Monday, January 11, 2010
Editor's note: New year, new business journal
Happy New Year — and new Blue Ridge Business Journal.
We’re welcoming 2010 with a fresh look and expanded content. Here’s a quick guide to what’s changed:
Starting on page 5, you’ll see a series of new departments focusing on key industry sectors. Health care, technology, building and law will be featured in every issue; other categories — retail, advertising, manufacturing and so on — will move in and out from issue to issue.
We think the new format will make it easier for readers to find the news that matters most to them, so this is where you’ll see interviews with major players, industry news and advance notice of important events.
Another new feature is tucked away in the back of the journal, this week on page 27. We’re calling it “One Question,” and it’s a place for local business people to talk frankly about the decisions, the successes, the failures that made them who they are.
In the first installment, Rob Clark tells writer Chris Henson what’s it like to give up a dream gig and take a more corporate job — in his case, selling Cantos Booksellers in downtown Roanoke and becoming a real estate agent.
We’re also continuing to ramp up our coverage from the state capital, where a new administration is set to take office and the 2010 General Assembly session is about to convene. In this issue, you’ll find a story by Annie Johnson on local legislative agendas, plus a profile of governor-elect Bob McDonnell’s pick for secretary of commerce and trade, a guide to contacting your state senators and delegates, and some useful advice from four former legislators on how to make your voice heard in Richmond.
Complementing the new features is a brand-new look, courtesy of a team of talented designers and graphic artists: Chris Obrion, Michele Crim, Carrie Cousins and Andrew Svec. The result of their months of work is a sleek new publication designed to be pleasing to the eye and easy to navigate.
There are some constants, though, even amid all these changes: We’ll continue to give you in-depth business news from across Southwest and Central Virginia. And you can still rely on us for the kind of information that helps you run your business every day: promotions and job changes, news about company openings, calendars of business events and listings of property transfers.
We hope you’ll enjoy the new design and features, and we want to hear from you. Know of someone who would make a good “One Question” profile? Have a comment, or a complaint, or a story idea? You can reach me at megan.schnabel@bizjournal.com, or (540) 981-3369. Or use our “share” tool at bizjournal.com to submit photos from your latest corporate event or press releases about your recent expansion or award.
We’re welcoming 2010 with a fresh look and expanded content. Here’s a quick guide to what’s changed:
Starting on page 5, you’ll see a series of new departments focusing on key industry sectors. Health care, technology, building and law will be featured in every issue; other categories — retail, advertising, manufacturing and so on — will move in and out from issue to issue.
We think the new format will make it easier for readers to find the news that matters most to them, so this is where you’ll see interviews with major players, industry news and advance notice of important events.
Another new feature is tucked away in the back of the journal, this week on page 27. We’re calling it “One Question,” and it’s a place for local business people to talk frankly about the decisions, the successes, the failures that made them who they are.
In the first installment, Rob Clark tells writer Chris Henson what’s it like to give up a dream gig and take a more corporate job — in his case, selling Cantos Booksellers in downtown Roanoke and becoming a real estate agent.
We’re also continuing to ramp up our coverage from the state capital, where a new administration is set to take office and the 2010 General Assembly session is about to convene. In this issue, you’ll find a story by Annie Johnson on local legislative agendas, plus a profile of governor-elect Bob McDonnell’s pick for secretary of commerce and trade, a guide to contacting your state senators and delegates, and some useful advice from four former legislators on how to make your voice heard in Richmond.
Complementing the new features is a brand-new look, courtesy of a team of talented designers and graphic artists: Chris Obrion, Michele Crim, Carrie Cousins and Andrew Svec. The result of their months of work is a sleek new publication designed to be pleasing to the eye and easy to navigate.
There are some constants, though, even amid all these changes: We’ll continue to give you in-depth business news from across Southwest and Central Virginia. And you can still rely on us for the kind of information that helps you run your business every day: promotions and job changes, news about company openings, calendars of business events and listings of property transfers.
We hope you’ll enjoy the new design and features, and we want to hear from you. Know of someone who would make a good “One Question” profile? Have a comment, or a complaint, or a story idea? You can reach me at megan.schnabel@bizjournal.com, or (540) 981-3369. Or use our “share” tool at bizjournal.com to submit photos from your latest corporate event or press releases about your recent expansion or award.
