From Allan Tsang, 88owls.com:

How does a business know it can afford a consultant in a recession?

A colleague and friend asked me this a couple of days ago. All I was thinking was…wow…  Where do I start?

Anyone who has read the book Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life knows that in a recession, it is time to “sniff” out new “cheese” and to scurry. The old way of doing things may not work in the immediate-to-near future anymore.  Things change so fast even for a “young kid on the block."

But I would say this.  The same reasons a good consultant may help you in times of plenty are the same reasons they can help you in these lean times.

You can look at consultants as an expense, like a vacation or a movie, or you could look at them as an investment.  How much is a good idea worth?  How do you reward that in an equitable way?  Any time you can expect a financial return on a decision, it is an investment.  So essentially you are investing in the consultant.

Reasons to hire consultants in tough times:

1. Unlike an employee, they hit the ground running.
2. No need to teach them their jobs – they usually can teach you something new.
3. No need for benefits – sick days, holidays, workers’ comp., personal days, vacations.
4. Different way of thinking – sniff out new cheese.
5. Broader experience – if they have more than 10 years.
6. Unbiased perspective because they are not mired in the politics of your company.
7. Work still needs to be done – they are easier to let go of once the job is completed.
8. Consultants are connected to other businesses and may be able to help network and draw more business to yours – whether they are vendors, customers, or partners in joint ventures.
9. Consultants worth their salt would want to see your financials. They can implement effective cost and profit controls and analyze and develop an effective and profitable margin mix, as well as work within a budget.
10. One of my favorite calculations (not necessarily applicable to start-up ventures) on whether a consultant is worth it or not is this:  In 12 months, can he/she help bring in a 3:1 return? If that can be identified, I would be a fool not to start scurrying...

...anyways, that’s it for now, I’m off to sniff out some cheese of my own.

***

Allan Tsang is the founder of 88owls.com, a community of business consultants with more than 10 years of industry experience. A client of Handshake 2.0, 88owls.com matches business consultants with businesses seeking consulting services.  You can follow 88owls on Twitter @88owls.

From Bob Giles:

Reading Peter Fingar's Dot.Cloud: The 21st Century Business Platform Built on Cloud Computing felt like sitting in my car in a cloud of daydreams, waiting for the light to change, and getting bumped by the car behind me.

I didn't know whether I was safe, being assaulted, being joked with, or delighted that I wasn't injured.

Fingar spent about 80 of his 235 pages discussing what a "cloud" is.  A very specialized use of the word, a "cloud" nevertheless suggests the enormous scale and dynamic of his topic, a diverse, variable, present-and-rapidly-developing business platform that has within it more coordination, collaboration, and decision-making power than ever before.

Dot.Cloud suggests the business potentials ahead as the cloud develops. The cloud, as imagined, does not yet exist (maybe so on a small scale as "grid computing"); there are parallels and possible small models; it's a deeply (rather "multi-dimensionally") changed way of doing business.

Knik Glacier Storm by Dianne Roberson Hendrix @alaskaartist
(Used with permission)

That changed way includes putting the customer at the center of the total system (all of the cloud), destroying current practices and organizations and flows of authority and control, and responding positively to globalization. It has to include a newly-designed platform of endlessly accessible hardware, software, and data, (machine clusters) - largely autonomous - for serving customers and collaborating with suppliers and other partners. Fingar thinks the cloud - a special combination of services, platforms, and basic computer work, and changed internal business operations -  will have an impact on society of the magnitude of the Internet. 

The fun of reading Dot.Cloud was in challenges like:  "...to realize the full potential of this new model, the technology industry needs to think about the cloud as a platform for creating new services and experiences that we have yet to imagine."

How can we build into our devices, networks, and software "a higher level of intelligence"?  Continuous analytics? How will businesses themselves be more like the technology itself, more adaptable, more interwoven, and more specialized? Fingar speaks of electronically-connected virtual project teams; systems that identify most profitable customers, accelerate product innovation, optimize supply chains and pricing, and identify drivers of businesses. 

Other challenging statements:  "Best-run companies [because of cloud presence and influence] are  no longer sellers to their customers. They are buyers for their customers, reaching out to networks of producers across the globe to deliver compelling value," and  "The learning process is, in and of itself, the ultimate business process."

Fingar moved from a technology bent to enterprise organization and administration in later chapters, perhaps more different and demanding than the technological changes imagined. He finished with 17 action ideas to consider for answers to the question "What to do?"  They substantiate an exciting mental walk in a cloud about The Cloud. I expect I'll be hiking there again.

***

Thanks to Cameron Nouri of Mailtrust for his tweet:  "This is the best video I have seen to date on what cloud computing is (produced by Salesforce)."

***

Robert H. Giles, Jr. writes High Five for Handshake 2.0, a business news and Web 2.0 services enterprise of Handshake Media, Incorporated, a member company of business acceleration center VT KnowledgeWorks. 

The opinions Robert Giles expresses are solely his own and are not necessarily shared by Handshake 2.0 or its clients, sponsors or advertisers. 

Feel free to follow Robert H. Giles, Jr. on Twitter @Bob_Giles

Robert H. Giles, Jr. is a Virginia Tech Professor Emeritus with a vision for a rural land management system.  He writes two blogs, The Survivalists and Faunal Force. 

From Z. Kelly Queijo:

A year ago, I got the dreaded call, “Kelly, we love working with you, but we're restructuring and eliminating your position. If you'd like to move...” but, I didn't want to move from Blacksburg, Virginia. Suddenly, I found myself without a company to represent, without a client-base, without a list of calls to make, and no more trade shows to work. I was thrust into a life without structure, focus or contacts.

My first reaction was to take a breath and give myself some time off for a change. That was good for a while, but it didn't seem I was cut out for a life of leisure. Then, the fear of becoming invisible - an unknown - even to those in my own community started to creep in.

I called Cory Donovan, executive director of the NewVa Corridor Technology Council (NCTC), to ask if he needed help with any projects. Cory put me to work doing something I knew how to do, which is write. As a volunteer, I wrote and edited copy for some of the organization's email and web communication and I helped out with event registrations. The work gave me back something I had lost.

Cory's help did not end there. Knowing about my passion for writing, he introduced me to an editor and from there, my freelance writing career was launched. Six months, four editors, and 30 articles later, I am a working freelance writer - a recession entrepreneur, if you will. Structure, focus, and contacts are once again my foundation and I'm building a business based on old and new relationships, a network of entrepreneurs to learn from and write about, and new technologies that keep me all a twitter.

I look forward to the annual TechNite Awards Banquet 10.0 which will be held on May 21, 2009. Here, NCTC recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding member companies and I plan to be there celebrating with other NCTC supporters. If you haven't nominated a company or individual, there's still time to do so. The deadline is March 31, 2009 and the categories include: Rising Star, Entrepreneur, NewVa Leadership, Innovation, and Educator.

At TechNite, we're all visible!

***

Z. Kelly Queijo writes about business and technology, people and their passions.  She is a frequent contributor to Handshake 2.0.

From Anne Clelland:

According to the New York Times, When Stars Twitter, A Ghost May Be Lurking, 3/26/09, some celebrities are using ghost writers, "ghost Twitterers" to write their tweets for them.

“He doesn’t actually use Twitter,” Mr. Romero said of 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson III, “but the energy of it is all him.”

As the NY Times puts it, "But someone has to do all that writing."

Um-hmmm.  Someone sure does.

The only thing semi-ghostly in the life of flesh-and-blood Anne Giles Clelland - whom you may be following @handshake20 and who writes her own "energy is all her" tweets - is the neighbor's cat, Pablo, who occasionally, and very, very quietly, uses the cat door for a visit.

The Cat Who Got Handshake 2.0 in The Huffington Post

a.k.a. Not Pablo

Handshake 2.0 brings you edition #18b of Connecting People in the RNR with Stuart Mease on the Virgina Education Wizard, a portal and application site for Virginia's Community Colleges.

***

"RNR" refers to the Roanoke Valley and the New River Valley of Virginia.

Stuart Mease writes the blog Connecting People.  On Stuart Mease's about page, you can find myriad ways to connect with him online and in person.  You can find out more about Stuart Mease on Handshake 2.0.

From Anne Clelland:

Upon reading Meet Entrepreneur Number One, Entrepreneur Number Two, Entrepreneur Number Three..."- subtitled maturely in my mind “Wah!  Pick me!” – Andy Horner, COO of Gladhandle, sent me a consolation prize near and dear to my heart:  News before anybody else knows it.

Team Gladhandle announced it would unveil its Breakthrough Communications Manager during its presentation at CVG’s LiveFire! ™ during the VT KnowledgeWorks Entrepreneurship Summit on April 2, 2009.

That's all we were going to know about Gladhandle, the second company organizers of CVG’s LiveFire! ™ have announced as one of five companies to pitch to a panel of angel investors in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Until Andy Horner sent me an e-mail present.  With a picture, I might add.  Here it is:

And prose:

"Gladhandle reinvents how small businesses communicate. It was built specifically to address a legendary sales statistic: On average, prospective customers buy between the seventh and tenth 'touch' from a sales rep. Most reps, however, give up after four."

"Gladhandle empowers users - even with minimal computer skills - to accelerate customer contact by automating tedious follow-up chores. It's just as easy to send a personalized message to one contact as it is 1,000."

"At their fingertips, in the blink of an eye, Gladhandle gives its clients the power to reach out to all of their contacts, respond to every customer, and never miss a prospect opportunity again."

I tend toward starry-eyed fandom for entrepreneurs. I didn't quote Andy's whole e-mail, but I very much enjoyed his phrasing:  "stunning breakthrough," "drag-and-drop wizardry." and "dazzling array."  Yep, he's an entrepreneur.

What a lovely gift, Andy - thank you.  I so look forward to meeting you at the VT KnowledgeWorks Entrepreneurship Summit.

***

You can meet Andy Horner of Gladhandle and Ed Leary of ContraVac - the two companies announced so far to pitch to a panel of angel investors in front of a live audience - by registering for the inaugural VT KnowledgeWorks Entrepreneurship Summit to be held on Thursday, April 2, 2009, in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Connecting you through wine

A good manager knows to look beyond the surface of each employee to find his or her unique talents.  This is just what Cusumano Vineyards did with the Nero D'Avola grape.

Nero D'Avola, 2007 is made with the Nero D'Avola grape, grown only in one small region of Sicily.  This black-skinned grape lends chocolate and cherry undertones to the traditional dry Italian red.  It's easy to taste why this was the Silver Medal winner at the International Wine & Spirits Competition, 2008.

Dig deep and find what makes you unique.  Available at the Gourmet Pantry in downtown Blacksburg, Virginia.

***

Today's Eclipse, the wine recommendation for Handshake 2.0, is written by Rik and Melissa Obiso, co-owners of Eclipse Winery, LLC, a new winery located in the New River Valley of Virginia.  Eclipse Winery, LLC plans to open to the public as early as 2012.  The Eclipse Winery story, Couple hope grapes will yield dream business was featured in The Roanoke Times.  You can read all the Today's Eclipse columns and more about Eclipse Winery on Handshake 2.0.

You can follow Eclipse Winery on Twitter @eclipsewinery.

From Anne Clelland, founder of Handshake 2.0:

Speaking of counting on our fingers at Handshake 2.0, we've been using those numbers in the financial section of our business plan.

Handshake 2.0 is an enterprise of my company, Handshake Media, Incorporated.  Handshake Media, Incorporated is a member company of technology incubator VT KnowledgeWorks.  VT KnowledgeWorks is a client.  I write Inside VT KnowledgeWorks, the VT KnowledgeWorks blog.

To further complicate that complexity, I applied to be one of five companies to pitch to a panel of angel investors - in front of a live audience - at the inaugural VT KnowledgeWorks Entrepreneurship Summit on Thursday, April 2, 2009, in Blacksburg, Virginia. 

I found the application process deeply and personally challenging at first, then ultimately deeply and profoundly clarifying.  This Entrepreneurship Summit category on Inside VT KnowledgeWorks tracks my process as well as coverage of Summit news.  Bottom line:  I feel even more passion for Handshake 2.0 and my vision for it than ever.

That said, what a wild and crazy experience it has been to report that 10 companies applied to appear during the CVG’s Live Fire! ™ session during the afternoon of the Summit and that, of course, only 5 will be selected by the organizers, the Charlottesville Venture Group (CVG), in affiliation with the Virginia Active Angels Network (VAAN).

As a blogger, I'm a news channel, so I get the news first.  I gotta have the news to write it, right?

The first company has been selected.

It's not me.

The second company has been selected.  I'll share the news when it's time.

But it's not me.

Humph.

I will admit that I'm waiting to register just in case I maybe, maybe get picked.  The acts don't have to pay to appear in the show, right? 

Oh, and it's going to be a show all right. 

Jim Flowers terms it "American Idol" for business.

And did you click on the link to the first company?

Whether I'm picked or not, I'll be there.  The presentation by Entrepreneur #1 is not to be missed, and I have it from a top inside source - moi - that the presentation by Entrepreneur #2 is not be be missed either.

Who will be Entrepreneur #3, #4, #5?  Moi?

From Z. Kelly Queijo:

Where in Montgomery County, Virginia,  can you go for a gourmet meal prepared with fresh, wholesome, organic vegetables and locally-raised, grass-fed, beef, poultry, or pork?

Home, of course. Delivered right to your doorstep,The Fresh Palate is a home meal delivery service that caters to the working family.

Photos by Zane J. Queijo

This fresh idea for a business is the brainchild of Beth Boebel, a registered dietitian. She, along with Italian Chef Giovanni Guarini, create fabulous meals made from the finest ingredients. She uses grass-fed, locally-raised beef, poultry, and pork, or organic-fed when the local option is not available. The majority of the vegetables are organically grown and are also purchased locally as much as seasonably possible.

New menus are posted on The Fresh Palate web site weekly. Customers place their orders and pay online by Wednesday of each week and meals are delivered on Sundays. Orders typically range from dinner-in once per week, to as many as three or four meals per week, per customer.

Velvet Minnick, working mom of two and revenue operations manager at Mailtrust, has found the Fresh Palate an easy way to get healthy and affordable meals on the table without compromising family time. The variety offered and the reasonable cost encourages the family to routinely try something new and different.

“As a vegetarian, I am a big fan of her meat alternative dishes, such as Tequila Glazed Seitan with Chipotle White Bean and Kale Bake. This dish was also prepared for my husband, but with grilled chicken.  So it's pretty neat that we can have the same dish, but with different meat options.  And the kids love the healthy versions of the chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese. The convenience factor is just unbelievable, and definitely something I am willing to pay for.”

The thought and care Boebel has put into planning The Fresh Palate's healthy meals extends to other aspects of the business as well. Protecting customers' health and the environment are equally high priorities. The microwave-ready food packaging she has chosen will not leach chemicals into food when heated, and the containers are either recyclable or biodegradable. The insulated delivery bags and ice packs are reusable. Customers place their empty bags on their doorsteps for pick-up when the new orders are delivered each week.

Boebel plans to expand to daily deliveries as the community's taste for home-delivered meals grows.

You can follow The Fresh Palate on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook. Either way, it's sure to be a delicious experience.

***

Z. Kelly Queijo writes about business and technology, people and their passions.  She is a frequent contributor to Handshake 2.0.

We've got some numbers:

Handshake 2.0 launched on 7/28/08.  In 4 days, on 3/28/09, it will be 8 months old.

This post makes 341 total posts in 8 months, an average of 42.625 posts per month.

Our goal?

Hourly posts, 24 entries per day, 365 days per year.

24 entries per day, 365 day per year = 8760 entries per year.

8760 entries at an average of 250 words each = 2,190,000 words per year.