Ups, Downs, and the Inc. 5000

The life of a small business is marked by ups and downs.  Especially in the past decade, with the burst of the tech bubble in 2001 and  the recession of 2008, businesses have experienced roller coaster rides that have been more extreme than usual.

I was thinking about this last week after OmniStudio received notification that it had made the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing companies in the U.S.  Private companies are chosen for the list based on their rise in revenues over a three-year period.

Our company had a very fortuitous year in 2010, one in which our gross income rose by more than 30%. In 2007, we also made the Inc. list, but in the span of those three years, we also had a year that was not so great.

I’m writing this because I think it’s important for people to know that companies who make the list are not necessarily on a straight trajectory upward. That’s just not how it works in business.

At the start of 2010, like many businesses,  we were struggling to keep the lights on. We anticipated having to make sharp cutbacks in staff and expenses to stay afloat. Just when we thought the trough could not be deeper, stars suddenly aligned for us and we were awarded two substantial Federal government contracts.  These two contracts immediately changed the tide for us. With careful management and a  dedicated staff, we were able to retain a portion of our profits to invest in the company.

The gains we made  in 2010 allowed us to begin exciting new initiatives, such as our creative staffing agency and a new collaborative space for start-up entrepreneurs, called District I/O, which is opening this month.

But, to be very candid, we experienced another dip starting in January 2011. With budget woes on Capitol Hill and customers reigning in spending, we’ve had to become a leaner business again this year in order to weather what was clearly becoming another period of economic uncertainty.

So, while I’m very proud of our successes last year and the recognition from Inc. Magazine, we’re again facing very challenging times.

The life of an entrepreneur is one of highs and lows, constant change, and perpetual risk. It’s also exhilarating, inspiring and spiritually fulfilling.  After 33 years in business, those are the  things on my list that remain the same…year after year.

Training Can Help Creatives Advance Their Skills for Today’s Market

Technology is advancing at a fast pace, and with increasing competition for creative jobs, everyone in the industry has to work constantly to advance their skills and to keep pace with the evolving marketplace.

While designers might be comfortable designing for print, they will need to upgrade their skills to include HTML, CSS and PHP programming and perhaps more advanced courses in content management systems, such as WordPress, to fit the needs of most agencies.  A good foundation in the theories of online design and user experience are also a necessity in many work environments.

Writers are now called on to not only produce copy for the Web, but also to create content for social media sites. If you have been a writer for other media for many years, a quick refresher course on how to write for online venues may be all you need.

To keep up with job requirements in your creative field, it’s not necessary to pursue another academic degree. Many of the courses offered locally and online will give you the flexibility to work while you learn. Some are one-off classes and others are more extensive certificate programs. All will help you become more employable!

Here are just a few schools and training companies that we’ve heard offer very good programs:

>Local Classes
-Thomas Piwowar & Associates (Washington, D.C.) – Offers courses in HTML, CSS, Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, ePubs, Acrobat and digital audio and video from a digital media perspective. TJPA also offers a full Digital Publishing Series for those interested in more comprehensive ePub training.

>Academic Certificate Programs
-Georgetown University’s Certificate in Digital Media Management – Provides best practices for distribution and promotion of content through social media channels, including mobile devices, Web 2.0, banner/display ads and SMS.

-Georgetown University’s Certificate in Interactive Marketing – Focuses on the characteristics and benefits of marketing for the Web, as well as integration of interactive marketing with broader marketing efforts.

-Georgetown University’s Certificate in Professional Writing for the Digital Age – Examines current research on how social and new media affect the way people read and how writers should write for online media.

>Online Classes
- Lynda.com – Offers software training via videos that are accessible 24/7. A monthly subscription is required for access to most full-length videos.

-MediaBistro.com – A good source of online courses covering new/social media and writing for these media.

Using Your Talents for Good

We match creatives with non-profits and government agencies – a unique niche and often a better relationship.

Good news for D.C.-area job searchers: Yahoo lists more than 7,000 associations and non-profits in the greater metro area. Add to that dozens of good-sized government agencies.

All have active websites; publish newsletters and magazines; run events and meetings; and produce loads of communications, Facebook pages, listservs, and job boards. Most need designers, writers, social media strategists, programmers and marcom pros.

Even more good news: They don’t chase bottom-line profits as much as supporting, educating and providing resources for their mission or cause.

OmniCreative Staffing specializes in matching creatives with jobs in non-profits. Their missions range from the environment and international relations to human rights. If you have a passion for causes, Washington is the best place to settle down and build your career.

Maybe you can change the world—or at least a piece of it. Perhaps it’s time you began working for something you can believe in.

Submit Your Resume

A New Year, A New Site!

My #1 New Year’s resolution is coming true as we launch OmniStudio’s redesigned and revitalized website this week.

With the new omnistudio.com we aim to present a clearer picture of who we are, what we do and how we work. And, most importantly, through this site, we want to celebrate the spirit and commitment of the wonderful organizations we serve.

Since the beginning of my business career, which now trails back 30+ years, I’ve been drawn to people whose organizations make a difference in our community, our country, and throughout the world.  A child of the 60s, I’ve always enjoyed being part of the “we can change the world” enthusiasm that fueled so many advancements over the last three decades.

I don’t feel I’m exaggerating when I say that  the work our clients have accomplished over this short period in history has been instrumental in moving our society in a more positive direction for future generations. Human rights, protecting the environment, education, health care information, international relations, (to name a few)…have come a long way, thanks to the determination and hard work of people who we have been fortunate to call our customers.

Thanks to everyone who was instrumental in creating the work we present on these pages.

And, my heartfelt appreciation to colleagues, friends and clients who contribute to Omni’s mission: to design and produce communication tools that inform, educate and inspire people to create a better world. Your support will allow us to provide more of the same for years to come.