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LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Dear SCribe Subscribers,
It is with great excitement and anticipation that I announce a major shift in the evolution of the Software Council of Southern California. Building on 15 years of service to Southern California's software industry, The Software Council is changing its name to the Technology Council of Southern California.
The Southern California technology environment is thriving. We are seeing tremendous growth in mobile, digital media, and other important areas of technology in addition to continued growth in the traditional software industry. We have an opportunity to create value and synergy within and between all of our region's technology companies that will benefit everyone. Our transition is a "win-win" for all involved, and genuinely reflects the evolution of the technology industry as a whole from 1991, the year we were founded, to today.
We will continue to serve all of our members with passion and dedication, providing superb quality events, connections, information and resources to all of our members. Our events range from regional educational programs to Southern California's two flagship technology events: our annual industry awards gala and VentureNet.
We hope you share our excitement about this new development, and we look forward to continuing to provide you with the programs, connections and resources you need to be successful.
Best Regards,
Jonathan Kraft
Chairman, Technology Council of Southern California
MORE ABOUT OUR NAME CHANGE
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JOIN US AT VENTURENET
VentureNet® is Southern California's premier technology capital conference where the region's most promising companies
get to meet and present to prospective investors and strategic partners from around the country. Now in its eleventh year,
VentureNet attracts partners from venture capital firms from California and across the country, corporate investors, angel
investors, and investment bankers. It also draws many CEOs and entrepreneurs, and decision-makers from the most
influential professional services organizations focused on the technology industries.
VentureNet is about taking your business to the next level. If you are looking for investors, apply to present today.
Even if you're not looking for funding, mark your calendar for September 14th and register to attend to make important contacts,
disseminate information about your company and learn from people who are "in the know." Want more VentureNet visibility?
A limited number of VentureNet exhibit spaces are available, so act now to reserve your space.
Visit us at www.venturenet.org for more details on attending, presenting or exhibiting at our September 14th event.
YOUR PASSWORD IS DEAD, LONG LIVE YOUR TOKEN!
By Bob Blakley, Chief Scientist, Security and Privacy for Tivoli Software, IBM
For years, security professionals have shared a secret: one of the weakest points in the security of the web is your password.
Because the weakest link in a computer network is the password, the best way to deal with them is to do away with them. Periodically, security professionals resolve to do something about passwords, but like many resolutions, we never get around to following through on the promise.
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CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS - HOW THEY CAN GET YOU
By Tasha D. Nguyen, Partner, Holland + Knight
If you routinely sign confidentiality agreements for your business, read on. These seemingly harmless agreements can become huge problems if you are not aware of the pitfalls.
Nowadays all software companies understand the need to protect their trade secrets. When dealing with vendors, customers and other business associates, a confidentiality (or non-disclosure) agreement is used. In fact, these agreements are used so routinely that they have generated a common misunderstanding, even on the part of sophisticated software companies.
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PRESENTING YOUR COMPANY: CREATING A VALUABLE ONLINE PRESS ROOM
By Melissa Boehning, senior account supervisor, Ruder Finn
We're all undeniable inhabitants of the Digital Age where cell phones, Blackberries and iPods are constantly feeding us various forms of media on demand. We are a society where digital media rules and paper is passé - if it isn't online, forget about it!
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FEW FAST-GROWTH COMPANIES INVOLVED IN BANK FINANCING
PricewaterhouseCoopers' Trendsetter Barometer
PricewaterhouseCoopers' Trendsetter Barometer interviewed CEOs of 312 privately-held product and service companies identified in the media as the fastest growing U.S. businesses over the last five years. As interest rates continued their steady rise, only 12 percent of fast-growth companies completed new bank loans in the first quarter--a step down from 13 percent in the last quarter, and closer-yet to the historic low of 10 percent in the second quarter of 2002. Rather than seeking new bank loans, many surveyed companies have been content to rely upon self-financing and lines of credit when making major new investments in their business. But, in contrast, the small group of new borrowers appears open to more choices of financing. More than four in ten are expecting to explore alternative financing sources--like private placements and angel investors--over the next 12 months, compared to only 16 percent of those with no new bank loans.
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DEMYSTIFYING EMAIL AUTHENTICATION
By Chip House, vice president of privacy and deliverability, ExactTarget
I was blown away by answering machines when they first came out in the 80s. As great as they are for catching and recording calls, their best feature is call screening. Suddenly I didn't have to waste my time talking to telemarketing reps or rehashing former relationships.
A few years later came caller ID. Then I could just watch for an unrecognized number and wouldn't even have to listen to the sales rep make their pitch. Now THAT was innovation!
Then came email spam. Why has it been so hard to relegate unwanted emails to the same digital waste bin as unwanted phone calls?
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CORPORATE REAL ESTATE LEASING MARKET UPDATE
By Dave Toomey, Principal, CRESA Partners
Overview
The office leasing market in Los Angeles remained tight in the 1st quarter of 2006.
Market Trends
There continues to be a shortage of large blocks of available space (greater than 50,000 sf).
Tenants seeking to expand are sometimes forced to lease space on non-contiguous floors or at neighboring buildings.
Smaller tenants (less than 20,000 sf) have plenty of choices.
Landlords are cutting back on leasing concessions.
Rents are approaching levels that will spur new office development.
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DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR TALENT IS? WHY ACQUISITION AND RETENTION STRATEGIES DON'T WORK
By Ken August, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP
Despite millions of unemployed workers, there is an acute shortage of talent across industries. The technology industry is no exception and with this industry growing at an exponential rate, the talent shortage hits especially hard. Resumes abound, yet companies still feverishly search for the people who make the difference between 10 percent and 20 percent annual growth, or between profit and loss. Critical talent is scarce, and may become more scarce because of two looming trends: the retirement of the Baby Boom generation, one of the largest cohorts in the workforce, and a growing skills gap.
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THANKS
TO OUR NEW AND RETURNING MEMBERS
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CONTENTS
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