by Mark Shapiro, Senior Architect-Application Development, Segue Technologies
Software Development Methodologies
methodology (n) – a set or system of methods, principles, and rules for regulating a given discipline, as in the arts or sciences[1] 
Software development methodologies are an important component of any website or mobile application project. Through the use of a methodology, we can ensure that we are following best practices, learning from our past work, and making the most efficient use of our budget. In contrast, an ad-hoc approach can result in an app which does not work well, has security vulnerabilities, and in the end, costs more than it should. Perhaps more importantly, a good methodology allows you to know the “what” and the “how” of your project – before you start you will know (at least at a high level) what you’ll be doing and how you’ll be doing it; by the end you will have a clear understanding of what you did and how you did it; and throughout the project’s life decisions will be made through reasoned and rational discourse rather than on a whim.
Agile Development
agile (adj) – quick and well-coordinated in movement; lithe; marked by an ability to think quickly[1] 
The Agile software development methodology, formalized in 2001, is an iterative and incremental methodology with a strong focus on communication and collaboration amongst team members; rapid turn-around and short feedback cycles; and adaptation to change. Agile projects tend to have very short development cycles (often called ‘sprints’) of 1-2 weeks, with a live demonstration at the end of each sprint. With this approach, project stakeholders can see what they are getting early on in the project, and provide feedback on desired changes to ensure a successful product launch at the end of the project. Additionally, for projects where initial time to market is more important than delivering a complete set of features, an agile methodology can help a project team focus on the “minimum viable product” (MVP) for initial delivery, with enhancements delivered on a regular basis after the first launch. Having one of the first ride-sharing applications helped Uber become a dominant player in the market, though the first versions of the Uber mobile apps for iOS and Android had significantly more limited functionality than they have today (it was not until Uber v1.0.48 that you could do something as simple as saving favorite pickup locations.)
Company-Customer Collaboration
collaboration (n) – the action of working with someone to produce or create something[1] 
For a small business looking for a simple web presence, a one-size-fits-all approach to creating a stock website with basic graphics and content may be sufficient. For a truly dynamic site which attracts and retains customers, or for a mobile app which allows users to access your brand’s capabilities, you need a custom built site or app tailored to your specific requirements. This is where collaboration is, not to put it too fine a point on it, critical. Collaboration is more than just handing off a set of requirements and waiting for a response – it’s being mutually engaged, on a frequent (if not daily) basis reviewing work, providing feedback, answering questions, and working together to achieve a common goal.

Buy Local, Buy Chamber!

local (adj) – belonging or relating to a particular area or neighborhood, typically exclusively so[1] 

Many global software development companies tout themselves as being able to take your requirements and turn around a working app with very little input from you in between. Others allow you the frequent product demos, which Agile recommends, but don’t let you see or speak to the people doing the actual work whenever you want (often because they’re 8-12 time zones away).  This non-collaboration rarely results in a truly successful experience. By using a local software development company, you are not just hiring a faceless entity who will hand you something and then move on to the next customer. Instead, you can choose to engage with a partner who will work closely with you to help you realize your business vision and whose success and reputation is aligned with yours.
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 [1] Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved October 9, 2015 from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com  

​by Marshall H. Ginn, CFRE, Managing Director, Capital Development Strategies LLC 
Community engagement and intentionality
Did you get a request recently to sponsor a local nonprofit’s annual gala? Did you want to respond with more than a simple “no thank you?” However, their work did catch your attention, and you wish they had asked you a few months ago. Did you learn about a serious community issue on Twitter that really got you going? You want to do something and you feel that your business has some responsibility to get involved, but you’re wary of a knee-jerk reaction and of diving into something without a plan. You’re a savvy business person, but you hesitate when it comes to giving back to the community.  Don’t worry, it’s a complicated subject, and you’re not alone.
One sign that a business is demonstrating leadership in community involvement is an intentional focus on helping “to define needs, set direction and initiate meaningful change around community/societal issues.” This is the first of seven “Standards of Excellence in Corporate Community Involvement” developed by the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship.  They provide a framework for companies acting as forces for good in their local community, region and even globally.  
Businesses have a significant role to play in the welfare of our communities. They have resources that can be invested in causes, programs or initiatives that affect both customers and employees.  They have a place in the community from which they can spread the word or speak out on critical topics. Supporting nonprofits, working to address a particular social issue or providing ways for employees to connect with the community in meaningful, authentic ways are noble aims. But this should not be left to an ad hoc approach or periodic investment; it must be framed within the context of a sound business strategy.
More than just being “nice”
Mark Shamley, President and CEO of ACCP, the national association for professionals who work in corporate philanthropy, said in a recent blog that a corporation’s engaging in effective social responsibility isn’t just about a corporation’s being “nice.” It is about engaging the forces that affect its market, its employees and its operating resources. In short, it’s not just nice, it’s a critical business function.
Regardless of the size of your business - small family-owned shop, mid-sized professional firm or large corporation - you should give community engagement some thought.  What issues are important to you as well as your customers?  Do you understand the values and needs of your employees?  You should be attentive to how those issues and values intersect with those elements that drive a community’s sustainable welfare. 
Take advantage of opportunities to learn about critical societal issues affecting your customers, marketplace and employees. Nonprofit organizations are often encouraged to join their local Chamber of Commerce to help them understand the issues faced by businesses in their region. Likewise, as local businesses, we must take a similar approach and learn more about social and community issues. For example, this fall’s Nonprofit Forum hosted by the Arlington Chamber is just such an opportunity through which we can learn about regional nonprofits and explore real examples of productive partnerships in action.
Take those important first steps
Whether it’s philanthropic support, sponsorship, in-kind giving or even public advocacy, this type of engagement takes work and intentionality. It requires a strategic approach that’s integrated into your ongoing work and tied to your company’s capacities and expertise. The approach must be understood by senior management and junior-level employees – and there should be opportunities for both to get involved. 
Start by making a simple plan that focuses on what you want to achieve with a community engagement strategy. There are many tools, consultants and resources out there that can provide guidance and examples of best practice along the way.  All possible business objectives might not be accomplished with your first attempt at corporate philanthropy, but it’s important to take those first steps, evaluate the results and adjust accordingly. 
Working together, the business community and nonprofits can have an incredible and lasting impact on our community and on the issues that affect us all.  Let’s get started! 

​by David Griffin, Director of Marketing, Capitol Shine
There are four types of professionals working in Arlington - those who take the Metro, those who walk, those who carpool and those who drive. For those of us who drive, what is the best way to keep our vehicle clean when constantly on the go? If you think about it, your car, truck, van or SUV is kind of your office before you get to you office, so shouldn’t we strive to keep it neat? Many times, that breakfast or coffee for you turns into a meal for your interior as well – in the form of spills and crumbs. Basically, a lot can happen to your interior over weekday commutes. 
We are Capitol Shine - professional auto detailers with locations in Arlington, Washington, D.C. and Bethesda, MD. With the number of vehicles we see on a daily basis, it's clear no two vehicles are alike. However, we've assembled a small list of simple items that can help prevent a dirty interior and save you a headache in the future.
1) Keep a small trash bag in your car: Believe it or not, there are small trash and litter bags available for your vehicle. These are reusable and come in a variety of colors and patterns so as not to look tacky. Simply have your kids or guests put their collective trash in this pouch and empty at the end of the day. These bags are available at a number of local retailers like auto stores.
2) Keep a car organizer. A car organizer can neatly fit in your trunk and has many pockets for extra napkins, wet wipes, snacks, water bottles, sunglasses, tire pressure gauges, upholstery cleaners, jumper cables and more. They also come in a variety of styles – large ones for the trunk, ones with straps for the back of the seat and even some in the style of a center armrest.
3) Make a habit of taking something out every time you leave. This action item works well for many people. Chances are that every time you get out of your car, there is a trash can nearby. Make a habit of taking those receipts, dirty napkins and breakfast wrappers out when you get out for work, your home or a fuel stop.
3) Vacuum. Vacuuming is always helpful to pick up crumbs and dirt that are not too embedded into the carpet. Whether you use your own vacuum or let a professional auto detailer like Capitol Shine do the job, it is a great way to quickly take care of messes. However, if dirt, mud or other items have been smashed into the carpet, your vehicle may require an...
4) Interior Shampoo. Not only will an interior shampoo help get up dirt and debris embedded into the seats and carpet, but it will also aid in removing odors. Capitol Shine has concentrated chemicals specially designed to get almost anything out:
5) Apply a protective interior coating. Preventative measures always work best. At Capitol Shine, we offer protective coatings for both interior and exteriors. One of our interior coatings, Ceramic Pro, can be applied to upholstery, leather, plastic, suede, rubber and more. These coatings are stain and spill repellent, allowing liquids to bead up on the top surface, which makes for easier cleanup. Our Ceramic Pro interior coating is also UV resistant and extremely durable. We welcome you to come see what all the hype is about when it comes to protective coatings.
We know you’re busy, so if you don't have time to clean your vehicle yourself, we're here to help and make it convenient for you. Have other questions on maintaining your vehicle’s interior? We’re here to help! 

​by Eric Schaefer, CFP®, CRPS®, Evermay Wealth Management 
A common concern of business owners and employees is whether they will have enough saved for a comfortable retirement. One of the best ways to improve the rate of savings is through an employer sponsored retirement plan. While common among larger companies, small business owners often reinvest a majority of their earnings back into the business as opposed to setting up a plan. As businesses grow, so does the list of benefits a retirement plan can offer business owners and employees.
Qualified retirement plans are vehicles for tax deferred retirement savings. Some allow employees to defer current income into the plan through a payroll deduction. Many offer employers the option of matching employee contributions or adding profit sharing contributions. Retirement plans not only provide a current year tax benefit to participants, they can serve as recruiting and staff retention tools. Many prospective and current employees are aware of the importance of retirement savings, and chances are, competitors have retirement plans in place. For the individual business owner, they also provide an opportunity to diversify their retirement portfolio by building an asset separate from the business.
Deciding which type of retirement plan is appropriate for your business can be difficult without proper guidance. Considerations include number of employees, consistency of cash flow, employee turnover and the intentions of the business owner. Below, I will highlight a few options that may be appropriate for businesses with more than one employee. In a future blog post, I will detail some of the options available to self-employed individuals.
SEP IRA’s:
Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA plans are popular for smaller businesses as they have minimal start up and operating costs and allow for contributions up to 25% of each employee’s pay (up to a maximum contribution of $53,000 in 2015). While SEP IRAs are simple to establish, they are limited to only employer contributions. Contributions are a deductible expense to the business and employers have the flexibility of choosing whether or not to contribute each year. When contributions are made, they must be spread equally across all eligible employees using one of 3 formulas: Pro Rata, Equal Dollar, or Social Security Integrated.
401(k):
This is probably the most widely known employer sponsored retirement plan. This plan allows employees to defer up to $18,000 annually into the plan in 2015 (up to $24,000 if they’re over age 50). In addition to the employee contribution, employers have several contribution options including fixed, matching, profit sharing or no contribution at all. Providing a matching benefit is a great way to incentivize your employees to save and plan for the future. As ERISA covered plans, it is important to make sure eligibility, fiduciary and reporting requirements are met on an ongoing basis. While these plans provide a lot of flexibility, the setup and administration costs may deter very small employers.
Pension Plans:
High administration costs and long term actuarial risks have driven many companies away from traditional pension plans, but they may still be appropriate for certain professional service groups.
Pensions come in several forms including cash balance, money purchase plans, defined benefit and hybrid plans. Setting up a traditional pension can be time consuming and cost several thousand dollars, but may allow for significantly higher contributions than other qualified plans. While most retirement plans are limited to a total contribution of $53,000, pension contributions are often made based on actuarial data. Actuaries may determine a plan is vastly underfunded when first set up, allowing contributions well in excess of a typical retirement plan’s limit. These are popular among older high earning consultants, contractors, physicians and attorneys.
Conclusion:
In summary, investing the time and money in setting up the right retirement plan for your company can save the business and its employees a significant amount in current year taxes while also encouraging saving for the future. There are over a dozen types of retirement plans used in businesses and non-profits but each organization has unique needs, circumstances and goals that factor in to which plan type is most appropriate. In Part 2, I will give an overview of plans available to individual employee-employers.
Eric Schaefer, CFP® is a Financial Advisor with Evermay Wealth Management, an independent fee-only investment advisory firm in Arlington, VA. Eric can be reached by e-mail at ESchaefer@evermaywealth.com or by phone at (703) 822-5696.