Cindy Seip, Director of Book Design
Born with a crayon in one hand and a camera in the other, Cindy Seip has never ventured far from her creative instincts. Through the years, her creative side took hairpin turns but always finished with a checkered flag.
As an “A+” student in art, it was her 12th-grade art teacher, Mr. Popovitch, that set her on a professional course in design, introducing her to the Ft. Lauderdale Art Institute. There, she would earn her degree in Advertising Design.
She began her career at the Miami Herald Tropic Magazine and later started her own design + underwater portrait photography business.
Over the years, Seip has amassed an impressive client list with some high-profile names like Sony, Nasdaq, Ericsson, Blue Cross Blue Shield, AvMed, Miami International Book Fair, Breakthrough Miami, and many more. Her accolades reflect her keen eye for design.
Seip resides in sunny Miami with her husband, Miami Herald Photojournalist, Al Diaz, two great kids, and a cute Wheaten Terrier named Amanda Bubbles.
February 2014, Be Inkandescent magazine — We hate to admit it, but we are judged immediately by the image we project.
No one knows this better than those in television news. When women first entered tv news, they were told to dress like the men. Now you can see a financial commentator on a morning show in a sleeveless leather dress.
So what can a professional executive woman and the young woman entering the career field learn?
My training came from competing in the 1997 Miss America Pageant. As a short-haired pageant novice I had no idea how to achieve pageantit was pretty sure I didn’t want it anyway. I was guided, by trial and error, to a professional imagethat set me apart everyone else.
For the past 20 years I’ve been helping young women find their personal sense of style while remaining professional yet not boring. Standing out from the crowd has to show not only in professional experience but in visual presentation. I teach simple tricks to make every woman look and feel her best.
I’m always amazed when I stand at the makeup counter and stare at the products that promise to change my life. I just grin, and stick with the simple tried and true tools that have been my mainstay — items that are affordable and won’t break the bank.
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We thank all of the journalists, marketing and sales specialists, social media gurus, futurists, and entrepreneurs who have been interviewed for PR Rules: The Playbook.
With the 180-page guidebook just about ready to head to the printer, we want to give our featured experts the opportunity to peruse the page where they are quoted and let us know if you’d like to make any final changes.
If that’s you:
1. Click here to see the index and find the pages were you are quoted.
2. Type in the passcode we sent you via email to download the pdf of the book.
3. Get back to us with comments by Monday, March 3, as we ship it to the printer March 8. If we don’t hear from you by then, we’ll assume all is well.
4. If you like what you see, we’d love to get a Testimonial from you to post in the book. Send that (and any questions you have) to hope@inkandescentpr.com.
5. To thank you for your contribution, we’d like to send you a complimentary copy of the book. Please also send Hope your mailing address.
Here’s to making fireworks with PR Rules: The Playbook. — The Authors: Hope Katz Gibbs, Kathleen McCarthy, and Michael Gibbs
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January 30, 2014, History News Network — “David Bruce Smith has a mission: to get young people more interested in American history,” writes Rick Shenkman, publisher of History News Network.
“Smith, the scion of a wealthy and prominent family in northern Virginia (his father, Robert H. Smith, was the president of the National Gallery of Art) founded David Bruce Smith Publications LLC in 2003,” he explains. “The company specializes in the production of specialized, limited edition books on historic figures. Smith’s most recent is American Hero: John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States.”
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8 is our magic number in PR Rules. On the 168 pages of the book, you’ll find 8 sets of advice in 8 areas that we believe will help you see your business from a new vantage point.
Why did we pick 8? Because we believe in the knowledge of numbers.
“If seven is the number of evolution, 8 leads us beyond ourselves,” writes Wolfgang Held in “The Quality of Numbers 1 to 31.” “The octave is the 8th note on the scale, and it’s the resolution is the stream of notes comes to rest. The world dawns on the 8th day, and 8 is the first cube number. In the ancient view of the universe, 8 encompasses the planets.”
In Chinese, the word for 8 (八 Pinyin: bā) sounds similar to the word which means prosper and wealth. In regional dialects the words for 8 and “fortune” also sound similar.
And, flipped on its side, the number 8 is the symbol for infinity.
So we we dedicate this book to helping you go beyond yourself, to achieving your dreams and ambitions, with the information you play with in “PR Rules: The Playbook.” Here’s to having fun, and to your success!
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Bilguunzaya Battogtokh, Intern Summer 2014
Bilguunzaya Battogtokh is a sophomore at Yorktown High School in Arlington, Virginia. She is interested in studying business and economics and is super excited about interning at Inkandescent. She hopes to learn a lot during the course of her internship and meet new people as well. Outside of school and work, she is really passionate about soccer and is very excited for the 2014 World Cup.
Lianne Provenzano, Design Intern Summer 2013 + Summer 2014
Lianne Provenzano is a rising first year at the University of Virginia. Having graduated from James Madison High School with an Advanced Diploma in June 2013, she will pursue a bachelor’s degree from the College of Arts and Sciences at UVA. She is currently working as a summer intern for Inkandescent Public Relations, and is interested in all aspects of design and publishing.
January 16, 2014, WUSA Channel 9 — Are you ready to get your financial house in order? Don’t miss Bryan Beatty’s tips, featured on the noon news today on WUSA Channel 9.
Click here to watch.
And click “Read More” for Beatty’s “5 Things to Do to Smartly Plan Ahead for Retirement in 2014.”
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Elizabeth Kim, Intern Summer 2014
Elizabeth Kim is a junior at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania where she is a pursuing concentrations in Marketing Operations Management and Retail. Her role models are Wharton Professor Barbara Kahn, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, J.Crew CEO Mickey Drexler, designer Tom Ford, and Audrey Hepburn.
Elizabeth is working toward a career in the fashion industry. She believes that fashion is a language and an art that not only has a part in expression, but also can be used for empowerment and self-identity.
Hallie Goldstein, Intern Summer 2014
Hallie Goldstein is a rising sophomore at Indiana University in Bloomington where she studies broadcast journalism. She is a proud member of the Media Scholars, a small group of students that are passionate about media and excel in their field.
Along with broadcasting, Hallie is interested in telecommunications. Hallie is also passionate about children suffering in Africa and has studied the Yoruba language which is spoken in Nigeria and other parts of western Africa.
Her goal is to have a career that allows her to travel the world and report from unique locations. Her dream job would be taking over for Giuliana Rancic as a reporter for E news.
Emily and Jeff: A destination wedding in Maui
During the course of the day, I watch for telling moments between the bride and groom. Emily and Jeff’s beach ceremony had just ended and they were walking away from the guests to be alone for a few minutes. Both were emotional. She gently raised his hand and softly kissed him on his wedding band. These small moments are what make a wedding memorable and as the photographer, I have to find and capture these moments on film.
Samantha
I always start the day with the bride as she prepares for the wedding. The pictures taken with the bride at this time are usually fun and relaxed because she is surrounded by people who love her. It is a very comfortable situation where I can create memorable images. The stylist had just finished Samantha’s hair. She walked over to the mirror to have a look. What I saw in the mirror reminded me slightly of Vermeer’s “The Girl with the Pearl Earring”. I wanted to capture that moment.
Jessica and Adam
After the ceremony, I like to take the new couple away from the crowd to make some nice, intimate portraits. Often, I have to create the ambience by using lighting effects that still look natural. This photo was shot in a basement hallway with a chandelier overhead and mirror lined walls. The ambient light level was poor, so I used a small strobe to create a warm glow on the bride and groom. I used a fast, prime lens that gave me a shallow depth of field to create the romantic effect.
For more information, visit: www.charliearchambaultphoto.com.
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Each year we celebrate a new year in the Chinese Zodiac. As an Asian American, I often think back to my childhood days when I studied the 12 creatures represented in the Chinese calendar, with a different animal celebrated each year.
2014 is the Year of the Horse. The spirit of the horse is recognized to be the Chinese people’s ethos—making unremitting efforts to improve themselves. It is energetic, bright, warm-hearted, intelligent and able. Ancient people liked to designate an able person as ‘Qianli Ma’, a horse that covers a thousand li a day (one li equals 500 meters).
What does that mean in terms of financial planning?
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In the world of investment, winning and losing has much to do with the concept of risk.
In fact, in my experience, the best investors are those who look at investing as an art, rather than a science. The tools they rely on most are common sense and experience.
What I was most intrigued by in the book, “Top Dog: The Science of Winning and Losing,” by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman, is the discussion of whether individuals are wired to win or lose—and how this affects innovation and responses to setbacks.
From a financial planning point of view, here’s how I believe people’s perspective on winning and losing relates to saving for retirement.
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As the daughter of a Chinese father and American-born mother, I have been exposed to many different stereotypes in the US, Europe, and Asia. I also grew up taking in mixed messages about what it means to be a successful, professional woman.
While both my parents expressed their belief that I could achieve anything with hard work, focus, and dedication—I saw that professional women’s struggles in Asia are exacerbated. As I grew older, I saw that women are not taken seriously professionally if they are too passive, but that they can also be derailed professionally by being seen as “too ambitious,” “too expressive,” “too opinionated,” or “too individualistic.”
Finding a way to lean in that felt right to me was the key to my success.
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My father emigrated from Taiwan in the 1960s with only $17 to his name and the clothes on his back. Even though he was poor in the material and financial sense, he never considered himself poor.
His mantra was that financial wealth alone did not represent one’s “true wealth.” He stressed the fact that he was rich in spirit and blessed with his education.
The most valuable financial advice that my dad instilled in me was not to define myself by what I have, but rather by my accomplishments and education. He insisted that while money did not buy happiness, it did provide peace of mind, freedom, and flexibility.
I learned that money should not be the sole determining factor for the decisions I make in life. His financial wisdom and insight have enabled me to adopt a balanced, holistic approach to financial matters, for which I am eternally grateful.
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Each March, we celebrate Women’s History Month, and this year’s theme is: “Women inspiring innovation through imagination.”
As a financial planner, I look back at the generations of women who throughout American history have drawn on their intelligence, imagination, and sense of wonder to make extraordinary contributions, and I am awed.
I’m also not surprised at how far we have come. Currently, women outnumber men in American colleges and universities. This reversal of the gender gap is a recent trend, noted in 2009, when 57 percent of bachelor degrees, 60 percent of master degrees, and 52 percent of doctoral degrees were awarded to women.
Fortunately for women, this increase in education translates into increased influence—and affluence.
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“Statistics show that the number of unmarried couples who share the same residence is on the rise,” says FPA Diversity Committee Co-Chair Rita Cheng, CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CEO of Blue Ocean Global Wealth “Just two years ago, the number of opposite-sex couples living together jumped 13 percent, to 7.5 million, according to the US Census Bureau. The number of same-sex couples living together in 2010 also increased over the previous year—up 30 percent—from 476,000 in 2009 to about 620,000 in 2010.”
Additional research confirms that the trend is continuing to grow, which presents unique financial planning concerns to the couples, as well as challenges for their financial planners.
Members of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) have created the FPA Diversity Initiative in an effort to raise awareness and promote an environment that embraces diverse communities of consumers and professionals.
Who is included in this demographic?
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What, exactly, is financial management?
Although many people know that saving for their financial future is important, many don’t know what steps to take to accomplish their goals.
Following is a primer that I use to help my clients understand the playing field of financial planning. My hope is that it will make taking the first steps in the planning process easier for you, too.
Let’s get started.
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Is being wild and adventurous—and strategically planning ahead for retirement—a non sequitur?
That question was answered for me when I read Mel and Patricia Ziegler’s book, “Wild Company: The Untold Story of Banana Republic.” Not only did they start their retail fashion company with $1,500 and no business experience, they re-imagined military surplus as safari and expedition wear.
Innovation was the key to their success. And the same is true when it comes to being creative about planning ahead for your financial future.
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What is the one trait that all the best wealth managers share? Empathy.
Clearly, education, expertise, and experience are important. But empathy—the ability to mutually experience the thoughts, emotions, and direct experience of others—is key because it facilitates mutual understanding.
Empathetic wealth managers can inspire their clients to adopt the positive changes necessary for them to reach their life financial goals.
According to the writings of 8th-century Buddhist scholar Shantideva, the key to cultivating more empathy is to learn to see the complexity of a situation. Even if empathy does not come naturally to us, it’s a virtue that we can develop over time.
Identify an empathetic wealth manager by considering the following.
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I love power couples. When two strong-minded, confident people come to me for help with their financial planning, I know we’re going to end up creating a savvy approach to managing their money.
Not only do dynamic duos exude positive energy and confidence, the merits of each personality often compensate for their character flaws in each other.
That said, their strong-willed determination to be the best does not guarantee that power couples don’t experience power struggles or discord when it comes to money.
Why is it so hard to manage money and love?
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Discussing financial matters can be stressful for couples. It pulls up a lot of emotional baggage and fear, and may shine a light on fundamental differences that the couple isn’t aware of.
Hard as this conversation is, the key is to a happy marriage is to address money issues long before a conflict, or financial crisis, emerges.
Here are three things you should know the money habits of your partner—before you marry.
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Even if you already have a 529 plan, you may want to consider establishing a Coverdell Education Savings Account.
It is one of the best-kept secrets and often overlooked when establishing a college savings plan. Investors have more flexibility and control of the investments—they can select any qualifying investment, including certificates of deposit, mutual funds, and tech stocks.
To invest in a Coverdell though, you have to meet the income guidelines: a maximum of $110,000 in modified adjusted gross income for single filers, and $220,000 for married filers.
Parents can make annual after-tax contributions of up to $2,000 per year per child, and the money can be devoted not only to college costs, but also to primary and secondary education. Earnings are tax-free, provided that the money is used for qualified education-related expenses.
Prior to establishing a Coverdell ESA, there are important considerations to address.
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Angie Leon, Intern 2014
Angie Leon is a junior at Washington Lee high school. “I have a passion for animals and I’m interested in becoming a veterinarian when I’m older,” she says. “I also love learning sign language and new ways to communicate.” Angie joined the Inkandescent Intern team in January 2014.
January 2014, Be Inkandescent magazine — “Every quilt tells a story,” says Jo Packham, author of Quilters, a compilation of the personal experiences of 20 artisans who share their love of textile art.
They open their studios to Packham and photographer Ryne Hazen, to share their love for the creative process of sewing quilts. Plus, readers have access to 80 online quilt patterns to download.
Packham, quoting “The Quilts of Gee’s Band,” says: “Quilting is a white woman’s way of singing the blues.” She knows of what she speaks.
“My practical, patient, and thrifty mother taught me how to sew,” explains Packham. “She showed me how to create a pattern for whatever I either wanted or believed that I needed, and she persistently taught me the lessons of fine handwork. That meant, and still means, plaids perfectly matching at the seams, straight stitching lines, and a back as beautiful as the front—with no exceptions made for haste and no less-than-perfect craftsmanship.
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Jan. 1, FinancialPlanning.com — “Planning for a child’s education is a common goal for advisory clients. But beyond ensuring that a family can cover increasingly expensive college costs, how else can advisors aid their clients’ offspring?” writes reporter Joseph Lisanti.
“Some parents look to a trusted planner to teach younger children about money; others want help for adult children. Advisors, meanwhile, are often eager to develop new relationships with clients’ kids to keep oversight of family assets after a parent’s death.”
In this article he interviews CFP Bryan Beatty, a partner at the Northern VA firm Egan, Berger & Weiner, LLC.
Beatty explains: “Planners must also understand family dynamics, and it’s a very delicate thing. You have to tread lightly and know when you can push and when you can’t. So planners approach the question of helping the next generation in a variety of ways.”
Here are some ideas that can work in your practice.
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January 2014, Be Inkandescent magazine — “I love my job, but my manager is a jerk.”
Is that something you’ve said, thought, or felt? If so, you aren’t alone.
Here’s the flip side of the story.
All of the managers I have ever known have said that they want to work with the best possible employees. While I don’t doubt that they mean what they say, it takes skill and work to hire the best and to manage them to reach their highest potential.
This is why.
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January 2014, Be Inkandescent magazine — Experienced industry leaders Marguerita M. Cheng, CFP® and Sameer S. Somal, CFA, CFP® are proud to announce the launch of their new firm, Blue Ocean Global Wealth, provides corporations and institutions with portfolio construction, investment due diligence, and risk-management consulting services.
The firm also delivers comprehensive financial planning and wealth management solutions to families, entrepreneurs, and executives.
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10 Tips for Making a “Sweat-Free” Hire
You know you need to hire someone to make your company or department more efficient and effective. But you want that person to be the right fit. You want someone who will be happy in their new job. And who will fit in with the corporate culture. It’s not an easy task.
In this speech: Mitchell offers 10 tips to help you hire well and to make the process as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. After all, that’s the point, right? Click here to read the list.
How to Create Wellness Programs in Today’s Workplace
In Chapter 29 of her latest book, The Big Book of HR, Mitchell talks about risk management. What better way to avoid risk than to incorporate wellness programs in today’s workplace? Indeed, many organizations already provide employee wellness programs, including nutrition and weight control, smoking cessation, stress reduction, and fitness. These programs yield healthier and more productive employees, which translates into savings on health insurance for the employer and the employee.
In this speech: Mitchell asks what else pays off? Motivating employees, and their family members, through information and incentives that encourage them to participate in wellness programs. Read more here.
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ConsumerShift: How Changing Values Are Reshaping the Consumer Landscape
The old approaches to consumer understanding no longer work. This presentation explores broad-scale patterns in changing values that will reshape the consumer landscape over the next decade. It introduces the New Dimensions of Consumer Life model to help systematically sort out and categorize the myriad influences on consumer decision-making and behavior. It concludes that values, defined as an individual view about what is most important in life that in turn guides decision-making and behavior, is the single best predictor for gaining insight into how consumers may change in the future.
Learn more here about ConsumerShift.
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Roberta Shaffer, Law Librarian, Library of Congress
“Andy’s techniques are powerful and can be applied to so many sectors,” she says. “His presentation and delivery are so easy to understand and digest that I knew the audience would benefit. I have heard him speak several times before, and I never grow tired of what he has to say. His speech certainly helped us bring all of the issues facing our industry to the fore. His discussion regarding thinking about the future, and viewing the problem as a futurist would, enabled us to consider how we might position ourselves for continued success.”
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Conscious Leadership is an Inside Job
Leaders have an extraordinary ripple affect. We have the power to inspire greatness at home and in our workplace, by first inspiring it within ourselves. This can only occur through inner awareness of thoughts and beliefs that drive us every day. They can be fear-based or love-based. Right now, for example, what thoughts are driving YOU?
By tapping into our innate emotional intelligence, understanding the nature of the mind and it’s ‘patterns’ and ‘conditioning,’ we can release old beliefs that no longer serve us. Becoming conscious isn’t about changing who we are, it’s to better understand ourselves through self-acceptance and compassion. It’s to feel comfortable with ‘me,’ so others can do the same.
The result? Discovering that work IS play, with success and prosperity as a natural byproduct. Being inspired everyday becomes easier, as we choose the activities, people, and situations that lift us up. And relationship challenges are a golden opportunity to deepen our connection with those we love…and those that can be hard to love. CGL believes that it’s about the commitment to grow that makes a truly conscious leader.
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Future Flow: The Age of Upheaval—How will fundamental economic transformation reset the “American Dream”?
Despite recent improvements, according to two recent polls, two‐thirds of US consumers believe the future will be worse for their children and grandchildren, and 68 percent believe the worst is yet to come, when asked about the economy. The recent economic meltdown has raised concerns not only about the questionable trading behavior of a section of the financial services industry, but moreover whether the whole premise of the “American Dream,”—with its promise of trickle-down economics, upward mobility, and a strong middle class—is still plausible.
Failing education in math and the sciences, and high unemployment and shortage of loans, are hindering innovation, an area in which the US has dominated for some time. While the US continues to lead in GDP generation, the “public discovery” of America’s “third world” and the fact that 46 million of its people live in poverty has tempered the public’s belief and trust in the country’s future.
This presentation delivers a sense of hope based on the slogan: The New American Dream—Fairness, sustainable living, and the pursuit of happiness. In the presentation, Woodgate proposes critical future leverage points, as well as ways to kick-start the middle class, upward mobility, and the US economy. He considers the positive impact that can be gained from the dramatic changes in demographics, community, workforce, infrastructure, energy, sustainability, new technologies, and urban development. The presentation pushes the reset button for a magnificent new America with a new set of societal and economic values.
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James L. Martin, Sr. VP
Incite Director, GSD&M
“Derek is an engaging, interesting, and involved presenter—no matter what the subject matter he is talking about. Whenever I hire him to be a keynote, sit on a panel, or conduct a workshop, I can always count on Derek to bring a unique perspective and expansive thinking to the event.”
Ashley Smith, Director of Innovation Strategy, Philips Electronics, Amsterdam, Netherlands
“Even within the field of ‘Futurology’, Derek blew us away with quantity and quality of trends and innovations he is tracking. The true secret of his success, of course, is his ability to link these marvels to the business issues that we were facing right now.”
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Five Trend Clusters Around the Future of Talent and Learning
In this keynote, Salvatico shares how managing talent in these “postnormal” times requires new approaches and mindsets. Trends in society, technology, and the economy are all converging in unexpected ways, forever changing the way people view work. The organizations and institutions that anticipate this value shift and make the appropriate course adjustments will be positioned to profit from the opportunities that result.
Those that remain tied to current business practices will likely fail. Using Strategic Foresight tools and methodologies, Salvatico has created a glimpse into the future of talent much clearer than we could get from any crystal ball. This view is the result of Kedge’s environmental scanning analysis and is presented in five trend clusters.
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Richard Ramsey, Global HR Executive with Experience in Digital and Physical Media Distribution, Consumer Products, and Hospitality, Global Project Lead at Walt Disney International
“If you are trying to make sense of the future, find innovative solutions and opportunities, and take action to position your organization not just for survival but growth, then hire Yvette Montero Salvatico,” Ramsey says. “Her work is transformative and energizing, yet anchored in tools and processes that should satisfy the most ardent pragmatist. They will help you to THINK BIG and DO BIG. I recently watched her present to a large crowd of process oriented system professionals who went from sitting back in their chairs with crossed arms to leaning across the table while shouting about replacing themselves with bio-engineered databots. If you are ready to challenge your ideas about the future and your opportunity to prepare for it, she’s the futurist who can take you there.”
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Lats Latvis, President, National Association of Women Business Owners, San Francisco Chapter
“Dr. Frewen has little herd instinct, and is the architect of an entirely different and fresh approach toward reaching and inspiring people she has never met before, and in this case, all of whom exited her seminar feeling rejuvenated and bonded to one another from that point on. It was a break from the maddening crowd; a gift. We are the beneficiaries of, “The Frewen Influence,” open and willing to consider alternative routes for new business strategies in order to build better organizations.”
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- From Software to Hardware: By following her gut, Gina Schaefer went from translating tech-speak into Portuguese for IBM to owning 9 ACE Hardware stores in DC and Baltimore. And, she met her husband and business partner in the process. In this speech, Gina shares insights into how you can let intuition be your guide, too.
- Grab Your Drill, Ladies. It’s time to do business: The cliche of making it in a man’s world, unfortunately, is still true in male-dominated industries like hardware. Although there are plenty of women who own stores in the ACE Hardware cooperative, they are still the minority of the company based in Oak Brook, Illinois that generated more than $3.5 billion last year. If Gina has her way, that trend will change in 2014 and beyond. In this speech, she explains how.
- Buying Local Isn’t a Slogan—It’s the Future: The resurgence of mom and pop shops is happening across America for good reason. It’s easier, cheaper, and important for the environment and economy to shop locally. “Retail stores rely on the folks in the neighborhood to support them, which is good for the entire community,” Gina insists. In this speech, she takes a deep dive into the trends and economics.
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Carol Kinsey Goman, PhD, is an international keynote speaker specializing in leadership and nonverbal communication. She coaches executives, female leaders, salespeople, and change-agents to build strong and productive business relationships by projecting confidence, credibility, caring, and charisma.
A frequent presenter for The Conference Board, The Executive Forum, and the International Association of Business Communicators, her list of clients also includes more than 100 organizations in 24 countries — corporate giants such as Consolidated Edison, 3M, and PepsiCo.
Additionally, Carol is an author whose most recent books are: “The Silent Language of Leaders: How Body Language Can Help—or Hurt—How You Lead,” and, “The Truth About Lies in the Workplace: How to Spot Liars and What to Do about Them.”
So it was a pleasure to interview this dynamic woman for the Truly Amazing Women Radio Show about her fascinating 7 Tips for Spotting Liars at Work.
You’ll learn:
- Why stress is the most powerful “lying” signal
- Why the eyes never lie
- What the tone of a voice means about telling the truth
- And, how to spot “undercover” emotions
Click here to download the podcast today.
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Old Souls: Compelling evidence from children who claim to remember previous lives based and Tom Shroder’s travels with past life researcher Ian Stevenson
All across the globe, small children spontaneously speak of previous lives, beg to be taken “home,” pine for mothers and husbands and mistresses from another life, and know things that there seems to be no normal way for them to know. From the moment these children can talk, they speak of people and events from the past — not vague stories of centuries ago, but details of specific, identifiable individuals who may have died just months, weeks, or even hours before the birth of the child in question.
For 40 years, Dr. Ian Stevenson traveled the world from Lebanon to India to suburban Virginia investigating and documenting more than two thousand of these past life memory cases. Shroder, the first journalist to have the privilege of accompanying Dr. Stevenson in his fieldwork, brought his essentially unknown work to worldwide attention.
In the book, Shroder follows Stevenson into the lives of children and families touched by this phenomenon, changing from skeptic to believer as he comes face-to-face with concrete evidence he cannot discount in this spellbinding and true story.
In this speech, Shroder discusses his research and findings. The conversation that ensues is always passionate and fascinating.
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Of Tom’s editing, Pulitzer prize-winning columnist and Author Dave Barry says: “Tom Shroder is the best in the business – the rare editor who has the analytical skills to see what needs to be done, and the writing ability to show you, when necessary, exactly how to do it. He is especially good at finding the flaws in long, complex pieces, and getting writers to perform at the highest level they’re capable of. I’d trust him with anything I’ve written.”
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The Silent Language of Leaders
In this speech you’ll learn:
- Two sets of nonverbal signals people look for in leaders – and the circumstances that make one more effective than the other.
- Body language strategies for collaboration, change management, negotiation, and working with cross-cultural teams.
- How to read the body language of your team members, to find out what they really think.
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Lee Hornick, Conference Coordinator, The Conference Board
The all-time greatest speaker I have ever worked with. I’ve worked with Carol numerous times over a 15-year period. She has an incredible rapport and ability to connect with the audience. I’ve seen her present to an audience of CEOs and totally blow them away. Her material is always original and fresh, and she knows it like a book.
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- Mothering with the Greatest Joy. Based on her newest book, “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff for Moms,” which has sold more than 1 million copies, this speech helps the audience consider simple ways to stress less and enjoy their families more.
- Working Happy: Responding to demands with resiliency. Based on the book she wrote with her husband, Dr. Richard Carlson, “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff at Work,” this speech teaches audiences a series of simple ways to minimize stress and conflict while bringing out the best in yourself and others.
- Living the Big Stuff: How to heal through loss and return to joy. Based on her book, “Heartbroken Open,” which is about learning to survive and thrive after the death of her husband, author Dr. Richard Carlson, in 2006, she outlines the four principles she used to cope.
- The Meaning of Womanhood. Based on her book, “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff for Women” this speech discusses practical ways to do what matters most, and how to find time for you.
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DESIGN THINKING
Design in the Age of Smart Machines
After a decade of woeful economic conditions, a future golden age is on the horizon. Integrated technologies will make buildings interact with us, even adapt and grow. They’ll be disposable, portable, recyclable, assembled, and temporary with virtual, augmented, and physical layers. How will architect’s roles change and what can we do to be ready and take advantage now? Furthermore, Generation Flux will live in a hybrid reality of ubiquitous computing. How can buildings learn to talk, adapt, and shape future experiences?
Design Futures
Design futures marries futures methods and design thinking in order to materialize speculative future worlds. Futurists are moving beyond traditional tools to create more vivid, lived in, world building scenarios. Rather than just narratives, these stories are told with images, videos, and sounds and in the future tactile and spatial experiences. You will in effect see possible design futures, and participate in shaping the design. In creating multi-sensory, multi-dimensional futures, you can explore more deeply the intentions and implications of future alternatives. Participants will learn the theory, see examples, and practice creating or assembling thumbnail images of futures artifacts to imagine future worlds. Participants will learn what design futures are, how they differ from traditional scenarios and design fictions, how to create design futures, the basics of design futures workshop facilitation, the characteristics of excellent design futures, and examples from videos and illustrations. Plus they will do speedy thumbnail sketches freehand or using prefab elements.
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Since all of the members of our Inkandescent team are journalists, we have been wanting to launch a Journalists column for ages. We jumped on the opportunity after meeting Sonya Gavankar, a TV personality who has been seen hosting programs on PBS, BGTV, and MHz Networks.
Her broadcasting career has spanned diverse programming from international food shows to hard news. And her career began on the other side of the camera—when in 1997 she was crowned Miss DC. She was 20, and a student at American University. Although she didn’t go on to win the Miss America crown, she finished her education and used her wit, smarts, and talent to land a position at DC’s prestigious Newseum, a 250,000- square-foot space filled with exhibits and interactive programming.
So we thought it appropriate to interview her in the broadcasting studio of the Newseum, where she makes the movies that showcase the exhibits of the country’s top news events covered by the press.
Being the journalists that we are, let’s get down to the questions.
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June 2013, Be Inkandescent magazine — Teaching children how to research is a critical skill that can start early and will serve them for a lifetime. In today’s world, where so much information is readily available at our fingertips, it is never too early to begin to teach children how to search with a “critical eye.”
Opportunities to conduct in-depth research allow children to discover and explore a wide range of topics that connect to personal interests and encourage inquiring minds. As they search for knowledge and data about topics that are connected to real-world issues, personal interests, and relevant concerns, children learn the value of searching for information through a wide variety of resources.
They also discover and practice investigative and formal research techniques that train them to develop abstract ideas, use inductive thinking, see connections, and solve problems.
The research process itself teaches them to organize, apply, and evaluate information and data that they can collect from multiple sources and then use that information for a project, a purchase, a personal goal, or to help solve a real-world problem.
In order to strengthen and refine their thinking and communication skills, children need opportunities to explore topics they are interested in and share what they learn with others.
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December 23, 2013, News Channel 8 — Certified Financial Planner Howard Pressman had a college professor who made a big impact when he explained the four most dangerous words when it comes to planning for retirement: “This time it’s different.”
“As investors, it’s important to keep our eyes on our goals,” Pressman explains. “If your goals are one year away or two years away, you would be right to be concerned about what’s going on today. You also shouldn’t have money set aside for this goal invested in volatile investments. On the other hand, if your goals are 10 or more years away, don’t be intimidated by today’s “earth shattering” headlines, and don’t make long-term decisions based on short-term events. It’s really not that different at all—it’s just more recent.”
He shared more of this thoughts with Let’s Talk Live reporter Angela Stribling. Click here to watch the segment. For more information on Pressman’s insights, click here.
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Andy has also authored dozens of articles, speeches, and workshops, including the 2003 Emerald Literati Awards’ Outstanding Paper accolade for best article published in Foresight for “An Audit for Organizational Futurists” and the 2008 award for “Scenarios: The State of the Art.”
Most recently, he appeared on KRIV-26 News talking about the future of libraries and the CBS “Early Show,” to talk about an MTV-commissioned study: “The Future of the Youth Happiness.”
In this episode we talked to Andy about:
- What it means to be a futurist
- His popular book, ConsumerShift, and what the future of consumerism looks like
- The study he did for MTV about the future of youth happiness
- The future studies program at the University of Houston: Who attends, what he teaches, and what kind of jobs are out there for futurists
- His previous work at Kellogg, and type of work a futurist does for large corporations
- His own plans for the future
Download our podcast interview with Andy Hines here.
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Owning a string of hardware stores in downtown Washington, D.C., isn’t what you’d expect Gina Schaefer to say she does for a living when you meet the perky, petite 40something.
But she and husband Marc Friedman proudly stand at the helm of a $19 million company they founded in 2002, which owns and manages 9 ACE Hardware locations in DC and Baltimore.
Why did a woman who graduated with a degree in political science, and worked for a few years at the Children’s Defense Fund, get into the hardware business? “We were young and dumb,” told me when we first met. But the real answer is more likely equal parts necessity, opportunity, humility — and true grit.
We’ll asked 10 questions to this Truly Amazing Woman about her career, her lessons learned, and advice she has for other women who are making strides and changing lives, including:
- How does she work so well with her husband Marc
- How she handles being a powerful woman in a traditionally-male dominated, masculine industry like hardware
- What part of her business is she most passionate about
- What aspect of her career tested her the most
- And what was a major crossroads—and how did she handle it?
Click here to download the podcast.
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The DCJCC’s Theater J announces the world premiere production of Our Suburb, a new play by Darrah Cloud. An homage to the classic American play Our Town by Thornton Wilder, Our Suburb opens with two families preparing for Christmas and Hanukkah, and two teenagers fall into an interfaith romance. Drawing a sometimes warm, sometimes stark, unyieldingly honest portrait of love and family, the play, which updates its setting from Grovers Corner New Hampshire to Skokie, Illinois circa 1977, is set against the threat of a familiar yet surprising enemy.
Our Suburb will be brought to life by director Judith Ivey, four-time Tony Award-nominee (most recently in 2013 for The Heiress) and two-time winner for her performances in Steaming and Hurlyburly. Ivey’s extensive directing resume includes credits at Second Stage in New York, Pasadena Playhouse, the Cherry Lane Theatre, the Falcon Theatre in Los Angeles and the Aspen Comedy Festival. She also previously appeared on the Theater J stage as Ann Landers in the one-woman show The Lady with All the Answers at a one-night-only benefit performance in 2012.
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Dec. 16, 2013, IdeaMensch.com — When Mario Schulzke asked Inkandescent PR founder Hope Katz Gibbs to answer 20 questions, the journalist and PR specialist couldn’t resist.
From “Where did the idea for The Inkandescent Group come from?” to “How do you make money?” she offered ideas and insights she hopes other entrepreneurs can use to Supersize their Small Business, including:
Tell the truth. The biggest PR mistake anyone can make is to be afraid to speak their piece and stand by their word.
Click here to read her the entire Q&A: ideamensch.com.
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By Derek Woodgate
Futurist, and President
The Futures Lab, Inc.
Advertising is experiencing a huge disruption to every aspect of the industry.
The revolution is certainly creating considerable concern among those comfortable with traditional industry structures and approaches. Yet this shift will open up new opportunities in terms of media and advertising formats, and consumer reach and engagement—not to mention cross-disciplinary collaborations, specializations, delivery technologies, financial structures, and reception performance approaches.
As Internet technology guru Clay Shirky recently stated: “It is the people who work out how to work simply in the present, rather than the people who mastered the complexities of the past, who get to say what happens in the future.”
As I see it, four very distinct but interacting layers will provide the strategic architecture for the coming revolution in the world of advertising.
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Tom Shroder is an award-winning journalist, writer, and editor for more than 30 years.
As editor of The Washington Post Magazine, he conceived and edited the story, Fatal Distraction. Written by award-winning journalist Gene Weingarten, the article probed the case where a toddler named Chase died in a hot car after his father accidentally left him there in the summer of 2008. The story asks: “Forgetting a Child in the Backseat of a Car Is a Horrifying Mistake. Is It a Crime?”
It was awarded the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for feature writing. Shroder also edited and contributed to Pearls Before Breakfast, which was awarded the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for feature writing.
In addition to being an author and editor of narrative journalism, Shroder is one of the foremost editors of humor in the country. He has edited humor columns by Weingarten, Dave Barry, and Tony Kornheiser. And, he conceived and launched the internationally syndicated comic strip, “Cul de Sac,” by Richard Thompson.
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December 2013, Be Inkandescent magazine — What kind of pie conveys the experience of starting a new job, getting married, becoming a mom?
That’s the question author Jo Packham asked when she began gathering 39 of her favorite foodies, who contributed 42 recipes to her delicious masterpiece, “Pie-ography: Where Pie Meets Biography.”
“Each one has devised a pie recipe that captures the essence of her life,” says Packham, the founder of the best-selling magazines, Where Women Cook, Where Women Create, and Where Women Create Business. “Stir in beautiful photography, short essays, and brief bios, and voilá, you’ve got more than a cookbook. From Espresso Dream Pie to Salmon and Spinach Pie, this collection nourishes body and soul.”
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Dec. 1, 2013, Evolution magazine — Hope Katz Gibbs was honored to be selected to be the December 2013 cover story of Evolution magazine.
The business and technology magazine published by Darnell Davis features stories about small business owners, who offer their expertise. In this issue, Gibbs asked: “Are You Ready to Be Inkandescent?”
Click here, then scroll to page 16 to read the article on: Evolution magzine.
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You don’t feel well, but you can’t quite figure out why. You’ve been to several health care practitioners — but no one has quite hit the nail on the head. And you still feel yucky.
Most likely, you don’t have any specific symptoms — or don’t think it’s affordable to keep searching for the answer. Fortunately there is an answer, insists Dr. Kim Muzinski, co-founder of the Integrative Chiropractic & Natural Medicine Clinic in Arlington, VA: www.MyHolisticDocs.com.
Staying healthy is key.
“With the payments for health care plans changing dramatically, it’s more important than ever to take control of your wellness,” she explains. “The value of spending your dollars toward wellness is so important.”
The bottom line: No busy adult has time to get sick. Here’s what you can do manage your good health.
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December 2013, Be Inkandescent magazine — Do you know what I’ve found to be the easiest way to make myself happy at work?
It’s so simple you probably won’t believe it.
But honestly, it’s to have gratitude for what I do have and not focus on what I don’t. And, to share that feeling with all those around me by simply saying, “thank you,” as often as possible.
And not just saying it … but really meaning it—authentically and spontaneously.
When is a “thank you” most appropriate?
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Back to School Night 2013 was another huge success for the financial services firm Egan, Berger & Weiner, LLC.
The partners wanted to capture the event on film! Click to watch this year’s 4-minute video.
And click to read more to view some spectacular moments of the evening.
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November 25, 2013 — What do you need to know about Global Demographic Trends?
In this video, produced by the financial services firm Egan, Berger & Weiner LLC, president of the ACC Family — *Jim Lindsay* — offers insights.
Click here to watch this engaging hour-long seminar.
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November 25, 2013, News Channel 8 — Are you worried about paying for college?* Financial Advisor Carmen Wu gives you food for thought with these four questions that she answers on today’s episode of Let’s Talk Live:
1. How does an American Family successfully address the challenges of saving for all of their financial needs — raising a family, educating their children and retire successfully?
2. How much do you recommend that a family save each year to afford college for one child? (Please show slide called “The growing cost of a college education.”)
3. How early should parents start savings?
4. What are the best options to save for college?
Don’t miss a moment!
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By Kathleen McCarthy
Managing Editor
Be Inkandescent magazine
Kids today don’t know history like they used to, but it’s not their fault, insists The John Marshall Foundation.
“The modern emphasis on standardized testing and teaching that favors skills over knowledge is to blame,” according to the organization, which sponsors educational and public interest programs or other activities in the fields of law, government, history and public affairs to promote a greater public understanding of Chief Justice John Marshall and his contributions. “As a result, history has fallen by the wayside in US classrooms.”
Consider this: A 2011 nationwide test, US history is now American students’ worst subject, many 4th graders are unable to say why Abraham Lincoln was important.
“If even Lincoln isn’t memorable to American students, what will happen to equally important but less regaled pioneers of our past?” asks David Bruce Smith, author of a new children’s book on Marshall entitled, American Hero: John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States.
This concern is a driving force behind the Richmond, VA-based Foundation, and the inspiration behind the children’s picture book that it commissioned.
Illustrated by world-renowned artist Clarice Smith, David Smith’s mother, the book is dedicated to his father, Robert — the benefactor behind the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business “who was convinced that John Marshall, the ‘forgotten’ Founding Father, composed a life worthy of study and remembrance by every American,” David says.
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Sebastopol CA, September 23, 2013 — Join us for the Living Ayurveda Symposium & Marketplace in downtown Sebastopol on Nov. 9-10, where you’ll get a first hand taste of Ayurveda, yoga’s sister science.
Considered the ancient remedy for healthy, modern living, you’ll get a heaping helping of some of the best insights into this healing practice including:
- Having the opportunity to take two days of classes with world-renowned Ayurveda teachers,
- Learning how to care for yourselves, your loved ones, and your clients with this timeless tradition,
- Exploring the marketplace where you will find essential items for a healthy lifestyle, as well as meet local artists and healers.
That’s not all! You’ll also have the opportunity to:
- Rejuvenate in Sonoma County’s newest self-care studio,
- Unwind in the steam room, sauna, and baths,
- Enjoy a farm-to-table organic vegetarian lunch prepared by top local chefs.
- And, in the evening of Nov. 9, celebrate with Ananda Rasa , a reggae style Kirtan Band and an enchanting Odissi Dance performance by ShaktiBhakt.
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November 2013, Be Inkandescent magazine — Today we live in a totally connected, mobile world. Not that long ago, the United States was an agrarian society where it was pretty obvious where the lines were between home and work. Nature often dictated when work needed to be done.
For instance, my dad grew up on a farm and told us stories of not being able to open Christmas presents until late in the day after all the chores were completed. During the Industrial Revolution, work moved to factories where laws and rules existed to regulate work and work schedules.
Now, in the Information Age, all that has changed.
Savvy organizations have realized that what employees value most (after getting paid!) is having a flexible work schedule. As technology has made it easier to work remotely, workplace flexibility has become a competitive advantage and a great way to build loyalty.
Workplace flexibility takes many forms, including the following.
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Oct. 29, 2013, Working Writers & Bloggers — Reporter Cherie Burbach interviewed freelance writer and PR specialist Hope Katz Gibbs for WorkingWritersandBloggers.com, the website that helps writers succeed in business.
Questions included: Have you noticed the “feast or famine” world that people think about when they picture freelancing? Many freelancers today work for clients and also supplement that with their own blogs and books. What’s your approach to maintaining a successful freelance career? And, What’s the biggest misconception people have about freelance writers?
Check out the entire interview.
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International Quilt Market and Business Conference — Houston 2013
October 26-30, 2013
George R. Brown Convention Center
Houston, Texas
Sponsored by Jo Packham, founder Where Women Create:
THE SUCCESS OF PASSION: Presentation and Q&A with well known Entrepreneurs in the fields of Design, Publishing, Licensing, Retail owners, and more
- Friday – October 25th, 8-10 am
- Monday – October 28th, 9 – 12 pm
THE BUSINESS OF THE STUDIO: Advice and personal questions answered by a: Lawyer, Accountant, Banker, Management Guru, Computer Technician, Business Planner, and others.
- Saturday – October 26th, 8-10 am
- Monday – October 28th, 2-5 pm
LET PEOPLE KNOW WHO YOU ARE: Information and advice from a: Publicist, Agent, PR Firm, Marketing Expert, Branding Guru, Promotion Professional, Event Co-ordinator, Social Media Authority, Advertising Specialist, and more.
- Sunday – October 27th , 8-10 am
- Tuesday – October 29th, 2-5 pm
THE ART OF ORGANIZATION: Those women and men featured in Where Women Create’s Book of Organization will share their reasons, ideas, secrets, and products be- hind why and how they keep themselves and their notes or papers, materials, supplies, and tools organized. Receive mountains of useful information, see endless examples, enjoy hands-on activities to create jar lids, labels, boxes, and so much more using die-cut machines and embossing folders (designed by Where Women Create and created by Sizzix). Enjoy a special “treat” to help you “feed” your creativity!
- Wednesday – October 30th , 9 am – 12 pm
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October 18, 2013 — When it comes to taking money out of your retirement accounts, what are your options?
Is there a problem taking company stock, or is it better to take a lump sum distribution?
Is it a good idea to invest in a Roth IRA?
And, should a traditional IRA may be a better choice? If so, why?
Financial Advisor Sheldon Weiner answers to these questions on the Oct. 18 episode of News Channel 8’s Let’s Talk Live. Don’t miss it.
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Oct. 15, 2013, Vertical Response — “Social media’s most professional network is rolling out a new feature that could help your business grow,” writes reporter Lisa Fergison. “LinkedIn users can now follow channels, which are broken into broad-based topics such as marketing strategies, higher education and healthcare. Once you follow a channel, it shows up on your home feed.”
In this article, she asks PR expert Hope Katz Gibbs “How to Use LinkedIn’s New Channels to Grow Your Business.”
Click here to read the interview.
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Starting October 6 through the 16th, world-class authors including E.L. Doctorow, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Columnist Dan Savage will showcase their work and share their insights and creative process for Washingtonians at the 10-day Washington DCJCC Hyman S. & Freda Bernstein Jewish Literary Festival.
Headliners include an American master’s exclusive look at a hotly anticipated novel, a lawmaker’s sweeping vision for a stronger nation, and a sex columnist’s frank talk about sex, love and marriage. The Festival will be a lively celebration of the depth and breadth of Jewish literature in America today.
- Literary master E.L. Doctorow opens the festival on October 6 with an exclusive preview of his newest book,
- Andrew’s Brain: A Novel, a story that questions what we know of truth and memory, brain and mind, due for release in January 2014.
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October 2, 2013, Vertical Response / LinkedIn — Social media’s most professional network is rolling out a new feature that could help your business grow. LinkedIn users can now follow channels, which are broken into broad-based topics such as marketing strategies, higher education and healthcare. Once you follow a channel, it shows up on your home feed.
What’s the benefit, you ask?
Multimedia journalist Lisa Furgison interviewed Inkandescent PR founder Hope Katz Gibbs about how small business owners can use the channels to their advantage.
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October 2013, Be Inkandescent magazine — When properly used, body language can be your key to greater success. It can help you develop positive business relationships, influence and motivate the people who report to you, improve productivity, bond with members of your team, and present your ideas with more impact. Here are a dozen tips for using body language to project confidence, credibility, and your personal brand of charisma.
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October 2013, Be Inkandescent magazine _ It happens far too often in today’s businesses. A superstar manager or individual contributor leaves the organization, and no one has planned for a replacement.
I’ve seen it happen at the highest levels of organizations when the CEO dies in an accident or another key player has a heart attack.
I’ve seen it happen when a top sales person is recruited away to join a competitor.
The organization is shocked and panic sets in and sometimes poor decisions are made.
There is a better way to handle this. Why not take time to identify and prepare whoever has the potential skills and abilities to move into key positions? Having a well-thought-out succession plan is critical to your organization’s success.
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September 27, 2013, Bank of America Small Business Community — In today’s Bank of America feature article, reporter Robert Lerose interviewed PR expert Hope Katz Gibbs on the secrets of getting the best exposure for your business.
“The elevator speech—a statement that sums up what your business does in 60 seconds or less—seems to be a staple of marketing today,” Lerose explains. “It’s also a reminder for business owners to use every opportunity to make a clear, memorable impression on their clients and prospects.”
Don’t miss his Q&A with Hope Katz Gibbs, author of the upcoming book, PR Rules: The Playbook.
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Contact: Hope Katz Gibbs
Inkandescent Public Relations
hope@inkandescentpr.com / 703 346-6975
Tell a great story in a concise and clever manner, add in pithy subheads and easy-to-remember bullet points, and call readers to action
Washington DC, Today’s Date — “Grabbing the reader’s attention, encouraging them to attend an event or learn more about a product or service, and intriguing reporters so they want to learn more is the goal for any good press release,” says Inkandesent Public Relations founder Hope Katz Gibbs, a veteran journalist who for more than a decade has been happily writing interesting press releases that get picked up by the media.
“Whenever I’m writing a release, my purpose is to tell a story—albeit briefly—that makes readers want to learn more about the topic I’m discussing,” she says. “Of course, it’s also rewarding to write a press release in a way so that it reads like a mini-article, since this gives it a greater chance of being picked up by newspapers, magazines, and blogs.”
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September 12, 2013, CBS MoneyWatch — “Do you feel like you’re spending 24/7 on the computer, applying to job after job and constantly tweaking your online profiles, but are no closer to securing a new position?” asks CBS MoneyWatch reporter Amy Levin-Epstein, who interviewed HR expert Sharon Armstrong on some things you can do offline that will be complementary to your online efforts.
Armstrong’s advice: “Work with headhunters. Utilizing these professionals can not only help you get an interview, but also a competitive salary once you’re the one that they want. It behooves them to get you the highest salary since their fee is based on it. The downside is that they will present several qualified candidates. That is a minor drawback.”
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September 10, 2013 — In this episode of Let’s Talk Live, Certified Financial Planner MIchael Egan talks with News Channel 8 reporter Sonya Gavankar about:
- What are the different types of IRAs?
- What are the contribution limits for 2013?
- Are beneficiary designations that important?
- What are the distribution rules?
Click here for his important insights.
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With no formal education in business, entrepreneur and author Jo Packham has risen to the top of the craft community as a publisher of several successful magazines for artisans.
The creator and editor-in-chief of “Where Women Create,” “Where Women Cook,” and her newest, “Where Women Create Business,” Jo been a leading innovator in the handmade publishing market for more than 30 years.
Her publishing company, Chapelle Ltd., has packaged more than 1,000 titles for most major publishers in the industry including: Time Warner, Oxmoor House, Meredith Corp. (Better Homes & Gardens), Rodale Press, Random House, Chronicle, and others.
Don’t miss our Q&A with this creative, innovative entrepreneur!
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September 2013, Be Inkandescent magazine — Most workplace lies (and liars) are discovered after the fact — after you’ve signed the faulty contract, hired the wrong person, or agreed to work on that career-limiting project. But wouldn’t it be a savvy professional strategy to be able to spot liars in action, before the harm was done? From my latest book, “The Truth About Lies in the Workplace,” here are seven tips for spotting liars at work.
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September 2013, Be Inkandescent magazine — It would certainly be easier if I could tell you there is one path to take to becoming a successful HR professional—but that just isn’t the case.
Yes, there are undergraduate and master’s degree programs in human resources management and human resources development.
You can obtain certifications from great organizations such as the HR Certification Institute (HRCI) that involve specific years of HR experience, a great deal of studying, and passing a very difficult exam. And then there is the job of retaining your certification by attending classes and reading books selected by HRCI for continuing education credits (and I am very proud to say that “The Big Book of HR” has been accepted as one of those books).
However, many successful HR professionals (and I count myself among them) have taken a different path into the field.
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August 23, 2013, Bank of America Small Business Community — In today’s feature article, reporter Robert Lerose interviewed HR expert Sharon Armstrong about the best places for employers to look for new hires.
“Over this past summer, the unemployment rate has slowly been ticking down and, increasingly, employers seem to be in a hiring mode,” Lerose explains. “But as small businesses restart the hiring process, the challenge to find qualified candidates will likely take up more of their time and energy.”
Don’t miss Armstrong’s insights into what’s different today than before the recession, tips on interviewing well, and how a small business can distinguish itself in the minds of job applicants.
Plus, be sure to download Armstrong’s free report: 100 Best Interview Questions.
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August 15, 2013 — Since Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke announced the Fed’s intention to taper the bond-buying program, know as quantitative easing (QE), the bond market has seen record flows out of all bond asset classes.No sector was spared.
What is happening?
In this episode of Let’s Talk Live, Certified Financial Planner Bryan Beatty talks with reporter Sonya Gavankar about:
1. Why would rising rates cause a more volatile market?
2. What is the real world impact of rising rates?
3. How can you protect yourself against increased volatility?
4. Is there a silver lining reason to embrace this kind of volatility?
Don’t miss their interesting conversation!
For more details on this important topic, click here to read Bryan’s column in the August 2013 issue of Be Inkandescent magazine.
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Aug. 5, CBS MoneyWatch — “You don’t have to be a career coach or a seasoned executive to know you don’t want to burn bridges when leaving your job,” says reporter Amy Levin-Epstein in today’s CBS MoneyWatch article. “But if you’re even considering jumping ship, you may be fretting the conversation. Will it be awkward — or worse, confrontational and damaging to your reputation?”
She interviewed HR expert Sharon Armstrong, who said:
Share what you’re doing to ease the transition. The best way to avoid burning bridges is to make your leaving as easy as possible on everyone left behind. That’s why Sharon Armstrong, author of “The Essential Performance Review Handbook,” advises saying, “I’m in the process of finishing up all my projects and will leave detailed notes on the status of each. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions.”
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Aug. 3, Investment News — “As the Federal Reserve winds down the massive bond-buying program that has kept interest rates low for years, its next chairman will have to excel in people skills, making Janet Yellen the best choice, according to investment advisers,” explains legislation and regulations reporter Mark Schoeff Jr., in today’s issue of Investment News.
For insights, he interviewed Bryan Beatty, a partner at Egan Berger & Weiner LLC.
Although he predicts that the Obama administration will want a “dovish” Fed chair, Beatty wants the next leader to raise interest rates.
“What we need more than anything is healthy savings — real money at the banks,” Beatty said. “It would be very beneficial for spending in our economy if [savers] got a little interest on their money and not have to risk it so much. [The Fed] is fixated on the asset side rather than the disposable-income side.”
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By Andy Hines
Futurist, and Founder
Hinesight
When it comes to thinking globally, I highly advise a wonderful book I just read by Fred Kofman (pictured right), Conscious Business: How to Build Value Through Values.
The author is involved with the Integral movement and the book reflects Integral principles, although it is does not impose many Integral ideas on the reader.
In fact, this is a book that is immensely practical while touching on what are often thought of as soft subject: values, in particular how adherence to values is at the heart of building a successful and sustainable organization.
It has its inspirational moments, but this is not one of those motivational tomes exhorting one to do the right thing. Rather, it provides very practical suggestions that pretty much sell themselves. That is really quite a feat! I came away with several takeaways that I can immediately integrate into my work.
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August 2013, Be Inkandescent magazine — I love to go to book signings.
As an author myself, I find there to be something really special about meeting the writer of a favorite book, or one that I know I can’t wait to read. I thoroughly enjoy getting a personalized greeting and signature on that book. In fact, I have an entire bookshelf of signed books, and they are my treasures.
Several years ago I went to hear former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright when she was on a book tour for her 2005 book Madam Secretary: A Memoir.
In this outspoken and much-praised book, Albright, who was then the highest-ranking woman in American history, shared an insider’s view of world affairs in an era of political turbulence. A national bestseller, her memoir combined warm humor with profound insights, along with her personal testament of what she believed was happening at that time in history.
During her talk, one person stood and asked, “How do we stop globalization?”
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July 19, 2013 — What is long term care insurance and what does it cover?
Does everyone need long term care insurance and will the new healthcare law have any impact on long term care?
And, what is a partnership policy and should that be important to every aging American?
Those are some of the questions that insurance expert Dave Beck answered when he was interviewed by reporter Sonya Gavankar on the July 19 episode of Let’s Talk Live!
“Dave is a partner at Egan, Berger & Weiner LLC in Northern VA, has decades of experience working in the insurance and financial advising industry,” Gavankar told the audience. “He and the other partners at EBW always make understanding retirement-related issues easier to understand.”
Click here to watch the entire interview.
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July 2013 — In June 2013, Lyndsey DePalma’s House of Steep, was awarded Arlington’s Best Business Award.
“This is a big accomplishment in this county, which I believe is one of the best places to do business in Northern Virginia,” says DePalma, noting House of Steep won because it demonstrated significant growth, and that it has had an exemplary impact on the community. “I am blown away by this honor.”
“Being only 8 months old, it was unlikely that we’d win such a prestigious award. What sets House of Steep apart from other fast-growing businesses in the county is largely that our hearts are still in the right place. Much of our growth is a direct correlation of caring for the community that has cared so much to ensure our success. In the weeks since the announcement, that confirmation has grounded me and my team as we ride the start-up wave.”
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How Competitive Are You?
Washington DC, July 1, 2013 — “If you are like most business owners, competition drives you,” understands Hope Katz Gibbs, publisher of Be Inkandescent magazine. “That’s why we tackle the topic in the July issue.”
Featuring interviews with Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman’s new book, Top Dog: The Science of Winning and Losing, the entire issue features insight into their in-depth research.
“For a decade, it’s been a constant drumbeat, issued by leaders of our nation and corporations, to employees and even to our youngest students: we must all be more competitive,” explains Merryman, who with Bronson shares insights into:
- When Worriers beat Warriors—and when they don’t.
- Why Michelangelo needed an agent.
- The power of the home-field advantage.
Merryman and Bronson also provide 7 Tips for Entrepreneurs, including:
- Find a Contest
- Think About What Went Wrong the Right Way
- In General, Beware of Following “The General Rule”
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By Hope Katz Gibbs
Founder and President, InkandescentPR.com
Why do so many small businesses fail?
Because the very characteristics that make entrepreneurs want to start a business are the ones that cause them to stumble.
That isn’t news. Business experts have been shouting about this fact for decades—including many we have interviewed for Be Inkandescent magazine, such as life coach Martha Beck, “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” guru Richard Carlson, “E-Myth” author Michael Gerber, business tycoon Ted Leonsis, and Fast Company magazine founder Alan Webber.
How do the fireworks created by PR work their way into the mix?
From our publicist’s perch at Inkandescent Public Relations, we have been privileged to work inside dozens of companies—from start-ups to multimillion-dollar corporations. We’ve helped them make fireworks, and equally importantly, catch the embers so they continue to shine.
We have also witnessed their challenges. From these, we culled the “Trifecta”—three trends that that can trip up even the most energetic entrepreneur, with even the most carefully crafted business plan. Do any of these monikers describe you?
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If you have read anything about long–term-care insurance, you know that rates are increasing, and more insurance companies are withdrawing from the marketplace. Here are the questions you should be asking.
Washington DC, July 1, 2013 — “If you have read anything about long–term-care insurance, you know that rates are increasing, and more insurance companies are withdrawing from the marketplace,” writes insurance expert Dave Beck in the July 2013 issue of “Be Inkandescent magazine.
A partner at Egan, Berger & Weiner LLC, Beck says there are three questions worth asking:
- Why are rate increases occurring? Will they continue to go up?
- What will The Affordable Care Act mean to long-term-care plans?
- What is the future of the long-term-care insurance industry?
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July 2013, Be Inkandescent magazine — Several years ago, I heard a speech by Mariah Burton Nelson that has stuck with me to this day. A former Stanford University and professional basketball player, she was also a competitive swimmer and is now a published author and motivational speaker.
Nelson tells a lot of very powerful stories about her career in sports—but what I remember most was what she said about competition.
If the person in the next lane was swimming faster than she was, it made her swim faster and better. The concept of “competition,” Nelson said, has a negative connotation in many situations—but she explained that if competition makes you perform better, it can be a great thing.
I had never thought of competition as beneficial, and her speech caused me to think about people or situations that make me work harder or smarter because someone or something is better than I am.
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July 2013, Be Inkandescent magazine — In the world of investment, winning and losing has much to do with the concept of risk.
In fact, in my experience, the best investors are those who look at investing as an art, rather than a science. The tools they rely on most are common sense and experience.
What I was most intrigued by in the book, “Top Dog: The Science of Winning and Losing,” by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman, is the discussion of whether individuals are wired to win or lose—and how this affects innovation and responses to setbacks.
From a financial planning point of view, here’s how I believe people’s perspective on winning and losing relates to saving for retirement.
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June 21, 2013 — The Bond Issue. We all know it’s an option to buy bonds vs. stocks—but what is the best investment?
“Since 2007, investors have poured almost $1.4 trillion dollars into bond funds; I presume this was done in an attempt to be safe,” says Howard Pressman, a Certified Financial Planner at Egan, Berger & Weiner, LLC. “But are these investors truly safe, or will they be sorry?”
In this interview on Let’s Talk Live, Pressman explains to reporter Sonya Gavankar:
1. What investors have done differently since the market fall in 2008.
2. If there are dangers in this type of behavior.
3. If you can lose money in bonds, what a better approach might be.
4. How investors can protect themselves.
Don’t miss a single minute of this informative interview! Click here to watch.
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June 14, 2013, Bankrate — Reporter Rachel Hartman writes, “Jumping out of planes, scuba diving, and deep sea fishing can lead to more than weekend thrills. They may also affect what you’ll pay when you take out a life insurance policy.”
In this article for Bankrate, she interviews Egan, Berger & Weiner partner and insurance expert Dave Beck about how to buy life insurance if you participate in a dangerous hobby.
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In his foresight work, Woodgate is known for developing what is considered a paradigm-shifting approach to future studies, demonstrated in his book “Future Frequencies” (Fringecore 2004) and his work on leveraging dystopian futures and rhizomatic thinking techniques, as well as in his merging of progressive culture with future studies.
His clients have included Philips Electronics, Intel, Shell, Fiat, Nokia, Pemex, AKZO-Nobel, GSK, Casio, Nestle, SWB, MTV Europe, Intel, Ford, Kellogg’s, Coca Cola, BBC, WorldSpace, Nissan, and many more.
So it was a pleasure to talk to Derek in this podcast interview about:
- The Futures Lab—what it is, why he started it, and what the organization is working on today.
- The big companies he’s worked with, and how the research he’s done for them played out in their business and society at large.
- His work on the Future of Play—and how it impacts small businesses.
- His books, including your newest, Future Flow to be published this year.
- And, the emerging issues that small business owners need to be aware of.
Download our interview here.
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June 2013, Be Inkandescent magazine — Much like Malcolm Gladwell’s “Tipping Point,” my forecast is that Sheryl Sandberg’s title “Leaning In” will become a business and social concept that we’ll be referring to for years.
Consider Melissa Lawrence’s discussion of this in her “I’m Just Sayin’” column on CloudMom.com.
“Success doesn’t mean staying in a game that’s not for you because leaving connotes failure,” she writes. “Rather, it’s having the courage and self-confidence to go for what you want, and the forbearance and maturity to accept the consequences.”
I’ll go with that—as I can easily relate to it from all the work I do with social entrepreneurs around the world.
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