Business seminar teaches the importance of social media
Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development News, July 30, 2010 - Sweeping the world by storm, social media has quickly become a powerful force to be reckoned with. Utilizing these tools can have huge benefits, especially for small businesses looking to connect with customers.
This was the message at a recent entrepreneurship seminar organized by the Economic Development Corporation’s Business Sault Ste. Marie division.
“It’s very important for small businesses to embrace social media,” said keynote speaker Nevin Buconjic, a technology enthusiast and President of Interactive Minds.
“First of all, it allows them to engage their customers, as well as share a dialogue about the business and its products or services. Social media can also give businesses the ability to reach large audiences with relative ease. And it’s free.”
The most-commonly used social media tools are Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, blogs and YouTube, said Buconjic, a business analyst for the provincial government. Entrepreneurs should first identify the tool or tools that best suits their products, services and clients.
“Each of these tools has pros and cons, but most can be used together to provide greater exposure for a business,” he said.
Since about 75 per cent of online consumers visit social networks and blogs, it makes sense for businesses to use social media to dialogue with them, added Buconjic. This doesn’t mean every business should use social media, “but they should at least consider some of the tools available as a part of their overall marketing efforts,” he said.
For more information, visit www.nevinbuconjic.com.
To download the entire SSMEDC Newsletter (this story on page 3), click here.
Seminar aims to bring e-business wave to Sault
Sault Star, June 22, 2010 - Enterprise Sault Ste. Marie is hoping to kick-start regional e-business development interest this weekend with a seminar at the Delta Waterfront Hotel and Conference Centre. Local entrepreneur Nevin Buconjic, a technology enthusiast, writer and business analyst with the Ontario government, will be hosting Saturday's 90-minute session, beginning at 11 a.m.
"E-business is all the rage throughout southern Ontario, everyone's online, but it has yet to really take off here," said Terri Chiarello, small business development advisor with the Sault Economic Development Corp. "We're hoping with a little encouragement local entrepreneurs will come forward and learn about the benefits and methods of going online . . . It's where business is going."
Saturday's seminar will focus on social networking, how to use social networks to grow your business, using blogs, podcasts and videos to grow your brand, as well as communicating and building relationships.
It's the first in a series of three seminars expected to be presented by Buconjic this summer with additional gatherings expected in July and August.
Buconjic holds degrees in marketing and computer science, as well as a Masters of Business Administration, and more than a decade of experience in business, finance, marketing and small business development.
In addition to having operated several technology-related businesses, Buconjic holds certification in Internet marketing and economic development and has taught computers and business at both the college and university level.
Further information is available by contacting Terri at 759-2616 or emailing t.chiarello@ssmedc.ca.
2009 Algoma University Alumni Achievement Award: Nevin Buconjic
Nevin is a mentor, entrepreneur, educator and businessman. Currently, he is a Strategic Business Advisor with the Ministry of Natural Resources. He has a BA (Computer Science) from Laurentian University/Algoma U, a B.Sc. in Marketing and Management and a MBA (Lake Superior State University), a Certificate in Internet Marketing (University of British Columbia) and in 2007 completed his Economic Developer's Certification through the Economic Development Association of Canada.
While working on his Accelerated Degree in Computer Science in 2001 at Algoma U, Nevin was tutoring at a local elementary school. Struck by the lack of enthusiasm that students had for computers, Nevin set out to change their attitudes and interests by teaching young people skills in web design and video game design. His passion for computers and entrepreneurship lead Nevin to create Adventures in Computing summer camps, now in their 9th year, here on campus. Nevin went on to co-found a local web design firm, before starting his own internet market and consulting company from which he created a scholarship for students entering into the Computer Science program here at Algoma U.
Over the years, Nevin has committed to being an advocate for youth in our community, taking part in the original Sault Youth Task Force where he spearheaded the Saultyouth.com portal. He has mentored, taught and worked with hundreds of students and young people in the topics of entrepreneurship, computers and technology. He currently writes a technology column for Fresh Magazine and has taught both computer and business courses at Algoma U and Sault College. In 2006 he was a finalist for the Osprey Media/Ontera Northern Ontario Youth Entrepreneur Award for Sault Ste. Marie and Area.
For more information visit Algoma U.
Nominated for Northern Ontario Youth Entrepreneur Award
SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - September 1, 2006 – Digital Adventures is proud to announce that its founder and President, Nevin Buconjic has been nominated and is one of two finalists for the 2006 Osprey Media/Ontera Northern Ontario (Sault Ste. Marie) Youth Entrepreneur Award. The annual award is presented to an individual under 35 years of age who has successfully started up and run one or more businesses and has demonstrated innovation, risk taking and determination. He or she has created a new product or service, created jobs for the local economy, and is a good corporate citizen and takes an active role in his/her community. The awards will be held September 21st in Sault Ste. Marie. For more details visit www.northernontarioyouth.com
Head of The Class - 10 Top Young Entrepreneurs
Creating Web-wise kids (08/04)
By Ian Ross (Northern Ontario Business)
Nevin Buconjic knows the challenges of growing a business from both
sides of the ledger.
When the 32-year-old manager of the City of Sault Ste. Marie’s Enterprise
Centre isn’t counselling fledgling entrepreneurs on starting up their
own businesses, he is operating his own Internet-based consulting and
training company, Digital Adventures, specializing in computer camps
for kids.
Now in its fourth year, he expects to draw 85 students to the campus
of Algoma University College this summer. “It’s roughly grown about
20 per cent per year in revenues. To me it’s proven itself,” says the
Sault Ste. Marie native who developed the idea while tutoring at a local
elementary school.
After working in the mortgage and finance industry in Arizona and Toronto,
Buconjic, who holds a B.Sc. in marketing and management, along with
an MBA from Lake Superior State (Michigan) University, returned to his
hometown to take advantage of Algoma University College’s one-year accelerated
computer sciences program. He had plans on someday starting his own
company.
While tutoring, Buconjic realized many kids were less than enthusiastic
about their computer training and created a more fun-oriented program
around Web design. “Right away I saw the kids change. They wanted to
stay in at recess, lunch and after school, and they were finally getting
something fun to do.”
Today, his formalized Web design program walks kids through the basics
of producing their own personal Web site and progresses through to video
game design, a huge university undergraduate growth area. Although the
computer camps remain only a seasonal venture, this year represents
a crossroads for Digital Adventures. “I’m ready to grow if I want to
take the next step,” says Buconjic, who plans on spending this year
evaluating an opportunity to expand the camps to other cities in Northern
Ontario. “I have a proven program...and I have it down to a science.”
To keep infrastructure costs low, Buconjic is hoping to take his delivery
model and partner with other post-secondary institutions similar to
U.S. summer computer camps.
As a certified Internet marketing and business specialist, he is also
looking to take on other future consulting work and has talked with
some local Web design companies about packaging their services together
in computer marketing and consulting.
In dealing with many first-time entrepreneurs, Buconjic says a common
challenge is that many are not doing their research in identifying their
market, as well as securing startup funding sources. “It’s very important
to plan out your business. Whether its a formal business plan or not,
it’s important to do some research up front to make sure it’s a good
idea.
“But you have to take some chances. That’s what entrepreneurship is
all about.”
Buconjic to speak at Internet Marketing Seminar
SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - May 28, 2004 – Nevin Buconjic, President of Digital Adventures, will discuss Internet Marketing Strategies at an upcoming SSM Chamber of Commerce seminar - June 3rd. Topics will include website marketing, characteristics of Internet marketing and the online marketing mix. A representative from Lucidia Studios will also be speaking about web development technologies. To register call the Chamber at 949-7512.
Digital Adventures Assists Young Entrepreneurs Volunteerism opens door for Web business
By Ian Ross (Northern Ontario Business, 11/03)
Clients may do a double take when the brains behind Force-Network Designs
walk into the room.
Steve Sauve and Kevin Rusnell. But Steve Sauve and Kevin Rusnell, two
talented, teenaged Sault entrepreneurs, are years ahead of their time,
having already launched their own Web design company. Force-Network
Designs offers Web design, hosting and content management solutions.
All their layouts are custom made.
Steve, 15, does the eye-catching graphics, design and layout. Kevin,
14, does the PHP scripting, database work and content management systems.
“Together we can create some pretty crazy things,” says Sauve, a Grade
10 students at Sir James Dunn Collegiate.
The pair met two years ago at a computer summer camp hosted by Nevin
Buconjic, the small business advisor at the city’s Enterprise Centre.
Buconjic, who acts as their mentor, says it was clear they were the
most advanced in the class and had the best handle on the topics. They
love making Web sites and began asking questions of him about how to
start a business. It eventually led to the point of registering their
company in early October.
To get their feet wet, the two young entrepreneurs began volunteering
to build the Web site for the Norgoma Marine Heritage Centre. They are
also doing some paying jobs including designing the subscriber up-load
system for an online editing service.
The two work from their homes but they are investigating leasing some
business incubator space at Algoma University College’s proposed ICT
centre, hoping to share a joint office with Buconjic’s company, Digital
Adventures, an Internet consulting and computer training firm. “Clients
might come through me,” says Buconjic, “but I’ll be sub-contracting
work to them.”
Both have aspirations to stay in the industry. “I want to work for or
own a major (computer) company,” says Rusnell. “If we can get this going,
maybe we can expand but I definitely want something in the field of
computers,” says Sauve. For more information visit www.force-network.com
Digital Adventures - Algoma U. Scholarship
SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - September 2, 2003 – Digital Adventures announced
today, the creation of a $500 entrance scholarship at Algoma University
College. The scholarship, which will be awarded in November of each
year, will go to a first year Computer Science student with a minimum
entrance average of 80% and who best answers the question "Why am I
excited about a career in Computer Science?" in 100 words or less.
According to Nevin Buconjic, President of Digital Adventures, "I created
the scholarship because I wanted to give something back to Algoma U.
They have been nothing but supportive and encouraging with our Computer
Camps program. Without the help of Dr. Celia Ross and many of the staff
at Algoma U., the camps may not have become a reality. Secondly, I wanted
to do something to reward a student for being excited about taking Computer
Science at Algoma U. As a graduate of the program, I was very satisfied
with the education I recieved, and I would like to see more of our young
people staying in Sault Ste. Marie for their education."
Officials at Algoma University were very excited to accept the scholarship
on behalf of future students, and are expected to make a formal announcement
shortly.
CBC Radio Interview
SUDBURY, ON - July 7, 2003 - The President of Digital Adventures, Nevin
Buconjic, was interviewed by Dan Lesard of CBC Radio North, regarding
the summer computer camp program at Algoma University College. The interview
reveals how the program began in 2001, the different camps available
and what some the campers have gone on to do since taking part in the
Digital Adventures' camps.
Click to hear interview.
(Windows Media Audio file requires Windows Media Player - 2.64 MB)
Summer Camp Gives Kids a Taste of Tech
By SALEEM KHAN
FOR METRO TORONTO
TORONTO, ON - June 12, 2003 – Children and teenagers attending summer camps in Sault Ste. Marie will have the chance to learn how to design their own Web sites and program three-dimensional (3D) computer games.
Computer training company Digital Adventures of Sault Ste. Marie has teamed up with Algoma University College to offer this year’s programs, which have added courses in advanced web and 3D game design, both for children age 12-to-16. Returning this year are a general computer camp and a Web page design camp for ages 9-to-15, and a video game design camp where children aged 11-to-16 years can learn how to create two-dimensional (2D) games.
Algoma U. connection
The video game design programs are a particularly good match for Algoma University, which plans to introduce a Masters of Science in Computer Game Technology degree program in co-operation with the University of Abertay in Scotland this September. “While the computer camps are not directly linked to the M.Sc. program, the intent is certainly to have activities for youth that link up with our computer science and IT fields,” said Krista Yetman, Algoma’s director of external relations. “It is also an excellent way to demonstrate partnerships and educational options in the area of computer science and information technology.”
The camps start in July and registrations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit the Web site www.digitaladventures.ca/camps.htm, or call (705) 257-1691. Registrations will be taken in the main office at Algoma University or by calling (705) 949-2301 ext. 236.
To
view the original article in the Toronto Metro newspaper please click
here.