[Hidden-tech] HT in the news today - hope to see all of you!

[A - Z International]

Skills survey finds high tech to arts

Tuesday, May 17, 2005
By WILLIAM FREEBAIRN
wfreebairn at repub.com

A survey of more than 200 area small and home-based companies to be 
released today shows many are technical experts or creative professionals.

The survey of skills was carried out by Hidden Tech, a group of such 
companies that is affiliated with the Regional Technology Corp. in 
Springfield. The survey was written by Hidden Tech founder Amy Zuckerman 
and sponsored by Western Massachusetts Electric Co.

"What really I find extraordinary is how varied they are," Zuckerman said 
of the survey findings.

Her group asked members who worked alone or with a single partner to fill 
out an online survey about their skills.

About 200 had responded by mid-April, when the preliminary results were 
tabulated. The survey will be unveiled today during an expo featuring the 
tiny companies in Holyoke at the Open Square complex starting at 5.

The skills survey is ongoing at www.hidden-tech.net and is intended to 
allow people to search for companies with the skills they need.

Home-based companies are doing everything from farm management to 
engineering. There were predictable survey clusters of computer 
programmers, book editors and graphic designers.

However, there were also acting coaches, voice-over specialists, video game 
producers, medical device designers, international trade consultants and 
one dating service operator.

Zuckerman said one man was building customized electrical components for 
robotic machinery in his basement.

"It's amazing. You can design a house or design a car at home," she said. 
"We're taking the functions out of the factory that don't need to be there."

Many of the companies rely on subcontractors to carry out parts of their 
business, while some are subcontractors themselves to much larger firms, 
the report said.

The largest group of respondents, about one third of those involved, said 
they were in the technology sector, working as computer programmers, Web 
and database designers and providing technical support.

About 15 percent of respondents were involved in the arts, with a 
concentration in graphic design and Web graphics.

About 15 percent of survey respondents were in business services, such as 
management training. Another 13 percent were involved in publishing and 
writing, including a large number of freelance journalists and technical 
writers.