August 2011 Newsletter

VOLUME 1,
ISSUE 5

Inside This Issue

Big Winners at RCare Anniversary Recycling Event!
Improve IT Muscle Tone
Top 10 Tackiest Domain Names (may be offensive)
Tech Trends To 2010
2-Steps to Job Hunting with Social Networking
August Quiz - Win Chipotle!
Book Review - The One Minute Manager
Partner Profile
Referral Program

BIG WINNERS at the RCare™ Anniversary Recycling Event
on July 23, 2011!

Prizes valued at nearly $10,000 were given away on July 23 (Sat) by RAM Consulting Corporation, The Virginia Realty Group at REMAX/Gateway and its vendor partners.

It was a HOT day! With temperatures soaring over the 100°F mark at 2:30pm when vendors and staff packed up, collected our signs and said goodbye to one another.

It’s been reported that the Bull Run Reenactments drew thousands but was scaled down to avoid incident and the Marine Corps band was cancelled.

We appreciate those of you who braved the heat to celebrate RCare™ Solutions’ anniversary. The raffle prize winners are:

$5K GRAND PRIZE: (courtesy of RAM) voucher for any new RCare™ Solutions services project + $100 Amazon.com gift card - The winner was Mr. Kevin Taylor of Alpha Graphics.
$3K SECOND PRIZE: (courtesy of RAM) voucher for any new RCare™ Solutions services project + $50 Amazon gift card - The winner was Mr. Sean Ryan of Earth Graphics Landscape Design.

BONUS PRIZES:

$40 MARY KAY GIFT CARD (Courtesy of Sarah Hickner, local Mary Kay representative) $40 gift card in Mary Kay products. The winner was Margie Zittle.
$25 CHILI'S GIFT CARD (Courtesy of The VA Realty Group) $25 Chilis Restaurant gift card. The winner was Mr. Terry McCarthy.
$25 STARBUCKS GIFT CARD (Courtesy of Aflac) The gift card was won by Mr. John Shilling.
$10 STARBUCKS GIFT CARD (Courtesy of The VA Realty Group) The gift card was won by Mr. and Mrs. Karl Keithly.
$25 SCENTSY.NET GIFT CARD (Courtesy of Claudia Marrero, a Scentsy representative) This yummy gift card good for flameless candles and aromatic products was awarded to Anne & Joe Gillian.
FARM BUREAU GOODIE BAG (Courtesy of VanerSlice, Farm Bureau Insurance Agent) The lucky winner of a large tote bag filled with a fleece blanket, ice scraper, baseball cap, tire gauge, and first aid kit was Greg Maltsby, a resident of Alexandria.

All purchasers of raffle tickets received coupons for a free sandwich and breakfast from Chick-Fil-A, Chantilly location at Willard Street off Rt. 28. Books on health and aging donated by Terry McCarthy were also given away at the event.

Below are links to Websites of prize sponsors:

www.rcare-solutions.com
www.varealtygroup.com
www.marykay.com
www.scentsy.net
www.farmbureauadvantage.com
www.chick-fil-a.com

Congratulations to
All of the Winners!

Despite the HEAT, we really enjoyed the day and would like to thank the following organizations for their support and help with organizing this computer recycling and paper shredding event: Ellen Barnes with KeepLoudounBeautiful.com. Find out about all the ways you can have fun while cleaning up the environment at one of the many events they sponsor. Kate Vasquez with Fairfax.gov. Tony Hayes & Gwen Kennedy with Loudoun.gov. Rebecca and Marta with Chick-Fila, who donated food coupons.

Of course, our co-hosts and fellow chamber members The VA Realty Group at RE/MAX Gateway and the vendors who spent their Saturday working for a great recycling cause.

We appreciate all of the suggestions and feedback we received and will use it to improve future events. Any further correspondence is welcome. If you would like to participate in our future events, or for more information email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Improve IT Muscle Tone

Most organization decision makers approach IT investments like they might approach exercise—They’re too busy, need the right regimen, have higher priorities. Do you wait until things break before making technology investments?

Even the busiest organization can benefit from the automation of technology management and planned investments in technology. Here are just a few ways how:

Reduce Server Downtime: Ensure that your technology service provider uses tools that log server events to observe trends that when resolved can eliminate expensive server downtime.
Reduce Service Response Time: Ensure your IT service team uses remote service delivery tools because they significantly reduce response time by eliminating physical presence.
Implement Data Protection: You business creates data daily to support both customer and internal needs. Ensure it is protected at multiple levels and can be restored easily.
Enhance Service Desk: The service desk is the user’s gateway to all things IT. Implement an issue tracking system to flag service requests and gage quality of customer service.
Budget for Good Service: The maxim, “you get what you pay for,” is true of IT as well. Determine the level of service your organization needs to be effective and budget for it.

The Top Ten Tackiest Domain Names

I’m willing to bet that most of us have input a random word or phrase into the computer and waited to see what type of site comes up. It’s not surprising that more than a few pages are placemats for names that will never sell. What is surprising are the ones that do. Here is a list of the top ten worst names according to Independent Sources:

A site called “Who Represents” where you can find the name of the agent that represents a celebrity. Their domain name… wait for it… is www.whorepresents.com
Experts Exchange, a knowledge base where programmers can exchange advice and views at www.expertsexchange.com
Looking for a pen? Look no further than Pen Island at www.penisland.net
Need a therapist? Try Therapist Finder at www.therapistfinder.com
Then of course, there’s the Italian Power Generator company… www.powergenitalia.com
And now, we have the Mole Station Native Nursery, based in New South Wales: www.molestationnursery.com
If you’re looking for computer software, there’s always www.ipanywhere.com
Welcome to the First Cumming Methodist Church. Their website is www.cummingfirst.com
Then, of course, there’s the art designers Speed of Art, and their whacky website: www.speedofart.com
Want to holiday in Lake Tahoe? Try their brochure website at www.gotahoe.com

Tech Trends To 2010

You may have noticed that tech today has shifted noticeably from where it was ten years ago. We list below some of the most notable changes:

Global Outsourcing: Global outsourcing’s impact has been much greater since the turn of the century, even though it began much earlier. IT services from far flung vendors can now be procured much more easily.
Server virtualization: This technology is the backbone of cloud computing. Server virtualization has revolutionized the way IT purchases and provisions server horsepower.p>
Online purchasing: After a decade steady evolution, e-commerce is now commonplace. Businesses save time an money by buying all kinds of commodities and goods online.
Cloud Computing: The number of organizations sourcing IT applications delivered over the Internet is on the rise. Use of cloud computing is allowing businesses to focus on their core competencies while relying on automated and affordable technology services and solutions.
Tech Devices Go Mainstream: Popular consumer devices for photo, audio, video, location, and voice have all been fundamentally changed by the adoption of technology and integration with data: digital cameras, smartphones, GPS devices, tablets, even home appliances. This has resulted in an end-user-driven technology revolution.
Social Networking: Social networking and mobile apps are rewriting the rules on how you get to know and interact with people world-wide! These trends represent a whole new way of gathering information, staying up to date, and even doing business.

2-Steps to Job Hunting with Social Networking

The concept of using contacts to hunt for a job is age-old. The perennial favorite job hunters guide, “What color is your parachute?” stresses the importance of researching and assessing jobs before making the move. The benefit of social networking sites is that they have made this process more efficient. To leverage social networking sites for job hunting, you need to make it a two-step process:

Develop Online Presence: This involves setting up an account with the most popular and effective social networking sites; posting your professional profile; and hunting for contacts who could help you with your job search. You also need to become active in your selected groups by writing blogs or articles of value to those you seek to employ you. This takes time and must be done much before you’ll be actively looking for a job.

Leverage Contacts: Once you have an active online presence, you’re in a good position to tap your friends and contacts online to let them know you’re looking and what types of position are of interest to you. Many contacts may have positions that are already open at their work places. Contacts will be able to share their experiences with employers you may be considering. You’ll also be in a position to enquire about growth prospects for your position from contacts already working there.

If you are ready to start a new IT project or would like help on ways to improve on existing systems CONTACT US and take advantage of our free offers on the right.

Ace our August Quiz to Win $20 in Chipotle!

Yes, you could win a $20 gift card to Chipotle! To win you must have received this newsletter from us, or be forwarded this newsletter by someone on our mailing list. Submit the correct answer to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or click here by August 31, 2011. One winner will be randomly drawn from all correct entries received. The winner will be featured in the next month’s issue.

Congratulations to Carl Starkey! July’s answer was 4-6 Million computers were replaced between 2004-2006 Worldwide.

August Quiz Question:

Which asce-ncs.org Computer Corner article is the most popular?

A. IT helps shatter competition?
B. What's the noise about cloud computing?
C. A Windows Server, you're kidding, right?
D. Must knows about protecting data?

Book Review

The One Minute Manager
by Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson

People invariably look to their boss for praise, a feeling of connection, and a sense that their work is meaningful. Bosses, meanwhile, worry about the need to address performance problems, redirect the work process, or any one of a number of contingencies that arise in the course of leading a team.

To help facilitate the critical process of communicating objectives and structuring the corporate environment, Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson wrote this bestselling guide to saying what needs be said as effectively as possible. By following the clear, accessible advice that the authors provide, you'll be able to take a minute to dispense praise or reprimands, set goals, and do much of the human work upon which management depends.

An inspiration to thousands of leaders, this is a business book that should be read and reread as often as possible. Good ideas never die.

Partner Profile

The Virginia Realty Group at RE/MAX Gateway

I cannot say I cannot say enough about the support we received from the team at VA Realty Group at RE/MAX Gateway for our anniversary recycling event. They are some of the most dedicated, passionate and truly gifted group of people who love to help people with real estate needs.

Bryan Felder is an energetic dynamo with a heart of gold. No matter what situation, Bryan makes things happen and everyone enjoys his company. In addition to his career with VA Realty Group Bryan hosts the Loudoun LeadShare meetings on the First and Third Fridays of the moth at the RAM Consulting Corporation offices in Dulles, Virginia. Bryan is very active in a number of networking groups across the city. He recently founded The Center for Foreclosure Alternatives that counsels those hoping to avoid foreclosure by educating the consumer on the 11 options available to them.

Kristen Harlow, marketing coordinator is a huge asset to The VA Realty Group at RE/MAX Gateway. She is the ‘Queen of Everything’ and handles all the details from marketing and publicity to baking cookies for events and open houses. Her warmth and flexibility are some of the attributes that make people want to be in her corner.

Other notable members of this stellar team are Realtors® Kelly McGinn and Becky Green, and Transaction Coordinator, Cherie Rice. Based in Chantilly, Virginia, The Virginia Realty Group serves the region from Arlington to Stafford to Winchester. For more information on how they may be able to assist with your realty needs, feel free to call them at 703-652-5710 or visit www.varealtygroup.com.

RCare™ Solutions Referral Program

We will pay you $25 for anyone that you refer to us that we get an appointment with. When your referral becomes a client (and has spent $1,000 or more) then we will pay you an additional $50. And, we will give your referral a true $100 off their purchase.

RCare™ Solutions and the RCare™ Logo are registered trademarks of RAM Consulting Corp.

RAM Consulting Corp - 21525 Ridgetop Circle, Suite 270 Dulles, VA 20166-6510. ph +1 703-766-2820