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34 and Counting

Columnist

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Norman Rosinski
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Welcome to the January “Changing World of Business” issue of NorthBay biz magazine. This issue signals the start of our 34th year serving the North Bay business community. The magazine has grown and prospered through good economic times and bad, mirroring the entire region, since that first issue was published in 1975. Over the years, millions of words have been printed in NorthBay biz chronicling the business of doing business in the North Bay.

When we acquired the magazine almost nine years ago, it was with the intention of not just continuing its excellent 25-year history, but improving upon it. We recognized from the outset that NorthBay biz was a special publication serving a very special market. We weren’t content resting on the magazine’s past laurels, but rather wanted to focus on enhancing content in concert with better design befitting a publication that aspires to be the voice of business in the North Bay. We were then, and are now, committed to fresh ideas, supporting the vitality of the region and the overall pursuit of publishing excellence. However, as we strive to continually improve, we also remain fiercely loyal to our original editorial goals—responsible reporting, in-depth analysis, a commitment to delivering top-notch local coverage and a dedication to serving the best business interests of the community.

In response to a changing, more sophisticated market, we began giving business readers more of what they wanted and needed—the stories behind the headlines addressing topics that were impacting the region’s quality of life—topics like workforce housing, transportation, jobs, open space and conflicts between growth and the environment. NorthBay biz regularly covers these subjects, and in the process, delivers information and views often unavailable anywhere else. Readers and advertisers have responded in an overwhelmingly positive fashion to all the changes we’ve woven into the magazine over the past several years, and I believe they’ve come to understand that the pursuit of excellence is an ongoing journey at NorthBay biz. In the coming year, look for additional new local features to be introduced both in the magazine and online at northbaybiz.com.

Beginning in this issue, we’re introducing a new feature titled “Great Tastes.” This monthly feature will be your business and pleasure guide to some of Wine  Country’s most unique and captivating wine tasting destinations. So whether you’re entertaining clients or visiting friends, “Great Tastes” will provide insider tips and information to ensure a successful outing and lasting memories. Beyond this new feature, you’ll also notice a graphic redesign rippling through the pages of this month’s issue. Sometimes subtle, the enhancements begin on the cover where the logo is enlivened. Inside, new fonts grace the headers of both our special features and local columns. You’ll also notice the increased use of white space and an overall cleaner, fresher look that provides more points of entry for the reader. These changes have been in the planning stage for several months, and it gives us great pleasure to finally introduce them in the first issue of the New Year. We certainly hope you agree that these style and content changes augment and strengthen a publication you’ve come to rely on for your local business news and the stories behind the headlines. Let us know.

We’ve also enhanced and redesigned our website, and I encourage you to visit northbaybiz.com to experience not just the redesign, but also the many new user-friendly features. These features include:

•    A free listing of your business in the new online Business Directory. We’ve already compiled thousands of businesses in the directory database, which is searchable by multiple criteria. All you need to do is log on and list your business.

• And if you need to get the word out on an upcoming business, charity or community event, you can log on and  post your event on the new Events Calendar, again at no cost to you.

• Also, another free feature lets you post any company press releases to share information about the latest news at your company.

• You can now manage your subscription to NorthBay biz online as well. Subscribe, renew, post a change of address and payment is now easy and convenient.

We’ve designed the website to be the North Bay’s online resource for business. The site is filled with archived information and links to other sites. Search past issues for stories, columns and features or by industry, author or keyword. As a business information hub, you’ll find links to government institutions, lists of contacts at local media outlets and Chambers of Commerce. Debuting in the New Year will be a series of topic-driven blogs and new poll/survey questions to let your voice be heard on the latest “hot” subject.

And finally, the new website will feature several new advertising opportunities. You’ll be able to profile your business, sponsor a “Biz Tool,” place an ad on industry-specific pages, create live links to your website, place an ad on navigation bars, select among different-sized skyscraper ads or run-of-site rotating banner ads.

We’re extremely pleased with our new site’s functionality, increased interactivity and overall enhanced design. We’d be equally pleased to hear your feedback or any ideas you might have on what you feel should be included in the magazine’s regular or online coverage.

Let us hear from you. That’s it for now. Enjoy this month’s magazine and best wishes to you and yours for a healthy and prosperous New Year!