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.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hope Katz Gibbs
Inkandescent Public Relations
hope@inkandescentpr.com / 703 346-6975
A NEW GENERATION DEBUTS: MEET ‘THE PLURALS’
Futurists and authors of “Millennial Momentum,” Morley Winograd and Michael D. Hais, Welcome the ‘Pluralist Generation’
Washington DC, June 6, 2012 — “Evidence of the arrival of America’s newest Adaptive generation has surfaced, which is beginning to define how and why this latest Adaptive generation differs from the older Millennial Generation,” researchers Morley Winograd and Michael D. Hais announced today.
In a groundbreaking release, they point to the market research firm Frank N. Magid Associates, which name the emerging, Adaptive generation the “Pluralist Generation.”
“Its members, known as ‘Plurals,’ reflect the overwhelmingly distinguishing demographic of America’s newest generation: its ethnic, racial, and religious diversity.”
Somewhere among the nation’s current crop of grade-schoolers is a charismatic charmer who will become this century’s rebel. It remains to be seen if he or she will enlist fellow Plurals in a cause that will remake the country, or simply signal the beginning of yet another generational shift in the nation’s attitudes and beliefs.
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Honesty and integrity are the core values that drive the team at Egan, Berger & Weiner, LLC. For decades, its 10 professional advisors have provided independent financial advice and guidance to thousands of clients.
Areas of specialization include retirement and college planning, gifting and estate planning, investment portfolio management, tax strategies, risk management, and insurance planning.
“Everyone has what they feel is their own unique vision of their future financially,” says partner Bryan Beatty, CFP®. “By skillfully navigating clients through life’s myriad financial decisions, we help them realize their personal aspirations.”
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By Andy Hines
Futurist and Author of ConsumerShift
Founder, Hinesight
As a lecturer and executive-in-residence at the University of Houston’s Graduate Program in Futures Studies, I am fascinated by the workforce of the future.
Having established the Global Trends Program for Kellogg Company, and served as futurist and senior ideation leader at Dow Chemical, I have decades of insight into the inner working of corporations large and small.
So what will the “Workforce of the Future” look like?
To make sure we don’t overlook the obvious, the shift to knowledge-based work is the overarching driver behind the changes in the world of work. A big way that is showing up, finally (we futurists can be impatient at times), is that working with digital information frees us from the tyranny of sitting at a desk. No longer do we work only where we need to work—increasingly we are working where we want to work.
Of course, we know people and organizations tend not to like to change. Inertia is a strong force. But it no longer makes any sense to force people to battle a congested commute to travel downtown, head up to the 35th floor, and spend their whole day working on a phone and computer in an office. That can be done from home, at a coffee shop, or at one of the emerging co-working collectives that serve telecommuters from different organizations. Going to what I call the “glass tube” downtown simply wastes time and energy (gasoline and the emotional sort), and doesn’t help the environment.
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January 2013, Be Inkandescent magazine — In the first new “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” book in nine years, international bestselling author Kristine Carlson shows us how moms can live with less stress and more happiness.
“My goal is to give mothers tried-and-true advice that will empower them to find greater peace, joy, and harmony within themselves and their homes,” says Carlson, who with her late husband, Richard, has written nearly 40 books in the Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff series.
Already, it is getting some high-powered endorsements.
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May 2012, Be Inkandescent magazine — 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 them to be happy in their new job. And you want them to fit in with the corporate culture. It’s not an easy task.
Here are 10 tips to help you do it well, do it right, and make the process as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. After all, that’s the point, right?
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May 1, 2012, Washington DC — In the May issue of Be Inkandescent magazine, futurist Andy Hines gives us insight into the future of the workforce. He says:
“To make sure we don’t overlook the obvious, the shift to knowledge-based work is the overarching driver behind the changes in the world of work. A big way that is showing up, finally (we futurists can be impatient at times), is that working with digital information frees us from the tyranny of sitting at a desk. No longer do we work only where we need to work—increasingly we are working where we want to work.
“Of course, we know people and organizations tend not to like to change. Inertia is a strong force. But it no longer makes any sense to force people to battle a congested commute to travel downtown, head up to the 35th floor, and spend their whole day working on a phone and computer in an office. That can be done from home, at a coffee shop, or at one of the emerging co-working collectives that serve telecommuters from different organizations. Going to what I call the “glass tube” downtown simply wastes time and energy (gasoline and the emotional sort), and doesn’t help the environment.”
Want to learn more? For details click here.
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By Andrea Keating
Founder and CEO, Crews Control
May 2012
Hey all you entrepreneurs out there: Whether you know it or not, you are engaged in highly creative activities.
Indeed, every successful entrepreneur I know is creative with messaging, visual arts, negotiating relationships, and—without doubt—managing budgets in a highly creative way.
So how can you maximize creativity at your office?
Click inside to read few of our Crews Control Creativity Secrets.
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May 2012, Be Inkandescent magazine — 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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A journalist since graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1986, author, publisher, and owner of Inkandescent Public Relations Hope Katz Gibbs launched the Inkandescent Speakers Bureau in 2012. “The goal is for our veteran business owners to provide best practices, and share lessons learned, with entrepreneurs around the nation to help guide them to small-business success.”
Gibbs’ Speaking Topics include:
PR Rules: The Playbook
As a PR specialist, journalist, and entrepreneur since 1993, Hope knows that your goal as a business owner is to excel in your area of expertise—but you also need to be savvy, strategic, and smart when it comes to getting the word out about the great work you do. In this 60-minute speech, she’ll teach you how to make the PR plays that score customers using the five tools and rules from our Inkandescent PR toolbox.
The 7 Steps to PR Success
Includes Gibbs’ handout, The 12 PR Rules of Thumb
Of the zillion PR firms in America, odds are good that no two will approach PR and marketing your business the same way. But, we all use the same tools in the PR toolbox. What will set your business apart from the pack is how you finesse your message, stay consistent, and find clever ways to maximize your visibility.
Overcoming the Trifecta of Small-Business Failure
Why do so many small businesses fail? Because as entrepreneurs the very characteristics and skills that make you want to start a business are most likely the ones that are causing you to stumble. Here’s how to turn the trifecta in your favor.
Media Savvy Workshop: How to Make the Press Want to Meet You
How can you get in front of reporters, and talk to them so they care about your story? This talk is a strategy session that will help you learn to think like a reporter, and get your company in the news. We’ll teach you how. We’ll also discuss whether getting in the news is the best use of your PR energy.
Embrace Your Inner Publicist: 5 Ways to Breathe New Life Into Your Small Business
Before the branding and website, before the press releases and media kit—and not long after the business plan is penned—it’s essential when launching a successful company to know, down deep, who you are, what you truly want from your company (besides making money), and what is going to get in the way of accomplishing your dreams. It’s not easy owning, running, and growing a business—especially in an era when the national and global economy are perpetually shifting. But it can be done. You just need a strategy, a timeline—and unadulterated determination to succeed.
Gibbs also offers 30-minute luncheon topics for entrepreneurs. From “Crisis Management 101,” to “Ending the Mommy Wars in Your Own Head,” click inside for more details.
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When Andrea Keating founded Crews Control in 1988, it was the country’s first film and video staffing agency. Since then, the company’s focus has been to match each client with the perfect local crew for each specific shoot.
Since then, she has perfected the art of making a business soar, and is available to talk about the following:
How to Build a Business; Expand your Business, and Gain Marketshare
In today’s ever-shifting economy, the key to success is to not only stay on top of your industry—but to keep an eye on the global business marketplace. If that sounds daunting, don’t worry. In this speech, veteran entrepreneur Andrea Keating, founder of the international video staffing company Crews Control, will provide the 3 key things you need to know to help your business thrive.
The Future of the Video Industry: The Trends, Techniques, and Equipment That Keeps Videographers on Top
The biggest trend in the creative field of videography is outsourcing. Crews Control founder Andrea Keating will teach the audience how to use existing data to plan for growth—and educate your clients—in the digital age.
Dispelling the E-Myth: My Life as a Successful Entrepreneur
Andrea Keating is a fan of Michael Gerber’s “E-Myth” — especially his incisive observations that many entrepreneurs know considerably more about producing what they sell than about operating their business; and his explanation that to be effective, the entrepreneur must work on his or her business, not in their business.
In fact, after almost 25 years of owning her own international video staffing company, she believes that this is the biggest challenge for anyone working in a creative field. “Too many entrepreneurs—especially those who are highly creative and very good at art, writing, cooking, videography, photography, and other right-brain endeavors—too often don’t have enough of the logic-oriented business skills they need to successfully promote their talents,” Keating says. In this speech, Keating will offer the three things every entrepreneur needs to do to dispel the e-myth, and have their business succeed.
The Art of Creativity: Crews Control’s Four Secrets to Creative Success
Whether they know it or not, every entrepreneur is creativity—from messaging and visual arts, to negotiating relationships, and managing. So how can you maximize creativity at your office? In this speech, Andrea Keating takes her 25 years as an entrepreneur and introduces audiences to four of Crews Control’s Creativity Secrets. From surrounding yourself with the creative elite to filling your office with the things that inspire you, her tips are ones you’ll be able to implement immediately. And better yet, they’ll give you a brand new way of looking at the art of creativity.
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Barbara Mitchell is a human resources and organization-development consultant who is widely known in the areas of recruitment and retention. She has experience in both for-profit and not-for-profit sectors and has consulted for a variety of organizations around the world.
She served in senior human-resources leadership positions with Marriott International and several technology firms in the Washington, DC, area before co-founding the Millennium Group International, which she sold in 2008.
Mitchell’s books include, The Essential HR Handbook, and “The Big Book of HR.”
Her talks entertain audiences, and get them thinking not only about “Best Practices when it comes to Hiring and HR,” but also her favorite topic, “The Bucket List.”
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After feeling he had no choice but to close the doors of the school his parents founded in 1992, ACT College president Jeffrey S. Moore fights for change and for rights for all students in the nation’s career colleges
April 10, 2012, Arlington, VA —Jeffrey S. Moore explained today why the for-profit vocational school his parents founded in 1992, ACT College, was required to close its doors on April 3.
“We feel terrible for the 361 students who were enrolled, and the 54 employees on our payroll,” says Moore, who been president of ACT College since 2002. “We have always been focused on the students. We tried desperately to keep the school open, but could not overcome the Department of Education’s refusal to reimburse the school for money it had earned for teaching the students since December 2011.”
Moore’s attorney, Gerald Ritzert of Ritzert & Leyton in Fairfax, VA, indicates that the total being withheld is $1,444,974.
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The Washington Post, April 11, 2012 — Washington Post reporter Daniel de Vise posted an entry on his blog, College Inc., today explaining the position of ACT College president Jeffrey Moore.
De Vise explained: “The president of ACT College, a for-profit higher education provider shut down last week for alleged federal aid violations, says the institution never intentionally withheld aid dollars from students.
“The Northern Virginia college closed its three campuses after the U.S. Education Department revoked its access to federal aid, a deal-breaker for any institution. Federal officials alleged the college “routinely and flagrantly” flouted the rules by withholding hundreds of thousands of aid dollars from students.” Click here to read the entire article.
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By Futurist Chris Carbone
Where will you work in 2020? That’s the million-dollar question. In fact, the future of work is one of the hottest trends I am studying. Like the economy, it is one of the big mysteries that keeps us all up at night.
As a futurist, my job is to track international business and consumer trends by reading and analyzing just about anything I can get my hands on. The goal is to determine what the world might look like five, 10, and 20 years down the pike, and by tracking what’s going on today, my colleagues and I are able to forecast what life might look like around the bend.
In fact, my research shows that work will look much different in 2020, whether judged by the types of computing devices we use on the job, where we work, or the way we collaborate with our co-workers. Following are some of the trends that I am seeing.
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OUR MISSION: Because finding the career of your dreams too often seems like a tight rope walk, we aim to provide students, parents, career changers and bored professionals with a fun-to-use, easy-to-understand series of maps, apps, and books that will a shine light on what you want to do next with your life.
Our research includes:
- Research and analysis from the data published by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics offering details on the Hot Jobs to 2020
- Details about the best colleges, universities and trade schools offering degrees and certificates required for each profession—and the cost of admission
- Salary ranges for your dream career
- In-depth interviews with the professionals in the trenches who tell you the great, good, and icky parts of what it’s like to spend a day in their shoes
- A list of skills needed for each profession
- And assessments for the Career Challenged and Career Confident, to help you find the best fit for your skills
OUR VISION: Believe us when we say that we know that finding the perfect career, much less the best place to work, is something you’ll likely wrestle with for your entire adult life. Just ask your parents. And your doctor, lawyer, dentist or vet. And your teachers, the guy who runs your gym, your dry cleaner, and the cute girl who is managing the Starbucks down the street.
The truth is that no matter what you choose to be when you grow up, the process of finding the perfect profession is just the first step. For once you make that choice, there are dozens of possible jobs in hundreds of different cities, in thousands of different companies. And quite honestly, it’s a crap shoot as to which one of those variables will make you happy.
Unfortunately, we can’t help you with that.
What we can, and aim to help you with is sorting through many of the options that are available to you. Armed with a high school degree, and maybe a college diploma or even another piece of sheepskin that shows you really know your stuff—your choices are endless. That’s where the “SO YOU WANT TO BE A…” series comes in.
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April 2012, Be Inkandescent magazine — When it comes to hiring the right person for the job, keep in mind the fact that most applicants are hoping to find their dream job.
Sure, they’ll settle for less, but wouldn’t it be great if your firm could help make those dreams come true?
Keep this in mind, though. However great it sounds to make someone’s dream come true, you are running a business. So their dream job has to be doing something that will either make money for your organization, or bring in new customers or members.
Still, it is possible to balance their dreams with your needs.
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By Andrea Keating
Founder and CEO, Crews Control
April 2012
Like many other companies that are working with cutting-edge technology, Crews Control is excited about “the cloud.”
Many of us are already working in the cloud when we use Google docs, Twitter, Facebook, and our video favorite, YouTube.
That’s why we’re very pleased to announce that Scenios, a cloud-based software provider and a company on whose board I sit, has unveiled an enterprise edition of its cloud-based video production platform—the ideal place for corporate customers to manage their in-house video productions.
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April 2012, Be Inkandescent magazine — I was introduced to Martha Beck years ago by a dear friend in a moment when I felt like I was blowing in the wind. (Yes, even executive coaches lose it from time to time.)
I madly paged my way through her first book, Finding Your Own North Star, and diligently worked the exercises to find my “essential self.”
I found the activities very rewarding and insightful during a time when things in my life seemed quite blurry. As I write this, I am reviewing my notes from Beck’s book—and smiling! That is because I experienced great value in understanding a good deal more about Laura Berger. As the executive coach columnist, why I would be so open to revealing that time in my life when I needed direction?
The truth is that we all are in constant need of self-reflection, which helps us grow and develop into our better selves.
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Meet Our Team:
- Journalist Hope Katz Gibbs is a mom (Anna, 16, Dylan, 12), author, publisher and the founder of Inkandescent Public Relations
- Futurist Chris Carbone is a dad (Mia, 3), trend tracker, and thought leader
- Educator Carole Kihm is the mother of two grown up kids, Keira, 26, and Jonathan, 24), and has spent her life as a guidance counselor and student services director before becoming a middle school principal in Fairfax County VA
- Illustrator Michael Gibbs is the dad of Anna and Dylan, whose art has graced the covers of dozens of magazines, newspapers, books, websites. Check out his award-winning work on this website, and at www.michaelgibbs.com and www.mglenwood.com
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By Morley Winograd and Michael D. Hais
Authors, Millennial Momentum
Martha Beck, as with many of her Boomer Generation peers, finds the principles to guide her life though a deep exploration of her inner self.
Boomers, like other “idealist” generations before them, believe life should be about a search for truth that their inner consciousness reveals.
The generations that come along after this “idealist” type, such as Generation X, and the Lost generation of F. Scott Fitzgerald in the 1920s, react against the previous generation’s efforts to change society according to notions of some revealed truth, but join the “idealist generation” in encouraging the celebration of individual effort and risk-taking.
As a result, “reactive” generations spark a renaissance of entrepreneurship in our economic life, even as overall confidence in our economic institutions declines as problems with an inner-directed approach to leadership become clear.
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By Andrea Keating
Founder and CEO, Crews Control
March 2012
Technology changes very quickly in the world of digital cinema and video. High- definition (HD) video is progressively replacing standard definition (SD) video in professional applications, and hard-disk recording formats are replacing tape formats.
The initial change from analog to digital video was driven by the savings in time and money when Sony first introduced the Digital Betacam (DigiBeta) camera format in the mid-1990s. The current change from tape to hard-disk recording was driven by the same cost savings both in time and also equipment savings since multiple playback decks are no longer needed for in-house edit systems.
And now, with the introduction of a variety of tapeless cameras, the digital tapeless camera is becoming the standard.
At Crews Control, we have collected statistical data on the increase of tapeless formats where the deliverable is a hard drive—and found that from January 2009 to December 2011, the use of tape-based camera formats has steadily decreased—by 36 percent.
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March 2012, Be Inkandescent magazine — First, let me ask a question: Is success such a hard nut to crack?
Now, allow me to let you in on a secret. The nut is you.
Why? Because so many of us run around asking this question—in our heads and to other people, but the truth is that you have the power within you to be successful in whatever you choose. It is your ability to think big that determines the success or failure of your business.
Focus on the Five Ps: Passion, Plan, Premeditated Risk, Persistence, People.
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By Morley Winograd and Michael D. Hais
Authors, Millennial Momentum
Members of the Millennial Generation (born 1982-2003) differ sharply with older generations on what constitutes success in life. Consider the Life is good Playmakers, the nonprofit organization of the Life is good Company, where Steve Gross holds the title of Chief Playmaker.
“Play is serious business,” says Gross, a social worker who is on a mission is to help kids overcome life-threatening challenges. ““Millions of our nation’s youngest children have experienced profound trauma in its many forms, including domestic violence, abuse, neglect, natural disasters, and severe poverty.”
So last summer, Gross and his band of millennials jumped into their lime-green cars and traveled 1,200 miles in 30 days to spread the power of joy and optimism to thousands of children from Boston to New Orleans. Click here to read more.
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By Andrea Keating
Founder and CEO, Crews Control
February 2012
I have been a fan of Michael Gerber’s “E-Myth” since reading it in 1995, a few years after starting my company.
It was a dream of mine to found a corporate video company that provides camera crews for video shoots and production at locations around the world. Since 1988, my team has successfully been fulfilling that dream.
It hasn’t always been easy. That’s why Gerber’s book resonates with me. In talking about “the myth of the entrepreneur,” his bestseller dispels the commonplace assumptions surrounding starting and running a successful small business. In fact, Gerber practically tells the story of the challenges I faced as an new business owner.
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February 2012, Be Inkandescent magazine — Dear U.S. Congressmen, U.S. Senators, and Key Staff:
Following is a proactive reading list for February 2012. Your public approval rating of 12 percent demands changes of quite some magnitude if America is to believe you are leaders in putting this country on the right track.
This list is based on my belief that we, as individuals, communities, organizations, institutions and a nation, should always strive to improve through personal and professional growth.
I am not alone in wanting you to succeed in doing what is best for this great country, and I won’t give up my hope that one day soon you will begin to collectively work toward your fullest potential.
Here is my recommended reading list for the next session of Congress.
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February 2012, Be Inkandescent magazine — I am a huge fan of “Heaven’s Banquet: Vegetarian Cooking for Lifelong Health the Ayurveda Way,” by Miriam Hospodar.
Not only does she show us how to make our kitchen the basis for health and healing, the recipes are simple enough to appeal to everyone—even those who don’t know their way around the kitchen.
Of course, the serious chef will appreciate the sophistication of the recipes, and those of us who have been studying nutrition for years will find solace in the manner that the dishes are crafted to balance the body and mind.
In fact, Hospodar follows the principle that if food does not taste good, it is not truly nourishing. She says, “If you aren’t up to a little magic occasionally, you shouldn’t waste your time trying to cook.”
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February 2012, Be Inkandescent magazine — We often take positive steps forward in whatever we are trying to achieve. Sometimes, however, we fall back into old habits that sabotage our efforts. Or, we fail to recognize that we’ve moved forward, because we see only small gains in our efforts.
The important thing to recognize is that we are indeed making progress and those small steps really do add up and move you forward in ways that you can sometimes only recognize in hindsight.
But how can you always have forward progress?
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By Morley Winograd and Michael D. Hais
Authors, Millennial Momentum
Everyone knows the Millennial Generation (born 1982-2003) is obsessed with electronic media—video games, social networking, and MP3 players. But few recognize that this obsession extends to books in ways that are both saving and transforming the publishing industry.
A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 8- to 18-year old Millennials spent 43 percent more time interacting with various forms of media in 2009 than they did in 1999.
Yet during this period, almost half (46%) of the Millennials surveyed spent at least part of their day reading books, a percentage that remained steady throughout the decade. Even as computer usage quadrupled for these teens and tweens and video-game playing more than tripled, books remained of interest to a generation often accused of being more interested in texting than writing, and more likely to use an iPod than a Kindle.
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January 25, 2011, PR Newswire — “If there’s one thing that every small business can benefit from at one point or another,” writes PR Newswire columnist Grace Lavigne in an article entitled, Small Business PR: Unique Goals and Challenges.
“But it definitely takes a different approach to help a small company or ‘solopreneur’ than it does a larger firm,” says PR specialist Hope Katz Gibbs, founder and president of Inkandescent Public Relations. The trick, says Gibbs, is to help clients avoid what she calls the “Trifecta of Small Business Failure,” which is when they have one of these three attitudes.”
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Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, Annapolis Capital — Our Life Coaching expert Amy Steindler was featured on the front page of the Business section of the Annapolis Capital today in an article entitled, “Annapolis woman quits Wall Street to help others.”
“Looking back, Amy Steindler can admit that she knew a finance career wasn’t for her, even before the market tanked,” writes reporter Shantee Woodards. “The Annapolis resident had been caught up in the prestige of being a wealth adviser, but knew she wanted to do something more creative. So Steindler quit her job and spent more than a year re-evaluating her life.”
Inkandescent’s Hope Gibbs is also interviewed.
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Jan. 7, 2012, Money Watch — “Do you view HR as the enemy, doing recognizance for Corporate? Or do you see your HR rep as Michael Scott did Toby—someone who tries to suck the fun out of the office?” asks CBS’ Money Watch reporter Amy Levin-Epstein. “While human resources teams can often lubricate sticky work situations and help build strong office relationships, they’re often viewed less generously by staff.”
But what is the most challenging part of the job? Epstein asked Inkandescent PR’s client Sharon Armstrong, co-author of The Essential HR Handbook.
Nowhere is this more clear than in the comments section of a story I posted a few months ago, 4 Things Never To Share With HR. But is such distrust really warranted? How do HR folks themselves view their position on the corporate ladder, and the criticism they might face? I asked four career experts — all former HR professionals — about their past professions (the good, the bad, and, at times, ugly). Here are their candid responses.
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October 31, 2011 — “Dylan Gibbs Raised $2,150 for the Life is good Playmakers — and you can, too!” is the headline on the Life is good Playmakers blog, that appeared as today’s entry.
Click here to read that. Or click to read more to see the entire entry, inside.
To learn more about the Life is good Playmakers, check out our interview with Chief Playmaker, Steve Gross, in the September issue of Be Inkandescent Magazine.
And learn more about the creation, philosophy, and long-term goals of the Boston-based Life is good Company by reading our interview with co-founder, Bert Jacobs, our September Entrepreneur of the Month.
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In a December 2011 article for Parents.com, reporter Linda DiProperzio writes about how interfaith families across the U.S. celebrate the winter holidays.
“One thing that can make the process easier is discussing with your spouse what each of you would like to do to celebrate your respective religion during the holidays,” she explains. “Whether it’s decorating the house or attending services, work out all the details well before the season begins.”
When interviewed, I told Linda about our way of mixing my Jewish roots with my husband Mike’s Catholic upbringing. Linda shared:
Hope Katz Gibbs, a mom from Arlington, VA, makes sure her house is decorated for both Hanukkah and Christmas, and isn’t afraid to combine the two. “Our tree is decorated with popsicle-stick ornaments in the shape of Jewish stars,” she reveals.
Click here to read the entire article.
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October 1. 2011, Annapolis MD — Inkandescent Public Relations is thrilled to have partnered with Art at Large, Inc., a graphics and public art company based in Annapolis, MD, on the fall 2011 Get Your Joy On Annapolis marketing campaign.
In addition to helping with project management, hiring photographers and videographers, and assisting Art at Large’s president Sally Wern Comport, Inkandescent PR’s Hope Gibbs helped write the text that appears on the Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Conference & Visitors Bureau website, www.visitannapolis.org/get-your-joy-on.
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Congratulations to illustrator Michael Gibbs, whose artwork appeared today in The New York Times.
The article entitled, “Chasing Opportunity in an Age of Upheaval,” discusses the fact that while a series of extreme events in global financial markets this year have shaken investors’ confidence, some are maintaining his strategy of investing in undervalued companies.
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We close 2011 with words of entrepreneurial wisdom from Alan Webber, the co-founder of Fast Company magazine, and our December Entrepreneur of the Month.
Webber is the author of, Rules of Thumb: 52 Truths for Winning at Business Without Losing Your Self. He insists: “The time has come to rethink, re-imagine, and recalibrate what is possible, what is desirable, and what is sustainable. It’s time to rewrite the rules.”
That wish is our command. Our columnists, all experts in their fields, know that before you can break the rules, you have to master them. So click around the articles on the Inkandescent homepage to view their insights, including advice from:
- Financial whiz and author Herta von Stiegel, who shows us how we can climb to new heights by facing The Mountain Within.
- Rachel Renée Russell, author of the bestselling young-adult series, “The Dork Diaries,” and our Truly Amazing Woman of the Month. After a nasty divorce, she rewrote the rules of her life and landed on the New York Times bestseller list—three times.
And consider this quote from the Talmud, which Webber offers in the introduction to his book: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow man. This is the law: all the rest is commentary.”
Here’s to writing your own perfect set of rules! Happy holidays to all. We’ll look forward to talking to you more in 2012! — Hope Katz Gibbs, publisher, Be Inkandescent Magazine
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January 2012, Be Inkandescent magazine — The holiday season afforded me a moment of downtime, allowing for the opportunity to review and critique 2011, take a deep breath, and think about what’s coming in 2012.
I am excited about what I see coming this year. Even though fears of an ongoing recession, and increased government regulations, will keep spending for meetings and events at reduced levels, innovation and creativity will rise to new levels.
Here’s what you are likely to see at the most successful affairs of 2012.
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January 2012, Be Inkandescent magazine — Attention everyone who works with or in government-funded programs: Rather than focusing on what you want or need—let’s ring in 2012 by bragging about your expertise.
It’s not easy, I know. Government-funded programs are being challenged like never before to create a new mindset and to be innovative in their problem-solving.
Public housing programs are no exception.
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January 2012, Be Inkandescent magazine — Ah, the new year. That dreaded time when we all sit back and reflect on what we really want to accomplish in the coming months, knowing full well that it will quickly be forgotten.
If getting in shape is your goal, however, do not despair.
You can eat better, and exercise more. So let’s dust off that sit-up machine that has been sitting in the corner of your bedroom, and get to work!
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January 2012, Be Inkandescent magazine — “Every moment’s a ‘what’s next,’” says well-known yoga and meditation teacher Rod Stryker.
I like this idea, especially as my clients and I ruminate on what we’d like to manifest in 2012. To me, the advice is as logical as this perfectly simple adage: You are what you eat.
Originally written in a 1983 essay entitled, “Concerning Spiritualism and Materialism,” Ludwig Andreas Feuerbach wrote: “Der Mensch ist, was er isst.” That translates into English as, “Man is what he eats,” insisting that the food one consumes has a bearing on both state of mind and health.
What does breakfast have to do with determining what’s next?
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January 2012, Be Inkandescent magazine — This year, like all others, I have a New Year’s resolution: I want to focus more on getting publicity for my business.
Writing this column is one example of this strategy, which I started in 2011 and plan to continue in 2012. I’ll also be adding additional outreach efforts to get in the news, expand my network, and increase my visibility so that more people know about my service.
Why does this work? Because I have chosen one thing in my personal and professional life to really focus on. If I keep it up, and stay dedicated, odds are very good that it will bear fruit.
But there is a problem. If I fail to be consistent, and let other aspects of my business and personal life interfere with my goal—I won’t accomplish it. That’s not news to you. But you may benefit from my strategies for persistent single-mindedness.
What can you do to ensure you stick with your New Year’s resolutions?
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We kick off 2012 with an interview with Reebok International’s president, Uli Becker, our January CEO of the Month.
Responsible for the Reebok brand’s business around the world, Becker has since 2008 been at the helm of the U.S. branch of the firm owned by the Adidas Group. The German-born athlete has big plans on how he and his team will keep the company in its place as an industry leader. Here’s a hint: CrossFit. Scroll down to the feature to read more.
What will it take to help you stay on top of your game in 2012? Here are a few ideas to run with:
- Exercise will make you smarter. “It’ll also make you stronger, healthier, and could help you grow your business,” says Harvard professor John Ratey, author of “Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.” Click here to learn more.
- Exercise will make your kids smarter, too. Kathleen Tullie, the head of Reebok’s nonprofit, BOKS Kids, knew that from observing her own kids. But after reading Dr. Ratey’s book, she was inspired to start an organization that Reebok has invested a few million dollars in to help parents and teachers in schools around the country get kids moving through before-school programs. Click here to learn how to become part of the revolution.
- Consumers are shifting how they spend their money. Reebok is one company that is paying close attention to this trend. How can your organization adapt to the shift? Futurist Andy Hines offers insight in ConsumerShift.
Also in this issue:
- This month we also have the honor of interviewing Maria Aguilera, our Truly Amazing Woman of the Month. Since 2007, she has battled a rare form of cancer. She shares the source of her strength as she embarks on the new year.
Here’s to kicking off 2012 with fresh and fabulous ideas, well-considered resolutions, and much joy!
— Warmly, Hope Katz Gibbs, Publisher, Be Inkandescent Magazine
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By Morley Winograd and Michael D. Hais
Trend Trackers, Authors
Millennial Momentum: How a New Generation Is Remaking America
In 1987, as the oldest members of the Millennial Generation (born 1982-2003) were entering kindergarten, the groundbreaking television show, Thirtysomething, began its Emmy-award-winning, four-year run.
The one-hour drama focused on eight Baby Boomers struggling with the conflicting demands of work and family as the generation known for its rebelliousness attempted to settle into the culture and routine of suburban life.
January 2012 marks the date that these “first Millennials” will be 30 years old. For the next two decades, America’s most populous and diverse generation, defined in its teens and 20s by its penchant for social networking and sharing, will enter the phase of life when the choices dramatized in “Thirtysomething” will become central to their generation’s persona.
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Aside from “What do you do?” how do you approach people at a networking event?
Click “read more” to view my top 3 ice breakers—openers that work like a charm when I’m trying to make connections at events. They may be the trick you need to ease your way into a meaningful conversation, too.
For an incredible list of events that you might want to attend, check out hundreds of networking events in 7 east coast cities at www.inkandescentnetworking.com.
Woof!
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December 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — Those of us in the event planning industry are particularly impacted by the tumultuous economy, ongoing budget cuts, and increasingly strict government regulations.
That said, this just gives savvy event planners more opportunity to expand their value to their clients, increase their services, and hone their skills when it comes to meeting customer needs.
The real news is that despite the upheaval, the basic rules of the industry haven’t changed. And those of use who have made a career in planning have long relied on these standard codes of conduct.
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December 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — In the world of search engine optimization (SEO), I take comfort in knowing that there is one single thing I can count on—that the processes, techniques, and strategies are constantly evolving, and what Google and other search engines look for on websites today most likely won’t be what they are looking for a few months from now. While this may seem unnerving to some, the truth is that this constant shifting and morphing in the industry helps Web-surfers find the best results they are hunting for. Think of it as the Zen of the Internet.
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December 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — You know the sound of fingers scratching across a chalkboard? Well, you may consider the topic of lobbying to be just as obnoxious and annoying, based on the recent media coverage.
There is much more to the profession than the negative stories portrayed in the media. And there are those of us who do without the media coverage or the campaign money—and succeed in lobbying for federal programs or projects.
The reason why is this: Our role as government relations professionals is to facilitate, to teach, to research in-depth, to collaborate, and to advocate.
Despite the growing amount of money going into political campaigns, I strongly maintain my niche in advocating based both on the credibility of my clients and their projects; and, on my credibility in providing successful outcomes. However, my target audience for developing solutions has shifted predominantly from Washington, DC, to the local community level.
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December 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — After 20 years of studying, playing in, and analyzing the sporting world—soccer specifically—I can tell you from the bottom of my cleats that becoming one of the best in any field does not happen by accident. It is a combination of drive, attitude, opportunity, and plenty of hard work.
It’s true in sports and business. And while there is no exact formula for success, there is a path that you can follow to reach your full potential on and off the field.
Here are three rules that I believe are imperative to achieve success in any profession.
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December 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — “In February 1968, the Beatles went to India for an extended stay with their new guru, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi,” writes Philip Goldberg in his book, American Veda, a fascinating look at India’s profound impact on Western culture. “It may have been the most momentous spiritual retreat since Jesus spent those 40 days in the wilderness.” [Photo of the Beatles by shutterstock.com]
Indeed, for we are living at a time of a profound awakening of consciousness that is changing the world. Much of that awakening is due to the influence of Indian spirituality, and its practical applications in our everyday lives.
If you are one of the estimated 20 million Americans who practice yoga, if you meditate or have taken advice from Dr. Dean Ornish or Andrew Weil, the ancient Indian teachings are already part of your life. In fact, the ancient texts of India have shaped our understanding of the mind and body and are dramatically changing how we view ourselves and our place in the cosmos.
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By Andrea Keating
Founder and CEO, Crews Control
January 2012
When I first met Herta von Stiegel (pictured right), I knew instantly that she was special.
The founder and CEO of the Ariya Capital Group, a Gaborone- and UK-based fund management firm focusing on sustainable investments in Africa, is an international executive who has held senior positions at Citibank and JP Morgan.
She is also the woman who in July 2008 spearheaded a trek to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro with 28 climbers—seven of them disabled. Against incredible odds, 60 percent of the group made it to the summit—remarkable, considering that only 35 percent of climbers typically achieve that goal.
The Mountain Within is the book that came from the experience. It bears the name of Herta’s award-winning documentary, which vividly tells the emotionally charged story of the climb that changed her life.
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December 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — Despite an unemployment rate hovering around 9 percent, record numbers of people are leaving their jobs, according to the The Bureau of Labor Statistics. In May, almost two million Americans quit their jobs voluntarily, up 35 percent from January 2010.
It seems clear that a lousy economy is no longer a good enough reason to stay in a lousy job—and a new generation of entrepreneurs is seizing this moment.
Before you jump off the corporate ladder, however, take a moment to consider some important facts.
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In the spirit of play, and learning while you have fun, here’s a 7th grade science project that’s sure to make you grin.
Observation/Research: Lawn chairs look pretty light, and aren’t too hard to pick up. So it makes sense that a bunch of helium balloons can lift one off the ground.
Hypothesis/Prediction: It will 100 helium balloons, blue with green strings, to lift a lawn chair. (We considered doing the project with 99 red balloons, but thought we might want to hold off on that until we actually understood the lyrics to the song.
Experimentation: Check out our 2 minute video, by Dylan’s sister Anna Gibbs, 16, to see if we were right.
What was our conclusion?
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Chefs Kim and Edgar Alvarez of Avenida Restaurant impressed CBS Philly viewers, and “Talk Philly” co-host Pat Ciarrocchi when they appeared on the Nov. 22 noon show entitled, “Alternative Holiday Dishes.”
On the menu was Turkey Mole, Roasted Pumpkin Soup with toasted pepitas, Chorizo Corn Bread Stuffing, and Vanilla Flan. Click here to view the broadcast.
If you’d like the chefs to prepare your Holiday feast this Christmas, Hannukah or New Year’s Eve, check out Avenida’s 2011 Holiday Catering Menu.
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Mission: The Grateful American™ Series is an interactive, multimedia program focused on restoring enthusiasm in American history for children — and adults.
Vision: To work with directors of the Presidential/Founding Father homes, educators, historians, writers, and successful Americans to find out: what makes them “Grateful”, and how they keep history stimulating for their kids, their colleagues, and themselves.
The Grateful American™ Series includes:
- The Grateful American™ Radio Show on the Inkandescent Radio Network, featuring interviews about historical figures (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, etc.) with the chief executives of the nation’s presidential homes, historians, and other experts.
- A TV series on YouTube, public access, and national TV stations.
- The Grateful American™ Guidebooks: Featuring insights from the leaders of the presidential homes, and interactive exercises that explore, engage, and help readers develop an interest in American history.
- The Grateful American™ Events: Dovetailing with and promoting the events-in-progress currently going on at each of the nation’s top presidential homes.
- An interactive website: Here, students will post art, photos, writing, music, and other creative works that share their ideas about what excites them about American history.
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November 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — You may be surprised to know that many of our national treasurers are available to host special events.
From museums and unique spaces, to private homes and estates, Washington, DC, and its surrounding counties offer a vast array of possibilities to add a historic element to special affairs.
Historic venues add an element of antiquity and elegance to any party. These special finds are worth the work as well as the restrictions they come with. Your guests will appreciate the added level of attention you offered them and will look forward to your next function.
For an experience that is sure to take guests back to a by-gone era, below are five of the oldest landmarks available for rent in the Greater Washington region.
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November 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — If you look back to what we knew 20 years ago about the Internet and websites, who would have guessed that an information-sharing mechanism would have such a profound impact on our professional and personal lives? Or that this information-sharing vehicle would shape world revolutions, change our shopping habits, and make things obsolete we thought would never end, among other things? Or that it would create entire new job functions and support services? While some folks feel the culture is changing too quickly, Search Engine Optimizers (SEO)—people like me—look forward to the Internet’s future with joy and excitement. We know that what worked last year to get your Web pages ranked higher on the search engines isn’t going to work this year—or next. If there’s one characteristic we SEOers share, it’s that we don’t like being bored. In fact, to be effective in the future, we need to constantly adapt to the searcher’s query requirements and needs. But even with all the changes that happen, there’s one thing that’s going to remain constant in searches: high-quality content that readers want and need. Here’s why.
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November 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — My recent columns addressed the issue of what type of jobs will make up our future economy—including a focus on STEM skills (science, technology, engineering, and math), and the prerequisite education necessary to pursue those careers.
In a recent keynote presentation to the Northern Virginia chapter of Girls in Technology, I explained the importance of public policy initiatives in defining our nation’s priorities and in determining where our resources are invested.
I believe that among the many failings brought on by the current disconnect between Washington DC and our nation’s economic needs is the lack of a strategic link between our education system and future job markets.
I attribute this to a lack of national leadership. The good news is that this important economic link is being recognized at the local and regional level by groups like the Girls in Technology Mentor-Protégé Program, which is actively promoting the critical link between our students’ educational choices and the jobs opportunities that they will have in the coming years.
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November 1, 2011, The Costco Connection — Inkandescent PR and journalist Hope Katz Gibbs’ article on “Dork Diaries” author Rachel Russell hit 10 million mailboxes today.
The article, featured on page 45, explains how Russell’s dreams of being a writer were dashed in college.
“I signed up for a writing class with a professor who had published a popular children’s book, because I thought I’d learn a lot and that he’d help set me on a great path,” she recalls. “But after handing in a few assignments, he assured me that I was the worst writer on the planet and that he was doing me a favor by giving me a C.”
Russell took the criticism to heart, and set her sights on a law career. A husband, two kids, and a successful practice later—her life took another turn when he left her for another woman. That set Russell on a new path—one that has led her to the New York Times bestseller list.
Click here to read the entire article in the online version of the Costco Connection.
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November 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine
There is no denying the irony. As I struggled to write my piece this month for Be Inkandescent Magazine’s issue on “State of the Future,” I did what any Generation-Yer would do, I tweeted for help. As my followers conveniently pointed out, the answers were right before my eyes.
I had to laugh because the ability to harness the power of the Internet is something that I regularly discuss with my family.
In fact, it is a running joke in my family, who keep asking when am I going to get a “real” job. I’m the only official female athlete in the group, and a professional at that, but my grandparents find it very difficult to comprehend that this is my “real” job.
Why is it such a strange concept for people in the Post-War generation to wrap their brains around?
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November 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — Since the beginning of time, every generation has been concerned about health and well-being. It is a survival instinct, and something that our brains, and bodies, cannot deny.
Every generation is looking for ways to maintain youthfulness, and so it is important for all of us to keep stress levels low by exercising and eating high-energy foods that will enhance our health.
The good news for Millennials, especially, is that they have grown up with these messages. Not only that, but the natural food grocery store, which was nearly nonexistent in most communities 50 years ago, is now accessible to most people, and part of the mainstream.
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November 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — Which of these events do you relate to most? The first Moon landing. Space shuttle Challenger explodes. Kurt Cobain dies. Barack Obama is elected our first black president.
The answer, of course, probably depends on your generation. Many of us have done an incredible job staying “hip” and embracing the generations that have followed us. Yet, it’s extremely challenging to do so.
Think of the struggles of Phil—the father–from the hit TV show, “Modern Family.” You may have set up a personal Facebook page, created a Twitter account, and own an iPhone.
As business owners and professionals, the bigger question is whether our business’ marketing model is one of the Lost Generation or Generation Z?
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Be Inkandescent magazine, November 2011 — “It’s easy to find books and articles that tell you that we’re headed down the wrong path … that we’re going to be less healthy, more divided, less secure, and generally less well off as a nation in the future,” writes Futurist Chris Carbone.
“But as Morley Winograd and Michael D. Hais show in Millennial Momentum: How a New Generation Is Remaking America, there are other ways to view the future of the United States and its social, economic, and political dynamics.”
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