Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary focus of Microsoft's TechSpark initiative?
What is the primary focus of Microsoft's TechSpark initiative?
- Fostering job creation and economic opportunities in rural communities. (correct)
- Promoting Microsoft products in urban areas.
- Developing new software products.
- Investing in renewable energy sources.
Jeremy Satterfield believes broadband access is a luxury, not a necessity, for education and economic development.
Jeremy Satterfield believes broadband access is a luxury, not a necessity, for education and economic development.
False (B)
Name three primary areas of support provided by Microsoft TechSpark.
Name three primary areas of support provided by Microsoft TechSpark.
Digital skills and computer science education, broadband connectivity, and support for local startups and small businesses.
Jeremy Satterfield serves on the Board of Directors for Virginia Ed Strategies, an organization focused on improving _________ outcomes in Virginia.
Jeremy Satterfield serves on the Board of Directors for Virginia Ed Strategies, an organization focused on improving _________ outcomes in Virginia.
Match the following focus areas with their potential benefits in rural communities:
Match the following focus areas with their potential benefits in rural communities:
Which of the following is a potential benefit of expanding broadband infrastructure in rural areas?
Which of the following is a potential benefit of expanding broadband infrastructure in rural areas?
Collaborating with local community colleges to offer training aligned with employer needs is not a recommended discussion point for workforce development.
Collaborating with local community colleges to offer training aligned with employer needs is not a recommended discussion point for workforce development.
Besides broadband, what other type of support could TechSpark provide to help small businesses in rural areas digitize or expand e-commerce capabilities?
Besides broadband, what other type of support could TechSpark provide to help small businesses in rural areas digitize or expand e-commerce capabilities?
Aligning K-12 _____ curricula with local economic needs helps prepare students for future job opportunities in their region.
Aligning K-12 _____ curricula with local economic needs helps prepare students for future job opportunities in their region.
What is the main reason for maintaining a relationship with TechSpark?
What is the main reason for maintaining a relationship with TechSpark?
Highlighting mutual goals between your organization and TechSpark makes a weaker case for partnership.
Highlighting mutual goals between your organization and TechSpark makes a weaker case for partnership.
Name two of the boards on which Jeremy Satterfield sits.
Name two of the boards on which Jeremy Satterfield sits.
Discussing potential partnerships with regional electric cooperatives like _________ Electric Cooperative, which Jeremy Satterfield has mentioned, can bolster broadband expansion efforts.
Discussing potential partnerships with regional electric cooperatives like _________ Electric Cooperative, which Jeremy Satterfield has mentioned, can bolster broadband expansion efforts.
When proposing concrete ideas to TechSpark, what characteristic should your pitch have?
When proposing concrete ideas to TechSpark, what characteristic should your pitch have?
Match the suggested actions with their respective purposes for a successful meeting with Jeremy Satterfield:
Match the suggested actions with their respective purposes for a successful meeting with Jeremy Satterfield:
Telehealth is becoming less critical in providing healthcare to rural areas due to improved infrastructure.
Telehealth is becoming less critical in providing healthcare to rural areas due to improved infrastructure.
What specific information is useful to share regarding Clintwood during the meeting to demonstrate local needs?
What specific information is useful to share regarding Clintwood during the meeting to demonstrate local needs?
Inquiring about existing Microsoft/community programs allows you to understand how to get _______ in current community initiatives.
Inquiring about existing Microsoft/community programs allows you to understand how to get _______ in current community initiatives.
Which of the following strategies is LEAST likely to result in a successful, long-term partnership with Microsoft TechSpark?
Which of the following strategies is LEAST likely to result in a successful, long-term partnership with Microsoft TechSpark?
Describe a scenario where limited broadband access directly hinders economic development in a rural community and provide a practical solution to address this through a partnership with TechSpark.
Describe a scenario where limited broadband access directly hinders economic development in a rural community and provide a practical solution to address this through a partnership with TechSpark.
Flashcards
Jeremy Satterfield's Role
Jeremy Satterfield's Role
Manager of TechSpark Virginia at Microsoft, focusing on job creation and economic opportunities in rural communities.
Microsoft TechSpark's Mission
Microsoft TechSpark's Mission
Aims to help smaller, rural communities access technology, digital skills, and resources for economic growth.
TechSpark's Support Areas
TechSpark's Support Areas
Digital skills, career pathways, broadband, startups, and digital transformation.
Broadband Importance
Broadband Importance
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Workforce Development
Workforce Development
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Education Partnerships
Education Partnerships
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Small Business Support
Small Business Support
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Telehealth Technology
Telehealth Technology
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Ongoing Engagement
Ongoing Engagement
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Meeting Success Tips
Meeting Success Tips
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Improving Digital Literacy
Improving Digital Literacy
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Strategic Partnership
Strategic Partnership
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Long-Term Vision
Long-Term Vision
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Benefits of Broadband
Benefits of Broadband
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Broadband Partnerships
Broadband Partnerships
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Coding Camps
Coding Camps
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Rural Telehealth
Rural Telehealth
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Funding Broadband
Funding Broadband
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In-Demand Training
In-Demand Training
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Telemedicine Benefits
Telemedicine Benefits
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Study Notes
- Focuses on job creation and economic opportunities in rural communities
- Jeremy Satterfield is the Manager of TechSpark Virginia at Microsoft and a lifelong resident of Southern Virginia.
- Jeremy sits on boards such as local chambers of commerce, industrial development authorities, and educational foundations.
- Jeremy serves on the Board of Directors for Virginia Ed Strategies.
- Broadband access is essential for education and economic development.
Microsoft TechSpark
- A Microsoft philanthropic initiative that helps smaller and rural communities get access to technology, digital skills, and resources.
- Drives economic growth
- Key areas of support are digital skills, computer science education, career pathways, broadband connectivity, local startups, small businesses, and digital transformation of local economies.
- Provides grants, training, partnerships, and infrastructure support for communities, focusing on broadband expansion, workforce development, and educational partnerships.
Possible Discussion Topics
Broadband Infrastructure & Connectivity
- Key to: economic growth, remote work, online education, telehealth, and community development.
- Talking points involve current connectivity challenges, potential partnerships with ISPs or electric cooperatives, and funding opportunities to close the digital divide.
Local Workforce Development & Digital Skills Training
- Focuses on building digital literacy and tech skills to create job opportunities.
- Talking points: coding camps, apprenticeships, micro-credential programs, collaborations with community colleges (VCCS), Microsoft certifications, and training programs.
Education Partnerships (K-12 and Higher Ed)
- States that education is a major component of rural economic development and workforce preparation.
- Talking points: computer science programs in schools, aligning STEM curricula with local economic needs, Microsoft’s support of school infrastructure, devices, and teacher training with potential alignment with Virginia Ed Strategies.
Entrepreneurship and Small Business Support
- Focuses on startups and local businesses and access to resources and mentorship in rural areas.
- Talking points: access to capital, incubator programs, co-working spaces, mentorship networks, Microsoft tools, and partnerships to help small businesses digitize or expand e-commerce.
Telehealth and Healthcare Technology
- Increasingly critical in rural areas
- Broadband connectivity + proper technology can help reduce healthcare disparities.
- Talking points involve collaborations with local healthcare providers to improve telehealth services and grants or pilot programs that Microsoft may support.
Next Steps & Ongoing Engagement
- Critical to maintain relationship with TechSpark to open doors for future partnerships and resources.
- Talking points: schedule follow-up calls, inquire about existing Microsoft/community programs, and ask for further introductions to other relevant stakeholders.
Sample Questions
Broadband & Connectivity
- Ask about impactful broadband-related projects in rural Virginia.
- Consider existing funding opportunities or grant programs for local broadband infrastructure.
Education & Workforce
- Ask how TechSpark works with local schools and community colleges to improve digital literacy and provide specialized tech training.
- Consider the types of certifications or training as most in-demand among employers in Southern Virginia.
Collaboration & Networking
- Ask who the local partner institutions are - educational, nonprofits, economic development etc.
- Consider any success stories in similar communities where a partnership with TechSpark made a significant difference.
Program & Resource Access
- Ask about the key programs or resources Microsoft can offer.
- Consider how to align current projects or organizational goals with TechSpark’s mission for a more strategic partnership.
Long-Term Vision
- Ask about the long-term vision for tech-driven economic development in Southern Virginia, and consider how to contribute.
- Consider how broadband, education, and economic outcomes improved in this region
Tips for a Successful Meeting
- Assess local issues like broadband speeds and unemployment rates for sharing.
- Align goals with TechSpark’s mission to strengthen the case for partnership.
- Propose specific initiatives with a concise pitch.
- Suggest a timeline, further meetings, or an action plan.
- Maintain an open line of communication.
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