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TODAY'S ISSUE
Norcross firm among top 10 technology incubators
By Dinah Adkins
President and CEO
National Business Incubation Association
Special to GwinnettForum.com

FEB. 21, 2003 - - The Intelligent Systems Incubator of Norcross has been ranked a top-performing technology incubator in a report produced by the National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) following a 12-month analysis of United States technology business incubation programs.

The Intelligent Systems Incubator ranked in the top ten programs with an information technology or electronics focus in terms of average revenue growth, average employment growth and average equity investment in incubator companies. Average revenue and employee growth are two keys
indicators used in the industry to measure client and incubator success.

The ultimate goal of an incubation program is to facilitate the business success of its client companies. The Intelligent Systems Incubator has created a program that provides technology entrepreneurs with the resources they need to create high-growth enterprises, which has benefited both the entrepreneurs and the business community as a whole.

Bonnie Herron, executive director of the Intelligent Systems Incubator, adds: "The NBIA study validates our approach to technology business incubation. Our entrepreneurs tell us they value our on-site coaching, access to a peer network and flexible facility options that support their developing businesses without squashing the entrepreneurial drive. In 2003, we are introducing an Entrepreneur's Resource Group which will expand our peer coaching and networking to technology companies beyond the incubator walls."

The top performer ranking is the latest recognition of the incubator's standing in the industry. The incubator's Herron was recently elected chair of the Board of Directors of NBIA, following election to a second term on the board.

In 1999, NBIA honored an Intelligent Systems Incubator company with a Client of the Year award. The industry research team conducting the study examined the make-up and performance of technology incubators across the country to determine the characteristics key to high-performing programs. Seventy-nine programs participated in the study, which was funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of Technology Policy.

About Intelligent Systems Incubator - The Intelligent Systems Incubator is a program of publicly traded Intelligent Systems Corporation [AMEX: INS] and is one of the longest running, privately sponsored incubators in the country. Since 1990, the Intelligent Systems Incubator has helped more than 50 companies by providing entrepreneurs with access to the business expertise of incubator executives, peer interaction, shared services, flexible lease terms and an extensive network of resources. Information about the Intelligent Systems Incubator and how to join the incubator or the Entrepreneurs Resource Group is available at www.intelsys.com or by contacting Bonnie Herron, 770/564-5504, or by email at bherron@intelsys.com.

About NBIA - With about 950 members, the National Business Incubation Association is the world's leading organization advancing business
incubation and entrepreneurship. It provides thousands of professionals with information, education, advocacy and networking resources to bring excellence to the process of assisting early-stage companies. Information about NBIA and business incubation can be found at www.nbia.org.

ELLIOTT BRACK
Smaller world calls for more public relations effort
By Elliott Brack
editor and publisher
GwinnettForum.com

FEB. 21, 2003 -- The world has changed, as we have known it. But sometimes we may not realize just how much the world has changed.

The Battle of New Orleans was fought during the War of 1812 even after peace was declared, since communications was poor then. Back during World War I, sometimes our nation learned days later of news coming out of Europe.

Time World War II came, radio was a constant chronicler of up-to-the-minute news. We could keep up with the advances of our troops throughout the world far better than in the first war. We even heard Edward Murrow, Walter Cronkite and others broadcasting live from London during the actual blitz. It terrified us, yet American felt safe across an ocean from such activity.

By the time the Korean War came about, we were more up-to-the moment in activities, but still radio was the most immediate medium. Then Viet Nam, with those nightly television pictures beamed back of American bloodshed, brought us a new dimension to the war, and helped end that questionable venture.

These thoughts came to mind as the world measures the American thrust to seek to stabilize the situation in the Middle East, and in Iraq in particular, with the threat of war.

Now through satellite technology, we can actually follow people into battle, watch missiles fall in real time, and see casualties erupt before our eyes.

President Bush is now facing the response of the world's nations concerning the possibility of war. Modern communications gives people in distant parts of the world not only the ability to see events taking place, but to be part of modifying world opinion.

Nowdays, a gathering in Paris, or Japan, or Canada, is broadcast back to the United States, and around the world. Suddenly public opinion can be swayed--both ways--by events in any part of the world.

Can President Bush, or any world leader, operate in a communications vacuum like wars in the past? Of course not. The entire world is caught up in struggles virtually like each person is at events.

Deaths in a Chicago dance club, or torching of a train in Korea, impacts people locally. You can be virtually any place and be aware of the world's news. From Germany recently, I saw the same pictures as you of a satellite exploding. The entire world is on everyone's mind.

Layer on another element: email. This becomes a very personal communication. Now individuals, throughout the world, can influence others as never before. Have your international friends asked you about the situation in the Middle East? Mine have.

President Bush and Colin Powell are point men advancing the cause of war, while a questioning and skeptical world wonders.

The world has drastically changed. Now American must win a battle for public opinion before taking military action, or even getting any respect at the United Nation. And it is tougher than every before.

That's what the outcome of our ease of communication. That is how the world has changed.

FEEDBACK
2/21: Florida post office flew flag upside down all day

Editor, the Forum:

Although not an excuse for not flying the flag half-staff upon the passing of a former postmaster, please remember that our postal workers are often over-worked, under-paid, and sometimes under-educated, at least in some of the finer points of flag etiquette.

Example of a past breach of flag etiquette: For an ENTIRE DAY, the flag was flown upside down (a sign of dire distress) at a post office in Florida. There were no special circumstances or happenings in our nation or the town or the facility (no postal workers going "postal").

It was a wonderful day at the beach, postal delivery trucks were going in and out making normal deliveries, customers were being served at the front counter. Still, no one corrected the flag position the entire day. (Of course, even though having driven by several times that day, I didn't make the effort to stop by and point it out to the postal workers, either.)

There are several good sites on the Internet with information on proper flag etiquette.

Here are two of them:

* http://houseandhome.msn.com/improve/experts/BasicFlagEtiquette0.aspx

* http://suvcw.org/flag.htm.

-- Annette Gelbrich, Norcross

NEWS ITEMS
2/21: Three Gwinnett sites set up for "CPR Saturday" March 1

The American Red Cross annual free "CPR Saturday" will be held March 1 at three Gwinnett sites. Early registration is encouraged. Kaiser Permanente is sponsoring the event for the seventh consecutive year.

Classes will begin at 9 a.m. at Hopewell Baptist Church, Norcross; Collins Hill High School, Suwanee; and Cannon United Methodist Church near Snellville. New classes will start every half-hour until the last class begins at 2 p.m. The training takes about four hours.

Early registration is encouraged. For details and to register, call the Gwinnett Red Cross Service Center at 770-963-9208. Registration can also be done on-line at www.redcrossatlanta.org. General information is available by calling 1-800-Red Cross (733-2767).

2/21: Atlanta History Center gets new director

The Atlanta History Center today announced the appointment of James H. Bruns as executive director of the organization. Currently with the Smithsonian in Washington D.C., Bruns has served in various museum professional positions, including founding director of the National Postal Museum and director of development for the Smithsonian, responsible for institution-wide fundraising and development activities.

"We're delighted to welcome James Bruns, a veteran museum executive, to the Atlanta cultural community," said Thomas D. Hills, chairman of the Atlanta History Center Board of Trustees. "Jim brings a depth of leadership and museum experience that will build on the excellent work accomplished by History Center staff. We're confident that the organization will continue to thrive under his leadership."

Mr. Bruns has been a visible part of the Smithsonian for more than 20 years. Most recently, Bruns was director of development at the Smithsonian, where he coordinated raising millions of dollars in commitments for the organization as well as launched a new endowment campaign. Bruns previously served as director of operations for the under secretary for American Museums & National Programs, with advisory responsibility for policy, planning, programs and operational matters for nine museums. During the 1990s, Bruns established, created and managed the National Postal Museum, with an annual operating budget of $3 million and a monthly attendance of 50,000 visitors, making it the Smithsonian's most popular venue "off the National Mall."