The events and hospitality industries are exciting ones to work in. From both a business and a personal perspective, the prospect of running a nightclub is uniquely appealing. Owning and or operating a nightclub is an exciting venture. It offers a unique opportunity to operate an entertainment venue that showcases and caters to your preferred tastes. However, it will not be an easy ride!

A nightclub is a complex operation. They come in all variety of shapes and sizes and cater to every conceivable taste. However, if you don’t make sure to take out the correct insurance on your nightclub, then otherwise manageable incidents can end up putting a serious drain on your resources. In the rare cases of serious loss of, or damage to, property, having nightclub insurance in place can make the difference between the business failing completely, and a smooth, if prolonged, recovery to its previous state.

Potential Loss of Licence

In cases where serious events occur, and the nightclub is found to be liable, the potential penalties can include the loss of the venue’s licence. Venue’s need to be licensed to host music entertainment, and to sell alcohol, among other things. These licenses are awarded individually and can be revoked individually, although in practice, losing just one of them often has the same outcome – forcing the venue to close until it is recertified.

The popular London nightclub Fabric is a perfect example of how even a well established, popular club can be hit hard by having a licence suspended or revoked. In the case of Fabric, it was an inadequate drugs policy which led to the nightclub having its licence revoked. Two people sadly died drug-related deaths while at the venue. This, in addition to poor staff intervention when drug-use or drug-related illness was reported, was cited among the list of justifications for the revocation.

A situation like the one Fabric found itself in will almost certainly result in its closure, at least while an investigation is carried out. For most businesses, even a single night of closure means forfeiting some pretty significant profits, and so the threat of having a licence revoked is an effective one. However, if you find yourself facing temporary closure, then nightclub insurance will help to soften the blow.

Contents

If your nightclub is successful, then it is going to be hosting large crowds of enthusiastic revellers. It is all but guaranteed that something is going to get broken or damaged at some point. Whether it’s club equipment, fixtures, furniture, or just about anything else. Even if your clientele are particularly gentle with their surroundings and nothing gets accidentally broken, there is always going to be a degree of inevitable wear and tear. In more sinister scenarios, club equipment often makes an attractive target for thieves, especially as a lot of high-end audio equipment is easy to conceal and carry.

As the owner of a nightclub, you will inevitably be spending quite a lot of time there. You, and your manager if you have someone else who runs the nightclub day-to-day (or night-to-night), will probably have an office space where you and they leave a phone, laptop, and other valuables. Have a look at the kind of insurance that you could purchase for your business; a great place to begin is nightclub insurance from Compare My Insurance if your new club needs a nightclub insurance policy. They understand the way nightclubs function and attempt to accommodate their insurance needs.

Fire

Fire is a situation that every venue owner dreads, in fact, anyone who owns a building used by the public dreads the outbreak of a large fire. Fortunately, we are now much more conscious of fire hazards resulting from construction than we used to be. Buildings are now designed with fires in mind, so it is possible to minimise the risk of fires spreading and people becoming trapped with some simple construction techniques.

Fire safety is clearly incredibly important. Of course, as a business owner, you would have to consider the financial costs to your business that would result from property damage caused by fire. But it is the potential for injury and death to those caught in a fire. The tragic Station Nightclub fire is a harrowing example of how quickly a fire can take hold of a building if just a few regulations are ignored.

Clearly, with an incident such as the Station Nightclub fire, insurance is the last consideration, however, the speed with which the flames rendered the entire structure unsalvageable illustrate what fire can do. In an empty nightclub that catches fire while no one is around, even with sprinkler systems and alarms, there is the potential for huge damage to property.

Fires can be started by carelessness, but sometimes electrical issues can also be to blame. Whenever you have construction work going on, especially if wires are being exposed, there is a heightened risk of a fire starting from an electrical spark.

Public Liability

In a busy nightclub, you will have the potentially explosive combination of lots of people packed in close together and alcohol flowing (relatively) freely. Even with vigilant and professional bartenders and security staff, almost all nightclubs eventually have an incident where an altercation breaks out and someone is injured. Nightclub insurance will give you public liability coverage, covering you in the case of a patron seeking compensation for an injury they sustained on your premises.

If someone is injured because they slipped on a wet floor that wasn’t clearly marked, then you could be held liable. These claims would be pursued in the same way as claims that a failure to promptly intervene on the part of club security has led to people being injured needlessly. Even if an initial incident or altercation cannot be stopped, if the delay in the security staff responding leads to excessive, avoidable injuries, then the club can still be considered liable.

A nightclub is one of those businesses that are likely to really feel even a single night of lost profits. As a result, it isn’t good enough to react to situations when they arise. Instead, nightclubs need to be proactive in preventing incidents. Nightclub insurance will protect you financially when things do go wrong and it is important that you choose your plan carefully.

Antoine Leboyer, President and CEO of GSX Solutions, an End-User Experience Monitoring Company joins Enterprise Radio to discuss digital experience management and cloud trends in 2018.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Antoine Leboyer discuss the following:

1. Please give us a quick overview over your company.
2. Microsoft really is a key partner for you. What is your assessment of Microsoft’s commitment to the cloud?
3. In recent news GSX focused very much on DEM, or “digital experience management” to reflect the larger emphasis on user experience. Get into some details here.
4. Where do you see enterprise computing headed in 2018?
5. How does GSX evolve with the changing IT landscape?

Antoine Leboyer is the President and CEO of GSX Solutions. Antoine has seen Information Technology from all sides by working for vendors of all sizes. After 12 years in sales and marketing positions at IBM, he started the European Indirect operations of Candle Corporation. He worked for startups in software distribution and mobile phone billing software. In his most recent position he was Senior Vice President of Baracoda, the leading producer of Bluetooth industrial devices.

Antoine holds an engineering degree from the Ecole Superieure d’Electricité in France and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. He sits on the board of the Geneva Reformed Synagogue.

He is co-author of the book “Building Routes to Customers: Proven Strategies for Profitable Growth.” In his spare time, Antoine is a frequent contributor to www.concertonet.com.

Website: www.gsx.com

Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GSX-Solutions
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gsx_solutions

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Aluminum is a metal that’s naturally formed in the earth’s crust. It is one of the most commonly-used materials on the planet and has multiple uses and applications. It’s often combined with other metals to form alloys and has a wide ranging reach from retail to construction. If you look around you, you’ll discover various items that use aluminum, but why is it such a great material?

Aluminum can be formed using composite material machining at CMSNA, and, due to its malleable nature, the process is relatively straightforward. This article will outline advantageous properties of aluminum.

Lightweight

Aluminum is a lightweight material, which, at the same surface area as steel, is one- third of the weight. Its lightweight nature has multiple uses, and the metal puts considerably less strain on its surroundings. For example, when used on transport vehicles, loading capacity is increased due to the reduction in dead weight. A vehicle that uses aluminum elements will consume less energy, and when aluminum is used structurally buildings are under less pressure. Aluminum can be adapted depending on individual circumstances, and it provides a level of protection and support that’s comparable to steel. It’s easy to see how being lightweight is a huge advantage for a manufacturing material, especially considering the demand for lightweight products.

Corrosion Resistance and Design

Aluminum provides additional protection because it generates a protective oxide coating. This makes it corrosion-resistant, creating unprecedented durability. It can be customized according to aesthetic themes, and paint and other materials can actually improve its properties. Aluminum is especially useful for conservational efforts. Any material that’s corrosion-resistant is ideal for building, and if you do choose to use a different material, aluminum functions for creative additions. It can be modified to create a visually stunning aesthetic, which makes it perfect for design. For example, you could add aluminum elements to plantation shutters, which adds to functionality and complements a particular theme. But how much do custom plantation shutters cost? You can work this out by researching online, but if you intend to add aluminum designs, this will be relatively cheap.

Thermal and Electrical Conductivity

Aluminum is a great conductor of heat and electricity, especially in relation to its weight. It’s arguably a better conductor than copper, which has enabled it to become a material of choice for power transmission lines.

Reflectivity

Aluminum reflects visible light and heat. When used for roofing, it can create a visually stunning backdrop, where light bounces off the surface and illuminates the area. Because it reflects heat, you’ll save considerably on air conditioning during hot periods, and your home will remain naturally cooler.

Impermeable, Odorless, and Recyclable

Aluminum foil for example doesn’t allow anything to pass through it. The metal itself is non-toxic, and because it has no aroma, it’s ideal for packaging products. It is also 100% recyclable, which aligns with environmental initiatives that have become commonplace in society. When using aluminum you reduce your carbon footprint, and, with less environmental impact, you can rest assured knowing you’ve done your bit to save the planet.

Your social security card is an important document that contains your social security number which, when stolen, can have serious repercussions. It is therefore important to take necessary action to protect yourself after losing your card.

1.    Place a fraud alert

After losing your social security card, you might want to consider placing a fraud alert on your missing card. This can be achieved by contacting any of the major credit bureaus such as Equifax, Experian or TransUnion. You may give either of the companies a call or contact them by sending an email or do it online. The best part is that once you inform one company it will contact the other two and notify them of your situation. Placing a fraud alert on your social security card will keep you and your funds safe. This is due to the fact that the fraud alert will ensure that the creditors always verify whether it’s you before any transaction is carried out.

2.    Pay close attention to your credit reports

Monitoring your reports will help you pinpoint out any irregular activities going on with your social security card. The thief of your card may make a dozen applications for other cards or may use the card for all the wrong reasons leaving you in a truckload of debt. To stay safe, it is thus advisable to observe all your credit reports and thus take the necessary action once you notice any fraudulent activities.

3.    Apply for a replacement

One of best ways to protect yourself after losing your social security card is to apply for a replacement. If you meet the necessary requirements which may include being a U.S citizen and either or above 18 years of age, then you may make an application for a replacement of your lost social security card. However, if you notice that someone has been using your social security number then you may make an application for a new number, provided that you have sufficient evidence to prove that indeed someone has been using your number.

4.    Report to the relevant authorities

After losing your social security card make sure that you visit the relevant authorities and report about the loss. This will enable them to issue you with a new card or take the necessary action in the event that your card has been linked with fraudulent activities. In case you had lost your card along with your wallet, make sure you report the loss to the local police department. This is to ensure that you can defend yourself in the event that the documents in your wallet are used in fraud.

5.    Contact the three agencies

Contact the three major credit bureaus, which include Equifax, Experian or TransUnion. Inform them that you have lost your social security number or that you have lost your card. Request them for your current and updated credit reports which will help you notice anything odd as well as help you take the necessary action.

Tom Ingrassia, a wellness and success coach, motivational speaker, award winning author, and radio personality again joins Entrepreneurial Fit Radio to discuss makeing 2018 THE year when you achieve your best, highest self . Tom is Founder and President of The MotivAct Group and Tom Ingrassia Productions.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Tom Ingrassia discuss the following:

1. This is the time of year when we all set “resolutions” and goals for the coming year. Why do people find this so hard to do–and why is it so hard to follow through on our “resolutions”?
2. What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the clients you coach?
3. Why is paying attention to our OWN wellness so critical?
4. How can mindful meditation help people to achieve their goal?
5. What are YOUR goals for 2018?

In 2001–following a successful, 25-year career in higher education administration, Tom re-invented himself as an entertainment and artist manager, fulfilling his lifelong dream of working in the entertainment industry. For the next 7 years, he worked with the likes of Mary Wilson (The Supremes), Arlene Smith (The Chantels), Barbara Alston (The Crystals), June Monteiro (The Toys), The Velvelettes, and Carl Gardner (The Coasters, among others–the very people he grew up listening to and idolizing.

In 2008, using his own experiences with radical career transformation as a springboard, Tom formed The MotivAct Group, a personal and professional development training company. An in-demand speaker, Tom travels the country with his motivational seminars–Mental Massage(tm): A Mindful Approach To Achieve Your Goals and Making A Difference Begins With YOU…So Live Into YOUR Dreams!; and pop cultures lectures–Motown and The Civil Rights Movement and Girl Power: The Supremes As Cultural Icons.

In 2013, Tom and co-author Jared Chrudimsky published One Door Closes: Overcoming Adversity By Following Your Dreams, which was named the Best Self-Help Book by the New England Book Festival. One Door Closes is being made into a feature documentary film in 2018. Tom published his second book–Reflections Of A Love Supreme: Motown Through The Eyes Of Fans–in 2015. It was named Best Music Book of 2016 by the National Indie Excellence Awards.

For the past 4 years, Tom has hosted The Motown Jukebox on radio station WCUW 91.3FM in Worcester, MA (www.wcuw.org). He was named Best Radio Personality in the 2014 and 2015 Landmark Readers’ Choice Awards. Tom is living, breathing proof that dreams DO come true. His motto is, “Learn from the turtle–it only makes progress when it sticks its neck out.”

Websites:  www.motivactgroup.com | www.ingrassiaproductions.com

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The views, ideas, thoughts and opinions expressed on any program are those of the persons appearing on the program and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of The Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN.

Michael Chavez, Vice President of Business Development and Marketing at SitePro®, a digital oilfield water management company joins Enterprise Radio to discuss how SitePro® is experiencing growth and the creation of company spin-off.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Michael Chavez discuss the following:

1. What is SitePro®?
2. What does SitePro® offer?
3. Why should companies go with SitePro®?
4. Tell us about your growth and recent decision to create a company spin-off.
5. Tell us about your recent hires and what that means for SitePro®.

Michael Chavez serves as Vice President of Business Development and Marketing for SitePro. Michael comes to us from Digital H2O, where he lead Sales, Marketing, and Business Development efforts for the past 2 1/2 years. Digital H2O is a SaaS based Oilfield Water Management and Analytics software platform that Michael sold and marketed to E&P operators, service companies, and private equity groups.

Prior to joining Digital H2O Michael helped jump start WellAware, a SaaS based mobile platform for real-time oilfield remote monitoring, as Director of Operations and Business Development. During his tenure at WellAware, the company grew from 4 to more than 65 employees and launched several new products along the way, one of which Michael created, called Chemical Management. Michael helped the company through 2 rounds of fundraising from people such as: Dick Cheney, Carlos Slim and Ed Whitacre.

His previous experience has enabled him to be an expert in identifying needs in the market and addressing them with highly scalable and valuable software solutions. He also helps drive product improvement and new product development by working closely with the development team and product manager. Michael is a frequent speaker and blogger on topics related to the produced water industry, helping him become a leading expert on the ever changing market.

Michael is a member of the International Society of Automation, the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the Young Professionals in Energy, and is a proud Navy Veteran.

Website: www.sitepro.com

Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SitePro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sitepro

Michael Lewis, the CIO of Copper State Communications that has served as Arizona’s first full-suite technology services provider joins Enterprise Radio to discuss how to protect yourself from cyber breaches.

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

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Michael Lewis discuss the following:

• What is Copper State Communications and what services does it provide?
• Are businesses taking cyber security seriously? While last year was the year of the data breach, doesn’t it seem this year is worse.
• What can businesses do to protect themselves from all these breaches?
• Is technology changing business for the better? Why/why not?
• Have we finally reached an inflection point with Unified Communications adoption? What is driving or hindering the market?
• What is the biggest security threat currently facing businesses?
• How is cloud computing shaking up your product/service offerings?  How has it impacted your competitive market?
• What does Copper State Communications do to help prevent breaches?

Michael Lewis, CIO, Copper State Communications is a 20 plus year cyber expert who collaborates with and advises clients’ IT departments, formulates strategic IT goals, assists with planning IT budgets and facilitates technology changes within a business – all the same functions as a conventional CIO. Lewis has extensive experience in the IT industry and has had training/certifications with Microsoft, VMWare, Cisco, Linux, SonicWALL and Ubiquiti to name just a few.

Website: www.copper-state.com

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With students gearing up for exams in just a few months’ time, many are turning to so-called smart drugs to enhance their memory and cognitive performance. Modafinil is one such drug and is well- known by many students at top universities who use it to help them get through the challenging exam period.

But Modafinil is actually a prescription-only medicine prescribed for sleep disorders including narcolepsy, and the impact of using it long-term to improve cognitive ability is not known, so students could be putting their health at risk.

UK educational institutions are now debating what to do about this issue, which is on the increase. Whereas before students were taking drugs to get high, now it seems they are turning to prescription medicines to improve their work. The question is – is it tantamount to cheating?

Many universities have policies in place to tackle illegal drug use but Modafinil is a medicine so the issue becomes more complex. Particularly as students are either buying it illegally online or feigning symptoms to get a prescription.

Support and education programmes to advise students about these smart drugs are being set up within universities to help them understand the risks, but also to offer them alternative help when facing the struggle of exam season.

Pressures to succeed as well as the financial issues associated with university fees, can lead students to turn to smart drugs to improve their memory, concentration, and mental stamina to enhance their exam performance and make sure they succeed.

Short-term it seems that one of the reasons Modafinil is so popular is that it does actually work. Studies have shown it does indeed improve cognitive function so it really is a smart drug. And it also comes with minimal side effects when used short-term which is another benefit for students. It’s the long-term impact which isn’t understood.

However, this doesn’t seem to be deterring the students from taking it as a recent survey showed around 15% of students at Oxford University had taken Modafinil without a prescription for it, to improve their academic performance.

And a wider survey across Europe showed that between 10% and 15% of students had tried to enhance their performance by taking some kind of drugs or alcohol at least once, when they were faced with exams or dissertations to write.

So what is Modafinil and what does it actually do? 

Modafinil is prescribed by health professionals for adults who suffer from narcolepsy to help them stay awake because it works as a wakefulness-promoting agent on the central nervous system.

Narcolepsy is a neurological condition which causes excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden, inappropriate sleep attacks during the day.

Common symptoms of narcolepsy include:

• Feeling sleepy during the day
• Falling asleep suddenly during the day
• Sleep paralysis (temporarily being unable to move when you first wake up)

There are some circumstances where Modafinil cannot be prescribed, including to patients who suffer from an irregular heartbeat, uncontrolled blood pressure problems, or are allergic to any of the ingredients, so students taking it without a prescription need to be aware of the potential dangers.

Modafinil is also known to worsen any of these conditions, so shouldn’t be taken by anyone suffering from depression, psychosis, mania, bipolar disorder or low moods. Again, if students are feeling the pressure and perhaps suffering from anxiety, depression or feeling low as a result, taking Modafinil could have negative consequences.

It also interferes with the way hormonal contraceptives work so alternative birth control methods would be required while using it and for two months after stopping Modafinil. Anyone using it should always follow the dosage guidelines and never take more than the prescribed dose.

Are there any side effects from taking Modafinil? 

Potentially, any medication can cause side effects but different people will react differently. An allergy to Modafinil could result in swelling of the face, mouth or throat, itchiness, rash or problems breathing – anyone experiencing any of these symptoms should seek medical help.

Some of the more common side effects of Modafinil include headaches, dizziness, tiredness and insomnia but the patient information leaflet contains full details of all side effects and potential conflicts with other medications.

There is no doubt that universities and colleges will continue to debate the issue, with some even considering drug tests before exams to level the playing field for all students. Anyone who uses Modafinil should make themselves fully aware of all the risks, side effects and contra-indications before use.

The headlines are full of numbers, especially with the concerns around Brexit and how much money the UK will save by leaving and the ongoing efforts of government to save money. But with lots of different numbers being quoted, what’s the true picture?

First let’s look at debt. Because the government currently spends more than it takes in through taxes, it has to borrow money to cover the shortfall so it can keep public services going. Usually when debt is talked about in the media, net debt is used. This is the total debt minus whatever the government has.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the total value of all the goods produced within a country. This gets talked about a lot alongside Government Debt because thinking about debt as a percentage of GDP allows easy comparison between different countries which otherwise would be hard to compare. When you see countries ranked by the size of their economies, that’s GDP.

That leaves deficit. Remember that gap between what the government earnt in taxes and spent on public services that was leading to the government having to borrow? That’s the deficit. If the government was making more than it spent, then it would be in surplus.

So, what’s going on in the UK? This research from Solution Loans shows a number of areas of the UK economy as well as personal finance numbers minute by minute and shows UK Government debt increasing by £129,556 every minute.

That’s a staggering amount but it used to be much higher. When the current government took over the amount borrowed that year was about 9.9% of GDP, thanks to the financial crash. Its now down to 2.6%.

However, whist the amount borrowed this year is down on previous years (i.e. the deficit has come down) the total debt is still very large. It currently stands at 87% of GDP. This means that even if the government did manage to generate a surplus, it would have to keep that surplus in place for a long time to eat away at the debt. In short, it’ll be a long time before that national debt goes anywhere.

I have noticed a bunch of posts and challenges popping up lately where people are posting their “must have’s” for various skills sets, such as crafting, cooking, business, working out, wardrobes, etc. It made me stop and think, what are some of the must have that we should all have for a balanced life? Don’t get me wrong, I agree that a great pair of winter boots, or the right pair of fuzzy slippers feels like an essential in Chicago winters, but something made me want to step back and think even further about my overall well-being. What really feeds us and keep us balanced? I think the very heart of things starts off with defining for ourselves what balance means to us. While we may need some of these things in different amounts, there are a few fundamentals that each of us require.

We need a balance of independence and togetherness. What this exact balance is for each of us personally, may vary from person to person, but it is important nonetheless. Each of us needs time alone to decompress and have some personal space. We also need to feel a sense of connectedness with others. To little or too much of one can make us feel out of sorts. Too much time by ourselves can make us feel lonely, and too much time with others can make us feel anxious, so we need to make sure that we are making the effort to strike the right balance for ourselves. Sometimes it is a system of trial and error to find out what is the right amount for us personally, but we just need to listen to our inner voice when it tells us that it is too little or too much.

Another essential piece of a balanced life is self-care. We always seem to be able to tell others to take care of themselves, but we don’t take the time to practice the same love and patience with ourselves. Doing things like getting enough sleep each day by going to bed at the same time each night and getting up at the same time each morning. Eating foods that nourish you. Drinking 8 glasses of water each day. Eating well year-round. While traditions are wonderful, and holiday food is delicious, you can enjoy in moderation, and not have to diet and fast in January. If you keep the idea of nourishing yourself year-round in mind, but allowing yourself to enjoy things in moderation, you never have to put yourself through diets, starvation, fasts, cleanses, and the like. That is balance.

Surround yourself with people who feed your soul, and not people who pollute it. By this I mean, do not feel guilty about deciding to set boundaries with, or remove toxic people from your life. We should all involve ourselves with people who are positive influences in our lives. Those who build us up, support us, are honest, but fair, and those who have our best interests at heart. It is about giving ourselves permission to let people go from our lives who make us feel bad about ourselves, or who take every opportunity to criticize our choices and our lives. There is enough negativity in the world, we don’t need to choose to have it in those closest to us.

Remove negative self-talk from your life. Spend one day and be mindful of how often you start to think something negative about yourself, someone else, or the outcome of a situation. Now think about how much better your outlook and your life might be if you simply stopped yourself at the start of these thoughts. I have worked with many people to remove these thoughts from their daily lives, and the difference has been profound. Challenge yourself to see how much more balance your can restore to your life, and how much negativity you can remove from it, by removing negative self-talk.

Scale down and get organized. Even if you have a lot of “stuff,” you can get it organized. Make it your goal to make your space your solitude. Your home is supposed to be where you are at peace. Clutter genuinely creates anxiety. Make this the month and the year where you decide to organize, donate, and get control of your home. If you have not used it in a year, donate it. If things belong together, get storage and contain them. Group things together where they make sense. Move things where they work and function for you. Get rid of things that no longer work, are expired, are outdated, or that could do someone else more good than they are doing sitting in a pile in your home. You will not miss them, and you will feel good for sharing the love. Nothing feels quite as good as completely organizing and getting control of your space. It truly makes it feel like a functional home that is “yours,” and that you can live and breath in.

Let 2018 be the year where you finally restore balance into your life. As you can see from this list, it really is simple. Just a few thoughtful adjustments to your daily and weekly routine, and you could find yourself feeling far more centered and peaceful then you have in quite some time. The changes truly are obvious, and are things that most of us know, but just lose sight of. This is just human nature. We all know what we should do that is best for us, but we seem to make time for everyone but ourselves it seems. This year, let’s commit to ourselves, and by doing so, we will be more balanced in all areas of our lives.

Dr. Nikki Martinez, Psy.D. LCPC, Contributor [Tele-health counselor for www.DrNikkiMartinez.com, Adjunct Professor, Consultant, and Writer].

Nathan Stevenson, CEO of ForwardLane, a FinTech AI Startup in New York City, a next-generation AI company using machine learning to aggregate and scale firm-specific data, market data news, investment research, products, and strategic analytics for financial professionals joins Enterprise Radio.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Nathan Stevenson discuss the following:

• Please explain financial technology (FinTech) and artificial intelligence (AI) for our audience of entrepreneurs.
• How does ForwardLane combine FinTech with AI to augment human intelligence for asset managers, wealth managers, insurers, and corporate bankers?
• Why are (Application Programmer Interfaces) APIs important today, and how can businesses develop and use them to become more customer-centric?
• How can incorporating APIs help businesses drive revenue growth?
• Forbes reports, “Companies deploying emotional-connection-based strategies and metrics find that increasing customers’ emotional connection drives significant improvements in financial outcomes.” How can B2B companies create emotional thought-driven AI?

Nathan Stevenson is CEO of ForwardLane, a leading applied artificial intelligence platform that accelerates and enhances productivity for digital advisory and distribution in private wealth management, asset management and insurance.

Nathan is an experienced entrepreneur with a background in quantitative finance and enterprise architecture. He began his career at CQS and BNP Paribas London, and later joined the Johannesburg Stock Exchange as an enterprise architect managing large scale, international technology projects with NYSE, CME, and LSEG. Nathan was born in South Africa and previously co-founded two companies, Matchpoint Music, and HotelsBYDay.

Website: http://forwardlane.com

Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/forwardlane
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Forward_Lane

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Starting your own company is a fantastic opportunity for you to take control of your career path. When you are working as your own boss, the possibilities are endless! It’s especially true if you are the proud owner of an online business, as there are so many avenues for you to explore and so many different ways for you to take your organization to the next level. If you are determined to secure success for your online business, you will need to think carefully about your next move. The online world is extremely complicated and fast-moving, so you can’t afford to make any mistakes. Below are six tips that will help you to achieve your goals.

Understand your area of the industry 

Before you make any important decisions, it is vital that you understand your area of the industry. Otherwise, you will find it difficult to stay on top of the latest trends and to predict the actions of your competitors. Why not create case studies of the other businesses operating in your field? You could outline the pros and cons of their strategies. It will give you the opportunity to learn from their mistakes without making any of your own. If you have not yet moved your business online, try to look out for businesses that have made this move successfully. Or, if you have been online for a number of years but are yet to secure the levels of success that you would like to, you should find out what your competitors are doing that you are not. If you are struggling to manage a busy schedule, why not set up Google alerts to help you with this process? Alternatively, you could hire a virtual assistant to carry out detailed market research for you.

Make sure that your business stands out

Another important step is to make sure that your business stands out from the crowd. If you are operating online, you will have access to a wide range of opportunities. However, you will also have more competitors surrounding you. That is why it is vital that you invest in your branding strategy. Instead of taking on this responsibility alone, you should turn to smashbrand for their support. They will help you to establish a branding strategy that is sure to get you noticed, even in a competitive market. If your client base is scrolling through thousands of options before they get to your product or services, you need to provide them with something that will grab their attention and encourage them to find out more.

Speed up your online interactions

Next, you should concentrate your efforts on speeding up your online interactions with your client base. One of the major benefits of moving your business online is that it helps you to stay in touch with your audience. You can contact them via your social media pages, your mailing list, and your website. This level of availability will result in your customers expecting more from your business. In this age of technology, waiting weeks for a response is no longer acceptable. That is why you need to stay on top of your online communications. Why not set up an online help desk and get one of your employees to monitor it during work hours? Or, you could host a q&a session on Twitter. The most important thing is that you embrace the benefits of the online world and encourage your clients to do the same. You need to show them that it is worth their while to follow your business online.

Invest in your technology

Running an online business makes it extremely likely that a large part of your organization depends on technology. That is why you need to invest in your digital devices. Although it is important to control your spending habits and protect your company finances, your technology is one area where you don’t want to cut any corners. Doing so could result in your business being out of action for a number of days. Therefore, you should invest in high-quality desktop computers or laptops for your office space. You could also splash out on tablets and smartphones, as this is a great way for you to update your operation on the go. Another idea is to sign yourself, and your staff members, up for a course about the online world. A course could involve anything from social media marketing to search engine optimization. Just make sure that you opt for one that complements your overall business plan. Why not ask your employees for suggestions? You might find that there is a specific area where they are struggling and would benefit from some guidance.

Explore different marketing techniques

You could also use this training opportunity to learn about different marketing techniques. If you are going to succeed in the online world, it is important that you update your strategy accordingly. It is not enough to rely on the same marketing tools that you used in the real world. Instead, you need to make sure that you are taking full advantage of the opportunities that technology provides. For instance, you could try your hand at video marketing. It’s a unique way for you to capture people’s attention and to convey important information in a short amount of time. You could post your videos on social media, feature them on your website, or attach them to the emails that you send out to your mailing list.

Protect your customer’s online information

Finally, you will need to reassure your customers that they are safe to do business with you online. You can do this by investing in high-quality virus and malware protection software. You should also take a course on the benefits and threats of online banking. You should update all of your company passwords and replace any that are easy to predict. Last but not least, you should backup all of your client details onto a separate hard drive. These steps are essential if you are going to protect your online organization for unhappy customers, excessive downtime, and PR disasters.

Arman Agaronyan, Partner Manager and Angel Investor at Spinbackup, a SaaS Data Protection company that protects organizations against data leaks and data loss in the cloud joins Enterprise Radio.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Arman Agaronyan discuss the following:

1. With the rise of cloud  computing, Software as a Service or SaaS is part of everyones workday. Now Spinbackup is a SaaS Data Protection company. Tell us what this actually is and how you go about data protection in the cloud.
2. You are succesfully running Spinbackup as a company today. Why did you decide to move a succesful data back up business to the blockchain. Is this a riksy endeavor? Tell us a bit about that decision.
3. How secure is the blockchain and smart contracts. What are the pros and cons?

Conclusion: Blockchain technology is going to reshape how businesses think about security and deploy business applications in the cloud.

Arman Agaronyan, Partner Manager and Angel Investor at Spinbackup, is a leader in the field of IT security. Arman has developed an expertise in sales development, partner channel development, team management, and cloud data protection.

Arman joined forces with Spinbackup to extend their solutions to reseller channels across the world, and also had a part in building a highly motivated sales team. This in turn has led to a successful sales flow and rapidly growing sales numbers for the company. He is currently working extensively with resellers and analysts to raise awareness for data protection at organizations of all sizes via state of the art cybersecurity and backup solutions.

Arman graduated from University of California, Berkeley with a B.A. in Political Science.

Website: https://ico.spinbackup.com

Social Media Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpinBackUpCom
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpinBackUp

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Pete Servold, Executive Vice President of U.S. Operations at Church’s Chicken, one of the largest fried chicken restaurant chains in the world joins Enterprise Radio to discuss the growth of the Church’s Chicken Brand.

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

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Pete Servold discuss the following:

1. You recently announced the addition of a new large franchisee to your system.  What set this franchisee apart?
2. Where do you see the brand expanding in the future and what type of franchise candidates are you the most interested in?
3. Franchising has long been viewed as the way to live the American dream as a way for families and individuals to accumulate wealth with a proven system.  What sets the Church’s brand apart from other restaurant concepts that are attracting franchising interest?
4. What is your goal’s for expanding Church’s Chicken?
5. Lastly, Church’s Chicken has been around for 65 years.  That is quite a legacy.  How does a brand like yours continually reinvent itself to be relevant for a new generation of consumers?

Pete Servold
 | Executive Vice President of U.S. Operations | Church’s Chicken®

When you find someone like Pete Servold – who was practically born and raised in the restaurant business and has spent his entire career in the industry – you make him your Executive Vice President of U.S. Operations. Pete isn’t just a quick-service restaurant veteran – he’s one of the innovators – with a track record for leading brands to impressive achievements and bold new benchmarks in quality and service.

For Pete, strategy is the name of the game, and it’s an essential element of everything he does with the Church’s® domestic operations team. Policies, procedures, budgets, team building, technology…they all must meet Pete’s exacting standards for delivering on sales, profitability and guest satisfaction. It’s an approach he’s been refining for more than 40 years, beginning at age 16 when he took his first-ever job in the restaurant business. Pete is also responsible for leading a dedicated domestic franchise development team, including construction, new business and development.

From that early experience as a line cook, then cashier, Pete kept moving up the ranks, gaining valuable operations experience every step of the way. By the time he’d spent 32 years with that company (McDonald’s) he was Vice President of Franchise and Operations for the Atlanta region and oversaw 750 franchise restaurants and 100 company-owned restaurants. He also helped implement the brand’s JIT production system, still in use today. Additionally, Pete has held leadership roles with Hooters of America, and as head of his own wine and cigar business.

Pete also happens to be one of the Church’s Chicken® flock – he spent four years here integrating modern training systems and providing operational support to the entire network from 2010 to 2014. We’re looking forward to our next chapter under Pete’s guidance.

Website: www.churchs.com

Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchschicken
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChurchsChicken

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Vaping is a growing phenomenon that has been introduced as a healthier alternative to smoking. This has created an opportunity to make money, though it’s important to realize there are varying regulations from state to state. New trends can be capitalized from a business perspective, and if you’re thinking of starting your own business, this article will cover keys to success.

How to Open a Vape Shop

You have to know what you’re in for as an entrepreneur. You’ll be faced with hard work and stress in the initial stages, but providing you can see light at the end of the tunnel, this is enough to motivate you. You are taking on a big risk, but the possibility of success is encouraging. Good preparation will help you mitigate risks, and if you do your due diligence, you’ll become familiar with the vaping community. When you start out, you can sell cheap vape kits to encourage customers, and as you slowly build a reputation you can put your prices up.

Market research is advisable, and a great place to start is discovering what customers are looking for when they vape. By doing so, you can create a customer-driven business that meets demand, and you can tailor your service and products to what people want. You should get your finances and licenses in early, before focusing on how to build your business from the ground up.

Location

Where you open your vape shop is a huge determinant of success. Again, research is necessary, and knowing where to open your shop is one of the most important stages.

The perfect location will meet the following criteria:

• Visibility: Select a location that people walk past, and that can be observed by motorists. A corner location is great because it can be approached from different angles.
• Room for signage: There should be ample room for a sign to advertise your store.
• Parking: A dedicated parking spot is a luxury, but what’s most important is people being able to find you.

Hiring Vape Shop Staff

Vape shops are commonly open six days a week, so you’ll need to hire staff to assist you. Choosing the right staff is paramount to success, and they should be open, friendly, customer-facing individuals who possess an ability to approach people and be welcoming. You can teach them about vaping, but if they already have an interest in vaping that’s an advantage.

Quality

Avoid sketchy suppliers, because if a deal is too good to be true it probably is. Trust reputable, wholesale vape distributors, and select various products for an array of styles and statuses.

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The term “sexual harassment” has been in the news a lot lately. For a while, we couldn’t turn on the TV or go to our favorite news site without hearing about another prominent actor, musician, or politician being accused of harassing or even assaulting multiple women. Hashtags like #timesup and #metoo became a big part of the movement to hold men accountable, a movement that some people felt was long overdue and that others worry has gone too far. It’s a good idea to get educated on what exactly sexual harassment is, and the various forms it can take. There are plenty of people who claim that they “didn’t know” that what they were doing was abusive or wrong, but that’s not really considered a valid excuse in the year 2018.

Quid pro quo

The legal field loves to use obscure Latin terms, and one of its favorites is “quid pro quo.” It means “something for something.” We do quid pro quo things for each other all the time. If your brother wants you take a look at his car and see what’s wrong, you might agree as long as he cooks you your favorite meal. There’s nothing inherently wrong with it, but it can be abused in the workplace if, for instance, a boss heavily implies that a young woman’s chances at a promotion depend on her willingness to perform sexual favors for her boss. This kind of arrangement is known as the “casting couch” in Hollywood, an industry that is notoriously shallow and often doesn’t care how good an actor a woman is if she doesn’t also look like a supermodel. The “casting couch” can affect men as well, but women are far more likely to be expected to sleep with someone in order to get a starring role in a movie or TV show, or even in a commercial for diet soda. A woman in Hollywood who feels like she’s been the victim of the casting couch is free to speak with a Los Angeles sexual harassment lawyer and see if she has a case. The company that employed the sexual harasser may be liable in cases like this depending on the role the harasser held, and depending on if the company known or “should have known” what was going on.

A hostile work environment

You might hear a coworker say they have a “hostile work environment” because they have to ask the office manager for pens rather than just go to the supply drawer, but that’s not at all what that term means. It’s a specific term for a specific set of circumstances. In the case of sexual harassment, a woman who goes to work and hears lewd comments about her body from coworkers all day might very well have a potential civil suit. The comments don’t have to be things like, “I want to sleep with you,” either; comments that call someone gross and sexually unappealing can also be considered a hostile work environment. Two coworkers who engage in a mutual flirtation are not sexually harassing each other, though.

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Albany, the capital city of New York, is quite a popular destination for local and international tourists, despite it being a small city with only about 99,000 residents.

If you are planning a trip to Albany, then you have landed on the right page. Below are some amazing things this city has to offer.

• Parks and Nature Preserves

Albany has several well-maintained parks and nature preserves, including John Boyd Thacher State park, Corning Preserve, and Peebles Island State Park. You can have a good time here and enjoy a nice hike as well. Other than this, you can visit Howe Caverns to enjoy natural cave formations. For fans of adventure, there is a zipline at Mountain Ridge Adventure.

• National Landmarks and Historic Sites

The city of Albany is more than 400 years old. You can find some great historic landmarks here such as Schuyler Mansion, Historic Cherry Hill, Oakwood Cemetery and Burial Place of Uncle Sam, Shaker Heritage Society, Erie Canal, Albany City Hall, Chester A. Arthur Memorial Tomb, First Lutheran Church, and New York State Capitol.

• Museums and Entertainment Centers

Albany is a very lively city. You can enjoy festivals such as The Tulip Festival, held every spring at the famous Washington Park. The festival showcases beautiful flowers and is a heaven for nature lovers. Moreover, there are some other festivals as well, including Comic Con and sports festivals. In addition to this, you might visit the entertainment center to enjoy live performances.

The night life is also pretty good, as there are hip and happening pubs in the city.

• Fine Dining and Shopping

The city offers delicious food to satisfy your taste buds. You can visit orchards and farms to enjoy fresh apples and other fruits. For fans of fine dining, there are some great restaurants such as City Beer Hall, Dave & Buster’s, and LAX. The farmers’ market can also be a nice attraction if you enjoy such trips. There are some amazing shopping opportunities as well. The city offers huge malls including Crossgates Mall and Double M Western Store. Moreover, regular shopping fairs are also held in the city.

• Surrounding Areas

If you are in Albany, you should make it a point to visit some nearby cities as well, such as Cooperstown. It is a small village in New York State that offers some amazing views. You can grab a taxi from Albany to Cooperstown and make this trip in a day. You can also visit other popular cities such as New York City (about 2.5 hours), Yonkers (2.2 hours), and Rochester (3.5 hours). A lot of people who visit New York prefer to stay in Albany, as it is an affordable city to live in, and is also close to other major attractions in NY.

Fruit has been preserved and dried for decades, and there’s a good reason for this: it’s a good way to continue enjoying the benefits of fruits even when they are not in season. Dried fruit is simply fruit which no longer has any water content, and studies have shown that dehydrated or dried fruit has more concentrated nutrients. For instance, one study has revealed that dried grapes, plums, and cranberries have twice as many antioxidants as their fresh versions. If you are looking for dried fruit for your business, regardless if you will use it for your restaurant or are looking to add it to certain foods which you manufacture, such as cereals or chocolates, here are the most popular types of dried fruit products you can use.

Top choices: apples, papaya, apricots, peaches, and bananas

Many food establishments and manufacturers prefer dried fruit such as apples, papaya, apricots, peaches, and bananas, as they are not only easy to store – they can be used in a variety of food preparations as well. Whether they are freeze-dried or dried naturally, these fruits are in high demand with hotels and restaurants which specialise in breakfast specialties, they are popular with bakeries, and they are also popular with food manufacturers. Food manufacturers often make use of dried apples, papayas, apricots, peaches, and bananas as mixes for food products, and they are often popular as stand-alone snacks.

Apricots and mangoes are particularly popular because they are chewy and soft, but for those who prefer a bit of crunch, bananas and apples are good choices. Of course, your choice in dried fruit will depend on how you are planning to use them, such as whether they will be used as part of your menu or whether they will be mixed with other ingredients to create a particular food product.

The organic selection

Nowadays, organic dried fruit is also in high demand, particularly with establishments that specialise in healthy food options. Organic dried fruits such as apricots, apple rings, and mangoes are grown and developed without any pesticides or fertilisers, and they are also preserved naturally, without any additives or any artificial ingredients.

Your options when purchasing dried fruit for your business 

Since dried fruit can be used extensively in the food sector, it is available in bulk. Wholesale dried fruit can be purchased from well-known and reputable suppliers, and they can also be sold in pre-packed mixes according to your preference, such as a mix of currants and sultanas, figs and apricots, depending on what you need. If you have specific requirements, look for a supplier which can provide you with customised packs, and which follows the standards set forth by world food authorities as well as EU regulations.

Image attributed to Pixabay.com

As we are moving towards a digital world, important cyber security questions keep popping up. Once you’ve figured out how to set up a secure IT infrastructure, the next thing to do is to make sure that your files are not only stored in a manner that is safe, secure, and protected against unauthorized access, but also take the appropriate measures to ensure they are not compromised during transfer. Failure to do so can result in a whole heap of trouble, including:

1. Financial repercussions

The obvious consequence of a non-compliance penalty are the financial repercussions. A large corporate entity may have the financial resources to withstand such a blow, while small business owners, on the other hand, are very much unlikely to.

Having to pay a fine could dig a serious hole in your pockets, and you may not be able to pay your employees because of it. Worse yet, your company may have to go through audits, and in extreme cases, the authorities may even decide to dissolve it.

Non-compliance penalties are no laughing matter, and it’s much cheaper to hire an IT security professional than risking the good standing and reputation of your business. Speaking of which…

2. Brand name damage

Once people lose trust in your brand, it’s hard to earn it back. Even if you somehow manage to get through it all in a financial sense, your brand name will always be tainted by a black mark in people’s eyes and hearts (even through no fault of your own).

Even after the media stops throwing dirt in your direction, you must always remember that the internet acts as one big archive. Anyone can check your company’s public history within seconds. As people keep becoming more adept at using the modern technology and devices, having a black mark on your record can negatively affect your business opportunities in the future and the way your potential customers perceive you.

3. Sensitive data leakage

If hackers and unauthorized individuals intercept your data during transfer, your company’s carefully-guarded secrets could be unveiled to the public. Certain businesses need to collect and store sensitive personal data of their customers (like document scans or credit card numbers), and if the bad guys get their hands on it, this could mean dire news for everyone. Identity theft, illegitimate money transfers… you name it.

For this reason, you must do everything in your power to protect your network and use secure file-transfer programs like ipswitch. That way, you will become a much tougher nut for the cyber-criminals to crack, and they will likely just pick an easier target instead of messing with you.

Conclusion

As if having to pay a non-compliance fee wasn’t devastating enough, having sensitive personal data leaked to the public can also lead to class-action lawsuits against your company and irreparable damage to your brand. Due to this, it’s imperative to get a solid grasp on essential cyber security principles and educate yourself on how to transfer files safely. So, let go of the passive mindset and start working on it today. You owe it to yourself and to your customers.

After running an established company for a while, it only makes sense that you’d want it to grow. Knowing that this transformation won’t happen overnight is the first step forward. Instead, you should put measures in place early that will help you shape and mold your business into having a bright future.

Think about what you do well and how you can raise the bar for yourself to get ahead of your competition. It’s never a good idea to be comfortable where you are or expect opportunities to fall into your lap. You should always be growing, questioning and challenging your employees to do and be more. Only by doing so will bring you great rewards.

Use Technology To Become More Efficient

As technology evolves further, you should use the advancements to your benefit, allowing you to work faster and smarter. You’ll become more efficient, which will help you to get more tasks completed and to grow your business. One example is to use an online checkstub maker that allows you to enter employee information and download pay stubs instantly quickly. Another idea is to transfer your customer data online so you have it all in one place and can keep track easily of individual orders, issues and follow-ups.

Focus On What You Do Best

When you’re trying to grow your business, it’s not a good idea to make everything you’re trying to do a priority. Pick a few initiatives that standout and that you believe will help get you closer to your goal of taking your business to a new level. Select the products and objectives you want to make a reality and get everyone in the company involved in helping you. You have to be wise enough to know what you do best and go to market with that if you want to stand out in the crowd.

Secure Loyal Customers

You’re not going very far if you don’t have loyal customers. You need people who will follow you and advocate for you throughout your journey. You want to have customers on your side who are going to be there through the ups and downs and not abandon you if you make one poor decision. The only way to grow your business is to get clients who have your back and are in love with your brand and products.

Get Your Finances In Order

Don’t expect to grow your business if your finances are a mess. Sit down with the appropriate people and get your books in order. Understand what money you have going in and out and come up with a solution for how you’re going to invest in your growth. You may have to take a few risks to get to where you want to be. If your foundation is strong and you have loyal customers, then it shouldn’t be a problem securing the money you need to expand.

Above all, you have to be willing to make changes if you want to get to a different level. Don’t let a few hiccups get in the way of following your dreams.