I often hear that smAlbany aka Capital District aka Tech Valley is a good place to live. As a local resident I ask new residents why they moved here. Usually I am told: 1. We wanted to move away from New York City area (often due to the perception of the improved schools in the smAlbany area) 

2. My spouse got a job on here 3. I wanted to be near my family 

Everyone’s reasons are unique and personal, so I thought I’d share my reasons for relocating to smAlbany in 1977. These are not in any particular order, just in the order as I recalled them. 1. The lack of disco culture and music 

2. The ready availability of good music locally (SPAC, The Palace, and various venues on campus, and off campus) 3. The commercialization of the fax machine made being in New York City unnecessary 

4. The affordability of living in the Capital District — housing prices and other expenses had skyrocketed downstate and I was among a diaspora of college grads and others from NYC, Long Island and downstate areas who relocated here because of its greater affordability and value  5. Sky — you may not know it but Albany is one of the sunniest capital cities in the USA 

6. Learning to drive allowed me to travel to NYC as needed

What’s your reason for relocating here? 

As we settle into 2010, my thoughts here in sunny Florida (high temperature 80 degrees today) return to smAlbany.

I wanted to reflect on a few pertinent smAlbany topics of interest — to tell you where we have been and where we’re going — and to share with you my personal opinion that the smAlbany “mantra” is increasingly begin used as a positive, rather than a negative modifier. (Which has always been my intention…)

First off, I’d like to recognize the creation of a smAlbany Young Professionals Group on Facebook. They have over 1,300 friends and they’re working on a number of social and charity projects. Definitely check them out and become a member.

There’s also the Stakeholders Foundation whose goals are to promote cities in the Capital District, through volunteerism and support local charitable organizations, among other goals.  They recently hosted an event “Get on Board 2010” to encourage volunteerism, which is good for our communities.

The Stakeholders also were the organization that last year hosted a local presentation by author and urban planner Richard Florida. His book “Who’s Your City?” is essential reading for the redevelopment and revitalization of our local urban areas in smAlbany.  

Moving from urban development to cyberspace, the blog, “All Over Albany” is notable for its take on the Capital District, and I’m very impressed with their work. AOA have the right combination of good, interesting local news and some sizzle.

For the discerning smAlbany reader, I would recommend to bookmark http://www.larryzimbler.com and www.allaroundalbany.com on your Favorites list. That way we’ll always be on your screen for immediate access. To do this simply go to my blog site and click “Bookmarks” on you toolbar, then choose the “Menu” option. You’ll have it right there, when you need it.

At Liberteks.com we’re preparing, among other things, for the 5th Annual smAlbany Small Business Day. Last year we had 300 participants and we want to this year’s event bigger and better than ever. We know that small business will be engine that drives the economy locally and nationally – and that’s another reason for the small in smAlbany.

In my next post, I will discuss the suggestions you’ve provided on smAlbany. I look forward to your comments, please take the opportunity to voice your opinion.

1648 Western Ave - Opposite Crossgates Mall

Albany, NY 12203 518.452.0550

FOR RELEASE:                                                     CONTACT:

January 7, 2010                                                                 Tim Cronin (518) 859-8647

Liberteks.com, Inc. Receives 2009 Best of Business Award

Small Business Commerce Association’s Award Honors the Achievement

SAN FRANSICO — Liberteks.com, Inc. has been selected for the 2009 Best of Business Award in the Computers category by the Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA) in the Computers category.

The SBCA 2009 Award Program recognizes the top 5 percent of small businesses throughout the country. Using consumer feedback, the SBCA identifies companies that it believes have demonstrated what makes small businesses a vital part of the American economy.

The selection committee chooses the award winners from nominees based on information taken from monthly surveys administered by the SBCA, a review of consumer rankings, and other consumer reports. Award winners are a valuable asset to their community and exemplify what makes small businesses great.

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About Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA):

Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA) is a San Francisco based organization. The SBCA is a private sector entity that aims to provide tactical guidance with many day to day issues that small business owners face. In addition to our main goal of providing a central repository of small business operational advice; we use consumer feedback to identify companies that exemplify what makes small business a vital part of the American economy.

About Liberteks.com:

Since 1991, Liberteks.com has committed itself to excellence in consultative selling and service to small businesses and personal computer client. Liberteks.com provides timely and critical information along with expert assistance in the ever-changing computer marketplace.

I was watching the “Jersey Shore” on MTV last night, when my thoughts turned to reports by the Cato Institute, Free Enterprise Nation, and others, which found that federal worker wages were 50 percent greater than the average private employee.

When wages and benefits are combined, federal employees receive twice the amount of compensation than private sector employees.

There’s a fundamental disconnect there, in my opinion. You have to wonder who’s serving who.  Private business is the engine that drives the economy and pays the taxes, and the economy is still struggling in many aspects.

As a small business owner and a taxpayer, I have often wondered how much government spending is really necessary and how long can we continue to fund government at the rate that we do. Now we’re at the point where the private sector is struggling to compete with the compensation provided by the public sector.

With deficits mounting at every level of government, you have to ask how much longer this excessive rate of government spending can go on.

While it would be easy to say that we could eliminate all government services – and pay no taxes — there are necessary government functions. The question is how many programs and agencies do we really need, and what should be adequate compensation. I’ll leave those decisions to the experts and the voters (and to you my readers), but it seems to me something’s got to give.

In business, when times are tight you have to reduce expenses and payroll. It’s difficult, but it is necessary when revenue is on the decline. That’s the business cycle. This reality often does not always affect the public sector however, and we witness negotiated employees raises year in and year out regardless of the overall economy.

Government, however, can act immune from these economic realities if it is allowed to borrow money recklessly and without oversight by the voters.

In my opinion it’s the syndrome of “other people’s money,” where it’s easy to spend lavishly when you don’t have a stake in the consequences. All too often that is case with public funds. I further believe that the downsizing principles that businesses have been applying since about the late ’70s need to be applied to government, and other sectors such as health care and education. In this way every dollar is accounted for and spent efficiently, and we begin to restructure government.   We can’t continue the way we’re now going.

I recently attended a workshop on blogging and social media networking, where I learned that I need to continue to work to develop original, dynamic content, that keeps my audience interested and engaged, in order to create a true on-line dialogue.

One of the routine tasks to be performed is the updating and maintenance of email reader lists, where individuals are added to and deleted from the list as per their request.

I recently had the occasion where an email recipient requested to be deleted from the list, a request to which we complied. His email read as follows:

Turns out I did not recognize him at a business mixer sometime back, hence his desire to be removed from the list for a blog that was providing him — I thought — with a wealth of interesting info on smAlbany, technology and small business, etc.

I found this situation to be unfortunate (in a number of ways), but what can you do…

Rather than trying to be ”memorable” on account of his personality, work accomplishments or standing in the community, he was looking for “professional recognition” from me in our encounter. Because he did not receive this recognition, he wanted to be removed from the list.

This incident reminded me of an event that occurred to me in my early 20’s, when I was just out of college. I was at a technology trade show in Las Vegas and in a conversation with one of my colleagues who was a few years more senior in the business than me. In the middle of our discussion he walked away from me in mid-sentence, and I had no idea where he was off to. Turns out he went off to talk with a good looking woman from one of the other venders at the show.  I was quite offended.

When he got back he was unapologetic, despite the offense I took. He told me: “Don’t take it so personally.” When you have an opportunity, you take it, he said.

I learned a lot from this incident, and have carried this concept with me in my business networking. When you have less than five years in a professional capacity, it’s understandable (but not always attractive) to seek “professional recognition” from others, but for people who’ve been in business for years, I suggest that instead you work to be memorable, and when something comes up, no matter what, “Don’t take it so personally.”

Hi Steve (Steve Nolan/ PJ Computers),

Thanks for sharing your smAlbany experience on Arlo Guthrie. While I am not a hippy, nor was I ever a hippy, I too am a big fan of Arlo Guthrie.

In fact Arlo just recently appeared at the Egg. The Times Union said it was a good show.

Ray Davies of the Kinks also appeared at the Egg last Monday (11/23). What a great performer, and what a great venue the Egg is. Clearly one of the best places to see a show — anywhere. Nobody has an Egg! Remember, Rockefeller built the South Mall/Empire State Plaza and Lincoln Center to outdo his father’s construction at Rockefeller Center. I think he did a good job.

While I’m name dropping I should add that we’re blessed with some other incredible music venues locally — The Palace, Proctors, Times Union Center (I guess), Cafe Lena, Northern Lights, Revolution Hall, Valentines, the Armory, the Linda, SPAC in summer, Red Square, the list goes on and on. Go check them out.

Btw, Davies only performed 8 US shows in these cities: LA, San Francisco, Boston, NYC, Montclair, NJ, Philadelphia and Albany. … Pretty good company for smalbany.

The last week or so also witnessed Metallica, Matisyahu, Phish, Meat Puppets and Ani DeFranco, etc. etc. So as you can see, the music scene is large in smalbany.

And it would behoove me to repeat Arlo’s admonishment in “Alice’s Restaurant” which we should use for our smalbany efforts: “it only takes 50 people to start a movement…”

–larryz

You know, the only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about, so I wanted to thank everyone who read or replied to my smAlbany blog postings.

Without signaling out any replies (they were all so good in my book!) I noticed a trend that while the term can be a bit annoying, “smAlbany” can also be quite endearing.

I also sensed the feeling that our region has the potential to become a “destination” for new businesses and residents based on our strengths in technology, education, health care, recreation, location and more, if we could only get our act together to promote it.

I believe that this is eminently doable, and we must task ourselves to achieve this goal. I am reminded that throughout history, small groups of individuals have gotten together to effect great change. We have a great tradition of that in our own country — our chambers of commerce, nonprofits, free school systems (our founding fathers would probably qualify too).

Our local organizations – Chambers of Commerce, BNIs, Tech Valley organizations, some media and politicians & more – have done much to promote our region, but we must do more.

I commend Steve Jeffes who recently started the Albany Professionals Group on the LinkedIn social networking site. He has attracted over 2,000 members in just a few months and is developing a number of workgroups and member activities. It’s a good example of the power of social networking, and the time is now to harness this power.

What I would ask at this time is that each person respond with the one change or improvement that Albany needs to take it to the next level. I would ask for 3 or 5 suggestions but that’s too complicated right now. What I’d like to see is the best, the greatest idea that’s been nagging at you, that you think would make all the difference. We’ll find a way to present these to the smAlbany Mayor.

To paraphrase Arlo Guthrie, with one person you have an idea, with three people you have an organization, and with 50 people you have a movement!

So just think about that when you hear Arlo singing the annual “Alice’s Restaurant” on the radio this Thanksgiving. Think about smAlbany, me and Arlo, and have a Happy Thanksgiving with your family and friends.

I look forward to your comments!

smAlbany is many things to many people.  In my experience as a business owner and a resident over the years, the term has evoked both limitations and possibilities, as well as challenges and opportunities. smAlbany is …

• A name that’s been coined by some residents and outsiders over the years to describe Albany and the Capital District, with connotations that range from the playful to the pejorative (It’s in the Urban Dictionary and I’ll save some smAlbany jokes for a later date.)
• smAlbany is a trade show for small businesses in the Capital District that we at Liberteks.com sponsor each year (this past July we drew nearly 400 attendees in our 4^th year).
• It’s also a state of mind, in my opinion, where we can experience what I like to call “smAlbany moments” — where the connectivity of the people and locations in our environment bring forth a richness of value and significance for which we are especially fortunate.

In effect, what we at Liberteks.com decided to do was to take the negative associations of the “smAlbany” moniker and turn it into a positive. Courageously, we would take a lemon and make it into lemonade. We argued: The relative “smallness” in size of the region – I like to think it’s right sized, but poised for logical growth under the proper circumstances – makes for deeper, richer, more personal business connections, and even more importantly a better quality of life when we finished work and go home to our family and friends. Our “perceived” weaknesses and “smallness” may ultimately be our greatest strengths.

Our goal — in our continuing efforts—is to promote our businesses and our region through our smAlbany efforts, our activities in the community and media, including this blog. While the focus is on small business, we’ll also follow the activities of the larger businesses in the area, the development of our technology sector — will the Tech Valley movement come to fruition? – and also the government sector and how public employment affects the region (both the pros and cons).

Borrowing from the famous Albany author William Kennedy, I write this blog “not as a booster of Albany, which I am, nor as an apologist for the city, which I sometimes am, but rather as a person whose imagination has become fused with a single place…” We’ll do it with humor, and with information and insights, that we hope will be meaningful for you.

The best way to get over and erase the negative side of the smAlbany image is to stop being so self-conscious and sensitive of our hometown and instead show pride in our region, focusing on the all of the positives we possess, and the growth we have in store potentially.

I will continue these postings, and I look forward to your comments and suggestions.

Liberteks’ 4^th Annual smAlbany Small Business Day was a huge success, with nearly 300 attending and some excellent presentations and networking opportunities. I want to extend my thanks to all who participated particularly our sponsors and vendors.

We received media coverage from the Albany Times Union, the Capital District Business Review and Fox Channel 23 – so we’re getting the word out there about smAlbany. I hope you all experienced some “smAlbany moments” and you’ll relate your experiences.

One gentleman shared with me his “smAlbany moment” at the event, where he ran into an old colleague that he didn’t recognize initially. Turns out they both provide their services to a mutual client, and now he’s looking into partnering with the colleague, working together on  joint projects. Such a typical “smAlbany moment” …

Our vendors were great, and I was particularly impressed with the presentations. Dave Borland of Intellisites gave an excellent overview on the critical design strategies your need to incorporate in your web site. Darcy Knapp of Network Solutions gave us the “ins and outs” on SEO (search engine optimization – to those who don’t know) and its importance in selling goods and services on the net. The folks at VerizonFIOS gave a comprehensive overview on social networking sites, and CapitalAreaHelpWanted.com provided an overview on-line job sites.

I would encourage you to reach out to these experts as you negotiate your way through your on-line marketing needs.

Not wanting to toot my own horn too loudly, I also wanted to mention our “sneak peak” of Windows 7, Microsoft’s first operating system upgrade since Windows Vista nearly 5 years ago. Win 7 is scheduled for release to the general public in October 2009, but we were the first in the Northeast to demo the system at the smAlbany event! We also provided a free Win 7 DVD to everyone attending.

We’ll have a lot more to say about Windows 7 in future posts, but what I will say here is that Win 7 is the first Microsoft operating system that will allow small businesses to run any computer program virtually anywhere, and it will allow small business to use technology better than many large businesses.

Windows 7 is a powerful new tool that moves small businesses toward a level of reliability where they won’t have to worry about the technology. And we’ll be discussing it more in the coming weeks.

Please forward your smAlbany moments, and contact me with your thoughts.