Forge News and Updates |
As the winter chill embraces our community at Forge, December arrives with a flourish of festivities. Get ready to unwrap a month filled with events that celebrate the spirit of the season.
#1: Holiday Mix-er Event on December 6
Jingle, Mingle and Mix! Join us for a holiday workshop and learn how to make two tasty holiday cocktails with Diego Lopez from The Louis Bar– one of these cocktails will be an espresso martini with Honest Coffee.
This event is free for Forge members and open to the public- $20 for nonmembers. Forge Members can use the code ForgeMember when registering on Eventbrite. Join us to get into the holiday spirit! RSVP here.
#2: 10 Days of Giveaways on Forge’s Instagram
Every year Forge collaborates with local businesses to post giveaways leading up to Christmas! Check out our sponsors for this year: Unos Tacos, The Louis, Asthetik, x4 Fitness, Cala Coffee, House Plant Collective, Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema, Thirstea, Ashley Mac’s Kitchen. Be sure to pay attention to Forge’s Instagram posts December 4-15 for a chance to win some awesome prizes.
#3: Community Giveback Supporting STREAM Innovations
Forge is partnering with
STREAM Innovations in the month of December. Over the years, STREAM Innovations has hosted Lego Build Challenges and given away Lego sets to foster imagination and creativity for young innovators across Birmingham. We have identified a number of students that have never played with Legos or didn’t have access to Legos at home.
We need your help this holiday season by donating new and used Legos to STREAM Innovations to inspire the next generation of engineers, artists, and creatives. STREAM plans to use your Lego donations in 2024 for STREAM Lego giveaways and STREAM programming across Birmingham.
#4: Forge’s Holiday Sale
Unwrap the gift of productivity this holiday season! Enjoy 50% off your first two months with Forge’s Coworking Membership. Elevate your workdays with 24/7 access, exclusive events, and more. It’s the season of savings and success!
From the clinking of glasses at our Holiday Mixer to the anticipation of our ’10 Days of Giveaways’ showcasing local businesses on Instagram, and the warmth of our community giveback event collecting Legos for STREAM Innovations, December at Forge will be full of connections, celebrations, and acts of kindness.
Join us as we usher in the most wonderful time of the year within the walls of our shared workspace. Let the festivities begin!
Forge News and Updates |
Forge is happy to welcome Rosie Stafford Smith! She is the Founder, Principal Consultant of the Stafford Smith Group.
In addition to your job title, tell us a little bit about what you do/your company does.
We help busy social impact leaders turn their big ideas into feasible, funded strategies.
Most often that looks like working around the US with 1) nonprofits and their boards on strategic planning, 2) donors to invest their philanthropic dollars, or 3) companies to design and/or execute community programs aligned to their values.
The heart of what we do is helping resources–ideas, funding, strategy–connect with the people and places it can have the greatest impact.
What is your favorite part about your job?
The creativity of continuing to reinvent ourselves; we are always learning what works–and doesn’t. It’s energizing not to feel stuck but to feel like there’s a puzzle we’re continuing to solve for ourselves and our clients.
What made you decide to join Forge?
Our team is growing, and we were looking for a place to gather and collaborate in person without being in the middle of a coffee shop or library.Our team is growing, and we were looking for a place to gather and collaborate in person without being in the middle of a coffee shop or library.
What is your favorite thing about Forge?
The location and natural light–love being close to so many of our clients and not feel like we’re in some soulless building.
What is your favorite spot/place to work at Forge?
Our office or the communal space with the white board.
What are your favorite tech tools to get your job done or keep your life organized?
Loom for sharing processes/feedback with the team.
Is there a product you cannot live without?
My airpods
What is the last show you binge-watched?
Lupin
What is your ideal weekend in Birmingham?
Delicious coffee from June and breakfast at Lady Bird tacos, time at Red Mountain park hiking with my family or a workout at X4, reading a book on my porch, grabbing a cocktail with friends at Juniper, home in bed by 9:30pm.
Forge News and Updates |
In the heart of Forge’s collaborative workspace, ideas are evolving, and businesses are flourishing. We want to shine a spotlight on five exceptional members who are leading the charge with their exciting ventures. From tech startups to creative agencies, our diverse community is a hotbed of talent and innovation, and these entrepreneurs exemplify the spirit of success that permeates our coworking space. Join us as we take a closer look at the stories of these remarkable individuals and their businesses, and discover how Forge serves as the launchpad for their inspiring journeys.
Vero Skills
The aim of Vero Skills is to train disadvantaged individuals in values-driven corporations’ unique entry-level qualifications to resolve the tech talent deficit facing America. Vero Skills provides underserved students access to on-demand training and mentoring by top industry professional software developers who work for the biggest companies in the world.
By working with their community partners, Vero Skills aims to help every student overcome the barriers they face and achieve their goals of entering the tech industry.
Project EMS
Project EMS motivates and supports under-resourced students from multiple socioeconomic demographics on their journey towards a successful academic education. Project EMS, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible nonprofit organization that believes they can create a future in which every student will have equal access to educational resources and opportunities.
Project EMS hosts a STEAM Camp in the summer! (STEAM represents STEM plus the arts – humanities, language arts, dance, drama, music, visual arts, design and new media.) Project EMS, Inc. proudly hosted their Second Annual STEAM Camp, immersing students in an exhilarating week of hands-on learning. From suturing and dissections to 3D printing, rollercoaster dynamics, and drones, the campers had an incredible experience!
Golightly Landscape Architecture
John Wilson of Golightly Landscape Architecture has been a member at Forge from the very beginning! From tidy courtyard gardens and exterior renovations to master plans for new construction and estates, Golightly Landscape Architecture provides comprehensive and site-specific designs that draw their clients into the garden.
From master plans for new construction and estates to courtyard gardens and exterior renovations, Golightly Landscape Architecture has designed more than 80 residential gardens in Birmingham and beyond. Check out some of their work here.
Stafford Smith Group
The Stafford Smith Group prides themselves on helping busy social impact leaders get their ideas out of their heads and into the world. Rosie Stafford Smith has a knack for simplifying complexity and she has a lifelong commitment to social justice. Rosie works with a variety of leading families, nonprofits and companies across the United States.
The Stafford Smith Group has worked with clients like Jones Valley Teaching Farm, Protective Life and United Way. They most often are hired for strategic planning, philanthropy advising and strategy coaching.
AMZ Atlas
At AMZ Atlas they have a depth of knowledge and singular focus on Amazon that allows them to create more value for their clients- clients who are in desperate need of hyper-focused Amazon services.
The AMZ Atlas team is made up of strategists and tacticians, from former brand managers with hard-earned Amazon success, to specialists who live and breathe the world of Amazon commerce, and veterans in areas like retail pricing, inventory, brand protection, and operational experts who thrive on efficiency.
At Forge, innovation and collaboration thrive, and the stories of these remarkable businesses serve as a testament to our community. From empowering underserved students through tech training to inspiring the next generation of scholars with STEAM education, and from crafting beautiful landscapes to catalyzing social impact, these entrepreneurs are not just building businesses; they’re shaping a better future.
As we continue to grow together within our collaborative workspace, we’re inspired by our Forge members. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for them and all the other incredible members who make our coworking space a hub of innovation and success.
Forge News and Updates |
Meet Forge Member Ellen Skrmetti!
What is your job/title?
Writer/Content Creator
In addition to your job title, tell us a little bit about what you do/your company does.
I’m under contract with Worthy Publishing an imprint of Hachett Book Group to bring my Instagram content to life with a book titled “Hey Jesus, It’s Me.” In addition to creating content, I’m also developing my stand up show.
What is your favorite part about your job?
It’s all like living in a dream. I can’t believe that I’m able to make a living from my writing and comedy.
What made you decide to join Forge?
My husband works from home and I need a distraction free zone so I can write. I joke that 2 hours at Forge is like 6 hours at home.
What is your favorite thing about Forge?
I love the people and feeling like I have a real job!
What is your favorite spot/place to work at Forge?
Catch me in the cubes!
What are your favorite tech tools to get your job done or keep your life organized?
I love to stay as low tech as possible. As long as I have a Google Calendar – I’m set.
Is there a product you cannot live without?
My phone. It’s how I record my content and track my analytics.
What is the last show you binge-watched?
I haven’t been the same since Snowfall and Succession ended. I’m not sure I can watch TV again.
What is your ideal weekend in Birmingham?
I cannot wait to spend my weekend with my husband on the grill and football on the TV and our kids playing in the backyard!
Be sure to follow Ellen on Instagram for some hilarious content!
Forge News and Updates |
In this blog post, we’ll delve into the art and science of navigating the newest changes to the LinkedIn algorithm to elevate your presence on LinkedIn, connecting you with opportunities, clients, and partners. Donna Gilliland of MOSTraining came to Forge to teach a Lunch & Learn about harnessing the power of the LinkedIn algorithm. Whether you’re a seasoned LinkedIn pro or just starting your journey, these insights will empower you to make your mark in the digital professional landscape.
The LinkedIn algorithm changed in March 2023. The algorithm determines what content is sent to its userbase. What does the LinkedIn algorithm reward? What does it punish? Let’s delve in!
LinkedIn users are saying “I want to better at what I do.”
~ Daniel Roth, Editor in Chief, VP at LinkedIn
Quality and Low-Quality Algorithm Signals
- Engagement: quality comments are a positive signal whereas a simple click of like isn’t. Think of holding a conversation when you comment. What does that look like?
- A lackluster comment: “Good Job”
- A meaningful comment: Yes, our team uses ChatGPT too. It has been a great tool for our sales agents. Here are a few prompts we have found useful.
- Appropriate use of hashtags: Three to five is considered best. Make sure they are content relevant. If you start using too many hashtags and meaningless ones that is a poor-quality signal to the algorithm.
- Encourage interaction from your connections by asking a question.
- Too many misspelled words signal a low-quality. Make certain you proofread.
- Tagging etiquette: only tag people in your post where it makes sense! Don’t be an over-tagger.
A couple quick tips from Alice Xiong, Director of Product, LinkedIn Search on what people say they want to see more of.
- Content posts that increase knowledge and gives advice.
- People want to feel connected with others.
- Help in discovering the right opportunities.
LinkedIn is now evaluating your authority, which is why it’s important that your profile aligns with your expertise. It might be time for you to do a LinkedIn profile refresh.
“We are looking to see that you are building community around content, and around knowledge-sharing that you are uniquely qualified to talk about,” ~ Daniel Roth, VP at LinkedIn
Tips to Increase Your Posts’ Visibility:
- Engagement with relevant content
- Follow relevant profiles
- Connect with your target audience
- Post valuable content
- Use relevant hashtags
- Create and share video content (you could potentially get more visibility if you upload the video rather than link to an external website, like YouTube.)
- Engage in LinkedIn groups
- Leverage LinkedIn analytics on your post engagement
Below is a suggested learning resource from Donna about the recent LinkedIn Algorithm changes.
Donna Gilliland’s enlightening Lunch & Learn session here at Forge has shed light on the nuances of LinkedIn! To enhance your visibility and make a lasting impact on this platform, be sure to engage with relevant content, follow profiles that inspire you, and create valuable contributions to the LinkedIn community. By embracing these principles and staying attuned to the evolving landscape, you can harness the power of the LinkedIn algorithm! Be sure to follow Forge and join us for upcoming events!
