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Hello,
The nation just completed one of the longest, most grueling and most fascinating Presidential campaigns perhaps in its history. Barak Obama has set one clear historic milestone and hopes to achieve others with an ambitious agenda of change. He also faces challenges of historic magnitude in front of him as he takes office, led by a generation-shaking economic crisis. As communications professionals here at KCOMM, our mission in life is to bring people together to creatively grow their businesses or achieve other common goals. It is our fervent hope that the new administration and the loyal opposition will make an extraordinary commitment in these extraordinary times to strive for communication, creativity and cooperation in meeting the challenges ahead. As always, we are optimistic that the fundamental strengths of the country will prevail. 
KCOMM Executive Team Prepares for a Diversified Offering in 2009 Here's to a warm Southern California Thanksgiving with family and friends. Sincerely, 
Sinan Kanatsiz Chairman / CEO KCOMM  
PS...Mentor the Youth |
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In This Issue...
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Web Wise Kids Selects KCOMM for PR and Donor Relations Support
Non-profit Teaches Internet Safety to Parents and Youth Nationwide Web Wise Kids, the leading provider of computer-based, interactive simulation games designed to educate young people and their parents on safe Internet practices, has chosen KCOMM to provide public relations and donor development services. Web Wise Kids is a national non-profit organization dedicated to empowering today's youth to make wise choices online through easy-to-use, school-approved Internet safety education programs for young people. 
The goals of Web Wise Kids are to bring the issue of Internet safety to the forefront for young people; educate middle school children and teenagers on how to remain safe online; educate parents and teachers about online safety; initiate communication between parents and teens about online content; and assist local groups in implementing Internet safety programs. For more information, visit www.webwisekids.org. |
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Virtual Events Are Appealing Alternative in Uncertain Economy
KCOMM, a Leader in Implementing Virtual Events, Featured in California Executive Magazine 
Companies looking to spend smart and reduce costs are taking the virtual approach to conferences and seminars. At a recent conference hosted by Menlo Park-based Unisfair, Inc., attendees listened to keynote presentations, interacted with vendors at the exhibition hall, and engaged other conference-goers in discussions at the lounge - over the Internet.
Technology has continued to advance at a rapid clip, while several years of online events have helped organizers determine what works and what doesn't. Technology researcher Daniel Burrus expects the visual limitations of virtual events to become less of an issue in the near future, as high-bandwidth connections become ubiquitous and high-definition video goes mainstream. However, online events cannot facilitate the act of physically interacting with other people in the same time and space. Virtual events have their place, but nearly everyone agrees that there is often no substitute for in-person networking. Prospective virtual conference-goers need to consider their own comfort level with the technology, according to KCOMM CEO Sinan Kanatsiz. Supervisors need to be careful not to discriminate on the basis of age, but younger employees may be more comfortable soaking up Web-based information and networking with professional peers online. "Your target demographic and industry need to be technologically savvy. For example, people in financial services would likely adapt well to an online format," he says. But there's no doubt about it. Virtual is becoming an increasingly appealing wave of the future. Click here to read full article in California Executive Magazine Click here to view sample Virtual Event produced by KCOMM |
Chapman University's Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics hosted the first annual "Orange Ball Drop" on Sun., Nov. 16, in honor of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2008. Dubbed the "Times Square of the Entrepreneurship World," the university led the United States with the first official event of the week. Chapman hosted a wealth of activities and events during the week that connected students, alumni, educators, business leaders, government officials and others in taking action to catalyze an entrepreneurial society. Guests and panelists from China, Switzerland, Washington D. C., and Korea assembled to share their views on entrepreneurship in a global marketplace.
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Calm Perspective Is Key to Weathering Business Cycles
From Todd Rustman, CEO, GR Capital Asset Management 
In these very challenging times, one of our goals is to help our clients maintain perspective on the inevitable ups and downs of business cycles over time. When one looks at any graph of real estate, equities, bonds, inflation, commodities, etc., it is never a straight line. And there are downturns similar to what we are experiencing now. Perspective means viewing this time as a prudent buying opportunity, basically for all asset classes.
Contrary to media hype, we are in a period with more upside than downside risk. Our valuation work on the S&P 500 places this time period in the cheapest 1% of the last 100-plus years. The obvious question, then, is would you rather buy at full retail or when things are on sale? But perspective also means looking at the risks of investing at a time like this. Many opportunities abound, but fear clouds the water. What we find most attractive are selective equities (technology, health care, alternative energy, even some financials), private equities, non-traded REITs, managed futures, and life settlements. All of these investments require perspective, however, meaning a long-term view toward potentially incredible returns over three to five years and NOT next week, next month or even in 2009. We don't recommend, even when looking at such a tremendous decrease in valuations, that investors simply remain in cash. Finally, perspective requires that we look at this business cycle as one that is quite different from past cycles in some ways, yet similar in others. What will come out on the other side, we believe, will be a new era of prosperity with some lagging areas. But in the most fundamental view, perspective means hoping that we experience a good number more of these business cycles (even times like now!), so that we live a long and full life. Todd Rustman, CFA, CFP, CLU, CSA GR CAM 660 Newport Center Dr Suite 770 Newport Beach, CA 92660 Phone: 800-805-7526 trustman@gr-cam.com |
Southern California (SoCal) home sales shot up by an unprecedented 65% in September from the dismal record lows of the same month a year ago (per MDA Dataquick). And foreclosure sales rose to half of the 20,497 new and resale houses / condos sold during September in the
six-county SoCal survey area (see chart below). So with the median sales price down 33% from the same time last year, is it any wonder that this is a classic buyer's market?
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