http://sandiego.startupweekend.org/

No talk, all action.  Launch a Startup in 54 hours!

Intro to Programming: Learn to Build iPhone & iPad apps presented by SkillMasters (May 11-13) – Come to this intensive three-day course and learn the basics of building iPhone apps. Sure, you could slog through 500-page tutorial books, or watch hours of online video alone. But the thought of learning computer programming by yourself makes you sleepy just thinking about it. You’d much rather come to an awesome class, make friends with other people learning the same skill, and (most importantly) be able to ask questions! For more information and to register, visit: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/3282715691

Business workshops presented by Workplace Learning and Performance Group – Maureen Orey and her team has been offering a variety of workshops on Thursday evenings from 6-8 pm or Friday mornings from 9-11 am. All of these workshops are free to Co-Merge members or $39 for non-members. To view the list of all workshops for the remainder of 2012, visit: http://www.wlpgroup.com/Co-Merge-Upcoming-Workshops.html

Startup 2-Day Workshop by Chic CEO and Move the Fire (June 1 & 2) – A collaboration with Move the Fire™ and Chic CEO, this two-day workshop will furnish you with key concepts, strategies and information that can be immediately applied to your business for demonstrable results. Presented in a lively, informative and hands-on fashion, StartUp 2-Day™ will provide an outstanding learning opportunity as well as the ability to connect with fellow like-minded entrepreneurial individuals. Visit: http://www.startup2-day.com

Startup Weekend San Diego (June 15-17) – Whether you are looking for feedback on a idea, a co-founder, specific skill sets, or a team to help you execute, Startup Weekends are the perfect environment in which to test your idea and take the first steps towards launching your own startup. For more information, visit: http://sandiego.startupweekend.org ($75 Early Bird Discount Tickets: Enter the promotional code “EARLYBIRD”. Applies to all ticket types. Discount expires on 5/14/2012.)

Workshop attendees soak up information about blogging...

Because I have been blogging for so long, I just assumed that people in business know what blogs are and why you should blog for business.

Well, I was wrong. Hence, this post…

So, what is a blog and why should you incorporate blogging as part of your marketing plan?

A blog is essentially an online journal that you can use to share information about your company. Some companies use blogs to publish their press releases, while other companies use their blogs to share updates with their customers. A blog can be updated whenever you feel the need to share, but I recommend updating it at least once or twice a week to keep your site fresh with content.

With a blog your business is more likely to be discovered in search engines like Google or Yahoo. Compared to regular static websites, blogs are updated more often, which search engines like.

Another benefit of having a business blog is that it enables your business to interact with current and potential customers via the comment section, thus building an online community and blog followers who are interested in what you have to say. Your blog can be a resource where you provide informative tips, news, or share your opinion on topics related to your business. Your customers get to know more about you and your business, and hopefully they will remember you the next time they need your product or service.

Don’t have time to blog? Here are some tips I came up with on writing a blog post in less than 30 minutes.

Do you have any tips on blogging for business? Do share via comments!

Our featured member of the month is the founder of SkillMasters, Julian Bryant, who has been facilitating web development-related workshops such as iPhone app training and computer programming here at Co-Merge Workplace.

Here’s my mini-interview with Julian:

MP: What inspired you to get into computer programming?

JB: At Notre Dame one of my majors was Computer Applications. The program really let students explore different uses of technology and I used that major to learn about multimedia web development. I really liked the creativity involved. It felt similar to being an artist and the great thing was that once I created some web project I could sell and share it with the world instantly. Since then I’ve moved onto iPhone app development, and I really enjoy teaching others how to make create their own projects and share them with the world via the App Store.

MP: What has been your biggest challenge as an entrepreneur?

JB: I really believe that to be successful entrepreneurs have to be passionate about the business we are getting into. Fortunately/Unfortunately, I have several things that I am passionate about (technology, sports, politics/policy, education) and it hasn’t been easy finding a path that satisfies those passions. Now I get to teach programming via SkillMasters, and I’ve launched my own startup, QuikStats, that combines sports and technology. As for policy & politics – for now that passion is satisfied by debating with friends and voting! The big challenge is turning passions into revenue. That takes a lot of research, persistence, and confidence.

MP: How did you find out about Co-Merge and what do you like about the concept of coworking?

JB: I found Co-Merge as we were searching for a venue for the last Startup Weekend in San Diego. The space was a great location for that event and I was excited about having this new place open in San Diego. Personally, I think another challenge for entrepreneurs is getting out of our own heads. We bring a lot of pre-conceived notions about the market and our product to our businesses and often these assumptions are wrong. You really need to get out and talk to customers and peers for a reality check. Although I live in PB (Pacific Beach), I find it helpful to head down to Co-Merge at least once a week to get out of my startup bubble, chat with others who have different perspectives, and get open the door for some unplanned inspiration.

Julian’s next workshop is the iPhone App Building Test Drive which is being held next Thursday, April 19 from 6:30 – 9:30 pm.

If you haven’t heard the big news this week, Facebook purchased the Instagram photo app for a mere $1 Billion dollars, so who knows… That silly or simple idea you had for an app could just be the next big thing! These days it doesn’t hurt to have a skill like creating apps in your toolbox.

For more information about SkillMasters, visit: www.skillmasters.net

Last week Co-Merge hosted a fundraiser for Room to Read, an international non-profit organization that partners with communities and governments in Asia and Africa to promote literacy, gender equality in education, and help children gain access to books and libraries.

Royal India generously provided samosas and refreshments for the event while attendees mingled and had the chance to learn more about Room to Read and the San Diego chapter. The fundraiser brought in $400+ from raffle tickets and donations.

Room to Read offers a variety of programs including school construction, reading and writing instruction, book publishing, girls’s education, and school libraries.

Find out more about Room to Read by visiting www.roomtoread.org or reading their blog.

There’s a time for work, a time for play, and a time to give back. It’s nice to be in a place where we have opportunities to make a difference in other people’s lives. Giving back can be as simple as donating a percentage of your sales to charity or taking time out every once in awhile to volunteer. Whatever you do, it’s a reminder that there’s more to life than just business!

View more photos from the event on our Facebook page…

Free Yoga Class
Monday, April 2, from 6:00-7:30pm
FREE Vinyasa flow class taught by Co-Merge member and Yogi, Sarah Lieber. We’ll work out those kinks we feel in the hips, shoulders and neck from sitting at a desk all day. Again this is a free event for you to come ZEN out at. Anybody is welcome. Bring your friends!

Please remember to bring:
- Yoga mat
- Water
- Towel (not necessary)
- Arrive at least 10 minutes before class starts so you can get settled in

Lean Startup Machine San Diego (Pre-show)
Come out next Thursday, April 5th, from 7 – 8 pm to find out more about Lean Startup Machine, the mentors, and find out how you can get involved. This is a free event with free drinks and a chance to network with entrepreneurial-minded people! Space is limited, so register now: http://lsmsdpreshow.eventbrite.com/

Workshop: How to Be CEO of Your Life with Rebecca Everett
Fri, April 6, 9am – 11am
Plan your LIFE… like you would run a business. Join us at this powerful, fully-engaging workshop designed to open potential entrepreneurs and career transitioners to the motivation needed to build a life full of achievements.

After this workshop you will:
• Know how to stay perpetually motivated to achieve your goals
• Define exactly the job or career you want to create
• Have a better understanding of what’s been holding you back – and how to take a leap forward

This workshop is free for Co-Merge members or $39 for non-members. Click here to register, or find out more about the weekly San Diego business workshops hosted by the Workplace Learning and Performance Group by visiting: http://www.wlpgroup.com/Co-Merge-Upcoming-Workshops.html

Source: graphic-exchange.com via Delphine on Pinterest

 

Once upon a time there was this concept called the “9-5” job in which people woke up at the same time every morning, got in their cars to commute to work, and stayed in a building all day – except for that 1 hour when they went out for lunch.

A shift is brewing in the minds of business people around the world. They’re realizing that the way one person works is different from how other people may work. Putting someone in a cubicle for eight hours a day just may not be the best way to inspire productivity. Seeing and talking to the same people everyday may not be the best way to get ideas on how the business can improve. These preconceived notions of what makes a motivated and productive employee are changing…for the better.

Enter this idea of coworking…

Watch the video below to find out more about how coworking is changing how and where we work…

Daily Parking

A discounted Co-Merge rate of $6/day is available at the Park and Glide lot at the Holiday Inn Express. The entrance to the parking lot is at 1425 6th Ave. San Diego, 92101. Look for the entrance on 6th Ave. between Beech and Ash just south of Cafe Indigo. Tell the attendant you are working at Co-Merge to get the $6 rate. Park on P2-P4 and take the stairs or elevator to P1/6th Ave. to exit. 3-4 min walk to Co-Merge. $6/day and the lot accepts cash/credit

The closest daily option to Co-Merge is the 5 Star parking lot on the corner of 4th and Ash. 368 Ash St. San Diego, CA 92101 – $10/day and the lot accepts cash/credit

Hourly Parking

• 4 hour street parking is available on A Street directly in front of Co-Merge between 3rd and 4th Aves. – Meters Accept Change/Credit/City of SD Parking Card
• 2 hour street parking is available surrounding Co-Merge on 3rd Ave, 4th Ave, and Ash St. – Meters Accept Change/City of SD Parking Card
• If no street parking is available and you are going to be at Co-Merge less than 4 hrs, pull into one of the daily lots and bring us your receipt. We will credit you back time at Co-Merge if you spend more than $2/hr park.

Also, if you don’t mind walking (a little exercise doesn’t hurt!), there is free validated parking available at Horton Plaza Mall for 3 hours.  There are validation machines throughout the mall.

What do you do when you take a break from work? Or do you even take a break at all? As busy as you may be, it’s important to take a break every now and then to give your eyes a break from looking at the computer screen in addition to giving your body the chance to stretch and recirculate energy. Sitting at a desk all day can take its toll on your wrists, back, and neck.

If you’re looking for some quick exercises that you can do at your desk, here are a few videos from Youtube that may help…

Here are more 20 more desk exercises for web workers via LiveSmarter.

If you’re working here at Co-Merge, we have several flights of stairs that lead up to the rooftop patio that you can walk up and down for 10 minutes or so to get the heart rate up and the blood pumping! Also, don’t forget to eat healthy snacks, drink plenty of water, and take deep breaths as you’re working throughout the day.

Do you have any quick desk exercises to share? How do you fit in exercise into your busy lifestyle?

Before the internet (which wasn’t too long ago, by the way), people doing business with one another usually sat down face-to-face or spoke on the phone to build a rapport with each other. Now there’s something about the human connection that gets lost in the shuffle of tweets and status updates. Many businesses have treated social media sites like broadcast stations to only talk about themselves without really getting to know who their fans or followers are. They’ve forgotten the “social” part of social media.

Trish Forant wrote a great post over at the Radian6 Social Strategy blog that provides a 30-day action plan that will help you humanize your brand and build stronger relationships with customers when using social media. The three main ideas behind this action plan is to 1) Find and listen to your community, 2) Engage with personality, and 3) Lavishing your community with useful content.

I like the Day 22 action step which is to “Be social outside the web”. Yes, it is important to engage with your customers and build a community online, but I still think it’s important to meet with people. One of the reasons why coworking is such a great idea is that you can get out of that little social media bubble and actually interact with people face-to-face.