As an Agent of Hertz Martha’s Vineyard, we operate two island locations and are looking for highly capable Customer Support Associate Interns for the 2013 summer season. This is a great opportunity to hone your skills in a fast paced, yet comfortable environment.  Learn from seasoned veterans about the ins and outs of small business, while being part of a much larger corporation.  Responsibilities include managing Customer inquiries, emails and telephone calls, face–to–face interactions and Counter Agent support services.

What we’re looking for: Highly capable, friendly, honest problem solvers.  Must be willing to work in and out of doors.  Must be able to handle VIPs and time–sensitive situations.  Valid Driver’s License and clean driving record required.

We will comply with your academic advisor/institution to assure credits.  You will received hands–on training, continued development and given many opportunities to express your own ideas, as part of a small, highly–effective team.

Such an opportunity is rare on Martha’s Vineyard.  To be part of the “bigger picture” while operating as a small business and receiving credit.  Please submit CV or résumé to Adam Hacker at ahacker@shotocon.com.   Only a short list will be called for interview. May lead to future employment.  Interns will receive a Completion Bonus based on hours and achievements.  Starting late May/early June, lasting through late August. 

Shorb Productions, new studio space in Harrisburg, PA

It is our great honor to add another startup launch to the growing list of Clients who dared to take that first step.  We first met Audio Engineer Ryan Shorb while working on our Nikon project in May.  Shorb spoke often about his career and where he hoped it would take him.  We had seen Shorb in action, heard his work and recognized his Potential.  We knew with the right plan, Shorb’s dream of owning a recording studio would be a successful one.  And with Shoto Consulting Group on Shorb’s side, in less than four months, he is open for business.  Shorb Productions offers both in–house and remote (on–site) recording, mixing and producing.

For more information, please take some time to check out Shorb Productions and stop by their Facebook page.  We’re excited to offer our continued support to Shorb and look forward to hearing his work.

As an Agent of Hertz Martha’s Vineyard, we operate two island locations and are looking for highly capable Customer Support Associate Interns for the 2012 summer season. This is a great opportunity to hone your skills in a fast paced, yet comfortable environment.  Learn from seasoned veterans about the ins and outs of small business, while being part of a much larger corporation.  Responsibilities include managing Customer inquiries, emails and telephone calls, face–to–face interactions and Counter Agent support services.

What we’re looking for: Highly capable, friendly, honest problem solvers.  Must be willing to work in and out of doors.  Must be able to handle VIPs and time–sensitive situations.  Valid Driver’s License and clean driving record required.

We will comply with your academic advisor/institution to assure credits.  You will received hands–on training, continued development and given many opportunities to express your own ideas, as part of a small, highly–effective team.

Such an opportunity is rare on Martha’s Vineyard.  To be part of the “bigger picture” while operating as a small business and receiving credit.  Please submit cover letter and résumé to Adam Hacker at ahacker@shotocon.com.   Only a short list will be called for interview. May lead to future employment.  Interns will receive a Completion Bonus based on hours and achievements.  Starting late May/early June, lasting through late August. 

Specializing in:

• Cross-Cultural Awareness
• Project Management
• Management Operations
• Relationship Management

With relationships all over the world, we will offer you and your company a very unique view of what can be done in order to realize your Potential.

Shoto: What’s in a Name?

Reblogged from Hackerinjapan:

You might think your high-tech idea could make you the next Steve Jobs. But the best idea in the world won’t go anywhere without money to develop the product and bring it to market.

The Harrisburg University of Science and Technology recently held a Pitch Boot camp to show hightech entrepreneurs how to pitch their ideas in a way most likely to get investors to support them with cold, hard cash.  Eight entrepreneurs with ideas and products at various stages of development were invited to make their best 3-minute pitch to a panel of experts on investing.  Then the entrepreneurs listened as the panel and audience critiqued each idea-pitcher on how well they did.

Facing the judges One of the panelists, Jill Stelfox, who works in corporate development for Binary Group in Arlington, Va., said the boot camp is a take-off on “American Idol.” After every presentation, each panelist held up fingers to indicate how good each pitch was – one finger being the worst and five the best.  The judges were a little kinder than former “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell.  But if you can’t take constructive criticism without taking it personally, you probably won’t get very far in the cut-throat world of attracting investment.

“Be prepared to have your heart broken over and over,” said Doug George of York, a member of the panel, who has invested in about 15 start-up companies.

Among those practicing their pitches was Chuck Harman, CEO of EtagratS Games Management LLC, a Harrisburg-based company working to bring to market an online game that will match people getting married with vendors who sell wedding products.

Persistence pays off Harman said, that online developer Rovio went through 51 failed versions before hitting it big on its 52nd try with Angry Birds.  ”Creative and fragile don’t go together when you are seeking venture capital,” he said.

Harman’s pitch was sharper than many of the others, as he made clear how much money his company wants to raise; how much more money investors will get in return; and how long it will take for them to get it. Harman said his pitch was intended as confidential, so we won’t disclose the amounts here.

Being specific about money would seem an essential part of any good pitch, but several of the other entrepreneurs said little if anything about money, which George in his critique said left him somewhat clueless as to what they wanted.

In some cases, George and the other panelists said they didn’t understand the product or concept that the entrepreneur was pitching.

Just because someone has money to invest doesn’t automatically make them the smartest person in the world. Investors know a lot about the companies they have started and about the other companies they have invested in. But your idea is new to them.

As Stelfox said, you have to dumb it down, especially if it has to do with online gaming or cloud computing – concepts young entrepreneurs have grown up with but which aren’t necessarily second nature to older investors.

Harman said the good thing about the boot camp is it’s a safe place to make mistakes and learn from them.  ”I didn’t hit the mark today, but what’s more valuable is the feedback I get today,” he said.

Replay the Pitch Bootcamp at Harrisburg University online here >>> Pitch Bootcamp

7 pitching rules     via @JillStelfox The Founder Institute Inc. @founding

1. Simple ideas win

2. You have one revenue stream

3. Name your customer.

4. Make something explainable

5. Small markets suck-the bigger the potential market, the better

6. Mix in secret sauce-the proprietary advance that your idea has that no one else has.  

7. Be original

Credits: Patriot News

In another move toward doing what I love, I am proud to say that Shoto is officially entering the world of Entertainment.  We’ll be announcing the details of our partnerships in the upcoming weeks, so please check back soon.

~Adam S. Hacker, Potentialist and CEO

Rounding out the year, our goal is to continue connecting the people who can best help each other, working towards mutually beneficial goals.  Do let us know how we can help you or your company.

~Adam S Hacker, Potentialist and CEO

Shoto was originally used as a garden for Japan’s Imperial family, and is still some of the most highly sought after property in all of Japan.  Even so, its design is rather understated.  Shoto is full of one-way streets, cherry blossoms and clean lines.  It’s a tranquil refuge only minutes from bustling Shibuya Crossing.  Shoto has unequivocally helped shape my life.  Always fond of the action, but sharing an even higher respect for the calm.

At Shoto Consulting Group, we use this kind of dynamic and inspired energy toward your success.  We are the subtle, understated force, pushing you in the right direction.  I hope that through us, you can get a sense for the neighborhood.  I hope that with us, you can spread it.

~Adam Hacker, Potentialist and CEO