Filming of 'We Are Marshall' Could Have Lasting Impact in West Virginia

Renewed focus on the tragic plane crash that shocked the Huntington and Tri-State area in the early 70's may likely spur future development within the twenty-first century, not only from a tourism and economic development standpoint, but culturally as well.

It appears that the December 2006 release of "We Are Marshall" will frame West Virginia in a very positive manner, highlighting the strength of its people, and downplaying stereotypical views of the state. Director McG and actors Matthew McConaughey and Matthew Fox approached the story in a very reverent fashion and took time to learn from and involve community members.

This film will honor the Marshall University football players and staff that perished, and at the same time invigorate a sense of local pride. It will acknowledge West Virginians as real people and not fictitious hillbillies. The limitations often perceived about the state are not as real as they appear, and in many cases they are a significant by-product of early twentieth century depictions of Appalachians as backwoods, uneducated, and unmotivated. I hope that this real story will remind West Virginians of how strong they can be, and help us move forth accordingly in all endeavors, be it political, economic, or social.

Thank you Rick Lee for providing a glimpse of the filming process, it certainly adds to the excitement.

Business Cards Can Be an Effective Means of Targeting Promotions

Too often organizations don't take time to best identify their audience. Sending promotional pieces just for the sake of doing so will lead to wasted resources, no matter how visually appealing or well-worded, as Emily Bennington points out.

There are numerous methods of pinpointing a targeted mailing list, but one of the simplest I've found is to look no farther than accumulated business cards. This assumes that you've been devoting time to network within professional settings that are relevant to your services.

Whenever we make face-to-face contact with prospects, this provides them with an introduction to who we are and what we do. Although some introductions go better than others, all have the potential to yield better results than a "cold" mailing, due to the value of the human element.

Realize that each networking opportunity is the start of a business dialogue process, and plan your collateral materials accordingly. Along this line of thinking, you might realize that the opportunities lost from pitching business cards may cost much more than printing and stamps.

Remember West Virginians: Today's Attitudes Reflect Tomorrow's Reality

I am proud to have been born, raised, and educated in West Virginia. Given that I chose to stay in the state, I am somewhat of an anomoly, as many of my peers sought greener pastures in other areas of the country. The exodus of the state's youth may be a consequence of an overall negative attitude promoted within Appalachian-culture that discourages innovation within politics and business.

I tried not to let such misperceptions curb my belief in progress and decided that my professional and civic efforts would be most effective at home. Perhaps this was the path of least resistance, but I'd like to think it's just the opposite. It's easy to be a naysayer and lambast the Mountain State as behind the times economically, politically, and socially. It's another thing to take responsibility for the challenges that exist, and address them accordingly, in a manner that promotes cooperation, growth, and investment.

Unless the mature and young citizens of the state become more concerned, involved and self-empowered, the likelihood of progress will remain unnervingly slow. Instead, we must educate ourselves more on the state's complicated social history, apprise ourselves of the existing political and economic landscape, and use our individual talents and ambitions in a manner that helps create a better tomorrow, and not sustain the status quo.

To the young people of West Virginia, you can make a difference here. There is no better time than now to begin taking the reigns. Make yourself ready and be excited, for you are the future, and your involvement is critical for progress to be made. To the aged, don't fear change, but embrace it. Erase the cynicism you have learned, and believe in better days, in which West Virginia is seen as a progressive state, and celebrated as a national treasure.