The document summarizes the work of the Technology Work Group of the Ocala Marion County Chamber. The group conducted a technology survey of chamber members, identified key areas to impact businesses through technology, and proposed focusing on infrastructure/education awareness, training opportunities, and chamber website enhancements. The group recommends keeping the Technology Group as an ongoing committee to enact technology training for members, provide awareness of technology resources, and implement website and networking enhancements.

1. Technology Work Group

2. Chris Altobello Paul Boyton Robert Branch- Infrastructure Michael Chung Chuckie Delano- Education Mark Dolan Marge Engelman Shane Finch David Harden Russ Harper Karen Hatch Paul Higginbottom- Website Jim George Jim Humphries- Survey Phillip Kennedy Steve Lane Rick Mills Brian O’Connor Dawson Ransome Michael J Reuscher Ryan Sangster Jonathan Walker Fred Ward Robert Wood Jaye Baillie Kevin McDonald Elizabeth Stevens Thank You! Diverse Work Group Participants

3. Technology Work Group Purpose To Promote Ocala Marion County as a technology aware community and to provide local businesses with educational opportunities to improve through the use of available technology . Video The Question we have to answer: Will we embrace and help lead businesses and the community in the current and future technology environment?

4. Technology Work Group Background Met 6 times over the last 3 months Conducted Technology survey to better assess the needs of Chamber members Identified key areas to impact the business community through Technology

5. Technology Survey Purpose: To identify business uses of non-specialized technology and assess interest in future learning opportunities Method: Survey emailed to Chamber members plus phone surveys with Chamber members with no email address listed ( 161 Respondents ) Key Findings: Chamber members are utilizing technology but don’t think they are getting as much out of it as they could. Chamber members know Technology is critical – 86% of respondents says that Technology is critical to their business They want more knowledge/more training – 67% of respondents want more information/training provided by Chamber

6. Technology Work Group Focus Areas: Infrastructure/Educational Awareness What exists that businesses should know about Training Opportunities What exists that businesses should know about Chamber Website Enhancements Spreading the word

7. Infrastructure/Education Awareness Short Term Goal: Provide a resource for local businesses (new or expanding) with detail on fiber network and list of local technology work force educational opportunities Long Term Goal: Updates on map and educational opportunities as needed, Web Awareness campaign, Career lunch and learns Example: Infrastructure map, Lists of available programs from Rasmussen College, St. Leo, UCF, FSU CFCC, CTAE, MTI Progress: Complete Cost: None

8. Technology Training Opportunities Short Term Goals: Identify current external training opportunities and link members with resources Further assess technology training needs of Chamber members, find gaps Long Term Goal: Fill the training and knowledge gaps with webinars, seminars, online training created/provided by companies within the Chamber Example: “ How to use QuickBooks” “ How to market your business using Social websites” Progress: Many local opportunities identified, further research needed Create communication linking members with educational opportunities Cost: None

9. Chamber Website Enhancements Short Term Goals: Add blog with moderated posts from members Add Calendar view of Chamber events Add Technology section Long Term Goals: Improve directory to promote members Enhance business resources section Create a Members Only Area Example: Technology Blog postings: “Discussion on future of hand held communication ” or “Why your business should have a web presence for your sales efforts” Progress: Needs identified for web enhancement Cost: Variable depending on scale and timing

10. Technology Work Group Recommendations (The Sales Pitch) #1 – Create/Keep Technology Group as an ongoing working committee of the Ocala Marion County Chamber in order to: Enact technology training opportunities to empower Chamber members to utilize and benefit from technology Provide Awareness of Educational / Infrastructure resources that can be used to attract/inform area businesses and businesses looking to relocate/expand Implement Chamber website enhancements Interact – Create a face to face / online social networking opportunity for professionals in technology industries within the area