Site Launch: UltraShopRochester.com

CWS is pleased to present you with The Ultra Shop's new home on the web - http://ultrashoprochester.com Nestled within the heart of Rochester, MN in the Kahler subway; this world famous boutique offers an extraordinary selection of interesting and fine merchandise. From mirrors, tables, and frames, to jewelry, hats, and rainwear - if you're looking for high class merchandise, look no further than The Ultra Shop. And now -- with the development of their new website -- finding that International Traveler Shiny Cow Print luggage you've been after is quicker and easier than ever! It was a pleasure working with Pat, and we look forward to our continued relationship as we help further their online success with search engine optimization.

Rochester Books 100,000 Rooms

At CWS, we work closely with a number of government entities and other organizations that promote the City of Rochester. This week, the Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau announced that during the last year, a record-breaking 100,000 room nights were booked in Rochester hotels. This is no small accomplishment for a city whose population itself is 100,000, and we want to congratulate the CVB staff and everyone in the hospitality industry whose cooperative efforts made it possible.

Due to the presence of Mayo Clinic, Rochester is a city that's built on hospitality, playing host to a huge number of visitors every year. The resources offered here, including the support of our first-rate Convention and Visitors Bureau, attract ever-larger numbers of people and events, which has a huge economic impact. 100,000 bookings translates to $25 million in the local economy.

CWS supports the CVB's efforts to bring groups to our area by producing multimedia presentations that are customized to each group, featuring a personal welcome from Mayor Brede and other local representatives. To celebrate the 100,000 mark, we filmed a series of interviews with leaders in the hospitality industry commenting on the accomplishment:

We look forward to an even better year for the hospitality industry in 2008!

New Branding for Mayo Civic Center

CWS is pleased to announce a new identity system for Mayo Civic Center. In conjunction with an updated website framework (which will be released in the next few weeks), we were asked to develop a new logo and other collateral that, while maintaining a connection with the previous identity, would establish a new look for this first-rate facility.

With a bit of artistic flair, the bold colors and dynamic forms of the new trademark express the breadth of activity that takes place at the Civic Center. The facility's 120,000 square feet of space host a steady stream of concerts, sporting events, tradeshows, banquets, and other unique events. Mayo Civic Center is the major hub of activity for southern Minnesota.

Because it has the potential to be used in so many different contexts and applications, we developed a logo with several different variations in format and color. The typeface and forms were also designed to work well with the existing signage and architectural elements of the facility.

CWS is proud of the Rochester community, and it is always a pleasure to work on projects that support and promote our city. Be sure to check out Mayo Civic Center when you're planning an event or a night out on the town!

Site Launch: Chocolate-Time.com

As a gift or just a guilty pleasure, Chocolate Time offers high-end designer chocolates to tempt any palate. Located in Rochester, MN, Chocolate Time is a retailer of traditional, novelty, and designer chocolates and offers a variety of products from all across the nation.

CWS was chosen by Chocolate Time to design both a logo and a website.

The logo was crafted to reflect Chocolate Time's unique, elegant sense of style. It echoes the shop's impeccable interior and the attention to detail found in each hand-crafted artisan chocolate.

The website was designed under the same premise. A subdued, elegant look focuses attention on the products themselves, and the photos of mouth-watering truffles and turtles will leave you with a craving that can only be satisfied by taking a trip to locally owned Chocolate Time.

We have enjoyed working with John at Chocolate Time, and we look forward to working with him in the future!

Launch: DowntownRochesterMN.com

CWS is pleased to announce the launch of Downtown Rochester MN.com, a new website developed for the Rochester Downtown Alliance. Occasionally, the complaint is heard that there's nothing to do in Rochester. In fact, the downtown district is quite active for those in the loop, and this website aims to substantially increase that number of individuals.

The site is intensely data-driven and represents a joint effort between the hardworking staffs of both RDA and the Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau. The pool of information will be kept up to date constantly by these organizations and by downtown business owners themselves.

In addition to highlighting current and future activities in downtown Rochester, the site features information about new developments in the district and an itinerary planner that walks a visitor through the steps of planning a night out on the town. Information on parking downtown is integrated throughout the listings, so there's no excuse not to get out and explore.

Rochester offers a host of sights and sounds -- theatre, music, art, comedy, unique shopping, and excellent restaurants both old and new. Keep yourself up to date by subscribing to email updates or RSS feeds from the website. Have an idea for something you'd like to see happening downtown? There's a suggestion box for you.

Let us know what you think!

Now Hiring: Web Developer

Corporate Web Services is now accepting applications for a web developer to join our highly motivated design team. This person will be an integral part of our web development team and will be responsible for creating custom web-based solutions for our customers. This may include websites, email templates and/or web applications. Good communication skills are a must. We prefer a full time position, but would consider part-time employment for a highly skilled individual. Compensation is based on experience.

Corporate Web Services is the leader in providing web development services in SE Minnesota. GroupLoop.com and RapidNewsletter.com, two of our applications, are experiencing exponential growth and attention on a national scale. As a developer with CWS, you'll have the opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment with opportunities for both personal and professional growth.

Applicants who meet the below qualifications may apply online via our website. This position is located in Rochester, MN.

Solution Development and Delivery

• Assists in the design, coding, and testing of technical web solutions.


• Understands standard systems, development lifecycle processes and applies our methodology effectively on client engagements.


• Applies knowledge of industry trends and developments to improve service to our clients.

Project Execution

• Understands project and development plans and is able to clearly articulate roles, project goals, and timelines.


• Adheres to current coding standards


• Accurately employs our development tools (Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Flash).


• Establishes responsible deadlines and personal work plans.

Communication

• Listens to others and accepts input from team members.


• Clearly articulate ideas and thoughts verbally.


• Accurately prepares written business correspondence that is coherent, grammatically correct, effective and professional.

Relational Databases

• Understands basic relational database concepts.


• Confidently writes the four basic SQL statements.


• Possesses knowledge of various database access methods.

Programming Languages

• Possesses working knowledge of at least one structured programming language.


• Exhibits proficiency in HTML and one scripting language.


• Possesses basic knowledge of XML/XSL.

Architecture

• Demonstrates basic knowledge of object and component methodology and technology.


• Possesses basic knowledge of classes, components, objects, and interfaces.


• Recognizes the fundamental differences between the various internet browsers.

Leadership

• Displays a positive attitude.


• Demonstrates flexibility in day-to-day work.


• Sets high standards of performance for oneself.

Teamwork

• Establishes harmonious working relationships with team members.


• Appreciates each team member's contributions and values each individual member.

Client Management

• Values internal and external clients and responds to their needs as they arise.


• Establishes effective working relationship with clients.


• Follows established communication guidelines.


• Uses good judgment in what and how to communicate with clients.

Professional Development

• Understands the professional development process and becomes actively involved by setting challenging goals and meeting them through continuous learning.


• Seeks input from mentors and supervisors.


• Actively applies feedback received to day-to-day work and strives to improve performance.

Internal Operations

• Accurately completes and submits time and expense reports in a timely manner.


• Accurately completes and submits status reports in a timely manner.


• Complies with all of our policies and procedures.

Launch: Runway Reporting System

Let's pretend you're driving down the freeway in your new corvette at 120mph. Since it's the middle of winter, wouldn't it be nice to know if there are icy spots up ahead?

At the airport, pilots are faced with this situation each time they land a plane.

To solve this problem, CWS developed an "Airport Field Conditions Reporting System" which is now in use at the Rochester International Airport. Control towers all over the country have access to real-time statistics about the conditions of the runways at our airport. They can relay this information to pilots as they prepare for landing, or re-route air traffic if necessary.

During severe weather conditions, the website may be updated several times each hour as airport crews continue to plow runways and apply chemicals. Ground staff at the airport has access to update the live data quickly, with each update logged and available immediately.

Launch: Rochester Public Library

On February 1, the Rochester Public Library unveiled a new website developed in partnership with CWS. This redesign addressed a number of objectives for the Library's complex web offerings.

The website was rebuilt from the ground up to better meet accessibility guidelines and Web standards. It greatly simplifies access to common tasks and features, and highlights some useful tools that you may not have previously noticed.

Finally, the website is now far easier for Library staff to manage and maintain using Adobe's Contribute Publishing System. Hats off to them for updating and restructuring an enormous body of content during this process.

Response so far has been very positive. Here's what the Post-Bulletin's Digital Mike had to say:

I like it. All the stuff you looked for before seems to be there, and now it seems easier to maneuver and find information compared with the old site.

Rochester has a truly impressive library for a city its size, so be sure to check it out (no pun intended)! If you never visited the old site, you can find a copy by stepping into The Wayback Machine.

CVB Wins Award for CD Produced by CWS

One of our clients - the Rochester Convention & Visitors Bureau - recently received a Travel Marketing Award of Merit from Explore Minnesota Tourism at their annual conference. The award was given to the RCVB for a series of multimedia CD presentations which are produced by CWS and customized for conventions, sporting events, and other bids. Each custom disc typically features a personal introduction by Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede, often with a bit of offbeat humor and highlights of all that Rochester has to offer.

Travel Marketing Awards are given annually to note creative, successful tourism marketing programs by Minnesota communities. The RCVB entered the multimedia disc as an example of an electronic marketing tool that goes "above and beyond" typical sales presentations.

The CD gives meeting planners a sense of connection with the Rochester community, especially with the guided tour from Mayor Brede. Custom discs have been produced for 13 amateur sports organizations and meeting planners, in addition to a general purpose disc that is used for other presentations. In many cases, the CDs are also left with events attendees to boost participation and with travel writers requesting information.

These multimedia CDs have generated six confirmed pieces of new business for the city of Rochester, representing 13,450 visitors, 16,850 hotel rooms and an economic impact of more than $3.8 million. Two additional bids are still under consideration.

CWS is proud to work with the CVB and other organizations to promote the great city of Rochester!

Rochester Downtown Alliance Selects CWS for Website Development

CWS has been selected to develop a new interactive project for the Rochester Downtown Alliance following a final review of proposals last week by RDA board members.

We are extremely pleased to have an opportunity to work with RDA and promote downtown Rochester as a destination. We're proud of the city of Rochester, and we're excited at the opportunity to further its economic development.

The new website will be a deep resource, highlighting events and things to do in the downtown district, as well as providing information about RDA initiatives.

Look for a launch announcement next spring!

Get Paid to Surf from AGLOCO

Last week, I criticized AGLOCO for not having an email signup form to be notified when they launched. It appears they have since gone live and are now accepting members. As with any MLM type business, "getting in early" is important so I took the plunge just in case they hit it big. Here's the scoop on this new concept.

Whenever you are online, either surfing, blogging, clicking on an ad or making a purchase, all the money generated by your activities is currently pocketed by a small number of players. At AGLOCO, they say not anymore!

AGLOCO is a global community, whose owners are its members (you and potentially the millions of internet users out there). Their goal is to capture a significant portion of the value generated by your online activities and return it to members in cash. It was free to sign up and they say members will NEVER have to pay anything, nor will they have to disclose ANY personal information (unless, of course, you consider your surfing habits "personal").

How does it work? Once you sign up on their website, you will eventually be able to download the Viewbar software (it wasn't ready as of this post), a free toolbar-sized application that quietly sits on your desktop. If you don't want to see or use the Viewbar at any given time you can minimize it and it stops working. As a member, that's all you'll need to do... just continue using the Internet as you used to.


So, if you sign up how can this make you money? Their website says the following:

Cash: You get cash by surfing the Internet while the Viewbar is running. AGLOCO's profits are distributed back to its Members. And you can also receive real-time discounts should you choose to purchase from AGLOCO's partners.

Shares: In addition to cash, AGLOCO will give out shares in the company to its members. Eventually, AGLOCO plans to go public and will be traded on the London Stock Exchange AIM. You can start earning stock options by keeping Viewbar active while you surf. In addition, you will gain extra shares by referring active users to AGLOCO (they lose nothing).

Click here to see their calculator on how much you can earn.


The more people who join AGLOCO, the more value the community will generate for itself. The company believes those that build the community deserve more: your own profits become larger the more people you refer. You can accumulate hours not only from your Internet activity but also from those who you refer, and their referrals too... Up to 5 levels underneath you. For example, if you refer 10 people and all of them refer 5 people each, you could make over 7000 shares a month!

The guys behind this idea include several Stanford MBA's and a few individuals who started AllAdvantage back in 1998, which gave over $100 million to its users before falling victim to the burst of the internet bubble.

$100 million? That's enough to count me in and we'll see what they can do the second time around. You can jump on the bandwagon yourself by completing the short sign up process. If you'd like to help put my kids through college, feel free to use my referral code: BBBD1409.