Business Adviser No. 17

R I O G R A N D E VA L L E Y E D I T I O N

Issue 17

HOW TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE A VIABLE BUSINESS IDEA

Balancing

What Sets

ULTRA SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE APART

BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL

FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS Juan Carlos Isasi and Juan Carlos Isasi Jr.

FITNESS & WORK LIFE

+

Building Money Management Skills

BUSINESS DIRECTORY PAGE List of preferred partners in the Rio Grande Valley area that are recommended by Business Adviser Magazine.

Sarah Hammond Atlas Electrical & Air Conditioning 956-862-9628 atlasrgv.com

Mario Gutierrez MG Wealth Strategies 956-239-1227 mgwealthstrategies.com

Edgar Hernandez Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc. 956-491-1737 www.prmirgv.com

Ebrahim Morales EAE Construction 956-578-9825 www.eaeconstruction.com

Yesidi Gonzalez Mutual of Omaha 956-460-3017 www.mutualofomaha.com

Rick Benavides Big Realty 956-283-4082 bigrealtyrgv.com

Oriol Zertuche Codesm 956-277-1946 www.codesm.com

Carolina Gonzalez Gold's Gym 2520 E Expressway 83 (956) 585-4653 1601 W Dove Ave (956) 630-4653 David Ortiz Gold's Gym 1317 S. Jackson Rd (956) 781-4653 2000 S. Expressway 83 (956) 365-4653

Andrew Yoo Business Payment Systems 956-277-1944 bpsmerchant.com

Our Team

Editor’s Letter

STAFF

EMPOWERING SMALL BUSINESS

Andrew Yoo Maggie Yoo Oriol Zertuche John Amour Reynaldo Vento Jonny Wilczynski

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS Daniel Martinez Mody Diaz Chris Cruz Sarah Hammond Omar Guevara Rick Benevidez Bridgett McAdams Krause Chis'mere Mallard David Armstrong Jose Orona Mario Gutierrez John Amour Oriol Zertuche Maggie Yoo Andrew Yoo

CONTACT US In print, online, and in person, nobody connects the people, issues and ideas within valley business owners like Business Adviser.

Thank you for your continued support as we strive to establish Business Adviser Magazine as the leading resource for business owners in the Rio Grande Valley. Our vision is to create a brand that stands for businesses and provides everything local business owners need to succeed.

This magazine was founded due to an ongoing demand for a reputable, responsible source for business knowledge and advice. The business world can be challenging, and business owners often have to make difficult decisions. Business Adviser can ease those situations by offering advice that guides you through the process. Our team consists of experienced, knowledgeable entrepreneurs that eat, breath, and live for business.

With a dedicated team of industry experts and a hands-on approach to answering business-related questions, Business Adviser Magazine empowers business owners and helps them stay ahead of the competition. Our mission is to inspire the entrepreneurial spirit and foster business growth by providing reliable resources for business owners.

I would like to take this opportunity to personally invite you to join Business Adviser Magazine. We are sure that your business will benefit greatly from the exposure generated by this publication as you establish your brand and increase your industry authority.

Sincerely,

Andrew Yoo, CEO & President info@businessadviser.co (956) 277-1944

In This Issue

6 10 12 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 38 40 42 46

11 Things You Didn’t Know About Drinking Coffee at Work Business Related Travel Expenses

The Pharr Economic Development Corporation

08

BALANCING FITNESS & WORK LIFE

14

THE PERFECT BUSINESS SUIT

How to Create Great Print Campaigns

Building Money Management Skills Emotional Intelligence: A Manager’s Guide Part 3 8 Energy Saving Tips to Prepare for the Summer

Social Media Trends that Will Rock 2016 Top Tech Gadgets for the Office

Six Money Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Financial Future, and How to Avoid Them Tips To Save Your Business Money On PPC

32

JUAN CARLOS ISASI AND JUAN CARLOS ISASI JR. BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS FROM THE GROUND UP

Common Misconceptions about the Affordable Care Act

What Set Ultra Successful People Apart

Tricks to be the Most Memorable Person in the Room Guidelines for Classifying Your Workers

34

HOW TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE A VIABLE BUSINESS IDEA

44

HOW TO CREATE A GREAT LINKEDIN PROFILE

LIFESTYLE

Coffee can mean happiness, coffee can mean energy.

Coffee can mean a lot of things. But you might have no idea how much that “a lot” actually means.

H

ere are 11 things you probably didn’t know about drinking coffee:

1. KEEPS YOU FOCUSED Yes of course, you know about it. But hey, we’re not talking about the popular belief here. Leave that aside, even research studies have revealed that coffee helps us perform better. It keeps a check on the brain’s adenosine receptors to control access release of dopamine and epinephrine. Caffeine can do wonders, even for people working late hours or night shifts who tend to be sleepy.

2. HELPS SOOTHE TENSED BODY People who spend hours in front of computers often complain about strained neck and shoulders. Some people even feel discomfort in their forearms and wrists. Coffee works to soothe these tensed muscles and allows stretching our work capacity for longer durations. Many software developers and programmers heavily rely on coffee to keep them going for hours and hours. Heck, I’m writing this while sipping coffee.

6

11 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT DRINKING COFFEE AT WORK

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LIFESTYLE

3. DECAFS, TOO, PERFORM WELL

7. HIGH LEVELS OF ANTIOXIDANTS

Recent studies have shown that after separating caffeine from it, coffee still doesn’t disappoint. It still retains a fair amount of its positive effect. So even if you’re a decaf person, you are not losing much.

Coffee also contains antioxidants. It provides electrons that help improve our vitality. While working, the more vitality you possess, the better you can handle your day to day activities.

4. COFFEE FOR SOCIAL BONDING

If you want to burn fat or lose some pounds, coffee can be a blessing for you.

Stressful work environment affects our diet and at times, we often give in to junk food or excessive eating. Drinking coffee reduces anxiety levels, promotes vitality, and enhances blood circulation.

These factors provide our body the metabolic strength it needs, making fat burning easier.

Colleagues who are also coffee-break buddies tend to perform better. Call center employees are known for taking scheduled coffee breaks with co-workers.

Coffee offers a contagious sense of productive spirit and happy mood.

5. THE 20TH CENTURY GAVE BIRTH TO “COFFEE BREAKS” Coffee breaks are known to originate from the time of World War II. A majority of unions had coffee breaks added to their contracts.

6. COFFEE FOR DEPRESSION Coffee has also been found to handle depression up to a certain level. It calms the brain and provides some boost to elevate good mood, which helps in keeping gloominess and depression at bay. Women are known to benefit from coffee more.

8. BURNS FAT

As we start feeling less bloated and more energetic, our diet and eating pattern improves. With extra energy at our disposal, we rely lesser and lesser on food to beat stress. A few cups of coffee can be a great aid in getting rid of unwanted body fat.

9. COUNTERS FORGETFULNESS Forgetting certain things once in a while is normal, but if you are facing this issue frequently, then you might want to consider drinking coffee. Forgetfulness can make life troublesome, as it impacts work and

If you drink coffee right before a power nap, you will wake up fresh and rejuvenated.

While working, the more vitality you possess, the better you can handle your day to day activities. other important aspects of our life. Bringing coffee into your daily life can prove to be beneficial. But if you’re a decaf fan, you’re out of luck – decaf won’t be of any help.

You’ll need the caffeine. It does a great job enhancing our mental faculties.

10. COFFEE FOR A GOOD NAP Having a cup of coffee followed by 15-20 minutes of power nap can make you feel rejuvenated.

Caffeine doesn’t kick in instantly, and takes some time. So once you have coffee and you sleep, caffeine slowly starts working on your energy levels.

And by the time you wake up, you’re fully charged. You feel fresh and rejuvenated.

Time it well with your short power naps and get the maximum boost out of it.

11. COFFEE SHOP BUSINESS IS GROWING FAST There are several people who begin their day with a good dose of coffee, and take some coffee shots every few hours.

Thanks to them, coffee shops are spreading faster than ever. It’s one of the fastest growing businesses. Popular brands are branching out across continents, providing a variety of flavors. Consumers have now more options than ever. Coffee shops invest decently in decorum and ambience too, to provide the best suitable environment for savoring a good cup of coffee.

So now that you know more about coffee than you ever had, why not discuss it with a friend over a cup of coffee?

7

LIFESTYLE

BALANCING FITNESS & WORK LIFE

The key is incorporating small and simple exercise into your established routine.

S

taying fit is very important for a long and healthy life. Whether we hit the gym or go for a jog, we all want to stay fit. However, it’s not easy balancing your fitness schedule with your work life. Managing work life and balancing fitness has become one of the greatest challenges in our fast-paced lives.

Most of us work for more than 40 hours a week. Our smartphones, tablets, and laptops have occupied a lot of our personal space. And then we have a personal space consisting of family and friends, and too deserve our time. Between all of these priorities, daily workouts take a back seat. However, we can’t afford to not have a healthy lifestyle.

There is no point in working hard when we aren’t fit to enjoy the fruits of our hard work. Here are some tips to balance fitness and work life.

8

DEFINE WORKOUT IN A NEW WAY

A DIFFERENT APPROACH

For most people, workout means spending that dedicated one hour in the gym or other fitness centers. Running on treadmills, lifting weights, kicking into aerobics, or performing yoga on mats — these are the things that come to mind once you think about exercising. The hours spent in gyms not only provide fitness, but give satisfaction too. However, given our busy schedules and daily life, we need to think outside the box. Einstein once said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing year after year and expecting different results.” If you can’t take yourself to the gym, carry your gym with you.

Workout wherever and whenever you can. Break that one hour regime into sets of 5-10 minutes. Find out alternatives to the exercises that you are used to doing in your gym.

Park your car further than your usual spot. Walk that extra distance to your destination. Planning to have a lunch with colleagues or friends? Pick a restaurant located at a decent walking distance. Encourage the people with you to walk along.

Skip elevators, take the stairs, pause whenever you feel stressed and do simple breathing exercises.

When alone, try sit-ups and crunches. And while having long conversations on mobile, walk as you talk.

The days you wake up earlier than your regular time, push yourself out of the bed, and go for a brisk walk or jog if you can.

Can’t make it 5-6 days in a week to the gym? No problem. Try to make it at least 2-3 days a week. No matter

how big the gap becomes, don’t stop visiting the place completely.

These small measures, one step at a time, can contribute a lot towards your fitness goal. Your work, family life, and socializing can block your time, but not your intent. Breaking that daily one hour of “good workout” routine into basic exercises is the trick. Give yourself as many physical activities as you can. Don’t let your old approach limit your health.

When you start working out whenever you can, you don’t confine yourself to the place called gym, instead you carry your gym wherever you go.

Fitness need not be expensive, but it definitely demands effort and commitment. So now you know, it IS POSSIBLE to stay fit and fine, even with your extremely busy work life.

www.businessadvisermagazine.com

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TAXES & LAW

BUSINESS RELATED TRAVEL EXPENSES:

WHAT CAN AND CANNOT BE DEDUCTED

D

o you frequently travel for business?

If so, you can take advantage of the travel perks offered by the IRS and get your taxable income reduced. The IRS tax form which you will have to use to deduct these kinds of expenses depends upon the structure of your business entity. It should be remembered that a travel expense will be deductible only if you are away from your normal place of business.

HOW CAN YOU DETERMINE IF YOU ARE AWAY FROM YOUR ‘TAX HOME’?

If your job responsibilities require you to leave your tax home for periods longer than a typical day’s work, you can

assume that you are traveling away from home. And if you need to rest or sleep while you are away from home, your business travel is eligible for deduction.

Note that only ordinary and necessary expenses are deductible. So, for example, if you order overly expensive drinks and dishes found on the service menu and drink and eat them all yourself, the IRS won’t allow the deduction. But if you are hosting business clients and you order an expensive bottle of wine or champagne, you will probably be able to deduct 50 percent of that expense. In this case, it will be treated as an entertainment expense. Entertainment that is not related to your business isn’t deductible.

If you can’t substantiate a deduction, it is best not to claim it 10

SO WHAT ARE THE BUSINESS TRAVEL EXPENSES ELIGIBLE FOR DEDUCTION? TRAVEL FARES

TIPS

You can deduct the cost of your air ticket, train ticket, or bus ticket.

Tips, laundry, dry cleaning, and baggage and shipping are also deductible.

AUTOMOBILE EXPENSES

Taxis and other transportation means that you use to travel from the station or airport to the hotel or location of business activity are also deductible.

These are the costs involved in maintaining your car while you travel away from your home on a business trip.

You can deduct the actual expenses, tolls, and parking.

When it comes to automobile rentals, only costs related to the actual business use of the car can be deducted.

LODGING AND MEALS In the case of overnight business trips, you can deduct the meals and lodging.

TELEPHONE Business communication using telephone calls and faxing is deductible.

But wait. You still don’t have a lot of reasons to get excited about. The IRS examines travel deductions very cautiously.

When you are dealing with the IRS, you need to be careful. If you can’t substantiate a deduction, it is best not to claim it. If you claim deductions that you can’t substantiate, the IRS will most probably disallow that deduction.

You will probably also incur a negligence penalty.

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COMMUNITY

THE PHARR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Strategically Creating Diverse Economic Opportunities Melissa Wood Reed

Pharr’s leadership is building on the region’s economic opportunities by streamlining the construction approval process and collaborating with school districts to build an educated workforce.

T

he Pharr EDC is part of the City of Pharr, which is situated in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley, where international trade, construction, and retail development continue to transform the region.

The Board of Directors of the Pharr Economic Development Corporation drives economic prosperity for the City of Pharr; it is a diverse and vibrant community that offers an abundance of opportunities for its residents and the region.

lion in the next 15 years; that is why they are cultivating relationships with national and international investors.

Pharr’s leadership is proud that its construction development grew to $97 million in 2015, which is a significant increase over its construction development of $71 million in 2014. Pharr’s annual retail sales growth increased by 11.60% from 2014 to 2015 - a leader in the Rio Grande Valley. Pharr’s leaders realize that retail sales in the region are expected to reach $15 bil-

International trade is a major component to the City of Pharr, which manages and operates the Pharr International Bridge. The Pharr International Bridge has seen record-breaking growth, facilitating over $30 billion in annual global trade. It is the leading port of entry in the United States for fresh produce and the 6th largest port of entry in all of the U.S.

12

“We’ve implemented a business friendly environment in the City of Pharr to help businesses succeed,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., who is also the Chairman of the Pharr Economic Development Corporation. “A priority for my colleagues at the Pharr EDC is that our municipal departments work as a team and as fast as the business industry,” said Mayor Hernandez.

Since the Pharr International Bridge accounts for 60% of all fresh produce that crosses from Mexico into the U.S., the City of Pharr has seen an increase in the demand for cold storage warehouse facilities.

There are approximately 25 cold storage facilities in Pharr, with additional growth expected in the second quarter of 2016 in its 100-acre Pharr Trade District Park.

The Pharr EDC recently facilitated the construction of Phase 1 of the Pharr Bridge Business Park, which will be a new 30-acre industrial park with over 300,000 square feet of Class “A” planned facilities - an investment of $46 million. This premiere development is located along the overweight corridor and less than 1.5 miles from the Pharr International Bridge.

The development offers flexible multi-tenant and buildto-suit layouts with on-site trailer staging for distribution, warehousing, and light assembly users.

from Mexico, which is Texas’ number one trading partner.”

The City’s leadership is also committed to making Pharr an even better community for residents. In 2015, Pharr commissioners approved an ordinance adopting a property tax rate of $0.654, which is a $0.026 decrease from the previous year. This action stems from a pledge made by Mayor Hernandez to responsibly ease the financial burden on property owners by decreasing the property tax rate.

“I am excited to be a part of this administration that has made history,” said Mayor Hernandez. “This is the largest property tax reduction that

Recently, the City also broke ground on a new state highway project that is intended to better prepare the Rio Grande Valley for commercial trade. “This is a very important project for our city, the region, and our nation,” said Mayor Hernandez.

“This corridor will Mayor, Ambrosio Hernandez facilitate the flow of PEDC Chairman commerce coming in

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COMMUNITY

6 .

11

% 0 TH

OM

14 20

TO

15 20

FR

W RO

G ES

AL NU

AN

L AI ET

L SA

2015

R

2014

RETAIL SALES PROJECTED TO REACH

RETAIL DEVELOPMENT IN PHARR IS PROJECTED TO BRING

OVER

1200 JOBS IN 2016

our citizens have seen in 14 years, and demonstrates our commitment to the citizens of Pharr that we are making responsible decisions with their best interest in mind.”

Improving the educational system is also a priority in the City of Pharr. “Pharr is engaging with its education partners, which are a key component of our City,” said

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Sergio Contreras, Executive Director of the Pharr EDC. “We are working closely with our educational partners to ensure that our students are prepared for higher educational opportunities and ultimately have an educated workforce.”

In an agreement with the City of Pharr and PSJA ISD, South Texas College is set to build a Regional Center for

Property tax rate reduced to $0.654, a $0.026 reduction the largest reduction in 14 years

Public Safety and Excellence in Pharr. This new center will allow South Texas College to increase the number of public safety and law enforcement instructional programs offered in the region. The facility development costs are anticipated to be approximately $9 million for phase one. Ultimately, the Center will add over $9 million in annual economic activity and create more than 100 additional jobs once all three phases are complete.

“Fostering economic development and improving the quality of life for residents will continue to be a priority among our leadership,” said Contreras.

Pharr’s leaders are doing their part to attract and retain businesses in the community by creating a business friendly environment for growth in economic development opportunities and sustaining an educated workforce. They look forward to continued prosperity for its residents and the region in 2016.

EDC.PHARR-TX.GOV 956.402.4332 13

LIFESTYLE

THE PERFECT

Your suit should be part of your natural stance — when you sit, stand, and walk; you should be comfortable and look elegant.

hen buying a suit, the most important aspect to focus on, is getting the right fit. One of the best options is to get an off-the-rack suit and then have a tailor make adjustments, to bring the right fit.

But it’s also important for you to understand what a “right” fit is.

Getting the right fit is paramount when buying a suit.

14

The suit should be part of your natural stance — when you sit, stand, and walk; you should be comfortable and look elegant.

So here’s what you need to know to get the perfect suit:

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LIFESTYLE

In a proper fit, the shoulders rest flat.

1

JACKET COLLAR If the collar is kept loose, it will appear flopping behind the neck, and if it’s kept tight, it will create a fold. Both situations can mess up your suit’s appearance. The jacket collar must neatly rest on your inner shirt collar. Improper collar fitting means the neck size is not right.

2

JACKET SHOULDER In a proper fit, the shoulders rest flat.

The seam on the top part and the bone under it must be of the same length.

The shoulder must meet the sleeve right where your shoulder meets your arm.

The shoulders should never be dangling over the arm line. If they do, then it would make the sleeve appear wrinkled. And you definitely do not want be seen in a wrinkled suit.

Always check how the suit looks after you button it. It shouldn't look too loose or too tight.

3 JACKET SLEEVE LENGTH

One simple rule when it comes to sleeve: below the jacket cuff, half-an-inch of the inner shirt cuff must be visible. Jacket sleeve should not be long enough to fully cover shirt cuff, and also not short enough to show the stitch where the shirt cuff joins with the shirt sleeve. A small band of shirt cuff has to be visible.

4

JACKET CLOSURE Always check how the jacket looks after your button it.

Whether it’s a one-button jacket or a three-button one, the two sides must meet neatly without making the lapels appear as they are loosely hanging down. When buttoned, the jacket must not look too loose or too tight.

5

Before buying, try multiple suits. Stand relaxed and then pose in front of a mirror. Pick the one that comes close to the required fit.

The trouser seat area must be a smooth drape over your buttocks. Here again, proper measure matters. Neither too tight, nor too loose.

If working with a tailor, spend enough time to provide proper measurements.

Specify what exactly you’re looking for. Mention all the areas that need custom adjusting. Also, you should be able to comfortably sit and move around. No matter how expensive or rich the suit’s cloth material is, if the fit is not right, it won’t serve its purpose, which is to make you appear elegant. You own the suit and that’s what it needs to show when you wear it.

TROUSER SEAT

6

TROUSER BREAK The trouser break should be gently touching your shoes.

One small, horizontal crease is considered ideal. Nothing more, nothing less. The trouser break and the shoes must have a gentle touch.

15

MARKETING

HOW TO CREATE

GREAT PRINT

CAMPAIGNS P

Yes, we are living in the age of digital advertising; however, this does not mean that print advertising is dead.

16

rint media is still a great platform to reach potential customers.

It helps create brand awareness.

Business owners should know the basics of creating a good print advertisement. In this super competitive market, every business needs promotion to survive. Good print campaigns will help you outshine your competitors and attract new clients or customers.

Here are some tips for creating great print ads.

www.businessadvisermagazine.com

MARKETING

HAVE A CLEAR MESSAGE

CHOOSE THE RIGHT COLOR SCHEMES

Print ads become more effective if you have a clear message to convey. Before designing the advertisement, think about your message.

What is it that you want to convey? Brainstorm the message. Once you have a clear picture in mind, you can design the ad from there.

Choosing the right color schemes for your print ads is very important. The colors used in your print ads should be streamlined with your brand colors. This is an effective way to gain traction quickly.

USE YOUR UPDATED LOGO Visually appealing logos catch attention immediately.

Your logo should be modern and relevant. It should be appropriate for the audience you're trying to reach. If your budget permits, work with a professional graphic designer. They have experience in creating visually appealing campaigns. They will make your ads ready for print media. An updated logo will give the impression that you are a modern brand that evolves with time. It will also improve brand recall.

Your ad needs to be relatable to produce the desired result.

SIZE MATTERS Print designs require a higher DPI. When you create graphics for the web, the regular DPI is 72. Print designs, on the other hand, require a much higher DPI of 300. So use only high quality photos, vector images, and graphics when you work with print designs.

TYPOGRAPHY MATTERS TOO The right font makes all the difference. If you want to create a powerful impact with your ad, selecting the right font is extremely important.

Compare different fonts online and choose the most legible font. You also need to ensure that it is copyright free. If you choose the right font your ad will stand out when people view or read it.

GRAPHICS OR PHOTOS Graphics in vector format are recommended for entertaining advertisements. You have to decide whether you should use photos or graphics or even both. Photos of people and objects can help set the right tone and mood.

ENSURE THAT YOUR IMAGES ARE PRINTFRIENDLY Print-friendly images are essential to the success of your campaign. All of your photos and images should be copyright free and print-friendly. They should also have a DPI of 300 or higher. If you can't decide whether an image is print-friendly or not, work with a designer or agency.

They will ensure that your images are printed without any reduction in quality.

Your ad should be able to relate to your target audience. You may have designed a great ad, but if it does not appeal to the audience you're trying to target, it will not produce the desired result.

INCLUDE A CALL TO ACTION A call to action will generate leads. This way you will be able to gain long term followers and fans. There are different ways to incorporate a call to action. You can provide a bar code or include the URL of your website. This allows potential customers to find more information about your business or brand.

All businesses need marketing. People see advertisements all the time. If your campaign does not stand out, it will not grab attention.

That said, there is no point in wasting thousands of dollars on ineffective print ads. Follow these tips to create great print campaigns that will help your brand get noticed.

FINANCE

BUILDING MONEY

MANAGEMENT SKILLS Most of us often aim and work for raising “big money”, but very few of us know how to manage finances to build this “big money”. Also, once this big money is acquired, how should you handle it? Okay, so what can you do transform your earnings and savings into wealth?

18

FINANCE

1

START ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS

Assess your knowledge about capital markets – both private and public. Find out how much do you actually understand about returns. Once you start thinking on these lines you create a proper roadmap to drive your finances smoothly. Do not rely only on “friend’s recommendations” – build your own knowledge.

Savings accounts are probably not the best place to keep your money. Your money should be working for you, not gathering dust.

2

TO DIVERSIFY… OR NOT

While investing, understand the perks and risks involved in diversifying your investments. While most trade “experts” highly recommend diversifying investments, some trade analysts advise against it. These trade analysts suggest keeping all eggs in one basket and watching that basket carefully, rather than keeping constant watch on ten different investments.

So make your choices very carefully when it comes to diversifying.

3

MORE THAN ONE INCOME SOURCE

Doesn’t matter how big your one income is, depending on just one source can prove to be extremely risky in the long run. What if the industry you work in goes through crises?

Running around for other sources at that point of time would be tedious and troublesome. So the better option is to start working on multiple resources for flow of income.

exposure to multiple trades and industries. Your primary income should not be your only income source.

4

BEWARE OF “HAPPENING” TRENDS

Avoid making your decisions based on new and latest business trends. What’s hot in the market or which business is creating the most buzz of late – never fall for these pitfalls.

This way you can reduce risk factors for your investments.

Focusing on new technologies and developments is good, but jumping into a roller coaster ride, isn’t. Avoid it.

Most of the times, new technologies rise and fall at quite a speedy pace. What’s hot today might not be so hot in a week or month from now.

Instead, invest in technologies that have made firm roots in the market. Check with professional analysts before you put your money into a technology of which you have limited knowledge.

5

SAVINGS… ARE NOT ALWAYS THE BEST OPTION Banks provide a very low interest rate for the savings kept with them. It’s as good as leaving your money idle.

Not a smart thing to do. Your money has to work and make more money for you. Savings need to be turned into investments. Risks are involved in any investment, but so are the rewards. By not taking any risk with your money, you’re limiting your chances of increasing it.

There’s a big difference between earning money and creating wealth. People often confuse between the two and face problems ahead in life.

Do not commit this grave mistake. The error could cost you a lot.

Check business blogs and magazines to find out what others are doing to create multiple income sources. Talk to people who understand finance better and gain fair

19

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE:

A MANAGER’S GUIDE

PART 3

INVESTMENTS

Emotional intelligence can be explained as “the array of non-cognitive skills, capabilities, and competencies that influence a person’s ability to cope with environmental demands and pressures."

E

xceeding expectations, increasing sales, new leads, etc. – as business owners and managers, those are all positive things, right? But what happens when a team leader lands a new job? Or your top performer moves out of state? Being prepared and confident to encounter those situations is all part of being emotionally intelligent. So what exactly is emotional intelligence (EI)?

EI can be explained as “the array of non-cognitive skills, capabilities, and competencies that influence a person’s ability to cope with environmental demands and pressures” (Goleman, 1995) - In other words, it’s the soft skills and abilities to utilize interpersonal, and effective communication to better understand and predict behaviors.

EI can’t be taught, it must be bread. Which brings us back to the first point: How can a manager better prepare their work environment for any changes, despite absences of their most effective employees?

It comes in the form of teamwork. Any business owner or manager can say “we need to be the best” – but what does the best look like? Here are some steps to identifying emotionally intelligent employees and breeding a style of influence within the organization to ensure you are being and doing your best: • Identify yourself as an inductive or deductive listener (Business Adviser No 14, pg 40) – in other words: do you prefer the long story to better understand the situation? OR do you prefer the “meat” of the story and careless about the details? Pick one!

• Take a look at your organization and identify 2 people you enjoy working with and that you feel are your “top performers”. Once identified, list 3 reasons WHY you enjoy working with them.

• Announce that moving forward, your company will have one neutral voice and to ensure that neutrality is accomplished, a happy medium must be identified. You can label this exercise as “employee tug-o-war”.

• On a white board, write the words: “above and beyond” – “customer service” – “extremely satisfied client” – “happy employee” – “a day in the life of an ___employee” • Have each pair of employees go up to the front of the room and take 1-2 minutes to individually act out each statement. From there, you, the manager and the other employees can recognize, compare, and contrast the positives and negatives of the top and low performer.

• After the pair of employees have each acted out each statement, have a group discussion and go over the things the team should improve on. As a manager, use empathy and identify with an employee that may be shy and come off as rude to others. As a manager you can address that by saying “I never realized how rude I came off just by not making eye contact, but I am glad someone brought it to my attention, because now I can connect on a deeper level and understand my clients emotions better. Eyes are so telling!” – admitting mistakes and humility can go a long way and motivate employees to bring their guard down.

• By taking these steps and working on better identifying a neutral work ground that breeds success and production will not only enable an environment of teamwork, but it will indirectly bring employees together.

And while it may be easier for some people to be more self aware and emotionally intelligent, it is the process of open mindedness and humility that will allow behaviors to be tweaked to a manager’s liking.

• Now, take a look at your organization and identify 2 people you sometimes have issues with. Even if it may be tough, identify 3 things you appreciate about their style of work.

By: Adriana S. Trevino, M.A.

• As a manager, couple 1 person you enjoy working with and 1 person you have issues with together.

Having two styles that contrast eachother will allow for growth and skill building.

For more information on communication strategies, contact Adriana S. Trevino at: FireFlyPRTX@gmail.com

References: Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional intelligence. New York, NY: Bantam.

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8 SPONSORED

ENERGY SAVING TIPS to Prepare for the Summer

When running a successful business, it is important to make all your dollars count. Whether you own or lease your building, you typically need lighting, heating, cooling, electricity, and other energy services to stay in business.

Cutting back on unnecessary energy consumption is a great way to improve your bottom line.

H

ere you will find 8 strategies from Magic Valley Electric Cooperative that will help you save energy during the summer. Many of these tips are free; others are simple and inexpensive actions you can take to ensure maximum savings.

COOLING SYSTEMS It is important to get your air conditioning system tuned up before the summer. A tune-

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up is an opportunity for a certified HVAC technician to professionally evaluate your air conditioning system to ensure that any problems are corrected. Your technician will make recommendations and tell you how to complete your system optimization.

In Texas, air filters are regularly working overtime, which means that you need to pay close attention to how often you change your air filters. “It is important to change your air filters once per month,” said Noel Perez, Energy Advisor for Magic Valley Electric Cooperative.

“Changing air filters is critical to the proper performance of any HVAC system.”

You should also use a programmable thermostat, which makes it easy to adjust the settings and regulate the temperature to avoid unnecessary cooling costs.

“We recommend setting your temperature to at least 70 degrees,” said Perez. “Also consider a locking cover over the thermostat to avoid having employees change the temperature settings.”

EQUIPMENT AND APPLIANCES Conserve energy by running equipment and appliances when they are fully loaded, but be careful not to overload them beyond the recommended capacity. If ice makers are used in your business, reduce your energy costs by choosing the right one for the job. Keep evaporator coils clean and free of ice buildup with regular maintenance.

Install automatic door-closers and strip curtains on walkin freezers or coolers. Make

sure oven doors fit tightly by adjusting door latches, and ensure that gaskets are in good condition. Buy insulated cooking equipment when possible since insulation keeps more heat in the equipment instead of the room.

WATER HEATING Most water heaters come preset at 140 degrees, which consumes more energy and has the added risk of scalding.

The experts at Magic Valley Energy Cooperative recommend most businesses lower the setting to 120 degrees.

That is high enough for your needs, and high enough to reduce mineral buildup in your tank and pipes.

Buy a water heater blanket and follow the instructions to wrap it tightly around your water heater. “It is an inexpensive way to help your water heater run more efficiently,” said Perez. You can also reduce hot water usage by installing water flow restrictors on your faucets.

Always ensure that your water heater is in good working condition.

www.businessadvisermagazine.com

SPONSORED the thermostat, turn on a ceiling fan,” said Perez. “It doesn’t change the temperature, but it will feel cooler in the room.” Don’t forget to turn off your ceiling fans when not in use because doing so will add to your energy savings.

INSULATION If your insulation has not been checked recently, contact a qualified technician to ensure that you have proper insulation. Sealing and properly insulating the attics, walls, and floors over crawl spaces can provide significant energy savings. A professional business energy audit is the best way to determine where your business is losing energy and where you can save.

LIGHTING Many businesses can easily reduce lighting costs without affecting productivity. “Turn off as many unnecessary lights as possible,” said Perez.

Install automatic, occupancy sensor lighting controls to turn lights on or off depending on occupancy or time of day. The right lighting can save up to 15 percent on your energy bill. Always make sure that equipment and lights are turned off after hours.

Replace your high-use incandescent light bulbs with LEDs or compact fluorescent lights.

A compact fluorescent light uses 75 percent less electricity to produce the same amount of light as an incandescent bulb. The compact fluorescent will last about 10,000 hours as opposed to the 600 to 1,000 hour average life of an incandescent

COMPUTERS AND ELECTRONICS

WINDOWS AND DOORS

Turn off your electronics when you are not using them, especially overnight and weekends. “This practice costs nothing, but it can greatly reduce your energy bill,” said Perez. Choose settings that automatically put computer monitors to sleep when not in use.

Exterior or interior window treatments can be used to block sunlight. Keep blinds and windows closed during the day to prevent heat from migrating inside your business. Reflective window films can dramatically reduce thermal radiation losses. Ensure that your windows and doors are properly sealed. “If you can see light coming through the door, the seal needs to be replaced,” said Perez.

To be as energy efficient as possible, only buy office equipment that displays the ENERGY STAR logo. This mark indicates the most efficient computers, printers, copiers, refrigerators, televisions, windows, thermostats, ceiling fans, and equipment.

ENERGY STAR certified office equipment uses 30 to 75 percent less electricity than standard equipment.

Magic Valley’s mission is to enhance people’s lives by safely providing the most reliable and affordable electric service by keeping member’s interest in mind.

If you are a Magic Valley member interested in using less electricity as a way to manage your bill and benefit the environment, contact MVEC’s energy professionals at 1-866-225-5683.

CEILING FANS Consider installing ceiling fans inside your business.

Ceiling fans can draw air upward, cooling the room and ensuring constant airflow.

“Instead of turning down

Eastern Division & Corporate Office 1 3/4 Mile West Highway 83 Mercedes, Texas 78570 1-866-225-5683

23

MARKETING

SOCIAL MEDIA TRENDS THAT WILL ROCK 2016 2016 is here with new social media trends, and it’s time for marketing businesses to catch up with what’s hot. Planning strategies and campaigns has to be aligned with current and popular trends.

Here’s what experts suggest to look out for:

1. “BUY” BUTTONS WILL DOMINATE Certain popular social media sites have added a “buy” feature for their users and advertisers. Users view a product of interest through sponsored posts, and purchase it with one single click. They don’t need to exit the app. For mobile users, there’s nothing like this feature. This trend of “buy” buttons have proven to be successful, and more and more social platforms are going to follow the trend. So, “buy” buttons are going to play a key role for advertising and marketing campaigns.

2. IN-APP FUNCTIONALITY Leading social media sites constantly work on introducing new functionalities. Features

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like in-post search engine to search articles for referencing, and video clips that automatically play as you scroll, are getting popular with users.

Plus, there’s news about a new feature called “digital assistant” being developed. The whole idea is to keep the users hooked to social in-apps and avoid circumstances where they need to leave.

3. INSTANT OR IN-THE-MOMENT UPDATES Social media is all about instant updates. A more popular term is in-the-moment updates. One good example is the recent addition of a feature that allows users to share live video broadcasts.

Imagine how much fun this feature will be, compared to simply uploading regular videos. Users get to share live experiences — in-the-moment update. This, right here, is a new era of social media.

4. OPTIONS FOR NEW PUBLICATIONS Publishers tied up with social media sites can now publish complete articles on the respective sites for users to view, without having them click on links leading to external sites. This feature offers publications right in the user’s reach. To keep users stick to in-apps, business organizations are working hard to develop even more sophisticated forms of publishing articles.

The aggressive competition between social platforms is providing users some truly helpful options.

5. CONCERN FOR USER’S PRIVACY

vacy like today. Social media leaders have been putting loads of efforts to gain their users’ trust by adding more and more security measures to ensure safe communication and exchange of data. Private.

Secured. Users are now on the lookout for these two assurances. And social media has put it on its priority list.

These soon-to-be-popular trends tell business organizations and their marketing campaigns that the whole game is now about NOT giving the user the option to leave their respective in-app.

In-app has to be completely self-sufficient and innovative at the same time. Also, concerns of security and privacy can no longer be taken lightly.

Users are definitely going to benefit a lot. So keep an eye on these social media trends and make the most out of it.

2015 showed the extent of profile security breaches.

Users have never been more concerned about their pri-

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TECHNOLOGY

TOP TECH FOR THE OFFICE Does your office sometimes give the feel of having an impersonal and unwelcoming environment? Do you often find the workplace cold and passionless? Missing the zest?

I

f YES, then it’s time to introduce some innovative and productive tech gadgets to your workplace.

Add life to work, instead of just long hours. We are living in an

age where there’s nothing that technology can’t help us with, provided we know the difference between digital toys and real gadgets. Before you rush to shop for

your office, check these trending gadgets that are worth every penny you put in:

3. LIVESCRIBE PEN 2. JUICEBOXX

1. BOOMSTICK How often do you struggle with cheap earbuds and headphones? You want to listen to something that makes you feel rejuvenated, or to take a little break, or something to just keep playing while you focus on a repetitive task, but the sound quality ends up ruining the mood. Happens often, right? What’s the alternative, replacing them with expensive ones? Well,

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you can, but what if you don’t want to mess with your budget. Here’s another option. Try Boomstick. An affordable sound enhancer, made to boost the audio quality of your existing earbuds and headphones. This one device can provide the quality you’ve been missing so far, without being expensive to your pocket. An item that can immediately fit into your current budget.

Entrepreneurs, who travel a lot carrying their MacBooks, are aware of the MacBook chargers breaking, due to the regular need to untangle its cord. Now there’s a product that can easily take care of that issue: JuiceBoxx, an innovative charger case for MacBook chargers. The JuiceBoxx case smoothly slides over a charger, ensuring that the charger’s cord doesn’t bend any more than 90 degrees. Hence, no more breaking. A “must have” for your MacBook.

We all have our tablets, laptops, notebooks, and phones handy all the time, but don’t we often feel the need to scribble, doodle — make those personal little notes — as we think and work on presentations and other activities that need creative thinking? Thinking with a pen. We all do it – some do it less, some do it more. How about having a digital pen that can scribble and doodle on an actual paper and on a digital screen, using an app?

Say “hello” to Livescribe Pen — the freedom to think with a pen in hand. The latest version, with support to vector strokes, is considered a delight by users working on vector-oriented graphic apps.

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TECHNOLOGY

4. SENTRI This smart gadget can not only prove to be a good addition to your workplace, but also to your home. Sentri monitors air quality, humidity, and temperature, and displays the readings on its 10-inch touchscreen. It can be conveniently hung on a wall or placed on the top shelf.

Sentri also has a built in HD camera that spans a 120-degree wide-angle. This feature allows the device to be used for security monitoring too.

Watch home from office, or office from home. A truly helpful gadget, isn’t it?

You're most productive when you're in an environment that makes you feel warm, pleasant, and energetic.

5. APPLE WATCH Apple Watch has redefined smartwatches. The build quality is impressive and it’s much smaller than its competitors. You can buy 38mm or 42mm, based on your requirement. The 38mm version provides a resolution of 340 x 272 pixels at 290 pixels per inch. And the 42mm supports resolution of 390 x 312 pixels at 302 pixels per

inch. The 42mm also comes with a larger battery. You can get your phone’s all notifications —Gmail, tweets, reminders, etc. — flashed on your Apple Watch. You no longer need to keep pulling out your phone for every beep and vibration.

You’re most productive when you’re in an environment that makes you feel warm, pleasant and energetic. Your office might have the best decorum and furnishing, but how much does that help?! You need the right tech gadgets if you have to keep up with today’s working pace. Some of these gadgets might smoothly slip into your budget, and a few might need some adjustments. But in the end, consider buying these products as an investment.

An investment to make your workplace and you more efficient. Try these gadgets, make them a part of your work and home environment, and see the difference for yourself.

6. IPAD PRO The recently launched iPad Pro has created quite a buzz. Existing MacBook users — many entrepreneurs and executives — are wondering if it’s time to switch on to iPad Pro. With a screen-size of 12.9-inch diagonal display and resolution support up to 2732 x 2048 (264 pixels per inch), iPad looks stunning. Also, its high-powered processing makes this product remarkable. Accessory keyboard and stylus are included, and it’s too hard to ignore, once you take a look at it.

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SIX MONEY MISTAKES THAT CAN RUIN YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE, AND HOW TO AVOID THEM There are bad financial habits that can take away the great future you always envisioned

T

he things you do today can have an enormous impact on your financial future. Making good money decisions now can lead to a brighter, more financially secure tomorrow.

Similarly, there are bad financial habits that can take away the great future you always envisioned. Albert Lopez, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM and President at Independent Wealth Consultants, shared six common money mistakes and how to avoid them.

PROCRASTINATING ON FINANCIAL DECISIONS A regular hindrance to financial success is procrastination. With so many critical decisions to make, it is easy to fall into the psychological trap of analysis paralysis.

However, the sooner you commit to saving and investing money, the better off you will be in the long-term. The positive effects of compounded interest are more significant the longer your money is invested.

“The first step is to do something,” said Lopez. “It is important to get some

28

momentum. The situation will become more clear as you go.” When getting started, Lopez recommends contacting a professional for assistance. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM can walk you through the entire process and provide much-needed accountability.

“Timelines and accountability will facilitate the process,” added Lopez. “The simplest thing is to open an IRA or contribute to your 401k. Even $50 per month can make a huge difference.”

HAVING NO PLAN OF ACTION In order to work towards the financial future you have always wanted, it is important to have a clear, actionable financial plan in place. A solid financial plan is like a map. Without that map, getting where you want to be fiscally is next to impossible.

The keys are outlining your retirement goals and building a well-designed investment strategy with fixed income and growth options.

“It all starts with your goals,” said Lopez. “Define your goals with specifics. Everyone has different goals, but it is important to understand what you want and how to get it.

From there, you can create a plan of action.” A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM can facilitate this process by asking key questions that will help you identify your financial goals.

NOT REGULARLY MONITORING YOUR PROGRESS Taking control of your financial future is a process. As with any process, it is important to consistently monitor your progress. Doing so will

Everyone has different goals, but it is important to understand what you want and how to work towards it. help you understand how well you are doing and to determine if your financial strategies are working. If the results meet your expectations, keep going ahead. Otherwise, you may want to take action to improve your situation.

Lopez recommends meeting with your financial advisor at least once per year. This is a great time to review your plan and policies to make sure that everything is up-todate. “As your wealth increases, your finances get more complicated,” said Lopez.

“As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM, my job is to minimize that complication.”

NOT KEEPING UP WITH TAX LAW CHANGES Perhaps nothing confuses taxpayers more than constantly shifting tax laws.

Keeping up with tax law changes is an absolute must.

Tax laws are always changing, even if just to keep up with inflation adjustments.

Some tax laws are modified each year, with few people outside the tax profession noticing. Provisions of current tax laws are still being phased in, and there can be

uncertainty about which tax breaks will be extended.

“It is easy to get stuck in the old ways,” said Lopez. “But if you do not keep up, you may end up paying a lot more in taxes.” To avoid trouble with the IRS, taxpayers need to know about upcoming tax changes and plan ahead. Lopez recommends hiring a reputable tax advisor or Certified Public Accountant. Taxpayers can also visit IRS.gov to review changes to the tax code.

Lopez recommends finding the answers to a variety of key questions. Do you have a will? Have you updated it? Does your family know where your documents are?

Do you have life insurance?

These are all important questions to ask. “When life events occur, things tend to compound,” said Lopez.

“With proper planning, you can prevent adding negative financial consequences to that event.”

“Independent advisors do not have contract requirements,” said Lopez. “All decisions are based on what is best of the client.” Lopez recommends hiring a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM with the proper credentials and experience. “When life gets busy, you cannot handle everything yourself,” added Lopez. “A financial advisor can keep everything current for you. We plan for the worst-case scenario and hope for the best. Life happens, so you need to be prepared.”

It is easy to get stuck in the old ways, but if you do not keep up, you may end paying a lot more in taxes.

NOT PREPARING FOR LIFE EVENTS Throughout your life, you’re going to experience new life priorities that will affect your finances. Common examples include death, disability, divorce, getting married, or having a child. According to Lopez, we cannot always control major life events, but we can control how we prepare for them.

CHOOSING THE WRONG FINANCIAL ADVISOR Your assumptions about your financial plan could be incorrect. An independent financial advisor can make sure that your plan will help you reach your goals. Independent advisors are not affiliated with one company. That means that they can shop around to ensure that you get the best possible price.

Albert L. Lopez, CFP® President Wealth Consultant 956 683 1818 albert.lopez@iwcteam.com www.iwcteam.com Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC

29

MARKETING

TIPS TO SAVE YOUR

BUSINESS MONEY ON

PPC

These tricks/tips will not only save your business money but also provide you a better perspective of the whole PPC strategy.

P

PC (pay-per-click) campaigns are often considered costly, and that’s because many are not aware of some simple and important money-saving tricks. These tricks/tips will not only save your business money but also provide you a better perspective of the whole PPC strategy.

Give a moment to these tried and tested tips to make the best out of PPC in the least expensive way:

OF 1 CHOICE KEYWORDS

Until and unless you understand the actual difference between broad match, broad match modifier, exact match, and phrase match keywords; your PPC campaign cannot be well-designed and structured.

By opting for broad match keywords, your ads can populate even in scenarios where user’s misspell the keyword, or just conduct a related search. If you aren’t aware of this bit of information, you need to check Google’s chart and examples explaining the uses of different match types.

If your business belongs to an industry that encounters large search volumes, applying phrase match, exact match, or broad match modifier can be highly useful. The same applies when your ads are designed to target large audiences for maximum utilization.

30

Click on “search terms” available in the keyword tab of your ad program and check the long list of search queries entered by users before they click on your ads. You’ll gain some good insight and save money by finding out all the irrelevant search queries that you’ve been paying for, so far.

2 CALL TRACKING

Opting for call tracking solutions might seem like an additional cost to you, but it has its value. A good call tracking software can provide a dashboard with an overview of constructive data, including the keywords used by callers to click on ads, the web pages accessed by them before making calls, and the PPC campaigns that are responsible for generating the highest number of calls. Call tracking solutions offer a great scope for reviewing and restructuring ads.

Give it a chance.

PPC 3 REVIEW PERFORMANCE

You need to review your PPC performance based on the flow of visitors and conversions according to the day, time, and location.

While dealing with biggest visitor turnouts and conversions, you’re likely to come across peaks and troughs.

Times when the incoming traffic is high and when it is low. Narrowing the peaks segment into hourly slots per day of the week will boost the performance of your AdWords campaign.

Call tracking solutions offer a great scope for reviewing and restructuring ads.

You can no longer afford to ignore mobile traffic. Your sites have to be mobile-friendly.

Also, using location data along with peaks (time and day) data will be helpful to target ads, and adjust bids to get the best possible results.

Reviewing ad campaign’s performance on a regular basis will reveal some interesting trends, beneficial for scheduling ads and setting bid adjustments.

4 MOBILE TRAFFIC

Mobile browsing is growing by leaps and bounds year after year. Impressions and clicks, through mobile devices, are constantly increasing. Make sure you harness this traffic. You can no longer afford to ignore mobile traffic. Your sites have to be mobile-friendly, providing top quality mobile browsing experience. Focus on creating dedicated ads for mobiles, which can handle specific mobile language. And you will see an increase in click-through rates.

Understand what these tips are trying to say and show.

It’s all about aligning to methods that can help you save money by managing PPC campaigns efficiently.

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COVER STORY

BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL

FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS

FROM THE GROUND UP Juan Carlos Isasi and Juan Carlos Isasi Jr.

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COVER STORY

So often today when we read about small business success, the focus is on social media, websites, mobile marketing, and trendy technology.

Those things do matter in business, and they are important. However, there is something else that cannot be forgotten: the human factor.

C

aring about what you do and enjoying your work is the first step in creating a successful business venture. Juan Carlos Isasi, owner and operator of Windshield Xpress, cares deeply about his business and he enjoys working hard every day to make it even more successful. He instilled the same values in his son, Juan Carlos Isasi Jr., who plans to carry on the family business after graduating from college.

Isasi started his business with only four employees. He spent most days making sales in the morning and helping his employees with windshields in the afternoon. Even when he is very busy, Isasi always makes time to visit customers and ask them what they need. “We focus on our high level of service by taking the time to understand the needs of every customer and employee,” said Isasi. “And that leads us to new opportunities.”

As his business grew, Isasi brought in more people to handle the different areas of his business. He then taught them everything he knew while expanding. Isasi describes it as a fun and friendly place to work where teamwork rules. “We like to have fun,” said Isasi. “And we like to push each other to even greater success. That is how our teams grow – having a good time, while working together toward a common goal.”

Isasi also gives credit to his community.

Local business owners often have incentive to support other local businesses, patronizing local establishments for both business and personal reasons. “Windshield Xpress began in neighborhoods,” said Isasi. “We owe our success to the people in those communities. We’re committed to supporting them and growing – together.”

After starting a successful glass company, Isasi set the stage for the continued success of his familyowned business.

Today, Windshield Xpress has 20 employees and the business has expanded to include commercial work and Commercial and Residential Glass. Juan Carlos Jr. plans to study architecture and engineering in college so that he can gain the knowledge and experience he needs to further expand the business.

Isasi and his son share a vision for the future of Windshield Xpress. "We are still striving for success," said Isasi. "We want to keep increasing the value of our business and broadening our footprint in the marketplace."

Originally from Mexico, Isasi moved to the United States when he was 18 years old. He worked at several glass companies in Dallas to gain valuable industry experience. In 2000, Isasi moved to the Rio Grande Valley where he opened Windshield Xpress. Instead of focusing exclusively on financial returns, Isasi worked hard to provide outstanding products and customer service. “Running a successful business is hard work,” said Isasi. “Our goal is to exceed every customer’s expectations. And that starts with our people.

One customer. One handshake. One delivered promise at a time.”

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STARTUPS

HOW TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE A VIABLE BUSINESS IDEA

M

ost startup founders are excited about their ideas.

That is the main reason they launched their company. They become so obsessed with their idea that they can’t get it off their head. It is this passion that determines their evolution as a successful entrepreneur.

So you can start a business if you are passionate about your idea, right? Not really!

You need passion, but passion alone will not lead to success.

After a while, you will realize that starting a business just because you have an idea is a backward way of doing things.

Before launching a company, you need to ensure the viability of the idea. Do you have an idea worth pursuing? Here are a few ways to know.

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YOU GOT THE IDEA FROM YOUR CUSTOMERS An idea that comes from your customer is a good idea if you can get passionate about it.

If your idea does not interest your customers, it will not make money. And if it does not make money, it is not worth pursuing. So, the ideas that come from customer feedback are worth working on because there is a market for them.

YOU KNOW COST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO MARKET YOUR PRODUCT You may have a great product, but if you can’t take it to your customers, it will fail. So before launching your company, you need to find cost effective ways of acquiring customers.

YOU ARE OBSESSED WITH YOUR NICHE It is easy to start a company, but it is not easy to start a successful company. The first days are the most painful.

You are not going to have a huge influx of customers as soon as you launch your business. Unless you love your industry, it will be impossible to stay motivated on those days. You have to learn from your mistakes. You must be obsessed with providing the best experience to your buyers. If you are in the industry just for making money, you will wilt under the pressure.

There are several benefits to being an entrepreneur. A lot of people want to launch their own company, but very few actually manage to do it.

The success of any business depends upon your ability to attract customers. Just because your product/service is good, you can’t expect customers to make a beeline to your door. You have to first get the word out. If you are starting your company in a highly competitive industry, this can cost a lot of money.

You will probably require funding from venture capitalists. If you can’t acquire funding and your project requires a lot of marketing, it does not make sense to work on it.

If you are planning to launch an online store, you should be able to offer attractive discounts. You must also have a flawless shipping method.

As you can see, just because an idea has some potential, there is no guarantee that it will be a successful business.

Every idea needs some marketing. If you have the means and the passion, go ahead and start a business, but make sure there is a market for it.

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COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS

ABOUT THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT STATEMENT: My employees work 30 hours a week so they are not considered full time.

ANSWER: A full time employee generally is any employee who averages 30 or more hours of service per week.

STATEMENT: My Company employs 30 full time employees and 25 part time employees working an average of 27 hours per week. I am not required to offer health insurance because I have less than 50 full time employees.

ANSWER: An applicable large employer (ALE) is an employer that employed an average of at least 50 Full Time Equivalent (FTE’s) employees during business days of the proceeding calendar year. In this scenario the employer is considered an ALE because of the full time equivalent calculation.

You take the total number of part time hours worked in a month and divide that number by 120 hours. 25 PT employees x 27 hours per

38

week x 4 weeks = 2700 total hours / 120 = 22.5 full time equivalent employees for that month. Even though this employer has 52 full time equivalent employees, they are only obligated to offer coverage to their 30 full time employees.

STATEMENT: I am an applicable large employer (ALE), but did not offer coverage in 2015 because I had between 50 and 99 employees, therefore I am not required to report under section 6056 for the 2015 tax year.

ANSWER: If you were considered an ALE in 2015 based on 2014 employee totals (50 FTE’s), you are required to report under section 6056 in 2016 for the 2015 tax year.

STATEMENT: My employees are not eligible for health benefits until after their 90 day probationary period.

ANSWER: The Affordable Care Act requires new hires who are eligible for benefits

An applicable large employer (ALE) is an employer that employed an average of at least 50 Full Time Equivalent (FTE’s) employees during business days of the proceeding calendar year.

to be offered coverage that begins no later than the 91st day following their date of hire.

STATEMENT: I have 50 combined full time employees, but do not have to offer coverage because they are in two separate entities.

ANSWER: Employers with common control or who are otherwise related are aggregated together to determine if they are an ALE. A control group relationship exists if the businesses have one of the following relationships: parent-subsidiary, brother-sister, 80% common ownership between 5 or fewer

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owners, and a combination of the previous relationship types listed. Seek legal guidance to determine if common ownership rules apply to your entities.

STATEMENT: My Company is a nonprofit so I am not required to report under section 6056.

ANSWER: Section 6056 applies to all employers that are ALE members regardless of whether the employer is a tax exempt entity or not.

STATEMENT: I am only obligated to contribute 50% towards my employees’ premium to meet the affordability requirements of the Affordable Care Act. ANSWER: Coverage is only considered affordable if the employee’s share of their self-only coverage cost does not exceed 9.5% of his/ her current year box 1 W2 income.

STATEMENT: I’d rather pay the penalty than offer health insurance since the penalty is less than annual premium.

ANSWER: There are pros and cons to small businesses offering health coverage. The biggest reason to offer health insurance is to attract and retain quality employees. In some instances it is less costly to offer health insurance than to pay the penalty. In addition, the penalty for not offering health insurance is not a deductible business expense whereas generally health insurance premiums are.

For more information you can visit www.healthcare. gov, www.irs.gov, www.dol. gov or contact your local employee benefits specialist.

Priscilla Hinojosa Client Account Manager

39

STRATEGY

WHAT SETS

ULTRA SUCCESSFUL 40

PEOPLE APART

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STRATEGY

There are some people who are successful, and then there are some who are ultra-successful — big time achievers.

T

hese ultra-achievers don’t do different things, instead they just do the same things we do, but in a different manner. So what is it that makes them what they are? Can we learn their attitude, their approach, and become like them? Maybe we can. Let’s see some points that set these ultra-successful people apart.

1. DON’T JUST ASK QUESTIONS, PAY ATTENTION TO THE ANSWERS TOO No one is born with a formula for success. There’s no divine intervention. Successful people live and grow in the same world as we do. Whatever knowledge they possess, they have gained it from the people around them. They have asked questions, no matter how silly the questions might appear when asked.

And they have listened to all the answers, intently. This one simple approach can be a great help to build an attitude that can take you places. So when in doubt, ask questions.

And then pay attention to all the different answers you receive. Some answers might not make much sense, but there’s no harm in gathering different opinions. It will only broaden your perspective of the world around you.

2. EVEN MISTAKES HAVE SOMETHING TO TEACH Never regret your mistakes, learn from them. To err is human. Accept that golden fact and embrace it. Once you pick this attitude, you’ll gain a learner’s wisdom. No one can teach you as well as your own mistakes can.

Don’t shy away from them, and accept what they have to present. That’s what sets apart achievers from others.

3. SHARE WHAT YOU CAN Don’t hold on to knowledge and experiences. You’ll only limit yourself. Sharing is the key. The more you give, the more you receive. But do not share with the intent of receiving more. At times, even if it comes to charity, do it with an open and selfless heart.

4. LEARN NEW THINGS There is nothing more harmful than being stagnant.

A wise mind is not the one which is flooded with knowledge, but the one starving for it. Learn new languages, crafts, and art. Learning new things will never let your mind age. No matter how busy your schedule or daily life has become, make time to educate yourself further.

You never know which part of your knowledge base might come handy someday.

Nothing that you learn ever gets wasted. You always get an opportunity to make something out of it.

5. EXPRESS GRATITUDE WHENEVER YOU CAN Whenever you receive any sort of help, assistance, or guidance; acknowledge it and express gratitude. People whom you thank for their help will not only appreciate your gratitude, but will also be willing to keep contributing in future. Even a simple “Thank You” when expressed genuinely, can build a place for you in others’ hearts.

6. DON’T TAKE THINGS TOO SERIOUSLY Give serious commitment and dedication to what you do, but don’t take your efforts and the end results too seriously. Once you start taking everything seriously, you end up being suffocated and burdened. Go easy on yourself and life. Be it failure or success, never take it too personally and seriously.

Focus on what you can do.

What happens next is not and will never be in your control. All you can control is your current actions.

7. DON’T FORGET TO TAKE THE BREAK YOU NEED Staying focused on work and giving your 100% matters a lot. But so does taking rest and rejuvenating. The human body works on energy.

You need to keep recharging “you”. Don’t push yourself when you’re stressed. Take a break, it is only going to make you more focused.

Simple things, aren’t they?

Might be simple to read, but not too easy to implement.

However, keep working on these aspects, and soon, all of these will be a part of you.

It’s all about attitude and approach. Now go and be ultra-successful.

The human body works on energy.

You need to keep recharging “you”.

Don’t push yourself when you’re stressed. Take a break, it is only going to make you more focused.

STRATEGY

TRICKS

TO BE THE

MOST

MEMORABLE PERSON IN THE ROOM There is certainly “something” that makes some people memorable. If you could know that “something”, you can be memorable too.

D

oesn’t it happen often – you are introduced to someone, and just the next minute you forget their name? You think it won’t be important so your mind doesn’t register the name.

And when you do need to contact them, it becomes embarrassing because you have no idea how to call them.

And then there are some people who are instantly memorable. You remember their name because of some reason – maybe their looks or the way they present themselves and communicate…

There is certainly “something” that makes some people memorable. If you could know that “something”, you can be memorable too.

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1. BEFORE YOU WALK IN, GET A LITTLE “HIGH” No, you don’t need to take a drink or something.

Here, getting “high” means walking into a party or event with a little more vigor and high-spirited mood than usual. Get yourself pumped. Listen to your special music or watch a nice video – just about anything that never fails to deliver a kick to you. Make it a pre-event ritual. Forgetting someone dynamic and energetic is definitely not easy.

2. INVEST SOME TIME INTO YOUR WARDROBE Beauty might be skin deep, but when it comes to first impressions, appearance matters. Add life to your wardrobe. Your clothes don’t have to be too outlandish, but make sure you have something with a little spark and color. The way you dress says a lot of about you. And for first impressions, your attire has to be saying something “interesting”.

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STRATEGY

3. ANSWER BORING QUESTIONS WITH FUN ANSWERS You don’t have to give serious and straight, to-thepoint answers all the time. At times, people do start conversations by asking some really dull and boring questions. This is where you answer with some wit and humor, making the people around smile, if not chuckle. You don’t have to be funny, but speaking to you should be fun.

4. TAKE SOME GENUINE INTEREST IN WHOM YOU MEET Avoid asking obvious questions or things that are too personal. Instead try to know about what piques their interest.

Stay on those kind of topics.

You get them involved in a conversation, and they won’t have to take efforts remembering whom they were speaking to. It’s natural.

5. BE REAL Don’t say what you don’t mean at all, and don’t create any false impressions. Be yourself. You can be yourself without being boring. It’s more about how you say than what you say. Focus on your words. Let them have a little glimpse of who you truly are, without losing interest.

6. PAY ATTENTION TO THE BODY LANGUAGE Greet with firm handshakes, talk by making eye-contact, and trying maintaining a good posture as much as you can. These little things do count. You have to come across as a confident person – someone who knows what they are talking about.

You might be saying something interesting, but do that with wandering eyes, and your words might fail to make an impact.

You have to be mentally present while talking to new people.

The next time when you meet new people or get in an unfamiliar social circle, keep in mind these tricks and techniques and you will be remembered for long.

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MARKETING

HOW TO CREATE A GREAT LINKEDIN PROFILE the profile as much as you can.

List your skills, education, and volunteer associations. The idea is to present you as an all-rounder.

INCLUDE RELEVANT WORK HISTORY You don't have to talk about every job you have ever had.

List only the jobs relevant to your career goals.

ADD RELEVANT LINKS You can add three URLs to your profile, so if you have a blog related to your work, link to it from your profile. Use discretion and add only relevant links.

ASK FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

Y

ou may be hunting for a job or gathering leads for your business – in either case, a professional LinkedIn profile will ensure that you get found by the right people. Here are some of the best strategies you can follow while filling out your LinkedIn profile.

UPLOAD A PROFESSIONAL PHOTO Your profile photo should show your face clearly. Choose the most professional looking photo

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of yours and upload it. Make sure you avoid selfies. Get a good photo taken by a professional photographer. Smile and try to look as professional as you can. Your photo should leave a positive impression. Keep in mind that faces are remembered better than words.

WRITE A CATCHY HEADLINE By default, your LinkedIn profile headline is your current job title and company name, but you can change it. List your specialty and speak to your audience. It is a good idea to include important keywords in your headline. That

said, don't include too much information. Keep the headline limited to 10 words.

SUMMARY In the 'summary' field, you should list 5 or 6 of your greatest achievements. Use bullet points to improve readability.

Remember that no one wants to read long, winding stories.

ADD DOCUMENTS OR IMAGES TO YOUR EXPERIENCE When you build a visual portfolio in addition to your resume information, it leaves a powerful impact. Complete

Reach out to your past employers, managers and colleagues and ask them to write a recommendation for you. Endorsements are good, but recommendations are even better.

Use the status updates feature to share content relevant to your industry. When your status updates are related to your industry, recruiters will get the impression that you are focused on your work.

Surveys have shown that 94 percent of recruiters use social media to aid their recruitment efforts. Yet people can't understand how LinkedIn can be a game changer. LinkedIn is essentially a database of skills that recruiters can search. You can showcase your skills and potential recruiters can come and hire you. When you are on LinkedIn, you are visible to everyone who is looking for your skillset, so use its potential to your advantage.

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MANAGEMENT

GUIDELINES FOR CLASSIFYING YOUR

WORKERS

Take the time to classify your employees. If you classify incorrectly, you could violate labor laws.

A

s you may already know, employees are eligible for several benefits. If you misclassify your employees as contractors, you are committing an expensive mistake. Here are some simple guidelines for classifying your employees properly.

A lot of companies prefer to classify their workers as contractors rather than employ-

46

ees. The benefits are obvious.

They do not have to pay benefits, workers compensation insurance, or payroll taxes.

But misclassifying can be an expensive business.

If you classify your employees incorrectly, you are violating labor laws. The IRS is clamping down on companies that are misclassifying their employees and want to recover Medicare and Social

Security taxes from them.

Misclassifications can result in fines and penalties.

Employers have to pay 6.2 percent of the Social Security Tax and 1.45 percent of the Medicare tax. In addition to these, there is the state unemployment tax and federal unemployment tax. Workers compensation insurance can vary from state to state.

The two important factors that you need to consider while classifying your employees are their independence and the amount of control you have on them.

Here are some guidelines for classifying workers as employees.

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MANAGEMENT

BEHAVIORAL

TRAINING

If you control or if you have the capacity/right to control how the workers perform their job, they are your employees, not contractors.

Workers who are trained by your company are also more likely to be your employees.

FINANCIAL If you provide the tools and supplies, reimburse the expenses, and decide how the workers will be paid, you have control over the financial aspects of the job performed by them. In this case, too, they are your employees.

KIND OF RELATIONSHIP If you have a written contract with your workers and they enjoy employee type benefits like health benefits, insurance, pension/retirement benefits, vacation pay, and access to vehicles owned by the company, they are your employees. You can’t classify them as contractors.

Now here are the guidelines for classifying workers as contractors.

BEHAVIORAL You control the outcome of the work, but you can’t control how it is going to be done. In this case, the worker is more likely to be a contractor.

FINANCIAL The workers use their own tools and decide how they will be paid. In this case, you can classify them as contract employees. The work done by contract employees does not always earn them a profit.

Sometimes they incur a loss.

This does not usually happen to employees.

Simply put, if you train a worker, they are likely an employee. Contractors tend to be already skilled in the job they are hired for.

KIND OF RELATIONSHIP The worker is more likely to be a contractor if you enter into a contract with them for a specific period of time or a job. In this case, you are unlikely to pay any benefits to them.

INVESTMENT A contractor may have already invested in equipment and facilities that will help them work. They may have their own office and computers.

Workers who work for several companies are more likely to be contractors. This can

be misleading because it is also possible for an employee to work for two or more companies.

BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT The contractor may have their own business establishments and they may be receiving payment issued to that entity rather than their name.

TRAINING Businesses are unlikely to provide training to contract employees. They will most probably be skilled in the job they are hired for.

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INVESTMENTS

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