d-mars.com Business Journal 108

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August 2016

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The Power of Effective Communication

Communicating More Effectively with Angry Customers

By J Thomas Smith If you own a business, you know that customers are your lifeline.

PAGE 8

Irvin Ashford, Jr. Named Comerica’s National Director of Financial Literacy By d-mars.com News Provider Comerica Senior Vice President Irvin Ashford, Jr. has been named National Director of Financial Literacy.

PAGE 10

PAGES 20-21

Dr. Austin A. Lane Continues Texas Southern University’s Legacy of Great Leadership

PAGE 7

The Power of Meaning Transfer

By Noel Pinnock Communication is one of the most important indicators of success.

In the Business Community…

HCC 2nd Annual Salute to Minorities in Construction Luncheon

PAGE 28

Tips for Navigating the Sharing Economy

Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom.

PAGE 12

— George Washington Carver

August 2016 3

Journal Behind The

Publisher’s Message

MR. D-MARS

SR. PUBLISHER Keith J. Davis, Sr.

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Davis

VICE PRESIDENT

“The Power of Effective Communication” is the theme for this issue of the d-mars.com Business Journal. How do you communicate? How effective is your communication?

In business and life in general, it is so important to understand how communication can make a great impact. I want you to think about your communication before you go into that next business meeting or presentation for your church or organization. Communication is key. Understand the importance of effective communication.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

This month’s journal spotlights Dr. Austin A. Lane, the new President of Texas Southern University. Dr. Lane considers this university to be one of the most historically rich, academically innovative, culturally diverse, and indomitable HBCUs in the country. TSU is set to enter the next phase of its existence and become a premier institution in the academic realm. TSU is poised to position itself as a destination for people from across the nation and around the globe who are seeking a quality education, vibrant student experience, and opportunities to provide service to the community.

ACCOUNTING MANAGER

As always, thank you for your continued support of d-mars.com. When you support us, you are supporting more than just our company; you are supporting the communities in which we live and work. Working together, we can succeed in making positive things happen.

Kim Floyd

Dawn Paul

Eugenie Doualla

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES C.J. Johnson C.T. Foster Eric D. Goodwine Tiffany Black

PHOTOGRAPHY L.C. Poullard Grady Carter Tony Gaines

MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Andrea Hennekes

LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNER Angel Rosa

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Charlette Washington

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Tashara Callaway

DISTRIBUTION

Booker T. Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Charles L. Wells Dr. J Thomas Smith Comerica Noel Pinnock d-mars.com News Provider

MR. D-MARS

Contents

5 Signs Your Financial Institution Cares About You................................................................................................................................ 4 Save Money, Cut Stress with Savvy Small-Business Travel Tips......................................................................................................... 5 The Smart Traveler’s Guide to Affordable Autumn Travel...................................................................................................................... 5 Start Doing This One Thing to Get You on the Path to Wealth Building............................................................................................ 6 4 Ways to Save During the Back-To-School Season................................................................................................................................ 6 In the Business Community............................................................................................................................................................................7 College and Credit Cards..................................................................................................................................................................................7 Communicating More Effectively with Angry Customers...................................................................................................................... 8 Comerica News! Irvin Ashford, Jr.................................................................................................................................................................10 5 Gigs That Will Help You Pay for College..................................................................................................................................................10 Polly Wants a Cracker...................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Election Update................................................................................................................................................................................................. 12 Black History: Business Makers................................................................................................................................................................... 14 5 Interest Rate Terms Every First-Time Homebuyer Should Know....................................................................................................16 Is Generation Z Solely Digital?......................................................................................................................................................................18 Gas Station Myth or Fact................................................................................................................................................................................18 5 Tips to Keep Your Cellphone Running Smoothly..................................................................................................................................19 The Art of Innovation.......................................................................................................................................................................................19 Dr. Austin A. Lane, New President of Texas Southern University................................................................................................ 20-21 Top Tips for Successful Buyers and Sellers in the Auto Salvage Industry..................................................................................... 22 Fast Fixes to Boost Curb Appeal for a Quick Home Sale...................................................................................................................... 22 New Home Improvement Trends................................................................................................................................................................. 24 Save Money and Safeguard Your Family with Smart Devices............................................................................................................ 24 Innovation: a Fundamental Factor in Family-Owned Business Success........................................................................................25 Selling Your Car................................................................................................................................................................................................26 Tips for Navigating the Sharing Economy................................................................................................................................................28 5 Easy Tips to Help Your Child Have a Successful School Year.........................................................................................................30

Tip of the Month “I think education is power. I think that being able to communicate with people is power. One of my main goals on the planet is to encourage people to empower themselves.”

— Oprah Winfrey

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4 August 2016

5 Signs Your Financial Institution Cares About You By d-mars.com News Provider

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hen choosing a financial institution, it’s important to think beyond credit cards and home loans. You want your bank or credit union to be there for you when you need them, wherever you need them, because that’s what peace of mind is all about. So seek out a trusted organization that really cares about you, and if you’re being taken care of, you can rest easy knowing that your bottom line — not just theirs — is also being taken care of.

So how do you know they care? Here are five tell-tale signs.

They’re “there” anytime, anywhere.

When you need support, you need it. It doesn’t have to always be an emergency situation, but isn’t it nice to know even at 3 a.m. you could talk to someone about your credit card’s APR if you really needed to?

You should have options when it comes to handling your finances. Visit a branch, go online, call or use your phone — whichever works best for you. Having the confidence in any situation that your financial institution can support your lifestyle with 24/7 customer service and mobile banking is priceless.

Someone else says they care.

There’s nothing like third-party validation. It’s non-biased and can give you a sense for what a financial institution is actually known for. You wouldn’t trust a bank with your home loan just because it won an award for “Best Parking” now, would you? Hopefully not. So instead, look for awards from reputable organizations that highlight aspects of banking, such as best in banking or superior customer service or anything else that’s directly relatable to the services that are provided to you.

Take for example Navy Federal Credit Union — a credit union serving the men and women in uniform. In addition to being a FORTUNE Magazine top place to work for five consecutive years, the credit union was recently ranked first in the Full-Service Banking category according to the Forrester Research report, The US Customer Experience Index, 2016. As Navy Federal President and CEO Cutler Dawson puts it, “We’re number one because we make our members number one.” And that makes sense — happy employees equals happy customers.

Service comes before selling.

When you’re with a financial institution that puts you first, you can trust that your financial well-being takes precedence over pushing products and services. Case in point: you don’t want to end up with a loan or mortgage you

can’t afford. “Every homeowner's scenario is unique and complex,” says Katie Miller, vice president of mortgage lending at Navy Federal. “For example, you want to work with an institution to find a loan that best fits your situation, so you can focus on searching for that perfect home.”

And let’s say things get more complex down the road. The right financial institution should also be able to provide both personal financial counseling as well as investing and retirement services.

Both banks and credit unions provide these kinds of support services. Not-forprofit institutions, like credit unions, are member owned and therefore tend to put members' needs first when it comes to any and all decisions.

Security is a priority.

When it comes to banking, security is a top priority. Think of your financial institution as your partner in this.

You should be able to trust them to keep your information confidential, and they should give you the tips and tools to be able to protect yourself in this everchanging security environment.

When researching, pay attention to features like fraud protection on cards, automated alerts for transactions or foreign purchases, and a secure mobile banking app. In addition, look for a credit union or bank that promotes fraud prevention from an educational perspective. You’d be surprised at the number of simple steps you can take to proactively prevent fraud and identity

theft and improve security on all of your accounts.

It's the little things.

We’ve all heard it before — “it’s the little things that count.” So ask yourself, is your financial institution doing things right and doing the right things?

When you walk through the doors of their branch, are you greeted by name?

Do you feel like a welcomed member of the community? A positive experience means being treated like a real person with specific needs, rather than numbers in an account.

Another way to get a good sense is to check out their social media presence.

Check out their Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram accounts to see what they're doing. Are they pushing products or financial advice? Are they responding to customer questions and concerns?

Top banks and credit unions use these channels as a way to get to know their customers or members, educate them on various financial topics and answer their questions.

The truth is there really are financial institutions that care about the people that bank with them. Now you're equipped to find the ones that do. And if switching is on your mind, a good credit union or bank will gladly help you do that, too!

Navy Federal is federally insured by NCUA and an Equal Housing Lender.

– BPT

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August 2016 5

Save Money, Cut Stress with Savvy Small-Business Travel Tips By d-mars.com News Provider

you're in a hurry.

Next, if you're flying, opt for nonstop flights to save time. A flight labeled non-stop arrives at a destination without a layover. This is not to be confused with direct flights which can have a stop, but travelers wouldn't be required to get off the plane. This results in a longer trip time compared to a non-stop flight.

Finally, it's easy to get confused when traveling frequently. Take cell phone photos of your hotel room so you can easily reference the number. Also, take photos of your car rental and where you park so you can find your vehicle-ofthe-moment without a hitch.

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f you work for a small business, you're in good company. There are 28 million small businesses in the United States that provide 55 percent of all jobs, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Travel is a necessary part of growing a small business. In fact, two out of three small-business owners and employees travel specifically to meet clients faceto-face, a Holiday Inn Small Business Traveler Study found. However, 56 percent of those surveyed note the stress of travel is the top pain point for business trips, plus nearly a third feel they aren't treated as well as business travelers who work for large companies.

To put the joy back into traveling and to help small-business travelers get the most out of their money, consider these expert tips and tricks.

Research hotel amenities and extras The hotel you choose should enable your success, not hinder it. That's why you should research options and select a hotel that offers the amenities and extras you need to grow your small business even when you're away from home.

A few hotel essentials for small-business travelers include free high speed Wi-Fi, comfortable and quiet lounge areas, business centers and meeting facilities. Additionally, a full-service hotel with a restaurant, bar and workout rooms will save you time and help you

Eat well and maintain a schedule

find the balance between work and relaxation.

Seek small-business perk programs Some hotels offer programs specifically for small-business travelers. For example, The Holiday Inn brand's "Inn Business" offer awards small-business travelers with Gold Elite status in IHG Rewards Club following just onenight stay, as well as complimentary room upgrades, priority check-in and late check-out, and the ability to earn rewards nights faster. Learn more at www.holidayinn.com/innbiz.

Another program to explore is Your

Rate by IHG Rewards Club, which provides access to exclusive rates to save money plus a streamlined booking process. This is a major time-saver considering it takes an average of nine steps to book a hotel room, according to the Holiday Inn Small Business Traveler Study, and now it can take a little as two steps.

Stay organized and save time Disorganization fuels stress. A little proactive thinking can eliminate worries and headaches from small-business travel. First, make a travel checklist even if you're frequently on the road.

It's easy to forget necessities when

Traveling can throw off your schedule which can make you feel tired and impatient. First, pack a protein-packed snack and remember to stay fueled and hydrated to avoid headaches, fatigue or worse.

Next, try to stay at hotels that offer room service from a full onsite restaurant. This makes it easy to save time by starting your morning in-room with a wholesome meal, or, kick back after a long day with a tasty dish enjoyed from the comfort of your private suite.

To avoid burnout and stay healthy, sleep is vital. A portable white noise machine helps induce sleep, especially when changing time zones. Also, keeping up an exercise routine at the hotel's gym is great for melting away stress and allowing the body rest come nighttime.

– BPT

The Smart Traveler's Guide to Affordable Autumn Travel By d-mars.com News Provider

National Parks System throughout 2016.

Check out Yosemite or Arcadia National Park, both well-known for fantastic fall foliage. Wherever you go, remember fall weather can be fickle. Be sure to select a location with a reliable climate.

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re you in need of a vacation but would rather skip the cost and the crowds during the busy travel months? You're in luck; fall is considered the shoulder season at destinations across the country, which means you can relax and enjoy America's beauty without breaking the bank.

Shoulder seasons are travel enthusiasts' best-kept secret. Autumn, falling right between the busier summer vacation period and end-of-the-year holidays, offers plenty of affordable options. So give into your wanderlust and start planning with these travel tips for an amazing fall getaway.

Watch the weather When deciding on a destination for fall

Analyze accommodations

travel, be sure to research the weather.

In some locales, fall is the rainy season.

In others, fall is simply an extension of summer. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is the perfect example. Temperate weather and warm ocean water, paired with fewer travelers, makes this a prime destination for autumn adventures.

If you're craving fall colors, explore regions with sunny days and crisp nights.

National parks are a wonderful option, as they're celebrating the centennial of the

The shoulder season brings fewer crowds, which means not only a less stressful trip, but also less costly accommodations. Researching location-specific websites, like www.visitmyrtlebeach. com, you will discover many great options, from beach-side bungalows to chic city condos.

Resort costs often drop during autumn months, but so do the costs of private accommodations. House rentals may be the right home-away-from-home for you. Bonus: You might even have some negotiating power during the slow months.

Explore eateries

The fall provides a bounty of fresh flavors in regions throughout the country, making this time ideal for foodies or anyone who simply enjoys a scrumptious meal. Some destinations offer "stay and dine" deals to highlight local cuisine at an incredible price, so do your research and make reservations early.

If you want the food to be a central theme throughout your trip but don't want to battle for a table every night, seek destinations with a new or revitalized culinary scene. Underground foodies are flocking to Myrtle Beach, home to many up-andcoming chefs offering diverse flavors that will awaken and surprise your palate, such as liquid nitrogen tuna at The Chemist, Low Country egg rolls at 2nd Avenue Pier, or mango gazpacho at Chive Blossom.

The secret's out: fall may just be the ideal time for a vacation. Because you'll get more for less, you may just make it an annual tradition. – BPT

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6 August 2016

Start Doing This One Thing to Get You on the Path to Wealth Building

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Charles L. Wells

Contributing Writer

f there was just one rule of successful wealth building, it would be to start building wealth as soon as you can. It is not uncommon to frequently hear this advice in regards to the stock market, but there are many reasons to consider real estate investing as soon as you can as well. Do you want to build wealth? Well, it’s time to start owning real estate, and stop renting.

Buying a home can be a great investment if you take the time to educate yourself about the home buying process and the best ways to get excellent returns. However, most people who are interested in buying there first home procrastinate or never do so.

This delay in taking financial action can cost thousands of dollars a year.

People who neglect learning about investing in real estate are missing out on a great opportunity.

Have you procrastinated when it comes to home buying? Well, you are not alone. I also am guilty of this type of wealth building procrastination.

I should have invested in real estate much sooner than I did. I bought my first home when I was 30. The great thing about real estate is that the longer you own real estate, the better of an

investment it becomes. It is important to note that when you are young, you have an abundance of flexibility, and can absorb more risk.

A sound investment is an investment that will pay you more than what you paid for it. One of the most well-known authors when it comes to wealth and finance is Robert Kiyosaki. Kiyosaki’s teachings and lectures have generated

controversy, but I think his definitions of assets and liabilities in Rich Dad, Poor Dad are fantastic and very easy to digest. An asset is anything that puts money into your pocket. A liability is anything that takes money out of your pocket.

It is important to invest in the way that is best for you. However, home buying is a great way to start build-

ing wealth. It is critical to examine your reasons for buying or renting a home and balance it with your short and long-term financial goals. Then you can determine what is optimal for you and your family.

For more on Charles Wells and the Wells Brothers Realty Group, please visit wellsbrothersrealty.com.

4 Ways to Save During the Back-To-School Season By d-mars.com News Provider

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ack-to-school shopping can come with plenty of sticker shock, if you don't plan ahead.

This year, parents said they plan on spending more this year than last, with totals exceeding $900 to outfit and supply, according to a survey by Rubicon. To shave some dollars off that total, here are a few savvy strategies to save while preparing for school.

Take advantage of price matching A traditional frugal shopper will tell you not to settle for anything but the lowest price. If you have to

make six lists and drive all over town, being a penny pincher costs dearly in time. Instead, compare those weekly ads and save yourself some time by taking advantage of price matching. Staples, for example, offers a 110 Percent Lowest Price Guarantee, meaning all you have to do is show proof of a competitor’s lower price, and Staples will not only match it, they tack on another 10 percent off. If you are interested in learning more, visit www. staples.com/backtoschool.

Watch for extreme deals

Stock up

This is the key time of year to follow the cardinal rule of the extreme saver: Keep an eye on the ads for rock-bottom prices on school essentials. In the weeks leading up to the start of school, it's your time to save big.

If you find some unbeatable deals, stock up for next year. And don’t overlook this opportunity to replenish your home with art supplies to keep your child’s creative flow moving along. Either way, if Junior springs a due-the-

next-day project on you, you’ll won't have to go the store on an already busy weeknight. A great resource to stock up is the Less List for School offered by Staples, which features season-low prices on the essentials, such as pencils, composition books, notebooks, crayons, batteries, glue and more.

Don't forget the thrift store Make more room in your budget by looking at secondhand options for big ticket clothing items like shoes, coats and jackets. Choose the basics in solid colors for a timeless look. Sometimes, you’ll find a like-new, high-quality item hiding in the rack, and at a fraction of the price.

At this level of spending, it's smart to capture savings where you can. Even if you save 10 percent across the board, it's worth it because you're still going home with a handful of $10 bills in your pocket. – BPT

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In the Business Community…

August 2016 7

To View More Photos, Visit Our Website www.d-mars.com and Click on ‘Photo Gallery.’

HCC 2nd Annual Salute to Minorities in Construction Luncheon

College and Credit Cards: How Parents Can Play Professor By d-mars.com News Provider

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ast year, college campuses across the country had 2.1 million recent high school graduates walk through their doors - a number that will likely be matched in 2016. But a freshly printed campus ID isn't the only plastic eager students will carry this fall. A recent survey commissioned by USAA found that as parents send their children to college, most make sure their kids pack at least one credit card in their wallets.

Parents cite a number of reasons why their child has a credit card. Most overwhelmingly, the primary reasons are the ability to build credit history and convenience.

However, one-third of parents surveyed say their children will not have a credit card in college. JJ Montanaro, a certified financial planner with USAA, encourages parents to reconsider if they feel credit cards might be unnecessary.

"College is a place to learn - whether it's academics or life lessons," he says.

"Building a credit history and understanding of how to manage credit

should be a part of the overall college experience."

Montanaro offers parents this syllabus for helping their college students make the grade in Credit Cards 101:

Communicate expectations.

Surprisingly, parents say they are just as likely to discuss budget management as they are academic priorities with their college-bound child (both 82 percent). This is great news, but Montanaro encourages parents to lay a good financial foundation well before their kids are headed off for higher education. Before college, parents should teach their children the basics of setting a budget and following it.

Select the right card.

Since the 2009 CARD Act, it is more challenging for students to get a credit card without mom and dad's help. Parents report that nearly 50 percent of college credit card holders are authorized users on their account or using a card they have co-signed for.

"It's a great idea for the student to

have a card to which the parent has access and visibility," says Montanaro.

"Keeping a clear line of sight into how the card is used and paid each month allows parents to help young adults learn from their mistakes and create successful money and credit management habits."

For students who still need training wheels, a secured credit card can be a good option. When they apply for one of USAA's secured cards, they'll also open a USAA Bank two-year variable rate Certificate of Deposit (CD), which allows them to earn interest while helping to build a positive credit history.

Master the fundamentals.

While there are many benefits of having a credit card in college, irresponsible use can have lasting consequences. Montanaro suggests using a credit card for recurring charges, like cell phone or internet service, as a safe way for students to build credit. Once they are ready to charge a wider array of expenses, both parents and children must abide by the most important rule: Pay off the card in full each month.

Learning to responsibly use credit cards while in college can have many benefits. In the short term, it allows students to build a positive credit history in order to purchase a car or rent an apartment once out of school. Longer term, they can carry positive credit management habits with them throughout their lifetimes. Montanaro sums it all up, "Allowing your kids to dip their toes into the world of credit cards while you're able to closely monitor the situation provides an opportunity to learn and the freedom to fail without big stakes." – BPT

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

8 August 2016

Communicating More Effectively with Angry Customers

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By J Thomas Smith Contributing Writer

f you own a business, you know that customers are your lifeline. If you don’t have customers, you don’t have a business. All customers are not the same. Every now and then you may have that customer who is not happy, even though you did nothing wrong. This is just the world we live in. However, no matter the situation, it is important to stay professional.

Below are lessons learned over the years that have helped me to stay cool and communicate more effectively when a customer gets angry or “goes off.”

1. Be assertive - not aggressive or passive. One simple definition of assertion is "Say what you mean, mean what you say, and don't be mean when you say it." If you will allow this rule to guide your conversations with all of your customers, you will remain

confident, cool, in control, and professional.

2. Speak more slowly. Be patient.

You will think more clearly, maintain control of the situation, and you will be more confident when you remain patient. As the customer’s voice escalates, your voice should de-escalate.

Slow down your rate of speech. Speak slowly and methodically when your emotional triggers are launched, and you'll maintain poise during difficult conversations.

3. Wait a few seconds before responding. Responding immediately to difficult or tactical customers may

result in you saying something that you will regret later. Before you respond, take a deep breath, wait at least 2 seconds, and think about the best response and the best approach.

4. Take a time-out. When you sense that your buttons have been pushed, take a break. Put the customer on a brief hold. You might tell the customer you need to review a file, or whatever plausible excuse sounds good at the moment. The objective is to get away from the customer for a few seconds so you can re-group.

5. Use positive self-talk. Instead of saying to yourself, "I don't get paid

enough to put up with this *$%X@," say something more positive like, "This person really needs my help." If you think more positively, you will act more positively and professionally. Negative thoughts lead to negative words, and that will cause the conversation to spiral into a very negative situation.

6. Show your power before you use it. As a customer service professional, you likely have the power to end a phone call. You could say to your customer, "If you don't stop screaming at me, I will end this call." However, you have more power if you say, "I want to help you, but when you yell and cut me off, you make it difficult for me to work with you." That statement calmly demonstrates your “power,” and you can bet your message will definitely be understood. The angry statement exhausts your clout and usually won’t have a calming effect on an irate customer.

Try these techniques and you will remain calm when customers are angry!

Dr. J Thomas Smith is host of “Sunday Morning Live” on KMJQ/ Majic 102.1 (9-11 am CST). He is an attorney, author, keynote speaker, and mental health consultant. Your comments are welcome at jtsmith@radio-one.com or jtsmith@ worldfamousradio.com. Follow on Twitter @drjtsmith102 and at facebook.com/jthomas.smith.12.

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August 2016  9

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

10 August 2016

Irvin Ashford, Jr. Named Comerica’s National Director of Financial Literacy By d-mars.com News Provider

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omerica Senior Vice President Irvin Ashford, Jr. has been named National Director of Financial Literacy. In addition to his new responsibilities, Ashford will continue his role in managing community development and external affairs for Texas, Arizona, and Florida. Ashford will report to Wendy Bridges, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Executive Administration.

“Irv has been instrumental in broadening Comerica’s focus on financial literacy in the communities it serves,” said Ralph W. Babb, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank. “His new title is a reflection of the incredibly worthwhile work he has done to serve a vital community need, while bringing important national recognition to Comerica and its financial literacy programs.”

According to the Financial Services Roundtable (FSR), research shows that students with access to financial education earn significantly higher credit scores. In addition, the FSR noted that students who took a formal financial literacy class increased their knowledge of earning, saving, spending, borrowing, and protecting their money. With respect to adults, financial education is critical well beyond the retirement age.

“Comerica is committed to provid-

5 Gigs That Will Help You Pay for College By d-mars.com News Provider

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et’s face it — college is expensive. Whether you’re still in school trying to pay for textbooks and housing, a professional facing your student loans or a parent saving for your child’s future tuition, the cost of an education can result in debt that looms for decades. More people are finding that full-time jobs are not even beginning to cover the costs. Today’s gig economy and sharing economy offers many different avenues to supplement your budget and ease the burden of education-related expenses, all while providing flexibility and self-determinant hours.

Drive for a ride-sharing service.

Do you have a car, auto insurance and some spare time? Ride-sharing apps, like Uber and Lyft, offer an opportunity to make quick cash by driving riders in your local area, using your own vehicle.

Drivers work as independent contractors and receive a payment based off

ing students and adults with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully navigate the increasingly complex financial world we live in,” said Ashford.

“Our EMPOWER series, for example, in which we partner with the Dallas Public Library and the local chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants, is free and geared to help the community be more successful in navigating the worlds of finance, budgeting, savings and investing. These are the types of programs in our markets that Comerica embraces because they foster good financial principles and knowledge.”

In April, Comerica Bank received an Innovation in Financial Education Award, presented by Nasdaq and EverFi, and accepted by Ashford on behalf of the bank. The award recognizes Comerica's significant efforts to improve the financial capability of adults and children through unique digital learning initiatives. Ashford was instrumental in forging Comerica’s partnership with EverFi and the expansion of the bank’s Money $ense program for local students at no cost to schools or taxpayers. The program has reached over 2,000 students within Comerica’s footprint, who have completed 5,300 learning modules since the 2014-15 school year.

Ashford joined Comerica Bank in 2000.

He was recognized by The National Association of Black Accountants and The National Black MBA Association for his leadership and support of programs benefiting low- to moderate-income individu-

of how many hours or miles are logged each week. “They make it extremely easy to make quick money if I need it,” says Aidan Monheim, a student at the University of Massachusetts-Boston who drives for Lyft in his spare time to earn money for utilities and other bills. “It allows me to be flexible around my classes and earn money without working a set number of hours a week.”

Rent your room.

Another “side-gig” opportunity that is gaining popularity is the home-sharing industry. Apps like Airbnb and HomeAway connect would-be travelers with locals willing to rent out rooms, or their entire home. Simply list your place on the site, and screen candidates based on your preferences. By listing your residence during peak travel times and arranging to stay with friends or family, renters can earn supplemental income for their education, with very little effort.

Become a direct seller.

Direct selling provides a flexible opportunity for people to make additional income on their own terms, and within their own networks. Take Nakul Arora, for example, who became an Amway

als and communities in Dallas. He was named to the 2007 United States delegate class of the British-American Project. Ashford is a Woodrow Wilson International Studies and Public Policy Fellow, and an American Marshall Fellow.

Ashford was the recipient of the 2015 Individual Achievement DiversityFirst Award from the Texas Diversity Council.

He was named the 2015 Change Happens! Community Hero and was awarded the Driving Diversity Advocacy Award for Outreach from the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce.

In 2016, Ashford became the first twotime winner of the Dallas Business JourIndependent Business Owner to help pay for business school. Amidst earning his degree, working full time as an accountant, and studying for professional certifications, 25-year-old Nakul worked his direct selling business in the evenings. “I saved every penny I earned through my Amway business to help pay for my education,” says Nakul. By joining a successful company like Amway, a global leader in direct selling, you can share and sell high-quality products to your friends, co-workers and colleagues to earn additional income. The unique flexibility of direct selling offers an opportunity for you to work as little or as often as you want, around traditional day jobs, classes, family, or other responsibilities.

Work for a home services company.

Often described as the services used by those with more time than money, apps like TaskRabbit, Handy, Thumbtack and HomeJoy offer opportunities to get paid for home cleaning and maintenance work. Seemingly simple tasks, such as cleaning a home, mowing a lawn or assembling a piece of furniture can run up to $50 an hour. And the best part? Like Uber, direct selling and other gig economy services, you work on

nal Minority Business Leader Award.

Ashford’s civic and community involvement includes serving on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Dallas, The PeopleFund, Kym’s Kids, University of Dallas Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business Advisory Board, Focus on the Teens, and the Texas Women’s Empowerment Foundation.

He is a long-time volunteer at the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, teaching small business classes.

A graduate of Oberlin College in Ohio, Ashford earned dual master’s degrees – public affairs from the University of Texas and business administration from the University of Dallas.

Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management.

Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. Comerica reported total assets of $71 billion at June 30, 2016.

Media Contact: Wayne Mielke (214) 462-4463

your own terms and can make your own schedule around studying, work or other commitments.

Sell your old stuff.

Is your closet piling up with unwanted clothes and shoes? Maybe you have spare furniture cluttering your storage space, or a drawer full of old electronics. Why not turn your clutter into cash? Apps like ThredUp, PoshMark and LetGo offer opportunities to sell your stuff in an auction-like setting, and do all the work for you — simply list your items, watch them get purchased and place them in a shipping bag that is provided by the company. Selling old items is an easy and painless way to make extra money for tuition, textbooks, or loans. – BPT

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

CBP-6100-07 CRE Ad-MM.pdf

1

6/9/16

August 2016 11

10:52 AM

Let’s grow, right now.

When it comes to business, timing is everything.

And, with historically low rates, there’s never been a more opportunistic time to expand your business with a commercial real estate loan from Comerica. As the leading bank for business*, we’ve been financing business expansion for nearly 150 years. Whether you need to build or purchase, expand or refinance, it’s the right time. Are you ready?

Call 800.705.2387, stop by a Comerica banking center or visit comerica.com/cre.

®

MEMBER FDIC. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY LENDER. Comerica Bank NMLS ID: 480990 *Comerica ranks first nationally among the top 25 U.S. financial holding companies, based on commercial and industrial loans outstanding as a percentage of assets.

Data provided by SNL Financial, June 2015.

CBP-6100-07 06/16

RAISE YOUR EXPECTATIONS.

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

12 August 2016

Polly Wants a Cracker The Power of Meaning Transfer

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By Noel Pinnock

Contributing Writer

ommunication is one of the most important indicators of success.

Our success factor increases when we have open and effective communication. Most people mistake communication with speaking. Therefore, I would like to accentuate the stark difference between the two. According to the Webster’s Dictionary, to talk is one’s ability to speak in order to give information or express ideas or feelings, while communication is the transmittal of a message by one person to another through a common system of symbols, sounds, signs or behaviors.

Human language can be defined as a system of symbols (sometimes known as lexemes) and the grammars (rules) by which the symbols are manipulated.

The word language also refers to common properties of languages.

Effective verbal or spoken communication is dependent on a number of factors and cannot be fully isolated from other important interpersonal skills such as non-verbal communication, listening skills, and clarification.

Clearly, anyone that has the slightest

cognitive ability can talk, but very few people have mastered the art of communication. Simply put, a well-trained parrot can talk to you but cannot communicate with you. The parrot cannot provide reciprocity after it has talked to you, but on the flipside, two parrots can communicate with each other through the sharing of common sounds, much like most animals and insects. The challenge is always, whether or not the receiver truly ‘received’ the intended message.

As an adjunct graduate school professor at Springfield College and former Chief Learning Officer for the City of

Houston, I always challenge learners of all ages to think about their communication style more deeply, because there is a thin line between poor and effective communication. If you ask any of my current or former students what is my definition of communication, they will respond unanimously, “Communication is the transfer of meaning.”

This is simple and to the point, because most people do not fail to talk but fail to communicate or effectively transfer his/her meaning to their intended audience(s). There are a variety of factors that contribute to the inability to transfer meaning successfully, and it is

important that we identify and reconcile them if we want to ensure that we do more than just parrot-talk.

1. The Majority of Communication Is Tone of Voice and Body Language – When you pay close attention to these two factors and monitor voice inflection and body movements, your audience will be better positioned not only to receive the meaning of your message but also respond in a manner that is helpful for you and them.

2. Choice Words – “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” These are wise words you can read in Proverbs 25:11. This scripture suggests that words should be carefully selected.

3. Practice…Practice…Practice – Practice makes perfect, and without failure, there can be no progress. Therefore, be in the continuous improvement business.

The power of life and death is in the tongue. Therefore, use the gift of communication wisely. After all, Polly may want a cracker, but what you really want to know is…was the cracker good? If your meaning is successfully transferred, then you will not have to ask, because the response will be organic and natural, thus exemplifying the process of effective communication.

There is true power in the transfer of meaning.

To read more about Noel Pinnock, B.S., M.P.A., C.A., CCC, IPMA-SCP, please visit www.noelpinnock.com. #GetAtIt

Election Update: Americans Want Action on Housing and Credit By d-mars.com News Provider

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ecisions made by the next President and Congress could change the way Americans buy and sell homes for generations to c3ome. Rising prices are making it more difficult for working families and young adults to become homeowners.

Government control over the vast majority of mortgages through Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae unnecessarily exposes taxpayers to risk and continue to stifle the innovation of new lending products that responsible borrowers need and want.

More business as usual?

Depending on who is elected this year’s presidential election could either deliver a mandate for Washington to act on far-reaching reforms integral to our

system of housing finance or bring more business as usual.

Here are the priorities Americans want the next President and Congress to address, according to new research conducted for loanDepot, the nation’s second largest nonbank consumer lender: • Make homeownership more affordable for middle- and lower-income families (37 percent).

• Keep interest rates low, especially during the first 100 days of the new presidency (34 percent).

• Make more credit available to small businesses (11 percent).

Few see the election improving their pocketbooks Most Americans expect their personal financial situation to either stay the same or get worse when new leaders take over the White House and Congress. Only 6 percent think that they will be better off as a result of the election.

Each vote counts

Perception doesn’t match reality

One out of every five Americans said the candidates’ housing and finance policies will influence their vote. Another 40 percent have not yet made up their minds. That is because only 9 percent think the candidates have done a good job articulating their positions on the economic issues that affect peoples’ daily lives.

Some 77 percent think it is just as hard or even harder to get a loan today than during the Great Recession eight years ago. Young adults may be more discouraged than most; they worry about not making enough money and nearly half (46 percent) fear the election outcome will make it even harder to get a loan.

In fact, while guidelines have tightened since 2008, applications for purchase mortgages were more likely to be denied in 2008 than in 2014, the most recent year for which Federal Reserve data is available. Denial rates for home purchase loan applications hit 18 percent in 2008, while denials in 2014 topped out at 13 percent. Denial rates for home refinance applications in 2008 were 38 percent and dropped to 31 percent in 2014.

For more information, please visit www.loanDepot.com. – BPT

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

August 2016  13

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

14 August 2016

Black History: Business Makers

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By d-mars.com News Provider

he d-mars.com Business Journal takes pride in our history and the African Americans who have achieved great success in their fields. Though these history makers didn’t always have it easy, they didn’t let obstacles get in the way. If you want to achieve success, you can. The only thing stopping you from achieving success is you. These history makers will inspire you to aim bigger and do bigger.

Carla Harris Investment Executive, Gospel Singer Investment banker and gospel singer Carla Ann Harris was born on October 28, 1962, in Port Arthur, Texas. She was raised in Jacksonville, Florida. Harris began singing at an early age, and by the time she was thirteen years old, she was singing in both Catholic and Baptist choirs. After high school graduation, Harris left Jacksonville and entered Harvard University, where she graduated magna cum laude with her A.B. degree in economics and received her M.A. degree in business administration from Harvard Business School. While at Harvard, she sang with the world renowned Radcliffe Chorale Society, the oldest women’s singing group at Harvard and in her own band called Rhythm Company.

formed a solo concert at Carnegie Hall and released her first album, Carla’s First Christmas. The album was featured on The Evening News with Dan Rather and was one of the top selling albums on Amazon.com in New York City. In 2006, Harris released her second album, entitled Joy is Waiting. She donated the proceeds to two high schools.

Capt. Avis T. Bailey In 1987, Harris began her career as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley in the Mergers & Acquisitions department. She is the Vice Chairman of Wealth Management and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley. For more than a decade, she was a senior member of the Equity Syndicate desk, where she executed such transactions as initial public offerings for UPS, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, and the $3.2 billion common stock transaction for Immunex Corporation, the largest biotechnology follow-on offering in U.S. history.

Harris has been named by Fortune magazine among The 50 Most Powerful Black Executives in Corporate America.

Black Enterprise named her one of the Top 50 African Americans on Wall Street. Essence magazine named her among The 50 Women Who are Shaping the World. Harvard’s Black Men’s Forum named her Woman of the Year in 2004.

As a gospel singer, in 2000, Harris per-

Ship Pilot, Captain Nonprofit chief executive, captain and ship pilot Avis T. Bailey was born on May 19, 1949, in Washington, D.C. to Roosevelt and Dorothy Bailey. He was raised by his mother after his parents separated when he was four years old. The youngest of eight children, Bailey was a precocious child, who learned American history through self-guided tours of Washington, D.C.’s monuments and museums. As a student at Banneker Junior High School in Washington, D.C., Bailey was selected from a citywide pool to participate in the First Scholastic Honors Program. His participation in the program continued until his graduation from Cardozo Senior High School in 1967.

Bailey was one of seven students selected from 450 applicants to compete for a military academy scholarship. Despite early dreams of becoming an astronaut, Bailey won a scholarship to the United States Merchant Marine Academy in

Kings Point, New York. The Merchant Marine Academy was Bailey’s first introduction to integrated education. One of only four African Americans in a student body of 1,000, he was often the object of racist jokes and harassment. As a midshipman at the Academy, Bailey visited more than twenty-three countries and ports of call and studied three foreign languages. In 1972, Bailey earned his B.S. degree in nautical science, becoming the twentieth African American to graduate from the Merchant Marine Academy.

Upon graduation, Sun Oil Company (now SUNOCO) hired Bailey as third mate, making him the company's first African American officer. In 1979, Bailey earned his pilot’s license with the Association of Maryland Pilots and became the first African American in the nation to receive a state-issued pilot’s license. As a ship pilot, Bailey traveled thousands of miles up and down the Chesapeake Bay. He became known by colleagues as “the singing pilot,” who would belt out Johnny Mathis tunes from the helm.

In 2004, Bailey founded the Captain Avis T. Bailey Mariner’s Foundation, a nonprofit organization designed to mentor inner-city youth and to educate them about maritime careers. Bailey retired from the Association of Maryland Pilots in 2006 after a career that spanned thirty-four years.

Source: thehistorymakers.com

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

August 2016  15

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

16 August 2016

5 Interest Rate Terms Every FirstTime Homebuyer Should Know

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By d-mars.com News Provider

ou’ve saved enough for a down payment, your budget is looking good and you’re earning steady income. You’re at the point in your life where you feel confident you’re ready to buy that first home. Congratulations! Buying a home is one of the most exciting and rewarding purchases you’ll ever make. However, if it’s your first time shopping for a mortgage, you may not be super knowledgeable about some of the financing terms you’ll hear, including “interest rates.”

If you’ve used any kind of credit before, you probably have a basic understanding of interest — it’s the money lenders charge in exchange for allowing you to use their funds to make a purchase. While the basic concept is simple, mortgage interest rates can be complex and differing.

“Many factors go into determining the interest rate your lender will offer you,” says Eric Hamilton, president of Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance. “By understanding the factors that influence your interest rate, you can obtain the best possible mortgage plan and get into the home of your dreams quicker.”

A variety of factors determines your interest rate, including: • Down payment — Just as you put

money down on a new car, mortgage lenders like to see down payments from homebuyers. A down payment not only reduces the total amount you need to borrow, but it also shows the lender you are able to manage money. Different lenders require different amounts for a down payment, but most would likely view 10-20 percent of the home’s purchase price to be a good down payment.

• Collateral — This is the property you agree to “put up” in exchange for the loan and serves to protect the lender against a borrower’s default. If you’re buying a manufactured home, you can collateralize the loan with either the home itself or with the home and a piece of land together. For site-built homes, the loan would be collateralized with the home and land together always.

• Loan amount — The amount you need to borrow is calculated by taking the purchase price of the home, less your down payment, and adding any other expenses that will be financed as part of the loan, which could include closing costs, discount points and third party fees.

• Credit score — Lenders will want to review the credit reports and scores for everyone who is listed as a borrower on the mortgage application. With your written permission, the lender will obtain your credit report from a credit reporting agency. Generally, the better your credit

score is the more likely you will be approved, plus qualify for the best available interest rate from the lender you choose.

• Origination cost — This is the amount the lender charges to process the loan application, which includes gathering and reviewing all loan application documents, underwriting and closing your home loan. This expense typically appears on your loan documents as a “loan origination fee.”

“After you apply for a mortgage, the lender should be able to give you an idea of the interest rate you’ll likely qualify for,” Hamilton says. “With that information, you can use a monthly mortgage payment calculator to estimate just how much the mortgage payment will be each

month. Knowing the monthly payment can help homebuyers make better decisions about budgeting, savings, spending and investing.”

To learn more about mortgages for manufactured homes, visit www.vmfhomeloan.com.

Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc., 500 Alcoa Trail, Maryville, TN 37804, 865-380-3000, NMLS #1561, ( http:// www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/), AZ Lic. #BK-0902616, Loans made or arranged pursuant to a California Finance Lenders Law license, GA Residential Mortgage (Lic. #6911), Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee, Licensed by the NH Banking Department, MT Lic. #1561, Licensed by PA Dept. of Banking. – BPT

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

August 2016  17

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

18 August 2016

Is Generation Z Solely Digital? How Today's Students Learn Best

4 Ways to Make Learning 'Sticky' for Your Student

a full sheet of paper would feel more out of place, if not overwhelming."

Remember how Gen Z interacts and communicates with others.

While Gen Z has spent years texting and tweeting, electronic communication is not the only medium. In fact, 84 percent of Gen Z said they prefer face-to-face communication, according a study called "Gen Z @ Work," conducted by Gen Z Guru and the Institute for Corporate Productivity. An in-person meeting works well for these students. Therefore, consider setting up a weekly after-school session to touch base with a teacher, or review lessons with a tutor or peer.

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By d-mars.com News Provider

ll students heading back to school this year are part of the new generation known as Gen Z. Born in the years of 1995-2012, this group is defined by the fact that they grew up with a widespread usage of technology from a very young age. Laptops, software, apps and digital devices have granted them powerful tools to access nearly the entire bank of human knowledge. However, it is important to understand this generation is not solely digital, as studies have found handwriting and analog tools remain important elements of communication when it comes to learning.

According to a recent study commissioned by the Post-it Brand, 85 percent of Gen Z students feel they learn best when they use both digital and non-digital tools for schoolwork.

The study underlines how this group lives in a "phigital" world, a term coined by David Stillman, who is an author, speaker and expert on Gen Z. That is, physical and digital. He finds "Gen Z students are adept and fluent with technology, yet they still value and see the benefits of non-digital practices such as writing things down with pen and paper and especially communicating face-to-face."

His son, Jonah Stillman, a 17-year old high school student who writes and speaks about Gen Z, agrees, "I can't imagine life without technology, as I use it throughout the day, even at school. However, when I'm studying for that big test or trying to

remember something from class, I find it helps to actually write things down."

By understanding how Gen Z students think, communicate and learn best, parents can set them up for success as they head back to school.

Harness the strengths of both digital and analog study tools.

According to the same study from the brand, 61 percent of respondents use both digital devices and handwritten notes when it comes to school work. In fact, 81 percent stated that they would feel restricted if they could only work on digital devices. Before the start of the school year, talk to your student about their needs and find digital and non-digital tools that complement one another. Perhaps they would prefer to open a textbook and flag key points to remember rather than download the e-book on their tablet. On the other hand, they may prefer an e-book but learn best when they can jot down key facts on

paper. Equip students with the supplies they need to study efficiently.

Find a note-taking solution that works.

Handwritten notes helped 93 percent of students keep up with schoolwork in a typical week. Whether they prefer to type lecture notes or write them out longhand, students will better recall and retain important information when they extract key details from a dense outline of notes.

Therefore, as students review their notes, they should jot down facts and reminders on Post-it Super Sticky Notes. Not only does the act of writing enhance retention, but the notes can stick and restick to organize ideas in a notebook or on a desk, as well as be used as flash cards.

"Using sticky notes is ideal as it taps into exactly how Gen Z has been trained to communicate," says David Stillman.

"From social media posts to texts, they typically write in sound bites. Giving them

Understand there is a time and place for digital devices, but balance is key.

Some students may be distracted in classrooms by the temptation to text friends and browse social media, while other students find digital devices are helpful for tasks like researching information for a report or reading current events. Evaluate your student and whether smart phones, tablets and laptops are being used for education-related purposes.

Reach your goal.

You're 42 percent more likely to get something done if you write it down, according to research from the Dominican University of California. Post-it Brand is encouraging people nationwide, especially students, to write down their goals, dreams and aspirations as a way to #makeitstick and reach achievement in the new school year. – BPT

Gas Station Myth or Fact: What You Need to Know When You Refuel By d-mars.com News Provider

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n any given day, some 40 million Americans stop at gas stations to fill their tanks. For many, it’s a weekly routine, one they don’t spend much time analyzing, but are there things you think you know about your fill-up that just aren’t true?

Andrea Kaufman considers herself a fairly conscientious auto owner, but the St. Louis Park, Minnesota resident admits she doesn’t know the finer details of pumping protocol. “I’ve heard plenty of gas station tips and tricks, but I’m not always sure which ones I should believe.”

Let’s set the record straight as energy experts dispel three common gas station myths.

Myth #1: It’s best to buy gas early in the day.

The theory is that gasoline is denser at cooler temperatures, so you’ll get more fuel per gallon early in the morning.

While the basic science is correct, the experts at Consumer Reports point out two practical reasons why this is a myth.

First, most gas stations store fuel in double-walled underground tanks that keep gas at steady temperatures. Second, even if there were variations, the volume difference between gasoline at 75 versus 60 degrees Fahrenheit is just 1 percent — not enough to be noticeable at the pump.

Myth #2: It’s dangerous to use a cell phone near gas pumps.

According to the Federal Communications Commission, there is no documented incident of a wireless phone causing a gas station fire or explosion.

It’s true that many fuel companies post stickers on pumps warning motorists to turn off phones while refueling as cell phones could be a distraction.

But the Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI) reports the most likely cause of fire at the pumps is static electricity created by drivers sliding in and out of vehicles.

For safe refueling, PEI recommends you

turn off the car engine, refrain from smoking and stay outside the vehicle.

Myth #3: All brands of gas are the same.

Like more than two-thirds of Americans, Kaufman buys gas primarily based on price and convenience. “I don’t know if there is a difference between brands,” she says. While all gasoline sold in the U.S. must meet federal requirements for performance, not all gas is the same.

The auto industry has a certification system for fuel. Top Tier certified gasoline includes additional detergents and fuel additives that remove engine deposits that can hurt fuel economy.

“Today’s more fuel-efficient engines need higher-quality fuel for peak performance,” says Akhtar Hussain, refined fuels expert at CHS, which markets Cenex brand fuels at more than 1,450 gas stations in 19 states. “Cenex TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline provides 2.5 times the cleaning power of conventional gasoline and removes deposits for better fuel economy and reduced emissions.”

Our Top Tier certified gasoline keeps newer high-precision engines clean and helps older engines perform better, he adds. “It helps clean your engine every time you fill your tank.”

Cenex TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is available at every Cenex location. To find one near you, visit cenex.com/locations.

So much for those tank-filling myths. Now it’s time to fuel up and enjoy the drive. – BPT

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

August 2016 19

5 Tips to Keep Your Cellphone Running Smoothly By d-mars.com News Provider

W

e all love the convenience of modern cellphones. They’re so much more than just phones — they’ve become our cameras, calendars, mailboxes, entertainment consoles and internet browsers.

But all those apps, photos, videos and games compete for a limited amount of room in which to operate. If you’re not careful, your phone’s memory will quickly become the digital equivalent of a traffic jam. Suddenly, space is hard to come by, so everything slows down — and when it does, we no longer love our cellphone quite so much.

According to experts at Consumer Cellular, a wireless provider specializing in working with clients 50 and older, this doesn’t mean it’s time to scrap your phone. Instead, they recommend trying a few simple housecleaning steps, outlined below, before giving up on a sluggish device. These will help clear out most of the unwanted clutter and might just restore your phone’s performance back to nearly new.

Do you really use all those apps?

Take a long look at the apps you’ve downloaded, and decide which ones you use regularly and therefore need to keep. Delete the rest. Unused apps not only hog precious storage space, they also impact your battery life, as they are

constantly restarting and running in the background without you even realizing it. You can always download an app again later if you discover you can’t live without it. But for now, get rid of the extras.

here, clearly labeled. Follow the prompts to delete unwanted files.

Make your contacts count.

Learn to manage photos and videos.

Nothing beats the convenience of taking digital photos and videos on your cellphone. Unlike using film, there’s no set limit to how many you can take. But there definitely is a limit to how many you’ll want to keep stored on your device. Photos, and especially videos, chew up memory with each one you save. You also run the risk of losing the entire collection if something happens to your phone to wipe out its memory, or if it is lost or stolen.

Review your saved items frequently to make sure you’re not keeping too many duplicates. Perhaps most importantly, regularly back up your files to a computer, external hard drive, or cloudbased storage — then delete all (or most) of them from your phone. This will take a few extra minutes, but it’s time well spent: it not only frees up space on your device, it also safeguards against your precious memories getting wiped away.

Clean up after browsing.

When you surf the internet on your phone, each website stores a unique collection of images, videos, or text files required to display things like web pages

and advertisements. These files makeup what’s called the phone’s cache memory, or cached data.

Cached data is saved within your browser so that next time you access the site you already have the information necessary for it to load quickly. It’s a wonderful tool for web pages you visit frequently. But for sites you’ll rarely visit again, these files simply take up valuable digital real estate. As they accumulate, you’ll start to notice web pages taking a lot longer to load, making your browsing experience much less enjoyable.

To avoid this, make it a habit to periodically clear your cache memory.

While each Android phone or iPhone is slightly different, the general process will include going to the “Settings” menu on your phone, then locating your Storage, Apps, or Applications Manager menu. Cached data is usually stored

Without careful attention, your “Electronic Phone Book” can overflow with duplicate entries or just-plain unimportant contacts. The cost of all that extra data is not only time wasted scrolling through extraneous information; it’s also eating up memory you could use for more valuable things.

Review and organize your contacts regularly to make sure you have a wellorganized and up-to-date list. Group a person’s work, cellphone, and home phone number together under a single entry. Delete entries you won’t likely need again. And sync your contact list with your Apple or Google contacts to create a backup, just in case anything happens to your phone or its stored data.

Keep it as good as new.

Just keep in mind that while cellphones are wondrous, state-of-the-art technology, that doesn’t mean they won’t require some good old-fashioned human intervention from time-to-time.

Your phone, and your enjoyment of it, will benefit tremendously from regular monitoring and simple maintenance.

Whether you’re using an entry-level flip phone or the most advanced smartphone, a little TLC will go a long way toward keeping things operating efficiently and extending the useful life of your device. – BPT

The Art of Innovation: the Key to Unlocking Creative Blocks By d-mars.com News Provider

T

he Wright Brothers knew they were going to crash, yet tried to fly anyway.

Unlike their competitors, the former bicycle mechanics brought extra parts to the sand dunes to make onsite repairs and reduce cycle time. Their creative courage resulted in not just a new product (the aircraft), but also a process for failing quickly, learning fast and outpacing their competition.

There are myriad inspiring tales of similar legendary so-called fails.

The multibillion-dollar success of Postit(R) Notes is directly attributed to two employees at 3M, Spencer Silver and Art Fry, who mistakenly formulated an adhesive that didn’t stick well, but which just happened to unstick as needed. The duo persisted, despite management recommendations to abandon the project, and because of their resilience, their failed glue formula was transformed into the ubiquitous office product we can’t live without.

Einstein advocated for this type of combinatorial creativity and Steve Jobs famously quipped that creativity is just “connecting things.”

In fact, it’s creativity that most often drives success. Virtually all companies — from startups to Fortune 500s — need it. Corporate stagnation is real. Innovation is happening at breakneck speed, and even historically successful corporate stalwarts are finding themselves staring in the face of irrelevance. No matter how knowledgeable a team may be of their market, product portfolio and competitive landscape, they face a perilous proposition: grow or fold.

And nothing prompts growth more than creativity and innovation.

To boost your own creative thinking powers — whether at work or for your own personal needs — try these tips from Dalí Museum Innovation Labs' executive facilitator, Nathan Schwagler:

High-performing creative people learn to bend the status quo and they do it by optimizing their conversations. These successful creative thinkers temporarily suspend judgment during idea generation. In the context of innovation, one of the most prohibitive things to do is to attempt to both generate and evaluate new ideas at the same time. Instead, try splitting a brainstorming session into a few parts: 1. First, immerse yourself in the data and information surrounding the challenge 2. Then, generate a clear statement that summarizes the opportunity or problem 3. Try a divergent exercise — something to clear your mind 4. Now you’re ready to focus your energy on developing solutions.

Once you have a solid list of solutions to consider, force yourself to stretch further. Feel tapped out? Go even further!

A good goal is to get to that challenging third round of ideas, which research suggests will be the most innovative.

When you’ve truly exhausted your ideation, take a break and come back to the challenge with evaluation criteria in hand — define what success looks like and then deliberately apply that criteria against your list of ideas.

Salvador Dalí famously quipped, “Have no fear of perfection, you’ll never reach it.” The Museum has adopted the artist’s approach in its Innovation Labs program.

“When it comes to solving the complex problems of our inter-connected global economy, Dalí’s fear-free, trial-and-learn approach is the type of creative thinking that we optimize for at The Dalí Museum Innovation Labs,” said Schwagler.

From Dalí’s fearless artistic prowess to the creative and courageous examples set forth by the Wright Brothers and the Post-It Notes inventors, there are numerous shining examples of great things that can emerge from creative thinking and a never-say-never spirit. Even the most impactful products and solutions can be sparked by an open mind and fresh perspective.

The Dalí Museum, in St. Petersburg, Florida, is a world-renowned Museum featuring an unparalleled collection of art works from celebrated artist Salvador Dalí. The Museum’s Innovation Labs offers one-of-a-kind programs that carefully combine more than 60 years of psychology and management research on creativity, creative problem solving, and innovation, infused with Dalí’s philosophy and methods to unlock a team’s true untapped creative potential. – BPT

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

20  August 2016

Mai

Texas Southern Un By d-mars.com News Provider

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historical and educational gem in Houston, Texas Southern University (TSU) is preparing its increasingly diverse student population to become a force for positive change in a global society. This metropolitan and comprehensive institution provides academic and research programs that address critical urban issues, preparing the next generation for great success and achievement. Dr. Rudley left a great legacy as president of TSU, and now the baton has been handed over to Dr. Austin A. Lane, a man who not only has the experience, but who also has the passion to keep TSU strong and independent.

Dr. Lane’s academic passion includes student academic productivity and growth, and he is dedicated to producing TSU graduates who will be prepared for the global marketplace. A native of New Jersey, Dr. Lane graduated from Hackensack High School and attended Odessa Junior College in West Texas on a basketball scholarship. He holds a B.A. in psychology from Langston University (the only HBCU in Oklahoma), M.A. in human relations from The University of Oklahoma, and Ed.D. in higher education administration from The University of Alabama.

Dr. Lane was appointed Executive Vice Chancellor of Lone Star College in January 2015. He was the lead administrator for Academic Affairs, Student Services, Workforce Education, Corporate College, Honors College, International Programs, Strategic Planning and Assessment, and University Centers in The Woodlands and University Park, among a host of responsibilities. He served as the third president of Lone Star College-Montgomery for six years, leading an institution that experienced the fastest growth in Texas and the nation.

Dr. Lane has been lauded as an innovator and visionary leader, and his career in higher education is marked by a variety of successive leadership roles and professional achievements. Before joining Lone Star College-Montgomery, Dr. Lane served as vice president for student affairs at Tyler Junior College and was responsible for directing a college-wide strategic enrollment management team that posted the largest enrollment in the school's history. He

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August 2016 21

niversity’s Stature as a Premier HBCU

the nation and around the globe who are seeking a quality education, vibrant student experience, and opportunities to provide service to the community. Dr. Lane has personally reached out to faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members in an effort to become more familiar with the current and future state of the university. He is committed to focusing on student recruitment and maintaining strong enrollment and retention policies at TSU.

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Dr.Lane’s Lane’stop toppriorities prioritiesfor forTSU TSUinclude: include: Dr. • Student Success • Academic Quality • Culture • Funding • Partnerships developed strategies to enhance the academic and student service reputation of the college. Prior to joining Tyler, he served as the dean of students at The University of Texas at Arlington and was instrumental in planning and overseeing several student success initiatives that were designed to increase enrollment and retention.

Dr. Lane was an adjunct professor in the higher education program at Sam Houston State University and served on the Masters in Higher Education advisory board for the College of Education at SHSU and doctoral advisory board for Southern Methodist University’s College of Education. He was as an adjunct professor in the College of Education at The University of Texas at Arlington, in the Behavioral and Social Sciences department at Tarrant County College-Southeast Campus and in the higher education program at Sam Houston State University. He served as an on-site reviewer for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). He has conducted extensive research on traditional-age, low-income, African-American and Hispanic students in Texas that focuses on access to higher education, affordability, need-based vs. meritbased aid, college persistence, and student success.

Hiscommunity communityinvolvement involvementincludes: includes: His • Amegy Bank Advisory Board • Montgomery County Women’s Center Board of Directors • Rotary Club of The Woodlands • Texas Diversity Council Board of Directors Dr. Lane considers this university to be one of the most historically rich, academically innovative, culturally diverse, and indomitable HBCUs in the country. TSU is set to enter the next phase of its existence and become a premier institution in the academic realm. TSU is poised to position itself as a destination for people from across

Dr. Lane has already settled into his new position, working on his list of priorities, as he and Lone Star College Chancellor Dr. Stephen Head met recently to sign an articulation agreement between the two institutions. The articulation agreement was Dr. Lane’s first official act as president since being named to lead TSU in June. The plan will facilitate transfers, recruitment, admission, and advising for prospective students registered in the Lone Star College system. The establishment of this agreement provides the framework to develop programs that will enhance the educational experience of students attending both Lone Star College and TSU. TSU’s administration is re-defining itself as servant leadership, dedicated to the total well-being of this university and the success of every student. Each decision and subsequent action will be aimed at providing the optimum academic experience for TSU’s student body. Every employee will be focused on creating an environment of camaraderie and efficiency to meet all benchmarks and honor the university’s mission. With Dr. Lane as the new president, there is no doubt about TSU maintaining its stature as a premier HBCU. For more on Dr. Austin A. Lane and Texas Southern University, please visit www.tsu.edu.

AboutTexas TexasSouthern SouthernUniversity University About TSU offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs and concentrations – bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degrees – organized into 10 colleges and schools on a 150-acre campus nestled in the heart of Houston’s historic Third Ward. The University’s enrollment has a population of 8,000 undergraduate and graduate-school academic candidates. TSU has been a distinguished educational pioneer since 1927, and it has become one of the most diverse and respected institutions in Texas. TSU has positioned itself as a proactive leader in educating underserved students and many who are the first in their family to attend college.

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22 August 2016

Top Tips for Successful Buyers and Sellers in the Auto Salvage Industry

T

By d-mars.com News Provider

he auto salvage industry is more popular than ever. While automotive prices rise, so does the difficulty in finding a good deal on a vehicle, and yet, many are still misinformed about what a salvage car truly is. Automotive consumers have been misled to believe that a salvage car, scrap car, junk car and total loss vehicle are one in the same. As a result, many consumers are not aware of the value that the auto salvage industry has to offer.

What is auto salvage Cars that are categorized as salvage come in all makes, models, conditions and mileage, but what does auto salvage really mean? The term auto salvage is quite simply the state of the car’s title, and it refers to vehicles that have been characterized by insurance companies, adjusters and the states as damaged in some way. The term “salvage” is generically used negatively; however, a salvaged vehicle does not necessarily imply that it cannot be rebuilt, repaired or safely driven again.

In fact, many salvaged vehicles are cars that have undergone minimal aesthetic damage, and rebuilt or repaired vehicles are specifically required to pass a special inspection before they can legally be released for the open road.

Alternatively, a total loss vehicle is not a type of title, but it is a type of salvage vehicle. A total loss vehicle occurs when the insured property is totally destroyed or damaged in a way that cannot be repaired or recovered for future use. It is important to understand the difference in order to truly appreciate how the auto salvage industry operates — this also enables buyers and sellers to

make smart choices.

The auto salvage industry From the early days of automobiles, automotive recycling has developed into a refined and technology-driven industry. It is valuable as a consumer to understand that the auto salvage industry is really the automotive recycling industry. The primary focus of all entities within the industry is to repurpose, reuse and retain the value of all things automotive, and find a new life for the vehicle or components of the vehicle.

The auto salvage industry is a thriving part of the automotive supply chain.

Automotive recycling as a whole represents over $32 billion in sales annually, and the industry employs over 140,000 employees in the U.S. alone. In addition to the critical role that the auto salvage industry plays in the automo-

tive supply chain, automotive recyclers play a valuable role in the environmentally-friendly process of dismantling, recycling or repurposing of motor vehicles. Buying and selling a salvaged vehicle is not only more cost efficient, it also preserves natural resources and significantly reduces pollution and the demand for landfill space.

Title Buyers and sellers of salvaged vehicles can sleep soundly knowing that all title discrepancies must always be announced during the transfer of a vehicle. This is including, but not limited to, mileage, salvage, theft, recovery, stolen vehicle, buybacks and more. Insurance transfers also require full disclosure, and by law, titles will always be changed to reflect the vehicle's true status. Remember to be a smart buyer

and check your state for the different title types and what they mean.

Copart All buyers and sellers should take it upon themselves to fully understand vehicle history and title status before offering to buy and sell cars. If you are looking to buy and sell a salvage title vehicle, Copart.com exceeds all expectations and demands. Copart, Inc., a leader in live online salvage and insurance auto auctions, is a publicly traded and reputable company with a dependable global footprint. Copart has grown into the premier online destination for quality vehicles that links buyers and sellers all around the world.

The salvage auto industry is more popular than ever before, and Copart.com makes it more convenient than ever before to access thousands of vehicles. – BPT

Fast Fixes to Boost Curb Appeal for a Quick Home Sale By d-mars.com News Provider

t takes just seven seconds to form a first impression after meeting someone new. The same psychology applies to the first impression people get when shopping for a new home. Within seconds of arrival, home buyers are forming positive and negative opinions about the property.

This is invaluable to home sellers. If you want to sell your home fast and for a premium price, you can't afford botching the first impression. Fortunately, revamping the facade doesn't have to cost a small fortune. In just one weekend you can boost your curb appeal with a few simple updates.

cent of a house's facade. Often ignored, a bland or ugly garage door is a turnoff to home buyers. However, there's no need to buy a costly new one. Instead, upgrade your current door with simulated window overlays and decorative handles and hinges from Coach House Accents for upscale appeal at a fraction of the cost.

Start by adding a fresh coat of paint to the garage door. Then to get a custom carriage house appearance, add the window panels made from lightweight, durable automotive-grade plastic resin. Finish with hinges and handles that mimic high-end forged metal. Coach House Accents can be purchased online at www.coachhouseaccents.com, www.amazon.com and at select Lowe's stores nationwide.

Enhance the garage door

Update the entryway

I

A garage door accounts for up to 40 per-

The entryway is the focal point of the

front of the home. Start by clearing clutter and cleaning stairways. A new coat of paint on the stairs and door is essential.

You might also consider investing in a new door handle and other hardware to modernize the space.

In addition to keeping the area clean, add attractive elements to the entryway.

A potted plant or two offers a welcoming touch that reflects seasonal style.

Toss worn welcome mats for fresh, new options. If you have space, a comfortable chair paints an inviting picture for potential home buyers.

Liven up the landscape Sprucing up the yard goes beyond pulling weeds. Start by trimming hedges and trees to create a tidy appearance.

If you don't have much greenery, adding flowers and other plants can have a

dramatic visual impact. Finally, a new layer of mulch will help your landscape features pop and makes any property look instantly fresh again.

In addition to clearing brush and updating plants, enhance outdoor spaces with thoughtful use of landscape lighting. Pathway lights on walkways, accent lights in planters, and garden lights around the porch make a space more stylish and useful. Plus, when home buyers view the property in the evening, beautiful lighting will impress them the moment they pull in the driveway.

Impressive curb appeal doesn't have to cost a small fortune. From garage door enhancements to landscape lighting, these quick fixes can capture the attention of buyers and hopefully even start a bidding war. – BPT

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24 August 2016

New Home Improvement Trends That Strengthen Your Property Investment 6 Home Improvement Trends to Update Your Stale Space By d-mars.com News Provider

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hen you’re in the process of buying or building a home, you’re constantly researching trends and technology that will set your home apart. Fast forward a few years and you probably don’t have your finger on the pulse of home advancements like before.

It’s good you’ve settled in to your home, but a lot can change in just a handful of years. If you’re finally thinking about finishing the basement, updating the kitchen or investing in landscaping, there’s probably a lot of new processes and products available since you’ve last been in the market.

Get up to speed by learning about the top home improvement trends that are getting lots of attention in 2016: Air quality Homeowners are taking action to improve indoor air quality by choosing smart products like AirRenew drywall boards that clean the air. Ideal when remodeling or finishing basements and bathrooms, these boards feature the in-

dustry’s first formaldehyde-absorbing technology. That means they actively remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air, converting them into a safe compound that improves indoor air quality. VOCs are prevalent in bathroom spaces due to personal hygiene products like hair spray and the use of cleaning chemicals. Plus, the M2Tech technology in AirRenew is moisture and mold resistant, which is excellent for bathroom and basement spaces where these conditions often thrive.

Acid stained concrete Homeowners are looking beyond concrete’s core strength and durability to discover its beauty when treated with acid staining techniques. Specialty stains are used to add stunning depth and color that closely mimics stone, including marble. Perfect for basements and patio spaces, concrete experts pour the slab and then after it has cured, return to apply the stain treatment. The result is completely customizable and often closely resembles upscale applications at a fraction of the cost.

Durable drywall As technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, homeowners need the option of mounting and remounting the newest televisions, speaker systems and

it better withstands seasonal changes in temperature and humidity.

other home electronics. By thoughtfully selecting drywall, you can say goodbye to anchors and stud finders for good.

Habito drywall allows builders and homeowners to create spaces that provide easy mounting of fixtures up to 30 pounds. Visit HanginWithHabito.com to learn how you can hang a TV or piece of art without anchors and feel confident it’s secured to the wall.

MDF cabinets Medium density fiberboard (MDF) is a high-grade, composite material that is used to create cabinetry for kitchens, bars and bathrooms. Made from wood fibers and resin, MDF is dried and pressed to create an incredibly durable material.

Homeowners are choosing MDF cabinets because they do not expand and contract like solid wood, which means

Acoustics Today’s approach to home design goes beyond appearances to look at how the spaces affect every one of the senses.

Homeowners in particular are paying close attention to the acoustics of a home.

Knowing how sounds can be manipulated and controlled within a house is important for functionality and livability.

A professional can assist in the details of acoustics design, but basic features that best control sound are insulation, ceiling material and flooring design.

Smart spaces High tech knows no bounds because more homes are incorporating smart spaces into each room. These are special areas where you can store and charge devices so that they are always operable.

For example, a drawer in the kitchen will have built-in USB chargers. The cabinet in your master bath will hold and charge your tablet. The living room built-in will feature a smartphone dock. Personal technology continues to grow and today’s home is growing with it.

To learn more about today’s most innovative drywall options, visit CertainTeed. com/CleanTheAir and HanginWithHabito.com. – BPT

Save Money and Safeguard Your Family with Smart Devices By d-mars.com News Provider

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mart homes make life easier and more convenient. Who wouldn't love being able to control lighting, entertainment and temperature from their couch — or from anywhere for that matter? Whether you're at work or on vacation, smart devices alert you to what's going on at home and help you stay connected and protected.

According to the experts at First Alert, the following are just a few of the many benefits of giving your home a “smart” makeover:

Safety and security Having the ability to monitor your home from wherever you are is one of the biggest benefits of a smart home.

Devices that deliver notifications about everything from intruders to water leaks help homeowners react quickly and avoid major disasters.

For families with children, smart devices can provide parents with added peace of mind. You can safeguard doors and drawers, such as the liquor cabinet or gate to the pool, with connected contact sensors. With smart locks and cameras, you’ll know when your kids get home

custom designed to cater to your specific lifestyle.

Ease and expansion

from school, and can ensure their safety when the doorbell rings with mobile access to live video. There are even smart safes with motion detecting technology and access notification that are ideal for keeping weapons and medications safely locked away.

Convenience and customization Convenience is one of the most common reasons people purchase smart devices. These high-tech products streamline common tasks by giving users remote access to everything from heating and cooling systems to multimedia devices, kitchen appliances, security features and even a forgotten garage door.

You have the ability to program devices to your family’s specific needs and preferences, and the flexibility to choose which features to integrate into your smart system to create a connected home

Unlike their complicated predecessors, many of today’s smart home products can be easily installed, and you certainly don’t need to buy everything all at one time. One of the best places to start building a smart home system is with essential devices like a thermostat, or smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

To make things as simple as possible, the Onelink by First Alert WiFi Smoke + CO Alarm is designed to work with most existing interconnected hardwired alarms, so users do not have to replace all of their existing alarms at once. The Apple HomeKit platform makes it easy to add new alarms and other devices to expand a smart home system. The alarm can be easily tested or silenced using the Onelink Home app on an iOS device (iPhone, iPad and iPod touch) or Apple Watch. In the case of an emergency, the Onelink Alarm will instantly alert the homeowner via a notification on their mobile device, allowing the user to assess the situation and alert authorities if needed, or silence the device in the event of a false alarm, like burnt toast.

Energy efficiency and cost savings A major part of what makes “smart” devices smart is their ability to save users money through improved energy efficiency. Lights can be programmed to turn off automatically when no one is in a room. A thermostat can be set to let the indoor temperature drop during the day before returning it to a more comfortable level just before residents arrive home in the evening. You can even track energy usage and expenditures to determine ways in which your family can reduce consumption.

“Since inventing the world’s first residential smoke alarm, First Alert has been at the forefront of advancement in home safety technology,” says Tom Russo, president of First Alert. “Our Onelink portfolio of smart products goes beyond traditional perceptions of safety products and ushers in a new era of interconnectivity between a home’s comfort level and people’s safety and lifestyle preferences.”

For more information about Onelink by First Alert, visit www. firstalert.com/onelink, and for more information about Apple HomeKit, visit www.apple.com/ios/homekit.

– BPT

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August 2016 25

Innovation: a Fundamental Factor in Family-Owned Business Success By d-mars.com News Provider

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t's no secret that there are countless challenges facing today's family-owned businesses. In fact, less than one-third of family businesses successfully migrate from first to second generation ownership. Another 50 percent never survive the transition from second to third generation, according to Forbes.

While every organization has its own priorities and category-specific issues to manage, family businesses that fail to innovate run the risk of losing market share to competitors, losing key staff or simply operating inefficiently so that they cannot survive. Innovation is a key differentiator between market leaders and their rivals, and can ultimately ensure longevity.

IDEAL Industries, Inc., a manufacturing company based 60 miles west of Chicago, is consistently growing and expanding under four generations of family ownership, and is celebrating its centennial anniversary this year.

How has this electrical product supplier and hand tool company managed to stay relevant and produce results for 100 years? Their success story can be chalked up to their ongoing devotion to innovation and looking beyond traditional business pressures of hitting quarterly results.

Their philosophy is simple: focus on

the markets that exist today, while ensuring that they are poised to serve those of tomorrow.

"The beauty of being family-owned is that we have the freedom to make executive decisions with the long-term in mind," said IDEAL Chairman and CEO Jim James. "We think ten years ahead - how will our family, board and business be different? What are the risks that lie ahead and how can we mitigate them now? How do we put our core business out of business? Because if we don't, someone else will."

While IDEAL may best be known

for their wire connectors, their innovations also touch the sky, as nearly every commercial jet flying today has been constructed using IDEAL wire strippers. They've even reached the moon, as part of the critical equipment on NASA missions. Their Audacy advanced wireless lighting system is installed at major league ballparks, college campuses and airports.

Best of all, they touch the daily lives of skilled tradesmen around the globe, who reach for IDEAL, Western Forge and SK brand hand tools to get the job done right.

However, innovation is not only about designing a new product or service to sell, but also focusing on the development of new business processes and best practices in order to improve efficiency, find new customers, cut down on waste, increase profits and keep employee retention rates up.

"At the end of the day, it's very important for organizations to take a step back and ask themselves what is truly blocking the innovation process," said Vicki Slomka, senior vice president of global human services at IDEAL. "Companies that constantly challenge themselves and are relentlessly focused on innovation will survive in this ever-changing globally competitive environment."

Thus, in order to prevent becoming another failing statistic, companies have no choice but to prioritize innovation.

Family stewardship must ensure their professional management team has the strategic alignment, patience and resources available to foster an innovative workplace environment - one that produces products and services that continuously cater to today's competitive marketplace and consumer. Family-owned businesses must commit to a high reinvestment rate in order to support a robust innovative pipeline that will allow them to survive and thrive into the next generation. – BPT

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26 August 2016

Selling Your Car: Get More Money with These Top Tips of cars, SUVs, vans and trucks.

By d-mars.com News Provider

S

elling a car for cash should be simple, safe and able to navigate without roadblocks; however, there is no shortage of sneaky techniques that are employed to scam car sellers. Through hiding supplementary fees in the fine print, car buying businesses can leave car sellers spending anywhere from $10 to $300 in unexpected fees - a disappointing loss in an anticipated profit. With the numerous car buying companies competing for business in a niche industry, it is difficult for a car seller to discern which company is the correct choice; however, there are many things that a seller can be aware of to ensure that they are making the best decision.

Towing Fortunately for car sellers, the costliest hidden fee when selling a vehicle is also the easiest to avoid. While it is no longer common for car buying companies to expect a seller to facilitate towing arrangements, it does occur.

Towing can add up to $100 or more in additional deductions depending on where the buying company is located.

Additionally, many buying companies cannot accommodate vehicles outside

Liquids Many scrap and junk car buyers require a seller to empty a car's gas tank before they will send a towing service for collection, and if a seller fails to do so, it can result in a charge upwards of $50. A $50 deduction can make a significant dent in your overall profit, and draining a gas tank can be timely and incredibly dangerous if a seller does not have previous experience or has not been given proper direction.

Car detailing Car buying companies take into account the condition of a car's interior when generating a buying price for a seller, but do not typically communicate that the state of the interior, down to cleanliness, could have an effect on the final offer to a seller. While a seller should ideally take care of a car's exterior and interior on a routine basis, they should also be aware of hidden deductions that could arise from a lack in communication from a buyer.

Paperwork While many car buying companies claim to manage paperwork for a car seller, it is not unlikely for a small

"document transfer" fee to be removed from a seller's original offer upon transaction for the car. Before accepting a quote from a car buyer, a seller must guarantee that they will do the heavy lifting regarding paperwork and ensure that no additional fees will be taken out of the original quote. Additionally, car buying companies have been known to buy cars without a title present, and while this is convenient for the seller, it can also lead to reputation management problems farther down the road.

Protecting yourself as a car seller While selling a vehicle for cash can result in a headache, it doesn't have to be a painful experience with the right information and research. If you are a

car seller looking for a car buying company that is fast, easy and transparent, CashForCars.com exceeds all demands.

CashForCars.com is a car acquisition division of Copart, Inc., a publicly traded and reputable company with a dependable local footprint. CashForCars.com purchases vehicles directly from the public, offering free towing, clean paperwork transfer and exemplary customer service with no hidden fees, hidden charges on towing, or outof-pocket expenses. The CashForCars. com team answers the calls of vehicle sellers looking to sell their cars, truck, SUVs, boats or RVs, and guides them through the quick and painless process while diligently working to guarantee that an honest reputation is preserved as the main priority.

The CashForCars.com business model is built around saving customers the hassle of selling a car in a traditional way, and has over 160 locations across the U.S. to ensure that a driver will be able to pick up your vehicle in as little as 24 hours - sometimes the same day! Backed by over 30 years in the car buying business, CashForCars.com diligently works to stay up-to-date on vehicle pricing by incorporating market trends, damage levels and comparable model prices to ensure that each customer is presented with the best available offer. – BPT

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28  August 2016

Tips for Navigating the Sharing Economy

T

By d-mars.com News Provider

housands of people stayed in rooms and houses last night that belong to strangers. More hopped into cars with people they'd never met and accepted a ride to a restaurant or to their home. A young woman rented a designer dress she saw listed online.

These are a few examples of the sharing economy - a system in which people rent homes, arrange rides and borrow personal items typically through online services that facilitate the transactions.

Rather than doing business with hotel chains, taxis or department stores, consumers are engaging with strangers in a way that is atypical of traditional business interactions.

The sharing economy generated about $15 billion in revenue in 2013 and is expected to hit $335 billion by 2025, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Like many big changes, the emergence of the sharing economy has required consumers and companies to re-educate themselves and rethink their approach.

While there are many safeguards in place, owners and renters tend to overlook the role insurance plays in this new economy.

It doesn't have to be complicated. Resources such as Insure U from the Na-

tional Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) can help you avoid unexpected surprises in the world of shared rides and rooms. A few things to keep in mind:

Welcome home The vast majority of accommodations booked on HomeAway, VRBO or Airbnb go off without a hitch. Still, there are stories involving families coming home to torn-up couches, smashedin walls and homes littered with trash.

If you regularly rent out a room in your home, it's important to know many homeowners policies won't cover guests' injuries or property damages. Talk to your insurance agent and determine if you need additional liability or landlord coverage.

Likewise, if your next vacation involves renting a room or villa, make sure your homeowners or personal liability insurance covers any damages that could happen during your stay.

Don't be taken for a ride

is safe for you and your passengers. With this in mind, insurance is one of the most important factors to understand.

The most popular ride-share companies offer contingent collision and comprehensive coverage when a driver accepts a ride request or has a passenger in the vehicle. However, drivers need to understand that while you can insure your vehicle for personal use or for commercial use, in some cases you cannot insure it for both.

More insurance companies are creating policies that cover drivers who use their vehicle for both commercial and personal use. Contact your insurance representative to find out if there are any gaps in your coverage to reduce your liability and ensure a safe experience.

possible to make a little extra money by renting out your power tools, golf clubs, camera equipment and much more - including your time and labor.

Before you rent, get a security deposit and take plenty of photos to document the item's condition. Talk with your insurance agent to figure out what kind of information you need for your homeowners insurance policy to cover whatever it is you're renting out.

Just like the sharing economy is all about convenience, Insure U (www. insureuonline.org) offers free tips and tools to help you get smart about insurance coverage in all situations. – BPT

Goods and services for hire The sharing economy doesn't stop there.

It's also now

If you have a car and don't mind driving, contracting as an Uber or Lyft driver may be a way to make extra money in your spare time and meet some colorful characters.

Before you start, make sure everything

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August 2016  29

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30 August 2016

5 Easy Tips to Help Your Child Have a Successful School Year By d-mars.com News Provider

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s summer winds down, the excitement of back-to-school shopping, new classes and making new friends are top of mind for children across the country. Parents face the familiar challenge of getting their children prepared for a successful year. The demands of a new school year however, can be nerve-wracking.

Between new teachers, an increased workload and a new schedule, excitement can quickly turn into worry.

The good news is when parents are involved in their children’s education, children tend to do better and have more positive feelings about going to school. And students who actively engage in educational opportunities learn more and better than students who take a more passive approach to learning. In fact, research shows students reading above grade level in the third grade are more likely to graduate from high school at higher rates, and students who take advanced math courses by high school are more likely to attend and graduate from college.

“One skill essential to children’s ac-

ademic success is the ability to learn on their own,” says Dominique Ciccarelli, education spokesperson for Kumon North America. “It’s important for parents to help cultivate confident and independent children who become lifelong learners both inside and outside the classroom.”

Fortunately, there are many ways parents can encourage learning opportunities. Here are five easy ways parents can support their children’s learning at home and throughout the school year: • Encourage your child to read.

Turn reading sessions into a fun and engaging activity. Reading to kids exposes them to richer vocabulary than adults normally use in day-to-day life, and can positively impact their language, intelligence and later literacy achievement. As they get older, continue to make reading a daily activity whether you read to them, they read to you or you read together. Reading is not just an important milestone in a child’s education, it also opens doors to a lifetime of entertainment and enrichment.

• Promote active learning at home. Turn daily routines into prac-

tical learning opportunities. Children learn problem-solving, math, science and vocabulary as they help with groceries, cooking and even laundry. Cooking with your children is an excellent way to further develop math skills by having your children help with measurements. Incorporate learning and fun by hosting a weekly family game night. Educational board games like Monopoly encourage children to read, interact and count with currency.

• Enroll in a supplemental education program. Learning doesn’t have to stop when the bell rings. Enrolling in an academic enrichment program is a great opportunity to provide your children with an advantage in the new school year. Kumon, the world’s largest after-school math and reading program, has more than four million students studying at 26,000 learning centers in 49 countries. Kumon uses an individualized approach to help unlock the potential of children in preschool through high school.

Through daily practice, children develop a solid command of math and reading skills by progressing at their own pace. Kumon is offering a $30

Amazon gift card for all new enrollments at participating centers during the month of September.

• Partner with educators. Parents can support their child’s educational development by working with educators to support learning. Play an active role in your child’s education by knowing what they are studying at school and routinely communicating with their teachers. You don’t have to wait for parent teacher conferences.

Set expectations and academic goals at the beginning of the school year and routinely check in on your child’s progress.

• Capitalize on your child’s interest. Children learn best when they actively learn about topics that have already captivated their interest. If your children are fascinated in how things are made, let them help put together household items that require assembly. Name the tools you are using and talk about what you are doing and why. If they are interested in sports, use that as a fun opportunity to discuss math. Talk about common statistics like batting averages and earned-run averages, or even have your children keep the score. – BPT

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Independent Insurance Agency Auto • Home • Life • Health • Disability • Annuity • Commercial

Bus: 832.431.4222 10103 Fondren Rd. Suite #150 Houston, TX 77096

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Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

34  August 2016

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication