Tracey Hecht, children’s book author of the critically acclaimed series, The Nocturnals, her first middle grade series, that was launched in 2016 with The Mysterious Abductions and The Ominous Eye joins Enterprise Radio.

This episode of Enterprise Radio is working in association with the Author Channel.

Listen to interview with host Eric Dye & guest Tracey Hecht discuss the following:

• What inspired you to write this series, and do you have the help of a team?
• The Nocturnals touches on a lot of real life scenarios that middle graders experience on a daily basis.  The characters help children connect with a variety of emotions that perhaps they are not able to express.  What do you hope that children will gain from reading The Nocturnals?
• You tour a lot around the country with this book series, and you also do something unique—your Read Aloud Writing Program that has expanded into virtual visits. Can you touch on the work that you’ve done with schools, libraries, and non-profits around the country and what you’ve found most fulfilling?
• What can fans expect next from you and the brand?
• What advice can you give to parents and caregivers who find it a challenge to get their children reading?

Tracey Hecht is a writer and entrepreneur who has written, directed, and produced for film. Her first middle grade series, The Nocturnals, was launched in 2016 with The Mysterious Abductions and The Ominous Eye. The American Bookselling Association chose The Mysterious Abductions as a Kids’ Indie Next List pick. Her third book, The Fallen Star, was released in May 2017. The fourth book, The Hidden Kingdom, is set for release in February 2018.

Tracey recently released The Moonlight Meeting, the Nocturnal Brigade introduces their nighttime world to early readers (ages 5-7) who discover the meaning of friendship and sharing. The Grow and Read book program was developed with free online printable storytime activities including coloring pages, animal mask crafts, bookmarks, story and character maps, science cards, and more. We believe the activities help strengthen the understanding of the books for emerging readers while instilling confidence and a lifelong interest in reading. Check out GrowAndRead.com.

In partnership with the New York Public Library, Tracey created a Read Aloud Writing Program in ten schools around New York City. During the year, she continued to conduct this program in over fifty schools, libraries, and bookstores across the country. In June 2017, she launched a partnership with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation to bring The Nocturnals program to the broadcast media centers within pediatric hospitals. The first hospital was the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.  Recent events have been held in Nashville, TN, and Charlotte, NC.

When Tracey isn’t writing, she can be found hiking, reading or spending time with her family. Tracey currently splits her time between New York City and Oquossoc, Maine with her husband and four children and her dog Pennie.

The Nocturnals middle grade and early reader books are available on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, independent bookstores and libraries across the country.

Website: NocturnalsWorld.com

Social Media Links:
Facebook: facebook.com/nocturnalsworld
Twitter: @NocturnalsWorld
Instagram: @NocturnalsWorld

People also listened to this: 5 Power Tips for Women in the Workplace

Researching to find out which state a company is incorporated in should not be a difficult task to undertake. Before a corporation starts operating, it is a requirement of the law to register with the Secretary of State, whether it is a legal partnership or a limited liability company. There are specific tools and processes you can use to help you find a company’s incorporation address.

A partnership or business that is incorporated usually files an article of organization or an article of incorporation. If you visit a Secretary of State website, you will be able to find this information on the state of incorporation.

These tips will help you find the information you are searching for.

1. Secretary of State

The office of the Secretary of State usually keeps this information. You can do a business search of the company you have in mind. Under corporations division, you can key in the legal name of the business and perform a search. The address of the business should have the state of incorporation.

Usually, a corporation files a report yearly to the Securities and Exchange Commission. In that report, you will find the State of incorporation on the first page.

When you get the State you have been looking for, you will also have to find the branch of government with the incorporation records. You can find this information on the federal government website. You can search either by looking out for the names of the directors or names of officers.

2. Find the Accurate Spelling of the Business Name

When you are looking for the state of incorporation of a business, knowing how the business is registered legally is of utmost importance. Some companies operate “doing business as”. This will make it difficult and time-consuming to find the information you are looking for. Some companies don’t trade with the name that they registered the business with. That is why if you are not sure about the legal name, you should call the company to inquire.

3. Research Company

Businesses that want to reach their customers usually have a website for sharing important information related to the service or product they’re offering. The State of incorporation can be found on the website. If this information is not there, you can either call them directly or send them an email and inquire directly from the company. Make your communication simple and straight to the point so that you can be assisted quickly.

Another way to find this information is by reading the mail you have received from the company. You can also look at the area code of the business phone number. It should give you an indication of which State it was incorporated in. You should remember though that some businesses register in a different State from the one they are operating in. They could have a presence in many parts of the world. So don’t assume anything when doing your research. This information is usually public knowledge and companies should not be secretive about it.

4. Research State Records

You can also search the State records to find out information about the companies. When you find the company and state it should be easy to find records on the incorporation of the company.

Moving business premises can be a very hectic time, with a lot of careful planning needed to make sure that everything goes smoothly.  In the bustle and excitement of the move, don’t overlook the fundamentals. Security should be a top priority for your business, and here’s what you should remember.

Make security part of your daily routine

If you haven’t already, then it’s important to incorporate security checks into your daily routine. It won’t take up much of your time and you’ll quickly get into the habit.

When you arrive at the office, take a few seconds to check external doors and windows for any signs of tampering or force. Hopefully you won’t have been the victim of an attempted break-in but if you do spot signs of damage, you will be able to take prompt action like installing CCTV or further strengthening the windows and doors.

All windows and doors should be shut and securely locked when you leave the office, and if your windows and doors are old you should consider replacing them. A reputable glazing company like Minster Windows can advise on window and door security and install first class products that will help deter break-ins.

During the working day the building should be occupied by at least one member of staff. Valuables and cash should remain within sight of a trusted employee at all times; at the end of the working day, they should be stored in a secure lockable cupboard or a strong safe – or ideally, taken off the premises.

CCTV reduces crime

It has been proven that CCTV reduces crime and you should consider installing a CCTV system to monitor your business premises. Positioning your cameras in the right place is crucial, both in terms of their ability to record evidence of a break-in or other criminal behaviour, and in terms of their effectiveness as a deterrent to potential burglars. Positioning them near to entry points, but where they are also visible to potential intruders, can help to record evidence of crime but also deter passing opportunists.

Consider an access control system

An access control system requires your employees to use a keycard or tap a code into a keypad to gain entry to the building, and is an effective way of preventing unauthorised visitors and opportunistic passing thieves from entering your premises. An access control system also allows you to track your employees’ movements by monitoring who entered and left the building, and at what time. Modern access control systems can offer even higher security through the use of biometric fingerprint scanning or facial recognition technology.

Keep your data secure

Cyber security is critical and so you must ensure your computer systems and the systems around them are strong. You should request that your staff have passwords set on their PCs and make sure they lock their PCs when away from the desk or out of the office. Keep software fully updated and make sure up to date firewall and antivirus software has been installed. When disposing of old computer equipment, make sure hard drives have been wiped, or ideally, physically destroyed – this prevents confidential data from falling into the wrong hands.

Residing in the top left corner of the United States, Washington is a jewel of a state. Whether your passion is one of natural wonders or urban cityscapes, this state has it all. Are you looking for a change of pace in your life? Have you been looking for a new home? Take a look at what Washington has to offer! From the amazing mountains to the stunning coastline, there’s something for everyone. If you do end up deciding on a move to Washington, don’t bother with the stress of packing, driving, and hauling across America. Leave it to a professional mover. Head out to your new state and relax while a true professional does the grunt work for you.

When choosing a new home in Washington, you’ll have to consider what part of the state fits your needs. Consider the great city of Vancouver; it’s got a beautiful riverfront and great climate! Vancouver constantly ranks in the top 100 places to live in America. If you’re in the tech industry, Vancouver is a great place to make a home. Shipping, retail, and healthcare are also thriving industries.

If you’re looking to purchase a new home before you make a big move, fly out and meet a qualified realtor. Moving can be one of the most stressful experiences; it’s best to find a real estate agent that can help you plan the journey. Between finding the right sized truck, planning a long route, and paying for fuel, moving is a huge headache. Don’t waste precious time or energy with logistical difficulties. Choose a real estate agent with professional moving experience in Vancouver, WA.

A professional mover will have the network of people to make your journey a smooth one. No matter what city in Washington you’re moving to, they’ll take good care of the route, delivery and unloading of your household goods. A local has the knowledge of trustworthy moving companies. You’ll be able to just show up and start making new friends!

When it comes to meeting new people, the local bar is a great place to find common ground. Have a look online and head down to the one that suits you best. If you’re a football fan, finding a happening sports bar won’t be an issue at all. Music lover? The Pacific Northwest is a bustling music scene of all genres. If you’re a fan of good beer, Washington is a beer lover’s dream. With so many classic brews, modern craft creations, and international offerings, the Evergreen State is the leader in beer trends. If you end up moving up to Seattle, you’ll find that the Kent Beer Distributor provides the city with over thirty different beer options!

It’s clear to see how amazing of a state Washington really is. If you’re going to make a move soon, Washington should be at the top of your list. Find yourself a professional to take care of the tough parts. Head to town, grab a beer, and make some new friends in your new home.

Greg Jumes, Founder and Executive Director of Victor, a mobile tool that aims to connect veterans and their families with the people, places and information needed to smooth the transition from military to civilian life joins Enterprise Radio.

This episode of Enterprise Radio is in association with the Mobile App Channel.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Greg Jumes discuss the following:

• What is Victor App all about?
• As a Marine veteran, what inspired you to create Victor App? What’s the feedback you receive from fellow veterans?
• What’s the long term vision for Victor?
• So we hear that you won a WeWork Creator Award. Tell us about that experience – how has competing in that competition and winning changed the trajectory of 2017 for you?

Greg Jumes is the Founder and Executive Director of Victor. Born and raised in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Greg enlisted in the military in July 2006 shortly after graduating high school and was deployed to the Al Anbar province in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Greg’s USMC deployment ended in February 2008, and his Marine Corps enlistment ended in January 2010. After being deactivated, he attended a two day seminar to prepare him for his return to civilian life. Without any direction of what he should do after his time in the service, Greg returned home to Wisconsin and found himself depressed, turning to drug use and eventually finding himself homeless.

Living on an air mattress and down to the last few dollars in his pocket, Greg saw a hiring ad for an international security firm called Triple Canopy. Less than 24 hours later, Greg received an offer letter that would begin a 4-year career as a high-threat Security Contractor. During his time as a contractor, Greg worked throughout Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq, providing training and security services to local and international personnel, identifying and mitigating potential threats, and honing methods to assess and expand intel that directly contributed to the safety and efficiency of operations.

Recognizing that active service members could be better served by utilizing their skills of planning and efficiency, as well as information gathering, Greg decided to create a platform with which veterans could successfully manage their own transition back to civilian life. After working with recruiters, educational organizations, local businesses, and health providers, Greg created Victor – a mobile platform that helps veterans and their families plan a successful and meaningful life after service.

Websites:

• Victor: victorapp.io
• WeWork: https://www.wework.com
• WeWork Creator Awards: https://creatorawards.wework.com

Social Media Links:

• Victor
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/victortechinc
  • Twitter: @Victortechinc
• WeWork:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeWork
  • Twitter: @WeWork

People also listened to this: Bea Sharif: Bit By The Entrepreneurial Spirit Created BBforME for You!

John Oechsle, CEO at Swiftpage, the provider of leading small and midsized business CRM and emarketing software solution Act! again joins Enterprise Radio to discuss Act! v20 and the future of voice-activated technology for small businesses.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest John Oechsle discuss the following:

• We’re hearing great things about this latest version of Act! that recently launched—can you tell us a little bit about the software and what’s new with Act! v20 (version 20)?
• Why did you think it was so important to push forward with voice-activated CRM technology small and midsized businesses could benefit from?
• How is Act! v20 going to help entrepreneurs to be more effective in growing their businesses?
• Where do you see voice activation and CRM technology as a whole going over the next few years?
• What customer retention advice do you have for all the entrepreneurs out there looking to capitalize moving forward on the business they receive this holiday season?

H. John Oechsle joined Swiftpage in July 2012 and currently serves as CEO. John came to Swiftpage with a 30-year track record of building highly profitable and sustainable revenue growth for emerging companies and established global leaders.

Prior to joining Swiftpage, John served as the executive vice president of strategy and product for DigitalGlobe. During his tenure, he was instrumental in shaping the future of the company and driving revenue growth through the launch of a number of very successful product lines. Prior to DigitalGlobe, John was the senior vice president of technology and content as well as chief information officer for IHS Inc. Before that, he was the chief information officer and vice president of information management worldwide for Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, a Johnson & Johnson company, where he was responsible for all technology and e-business. Earlier in his career, John served as the senior vice president and chief technology officer for Land America Financial Group, Inc., and director of global information management for Kellogg Company. John holds a bachelor of arts degree in computer science from Rutgers University and is a graduate of the Tuck Executive Program at the Amos Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College.

John is an advocate for technology and education in Colorado and has been an active contributor and served as 2007 Chairman of the Colorado Technology Association(CTA). John supports OpenWorld Learning, an organization which uses the power of technology and peer teaching to develop leadership and ignite a love of learning among children. John also supports Kidstek, an organization dedicated to making technology accessible to youth. John has been recognized several times for his involvement in the industry. In 2006 and in 2009, John was awarded the Technology Executive of the Year, and the Titan of Technology awards by the CTA. John was also awarded the Bob Newman Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Community by the CTA in 2011.

While not at Swiftpage, John juggles his time being a husband, father and grandfather, and spends the time he has left playing golf, skiing and boating.

Website: www.act.com

Social Media Links:
Facebook: http://act.com/facebook
Twitter: http://act.com/twitter

People also listened to this: Making diesel engines more fuel efficient & cleaner for the environment

As a budding entrepreneur, you may have the drive, determination and the passion to be your own boss. You might even have an innovative product or service idea ready to go. What you may be short of is patience — you want to get started at this new entrepreneurial lifestyle. Now.

Fortunately, if taking things slowly with your new business is not your strong suit, you can hit the ground running as an entrepreneur, especially if you consider the following suggestions:

Use an Established Company

If you are chomping at the bit to dive into the entrepreneurial pool, you might consider working as an independent business owner through an established company like Amway. As noted in the many photos and captions on Amway’s Instagram page, they sell a wide variety of products that allow you to get on board with whatever you are especially interested in. From top quality health supplements and beauty products like makeup and skin care cream to cleaning products and more, it is easy to choose a niche that you love and use it to launch your own business. Other business platforms that will allow you to start working immediately as an entrepreneur are Lyft and Uber. If you enjoy driving, have a reliable car and meet company requirements, you can test being your own boss and see how it goes.

Set SMART goals

It takes more than a great idea and a desire to be an entrepreneur to be successful, you have to take your dream to the next level and set some very specific goals. Focus on SMART goals, which are Specific, Measurable, Action-Oriented, Realistic and Time-Based. In other words, instead of saying, “I’m going to launch my website and IT company and be really successful,” come up with the specific amount you need to make each month to cover your bills and how many new customers you want to have at the end of the quarter. Set goals that are realistic for being a new business; by staying SMART you’ll find it easier to determine if you have achieved your goals and what you still need to accomplish.

Network

Until you have customers who love you and your business, you will have to provide your own word-of-mouth about your company. As Entrepreneur notes, you need to attend trade shows, join networking groups and sign up for business events to get the networking ball rolling. Create social media pages devoted to your budding business and post frequent updates touting your products and services, and update them often. Start a blog where you talk about what you do and why customers should consider working with you. While it might feel a bit odd to be crowing about your own ideas and products, you are the best person to do it, and it’s a great way to act like the successful entrepreneur that you are, right from the beginning.

Retail display hooks are more than the most cost-effective way to display your goods. They’re also one of the best ways to let your creativity shine and make a strong statement about the kind of outlet you want to be. And, since a window display is the most important aspect of your store’s curb appeal, the right display makes a big difference.

It all starts with the right display hooks for retail. Although few things are more basic or ordinary, the right hooks draw customers into your store. Here’s a few tips that help make it happen.

Orderly Display

Some retailers group their items by category, perhaps by prominently displaying items connected to the next holiday. Other storekeepers organize by color or style. Whatever your method, a well-organized display is usually quite eye catching, because people are naturally drawn to sights that stand out.

Know Your Area

What kind of shoppers normally go past your store? Start with basic demographics, such as young or old and male or female. Next, determine why shoppers are outside your window in the first place. If your shop is in a mall, people are probably there to spend money. But if your shop is on a downtown square, people may pass by on their way to and from work, which means you must try a little harder to lure them inside.

A Well-Balanced Display

Any poorly organized display is a visual turn off, and the same thing applies for poorly balanced displays. If there are different items of different sizes, and most displays fit this description, put all the bigger ones either on top or at the bottom to draw the customer’s eye. Then, array the smaller ones according to size.

Use Lighting and Contrast

The display itself is only part of the solution. For your store to stand out, you must do more. For example, if the outside of your establishment is mostly dull primary colors like brown or grey, use as many bright colors in your window display as possible. At night, when the shop is closed, a well-lit display keeps attracting customers. If they see something the like, they will most likely come back. Place additional lights behind the window display so window-shoppers see the store’s depth.

Accent with Signage

A large display that’s easy to read arouses customer curiosity. Be sure the sign contains enough detail so that people know what’s in the shop, but do not give them too much information. Also, be careful that you do not run afoul of any zoning laws or restrictive covenants.

Begin by sketching out your display. After it is finished, step outside and see what the window looks like from up close and also from far away, so you can make any needed last-minute adjustments. Then, keep accurate records as to foot traffic, so you know what works and what does not work. As a rule of thumb, you should probably change your window display about once a month to keep up with the next holiday on the calendar.

Happy planning!

Ed Berde, the CEO of Rx.Health, a serial entrepreneur, who has led several successful startups, including Business Consulting Solutions and Tips.com, and has been closely involved with two unicorn startups that are now in the billion dollar range, Clover Health and Rimini Street joins Enterprise Radio.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Ed Berde discuss the following:

• What originally attracted you to working at startups and embracing an entrepreneurial life style, and what advice can you give to new entrepreneurs?
• Tell me about some of your previous ventures and what you took away from those experiences.
• Can you tell me about how you got involved with Rx.Health?
• What can you tell me about RxUniverse?
• Speaking as an entrepreneur, what’s a notable difference between Rx.Health and some of your previous ventures?

Ed Berde is a serial Entrepreneur who has launched several successful startups and is the CEO and cofounder of Rx.Health. Berde joins Rx.Health from Business Consulting Solutions, a technology consulting firm which he co-founded and successfully ran for over 20 years. Berde’s technological insight allowed Business Consulting to attain quick success and attract prestigious clients, including Guardian Life Insurance, Morgan Stanley, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, Nestlé, Lazard, and ADP.

An alumnus of Villanova, Cornell and Andersen Consulting, Berde’s entrance into the startup world was as co-founder and CTO of Tips.com in 1999, where he developed the site into an informational search engine providing stock tips, health tips, product buying tips and more before successfully brokering an exit for the company in 2001. Berde’s startup experience also includes directly running and growing the key departments of Client Environments and Client Onboarding for Rimini Street, overseeing employee and contractor resources based within the US and India, and onboarding over $16M of new contracts. Berde has also been a Director on the board of Clover Health Insurance, part of Clover Health, since its inception and continues to serve on the board today.

Berde’s expertise in startups was nurtured by the New Jersey based TechLaunch incubator program, which he entered as the CEO of the startup Retail Shopping Systems. In just 3 months, Retail Shopping Systems created an Android-based hardware MVP, landed 5 stores and began rolling out prototype systems.

Website: Rx.Health

People also listened to this: Starting a business to benefit patients, physicians, and insurance companies

Finding a good is not an easy job, especially if you’ve just finished college and you don’t have any practical experience in your field.

However, while there are so many talented people on the job market, businesses today just aren’t able to find the right candidates… In reality, hiring people is more complicated than it seems. It’s not all about reviewing applications and reviewing a handful of applicants.

In addition to all legalities that come with the hiring process, employers have to see what candidates are really passionate about their work. And if any employers or employees have any actual questions about legal problems, they should reach out to a company like DPH Legal to get the answers you need.

It seems that both employees and employers need a few tips on the hiring process that will allow them to avoid some of the more obvious mistakes…

Tips for Employers

• Make your job offer stand out

A clear job description will accomplish two distinctive things. For starters, it will grab the attention of the best candidates. Plus, it will clearly lay out what exactly is expected from candidates in terms of both experience and skill level.

• Never leave candidates waiting

You have to know what are you looking for before you even start looking. Make a short checklist of qualities you want to see in a candidate before you start interviewing anyone. This will allow you to make more informed decisions and will save all of those applicants a lot of valuable time.

• Explain every single detail

In addition to recognizing and hiring candidates, this is perhaps the most important part of any hiring process. You applicants need to know everything about their responsibilities. Explain what’s expected from them and you won’t have any operational problems down the line.

Tips for Employees

• Remember that first impression is everything

This may be somewhat cliché at this point, however, it doesn’t mean it’s not true. And today, this doesn’t just apply to the interview. You’re actually making an impression in the way you’re talking on the phone and the way you’re responding to emails.

• Learn how to say “yes” the right way

Now, this doesn’t mean you should accept the first offer you have on the table. However, you still have to try to be as polite and gracious as possible when an offer comes your way. if you’re not completely satisfied with the offer, then you should try to negotiate a better deal.

• Take notes on everyone and everything

Carrying a pen and a pad around may look awkward in certain situations, but if you want to make a good impression, this is actually a great idea. Not only will it allow you to avoid any information overloads, but it will also show that you’re extremely interested in the job and the organization as a whole.

The Bottom Line

Most organizations don’t have the perfect hiring system, simply because recognizing what employees will fit their company culture best is not an easy job. But job candidates also have to find a way to emphasize their qualities and show why they are the perfect fit for a certain organization.

Working from home is becoming a new way of working. Rather than wake up, commute to an office block and sit at a desk until it’s time to commute back home, people are choosing to either start their own at-home business, freelance, or become a remote worker. Of course, remote working or being a freelancer wasn’t always as easy as it is now, and it’s with thanks to technology that’s made all this possible.

When working from home, though, you need to apply the same discipline as you would when working for a company, in an office. Being in your home doesn’t mean you get a free pass. Instead, it means you need to work twice as hard to make yourself both visible and free from distractions. If you’re considering freelancing, or are a remote worker, here are 4 essentials when setting up your home office.

Rid Yourself from Distractions

Setting up a home office means finding a quiet space free from distractions. This means no TV, children or partners, and it means spending time and money to create an area that’s going to drive productivity and efficiencies. You’ll have to decide everything from the paint on the walls to the hardware you’re using. Here’s how to create a distraction-free office.

1. Select a room and turn it into your office. You may already have a study, and if so, this means you’re halfway there already.
2. Paint the walls a light, airy color. You want it to be neutral and easy on the eye, but that doesn’t mean your office should be devoid from personality, emotion or possessions.
3. Do not put a TV into the room. Keep such electronics separate.
4. If you’re working off a laptop, keep from having a couch in your office, as this can become all too tempting, and can hinder your productivity.
5. Have a closed-door policy. If your door is closed, then tell your children or partner not to disturb.

Experiment with the Layout

Deciding on your layout may take time, but by perfecting it you can help drive your efficiencies as well as offering a comfortable environment. For example, working by a window can improve your health (thanks to natural light and fresh air from an open window), but could also cause distractions for some. Facing the window, therefore, may not be the best option for many, but by having your back to the window, you can benefit from the natural light without being distracted by the outside.

Get Your Hardware Ready

Working from home means your hardware may need to be updated or cleaned out to maximize space and efficiency. Regardless as to whether you’re working for yourself or for a company, your hardware will need to cope with the demand of office work. For example, if you’re a copywriter, you’ll have to store many research documents and articles which can take up a lot of space which can slow your equipment, so upgrading your desktop or laptop’s memory is essential. By heading to the professionals at offtek.co.uk, they can upgrade your hardware’s memory, with minimal fuss.

Add Greenery

Bring the outside inside by having a few plants dotted around your office. Succulents and cacti are attractive and rather chic, while fresh flowers can add a splash of color. Whichever plants you choose, though, will benefit you, as they can greatly improve your mood, health and wellbeing.

Keisha Whaley, Founder of Brass Tacks Collective, a first-of-its-kind teaching agency for those seeking to pursue a career in marketing and advertising joins Enterprise Radio.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Keisha Whaley discuss the following:

• Give us some background behind Brass Tacks Collective: the history about its creation, mission and structure.
• Is there a greater need for marketing and advertising professionals these days? How is the industry changing?
• How has Brass Tacks grown since its founding?
• So we hear that you won a WeWork Creator Award. Tell us about that experience – how has competing in that competition and winning that financial award affected your business?
• What’s your biggest piece of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs? Or someone with a business idea who doesn’t know what to do next?

Keisha Whaley is the founder of Brass Tacks Collective, a hybrid ad agency in Dallas that offers a year-long, paid advertising apprenticeship delivering quality creative work for organizations with high needs and low budgets. The agency was built to open doors to the community, develop strong job candidates, and help support the growth of local initiatives.

Keisha’s personal passions found their home in this idea in 2009 after graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor’s in Visual Communication. She started work a few weeks later at her dream agency in Dallas only to find that the industry as a whole wasn’t set up to help people as much as she thought. With 1-2 years of experience required for entry-level positions and only small discounts being given for work meant to help a business be seen and grow, it all seemed unfairly out of reach. Spending 5 years at the agency she loved developing a successful intern program, then the next two at a PR firm learning how best to work with nonprofits on a continual basis, she jumped off to bring these two worlds together.

Brass Tacks Collective has grown immensely in the last two years with seven apprentices, 12 professional core team members, and a client roster just over 35, focused heavily in the nonprofit and startup realms. Aside from attempting to change the advertising industry for the better, Keisha’s time is spent critiquing movies with her boyfriend and fighting for space on the bed with her dog.

Websites:

• Brass Tacks Collective: www.brasstackscollective.com
• WeWork: https://www.wework.com
• WeWork Creator Awards: https://creatorawards.wework.com

Facebook & Twitter:

• Brass Tacks Collective
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brasstackscollective
• WeWork:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeWork
  • Twitter: @WeWork

People also listened to this: Play to Your Strengths: Unlikely Pairings Can Be Your Greatest Success Story

Every successful company knows that its success is not guaranteed. That is why every successful company needs to work hard, and needs to keep working hard, every single day. They need to strive for success because if they don’t their competitors will leave them behind. The processes that ensure they stay successful are the same processes that small and startup business can use to become a success themselves. Working hard is pointless unless you are also smarter about how you work. That is why you need to implement these five processes into your business immediately:

1. New Content

The processes that push out new content need to be reconsidered, because while publishing new content regularly is important for your ranking, pushing out poor content is pointless. You need to take a step back and analyze which content works and which content doesn’t. By creating better content, you increase your content’s shares, meaning more organic reads.

2. Back Up Your Data 

As soon as you put more effort into your content, either in better product photographs, or in articles, or in videos, or in infographics, you want to save it. You also want to save all data you create, because it is the collection of data that keeps your business running. Even old data is useful, because by analyzing your data you can further improve your business.

There are two backing up your data. The first is to collectively improve how you and your employees save the data in question. Backing up your data is pointless unless you know what that data is and where you put information that you are looking for. Once you have improved how you store the data, it’s now time to subscribe to a backup software service that will securely store a backup of your data. Back up your data regularly, and you’ll protect yourself better from failures and viruses alike.

3. Customer Service

Customer service is the key to success, because without your customers, you have no business. Improve your customer service by introducing automation. Having your information stored correctly will be helpful for this. Essentially automation aims to provide more value to your customers, without extra work. Automation also allows for greater customization than ever before. For instance, you could provide VIP deals to your customers on their birthday. The automation software would take this information and then send them a custom email that not only informs them of their discount, but also suggests a few items that they might like based on their recent searches.

4. Re-evaluations 

Your data is valuable, but you need to use it. That is why every successful company performs reevaluations and actively analyses its data to ensure that it is constantly improving.

5. Visibility

Unfortunately, the greatest customer service in the world cannot help you unless you first increase your visibility. Do this with SEO, social media marketing, digital marketing, targeted marketing, and even traditional marketing. The more your name gets out there, the more people will know and remember you.

Successful companies always strive to improve. They do this by ensuring that their data is secure and that they are constantly working towards being better and providing more value.

Now that entrepreneurs can run an entire business on the go, the smartphone revolution is well and truly at its peak. While the commercial Apple slogan “There’s an app for that” might sound overzealous, the increasing rate at which business owners rely on their phones and tablets suggest there is truth to this claim.

Whether you use your cell phone to check emails, update social media, or to run your entire business, there’s no doubting that technology has given us a helping hand in our day-to-day tasks. Here are just five ways that successful entrepreneurs around the world are using their smartphones.

Smartphones for Productivity

There are numerous productivity resources for entrepreneurs online, including note-taking apps like Evernote that allow you to keep track of daily life. Users can create notes, presentations, save web pages, note down expenses, and take voice recordings on the go. Letterspace is another free productivity app that uses hashtags to organize notes into an accessible interface.

Smartphones for Security

Whether your business relies on just one smartphone or numerous employee devices, installing security software is essential if you want to protect your data. It’s also important to formulate an effective smartphone security policy, making sure you, as the employer, have the right to manage, lock down, or even wipe clean a device if you believe your data is at risk. If you suspect an employee of smartphone misconduct, you can hire forensic services online today to search your employee’s device for evidence.

Smartphones for Accounting 

These days, it’s entirely possible to manage your accounts from your smartphone alone, meaning you can send and receive invoices, manage business expenses, and run payroll remotely. QuickBooks Online is an invaluable resource that fuels over two million businesses around the world. So, whether you’re self-employed or you head up a team of employees, using simple accounting software could save you up to eight hours a month on your bookkeeping.

Smartphones for Communication

It sounds obvious to say that cell phones facilitate communication – after all, that is why they exist in the first place. However, entrepreneurs can take professional networking to the next level with apps like Humin. The application combines your contacts, dialing habits, and voice mailbox to determine who your most important contacts are. Better yet, Humin reminds you how, when, and where you met those stray business acquaintances, negating the need for awkward conversations and small talk.

Smartphones for Scheduling

There are tons of scheduling software programs and apps available to smartphone users, so if you’re still using a handheld diary or ROTA, it’s time to go digital and save yourself a few headaches. Every successful business owner knows that time management and workflow go hand in hand, so let your smartphone do the hard work for you. Workflow is a fantastic app for managing tasks of any size, while applications like Doodle, Appointy, and Visibook will save your sanity when it comes to planning your week and making appointments.

It’s frightening to hear that a close family member has been diagnosed with cancer. The only thing more frightening is getting a personal diagnosis of cancer. So much depends on the exact nature of the cancer. Something like Stage I breast cancer is way better news than Stage IV lung cancer. But regardless of the prognosis, loved ones will want to help out however they can. They may even want to drop everything and rush to the patient’s side.

What you can do

Helping out with practical tasks is a wonderful way to support your loved one. Take the dog for walks, or pick up his or her dry cleaning, or bring by meals that are just as easy to reheat as they are to devour on the spot. The side effects of treatment can really do a number on the appetite, so don’t get offended if he or she sets aside the food for later. If the patient has a family with small children, offer to babysit for free. Doing something like taking the kids out for ice cream and a movie can give their parent a chance to take a nap and recover from the treatment he or she received earlier in the day. Children are exhausting even in the best of circumstances, and a mom or dad dealing with cancer is not dealing with anything close to optimal circumstances.

Every cancer patient should receive compassionate, patient-centric care. If you’re afraid that’s not happening, talk with your family member first. There may be a part of the story that you simply aren’t getting. But if your family member is too scared or weak to advocate for him or herself, you may be able to take on that role, at least partially. Treating cancer often involves making patients sick in hopes of eventually healing them. It’s not a pleasant experience, and your loved one will need as many people on his or her side as possible.

What you shouldn’t do

Avoid offering empty platitudes like, “This is all part of a larger plan,” or, “Everything will be fine.” Saying things like that can be annoying at best and downright harmful at worst. If your loved one is religious, feel free to communicate that you’re praying for him or her. If the person is not, then don’t bring up religion or a invitation to church. That’s incredibly insulting. Everyone, regardless of their health, wants to be seen as a person rather than a project.

Think carefully before doing anything drastic in your own life as well. If you’re in college across from the country and you find out that your dad has cancer, your first impulse may be to drop out and move back home immediately. But if your parents have always dreamed of seeing you get a good education, then abandoning it on their behalf may be the absolute last thing they want. Once you leave college, momentum can make it hard to ever go back. At the very least, look into online continuing education options. Adult children who are out of college and working steady jobs shouldn’t turn in their two weeks notice either, at least not right away. Don’t assume that your parents, or anyone else you love, will want you to completely disrupt your life to care for them.

The world of retail is super competitive. If you’re a store owner, you’ll know how true this is. How do you keep customers coming back? It’s not simply having the best prices available; you’ve got to keep a shop that’s inviting and friendly. Commercial retail stores need to be clean, organized, and modern. Inside an old retail shop, little disasters can hide in corners and rooftops. Indoor air quality is a huge factor in how your store appears to the public. Take stock of more than just your products, analyze your store, and see if you can improve any areas.

How old is your retail store? Vintage is definitely a hot trend, but there’s a huge difference between vintage and worn-out. Commercial retail stores should be as clean as commercial kitchens. When the public visits your store, they want to feel confident in the products they’re purchasing. Stores that operate in any humid area are especially susceptible to water damage. Mold and water intrusion can not only cause unsightly stains: they can greatly affect the health of those in the building.

HVAC systems can cause absolute havoc if not attended to properly. A breakdown in any season can render your store out of commission. When examining your store, it’s possible to overlook little details. Professional commercial retail inspectors are your best friends if you’re looking to remodel a store. Qualified inspectors make sure the retail environments are not hindered by allergens, mold, or other types of damage.

Once your store gets the go-ahead on health, you’ve got to keep the front looking fresh. Old fixtures that have rusted or bent give a bad impression. Specialty fixtures might be needed to give the space a bright new look. Maybe your products rest on shelves, maybe they reside on hooks. Either way, steel designer fixtures provide a sleek and modern look. Have you ever considered using metal as a backdrop for your products? Metal walls give a store more depth and invite a curiosity from your customers.

Steel is a great choice for a long-term investment. Fixtures made from steel won’t rust, they won’t break, and they won’t bend. Steel slat walls are simple to piece together: simply snap the sections together and place them on the wall. If you’re looking for a more economic or temporary solution, plastic slat walls work just as well! Whether styrene or PVC, these slatwalls are durable, easy to keep clean, and super stylish. Your store will look amazing with new fixtures!

The retail world is exciting. New challenges and huge profits keep business owners chasing after greater success. Inviting storefronts and bright spaces get the customers back in the store. If you’ve been looking to upgrade your retail store, now is the time. Have a look at what could be improved upon and make some choices. Your customers will truly appreciate it. Keeping a clean and healthy store really is the key to retail success!

Adam Habig, President and Co-Founder of Freedom Healthworks, based in Indianapolis joins Enterprise Radio to discuss how healthcare problems may be Solved with Direct Primary Care.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Adam Habig discuss the following:

• The founding of Freedom Healthworks & the core mission of the business.
• What exactly “direct primary care” is and who benefits from it.
• How Freedom Healthworks helped pass a law in Indiana confirming that Direct Primary Care is not health insurance, and what implications there might be for the healthcare system as a whole.
• The level of interest from physicians and connecting with policy makers.
• Freedom Healthworks partnering with employers to help them offer Direct Primary Care as a benefit to their employees.
• How this trend (Direct Primary Care) will be taking off in the U.S. over the next five or even ten years.

Adam Habig is Co-founder and President of Freedom Healthworks, which propels the launch, growth and operation of independent, direct primary care practices. By liberating physicians to serve patients instead of insurance companies, we hope to restore Americans’ freedom to purchase excellent, affordable medical care from private physicians they know and trust.

Website: FreedomHealthworks.com

Social Media Links:
Facebook: Facebook.com/freedomhealthworks
Twitter: Twitter.com/freedomDPC

People also listened to this: Serial Entrepreneur Leading Innovative Healthcare Company to change healthcare through Digital Medicine

Basil Elotol, the Founder and CEO of Triphop, the first online cash rewards program disrupting the travel industry joins Enterprise Radio.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Basil Elotol discuss the following:

• Please describe Triphop in your own words. How was the company first founded?
• Why do you believe the site is a disruptor to the hotel booking industry?
• Is the site just for business travelers?
• Does one have to sign up, to get cash back and does signing up cost anything?
• How and why can you provide cash back to customers. Is there a catch?
• Do I have to use the cash to book again on your site?
• Will you expand into the airline and car rental space in the future?
• The holidays are super stressful and there is always last minute travel involved. Can you provide a few tips on how to prepare in advance if possible to avoid last minute holiday stressful travel?
• For those who are starting new businesses, is there any advice you can provide from your own experience to ensure that the business is off to the right start?
• Where can one go to find more information on the company and book their next hotel stay?

Basil Elotol is the Founder and CEO of Triphop, the first online cash rewards program disrupting the travel industry. With over 15 years in the travel and technology industry, Elotol is an industry expert when it comes to travel. His brainchild Triphop was designed to provide travelers with generous cash incentives by providing a simple, immediate, online booking system for booking hotel stays.

Elotol and his team has grown Triphop to become the most rewarding online travel website in the hotel booking marketplace. Prior to founding Triphop, Elotol was part of the executive team of a travel and roaming technology startup and played an instrumental role in successfully growing the company to over 200 million in annual revenue, 16 offices around the world, and over 530 employees until it’s successful acquisition. Elotol started his career working for Fortune 500 companies such as Accenture and SAP.

Website: www.triphop.com

Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/triphopapp
YouTube: https://youtu.be/EG1kw2zXx3c

People also listened to this: Dolphin Point Villas, Key Largo’s newest paradise getaway

SaveSave

If you are trying to grow your accounting firm, you probably learned several marketing tips within the course of your studies when seeking an online accounting degree. You chose to get your masters in accounting online simply because it was the most expedient way to earn that upper level degree while maintaining a fulltime job.

As a career with a high rate of growth in the coming years, schools like UAB Collat School of Business also focus on other areas of business which include, of course, marketing to grow your client base. Podcasting is one of the better strategies you will find to be highly efficient. Here are a few reasons why.

An Accountant Should Be Viewed as an Expert in Financial Matters

Podcasts are interesting ways to increase visibility as an expert in your field. You have that online MACC degree and you are, for all intents and purposes, truly an expert in all things related to finances, up to and including IRS tax laws.

Few people understand the technical jargon spewed by government and so a regular podcast on taxes (especially at tax time!) can help people better understand why they need an accountant to sort through all the red tape. After all, no one likes to be audited. Podcasts clearly define you as an expert in tax laws which invariably change and evolve year by year. Podcasts clearly define you as an expert in all things financial.

Podcasts Help Your Listeners Stay Current on Financial News

Many people listen to podcasts as a way of learning about things they don’t understand. Podcasts also provide a way to help keep listeners up on the latest news. For example, do you know what the current cost of living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security recipients will be for the coming year? Do you know about proposed changes to tax laws and what Congress is currently voting on that could affect the amount of income you can make before government takes 50 percent of your earnings?

This is all important information your audience may spend hours researching only to be given inaccurate data. You are the expert on tax law, so give them something for nothing. Give your listeners the latest news free of charge. Give them bits of advice they can literally take to the bank.

Use Podcasts to Teach Potential Clients about Investment Products

The more you can teach your audience, the easier it will be to get them to trust you as the voice of authority. So many people are looking to invest in something which will grow their wealth for retirement but they aren’t aware of the many investment products out there. You can use a weekly podcast to teach about the different types of investments and then suggest who these products might be best suited for.

If you haven’t thought about the benefits of growing your client base through podcasting, this is something you may want to try. You would be surprised at just how many people will begin trusting you, following you and then seeking you out when they need your services. Looking to try something new as a marketing strategy? Podcasting would be a great place to start.

Trond Atle Smedsrud is EVP Innovation and Marketing at Aker BioMarine, leading the company’s global innovation and marketing function. He is responsible for the company’s marketing activities in USA, Asia, Australia and Europe. He also holds the responsibility for Aker BioMarine’s innovation efforts, including a major research project involving the U.S. Army Rangers. Trond Atle is a competing triathlon athlete, coming third in this year’s Swissman Xtream Triathlon, one of the world’s most challenging races, as well as among top 100 in the New York Marathon. Trond Atle Smedsrud recently took home “The Marketer of the Year” award at the Young Leadership Talents in Norway.  These are his tips for leading a team and finding success in marketing and business:

Challenge Your Team

Work is never a one-man show. In fact, it is more efficient to be completely dependent on the talented and dedicated people around you. I try to encourage my team members to embrace new roles and to take on new challenges. I like to challenge everyone to think that when they are close to managing their existing role, it may be time for them to move on and dive into new tasks. I am an advocate for freedom at work. I think my team members actually perform better when they are given the freedom to make their own decisions. They often search for advice, but I try not to make decisions for them. Since they have the competency and in-depth knowledge on certain projects, I trust them to follow their instincts. I may bring new perspectives into their decision making process, but at the end of the day they must make their own decisions.

Remain True, but be Willing to Adapt

I never had a clear career goal, but rather more of a direction. When the world changes as quickly as it does today, I think it’s important to have flexibility when seizing opportunities. If you are too focused on milestones, you may not be able to identify and utilize unexpected possibilities which are actually great for helping you move forward in your career.  And humility definitely goes a long way in business. In order to go far, it is important to always remain true to your values. It’s about simple values, like being humble, treating people with respect and helping other people succeed.
Curiosity and inspiration are also great attributes to have when it comes to success. It is very important to always keep your antennas out and look for inspiration, it’s all around you. For example, At Aker BioMarine, we work with a lot of fearless, risk-taking and innovative start-ups. They have a mindset that many larger companies should learn from.

Find the Right Balance

Physical activity is important to me and I am keen on finding the right balance. It is important to keep priorities in check. If everything is equally important, you will burn out quickly. Working consistently over time matters most. You need to define your key focus areas and deliver 100 percent on them and accept delivering 80 percent on the rest, which is often more than enough to get a good outcome. And when I say balance, I do not only restrict it to the workplace.  In order to live a fully balanced life, you need to incorporate activities and projects (outside of work) that make you happy and fulfilled.  Take time for yourself to breathe and enjoy life or it might pass you by.

Understanding B2B and B2C in a Digital World

Today, much of my work is focused on B2B marketing. The right-out-of-school marketers have a solid understanding of how to market toward consumers, but don’t have enough knowledge about effectively reaching other businesses. 70 percent of all businesses never target consumers; they operate in a purely business to business matter, however, a B2B purchaser is influenced in the same way as a consumer. People are after all people, they like to be educated and engaged. Personally I think that many B2B companies should think more B2C in their approach to marketing, and it’s equally important for B2C marketers to understand the fundamentals of B2B.

The same rule applies for research when it comes to B2B. More than 90 percent of all marketing research in the field is B2C, although only 30 percent sell directly to consumers. B2B marketing often focuses on one-to-one sales dialogue, but at the same time we know that 60 percent of the decisions are made even before the first sales meeting is booked. This brings in the unlimited possibilities of digital communication. The biggest challenge is to utilize all the possibilities within the digital space. To be able to capture and analyze data, and act upon it – are and will be – a key component in future marketing. The digital era is demanding but rewarding if you manage it properly. This applies for almost every industry, company and department today.