November 11, 2009

How do you stay in touch with your customers and colleagues throughout the day? One key to surviving in this economy is staying ahead of the technology curve.

CBS19's Bianca Spinosa profiles a list of three local business leaders who are "wired-in." They use all the high-tech tools to communicate and keep their businesses prospering.

From cyber space to work space, these three local business people know how to make the most of their passions.

Real estate agent Jim Duncan just moved into his new office this summer. Back in May, it was completely empty. Duncan's blog, Real Central VA, is an online mecca for locals wanting expert real estate analysis with a personal touch.

"I am more cognizant of my readership now. Frequently I'll write stories for my readers, whereas in the beginning it was purely for me," explains Duncan of Nest Realty.

Thousands of people read Duncan's blog every day.

"I'm passionate about real estate, about my clients, and about learning," says Duncan via a You Tube video on his site.

"One can be passionate about a lot of things they blog about, but when you're passionate about saving lives, I think that comes through so much," says Laura Jones with the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA.

At the CASPCA, saving our four-legged friends is their passion and their business. Laura Jones tells stories of recovery, and shows pictures of every animal on the SPCA blog.

"People don't know the time and work it took to get it there. This enables us to do that," says Susanne Kogut with the CASPCA.

Little Mo is a dog that came to the shelter scared of people. He left with a happy home. Through the blog, Kogut can find out how Mo is doing with his new family, and the thousands of facebook followers can too. Now, Kogut is hoping to adopt out Mo's sister.

Two on our list are married. Laura Jones with the CASPCA is married to Rob Jones, .the founder of Charlottesville art blog, artPark.The couple founded an art gallery named Migration, which had to close its doors last January because of the economy. They shifted focus to their blog.

"One of my goals is to demystify the creation of art, the exhibition of art, and the acquisition of art. Pull back the curtain, so to speak," says Rob Jones with Charlottesville artPark.

Jones promotes local artists and critiques local works.What Jones learns traveling the country, he shares here.

They deal in very different fields: real estate, animal rescue, and visual arts, yet each knows how to use the web to enhance their visions.

Recap Bianca's List:
1) Jim Duncan with Nest Realty
2) Susanne Kogut with Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA
3) Rob Jones with artPark

Who are the business people you think make this city go? We'd like to see your nominations of tech-savvy Charlottesville business people. Leave us a comment with your suggestions.