ThinkBIG.LearnSmart

ThinkBIG.LearnSmart Joins Howard County Center For Business & Technology

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:00:00 GMT

ThinkBIG.LearnSmart Joins The Center

Columbia, MD (June 11, 2008) - ThinkBIG.LearnSmart - a Howard County-based company
specializing in offering training solutions to individuals, partners, corporations and government
clients- has opened a new office at The Center for Business and Technology Development.

"We are excited about the new opportunities available at The Center," said Carol Morrison,
Director of the NeoTech Incubator at The Center for Business and Technology Development.
"ThinkBIG.LearnSmart will provide top notch assistance to Howard County small businesses
by accommodating a changing workforce.

As an Adobe Authorized Training Center, ThinkBIG.LearnSmart will offer the latest certification
training in products such as Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator (print production), Flash,
Dreamweaver (video production), AfterEffects and Premier (video production). To broaden
their offerings, ThinkBIG.LearnSmart is working to build strategic partnerships to deliver more
training at The Center and the company's other location in Fulton, MD.

ThinkBIG.LearnSmart has provided off-site and in-house training to companies such as
Salesforce.com, Skillsoft, LeggMason, UnderArmour, 1st Mariner Bank; and agencies such as
Department of Defense, Defense Information School, U.S. Department of Agriculture and
the Social Security Administration.

"We are thrilled to be a resident of The Center," said Christine Abunassar, CEO of
ThinkBIG.LearnSmart. "The understanding and commitment from the County Executive and his
team to build education, technology and skills in this region makes Howard County a place
where both entrepreneurial and mature companies can prosper."

About ThinkBIG.LearnSmart LLC: ThinkBIG.LearnSmart LLC was established in 1999 by
Christine Abunassar to help enterprises achieve improved performance and growth, by
designing blended learning and solutions leveraging technology-delivered certification and
training strategies, strategic alliances and channel partnerships. ThinkBIG.LearnSmart
specializes in offering training solutions to individuals, partners, corporations and government
clients. ThinkBIG.LearnSmart is a certified Small Business Administration Woman-Owned,
Small Business, HubZone company. For more information on ThinkBIG and its services,
please visit the company's website at www.thinkbigbiz.com.

About The Center for Business and Technology Development: Founded in May 2000,
The Center is dedicated to the discovery, stimulation, nurturing, growth, and success of
entrepreneurship in Howard County. It has gained a reputation for creating innovative programs
to foster entrepreneurship in the greater Washington-Baltimore region. Among its many service
offerings, The Center provides assistance to over 1,000 entrepreneurs annually through its
Business Resource Center and facilities for NeoTech Incubator companies. A "one stop shop"
for entrepreneurial services, The Center is one of the few facilities in the nation that combines
a business incubator and business resource center under one roof. For more information
about The Center for Business and Technology Development, please visit www.thecenter.biz.

The Center for Business and Technology Development is part of the Howard County Economic
Development Authority, a public-private partnership whose primary goal is to promote
economic growth and stability by supporting existing businesses, targeting new businesses,
and attracting corporate/regional headquarters. The Authority also maintains several programs
aimed at the special needs of small, minority-owned, and agricultural business communities.
Additionally, the Authority strives to preserve the distinctive quality of life in Howard County.
The Authority can be reached on the Web at http://www.hceda.org.

12-Jun-08 5:00 PM

ThinkBig's New MapleLawn Location & New developments for 2008

noemail@thinkbiglearnsmart.com — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:00:00 GMT

New Location Gives Think Big Entrance to an Expanding Community of Learners

By George Berkheimer, STAFF WRITER

New training programs, new partnerships and new opportunities are in the works for Think Big following the technology training and e-learning company's relocation to Maple Lawn in February. CEO Christine Abunassar said Think Big's new address boasts a more conducive learning atmosphere than its previous setting at Savage Mill, and comes with some distinct advantages built into the location. "We felt we needed to be in the business district so we could collaborate with other businesses in the community," she said. One distinct plus is the company's collocation and partnership with defense contractor Pangia Technologies, an arrangement that gives Think Big the newfound ability to accommodate clients who need access to a sensitive, compartmented information facility (SCIF) for training purposes. "We have a lot of Department of Defense clients and it does make a difference to them," Abunassar noted. Proximity to a small but growing contingent of defense contractors that call Maple Lawn home is an important factor, and the mainstream business district offers nearby food, ample parking and driving convenience, but physical location is only part of the formula for Think Big's overall agenda. "From the beginning we've taken a brick-by-brick approach," Abunassar said. "We're not only focused on what we can provide business, but also what we can provide for a whole community of learners."

Street Creds

Starting May 1, Think Big continues its evolution and will become a certification testing site for Adobe products, building on its successful launch last year as an Adobe Authorized Training Center. It's a significant juncture that will allow the company to begin offering bundled training packages.
"Now clients and students will be able to get the training along with the certification at the same place," Abunassar explained. "It's optional, but it's there if they want to have that credential for their qualifications. More and more, we're seeing that people want to brand themselves as differentiators to that level of skills." With that in mind, Abunassar entered into an agreement with Howard Community College (HCC) in March that will enable HCC to issue Continuing Education Unit credits for Think Big's Adobe classes. "[College leadership] recognizes that the professional certification industry is a natural adjunct to providing skills training at the college," she said. "It's a natural partnership ... for people who want to make it part of their career."
Think Big will also began offering a Technology for Teens program this year for middle school and high school students looking to include multimedia technology in their Individualized Education Program (IEP) plans. "The number of IEPs to teach is skyrocketing," Abunassar observed, and Think Big is uniquely positioned to help meet the demand, particularly from a standpoint of being able to facilitate collaboration between industry and education. "We'll be able to use real world examples of how this [technology] is being used and blend real world projects with the basics of how and why it is applied, and when to use it." Students receive the same training as adults, she continued, "but it will be geared toward teens ... [because] kids learn differently and need multimedia means to learn."

Weakest Link Theory

The fact that today's young students have different learning patterns than previous generations isn't lost on Abunassar, and having two teens of her own in the Howard County Public School System has attuned her to the need for public schools to adapt their curricula accordingly. "That has now become our weakest link in education," she asserted, "and the onus is put on the teachers, who need to start leveraging technology in the classroom and lead by example." Think Big's new Technology for Teachers program aims to address that need with a summer school for teachers, also scheduled to begin this year. "If we're going to build technology skills, we should start with teaching teachers," Abunassar explained. "Then students will have better habits to learn and teachers can better communicate and connect with kids who are well-versed in multimedia." Think Big plans to subsidize a portion of the cost to students enrolling in the Technology for Teens and Technology for Teachers classes.

Evolving Mission

"We have the same concerns as our clients," Abunassar said. "How do you do multimedia and deliver on time and on budget?" For Think Big, the answer lies in a natural blend of services and a balanced training portfolio of industry standards, including Flash, Captivate, Illustrate, Photoshop and videography applications. Flexibility and the ability to react to trends help keep the company positioned to serve both commercial and government clients, while including stand-alone students. "We're finding more freelancers who want to blend their technological experience with teaching skills," Abunassar said, and Think Big is now planning to offer CTT+, the Certified Technical Trainer program required of trainers by Microsoft and Adobe. "Teaching is a skill, and there is a challenge because there is an inconsistency among teachers. Just like with project management, [the solution lies in] creating a quality standard that has already been approved by the biggest vendors out there ... that can be used across different technologies."
Incidentally, a project management certification training program is on the horizon for Think Big, and Abunassar is already setting her sights on the company's next big evolutionary step. "We're going to launch as an Apple training center later this year," she said. Rather than a departure from some perceived established norm, Abunassar considers this step a natural progression for the company. "If you're looking at how to try to build a skilled workforce, you need to address skills that apply across the board."

5-Apr-08 3:00 PM

ThinkBig joins Howard County NeoTech Incubator

noemail@thinkbiglearnsmart.com — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:00:00 GMT

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ULMAN CUTS RIBBON AT THE
CENTER FOR BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

Center's 5,500 Square Foot Expansion to House NeoTech Incubator Companies

Columbia, MD (April 3, 2008) - Howard County Executive Ken Ulman today celebrated The Center for Business and Technology Development's new 5,500 sq. ft. expansion by cutting the ribbon.

The expansion features 10 new spacious offices to house The Center's NeoTech Incubator companies and two new conference rooms. Currently, three additional companies are slated to immediately occupy offices within the new space and several other companies are exploring coming to The Center.

"The Center for Business and Technology Development is one of the few facilities in the nation that combines a business resource center and a business incubator under one roof," said County Executive Ulman. "It's great to know that so many small business owners, entrepreneurs and start-up companies find it convenient and have been able to take advantage of the practical services and support the Center offers. Now, with this new expansion, we have room to grow and that means the healthy business climate in Howard County will continue to thrive."

"We are proud that Howard County's Center for Business and Technology Development can offer more space to small businesses and entrepreneurs," added Richard W. Story, CEO of the Howard County Economic Development Authority.

"The Center for Business and Technology Development offers so much to Howard County's small businesses," said Michael T. Galeone, Chair, Howard County Economic Development Authority. "Its NeoTech Incubator, the Business Resource Center, and the new Howard Technology Council—all have helped Howard County small businesses continue to grow. This expansion will aid in retaining and growing Howard County's small businesses."

About The Center for Business and Technology Development: Founded in May 2000, the Center is dedicated to the discovery, stimulation, nurturing, growth, and success of entrepreneurship in Howard County. It has gained a national reputation for creating innovative programs to foster entrepreneurship in the greater Washington/Baltimore region. Among its many service offerings, the Center provides assistance to over 1,000 entrepreneurs annually through its Business Resource Center and facilities for NeoTech Incubator companies. A "one stop shop" for entrepreneurial services, the Center is one of the few facilities in the nation that combines a business incubator and business resource center under one roof. With the addition of the Howard Technology Council, it makes The Center even more the place for small businesses to be in Howard County. For more information about The Center for Business and Technology Development, please visit www.thecenter.biz.

The Center for Business and Technology Development is part of the Howard County Economic Development Authority, a public-private partnership whose primary goal is to promote economic growth and stability by supporting existing businesses, targeting new businesses, and attracting corporate/regional headquarters. The Authority also maintains several programs aimed at the special needs of small, minority-owned, and agricultural business communities. Additionally, the Authority strives to preserve the distinctive quality of life in Howard County. The Authority can be reached on the Web at http://www.hceda.org.

###

+ visit our website

3-Apr-08 4:00 PM

ThinkB!G in the News: Howard County Forming New Tech Council

noemail@thinkbiglearnsmart.com — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Howard County Forming New Tech Council

By Susan Kim, STAFF WRITER

Linda Burger has been calling Howard County businesspeople and asking a simple question: "As a new tech council, how could we serve you?"

Sometimes there's surprised silence on the other line. "People are astonished that I ask them," said Burger. "They say, 'Nobody's ever asked me that before.'"

Burger, who will be the executive director of the county's new technology council, has been on the job for about three months with the Howard County Economic Development Authority (EDA).

During that time, she has seen what she describes as "definite interest" in a local technology council. "People want to be able to go to events that will help them grow their businesses right here in Howard County," she said.

Several regional technology councils already include Howard County in their service areas. But Burger believes the new council will be one of the first to focus solely on the county. "If you can get something in Columbia, Ellicott City or Laurel, it's going to be much more convenient for you."

With the Base Realignment and Closure process and a potential increase in federal contracting opportunities, Burger believes the timing is right for a new tech council.

But what will it be called? "We're still deciding," she said. "I'm leaning toward the Howard Technology Council. But it's very much still being worked out."

'What Will It Look Like?'

Looking at the existing options, some people may wonder if Howard County really needs another tech organization. Local businesses are already being served by the Howard Corridor Tech Forum and the Howard County Tech Council (which is the local chapter of the Tech Council of Maryland). Then there's the Greater Baltimore Technology Council and the Washington, D.C., Technology Council.

The Howard County EDA has supported those efforts over the years, said Dick Story, CEO of the EDA. "We give an annual grant to the Tech Council of Maryland, and we are a sponsor of the Greater Baltimore 'Tech Night' event," said Story, who can name many other ways EDA has supported groups of this kind.

"They provide value to companies in Howard County," Story acknowledged.

But often the services are fragmented, he said, and he began to search for a way to launch a solid local technology organization.

His answer came via an increase in county funding for the EDA, enabling Story to hire Burger. Since then, they have been striving to build their fledging group by asking some key questions that Story voices aloud: "What will it look like? What's the preferred composition of its members? How do we serve them well?"

Keeping Howard County on the Map

Vic Hess, the EDA's entrepreneur-in-residence, agreed that Howard's new tech council is defining its role amid a bevy of existing groups. "There are a number of tech councils in the region," he said. "The key is to not do what they're doing but to supplement that."

Hess believes that providing members with both networking and educational forums will be a priority for the council. Whatever shape the group takes, Hess believes Burger will be an effective leader. "She's eminently capable. It's very exciting for Howard County," said Hess, who has been helping Burger become connected with key organizations.

The new tech council is arriving at a time when many businesses have the potential to relocate to the area, Hess added.

Because Howard County rests between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., the local area tends to get lost in the focus on the two cities, he said. "I think the tech council can help us resolve issues that are keeping us from growing."

A Natural Synergy

Existing groups are watching the formation of the new council with interest.

Christine Abunassar, CEO of Think Big, is on the board of the Howard Corridor Tech Forum. Think Big is a technology training and e-learning company.

For Abunassar, any technology group is ultimately about relationships. "It is about connecting with people," she said. "It's about people who want to do business with people they like. It's about community."

Within the existing Howard Corridor Tech Forum, Abunassar has already been working to build local relationships. "That's where things get done."

As for how the tech forum will relate to the new tech council, "We expect to enhance their group," she said. "We want to see this as an integration."

Abunassar believes the tech forum has provided a local service where there was a gap.

"We want to add more," she said. "We want them to be open to blending building a business community with economic development. We see a natural synergy."

Abunassar also believes the new tech council should be inclusive. "As a community, no one should be excluded and everybody should be included. I call this the abundance factor. The big goal is to try to keep companies here in Howard County."

1-Jan-08 9:00 AM