Business updates

Here are a few updates to pass along. Training with The Alliance (AT&T) is still going strong despite the end of the fiscal year, and the music industry work continues to push forward with weekly content and occasional large projects. A large block of hours has gone into beta testing an ASP.Net application for the MCC's business development system. New work has begun with a former work associate whose long-time side business has taken on a life of its own. The KCMAA classes have been rescheduled (see their website for updates). Win Win Foreclosures author Ross Craft, an Open Roads client, has a new book out regarding his experiences with beating a debilitating health condition.


And finally, Open Road Communications is preparing to close its offices for the Labor Day weekend. We are proud supporters of the annual Kansas City Irish Fest, and we will have volunteers at two separate reunion tents for the event. Hope to see you out there!

On the Road,
Eric J. Reid

KCMAA Classes

Our partnership with The Salvation Army in Westport continues in full force. Open Road Communications has agreed to deliver a 6-week Intro to Web Design course for one of TSAW’s community outreach projects. The project, Kansas City Media Arts Academy, is made possible through a collective of partnerships and grants. It is primarily targeted towards community youth 16 and older, but there is no age limit and the courses are open to the public. All are welcome to apply.

KCMAA’s educational tracks are project-oriented skills training. Individual tracks focus on digital video and digital photography, web design and graphic design, and classes begin in September 2007. If this is of interest to you, I look forward to seeing you out there.

On the Road,
Eric J. Reid

Corporate Video Services

The Kansas City summer heat boils on, and a dizzying variety of projects keep the offices humming. In the past few days, I've delivered classes for Microsoft Access, Living Online IC3 certification, and Microsoft Project. And earlier in the week, Open Road Communications completed a corporate training video for a client's soon-to-launch product.

The video is likely to act as a benchmark for future video projects, and focuses on using the client's service with another product in the industry. It's a solid example of cross-marketing, as customers will need to be comfortable with vehicles for the client's service before they can use that service. It's an excellent way to promote the client's service while using proven training techniques embedded in the medium of video.

And with the rising popularity of streaming video, this only increases the accessibility of the information due to self-selected opt-in and social marketing. It's ideal when you can inexpensively spread product excitement and recognition just by explaining how to use the product.

On the Road,
Eric J. Reid