Being On Top
The economy is hurting just about everyone. Unless you had the foresight about 9 months ago to move all of your holdings out of stocks, bonds, and real estate and into some obscure (stable) currency, you’ve taken a beating. Companies are no different.
In Loudoun County, Virginia, some companies have felt the sting more than others. One example is the American Red Cross. In the wealthiest county in America (according to several publications), the Red Cross, arguably the most recognizeable resource for First Aid and CPR training anywhere, has pulled out. That is, their education department has pulled out. They are referring all of their course inquiries to Fairfax, DC and Winchester.
Are you serious?
I contacted the Red Cross, to ask how I could get certified and referred on their site to offer courses locally. They indicated that they were content to continue to use their existing referral network. On their website, it refers one to the National Capital Area chapter….in DC. All courses are offered….in DC. Actually, some are in Prince Georges County, Maryland. They just weren’t interested in certifying another instructor, so that they continue to offer Red Cross classes locally, through their chapter.
Really.
Alright, so now, much of my hard work is having benefits for both myself and my fellow citizens. I’m getting a few more phone calls, and I, in turn, am able to coordinate classes locally, through a variety of organizations that ARE interested in letting me offer instruction in Loudoun County, Virginia. Carfeul marketing strategies have my company pop on top on most web searches, and generate referrals through our local chambers of commerce.
Why is this my blog topic? Well, at this point, if you have stumbled across the blog, it’s because you web-searched for it or for me. My moral, today, is to let you know that there is always a way. Whether it is learning CPR, finding a personal trainer, or seeking out a nanny, you can find exactly what you want, when you want it, no matter what the economy is doing. It just takes a little bit more time to find it. It’s out there, though.
I have taken many American Red Cross courses and have found them to be head and shoulders above the rest…and i have tried them all. yes the economy is really hitting hard but when you concidder that the Red Cross as a non profit also reacts to our national and local disasters it is no wonder they have to tighten their belts. with donations, the life blood of the Red Cross, down they have found ways of STILL PROVIDING TRAINING to Loudoun County and others acress the VA, MC, DC area by offering ON LINE training as well as community training by simply registering at http://www.redcrossnca.org they will continue to meet the needs of our communities supplying the best OSHA training on the market to companies individuals like me and to groups that request it. I dont know what we would do without the REd Cross being their in our time of need.
Thanks for your reply. I meant no ill-will toward the American Red Cross, or the quality of their training. In scanning the website below, there are some online CPR courses available, and for certification, you can find a Red Cross Instructor to verify your skills to obtain your 1 year certification card. To attend a class, if you do not have a “group”, you can register for classes currently offered in Fairfax, Hyattsville, Silver Spring or Washington DC. If you do have a “group” the Red Cross will come to teach you, just send them an email.
The Red Cross, of course, is to be commended for their work in the face of so many national and international disasters.
If you have difficulty getting a response from ARC, or don’t have a group big enough, please let me know. My job is to ensure you get the training you need or want. I even do one-on-one classes, if you need them.
In the interest of full disclosure, the above response came to me from a Red Cross National Capital Area email account.