Udi Merhav, Founder and CEO of energyOrbit, a San Francisco-based software company that helps utilities and other power generation organizations improve their productivity and the effectiveness of their energy efficiency joins the Green Business Podcast Show.

Listen to interview with host Eric Dye & guest Udi Merhav discuss the following:

• I understand that the energyOrbit software has helped utilities and other organization save 13.2 terawatt hours of energy for their customers. That is roughly 248 percent of of San Francisco’s annual electricity consumption. Can you tell us why are utilities driven to help their customers save energy, when it seems like they make more money we use more energy?
• What are some of the key reasons a utility or energy company may look to use the energyOrbit platform to manage their energy efficiency and demand side management programs?
• What spawned the idea behind energyOrbit?
• What does the customer get on the energyOrbit platform?
• What are some examples of how your customers have improved their own efficiency related to these programs through the energyOrbit platform?

A seasoned technology executive and entrepreneur, Udi Merhav founded energyOrbit in 2006 after 15 years spent designing and implementing e-commerce and information technology solutions for high growth sectors including online legal services, financial services and energy efficiency / Demand Side Management.

With business development expertise in Asia Pacific markets, he worked in a variety of roles setting up joint ventures with Chinese companies and is a co-founder and co-investor in India-based Orit Innovations Ltd., providing Salesforce.com consulting services.

Udi holds an Undergraduate Degree in Chinese Regional Studies and a Master’s Degree in International Studies from the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA.

Website: www.energy-orbit.com

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Plant hire, more commonly referred to as equipment rental of earth-moving equipment and machines for construction purposes has become a growing trend in recent years. While there are certainly a lot of benefits that come with the ownership of a fleet, it is also a huge financial commitment and responsibility that only the larger companies can usually afford to invest in and may be too big a burden for smaller businesses to carry. With renting, expenditure and risk of loss are generally kept to a minimum, and in turn the profits are potentially maximised. Here are a just a few notable advantages that plant hire has in the industry.

1. Avoid maintenance and repair costs

The eventual deterioration of construction equipment is unavoidable. Not unlike everything else, proper maintenance can often increase the longevity of the machinery and is a preventative measure for premature degradation. Repairs too are necessary if the equipment breaks down. As essential as these things are to how effective the equipment functions, they also come at significantly high cost. Rental contracts usually do away with the added expenditure and contracts typically include provisioning for regular checks and spare parts if needed.

2. Prevent downtime costs

Downtime can be an unavoidable situation even for the most well established contractors. However, expenditure will still be ongoing despite the lack of activity in operations. Having construction equipment taking up valuable space and having to pay for storage fees can easily take a toll on the finances of the business. By opting to rent, you simply pay for the time and duration of the project and are free of the worries of additional expenditure and loss of investment.

3. Provides a means to pursue other ventures

The up-front prices alongside additional costs for transportation, storage and maintenance for earth-moving equipment are by no means cheap. Ownership requires a heavy investment of money that can become a huge money pit if left unchecked, and might overcommit valuable resources, which can prevent the pursuit of other potentially profitable opportunities. Renting on the other hand costs significantly less, and allows some measure of flexibility to invest in other ventures.

4. Always remain updated with current-generation technology

In any industry, it’s good practice to stay ahead of the competition via the use of current-generation technology. While it’s certainly possible to do so via ownership of construction equipment, it isn’t necessarily sensible. Having to sell current models and buy new ones isn’t exactly economical after all. Services like Plant Hire Chesterfield provide the latest equipment and machines for use without the need to purchase them outright.

It’s not terribly difficult to see the reason why more and more people are opting for plant hire as opposed to ownership. Money is a commodity that many businesses can ill-afford to waste. As the saying goes, you need to spend money to make money. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that expenditure has to be high in order to get a profit.

Image: Pixabay.com

Marti Hines, Co-Founder of Wanderluxxe and Co-founder of D Pique Productions joins Enterprise Radio. D Pique Productions just recently finished their first feature, Die (Dee) Expats, which was shot in Berlin and was Hines directorial debut.

Listen to interview with host Eric Dye & guest Marti Hines discuss the following:

• Tell us about your background with Marti Hines events, and why you wanted to then found Wanderluxxe. What it is, why did you start it? When did it launch?
• Wanderluxxe recently  launched a membership program? How does that work? How can one become a member?
• Tell us about DPIC productions – why did you get involved in that line of work simultaneously and how has that experience been? Tell us about your film?
• What is a challenge you feel you face as an entrepreneur? And as a female in the film industry?
• How do you manage all three of your companies?  Why do you like the diverse work space you have created for yourself?

Marti Hines began her career as an event producer, working in Chicago with Hyatt Hotels, Washington DC with the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center,  Sundance Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, AFI Fest and Sir Sidney Poitier’s 90th Birthday Tribute, among others. She is co-founder of the luxury concierge service Wanderluxxe which specializes in film festival activations, events and all access to premieres, screenings, travel, festival related event and more. Her innovative concepts, attention to detail, and ability to bring your ideas to life are unparalleled. Over the past decade Marti Hines has positioned herself has a standout independent event producer for filmmakers, celebrities, and politicians. Her transition to film producing and directing has been a seamless one. Her first producer role with the short film Stages premiered at the 2015 Palm Springs Film Festival to rave reviews. The relationships that she has cultivated throughout her career continue to grow stronger has she takes on each exciting new venture.

She is Co-Founder of the female owned production company D Pique Productions, which just recently finished their first feature, Die (Dee) Expats, which they shot on location in Berlin and was Hines directorial debut. The film focuses on women empowerment and the journey of a displaced expat couple in Berlin. Both Marti and her partner Jasmin Greene produced the film, a passion project of the two which is currently being shopped to networks and submitted to film festivals.

Website: www.wanderluxxe.com

Instagram: @MartiHines | @wanderluxxemembers

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It’s no secret that cash flow is one of the most important aspects of maintaining optimal progress and expansion in any industry. A company that has adequate access to capital is capable of fully investing its funds and utilising its assets. However, many businesses deal with intermittent cash flow gaps due to the time it takes for ACH bank transfers and other payment methods to clear. The delays can also cause accounting and restocking issues that unnecessarily complicate and disrupt the business and heighten the risk of errors and oversights.

Bank to bank transfers have historically been the norm for businesses of all sizes, but in recent years, faster payment services are starting to give companies greater control, convenience, and speed. These technological platforms have become essential for many businesses that need to continually pay for a high volume of products or services to stay running at an optimal pace. With that said, here are five reasons why being able to pay for services faster can benefit any business:

1. Restocking Quickly and Efficiently

When you’re trying to pay for the delivery of mission-critical inventory or equipment, having to wait days or even 24 hours for a conventional ACH transfer to reach the supplier can be a temporary drain on cash flow and sales. Using a ‘faster payments processing service’ is one way you can reduce the wait time down to a few hours. That means that you can have an order placed and paid for before noon on the same business day, with zero interruptions in your company’s stock or service.

2. Enhanced Security and Legal Protection

Another reason why a company might consider using a faster payments service is the fact that platforms like AccessPay are based on extremely secure IP infrastructures and all transactions are protected. Plus, with certain systems such as AccessPay, payments as large as £250,000 can be sent and received in the same business day, versus 2-3 business days for a conventional bank transfer. Fraud protection is also included, so the company is even more protected than it would be if it were to pay for services directly out of its business checking account.

3. Ability to Detect Insufficient Funds Errors More Quickly

Nowadays, many businesses overuse automated billing features and can easily overextend their account balance if careful accounting isn’t practiced. With a faster payments service, you’ll have an instant record of the balance and whether the payment was successfully received by the intended recipient. That way if there isn’t enough money available in the account you’ll know about it right away rather than days later, which will allow for a more expeditious investigation and remedying of the problem.

4. Accurate and Up-to-Date Accounting

When you’re using a faster payments service, the money is stored in a secure account that is similar to escrow, so, when you send a payment to a service provider or supplier, that money is processed by the payment processor on your company’s behalf and is available in the supplier’s account within a matter of hours. That means the current ledger in your payment account will always be accurate up to the same day, with no possibility of oversights due to 3-day delays.

5. Faster Payroll Processing and B2B Payments

When it comes to time to pay employees and other businesses for their services, you don’t want to make them wait days to receive the funds in their bank account. Even popular payment processors like PayPal require you to transfer the funds to a bank account via transfer. Faster payment processing services issue the money directly from your account into the supplier’s bank account balance, with no effort required on their behalf, so it’s mutually beneficial and more convenient for all of the parties involved.

Streamlining Payments to Reach Milestones Faster

In closing, one final bonus reason why a business might want to expedite its service payments is to speed through goals and deadlines at a faster pace. While some small businesses are okay dealing with the delays, others are focused on maxing out the company’s growth potential. If optimal progress is your goal, then you should consider using something faster than typical bank transfers to both send and receive funds.

So you’ve made the decision to cohabitate with your partner. Congratulations; take a moment to have some champagne and celebrate living in the same house or apartment. Love is great, especially when you don’t have to leave your house to see each other. It’s a big step, and you should be happy. You should also start planning for life under the same roof.

Compromise is key

You knew that already, right? Presumably, you have a healthy relationship, and you can’t have a healthy relationship that’s fundamentally unequal. If one partner always gives in so the other can get their way, that’s not much to write home about. However, it’s easy to forget about compromise once you start hashing out things like “Should we use my couch or use?” or “What do we do with the spare room?”  

In some ways, it’s easier if you’re both moving to a new house without any memories. That way you can make memories together rather than have one person move into the other’s house and risk feeling like an interloper. Regardless of who is moving, you need to make sure you’re both communicating clearly about your expectations. It’s not fair to tell the person who is moving in that they can’t bring anything with them from their old place. Would you want to be told that? No, probably not. If you don’t have the same taste in interior decorating, that’s fine, but you still need to create a living space that feels like it truly belongs to both of you.

If necessary, you should each make a list of the most important parts of the home to you. If your boyfriend really wants to bring over his favorite bar stool, then let him. Your relationship is more important than whether or not it clashes with the wallpaper. Similarly, if your girlfriend thinks now would be a great time to add some luxury kitchen appliances to the house, talk about how much that might cost before you dismiss it out of hand. It’s natural to want to be heard in a relationship, but that means you also have to be willing to listen.

You don’t have to figure it all out by moving day

Open and honest communication should go a long way towards resolving any differences. That means one of you can’t clam up and refuse to talk about it. You’re in a serious relationship; that means you’re going to have a mildly uncomfortable conversation every now and then. The key is “every now and then.” You shouldn’t be fighting all day and every day. Rough patches are common, but the whole relationship shouldn’t be one big rough patch.

If there’s a particular item or piece of furniture that you just can’t come to an agreement on, then step back for a bit. You’re probably going to be moving some things into a storage unit anyway, so suggest putting the item of contention in there as well. You can come back to it in a few weeks. By then, one of you may not feel so strongly about it, or you may have come up with the perfect compromise. But at the end of the day, you’re not together to argue about stuff. You’re together because you think life together is better than life apart. As the saying goes, sometimes it’s better to be happy than to be right.

Airport travel is one of those ideas that, at least lately, seems to work a whole lot better in theory than it does in practice. It is certainly very neat that you can get on a plane in, say, Boston, then get off the same plane a few hours later and be in Seattle. The stuff you have to endure while on the plane (and prior to boarding) is way less neat. More and more people are traveling via airplane these days, but fewer people are happy about it. It’s seen more as a necessary evil rather than the luxury it once was.

Economy class is going downhill

Airplanes are safe. You’ve probably heard the statistic that says you’re much safer on a plane than you are in the car driving to the airport. There’s truth to that. Passengers can be grateful for the safety but still resent the choices they’re forced to make before they board. Take “basic economy” for instance. Airlines claim it’s a great way for you to save a few bucks, but that doesn’t work as well if you’re paying the same price but getting less. Airlines want to charge you a few extra bucks to pick your seat assignment, or, in some cases, to bring a carry-on bag and store it in the overhead compartment. That seems crazy to most people, but not to airline shareholders, and in a lot of ways, they’re the only opinions that really matter. When you search for airfare now, you have to be careful not to accidentally pick basic economy, or else you might be in for a rude awakening once you get on the airplane and are stuck in a middle seat with no carry-on. Your luxurious waterbase pillow won’t do you much good if you have to check it at the gate.

A lot of people feel like they absolutely must take the cheapest flight no matter how poor the quality is. So is the airline consumer to blame? Maybe a little bit, but we shouldn’t have to be nickled-and-dimed to receive a bare bones level of customer service, and the lack of competition means airlines know they can get away with more. If you’re looking to get any sort of rest on a plane, you’re going to have to pay extra. Airlines want people to fork over extra cash to not be miserable, and to some degree that’s working, even if it sets up an unnecessarily adversarial relationship between the customer and the company.

Self-care at the airport

Do what you need to do to be as calm as possible before you board. You don’t want any surprises. If you’re traveling internationally, make sure your passport is up to date before you book your ticket. If you’re traveling domestically, make sure your driver’s license isn’t about to expire. TSA agents aren’t going to have much sympathy for you. Once you’re past security, have a drink or two if it helps you relax, but don’t mix alcohol and that Xanax prescription you got from your doctor. Pick one, but not both, or else you’re risking an overdose. You want to be relaxed, but you don’t want to be so relaxed that medical professionals have to perform resuscitative measures.

Dr. Gokul Solai, CEO of Novatio Solutions, a leading Digital Workforce solutions provider that transforms challenging, time-consuming or labor-intensive tasks into jobs for ‘robots’ joins Enterprise Radio.

Listen to interview with host Eric Dye & guest Dr. Gokul Solai discuss the following:

• What is digital workforce? How does it work?
• What is the difference between a digital workforce, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and Artificial Intelligence?
• What are the benefits of a digital workforce and how can it change the way work is done worldwide?
• How does Novatio Solutions’ innovative process make the company different from its competitors and who are you competitors?
• What type of companies do you work with and how are you implementing a digital workforce for their organization?
• There are many different viewpoints on what AI (Artificial Intelligence) is and what the benefit delivers; how do you believe AI can be used to help workers rather than hinder them?
• What are some of the staffing opportunities with robotics? How can we better help people to understand the benefits of robots in the workforce?

Conclusion: Digital workforces are NOT a replacement for workers jobs. They can’t and won’t replace the human brain – in fact, it compliments it by providing exceptional right brain thinking leaving humans to focus on left brain activities such as creativity and innovation. Digital workforces of the future will actually allow people to work LESS and enjoy a greater work life balance similar to Europe.

Gokul Solai, MD, serves as CEO of Novatio Solutions where he works to improve and streamline business processes through technology and automation to provide a more efficient and scalable digital workforce.

Prior, Solai spent five years working as a physician at Edward Hospital. He has always had a passion for innovation and technology, especially in the healthcare field. Upon completing his medical degree, Solai identified several opportunities in which technology could help facilitate healthcare delivery, which ultimately motivated his move towards the technology space with Novatio Solutions.

Gokul received a BS in Biomedical Engineering and Economics from Northwestern University and is American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) certified.

Website: novatiosolutions.com

Social Media Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NovatioUSA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/novatiosolutions

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Jasmine Sandler, a Keynote Speaker on Social Branding for Entrepreneurs and Executives and is the Founder and CEO of Agent-cy Online Marketing, an Online Branding Agency and Global Digital Marketing Training business since 2006 joins Enterprise Radio.

Listen to interview with host Eric Dye & guest Jasmine Sandler discuss the following:

• What is Social Branding and How is it Different or the Same from Personal Branding?
• What are some of the benefits to an Entrepreneur by investing into Social Branding?
• What types of Entrepreneurs can benefit from Social Branding and How?
• What are some immediate steps an entrepreneur can take to build his or her Social Brand?
• How can a Social Brand support a Company Brand to drive more sales?

Jasmine Sandler is a Google awarded Author, Senior-level Consultant and Keynote Speaker on Online Branding for global organizations and C-level executives. She is the Founder and CEO of Agent-cy Online Marketing, a NYC-based Social Media and Search Agency serving global brands including: CitiBank,  Private Jet Card Comparisons, Fly Home Jets,  Tuescher Chocolates, Diamonds International, Almod Diamonds and The Shade Store.

As the author of (3) books on Social Media for Business, Jasmine writes on SEO and Social Media Strategies for Fast Company, LinkedIn, Entrepreneur.com, SearchEngineJournal.com and ClickZ.com.

Jasmine has helped thousands of entrepreneurs and executives understand how to build their own powerful personal brands online through her workshops, keynote presentations, articles, books and most recently her own Podcast series, Uncover – a video and audio podcast about bringing the truths to business.

She is an ongoing speaker for ASM, DMWF, NYXPO, OMMA, The AMA, Vistage International, WLE, and many other industry organizations. Her insights on Social Branding and Social Selling have been requested by The New York Times, Entrepreneur.com, Fast Company magazine, NBC News, WPIX, CBS TV, BBC UK , USA Today and literally hundreds of other media outlets.

Jasmine has a dual MBA in Marketing and CIS and is a former IBM Marketing executive. Her passions are Speaking, Singing and Hockey. Her client work, testimonials, videos, interviews, courses and books can be found at www.jasminesandler.com.

Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jasmine.Sandler1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jasmine_Sandler

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When the internet came about, and people realized they could set up shop in cyberspace and make money, online shopping revolutionized the way the public bought things. Everything from groceries to cars to toys, and even houses can be purchased through the internet. Security features have made it even safer, and now more people than ever are choosing to stay and home to shop. What are the benefits of shopping online?

Convenience 

If you want to buy something online, you can do so whenever and wherever you like. You can do it at work, you can do it at home, you can do it in between or when you’re out in a restaurant or when you’re sitting on the bus. You can do it in your pajamas if you want, or in the tub. You don’t have to wait in line, you don’t have to wait for anything to help you to your car with your purchases – it’s done in an instant, and will be delivered to your door. Some items are even with you instantly, such as eBooks from Amazon, or theater tickets from www.ticketsales.com. If you have important business supplies, then ordering online can be revolutionary to your business.

No Pollution 

If you have to get in your car every time you need to buy something, that can be pretty bad for the environment. Buying online prevents that, and even if your delivery is coming to you by truck, it won’t just be yours; it will be full of lots of other purchases for other people too. So instead of dozens of car journeys, it’s just one truck journey. Better all round for everyone, including the planet.

More Choice

When you shop online, you have the whole world’s worth of online stores at your fingertips. This means you can take your time to compare and contrast prices and items, ensuring that you get the best quality for the best price. You aren’t necessarily limited by geography either, since it’s just as easy to purchase something from an international seller (although potentially more expensive, of course) as it is from someone in the same state as you. Stock is more plentiful too as the store owners don’t need to house it in a warehouse, or in the back of the store, so it’s far more likely you’ll be able not only to find what you’re looking for, but to get hold of it too.

Better Prices

Since there is no middleman involved (that is, the store you would normally buy from) and you can purchase items straight from the manufacturer, you’ll find that you can get some impressive bargains when shopping online. Coupled with the fact that many online stores have low prices anyway due to so much competition, and you’re going to be able to save a lot of money by shopping through the internet. Search online for coupons just in case the store you’ve picked is running any special offers, and you could save even more.

Gifts Are Easier 

We all love to buy gifts, but sometimes getting that gift where it needs to be can be a chore. If the recipient of your gift lives abroad, or even far enough away that simply popping round to their home to hand it to them personally is impossible, then you will need to buy the gift, wrap it, take it to the post office, pay even more to get it sent to your friend or loved one… Hopefully, they will get it, eventually. Alternatively, you could buy them a gift online. Have the online store send the gift – wrapped in some cases – directly to the recipient, saving time and money!

Cristi Hegranes, Founder and Executive Director of Global Press Institute, which uses journalism as a development tool to train and employ women in developing media markets to elevate awareness and ignite social change joins Enterprise Radio.

Listen to interview with host Eric Dye & guest Cristi Hegranes discuss the following:

• What exactly is the Global Press Institute?
• What prompted you to start the company?
• As a social entrepreneur and someone who’s dedicated to reinventing the news to make sure it’s written by those who are from the regions they’re covering, what’s been your greatest challenge thus far?
• What are some of the stories discovered by the female journalists you train and employ?
• 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 expanded the reach of what you’re doing?
• What’s your biggest piece of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs? Or someone with a business idea who doesn’t know what to do next?

Cristi Hegranes is the Founder and Executive Director of Global Press. A 2013 Ashoka Fellow, Cristi is an experienced social entrepreneur, a media innovation pioneer, and a renowned international journalism trainer. Global Press exists to create a more just and informed world by employing local female journalists to produce ethical, accurate news coverage from the world’s least-covered places. Global Press operates a training program, Global Press Institute, an award-winning news publication, Global Press Journal, and an innovative syndication division, Global Press News Service. GPI has trained and employed 180 journalists across 26 developing countries, including Haiti, Zimbabwe, Mexico, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

After serving as a foreign correspondent in Nepal, Cristi founded GP in 2006 to demonstrate a new way forward for the field of international journalism. Cognizant of the gender disparity in media and the one-dimensional portrait of developing communities often painted by Western news outlets, Cristi created GP to provide a professional training opportunity and a global platform for trained, local journalists to report on their communities for a global audience.

Cristi has also developed a dynamic new business model for international journalism through Global Press News Service (GPNS), a state-of-the-art syndication service that enables GPI to magnify its social impact and drive revenue from the sale of GPJ news content to media organizations, corporations, and NGOs. GPNS meets a market need by providing professional, diverse, affordable international news content to its partners. All of the revenue from GPNS is reinvested into GPI trainings and GPJ content creation in order to create a holistic social enterprise.

Previously, Cristi had a successful career as a journalist for Village Voice Media in New York and San Francisco. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism from New York University and a Bachelor’s degree from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Cristi also served as a fellow-in-residence at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg and has taught courses in entrepreneurship and journalism at San Francisco State University and California State University, East Bay.

Recognized for developing a high-quality, sustainable model of international journalism that is rooted in the perspective of local communities, Cristi has received a wide range of prestigious social entrepreneurship and journalism accolades. She is the recipient of the Grinnell College Young Innovator for Social Justice Prize, the Jefferson Award for Public Service, the Society of Professional Journalists Journalism Innovation Prize, a New Media Web Award, a Clarion Award for Investigative Journalism, and a Lifestyle Journalism Prize. She was awarded the Distinguished Young Alumni of New York University in 2015.

Websites:

• Global Press Institute: http://www.globalpressinstitute.org
• WeWork: https://www.wework.com/
• WeWork Creator Awards: https://creatorawards.wework.com

Facebook and Twitter links

• Global Press Institute
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalPressInstitute
  • Twitter: @pressinstitute
• WeWork:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeWork
  • Twitter: @WeWork

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The Genting Group is well known worldwide for its contributions to the casino industry. The holding company is located in Kuala Lumpur with four subsidiaries. First organizing in 1965, the company was founded by the late entrepreneur Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong. Since that time the company has developed and operated casinos as well as integrated resorts worldwide. With holdings in the Philippines, Singapore, America, Malaysia, Australia and the United Kingdom, the Genting Group is now setting its sights on Canada.

Recently, the company put in a bid to acquire several gambling related holdings in Ontario, specifically Toronto. If the deal were to come to fruition, Genting would hold the rights to slot facilities in the Toronto area at Woodbine and Ajax Down as well as the Great Blue Heron Casino for at least 22 years. However, their bid failed as the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation opted instead for a consortium formed of the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation and Brookfield Business Partners LP.  These holdings are rather lucrative as they include over 4,000 gaming machines and a total of 60 table games. This was not the company’s first attempt to get a foothold in Canada.

Along with the Genting Group was the American firm, Caesar’s Entertainment that made it to the finals which included the winning firm as well. Research firm, UOB Kay Hian, is concerned that the parent company is losing value in comparison to its subsidiaries. Other impending litigation from local tribes is expected to possibly present further difficulties for the company.

Even though the Genting Group is having some difficulty at this time, the trend in casino gambling continues to be strong and doesn’t appear to be dying down any time soon thanks to popular online and mobile casinos that have drawn in even more gamblers.

Art Hadnett, who serves as president of HNTB Corporation’s West Division, an employee-owned infrastructure solutions firm serving public and private owners and contractors with more than a century of service joins Enterprise Radio to discuss HNTB’s Corporate Diversity Program.

Listen to interview with host Eric Dye & guest Art Hadnett discuss the following:

• You have more than three decades of leadership experience with transportation infrastructure, currently serving as West division president for HNTB, an employee-owned infrastructure solutions firms with over a century of service.  As a nationally recognized leader, can you tell us about some of your career highlights and high-profile projects?
• Today we are talking about diversity and the importance of national firms helping disadvantaged, minority-owned and small businesses compete for multi-million-dollar transportation and infrastructure contracts. Can you tell us more about HNTB’s Partners Program?
• With HNTB’s corporate diversity program, what are the benefits to disadvantaged and small businesses and how does the firm help these firms grow and succeed?
• Can you share some examples of HNTB’s successful diversity initiatives?
• Clearly there are significant benefits for small businesses from programs like this. What are the benefits to the infrastructure firms?
• How do you measure the impact your program has on the small business community?

Art Hadnett is senior vice president for HNTB and West Division president, based at the firm’s Los Angeles headquarters. He is responsible for leading the operations of the nine-state West Division, including eleven offices and nearly 600 employees, overseeing vital and complex infrastructure programs in rail/transit, tolling and aviation. He possesses more than 30 years of comprehensive leadership experience in infrastructure and transportation gained from high-profile megaprojects.

The HNTB-designed Sixth Street Viaduct over the Los Angeles River between downtown and Boyle Heights is one of the city’s largest infrastructure projects that Hadnett currently oversees, in addition to providing design and engineering for the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor on behalf of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

In his role, Hadnett leads strategic planning and operations, recruits top talent and builds relationships with thought leaders within the industry across the western region.

Prior to joining HNTB, Hadnett served as vice president and practice leader for another consulting engineering firm’s transportation division, where he was responsible for managing major assignments with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Orange County Transportation Authority, Los Angeles World Airports, Southern California Regional Rail Authority, and Federal Transit Administration.
Throughout his career, Hadnett built deep connections and relationships through his affiliation with professional associations.  He represents HNTB in civic- as well as industry-related associations in key leadership roles.

Hadnett’s vast knowledge of industry issues and trends enables him to speak expertly on a wide array of topics, including:

• Aviation
• Bridges and tunneling
• Program management/construction management
• Rail/transit
• Toll roads, express lanes and priced managed lanes
• Major infrastructure programs
• Design-build
• Public-private partnerships
• Infrastructure funding
• Intelligent Transportation Systems
• Executive management/leadership
• Mentoring
• Team-building for major projects

Specifically, Hadnett can offer insight on the following regional topics:

• 2028 Olympics and Los Angeles’ infrastructure needs –  commentary and comparisons
• LAX Expansion
• “Green Builds” for airports
• Sports stadium design
• Linking light rail to strategic hubs
• Major freeway and highway projects, tolling and express lanes
• Bridge and tunnel projects
• SPARK-LA educational program to build awareness in STEM careers
• Cultivating DBE/MBE partnerships
• Management advice/business development

About HNTB

HNTB Corporation is an employee-owned infrastructure solutions firm serving public and private owners and contractors. With more than a century of service, HNTB understands the life cycle of infrastructure and addresses clients’ most complex technical, financial and operational challenges. Professionals nationwide deliver a full range of infrastructure-related services, including award-winning planning, design, program management and construction management.

Website:  www.hntb.com

Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HNTBCorp
Twitter: 
https://twitter.com/HNTBCorp
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hntb

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Outdated and inefficient e-commerce systems can prevent your business from reaching its full potential. If you want to ensure your enterprise has the best chance of succeeding, you may need to upgrade your current set-up. Here are a few of the benefits such a move could bring to your company.

Enhanced customer engagement

If your current e-commerce systems don’t allow you to engage with customers in real time, you could be losing out on potential sales. Studies have shown that the most loyal customers are those who are so fully engaged with the company that they feel an emotional or psychological connection.

Consumers prefer to spend their money with such companies and will actively ignore those that they perceive to provide them with no value. The right platform will not only make it easier for your customers to shop but will also provide them with all the information they need to make the best possible purchase for their needs.  Improving your e-commerce systems can help you to gain a clear understanding of what is at the heart of the customer experience you provide and to work out ways to further enhance it.

Simplified system 

If your existing e-commerce system still relies on manual processes to complete the simplest transactions, moving to a more system centric model such as those offered by weaveability.com can help you run your day-to-day operations far more smoothly and efficiently. Rather than having to spend time duplicating data from one system to another, most likely to the detriment of your costs and productivity, a system centric model can seamlessly keep track of everything from product pricing structures to real time account management.

With the latest e-commerce systems, you want to invest in a platform that can help deliver complete digital transformation such as Contact Centre Applications, Content Management Systems and of course an e-commerce system, you need a one-stop solution that addresses all the most urgent needs of your business and allows you to add any necessary processes and procedures you need to support your future e-commerce needs.

Better demand management

The ability to predict future customer demand is crucial if your want your business to succeed. Having the right level of stock in place to meet a surge of interest in your products and being able to cut back on production and save shipping costs during times when demand is less intense can make a huge difference to your bottom line. The most advanced e-commerce systems provide you with a wealth of data that enable you to make far more accurate forecasts so that you never get caught out.

Better growth opportunities

The best e-commerce systems are scalable, allowing you to acquire new employees or expand your business into new niches and markets without having to buy and integrate new software packages on an ongoing basis. Improving your e-commerce set up will ensure you have all the features you need both now and in the future.

As a business grows, so does the need to have timely access to accurate business intelligence information. If your e-commerce does not simplify the process of collecting and sorting through such data, your sales or profits may suffer as a result.

Randall Hughes, President and CEO of QFactory33, the California green-tech incubator that has brought the B3 Bus Bar Bypass to market joins the Green Business Podcast Show to discuss the challenges of developing emerging technologies that have an impact.

Listen to interview with host Eric Dye & guest Randall Hughes discuss the following:

• What is a bus bar bypass unit and why is it important?
• What is the B3 Bypass and why should consumers interested in installing green or alternative energy sources want it?
• How does the B3 save time and money for consumers? How much money do you estimate the B3 can save a consumer for an average installation?
• Do you need a professional installer to put the B3 in a home?
• If you are purchasing an electric vehicle, will the B3 be something for you to consider?
• How much should the B3 unit cost?
• Where can I find and purchase a B3 unit?

Randall Hughes is passionate about bringing products to market that solve real problems. He draws experience from 20+ years as an executive in consumer goods, and with the founding of QFE002 has now turned his attention to developing technology that promotes clean energy, making it accessible for all.  For Randall, this new mission is personal – with his 4 (soon to be 5!) kids in mind, he is doing his part to ensure that the environment will be protected for generations to come. Randall is originally from London, Ontario and holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from McMaster University.

Website: www.qfe002.com

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It may be a challenge to set up a suitable work space when you only have a tiny space available. You need to make sure that everything you could possibly need is there, but that it is also designed to make you work more efficiently.

If you buy a desk that is too big, you may feel cramped and uncomfortable in your office and you may not be able to work properly. If you buy one that is too small just because you have a small space, you may not have enough storage for all of your paperwork.

Choosing the perfect office desk is therefore very crucial and should not be taken lightly. Check out some tips you can follow below so that you can choose a desk that is perfect for your office space.

Create a floor plan of your office space – it would be a big mistake to buy your office furniture without actually knowing how much space you have and determining how much you space will be allotted for each furniture. More so when you only have very limited space available. Depending on the kind of work you have, there may be areas that should be prioritized over others. Maybe you are the kind of worker that meets with a lot of clients every day, it is then important that even with a small space, there should be an area where you and your client can meet comfortably. If your work alone but require a lot of storage for papers and other stuff, then you should consider that. After that, you should come up with a floor plan to indicate where each furniture would go. Don’t forget to get measurements so that you won’t make the mistake of buying a desk that may be too big for your space.

Prioritize function over form – you should consider your habit as a worker. Do you do mostly computer work? So you should get one that needs a CPU storage area if you do use a personal computer. See if there are holes for wiring and cables so that it will look cleaner. Do you generate a lot of paperwork in your line of work? That may require you to have a bigger desk surface to put all of those in. You can even get a desk that has shelves for extra storage. There are so many designs available that you might feel overwhelmed in making a choice. That’s why it is important that you look at the function first. Once you have determined the kind of work you will do at your desk, you can narrow down the options so that it will be easier to make a choice.

Consider investing in a floating desk instead – here’s a revolutionary idea that is getting more and more popular these days. Instead of having an office desk, why not buy floating desks?  Unlike the regular desks which can take up a lot of space, a floating desk does not need floor space in order for you to use it. They can also be better for your health, as being sedentary can create havoc on your back.

Sports massage is beneficial in numerous ways. Some of the benefits include boosting your circulatory system, reducing the occurrence of injury and improving your flexibility. Before you book an appointment for sports massage, you should know some important things.

There are different massage styles

Understand that there are several styles of massage. So if you are a runner, you should get a sports massage, instead of a Swedish massage or a hot stone massage. A sports massage targets muscle groups you use for running and focuses on muscle release to increase your range of motion, reduce pain and improve your flexibility.

Book a massage weeks before your race

It will not help you much if you book a sports massage quite close to the event. You should either get a sports massage a week before the race or have it after the event. Being massaged less than 48 hours before a race increases your chances of getting sore on race day, rather than being fit and ready. If you are in the area, go for a sports massage London offers and get the best experience from the professionals.

A massage after the race helps recovery

A sports massage is designed to help you recover after a race, so keep this in mind. You’ll notice that many athletes go for a light massage after finishing the race. This is designed to calm the nervous system and coax the body to start natural repair. If you are an experienced runner, it is all right to schedule a recovery-centred sports massage several hours or two days after the activity. If you are a newbie, think about scheduling the sports massage within three to four days, as you’ll feel very sore right after the race and will not appreciate or feel the benefit of the massage.

Drink plenty of water before a sports massage

If you are dehydrated your muscles and fascia can become stiff, so the massage might be more painful for you. Drink an adequate amount of water before your massage session to help you enjoy the benefits of the massage.

Expect to feel pain

Having a sports massage is different from a massage session in a spa. A sports massage requires you to interact with the practitioner physically. You will be moved around as the bodywork is performed on your legs and upper body. You may also receive treatment for tensed back, shoulders and arms.

Remember that a massage therapist is not a doctor

If you are suffering a serious sports-related injury, you should see a sports doctor first. When the doctor has given a diagnosis, the massage therapist can refer to it and devise a massage plan to alleviate inflammation and tightness in your body to help you recover faster.

It is normal to feel sore after a race and some soreness reveals areas that are weak and need strengthening exercises. However, if you feel discomfort and pain during a massage, let your therapist know as he or she may be applying too much pressure on very sore spots.

Image: Pixabay.com

Monique Honaman, Co-Founder of a new Concept-to-Consumer (C2C) company called Contender Brands joins Enterprise Radio to discuss their entrepreneurial journey.

Listen to interview with host Eric Dye & guest Monique Honaman discuss the following:

• Tell me about Contender Brands. Why did you launch the business? Tell me about your products.
• Tell me about some of the early successes you have had in launching the business? Challenges?
• What are your top 3 lessons learned in launching a new business?
• Give us a preview of 2018. Where can our listeners find you and your products / services?

Contender Brands, Co-Founders Justin and Monique Honaman believe that differences are to be valued, that collaboration brings new ideas, that rules are to be broken, that engagement with others should be authentic, that change is good, that smart risks are fun, that life should be an adventure, and that sometimes you just need to listen to your heart and trust your gut.

The first two products they have launched include a get-to-know you card game called Cocktail Farty, and a fully-illustrated children’s book about the role of a step-parent called “Bonus Dad! Bonus Mom!”  Coming soon is a T-shirt line called Contender Tees, and  a portable ring cleaner called Ringo (you can clean your ring on the go with Ringo). Justin’s professional expertise encompasses an eclectic mix of data analytics, business intelligence, and strategic business development, primarily in the retail and consumer packaged goods industries. He holds a BSIE from Georgia Tech, and an MBA from Auburn. He mixes his left brain analytics with a strong right brain creative side and loves to write, sing music, and perform. He has written three books and is the host of ContenderCast, a podcast whose mission is to shine a light on bright ideas.

Monique’s professional background includes 20+ years in the human resources and leadership development arena, not only working at a corporate level, but also leveraging her entrepreneurial expertise to found and lead several companies. She holds a BA from the University of Michigan, an MLIR from Michigan State University, and a JD from Albany Law School. Monique is also an author of four books, and a speaker and blogger on leadership and relationships.

When not sitting on their back porch brainstorming new product ideas, they enjoy diving, hiking, boating and adventure travel with their two teenagers. When they need a break, you will find them curled up on the couch with their rescue dogs as Justin gets lost in a movie, and Monique gets lost in a book. Sadly, neither enjoys cooking, and both agree that popcorn makes a great dinner!

Website: ContenderBrands.com

Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contenderbrands
Twitter: @contenderbrands

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Sushma Sharma the CEO and Founder of Konversai the world’s first human knowledge marketplace. joins Enterprise Radio.

An attorney turned entrepreneur with double masters from the University of Oxford and Columbia University, Sushma has worked in corporate law before turning her passion for teaching, technology, and connecting people globally into Konversai.

Listen to interview with host Eric Dye & guest Sushma Sharma discuss the following:

• How can companies connect a global user base?
• Why do you consider Konversai a human knowledge platform rather than simply a freelance job platform?
• How is the gig economy changing the employment landscape?
• Is e-learning evolving beyond youtube tutorials or packaged web programs?
• How is freelancing opening up economic opportunity all over the world?

Summary: A single stream of income will no longer be the path for a majority of workers, it is imperative they learn to market their entire skill set in innovative ways.

Sushma Sharma, Founder & CEO, Konversai is a lawyer turned entrepreneur. She has law degrees from University of Oxford and Columbia University, has worked in two prominent wall street law firms (Shearman & Sterling and Kirkland & Ellis) and has headed the department for practical law at City
University of Hong Kong.

Sushma has taught thousands of students and has seen some of  the most privileged humans as well as some of the least privileged in her life’s journey spanning three continents where she has lived and worked over the last 20 years.

Seeing men and women, both young and old in despair due to lack of communication has been her
call to action. Konversai was born as her solution to the problems facing mankind today.

Website: www.konversai.com

Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/konversai
Twitter: @Konversai

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

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Choosing a payment processor (or payment gateway) is one of the most important decisions you can make for your company.

It’s a potentially overwhelming one. Dozens of legitimate payment processors operate in the United States. Most adequately perform their core function: effectively, accurately and securely processing card present and card not present transactions for businesses of all sizes. How do you know which one is right for your business?

For starters, you need to know what to avoid when selecting a payment processor. As you narrow down your choices and finally make your selection, be sure to avoid these five mistakes.

1. Failing to Look Past Headline Rates and Fees

Not all payment processing fee structures are created equal. Many gateways entice new clients with low headline rates and fees, only to tack on hidden charges or variable rates on the back end. By the time you realize you’re paying too much, you’re locked into a multi-year contract.

Before choosing a gateway, spend time with the user agreement’s fine print. Better yet, look to gateways with minimal fine print (or none at all). If you’re not sure you’re the best person to evaluate dense, legalistic language, rope in an associate or consultant familiar with the payment processing world.

2. Going the DIY Route Before You’re Ready

If you have a competent technical team at your disposal, by all means choose a processor that expects its clients to DIY their way through bugs and disruptions.

Most small businesses don’t have the internal resources to manage and troubleshoot their own payment gateways, though. If you’re in that boat, choose a processor with a comprehensive customer support infrastructure and a reputation for rapid issue resolution.

3. Ignoring Less Common Payment Types

Just about every payment gateway is capable of processing EMV credit card transactions. Those that don’t are rapidly adapting — or exiting the space altogether.

But many payment processors cut out ascendant (though still less common) payment types like ACH debits, e-checks and mobile wallets. It’s particularly important for e-commerce platforms to accept these types of payments. If you’re strictly brick-and-mortar, make sure your processor can handle gift card transactions too.

4. Skimping on Security and Fraud Protection

If you’re not familiar with PCI compliance standards, you need to be. All payment processors are required to meet PCI Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) — if you come across a gateway provider that can’t clearly articulate its PCI DSS adherence, stay far away.

PCI compliance is just one piece of the security puzzle though. Top-tier payment processors have robust fraud detection, mitigation and resolution solutions for clients and end-users threatened or affected by identity theft and credit card fraud. Working with one could mean the difference between a catastrophic, reputation-destroying breach and a manageable setback that doesn’t ruin your customers’ trust.

5. Refusing to Admit You’ve Made the Wrong Choice

Mistakes happen. If it becomes clear down the line that you’ve chosen the wrong payment processor, be big enough to admit it and bold enough to right the wrong, even if it involves temporary financial pain. Simply hoping that a poor-fit processor won’t do lasting damage to your company’s bottom line or reputation with its customers is not a sustainable strategy. Sooner or later, the bill will come due — and you’re going to be the one footing it.

Are you in the hunt for a payment processor? What’s your top concern? Please share your thoughts with our readers below.

Nowadays, marketers must wear many different hats, deliver answers to questions no one else can, and prove expertise in multiple areas. Although often overlooked, the ability to negotiate is one of the most important skills a marketer needs.

Think about it this way: you are the promoter of the brand’s vision. Your ability to negotiate things like copywriting and ghostwriters services, media buying and to make sure that everyone is on the same page can help move the business forward.

In spite of its importance, many marketers lack this vital skill. Some of them are afraid that they’ll be perceived as aggressive. That couldn’t be further from the truth since negotiation is a way of meeting your partner in the middle. In fact, studies have shown that people who don’t negotiate are 60% less successful than those who do.

If you feel like you have yet to master this skill, then you should keep reading. In this article, we’ll talk about four crucial negotiation skills every marketer should know.

1.  Always Have a Goal in Mind

Don’t be afraid to set big goals and work your way from there, adapting accordingly to the situation. As long as you have an alternative course of action prepared (a strategy known as the Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement, or BATNA, in negotiation theory), you can enter the discussion knowing you have a backup plan and exuding the necessary confidence to win.

But, what is perhaps even more important is figuring out your client’s BATNA as it can show you where they draw the limit and what could make them walk away from the deal. That means knowing what alternatives your client has and how much they value your expertise. This information will come particularly in handy in case of contract renegotiation since it can steer the negotiation in your favor.

There are a few questions you can ask beforehand to identify your client’s BATNA. What other options do they have, in case they refuse to sign with you? Do their budget and timeframe allow them to find a someone else? Will they be able to find a better deal and also stick to their budget? What compromises are you willing to make to sign the deal?

2.  Use Active Listening

Active listening allows you to establish a meaningful relationship with your client. In negotiations, it can make the difference between a successful outcome and a deal breaker.

Contrary to what you may think, active listening does not mean you turn into a passive partner that sits silently, waiting for the other one to finish talking, and occasionally nodding and saying they understand. Quite the opposite! Active listening is a complex process where paraphrasing, inquiring and acknowledging work together towards problem-solving.

Here are three steps you should follow to use this strategy successfully:

• Paraphrase your client’s requests using your own words;
• Inquire and ask more questions to get to the root of the problem;
• Acknowledge your partner’s concerns to empathize with him.

3.  Use Open-Ended Questions

This strategy can be particularly useful when negotiating with people who have not only done this before but are quite good at it. It’s a technique that does not allow them to follow their plan but rather forces them to be candid and answer your questions on the spot.

Here’s an example:

Next time you and your client discuss any budget modifications, ask them what they believe the budget limit should be, why they think what you’re suggesting is not going to work, and if their reticence is based on the results of your collaboration. That way, you’ll show you place value on your work and will allow the discussion to shift from price talk to the experience your client has had working with you so far.

4.  Leverage the Power of Emotions

Emotions are the driving force behind the relationships you develop with your clients. Before entering any negotiation, acknowledge your emotions and don’t ignore the power they have as an additional resource you can use. Similarly, don’t forget that your clients might be nervous as well, so keep them in mind whenever you’re building a negotiation strategy.

For example, make sure your client feels included in the creative process. By feeding their need to belong and control (at least, partially) the process, you can build more meaningful relationships with your client. That, in turn, can move the negotiation towards the desired outcome.

The ability to negotiate is a skill any person should master, regardless of the position they hold in the company. As a marketer, however, it will help you grow as an individual and find new ways to turn your plans into a roaring success.