d-mars.com Business Journal 76

Business Journal November 2013

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Expanding Your Business Footprint

Looking for Guaranteed Income in Retirement?

Look to Annuities

By Mena Freeman

Today, Americans are living longer.

While that’s great news on one hand, the challenge...

PAGE 6

Is borrowing from your 401(k) a good idea – Three things you should consider!

By Lonnie Mathews

PAGE 8

Corey and Joi Venison

Game Changer: Super Weave Xpress Makes Power Moves in the Hair Industry

PAGE 4

Making the Right Choices in Business

By Kevin “Brother D-MARS” Davis

PAGE 14

PAGE 10

Greater Houston Black Chamber Celebrates Black Businesses at 2013 Pinnacle Awards

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PAGE 22

Texas Southern University Hosts 2013 President’s Gala

I am a woman who came from the cotton fields of the South. From there I was promoted to the washtub. From there I was promoted to the cook kitchen. And from there I promoted myself into the business of manufacturing hair goods and preparations…I have built my own factory on my own ground.

– Madame C.J. Walker

November 2013

Journal Behind The

3.

Publisher’s Message

Keith J. Davis, Sr.

SR. PUBLISHER Keith J. Davis, Sr.

Houston is home to numerous African American businesses and any successful businessperson or entrepreneur can attest that growth and expansion is necessary for continued success. The business environment is constantly evolving, which requires innovative methods to remain competitive and grow. This issue offers great advice on how to expand your business footprint.

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

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Davis

VICE PRESIDENT Kim Floyd

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

CONTENTS

Valerie Jones

ACCOUNTING MANAGER

Game Changer: Super Weave Xpress Makes Power Moves in the Hair Industry..................................................................... 4

Eugenie Doualla

Looking for Guaranteed Income in Retirement? Look to Annuities............................................................................................ 6

Administrative Assistant Angelle Gillum

The Power of Customer Loyalty in Building Your Business.......................................................................................................... 6

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

End of Year: Wind Down, Gear Up or Both?........................................................................................................................................ 8

Johnny Ray Davis, Jr. C.T. Foster Eric D. Goodwine

Is Borrowing from your 401(k) a Good Idea – Three Things you Should Consider!................................................................... 8 Greater Houston Black Chamber Celebrates Black Businesses at 2013 Pinnacle Awards…................................................10 Five Insider Strategies to Expand Your Minority Business Through Government Contracting – Part One of a Two-Part Series.............................................................................................................................................................. 12

PHOTOGRAPHY L.C. Poullard Grady Carter Tony Gaines

Making the Right Choices in Business.............................................................................................................................................. 14 How to Expand Your Business in Today’s Marketplace…..............................................................................................................16

MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR

Make Sure You Are Doing These Five Things to Grow Your Small Business.............................................................................18

Andrea Hennekes

LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Sailing in the Gale!..................................................................................................................................................................................19

Kevin Wright

Hot and Heavy Marketing: Online Users’ Love Affair with Social Media .................................................................................20

DISTRIBUTION

Texas Southern University Hosts 2013 President’s Gala.............................................................................................................. 22

Booker T. Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden

How to Mentally Prepare for a Crisis in the Workplace............................................................................................................... 24 Think Mobile: Marketing Tips for Local Businesses.......................................................................................................................25

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

In a Do-It-Yourself World, We Still Need Professionals.................................................................................................................26

Valerie Jones Mena Freeman Vellore Sunder Alvin E. Terry Lonnie Mathews Helen Callier Kevin Davis Kachelle Kelly Rachel Wilson Thibodeaux Noel Pinnock Casie Fuchs d-mars.com News Provider

Memo to Job Seekers: It’s not the Economy, it Could be You.....................................................................................................26 Online Programs Key to Career Advancement in a Tough Economy.........................................................................................28 Millennials Take New Approach to Work-Life Balance..................................................................................................................29 Job Searching Skills to Help Boost Confidence..............................................................................................................................30 Educating Our Youth to be Future Entrepreneurs.......................................................................................................................... 31 Power Shoes: Choosing the Right Footwear to Climb the Corporate Ladder......................................................................... 32 Small Businesses go Leaner, More Effective with Technology Tools....................................................................................... 34 Tips to Secure your Future Despite an Unsure Economy............................................................................................................ 34 Spouses of Houston Barristers Host Barrister’s Ball...................................................................................................................36 Making a Smooth Transition to a Post-Military Career.................................................................................................................38

MR. D-MARS Tip of the Month “If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up.

Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”

– Michael Jordan

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November 2013

Game Changer: Super Weave Xpress Makes Power Moves in the Hair Industry In a multibillion dollar industry traditionally dominated by Asians, two young African Americans jumped in headfirst and created their own rules…

and a lot of advertising and branding before people began to take us seriously.”

Joi stressed the importance of building solid relationships in the business world. Crème de la Crème has had the same hair distributor for the past seven years and because of the business relationship Joi and Corey cultivated with the distributor, they are able to get hair at discounted prices. Crème de la Crème hair originally had its own storefront near the Galleria.

“We don’t have a lot of profit because we want to make the hair affordable to our clients, but we make up for that in the volume of hair that we do sell,” Joi said.

THE CREATION OF SUPER WEAVE XPRESS Joi and Corey found great success with Crème de la Crème Hair, which planted the seed for the couple’s next

By Valerie Jones Contributing Writer

I

n order for minorities to achieve great success in business, they must know how and when to attack the market. Each industry is unique and one wrong move can be the detriment of a career. So when Corey and Joi Venison decided to jump into the hair and beauty industry, it was a risk. But the risk was well worth it.

THE PRECURSOR TO SUCCESS

Joi, originally from Los Angeles, attended law school in Louisiana before moving to Houston in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Corey is from Port Arthur and owned several different businesses there. The two met,

began dating, and combined their intellect to execute their vision in business.

Corey already had experience with the hair business, so six years ago the couple collaborated to create Crème de la Crème Hair – a high-end hair boutique that offers exotic human hair extensions. At the time, Joi was an attorney with her own private practice.

“We started selling our hair in the conference room of my law office,” Joi said.

It wasn’t easy in the beginning. The couple took a lot of losses trying to build their brand.

“People were hesitant to take us seriously at first. To them, we were just a couple of young black people trying to sell something,” Corey said. “We were passing out fliers and I even got ran out of a few salons. It took time

Corey and Joi Venison have created a lifestyle of luxury for themselves by breaking into the multibillion dollar hair industry.

business venture.

Joi saw the movie ‘Good Hair’ starring Chris Rock, which explored the ins and outs of the African American hair industry, and it opened her eyes to an entirely new gold mine.

“I don’t even wear weave so I wasn’t aware of the demand and cost for it,” she said.

In the movie, Rock found that the biggest moneymaker in the hair business was weaves, with the hottest hair on the market coming from India. It was the second leading export, behind software.

With many of their Crème de la Crème clients reel-

Super Weave Xpress is a full-service salon; customers can also purchase their Creme de la Creme hair in-store.

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November 2013

ing from the economic effects of the Recession, Joi and Corey aimed to find a way for their clients to receive the same quality hair they were accustomed to at an affordable price. By offering the affordable hair, they hoped to expand their clientele to include other groups who are looking for quality hair.

Joi and Corey’s answer to this demand was Super Weave Xpress, which opened its doors in August 2012.

Joi left the law field, in which she was doing quite well with her private practice, to fully devote herself to the business.

“When I saw how fast it was growing and that the beauty and hair industry was a multibillion dollar industry, it was pretty much a no-brainer for me,” she said. “I saw the vision – if I could become a leader in this multibillion dollar industry, then I’d rather take a chance and get even one percent of that. I could’ve had a comfortable living in my law profession, but I couldn’t become wealthy. With Crème de la Crème and Super Weave Xpress, we can have multiple locations and make money whether I’m at the shop or not. I would rather be a part of a multibillion dollar industry.”

Clients can not only buy their Crème de la Crème hair from Super Weave Xpress, located at 3113 Fountain View, but they can also get their hair sewn in for as little as $50.

Super Weave Xpress boasts the tagline “Houston’s Home of the $50 Sew-In Weave.” Prices range from $50$130, depending on the service. Clients are offered various services, including custom wigs, custom colors, lace fronts, shampoo and style, weave removal, and natural hair care.

“We are a full-service salon open seven days a week,” Joi said.

Joi and Corey experienced an influx of business, so much that within a year, they opened a second Houston location at 1960 and Veterans Memorial. Additionally, Super Weave Xpress has a franchise in Beaumont, one in Baton Rouge, La. and one in Lake Charles, La. “We went from having four stylists to 15 stylists [at our flagship location], and we have nine stylists at the 1960 location,” Corey said. “We do about 30 clients a day; Thursday, Friday and Saturday we see about 45 to 50 clients a day.”

BUSINESS ON AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL Crème de la Crème ships to customers internationally and serves clients of all ethnicities. They import pure virgin remy hair directly from India, Brazil, and Russia. The

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The successes Corey and Joi have through their businesses will leave a legacy for their children.

FUTURE PLANS Joi and Corey have plans to expand Super Weave Xpress through business partnerships and franchising.

“We’re not the average company,” Corey said. “We have the blueprint – the key to getting rich. We are just looking for those who want to franchise. Women’s beauty and hair is always going to be in demand.”

Corey advises all business owners, especially African American business owners, to take the risk – it’s worth it.

Corey shares a quote with his Super Weave Xpress stylists often: “Go from being good to being great.”

The couple hopes for Super Weave Xpress to be as well-known as Supercuts salons and to be, as they put it, “the Redbox of beauty.”

“What we have is duplicable. That’s the difference between us and other businesses,” Joi said. “Super Weave

Joi and Corey are married and have one daughter, 4, and one nine-month-old son. They plan to not only continue, but surpass their current levels of success.

“God put the two perfect people together who never wanted to settle,” Corey said. “Our goal is to be the best salon in Texas, the best salon in the world, really. We fight every day for greatness.”

FRANCHISING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE! hair is available for purchase online and in-store at Super Weave Xpress.

“It’s definitely important to conduct business internationally because you can broaden your customer base,” Joi said. “No one here in the U.S. cuts their hair off to donate for religious purposes. We’re not able to get the products in America that our customers need and want.

It’s an entirely different market. By expanding our outlook, we’re able to offer better products here in the U.S.

Xpress can be put anywhere because everybody needs to get their hair done. Every nationality buys hair now. Celebrities have made wearing hair extensions cool – but our hair extensions are affordable.”

Super Weave Xpress 3113 Fountain View Houston, Tx 77057 832.729.4425 www.superweavexpress.com info@superweavexpress.com

@SWXHOUSTON

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@SWXHOUSTON

6.

November 2013

Looking for Guaranteed Income in Retirement?

Look to Annuities living your money.

Only you can decide whether or not an annuity may be right for you. But since an annuity purchase takes careful consideration, it’s important for you to shop with the assistance of a qualified financial professional. He or she can help you learn more about the many types of annuities – and the important role they can play in giving you greater financial security in retirement.

Prepared by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. The information contained in this article is for general, informational purposes only. Guardian, its subsidiaries, agents or employees do not give tax or legal advice. You should consult your tax or legal advisor regarding your individual situation.

The Power of Customer Loyalty in Building Your Business

By Mena Freeman Contributing Writer

T

oday, Americans are living longer. While that’s great news on one hand, the challenge facing today’s retirees is how to avoid outliving their income. Those who qualify for Social Security can reasonably expect to receive a benefit for their entire life; the same goes for those who receive a pension benefit.

But for many individuals today, their primary source of retirement income is a contributory retirement plan account, such as a 401(k) or 403(b) plan. With these plans, there is usually no “guarantee” with respect to how long an individual’s money will last once withdrawals begin. It all depends on: • how much money is contributed to the plan over the years (by both the individual and his or her employer, if there is an employer “match”); • how much those contributions have gained value over time (if at all, since it is possible to lose money in these accounts); and • how quickly the individual withdraws his or her money.

• One Solution for Reliable Income in Retirement Many who are planning for retirement realize that, in addition to Social Security, they want a source of income they can rely on once they’ve left the workforce – income that can last a lifetime. That’s why many individuals turn to annuities.

An annuity is a financial product that can provide a steady source of income, with guarantees that can help future retirees be

more confident that they’ll have a reliable stream of income they can count on.

How an Annuity Works An annuity is a financial product that lets an individual turn their annuity premium dollars (i.e., the amount they pay for the annuity) into a stream of income payments.

Annuity purchasers need to keep in mind that they are giving up rights to their premium dollars in exchange for the steady stream of income. That’s why it’s important that an annuity not be bought without giving careful consideration to how it works: what the individual is giving up, and what he or she will gain in return. With certain types of annuities, for example, a refund or “reversal” is not possible once the product has been purchased.

Some individuals find that the greatest advantage of an annuity is the fact that, if structured properly, it can provide guaranteed income for their lifetime (or any other period of time they wish).

The Benefits of Annuities • Payouts can be selected that will last over one lifetime, two lifetimes, or a specific period of time.

• Buyers can choose their income payout frequency – such as monthly, quarterly or annually.

• Once a payout frequency and method have been chosen, the amount of guaranteed income usually stays predictable and level over the length of the payout period.

Speak with Your Financial Professional In addition to other sources of income that you may receive during your retirement years, having a guaranteed source of lifetime income may give you the confidence and ability to enjoy retirement the way that it should be enjoyed – doing the things you love without the worry of out-

By Vellore Sunder Contributing Writer

W

hether selling cupcakes, hamburgers, widgets or wedding gowns, every business has a specific audience they strive to capture as loyal customers. When loyal customers become advocates for your business, the opportunity for growth – and profitability – increases. But building a loyal customer base requires more than providing a product or service at a competitive price. Loyal customers are earned over time through, among many things, relationship building. Here are a few of my favorite tips (and the benefits) of building a loyal customer base for any business.

Talk, Talk, and Talk Some More. It sounds simple, but business owners many times forget to engage in dialogue with their customers. Today, it’s not enough to speak to your audience via one channel and expect they will “hear” you. Successful businesses turn ordinary customers into loyal customers by leveraging multiple communications channels to tell their story and provide content their audience deems useful and relevant. The more value you can bring to your customers, the more likely they will remember you when they have a need for a product or service that you can provide.

Show Your Value. Loyal customers are happy, satisfied customers. The easiest way to achieve customer loyalty is through impeccable customer service.

Customer satisfaction evolves over time

through a series of actions and interactions with your clients. Knowing what your clients want today, anticipating their needs in the future, problem solving and delivering your product or service in a timely manner are the building blocks for a loyal customer base. Also, tapping into your stable of trusted business relationships (vendors, other service providers) and become, in essence, a one-stop resource for your customers. Repeated episodes of customer satisfaction produce customer delight, and this paves the way for loyalty. Engaging in dialogue as stated earlier will also provide ideas for improving the value delivered to the customers.

Remember to ask yourself: What else can I do to demonstrate my value to my customers and why they’re important to me?

Take it Personally. For many business owners, customers are like extended family. By staying active in the lives of existing customers – whether it be remembering their last order, a birthday or simply calling them by their first name – a business can build a loyal customer database that can pay dividends in the form of referrals, increased advocacy and repeat business.

It’s important to think beyond the transaction when building your business.

After all, it’s because of customer loyalty and retention that many businesses are able to expand their footprint and enjoy long-term successes.

Dr.Vellore Sunder is the Director of Academic Affairs at University of Phoenix Houston Campus with more than 12 years of experience in higher education, and nearly 30 years of global marketing and sales experience. Dr. Sunder authored “Outsourcing & Customer Satisfaction,” a book specific to the PC Help-desk services. He has an MBA from University of Oklahoma and a Doctorate in Business Administration from University of Phoenix.

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November 2013

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November 2013

End of Year: Wind Down, Gear Up or Both?

By Alvin E. Terry, MBA Contributing Writer

A

s we begin to observe the holiday season, as business professionals, we must reflect on the previous 10 months as it relates to our individual business plans.

Comparing actual vs. planned projections will bring everything into focus. Were you on target or just floundering along?

I must admit, my target kept moving also. The economy had a great impact on some sectors of the business community that was our primary focus. I always say “our” because I am in it with you to win it. Some sectors experienced growth while other sectors maintained and others just vanished altogether.

This year of 2013 has been a challenge for the entire Global Economic Community, notwithstanding the influences of politics. “Made in America” has been the driving force to help the economy get back to a level of some consistency. It is a reality that we must identify how we can

collaborate with synergist businesses that complement each other.

As we review all of the activity that has taken place over the past 10 months, we must believe and practice how positive relationships are complementary to each other. At times we all have identified that we cannot make this thing of small business become successful with a whim of our imagination.

I understand that this is a “bunch of work” that is dynamic and changing before our very eyes. Maneuvering through this maze of positioning your business and staying on course with your perceived business plan requires constant attention.

In respect to your individual business plans, please focus on the numbers. The numbers are the bottom lines for all of us.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of the numbers. The numbers are indicative of how we are progressing with our individual business plans. I know that many will not possess formal business education, but that is what makes us entrepreneurs.

We all have that calling that has brought us to this point. This is what any small business entrepreneur anywhere is all about. The will to believe that we can get it done is just that: we can. It is that passion and commitment that will make the dream come alive.

As we progress through this evolution of business development and growth we must be attentive to where we are in this process of growth. Some businesses will grow at a rapid rate depending upon the need of the consumer; some businesses will experience consistent growth and some businesses will stall and stagnate and cease to exist.

The most important thing is to be cognizant of what is happening and influencing your profit margins.Being aware of the internal and external influences that affect your successful business potential is paramount.

If you are experiencing consistent episodes of cash flow problems, customer dissatisfaction, employee turnover and other instances that are affecting your ability to operate a successful business op-

eration, then it may be the time to either to have some other consultants assist you in getting back on track.

Please be mindful that it may be influences that you may not ever be able to control. As I have pointed out before, seven out of 10 businesses fail for a variety of reasons.

If you have experienced the ongoing day-to-day activity of dealing with customers, employees, vendors, suppliers, advertisers, and marketers, then you are a small business entrepreneur. All small businesses start the same way. Even generals have to go through basic training.

The most important thing is to be cognizant, or mindful, and vigilante of knowing where you are in the process and the evolution of where you are in respect to where your business is in fulfilling your customer’s needs. If you are not fulfilling that need, now is the time to decide on the next course of action for the New Year if you decide to keep going forward to grow a business that will have the capacity to sustain the test of time.

Keep in mind that all big businesses started out as a small business, as an idea in some one’s mind. If is not working for you, change it, modify it, or let it go.

Most importantly, be prepared to make a change.

Contact me for information on Business or Real Estate at alvin.terry@rocketmail. com or by cell: 713-392-9107.

Is Borrowing from your 401(k) a Good Idea – Three Things you Should Consider!

By Lonnie Mathews Contributing Writer

O

ver the past couple years you may or may not have noticed that the stock market has done exceptionally well. During times when people see their retirement account balance swell, there is always the temptation to take out a loan from your 401(k).

Usually when I do a workshop or seminar on getting out of debt, it almost never fails. Someone will eventually ask “What are your thoughts on borrowing from your 401(k) to pay off debt.”

My first response is to tell that person that they are not really paying off debt when you borrow from your retirement account. The only thing you are doing is transferring your current debt to a loan against your long-term retirement funds.

First rule when it comes to getting out of debt is “you can’t get out of debt by bor-

rowing money.” That’s like trying to get out of a hole by digging the hole deeper.

According to recent statistics, 21% of the nation’s 401(k) plan participants have loans against their plan as of 2011. According to the Employment Benefits Research Institute – EBRI, that is an 18% increase from the 2008 participants that had loans on their 401(k).

In most cases you can borrow up to 50% of your retirement account balance not to exceed $50,000. You usually can take up to five years to pay the loan back. While there are some good reasons to consider borrowing from your 401(k), such as making a down payment on a home purchase or paying for college tuition.

Here are three things you should consider before taking out a loan against your 401(k): The possibility of default While no one ever believes or thinks they are going to default on a loan, it

does happen. Studies show some 15% of 401(k) loan balances go into default.

When you fail to make the scheduled payments on your loan, the total unpaid balance will be treated as a withdrawal.

Defaulting on a 401(k) loan would cause you to be subject to income taxes and possibly penalties.

Leaving your job early When you decide to take a loan out on your retirement account, make sure your job situation is secure. According to economist at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, “at least 75% of the workers who leave their jobs with a 401(k) loan end up defaulting,” which again makes this a taxable transaction, and in many cases, penalties.

Opportunity Cost The last thing you should think about when considering taking a loan from your 401(k) to pay down debt is the opportunity cost of taking money out of your long-term retirement vehicle. Your 401(k) is considered an investment ac-

count which means that your funds are usually invested in various equity investments like stocks, mutual funds and bonds. When you take out a loan on your 401(k), the money that was invested no longer has the opportunity to grow as fast and work for your future.

While in most cases when you pay the loan off, the interest is being credited to your account. However, the rate is usually no more than the prime interest rate. As a result, when the stock market is doing well like it has the past three years, you are missing out on some great returns that would benefit you more in the long run.

I recently checked my retirement account and was pleasantly surprised to see that had earned 23.3% year-to-date.

While borrowing from your 401(k) to pay off debt has some advantages – it is easy to get the loan and the interest rate is lower that most credit card rates – you have to ask yourself two things: 1) Have I addressed the issues that lead to the other debt in the first place? 2) Can you afford to take the long-term hit to your retirement, or is there a better alternative?

Lonnie R. Mathews wrote this article for the Who’s Minding Your Money blog. Lonnie is an author and speaker in the area of personal finance. To learn more about Lonnie or to contact him visit http://www.lonniemathews.com

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November 2013

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November 2013

Greater Houston Black Chamber Celebrates Black Businesses at 2013 Pinnacle Awards

By Valerie Jones Contributing Writer

T

he Greater Houston Black Chamber’s (GHBC) 19th Annual African American Business Achievement Pinnacle Awards celebrated some of the city’s best business entrepreneurs and professionals.

“The Pinnacle Awards is an equal opportunity to recognize outstanding black businesses in the Greater Houston Metropolitan area,” said Eric Lyons, GHBC President and CEO. “This awards program increases the awareness of those

businesses to large-scale corporations and the general community, which may lead to increased business opportunities for those companies that are Pinnacle Award finalists.”

The theme for the GHBC in 2013 was transformation. It went through a name change (formerly it was the Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce) as well as increased the number of programs offered to members and the general community.

“Our women’s initiative “EmpowerWomen” was launched with great success and we had national partnerships with Major League Baseball and the National Black MBA Association on economic development projects.”

Cathy Hughes, founder and president of Radio One, earned a Lifetime Achievement Award and provided the keynote address at the Pinnacle Awards event.

MR. DMARS was honored with the Chairman’s Innovation Award, which recognizes a business that continues to thrive and grow in a changing environment through reinvention and adaptation of new trends and patterns.

The 2013 Pinnacle Awards winners are Lucious Barnum, Pennum Industries; Niles Dillard, Superior Video Productions, Inc.; Jamal Thompson, Velocity Unified Communications; and Renee Logans, Access Data. The Mack H. Hannah, Jr. Upstart Business Award, which recognizes a growing business on the path to

entrepreneurial greatness that has been in operation less than two years, was awarded to La Tanya D. Walker of President and CEO of JOLT! LLC.

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November 2013

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November 2013

Five Insider Strategies to Expand Your Minority Business Through Government Contracting – Part One of a Two-Part Series

T

he State of Texas and the City of Houston are fertile lands for small and minority businesses to grow their revenue and expand. And with the abundance of help available through many organizations such as Chambers of Commerce, Small Business Administration, government agency’s Small Business Development Departments, Minority Business Development Councils, Small Business Development Centers, and many more, it is a must-go time for minority businesses to take calculated risks to expand their footprint through government contracting.

To make a shift in expanding your minority business in government contracting, keep in mind that it will take smart strategies like executing with laser focus, leveraging your current client base and enhancing your internal systems to do so.

Also, using proven strategies helps minority firms’ to use their time wisely and to save money when expanding.

From industry data collected over a period of time, five strategies were found to be gems and can help minority businesses succeed in expanding their footprint in government contracting. Three of the five strategies are highlighted below.

By Helen Callier Contributing Writer

1

Sub-to-Prime Local, State and Federal government agencies award, negotiate and establish contracts with one entity for legal purposes. This company is known as the Prime contractor or consultant, depending on the type of contract and scope involved. Regardless, if a Prime Contractor or Consultant serves as a Prime on a government contract, it carries high risk.

The Sub-to-Prime strategy allows minority firms to generate revenue and to expand without assuming the liability for the government project awarded. It also provides an environment for minority businesses to build their company resume and strengthen firm’s capabilities while being informally mentored by the Prime – a large corporate organization. Another plus with this strategy is if your minority firm decides to submit a proposal as a Prime on future solicitations, you can use your subcontract projects as proof of a particular scope or agency experience. Other benefits gained from the Sub-to-Prime strategy to expand include improved cash flow from a government agency’sprompt payment policies to minority businesses and specialized training offered by the Prime.

2

Joint Venture

A Joint Venture (JV) in government contracting involves two or more firms establishing a legal business entity to pursue market opportunities and subsequently, to grow revenues through combining the perspective firms’ strengths. By participating in Joint Venture, a minority business can expand their business footprint in Houston, in the State, or in other parts of the country. The minority firm would be a Prime with its Joint Venture Partners on a government project and will enjoy the benefits that typically go along with being a Prime. In addition, this strategy enables minority firms to learn new skills and gain experience while building inside government agency relationships to support their expansion efforts. Note: Many government agency Small Business Development Managers consider the JV strategy as a key and smart strategy to use in the 21st century. It allows minority businesses to increase their capacity to pursue large-sized projects that they might not have been capable of pursuing alone. And this strategy can provide minority firms with a stable flow of revenue to use to further expand their firm’s footprint in the government marketplace.

3

Mentor Protege

The Mentor Protégé strategy is worthwhile to use in expanding because it opens doors and enables the minority firm to piggy-back with the Mentor into other government market sectors or to expand footprints in a new geographic location. Mentoring relationships can be formal (i.e. application submitted and accepted into a government agency Mentor Protégé Program) or it can be informal with a large Prime. Either way, it is important that there is synergy in the Mentor’s and Protégé’s business principles including ethics; and both recognize how each play a role within each firm’s value chain in delivering products or services to a targeted government agency client. With an understanding of each other’s business philosophy, alignment of principles and a genuine trust in place, the minority business (Protégé) can leverage the relationship with Mentor to grow strategically into other markets. This strategy is a proven model and minority firms can learn more Mentor Protégé Programs by visiting www.sba.gov or www.houstontx. gov and select Public Works and Engineering Small Business Program.

In summary, as the owner of a minority business providing Technical Services in the government market, I have personal experience in growth, using the above-mentioned three growth and expansion strategies. You can connect with me via LinkedIn. For the remaining two insider strategies for expanding your minority business footprint through government contracting, pick up D-MARS December 2013 Business Journal at a location near you or read it online at www.d-mars.com. Also, in Part Two of this series, an economic forecast for 2014 will be highlighted for small and minority businesses.

Helen Callier, President of Bradlink LLC, a Technical Services Firm, bestselling author of “Your Money is in the Follow-up,” radio show host and speaker. Tel: 281.312.9981 www. yourmoneyisinthefollowup.com

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November 2013

Making the Right Choices in Business with Kevin “Brother D-MARS” Davis 1

Make sure you have the right supporting team around you when you get your game plan together for your business.

2

Make sure you enjoy whatever business you choose to pursue.

3

In a service-oriented business, make sure the equipment you choose gives you the best quality of service for your money.

4

If you choose to sell a product, make sure it has no safety hazards that you may be liable for.

5

In choosing a product to sell, make sure you buy at the lowest possible cost which in turn will yield you the highest possible profit.

6

Choosing the right uniform for your company can make a very big first impression to a customer about your company.

1Whichever comes first. For full details on BMW Ultimate Service® visit bmwusa.com/ultimateservice. ©2013 BMW of North America, LLC. The BMW name, model names and logo are registered trademarks.

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November 2013

How to Expand Your Business in Today’s Marketplace…

By Kachelle Kelly Contributing Writer

T

he internet began with the original intent to share raw data between researchers through text, email, sound and pictures but has exploded to a staple in our lives that dictates how we connect with others, gain our news and information but more excitingly, how we do business around the world. As business owners, we have the opportunity to expand our business blueprint in a way that’s truly limitless! Long gone are the days when you simply opened your doors and twiddled your thumbs hoping someone would stop by your storefront. You now have the opportunity to demand to be noticed, open and sell 24/7 and market to people around the globe for a low cost, if not free! Your business can explode through social media, testimonials, your website, building a strong email list, blogging and video. You can achieve surefire success by combining these efforts while thinking outside the box and standing out from your competition.

I remember the day I saw “Follow Us on Facebook” on the bottom of my Forever 21 shopping bag in 2010. I knew from that moment, social media was about to explode for businesses and we would never look back. Success leaves clues and when I received that clue, I too started a fan page for people to “Follow Me on Facebook.” From that, I was able to open the “virtual doors” to my coaching practice with my first client in Rome, by using Skype and then others followed in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Louisville and Miami until I had a full practice.

Each of my clients still today have found, followed, or watched a video of me on social media. It is the fastest and most cost effective way to expand your business if you master the “art” of social media.

Before you begin posting and marketing, you must get clear on your business’ avatar, your ideal client. Ask yourself questions about who they are, what they are interested in, struggles and so on.

Once you are clear, you now understand how to communicate their solution.

When you generalize your niche to just women or men, you lose the opportunity to connect and work with your ideal clients. You also stand out among your competition by understanding your audience. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of other businesses that do exactly what you do. You need to answer the question of “Why should consumers choose you?”

When you market, you want potential

clients to say to themselves, “yes…this is exactly what I have been looking for and need; where do I sign up?” So don’t forget to provide a “call of action” on how they can do just that at the end of your posts.

People invest in people, a feeling of authenticity, and connection. As small business owners, the key is to develop the “KLT” factor with your followers. Make your audience feel as if they know you enough to like and trust you! This is successfully achieved by putting out what I call “Private-Public” information – personal things that are privacy appropriate and you don’t mind telling the public.

Venting private thoughts on personal relationships and conflicts is a huge nono. And if you know you can’t maintain a steady relationship right now, steer clear from posting pictures of your random and brief attempts to find love. Never share anything that makes you look unstable. Your only job is to become a likable authority in your field. Your posts should point back to your audience understanding your business, product and offerings without being too “salesy.” No one wants to give their money to a fool or someone who may have a great product but come across as negative, arrogant, disrespectful, always drunk at happy hour or just pushing their services down their throats. Your primary focus is to share parts of your personal and brand personality to cause your audience to buy into you as a person with whom they wouldn’t mind doing business. Also, it helps to be consistent enough so when they do need your services, you are on the forefront of their minds.

Twitter is unique in that you are able to connect with celebrities in “real time” and use hash tags to gain exposure. For instance, if you specialize in natural hair, find all the celebrities that are into natu-

ral hair care, blog about your product or services, and share with them by tweeting your post and including their twitter handle and hash tags. Commit to doing this once or twice or week and you are bound to be either re-tweeted or contacted, possibly landing an unpaid celebrity endorsement. The comment or tweet can be used on your site and social media posts as testimonials. And it doesn’t cost you a dime!

Testimonials are major for consumers looking to make a decision to work with you. No one wants to be a guinea pig for your business while paying money. So if you are just starting out, offer your services to a couple of people at no charge as a focus group, rock the opportunity and requests testimonials in return to share on your website and social media.

Aside from allowing visitors to connect with you and read more information about your company, your website should achieve two main goals: building your list and making you money. Building a strong email subscribership allows you to have customers that are already interested in you and your services as a stable customer base. You are able to build a strong community of loyal customers to advertise and market special offerings to, rather than constantly casting a fishing net for new clients. They may hang around on your lists for years and never buy but eventually they will. Compare your email list to the concept of dating. It’s rare for two people to get married after the first date. The courtship begins and then the commitment follows. Same thing with your list, court them by allowing them to feel comfortable by giving them a reason why they should spend their hard earned money with your company. Provide offers in a tier – for example, offer something free on your website in return for their email address. People are inundated with emails these days. Give them a taste of

your expertise to start the courtship and then offer low-cost services all the way up to your granddaddy of all services, your highest price product. Give them the option to gain confidence in you rather than hitting them with high priced items out of the gate.

Blogging is the new black. Why? Blogging allows your audience to gain more insight on you and your company, making you more relatable. And with blogs, you are able to add taglines, search engine optimization (SEO) to increase your online reach for those who are simply using Google to find topics that you’ve added to your blog. Video blogging, which is referred to, as “vlogging” is king! In a fast-paced world, people are more likely to watch a video on YouTube than read a lengthy blog post. Your video doesn’t have to be long or super professional. It can be recorded on your smartphone but packed with valuable content. Videos go viral and are a great way to increase not only your visibility but also your credibility in your field. Video gives your audience the opportunity to further connect with you and essentially make the decision to do business with you based on that connection.

These are just few of many ways to expand your business footprint in a costeffective way, yet yielding a great return.

The keys are to constantly reinvent your marketing efforts to keep up with the times and follow the business models of globally successful companies. Even if these models are in different industries than your business, successful business models are universal. If you are interested in more ways to grow your business or need accountability to make things happen in your business, contact me for more information on coaching services at kk@ kachellekelly.com

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November 2013

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November 2013

Make Sure You Are Doing These Five Things to Grow Your Small Business

By Rachel Wilson Thibodeaux Contributing Writer

A

lthough we are still recovering from the “Great Recession” and still dealing with a sluggish economy, small businesses, particularly women-owned businesses, continue to be created. More people, whether as a result of downsizing, increasingly stressful jobs, lack of flexible schedules, a desire to make what they are worth, or perhaps all of the above, are starting their own businesses.

Nevertheless, there are challenges to these businesses that cannot be ignored.

From 2007-2012, small businesses’ total net job loss was nearly double their 30% share of total employment. Also, a recent Businessweek.com article (October 11, 2013) indicates sales for U.S. small businesses are down significantly this year.

Unless we have a phenomenal Q4, sales are on par to increase by just 2-3% for 2013.

We know there will always be challenges for small businesses, but there are things the smart business owner should be doing to promote growth. If you are not doing these five things (or rarely doing them), you are setting yourself and

your business up for failure. Don’t believe in failure? Then at the least, you’re flirting with major disappointment.

1. Never stop building relationships strategically. You have probably already heard how important it is to build relationships. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Nothing really new there. This is also related to networking. You may have not heard that you need a strategy for building relationships. You need to answer a few questions: what are you looking to accomplish from this relationship? What can you offer that relationship? Does this need to be a long-term relationship (contrary to prevalent but outdated advice, every relationship you establish does not need to be long-term)? Have a plan for building relationships both online and offline. How much time can you realistically devote to this? Periodically, evaluate how your current relationships are beneficial. This is not just about new business. Don’t forget about mentoring opportunities, personal development, inspiration, and just making you laugh.

2. Be extremely clear on your target audience. My target audience is professional, ambitious women, ages 2545, interested in leveraging strategic

thinking to be more successful. They also have a sense of humor because most of my consulting and content is delivered with humor (a little profanity is not unheard of…don’t judge me).

Finally, while they want to be mega successful professionally, they also want a successful love life. I address the boardroom and the bedroom. It is not for everyone. It is not for all women, all professionals, or all ages. This is not just about developing a niche. It is about who you want to have as your ideal client. Who/what do you feel the most passionate about? Do you have personal experience with this group?

(Hint: that answer should be yes.) You will never be successful with a group with which you cannot identify. And you cannot identify with everyone.

3. You don’t have to embrace all change, but you’re dead if you don’t embrace change that impacts your business.

You may not like your teenage daughter’s latest boyfriend. That’s okay. He may not be around long, and he probably is not putting any money in your pocket (unless maybe he’s Justin Bieber or Diggy Simmons). You do have to at least learn to like (or tolerate) social media. It is here to stay folks. It will continue to evolve, but it is not likely to go anywhere. It has impacted just about every major part of life (i.e. business, politics, education, dating).

Social media has helped level the playing field in business. How else are you able to connect with super successful people and potential customers across the nation and world who you may never have a chance of meeting? Also, understand and embrace any generational changes as it applies to your audience. Baby boomers are beginning to retire en mass. That is not just a change; it is a fact. Ask yourself if that can benefit your business. Generation Y, or Millennials, cannot live without their mobile devices – whether it’s reading, gaming, communicating, or buying, Generation Y does most of it via mobile. If you do not realize that, then you’re already behind. If you do not leverage it, forget about connecting with (let alone selling to) people under age 30. Identify what change(s) impact your business. If you do not like the change, suck it up and find a way to make nice. Your bottom line depends on it.

4. Don’t just say you appreciate your customers; show them. This should go without saying, but I will still say it. Your customers/audience is your business. You have to show them love so they can feel the love. Did I say show them the love? Never think your customers need you more than you need them. Unless you have stupid, extremely uninformed customers (not impossible but not likely), they will figure out they can get better service for their money – maybe for less

money. Give out some free stuff from time to time. Reach out to select customers periodically just to tell them how much you appreciate their business. Send handwritten notes (or delegate an assistant to do so). Keeping up with birthdays is good, but keeping up with anniversaries, their favorite sports team, favorite drink, or where they spent their best vacation shows you’re interested in more of their lives than just what they can do for you.

5. Heard of ABC? Add ABL to that…

Always Be Learning. Another one that should be pretty evident, although often business owners stop making this a priority over time. Big mistake! No matter how brilliant and wonderful you are, you will never know everything. Furthermore, you may not know what you do not know.

That could possibly be a bigger mistake. Commit to lifetime learning. Of course this should include learning more about business trends, the economy, what successful entrepreneurs are doing, social media, helpful apps, financial planning, relationship building, etc. I could go on. What may not be quite as obvious is the importance to keep learning about yourself. Just as your business and clients will evolve, you will evolve as well (or you should).

What makes sense to you today may not make sense in a year. Understand that and understand why. This requires you to keep learning about you.

Do not try to take a shortcut and just do 2-3 of these. That will help but will not get your business where you really want it to be. Some of them overlap which makes it easier. You can strategically build relationships while also showing clients appreciation along with ABL. If this ever seems like it is too much, here is a bonus tip: have a sense of humor. Laughter can get you through just about anything. If you are the real thing in terms of a business owner, you will also be able to laugh because you know there is always light at the end of the tunnel – even if you have to flip on the light yourself.

Rachel Wilson Thibodeaux, also known as The SWAG Strategist, is the Founder & Chief Strategist of SWAG Strategy Solutions which provides consulting, training, financial planning, and content generation. She is the author of the forthcoming book, “The SWAGinista Guide to Running the World.”

She is especially passionate about working with professional women who want to leverage their inner SWAG (Strategic Women Achieve Growth) to be more successful.

Twitter - @swagstrategist.com Linked In - linkedin.com/in/theswagstrategist Facebook - Swaginista Guide Website - www.swagstrategy.com

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November 2013

Sailing in the Gale! chestrated or appointed.

We have to stop underestimating the power that’s inside all of us. This power propels us in our life’s direction and either we can go with the flow of the gale or we go against it. Poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox writes in her poem, ‘Tis the Set of the Sail:

By Noel Pinnock Contributing Writer

M

artin Luther, the man who sparked the Protestant Reformation, said you can milk cows to the glory of God. You can clean toilets to the glory of God. Why? It's your attitude that says, 'God I'm doing it as if I'm doing it for you.'

For instance, let’s say you make beds in a hotel; you are probably going to make them nicer if you think, 'I'm doing this as if Jesus were going to sleep in this bed.'

Work is something that we do every day. Some get paid to do it…others do it as a matter of keeping their minds alert and their bodies in motion. We call it volunteering. In either case, we should not labor in vain. There is something that we can change or someone that can be changed by our involvement or by a word that was planted in our hearts years ago for that person who intersects our lives at the precise time that it was divinely or-

But to every mind there openeth, A way, and way, and away, A high soul climbs the highway, And the low soul gropes the low, And in between on the misty flats, The rest drift to and fro.

But to every man there openeth, A high way and a low, And every mind decideth, The way his soul shall go.

One ship sails East, And another West, By the self-same winds that blow, 'Tis the set of the sails And not the gales, That tells the way we go.

Like the winds of the sea Are the waves of time,

As we journey along through life, 'Tis the set of the soul, That determines the goal, And not the calm or the strife.

I agree with Ella 99 percent, with one exception. It is not the set of the sail but it is the gale that tells the way we go. We can’t control the wind inasmuch as we can control the seasons. We can predict, forecast, or formulate an educated guess but when we live or work in faith there is no telling what God will do through us or for us.

Our attitudes toward our life’s work determine our life’s work attitude towards us. How we think affects our approach to the success journey in our lives.

What I believe about life determines…

How I perceive life, which determines…

What I receive from life.

If we expect the worst, we will certainly get it. If we expect the best, even when negative circumstances come our way – and they will because a positive attitude doesn’t stop the storms at sea – we can still make the best of it and keep pressing forward.

If you talk to people in the top organizations across our country, the higher you go, the better the attitudes you’ll discover.

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A Fortune 500 study found that 94 percent of all the executives surveyed attributed their success more to attitude than any other factor.

A good attitude makes it possible for us to be successful. It gives us fuel so that we can pursue our divine purpose, grow to our potential, and sow seeds benefiting others. It can give us the staying power to improve. But it also makes the journey more enjoyable along the way – no matter where it takes us. As former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden said, “Things turn out the best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.”

At the end of the day or top of the morning, we must be bold, be joyful, be Godly and above all – set our sails! #getait!

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It’s your moment.

No matter your passion, HCC can help turn your dreams into reality.

If you’re just getting started, or starting a new chapter, we have the skills and knowledge that meet your goals and your schedule. HCC has convenient locations andhundreds of programs and degree plans. What are waiting for? Go get it. It’s yours.

Your journey begins here.

visit hccs.edu to learn about our logistics program

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November 2013

Hot and Heavy Marketing: Online Users' Love Affair with Social Media

By Casie Fuchs Contributing Writer

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t is common that the average person uses the computer on a daily basis and often times, this is for social networking. If your business is needing a pick up, it is time for you to give your best shot at social media marketing. This article will help get your business where you want it to be.

Whenever you're having a sale or a special promotion, you should use social media to promote it. You can post on Facebook, Twitter, a blog, and whatever other social networking sites you use and get your sale viewed by hundreds, if not thousands of people. It's a quick and free way to get people to know about your promotions.

Develop quality content targeted for social media. If you are just haphazardly flinging words, advertising or any number of mundane snippets at your customers, then you are wasting your time and losing their business. Be as concerned about your social content offerings as you are for the content on your business site.

Never spam when posting on social media. Posting spam is the quickest way to lose followers and damage you and your companies’ reputation. Spam posts on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites make any legitimate marketing difficult. If your posts are just a few words and a link to a product, you are posting spam. Give relevant content or reviews along with any links you post.

Try using linking applications on Twitter to post to your other social media profiles at the same time. These linking applications are a huge time saver. When you post a message on Twitter, it will automatically post the same message on your Facebook, YouTube, and Google+ profiles, so you don't have to sign into all of them to post the same content.

Post new content regularly. If you do not update your status at least once a week, your followers will forget that you exist. Perhaps you could post new content on the same day or at the same hour so that your followers have something to look forward to and will think about logging on to see what you have posted.

You can have your Twitter posts appear on your Facebook wall as well. Perhaps writing different posts might be best since

your audience on Twitter might slightly differ from your Facebook friends, and Twitter is about writing extremely short posts. However, this allows you to update both websites very easily.

You can have your most important tweets posted again automatically. If you are launching a new product or doing something important, you should write a short message and have it appear in your followers' feeds every few hours or at least every day. Do not assume that Twitter users read through everything in their feed.

Invest in ad space on Facebook or other websites. These ads are targeted towards users who have used certain keywords related to your business in their status updates. You should get a lot of targeted visitors who will learn about your products even if they do not decide to 'like' your page.

Do not forget to post a link to your website or blog on your social network profiles. If someone hears about your products on a social network, they will need to have access to more information and see what you use as a storefront before they can decide to buy anything.

Ask your customers to give you details about how they use social networks, perhaps in exchange for a nice freebie. Make a social media page for your company if you think you have customers who are into social networking. However, if your customer base doesn't spend very much time on social media, don't use this type of advertising; focus on advertisements that will reach them.

To get a leg up on the social media marketing of competitors, embrace all forms of social media. Many companies assume that social media has matured and think they only need presence on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to cover their bases.

Savvy social media marketers remember that MySpace is still out there. Use it as well as rising newcomers like LinkedIn, SlideShare and Google+ to expose yourself in areas other players are not.

If you can harness the power of social media sites, you can achieve incredible results. Whether you'd like to promote your website, sell a product, or help your business make a name for itself, social media marketing is the way to do it. This article has given you all the information you need to get started, so start utilizing social media today!

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November 2013

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November 2013

Texas Southern University Hosts 2013 President’s Gala Texas Southern University honored six distinguished alumni and six community partners who represented excellence in achievement at the school’s annual President’s Gala.

The Distinguished Alumni included Ricky Anderson, Winfred Frazier, Dale Hawkins Long, Alice G. Mendoza, Perry J. Miller and Gerald W. Womack.

Community partners included CenterPoint Energy, Houston Endowment, The Port of Houston, Rev. William A. and Audrey H. Lawson, Roosevelt Petry, Jr. and Marlene Petry, and MR. D-MARS – who was named a Media Trendsetter Partner.

“I am extremely grateful to be recognized by Texas Southern University as a Media Trendsetter Partner. TSU is an HBCU with a rich history and is truly dedicated to bettering the community, much like we do at d-mars.com,” said Mr. D-MARS, President and CEO of d-mars.com. “I look forward to continuing a relationship with TSU and working with the school to fulfill its mission.”

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November 2013

How to Mentally Prepare for a Crisis in the Workplace

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d-mars.com News Provider

ecent events in the news have reminded us that unexpected, dangerous and stressful situations can happen anywhere: on the street corner, at the grocery store, and in the workplace.

While these situations are often chaotic, there are steps you can take to mentally prepare yourself to handle them better, whether you are an employee, a business owner or manager, or a bystander.

David Levine, senior vice president of Optum's Employee Assistance Program and an expert in workplace crisis response, says that anyone can take steps ahead of time to prepare themselves and their workplace to better handle a tragic or emotionally disturbing event. He offers a few suggestions anyone can try, starting today: • Evaluate your purpose – Those who feel they are a part of something bigger than themselves tend to exhibit higher levels of resiliency after a tragedy.

Workplaces that encourage volunteerism and community involvement, promote work-life balance and encourage an individual's sense of family are positioned to

nurture resiliency.

• Find ways to manage your stress – Stress can contribute to a host of health issues and can impact the way your brain works. During extreme situations, your brain moves away from abstract thinking, making even simple tasks – eating, sleeping, and solving basic math problems – difficult. If you're already in the habit of doing things to help you cope with everyday stress, such as exercise, relaxation techniques, or a hobby, that will put you at an advantage for dealing with a sudden crisis. It's also important that you don't turn to unhealthy habits as a way to cope, such as the use of nicotine, alcohol or drugs.

• Examine your relationships – Close relationships with family and friends can be invaluable at times of distress. Those with strong support networks tend to manage these challenges better and recover more quickly. By working to strengthen these relationships now, you'll have a strong support system in place to lean on in times of crisis.

For a business owner or manager, Levine says it's important to develop a crisis response plan and make sure you are familiar with its details so that in times

of need, you can respond quickly and calmly.

"When developing your response plan, consult with crisis experts or your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider to help design a plan that fits your workplace, including a strategy for providing counseling services to employees after a crisis in order to reduce the long-term effects of mental or emotional trauma," he says. "When tragedy strikes in the workplace, the response of leadership is critical to ensuring that employees remain healthy and productive."

Levine says leaders should focus on remembering the "ACT" crisis communication process: "Acknowledge, Communicate and Transition." He says this process has been found to be helpful for individuals and organizations as they recover from a stressful situation.

• Acknowledge and name the incident – Be visible and available, and use real language that specifically describes what occurred. Acknowledge that the incident has impacted the team and you.

This action can align leaders with their employees and reduce the likelihood of creating an atmosphere of blame and stagnation.

• Communicate with compassion and competence – Employees want to know that leadership cares about their safety and well-being, and is capable of leading effectively in the wake of a crisis.

During these difficult times, employers and managers must "know their stuff" when it comes to the logistics of responding to a crisis, but also be able to communicate in a compassionate way. Other colleagues or a crisis expert could be helpful in providing guidance as leaders prepare to talk to their staff about what happened.

• Begin to transition – Convey an expectation of recovery to help those who are impacted make the transition to viewing themselves as a "survivor" rather than a "victim." Communicate flexible and reasonable accommodations as people progress back to "normal" life at work. Some employees will be able to immediately function at full productivity; for those who take longer to get back to normal, you can help hasten their recovery by assigning tasks that are familiar and short-term.

In business, the power of planning is a well-documented key to success - and Levine says it's no different when it comes to responding to a workplace crisis.

"While operating through a crisis will never be an easy task, taking these steps now will help make the situation - should it arise - more manageable in the future."

He adds, "Whether you're an employee, manager, or bystander to a crisis, following these steps, along with knowing about your employer's critical incident policies, EAP and other support resources, will help you manage the unexpected."

For information on emotional health and dealing with crisis, visit www.liveandworkwell.com. - (BPT)

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November 2013

Think Mobile: Marketing Tips for Local Businesses d-mars.com News Provider

N

o doubt about it, mobile technology is transforming the way consumers live and businesses operate.

Today nearly 5 billion people use mobile phones around the world, with 1 billion of those phones being smartphones. According to research conducted by venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers, Americans check their smartphones more than 150 times a day.

Thanks to mobile technology, businesses of all sizes and industries – from your local brick and mortar shop to your favorite online retail site – have the opportunity to easily reach people on the go.

Take Accents Style, for example. This clothing boutique in Arlington, Texas creatively reaches mobile customers by hanging incentives in the dressing rooms, including a 10 percent discount on a purchase when customers "check-in," and a free pair of gold or silver hoop earrings when they "like" Accents Style's Facebook page. Lucy Huang, owner of the business, says that her mobile efforts are paying off.

"Our posts get great responses. The check-ins via mobile are big incentives for our customers to come into our bou-

tique," she said.

Mobile is a vital channel for you to reach your customers and will only continue to grow. While mobile is a great vehicle for businesses to market to their customers, many business owners don't know where to start or think it's too complicated to do well. Below are answers to some of the most-asked questions from local businesses on how to more effectively reach the right audiences on the go.

1. As a business owner, how do I market on mobile without using a ton of resources? I'm just one person and don't have the time.

A business' social presence is a free and easy way to connect with potential customers on mobile. That's because what you do on your page instantly translates to mobile – and your customers are already there, waiting to hear from you.

Of the 1.15 billion people on Facebook, more than 70 percent access the site from

their mobile phone.

Furthermore, people on the go are actively looking for businesses in their area: according to a recent Google study, 95 percent of smartphone users search for local information and 59 percent of smartphone users visited in-person after searching for local information. To effectively reach the right customer at the right time, you can tap in to the mobile ad targeting features available across many social platforms. For example, you can target people broadly or narrow down to specifics such as gender and interests. BarkBox, a company that delivers a monthly box of dog goodies (treats, products, toys, etc.) to dog owners, targeted friends of their fans on Facebook who were females and had an interest in dogs. After seeing success, BarkBox deepened their targeting by adding in geographic areas and age ranges and saw even greater results.

2. What are the best ways to create mo-

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bile ads?

Given people on their phones usually have limited time and attention spans, it's important to create compelling and concise content including photos and short videos. For example, North Carolinabased barbecue company Bone Suckin' Sauce promoted its Facebook photo post on mobile with the hook: "Which is better on the grill? Fish, chicken, vegetables, or steaks?" – to encourage conversation among fans. The company saw an 83 percent increase in online store sales as a result of promoting posts like these.

3. How can I manage my mobile marketing when I'm on the go, too?

Tools like Facebook's Pages Manager app or Hoot Suite's Social Media Manager app allow you to manage your pages on the go, whether you post photos, respond to customers via comments, or create ad campaigns.

You need to think mobile to grow your business Just looking at the growing number of times per day people access the Web on their phones, it's no secret that mobile marketing needs to become an integral part of your consumer marketing strategy.

So don't wait any longer: Think mobile and you'll be able to reach new customers and keep current customers returning. (BPT)

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November 2013

In a Do-It-Yourself World, We Still Need Professionals d-mars.com News Provider

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e live in a world that encourages us to DIY – “do it yourself" – in everything from remodeling our houses to building our own websites.

While smart, dedicated people can certainly accomplish a lot, professional expertise is still extremely valuable, especially when it comes to investing. New data from a Natixis Global Asset Management survey of 750 U.S. investors shows that most investors can benefit from working with an advisor, broker or other financial professional.

"Our study found that many investors lack the necessary investing knowledge and professional guidance that is so crucial to achieving successful savings outcomes," said David L. Giunta, president and chief executive officer of Natixis Global Asset Management – U.S. "Today more than ever investors need the support, expertise and perspective that a professional advisor can bring to the table."

The study found that Americans have a low opinion of their own investing acumen, with fewer than one in three (28 percent) classifying themselves as having "very strong" investment knowledge.

Most (54 percent) say they don't have a financial plan, and nearly as many (45 percent) say they don't even have clear financial goals.

Among investors who do have financial plans in place, many are not being realistic: on average, they expect they'll need 62 percent of their pre-retirement income to live on once they retire – much less than the 70 percent to 80 percent that many experts believe retirees will need.

While investors readily acknowledge their lack of investment knowledge, goals or planning, they're not doing much to improve their skills. Nearly half say they spend more time planning vacations or home improvements than they do monitoring or rebalancing their investment portfolios.

The bottom line: many investors remain unprepared to manage their investments, lacking the knowledge, the time and – perhaps – the motivation to do all that is needed. With Social Security and pensions playing a diminishing role, and an increased need for other investments that can generate retirement income, under-advised Americans could enter their golden years unprepared and short of money – placing at risk the secure, dignified retirements they have worked so hard to achieve.

Financial professionals can play an important role in helping investors reach their retirement goals. Here are seven ways they can assist individuals in reaching their goals. Advisors can: 1. Help investors articulate their reasons for saving and set clear goals. Saving for a college education in 10 years re-

quires different strategies than preparing for a retirement decades in the future.

2. Assist investors with developing a financial roadmap. Yes, we can't predict the future, but a good financial plan can help investors make progress toward their goals while mitigating market volatility and other uncertainties.

3. Provide investment expertise. Some investments that would benefit a portfolio, for example alternative investments, can be complex. A trained professional can provide the knowledge and expertise investors require to select the appropriate products and strategies for their needs.

4. Offer an independent perspective.

Perhaps the single biggest threat to any portfolio is human emotion. Discussing market volatility with a knowledgeable advisor who can put events into a historical context can help take emotion out of the equation – especially during rapidly rising or falling markets – providing a sound platform for investors to make better decisions.

5. Create portfolios that can generate growth or income while minimizing risk.

Advisors can help investors build durable portfolios that are consistent with their risk tolerance and are designed to enable them to stay invested and focus on longterm goals.

6. Identify and provide access to the right products. Not every investment product is appropriate for every portfolio.

A good advisor can help select the invest-

ments that make sense given an individual's goals, risk tolerance and time frame.

7. Implement a financial plan. Let's face it: Executing a financial plan isn't easy.

Beyond "paralysis by analysis," many investors never get very far because the steps needed to implement a plan can be overwhelming. Advisors take a broad view of planning, incorporating not only savings goals into the plan but also current spending patterns and personal budget analysis.

Many investors already avail themselves of professional advice. Forty-seven percent have an ongoing relationship with an advisor, and the findings from the study clearly show the benefits. These investors have stronger investment knowledge and clearer goals and plans; are twice as confident that their retirement plans are on track; and have a better overall understanding of risk and how alternative investments work than investors who don't use advisors regularly.

"Investors need durable portfolios that are consistent with their risk tolerance, intended for the long haul and designed to enable them to stay invested and focus on long-term goals," Giunta said. "However, there is no paint-by-numbers investment strategy. While some investors may be successful on their own, the majority of them will be more successful in meeting their goals if they have an advisor by their side." - (BPT)

Memo to Job Seekers: It’s not the Economy, it Could be You d-mars.com News Provider

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ob seekers are growing increasingly pessimistic about their ability to gain employment.

Nearly two in five job seekers (37 percent) lack confidence that the job market will improve next year, according to a recent study conducted by the Career Advisory Board, established by DeVry University.

Hiring managers, however, disagree.

Eighty-seven percent of hiring managers think the job market will improve in 2014 according to findings from the 2013 Job Preparedness Indicator. While hiring managers may be optimistic about the job market, they also have a very clear message for job seekers: "Help us help you."

Only 15 percent of hiring managers said that nearly all or most job seekers have the skills and traits their organization is looking for in a candidate – a 2 percent decrease from the prior year.

Despite their negative perceptions of the job market, job seekers remain

strangely – almost irrationally – sure of themselves. Seven in 10 job seekers (72 percent) are confident they know how to present their skills and experience to an interviewer and more than half (56 percent) are confident they know what employers are looking for in candidates today.

"Our research shows that two out of three hiring managers won't settle for a candidate without the perfect qualifications for the job," said Alexandra Levit, business and workplace consultant and Career Advisory Board member. "The good news is that there are steps candidates can take to give employers what they need and want."

Career Advisory Board members recommend the following strategies to help job seekers shift their mindsets and improve their marketability: • Recognize the value of mentorship: Three out of four hiring managers say job seekers should have a mentor or career coach; yet only 40 percent of job seekers report having a similar profes-

sional resource. Cultivating relationships with experienced and trusted advisers can help job seekers uncover job opportunities. Working with mentors can help you move your career forward and build your network. Mentors can also help you navigate potentially precarious business situations according to Krista Canfield, senior manager, corporate communications, LinkedIn. • Learn how to tell your story: Fifty-six percent of job seekers use keywords from the job description when applying to a position, but hiring managers care more about a candidate's skill set and experience. Job seekers have the opportunity to stand out from the pack by telling stories that reinforce their personal brands during interviews. They should focus less on listing out past positions and more on saying, "this is what I've learned in my career and here's what it enables me to do today," said Jason Seiden, CEO of Ajax Workforce Marketing.

• Constantly refresh your skills: Approximately two-thirds of hiring managers believe employees should be mostly

responsible for developing the skills and traits needed to be successful in their jobs.

Candidates need to take responsibility for enhancing their skill sets through on-thejob experiencing, networking, attending trainings and workshops, and pursuing professional certifications of value in their fields, said Kristin Machacek Leary, vice president of global talent, Quintiles.

• Demonstrate that you can adapt: Ninety-three percent of hiring managers say job seekers need to demonstrate flexibility to prove they can cope with the ever-changing workplace. Job seekers should be prepared to share how they have dealt with challenging situations on the fly or rethought an approach to an assignment when something was not working well, said J.T. O'Donnell, career strategist, workplace consultant and founder of CAREEREALISM.com. - (BPT)

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Online Programs Key to Career Advancement in a Tough Economy d-mars.com News Provider

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here is a skills gap in the United States. Thirtynine percent of U.S. employers report having difficulty finding staff with the appropriate skills, according to the annual Talent Shortage Survey conducted by the ManpowerGroup, a human resource consulting firm. Employers are looking for employees who possess the proper education and training, but are having trouble finding qualified candidates. If you are trying to get ahead in your career, you've likely realized the skills gap exists and you know the benefits a new position or promotion could mean to you and your family.

Chances are you've seen these opportunities before but didn't pursue them because of the time commitment to get the education and training you need. You ask yourself, "If I go back to school and have to wait two to four years before seeing the benefits of my education, will the opportunities still be there?"

The good news is that you don't have to wait for graduation day to demonstrate what you've learned.

Some online colleges are reimagining higher education in ways that recognize

the demands placed on people seeking to advance their careers. These programs strive to help students document achievements not just at graduation, but before then – while they are still in school. Here

are just some of the ways: • Badging. Whether you were active in Scouting or have played online video games, you're probably aware of the system of badging. A badge or patch – physical or electronic – is awarded to recognize your specific accomplishments. The badging idea now exists in higher education as well, and some online schools have tapped into this trend, using the same principles to recognize student accomplishments. The New Hampshire-based online school, Mount Washington College, for example, is integrating skill, motivational and peer mentoring badges. Online colleges find students enjoy the accomplishment of a badge as they continue toward graduation, and the online platform lends itself well to this system. The program is gaining traction with employers as well. Hiring managers are finding that the badges can sometimes say more about what a student has accomplished than the typical degree.

• Skill stacking. To provide a clear way to demonstrate workplaceready skills before graduation, leading online schools are offering students the capability to earn key industry-recognized certifications as they work toward their degree, delivering value prior to a diploma.

For instance, Mount Washington College offers a project management certificate as well as an online marketing certified professional certificate. Students can add these certificates to their resume or LinkedIn profile in order to display immediate benefits from their edu-

cation as they continue on their degree path. These certificates are an excellent way to demonstrate to current or potential employers that you have learned workplace ready skills in areas such as communications, leadership, marketing, project management or other aspects of business.

• e-Portfolio. For students who are looking for one convenient place to showcase their work to current or future employers, e-Portfolios are a valuable tool being introduced at some online schools. These electronic portfolios record any badges or work samples loaded by students. They are a great way for students to showcase their knowledge, skills and abilities in one location.

• Education on your timeline. Traditional universities are difficult for non-traditional students because of their fixed class schedules and mandatory due dates for projects.

Online schools offer students a more flexible model; eliminating fixed semester schedules and giving students control over their own education. Students are able to complete their projects as quickly or slowly as their schedule allows, giving them the opportunity to pace themselves and see the best possible return on their education investment.

If you've considered going back to school but thought it couldn't be done because you don't have the time, these new online program innovations are worth a look. They provide tools to showcase accomplishments before you complete your studies, and give you the flexibility to learn on your terms and at your own pace. - (BPT)

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Millennials Take New Approach to Work-Life Balance

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ore and more, Millennials are on the road for work. In an average month, one in four business-traveling Millennials travel overnight for work at least

once per week.

As the line between "personal" and "business" grows thinner and thinner for this generation, Millennials are increasingly finding adventure through business.

More than any other group, Millennial business travelers are more likely to add on extra days to their business trip for leisure travel (84 percent) according to the

Hilton Garden Inn Discovery and Connection Survey. Millennials are funding these adventures through their business trips, too. The vast majority of this group (85 percent) is more likely to use reward points from their business travel to book a vacation, compared to a year ago.

As the economy improves, business travel across the nation is on the rise. According to the Global Business Travel Association, U.S. business travel is expected to grow 5.1 percent in 2013. As more Millennials hit the road for work, they are keeping top of mind a few simple business travel perks to fulfill their appetite for personal adventure and discovery: • Fly for free – Those flying for business can earn airline miles in their name. These business miles quickly add up, allowing travelers to upgrade seats or add another destination without accruing additional cost. Business travelers can then use these miles to bring a friend or loved one on the trip with them – quickly transitioning from business to family vacation or romantic getaway once the weekend hits.

• Earn hotel perks – Frequent stays in hotels offering rewards programs can grant business travelers benefits like free overnight stays, late check-

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out, and complimentary breakfast.

These extras turn a business trip into much more, especially when additional nights are used to extend a business trip into a vacation.

Some hotels have signature promotions, such as Hilton Garden Inn's Bed n' Breakfast deal that includes breakfast for each adult staying in the same room, and free meals for kids 12 and under.

• Discover local hidden gems – Cities often encourage business travelers to experience the local culture while in town and provide package deals with discounts to restaurants, tickets to local shows or events, helpful tips to find transportation in the city and even sightseeing opportunities to explore during free time. This becomes even more common when a city is hosting a large business gathering, such as an industry convention.

Millennials continue to be at the forefront of achieving work-life balance – utilizing business travel to discover new cities, explore local cultures, taste authentic cuisines and connect with new people across the country and around the globe.

- (BPT)

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November 2013

Job Searching Skills to Help Boost Confidence

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inding employment can be a full-time job these days.

High numbers of job seekers can make it a challenge for those looking for long-term jobs and careers.

Before your confidence begins to wane, it can help to remember that the skills applied to a search for employment can strengthen performance on the job.

"With a thoughtful and determined approach to finding employment, you can not only help yourself stand out from the crowd but you'll also hone skills that will help you succeed on the job," said Gizelle Ortiz-Velazquez, director of Career Services at Brown Mackie College – Miami.

Persistence is Key Rarely does anyone secure a position on the first attempt.

"Looking for a job takes determination, patience and persistence. Candidates must look at job opportunities every day and use multiple resources, such as networking, online job boards, professional organizations and social media sites," Ortiz-Velazquez said. “Your persistence will apply to success on the job as well.”

"In life, we don't always get the results we want the first time we try to solve a problem. We have to try again, look at the problem in a different way, and look for the answer in different places," Ortiz-

Velazquez said. "Just like using multiple resources for a job search, employees must learn to use multiple resources to solve problems on the job."

Clear, Focused Communication is a Must When interviewing, effective oral and written communication skills are a must.

"Different companies recruit and interview in different ways. The process often varies from company to company, and can include phone screening, Internet screening, email communications and face-to-face interaction," said Ortiz-Velazquez. “The successful candidate must be prepared for all of them.”

She advises candidates to speak or write

clearly and stay focused on the topic. At every step in the process, prospective employers evaluate each candidate's ability to communicate. Once employed, effective communication skills can prove invaluable.

"On the job, different employees prefer different forms of communication," Ortiz-Velazquez said. "It is important to communicate effectively and convey necessary information well whether communicating face to face, over the phone or in writing."

There is no Substitute for Professionalism Whether an employee or a prospect, it is important to remember that the way

people conduct themselves outside of the workplace is a personal reflection on them.

"During a job search, most candidates take great care to ensure that they are dressing, communicating and representing themselves professionally," OrtizVelazquez said. "On the job, however, employees sometimes get comfortable in the work environment and become less professional over time. This can lead to a less than professional reputation and hinder future opportunities."

Social media websites present a forum to be considered with an eye toward professionalism. Ortiz-Velazquez advises job candidates and employees alike to remove personal information and never post questionable images or negative information about a coworker, boss or the company.

"We've all heard the story about the employee that called in sick and then later the same day posted a smiling photo of himself while sitting at a sporting event," Ortiz-Velazquez said.

Those out there looking for employment can take heart in the skills they apply to the search. Those same strengths can help them succeed when they accept a position. And once employed, Ortiz-Velazquez reminds everyone to "remember that every day on the job is an interview and screening process for an employee's future." - (BPT)

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Educating Our Youth to be Future Entrepreneurs

MR. D-MARS spoke to local middle school students at Beechnut Academy about the importance of education and how to become successful businesspeople. He read excerpts from his son’s book “Young? So What!” by Keith J. Davis, Jr. MR. D-MARS tapped into his own abilities as a business owner to share insight with the teens.

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November 2013

Power Shoes: Choosing the Right Footwear to Climb the Corporate Ladder d-mars.com News Provider

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limbing the corporate ladder requires marketable skills, initiative, creativity and...the right shoes? While the importance of proper footwear may seem obvious for professions that require standing or walking all day, such as waitressing, nursing or cooking, poor shoe choices can also trip you up in an office setting.

"At best, sore feet can be a troublesome distraction when you need to concentrate in a meeting or be at your best during a job interview," said Dr. Matthew Garoufalis, a podiatrist and president of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). "At worst, severe foot injuries from poor footwear can require corrective surgery that puts you out of commission – and out of the office – for extended periods of time."

While you may assume that some professions are more prone to injury than others, or that women wearing high heels

are more at risk, everyone working nineto-five jobs should take steps to ensure they head to work every morning wearing shoes that will help – not hinder – how well they do their jobs. The APMA offers some advice for choosing work shoes: Shoes for women For many women, wearing dress shoes at the office means wearing high heels five days a week. When you're choosing a dress shoe for work, whether it's a high heel or flat, keep these tips in mind: • Avoid wearing heels higher than two inches. If you choose to wear very high heels for a meeting or other work occasion, limit the time you're in them and change into a lower, more comfortable pair as soon as possible.

• Vary heel height day-to-day. Look for "walking" pumps – also called "comfort" or "performance" pumps – with mid- to lower-heels.

The APMA offers a list of shoes that have earned its Seal of Acceptance for promoting good foot

•

•

•

•

• •

health.

Look for plenty of toe room. Ideally, pumps with wider, rounded or square toe boxes give your toes more room. Avoid shoes with pointy toes that squeeze digits into unnatural positions. Cramped toes can cause a host of foot woes, from bunions to ingrown toenails.

Choose wider heels that offer more stability. Stiletto heels and similar pointy heels are less stable and may cause spinal misalignment and ankle injuries.

Beware of ballet flats. You may think no-heel shoes are better for your feet, but often that's not the case. Ballet flats offer little cushioning or support, and can also cause foot problems such as plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the tendon that connects the heel bone to the toes.

Regardless of heel height or shoe style, look for shoes that offer adequate arch and ankle support, and plenty of cushioning.

Shoes for men Look for good quality oxford styles – like wing-tip or cap-toe designs – which tend to be best. You can also opt for slip-ons, dressy loafers and

low dress boots.

• Avoid wearing the same pair of shoes every day. You should have at least three or four pairs of good quality professional shoes.

• When shoes become too worn to be supportive anymore, replace them. You may be tempted to hold on to that old pair of shoes you love, but apart from looking unprofessional, worn out shoes also provide less support for your feet.

• Both men and women should keep a few common tips in mind when shoe shopping: • Always shop at the end of the day when feet are at their largest.

• Choose quality materials that allow the foot to breathe.

• Look for shoes that offer good support.

• Never buy a pair of shoes that are uncomfortable, assuming you'll "break them in." Shoes should be comfortable right away. If they're not, then they're not the right shoes for your feet!

To learn more about foot health, or to find a podiatrist in your area, visit www. apma.org.

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Small Businesses go Tips to Secure your Leaner, More Effective Future Despite an with Technology Tools Unsure Economy d-mars.com News Provider

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hile the Great Recession convinced many big corporations to improve efficiency and reduce spending, small businesses have historically known the value of operating "lean and mean."

Many have never had another option, and have always had to accomplish more with less. Fortunately, technology is making it easier than ever for small business owners to work smarter and more efficiently and continue growing their businesses.

According to a recent SurePayroll Small Business Scorecard survey, small businesses are embracing technology as a tool to improve efficiency, with 76 percent saying they have changed their strategies to adapt to an increasingly technology-based economy.

Online tools in particular are useful, and many small business owners are turning to online companies for support in key functions like payroll management, selling, communications, meetings and business development. Here are a handful of online technology tools that help small businesses operate cost-effectively: For file sharing – Thirty-four percent of the business owners polled by SurePayroll use Dropbox, an online file-sharing service. This largely free service (you can upgrade to a paid business account) allows users to upload virtually any type of file to Dropbox's server and then share and access the content from any Web-enabled mobile device anywhere in the world. The business version adds some extra features.

For payroll management – One of the most significant challenges for small-business owners – many SBOs turn to SurePayroll, an all-online, wholly owned subsidiary of Paychex, Inc. Managing payroll

solo can be costly for a small business – more than $2,600 per year on direct labor alone, SurePayroll's research indicates.

Mistakes can boost costs, especially if an SBO runs afoul of tax laws and requirements, and ends up facing IRS penalties.

Outsourcing to an online service such as SurePayroll.com makes processing payroll easy for SBOs. It allows them to remain in control of their own payroll, while doing so affordably, accurately and efficiently. The system pays employees, automatically pays and files payroll taxes, and handles all necessary calculations and reports. Mobile apps allow SBOs to run payroll on the go.

Virtural meetings – GoToMeeting allows users to create a "virtual meeting" with up to 25 attendees in remote locations by combining visual and audio access. Using their own hardware, attendees can see and hear each other through the GoToMeeting interface and also view the meeting leader's PC screen – a plus if the meeting includes a presentation.

Marketing can be one of the biggest cost challenges for small businesses.

MailChimp allows users to design email marketing campaigns and distribute to user-generated mailing lists. Campaigns can incorporate graphics and other userfriendly elements, and many tools are free as long as your campaigns meet distribution limits. For higher volume distribution, MailChimp offers a range of paid options.

Small-business owners – Eighty-four percent in the SurePayroll survey – say technology, especially online tools, helped their businesses grow. With more tools emerging every year, small businesses are able to operate more efficiently, serving more customers quickly and with lower overhead costs. - (BPT)

he business community is still somewhat skeptical about the economy's stability.

This information comes from the latest Economic Sentiment Survey issued by Walsh College, a private, not-for-profit institution.

While many employers acknowledge that overall business conditions are improving, respondents generally feel the present recovery is fragile and the health care changes might potentially slow the recovery down.

With passing of the Obamacare, the survey revealed that 73 percent of business-educated respondents believe the impact of Obamacare on the economy over the next five years will make things worse or much worse.

It's important for workers of all ages to proactively secure their future in an unsure economy. John Moore, professor of finance and economics at Walsh College, provides the following advice:

• Improve your work skill sets: Companies will pay the higher costs of employment when an employee has special or unique skills. Research certification programs for new skills related to your field, get certified and make yourself more marketable. Skilled labor will get hired full-time, while unskilled labor will not.

• Increase your intellectual capital: The majority of jobs are based on education level. High-paying career fields generally require a strong educational background. Consider furthering your education.

• Be flexible: Business students and professionals need to make sure they are capable of working in many roles and are flexible to rapidly changing environments and circumstances.

• Learn the law: The legal landscape in the U.S. continues to evolve and shape the way Americans live and provides new challenges for businesses.

Individuals who understand the law and its impact on the economy will be positioned to proactively provide solutions for their employers. - (BPT)

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November 2013

Spouses of Houston Barristers Host Barrister’s Ball

The Spouses of Houston Barristers, Incorporated (SHB) is an organization of civic-minded women, dedicated to supporting the Houston-area legal community and promoting a more diverse and inclusive legal profession.

SHB recently held its biennial Barrister’s Ball at the Petroleum Club of Houston. The theme “Continuing the Legacy” recognized community leaders dedicated to the cause of diversity and inclusion among Houston’s legal professionals.

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Making a Smooth Transition to a Post-Military Career

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eaving the military is like leaving home for the first time. Upon discharge, service members are faced with the question of "What's next?"

Some service members obtain their degree while in the military and have their sights set on a career path prior to transitioning into the civilian sector. Many others, though, are undecided on their post-military career, including a lack of knowing which type of degree will lead them to a career that aligns with the skills developed during their military tenure.

Bottom-line, deciding on a post-military career field can be overwhelming. It is important to note that experts recommend service members begin the transition process from military to civilian life as early as two years before being discharged.

"For service members who have been assigned a specific job in a specific location their entire career, transitioning from a military career to a civilian career can be overwhelming," said University of Phoenix Associate Regional Vice President and retired Army Colonel Garland Williams.

"One area service members often struggle with is how to apply the skills they learned in the military to a future career

outside of the military."

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job demand in the fields of health care, information security, scientific research, law enforcement and financial services will be especially strong over the next decade. Williams says service members are more than capable of meeting that need. The good news is that there are many resources for members of the military who are looking for assistance with discovering what career options are available. Some options include: • Military Skills Translator Tool: Military members become proficient in many tasks during their time in the service, but understanding how those skills translate to civilian jobs is not always easy.

University of Phoenix created a Military Skills Translator Tool, which takes a service member's military occupational

specialty code and provides a list of civilian occupations that correlates to the job skills sets the service member held while in the military. Each military occupation is linked directly to labor market data to give background on related jobs and education required to enter into the specific job field, making the transition from military to civilian careers easier. Service members also can earn college credit for their military experience, helping them to advance faster to earning a degree and starting a career. • Transitional Assistance Program: The U.S. Department of Labor's Transitional Assistance Program (TAP) is designed to provide soon-to-be discharged or retired service members helpful education and workshops on job searches, resume and cover letter writing, interviewing techniques as well as decisions

that might need to be made relating to career choices. Another option is the Phoenix Career Guidance System, which is University of Phoenix's online resource providing career tools and resources. Additionally, the University provides its military students and alumni access to additional resources including a Resume Builder, links to military-specific events hosted by the university, career coaching and links to job opportunities across the country.

In addition to identifying a career, service members will need to know how to communicate their military skills and training into civilian terms during the job search and interview process. Williams cautions against using a lot of acronyms, which may not translate on a resume to employers. Instead, transitioning service members should promote universal skills like leadership, management, cooperation, teamwork and strategic thinking – skills that will catch an employer's eye during the hiring process. These transferable skills should be included in the cover letter and resume, alongside all technical skills learned. Once in the interview, be respectful of the interviewer, but also relax. Military personnel tend to be very direct and straightforward, but the civilian business world is open to more casual and conversational interactions. - (BPT)

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