Facebook, Social Media and Your Small Business

How do these 3 fit together? And do they fit into the B2B world? Well, those are good questions.  And we are still learning the answers. We all know Facebook can't be ignored. Wikipedia defines social media as "media for social interaction." You might say thanks for info on that. However, Wikipedia continues, "Social media is the use of web-based and mobile technologies to turn communication into interactive dialogue... A common thread running through all definitions of social media is a blending of technology and social interaction for the co-creation of value." So there you have it.

Social media is so new that there is no right or wrong way to use it. The important thing is to stay connected with your customers and communicate the way THEY want to.  Below are a few links to articles I have found helpful.  In addition to reading our blog, you can now also find us on Facebook .

 Great 'how to' article by Tamar Weinberg http://www.techipedia.com/2010/how-to-use-facebook-for-business-and-marketing/

Interesting reading, Scott Monty's personal blog. He is the head of social media for Ford Motor Company http://www.scottmonty.com/

Social Media Do's and Don't from David Siteman http://www.techipedia.com/2010/successful-digital-schmoozers/

Icela Reets - Marketing Coordinator

Winter Tips With Everyday Household Items

Here are some tips for ice and your car, which might be helpful with these messy storm coming.

Keep your headlights clear with car wax! Just wipe ordinary car wax on your headlights. It contains special water repellents that will prevent that messy mixture from accumulating on your lights - lasts 6 weeks.

Squeak-proof your wipers with rubbing alcohol! Wipe the wipers with a cloth saturated with rubbing alcohol or ammonia. This one trick can make badly streaking & squeaking wipers change to near perfect silence & clarity

Ice-proof your windows with vinegar! Frost on it's way? Just fill a spray bottle with three parts vinegar to one part water & spritz it on all your windows at night. In the morning, they'll be clear of icy mess. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which raises the melting point of water---preventing water from freezing!

Prevent car doors from freezing shut with cooking spray! Spritz cooking oil spray - PAM- on the rubber seals around car doors & rub it in with a Paper towel . The cooking spray prevents water from melting into the rubber.

Fog-proof your windshield with shaving cream! Spray some shaving cream on the inside of your windshield & wipe if off with paper towels. Shaving cream has many of the same ingredients found in commercial defoggers.

De-ice your lock in seconds with hand sanitizer! Just put some hand sanitizer gel on the key & the lock & the problems solved!

Larry Banach - Construction Manager

Champion Construction is Proud Participant in Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

Champion Construction of Sharpsburg, GA is a proud participant in the popular ABC Series, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, surprising the Simpson family in GA with a home of their dreams. 

On November 12, 2010, Carmen and Jim Simpson and their three children were enjoying a special Southern cooked breakfast from celebrity chef Paula Deen.  At her restaurant located in Savannah, Georgia's historic district, she was honoring the Simpsons along with other families for their volunteer and charity work. It was there that the Simpsons learned they would be the latest recipients of a home makeover.

Their son, Zoë, is a medical miracle baby who has beaten the odds at every turn in his young life. When Zoë was born, he was given 24 hours to live. He came into the world prematurely with a deadly condition as well as detached retinas that guaranteed blindness. Even if he did survive, the doctors said he would never breathe on his own, much less see or walk.  But Zoë (which means “abundant life”) perplexed the experts as his eyes healed and his lungs began to work on their own. Surpassing every medical expectation and explanation, today Zoë is a happy two-year-old and although developmentally delayed, continues to grow and thrive.

The family feels so blessed after the miracle of Zoë's recovery that they continue to repay the blessing as far and wide as possible.

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Atlanta Area Events for February 2011

 February 5th:
Robert Plant & The Band of Joy at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta

February 10th:
Brad Paisley H20 Frozen Over Tour with Darius Rucker & Jerrod Niemann at The Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth

February 11th - 13th:
Atlanta Ballet Presents Sleeping Beauty at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta

February 17th - 27th:
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: Barnum's Funundrum! at Philips Arena in Atlanta

February 23rd:
Jeff Dunham at Columbus Civic Center

February 27th:
John Mellencamp at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta

Be Prepared for Hailstorms

Hailstorms are frequent occurrences across the U.S. Most hailstorms occur during either the spring or fall months, are very localized events, and don't cause extensive property damage. However, occasionally hailstones can reach about 1.5 inches in diameter. When this occurs, they can cause significant property damage to cars, windows and siding. When hailstones reach three inches in diameter, they can cause major roof damage.

How to Stay Safe

• Listen to weather updates about hail activity.


• Seek shelter immediately if you are caught outdoors - preferably not under a tree.


• Close drapes, blinds or window shades for protection

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What to Do Before a Thunderstorm

Remove dead or rotting trees and branches that could fall and cause injury or damage during a severe thunderstorm.

If thunder roars, go indoors" because no place outside is safe when lightning is in the area. We want everyone to stay indoors until 30 minutes have passed after they hear the last clap of thunder.

Summary of Lightning Safety Tips for Inside the Home

• Avoid contact with corded phone.
• Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords. If you plan to unplug any electronic equipment, do so well before the storm arrives.
• Avoid contact with plumbing. Do not wash your hands, do not take a shower, do not wash dishes, and do not do laundry.

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Snow Day Recipe

The big news in the Atlanta area is we have been stuck in our homes for days. We were crippled with snow and ice. The good news is no school or work. We were all forced to have some much needed rest and relaxation, with a little bit of playing in the snow in between.  Hopefully, everyone heeded the warning of the impending snow storm and stocked up on groceries. If you forgot to get any dessert for your mini vacation, here is a great recipe that is not only yummy but requires an ingredient that is readily available to all right now.

Snow Ice Cream

• 2 cups fresh powdery snow

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9 Great Ways to Save Water

1. Turn Off the Faucet While Brushing Your Teeth
Why it’s worth the effort: Brushing your teeth seems like a quick job, but before you know it, four gallons of water may have slipped down the sink.
Your one-year effect: 2,880 gallons of water saved.
The effect if everyone in the U.S. did it for one year: More than four times the Mississippi River’s annual flow of water.

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What Should I Do If My Pipes Are Frozen?

The weatherman has warned you that a cold front is barreling its way into your local area. You go to sleep the night before with extra covers on the bed and the thermal blanket set to "high". When you awake in the morning, it takes all of your determination to crawl from between the warm covers to start your day. As you step to the sink and turn the faucet on, nothing happens. Oh no! You forgot to leave the water trickling over night. Obviously, water has frozen in the pipes. Thankfully, you look around everywhere in the house and you see no evidence of a water leak. You may assume that the only tragedy is that you'll have to go to work without a shower, but think again.

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The Fresh Market - Peachtree City, GA

It's official!! After years of waiting and waiting and driving all the way to Atlanta....Peachtree City is finally getting The Fresh Market.  This great news for Coweta and Fayette county foodies!  It is scheduled to open mid 2011 at 100 N. Peachtree Pkwy, Peachtree City. What is The Fresh Market?

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