Chamber session answers technology questions

In its professional development series, Madison Chamber of Commerce hosted “Emerging Business Technologies — Learn Which Technologies Your Company Can’t Live Without” on Dec. 8.

John Cote from Rocket Social Marketing and Peter Kurth with Verizon Wireless were featured speakers at the seminar held at the Hogan Family YMCA.

The chamber chose this topic “to help business owners evaluate all new technologies in the marketplace,” coordinator Samantha Brinkley said. She is CEO of Rocket City HR.

John Cote owns Rocket Social Marketing, which helps businesses effectively use social media and apps (small software applications) for increased revenue. Cote also creates educational videos, available free on YouTube (youtube.com/rocketsocialmkt).

At the session, Cote discussed using phones or iPads for credit card transactions, text messaging for ad campaigns and an email auto-responder.

“The most frequently under-utilized technology is mobile technology,” Cote said. “One of our clients is creating apps for the iPad, iPhone and Android devices (to) teach various subjects from defense to space to biotechnology.”

Peter Kurth’s career spans more than 27 years in technical, sales and management positions at Verizon Wireless, Fortune 500 companies and the military.

Kurth’s presentation examined today’s key strategies to manage mobile devices, speeds of response times and “McGuire’s Law of Mobility — the value of any product or service increases with its mobility.”

The chamber’s seminar series started in September. “The information was invaluable at ‘The Do’s and Don’ts of Marketing’ and ‘Managing Your Business During Difficult Times’ seminars,” Elizabeth Dubberley with Nesin Physical Therapy said.

Along with Brinkley, the professional development committee includes Phoebe Steele, Madison La Quinta Inns & Suites, and Jennifer Walker, Exit Realty of the Valley. “We’re always looking for volunteers and speaker ideas,” Brinkley said.

Upcoming chamber seminars are “Make it a Banner Sales Year,” Jan. 12, Lori-King Taylor; “Taxes for Today’s Small Business” in February, Melanie Burdick; and “E-Verify and Other Employer Requirements,” in March with Brinkley.

The chamber office is located in Hogan Family YMCA, 130 Park Square Lane. For more information, call 256-325-8317 or visit MadisonALChamber.com.