N O R T H
A L A B A M A ' S
P R E M I E R E
N E T W O R K I N G
MORNING A Publication of
G R O U P
BREW
R.I.S.E.
AUGUST 2020 / ISSUE 12 / VOLUME 2
THIS ISSUE
BUSINESS BUSINESS INSIGHTS INSIGHTS
CONNECTING THE DISCONNECT BETWEEN MARKETING AND SALES
START START UP UP STORIES STORIES
FEATURING OSCAR GARCIA,NEED2SAY
7 7 TIPS TIPS YOU YOU NEED NEED TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR BUSINESS PROFESSINALS
R.I.S.E. HOST & PROGRAM DIRECTOR
CONTENTS NEWS
05 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 06 EVENTS & INFO 08
START
RISE SPEAKER SERIES
FEATURES
13 16 21 24
UP
STORIES
STARTUP STORIES
FEATURING OSCAR GARCIA, NEED2SAY
START UP STORIES
BUSINESS INSIGHTS CONNECTING THE DISCONNECT BETWEEN MARKETING & SALES
DEMONSTRATING LEADERSHIP IN MARKETING DURING COVID19 7 TIPS: TIME MANAGEMENT THE PITCH: FEATURING TRACEY KENNEDY BUSINESS INSIGHTS
28 31 36
A LEGACY OF HEALTH & TIME MANAGEMENT FOR WELATH
PHOTOGRAPHY: HOW IS YOUR 7 TIPS YOU BUSINESS UTILIZING THIS TOOL NEED
A LEGACY OF HEALTH & WEALTH
BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS
WWW.THERISEGROUPHSV.COM
PART 7
Contributors
Regional Innovators Sustaining the Ecosystem
Dr. Kreslyn Kelley-Ellis
Publisher
Certified Human Capital &
Vicki Morris
Leadership Coach Dr.
Kreslyn
grew
up
in
Huntsville,
AL,
receiving a B.B.A from Faulkner Christian University.
Editor
She
went
on
to
receive
her
Master’s Degree in Special Education from Alabama A&M University and a Doctorate in
Demetria Horton
Education Administration & Supervision from Tennessee State University.
Contributors Oscar Garcia Oscar Garcia
Kevin Pendergrass Demetria Horton
Need2Say COriginally
from
Mexico,
Oscar
R.
Garcia graduated from the University of
Dr. Kreslyn Kelley-Ellis Tracey Kennedy Rick Makrowski
Alabama at Birmingham with a Master’s degree in Adult ESL Education.In 2018 Oscar
gave
a
TED
talk
at
TEDxBirmingham titled “Build Bridges, Not Walls” and is also the founder and CEO of Need2Say (An IOS and Android application for construction workers).
Mike Moorer Mike Moorer
Graphics
Photographer Capturing
Face To Face Marketing, LLC
stunning
images
that
help professionals and their brand stand out on social media is my passion.
Contact Us
am
dedicated
to
producing content that allows their message to be heard.
Morning Brew is a publication of R.I.S.E. by Face To Face Marketing, LLC. We are located at 515 Sparkman Drive, HSV, AL 35816
I
Tracey Kennedy California Country Organics
We publish this magazine every month. We are always accepting ads for the next month's magazine, and content submissions.
The owner and creator of California Country Organics Body Care and author of the soon to be released debut book, Tinder Nights with
Email us for more information at Hello@FaceToFace-Marketing.com
Morning Brew Magazine
3
Tracey: Swiping Right During the Age of the Rona .
theRISEgrouphsv.com
SUSTAINING SUPPORTERS EVENT MANAGEMENT BY This event is brought to the North Alabama Entrepreneurial community by the team at Face To Face Marketing, led by Vicki Morris, president and founder. A Public Relations and Project Management firm. Want to connect with them, click the logo for a link to their website.
VENUE & ACCOMODATIONS
Invention to Innovation Center at UAH
HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
Accommodations for several morning events have been graciously provided by the brand new I2C Center at UAH and the wonderful team at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. Click the images for a direct link to their websites.
Morning Brew Magazine
4
theRISEgrouphsv.com
A MESSAGE FROM the Publisher s i r r o M Vicki Time to Push Play:
The theme this month is time management, and many busy professionals and entrepreneurs are very well intentioned as they go about making plans and writing down goals. I know many have decided to make changes in the way they do business. There was a lot of planning that went into the decision to start your business, and much planning has gone into how you will sustain your business. Now is the time for action. We have been under precautionary measures for 5 months now, it’s time to put those plans into action, let’s push play! Planning is a necessary part of growth for your businesses. And I certainly encourage you to take time to develop a suitable plan for how your business is sustained for the rest of 2020. But, if you have not pulled the trigger on your plan, what are you waiting for? What’s your motivation mantra? Does music keep you motivated? Whatever it is that keeps you encouraged, in the face of fear, and uncertainty, do it, play it, sing it, but whatever it is, Just. Do.It. (Thank you Nike!!) Sometimes the biggest fear we have is the fear itself. Take a chance and see what happens. So what if you swing and miss. You experienced home plate, you got ready for whatever they threw at you. There is satisfaction in the willingness to take a swing. This is the perfect time to try something new, or a slightly different path than your typical comfort zone. Nobody is certain about how our world will heal from this pandemic, but we can be certain that things are changing. When we are on the other side of this global event, we will be different. The ways of doing business have changed and there is no going back. What have you done as a business leader to adapt to the change? Have you learned to use some new programs? How’s your ZOOM appearance? Do you know how to add this type of program to your business offering? As a business owner, have you found ways to be more efficient in managing your team remotely? There are tons of programs and systems on the market that do just such a thing. If you have not made changes, or taken action on your well thought out plans, this is the month to do it! Block out the distractions and get focused. You have the plans all laid out, just take the first step. We are constantly evolving our business structure here at Face To Face Marketing and with R.I.S.E. We have taken risks, made bold moves and walked on faith because we believed in each other. I’m encouraging you to believe in yourselves, and push play! Entrepreneurs Unite, and LET’S DO THIS!!! Morning Brew Magazine
5
theRISEgrouphsv.com
EVENTS & INFO Information about networking events, business seminars, and other opportunities to grow your business. Please contact event organizer for more details on tickets, dates, locations, audience.
COVID-19 BUSINESS UPDATES Provided by the Huntsville Madison Chamber of Commerce, latest news is updated peridoically. We're all in this together, six feet apart.
COVID-19 UPDATES
R.I.S.E. GOES VIRTUAL Due to the government advisory following the outbreak of COVID-19 R.I.S.E. is now being presented LIVE on Facebook and YouTube.
Catch us Friday August 7th and August 24th at 9am!!
SCORE HAS COME TO HUNTSVILLE Join us for Virtual SCORE presentations THURSDAYS at 10am! SCORE is proud to have the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors. They help thousands of entrepreneurs start and grow their small businesses every year. Our volunteers give back to their communities and pass on their knowledge to the next generation of entrepreneurs. Morning Brew Magazine
6
theRISEgrouphsv.com
RISE GOES VIRTUAL All RISE Events will be brought to you virtually! Tune in on our Facebook & YouTube Platforms August 7 August 21 September 4 September 18
Meet our August Virtual Presenters! Be sure to like our Facebook and LinkedIn pages, and stay up to date on all RISE news and events.
Morning Brew Magazine
8
theRISEgrouphsv.com
ABOUT
EDDIE HILL
As a professional, having worked in the corporate arena for more than 30 years, we are continuing to build businesses that are based on integrity and knowledge. Mr. Hill’s background, skills, education and experience can make a positive contribution to Eddie Hill Consulting Group’s success. In addition Mr. Hill has an Associate Degree in Business and Graphic Arts degree respectively from Lawson State Community College and studies at UAB and University of Alabama Tuscaloosa in management studies for the Southern Company. In January of 1998 He opted to take an early out. In May of the same year, He started a consulting firm, Eddie Hill Consulting Group (with a limited partnership with T.A. Lewis & Associates), a company creating and developing Supplier Diversity Programs. My company and I developed programs for a host of companies, such as Electric Power Board of Chattanooga, TN; TVA Chattanooga, TN; Birmingham Water Works and Sewer Board; BE&K construction; Auburn University; Russell Corporation; Time Warner Cable (Bright House) Birmingham; Chevron Corporation: Pascagoula, MS, and Concord, CA.; Bruno & Inc., Corporate OfficeBirmingham AL.; Mobile Water and Sewer Board, Mobile, AL.; Mobile Gas Service Company, Mobile, AL.; Diversified Executive Systems, Inc.; Honda Alabama; New Rising Star Community Support Corporation (2010 – 2014), Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce and many other companies and small businesses. In 2010 we refocused the business to assist small and larger businesses in New Business Development, to help introduce and find opportunities within corporations, companies and municipalities. He continues to develop Supplier Diversity Programs for companies needing these programs in their supply chain management.
eddie.hill@EHCGLLC.com
ABOUT
Ann Cooper
Ms. Cooper brings a wealth of nonprofit management experience. For over 40 years she has been involved with 501c3 or 501c6 organizations at the state and local levels. Her background includes Public Relations Director for the Alabama Chamber of Commerce (now known as the Business Council of Alabama), Community Relations officer for the Alabama Medicaid Agency, as well as Public Relations Director for the Alabama Nursing Home Association and J. S. Tarwater Development Center. In addition she worked with the AUM School of Continuing Education and also served as a grant administrator for the six-state William Bartram Heritage Trail Commission. Among other awards and accolades during her career, most recently Ms. Cooper is a four time recipient of BB&T’s NeighborWorks Scholarship for advanced grant writing and nonprofit association management training. She has studied in Portland, OR in the fall of 2019. NeighborWorks encourages participants to return to their communities and provide “pay it forward” learning opportunities. This particular course, Grant Writing 101, has been taught by Ms. Cooper at the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce’s Business Incubator to over 300 attendees to date, and at various Chambers of Commerce around the state. Her other workshop, Advanced Grant Writing 2.0 has been received well by 30 area nonprofits to date with more such events coming up.Ms. Cooper, a Prattville native, is a 1981 graduate of Auburn University Montgomery and makes her home in Montgomery with Bobbie Sue and Bubba Wayne, her Tabby rescues.
acooper@rruw.org
MORNING BREW
BE OUR NEXT FEATURE Place your Ad or Article in the next issue of Morning Brew Magazine
TODAY
New Article Series
START
UP
STORIES
This series highlights the startup stories of local and regional entrepreneurs. Check back each month for a new feature and the inside story of the hows , whys, and what for's of starting a business from seasoned and successful professionals.
Morning Brew Magazine
12
theRISEgrouphsv.com
START
UP
STORIES
August feature
Oscar Garcia, CEO of Need2Say App What was the primary motivator for you to create an app that focused on helping construction workers? According to NIOSH, the majority of construction workers are immigrants who are unfamiliar with the risks they face on the job, unaware of standard safety procedures, receive little or no job training, do not speak or comprehend English, and may have work styles different from their coworkers and employers. For this reason, Latin American workers have the highest fatalities rates of any group of workers in the country. Saving people's lives is my main motivator. At first, I thought that American workers were not interested in learning Spanish but after having focus groups with them, I learned that they want to learn Spanish as Latin American workers want to learn English. They want to communicate better but don't have the right tool to help them learn English/Spanish for the construction industry. In other words, they don't have to learn all the language. All they have to do is be able to communicate at the worksite. And this is what the Need2Say app does. It helps them communicate better while at the same time learning about OSHA's rules and regulations. So, it's a win-win for construction companies because through this they can save lives and millions of dollars in accidents at the same time. How did you finance the app? Was it bootstrapped, bank loan, or family/friend loan?We were lucky to be part of the Velocity Accelerator (Innovation Depot). It was here where we received our seed investment to make our MVP. We are very thankful for all the great things Innovation Depot has been able to do for us On average how many people will sign up for the Need2Say? 1000 new users each month How do plan on expanding the Need2Say app to mining and agriculture workers? We want to use our same approach, Language + OSHA training= Safety What inspires you to continue helping construction workers you may never meet? That somehow, we are all connected. If they are safe and feel safe at work, they will build safer homes and buildings. It is at these very same buildings and homes where we and our children live, work and study. It is inspirational and rewarding to do good to others.
Morning Brew Magazine
13
theRISEgrouphsv.com
What are some obstacles you've had to overcome while creating the app? It is not common to see a Mexican-American running a startup in Alabama, and whenever I pitch to investors I get the feeling that they don't really want to invest in a foreigner. Even if I live here and my children have been born here. I sometimes feel that I have to move West in order to get the help and support I need. What are some things that you've come to learn about yourself since starting your own company? Balance. I am a workaholic. And my body has taught me a valuable lesson. Just like everybody else, I need to have a balance between my family, work and friends. I used to work more 12 hrs a day. I have learned that that is not a healthy lifestyle. Did you always know that you wanted to be an entrepreneur? No, I did not. All I knew from an early age was that I wanted to learn English and that I wanted to study in the U.S. but not because the U.S. was a powerful or rich country (I actually did not know that until I went to college). It was because I was raised with the same beliefs. Freedom, Equality, Rights, and Hard work. Thus, to me now, to be an entrepreneur is an expression of Freedom. How has Need2Say been affected by Covid-19? We have been affected as most companies throughout the country and throughout the world. Fortunately for us, we are a SaaS company, so we have been able to continue to work through these difficult times Do customers reach out and thank you for helping them better communicate at work? Yes, they have. And it's the greatest motivator for us. Their comments reignite our purpose and make us feel that we are making a better world. What are your ultimate goals for your company? I want to provide jobs and wellness to people. I have always dreamed of building a company where people are happy to work for; but not just because they have a good salary but because they are making a difference in their own world, and feel good about it.
THE OWNER BEHIND THE STORY
Oscar Garcia
CEO of Need2Say
Morning Brew Magazine
14
theRISEgrouphsv.com
WE LOVE TO HELP COMPANIES WITH
WEBSITE AUDITS
LET US REVIEW YOUR WEBSITE FOR: EASE OF FLOW SEO OPTIMIZATION CLARITY OF MESSAGE BACK-END ANALYTICS EFFECTIVE EMAIL FUNNELS ADA COMPLIANCE
SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION WWW.FACETOFACE-MARKETING.COM
DEMONSTRATING LEADERSHIP IN MARKETING DURING TIMES OF COVID-19 BY DR.KRESLYN KELLEY-ELLIS, CERTIFIED HUMAN CAPITAL & LEADERSHIP COACH The year 2020 has become a volatile target with the current COVID-19 health crisis raking up the global economy by storm. It is rare to find a crisis of this magnitude that equally affects employees as well as customers. Not to forget the adjustment to our personal lives as we adapt to social distancing and its wide-ranging social and domestic impact. For most leaders, these are challenging times and unprecedented experience for their organization and its patrons. More importantly, it questions organizations' capability to strike the right balance between revenues and employee well-being.
Leaders must demonstrate resilience while promoting transparency and authenticity to advocate trust, a dynamic play, with its own ebbs and flows. By involving the stakeholders, such as employers and customers in transparent decision-making, and providing substantial, authentic, and useful information, organizations achieve consistency in their beliefs and actions. This way, the organizations will hold themselves accountable for their actions and words and set the right examples for others to follow.
Morning Brew Magazine
16
theRISEgrouphsv.com
COVID-19 and its aftermaths have acted as the apt testing ground for an organization's brand promise. It has made the world take notice
if
the
organizations
are
indeed
backing up their mission and values.Â
Winston Churchill once said, "A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on". Organizations need to reflect care and concern in everything they do, right from the choice of marketing, tone
of
messaging,
customers.
or
Research
even
has
the
found
ad
spends
that
for
companies
their that
significantly increased their ad spend during uncertain times, eg. The 2008-09 recession can boost their market share twice over those who only modestly increase their ad
budgets.
understanding
Agile
marketing
unfolding
is
an
situations
art
and
of
quickly
responding
to
them appropriately and setting forth a precedent, as a brand.
When
implemented
well,
agile
marketing
has
proven to save the day.
Even with the global markets in despair, this isn't the time to be pushing products or compromising with brand principles and values. Instead, organizations need to ensure that they demonstrate empathy in their actions, whether it is directed to the employees or their customers. By donating its machinery to build ventilators, 3M sets a wonderful example of solving problems that indeed need solving. This way, whatever one may miss out on market share would make up through occupying their customers' mind share. In the disruptive times that we're in today, leaders need to steer the course of action with optimism, for it leads to hope, which keeps one going every single day. Even though it is difficult to see the positive when everything seems to be falling apart, every organization undergoes rough patches and pains. These times determine who is brave enough to weather the storms. Executives should accept this uncertainty and know that even though its elimination isn't possible, they can take measures to ensure smooth sailing, confidently. With such high stakes, it becomes essential for leaders to be humanitarians first and CEOs later. Now's the time to implement one's values and reinforce customer relationships one has worked hard to build over these years. Now is the time for marketing - the right way.
Morning Brew Magazine
17
theRISEgrouphsv.com
WE ARE LOOKING FOR A STAR WIN A CHANCE TO SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM LIVE AT OUR HOME OPENING GAME
Submit a video of you singing the National Anthem to our Facebook Page
@NAWARDAWGS Tag us and Hashtag
#NAWARDAWGS
Follow us on FB and Instagram for details, updates, and announcements
@NAWARDAWGS
@NAWARDAWGS
www.northalabamawardawgs.com
Passion HR Consulting 2608 Newby Road Suite 200, Huntsville AL (888) HR - SERVE \\ info@passionhr.net www.passionhr.net
Morning Brew Magazine
18
theRISEgroupHSV.com
W H E T H E R
Y O U
T H I N K
Y O U
CAN CAN'T RIGHT O R
T H I N K
E I T H E R
W A Y
Y O U
Y O U ' R E
- H E N R Y
F O R D
NEW ARTICLE SERIES
7 TIPS The 7 TIPS article series gives you 7 vital tips on marketing, business, innovation and more! Check it out each month for 7 TIPS you never knew you couldn't live without.
theRISEgrouphsv.com
7 TIPS
Time Management for the Business Professional By Face to Face Marketing
1
Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals It is difficult to accomplish anything without specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timebound SMART goals. You can start by breaking down your long-term goals into monthly goals, then break them down even further into weekly and daily goals.
Plan Your Activities Working backward from the date you want the goals accomplished is the best way to accomplish business goals. Set and review checkpoints for tasks that need to be completed in order for you to reach your goals.
3
2
Pick a System and Commit If finding a suitable approach to time management is holding you back. The best solution can come from combining the ideas of a few different philosophies to create the perfect time management and productivity tool for you, whether that is your calendar on your phone, jotting down everything in a planner or utilizing a software system or app.
Morning Brew Magazine
21
theRISEgrouphsv.com
7 TIPS
4
Marketing Resources to give you an Edge!
Know your Priorities Success comes in knowing where to focus your time. In order to avoid forgetting tasks, take time to clarify what your priorities are and schedule the time to do your most important tasks when you are most active.
Find your Productivity Zone Whether you peak in the morning or are a night owl, you can cut down on the time it takes you to complete your work by understanding when you work best, are most productive, and plan your most important work for that time.
6
5
Track your Time If you do it or you don’t, write it down! If you're honest in documenting your time and activities, you'll be able to identify your strengths, weaknesses, and how much time you actually spend working on tasks.
Delegate No one can do it all. When you have more than you can handle, it may be a good idea to delegate. If you have trouble delegating, a good way to start is to determine what tasks are not essential for you to do personally. Morning Brew Magazine
22
7 theRISEgrouphsv.com theRISEgrouphsv.com
Class Begins Sept. 2020
Skill Training Courses to give your Business an Edge! Face to Face Marketing is offering skills training courses designed to set you up for professional success. This 5 course program will cover both technical and soft skills needed to give your interns & employees the skills to produce results.
Zoom Video Class VISIT www.facetoface-marketing.com 256-489-0135 Hello@FacetoFace-Marketing.com 515 Sparkman Drive HSV 35816
(5) one hour classes 1 course a week for 5 weeks
NEW ARTICLE SERIES
The Pitch is an article series dedicated to highlighting the stories of our local and regional entrepreneurs. Check it out each month and get the inside scoop on how, why, and all the cool inside jokes as they share their personal startup journey and tips with you. theRISEgrouphsv.com
The Pitch: Stories & Updates from Local and Regional Pitch Competitors Tracey Kennedy, Owner of California Country Organics Body Care
Yup! It’s your helpful happy Boss Lady, Tracey Kennedy with California Country Organics Body Care. When the amazing staff at Morning Brew asked me to contribute my story, I couldn’t wait to sing the praises of self worth! I know, right? Self worth? How’s that going to sell these shirts? How’s my confidence going to keep my bills paid? How did believing in me keep me going when I giving up seemed like best option? Ok, enough questions. Let’s get to it! A little background- my company landed in my lap in 2017. I was homeschooling a four year old, and nursing a one-year-old. I went from making body care products solely to save money for my family and heal my son’s eczema to people showing up in my Facebook DM’s, offering me money and I didn’t even have a company! It felt amazing that all these people had this belief in me. Belief I could not find to save my life. I completely let my body and mind fall to the center of the Earth. I didn’t feel like I had it in me to include becoming a business owner to my plate. How was I going to be Mom of the Decade and start a business with no money? This is where I reminded myself I could potentially make enough money to get an in ground pool in my backyard! If you know anything about me, I have always wanted a home with a “real” pool. Yeah...that was my only goal. I didn’t believe I could do any better than making enough for a pool. I’ve always been resourceful, so I asked a good friend to help make a logo and labels. I combined my California roots with the new Alabama country life I have and I had a brand vision. I started writing down all my recipes and admitted my reality, I needed to figure out shelf life. I wasn’t paying attention to the fact I was building a company, in spite of the fears and doubts I was feeding my insecurities. I did make things hard on myself with all that fear. Making poor financial decisions, sleeping only two to four hours a night, a lack of support from my husband at the time. I got to the point, I didn’t see the pool becoming a possibility. I didn’t see anything becoming a possibility, and it was because I couldn’t see possibility in myself. I was moving with no focus or value in me.
Morning Brew Magazine
25
theRISEgrouphsv.com
The Pitch: Stories & Updates from local and regional pitch competitors Last year, my life turned upside down! I found the courage to leave my extremely dead marriage and began reassuring myself my company came to me to help me see my worth. I joined an incubator program through the Nest Nonprofit Organization where a speaker said something that forever changed my perspective on where I could go. Cheryl stood in front of a large crowd of Birmingham, AL. artisan makers to enforce in us, “You’re not selling a product, you’re selling yourself...” If was selling myself, no wonder sales were slowing down. I was so consumed with the woes of my personal life I didn’t see how bright my future was. I couldn’t see the power in me. It was time for all of that to change. I began seeing this beautiful support system of friends and my children by my side. I took a step back to reevaluate me. I began living by, “People buy my brand because I have an amazing product. I have an amazing product because I make amazing things. I make amazing things because I believe in me, and people will/do see the integrity and value I have in myself and everything I do.” I live by it. When Covid quarantine hit, I didn’t back down. My company excelled. My belief that my organic body care line was worthy of being in every home was fueled by my belief in me. This was the time if any to show my contribution to sustainable body care. Sure enough, my customers, and friends broadcasted to the high heavens how much they believed in me and my company. Orders have been rolling in since. Believe in yourself. Even when it seems hopeless. You deserve to show the world just how much you love yourself truthly, deeply, organically.
Tracey Kennedy Owner California Country Organics Body Care
Morning Brew Magazine
26
theRISEgrouphsv.com
A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR
Calling all aspiring entrepreneurs! The Interactive Start-Up Business Application functions as a tool to assist users in focusing and validating a business concept.
For more information visit: www.jtgprop.com/services
Business Insights
CONNECTING THE DISCONNECT BETWEEN MARKETING AND SALES By Kevin Pendergrass | Pendergrass Promos
For a business to succeed, it must sell its products or services. The location may be perfect, the staff may be professional, and the office may be organized and have the latest technology available. However, if that business isn't selling its products or services, then it will ultimately fail. Oftentimes there is a major disconnect in the relationship between marketing and sales. In working with hundreds of businesses, this is something I see every day. The marketing department and the sales department are not on the same page. You shouldn’t sell to market yourself; you should be marketing yourself to sell. Morning Brew Magazine
28
theRISEgrouphsv.com
Distractions are all around us. It is tempting to care more about perception than it is reality. Therefore, many businesses are marketing themselves for the sake of marketing. How many “likes” on Facebook can they get? How many “connections” on LinkedIn do they have? While these things in and of themselves are not bad, they also aren’t your end game, or at least they shouldn’t be. The goal in business is not to see how many “likes” you can get, nor is it to see how many connections you can make. The goal in business is to make money and you can only do that when you are selling. The reason our company exists is to help harmonize your marketing department with your sales department by teaching you how to use promotional products. Promotional products are the most statistically effective means of advertisement. Are you tired of simply counting “likes?” Are you ready to start counting orders? Are you ready to start making money, and not just “connections?” Now is your time to do something about it!
Morning Brew Magazine
29
theRISEgrouphsv.com
WISDOM FOR BUSINESS Trusted improve
business
the
advisors
performance
of
ready your
to
help
business!
WWW.STEVENLEVYASSOCIATES.COM |256-325-9809
FEATURED ARTICLE
PHOTOGRAPHY
HOW IS YOUR BUSINESS UTILIZING THIS TOOL?
By Mike Moorer
And then... Right in the middle of the most crucial scene in the movie, she whispered to me…… We live in a world full of images. Everywhere we go, we are presented with images that compete for our attention in order to sell to us. I remember driving down the parkway one night when suddenly the lighted movie posters from afar captivated my friend’s attention. We pulled into the parking lot to gaze at the images encased in glass. I had never really noticed how powerful one image could be in the realm of selling a product until that night. As we stood there in the dark, she told me about how she based her movie ticket purchases off the posters alone. It was then that she said something that really got my attention. She said that she only sees the movies that have high-quality posters. This was a foreign concept to me because I always read multiple reviews before seeing a movie. However, it shined a light on the fact that many people are making purchasing decisions based on one image alone. Images are a form of communication. They set expectation and create a certain standard in our minds. They tell the customer what they can expect from a business. There is a direct link between the images used for marketing and the perceived value the customer will have.
Morning Brew Magazine
31
theRISEgrouphsv.com
Photography can go a long way in the area of communicating your value. However, it is like a two-edged sword. The images can either communicate a high-end or low-end brand based upon their quality. With a high-end brand, people expect to pay more but they also expect higher quality. A low-end brand would be the opposite. When you go to the Dollar Tree, you do not envision seeing high fashion photographs hanging in their stores. In many ways, the brand has already set your expectations to look forward to cheap prices and a low-end experience. Years ago, I saw this movie about a character that gets a second chance at life. It was so inspiring that I went and saw it again that same day. Several days later, I wanted someone else to experience this powerful message, so I invited a friend to go see it with me. I did not tell her that I had already seen the movie. This way I would be able to see the impact of the film upon her, without her looking to me for clues concerning the movie. About 15 minutes into the film she began muttering to herself. Then right in the middle of the most crucial scene in the movie, she whispered to me, “This is just a low-budget movie. It was probably filmed for $5 million.�
Considering how electric the beginning scenes were, I thought this was a strange declaration. If you know anything about movie making, you know that the average movie budget is anywhere from $70-$90 million. The big budget movies like Avengers: Endgame, cost right around $356 million to make.
Morning Brew Magazine
32
theRISEgrouphsv.com
Why am I telling you this, you might ask? Well, the reason is because my friend criticized and complained through the whole movie. She could not get past the small budget feel of the movie, long enough to experience the power of the story. This created a miserable experience for both of us. This can be the same with your brand. If people perceive your brand as low-quality, some people will simply not give you a chance. People often will judge a business by the branding and marketing images. I was talking to a guy one time about brand photography and how it influences his decisions. He told me that if a business does not have outstanding images and a consistent social media presence, that he will avoid them. I thought this was a harsh statement, but it was interesting to hear how some consumers think. Let’s look to a high-end brand like Rolex to see how they use imagery to promote their brand. I encourage you to go look at their website. Click on the World of Rolex section. https://www.rolex.com/world-of-rolex.html This is a famous luxury brand that sells watches that cost thousands of dollars. The images on their website are remarkable. They have done something quite genius. Pictures of a watch can only be so exciting, so they have joined their brand with sports, arts and exploration. As a result, their brand is represented at sporting and art events that millions of people see every year. It adds an element of adventure to the brand and increases their visibility. At these events they hire commercial photographers to capture stunning images to promote their brand.
Morning Brew Magazine
33
theRISEgrouphsv.com
The images of the yacht races, horse shows, and tennis matches on their website captivated me. In one image, a famous tennis player holds up his Grand Slam trophy while wearing a Rolex. In another image you can see the Rolex sponsored yacht races in Sydney, Australia. Instead of just seeing images of watches on a white background for sale, you see images of boats racing through the Pacific Ocean. Also check out their Instagram to see how they have photographed their watches in an unconventional way. I encourage you to take some inspiration from this luxury brand. Although you may not have millions to spend on branding, I know you can still pull this off. Here are some ideas you can incorporate into your imagery: Create some captivating images Find a way to infuse adventure into your images Elevate your visibility by teaming with other businesses Photograph your products in an unconventional way As a business owner you already wear so many hats. However, you cannot allow imagery to be an area where quality is sacrificed. As you continue to work hard, be consistent and make stunning images an intentional part of your brand, your target audience will see you from afar. Let it never be that someone would be prevented from experiencing your brand’s story because they perceive your brand as low-quality. Don’t give them an opportunity to whisper to a friend, “This is just a low-budget business.”
Morning Brew Magazine
34
theRISEgrouphsv.com
BUILDING WEBSITES THAT
RESPONSIVE SITES | CUSTOM DESIGNS | CLEAN LAYOUT Call to schedule your free consultation today! 256-489-0135 | Hello@FacetoFace-Marketing.com 515 Sparkman Drive HSV 35816
www.facetoface-marketing.com
A legacy of Health & Wealth A
R.I.S.E.
ARTICLE
SERIES
WELLNESS THE NATURAL WAY WELLNESS THE NATURAL WAY – PART 7 BY RICK MAKOWSKI
This is the seventh in a series on Wellness, the Natural Way on the topic of STRESS, and dovetails nicely with the theme of the month – Time Management. Time to de-stress, anyone? Let’s take a look at some of the natural methods we can do to help reduce our levels of stress as that is an important variable in our wellness equation. Time is our most precious resource; we never seem to have enough of it and once it is gone, it cannot be recovered. We can look at time as a short-term sprint for the daily “to do” lists and near-term missions, but then realize life is a marathon and as individuals, also have to look at time over the long term. The lyrics of the Pink Floyd song, “Time” puts that into perspective.
Even hearing the term “Time Management” can elicit elevated stress levels as some immediately think of it as more work on our already overcrowded “plates”, prompting thoughts of what else do I have to do and how can I balance it all out. The emotional and physical tension adds to increased stress levels, and over time, negatively impacts our mental and physical health as well as overall wellness. Balance is the answer; managing emotional and physical stress within the individual thresholds of our body will help us to maintain the needed levels of stress to build resilience, while keeping it all within acceptable levels to not cause undue, long term harm. The tricky part is for each of us to understand our body well enough to know what that threshold is and where we currently are with respect to it. Morning Brew Magazine
36
theRISEgrouphsv.com
How can Essential Oils (EOs) help us to attain that important balance? Science has shown the smells we encounter do have a strong connection to our emotions. We can easily relate to the feelings of walking into a room with a pleasant smell versus one that smells like a trash can filled with days old baby diapers and food clippings. Then, there is the relaxing smell of fresh country air, or even a trip to the beach breathing in deep to enjoy the clean salty air. The rewarding smell of freshly cut grass that we just finished provides a sense of accomplishment. The scents of EOs can also accomplish the same feelings. PBergamot EO is sourced from the fruit grown in Reggio di Calabria, Italy, where it thrives in the salty sea air and acidic soil. Though the fruit is bitter tasting, it yields a sweeter EO though a cold pressing process. In terms of the science, the Bergamot EO includes the chemical component limonene, which is commonly known for its uplifting aromatic characteristics. It is best used in a diffuser in a waiting room, office area, or if under stress, smell direct out of the bottle where it provides a calming scent to reduce tensions and stress. If a quality EO, it can also be used topically or consumed in a glass of water. As with any EO, understand the application methods and cautions to include as a citrus EO, it is photo sensitive to sun light, so “put it where the sun don’t shine”. Most of us have heard of the calming effects of Lavender and see many household products advertise its use in their product, though we should also know that it may be a synthetic smell and not pure or natural. As a single EO, Lavender does have strong calming properties, though if the intent is to destress, there are blends of several EOs whose combination is better suited to the task. One such is a blend of EOs of that include: Lavender, Cedarwood, Ho Wood Leaf, Ylang Ylang, Marjoram, Roman Chamomile, Vetiver Root, Vanilla Bean, and Hawaiian Sandalwood. This combination is available in a convenient blend and great for calming, helping to relax, and even helping to get better sleep; a very important factor in managing stress. Another blend is a fresh, sweet, woody scent that includes: Spruce, Ho Wood, Frankincense, Blue Tansy, Blue Chamomile, and Osmanthus essential oils in a base of Fractionated Coconut Carrier Oil. It is also available in a convenient, ready to use blend that helps to create a balance or sense of calmness and well-being while restoring the natural equilibrium of the body. Morning Brew Magazine
37
theRISEgrouphsv.com
There is also something simple you can try without any EOs to help with the ”balance or grounding” effect. Next time you are feeling anxious and stressed, take a walk on your lawn in just your bare feet, especially in the morning or evening dew. The connection with “Mother Earth” will provide a grounding and a gentle reset of the body’s emotional balance. I’m an engineer and thought it was crazy too, but it works. It is not a “gosh, I feel a change”, but very subtle, yet effective. Some stress is good, however when life gets complicated with our many time constraints and the stress consistently elevates beyond the body’s threshold (chronic stress), it becomes destructive. There are other EOs and blends of EOs that can help in our quest to manage stress as part of the wellness equation but will have to wait for another opportunity. This article is intended for your personal use and informational purposes only. You should consult with a physician before beginning any exercise, fitness, diet, or nutrition routine, especially if pregnant or have pre-existing health conditions. Nothing contained in this article should be considered as medical advice or diagnosis.
WE MANAGE TECHNOLOGY SO YOU CAN MANAGE YOUR BUSINESS
We’ll show you how great local I.T. and consulting services should be For IT consulting in Huntsville, AL contact us at 256-652-6643
Tell them R.I.S.E. sent you for a FREE NETWORK ASSESSMENT Morning Brew Magazine
38
theRISEgrouphsv.com
R.I.S.E. THANKS OUR COMMUNITY SPONSOR
Don Daniel, founder and creator of The P.I.L.L. Method International, has written a top-rated financial book and it is available now on Amazon. Mr. Daniel is a resident of Huntsville and has been in business with The PILL Method for many years. He has traveled all over the world teaching people this better way of thinking about debt cancellation.
WWW.INNOVATEHSV.COM
Morning Brew Magazine
39
theRISEgrouphsv.com
Vicki Morris | Program Director Vicki@FaceToFace-Marketing.com 515 Sparkman Drive 256-489-0135