d-mars.com Business Journal 85

Business Journal August - September 15, 2014

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Innovation in Business

d-mars.com Recipient of Emerging-10 Award by Houston Minority Supplier Development Council PAGE 14

“Significance over Success”

By Noel Pinnock Martin Luther King once wrote, “Human progress does not roll on the wheels of inevitability.”

PAGE 19

How to Be an Innovative Thinker in Business

By J. Thomas Smith If one’s thinking about life, a specific situation or a specific need generally goes beyond the obvious, that person can be said to be an “innovative thinker.”

PAGE 6 PAGE 4

PAGE 26

Ursin’s Energy Efficient Lighting, LLC Establishes Itself as Innovator in Lighting Industry Join our e-mail list for the latest updates @ d-mars.com

The Top 25 Prime Contractors, Architects and Engineers for Diversity & Supplier Diversity Champions Awards Luncheon

This is a fantastic time to be entering the business world, because business is going to change more in the next 10 years than it has in the last 50.

– Bill Gates

August-September 15, 2014

Journal Behind The

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Publisher’s Message

Keith J. Davis, Sr.

SR. PUBLISHER Keith J. Davis, Sr.

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Davis

VICE PRESIDENT Kim Floyd

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Valerie Jones

ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla

Office Manager Johnny Ray Davis, Jr.

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

Change is constant in business. Whether you are thinking of a quicker way to do something, a more cost-effective way to do something or trying a new way to do something, innovation is the key. The extremely popular company “Google” is one of the leaders in innovative businesses. Google has constantly proved to be innovative, catapulting them to be one of the top, if not the top, search engine.

Our cover story features a business who continues to innovate. Ursin’s Energy Efficient Lighting, LLC has allowed itself to stay relevant by understanding the demands and changes in society. This issue of the Business Journal offers tips and examples of how to remain innovative in business. I’m sure you’ll find it informative and helpful. Enjoy!

As always again, thank you for your continued support of d-mars.com. When you support d-mars.com, 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.

CONTENTS

PHOTOGRAPHY L.C. Poullard Grady Carter Tony Gaines

MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Andrea Hennekes

online support specialist Anthony Torregosa

LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNER Angel Rosa

DISTRIBUTION Booker T. Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Valerie Jones Helen Callier Noel Pinnock Mikal Powers Kachelle Kelly Jarrod Wilkins J Thomas Smith

Ursin’s Energy Efficient Lighting, LLC Establishes Itself as Innovator in Lighting Industry...................................................... 4 The Top 25 Prime Contractors, Architects and Engineers for Diversity & Supplier Diversity Champions Awards Luncheon.............................................................................................................. 6 d-mars.com Recipient of Emerging-10 Award by Houston Minority Supplier Development Council........................................14 The Top 10 Ways to Maximize Your Experience During a Small Business Training Event (Part TWO of a Two-Part Series)....................................................................................................................................................................16 An “Ocean” Came Out of Nowhere & Took Over the Streets of Canton............................................................................................18 Texas Southern and Houston’s Michael Strahan is a Pro Football Hall of Famer............................................................................. ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................18 “Significance over Success”..........................................................................................................................................................................19 Considering a Career Change? It May Be Easier Than You Think......................................................................................................20 The Ultimate Business Connection: Black Pages Online .................................................................................................................... 22 Innovate or Vacate.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 24 Motivational Moment w/ JW – Innovation in Business......................................................................................................................... 24 How to Be an Innovative Thinker in Business........................................................................................................................................26 Did You Know?..................................................................................................................................................................................................29 Old Folks Saying…............................................................................................................................................................................................29

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August-September 15, 2014

“LED is the biggest innovation I’ve seen because the LED Movement is going to save people a lot of money, not only on their utility bill, but in [maintenance] costs.”

– Edwin Ursin

Ursin’s Energy Efficient Lighting, LLC Establishes Itself as Innovator in Lighting Industry

By Valerie Jones Associate Editor

A

ccording to Edwin Ursin, LED lighting is the wave of the future. And he should know.

Ursin, originally from New Orleans, has been working with energy efficient lighting since 1989. His experience includes work on navy ships, cargo ships and work as an electrician.

Ursin was active in the “going green” movement before it was

a movement.

“LED is the biggest innovation I’ve seen because the LED Movement is going to save people a lot of money, not only on their utility bill, but in cost,” Ursin said. “LED reduces maintenance costs because people won’t have to service their lighting anymore. Unlike light bulbs, LEDs don’t burn out.”

It only takes a person a few moments to see how passionate Ursin is about his career…he’s able to discuss in detail everything from the proper reflectors on curtains to T-12 lighting with magnetic ballast. Though you may not understand the industry lingo, he’s able to break it down.

“Some of the benefits of going green,” Ursin explained, “are reduction of

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August-September 15, 2014

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nership between The City of Houston, METRO, Houston Independent School District and the Port of Houston Authority. The purpose of the IMPP is to strengthen effective working relationships and foster long-term stability between the leaders of established companies and emerging historically underutilized businesses.

By participating in the program, Ursin learned the value of relationships and how to leverage them for better success in business.

“I was able to get in the Mentor Protégé Program which was headed up at the time by the Mayor and individuals like Tiko Reynolds-Hausman of METRO, Will Norwood from the City of Houston, Bernard Willingham from Houston Independent School District and Pedro Garcia from the Port of Houston,” Ursin said. “The program that these organizations put together is one that will change any company and take them to the next level.”

After becoming involved with IMPP, Ursin decided to practice what he learned and visited Jerry. He had a proposition for his longtime friend.

“I asked Jerry if he’d like to be a part of the program and become my mentor,” Ursin said. “He agreed.” greenhouse gases. In order to reduce greenhouse gases, you have to attack power plants that create that type of atmosphere. You have to reduce your energy consumption one building at a time.”

Ursin said the first movement toward energy reduction happened in the early 1980s – for example, the transition from fat lamps to much skinnier lamps. As of the year 2000, building codes changed and new codes mandated that buildings move to LED lighting, which is an additional 40% in energy reduction.

Ursin was working for Illumelex Lighting in New Orleans before transferring to Lake Charles and finally Houston, Texas in 1996. He was excited to bring his knowledge and expertise in the lighting industry to his new position.

“I served as project manager and the first project I did for them was $6,000 for Harris County, which ended up being $350,000 worth of work…that’s how I began,” he said.

Ursin was then able to land a 10-year contract with the City of Houston performing lighting maintenance for public libraries. He was working as a subcontractor and through that same contract was able to do about 40% of lighting retrofitting for the city’s buildings.

Ursin had always dreamed of having his own company. He tried several different ventures – promotion in the music industry, car wash detailer, etc.

– but none of them worked.

“It wasn’t what I wanted to do…it wasn’t my passion,” he said.

Taking Ursin’s Energy Efficient Lighting to the Next Level Ursin’s now offers customers products by XtraLight, a Houston-based company that manufactures innovative products which provide better lighting, offering a full line of LED and fluorescent fixtures for commercial, retail, municipal and industrial applications.

XtraLight has the only accredited energy efficient lighting laboratory in Texas, which allows them to produce and test LED lighting fixtures so that they know XtraLight products will perform exactly the way they say they will. Having this capability reduces the risk associated with installing a widespread LED Lighting project.

Ursin’s can offer customers as much as 80% off of their light bill and also promises product lead times of less than 10 days by using XtraLight products (meaning the time in which customers can order products and have them in their hands is 10 business days). With a fiercely competitive lighting business, Ursin knows and understands the importance of being among the elite in the field. He wants his clients to have the best, so he uses the best products.

XtraLight has seen its sales quadruple in the last 10 years.

“It was great to locate a company in which I am able to manufacture the products,” Ursin said.

XtraLight invented and patented the first Fluorescent High Bay (FHB). The company is also known for the LED Lighting System called LEDLinx.

For Ursin’s Energy Efficient Lighting, the best is yet to come. Their motto: “Let us brighten your day.”

And they will do it in the most innovative and efficient way possible.

From the Beginning: Ursin’s Energy Efficient Lighting, LLC In 1999, Ursin’s dream manifested in the form of his own company: Ursin’s Energy Efficient Lighting, LLC. It is an energy management and conservation company that specializes in lowering energy consumption and cost in commercial and industrial facilities.

Ursin formed his company in December of 1999 and since then has built an impressive list of clients – including multiple Harris County facilities, KBR, METRO and Grainger. The company’s goal is to reduce each client’s energy usage by 40% to 80%.

The company is City of Houston SBE Certified, City of Houston MBE Certified and State of Texas HUB Certified.

When Ursin started his company, he was searching for Retrofit kits and visited XtraLight Manufacturing, a company that designs and delivers innovative, energy-efficient lighting solutions to help hundreds of lighting professionals.

Ursin crossed paths with Jerry Caroom and the pair shared a great conversation about the lighting industry.

“Jerry was XtraLight’s largest customer before he purchased the company,” Ursin said. “It was about that time that we happened to become friends.”

Over the years, Ursin and Caroom remained great friends.

Gaining Invaluable Knowledge Having already garnered several successful projects, including electrical and lighting upgrades at the University of Houston, Ursin’s Energy Efficient Lighting, LLC had become a force to be reckoned with in the lighting industry.

In 2013, Ursin chose to enroll in the Interagency Mentor Protégé Program (IMPP), which is a part-

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August-September 15, 2014

The Top 25 Prime Contractors, Architects and Engineers for Diversity & Supplier Diversity Champions Awards Luncheon Message from the President & CEO, MR. D-MARS

“As a minority business journal, we think it’s our obligation to celebrate the agencies who spend their money, time and resources to give minority companies opportunities. Often times, companies do not meet their minority participation goals. We like to highlight the ones that do and we also strive to be the bridge that fosters growth in the Houston area for small businesses who want to do business with their larger counterparts.”

2014 TOP

PRIME CONTRACTORS, ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS FOR DIVERSITY SUPPLIER DIVERSITY CHAMPION AGENCIES

Supplier Diversity Champions

City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Houston Independent School District

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

City of Houston General Services Department

Houston Airport System

City of Houston Public Works

METRO

Texas Department of Transportation

Houston Minority Supplier Development Council

Women Contractors Association

Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum

A.O. Phillips & Associates

Houston Community College

National Association of Minority Contractors

The University of Texas System

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August-September 15, 2014

Top 25 Prime Contractors, Architects and Engineers

ALLCO

Balfour Beatty Construction

Hensel Phelps

Horizon Group International

JE Dunn

KBR

Kirksey Architecture

Manhattan Construction Company

MENTOR MOGUL FOR DIVERSITY AWARD Richard Huebner, Houston Minority Supplier Development Council

Page Southerland Page, Inc.

Rice & Gardner Consultants, Inc.

“HMSDC is indeed proud and honored to be recognized as a Supplier Diversity Champion by d-mars.com. We share your passion about making a difference in our communities by facilitating and inspiring the growth of Minority Business Enterprises. Your genuine enthusiasm and commitment to this mission makes being recognized by d-mars.com all the more significant to us. As for receiving the Mentor Mogul for Diversity Award, I can only say I am truly humbled by such recognition. Mentoring others is a responsibility of any leader.

You have made it both a privilege and an unexpected honor.

Thank you.”

2014 TOP

PRIME CONTRACTORS, ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS FOR DIVERSITY SUPPLIER DIVERSITY CHAMPION AGENCIES

TLC ENGINEERING

Turner Construction Company

Tellepsen

TLC Engineering

The Top 25 Prime Contractors, Architects and Engineers for Diversity & Supplier Diversity Champions

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August-September 15, 2014

Title Sponsors

ALLCO

I

L WELDING ACAD STRIA EMY NDU

“Integrity with Attitude” 713-672-WELD

XtraLight Manufacturing

Industrial Welding Academy

QUOTE from...

Al Kashani, Horizon Group International “The Top 25 Prime Contractors, Architects and Engineers for Diversity and Supplier Diversity Champions Awards Luncheon was a great event, well organized, and the atmosphere was full of energy and positivity. Being a MWBE and diversity company, we proudly accepted the award for our diversity efforts at Horizon for the second year in a row. Not only does this event give recognition to companies and entities

for their diversity, but it also provides a valuable networking opportunity with major companies for future pursuits. We appreciate the hard work that was put into this event and we hope that our efforts to promote diversity over the upcoming year will result in an invitation to next year’s event.”

Al Kashani

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Presenting Sponsors

QUOTE from...

Dr. Cesar Maldonado, Houston Community College

Turner Construction Company

TLC ENGINEERING

TLC Engineering

JE Dunn

“It was a privilege to be at the dmars.com luncheon to accept the award on behalf of Houston Community College.

I want to first thank d-mars. com for their community involvement and support of education and recognition of game changers in our community.

The community is fortunate to have an organization like dmars.com to remind us that economic growth comes from all parts of the community. We are entrusted with helping each other succeed.�

Platinum Sponsor

Rice & Gardner Consultants, Inc.

Pure Elation

HESS Club

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10

August-September 15, 2014

Rhonda Arnold

QUOTE from...

Rhonda Arnold, Houston Airport System “It is a great honor to receive the award on behalf of the Houston Airport System as a Supplier Diversity Champion. Jason McLemore (HAS/OBO Director), Justina Mann (Chief of Procurement Supply Chain) and I work closely together to ensure that the public is aware of the business opportunities available within the Houston Airport System. We will continue to strive to exemplify diversity and inclusion in our efforts to be of service to the business community.�

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QUOTE from...

Susan Repka

Susan Repka, Women Contractors Association “The Women Contractors Association (WCA) was honored to receive an award for Supplier Diversity Champion from d-mars.com.

The WCA serves as an advocate in the Houston Community for not only women contractors, but for all small contractors. We listen to our members and work with local agencies and General Contractors to find solutions.

Thank you to d-mars.com for recognizing the organizations that advocate for small businesses and for honoring those general contractors, architects and engineers who work to include diverse suppliers in their subcontracting opportunities.�

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August-September 15, 2014

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August-September 15, 2014

Honorees unable to attend: The University of Texas Medical Branch, ArchiTECHNICS/3, Bartlett Cocke, Cadence McShane, Clark Construction, David E. Harvey, Drymalla Construction Company, Durotech, HDR, Inc., Linbeck, Skanska, SpawGlass and Vaughn Construction.

Sponsors unable to attend: GP Industrial Contractors, Drymalla Construction Company, LaneStaffing and NewsWire Houston.

2014 TOP

PRIME CONTRACTORS, ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS FOR DIVERSITY SUPPLIER DIVERSITY CHAMPION AGENCIES

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August-September 15, 2014

d-mars.com Recipient of Emerging-10 Award by Houston Minority Supplier Development Council

T

en Houston-area entrepreneurs were recognized

by The Houston Minority Supplier Development Council and awarded an Emerging – 10 Award recently an awards luncheon. Recipients are those who are emerging in their respective industries.

The recipients come from a myriad of backgrounds and ethnicities and to be eligible, they must: • have a record of community service • have a minimum net sales of $100,000 or a demonstration in growth • conduct business with other minority businesses • be a privately held, independent business entity The HMSDC also awarded more than $85,000 to the 2014 MBE executive scholarship recipients. To date, the scholarship committee has awarded 621 scholarships to Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) valued at $1.3 million, which includes more than $52,000 raised by the Scholarship Fundraiser Committee in May 2013.

The awards are given in varying amounts to HMSDC MBEs to assist them in pursuing courses of study that are of direct importance to their next stage of business development.

e’d like to congratWMinority ulate the Houston Supplier

Development Council Emerging – 10 Award Recipients: • Masroor Fatany, Managing Director – AYG Garage Solutions • Flor Dimassi, Chief Executive Officer – Global Speak Translations • Shannon Langrand, Chief Executive Officer – Langrand and Company • Sean Collins, President – s4 Communications • Diane Choate, President – Solution Tech Staffing • Keith J. Davis, Sr., President – d-mars.com • CV Rao, President – TechOne Centre • Bin Yu, President – Utegration • Gwen Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer – Vertisales • Frank Reyes, President – World Commerce Forwarding

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August-September 15, 2014

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August-September 15, 2014

(Part TWO of a Two-Part Series)

The Top 10 Ways to Maximize Your Experience During a Small Business Training Event 6

By Helen Callier

I

Contributing Writer

n Part One of this two-part series, the importance of small businesses being clear on their reason for attending a training event and getting what they paid for from participating in a training event were discussed. It was also shared that gone are the days a small business leader can throw dollars out the window and not gain maximum return on their training investment.

Each year, there are hundreds of opportunities for small business leaders to fork over their hard-earned dollars to use for training. To make sure your workshop investments are wisely selected and money well spent, below is the first group of five ways to maximize your experience during a small business training event.

1. Be open to new ideas and perspectives 2. Punt the words “can’t,” “won’t” and no” in the rear 3. Be fully engaged 4. Listen 5. Help other scholars And to continue to assist you making a decision, below is the second group of five ways to get what you paid for from a small business training event:

. Think BIG! And have a Vision When asked during her seasoned years what was worse than being blind, deaf and mute, Helen Keller responded to a young reporter by saying, “having no vision.” Helen Keller touched the lives of many across the world, visited Kings, Queens and Presidents plus created an environment where millions of persons with disabilities could live a fulfilling life. While you are in a training event, think BIG and write a vision that when achieved, your small business will have created a multitude of jobs and caused your communities’ economy to prosper.

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. Keep a journal While attending a training event that spans several days or months, writing in a journal can be helpful in capturing your truest thoughts about you as the Leader and your small business.

There is no need to be concerned on the length of the entry. The very aspect is getting your ideas, sketches, etc. on paper is powerful enough. And, once you complete your training event, your journal book becomes a valuable tool during your time of reflection and while experiencing any hiccups as you continue on your path of fulfilling your small business goals.

8

. Have fun and laugh – a lot!

Laughter does the heart and body good.

It releases any strains, pressures and anxieties. It is a natural medicine that opens your mind and spirit to receive. So, laugh at yourself and enjoy a laugh with other scholars. Life is meant to be fun.

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. Work like a steam engine Often times, most people attending a training event fail to complete the training assignment. They take the workbook to their office and if it makes it inside their office, it then finds a new resting place on the corner of the desk – soon to be covered with papers, tablets and magazines. To truly maximize your experience during a training event, and especially if you are selected as a scholar in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, work like a steam engine. Take in new information like water; heat it up by completing the exercises that same day, and then quickly apply the new information or tools in your small business. This steam engine learning and application strategy allows you to complete your training event with a growth plan or the particular tool you invested to receive.

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.Be grateful and say “thank you” When someone is helping you to grow your small business and to achieve your life’s dream, then saying “thank you” to your Instructor or person who is assisting shows not only respect, but it shows your heart of gratitude.

“Gratitude wakes up your surroundings. Be grateful today.” – Oprah

That’s it for now on suggestions to maximize your investment and participation in training events to help develop you as the leader and your small business. Pick up your copy of next month’s d-mars.com Business Journal or visit www.d-mars.com to read my upcoming article.

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August-September 15, 2014

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Texas Southern and Houston’s Michael Strahan is a Pro Football Hall of Famer

An “Ocean” Came Out of Nowhere & Took Over the Streets of Canton

Texas Southern University Marches Before 200,000 at Pro Football Parade in Canton, Ohio CANTON, OHIO - During the Grand TimkenSteel Parade, a tradition for the Pro Football Hall of Fame weekend, there were huge inflatable balloons, classic cars, walking units, football legends and bands as far as the eyes could see – then almost an hour into the popular parade that drew more than 200,000 spectators to downtown Canton – an Ocean came out of nowhere. It was the heavily anticipated appearance of the “Ocean of Soul” Marching Band from Texas Southern University. It was as if someone suddenly turned on a Bose Radio with surround sound.

Their sound was crisp, clear and classic TSU. Their moves were smooth and in step – everything about the Ocean was fine-tuned and in step.

The Ocean, as the band is affectionately called, performed at several events for the 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement weekend. The Ocean traveled to Canton to usher in TSU alumnus Michael Strahan’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The TSU Band performances included appearances at the NFL statue unveiling themed “the Birth of the NFL,” which occurred at the birth site of professional football, also at the TimkenSteel Grand Hall of Fame parade, on the iconic steps of the Hall of Fame museum and during the fan tailgating experience. To say that the crowd was excited is an understatement.

Everyone from NFL Commissioner Roger Godell, Hall of Fame President and Executive Director David Baker, Mayor of Canton William Healy II, to the 200,000 in attendance at the parade and statue unveiling were thrilled to hear a band with such a powerful sound. A bevy of “thank you for coming,” “you guys are awesome,” “we’ve got to get you back here next year” and “we’ve never heard sounds like that” were bestowed upon the band and the TSU contingency travelling with the band to this historic occasion in the university’s history.

“We think we delivered exactly what organizers

ordered – a stellar performance by our student musicians. It was first-class and I truly am happy with the band’s performances. It was easy to see that the students gave this performance their all. And it couldn’t get any better than that. They brought it,” said Eva Pickens, TSU’s vice president of University Advancement that encompasses Marketing, Communications and Community Relations. “The Ocean delivered on its promise to present a performance that would not be forgotten. People clapped, shouted, danced and strutted their stuff to the big sounds and tunes of the ‘Ocean.’”

“This band is the biggest thing happening in Canton,” said Victor Strahan, brother of Michael. “We [Strahan family] are so appreciative that y’all made the journey and are here to represent on my brother’s behalf.”

There were pockets of alumni, friends and supporters that made the trip to Canton from Houston, Atlanta, New York, Dallas, California, Louisiana and places across the globe to show their support for Michael. Spotted in the crowd were former teammates from both Texas Southern University and the New York Giants.

The University has to thank Michael Strahan, Kevin Hart, members of the TSU National Alumni Association, its chapters and friends for making this trip possible. It was important to make the trip to show our support for Strahan. Additionally, this initiative gave the university a chance to showcase its talent and to talk one-on-one with officials about TSU’s mission, goals and desire to recruit a diverse group of students from across the country. TSU President John Rudley and Canton Mayor William J. Healy, II are already mapping out ways to get students from Canton to Texas Southern University through the Mayor’s already established scholarship initiative. NFL representatives are talking about inviting the band again.

TSU, I’m sure, will gladly accept the invitation.

CANTON, OHIO - A sea of football fans, family members and friends made up the more than 4,000 people who gathered for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Gold Jacket Dinner recently in the Canton Cultural Center and Civic Center. Millions more watched as the NFL Network carried the event.

The Gold Jacket is one of three symbols the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinees received as part of their induction. The ring and the bust are the other two symbols.

The capacity crowd was wined and dined then treated to one of the most spectacular off-the-field sights in pro football.

Michael Strahan was the final inductee to cross the stage and the crowd went wild as he made his way through. The Texas Southern alumnus was presented by his longtime friend Fox’s Jay Glazer. Strahan’s family, several TSU alumni and Houston fans watched this historic event with pride and amazement.

Stahan was obviously the most sought after inductee as the crowds and camera men surrounded him and his family as they celebrated. Stahan made his family and TSU proud!

The seven inductees stood center stage as the crowd showed their appreciation with a standing ovation.

And when the national television broadcast ended, the celebration continued with cheers, pictures, hugs and tears.

More than 100 of the world’s best athletes/Hall of Famers were brought center stage and introduced oneby-one. NFL greats including Jim Kelly, Evan Hayes, “Mean” Joe Green, Warren Sapp, Warren Moon, Art Shell, Deion Sanders, Lynn Swann, Thurman Thomas, Lawrence Taylor, Bobby Bell, Elvin Bethea, Terry Bradshaw, Marshall Faulk, Mike Ditka, Ken Houston, Franco Harris and many more.

Pro football’s elite then formed double lines on opposite sides of the stage for the Class of 2014 Inductees to walk through. Each of the seven Enshrinees took their walk of welcome into “the club” of Pro Football Hall of Fame…receiving hugs and handshakes as they made their emotional journey to center stage to receive their gold Jacket.

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August-September 15, 2014

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“Significance over Success”

By Noel Pinnock

M

Contributing Writer

artin Luther King once wrote, “Human progress does not roll on the wheels of inevitability.” Let’s face it, we are all challenged to maintain our competitive edge in an ever-evolving cultural and socio-economic world that places strong demands on its human capital outlay. It is also very glaring that our villages have long since been expanded beyond the reach of our neighboring domiciles. We no longer live in silos bounded by limitations of our own rationality. In fact, in a global economy, the world becomes our community and each member in the global community affects the lives of the populous at-large.

I definitely learned a lot from my mom and dad, but I learned even more from the people in my circles as well as those who were not in the circle. Adaptation is a fundamental human trait that has a

direct and indirect impact on our lives.

Momma used to say, “Watch who you hang around and one who hangs around you.” It is critical that we are cognizant of the power of influence. We inevitably have either positive or negative influences on everyone we directly or indirectly encounter. As the potter shapes the clay, our life’s encounters shape our behavior, thoughts, feelings, attitude and actions.

I can remember when I was blessed to speak to a room full of Senior Level Executives and Melody Bizego, a corporate marketing and communications executive, was just one of a few hundred participants who were recently impacted by the 2008 recession in attendance. She was kind enough to submit a comment via LinkedIn regarding her experience. “…Noel is an enthusiastic and inspirational speaker, who has the unique ability to reach into his audiences' heart, plant a message of hope and desire, and inspires each to elevate their goals to achieve their dreams.

It was exhilarating for me as

a marketing strategist recently, to witness as Noel’s dynamic charisma and targeted message impacted a room full of Senior Level Executives.”

I was humbled to receive these words, because I truly underestimated the significance my short, 15-minute speech

had on the hearts and minds of such diverse people packed in the large pale conference room that was adorned with pictures of hope and prosperity amidst despair and desire.

The African proverbial phrase, “it takes a village to raise a child,” is certainly applicable at levels of our life, and is not limited to young children, teens or young adolescents and is by no means exclusive to a specific gender, class, or ethnic group. It originated from the Nigerian Igbo culture and proverb "Ora na azu nwa," which means it takes the community/village to raise a child. The Igbo's also name their children "Nwa ora" which means child of the community. If it takes a village to raise a child, I challenge you to answer two underlying questions: • Who trains the village?

• Who in the village is invited to the training?

If we want to attain true significance, we must continue to teach one to reach one or as many as we can, one day at a time. No matter when you make the change to significance, whether it’s during your “halftime” or at some other time of life, know that significance is the destination and success is what gets you there! I hope that you bring more than yourself on the journey. #getatit! www.noelpinnock.com

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Considering a Career Change?

It May Be Easier Than You Think

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By Mikal Powers make a great career due to your love of people. The

Contributing Writer

lot of us face a point in our lives where we want (and sometimes need) a career change. We have been told how hard it is to change careers later in life. However, despite what we have been told, I actually believe a career change is not as hard as some make it out to be.

When I speak with people who are considering a career change, I like to get an idea of why. The reasons vary from being employed in a diminishing industry to being overworked and underpaid. Usually, despite the main "cause," there is often an underlying theme of "I am not passionate about my current job and do not love what I am currently doing." We have all heard the line "Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life." Even though the process is daunting and most certainly difficult, the end result (the career you really want), is well worth the sacrifices.

So where do you start? The simplest way to determine what a career change should look like is to identify your interests. Perhaps you've always loved flowers and have entertained the idea of opening a flower shop or you thought human resources would

opportunities are endless. However, there are those people who do not know where to focus their efforts in terms of pursuing a new career.

Luckily, there's help. University of Phoenix introduced the Phoenix Career Guidance SystemTM, which is an integrated interactive system of complimentary tools that helps job seekers and prospective students make the connection between their interest, skills and education and an in-demand career.

Changing careers does not have to be an insurmountable effort.

By simply determining what is of interest to you and utilizing the tools available to identify what career path those interests can be leveraged, you can make a career change and take the necessary steps to making it a successful one.

For more information on Phoenix Career Guidance System, visit www. phoenix.com/careergps.

Mikal Powers is campus director at University of Phoenix Houston Campus overseeing campus operations. Powers earned a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in business administration from University of Phoenix. He spent five years as a Helicopter Search and Rescue Swimmer and Operations Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy.

After earning his degree, Powers attended the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and became a reserve officer for South Texas where he is committed to keeping communities safe and assisting residents in need.

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August-September 15, 2014

Innovate or Vacate

By Kachelle Kelly Contributing Writer

“If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old.” – Peter F. Drucker Innovation is critical to the success of the modern-day business. New ideas and implementing new business strategies keeps you on the cutting edge of your industry.

Imagine having a business that still uses a typewriter to create business correspondence and an adding machine to do calculations. If you’re still stuck in the early 1980s, your business needs a major overhaul.

Sometimes we get trapped as business owners in the last century because we can’t afford to modernize our company. When we sat down and developed that 200-page business plan, we forgot to allocate funding for business expansion and updating technology. If you are going to have a competitive edge in your industry, you can’t afford to take a trip back in time because when you do come back to the 21st century, you may have a “Vacate the Premises” sign on the front door of your business.

Failure to be innovative in your professional growth can also stagnate a business especially if you provide a service. When you have courted a client and they fall in love with the “how” and “what” you deliver, you have created a relationship. Similar to personal relationships in which there are some expectations from each party involved, there are also expectations in a business relationship. In order for them to become a loyal customer, you must give excellent customer service, be willing to quickly solve any problems that arise and

stay abreast of what’s going on in your industry so that they don’t have to do so.

They rely on your service to be current and relevant for the age in which we live.

How do you do that on a shoestring budget? There are numerous FREE or economically priced resources out there to assist you in doing almost any and everything. They are often just a “GOOGLE” away. If your funds are limited, do your homework and choose one professional association or organization to join in your industry and get their newsletter or emails so that you’ll consistently be kept abreast of what’s new and improved in your area of expertise. Join mastermind or meet-ups

that focus on your specialization. Attend webinars, lectures at local colleges or universities or workshops about new developments in your industry. It may take a little research, but the resources are out there to innovate your business.

In order to live your best life now, you’ve got to do regular maintenance on the old and be willing to use innovation as a means to keep loyal customers coming back for more. Remember in your childhood the night before Christmas and the anticipation of those new shiny toys kept you up all night waiting for Santa Claus?

Well, in business you get to be a type of Santa Claus to your customers. Keep them

excited about what new product or service you will provide for their customer satisfaction by introducing something new on a consistent basis or improving something that’s been around for a while, but needs a facelift. Remember, when you innovate, you won’t have to vacate (the premises).

Get rid of something old and replace it with something new today! Check out my YouTube video on Reinventing Yourself here: http://bit.ly/1jodra5 If you are interested in more ways to set business goals, prepare for the future or need business accountability, contact me for more information on coaching services at kk@ kachellekelly.com.

Motivational Moment w/ JW – Innovation in Business

I

By Jarrod Wilkins Contributing Writer

nnovation in business is of the utmost importance for entrepreneurs who want to not only compete, but be recognized as global leaders in this new world of business. Long gone are the days when focusing on inventing a successful product or service was considered the apex of achievement for a company. That was pri-

marily the case during the industrial age; the simple premise was who ever could find a void in the market place and fill it could do extremely well. As long as they were the first to introduce the concept to the market place, they could dominate in that space by securing non-compete patents against competitors for long periods of time.

This method of doing business has changed drastically over the years, especially with the introduction of technology and the “information age.” Not only have there been college kids and young adults to invent products like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, they have also introduced us to true creativity and innovation.

I would describe innovation as finding a way to make a product or service better. It is exactly what Howard Schultz has done in the coffee industry. He didn’t invent cof-

fee; as a matter of fact, coffee is the secondhighest traded commodity on Wall Street only behind oil, so there is plenty competition from other established brands such as Folgers, Maxwell House, Community Coffee, Nescafé and several others. That didn’t stop Howard Schultz from coming up with a brilliant and innovative way of selling coffee. He simply decided since everyone else was in the coffee business, he would go into the “business of coffee.”

Now, there are multiple Starbucks locations – practically on every corner in the world, establishing itself as a global brand.

There are so many other examples that we can learn from, but the basic concept will be the same.

Ask yourself these three questions to help identify ways in which you can exceed expectations.

1. How can I make my product or service better than what it currently is?

2. In what way(s) can I deliver my product or service more efficiently?

3. What is the U.S.P. (unique selling proposition) I offer?

These questions are a great start to assist entrepreneurs in having a slight edge and increased adaptability inside the information age. Will there always be new inventions? Absolutely! No one can refute that truth. Some of the biggest fortunes in history have been earned by inventors, but the same will be said about innovators in the future. I was always told coming up in my career that a person is only one idea away from a fortune, which is true, but I’m willing to also say you are only one innovation away from creating a legacy! You are good enough.

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How to Be an Innovative Thinker in Business

By J. Thomas Smith Contributing Writer

What is Innovative Thinking?

I

f one's thinking about life, a specific situation or a specific need generally goes beyond the obvious, that person can be said to be an "innovative thinker." An innovative thinker has the ability to use the imagination creatively and differently than most other people. An innovative thinker can look at something ordinary and see the extraordinary.

Innovation is about invention. It is about being able to come up with something that nobody has come up with before. Being an innovative thinker means you have a mind that does not quite work like the logical, down-to-earth mind that the majority of people possess.

Innovative thinking is a gift. Being able to go beyond the obvious is not something everyone can do.

Some people are naturally born with this gift, while others have to work to train their brain to instinctively think outside the box.

While innovative thinking can help you out in many aspects of life, it is especially important in business and industry. Everything from "reality television" to Internet radio; the smart phone to social networking; the VOIP telephone to cloud-based storage and file sharing; from the assembly line to the electric car; all of the advances in health to biotechnology and the like are the products of innovative thinking.

Innovative Thinking Is Misunderstood Most people do not understand innovative thinking.

Some of the world's most creative people have been looked upon as crazy or "a little off" – that is until their inventions changed the world. Innovative thinkers, like inventors in general, are a special class of people. They pay very little attention, if any, to what others think.

The focus of their thinking is their ideas and how they can create something amazing that will help people or change the way people live or work. Without innovative thinkers, the world would be in trouble. Businesses would falter and life as we know it would cease to be.

It is important to understand that innovative thinking is a skill that you can cultivate and use for fun and profit. Innovative thinking is a highly sought after skill in the business world. Being able to come up with new and useful ideas is something every industry can use.

Years ago, when I worked at Ford Motor Company, cash rewards were given to employees for new ideas all around the plant. The concept of coming up with new ideas and ways of doing things was highly promoted.

Cash prizes were offered in the thousands of dollars for a single idea that was adopted by the company.

Innovative thinking can be simple or complex.

It can be subtle, too. Innovation does not have to involve a major change. Innovation is deeply rooted in

using current ideas to bring about change. Many of the best inventions were taken from another idea. Many inventors simply take an existing product and make it better through innovation. Innovation can also be taking ideas from other places and being able to put them together to create something new. Anyone can be an innovative thinker. For some people, though, it just takes more work to learn the skill. You do not have to be a genius or have a college degree to invent the next best thing.

Innovative thinking is not a highly structured process. There are no rules to it. In fact, most innovation comes from clutter and disorganization. One does not have to be highly organized to be innovative. However, even if one dislikes chaos, it is much easier to be innovative surrounded with chaos.

Innovative ideas don't have to be expensive and do not require technology. Some of the best inventions involve no technology at all. They are simple and they work. You do not have to have a team of scientists and engineers at your disposal to bring innovative ideas to life.

Innovation is not perfection. Innovation is largely rooted in failure. One of my favorite sayings is, "You will fail, but not finally." It is often failures that have led to some of the best ideas. Failure is actually a major part of innovation and something that we can learn from. Without failure there is no innovation.

not give up, then you are a prime candidate to be an innovative thinker. You probably already have many skills of an innovative thinker. All you need to do is recognize that you have it in you. You can be an innovative thinker and use that ability to come up with many useful ideas and inventions.

The Process of Innovative Thinking Much like writing, deriving new inventions and ideas from innovative thinking is a process. While thinking is usually not very well structured, there is a general structure that can help when working with innovative thinking. You have to have some path to follow so you can take something from an idea to an invention.

Innovative thinking begins with defining the problem. You have to look at the problem facing you and decide what outcome you desire. Frankly, you have to know where you are going. Define what you want the final outcome to be. Embrace the goal, not the problem. The "creative process" will lead you to the outcome you visualize and to that which you give your constant attention.

Innovative thinking requires background information. Find out what others may have already tried. By gathering information, you are able to avoid repeating others’ mistakes, or you may possibly find an idea that you can work to improve upon.

How to Use Innovative Thinking

How to Develop Innovative Thinking Skills Innovative thinking is sometimes a God-given gift. However, for most people, innovative thinking is something they have to learn. For most people, learning how to be an innovative thinker can be a struggle.

To make the process easier, it can be helpful to recognize some of the skills that can be helpful in innovative thinking.

Begin today to look at everything differently. In all things, if you can visualize something positively and differently than others, then you are on your way to innovative thinking. Take the idea and run with it.

While you may not come up with a great invention from it, you can use the exercise to help develop your innovative thinking skills.

As you embark on the path of innovative thinking, look at what others have done and visualize ways you can improve it. Learn to distill volumes of useless information down to useable nuggets. Whether processing junk mail or junk thoughts, if you can easily take a bunch of nonsense and make some sense out of it, then you can be an innovative thinker.

Be committed to thinking differently. Innovation requires a lot of commitment. If you are the type of person who can commit to something and who does

It can be difficult deciding exactly how to use innovative thinking to better yourself and the world around you. You can use innovative thinking in your current situation. As the advertising slogan goes, “Just do it.” Do not allow your rational mind to suppress your creative thoughts or to tell you your ideas are not good enough. Nor should you allow others to make you believe you are weird or crazy when you share your ideas. Better yet, you may consider letting your idea be a secret until it bears fruit.

While part of being an innovative thinker is not caring what others think, you have to be willing to put yourself out there and take criticism. You have to accept the fact that rejection will happen. Learn to take failure as a good thing. Learn from it and embrace it. I believe that the more rejection you get, the closer you come to acceptance. You will fail, but not finally. Here are some things you can do to help yourself become an innovative thinker: • Ask questions. Question everything. Be like a two-year-old child and ask “why.” You may even know the answer already, but ask anyway. Questions lead to ideas.

• Compare things. Compare one thing to another and try to see what makes one better or more useful.

• Think about what you want that you do not have now. Imagine the future and think about where technology is going. Try to come up with ideas about things that would make life easier or better. Even if these ideas are not plausible right now, just let yourself imagine “what if.”

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quite simple. However, they involve stopping your natural instincts to be grown up and act in a mature manner all the time. Sometimes, though, it is fine to let the immature side of yourself come out, especially when it comes to innovative thinking.

CONTINUED from page 26

Things an Innovative Thinker Avoids Many things can get in your way when you are trying to be an innovative thinker. It is up to you to make sure nothing stands in the way of you and your great ideas. If you are to become an effective innovative thinker: • Do not let your rational mind hold you back.

• Do not let others hold you back.

• Do not listen to the negative.

• Do not fear the unknown.

• Do not be afraid of a great idea.

• Do not censor yourself.

• Do not ignore ideas.

As you can see, many times you are the main roadblock to innovative thinking. It can be your own thoughts and feelings that do not allow your innovative ideas to flow.

You have to be responsible for making sure that you allow your mind to be creative and to think outside the box. You have to “get your ‘but(t)’ out of the way.”

dig deep to be able to stand behind your new and unfamiliar ideas. You need that passion to make others see just how great your idea is and the possibilities that it holds.

Innovative thinking is all about creativity. It is constructive, but at the same time it is free and it flows.

You are not restricted, except by your own mind. You can do anything when you are an innovative thinker because you learn not to hold yourself back and to explore the world and let your experience new things.

Innovative thinking is amazing. It is responsible for many of the greatest inventions in the world. Innovative thinking is responsible for making our lives as they are today. The modern conveniences that we could not imagine living without are all a result of innovative thinking.

Above all, innovative thinking is a skill. You do not have to be born with it. You can learn to be an innovative thinker. You just have to put your mind to it and work at it. You have the ability to train your brain to be innovative.

You hold the key to becoming an innovative thinker. You hold the key to allowing your mind to be something great. You can begin to put innovative thinking to work in your life if you only put your mind to it. If you can change the way you think, you can change your life. Put innovative thinking to the test. Let your mind wander and let it create something great.

I’ll see you at the top. * J Thomas Smith is an attorney specializing in IRS Tax Defense, Consumer Bankruptcy and Family Immigration. He is a mental health consultant, author and host of “Sunday Morning Live” on KMJQ/Majic 102.1 (9-11 am). His book, “The Secret to a New Life” is available through your favorite bookseller or on-line at www.TheSecrettoaNewLife.com.

“Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it.”

– Henry Ford

Things an Effective Innovative Thinker Does

The Key to Innovative Thinking Lies Within

Just as there are things to refrain from doing, there are some things one must do to get on the path to innovative thinking. The following list points to some things an effective innovative thinker does.

• Do allow yourself to get silly.

• Do allow your mind to daydream – to wander.

• Do question everything.

• Do try new things.

• Do let your inner child take over.

These are things you can do and they are actually

Becoming an innovative thinker is actually a fun process. You are going to be able to let yourself go and think freely and creatively. You will be able to ignore all the rules of logic and just think whatever and however you want.

Innovative thinking is so powerful that it can change the way people look at you. It can change the world around you and it can change you. You can use innovative thinking in every aspect of your life.

Innovative thinking is about passion. You have to

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Did You Know?

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he Lincoln University, located in southern Chester County in Pennsylvania – about 45 miles from Philadelphia, is the first degreegranting historically black university. It was founded in 1854, known then as Ashmun Institute. The Institute was renamed Lincoln University in 1866 after President Abraham Lincoln.

Notable graduates include Langston Hughes, world-acclaimed poet; and Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. During the school’s first 100 years of its existence, Lincoln graduated approximately 20 percent of the black physicians and more than 10 percent of the black attorneys in the United States.

OLD FOLKS SAYING...

“A pair of lips will say anything.”

MEANING Only trust what you know to be true because a person is capable of telling a lie.

EXAMPLE

Ms. Smith is a 10th grade chemistry teacher. Her first period class begins bright and early at 7:15am, so it’s to no surprise she has students trickle in to her class late every day. She’s heard every excuse in the book – late bus, overslept, traffic, etc. – but when Justin arrived to class a little after 8am, near the very end of the class, Ms. Smith knew it had to be a good reason.

Justin entered the classroom looking disheveled.

He said he was late because after waiting on the bus, which he said never came, he had to walk the three miles to school. He made it to class just in time to turn in his homework assignment, which he then placed on Ms. Smith’s desk. Justin’s excuse seemed true, but Ms. Smith followed the guidelines and

marked him with an unexcused tardy.

Later that day, Ms. Smith checked with the front office and found out that the bus on Justin’s route missed some stops that morning. The following morning, Ms. Smith told Justin that she was changing his tardy to ‘excused’ after speaking with the front office. When Justin asked why Ms. Smith didn’t just believe him when he told her, she replied, “I hear excuses all day, every day. I had to make sure. A pair of lips will say anything.”

If you have an Old Folks Saying you’d like to submit for consideration in our d-mars.com Business Journal, please email them to editor@d-mars.com. Be sure to include your name, the Old Folks Saying and the meaning.

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