How: nGen Works

nGen Works is a local web development business here in Jacksonville, Florida. They not only take on local projects, but also projects for clients all over the world. From it's small exterior store front nGen Works does not look like much, but one can gain a great appreciation for the grand work this small team of people can accomplish as a whole.

Inside, a small office setting with dim lights, a group of computers arranged against the left side of the room. Only eight employees including owner Carl Smith make up the nGen Works team. Two of which work out of state, and the other who all have flexible work schedules of their own. This relaxing work environment and cheery crew definitely leaves a lasting impression for what one would hope to experience when working for a web development company.

The owner Carl Smith is laid back and approachable, and overall seems like a cool guy to work for. Instead of picking the skills he wanted his employees to possess, he chose the people he liked, and assembled an optimal work crew. This is a far less traditional approach versus one a lot of companies would have taken. I think this approach has clearly been advantageous to the success of nGen Works and will continue to serve it well in the future.

Visit their website: http://www.ngenworks.com

Hashrocket: to infinity and beyond....

My class recently took a trip to visit Hashrocket, a local web
development company located in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. The seventh
floor view was spectacular, glass walled offices with an up scale
kitchen area, dimly lit with scattered computers and couches, it was
more than just a bit inviting. It would be any aspiring web developers
dream to have such a posh working environment.

During our visit, we were able to meet the founder and CEO Obie
Fernandez. He spoke with us briefly about what makes Hashrocket truly
unique amongst web development companies. One of the most interesting
topics of conversation was the company's use of Ruby on Rails. Which is
an essential part of the development process at Hashrocket. Since many
developers in the field are not familiar with this process, developers
with this knowledge are currently in high demand.

Later we were able to listen to a presentation by Dennis Eusebio
(Creative Director) and Shane Riley (Front End Developer). During the
presentation we were able to see the process Hashrocket utilizes to
achieve its success among it's cliental. From the beginning consultation
with the client, to the finalization of the web application, Hashrocket
has it's professionalism and knowledge up to par with today's growing
market. Overall with their open door policy, live streaming videos, and
contributions to open source, they have been highly informative. Thanks
Hashrocket! :)

Visit the site: www.hashrocket.com

The Robin Shepherd Group has got it goin' on

Recently I visited The Robin Shepherd Group of Jacksonville, Florida.
This is a local advertising firm that offers a variety of options for
companies wishing to attract new business. Established in 1984, this
company has definitely survived many trends in the world of advertising,
and stays up to date on the cutting edge. Now with 50 employees, it
offers jobs to designers, web designers, programmers, graphic designers,
and copy writers alike.

After listening to the opening speech about the company, we were taken
on a short tour of the office area. Upon viewing the work environment, I
could definitely see myself working at a place like The Robin Shepherd
Group. Instead of the sleezy corporate feel you could imagine at an
advertising firm, The Robin Shepherd Group feels inspiring. The employee
desks are decorated with objects that fuel their creative energies, and
the office environment looks like a hip cafe you'd visit to unwind. Not
to mention the employees looked happy! Nothing more inviting about a
company, than one who has employees that love their jobs.

I think their mission statement says it all : "To save the world from
the bland and boring, pedestrian and ineffective marketing that
threatens to numb consumers to death on a daily basis." Not only is this
a basis they use for their advertising projects, The Robin Shepherd
Group also believes in taking a different approach to it's corporate
structure, allowing a more approachable and creative feel to it's
company.

Visit their official site: http://www.trsg.net