Attention non-tech companies: Ignore Google+

23 May 2013, 9:56 pm

Businesses overwhelmed with social media’s buffet of current options can ignore at least one dish, a Kansas City social media professional advised Thursday. Not having a full-time social media staffer means focusing resources where the customers are, said Alisha Templeton, social media manager for Ameristar Casinos Inc. To be the most efficient, she recommended beginning with Twitter and Faceb

Losing Clearwire would make Sprint less attractive M&A target, analyst says

22 May 2013, 9:51 pm

If Sprint Nextel Corp. loses the acquisition of Clearwire Corp., the Overland Park wireless carrier risks losing some of the attention of its own suitors, a telecommunications analyst said Wednesday. Sprint (NYSE: S) upped the stakes Tuesday, when it increased its bid for Clearwire (Nasdaq: CLWR) to $3.40 a share, shortly before shareholders were set to vote on the Sprint deal. "If Clearwire sha

Hesse: Sprint's new Clearwire bid is 'best and final offer'

22 May 2013, 9:06 pm

Sprint Nextel Corp.'s top executive has sent a letter to employees describing the finality of its new offer for Clearwire Corp. The letter could be an attempt to quash anticipation over a Clearwire (Nasdaq: CLWR) bidding war — or at least Sprint's (NYSE: S) participation in one. "This new offer represents Sprint's best and final offer and demonstrates Sprint's commitment to closing the Clearwi

Take two: Clearwire board backs Sprint’s new offer

22 May 2013, 6:16 pm

Clearwire Corp.’s board and special merger committee are asking shareholders to back Sprint Nextel Corp.’s offer — again. On Wednesday, Clearwire (Nasdaq: CLWR) said both groups supported Sprint’s new offer to acquire Clearwire. Sprint is majority owner of Clearwire, holding just more than 50 percent of its stock. Soon before Clearwire shareholders were set to vote Tuesday on Sprint’s

Sprint's new Clearwire bid could help KC, local wireless official says

21 May 2013, 9:50 pm

Sprint Nextel Corp. raising its bid price for Clearwire Corp. at the last minute on Tuesday bodes well for Kansas City, a former president of the Mokan Wireless Association said. Dish Network Corp.’s competing bids for Clearwire Corp. (Nasdaq: CLWR) and Sprint (NYSE: S) have some locals concerned that the wireless carrier’s Overland Park headquarters could be threatened, Overland Park attorne

Dish: Sprint-SoftBank deal threatens national security

21 May 2013, 8:44 pm

Dish Network Corp. played up a Sprint Nextel Corp. suitor’s ties to China as new plot points unfolded Tuesday in the Sprint-Dish-SoftBank Corp.-Clearwire Corp. drama. A Tuesday filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission showed text from an anti-SoftBank-Sprint merger website paid for by Dish (Nasdaq: DISH), NationalSecurityMatters.com. On the site, Dish provides its take on SoftBank’

12 Steps to Fix Your AV-Buying Problem

21 May 2013, 10:44 pm

The problem with bad technology procurement strategies is that you probably don’t even know you have a problem. Why would you? If you need a back-hoe, or pencils, or salt, you simply solicit as many bids as you can and then pick the lowest price that seems to be a reasonable quality for your needs. But yet, somehow, there is a greater malaise that casts a shadow over your audio-visual and in

Is Your Company’s Lifeblood Safe?

6 May 2013, 5:28 pm

Your intellectual property and infrastructure are the lifeblood of your business. Whether it’s software code, customer data, your hosting environment or operational data, you could not survive without it. So how well do you know the people and vendors who create, maintain and protect this sensitive information?  As your business moves to the cloud, your hosting environment becomes a critical pi

Tech Council Member FINDitKC: Video Does a Business Good

24 April 2013, 10:14 pm

Chris Olsen, founder and CEO of FINDitKC, explains why businesses need to budget for video and how to make the most of a video campaign. Why invest time and money in video? Online video has become the most important tool in an online marketer’s toolshed. To point: 85 percent of Internet users viewed some type of online video content in September 2012 alone, and by 2014 online video will account

“Don’t Call Us. We’ll Call You.” The Truth About Recruiters

16 April 2013, 11:02 pm

Matthew Denney, member of KCnext’s board of directors and founder of StarRecruit LLC, explains how top-level talent helps businesses rise to the top. If you’re a leader in your company, finding and recruiting great employees for your firm is likely a big part of your job. In this way, business parallels sports: One of the biggest responsibilities a coach has is to find the best players ou

Tech Council member Partnership for Technology Innovation Makes the Case for Open Communication

9 April 2013, 4:53 pm

Melissa Roberts, executive director of Tech Council member Partnership for Technology Innovation, stresses the importance of open communication in developing future infrastructure solutions. Nobody knows better than the KCNext community that technology is changing the landscape of Kansas City. From business to healthcare, education and social interaction, high-tech entrepreneurs are revolutionizin

KCnext | March 2013 News Update

25 March 2013, 11:41 pm

June 2013 Entrepreneur Corner: Zaarly Bazaar

23 May 2013, 1:30 pm

Now that summer is upon us, it’s time to celebrate and recognize all the hard work Kansas City’s entrepreneurs have done while suffering through the snowy winter.  And we’re doing it this First Friday!  It’s time to kick off another summer of Entrepreneur Corner. If you’re not familiar with Entrepreneur Corner, it’s an event hosted by Think Big Partners durin

Top 11 Kansas City Startup Resources In 2013

16 May 2013, 1:30 pm

A long time ago (and we mean a long time ago) we developed a top 10 list of some of the best online and offline resources for entrepreneurs and startups in Kansas City.  Now that almost three years have passed, it’s about time we update this list with some of the newest and best entrepreneur and startup resources in the Kansas City area.  You may notice three years ago, we had a list

Interested in Think Big Partners? Join Us for a Tour

14 May 2013, 2:00 pm

What does Think Big Partners do? Can I join your coworking space?  How I can I work with Think Big Partners?  What services do you provide?  This is just a taste of the questions we get on a day-to-day basis.  We want you to come by Think Big so we can answer these questions—and many others—and help you find the best way to work with us! The best way to get

Why Do We Need Mompreneurs?

9 May 2013, 2:00 pm

In honor of Mother’s Day (don’t forget—it’s on Sunday, May 12!) we would like to honor all of the diaper-changing, meeting-holding, snot-wiping, money-making, up-all-night moms out there who aren’t just great parents, but are great entrepreneurs as well.  The term “mompreneur” (mom + entrepreneur) is here to stay—and we should be thankful.  According to an

Think Big Coworking Member Dwolla Raises $16.5 Million

7 May 2013, 2:00 pm

Ben Milne, Founder of Dwolla. It’s one thing for a startup company to successfully launch in the Midwest.  But it’s a whole different story when a Midwestern company gets $16.5 million in funding.  But Des Moines-based startup Dwolla was recently given that exact amount from Andreessen Horowitz, Village Ventures, Thrive Capital and Union Square Ventures.  For t

What Are The Think Big Accelerator Companies Up To?

2 May 2013, 3:00 pm

Things move fast here at Think Big Partners.  From the collaborations in our coworking space to our entrepreneur events, everything seems to be created very quickly.  And for are accelerator companies, the TBP experience is no different. Each of our accelerator companies have been making big waves in their own respective fields. With so many things going on, it’s hard to keep up

Fiber to Fiber Speedtest: Google Fiber (Kansas City) to EPB (Chattanooga)

27 April 2013, 10:35 pm

We’ve been using Google Fiber in the #KCSV for a few months now, and the speeds are pretty sick.  However, long before Google started laying dark fiber and lighting up the village, Chattanooga was kicking it on the Internet @ 1Gbps.  Several years ago, the EPB built a smart grid connecting over 160,000 homes with fiber, offering them packages for Internet speeds from 25Mbps to 1Gbps.  Thi

Fiber Fridays! Episode 5 – YouTube Uploads : Google Fiber vs USA Average

22 February 2013, 5:17 pm

Episode 5 TGIF!  Let us start your morning off right with a little Fiber Fridays goodness.  Each Friday we showcase something possible when you have the power of Google Fiber and 1Gbps at your fingertips. This week we focus our attention on upload speeds.  We’ve shown you a few times the power of Google Fiber and downloading data at 1Gbps, but what about uploads?  The average upload spee

Fiber Fridays! Episode 4 – Google Fiber speed test to servers in NA & Europe!

16 February 2013, 1:05 am

Episode 4 Happy Friday, y’all.  Welcome to today’s episode of the #KCSV Fiber Fridays series.  Each Friday we showcase something possible when you have the power of Google Fiber and 1Gbps at your fingertips. This week we answer a request from a Fiber Fridays fan.  A. Burd hit us up asking for speed tests to Los Angeles, New York and London.  Keep in mind that most Speedtest.net ser

Fiber Fridays! Episode 3 – Real-time music collaboration with Google Fiber & CYBERJAMMER.

9 February 2013, 12:21 am

Episode 3 Hello friends!  Apologies for missing last week’s Fiber Fridays yet again.  We’re still trying to sort out our routine, and hopefully we won’t miss any more Fiber Fridays.  In fact, if you have any suggestions or requests, please send them our way.  If it requires SUPER broadband speeds, let us put it to the test. This week we bring you Synthia Payne, aka Hacker #3

Fiber Fridays! Episode 2 – Mass Streaming over Google Fiber.

25 January 2013, 5:45 pm

Episode 2 First off, apologies for not getting a Fiber Fridays episode out last week.  Our beloved Homes for Hackers resident hacker and Fiber Fridays guru, @NickBudi, was under the weather.  He’s back on his feet now, and delivers an awesome episode this week. When you have the power of Google Fiber and a 1Gbps pipe, bandwidth is no longer an issue.  Mediocre Internet speeds into and out

Fiber Fridays! Episode 1 – Google Fiber speed test on Speedtest.net.

14 January 2013, 8:16 am

Episode 1 Welcome to Fiber Fridays, a new series by the #KCSV! Each Friday we’ll showcase something incredible that’s possible when you have Google Fiber and 1Gbps at your fingertips.  This week, our very own Homes for Hackers resident, @NickBudi, brings you a simple speed test from the new Google Fiber server on Speedtest.net. OK, so this isn’t anything new really, bu

Final Funding Push for Juniper Gardens Project

26 April 2013, 5:18 am

We at Connecting for Good have successfully installed 70 Wi-Fi radios on almost 40 buildings at Juniper Gardens, a 390 unit low income housing project in Kansas City, Kansas. Located at 3rd and Quindaro, Juniper Gardens is a place where the average household income is half the average of the rest of the state and where the crime rate is four times the national average. We are working to bring f

After the Indiegogo Gold Rush: A Brainstorming Breakfast for Community Capital Fund

12 April 2013, 8:30 pm

The April 5th SMCKC breakfast brainstorm for the Community Capital Fund of Kansas City generated a wealth of interesting ideas for how social media could be used for community good. After enjoying a breakfast buffet prepared by Chef Celina Tio at the Kansas City Cafe, 50+ SMCKC-ers engaged in rapid-fire discussions to come up with ways three local neighborhood groups could drive awareness and eng

Connecting Kansas City: Juniper Gardens Neighbor.ly Project

1 April 2013, 2:30 am

Since the SMCKC computer drive last November when we collected over 40 used computers to be refurbished and donated, Connecting for Good has made a lot of progress towards their goal of helping close the digital divide in Kansas City.  Last Friday, Connecting for Good celebrated the opening of their new space located at 1624 Westport Rd near the Kansas City Startup Village. Thank you to many SMC

Thinking of Crowdfunding?

20 March 2013, 8:15 pm

DO YOU HAVE A CREATIVE PROJECT IN MIND BUT NO MONEY TO DO IT? DON’T FEAR THE CROWD! Learn the Ins and Outs of Crowdfunding Through Kickstarter & Indiegogo with J. Alexander Greenwood PR Consultant Publisher Successful Kickstarter Award-Winning and Top-Selling Author Do you have a creative project you want to bring to market, but no rich uncle to fund it? Have you ever considered trying you

Need a Wordpress Developer for two web site

6 March 2013, 6:25 pm

I need some help with both of these web sites: http://www.coworkwaldo.com/ http://www.brooksideroofing.com/dev/ Please contact me if you are interested. Melissa Saubers msaubers@gmail.com 816-935-6031 @trolleytracknws Thanks!

Volunteers Needed for Digital Literacy Classes at Public Libraries

17 February 2013, 2:25 am

As Google Fiber installations have begun in earnest, Connecting for Good plans to conduct free digital literacy classes at public libraries on both sides of the state line.  Besides introducing people to basic Internet skills, the sessions will include helping those involved to actually go through the Google Fiber sign up process. For class participants who need a computer but can't afford one,

Nalgene Water Bottles Now Available at LovePromos

22 May 2013, 5:02 pm

LAWRENCE, Kan., May 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- LovePromos, a website that provides its clients with access to a wide range of promotional products, has recently announced the addition of Nalgene Water Bottles to their inventory. (Photo:...

Briggs Subaru Receives Coveted Subaru Stellar Care Award in 2012

22 May 2013, 12:43 am

MANHATTAN, Kan., May 21, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Briggs Subaru has received a Subaru Stellar Care Award for 2012, marking their successful efforts in providing the highest level of care in all areas of customer-focused performance.  This coveted annual award from Subaru is given...

YRC Freight Implements Network Optimization Plan

21 May 2013, 5:01 pm

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., May 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- YRC Freight, a subsidiary of YRC Worldwide (NASDAQ: YRCW), moves forward with continuous improvements, implementing a change in operations which will deliver even greater service reliability and consistency across their network. The...

Custom Coasters that are Fun and Functional are Available from New Company Love Custom Coasters

20 May 2013, 6:18 pm

LAWRENCE, Kan., May 20, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Love Custom Coasters, a company that specializes in offering a wide variety of high-quality and attractive custom coasters, has just opened for business. The newly-launched website is one of many micro-niche sites that will be created by...

Kansas Virtual Academy Goes Online Next School Year

20 May 2013, 3:00 pm

OLATHE, Kan., May 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Kansas families now have access to a new and innovative public school option with the announcement of the Kansas Virtual Academy (KSVA). Offered by the Spring Hill School District, the online public school will serve students statewide in grades...

Farmers Insurance Claims Teams Helping Wichita, Kansas Customers Following Storms

20 May 2013, 5:45 am

WICHITA, Kan., May 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Farmers Insurance claims personnel and agents are helping customers throughout storm stricken areas of Wichita, Kansas and surrounding areas. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080605/LATH062) "Our claims teams and agents are deployed...

Avoid The Number One Social Media Mistake

23 May 2013, 4:00 pm

While at this month’s Social Media Club of Kansas City professional lunch, Forbes magazine social media editor (and Kansas City resident) Alex Knapp let us all in on the top social media mistake. Ready? It’s falling into the trap in thinking that there’s something new about social media. News flash: there’s nothing new about social media. OK, OK—maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration, b

Your Employees Likely Hate Your Intranet: Here’s Why

22 May 2013, 12:45 pm

It’s true: your employees likely hate your Intranet and it’s probably getting in the way of efficiency. Enterprise companies use their Intranets to communicate internally, yet a study shows that the majority of employees are dissatisfied with their enterprise social media. Prescient Digital Media’s The State of the Social Intranet 2012 report delves into the state of enterprise Intranets

[Webinar] Become A B2B Content Brand With Limited Resources

21 May 2013, 4:02 pm

I know better than most that, generally, B2B marketers are short on time—not to mention money. And staff. If you find yourself in that boat, don’t miss Ain’t Nobody Got Time For That: How To Become A B2B Content Brand With Limited Resources. The free MarketingProfs seminar kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on May 30. And, as is typical with MarketingProfs events, this (free!!) seminar is a veritable po

Altimeter Joined H&R Block And Expion To Chat Employees and Amplification

20 May 2013, 4:00 pm

Altimeter Group Partner and Industry Analyst Jeremiah Owyang, H&R Block Director of Social Business Strategy Scott Gulbransen, and Expion VP of Strategy Zena Weist presented “Empowering Employees To Be Brand Advocates” earlier this month. Jeremiah kicked off the webinar by defining what employee advocacy really is and introducing an employee advocacy framework. He then shared pragm

B2B Mobile Marketing: 15 Ideas You Can Use Today

17 May 2013, 4:00 pm

Are you interested in learning more about B2B mobile marketing? If you’re like many people, you can think of a lot of ways B2C companies use mobile marketing. But if you work in the B2B world, then you might be stuck trying to come up with B2B mobile marketing ideas. The good news is that B2B mobile marketing can be every bit as useful in the business marketplace as it is in the consumer marketp

How To Be A Better Facebook Community Manager

16 May 2013, 4:00 pm

If you’re a Facebook community manager, you’ve probably gotten the “Wow—you get paid to be on Facebook all day?” reaction from at least one person in your life—are we right? Yet you, like us, know that Facebook community management isn’t a walk in the park—and it’s more than posting a few status updates and responding to audience comments. Facebook community management takes a lo