Welcome to the MayHousing/Real Estate issue of NorthBay biz magazine. Housing and real estate is a recurring theme in the magazine. The reason shouldn’t be surprising—housing is directly linked to jobs, as jobs are linked to the local economy, and all are critically linked to the vitality of the region. Inside, in addition to all the stories, there’s a special report on health and medicine, plus more than a dozen local columns and special features—information about local business that’s unavailable anywhere else.
In my column a few months ago, I mentioned that we were planning on introducing some significant changes in the upcoming year and I suggested you stay tuned. Well, that time is now. As you’ve already noticed, the cover stock has changed and the magazine’s logo has been updated. As you peruse further, you’ll discover many new editorial elements and features gracing our formerly glossy pages.
There were a number of factors contributing to this redesign and editorial enhancement, but primarily these changes were driven by reader and advertiser feedback—with a healthy dash of self-analysis and an outside consultant’s input. Change is constant in the publishing business, as it is in most other businesses.
Engagement of the business community is critical to success, and NorthBay biz has been very fortunate in establishing itself as the “voice of local business” in its almost 40 years of publication. What you’ll find in this “new rendition of a local tradition” is a focus on optimizing content relevant to business growth and success while emphasizing the strength of the region and instilling a sense of local pride in the business community. “Helping you grow your business isn’t just something we do…it’s all we do” is more than just a clever tag line. NorthBay biz magazine is dedicated to making that statement a reality for all our readers—and the changes begun with this issue are a significant step in fulfilling that promise.
While NorthBay biz should still look and feel familiar, the entire magazine received scrutiny from a redesign perspective. The type style has changed for improved readability and to provide an overall cleaner, more inviting look to each page. The paper stock has changed from glossy to a matte finish to reduce glare and thereby further improve readability.
Overall, you’ll notice many more points of entry on each page, helping readers zero in on items of importance to them. Also, you’ll find more charts, graphs and sidebars throughout the magazine to add to better understanding, clarity and additional information relevant to each topic.
Let me briefly outline some of the specific new features we’re introducing. The upfront section has been completely reimagined and is now called Work/Life. These four (formerly three) pages will focus on business trends and insights, spotlight local business leaders through a variety of means (including Hidden Heroes, My Mentor and Second Act), and monitor green and environmental developments that affect the North Bay. We’ll also have some fun with quick lists, biz picks (top apps, books, tchotchkes and more) and the occasional lists, charts and forecasts (some serious, some not).
We’re also adding two new columns. Simply Sonoma debuts in this issue and will be written by Mike Martini, former Santa Rosa mayor and current GM of Taft Street Winery. Look for Mike to wax eloquent on all things Sonoma County including opportunities, obstacles, politics, regulations, personalities, connections, events and the business scene in general. Next month, we debut Live Wise, written in rotation by three local health experts; content will include good health practices, exercise, nutrition, stress management, prevention and all things contributing to healthy living.
Other new elements that will debut in the coming months include A Peek Under the Hood, which will examine the success stories of local individuals and/or companies, and People You Should Know, a series of short profiles of educators, government officials, nonprofit directors, even artists and entertainers. Pairing Pros, a popular wine feature, returns after a few years’ hiatus. We’ll also be adding What’s happening, which lists lifestyle and business events as well as Biz Scene, which highlights attendees of some previous events.
Over the past decade or more, there have been a plethora of news stories detailing how publishers have had to reduce the size of their news hole. Over the past five years of dealing with a difficult economy, we’re proud to say we haven’t elected to pursue that strategy, recognizing that content is vital. With these changes, we’re actually increasing our editorial content to serve you better. Please let us know what you think.
That’s it for now. Enjoy this month’s new version of NorthBay biz.
