paying it forward”, helping gifted artists, young and old, become successful; and what a wonderful opportunity it is!

The Conquer Entertainment™ ULO Business Presentation presents and discusses current recording industry statistics such as:

• Rising Social networking sites – Good, Bad, or Indifferent
• Online downloads are rising – Beneficial or Detriment
• Artists get paid pennies per album – and outrageous practice by the current industry
• Record labels are no longer giving huge advances – The industry has changed due to technology and are not keeping up
• Artists aren't educated on record label methods – The real warning as to what to look for and how the UnFranchise™ and UnLabel is changing this industry.

After watching the video, contact me for additional details as to just how we can help aspiring artists everywhere… how exciting it will be to be part in the rebirth of the music industry.

Is there such a thing as getting paid just to shop? And if one does buy something, also earn 2% cash back? And what… an additional .5% each time their friend purchases just for telling them they could get 2% cash back?

In this economy… is that possible? YEP!

Not only is that possible, it is to become a reality… Within the next few weeks we and our partners at Market America (ma) will be introducing 3 ways customers will get paid to shop InYourHomeMall.com. We have over 35 million products and services and we know “People love to shop, but hate to be sold!” So we have provided a way with which to make that happen… and get paid at the same time. And with over 35 million products and services, do you think there just might be something there that may either be needed or wanted? And with Christmas right around the corner, could there ever be a better time to check into a “money saving” resource like that from InYourHomeMall.com?

Ask yourself this question… have you ever heard of any company or Website willing to pay customers or visitors whether or not they shop? And if there was, how much did it cost just to join such a thing, and how much did you have to buy? Well there is no such thing here… nothing to buy, nothing to agree to, nothing hidden to worry about… It is all about providing our Preferred Customers the very best in value and service. Yes our customers do need to become a Preferred Customer, why? How else are we able to track their purchases, and all their friend’s purchases in order for them to receive cash back?

Here are the 3 ways Preferred Customers InYourHomeMall.com earn while shopping, browsing, or driving traffic to other businesses:

1.    Paid to Shop: All Preferred Customers receive 2% cash back on purchases made InYourHomeMall.com. Not only that, but Preferred Customers can refer their friends to InYourHomeMall.com and receive an additional .5% when they purchase InYourHomeMall.com. Yes, they also receive 2% cash back on their purchases… this is not a gimmick; ever heard of “Pay it Forward?”

2.    Associate Program: Now this is where it gets really cool… An Associate is a Small Business Owner, who is not a Market America Distributor, which we allow access to our links, widgets, & banners so they can sell products on their own “blogs” and “Websites” which they do not currently offer. For each product their customer purchases off their website they will earn a profit of 2 ½ %. What is so great about that? It’s a win-win-win situation. Customers I have developed a Website for can easily integrate our Associate Program and let us help pay back or get a quicker ROI on their investment with me through GrowOnlineNow.com. An important consideration should someone want to compare us with Amazon.com; we don’t have a 24 hour cookie on purchases like Amazon, and ma Associates can get paid on their own purchase (unlike competitors.)

3.    Paid Online Pay Per Click Program: This is unheard of… We are going to pay people just to look InYourHomeMall.com. You heard right! 96% of Google’s 22 Billion in revenue was generated from their pay per click program, like $19.2 Billion. Well we’ve taken it to another level by leveraging… there’s that word again… and we pay it forward once again. Market America is going to rev. share $.50 to $10.00 depending on the clicks. Don’t ask my just how their doing it… they just are!

Everyone knows the high cost in driving traffic to Web Sites selling products online. By getting our online Business Class Web Site Solution, you may also be able to partner with our partnership program.

52% of marketamerica.com shoppers earn over $100,000 per year, and we have over 6 million registered users. We get over 3.5 million page views per month of which 250,000 are unique visitors. That equates to millions of dollars in revenue being generated through our portals. Exposure to such a vast consumer base will have a positive effect on sales, revenue and profitability of any company selling products on the internet.

We have two amazing programs that position businesses at the forefront of a world of shoppers that are looking for quality products.

1) If you sell products online, you can become a Market America Affiliate Partner. Market America will put your logo and link to your web site on over 160,000 Distributor portals. This will give over 6,000,000 registered preferred shoppers immediate access to your products. When a customer sees your logo on one of over 180,000 Distributor portals, they will be able to click on your link and shop directly at your Web site.

2) In addition to becoming an Affiliate Partner you can also join the maMerchant program. Customers purchase your products from a Market America Web Portal and check out using our convenient Universal Shopping Cart process. You are then notified when an order is placed; all you need to do is ship the products to the customer.

It's just that simple! We provide easy-to-use tools to help you manage your account, integrate your product catalog and manage your orders and payments received. Both these programs are free to join. It’s never been easier. Take the first step toward expanding your business, check out our video, contact us to review our solutions in getting a fully customizable Business Class Web Site, and become a partnership with Market America by clicking on this link, filling out and submitting the form.

Click Here to watch Loren Ridinger explain to a sold out audience at the 2009 World Conference, the importance of shopping on the Portal for everything that you need. She also discusses how Customer Managers earn more money by directing their customers to their very own ma Web Portal. This is how the buzz is created and how we build Share of Customer rather than Customer Share.

See why our motto is: We Earn Your Trust Before we Earn Your Business.

Hello friends, colleagues and family –

Can you believe it? I am at the top of Google and Yahoo! Check it out – go to Google and type my name in the search bar. Then watch me appear on page 1 – it works on Yahoo, too!

This is a cool tool and so very useful and important in the world of personal branding, and online positioning. For those of you who like what you see, and want your own web view like mine – click the sign up link at the top middle of the screen – it’s what I did.

It is $9.95 a month – and for that price, it delivers a lot of punch. Be sure to check out the bulletin feature (how I sent this to you) to see one of the other powerful features.

See you at the top of the search engines!
Bruce Swartz – Google Me!

So Jim lives in a great little community, let’s call it Swellsville, USA. Neighbors are friendly, coming from all walks of life. He has blue collar, white collar workers; yes even executives and entrepreneurs living in a community that has around 900 homes pricing in from the $300k to the $1 million price range. And just like many American communities, Jim’s neighborhood has their fair share of pranksters that have nothing better to do than to torment the family pet and yes unfortunately there are on occasion other events taking place that are worse than those of the community prankster’s. On the lighter side however, there are great restaurants, theater groups, family entertainment activities, parks, evening bistros showcasing local talents, and I could go on and on.

Jim has lived in this new neighborhood for 10 years now, and he knows mostly where everything is. Jim, his friends and neighbors pretty much know what’s going on within “their” community and for the most part share what’s going on. But then there are all too often times where, for whatever reason, the word just never gets out… maybe it was just not on the top of someone’s important “info sharing” list. Bill comes up to Jim one Monday morning while he’s getting his coffee at Starbucks, and tells him about the great show last Friday at Castle Peak’s, a little brewpub which showcased a new local talent. “She was terrific Jim; you would have really enjoyed her because she sounds just like your favorite childhood singer Petula Clark. I’m surprised you weren’t there.” Jim looks at Bill with amazement, almost chocking on his hot coffee and after getting his composure back, “I never even knew they had entertainment at Castle Peak’s, I would have really liked to have seen her.”

The sad thing is the community has a great website www.couldbeswellsville.org and the webmaster does a great job in keeping up with all the events, activities, the committees, membership, etc.; it’s almost a full time job just by itself. Sadly Bob, the community’s webmaster, just cannot be everywhere, know everything, and report on their website everything that is newsworthy in their community. Oh, I forgot to mention! Castle Peak’s is actually in the “neighboring” community, no wonder Jim didn’t get the news!

I defiantly can relate to the story above for I moved into my neighborhood 18 months ago from another state. The website in our community was functional but as is often the case, not always up-to-date or all that informative. Now before doing the blame game understand one thing; whenever you have volunteers you have dedicated people willing to give up their time and sometime money for the betterment of the community. This is no different, but life just sometimes gets in the way and a website can be very demanding on one’s time, more so than any other committee or board member activity.

A few months ago a friend came up to me all excited about something called PortalHood, a new community portal that makes everyone’s life in their community much easier. She went on and on about all the features and benefits to where I had to stop her and say hey, too much information here… let’s slow down and start with the simple things first. Well remember the story I just shared above? Simply put, it is the solution to the communications problems and the negative dynamics found with a “static” Website.

That was another term I had to deal with. A static Website… what’s that? Probably the best way to describe it is from a single layer perspective. A website usually reflects information specific to and from organizations, institutions, businesses or in the case of a neighborhood, its community’s or association’s website which is our focus. Static information means content on their Website that is one dimensional, a single source layer if you will focusing on the local community’s events, requests, family matters, zoning/real estate information, nigh-life/entertainment, news, etc. And the only way the information gets onto the community’s website is from their beloved webmaster. But where does he/she get their content? They have to rely on others to give them the information and all this means time taken out of their all ready busy schedule. So you can just imagine just how often information is not passed on to the one person who can update the Website. That is Static information.

Now, let’s look at PortalHood’s Dynamic System as it is used in solving this communications problem along with its uncontrollable static dynamics, or at least what we thought was uncontrollable dynamics. Simply put, PortalHood is the brilliant concept of designer Kim Gokce who resides in a corresponding neighborhood to where I live right here in Atlanta, GA. Kim believed communities would love to have information not just about their neighborhood, but from surrounding neighborhoods as well. He set out to develop a dynamic community portal which has accomplished just that. But wait, there is even more. By doing so, Kim’s design allows paid members to participate in the community’s website updates and content; the webmaster has finally been liberated from the heavy website management responsibility. And the community can now enjoy participating in the website’s content. They are taking a more proactive ownership of their Community Portal/Website now that Kim has empowered them with this great new asset.

I strongly encourage anyone frustrated like the character Jim above to take the time to investigate PortalHood so you never ever miss out on listening to your favorite singer when she debuts in your neighborhood.

Feel free in visiting our Portal for an example of a few of the features available, but you have to talk with Kim to see the real power in this amazing community service... make sure you contact Kim.