BIZ. Magazine February 2014

Why Use Gmail?

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BIZ. Tools App of the Month

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February 2014

Dave Says on Business Taking Care of Our Own

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The World According to Moonbot Bossier Chamber Business Person of the Year & Business of the Year

What’s

Plus...

LUNCH? FOR

Creative Placemaking 101

DELIVERED TO BUSINESS LEADERS THROUGHOUT SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER

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Biz. Magazine • February 2014

The First Word

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‘Pandora’ experiment proves the impact of culture on workplace, team members have a dock in my office for my iPad and iPhone. Most of the time it is quietly charging my “must-have” devices. However, one morning I decided to listen to some music. So I launched the Pandora app, chose “Journey Radio” and turned up the volume just a little.

My office is located in the center of the building, so every sound I make is often heard by many. I knew people would hear my choice in music. I pushed play on Pandora and Steve Perry crooned “Send her my love.” That’s when it happened.

“I know that song!” exclaimed one of my team members.

“Can’t go wrong with Journey,” said another.

The next several hours contained moments of people coming by my office doing everything from playing air guitar and drums to lip syncing with the songs Pandora chose. Our newest team member at the time (here less than 90 days) kept peering into my office, with an almost shocked look on her face. As I would look up, she would smile. “Yes, I am a human,” I thought.

People throughout the office smiled as they went about their duties, all making a trip down the office by my doorway. I even felt more productive. I was able to work ahead, and even write this column. The impromptu experiment help prove the power of not only music, but culture.

Simply put — people who are having fun are more productive. And fun is contagious. While we cannot “blast the music” all day everyday, we can be intentional about creating a culture that not only accepts fun, but encourages and fosters it.

This issue of BIZ. focuses on the subject of “Business Culture.” This is an often-overlooked aspect of the workplace. We think if we hire the “best and brightest” and stick them in a room together, we will win. That is flawed thinking.

The culture of the business, the leadership, the team and the facility all play a significant role in the success or failure of that business.

Once a company identifies its core values and mission, then its culture should be a natural extension of that.

Every effort should be made to assemble the right team, create the right environment, and to foster the culture.

Can you imagine the impact the right culture can have on your business? Look to the following stories and columns to learn more.

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Music to My Ears

So, let the music play.

David Specht Jr. President of Specht Newspapers, Inc. Read his blog about leadership at www.DavidASpecht.com He may be reached via email at dspecht@bossierpress.com.

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For more information visit l hcqf.org or email: info@lhcqf.org.

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February 2014 • Biz. Magazine

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Contents 20

Good As Gold

“Golden Ticket” Promotion Targets Meeting Planners

On the Cover

12

Creative Placemaking 101 Nationwide trend shows migration back to urban core

In today’s business world, culture is king.

Take a look at how one Shreveport-Bossier business is embracing a different kind of company culture.

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BIZ Tools

We share practical tools to help you and your business succeed.

Regulars 3

Music to My Ears

5

Service...

6

The Bus

business news, updated as it happens. In addition, users can sign / 8"

# 6 4 * / & 4 4 for up for a free BIZ. Daily Report to keep up with BIZ. news from the com.0 / 5 ) :

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11

Making Connections

Want to advertise? http://bizmagsb.com/adrates/

13

It Shouldn’t Be a Secret

24

Dave On Small Business

1= N +

BIZ. News Online

The BIZ. website at www.bizmagsb.com is Shreveport-Bossier’s home

Volume 4, Number 9 | ©Copyright 2014 by Specht Newspapers, Inc. All rights reserved. BIZ. is published each month by Specht Newspapers, Inc. at 4250 Viking Drive, Bossier City, LA 71111. Telephone (318) 747-7900. Information in this publication is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed.

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Biz. Magazine • February 2014

‘Pandora’ experiment proves the impact of culture on workplace, team members

It’s the easy little things that make all the difference to customers/clients

Who is driving the bus affects whether or not you reach your destination.

Generational differences, technology preferences are all an integral part of any company’s culture

Six things your employees won’t tell you about office culture

Taking care of our own

Tools You Can Use When it comes to winning in Business, it helps to have the right “tools” for the job.

Win-Win Powertools

Service...

I

It’s the easy little things that make all the difference to customers/clients t’s easy to see how businesses are losing business every day because they don’t train and coach their staff on the little things that can make up GREAT SERVICE. Here’s one of my recent experiences: A national business supply store advertised a “super value” on sticky-notes. I understood the store’s goal. They hoped to get me in the store on a low price and then hoped I would use the convenience of being there to buy lots of other office supplies. Good idea because I was planning to look around. It didn’t exactly work out that way.

I found a sticky-notes display but couldn’t locate the aforementioned super value. I searched for and found a service employee. With an indifferent look, she reported “I think we are sold out.” The salesperson pointed to where she thought the display should be and added “If there are any left, they’ll be over there”. Since she answered my question and pointed the way, she then walked away.

I made my way across the store. “Hurray” I muttered to myself, as I found the money saving “sticky-notes”.

What next?

As I checked out with my big purchase, the cashier took my two stacks of “sticky-notes” and rang up the purchase. She then (believe it or not) asked if I needed any ink, paper OR “Sticky-Notes”. I don’t remember what I said.

While we chuckle, we need to use my experience of little service things and quickly recheck our service plan. You do have a service plan, don’t you?

Let’s check everywhere and everything from the front door to the phone. Let’s have a meeting with the entire staff and examine all the important actions.

Do we all thank customers for buying or reordering?

Do we smile? How about thanking them for just choosing our store? Do we ask our customers if there is any other way we can serve them? Are we “tour guides” instead of “travel agents”? Do we all understand the “life-time” value of every customer or client? Are we planning, preparing and practicing SERVICE steps of every size and shape, ESPECIALLY THE LITTLE ONES?

Jerry Frentress

Good Selling!

Jerry

Speaker & Coach, Win-Win Power(ful) Tools for Sales, Service and Employee Interviewing. Website: www.WinWinPowerTools.com.

Business Facebook: www.Facebook.com/WinWinPowerTools . 453-6080 / Bossier City

February 2014 • Biz. Magazine

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Marketing B-S (Bossier-Shreveport)

The Bus

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Who is driving the bus affects whether or not you reach your destination n recent years, modern management has used transportation terminology as a method of describing how a team (a sales team, for example) needs to all be traveling on a common shared vehicle (the bus)...all headed in the same direction at the same time.

Randy Brown

Advertising/Marketing Guru He is the Advertising Director for Bossier Newspaper Publishing Company, Inc., publishers of the Bossier Press-Tribune and BIZ. Magazine Randy may be reached at rbrown@bossierpress.com

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Biz. Magazine • February 2014

We have all heard the phrase "Get on the Bus." As a sales manger, getting your sales team on the bus and in turn, ďŹ nding out who is on your bus can tell you instantly and easily who wants to be an integral part of both your sales team and your company mission.

As a sales manager, you have to know both who is on the bus and who is not! This is a must! Essentially, if you have a sales team member who is consistently missing the bus, you should take a strong look at whether or not this individual is a ďŹ t for your sales team.

You must make yourself realize that your sales team is never going to reach the next destination on your established departmental goals (bus route) as long as all team members are not on the bus.

For sales managers with tenured experience, this is a process that we have all been through sev-

eral times. And unfortunately, for some, this is a repetitive and seemingly never ending process.

Though the established line of thinking described above is at the basic ground level of the essential elements necessary to move your team forward, there is also a key element in the next phase of the process that is most often overlooked.

In short, as both a sales manager and leader for your department/team, you must ask yourself, who is driving your bus? Is it you, is it one of your sales team members, is it someone else from within your company (but outside of your department), or is it an outside force not pertinent to either you, your sales team or your company?

In short, are you the driver of your bus or just a passenger? Put another way, are you the hammer or the nail? Which one would you rather be?

As a manager, sales manager or the leader of your team, the answer is obvious, right? I thought so.

February 2014 • Biz. Magazine

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Biz Tools

Do Something The speed of business is ever increasing. The successful business leader stays on top of the tools and information to help his company grow.

Books Company Culture, Marketing & More

Four Books You Should Be Reading

Delivering Happiness

Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook!

Start

Tony Hsieh

Gary Vaynerchuck

Jon Acuff

After debuting as the highest-ranking newcomer in Fortune magazine's annual "Best Companies to Work For" list in 2009, Zappos was acquired by Amazon in a deal valued at over $1.2 billion on the day of closing.

New York Times bestselling author and social media expert Gary Vaynerchuk shares hard-won advice on how to connect with customers and beat the competition. A mash-up of the best elements of Crush It! and The Thank You Economy with a fresh spin, Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook is a blueprint to social media marketing strategies that really works.

Wall Street Journal best-selling author Jon Acuff reveals the steps to getting unstuck and back onto the path of being awesome. Over the last 100 years, the road to success for most everyone has been divided into predictable stages. But three things have changed the path to success: Boomers are realizing that a lot of the things they were promised aren’t going to materialize, and they have started second and third careers.

Technology has given access to an unprecedented number of people who are building online empires and changing their lives in ways that would have been impossible years ago.

In DELIVERING HAPPINESS, Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh shares the different lessons he has learned in business and life, from starting a worm farm to running a pizza business, through LinkExchange, Zappos, and more. Fast-paced and down-to-earth, DELIVERING HAPPINESS shows how a very different kind of corporate culture is a powerful model for achieving success-and how by concentrating on the happiness of those around you, you can dramatically increase your own.

App of the Month Gmail by Google is not new. However, its recent revamp has made it an almost indispensible alternative to the pre-loaded mail program on any PC or Mac. While browser-based for the desktop, Gmail sports impresive apps for the iOS and Android operating systems. Its spam filtering is hard to beat, along with full integration with other Google apps such as Google Calendar and Google Docs.

BIZ. Magazine publisher David Specht recently reviewed Gmail on his blog. you can read it here: http://www.davidaspecht.com/2014/01/20/why-i-switched-from-apple-mail-to-gmail/

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Biz. Magazine • February 2014

Getting Things Done David Allen In today's world, yesterday's methods just don't work.

In Getting Things Done, veteran coach and management consultant David Allen shares the breakthrough methods for stress-free performance that he has introduced to tens of thousands of people across the country. Allen's premise is simple: our productivity is directly proportional to our ability to relax. Only when our minds are clear and our thoughts are organized can we achieve effective productivity and unleash our creative potential.

More Tools Listen Up

Podcast of the Month Online Marketing Made Easy with Amy Porterfield Amy Porterfield is a social media strategist and co-author of Facebook Marketing All-In-One for Dummies. She helps entrepreneurs across industries establish strategies to maximize the power of social media and increase the success of their online marketing efforts.

The podcast may be found at www.amyporterfield.com, or on iTunes and other podcast sources.

On the BIZ. Tools Podcast This Month: Office Culture

Last Month What is Marketing?

Social Media Marketing with Amy Kinnaird Listen to the BIZ. Tools Podcast at: bizmagsb.com/category/podcasts

#WorthFollowing @davidaspecht @salespowertips @LeadershipFreak @EntreLeadership @BobBurg

February 2014 • Biz. Magazine

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10 Biz. Magazine • February 2014

Uncommon Sense Marketing

Making Connections

W

Generational differences, technology preferences are all an integral part of any company’s culture

e all want employees who come to work every day, happy to be part of the team. It’s your job to cultivate an atmosphere that’s positive and open. And by being loyal to your employees, you create employees that are loyal to you.

Amy Kinnaird

Social Media Evangelist Amy is a corporate trainer and speaker on primarily marketing topics, but most people locally know her as the Social Media Evangelist. Over the past 6 years she has spoken to dozens of groups, and taught hundreds of people how to use Social Media for marketing their businesses.

She has 35 years experience in marketing, and has trained people on computers and software forever. She’s at the intersection of Tech and Speak.

You probably have multiple generations of workers who think about work and success in completely different terms.

their own. How often do they want feedback, and do they want to hear the good, the bad, or both? What about rewards? Boomers may prefer money or recognition awards, while Gen X’ers prefer time off. And do you know if your employees “live to work” or “work to live?” A quick Google search on “generational differences” will bring up some basic ideas to help you. You might even want to schedule some internal training so that everyone can better understand each other, thereby fostering a more positive atmosphere.

Whether your office is filled with Matures, Boomers, Gen X’ers, Millennials, or most likely a combination of all, you need to know the basic differences of each generation. This helps to foster an office culture where each person feels valued and enjoys coming to work.

Let’s not forget the role that technology plays in your office. Keeping up with the latest computers, laptops, tablets and smart phones goes a long way toward employee happiness and productivity.

For example, some like to work in teams, some individually. Some want clear directions, some want to know the end result and get there on

Are you still having face-to-face meetings or do you FaceTime or Skype? Everyone has communication preferences, and you might find that

some employees want you to text them, while others would prefer an email.

Social media can be a great tool to use internally (consider a private Facebook group for your employees). Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are also easy ways for your customers to connect with you. Thus, they’ll be a lot happier. And if you have happy customers, you’ll have happier workers.

Finally, people in an office need to know each other on a personal level. Take time during each meeting to let your staff share something going on in their lives. I call this a “Wow!” Share in each other’s happiness or support them when they need it. Take the time to better understand each person and help them get what they want out of their work experience.

February 2014 • Biz. Magazine

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Downtown Development

Creative Placemaking 101

T

Nationwide trend shows migration back to urban core

o have a workplace culture, you have to first have a workplace…and it’s all the better when it’s a place people want to be. Downtowns around the country have been fighting with varying degrees of success to find their way in the age of malls, exurbs, urban sprawl and de-centralization, but the pendulum is swinging and the culture of mall and sprawl so popular in the 1970s through the 90s is changing again.

Liz Swaine

Downtown Development Authority Executive Director

The trend nationwide is a return to the urban core. The center city is once again the place to be---to shop, to eat, to play and to live. It’s a lifestyle change that is attaining the status of mega-trend as young singles, double-income-nokids and retirees who no longer need the 3,000 square foot house (and high maintenance lawn) make the move to an urban loft or apartment.

One of the ways downtowns are becoming at-

Business news you can’t wait to read.

Business news is happening all the time

in Shreveport-Bossier. And nothing keeps

you in the loop better than the BIZ. Daily Report. Get the latest by email each day.

Sign up for FREE at bizmagsb.com/report.

12 Biz. Magazine • February 2014

tractive again is by partnering with the arts to jumpstart something called Creative Placemaking. By strategically shaping the physical and social character of a neighborhood around arts and cultural activities, cities can create areas that people want to come live, work, play. Such has been the goal of the West Edge in downtown Shreveport, several blocks near First United Methodist Church.

The West Edge has seen the rise of the Tipitina’s Music Co-op, Robinson Film Center, artspace and soon, the Rainforest Art Foundation. There has been a flurry of building rehabilitation and new businesses in the six and seven hundred blocks of Texas with residential and more retail on the near horizon.

Shreveport Common, an adjacent 9-block art and culture district, has been touted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as one of

13 ‘standout’ communities creating positive, transformative change.

The recently-released MIT Places in the Making report said the Shreveport Common revitalization process has ‘laid the foundation to become one of the leading examples of creative placemaking in the country.

Creative placemaking goes hand-in-hand with another reality. Unlike their parents, young people--- the so-called Millennials--- aren’t moving strictly for jobs, they’re moving to places they want to be and they’re creating jobs once there.

As downtown works to reposition itself as a place where those young people want to be, art and creative placemaking will play key roles.

Learn more about downtown Shreveport at www.downwtownshreveport.com

Business Development

It Shouldn’t Be a Secret

A

Six things your employees won’t tell you about office culture nyone who’s had a job they loved, or hated, can understand the effect company cul-

ture has on performance. Dale Carnegie Training polled workers on employee engagement in 2012, and found “three key drivers [to happiness on the job]: relationship with immediate supervisor, belief in senior leadership, pride in working for the company.” So, to help culture your company culture, I’m offering advice from an em-

ployee’s perspective; things I wish I could have said to a few of my supervisors over

the years… without getting fired.

What am I doing here?

Make sure I know the mission statement and the vision of the company. I won’t model the company’s values if I don’t know what they are. I won’t prioritize my assignments efficiently if I don’t know which are most important to the organization.

Be specific.

Did I do something wrong? Please, tell me. But also tell me what I should be doing instead. Did I do something right? Please, say thank you.

Be fair.

Hold employees accountable for a job done poorly. One employee’s sloppy work never affects only that person. Don’t play favorites; it bums me out. And if I’m not a good fit for the company anymore, get rid of me! Don’t compound the misery of my job until I quit.

Listen.

If my unsolicited feedback seems thoughtful, don’t dismiss it. Help me figure out how to take action, and let my co-workers know I have your blessing, so I don’t seem like the workplace vigilante.

Respect my boundaries.

If I’m coming in early, working hard, and staying late, don’t assume I’m available anytime. If you call me when I’m at home, at a doctor’s appointment, on vacation, and it’s not an emergency, I’ll question why I work so hard at the office if it doesn’t last when I’m gone. A healthy company culture doesn’t revolve around one, or even a few, strong workers. If pressing issues are going to come up around the clock, staff accordingly.

Example is the only way to lead.

I may learn from the things you say, but I’ll learn more from the way you act. And the only time I’m not watching is when you’re not in the office.

Coming soon!

Join the Business Development Connection in celebrating the achievements of our nominees and recipients at the 2014 Minority Business Opportunity Awards Gala, hosted

Jill Macchiaverna Jill is Publicity Chair, Business Development Connection for the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce.

by the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce Business Development Connection. April 2014. Sponsorship opportunities available; call (318) 677-2500.

February 2014 • Biz. Magazine

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Cover Story

Behind the Magic

T

Shreveport’s Moonbot Studios fosters a culture that may be foreign to outsiders, but has resulted in much success

he world of Shreveport’s Moonbot Studios has an air of mystery about it. The imagination runs away with what goes on in the high tech offices. Depending on who you ask, it ranges from a north Louisiana Google to the thought behind labeling dark spots on old maps “Here be monsters.” The insides of the entertainment media production studio are definitely unusual. However, the strange thing is not the studio, itself, or its every day is casual Friday dress code.

No, the weird thing is that its culture of openness is highly successful.

Its roughly 50 staff members, composed of some of the best and brightest computer artists and generators from all over the country, will have pop-up meetings anywhere and everywhere. They change and rotate like social butterflies throughout their colorful spaces filled with handcrafted furniture and personalized “pods” (specially designed open cubicles).

“With people moving to different stations all the time, we’re constantly changing. People are out in the open, we have very few offices. Having that open office culture has helped them feel like they can voice their opinion and be a part of the culture,” said Liz Maw-Naing, HR and recruiting for Moonbot Studios.

“We are always trying something different with

14 Biz. Magazine • February 2014

OUTSIDE THE BOX: Many Moonbot team members work at unique open air desks, complete with “moonbot style” hutches.

the space as an experiment to see how people work the best,” said Sara Hebert, marketing director for Moonbot Studios.

To expect an office culture that is different, creative, and quirky from a business like Moonbot, is ironically enough, not unusual. Their model of open space utilized for communication and collaboration has done much more than just boost

their employees’ creativity. It’s promoted a buy-in to the company.

“This is not a place where you’re just given a task, you really get to know why you’re doing it and be a part of the process,” said Liz. Sara added, “I think our partners listen to any Continued on Page 16

STORY & PHPOTOS BY Sean Green

Cover Story

February 2014 • Biz. Magazine

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Cover Story

‘Quirky’ works well for Moonbot Studios Continued From Page 14

new idea and are great about giving feedback about why it can or can’t happen.”

“They put a lot of faith in people here to make the Moonbot magic.”

The culture behind the magic comes down to finding the right person — someone who will invest in the company — so, in turn, the company can invest in him or her.

“It’s essential to hire the right person. Everyone treats each other like family and when you have one person with a negative vibe, it very quickly affects everyone else,” said Liz. “When we hire, we strive very hard to find the right fit.

We don’t want someone to feel like this is the wrong place for him or her.”

The staff often works long hours to produce

16 Biz. Magazine • February 2014

major motion pictures like “Rise of the Guardians” or the Chipotle ad campaign film “The Scarecrow.” The administration accounts for this with spontaneous events such as lawn games and catered lunches, as well as planned awards and motivation such as their weekly award for sketching, monthly birthday parties, and yearly bowling tournament.

“We like to award people with trophies here,” laughed Sara pointing out the bowling trophy proudly displayed atop a desk.

Even their regular meetings are uncommon — the entire staff gathers in a small theater, seated in plush bean bags, to recap what they are working on via the big screen. As well as watching movies and sporting events after hours.

“Those meetings are a great way to stay con-

-

Moonbot Studios has a wide ranging portfolio with the media producers proudly proclaiming “We make books, films, apps, games and whatever tickles our fancy.” Below is some of their most recent and famous work: Lollipop 3 - Catch and hatch eggs in this egg-citing arcade game. Experience unfathomable JoyJoy as you help the Kitten of Splendor wield the Eternal Lollipop of Joy! An onslaught of eggs descends from outer space, unleashing an army of Meanie Men. You must catch and hatch the evil eggs, turning them into creatures of happiness and spectacularity. Tap and hold the eggs to hatch them. More eggs are dropping every second and you will need every finger (and toe) that you have.

The Scarecrow - Created in collaboration with Chipotle Mexican Grill, “The Scarecrow” is an arcade-style adventure game for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch and a companion animated short film. Both pieces depict a scarecrow’s journey to bring wholesome food back to the people by providing an alternative to the processed food that dominates his world.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore - Awarded the Oscar® for Best Animated Short Film in the 84th Academy Awards®, “Morris Lessmore” was inspired in equal measures, by Hurricane Katrina, Buster Keaton, The Wizard of Oz, and a love for books.

The Mischievians - Strange smells. Disappearing remotes. That itch you just can’t reach. It’s not your fault! It’s the Mischievians, an ancient race of global mischief-makers who do all the things that embarrass you. All the things that bug you. All the things that YOU get blamed for! There is no cause for alarm (sorta). Come meet the Homework Eater, the fiend who steals your homework! See the Endroller, the villain who uses up ALL the toilet paper! Discover the Yawn Mower, the creature who makes you yawn at the worst possible time! And many, many more.

nected. Everyone will be giving feedback and it’s a way for everyone to be heard,” Liz noted to further underscore their open door policy.

Amidst the untraditional meeting spaces, quiet rooms for gathering thoughts, ping pong table and cereal bar used for break times, there are the glass-walled offices of the administration. It’s here that, despite what appears to be chaos to the outsider, the culture is groomed and maintained. How these offices relate to the world outside are also a great lesson for other businesses in Shreveport-Bossier.

“There have been a lot of places where I worked that you feel very far from (administration) and that they’re watching you in not a positive way. Here, you feel that the man-

agers want to encourage you and help you,” said Liz. She said Moonbot’s relatively flat hierarchy breaks down walls and allows everyone to feel like an integral part of the team.

“There’s a time for hierarchy, but then there’s a lot of time where you want to make everyone feel like they’re part of the team,” she added.

To many, Moonbot’s offices and culture may be as futuristic as its name. But the success of its open, creative, collaborative nature shows this is one that a lot of local companies could embrace. The future is now and Moonbot Studios is leading the way.

February 2014 • Biz. Magazine

17

Bossier Chamber News

We Make You (And Your Business)

Look Your Best Brochures Business Cards Posters Banners Need Anything Printed? Just Ask!

Webster Printing Company

716 Broadway, Minden, Louisiana 71055 | (318) 377-8518 | Open 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday

Bossier City Mayor Lo Walker presents an award to Outgoing Bossier Chamber of Commerce Chairman Jason Smith during a annual Chairman’s dinner. on Jan. 21.

Bossier Business Gathers to Celebrate

D

Chamber honors Alvis, Builders Supply at Annual Gala

avid Alvis and Builders Supply were named the Bossier Chamber of Commerce’s 2013 Business Person of the Year and Business of the Year, respectively. The winners were announced at the Chamber’s 66th Annual Gala held Tuesday, Jan. 28 at the CenturyLink Center. The Chamber’s Annual Gala serves as a time to reflect on the year and reveal the vision for the next 12 months.

Jason Smith, 2013 Chairman of the Board, passed the reigns to the incoming Chairman, Dr. Jim Henderson. The outgoing and incoming Board of Directors were recognized, and guests received the 2013 Annual Report with the 2014 Program of Work.

Each year, the Chamber recognizes the business community and those that excelled in areas of leadership, growth and involvement. The honor of Business and Business Person of the Year is reserved for those that are dedicated not only to their company, but to making an impact here in their own backyard.

Alvis, owner of Silver Star Smokehouse and Texas Street Tavern, was chosen as Business Person of the Year from a distinguished group. The other nominees were Lee Davis & BJ Davis, Davis Men’s Store; Macy Flash,

18 Biz. Magazine • February 2014

Paragon Press; Fred Moffit, Moffitt Mazda; and Loy Moore, Haysville Mercantile.

The 2013 Business of the Year nominees included winner Builders Supply and Coyle Engineering, Destiny Day Spa, and Tilley Mobile Homes.

Jason Smith Honored As Outgoing Chairman On Tuesday, January 21, the Bossier Chamber honored outgoing Chairman of the Board, Jason Smith, at the annual Chairman’s Dinner. Members of the Bossier Chamber staff, Executive Committee as well as Mayor Walker of Bossier City and ranking officers from Barksdale Air Force Base were there to celebrate the many successes for the organization under Smith’s leadership.

Under Smith’s tenure as Chairman of the Board during 2013, the Chamber received 4Star Accreditation and is ranked among the top three Chambers in the country. The Chamber also celebrated the 20 year anniversary of the Bossier Youth Leadership Program and launched Bossier Innovates, a regional branding initiative as a part of the 2013 successes.

February 2014 • Biz. Magazine

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NWLA Tourism

STORY BY Chris Jay

Good as Gold

F

“Golden Ticket” Promotion Targets Meeting Planners acing the challenge of lean economic times and a convention and meetings industry that has been slow to recover from the 2008 recession, the convention sales staff of the ShreveportBossier Convention and Tourist Bureau are testing out an idea that first occurred to them in 2012: incentivizing meeting planners with cold, hard cash.

The “Golden Ticket” promotion, running now through June 30, targets organizers of medium-to-large conventions and meetings that utilize a minimum of 50 hotel rooms per night and have not hosted an event in Shreveport-Bossier within the last year. Meeting and convention planners can receive a $1,000 cash reimbursement towards qualifying expenses such as facility rental, catering and transportation. Launched on Jan. 1, the promotion netted three new convention

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leads in its first 15 days, a result that makes Regional Convention Sales Manager Dianna Douglas optimistic about the program’s final outcome. The $1,000 incentive must be secured by June 30, but can be applied towards meetings taking place in the future.

“It’s paying off already,” Douglas said. “The phones are ringing, and we definitely feel like it’s a solid platform for future business.”

Douglas said that, while there have always been incentive programs in the industry, what sets the “Golden Ticket” promotion apart is the relatively low barrier to entry.

“The difference in our program is in the requirements and restrictions,” Douglas said.

“With the market being so soft, we wanted to make sure that we didn’t close the door on any piece of business.” Government-related

associations, corporate meetings, educational groups, oil and gas, social groups, religious and multicultural conventions are all being targeted through the “Golden Ticket” promotion.

Suzanne Manfredi, convention sales manager for the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau, believes that smaller, regional meetings - such as those held by local chapters of organizations or corporations - often lead to larger, national meetings.

“Regional organizations are probably going to be the first to pick up on this promotion and take advantage of it,” Manfredi said. “That frequently leads to opportunities to host larger, national meetings. The ‘Golden Ticket’ gets meeting planners to notice us, so we can then earn their business.”

Shreveport-Bossier hosted a total of 377 conventions in 2012, the most recent year for which complete data is available. 66,842 hotel room nights were associated with these events, and a total of 102,611 delegates were reported. Through efforts such as the “Golden Ticket” promotion as well as the upcoming Reunion Planning Workshop, which will be held at the Villaggio Lakehouse and Event Center on Saturday, Feb. 8, the bureau’s sales team aim to grow new and repeat convention bookings in Shreveport-Bossier by 5% in 2014.

For information on how to take advantage of the “Golden Ticket,” or to learn more about planning an upcoming meeting or convention in Shreveport-Bossier, contact Dianna Douglas, regional convention sales manager, at 1800-551-8682 ext. 108 or ddouglas@sbctb.org

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Pelican General Agency Celebrates 15 Years Golf Course Vision Turns Into Reality

G

olf is not merely a leisure sport.

It is a buoyant venue where dreams are made and business gets done in the modern workforce. Over 20 years ago Richard Beach reunified a friendship with Walter Kelly that began years before as classmates at Northwood High School Shreveport. As fate would have it this golf course encounter would play a major role in both a personal and business relationship.

Though Richard and Walter had separate business careers they maintained a friendship through weekend golf and their wives, who both happened to be teachers in the Caddo Parish School System, all having graduated from Northwood since its opening in 1967. In fact, their lives were intertwined even then as Patti Kelly taught Richard’s children, Ryan and Nealy and Bab taught Walter and Patti’s daughter Melissa.

In 1993 Richard convinced Walter that a career in the insurance business might be worth pursuing plus Richard had a vision that one day they would have their own agency. With hope for the future, Walter Kelly, entered the Property and Casualty insurance business on the Program Management side. In 1997 Richard Beach decided the time was right for that “golf course vision” to become a reality and both he and Walter took the first step in forming

Pelican General Agency.

Even though they faced giant hurdles in the beginning, the business partners stayed focused and kept their “eye on the ball”.

The mission statement for Pelican General Agency in 1998 was to simply provide an underwriting profit to their carrier and reinsurance partners by constantly striving to be an underwriting facility rather than a production facility. As Mark Twain once said, “Always do right this will gratify some people and astonish the rest”. Though ownership and management has changed throughout

Grey Digilormo (standing) and Patrick Kelly (seated)

e m o ! c y l l e i W m a f e to th

the years, Pelican General Agency has not wavered from their original mission.

In 2011 Richard Beach decided to semi-retire and sold his interest in Pelican General to Patrick Kelly, Walter’s son and now business partner. Walter and Patrick are now the sole shareholders of the company.

Richard continues as a consultant on a part-time basis while son-in-law, Grey Digilormo, who joined the firm in 2006, serves as the Property Casualty Underwriting Manager. Grey was a former graduate and football coach at Northwood.

Since the inception of Pelican General Agency, and as they celebrate their 15th Anniversary, the principals of Pelican have lived by a disciplined and ingrained philosophy. They provide hands-on ownership and are involved in the daily operation of all facets of the business and its operation.

Pelican has grown to offer a well-rounded and diversified portfolio that includes Commercial Auto, unusual Brokerage Risks through Lloyd’s of London, General Liability, Property, Inland Marine and Towing and Recovery throughout Louisiana and Arkansas. Their commitment is to place the customer first by providing the independent insurance agent with various products through “A” rated carriers and by doing so with a smile.

Walter Kelly (seated) and Richard Beach (standing) So, as you see, golf is not merely a leisure sport. For Walter and Richard and their families it turned into a four-hour business meeting that both influenced and affected their lives forever.

Happy Anniversary, Pelican!

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February 2014 • Biz. Magazine

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From the Bossier Chamber

The workplace of the future

S

Coworking provides unique work culture everal years ago, “coworking” and shared workspaces were the hot trend sweeping the nation. By now most of the fly-by-night coworking spaces have closed down and the remaining spaces are those who have had lasting impact in their communities and continue to innovate in community and economic development. As an entrepreneur I work at one such space, Cohab in Shreveport.

Cohab was founded in 2010 and has developed a vibrant community and networking environment with a coworking space at its core. At Cohab, business as usual can mean hearing a computer tech vacuuming out a client’s computer, a web developer working with a client, the director (John Grindley) meeting with Cohab’s board, a business coach teaching a client, the next breakout company “whiteboarding” their new product, or even a church planning their next service.

I run a software development company, Juma Labs. We started out as a product company, building strictly educational software, and have since “pivoted” our business; but at every step in the process - the community of Cohab was invaluable to us.

Whether it was accepting mentorship from experienced members, getting insights from other members, or learning while helping out new members - Cohab was always invaluable in one way or another.

One of the coolest recurring programs at Cohab is called Cosolve. Cosolve is a member-tomember “support group”. It occurs once per week and lasts one hour. All of the Cohab members (who are present at the time) crowd into the biggest conference room. A clockwise circle is made around the table as each member introduces themselves and states the basic facts of their business. What happens next is the magic of Cohab. Each business presents a problem or struggle that they are currently facing in their business and how they have tried to solve it.

The other members suggest solutions that have worked for them or solutions that they think might work. 10+ members of different business backgrounds, all under one roof present a wide variety of solutions and often times the environment of Cosolve fosters new business partnerships, new business strategies, and sometimes even - entirely new businesses altogether.

Justin Martin Justin is the owner of Juma Labs and works out of Cohab.

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Even though Cosolve is one of the lifebloods of Cohab’s community, the members are the real “secret sauce”. Cohabitants are intelligent, friendly, and willing to help in any way they can. This creates an open collaborative environment that fosters innovation and forward-thinking business strategy. There is a cohabitant active in almost every field that you can imagine, from churches to non-profits to software development to graphic design to even culinary endeavors and more. If you’re looking for a cool space to work in or want to see what coworking is all about, then come visit Cohab (in Shreveport, under the Texas Street Bridge).

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Dave Says — On Business We take care of our own Dear Dave, I’m in middle management, and I was wondering what you can do when an employee is worth more than you’re allowed to pay them.

Brian Dear Brian, That’s a tough situation when you don’t have control over financial compensation. At my company, the human resources handbook comes with one mandate: treat people the way you would want to be treated. So, I’ll ask you. If you were the employee who deserved more money, how would you want to be treated?

Here’s the hard truth. If a member of your team can make significantly more money elsewhere, there’s a good chance they’ll eventually leave. However, if I knew that my leader was fighting and trying to convince the decision makers that I deserved more money, plus doing other things to offset the financial issues, it would mean something to me.

There are always other gestures you can make to show someone they’re valued and appreciated. You might let them off a little early when their kid has a ballgame. You could even make a special award presentation to this person, or strongly recommend them for a promotion.

Still, at the end of the day, you either give people what the marketplace will pay, or you run the risk of losing them. And without control over the purse strings, there’s only so much you can do in those kinds of situations.

—Dave

Give yourself time

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Dear Dave, I’m thinking about starting an auto detailing business. Do you have any advice on how to start something like this, and what to consider first?

Justin Dear Justin, When you’re running your own business, you’ll find out quickly that your boss is a jerk who works you like an animal. Working for yourself is one of the toughest things you can do for a career, and you better make sure you’re doing something you love, because it’ll take years of blood, sweat and tears to be successful. If you don’t absolutely love auto detailing, and if you’re thinking about it simply because it’s plausible or you think you can make money doing it, I’d advise giving up on the idea. If that’s your stance, it’s really more of a side job than a business.

Ca Callll No Noww

Think about something you’d want to be doing every day five years from now, and have anywhere from 20 to 200 people doing it with you. You’ll always do a better job and have more fun when you’re involved with something you love. And when it comes to running the business, pay cash, have a written game plan and don’t be afraid to grow slowly.

2222-9446 22-9446 owned owned and and ooperated perated in Shr Shreveport eveport since 194 19488

Dave Ramsey Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business. He’s authored four New York Times best-selling books: Financial Peace, More Than Enough, The Total Money Makeover and EntreLeadership. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 6 million listeners each week on more than 500 radio stations. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey.com.

24 Biz. Magazine • February 2014

Lay out a smart business plan ahead of time, and know everything from your marketing strategies and cost of start-up equipment and supplies to what your projected revenues are and the per unit charges for all your little widgets. Lay this all out like you had to prepare a report for a college class, and that’s what a business plan looks like.

I’m excited for you, Justin, because you have lots of entrepreneurial spirit. You might not make $100,000 your first year, but who does? Just take your time. Be patient, be smart, and give people a quality product and professional service. If you’ll do those things, chances are you’ll be a success!

—Dave

C

P M t m

H c

Lunch Break

Chris Jay reviews local food every Tuesday at www.20x49.com.

Greens, with Envy

L

Quick, Friendly Soul Food at Allen’s Grill ocated on the first floor of the Motor Hotel building at 729 Jordan Street in Shreveport (in the location briefly occupied by Goldenland Superior), Allen’s Grill is a new soul food diner serving truly exceptional plate lunch specials and country-style sides.

Chris Jay Public Relations and Social Media Manager, Shreveport Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau. He is a monthly contributor to Biz. Magazine.

He may be reached via email at cjay@sbctb.org.

On my recent visit, I had some of the most perfectly fried fish that I’ve ever eaten in ShreveportBossier and a side of collard greens that were rich, smoky and clearly made from scratch. The diner serves breakfast and lunch, Monday through Friday. Nothing on the menu costs more than $10, with daily “meat and three” plate lunches available for $8.

Owner Theudas Allen is committed to making as many of the diner’s sides from scratch as possible. “It’s an old style of cooking, it’s country cook-

ing,” Allen told me after I inquired about the visible chunks of salt pork in the restaurant’s greens.

That salt pork gives his restaurant’s greens – which are 100% collard greens, cut by hand – a rich, savory flavor.

One thing I loved about talking to Mr. Allen: He’ll tell you if one of the restaurant’s sides is not made from scratch. A lot of places will look you in the eyes and tell you that their sides are “all made from scratch,” knowing that no diner on the planet is making their own corn or green beans.

Other sides that I have enjoyed at Allen’s Grill include the outstanding candied yams and a delicious broccoli and cheese casserole.

sult. But, if you love soul food or southern cooking, what’s on the plate should more than make up for the lack of atmosphere.

If you’re going to give Allen’s Grill a chance to win you over, I’d recommend Monday (fried chicken, all dark meat), Tuesday (fried pork chops) or Friday (fried fish). For $8, the plate lunches are fantastic.

I keep meaning to try some of the main menu items – which include healthier options like soups and salads – but I’m not sure how I ever will. For Facebook users who love a bargain, like “Allen’s Grill” on Facebook for exclusive coupons and freebie offers.

The restaurant’s only downside is the fact that there is no décor whatsoever – the walls are bare and the space seems a little impersonal, as a re-

February 2014 • Biz. Magazine

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Business Etiquette

Pearls or Viruses?

B

Every company is culturing something, intentionally or not usinessDictionary.Com defines company culture as “the values and behaviors that contribute to the unique social and psychological environment of an organization.” Great bizspeak sentence, but what does it mean?

Let’s try this. An organization is not some nebulous entity. It is comprised of the people in that organization. As a group, the overall emotional climate and social attitude of those people is the company culture.

Teri Haynes Owner of Business Interactions, LLC Employee trainer and business etiquette coach www.BusinessInteractions.Net

26 Biz. Magazine • February 2014

But, what creates the emotional climate and social attitude? The easy answer is the people do.

However, that is only part of the answer. The main creator of corporate culture is top management.

Water flows downhill; so do values, morals, ethics, attitudes, expectations, and respect. As a group, employees will follow the lead of man-

agement.

Study after study proves that companies with good ethical values, diverse employees, and high levels of respect and value for its staff are more profitable and enjoy a lower employee turnover rate. Take care of your employees and your employees will take care of your customers.

Can you change your corporate culture? Yes, but it takes hard work, and it is not done in a day, but daily. It can’t be fixed with a marketing campaign or cash bonuses to employees. It begins with a desire by all of the top management to make a real and lasting positive change in their thinking and attitudes. Following is a brief and deceptively simple list of some steps involved in corporate culture change.

Determine what the current culture is, why, and how it is demonstrated.

Decide what the new culture should be and look like.

Top management changes their attitudes and behaviors to reflect the new values and expectations.

Communicate the new attitude via meetings, trainings, and other group events.

Review work systems, policies, procedures, and practices for improvements.

How is your corporate culture? Do the people in your organization seem to be fairly happy and enjoy their work? Do your employees feel that the work they do is meaningful and that they are appreciated? Does your staff treat each other and the customers in a friendly and respectful manner? The answers to these questions will indicate if you are culturing pearls or viruses.

On the Economic Development Front

Building for the Future Economic development is a process built on planning, leadership and investment in a common vision. Progress doesn’t just happen in a vacuum. You must envision it, plan for it, work for it and invest in it. Skipping these steps in building for the future often leads to economic stagnation. In today’s fierce competition for businesses and resources, communities who fail to plan and invest in their futures are often passed up in the race for economic development.

Scott Martinez President, NLEP He is the President of North Louisiana Economic Partnership (NLEP), a publicprivate partnership dedicated to promoting economic development in North Louisiana. Send comments to feedback@nlep.org.

Strategies will compile the research, analyze the information, and develop a comprehensive strategic plan which will serve as the blueprint for our economic growth. The plan will also include actionable strategies that will help move our region forward.

As a nonprofit, public-private regional economic development organization, North Louisiana Economic Partnership (NLEP), its Board of Directors, its stakeholders and nearly 200 investors are envisioning for the future.

However, the vision set out in the strategic plan must be embraced by our communities. Here’s where leadership and investment come into play.

Leaders must come together to work toward a common vision. Communities must invest resources into building the infrastructure, organizations, culture and systems that allow a vision to take shape. Without either component, a strategic plan- no matter how brilliant - will fail.

NLEP engaged top economic development analysts with TIP Strategies based in Austin, Texas to develop a multi-year strategic plan for North Louisiana. TIP Strategies travelled to Shreveport in December 2013 and will return to the region to finish interviewing stakeholders, economic developers, and political and business leaders. TIP

The NLEP Board of Directors, who consists of corporate leaders, elected officials, and community leaders from across the 14 parishes, recognized that in order to promote economic development they had to become active and involved. Our nearly 200 investors financially support NLEP because they believe in creating economic oppor-

tunities for their friends, neighbors and future generations.

“Building for the Future” will be the theme for NLEP’s 2014 Annual Meeting on February 6th at 5:30 p.m. at the Monroe Civic Center, 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway in Monroe, La. The dinner and program aims to rally our business and political leadership around a common vision for our future. Dr. Rick Rigsby, a highly sought-after leadership coach and author, will speak about his leadership principles. Major companies and organizations like Dell, General Motors, Hyundai, Pfizer, the PGA and the NFL use Rigsby to empower and motivate their leaders to do great things.

We invite you to attend an evening that will reshape how you see our collective future. For tickets, call (318) 771-1768 or email apexeventsllc@gmail.com. You can also register online at https://nlep.eventbrite.com.

February 2014 • Biz. Magazine

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