Greater Raleigh Chamber Blog

Seven companies announced plans to move to or expand in Wake County during the month of April, according to the most recent report from Wake County Economic Development. That brings the total number of new and expanding companies in 2016 to 15—bringing 431 jobs and $19.5 million in investment.

Here's a recap of the action in April:

Distil Networks | Raleigh | Software/IT | Expanding
Security software firm Distil Networks will be moving into 7,727 square feet of space at Charter Square. Distil Networks in June closed a $21 million round of funding with plans to bulk up its Raleigh operation.
 
Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman | Raleigh | Law Firm | New
Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman, the nation's largest law firm focused exclusively on matters specific to the health care industry, has increased its national presence by expanding into the Southeast with the addition of an office in Raleigh.
 
Industrious | Raleigh | Co-Working Space | Expanding
Industrious, the New York-based company that's been opening co-working space in major metro areas with strong technology sectors like Austin,Atlanta, and Nashville, will expand into another 12,000 square feet at Charter Square, confirms building co-owner Andy Andrews of Raleigh.
 
Infusion | Raleigh | Software/IT | Expanding
Infusion, a New York-based company, will be moving into Charter Square. The company currently operates at 711 Hillsborough St. The move will provide the company with room to grow.
 
McGuireWoods | Raleigh | Law Firm | Expanding
McGuireWoods is expanding its Raleigh office with the arrival of accomplished partners Mary Nash Rusher, Jean Gordon Carter, and Charles Case, who join the firm's leading public finance, private wealth, and environmental practices, respectively.
 
PlayMaker CRM | Raleigh | Software/IT | New
Nashville-based technology firm PlayMaker CRM has officially opened its Raleigh office in downtown's Capital Bank Plaza. The firm is actively hiring, expecting to have up to 15 employees at the Raleigh office by the end of the year. The company competes in the same arena as SalesForce, though it targets a pretty niche market-----a segment that incorporates everything from home health to hospice care-----services and products needed after you leave the hospital. The new office will primarily house a development team.
 
TEKSystems | Raleigh | Staffing Agency | Expanding
TEKSystems, a Maryland-based IT staffing company with offices around the world, has signed a new contract to expand its Raleigh office operations and relocate into a full floor of the new Wade III office building in west Raleigh. The company will be taking 26,827 square feet. 

The Wake County Economic Development Recap is produced monthly. The next edition will hit in mid-February. Make sure you stay up to date on all the latest news and more by subscribing here.

By Cherith Andes Mangum
Clairemont Communications

On May 6, 2016, more than 100 young professionals banded together for the YPN Spring Service Day, an annual opportunity to invest in the future of the Raleigh through community service. Colleagues and friends from across the city spent their Friday morning coaching kids, packaging food, scrubbing floors and a plethora of other hands-on activities as an initiative to facilitate tangible change in Wake County. Our friendly faces appeared at the following nonprofit partner sites:

•    American Heart Association
•    First Tee of the Triangle
•    Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina
•    Junior League of Raleigh
•    Make-A-Wish Eastern NC
•    Salvation Army Center of Hope
•    Special Olympics NC
•    Stop Hunger Now
•    United Way of the Greater Triangle

Behind the Scenes
Wish you were there? So do we! Here are a few first-hand snapshots from our team leaders to provide a glimpse into our dynamic morning!

“As a part of the Raleigh Chamber Young Professional Network Spring Service Day, a group of six of us volunteered with First Tea of the Triangle at Underwood Magnet Elementary School. We acted as "assistant coaches" to the First Tea of the Triangle coach, Bonnie, to teach two groups of elementary students golf techniques. The kids started off by learning about respect and how it related to their golf lesson. Then they did stations which were led by the volunteers, including putting, chipping and pitching. The kids were not only very excited and fun to work with, but they were also extremely attentive and quick to learn. The group of volunteers agreed that it was a morning well-spent giving back to the youth in our community and helping them learn about respect and the game of golf.”  
~ Ashley Alexander, Adams, Howell Sizemore and Lenfestey, P.A.

“Who knew mopping could be such an adventure … and such a meaningful experience? I joined 15 of my colleagues at the Salvation Army’s Center of Hope, a community shelter that offers everything from a soup kitchen and school lunches to lifestyle change and support programs. Fully caffeinated and thoroughly excited, we spent the morning cleaning the cafeteria, organizing the pantries, arranging the donation supply and scrubbing the nursery. I’m fairly sure that someone used the mop handle as a microphone at one juncture. It was truly a privilege to prepare the facility for families who need a safe, clean haven to grow and develop.”
~ Cherith Mangum, Clairemont Communications

“Our YPN service team was at the Junior League of Raleigh’s Bargain Box thrift store. We had a blast going through its donations and organizing all of the clothes, shoes, and household items that the store could sell. Although we were there for three hours, there were still so many items for us to sort. We definitely felt like we were making a difference because the store needed help determining what was eligible to sell and what wasn’t. The people at the Junior League were extremely kind and very appreciative. Our mighty team of seven volunteers enjoyed working behind the scenes at the store and finding little treasures like Star Wars masks, designer shoes, and vintage dresses.”
~ Heather Robertson, Lenovo

“I had the privilege to lead the initiative for the Special Olympics, one of my favorite nonprofit organizations with which I’ve volunteered several times in the past. For Spring Service Day, we organized the Special Olympics warehouse, sorted its event shirts, trophies, and tents, and also helped with filing and other activities as needed. One of the most rewarding aspects of the day was the genuine enthusiasm and gratitude the Special Olympics support staff demonstrated to the YPN team. Due to limited help, some of the organizational tasks would have taken the full-time staff a week to complete, but with the YPN team, they were able to do it in just a few hours.”
~ Darren Shrum, Green Resources

“Eight YPN members help set up for the American Heart Associations’ Go Red For Women Luncheon at Prestonwood Country Club. We stuffed goodie bags for the guests, organized tables and prepped the room for the event. This is a big fundraiser for AHA to help raise awareness among women who battle heart disease and are at risk for strokes. We were glad to be able to help and look forward to partnerships in the future with AHA!”
~ Joe Mayer, Steelfab of Virginia

“As part of the group who volunteered at Stop Hunger Now, I helped in its warehouse with a variety of tasks, including packing the boxes onto pallets to prepare more than 185,000 meals to be shipped around the world. We were also able to pack some meals, organize merchandise, and help get its used rice bags ready to be recycled. A fascinating and encouraging experience!”
~ Heather Hooper, Lung Cancer Initiative of North Carolina

And now?
Raleigh is a dynamic city experiencing vibrant growth, expansion and development. The Young Professional Network offers of plethora of tools for professional development as well as opportunities to give back, strengthen your network and invest in the future of Raleigh. We enthusiastically welcome you to join our network of young professionals and explore your next steps to develop your career!

Visit www.raleighypn.org to learn more about the Young Professionals Network.

By Angie Coole
Brand Manager, Greene Resources




Greene Resources had the wonderful opportunity to be the presenting sponsor for the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce's Professional Women's Luncheon on April 27, 2016. At this luncheon, Valorie Burton presented on the topic, "Successful Women Think Differently." 
 
Valorie Burton is a best-selling author, speaker, and life coach, dedicated to helping people be unstoppable in every area of life. She has appeared numerous times on television programs, including the TODAY Show, Dr. Oz, CNN, and has written for Oprah Magazine, Essence, and many other magazines. Valorie earned her master's degree in applied positive psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a master's degree in journalism from Florida A&M University. 

Valorie's discussion included six different habits to cultivate a healthier, happier and more resilient mindset. These habits originate in positive psychology, a study of the strengths that enable people to thrive and have happier, more successful lives. 
 
1. Believe You Can Do It
Adapt a thinking style that combines reality with a positive outlook. By viewing failures as an opportunity to learn something and by taking credit for your successes, you become more likely to succeed in the future.
 
2. Get Off The "Hedonic Treadmill"
The "hedonic treadmill" is the idea that human beings adapt to improvement. When something great happens, whether it is a promotion, new house, new relationship, or some other achievement, we quickly grow accustomed to this new, positive change, and it loses its value. To prevent this from happening, reflect on your life over the past few years. Some of the things you only hoped for 2-3 years ago may be things that you have right now. By reflecting on these past achievements and creating simple changes and goals, you can create a reservoir of joy and excitement in your life.
 
3. Stop Trying To Fix Your Weaknesses
Stop focusing on everything that is wrong about you and start focusing on what is right. Remember, there are hundreds of things you do not know how to do or cannot do well, and that's okay. By reflecting on the things you like about yourself and your strengths, you will grow and continue to improve. 

4. Build Your Muscle Of Self-Control
According to the Marshmallow Study by Stanford University, your ability to develop self-control and discipline has a much greater impact on your ability to thrive and succeed than talent or intelligence. If you do not have a purpose, it is very easy to give up. Create goals and make yourself work towards them, and do not let failures stand in your way of trying again.

5. Be Prepared For Battle
Recognize that there are some thoughts that can be controlled, as well as some that cannot be controlled. By noticing when you have negative thoughts and taking steps to combat them, you can develop a positive outlook that will lead to greater success. When a negative event or challenge occurs, instead of jumping to the worst case scenario or the craziest negative thought, think of the best case scenario or the craziest positive thought. By recognizing "crazy thoughts" or negative thought patterns, you can break them and cultivate newer, more helpful thought processes.

6. Cultivate Positive Emotion
Negative events inevitably occur in life and can often outweigh any positive events that happen simultaneously. To counteract this, you must constantly cultivate positive emotions, even in small ways. Create anticipation for something in the future, like a vacation, treat, or outing, or volunteer your time and service to those in need. Find an activity you like to do simply for the fun of it. Smile.  By always looking for opportunities to create a sense of joy, you can prepare yourself for those inevitable negative moments.
 
Being successful in today’s world requires the development of unique thought processes, a commitment to follow through and the ability to never give up. At Greene Resources, we are always eager to meet candidates and clients who demonstrate these qualities because we know that these attributes will allow them to reach their career goals, contribute to a positive business culture and allow both them and the company to achieve greater success. Learn more here.

The Chamber offers several opportunities for education and networking for professional women. Reserve your spot at the next Chamber Professional Women's Luncheon on July 21 here.