d-mars.com Business Journal 59

Business Journal 59TH Edition

Inspire, Inform & Educate

mar. - apr. 25 2012

The Beauty of Business

INSIDE

Sacrifices in Starting a Business

By Dr. D.L. Jones Nobody can blame anyone who has decided to leave his/her job and start their own business.

PAGE 15

Re-elect Ruben Davis Constable Ft Bend County Precinct 2

10 Ways to Stop Attracting New Clients & Kill Your Small Business in a Recession

By David Gruttadauria Your clients are the most valuable asset you have.

Elect Keryl L. Douglas Harris County Democratic Party Chair

PAGE 16

Kim Roxie, Lamik The Tebow Effect Part I: Incorporating Religion into Your Business and Brand

“A thing of beauty is a joy forever: its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness.” - John Keats

Dallas Jones CEO of Elite Change, LLC

By Cynthia Nevels Tim Tebow, NFL quarterback for the Denver Broncos certainly didn’t hesitate to incorporate his beliefs into his business with mixed reviews from the press and fans.

PAGE 18

Elect Teana V. Watson Democratic Candidate 434th District Court Judge

Three Habits of Effective Project Leadership & Six Keys to Successful Project-Based Work

By Ty Kiesel For any organization doing project based work, the need for leadership and collaboration is critical.

PAGE 34

Mr. D-Mars, Ebone Sade, Deavra A. Daughtry, Cynthia Bailey and Peter Thomas

Velma Trayham See pg. 6 - 7

Elect Michael Coleman Harris County Constable Precinct 7

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March - April 25, 2012

March - April 25, 2012

Behind The

Journal

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Publisher’s Message

Keith J. Davis, Sr.

SR. PUBLISHER Keith J. Davis, Sr. VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Davis EDITING CONSULTANT Sharon Jenkins OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Johnny Ray Davis, Jr. ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Mike Jones C.T. Foster Pastor Freddie L. Davis, III Dwight Jones Eric D. Goodwine PHOTOGRAPHY L.C. Poullard

Grady Carter MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Andrea Hennekes LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Ghuzzala Malik (Faith) Ferland Antwine DISTRIBUTION Booker T. Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sharon Jenkins Fortay Media Bob Hamilton Dallas Jones Zee Wilson Victor Ghebre Dr. D. L. Jones David Gruttadaurio Kirk Smith Cynthia Nevels Diatra Penelton James Joy Chudacoff Elvia Valdez Noel Pinnock Charles Swindell Errol Allen Theresa Allen Jake Mathew Frank Ricard Eric Hernandez Carla Lane Ty Kisel Howard Deutsch Pernell Hill Glenn Murray Laurie Neumann Henry Funk Jill Hart

Spring is here! This month’s theme, “The Beauty of Business,” embraces the metamorphosis that all things go through in the spring of the year. It is my hope that your business is also going through a renewal process; shedding the old and retrofitting for the beauty that is associated with a fresh perspective and new ideas. It is a critical time of year where you put on your best business posture for guaranteed year-end success. We have numerous articles in this issue that will help you do just that, such as The Tebow Effect and A Good Entrepreneur. Take a copy of this issue with you on a walk in the park or read it poolside while you are enjoying the good weather. It is our intent that this issue will “spring” you into this new season fully prepared for everything that it brings your way.

As always, 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 The Beauty of LAMIK Business…………………………...................................................................…….......... 4-5 Jazzy Girls Beauty Boutique “Salon of the Stars”………................................................................................. 7 Ruben Davis: Serving Fort Bend County for 16 Years….................................................................................. 8 Michelle “Mikki” Thompson Owner, Urban Divas Hair Studio…...................................................................... 9 The Unholy War on Food………………………………………………………….................................................. 9 How Web Video Production Can Help Your Business…………....................................................................... 10 A Positive Workplace Creates Positive Employee Spirit………….................................................................... 10 Typical Services Offered In A Virtual Office………………................................................................................. 10 How to Successfully Network With Executives and Industry Leaders….......................................................... 13 How You Made The Right Career Choice?....................................................................................................... 13 Sacrifices in Starting a Business………………………………………………...................................................... 15 10 Ways to Stop Attracting New Clients & Kill Your Small Business in a Recession….................................... 16 A Good Entrepreneur…………………………………………………………………............................................... 16 The Tebow Effect Part 1: Incorporating Religion into Your Business and Brand…........................................... 18 The Ugly Face of Fraud……………………………………………………………................................................... 19 Smart Women And The 5 Fundamental Questions for Business Success…................................................... 22 The Trouble with the World……………………………….................................................................................... 23 MetLife Study: Is a Roth 401(k) Right for You?................................................................................................. 25 The Importance of Developing A Customer Service Strategy…....................................................................... 26 Houston Native R&B Star DeP……………………………………....................................................................... 26 Pamper Your Business…………………………….............................................................................................. 26 Teana Watson Democratic Candidate for Judge 434th District Court Fort Bend County…............................. 27 Communicate MORE to expand your BUSINESS!........................................................................................... 29 Getting Your Business to Grow-Lead Generation……………………………..................................................... 29 What Is Dun And Bradstreet………………………………………………………................................................. 29 Live the Life You Have Always Dreamed About…………………....................................................................... 30 Michael Coleman, Running for Harris County Constable Precinct 7…………….............................................. 32 Three Habits of Effective Project Leadership & Six Keys to Successful Project-Based Work…...................... 34 Using Employee Engagement Surveys to Boost Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty….................................. 34 Ms Wheelchair Texas Contestant, Tina Williams Aims To Instill Pride In Women With Disabilities…............... 35 “Sister to Sister: The Power of Connections!!!”…………………………………................................................. 36 Keryl L. Douglas, Esq. The 1st African American to Run for Harris County Democratic Party Chair…........... 38 The Beauty OF Business: Rich Relationships…………………………............................................................... 39 MetLife Study: Planning Your Charitable Gifts………………............................................................................ 41 10 Things You Should Expect From Your Website Copywriter……………....................................................... 42 Benefits of Telecommuting…………………………………................................................................................. 42 Before You Buy That Business Plan Template…………………….................................................................... 43 3 Tips To Get You Started Blogging for Business………….............................................................................. 44

MR. D-MARS Tip of the Month Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says, “Make me feel important.”

Not only will you succeed in sales, you will succeed in life.

- Mary Kay Ash

“d-mars.com is certified with SBE, HUB, DBE & Port of Houston SBDP.”

D-MARS.com Business Journal 7322 Southwest Fwy, Suite 805 Houston, Texas 77074 713-272-9511 . Phone 713-272-6364 . Fax 1-800-453-8752 . Toll Free www.d-mars.com

March - April 25, 2012

The Beauty of the LAMIK Business

By Sharon Jenkins, Contributing Writer

“Beauty is revealed, not applied.”

Love And Makeup In Kindness LAMIK Beauty Spring ushers in a time of metamorphosis for the caterpillar as it becomes a beautiful butterfly, Its inner beauty is “revealed” for the entire world to see. This is the gift that LAMIK Beauty gives to its customers, your inner loveliness is manifested and all mankind is graced with the results, a LAMIK flawless finish.

LAMIK was designed with you in mind! This is why LAMIK strives to adopt “green” practices through its animal and environment friendly policies and experimental methods. It is a healthy alternative to the vast majority of beauty care products currently available on the market. LAMIK is an “Eco-Chic” makeup line that

- Kim Roxie

is eco-friendly, holds a glamorous appeal for every woman, and uses nature inspired ingredients. It was birthed by founder Kim Roxie in 2004; she opened her first store in Houston, Texas.

Roxie has a heart for women’s health and the environment which prevails in everything that is LAMIK, from marketing to product development. She is on a mission to save women’s lives; LAMIK is totally “green” in its products and packaging. Roxie believes that you should not have to sacrifice your beauty to be healthy. For example: LAMIK Beauty brushes are not made from animal hair, but from 100% synthetic fiber of the highest quality. That’s why you are choosing LAMIK! When you go to most makeup counters the sales clerk piles a host of different products on your face to give you a particular look and you leave with a large balance on your credit card and in utter confusion as to how to duplicate that look. LAMIK doesn’t do that, their products and services are economically “green” priced, therefore you don’t have to spend a lot of money to achieve a LAMIK look. It is your best assistant

to “makeup madness.” “Our NEW “How to Reveal” makeup series videos and a LAMIK Beauty Expert, will show you how to achieve that look,” states Roxie.

They break the mold of traditional beauty companies by striving to embrace all types of beauty. LAMIK is designed to of-

fer its consumers something new, innovative and most importantly, healthy. “For the longest, beauty has been defined by certain looks and if you didn’t look that way, you weren’t considered beautiful.

Women need to realize that they are beautiful in their own way and to accept it and embrace it,” states

Kim Roxie. LAMIK strives to offer its consumers something new, innovative, and more importantly healthy. The LAMIK line is credited to have an array of shades to match a woman’s skin tone, making LAMIK a line for all women!

They also offer facial care products to manage your skin. LAMIK also features a make-up line, facial care, eyelash enhancement with its own line of custom lashes, and eyebrow sculpting bar. Rated as “the best spot to get eyelashes, eyebrow sculpting and makeup application” by the Houston Chronicle, LAMIK Beauty’s stylish Beautique can be found in upscale River Oaks in Houston, Texas and in Atlanta, Georgia. It is the first “Eco-Chic” brand with all natural products and recyclable containers. “Eco-chic makeup means ecofriendly, glamorous and natural,” says Roxie, who opened the first LAMIK store in Houston, TX and manufactures her products there.

Make-up artists that work with the likes of Diddy, Chrisette Michelle and hometown favorites: Latoya Luckett, Kim Burrell, and Yolanda Adams all sing LAMIK’s praises. LAMIK was also featured on BRAVO’s The Real Housewives of Atlanta, where it was given great ratings by the cast. Celebrity recognition is a great endorsement, but LAMIK’s reach extends to every woman who desires to discover the beauty that lays dormant inside of her. It gives them a new flawless finish similar to an artist’s final rendition of a masterpiece. It offers the customer the kind of look that causes viewers to linger a while to celebrate their true beauty. In May 2012, LAMIK Beauty will be available in Macy’s, the second largest U.S. department store and on www.macy.com. Lamik Beauty products can be found at Macy’s Pearland Town Center in the Houston area.

A favorite to N.Y, Fashion Week, Designers call on LAMIK Beauty to design looks for the runway. left to right is Korto Momolu (Fashion Designer, Project Runway Finalist), Misa Hylton (Celebrity Stylist), Simone I. Smith (Jewelry Designer, L.L. Cool J’s Wife) and Kim Roxie

March - April 25, 2012

Essence Magazine.

• 2012 Macy’s Minority Vendor LAMIK’S Community Service: • On-Going: Make-Up with a Purpose Project – mentors and encourages students interested in the beauty industry.

Kim Roxie & Mayor’s Office of Business Opportunity Director Carlecia D. Wright

Behind the Scenes Kim Roxie is more than a visionary; she is a person who believes in actualization; making the beauty dreams of women nationwide a reality. Most children dream about being successful.

Roxie, a professed “Tom Boy” metamorphosed into the business mogul, she is today. She started LAMIK Beauty in 2004 at the age of 21. Roxie is a Houston native who attended Clark Atlanta University. Her venture into the beauty industry was inspired by a passion she had for breaking down the stereotypes of beauty fostered by society that were destroying the self-esteem of the average woman.

As a licensed aesthetician, she is familiar with which ingredients are best for the face. Along with her chemist, (a former 25-year Estee Lauder employee), Roxie “experimented with different abstracts to create a healthy product for its customers. She states, “We ultimately decided to use antioxidants that would stop cancer causing free radicals.” LAMIK is globally “green!” Her arms extend beyond the laboratory to the communities where her products are sold. She has developed several programs such as the Make-Up with a Purpose Project and Ladies as Legends Tea Time to celebrate, educate, and inspire women. She recognizes that her customer is a critical element of her success.

From Sharpstown Mall to Macy’s nationwide is an extraordinary flight. She has blossomed like an entrepreneurial butterfly, opening extraordinary doors for young women and men who have the fortitude to

ty at your local Macy’s and keep your eye out for the attractive butterfly of Kim Roxie reaching precedential heights in the beauty industry.

Kim Roxie & Real Housewives of Atlanta Cynthia Bailey

LAMIK’S Healthy Ingredients: - Green Tea - Vitamin C - Vitamin E - Avocado Oil - Minerals - Orange Bitter Extract - Aloe Vera - Cucumber - Water

LAMIK Services

Kim Roxie & Celebrity Hairstylist Dwight Eubanks

Vietnam Next Top Model Hoang Thuy and Kim Roxie at N.Y. Fashion Week 2012

LAMIK’S Industry Recognition: • A Finalist in 2011 CEW Indie Beauty Awards • 2010 HBA International Package Design Awards for the Innovative “Green” Packaging (Designed by Founder, Kim Roxie) LAMIK was an HBA Industry Awards IPDA Finalist; this is like the Grammy’s in the Makeup Industry! LAMIK was up against Estee Lauder!

• Rated as Number Two in “7 Black Cosmetic Lines Dominating the Market” by Madame Noire’s in their July 2011 Issue • LAMIK was also featured in the 15th Year Beauty Packaging for their Green packaging.

• Awarded “Best Spot to Get Makeup” in Atlanta’s Rolling Out Magazine in January 2012

master the art of business. Roxie’s innovative business strategy for “Eco-Chic” products will be studied by business students in colleges and universities across the nation in years to come. Look for LAMIK Beau-

• 2011 Women and Girls HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day Event – Partnered with the Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS) to host “Status Red” an evening to increase HIV awareness and encourage women and girls to get tested for HIV. LAMIK cre-

• Earned Rolling Out magazines’ Gold Makeup Brush for the company’s commitment to nature in February 2012 • LAMIK Beauty’s eyebrow powder has been called “Stellar Eyebrow Purdy Powder!” by

ated a “Status Red” lip gloss in honor of the occasion. “LAMIK Beauty has always put women’s health issues first and foremost” said Kim Roxie. “Creating Status Red lip gloss is just one of the many ways we aid in helping with awareness and empower women to get tested and know their HIV status.”

- LUXE Makeup Party - Detox Your Makeup Bag - Beauty Revolution - Makeup 101 Featuring You - Brushes Spring Clean - Eyelash Enhancement - Bridal Makeup Lounge

• 2012 Ladies to Legends Tea Time - LAMIK Celebrates Women’s History Month – Celebrated women of all walks of life whose individual and collective contributions have enriched the lives of others.

La.mik (la-meek) noun, single 1. a reconstruction of beauty 2.the principle guidance in cosmetic/ makeup affairs 3.the philosophy of beauty 4.a lifestyle, look Looking at beauty under a different microscope!

LAMIK Beauty products do not contain: Fragrance Paraben

LAMIK Beauty is: Non-Comedogenic – (does not contain common pore clogging ingredients that could result in acne).

Hypo-Allergenic

For more information please contact LAMIK at 713-270-7088 Houston, TX Flagship store or 404-681-0440 (Atlanta) or visit www.lamik-beauty.com

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March - April 25, 2012

March - April 25, 2012

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Jazzy Girls Beauty Boutique “Salon of the Stars”

W

elcome to Jazzy Girls Beauty Boutique located in Houston’s own River Oaks. This upscale and highly sophisticated salon

caters to all woman of every ethnicity. Jazzy Girls Beauty Boutique takes pride in defining the art of luxurious hair for its clients. The mission of the staff at this boutique salon is to help every women look and feel beautiful. It is our primary goal to offer the best products, highest quality virgin hair extensions, while ensuring that the client has an exceptional experience in the process!

They pamper all clients that visit their sophisticated boutique with customer service that leaves them breathless. Jazzy Girls Beauty Boutique specializes in creating and maintaining a

woman’s image through her hair. This goal can only be accomplished by the most professional stylists with the highest quality materials. They are extremely proud to confirm that Jazzy Girls Beauty Boutique is in the business of luxury, offering their own Luxury Hair Collection and first class luxury treatment.

They are the “Salon of the Stars” and at Jazzy Girls Beauty Boutique, every client is a “Star”!

Jazzy Girls Luxury Hair Collection was founded by business woman, and hair extension enthusiast Velma Trayham. With a true passion for hair, customer satisfaction and a background in business management, Trayham started Jazzy Girls Luxury Hair Collection as an expanded venture from her popular salon in Houston, Texas. This

expansion quickly grew into an online national company in early 2010. Since then, Velma Trayham’s luxury hair brand has been seen on popular celebrities such as Platinum Recording Artist,

Trina, Sister 2 Sister Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, Jamie Foster Brown, and Actress, Tamala Jones to name a few..

In addition to the success of running a successful business, Trayham has been featured in notable edito-

rials for her professional advice and high quality hair brand such as Allure Magazine, Rolling Out Magazine and many more.

The mission behind JGLH is not only to provide fashionable luxurious hair pieces, but also to show support to those in need of professional direction in accessible quality hair. Trayhams’ vision to create a lifestyle of quality and high selfesteem that will empower women through hair and beauty which will lead this businesswoman to becoming a lead hair supplier to celebrities, stylists and socialites worldwide.

Under Trayhams’ creative direction and leadership, she will push JGLH to the forefront of the hair industry abroad. Driven by passion and dedication to her customers, Velma Trayham ensures the online store is user-friendly and exceptional quality in hair where no strand is identical to the

Schedule your appointment today at: Jazzy Girls Beauty Boutique 2015 West Alabama Houston, Texas 77098 713-668-5300 Schedule online at: www. jazzygirlsoftexas.com next in the JGLH Collection. Trayham adds: “There is a level of exclusivity in each

purchase, our hair is imported from India and Brazil naturally textured with no

Jazzy Girls Luxury Hair Collection 1-800-393-8060 Order online at: www. luxuryhaironline.com Twitter @jazzyluxuryhair Facebook: Jazzy Girl Luxury Hair Collection

processing. JGLH Collection is 100% tangle free, and will last nine months to one year with care.”

Trayham continues to serve as the brain and beauty behind Jazzy Girls Lux-

ury Hair. She continues to implement her strong business savvy and intelligence, while taking the industry by storm and imprinting an undeniable mark in the world of hair.

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March - April 25, 2012

Ruben Davis: Serving Fort Bend County for 16 Years Constable Ruben Davis, Fort Bend County, Missouri City, TX. Constable Davis has faithfully served Fort Bend County, Precinct Two, since May 10, 1996. He served two terms as president of the Houston Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and one term on the National Board of NOBLE. Constable Davis, a graduate of the University of Houston, majoring in Criminal Justice and Prairie View A & M University with a Master’s degree in Counseling, FBI Command College, holds numerous police certifications including: Crime Scene Investigator (CSI), Gang Investigator, Homicide Investigator, Police Academy Instructor, DARE Instructor, Crime Prevention Specialists and a Master Police License.

In addition to his professional affiliation with NOBLE, Constable Davis is a member of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), is a lifetime member of the Houston Police Officers Association and the IACP (International Association of Chiefs of Police), and a lifetime member of A. Phillip Randolph Institute.

Constable Davis has spent nearly half of his career in community policing programs and projects. Empowering people and communities to improve their safety, security and quality of life is a passion of Constable Davis.

During his career with the Houston Police Department, a career that spanned 21 years, he was a member of Police Chief Lee P. Brown’s Executives Police Session Project for Community Oriented Policing, which included other National members such as worldrenowned expert Dr. Herman Goldstein.

Constable Davis organized a series of Teens Oriented Police Seminars in the Houston area.

He also provides assistance, annually, to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Black Heritage Committee. The Black Heritage Committee is part of the funding source for millions of dollars raised to support Texas youth and education; more than $230 million has been raised.

Constable Davis created the first Community Liaison Deputy Program through the Texas Governor’s Criminal Justice Plan for Texas, in Fort Bend County, to work with at-risk youths, boys & girls, ages 6-16.

Among other accomplishments, Constable Davis has: • organized forums with Community leaders to speak out against violence in high crime

stat areas; • raised funding for a finger printing child safety program that benefited over 2,500 children; • raised funding for fire detectors for low-income homes; • provided safety patrol to local churches when arson was on a rampage in the community; • worked with the community to provide job opportunities to youth that resulted in enhancing their skills • provides courtesy patrol to areas most affected by crime and violence • extends his Reserve Deputy program to patrol areas sponsoring safety programs, fairs, bazaars, carnivals and other events at NO CHARGE • Motorola Corporation’s Walter Lawson Award for Outstanding Achievement in Community Service.

• Honored by the Texas State Legislative for Outstanding Community Service.

• Honored by the City of Missouri City for Outstanding Community Service.

As Constable I provide the following services to the community: Office of Constable The office of constable is one of the oldest law enforcement positions in county government. In 1823 Stephen F. Austin appointed two constables as law enforcement for Texas. In 1836, 1845, and 1861 Texas Constitutions recognized constables as primary law administrators. In 1876 Texas Constitution provided biennial elections of constables from each justice of the peace precinct. In 1954 Texas Constitution lengthens terms of office to four-year terms. Constables are commissioned by the Governor of Texas as Law Enforcement officials.

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education (T.C.L.E.O.S.E) licenses constables.

Civil And Writs Deputies serve civil process, execute writs, and serve subpoenas for property and people. The civil processes include but are not limited to: Citations, Attorney General Office, Writs of Attachment, Restraining Orders, Protective Orders, Writs of Execution, Writ of Mandamus, Writs of Garnishment, Writs of Possession, Writs of Re-entry, Writs of Sequestration, and Writs of Execution, Subpoenas, Eviction Notices and Abatement.

Absent Students Assistance Program ASAP or Absent Student Assistance Program strives to keep children in school. Through a variety of means, deputies work to identify truancy problems and find remedies to help students stay in school. In order for a student to receive an education, the student must be in school.

Courts Precinct 2 Deputies are assigned to various courts as bailiffs. These deputies are the law enforcement arm of the court. They keep order in the court, serve legal process or other court documents, and take charge of juries when the court is not in session. Also bailiffs provide general security for the courthouse and its staff.

Child Safety Programs The Fort Bend County Precinct 2 Constable’s Office provides free child safety fingerprinting to all local school children. This includes area daycare centers and Fort Bend ISD schools. All you need to do is call our office at 281-403-8010.

These deputies are the law enforcement arm of the court. They keep order in the court; serve legal process or other court assigned dispensations.

Deputies Volunteer/Reserve Police Officers must complete the state approved Basic Peace Officer Certification course which is now over 600 hours. Most individuals do this training at their own expense through The University of Houston, The Houston Community College System or at other area colleges. Several volunteer deputies are retired police officers.

Warrants The Warrant Division is responsible for serving warrants and arresting fugitives. Most warrants are the result of traffic violations and hot checks.

Fort Bend Toll Road The Fort Bend County Parkway toll road is patrolled by my office.

Neighborhood Contract Patrol Division The Neighborhood Contract Patrol Division provides law enforcement services on a contractual basis to subdivisions or neighborhoods as per agreement with Fort Bend County.

Free Notary Services

March - April 25, 2012

Michelle “Mikki” Thompson Owner, Urban Divas Hair Studio “There is no royal flower-strewn path to success.

And if there is, I have not found it for if I have accomplished anything in life it is because I have been willing to work hard.”

- Madame C. J. Walker

Michelle “Mikki” Thompson embraced the concept of “hard work” at an early age. Her love for making people beautiful became the platform for her career as a hair stylist and business owner. For the last 25 years Ms. Thompson has “studied to show herself approved” by being trained under some of the best in the beauty industry, such as Floyd Kenyatta, Thomas Haden, Barry Fletcher, Dudley University

and Paul Mitchell, just to name a few. Her current studio was designed with the customer in mind.

It is a culmination of the lessons learned from her many years in the industry. From its tangible interior design to the intangible quality customer service each “diva” receives when they sit in the chair of one of her hair stylists or barbers.

Over the years, she has also trained over 15 stylists to go on to establish their own salon businesses.

She has received the Texas Women Empowerment Foundation “Women in Business Award”, the esteemed Rolling Out Magazine “Top 40 , Under 40 Business Award”, the industry’s coveted “Madame C. J. Walker Award”, and “The Prestigious Salon of the

Year Award.” She has also served as a board member with the Tour of Hope Foundation and Texas Women Empowerment Foundation. One of her greatest accomplishments is that she was licensed as a Christian Counselor earlier this year and ordained as a licensed minister in August 2010.

It was a grand year for Ms. Thompson; she was also one of the 2010 Pinnacle Award finalists.

The Pinnacle Awards spotlight and honor African-American businesses that have achieved success by combining vision, determination, commitment, perseverance and dedication to building strong communities. Capital One Bank has selected her for the “Principal for the Day Program” for the

The Unholy War on Food

By Dallas Jones, Contributing Writer

A true passion of mine for some time has been to remedy the ever-prevalent issue of a lack of quality food in African American communities. I’ve heard many speak about it, and have listened to various elected officials talk about the need to eliminate this problem in communities of color. However the issue remains, as many suffer from a lack of access to quality

foods and products. The key word is QUALITY. I recently visited our local neighborhood Fiesta Supermarket, located on the corner of Wheeler and San Jacinto, as I frequently do in the evenings to pick up a quick meal. On this particular occasion, I purchased a package of fresh ears of corn that was cut by the store and placed into the packaging with a price sticker on top. The ears cost a little more than my usual frozen corn on the cob, but I figured it was worth the increase in price for fresh food. I didn’t know that once I got home I would open that package to find corn that was molding with an expiration date that was five days away.

Houston’s lowest income citizens are forced to consume foods that are of lesser quality so that grocery stores can simply save a dollar. It’s time for us to stop talking about this problem and force those that have the power to change this to act. Studies indicate Houston

has 440,000 residents that reside in food deserts. Texas currently has fewer supermarkets per capita than any other state. Supermarkets have contended in the past that there is not enough money to be made in low-income communities to sustain decent grocery stores. This argument perpetuates the same corporate greed that broke down our country’s financial system on Wall Street. More importantly the people, and those elected to serve them, should demand more of these companies that profit daily off the backs of poor people.

Some companies have begun to open pantry and discount stores in low income communities. Although this gesture offers some hope, it still represents a lack of social equity in business practices. The same company will create high profile stores complete with nice buggies for children, specialty items, and restaurants under their corporate brand, while offering lowincome residents a lesser shopping

9.

past two years. She has served at Crossroads Alternative School and at M.C. Williams Middle School.

The Capital One Bank Principal for a Day Program, hosted by Houston ISD, brings business and community leaders into HISD schools to develop awareness and understanding about the challenges facing public schools. The program endeavors to give schools an opportunity to spotlight achievements and create ongoing partnerships that will ultimately serve to increase student achievement. On the day of the event, executives “shadow” principals, who are encouraged to introduce the school leadership team, initiate dialogue on education, visit classrooms, showcase the school’s strengths and accomplishments, discuss the commonalities between business professionals and principals and detail the multiple roles and responsibilities of a principal.

As a faithful community servant she has represented her industry as a guest speaker on beauty school and high school campuses during career days throughout the Greater Houston Area. She has also given scholarships to numerous students desiring to attend college or beauty school. Ms. Thompson’s salon has also participated in the Pamper for Peace Initiative that services women who have experienced domestic violence since 2007. Over 60 women, who have been displaced in homeless shelters due to abuse, come to Urban Divas for a day

of pampering. They receive a full breakfast and hot lunch, gift bags, door prizes, full salon services such as perms, cut, and color. They also receive chair massages, make-up, and manicures. She has also partnered with hair salons in Atlanta and New Orleans to make their Pamper for Peace days a success.

On a personal note, Ms. Thompson’s love extends far beyond the doors of her hair studio.

She has been a foster parent since 2005. When asked why, she responded: “I want to make a difference in the lives of God’s children that are in foster care due to neglect, abuse, or situations that are way beyond their control as children. I believe, with the help and guidance from God, as a singe woman/parent, that I can provide a safe, stable, structured and nurturing home environment. A safe haven, where they would find love, hope, peace, and be empowered to be the best that they can be.” And so she does just that for the numerous children who have the opportunity to call her “Aunt Mikki’.

experience under a different name.

A true commitment to eliminating food deserts includes creating a solution that not only provides access to fresh fruits and vegetables, but also creates a sense of dignity and community in the process. Together is still not equal when we serve a lesser product for a lesser price yielding the same profit margin.

There are many organizations that have taken a proactive approach to this problem. Groups such as Target Hunger, SHAPE Community Center, and the Houston Food Bank have really stepped up to the plate for citizens. It’s not enough to place nonprofit food pantries in these communities and expect them to carry the work of solving a major social problem. In 2011, PolicyLink issued a report regarding alleviating food deserts in our communities through a comprehensive approach that includes four strategies - develop new grocery stores, improve small stores, start and sustain farmers’ markets, and connect local farmers to low-income consumers.

It’s time for government to get serious about addressing one of the most pressing moral issues of our generation. We can’t continue to allow corporations to make excuses for under-serving citizens.

There have been numerous studies that link poverty to the disparate impact on low income communities in the areas of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and many forms of cancer. Food, and the lack of access to it, contribute greatly to these realities. It’s time for our community to launch an unholy war against these stores, a war as unholy as the food they serve. If the community doesn’t stand up, a generation will be impacted.

It only takes a small committed group to say, “Enough.” We call on everyone to stand with us.

Dallas S. Jones is the CEO of Elite Change, LLC a public affairs and political consulting firm with offices in Houston , Dallas, Baton Rouge, and Washington, DC. He resides in the 3rd Ward community with his wife Angela Lopez Jones.

For More Information Contact: Michelle “Mikki” Thompson Owner, Urban Divas Hair Studio 11243 Veterans Memorial Drive, Suite D Houston, Texas 77067 Business: 281-880-9400

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10. March - April 25, 2012

How Web Video Production Can Help Your Business

By Fortay Media, Contributing Writer Web video production has become increasingly popular as embedding technologies and broadband internet speed gets ever better. Where your business or site warrants it, using an online web presenter can help get your message across – in tutorials and product guides, for example. And where a virtual tour is required, the web video really comes into its own.

The bottom line is, the Internet is now ready and able to support genuine multimedia presences for your company and your company website. In an age of file sharing and self broadcast, your customers and site users expect to see you making the best use of the technology at your disposal. Web video production allows you to make use of video files where they are the most appropriate way to

get your message across.

In line with all website optimization protocols, you should use a web video where a video file or moving image is genuinely the optimum way to deliver your information. Ask yourself the following question, of every part of your website: could it be understood better using another method? If the answer to that question is “no”, then a web video production can simplify your site and make its user experience much better.

Video works excellently for site guides, product descriptions and demonstrations of the services you provide. In many cases it is much easier to show a potential customer or service user something you do, in action, rather than trying to explain it with words and still images. Also, your

web video satisfies the strongest of all customer urges – which is to see something they are about to buy, “in the flesh”.

The web video production on your site is ideal for making your site feel more interactive and as long as you have the rest of the page properly optimized the inclusion of a video file won’t confuse search engines. Unlike Flash menus, which look funky and do all kinds of flashy things when you scroll over them, but which prevent search engines from seeing the navigational structure of your site correctly, an embedded file can be optimized properly, even to the extent of directory submission.

The ultimate strength of the web video is in its ability to demonstrate the use and enjoyment of a product. One of the major objections to web shopping has always been the lack of knowledge about what exactly you are going to get. A photograph of an item you have never seen before never does the same justice as a video showing you what it is and how it works.

Your web video production can bring your site to life, bring your products to life, and get your information across more clearly.

Used properly, it makes your site user’s experience better.

About The Author Fortay Media is an online video production company. Customers can choose from a variety of web video services, including online presenters, training videos and corporate videos. www.fortaymedia.co.uk.

A Positive Workplace Creates Positive Employee Spirit

By Elvia Valdez, Contributing Writer In the hustle and bustle of every day life it is easy to lose sight of the what’s important. Bumper to bumper traffic across every inch of the highway on the way to the workplace, homework at the end of a busy day and much exhaustation as you lay your head on the pillow only to do it all over again and again.

Sometimes one’s commute to

work seems to take the best out of us and many times we are willing to risk it all in an effort to get there at all costs. Going 90 miles per hour, texting while driving, making personal appoinements on our drive to work has become the norm for many working adults. Somehow we rationalize this dangerous behavior as normal because we find ourselves trapped in workplace environments that forget we are human first.

Experts say most working adults end up spending more than half their lives in the workplace. If you are blessed you love what you do and the people that work with you, but the reality is that many people work in environments that are unhealthy.

An all too common fact is it only takes one bad apple to ruin the workplace. A series of miserable employees can infect their venum in a way that creates negativity in the workplace. Hostility is no winning situation.

With the current state of our economy many employers know that most people need their jobs and unfortunately creating a postive workplace is not a priority.

One would think that good lead-

ers know that without their employees their organizations would not be able to produce.

Many great organizations with worthy causes have beautiful missions with miserable working environments that only perpetuate negativity amongst the employees. This is unfortunate, especially since such negativity can hender the very mission the company stands for.

The human spirit is a beautiful thing, if only employers would not lost sight of this fact. Happy employees often mean an exceptional company stands behind them.

Despite the need to work and provide for one’s family, it is not unreasonable for people to interview companies for what they have to offer them. Yes ultimately it is the individual that needs the job but in the end without loyal and happy employees, employers cannot service their customers.

A challenge for us all would be to do business with companies and organizations that never lose sight of the humanity that is behind positive employee spirt. In the end it is never wrong to want to be treated with dignity and respect everywhere you go and work.

Typical Services Offered In A Virtual Office

By Bob Hamilton, Contributing Writer

One of the emerging concepts when it comes to having an office today is the virtual office. Basically, a virtual office is a very practical way to reduce costs.

Instead of operating an “actual” office complete with all the tangible facilities and maintenance, a virtual office offers the same convenience as an actual office but at a lesser cost.

Virtual offices are very much like operating a physical office when it comes to the services made available to support you and your business. All these are made possible thanks to modern technology. Even from a distance, an office can perform all of the necessary functions at a much lower price.

Here are some of the common services offered by this type of office.

Receptionist Receptionists are important in an office. They are the first ones to assist the guests as they first make contact and start communicating with the office. They are provided with the general information which will allow them to guide the guests in what they want to know. In a virtual office, there are remote receptionists. What makes this set-up possible is using a software system which connects the receptionist to other people in order to provide assistance.

Call centers The function of call centers is almost similar to that of a receptionist. They receive calls coming from clients. However, call centers are trained to handle a large volume of calls and to answer specific questions which are more technical or focused than those handled by the receptionist. There are also call centers which do telemarketing. This

means they make outbound calls to reach out for possible clients and then spark their interest about the products or services you are selling.

Voicemail Some virtual offices offer lowcost options to their clients. Just one example is voicemail service.

Instead of getting receptionists and call centers, they record voice messages of incoming calls and reply to them as directed.

Virtual Assistants One of the important services of a virtual office is the virtual assistant. An office cannot fully function unless a number of administrative tasks are accomplished first. Examples of these include appointment setting, billing and book keeping. Virtual assistants make the office work easier by taking charge of these details.

These are just few of the useful services which are offered by virtual offices. Use of these services make the office operations a lot easier. Enjoy the convenience and the efficiency a virtual office can offer. Secure a virtual office for your business today!

About The Author Cascade Executive Suites offer affordable and professional executive suites Vancouver.

Whether you have a new and or small business, you can find the perfect executive suites at http://www.nwexecutivesuites.com/.

Advertise today in D-MARS D-Mars.com Business Journal Call US TODAY!

713.272.9511

March - April 25, 2012

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12. March - April 25, 2012

March - April 25, 2012

13.

How to Successfully Network With Have You Made The Right Executives and Industry Leaders Career Choice?

By Victor Ghebre, Contributing Wrtier

By Zee Wilson, Contributing Wrtier

Networking with executives and professionals have numerous advantages, including career advancement, executive recognition, and sales leads in real time. This article will provide proven steps on how to successfully network with such professionals, executives and industry leaders.

By joining hundreds of thousands of networking partners who are cultivating business relationships as their strategy for success, individuals have the opportunity to progress professionally and grow personally amongst other accomplished individuals.

-------- Steps -------1. Do It Yourself Online:

Register on professional networking sites like www.linkedin.com and www.facebook.com. These sites will allow you to connect with professionals whom you have something in common with, including sending an email to someone you wish to introduce yourself, product or service to.

2. Join a Professional Network That Will Do It For You:

Become a member of a businessbased network that only includes professionals. Executive Networks like www.WhosWhoTopExecs. com provides a forum to intro-

duce professional members to each other, for each other. If you don’t have time to network, their Networking department will comprise lists, as well as make the first contacts for you.

3. Attend Functions That Other Professionals Attend:

These can be virtually any event usually inhabited by mature adults, such as museums, plays, dinner parties, lectures, conferences, ect. At these events, be prepared to introduce yourself and summarize what you do professionally. Be cordial, suggesting an exchange of information, preferably business cards, for future use.

---------Tips --------• Keep in touch with old friends, co-workers, and colleagues: The computer geek you befriended in math class could very well be the president of his own multibillion conglomerate today. You can reintroduce yourself by requesting an email to send an online Christmas card to.

• Keep your resume updated: If your connection with executive or other professional results in a sudden meeting or interview, you need to be prepared with an updated resume or CV (curriculum

vitae), noting the most recent events and current associations.

• Always carry business cards: Executives need to have a physical item they can refer to when wanting to contact you. Being able to provide a business card provides this professional identity that can be taken anywhere.

• Look the part: When preparing to network with professionals face-to-face, always have a neat, clean, and professional appearance. Additionally, maintain a mature and positive attitude.

------- Warnings -----• Do not provide any personal information (date of birth, social security number, ect.) to any one individual, until you have confirmed their identity.

• If joining an organized group, don’t be afraid to speak to a representative with specific questions.

• Try to avoid Networks that discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, or location.

Zee Wilson is a Who’s Who of Female Executives member, noted author, and Senior Account Director for www.WhosWhoTopExecs.com.

Article Source: www.businesshighlight.org

Find the steps involved in making the right career choice for you.

Are Making the Right Career Choice?

It isn’t very easy to make a career choice. There are several things you need to consider, such as choosing a career that interests you, upgrading your skills for that career, how to grow your job, and be successful in it.

Let’s look at some of the steps involved in choosing a career.

Getting to Know Yourself A little Bit Better Choosing the right job begins with understanding who you are and what you want to do in life.

What interests you? What skills do you have? What kind of a personality do you possess? Where would you like to work? These are some of the questions that you need to ask yourself first to get some clarity. However long it might take, you need to give yourself time to understand what you are cut out for. Unless you do an in-depth analysis on yourself, you might find yourself making serious errors in choosing the career

for yourself.

There are several self assessment tools available on the internet that will help you in making a career choice. If you need a more personal interaction, you can consult a career development professional.

Narrow Down Suitable Occupations Once you know what kind of career interest you make a list of relevant occupations and explore each of them by gathering data on the job description, earning potential, opportunities for growth, qualifications and other requirements of the job. Once you have narrowed the list down to two or three potential ones, see if you can arrange to work part time within these companies. Speak to people who have first hand information on the job. They will be able to give you valuable information about the industry and the ins and outs of this job.

Have Some Goals for Yourself Soon, you will reach a stage where you have narrowed the list down to one potential job that you would like to see yourself doing. Once you have made your career choice you need to put together a strategy that will get you your dream job. Begin working on your resume and cover letter. Prepare for job interviews and if need be upgrade your skill set and qualifications to suit the job. It might also be a good idea to get some hands on experience in the form of an internship in a company.

Victor Ghebre is the operator and editor of settinggoals101 a detailed website that provides material to help you set and successfully achieve your objectives. Setting Goals 101 is your guide to more effective goal setting techniques.

Article Source: www.businesshighlight.org

14. March - April 25, 2012

March - April 25, 2012

Sacrifices in Starting a Business slumped business climate in slowly on the rise, many of you have lost faith in working for someone other than oneself. Nobody can blame anyone who has decided to

planning and plotting for probably two years to start my own business and to be honest, had initially planned to just freelance on the side, too scared to take

is very attractive. As of today, with hard work, a solid business plan and a never ending search for financial support, I have no regrets.

Along with all the

By Dr. D. L. Jones Contributing Writer Like many people I know across the country, employment has been greatly affected by the banking crisis and subsequent economic climate. Given the fact that over half of all Americans suffered in some shape, form or fashion, many of you like myself contemplated or ventured down the path of starting his/her own business.

Though the once

leave his/her job and start their own business. The allure of working for yourself, in control of your day-today working environment is very compelling. I’d been

the “Nestea Plunge.”

Although I wasn’t in danger of losing my own job, even just a small taste of the freedom and possibilities of entrepreneurship

hard work and dedication to obtaining your own business, there’s one common denominator in the success of starting up your business: sacrifice. What is

SACRIFICE? What does sacrifice mean, anyway? If you search Google you will find a number of definitions, but I really like this one: To give up (something important or valued) for the sake of other considerations Seems like a good definition. But what does one give up when making the entrepreneurship “Nestea Plunge?”

Businessmen around the world may disagree with the listed order, but I believe many would agree to a list that includes: • Time. I know zero business owners who work fewer hours than they did while in a corporate job.

That can change later on in your business career, but the beginning is mostly just hard work.

• Delegating Responsibility. If you work for someone else, if something goes wrong you can easily pass the buck. When an entrepreneur, the buck always stops with you, whether you like it or not.

• Sanity. A lot of entrepreneurs will tell you it is, technically speaking, crazy to go into business. You constantly have to take risks, stick your neck out, be subjected t0 criticism, and as Donald Trump said “fail often.”

15.

• Benefits. You know, benefits are what employers give their employees some better than others. The biggest one is health insurance; when you work for yourself, you have to take care of yourself.

How much sacrifice is needed?

I know that sacrifice is different for everybody. But how much sacrifice is required? It depends.

I wish I could tell you how many weekends you’ll need to work. I wish I could warn you about the time spent away from your family, and how many nights you won’t sleep because you’re worried if your planned business will work or not. I’d love to say that you’ll be making a profit within a year, or that in 6 years you’ll be a millionaire.

What I can tell you is that no matter how much sacrifice is required, I feel it is always worth it. Why? Because as a business owner, you are the one who will be in control. You can decide what risks are worth taking, how much time to spend, and how hard to push.

Oh Yeah! It may first be scary but if that’s what it takes to tempt the hand of fate, then that’s a sacrifice worth taking.

16. March - April 25, 2012

10

Ways to Stop Attracting New Clients & Kill A Good Entrepreneur Your Small Business in a Recession

By Kirk Smith, Contributing Writer

By David Gruttadaurio, Contributing Writer

Dumb happens.

Your clients are the most valuable asset you have. By using attentive, relationship-building marketing strategies like distributing a print newsletter, create a bond that will allow you to weather any type of economic environment.

One of the most reasonable approaches to surviving an economic downturn is to slash all unnecessary business expenses.

In their panic to save money, wild-eyed and frothy-mouthed entrepreneurs begin looking suspiciously at their marketing plans.

On the surface, advertising cutbacks would seem to be a logical choice.

Why Entrepreneurs Make the Mistake of Cutting Their Marketing Budgets If you have taken a close look at the magazines that arrive in your mailbox every month, you may have noticed they’ve been down-sized... and it wasn’t the publisher’s idea.

Advertisers are running for hills in droves as they pull back and slash their marketing budgets - in many cases by half. The result is formerly burgeoning magazines that are now a shadow of their former selves.

It’s a tempting… but very dangerous strategy. Especially when you consider that your company thrives on both client retention and new growth to survive.

To stay out of economic harms way, you need to keep your marketing momentum at full throttle even during a recession.

And now is the BEST time since your competitors are hiding from potential customers. Your marketing will really stand out even more!

But, if you think that “hunkering down” through an economic storm is the way for your business to survive a recession...

Here Are the Top 10 Sure-Fire Ways to Kill Your Small Business

1

STOP MARKETING and pretend everybody knows who you are and what you have to sell.

2

STOP MARKETING and fantasize that you have more important worries than promoting your business.

3

STOP MARKETING and make believe your customers won’t notice that you discontinued your monthly client newsletter.

4

STOP MARKETING and keep telling yourself that your customers would never abandon you.

5

STOP MARKETING and ignore the potential new clients that would buy your products or services if they were contacted by you.

6

STOP MARKETING and stop thinking about your competitors and the fact they want your customers.

7

STOP MARKETING and keep telling yourself it costs too much to market.

8

STOP MARKETING and disregard the fact that marketing is not a business expense but an investment.

9

STOP MARKETING and makebelieve your established customers don’t need to be reminded that you appreciate their business.

10

STOP MARKETING and forget that now is the best time to market since all of the idiots are cutting back on doing it.

Certainly the choice is yours.

You can follow the above practices and drive your business into the ground. It’s up to you. But do you really want to bury your business forever?

If the answer is ‘no’…

Here Are 3 Reasons Why You Should Relentlessly Market Your Business Today: * Prove to your clients that you really do value and appreciate them - market to them using a print newsletter. * Show your customers that you are a successful entrepreneur willing to invest in your relationship with them - send a monthly print newsletter. * Instill trust, credibility and confidence in you and your company as well as your service or product - publish a customer newsletter.

The Bottom Line If asked to list their company’s most valuable assets, many would include buildings, equipment, inventory and accounts receivables.

Very few would even think to include their customers.

Your clients are the most valuable asset you have. When you use attentive, relationship-building marketing strategies like distributing a print newsletter, you create a bond that will allow you to weather any type of economic environment.

When Print Newsletter Marketing Expert David Gruttadaurio discovered the power of consistently writing and distributing print newsletters to attract and retain clients, he instantly tripled the sales of his cleaning business.

Now, David is revealing his bullet-proof plan to survive this new, emerging economy with his Profit Exploding Newsletter Secrets Report at: http://www.NewslettersMadeForYou.com Article Source: www.businesshighlight.org

Running a business is like managing your own life towards success and self-actualization. Entrepreneurship takes good organizing and at the same time promoting skills. Self-awareness and self-improvement are the basic steps to get to the top.

Prosperous business depends upon how an entrepreneur uses and maximizes his physical, psychological and social skills. But the question is, “do you have all the skills to say that you’re a good entrepreneur?” Even great men fail. Even wise men fall short of their abilities. This by then is saying that even good entrepreneurs FAIL. So, it’s most safe to say that best entrepreneurs use their mental abilities to generate new skills and stand up after the fall. Often times, we learn through our mistakes and we do well the next time around.

Here are some tips to be competent and proficient for entrepreneurship:

TIP #1:

Establish a “SMART” Goal S - Specific M - Measurable A - Attainable R - Realistic T - time-bounded With a “SMART” goal, it would be much easier for an entrepreneur to get to the top. And if things don’t go your way, making “SMART” goals will still be very helpful the next time around.

TIP#2:

Be patient and persevering Everything starts out small and it takes time to get things big.

If the first few years won’t give you what you expect and what you want, don’t quit! Be patient for

patience is a virtue, and it pays!

TIP#3:

Build Self Confidence No one knows everything and no one owns everything.

With self confidence, you can do more than what you truly believe you have in yourself. Be strong and confident even when you’re not. No one can tell the difference anyway! When you are confident, everyone around you acts out the same way, giving the environment a positive aura.

TIP#4:

Be Hardworking and Risk Taker Opportunities come once in a lifetime, if it comes then grab the chance! Take the risk and work yourself to the top.

TIP#5:

Have Self-awareness and Audience Control Conducting business meetings would essentially start with self-awareness. Once you get to know yourself you’ll be more sensitive to your audience and you can easily get a grasp of their interest as well.

Being open-minded and a positive thinker in addition to selfawareness is one good recipe for a fruitful relationship with your audience in a business meeting.

Running a business is like managing your own life towards success and self-actualization. Entrepreneurship takes good organizing and at the same time promoting skills. Self-awareness and self-improvement are the basic steps to get to the top.

Kirk Smith has been writing articles since 2001 and is an established internet marketer in the U.K. Get to know his live chat software program at www.live247support.com He is also offering live chat support services at very reasonable price.

Check out www.live247support.com Article Source: www.businesshighlight.org

March - April 25, 2012

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18. March - April 25, 2012

The Tebow Effect Part I: Incorporating Religion into Your Business and Brand ENTREPRENEURSHIP

By Cynthia Nevels, Contributing Writer In a 3-part series I’ve produced on my radio program called The Tebow Effect, I am discovering entrepreneurs and risk takers

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who have decided to openly incorporate their religious belief into their business model and made it apart of their branding strategy. I asked myself is this wise for new entrepreneurs or could there be a backlash from consumers. Tim Tebow, NFL quarterback for the Denvor Broncos certainly didn’t hesitate to incorporate his beliefs into his business with mixed reviews from the press and fans.

Whatever your beliefs or background, faith is usually reserved for personal consumption – with the exception of faith-based nonprofit community outreach organizations. Historically, executives and startup entrepreneurs have shied away from infusing religion into their marketing strategy or branding efforts for fear of alienating customers or generating controversy in the market. Challenging economic times have naturally caused more and more small business owners to rethink their strategy. When financial challenges arise many turn to a higher power

INNOVATION

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CAPITAL

to help them overcome challenges as well as providing an edge over its competition in communities that demonstrate their support through patronage at public companies that openly tout their beliefs.

Austin based CK Walker Enterprises, LLC started a new online education company, The Millionaire Mindset for Women, in 2011 based on Christian prin-

|

MARKETING

ciples. Owner, Camille Kellum Walker, an Austin family law attorney stated, “I had a vision that I could operate a for profit company that set out to teach women how to reclaim their lives and families through traditional biblical principles.” The new venture remains open to Christian transparency and the founder shared she believes Tim Tebow demonstrates, on a national platform, what most

business owners want to in their local community.

Dan Gilgoff, CNN Belief Blog Co-Editor recently wrote, “Many folks know that Chickfil-A, which recently kicked up a controversy by giving food to a group opposed to gay marriage, has a proud Christian identity. It’s been branded into the memory of anyone who’s gone salivating to one of the fast-food chain’s stores on a Sunday, only to find its doors locked and the lights out.”

The public display of beliefs in a private for profit business has not hindered sales or consumer consumption. Walmart experienced record breaking profits over the last ten years and consumers don’t seem to mind or perhaps may not be aware of the fact that the Walton family, which founded the company and still own a major stake in it, has used Christian servant leadership models in building the world’s largest retailer.

Cynthia Nevels has owned and operated her small business consulting firm, CynthiaNevels.com, for 12 years. She is the host of The C-Radio Show and serves an adjunct professor at Mountain View College and Richland College. Nevels developed Mountain View College’s Advanced Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management Certificate program.

Her first career was as a technology recruiter and consultant with Siebel Systems (now Oracle) and Keane Consulting out of Boston, MA. She wrote the book Financial Bailout and is working on a second one.

March - April 25, 2012

19.

The Ugly Face of Fraud

By Diatra Penelton James, CFE CICA, Contributing Writer

S

ince this issue’s theme is “The Beauty of Business,” it is important to bring awareness to the issue of fraud. Fraud is ugly and can cause many problems for any size business. The ugliness of fraud will not enable your business to have that beauty about it that enables it to run efficiently and effectively.

Fraud can be defined as someone gaining something of value, usually money or property, from a victim by knowingly mak-

ing a misrepresentation of a matter of fact.

In a business the victim may be a company that has fewer than 100 employees or more than 10,000 employees (see charts from the ACFE’s Report to the Nations 2010 on Occupational Fraud and Abuse). As depicted in the chart “Size of the Victim Organization”, the report indicates that businesses with fewer than 100 employees suffered the highest percentage of cases when the study was performed in 2010.

Further explanation of the depicted fraud schemes are as follows: • Billing – three principle types are false invoicing via shell companies; false invoicing via nonaccomplice vendors; and personal purchases made with company funds • Check Tampering – the perpetrator takes physical control of a check and makes it payable to oneself • Corruption - often stems from bribery and is generally done by people with a lot of power or authority in a business • Skimming – the removal of cash from a business/organization before it is recorded in the accounting system of record

The dollar value of the losses to fraud is depicted in the “Size of Victim” chart as follows:

• Expense Reimbursement – expense reimbursement that includes mischaracterized expenses, overstated expenses, fictitious expenses, and multiple reimbursements • Non Cash – misappropriation of inventory, equipment, and proprietary information • Cash on Hand – physical removal of cash from a business/organization • Payroll – falsified time cards to include ghost employees and hours or overstated commissions • Larceny – the intentional taking of an employer’s cash (both cash and checks) without the consent and against the will of the employer

As depicted in the chart “Methods of Fraud”, there are several types of fraud schemes that can victimize a business/organization.

• Financial Statement Fraud – any disclosure that is omitted or improperly reported on any of the four financial statement components (balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement and shareholder’s equity) •Register Disbursements – false refunds and false voids

Now that we have talked about how the ugliness of fraud can affect your business, let’s talk about who can bring back the “Beauty to your Business.” A Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) is one who can perform a risk assessment to assist your business in identifying those areas where fraud may and often times, does exists. They have the proven expertise in fraud prevention, detection and deterrence. CFEs are trained to identify the warning signs and red flags that indicate evidence of fraud and fraud risk that have been discussed in this article. A CFE obtains this distinguished designation from The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). The ACFE is the world’s largest anti-fraud organization and premier provider of anti-fraud training and education. Together with more than 60,000 members, the ACFE is reducing business fraud world-wide and inspiring public confidence in the integrity and objectivity within the profession. The ACFE is based in Austin, Texas, and was founded in 1988 by preeminent fraud expert and author, Dr. Joseph T. Wells, CFE, CPA. Dr. Wells’ insight as an accountant-turned-FBI agent led to the formation of a common body of knowledge known today as fraud examination. In the upcoming issues, we will discuss the different type of frauds such as Healthcare Fraud, Mortgage Fraud, Bankruptcy Fraud, Insurance Fraud, and Financial Statement Fraud to name a few.

Sources: ACFE’s Report to the Nations 2010 on Occupational Fraud and Abuse, Fraud Manual, and website: www.acfe.com About the author: A member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners with the designation of CFE and The Institute of Internal Controls with the designation of Certified Internal Controls Auditor (CICA). If you would like more information regarding protecting your business/organization against the ugliness of fraud, you can reach me by visiting my website: www.peneltonconsultingservices.com or by phone: 281 451-4381.

20. March - April 25, 2012

March - April 25, 2012

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22. March - April 25, 2012

Smart Women And The 5 Fundamental Questions for Business Success

By Joy Chudacoff, Contributing Wrtier

I

’m finding that many women entrepreneurs are reflecting on their year and a question that seems to be on the minds of many is: “What are tools and strategies I need for my business to take a big leap in the New Year?” As I reflect on this question, I realize the answer is twofold. If you are serious about making 2012 the year that you soar in business and make big leaps in income, you must first ask yourself a few questions (and get honest with yourself about the answers):

1.

Is my business Viable?

Do people want my product or service? This is where doing some research on your industry can be quite valuable. Just because “no one else is doing it” doesn’t always

mean it’s a great business opportunity. Yes, Steve Jobs did quite well being “the first” in his industry but many times success can be yours by taking an existing business concept and improving on it.

Also, find out what the range of fees or prices are in your industry.

Make sure you price your winning product or service so people will be clamoring to get their hands on it.

2.

Is my business Visible?

Visibility is a huge key to success.

You may be the best coach, lawyer, virtual assistant or pet sitter in the world however, if you don’t have a marketing plan that is designed to get you seen and heard, you will remain the best kept secret in town! Getting your product or service out there in a big

way makes a huge difference in how much growth you can expect in the coming year.

If you answered “Yes” to the questions above, it’s time to consider a few questions about you – the entrepreneur. These questions are equally vital to your success:

1.

Do I have a true Desire?

Do you dream about becoming successful in your business? Can you visualize what that looks and feels like? Do you have a craving to make it work? Desire can take you a long way on the road to possibility.

2.

Am I Determined?

Have you made the decision that there’s no turning back? I have a

plaque that was given to me years ago by a mentor that reads “It Can Be Done.” That’s the attitude of determination you need to make your business dreams a reality.

3.

Am I Consistent?

Do you have a consistent marketing message? Do you have guiding principles in your business that are solid and steady? I often see entrepreneurs change course or direction too often and this confuses your target market.

They become unsure what you do or who you serve and it makes it challenging for them to refer business to you. To be sure, change is necessary and needed to stay current in business but I invite you to be cautious on how often you change course.

Grab a pen and paper and take

a few minutes to truly reflect on your answers to these 5 questions.

Celebrate where you’re on course and take a close look where you need some improvement. Brainstorm with “nutritious” friends and colleagues on what steps you could take to turn every answer into a loud and vocal “Yes!” Success is easily within your reach when you get clear and focused on the right product or service at the right price point with desire, determination and consistency. When these 5 components are blended together, you can guarantee yourself more clients, more income and more freedom to enjoy life.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you. © 2011 Joy Chudacoff Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your coaching business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report, FREE MP3 and be the first to hear about my exciting new program for coaches and consultants at Smart Women Smart Solutions Coaching.

March - April 25, 2012

The Trouble with the World...

take a lot of time to send a message of encouragement or offer a suggestion on an education/career decision.

All it takes is an unyielding desire to sincerely care about someone else’s future.

Malcolm Gladwell in the

23.

three major factors that contribute to epidemics: 1. Change doesn’t happen gradually but dramatically 2. You have to have something contagious 3. Small things have big effects

By Noel Pinnock, B.S., M.P.A., C.A., CCC, Contributing Writer

The ancient Egyptians built pyramids as tombs for the pharaohs and their queens. There are about eighty pyramids known today from ancient Egypt.

The three largest and bestpreserved of these were built at Giza at the beginning of the Old Kingdom. For thousands of years, the largest structures on earth were pyramids. The most wellknown of these pyramids was built for the pharaoh Khufu. It is known as the ‘Great Pyramid;’ however, these pyramids cannot be rebuilt despite our technological advances and sophisticated software application because the blueprints could never be found. If the architects of one the world’s most prized wonders would have left the blueprints for their magnum opus then we would be able to duplicate them exactly as they were constructed in the past.

Mark Twain once stated, “The trouble with the world is not that people know to little but they know so much STUFF that ain’t so!” This is true in today’s society especially as it relates to building our future. It appears that we have lost the thread that was woven in the tapestry of sustaining and cultivating communities that work for the betterment of its residing constituents. I can remember when mentoring and encouraging others was a cultural norm rather than a special event.

Neighbors looked after one another and lessons from yester-years were shared openly and candidly. In the November D-Mars

Business Journal (2010) edition, I wrote: 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.

You see, the blueprint of our existence was established on this village philosophy; whereby, everyone in the village played an integral role in the lives of everyone in the village despite gender, class, and other demographical differences.

Encouragement was a cultural norm and direction and guidance was unbiased and non-selective. Nowadays, it appears that this blueprint of building our communities has become a faded image on the easel.

People really just do not care about each other anymore. Many people possess the ‘it’s-all-aboutme’ mentality and assisting others reach their goals,

breakthrough the glass ceiling, or even change a flat tire becomes a distant second or sloppy thirds.

We need to re-engage the people in our communities because our villages continue to expand everyday. Take the time out to mentor a young person in your community and encourage him/her to mentor someone else in the community and continue this process until everyone in the community has a person in their network. For my brothers and sisters in older generations, we have to STOP this EXCLUSIVITY in our COMMUNITY. Open not only your hearts but also your doors to receive those who hunger and thirst to make our reality a better one. Indeed, we are inevitably tied to an inescapable network of mutuality (Dr. Martin Luther King – 1963 – Letter From Birmingham Jail). If some haven’t approached you, it is probably because they don’t feel comfortable in doing so.

We’ve got to change this perception today! As Spike Lee once said, “Wake UP!” Know that I am not angry but I am just saying…

With the advent of social media mediums like Facebook and Linked-in as

well as wireless apps, connecting with people could not be easier. It doesn’t really

Tipping Point described the conditions of creating an epidemic and identified

So, I submit to you that these conditions can be applied to creating an epidemic of hope in our struggling communities. We don’t have to re-invent the wheel and if we borrow the blueprints from our forefathers then unlike those who tried to reconstruct the pyramids, we will not only be able to duplicate what they did but do it even better; especially, if we want to see tangible and significant advancements for our future and our children’s future…because it was the smallest encounters in our lives that have had the most profound effect on us!

Wouldn’t you agree? If you do, then are you ready? Remember…change is deliberate and essential.

Author Noel Pinnock, B.S., M.P.A., C.A., CCC www.noelpinnock.com

24. March - April 25, 2012

March - April 25, 2012

MetLife Study:

Is a Roth 401(k) Right for You?

By Charles Swindell, Contributing Writer Financial Services Representative MetLife Financial Group of Houston

Since it first became available in 2006, many employers have added the Roth 401(k) to their benefits packages as a retirement savings option. A Roth option, which is available for Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), as well as sponsoring 401(k) and 403(b) accounts, may be appropriate for some individuals, depending on their circumstances. So, is a Roth 401(k) right for you?

Let’s take a closer look.

To Roth or Not to Roth In order to decide whether the Roth 401(k) option has a place in your retirement plan, it is important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of both types of 401(k)s.

With a traditional 401(k), you make contributions on a pre-tax basis, which lowers your current taxable income, and earnings are taxdeferred. However, your retirement distributions will be subject to ordinary income tax. With a Roth 401(k), your contributions are not tax deductible, but earnings and distributions are tax free, provided you have held the account for at least five years and are at least 59½ years old. Is it better to pay taxes on your retirement funds now or later? The best choice for you depends on your current tax situation and your long-term financial goals.

It is important to keep in mind that the 401(k) annual deferral limits—$16,500 for taxpayers under the age of 50 and $22,000 for those over age 50 in 2010—apply to

all 401(k) contributions, regardless of whether they are made on a pre-tax or after-tax basis. If you contribute to a Roth 401(k), you may have to reduce or discontinue your contributions to your employer’s conventional 401(k) plan to avoid exceeding these limits. However, you may contribute to both types of 401(k) plans.

Also, matching contributions made by employers must be invested in a traditional 401(k), not a Roth account. So, even if you make contributions exclusively to a Roth 401(k) account, you will still owe tax in retirement on withdrawals from funds contributed on a pre-tax basis by your employer.

What about the Roth IRA? The Roth 401(k) is only available through an employer-sponsored plan, whereas the Roth IRA is available to all taxpayers (with income limitations).

How do the two Roth options compare? First, you can save more money in a Roth 401(k) than in a Roth IRA. The 2011 annual contribution limits for IRAs of all kinds are set at $5,000 for taxpayers under the age of 50 and $6,000 for older workers.

The Roth 401(k) is subject to the more generous elective salary deferral limits that apply to conventional 401(k)s—$16,500 or $22,000 for those over age 50 in 2011.

Furthermore, the Roth IRA is subject to adjusted gross income (AGI) limits; only those with AGIs below $122,000 for single filers and $179,000 for joint

filers are eligible to contribute after-tax dollars to a Roth IRA in 2011. These income limits do not apply to Roth 401(k)s.

In addition, contributions to a Roth 401(k) can be made through payroll deductions, which puts retirement saving on autopilot. To participate, an employee who is currently contributing to a traditional 401(k) plan could, for example, opt to have his or her contributions diverted to a Roth version of the same plan. Unlike the Roth IRA, however, you will be required to begin taking distributions from a Roth 401(k) after the age of 70½.

If a Roth 401(k) makes sense for you, ask your company’s benefits administrator if the feature is available for your retirement plan. If it is not already in place, expressing interest in the Roth feature may increase the likelihood that your company will adopt the option.

Neither MetLife nor its representatives offer tax or legal advice. You should consult your own advisors with respect to such matters.

Pursuant to IRS Circular 230, MetLife is providing you with the following notification: The information contained in this article is not intended to (and cannot) be used by anyone to avoid IRS penalties. This article supports the promotion and marketing of retirement plans. You should seek advice based on your particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.

Copyright © 2011 Liberty Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This column appears courtesy of Charles Swindell. Charles is a Registered Representative with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and MetLife Securities, Inc. He focuses on meeting the individual insurance and financial services needs of people in Houston who are business owners.

You can reach Charles at the office at 713-785-2200.

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26. March - April 25, 2012

The Importance of Developing A Customer Service Strategy

By Errol Allen, Contributing Wrtier In today’s highly competitive business environment, it’s important to understand the need for developing and implementing a customer service strategy. A customer service strategy details how you will interact with your customer - from your first contact through the life of the customer/business relationship. This is one of the most important steps toward business success.

Here are a few reasons why.

The cost in dollars and effort required to gain a new customer: Think about the money and effort you put into gaining a customer. A strategy is needed to insure retention of your customers.

Your customer service strategy should complement your marketing strategy so that your advertising dollars are not wasted through customer defections.

The costs to gain a new customer versus the costs to retain an existing customer: It has been stated that the cost of acquiring a new customer is anywhere from 5 to 10 times the cost of retaining an existing customer. Sixty-eight percent of customer defections take place because they feel poorly treated. An unhappy customer will tell eight to sixteen others about their dissatisfaction. The popularity of social media allows a dissatisfied customer additional avenues to share their experience. Customer retention should be the primary focus of your customer service strategy.

A referral from a loyal customer costs you absolutely 0 dollars yet adds additional revenue to your business: A loyal customer will refer others to your business if your service delivery is consistent and the customer feels valued. They become your

“word-of-mouth” ambassadors, trumpeting their satisfaction with your products/ services. This is done at no cost to you!

Loyal customers have a positive impact on your business: Valuing your customers creates loyal customers. A loyal customer will continue to do business with you despite offers from your competition. Creating loyal customers should be the ultimate goal of your customer service strategy as this leads to a higher level of customer retention which has a positive impact on the long-term success of your business.

A strategy creates synergy within your organization: A strategy requires that all within your organization understand their role in providing great customer service to each other within the organization and to the external customer. Everyone’s role is defined and processes developed to insure that a customer service system exists for efficient internal customer interactions and consistent delivery of the product/service to the external customer.

Take the time to develop and implement a customer service strategy for your business. You will be rewarded with loyal customers, which drives customer retention, which leads to referrals, which increases longterm profitability! www.errolallenconsul ting.com 1-800-467-9189

------- Bio -----Errol Allen has over 25 years of experience in the customer service industry including 13 years in a management role. Errol has worked in several industries within the service sector. He has hands on knowledge of interacting with customers whether in person or over the phone. Having held positions as an Internal Customer Service Consultant, Call Center Quality Manager and Operations Analyst, Errol understands the need for a “systems” orientation to providing excel-

lent customer service. He is experienced in facilitating interdepartmental process improvement projects to insure efficient service delivery to both internal and external customers. Errol has also designed customer service training programs for the “front line” associate to insure employee confidence when interacting with customers. He is a member of the American Society of Quality which promotes the practical application of quality knowledge across multiple industries. Errol is the publisher of “Now That’s Customer Service!” a monthly online newsletter offering practical customer service tips and real life customer service experiences.

Houston Native R&B Star DeP

www.ThinkDeP.com

Houston Native, R & B rising star, DeP (pronounced deep) has just released his newest single “Contract”. Having being a stint member in a New York based Male group, singer/songwriter/actor DeP is back taking the music industry by storm. Last

year, DeP was a featured actor in Jill Scott’s featuring Anthony Hamilton’s video for the widely successful song, “So in love”. That appearance kicked off a slew of acting opportunities including a role in NBC’s “We the People” with Gloria Allred. All the while,

Pamper Your Business answering), provide marketing support, bookkeeping, social media support, graphic design services and data entry. Most start-ups and independent business owners are seeking a way to

to keep up appearances and make smart investments with their available capital. A virtual assistance is a smart investment.

Businesses need that extra special touch that assures them that they can concentrate on what they do best and leave the responsibility for the general office administrative duties to someone they can trust.

We provide those services for our customers who always leave our office with a smile. Pampering your business is like pampering yourself, when you do

get the additional assistance without having a huge payroll. Their budgets won’t allow them that luxury, but in order to be competitive in their industry they have

it you feel so much better about you and what you are trying to do. So give yourself a hug by hiring a virtual assistant and smile all the way to the bank as a result.

By Theresa Allen, Contributing Wrtier

P

amper Your Biz, can mean many things to many people, but it literally means taking care of your business.

A business is often considered a separate entity that can stand alone. Take care of it and it will take care of you. In this day and age a lot of business owners who have start-up companies where they are everything: the bookkeeper, baker and candlestick maker. A virtual assistant can make that person’s life a lot easier by providing services that supplement their back office requirements. A virtual assistant provides professional administrative, technical, or creative (social) assistance to clients from a home office. If you want to present a more professional image to your clients and customers having someone else representing your office sends the image of a larger more competent business.

The main mission of a virtual assistant is to help

DeP was in the studio with several producers including Houston Native, D Bottz, creating music that was sonically and lyrically ready to chop the charts. The first single “Contract” is blazing the airwaves encouraging listeners to agree on some terms before they take their relationships, temporary or otherwise, to the next level.

He now begins his national tour, which appropriately kicked off in his hometown Houston, to promote his single, much to the happiness of his fans. DeP’s music, approach, and outlook on life is summed up in his popular quote, “Remember Nothing is Happenstance, Think DeP!” Keep up with DeP by visiting his website

you, the business owner focus on your business while saving you time and money. Having a virtual assistant frees up your time to concentrate on generating more business, it allows you the luxury of having an administrative assistant without the overhead. Most virtual assistants are independent contractors that handle their own benefits, taxes, and insurance. You only pay their asking fee for the service rendered, which is usually estimated prior to starting the project. In the midst of a fluctuating economy, you get to have your cake and eat it to, because a virtual assistant does the back office work for you.

Some virtual assistants will even come to your place of business and provide their services.

Virtual assistants can provide small business owners with support solutions such as administrative (appointment scheduling, assistance and set up for workshops, telephone

March - April 25, 2012

Teana Watson Democratic th Candidate for Judge 434 District Court Fort Bend County Former Prosecutor set sights on the 434th District Court

L

ocal Attorney and Former Stafford Municipal Court Judge, Teana Watson, is the democratic candidate for Judge of the 434th District Court in Fort Bend County on the Democratic Ballot. Judge Watson is a Missouri City resident and native Houstonian, who received her education from Fisk University and Syracuse College of Law. She started her legal

career as an assistant district attorney in Fort Bend County in 1991 and was promoted to Chief Juvenile Prosecutor, until she left the DA’s office in 1996 to open her law practice.

Ms. Watson’s law practice provides representation to people in the Fort Bend community in both civil and criminal related matters. She has handled criminal cases as serious as capital murder, as well as serv-

ing as Counsel to the Fort Bend Employee Federation in both civil and criminal related matters. As a municipal judge, Watson has always treated defendants fairly and respectfully in her courtroom.

She states, “I am running to bring my extensive background and 21 years of legal experience to the District Court in Fort Bend County, and continue my record of making a difference in the lives of the people in need of justice. My campaign is about the vision I can bring to the Fort Bend Judiciary. A vision that includes better programs for persons on community supervision and more resources for persons in the legal system who suffer from mental illness. My goal is to help make our community better and safer for everyone.

As Judge, I will maintain a presence and remain connected to the community.”

Currently, she is actively involved in her community.

Watson’s history of community service includes being a member of Dulles High School VIPS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Vice President of the Fort Bend County Criminal Defense Attorneys Association, Board member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Education Institute and member of the College of the State Bar of Texas and National Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. Watson has been honored with many awards over her legal career.

Last year, she was awarded the President’s Award from the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association. She has lectured in seminars sponsored by the State Bar of Texas,

Houston Bar Association, Fort Bend Bar Association, Fort Bend Criminal Lawyers Association and other groups as well. Her husband is Ricardo Watson and they have two sons. She would greatly appreciate your support in the coming months. Watson is running unopposed in May; however she needs your help for the November election.

Her opponent is the incumbent Republican. Running a County Wide campaign is very expensive, she is trying to reach the half million residents of Fort Bend County, personally, as well as through brochures, mail outs and other media. Her campaign slogan is together we can win.

She wants you to WIN WITH WATSON, please email her at Vote@teanawatsonforjudge. com and make all contributions to her campaign by making checks payable to: Teana Watson Campaign One Sugar Creek Center Blvd Suite 1045 Sugar Land, Texas 77478 Ph: (281) 491-4838 Website: www.teanawatsonforjudge.com Email: vote@teanawatsonforjudge.com Pol. Adv. By Teana Watson Campaign, Deborah Mitchell Treasurer, In compliance with the Judicial campaign fairness act.

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28. March - April 25, 2012

March - April 25, 2012

29.

Communicate MORE to expand What Is Dun And Bradstreet your BUSINESS!

By Expert Author: Eric Hernandez, Contributing Wrtier

By Jake Mathew, Contributing Writer If you manage/run a business, and have to deal with a lot of clients/customers, every day then you may already know the importance of effective business communication.

In a business scenario - be it verbal/non-verbal form of communication, the way you approach someone will always determine your success/failure in a deal; everyone that you come across daily may not think, act/ behave in a similar manner, and you may have to adapt to diverse circumstances.

The way you interact with your boss is not how you interact on the field with a customer.

Hope you got it!

This is the 21st century, and we can never think of doing any-

thing without Information technology/communication equipment; look around, you will find just everyone with a Smartphone, a tablet/notebook computer.

And yes, these are some of the common modes of communication: e-mails, facsimile, telephone (calls), SMS (text messages), to name a few.

Be it small, medium or largesized businesses - everyone tries to promote their products/services through e-mails, phone calls, and other means; but the communication technology (computer/ phone etc.) can never do miracles on its own, if YOU lack persuasive communication skills. (Smile!)

Why do most of the customers never say “no” to marketers like Magnum Marketing?

Well, the reasons could be many - and, one could be the excellent communication skills the sales/marketing professionals may have; yes, this is true - because the way you interact/communicate with your clients or customers can make you either WIN or LOSE them.

How good you are with your TONGUE? If you want to win the customer battle from your rival - then, do not forget to work on your tongue, yes - we meant COMMUNICATION SKILLS (verbal/non-verbal, both), not to fall behind, in anything!

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com About The Author: Why do most of the customers never say “no” to marketers like Magnum Marketing?

Getting Your Business to Grow Lead Generation

By Frank Ricard, Contributing Writer When your business depends upon getting new leads regularly, there are some options that are open to you which can help you to achieve it. In today’s technologically advanced climate, there are many businesses that tend to focus on electronic means of contacting potential customers, such as through social media or email marketing. Although these can be effective, you should never overlook the possibility of direct mail and using those lists in order to increase the success of your business substantially. Here are some of the benefits that will be seen when you use this type of marketing and mail your list physically instead of automatically.

Perhaps one of the most important things that need to be considered when choosing direct mail over email marketing is that the majority of people look at their mail that they get in their mailboxes every day. Of course, some people are going to toss some of the information without looking at it but a vast majority of those individuals are going to sort through it without delay. This gets

your message in front of those individuals easily and, compared to email marketing, the response can be substantially higher.

Another benefit to using direct mail is that you can specifically target groups of people that have an interest in what you are offering. It is important for you to consider this, not only when using direct mail but when purchasing the list of individuals that you will be mailing. The more focused the list is, the more likely it is going to be that you are going to see results from that list.

Have you thought about the customization that is possible when mailing people instead of using electronic means of contacting them? When most people gather email lists, they are only going to gather the most basic information from the potential customer. When you have a mailing list, you not only have the physical address but you often have their name and perhaps some other information as well. You can use this information in order to customize the mailing which will, in turn, increase the response. This

is also something that should be considered when you are gathering a list or purchasing it from the company that generates leads.

Finally, you can measure the results of mailing those individuals in order to see if any changes need to be made to the mailing.

Of course, you would always want to consider changing the copy and testing in order to increase the response. Some of the ways that you can track the response of a direct-mail campaign include sending out coupons with specific information that either needs to be filled out on your website or to be mailed back to your company.

This can assist you in doing a split test as well, allowing you to easily see which is going to be more effective so that you can make those changes and send the future mailings to a larger list to increase the response.

About The Author Frank Ricard is the author of this article about direct mailing lists. Frank has extensive experience as a writer and entrepreneur and knows how powerful a good marketing list can be. Visit http://www.promarketingleads.net.

It is very possible that you may not know what Dun and Bradstreet is if you are a new business owner. Dun and Bradstreet is the most known business credit bureau in the world. The company has been around for an astonishing 150 years and is still going strong. There are other business credit bureaus out there, but if you are going to get business credit, Dun and Bradstreet is the heavyweight of them all. If you want to get business credit, and get good business credit, than keeping track of your paydex score, which is the system that Dun and Bradstreet uses to judge your company’s history, is very important.

Business credit is rated differently than personal credit. Paying your bills on time is the most important factor affecting your score. Dun and Bradstreet also gets information from other companies about your company, and based on the information they gather on your company, this is where your score comes in.

Dun and Bradstreet uses the

paydex score so companies can get an opportunity to get a business loan. Any score higher than 80 is a good paydex score. A way to improve your score would be to pay your bills ahead of time.

The higher your paydex score, the more likely you are to get a good business loan and receive fast business credit. Dun and Bradstreets website explains everything you need to know about the company and how Dun and Bradstreet can help you.

If you keep an eye on your business credit report while having a line of credit, it is the best way to build your business up.

This will tell you your payment history such as if you are paying on time, if you are late, and it will allow you to fix your problems. If you are late on your payments and your payment gets sent out to a collection agency, Dun and Bradstreet will find out about this and it will affect your score. If this stuff happens it can greatly damage your company’s chance at getting any kind of loan or line of credit.

30. March - April 25, 2012

Live the Life You Have Always Dreamed About

By Carla Lane, Contributing Wrtier

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.”

– George Eliot Often we look at where we are and think that is where we must stay. Past failures, bad decisions and unfortunate circumstances sometimes land us a long way from the huge plans we made for our lives when the word “im-

possible” was not a part of our vocabulary. But who says that the original timeline for your life has to be the final version?

Why not take steps to live the life you always dreamed of today?

Every morning I go to the gym, there is this older guy there on a regular basis. He does his “routine” with such a quiet determination that he makes it all look very easy. When I am tempted to whine and quit, I watch him push himself to the limit, and I find myself motivated to work as hard and without complaint.

A couple of weeks ago, I was watching him do chin ups. He made them look effortless. Thinking how I want my arms to look by the time I turn 40 (smile). I asked him if I could try a chin up. I had never tried before, but he just made it look so easy. He eagerly stepped aside and encouraged me to step up to the bar. I

pulled myself up without thinking...once...then twice. That was all I had in me, I had no strength left. I told him that was all I had, so he stepped up behind me and pushed me up for a third and fourth “pull.” It felt so good. I felt strong and I smiled from ear to ear.

The next day when I was done with my workout, I asked him to spot me again. Again, I did two. Again on day three and so on. I thought it was pathetic that I could only do two, but when I came to the gym at the end of the week, he was standing there just shaking his head. When I asked him what was up, he said he was impressed with my chin ups. He told me that when they are training firefighters, the men are required to do 5 chin ups, and women are required to do 1 or 2.

He explained that most people can’t do them at all, and that he

was impressed that I could. He further told me that if I practiced every day, I would be doing 5 or 6 in no time.

The moral of this story...because I didn’t know any better, because he told me I could, I saw no reason to doubt my ability. I just jumped in and gave it a try - and I did it! I didn’t see it as a great accomplishment, because I didn’t realize that it was difficult and it became my goal to get stronger.

No one told me I couldn’t do it, in fact, I was encouraged to try.

Had he told me initially how difficult it was, more than likely I would not have tried at all. Or I might have tried, but given it only half an effort, because failure would have been the expectation.

I applaud him for letting me believe that for me, it was not only a possibility, but that success was a realistic expectation.

How many times have we decided not to try at all because we were told that we couldn’t, that we shouldn’t, that we had expectations that were too ambitious? How many times have we told our children, our friends and our co-workers that they couldn’t do something; that their ideas were impossible or beyond reach? How many times have we told ourselves that we would fail before we even started?

I started to ponder examples that I had witnessed and this came

to mind...I recalled a conversation a friend of mine had with his daughter just prior to her heading off to college. He spoke to her (with good intentions) of how hard she would have to work in order to succeed. College wasn’t like High School - this was the real world and now she would have to grow up. This child quit after two years. Another friend spoke to her daughter of the adventure she was embarking on and how proud she was. I remember how we laughed because the mother already had her outfit picked out for graduation day! This child just graduated with her degree in biology. Looking back, neither daughter was more intelligent than the other.

Was it the silent expectations (or lack thereof) that predicted the outcome?

Take the brakes off and become who you have always dreamed of being, get started today. Live your life without the, “I wish I would have...”, or “If only I…” or “I should have.”

Remember, every journey begins with one step.

Blessings, Carla

March - April 25, 2012

31.

32. March - April 25, 2012

Michael Coleman, Running for Harris County Constable Precinct 7

Michael Coleman is running for the elected position of Harris County Constable Precinct 7. He has faithfully served the citizens of Harris County, Texas as a law enforcement professional for over twenty-three years; and, now, he wants to use the experience, education and leadership skills that he has

developed during his tenure to serve and protect the citizens of Harris County, Precinct 7, as their next Constable.

It is his goal to restore the faith of his potential constituents by establishing closer ties with the residents, community leaders and businesses in that precinct. This is the fastest, most

time-tested method for fostering a “communityoriented” policing relationship.

Officer Coleman states that “Cooperation, not competition, between law enforcement agencies is another necessity in making Precinct 7 a safe place to reside and do business. Now, more than ever, it is essential that all facets of law enforcement work together in serving the public in a manner aimed to keep the community safe. It is a proactive rather than a reactive mentality that must be developed.”

As a commissioned Texas Master Peace Officer, he is concerned about and willing to take a stand against crime. In this mission, he is adamant that he will not falter. It is his belief that the community and precinct needs a new leader in the Constable position.

How do we, as a team, do this? His answer is simple. We

remain a team by engaging in the relationship birthed by the “Contract Deputy Program.”

This program is the essence of Community Oriented Policing.

It develops a close tie with the deputy patrolling an assigned area and the residents and businesses in that area. In order to help this relationship flourish, he wants to develop closer ties within the Precinct’s neighborhoods and communities. He will accomplish this by identifying the uniquely different problems that are so often inherent to the diverse neighborhoods or communities within the Precinct. He will ensure that his Command Staff and force is properly trained to develop comprehensive strategic plans of action whereby both the Constable’s Office and the citizens within that area of concern have input and, most importantly, get results. Officer Coleman is committed to being a good steward of the public’s tax dollars and maximizing precious resources, while making our communities safer aimed at improving everyone’s quality of life. He deeply believes that Community Oriented Policing builds trust between the communities they serve and the Deputy Constables who serve within the precinct. When elected as your Constable, he will build upon that trust every day.

Michael Coleman is proud to be a native Houstonian.

Michael is the son of Ms. Mary who owned several businesses (Almeda Lounge, Ms. Mary Anchor, and Mary’s Place) in

the community. He grew up in South Park, went to Cullen Middle School, and graduated from the “Mighty” Jack Yates High School in the Third Ward.

He currently holds the rank of Captain and is a member of the Constable’s Executive Command Staff. He was the first African-American to make the rank of Lieutenant and Captain at Precinct 5. Michael currently commands the Patrol Support Services Bureau, a job he has mastered over the seven years he has spent there. In this capacity, he personally oversees the enforcement activities of over one hundred seventy personnel assigned to that division. Additionally, he also commands the departmental Communications Division.

During Michael’s law enforcement career, he has served in a variety of field and supervisory assignments in the Patrol Division, Criminal Warrants Division and the Tactical Division.

Michael is also a Public Information Officer and spokesperson for Precinct Five, often tasked with speaking with the media, disseminating information regarding departmental business and passing-on relevant information to the community.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Studies from Sam Houston University, Master Peace Officer Certification, TCLEOSE Instructor License, Concealed Hand Gun Instructor License and Mental Health Certification.

March - April 25, 2012

33.

34. March - April 25, 2012

Three Habits of Effective Project Leadership & Six Keys to Successful Project-Based Work

By Ty Kiesel, Contributing Writer

Three Habits of Effective Project Leadership For any organization doing project based work, the need for leadership and collaboration is critical. Unfortunately, for many organizations, developing leadership is a challenge—there are never enough leaders in an organization and getting people to collaborate is often a challenge.

Here are three leadership principles that can help you effectively manage project teams in today’s complicated business climate:

means to the team will encourage a sense of ownership.

3

Follow-Up.

I don’t think it’s any secret, but leaders get the behaviors they reinforce.

ing and implementing leadership skills are more successful than those that don’t. As more and more organization turn to project and portfolio management best practices to make their organizations more efficient, the need for skilled project managers—those who know how to lead people as

1

Lead Yourself First My colleagues and I used to call this walking the talk. If you don’t practice what you preach, how can you lead others.

2

Encourage Ownership.

The more people feel of sense of ownership, the more responsibility team members will feel for the outcome. Identifying what a positive or negative outcome

It really doesn’t matter what type of project based work you do or your particular work management methodology, project managers who spend time learn-

well as manage process—will continue to grow.

What are you doing to improve your leadership skills?

Six Keys to Successful Project-

Based Work “Wax on, right hand. Wax off, left hand. Wax on, wax off.

Breathe in through nose, out the mouth. Wax on, wax off. Don’t forget to breathe, very important.”

In the 1984 movie The Karate Kid, Mr. Miagi, an apartment complex maintenance man, becomes an unlikely karate teacher for Daniel Laruso, a high-school kid in trouble with a bunch of local karate-bullies. With an unorthodox teaching style, Danielsan’s first karate lessons includes waxing Mr. Miagi’s cars—all four of them.

So what does this have to do with project based work?

Without giving a play-byplay of the whole story, Mr. Miagi taught Daniel the basic techniques and skills that would allow him to defend himself. I’ve observed that there are some basic project management fundamentals that are common to any successful project and portfolio management methodology.

Successful project managers focus on what matters most. Here are six suggestions:

Using Employee Engagement Surveys to Boost Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty

By Howard Deutsch, Contributing Writer

It is almost always best to start by focusing on your employees first. Highly satisfied and engaged If you need to increase your company’s competitiveness and profit, where should you start? Should you focus on your employees first, or should you start by focusing on your customers first? In reality, you need to do both.

Employees are essential for achieving high levels of customer satisfaction, retention and longterm loyalty. Start by listening to your employees and taking action based on their ongoing feedback.

Conduct an employee survey / employee engagement survey to gather information, suggestions and insight from your employees.

Ask them about what it is like to work for your company and what can be done to help them do their

jobs more effectively and to do a better job of taking care of customers. Include questions about the effectiveness of internal communications, business processes, teamwork and how employees feel about your company’s direction.

Make sure your employee surveys / employee engagement surveys also include questions about effectiveness of supervisors and managers, empowerment, ability of employees to make suggestions, effectiveness of rewards and recognition, fairness of compensation, adequacy of employee benefits, treatment of diverse groups and fear in the workplace. Include questions about quality, customer service and ways to increase productivity. Ask questions about anything that may be positively or negatively impacting employees’

and customers.

Don’t be surprised if you end up identifying a very large number of challenges and opportunities. If challenges and problems exist, you need to know about them, prioritize them and take action. There is no single silver bullet. Identifying and addressing the top three problems is not enough, especially when there are many more problems that are impacting your employees and customers.

It is important to do a thorough and objective job of analyzing the survey findings. It is then equally important to create a comprehensive action plan and to do a good job of getting everyone involved and executing the plan effectively. This requires communicating the results of surveys so that employees know that you listened

to them and that you are committed to making needed changes based on their feedback.

Your goal should be to use the employee survey results to achieve large-scale increases in employee engagement and satisfaction, with a much greater focus on your customers and meeting or exceeding their expectations.

To ensure that you are achieving success, conduct employee attitude surveys annually to measure progress and to identify any new challenges and opportunities that surfaced since the previous employee survey. Your focus on and commitment to continuous improvement will ensure continued customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Once you start to achieve positive results, you should also conduct customer surveys to assess

1. Make sure the project has a strong sponsor. Every project needs a sponsor who will evangelize the value of the initiative throughout the life of the project.

2. Make sure the project is adequately funded. The temptation is to take whatever funding is offered, but without adequate funding—it’s usually the project manager who ends up in hot water when the project fails for lack of financial resources.

3. Pick the right team. Make sure the team includes all the skills that will be needed for success.

Just because someone is available, doesn’t always mean they are the best to work on your project.

4. Plan. Planning is more than just preparing to deliver the final product. It should involve a continual process of evaluation and adjustment.

5. Know the end before you begin. Make sure you know what the outcome of a successful project is before you start. What does “done” mean? Financial experts call this an “exit plan.”

6. Prepare for change. The very nature of projects creates change.

Whether it’s a new product or an improvement in process or technology. Makes sure to prepare for the change.

About The Author Ty Kiisel makes the concepts and best practices of web-based project management accessible to both the expert and novice project professional. Ty is also host of popular podcast TalkingWork.com. Resource: http:// www.attask.com/topics/web-based-projectmanagement-software

customer satisfaction levels and to see how your customers feel about your company, your employees, your products and services and other key issues that drive customer satisfaction and retention. Don’t be afraid to ask customers about things you know you are not doing well. You need to learn about how customers feel. Guessing isn’t good enough. Your customers are probably also buying from your competitors. It is important that you learn first-hand how they compare your company, products and services with those of your competitors.

In summary, take good care of your employees, set the right direction, provide good leadership, identify problems and opportunities, take action and measure ongoing progress. This will enable your company to attract and retain customers and to be competitive and profitable.

About The Author Howard Deutsch is the CEO of Quantisoft, a full service survey company.

Contact Howard Deutsch at (609) 4099945 or hdeutsch @ quantisoftdotcom ••• Employee Surveys & HR Surveys: http://www.quantisoft.com/Industries/EmployeeSurveys.htm ••• Employee Engagement Surveys: http://www.quantisoft.com/Industries/EmployeeSurveys.htm ••• Employee Surveys: http://www.Quantisoft.com

March - April 25, 2012

35.

MASTER THE BUSINESS SIDE OF Ms. Wheelchair Texas Contestant, Tina Williams WRITING WITH… Aims To Instill Pride In Women With Disabilities

IN THIS BOOK YOU WILL FIND: • The definition of “Authorpreneurship” and the entrepreneurial cycle that fuels the mastery of the business side of your book project • The keys to firmly establishing a financial foothold in your genre’ • Tools that will help you determine the feasibility of your book project • A book written for authors by authors who have been there, done it and are not afraid to tell their story • Worksheets that assist you in making informed decisions about your book project along the way

TO ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY GO TO W W W. S H A R O N C J E N K I N S. C O M

Commissioner Tina Williams is a native Houstonian who loves getting involved in her community. She has completed classes at the Ministries Development Institute of the Hilliard Vocational Bible Institute and is eagerly awaiting graduation!

Mother of five and grandmother of seven, Williams loves being with her family just as much as she enjoys volunteering. Williams counsels disadvantaged youth in her area, is a member of the Houston Commission on Disabilities, and takes ASL classes in hopes of being able to better communicate with people who are deaf.

Williams’ participation in Miss Wheelchair Texas last year made her more aware of all the ways women with disabilities are affected. Winning the award of Miss Congeniality 2011 only made Williams hungrier for another chance this year! “It’s just too fun to be in a pageant! It’s exciting-I met so many wonderful contestants last year, I can’t wait for what this year holds” Williams exclaimed.

Tina Williams sees her participation in the Ms. Wheelchair Texas Gala as an opportunity to make something incredible of

her life through helping others. “I don’t want people to look at me, or any person with disabilities, and see someone needy, I want to be able to help everybody, and love everybody!” Whenever any of Williams’ friends ask her how she’s doing, her only response is “still winning!” Williams believes that a smile can conquer half the problems we face in the world and that loving people can conquer the other half.

Williams would say that her ultimate purpose is to let everyone she comes in contact with that you are incredible whether you sit down or stand up-“it takes all kinds to make the world work and make the world a better place to be! And of course, to have fun!”

The Ms. Wheelchair Texas Gala was held on Saturday, March 24 in Houston and Williams won the title of First Runner Up. For more information about the gala, please visit the following website: www.mswheelchairtexas.org.

The Ms. Wheelchair Texas Foundation is a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that strives to improve the lives of people with disabilities through its mission of advocacy and education.

36. March - April 25, 2012

“Sister to Sister:

The Power of Connections!!!”

T

exas Women’s Empowerment Foundation (TWEF) “Connecting You to Today’s Leaders!”

Hundreds of women from all over the world and the greater Houston area recently gathered at the Intercontinental Hotel for (TWEF)’s annual “Sister to Sister: Power of Connections” Women’s History Month Celebration and Food Drive.” As women rallied their way to the event, so did hundreds of “Houston Food Bank” boxes filled with non-perishable food items, 5,000 pounds of food was collected at the event. It was an evening of enchantment, excitement and empowerment!

Attendees included some of the world’s most successful and influential women business owners, finance experts, spiritual and motivational speakers and women of entertainment, including featured X Factor vocalist, Myra Washington. The evening began in full throttle as Myra Washington’s rendition of “I’m Every Woman” filled the atmosphere as the parade of honorees and special guest (TWEF) founder Deavra Daughtry, Cynthia Bailey of “Housewives of Atlanta”, Cheryl Chew, Founder, Dream Seeker/Star Maker Foundation International; Theresa Behenna, International Speaker & World Class Pianist; Sylvia Gonzales, Independent Civic & Social Organization Professional; Vanessa Reed, S. Texas Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Manager, Comerica Bank; made their entrance into a parade of excitement amongst others.

The 2012(TWEF) honorees provided the audience with wisdom tips on topics such as, “What it takes to be a Winner,” “Financial Freedom,” and “Controlling your Emotions for Success.” This year’s feature Runway Model Cynthia Bailey, CEO, Bailey Modeling Agency and BRAVO’s hit reality TV series “Real Housewives of Atlanta gave a compelling and tearful speech about her road to success and the necessities it took to get her there. (TWEF) founder Deavra Daughtry ended the night with a heartfelt leadership charge, followed by an awards

March - April 25, 2012

ceremony in honor of the special guest.

The greatest news is that the “Power of Connections” continued as the evening concluded with the “TWEF 2012 Eagle Scholars”. The young teen future entrepreneurs presented business cards to the night’s honorees, a connection that opens the door to future mentorship that will change their lives forever.

This event was without a doubt extraordinary, and (TWEF) would like to thank its board members, partners, honorees, ambassadors, honorary chairs and supporters for making this event a success.

Mark your calendars and Save the Date: August 21-24 2012 The 2012 International Financial and Leadership Summit is the place where you want to be. We have something for everyone! For more information on when to register log on to: www.twef.org

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38. March - April 25, 2012

Keryl L. Douglas, Esq. The 1st African American to Run for Harris County Democratic Party Chair

A Life-long Advocate, Attorney Keryl Douglas graduated summa cum laude, with standing of #5 out of 202 students, from Thurgood Marshall School of Law, May 2008. She passed the Bar upon first attempt, qualifying to petition into the D.C. Bar without examination, was admitted to the Texas Bar in Nov. 2008, and the Federal Bar in 2010. In December 2011, she became the 1st African American to run for Harris County Democratic Party Chair.

Founder of Optimum Solutions Consulting and “17 & Counting” young voters empowerment initiative, Keryl Douglas practices law in the State of Texas.

She has also served in capacities wherein she was responsible for implementing public affairs strategies, lobbying, and fund development. An accomplished mediator and Attorney, she’s also served as legal journalist and analyst, writing a weekly legal column for the Houston Sun Newspaper; and frequent legal/political analyst for a local radio program. She is an appointed ad litem for local family and probate courts, as well as a frequent moderator and panelist/ educator for diverse legal seminars. She heads legal education/ advocacy for Friends of Emancipation Park Board of Directors.

A prolific public speaker and speech writer, she has also served as a licensed insurance agent and structured settlement consultant.

Her business acumen has also assisted many other entrepreneurs achieve success and opportunity. Her personal entrepreneurial pursuits have most recently expanded to include motivational fitness, writing, and publishing.

Prior to attending law school on scholarship, she received her M.S. in Chemistry, magna cum laude, from Texas Southern University, and her B.S. in Biology, cum laude, from Florida A&M University.

She also completed coursework for a Ph.D. in Epidemiology at University of Texas Health Science Center.

Her diverse professional experience includes National staff executive for NAACP; serving as Regional Director for the NAACP’s Region VI, encompassing 250 units across the five states of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.

She was co-architect of the NAACP’s historic 2000 National Voter Mobilization Campaign.

She also served for nearly a decade as Executive Director of NAACP-Houston. In both capacities, she significantly increased membership, advocacy, funding, volunteerism, positive public imaging, staffing, and grant-supported programs. Her higher education experience includes Instructor of Chemistry at TSU; Assistant to Academic Vice President (TSU); Instructor of Biology (Houston Community College); Director of Douglass Honors Institute (TSU); First Lady of TSU (19961999); and Teaching Assistant in Criminal law and Civil Procedure.

She was a distinguished participant in local and regional competitions in

Moot Court, Mock Trial, Client Preparation, etc. She is presently President of NAACP-Fort Bend/ Missouri City & Vicinity.

Attorney Douglas was born in Plant City, Florida to Rudolph (deceased) and Johnnie M. Burgess. A Houston, Texas resident since 1983, she has one son, James Matthew Douglas II. She is a member of numerous legal

and community organizations, serving as current Board Chair of Ready Women, Inc., which assists underprivileged, abused, and otherwise financially challenged women successfully prepare for integration into work opportunities. She has served as Boardmember of several entities and has received numerous awards for her advocacy, professional, and academic accomplishments. She

is an avid reader, volunteer, and nature enthusiast. She also enjoys dance, walking, being physically fit, and all of the arts. She credits her drive and enthusiasm for life to God, her parents, Johnnie M. Burgess and Rudolph Burgess, her late stepdad Otis Hill, her son Matthew, her siblings, and the many friends who pray for, inspire, and encourage her daily.

March - April 25, 2012

The Beauty OF Business: Rich Relationships

By Pernell Hill, Author of Entrepreneurial Theology, Contributing Writer

Pernell Hill The focus of this article is not about connecting with people who are monetarily rich, that’s not to say that you shouldn’t because they could be quite helpful to your vision. This article is really about how beautiful it is to have rich or endearing relationships in business. One of the more attractive things about a business owner is his or her ability to connect with people, this is a very important trait; knowing how to draw people to you, especially in a growing business.

What is a rich relationship? It is something of great value or worth.

There are popular brands in the market place that spend millions of dollars to convince the customer that they are of value or worth.

For example State Farm says “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there”

One of their commercials shows a man talking to a State Farm Rep at 3am in the morning-how valuable are you if they have an actual person talking to you at that hour?

Business owners who try to master this trait understand the importance of connection. It’s more than just handing out a business card or exchanging them with the hope you will get their business, this concept has its place. Beauty appears when there is an intentional effort put forth to build a rich relationship, but it has to begin with you. Imagine how rich you want it to be and give yourself accordingly. Rich relationships have a very distinguishing look, the most notable is where the people are confident in the makeup of the relationship, this suggests that there is a great degree of support and it’s not just one sided.

The business owner knows that he or she cannot take their relationships for granted and so they work or build a relationship by establishing a genuine connection which by process creates something rich and endearing. One of the mistakes business owners make is that they push their product first, instead of pushing themselves; they should give people the privilege of getting to know how amazing they are. When you

have someone connected to you that supports you genuinely which means that not only during your time of success but during times of struggle they are still there to empower and encourage you because the relationship supersedes anything material.

Unfortunately we live in a society where greed and pride becomes the traits that some people adopt, being in a relationship with these kind of people can be damaging to your character, either you will become like them, or you have to drive them away from your circle before too much damage is done. The business owner cannot be naïve and think that everyone they meet will fit that category of a rich relationship; this can take away the effect of what it means to be genuine.

Give yourself an A for trying and move on based on your goal and purpose.

The most popular form of a rich relationship is a partnership. A partnership is defined as the state or condition of being a partner; participation; association; joint interest (Dictionary.com). The person or persons who partner with you shares the most genuine quality of all and that is they believe in you, and you in turn believe in them; the longer this goes on the richer the relationship becomes.

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March - April 25, 2012

MetLife Study:

Planning Your Charitable Gifts

By Charles Swindell, Contributing Writer Financial Services Representative MetLife Financial Group of Houston

Sometimes, our desire to give leads us to make commitments that are difficult to fulfill. Any endeavor worth undertaking, especially one that can benefit others, deserves our careful consideration before we begin. Doing so can yield the greatest results. When contemplating making charitable gifts, consider the following: • Choose Your Causes.

Good causes abound and regularly demand our attention. Choose a limited number of organizations that concentrate on areas that are important to you, and then research what kind of help they need.

tamentary gift is a promise of funds to be made available from your estate upon your death, typically through your estate.

However, using your estate as a conduit can lead to a reduction in your intended gift if any of the following are experienced: • A decrease in the fairmarket value of your assets before your death; • Unforeseen estate expenses that must be made from your assets; and, • The elimination of your gift if your will is contested.

removed from your estate, thus protecting your gift from the taxation, creditors, or legal contest to which your estate may be subject. As owner of the policy, the charity can decide whether they want to use your gift to pay the premiums or let the policy lapse. As beneficiary, the charity will receive the proceeds of the policy at your death. Depending on the type of policy purchased and the charity’s willingness to use your contributions to maintain the policy, these proceeds may be guaranteed and may even increase over time.

Depending on the per-

• Budget Your Gifts. When planning your annual budget, include charitable gifts. Spreading your donations over the year can both lessen the impact on your finances and increase the total you may be able to give.

• Plan Your Volunteer Career. Volunteering can be a personally rewarding experience, especially when you can see the fruits of your labor. Carefully determine the time you have available to ensure your best efforts for your cause, and avoid overloading yourself.

• Review Your Plans. Just as you review your annual financial budget, you should review your annual time/value budget. Revise your volunteer commitments to include those where the rewards have been the greatest for both you and your cause.

• Consider a Testamentary Gift. If you are fortunate enough to be in a position to increase the amount you donate, or you are concerned about the future of the organizations you support, consider making a Testamentary gift.

What Is a Testamentary Gift?

Quite simply, a tes-

You may be able to protect your gift from estate problems through the establishment of a trust; however, the legal and administrative costs associated with doing so may also have an adverse impact on your gift.

Guaranteed Protection for Your Charitable Gift Your intentions—and your gift—can be protected against many of the factors above through the use of life insurance. The potential leverage of life insurance may result in a larger gift than you had hoped.

In addition, the simplicity of doing so and the satisfaction you will gain will add to the rewards of giving. The policy can be purchased with funds that you contribute to the charity, and as such, they are tax deductible as a charitable gift. The policy can be owned by the charity and

formance of the policy and other factors, the proceeds may exceed the amount you would have otherwise given outright during your lifetime or upon your death.

Imagine What You Could Do Your gift through life insurance could allow you to give far more than you ever thought possible.

It could help guarantee funding for your chosen organization and help ensure the continuance of its good works. It could mean that your best intentions become reality. The satisfaction that comes from knowing you have done the most you could will be your final, and welldeserved, reward.

All insurance guarantees are based on the financial strength and claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

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42. March - April 25, 2012

10

Things You Should Expect From Your Website Copywriter

By Glenn Murray, Contributing Writer

As websites and electronic commerce are becoming more and more common, business owners and marketing managers are realizing that quality web copy is every bit as important as impressive design. And with the ever increasing importance of search engine presence, the role of web copy has never been more critical.

But in such a relatively new field, customers are still coming to grips with what they can expect of their website copywriter.

The question a lot of people are asking is, “How do I know I’ll get what I pay for?”

Before engaging a website copywriter for your next project, ask them whether they’re able to provide you with the following ten essentials…

1) Fixed Quote

A lot of website copywriters will tell you they only work on an hourly rate. They’ll cite varying requirements, rapidly changing technologies, greater incentive, the risk of customer indecision, and a host of other reasons why they can’t provide a fixed quote.

But don’t be fooled. You have a right to know what the job is going to cost you. If a website copywriter won’t give you a fixed quote, think twice…

2) Contract of Works to be Completed

Just as important as a fixed quote is a signed contract. It may not be drawn up by a lawyer, but a written and signed document outlining the works to be carried out and the cost of those works is essential. If a website copywriter is reluctant to provide a written, itemized quote including estimated number of words, you have to ask yourself why.

3) Timeframe

Always ask how long your job is going to take. If you’ve already had a go at writing your own web copy, you’ll know how time consuming it is. Never make the mistake of thinking the job will be done in a day. Granted, a professional website copywriter will be very efficient in crafting your copy, but no matter who the writer, a quality product requires time. And on top of writing time, remember that you’ll have to review and provide feedback on everything they write. In a lot of cases, it’s the review phase that takes the most time, so make sure you try to set some time aside,

otherwise you’ll find yourself the bottleneck!

4) Plan of Attack

Try to get some idea from your website copywriter about how they plan to approach your project. Don’t be fooled into believing you have to hand over the dollars before they’ll reveal their plan of attack. You have a right to be comfortable with their approach before you engage their services. Will you receive individual drafts of every page, or a single draft of the entire site? What format will you receive the finished product in? How many review iterations do they anticipate?

5) Samples

A lot of ambitious web service providers of all types are calling themselves writers these days. They offer copywriting as a specialist service, but don’t engage a specialist to complete the work. Always ask to see samples of their previous copy. Read it thoroughly and ask yourself, “Does this copy convey benefits?” Pretend you’re the intended audience and ask “Does this copy answer the questions I need answered before I’ll buy?”

6) CV

Most copywriters’ websites will give you a very high-level overview of their business and the services they offer. Some even offer samples. But very few offer a professional biography of their writers.

If you’re not happy relying on their website as your sole source of information, ask for a copy of their CV. The things you’re looking for are a professional history in writing, and preferably some tertiary education in the same.

7) Testimonials

Perhaps the best indication of a website copywriter’s ability is customer satisfaction. Don’t be afraid of asking for customer testimonials. A good website copywriter will be proud of their testimonials - so proud, in fact, that they’ll be offering them without you even asking. Look for testimonials from companies you recognize and/or can verify. Anyone can get their great-aunt write them a testimonial. Some will even write their own. If you really want to be sure, ask for contact details so you can give the customer a call and hear it straight from the horse’s mouth.

8) SEO Copy Skills

Approximately 80% of all web

traffic comes through search engines, so it’s essential that your website copywriter has proven experience in SEO copy. Ask them their general approach to SEO copy. Do they normally perform the keyword analysis themselves?

How do they know when they’ve used enough keywords in enough of the right places? Can they show you a high ranking site they’ve written the copy for? What steps do they take to avoid diluting the effectiveness of your primary keyword phrases? Will their SEO copy change the text links on your pages? (It should!)

9) SEO Copy at No Extra Charge!

Never be fooled into paying more for SEO copy. If you’ve already performed your keyword analysis, and you know where you want your keyword phrases used, writing of the copy should take no longer than usual. I’ll say it again… SEO copy is not an extra - its how web copy should be written! Do not pay extra for it!

The only things you should expect to pay extra for are keyword analyses, adding the HTML code for unmarked text links, providing guidance on site structure, sourcing of inbound links to your site, etc. SEO copy by itself should cost no extra.

10) Writing Experience for Online Media

Writing for an online medium is entirely different to writing for print. Readers have different requirements and objectives, and reading conditions are very different. Make sure your website copywriter knows how to cater to these differences. Ask them to recommend a maximum page length or

word count per page. The correct answer should include some comment on the trade-off between the problems of scrolling and the need for a high keyword count for SEO. Ask them whether they prefer long sentences or short (and hope to hear “short”). Ask them whether they will include lots of text links within the main body of the copy, and if so, will they appear as regular links (colored and underlined) or will they be unmarked.

Professionally written copy can mean the difference between a great looking site and a great looking site THAT EARNS YOU MONEY. Choose your website copywriter carefully.

Glenn Murray is a specialist SEO copywriter. He’s a director of web design agency Silver Pistol and also of copywriting studio Divine Write. He can be contacted on Sydney +612 4334 6222. Visit DivineWrite.com or SilverPistol.com for further details, more FREE articles, or to buy his SEO e-book.

Article Source: www.businesshighlight.org

Benefits of Telecommuting

By Laurie Neumann, Contributing Wrtier

The benefits of telecommuting are many to both the employee and employer. First, let’s look at some of the top benefits to the employee.

• No Commute – This is a big one, especially in the days of high gas prices and congested traffic.

The commute back and forth to work can literally add hours onto your work day.

• No Expensive Wardrobe Needed – You can work in your jeans or sweatpants (I’m sure you’ve heard about “working in your pj’s” although I think it is good to get ready for the day when working.)

• More Time With Family – You can be home with your kids and still have a job. You will have to work this out because you will need to have some time to yourself to work and be productive.

But it doesn’t normally need to be from 9 to 5.

• No Time Off Needed for Sick Children – When your children are sick and need to be home from school, you can be there with them. There’s no need to take off from work because you work at home!

• Higher Productivity – Many times employees that work from home are more productive, due to less stress over child care and other home issues.

• Vacations Are Easier to Plan Obviously, you will still need to ask for time off, but it may be easier than if you worked in an office where you have to schedule around everyone else.

• Increased Employee Motivation – Employees are bound to be more motivated to do a good job when you are allowing them the flexibility of working from home.

• No office “Politics” – You don’t have to get caught up in gossip or politics that can go on in the office environment.

As you can see, the benefits of telecommuting to both the employer and the individual are numerous. It is not a “perfect” solution but most obstacles can be overcome with some working at it. In the end, there will be many long-term benefits.

Now, let’s look at the benefits of telecommuting to an employer.

• Flexibility – As mentioned above, the hours you work can be much more flexible and this is one of the big benefits of telecommuting.

ance but no more space needed.

• No Extra Workspace Needed Many times, employers need extra help but they don’t have the office space to put anyone else.

Telecommuting gives them the best of both worlds – more assist-

Want to join the forces of telecommuting workers and enjoy all these benefits? Visit telecommuting jobs for legitimate resources to help you get started! http://realtelecommutingjobs.com

March - April 25, 2012

Before You Buy That Business Plan Template

By Henry Funk, Contributing Wrtier

Joe Abraham is Managing Director of En Corpus Group, a business development and advisory firm specializing in small business and startups. He has been involved as founder, executive or advisor in the startup, growth and sale of over 20 companies.

Writing a business plan can feel like a daunting task and you may be tempted to take a shortcut.

But is buying a business plan template or software program always the right choice? No. Don’t get me wrong, if you are just looking to put your business strategy on paper to use as a “play book” for your management team, consider the shortcut. However, if are using your business plan to raise startup capital from an investor, I’d strongly discourage the template or software.

top and the loan shark at the bottom. Each investor group is a separate silo. The rules of engagement with them are unique to each of them. From the qualifications to deal structure to exit strategy, VC deals look, act and smell like VC deals.

The same is true of the other silos. So get your facts right and don’t assume that onesize (of business plan) fits all.

Why? Because I get to see a lot of business plans every month. Some are from friends who actively invest in startups and small business. Others come directly from entrepreneurs looking for help. Guess where the “shortcut” business plans go. My friends in the VC and investment community assure me that 100% of them end up in the trash.

So if you’re looking to write a business plan to raise capital, consider the following tips.

3. Build your business plan around your target audience:

1. Get the facts right:

Find someone in your target audience to mentor you and review your business plan as it takes shape.

If you are going after banks, find a banker to mentor you.

Let your target audience tell you how well your business plan is resonating with them. It will keep you from going too far down the path only to find that your business plan isn’t working to achieve its objective.

So many entrepreneurs go about the business plan writing phase as follows.

“I’ll write my business plan and submit it to VCs. If that doesn’t work, I’ll send it out to some Angel networks.

If that fails, I’ll show it to some bankers. If that doesn’t work, then I’ll…” That’s not how it works! The investor world is not a pyramid structure with VC’s at the

2. Ask yourself who your target audience is: Is your ideal investor a VC, a sophisticated Angel investor, a wealthy friend/ family member, a grant committee or banker? Each of these audiences requires a very different business plan and funding offering. Do some homework on each group’s M.O, needs and requirements. If you do your homework correctly, you’ll find yourself leaning toward a single target audience.

If you qualify for VC funding, then develop your entire business plan and presentation around their needs. Instead, if your audience is a grant committee, then cater to their needs.

Keep in mind that only a fraction of 1% of all business plans get VC funding.

About the same percentage earn Angel funding. Check my blog for more on that topic.

4. Get expert guidance:

5. “Get real” on valuation: One of the big reasons a lot of good business plans go unfunded is because the entrepreneur has overvalued their company. You have big dreams and goals for your company. We get that. However, when it’s at the idea/seed stage, your company is probably not worth ten million or even a million bucks. Don’t go to the market asking for $100,000 of investor capital in exchange for 5% of your company at the seed stage.

I don’t care if your company is the next facebook or Coca Cola. It isn’t yet.

Your investor is going to need a significant position in your company to provide you with seed funds of $100,000. Don’t worry, as you perform, you can buy back or earn back your equity. A good legal expert can guide you through structuring the right offer.

6. Have a Plan B: The reality is that we live in “interesting” economic times. Even some of the best business ideas and management teams are sitting on the sidelines unfunded right now. A good strategic plan should include a play book for “when we get funded” as well as a play book for “if we don’t get funded”.

Be wise and figure out how you can get your company up, running and generating revenues without investor capital. That will dramatically improve your chances of success (and long-term funding).

Joe Abraham is Managing Director of En Corpus Group, a business development and advisory firm specializing in small business and startups. He has been involved as founder, executive or advisor in the startup, growth and sale of over 20 companies.

Article Source: businesshighlight.org

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Tips To Get You Started Blogging for Business

By Jill Hart , Contributing Wrtier

O

ver the last several years blogging has become the foundation for social media campaigns of businesses big and small.

Where Facebook and Twitter help keep companies in the limelight, spreading the word about special events, discounts and newsworthy items, blogs are the place where companies build their reputation and make sales.

As popular as blogging has become, I often hear from home-based business owners who are trying to figure out exactly what a blog consists of and how they can use one to benefit their business. Below are three tips that can help maximize the impact of your business blog.

1. It’s All In The Name

Be sure to choose a name for your blog that is both descriptive and easy to remember. Try to stick

to either your business name or the name of your star product/service. If

none of these are available consider using your name or business tagline. Also, consider possibly adding in

your keywords … such as Publicity Virtual Assistant.

2. Use Keywords Effectively When you write posts for your business blog be conscious of the words that you choose. Pepper your posts with keywords relating to your business, products, services and brand.

These keywords will trigger Search Engine results and help you reach the top of the results for your keywords. Be careful not to overuse keywords, though, because readers will get frustrated and the Search Engines consider that against the rules.

Also, consider keyword phrases – often called long tail keyword phrases (why, I’m not sure!). Long tail keywords are simply a sting of words that make up a phrase that represent your keywords. Think, what would people type in Google to find me. Examples, “how to start a business.” Think … how can I define my blog more (or this particular post). I wrote this blog post on … (fill in the blank), now what keywords do I need to put in so others can find me?

3. Quality Information (No Fluff!) & Fresh, Regular Content Another thing to consider when writing business blog posts is to keep your

posts informational. The more quality content you offer to readers, the more often they will visit your blog. Also, by posting regularly your readers will get to know the schedule and tend to visit your blog on a regular basis because of it.

You know your audience best. What do they want to hear? Need to hear?

Solve that problem that you’ve been having and you know others are having too.

Consider adding in reviews, recommendations, etc.

Your blog can be so much more than you talking about your business. What fun thing can you add?

Contest, giveaways, etc.

There are many ways to use a blog for business use.

If used correctly, a blog can be a terrific tool to inform potential customers of your business. Be sure to update your blog regularly so that the content remains fresh and people coming back for more great information.

Tips from Jill Hart of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com and Diana Ennen of VirtualWordPublishing. com. [1] For more tips visit http:// SoYouWantToBeaWAHM.com.

[2] These tips can be used if you include this short bio.

Article printed from LadyPens: http://www.ladypens.com

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