LEAD VIRGINIA

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

Jim Charapich

July 29, 2013

LEAD VIRGINIA is accepting applications for the 2014 session. I have been fortunate to be a part of the 2013 session of the program which has been operating since 2005. According to the LEAD VIRGINIA website the program is “modeled on the theory of social capital. LEAD VIRGINIA is a nonprofit and non-partisan organization that educates proven leaders about regional differences, opportunities and challenges across the commonwealth”.

The program offers seven sessions which begin in April and end in November. My experience has been exceptional as I have participated in the first four of seven sessions held thus far. There are no other programs that I am aware of that offer such rich and meaningful insight into the diverse areas of Virginia.

The first session ( April) was held in Williamsburg with an overview of the Commonwealth. We were led through discussions about Virginia’s dominant issues by world class subject matter experts. It is one thing to read about the issues, and yet quite another to engage in discussion with proven leaders from around the Commonwealth. This session, as with the others, spanned three days - Thursday, Friday, and part of Saturday.

The next session (May) was in Southern Virginia, formerly “South Side.” The area is rebranding to be Southern Virginia as an alternative to Northern Virginia. “Alternative” is my observation and the better term may be that Southern Virginia “compliments” the assets in Northern Virginia. SOVA has faced enormous challenges as the waters receded in the textile and tobacco industries all at once leaving the economy in drought. However, as with droughts, there are usually rains to follow, replenishing the ecosystem. Southern Virginia has recently worked to develop the economy with strategic workforce initiatives, robust high speed data infrastructure, and advanced educational networks. The lessons of leadership in SOVA confirm our position as the “Best State for Business.”

The next session (June) was in the Shenandoah Valley. The story of leadership in the Shenandoah Valley for me was about bold vision. As we heard from the leaders of the area, I thought of one word - Statesmen. They reminded me of what it must have been like to hear Washington and Jefferson during our colonial era growth as a state. Their leadership has brought together the 13 Counties and Cities of the region,  from Augusta to Page Counties to compete as a global economic force. They have been successful in leveraging the Community College System in concert with area universities and connecting them with business to cultivate a superior business environment.

The most recent session (July) was in Northern Virginia. There is no mistake - Northern Virginia is a global powerhouse. One fact struck me as bedrock, reflecting the undaunted nature of the NOVA economy - NOVA has the most intellectual capital in the US. There are more people with advanced education concentrated in NOVA than any other area of the US. In addition, the NOVA area economic development leaders have done a great job in attracting private sector growth and thus diluting the reliance on the Federal Government. Both sectors are strong and important parts of the economic picture and yet advancing the private sector enables diverse economic strength.

If you are interested in applying to participate in the 2014 Class of LEAD VIRGINIA, go to www.LEADVIRGINIA.org for more information. However, It has been said that the Class of 2013 is the best class ever. What will 2014 bring?

Navigate Public Speaking Skills

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

Jim Charapich

July 15, 2013

What do public speaking and kayaking have in common? I was talking to an acquaintance about his recent kayaking experience. He asked a friend to drop him off in the upper end of the Robinson River in Madison County to kayak the river solo. He described the experience with a sense of trepidation and acknowledged that he should not have tried this. What went wrong, I asked. He said that as he was paddling, a very large water moccasin appeared and began to approach the kayak. Fortunately, the 3’ snake lost interest and turned away. However, the experience left him realizing that he should not have gone on this trip alone.

When it comes to public speaking, I find that many get the same sense of fear as having a 3’ water moccasin approaching their boat. They are not sure what to do and at that point there is no way to prepare for the situation. Opportunity intersects with fear. The same lesson applies to public speaking as it does to the kayaker, do not try to go it alone. There are many others in the same boat trying to navigate public speaking solo.

I have great news for those interested in finding fellow public speakers in a safe and rewarding environment. The Toastmasters have begun a new chapter in Culpeper that meets at noon on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Meetings are held in the lower level of Virginia Community Bank. In addition, there are meetings in the evenings on the first and third Tuesday evenings at the same location beginning at 7 PM. For more information go to Culpeper.Toastmastersclubs.org.

The name Toastmasters is misleading. Many think that this is where you go to develop good “Toasting” skills. Though this is true, it is not the primary purpose. The organization offers an opportunity to become a better in public speaker at all levels. The types of public speaking varies like the types of kayaks for different waterways. The modules include areas such as storytelling, comedy, professional presentations, and many others. Most importantly, the organization facilitates a safe and progressive environment to paddle to success with a great skill.

Join the others in your boat, looking for fun and fellowship, to navigate the waters of public speaking.

Workforce Readiness Wins!

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

Jim Charapich

July 8th, 2013

My Twitter post from June 22nd has gained some attention. I was attending the Virginia Leadership Summit developed by Senator Mark Warner. There were several interactive panel discussions as part of the day long program. One of the panels was especially interesting to me. There were several business leaders representing industry in regions of the Commonwealth. My Tweet of interest from the during the event - Tom Dale VP Rolls-Royce " The State that distinguishes itself as workforce ready will be the big winner".

It was quite interesting to have Rolls Royce, Areva, Newport News Shipbuilding, and HDL, Inc. on one panel. The issue of most interest was the need for trained and ready workforce. The business environment is competitive and dynamic. Our need for an educational system that is adaptive and prepared to deliver a workforce that is ready is critical. Today we are competing in the global marketplace for businesses to locate in Virginia. Our workforce is a cornerstone in building sustainable prosperity.

To further the discussion, my subsequent tweet - William Bell Newport News Shipbuilding "Students can live the American Dream with a technical skill ILO a college degree". This discussion continued with the notion that we should work regionally to develop High School Career & Technical programs. It is clear that educational dollars are very stretched in each community. It is therefore conceivable that we could work together with other Counties to develop 21st century educational opportunities in areas such as welding, plumbing, auto mechanics, etc.

I was in South Boston, VA recently as part of LEAD VA and had the opportunity to tour the SVHEC - Southern Virginia Higher Education Center. At first glance the training area looked like a traditional wood shop. However, as our tour progressed the revelation of the way the facility is used brought a very different conclusion. The facility used wood as a material in a training process for manufacturing. The wood shop equipment was part of the outcome of the main work being done in the CAD design room. The students even had a product that they were preparing to patent and ready for marketable release. What of the revenue... could it come back into the school with potential rewards to the students as well? A far leap from the traditional wood shop of the past. Now, it is about concept, design, manufacturing process, and potential marketable results.

We have an opportunity to transform traditional thinking about the fields known as "The Trades". Today, they include Advanced Manufacturing & Computer Aided Design, in addition to electronic, mechanical, and welding skills. There are jobs ready for trained workers today in these fields. Our responsibility is to support an educational resource that enables job ready candidates. They will need jobs and business will need them. If we choose not to support these career choices, we will see these jobs in another region, state, or country.

The Lessons of Life

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

Jim Charapich

July 1, 2013

How much bacon comes from one pig? The lessons of life in Culpeper can be unexpected and very rewarding. The answer to this question was delivered by a student in the 4 H Club when asked by one of the local retailers in Town. Why would a retailer need to know the answer to this question?

It turns out the the 4H Club in Culpeper is teaming up with local business to adopt animals that have been raised as a part of a 4 H program. The effort culminates at the CMR Farm Show beginning July 11th and runs through July 15th. Students in the 4 H program are given the option of raising various animals through the winter and spring months to be auctioned off at the show.

The program is a great way for the students to understand business principles. What does the animal cost. How much feed will it take to raise it to auction. What environment will produce the best result. How will the animal be presented at auction. What will enhance the value to bring the highest bid. The program is a big step in understanding business principles while learning lessons of responsibility in the daily care of the animal.

Students have approached business and community leaders to bid on their animal. Some of the students have been very creative in naming the animals after some popular product brands, attracting higher bids from associated business leaders. Some of the businesses like to donate the animal that they have bid successfully to the local food closet or other food related charity. Some give the animal back to be sold with additional proceeds going to a charity of choice. Some like to have it processed and available in their freezer as locally grown food throughout the year. Some many form a team a make a buy for personal consumption.

Agribusiness is alive and well in Culpeper. You are invited to learn more about the event and opportunity to bid on your favorite animal July 11 - 15. Go to www.CMRFARMSHOW.com for more information. Support your local 4 H and the future of agribusiness in Culpeper. How much bacon does come from one pig?