Amazon’s hunt for a second headquarters has already created a flurry of activity as localities prepare bids. It is thought that Raleigh and Charlotte are both cities in the running.

There’s no doubt that having the Amazon HQ is a game changer for any city by bringing 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, $5 billion in construction, and an $11 billion annual economic impact.

But, already there are concerns about rapidly rising housing prices and increased traffic congestion in North Carolina’s two biggest metros. The Amazon HQ would certainly add to these downsides. But is this the price of progress?

– Michael L. Walden, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor, North Carolina State University

Webinars can be an excellent strategy to leverage the expertise and presentation ability of your company’s staff to highlight your firm as a sector thought leader as well as to cultivate business development.

The technology available can allow webinars to serve in the same way that attendees might gain knowledge through an in-person conference, but without the travel costs and time away from the office.

Here are some guidelines to keep in mind:

1. Be aware of time

2. Record the session for future distribution

3. Avoid being an infomercial

4. Balance boring against over-the-top technology

Find the full story here.

– Nick Zulovich, S&A Communications

A total of more than $140 million has been given to three North Carolina universities: Wake Forest University, Queens University of Charlotte and Wingate University.

The late Porter B. Byrum, a Charlotte resident, provided the donation. Byrum died in March at the age of 96 and was known as a highly generous philanthropist, attorney and businessman.

Wake Forest University received more than $70 million of the total, making it the largest donation in the school’s history. The money will be used for student scholarships. The rest of the donation will be split between Queens University of Charlotte and Wingate University.

– Mike Trainor, S&A Communications

There’s ample proof that prolonged sitting – like what we do at an office job – is bad for our health. An American Heart Association study found that sitting six hours a day led to a higher risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. The Mayo Clinic links prolonged sitting with obesity and metabolic concerns.

These findings may account for the popularity of standing desks. Standing desks are not only linked to improved circulation and metabolism, but a Texas A&M study found they may also boost productivity.

For me, working at a standing desk feels healthier. If I’m more productive, great.

– Deneen Bloom, S&A Communications

Not too long ago, the thought of a career in video games was nothing more than an irrational teenage fantasy.

However, the explosion of gamer community Twitch and ESPN’s entry into competitive esports has sent a signal that video games are more than just a hobby for many. One such example is Tim MacRae, a dad from Charlotte. At the urging of his online fans, he made a huge leap of faith and left his IT day job to make playing video games his full-time job.

The Charlotte Observer has an in-depth profile of this dramatic career shift.

– Mike Trainor, S&A Communications

According to Glassdoor, both Raleigh and Charlotte ranked highly as best cities for jobs in the nation for 2017.

In fact, Raleigh earned the No. 4 slot behind Pittsburgh, Indianapolis and Kansas City, Missouri, in that order. In 2016, Raleigh came in 8^th.

Charlotte ranked 24^th on the 2017 list and was not in the top 25 in the prior two years.

Glassdoor’s “Best Cities for Jobs” ranking looked at the 50 most populated metros in the country. Factors considered included hiring opportunity, cost of living, and job satisfaction. To read the full ranking list, visit this site.

– Deneen Bloom, S&A Communications

Receipt and mileage tracking is important for business owners.

Leaving money on the table in the form of tax deductions doesn’t need to happen with Durham-based Shoeboxed. Use the app to snap photos of your receipts and forward to your account. Track your mileage to deduct at the end of the year. Forward your emailed or online receipts to your Shoeboxed account. Use rules to automatically categorize in your account. Keep track of reimbursable purchases.

It’s too easy not to do it! Stop wasting time during tax season calculating your paper receipts and use Shoeboxed to maximize your return.

– Marcey Rader, Founder, Work Well. Play More!®

The impact LinkedIn can provide for businesses who want to generate leads, connect to professional peers and build their brands is powerful, especially in the B2B arena.

1. LinkedIn surpasses Facebook as the top social platform for B2B marketers.

2. It’s an effective channel to position yourself as a professional leader and trusted influencer through thought leadership.

3. Over 467 million users are on LinkedIn.

4. LinkedIn ranked as the top social media site used for product launches among B2B marketers globally.

It allows the opportunity to connect organically with people throughout different industries. You never know where your next client will come from.

– Natalie Ghidotti, The Arkansas 100

Carolina Works! That’s the message photographer Tim Coffey is spreading.

He is working on a personal project that showcases North Carolina manufacturers. Each participant is featured with a professional portrait and a personal quote. The project — “Carolina Works” — has already featured over 300 employees who work at 35 companies in 14 counties.

“It becomes real meeting the people who make it happen rather than just driving by their facilities and wondering what goes on inside,” Coffey said. “They are doing amazing work that impacts our daily lives. I love sharing their stories.”

Follow the project’s blog, Twitter and Facebook pages.

– Leah Brown, S&A Communications

You have built your website, now what? You need to drive traffic there so you can generate leads, collect email addresses, update visitors on company news, or share educational information. An e-newsletter may be the best solution. Emails have been shown to be successful in gaining new readers and clients. In 2016 eMarketer reported the return-on-investment (ROI) for email outperformed all other digital marketing tactics, including social media.

Here are the six things to consider when building your newsletter:

1. Content

2. Branding

3. Mobile

4. Compliance

5. Testing

6. Analyzing

Read my full blog post here.

– Rachel Sheffield, S&A Communications

North Carolina is no stranger to being widely recognized as a business-friendly state. According to global accounting firm PwC, it’s time to add yet another industry to the growing list in which North Carolina excels.

PwC recently released its “2017 Aerospace Manufacturing Attractiveness Rankings,” and North Carolina checks in as the fourth most attractive state for aerospace manufacturing.

According to the study, North Carolina “benefits from deep-water seaports, an extensive rail network, and low electricity rates.” Furthermore, North Carolina “has strong aerospace sales, margins and maturity, and is considered to have the largest manufacturing workforce in the Southeast.”

– Mike Trainor, S&A Communications

Most people have a memory of being around water and, chances are, those memories are good times shared with close family and friends. These experiences are exactly what inspired the creation of Norman Colony.

Norman Colony is an apparel brand whose designs focus on the simplicity and fun vibes that come from being around water. The brand originated in the Lake Norman area, but we are creating new collections that represent different water towns and cities, including Wilmington.

Check us out online at NormanColony.com or you may see us at upcoming festivals and pop-up events in your area.

– Justine Turley, Norman Colony

Content marketing is changing the way businesses engage with customers. Here are three ways your business can benefit from this useful tactic.

1. Be an Expert: Quality content delivered on a consistent basis positions your business as an authority and builds credibility with your audience.

2. Boosts SEO: In a highly searchable world, genuinely good content will not only bring back your audience but help with search-engine rankings.

3. Content Creates Value: When your audience visits your website or social pages, they expect to glean insights from what you’re putting out there — and depend on you for valuable information.

– Natalie Ghidotti, The Arkansas 100

In a business environment where mergers and consolidation are rampant, it’s increasingly rare to see a financial institution reach a major milestone for longevity. It’s refreshing, then, that Raleigh’s Coastal Credit Union is marking its 50^th anniversary on August 31.

The credit union was formed in 1967 to serve local IBM employees, and has grown to 22 branches and more than 237,000 members.

Throughout summer Coastal has been celebrating “50 Years of Sharing” with members and employees. Today the credit union is launching 50 Forward, a contest where entrants nominate their favorite nonprofit for a $5,000 donation.

– Joe Mecca, Coastal Credit Union

The NC Chamber’s Women > A Force in Business Conference will be September 21 at the Raleigh Convention Center. This event provides a platform for ambitious female professionals to explore pathways to success and encourage the next generation of female leaders.

With a full day of speakers, breakout sessions and networking opportunities, topics covered include:

• The Business of Story

• Unconscious Bias + Women in STEM: Impact and Solutions

• Leading When You’re Not in Charge

• Millennials in the Workplace: A Cross-Generational Discussion

• Emotional Intelligence: The Art of Female Leadership

• Engaging Men As Advocates to Gender Equity

And more!

Click here for reservations.

– Deneen Bloom, S&A Communications

An $85 million Amazon distribution center in Kannapolis will bring at least 600 full-time jobs to the region, according to city officials. The 1-million-square-foot center is slated to open in 2019.

“We are very excited to welcome one of the nation’s largest companies to Kannapolis,” said Mayor Darrell Hinnant. “Their role as a world leader in commerce continues to evolve, and we look forward to being a part of their innovation in the distribution of goods and services.”

Earlier this month the Kannapolis City Council approved more than $500,000 in incentive grants for the center.

– Mike Trainor, S&A Communications

Carolina Panthers fans attending a game at Bank of America Stadium this season will notice some significant changes.

Part of a five-year, public-private financing agreement, the most recent renovations cost $47 million and centered on the lower-level concourse, the Silver Club level and the playing field.

“We want to give our fans every reason to come to the stadium. We know the younger generation watches sports differently. Of course, we want everyone in the bowl cheering on the Panthers during the course of play,” Scott Paul, the Panthers’ executive director of stadium operations, told the Charlotte Observer.

— Mike Trainor, S&A Communications

This month Birdsong Brewing Co. will become the first brewery in Charlotte to invest in solar paneling.

The brewery expects to generate 50 percent of its power needs by adding solar panels, owner Chris Goulet told Charlotte Business Journal. A 75-kilowatt system will be installed on the roof.

Although the project’s investment is a high price of $110,000, the solar panels will generate $315,000 worth of electricity over the next 25 years, saving the brewery around $30,000 per year.

Other North Carolina breweries have invested in solar energy, including Highland Brewing, New Belgium and Sierra Nevada.

Leah Brown, S&A Communications

The used-car industry enjoyed sales over $100 billion in 2016. Here are some good business lessons from the dealers.

1. Know your local market

Successful dealers know what models sell well in their market, who their competitors are, and what margins to expect.

2. Data is critical

Online platforms now track both the local wholesale and retail prices of used vehicles.

3. Collaborate with peers

Distant dealerships help each other out by selling and trading models that sell well in their market.

4. Maintain good vendor relationships

Dealers work with vendors for everything from signage and advertising to software.

Glenn Gillen, APR, S&A Communications