Paul Revere’s dedication and commitment to not only gathering but also sharing knowledge by any means possible is what also places him in the category of a Maven, a seeker and sharer of information. It isn’t very often that someone will go above and beyond the ‘call of duty’ to ensure that the lines of communication are always open. This rare commodity is sure to make one business stand out, above and beyond another. When a client can be confident that, between the two of you, no stone will be left unturned, a true connection, trust and an open business relationship truly begin to take shape. It provides both parties a sense of security that deadlines are being met and ventures are being followed through to completion.

When fostering good, solid relationships, one should always be keen to the needs of the people they are working with. This means, being able to keep your eyes peeled and ears open to any opportunities or potential problems that may arise. This also, however, requires a grand effort in making sure that your client, in this partnership, is made aware of your findings.  This world is fueled, not only by information seekers, but also information sharers; Maven’s are uniquely composed, possessing the ingenuity of both. Maven’s are information experts!

Here at Maven, you will find modern day Paul Reveres, with genuine interest in the work being done and knowledge being gained. Even more so, we are constantly maintaining and updating this information highway. We are information savvy.

We are the village of Maven.

Too often, we underestimate the power of a trusted advisory. To have a group of experienced people around you, who have the interests of you, as well as your company, and vision at heart, is a key component that will set a business up for a successful start. No one can do it alone. But, how, we must ask ourselves, is it possible to choose the right people for the job? Surely, many people can create a business plan, pitch it to others and see who are the most ‘qualified’ to make it work; but something is missing. Where is that personal connection? What, besides money, is making this person(s) loyal to you? If times become hard and the well dries up, who is left to re-nourish the village? This is where a key and crucial factor to running a successful business comes into play: Relationships.  Ultimately, it is not simply who you know, but, how well you know them.

It is important to build reputable, rounded relationship with the people you work with. This will differentiate the quality and longevity of your business from others. The way to maintain meaningful relationships is to maintain fluid and consistent interaction. If a person can count on your call, e-mail or follow-up, they begin to look forward to it; thus, the give-and-take of a significant relationship begins to flourish.

It takes a village to make sure that this information train runs smoothly. Each person plays a pertinent role in keeping everyone informed. This means, if one person isn’t available, another has enough shared knowledge to continue the task. Relationships are one of those things that seem second nature; we are social beings. However, I bid to you, fellow Mavens’, pay greater attention to the relationships you form; groom them; because like a plant, given the required attention, they can grow beautifully, and with great variety.

We are the village of Maven.

Basic Education

House Bill 2279 funds the basic education subsidy at more than $5.88 billion, an increase of $354 million or 6.4% more than in 2009/10. The total subsidy payment consists of $5.226 billion in state funds and $654.7 million in federal stimulus funds.

The estimated basic education subsidy funding for the Philadelphia School district is $1.1 billion, up from $1.01 billion in the current year. This represents an 8.86% increase of nearly $89.6 million.

As with 2009/10, the 2010/11 proposal falls short of the original target for state share funding in year three. Therefore, increasing the state share to the fully recommended level will most likely take longer than six years.

Other than the basic education subsidy and a new $2.4 million line item for Teacher Certification, House Bill 2279 increases fewer than 20 percent of the education budget line items. Other appropriations were either flat-funded at 2009/10 levels or reduced. A majority of the increased appropriations represent funding for mandated payments/reimbursements, including:

• Pupil Transportation
• Tuition for Orphans and Children Placed in Private Homes
• Payments in Lieu of Taxes
• School Food Services
• Rx for PA – School Food Services
• School Employees’ Social Security
• School Employees’ Retirement

House Bill 2279 funds the Accountability Block Grant, introduced in the 2004/05 budget to provide funding for programs such as pre-kindergarten, at $271.4 million. This represents flat-funding at the 2009/10 level.

House Bill 2279 funds the Education Assistance Program at $55.3 million. This program provides extra tutoring services to 172,000 students in 175 school districts and Career and Technical Centers. The 2009/10 enacted budget included $59.1 million for this; however, as part of the additional reductions announced in January 2010, the appropriation was reduced by $3.8 million. House Bill 2279’s funding is equal to the January 2010 revised amount.

Early Learning

House Bill 2279 funds Pre-K Counts at $85.9 million to provide early learning opportunities to 11,800 children across Pennsylvania. The 2009/10 enacted budget provided $86.4 million for this program; however, as part of the additional reductions announced in January 2010, the appropriation was reduced by $475,000. House Bill 2279’s funding for 2010/11 is equal to the January 2010 revised amount.

House Bill 2279 provides $38.7 million for Head Start Supplemental Assistance which adds state funds to the federal Head Start program to provide early learning opportunities to more than 5,700 eligible children. The 2009/10 enacted budget provided $39.5 million for this program; however, as part of the additional reductions announced in January 2010, the appropriation was reduced by $784,000. House Bill 2279’s funding for 2010/11 is equal to the January 2010 revised amount.

House Bill 2279 funds Early Intervention at $186.1 million, an increase of $12.6 million or nearly 7.2%. This program provides early learning opportunities for developmentally delayed school age children.

Special Education

House Bill 2279 provides $1.02 billion for the special education subsidy. State funding for this appropriation has remained at the same level since 2008/09. Also note that federal stimulus funds provide Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) additional funding totaling more than $376 million in 2009/10. The additional funds were paid to both school districts and charter schools.

Public Library Subsidy

House Bill 2279 funds the Public Library Subsidy at $58.8 million. This represents a decrease of $1.2 million or two percent compared to 2009/10.

Higher Education

As was the case in 2009/10, House Bill 2279 proposes to use a combination of state and federal ARRA funds for higher education. Community colleges, the State System of Higher Education, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology and the state-related universities all receive the same allocation they did in 2009/10.

House Bill 2279 also funds the University of Pennsylvania veterinary school at $30 million, the same amount as in 2009/10. Additionally the Center for Infectious Disease would receive $500,000. The Center received no funding in 2009/10.

Drexel University, the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Salus University, the Philadelphia University of the Arts, the Johnson Technical Institute, and the Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades are not funded in House Bill 2279. 

House Bill 2279 funds programs administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) at $455 million, the same level as 2009/10. This includes the Grants to Students appropriation at $403.6 million.

Over the last 30 years, Maven president Melanese Shaw and I have spent countless hours discussing, debating and dissecting the state of education in our city, Commonwealth and country. It’s a subject about which I’m passionate and as a lawmaker, I consider it my signature issue.  There is far too little space here even to summarize my work over three decades.

But I want to be clear: the stability and future of our state and our nation lies in the quality of education we can provide for all students at all grades levels, from pre-school to post-graduate. I believe it is the single defining issue of our time and the single most important element in stabilizing our economy for future generations.

As such, I have built my career understanding education policy and supporting more than just the traditional public school model of education that defined us through most of the 20^th Century. In this day and age we must be open to new ideas for educating students and we must be committed to funding our education system.

I was a strong supporter of a study conducted by the legislature, formally known as the “Costing-Out” Study (Act 114-2006), which sought to define the level of dollars the state needed to invest so that the Commonwealth could provide “adequate and equitable” funding for each school district in Pennsylvania.

In the spring of 2008, the General Assembly accepted the study’s finding and recommendations putting Pennsylvania on target to meeting funding goals over the course of the six years beginning with the state’s ‘08/09 budget.

And then reality hit us in the form of the nation’s worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

As we all know too well, the state’s financial crisis required us to make deep cuts in programs that support everything from agriculture to zoos. Last year, the battle over cuts versus raising revenue lasted for 101 days. In the end, Democrats and Governor Rendell managed to increase our state support for basic education. Still it was short of what the costing-out study recommended.

This year, I envision a similar debate over the Governor’s proposed $354 million increase in basic education funding.

During the state’s budget hearings in January and February, I made it clear this was an investment worth making, despite falling revenues. The General Assembly agreed.

House Bill 2279, the state’s General Fund budget bill, was sent to the Senate on March 23^rd, 100 days prior to the beginning of the next fiscal year.  It had bi-partisan support, a sure sign that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle in the House believe we should invest in education.

Our budget negotiations this year have not yet begun. Our revenues, although more stable than last year, continue to fall. As a state, we face major expenses including skyrocketing health care, prison and pension costs. I can almost guarantee there will be those who will argue that given our finances, we can’t afford to invest another $354 million in our schools.

I can assure you that I will be arguing that we can’t afford not to.  

Stay tuned, over next 2 weeks, the Village of Maven will continue this discussion by featuring key detail further outlining the state’s education proposal.

Information is a tool; those who have it must acquire it and those who acquire it must know precisely how to share it. A maven understands the importance of acquiring information in its most thorough form. Even more so, a maven relays that information to others, passionately and enthusiastically.

A large part of sharing information is a person’s dedication to the subject matter of importance. If a friend were to suggest a movie by saying, “It was pretty good, you should go see it when you have the time” you may consider that selection the next time you go to the movies.  Yet, if an expansive amount of time passes between that suggestion and your movie trip, you may have forgotten the conversation, and go see another film.

 However, if that same person told you all about the story line (without ruining the ending), gave you details about the characters, what parts should be paid special attention; and if they spoke with conviction and certainty, you would be inclined to listen. This movie maven can tell you other movies the actors/actresses played in and what movies you have seen that would be comparable. So, the next time you go to see a movie, even if some time has passed, you are sure to remember and more likely to see the suggested film.

Mavens suggest, simply because we want to share that which has made us so enthusiastic with others. We do not, however, talk ‘at’ you; rather, we speak with you, and we want to learn what you know so we can expand our information banks, store those facts and use them to help others. A maven is the one who will know, after a few interactions, how to tailor the information they share with you, to suit your needs. We will know your interests and what concerns you most; if your agency is mentioned in the news, we will know, and be ready to tell you all about it!

“The one thing a maven is not is a persuader.” Mavens are listeners as well as people who care about the communication and transmission of information as much as they care about the information itself.  We, as mavens, care about what we know and what you have to bring to the table. That is why you will trust in what we have to offer.  We take seriously, integrity of the information we share and receive; and we share because we are truly invested in and care about our clients.

We are the Village of Maven.

This post serves as an introduction to a Maven blog series. Each month we will feature series of guest bloggers. Through this forum, they can speak on many different topics which concern their various companies and organizations. A Mavens ability to reach a broad and diverse audience has made our blog the perfect space to share and reflect. This ‘Each One Teach One’ series should serve as an informational forum where great minds and varied thinkers can connect and share ideas. We invite you to read, connect and share your thoughts. To view and leave comments, please click here http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maven-Inc/114715328547171#!/pages/Maven-Inc/114715328547171?v=app_2373072738 (Link to the FB discussion page)

Social media has changed the dynamics of marketing and coalition building. It will never be the same. The real coalition builders are no longer marketing experts built through traditional media sources. Now the new coalition builders are millions of ordinary people with direct and powerful things to say, and a computer.

Blogging has become a transformation in media that has given influence to people who have never had the tolls or platforms to express themselves. Bloggers can now begin to exercise these tools to engage new groups of people and influence them. No longer does the message have to come from marketing experts.

Bloggers come from all walks of life; educators, single mothers, journalists or even dairy farmers. All they need to share is a passion of community, thoughtful discourse or commitment to change. We are the bloggers of the new generation, expressing our passion of community, thoughtful discourse and commitment to change.

Maven, Inc. has relationships with government officials, marketing execs, journalists single mothers, urban youth and yes, even dairy farmers.

Definition of Maven: A maven is a trusted expert in a particular field, who seeks to pass knowledge on to others

From Gladwell book, The Tipping Point, (Gladwell, Malcolm. The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. New York, NY: Little, Brown, and Company, March 2000.):

“The word Maven comes from the Yiddish, and it means on who accumulates knowledge. In recent years, economists have spent a great deal of time studying Mavens, for the obvious
reason that if marketplaces depend on information, the people with the most information must be the most important.”

“Mavens have the knowledge and the social skills to start word-of-mouth epidemics. What sets Mavens apart, though, is not what they know but how they pass it along.”

We are Maven.

Maven, Inc., a minority owned business development and relationship management firm has announced a far-reaching expansion.  The Philadelphia-based firm is opening offices in New York, Houston and Little Rock.  Maven has teamed up with high-level professionals in each city to help grow its portfolio of clients.

“With this expansion, Maven is positioned to become a preeminent leader in business development and relationship management,” said Melonease Shaw, the President and Founder of the company.  “We have the experience, the knowledge, and the talent-this firm is now in a league of its own.”

The company team members read like a ‘Who’s Who’ in the world of politics and government.  Maven Senior Lobbyists, Donald A. Jones is one of the most experiences African American political consultants in America.  The breadth and depth of his contacts are legendary.  As a leading figure in political campaigns for the past quarter century, Mr. Jones has relationships within the establishment of Washington and in State Houses around the country.

Steering Maven’s operation in Little Rock, Arkansas is Rusty Cranford.  Mr. Cranford is an experienced lobbyist and political consultant with longstanding tied and deep contacts in Arkansas government and political circles.  “I’m thrilled by this opportunity to work with the seasoned professionals at Maven,” Cranford said.  “This firm is going to be a powerhouse in Little Rock and around the country.”

Christopher Watson, a financial guru and political consultant, will oversee the firm’s business in Houston, Texas.  Watson has years of experience working on campaigns in Houston, across Texas, and around the United States.  “Since the moment Melonease and I first started to talk about this expansion, I knew I wanted to be part of it,” Watson said.

The New York office will be spearheaded by Jason Haber, an experienced New York-based operative.  Mr. Haber has spent a decade getting to know the institutional and elected participants in City and State politics.  He also brings with him a background in strategic communications and leadership training.  As a Professor at John Jay College he also brings with him a background in academia.  “I’m delighted to be a part of this remarkable group of professionals,” Mr. Haber said.

Maven, Inc’s main office will remain in Philadelphia, but each city will have its own office up and running shortly.  The firm will soon announce an exciting lineup of new clients to be served by Maven’s leadership team.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Don Jones
215-965-1587
Don@maven-inc.com

When seeking solutions or cautions, fewer enterprises or people are finding or taking the time to thoroughly delve into an issue, instead deferring to the internet. For topics that are sensitive, complex or critical, wise heads are deferring to the advice of a SME — subject matter expert – or “smee” as I’ve heard specialists in my trade called.

SMEs are professionals whose advice or information is sought by businesses, entrepreneurs, politicians or qualified experts in other fields. When they’re ready to go to market, these folk tend to seek our advice to identify a target audience and capture/send the “right” timely message to a targeted group.

How are SMEs acknowledged for their expertise? Maybe you already know because you’re the person friends call when they’ve just bought a pressure cooker, laptop or power tool. Something about the way SMEs interact in the world clearly marks us as the person to turn to when unsolvable life or business riddles arise. Often the business SMEs generate comes from companies whose unaided efforts have proven to be less than hoped for or who recognize how advantageous good advice is.

We SMEs come to our profession from various directions. Our lives provided us tools that even research might not unearth. We’re better, faster and more able to target issues than magazines, books, trade journals or the internet when teasing out the critical factors that will make a difference in effective, timely problem solving. We’ve paid our dues and know about industry-related jargon or hot buttons. Our homework is done, our muscles are toned and our brains fine-tuned to go to the issue and effectively generate plans, programs and policies that get the job done.

Entrepreneurs, visionaries and effective networks, that heady brew that results in generating progressive business growth environments, will benefit from the newest addition to the blogosphere – The Village of Maven.

Capitalizing on decades of familiarity with my clients and the greater Philadelphia business, political and entrepreneurial community, The Village of Maven will feature insight into critical community information and developments that will benefit and inspire readers, prospective clients and business partners.

Melonease Shaw
Present and CEO
Maven, Inc.