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Greetings
Legislative
Update
Upcoming
Events
Welcome
New Members
Renewing
Members
Member
Resources
Marketing
Update
Texas Team Contact
Information
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AeA
Texas Council Newsletter - December 2006
Greetings
From
the desk of...Clare Emerson
We’re very pleased to
announce our 2007 program schedule that includes some great new programs
designed to deliver AeA members the critical and relevant information you
need to stay at the top of your game. Please take a minute to read through
this new line-up, I’m sure you’ll find lots of new programs you’ll want to
attend.
In addition to our
regular program series in Dallas and Austin:
-
CEO Forum
- CFO Roundtable
- HR Forum
- Sales and Marketing Roundtable
We are offering the following new programs
for 2007:
- International Business Series
- "Why the London Aim Market?" (in
partnership with the UK Trace and Investment Agency)
- "The Top 5 Emerging Global Markets"
(in partnership with the U.S. Dept. of Commerce)
- "Doing Business in Viet Nam" (in
partnership with Cushman Wakefield)
- Executive Nights Out
- Exclusive dinner series in both Dallas
and Austin for high tech executives.
- Includes " A Night at the DMA", "A
Night at the Races (Lonestar Park)
- Global Software Development Series
(three part series)
- “Building Your Software
Company’s Future” (Dallas)
- “Offshoring vs. Outsourcing” (Austin)
- “Using Open Source and
Protecting Your IP” (Dallas)
- Technology Policy Briefings
- Will deliver updates and critical
information from experts on specific issues that may seriously impact
high tech companies. Each briefing will include an update from the AeA
staff lobbyist in D.C. assigned to the issue as well as an elected
official (when appropriate) and a representative from and AeA member
company who may be impacted by the issue. Small group discussions,
guests will be invited by AeA based their relevance to the issue.
- E-Health: How Technology is
Revolutionizing Healthcare
- This program will bring together high
tech companies developing new technologies for the healthcare industry
with healthcare corporations to explore the opportunities and
solutions.
- AeA Texas Round-Up!
- The First Annual Round-Up will be a
special happy hour event to give you an opportunity to mix and mingle
with all AeA members. We’ll honor companies doing great things, give
away prizes, and have information on our select service providers.
- Technology Investor Tour
- As a compliment to AeA’s signature
Financial Conference events, the Texas Technology Investor Tour is
designed to bring investors from all over the U.S. to your company’s
site to learn about the great investment opportunities your company
presents. It will combine tours of your facility, presentations on
your company, and extensive Q&A. This concept has been proven to be
successful for years in Oregon and Florida, and is being rolled out in
select AeA markets nationally in 2007.
- Federal and State Government
Procurement Opportunities
- This program will bring high ranking
federal and state procurement officials together with prime government
contractors to reveal new sales opportunities for high-tech companies.
Working with the AeA Washington D.C. procurement team and our Austin
staff, we will determine where the biggest government opportunities
are and how Texas companies can participate in procurement contracts.
Please reserve your seats early. If you have any questions or need
further information, please contact me directly at
clare_emerson@aeanet.org or
972-386-6540 x104.
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Legislative
Update
The AeA Texas Council is
ramping up its state legislative program in preparation for the 80th
Texas Legislative Session, which commences on January 9, 2007. The
AeA Texas Council also oversees AeA’s state public policy efforts in the
states of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.
In a recent meeting of
the Public Policy Committee, the group reviewed a preliminary draft of the
2007 legislative initiatives, a diverse set of objectives that
focus on improving the business climate of the high-technology industry in
our states.
Working in concert with
the full Public Policy Committee are two other committees – the
Environmental Committee and the Taxation Committee. All committees are
closely examining their areas of focus and are establishing direction for
the overall AeA Texas public policy program.
Several key areas of
activity have already been identified while others are being developed:
Increase funding for the state’s Emerging Technology Fund, which
provides critical investment in early stage companies whose innovations
provide the technologies that drive future economic growth.
Expand the sales tax exemption for manufacturing equipment to
include research and development equipment and materiel.
Provide energy efficiency incentives designed to encourage
businesses to reduce their energy usage in order to qualify for business
tax credits.
Continue review of the state’s new margins tax and its impacts on
the state’s technology industries and work to reduce the tax burden on the
job-creating sectors of our economy.
Remain vigilant in promoting online safety programs that are
reasonable in their administration and that provide effective protections
from fraud and predatory behavior.
Advocate for improvements in the state’s education systems in order
to place greater emphasis on core competencies in mathematics and science;
promote programs that better prepare all students to thrive in a
technology-based economy and society.
If you have an interest
in AeA's public policy initiatives or would like to serve on the AeA Texas
Council Public Policy Committee, please contact Jeff Clark in the Austin
office at 512-474-4403 or by email at
jeffrey_clark@aeanet.org.
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Upcoming
Events
12.7.06
- Dallas
-
AeA Texas HR Roundtable
The members-only HR
Roundtable is the AeA HR professional's opportunity to seek advice and
share best practices with colleagues in the technology industry.
12.14.06
- Dallas -
Texas CFO Forum - An SEC Update
CFOs, join us on Thursday, December 14 for an
update from the SEC. Key updates from 2006 will be covered, as well as
what you can expect in 2007.
12.19.06
- Dallas -
AeA Texas Sales and Marketing Roundtable
Professionals in senior Sales and Marketing
positions in technology companies exchange best practices and gain
valuable insight from experts at the monthly Sales and Marketing
Roundtable. Invited guest experts lead the discussion on key topics
selected by the group. Leads exchange is a component, but not the
program’s focus.
1.11.07
- Dallas -
AeA Texas HR Forum
AeA HR Forums occur six times a year and are
designed with the hi-tech HR professional in mind. Member-driven topics are
presented by proven specialists, equipping AeA members with the knowledge
necessary to maintain a happy and productive workforce. HR Forums are
breakfast programs and are open to non-members.
1.16.07
- Dallas - AeA Texas Sales and Marketing
Roundtable
Professionals in senior Sales and Marketing
positions in technology companies exchange best practices and gain valuable
insight from experts at the monthly Sales and Marketing Roundtable. Invited
guest experts lead the discussion on key topics selected by the group. Leads
exchange is a component, but not the program’s focus.
1.18.07
- Dallas -
AeA Texas CEO Roundtable
The CEO Forum is a monthly meeting for DFW based
AeA member company CEOs to discuss their most pressing business issues while
offering and/or seeking the advice of their peers. Each participant is
required to sign a non-disclosure agreement, and the Forum is professionally
moderated. *CEOs only* *AeA members only* If you are interested in joining
the CEO Forum, please contact Tiffany Sefton, Programs and Events Manager,
at (972) 386-6540 or
tiffany_sefton@aeanet.org.
1.18.07
- Dallas -
AeA Texas Executive 'Night at the DMA'
Join us for exclusive networking opportunities
and an 'inside-the-beltway' AeA Perspective, given by AeA President & CEO
Bill Archey as we dine at the Dallas Museum of Art's Seventeen Seventeen
Restaurant.
1.23.07
- Dallas - AeA Texas CFO Forum
The CFO Forum is the most successful CFO group
in Dallas having run uninterrupted for more than 25 years. Based on member
input, AeA delivers six topical breakfast programs packed with the tools
and information CFOs need to be more competitive and effective in their
jobs. We bring in leading experts from all over the world to address DFW-based
AeA CFOs.
1.24.07
- Dallas - AeA Texas Global Software
Development
Monthly meeting to help build additional AeA
member value by providing an environment for Sales and Marketing
professionals from the tech industry to discuss relevant topics, exchange
best practices, and gain insight from the collective knowledge of group
participants. If you wish to be a part of this group, please contact
Greg Heider at 972.386.6540 x103.
1.25.07
- Austin - AeA Executive Dinner
Exclusive dinner series for Austin based executives.
Local Council Events - AeA
Events Calendar
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Welcome
New Members
Data Drive Thru
Data Drive Thru, Inc. is the
innovator of intelligent computer cable products that solve the problem of
data transfer between two personal computers/laptops (PCs). Its
unique patented technologies and designs automate the process of getting
your data from one PC to another.
Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP
Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP (Fragomen)
is the leading provider of corporate immigration services and solutions.
For two years running, Fragomen has been recognized as the global
"Corporate Immigration Law Firm of the Year" by Who's Who Legal: The
International Who's Who of Business Lawyers. Founded in 1951,
Fragomen has over 130 attorneys and over 500 professional immigration
specialists and staff located in 27 offices* in the Americas, Asia
Pacific, and Europe. Fragomen provides information, guidance and
assistance to clients on immigration matters for the international
movement and relocation of employees and new hires to and between
countries worldwide.
GREYWOLFPR
GREYWOLFPR is an independent public relations
counseling firm for small business in the technology sector. Service
specialties include: Consulting, Strategic Planning, Writing & Editing,
Media Relations, Product Rollouts, and Trade Shows. Staff principal
is an accredited member of the Counselor's Academy, Public Relations
Society of America, with 30 years of public relations experience in the
defense, aerospace, and transportation sectors.
The Staubach Company
The Staubach Company, based in Dallas, TX, is a
market-leading global real estate advisory firm that delivers
cost-effective solutions for the users of office, industrial and retail
space. With over 1,400 people in more than 60 offices throughout
North America, Staubach expertise includes strategic consulting, site
selection, acquisition, disposition, construction management, real estate
administration, portfolio management, financing and capital solutions.
Las fiscal year, Staubach represented over 2,850 clients. For an
introduction to Staubach services, contact Scott Collier at 972-362-5203
or scott.collier@staubach.com.
Tyler Technologies
Tyler Technologies is a leading provider of end-to-end information
management solutions and services for local governments. Tyler partners
with clients to make local government more accessible to the public, more
responsive to needs of citizens, and more efficient. Tyler's client base
includes nearly 6,000 local government offices throughout all 50 states,
Canada, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. Forbes Magazine named Tyler
one of the "200 Best Small Companies" in America in 2004.
Wayport
Wayport is the one of the world's largest providers of network
services, technology and applications support to mobile users at nearly
13,000 directly enabled and managed locations in 32 countries. Premier
venues include major hotels, airports, McDonald's and Hertz locations, and
other retail brands worldwide.
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Thank You Renewing Members
Accudata Technologies
Axcess International
CBIZ Valuation Group
Cirrus Logic
Components Corporation of
America
Cycorp
DeepNines Technologies
East Texas Integrated Circuits
eeParts
EFJ
Efore (USA)
Employ Solutions
Ernst & Young
Genesis Campus
Hughes & Luce
Interphase
Intrusion
INX
KBA Group
MetaSolv Software
MicroFab Technologies
Micropac Industries
Microtune
NetQoS
OpenConnect Systems
Optek Technology
Pariveda Solutions
Roach Howard Smith & Barton
Silicon Valley Bank
Southern
Methodist University
Tango Networks
TelStrat
Trilogy Circuits
UK Trade & Investment
University of North
Texas
Vignette Corporation
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Member Resources
AeA Announces endorsement of new national healthcare insurance provider
effective September 19, 2006
Effective September 19, 2006, AeA will endorse UnitedHealthcare
as its preferred national health care insurer offering to underwrite
benefits coverage for participating AeA member companies.
Our recommendation of UnitedHealthcare is based on a number of
important considerations. Specifically, UnitedHealthcare provides:
· Substantially greater geographic
coverage around the United States;
· Competitive price and plan
design options;
· Excellent physician and hospital
networks;
· Global health care solutions
available for international employees;
· Creative wellness programs -
normally available only to the largest companies - designed to
proactively help you control health care costs; and
· "Best in class" technology
solutions integrated throughout all levels of UnitedHeatlhcare’s
operations. These solutions make it easier for your employees to access
top quality care and include on-line self service tools to make
enrollment, plan changes, and filing claims fast and easy.
In fact, UnitedHealthcare is ranked 1st in Fortune Magazine’s
2006 list of the nation’s best performing health care companies.
For member companies already enrolled in the Aetna program, this
decision should not impact their current Aetna policy. However, in the
future, we urge them to consider what UnitedHealthcare can offer in terms
of plan and network offerings, price competitiveness, nationwide
distribution, and international capabilities.
AeA encourages you or your broker to ask for details about the new
program with UnitedHealthcare, which will be available starting September
19.
You may call either Eric Meyer, AeA Senior Vice President for Insurance
Services at 202.682.4430, or contact the Dedicated UnitedHealthcare AeA
Sales Team at 1.800.809.9581 (8:30 pm to 5:00 pm CST Mon-Fri).
back to top
Marketing Update
Brand: It's About Words AND
Actions
By Stacy Clark, M/C/C Account Manager
From the time I moved to Dallas in 1998 I have been a dedicated
customer of a small, expanding Texas restaurant chain that serves a great
cheesesteak and scrumptious queso.
I am not just a regular customer — I am a loyal customer. I am the
brand-loyal customer that multi-billion dollar companies spend countless
dollars trying to convert to their products and services. I have invited
my friends and family to experience the mouth-watering food that I have
found so addictive. More times than I can count I have broken diets based
on my craving for a chicken cheesesteak with extra cheese. I take my
daughter there for a bite to eat and to catch up with each other when our
evening conversations start to sound like status meetings. I actually get
a warm, fuzzy feeling when I see the restaurant or the logo.
So you can imagine my disappointment during the last year when this
wonderful relationship began to deteriorate. Several times I dialed in for
pick-up orders and the phone rang and rang. I have arrived before closing
time and the restaurant has been closed because "the computers are down"
or because "they are out of food." But, I kept returning. I am forgiving.
I am loyal. Mistakes happen. Last week, I told the restaurant manager of
my recent experiences and was assured that these issues would be
eliminated. But once again, last Friday "the computers were down." This
time I have decided I just cannot handle the disappointment of seeing that
"Closed" sign during regular business hours one more time. I am loyal no
more.
Now, I don’t really know if this company has a brand strategy like
Starbucks or Target, but if it does, it is not living its brand. (The
blank "Brand" web page does seem like a cry for help.) If it does not have
a brand strategy, things have obviously evolved to the point where the
company can no longer operate without one. In order to continue to expand
successfully, a company has to make a promise and deliver on that promise
each and every time a customer interacts with it. All stakeholders —
owners, the marketing department and most importantly the people who
interact with customers everyday — need to deliver on the promise. Every
customer experience should deliver an emotional benefit. The emotional
brand experience at a restaurant should start the minute the patron sees
an ad, a name or a logo and should continue to exist as a memory after the
music, lights and aroma are gone. Every touch point is an opportunity to
differentiate, to reinforce the brand promise and to further success.
Now, for those with deep brand experience, these principles probably
seem obvious. But whether you’re a small expanding company establishing a
brand or an established multi-million dollar corporation revisiting your
brand, the following six basic branding steps can revitalize or refocus
your business:
1. Identify or re-identify your brand promise. Is it believable? Is
it sustainable? Does it differentiate you? Can you deliver on the
promise?
2. Ratify the promise. Solicit feedback from your organization's
stakeholders.
3. Incorporate emotional benefits in the brand promise. Uncover the
key emotional benefits that have relevance for your customers and
employees.
4. Strengthen that promise throughout all organizational touch
points.
5. Communicate the brand to employees all the time in everything you
do.
6. Live the brand.
So, as I begin my quest for a new ultimate dining experience, I pause
to wonder if the company that I associate with such fond memories could
win me back? And if so, would I be as loyal the second time around? Their
actions would have to back up their word, that’s for sure.
back
to top
Texas Team
AeA
Texas - Dallas Office
Clare Emerson, Executive Director
Gregory
Heider, Director, Membership Development
Tiffany Sefton, Programs and Events Manager
AeA Texas -
Austin Office
Jeff Clark, Director of Public
and Legislative Affairs
Jessica
Acuna, Programs and Events Manager
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