Friday • October 04
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ENCORE SHOW: How to be a Top 10 Manager
We've always heard... WORK HARD... WATCH YOUR NUMBERS... AND YOU'LL BE A SUCCESSFUL MANAGER.

Sorry, but that's a Bunch of Bunk! Following that advice will get you FIRED!

When David Long, author of Built to Lead - 7 Management R.E.W.A.R.D.S. Principles for Becoming a Top 10% Manager talks about what it takes to become a Top 10% manager in your company, he's not blowing smoke! Oh no! In fact, he's going to show YOU exactly what he did to accomplish that impressive feat in THREE DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES!

The 7 Management R.E.W.A.R.D.S. Principles in “Built to Lead” are get-in-the-trenches, no-holds-barred lessons of how, specifically, to truly become an amazing manager. David tackles, head-on, the lies you've been told about how to reach the top in your career, and shows you what REALLY WORKS! These are concrete, foundational principles that will change your life, not only in your business career... but in your personal life as well!

Join us in the conversation and hear from an expert on how to grow as a manager and a leader of your organization
 

ENCORE SHOW: Give Back Through Mentoring
Small business is the engine of our national economy through business formation, job creation and wealth building. Small businesses and their support are critical to vibrant communities in our society.

SCORE consists of volunteers, stakeholders and sponsors, who are willing to give back to their communities through Mentoring. Successful small business owners understand the importance of giving back to their communities. Volunteer business people helping small business people solve business problems. Volunteers give freely of their time, energy and knowledge to help others. SCORE volunteers donate over 1 million hours of their time each year to support their communities. Community Alliances are critical to the success. Diversity in mentoring is valuable and possesses great power by diversity of thought. The diversity of race, gender, ethnicity, geography, and experience is important and valuable in SCORE. Volunteers as lifelong learners remain relevant, achieve personal satisfaction and growth.

Small business needs knowledgeable, experienced business people to give back to their communities by volunteering their time as mentors. No matter what your particular industry, title or expertise, you have value to offer to potential entrepreneurs.

Your experience is vital and it truly matters. A volunteer’s relevant knowledge, wisdom and experience serve clients through mentorship and education. Mentors develop relationships and act with integrity, respect, honesty, purpose, and professionalism. They listen with an open mind, encourage and openly communicate with all people seeking help. Personal, long-term relationships are a driver of small business success.
 

Are you ready for the IRS?
You have started a business and now it is time to report for your first year’s taxes. Not sure what to do or if you have all of the records? This discussion today is all about you, the business owner and taxpayer. Your fiscal year end is important too and how it affects the bottom line and taxable income or financing leverage. Have you considered the personal liability and risks based on the business type? Which business type provides the best personal protection? Let’s have an in depth conversation on the responsibilities of a Sole Proprietor, S-Corp, C-Corp, LLC, and Partnership and see what is the best path for your business. Let’s talk about what works bests. Many small businesses don’t have employees, but when you begin to consider hiring, it is important to know the facts. What are your requirements as an employer, forms needed, reporting, taxes and regulatory compliance? What do I need to know to avoid penalties and interest charges? The accounting method (cash or accrual) is very important and we will discuss both and see the benefits and restrictions.

Get advice from an expert. Cash is tight and I cannot afford an attorney or accountant. Truthfully speaking, you cannot afford not to have this advice. We will discuss these topics and the resources available to provide expert information. Listen and call in with your questions.
 

HOPE for Healing
Our brave men and women, sons and daughter, husbands and wives serve in our military to protect our freedom and democracy throughout the world. Those that are inured face more challenges after their return home. Recovery can be long and arduous and having family there to be a part of the healing process in crucial. Imagine staying in hotels for months and months on a soldier’s income. That is next to impossible and not being able to see your family during recovery after so much sacrifice is unconscionable.

There was a dream that is now reality, providing affordable temporary housing for families of those facing a medical crisis. It is Fisher House. Fisher House is “a home away from home” for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. The homes are normally located within walking distance of the treatment facility or have transportation available. There are 64 Fisher Houses located on 23 military installations and 24 VA medical centers. Many more houses are under construction or in design phase.

These wounded warriors are America’s families and we owe it to them to ensure they receive the care to bring them back to wellness, wholeness and happiness. This is America’s duty to our wounded warriors. Listen to our discussion and learn how you can be part of a great dream come true.
 

Change the World? Start in Your Backyard!
We hear people say that they want to change the world, make their mark in society and of course “bring world peace”. How many times have your heard those statements and yet everything remains the same. Is it because the dream is too lofty? Is it unachievable? Maybe we are trying to make this difference from the wrong vantage point.

Have you ever looked at your own backyard for the opportunities to make an impact in the world? Imagine if everyone that had this dream, to be a positive force of change, started making that change in their own community. What would happen, what could happen? Instead of traveling the world to spread this good news, start in your own neighborhood and transform it. What if you energized your community and it caught ablaze and that energy spread outside the four walls and into surrounding communities and so on..

The world is made up of small and intimate communities. There is no one better equipped to make change in that community, than those that are from that community. You personally know everyone, know the culture, know the other members in the community and know what it takes to begin a revolution right there in their own hometown. Invest your time and your dreams in the place where you live and be the transformation and see it become reality. Let’s discuss how to change the world, one community at a time.
 

Trouble Graduating? Here is Help
College dropout rates are at an all-time high and we must begin a dialogue about concrete solutions. There has been some research done on this subject and recommendations on how to improve the graduation rate and a more engaged work force. Let’s look at when the breakdown begin in student’s life and what new habits can be developed to improve study habits, testing results, group interaction, joy in study and understanding time management.

Do you know how to study successfully and how to achieve better grades? Would you like to be on the Dean’s list for academic achievement? “Seven Secrets of How to Study, Mapping Your Strategy to Better Grades” has the answers you need to achieve excellence. This is a great book for your school that's designed to help middle/high school students and first year college students to have outstanding grades. It helps your students to transition from middle school to high school and from high school to college. Imagine the disappointment your child and student feels, when they have done everything right and have a great grade point average and no money to continue their education and fulfill their dreams. There is hope “Ultimate Scholarship Guide” is a great book for your students and is designed to help middle and high school parents and students to find money for college. Learn how you can get access to over $90 million in scholarships. There are over 100 scholarship websites in this book.

The “Parent’s Ultimate Education Guide” is the book that helps you as a parent help your child. There is Help. The conversation begins with us, right here, right now.
 

A-133, Are You Ready?
Foundations and Nonprofits are created to meet a social need that is not met by any small business or corporation. There is and always will be a need for this type of organization. The one major regulatory requirement for nonprofits is to have an independent audit done for internal controls, A-133 audit. This audit is for every organization that receives $500,000 or more of federal dollars in a given year. Regulatory Guidelines and OMB Requirements have been created to protect the assets through Internal Controls Policies and Procedures, Governance, Oversight, Segregation of duties and risk management.

Are your prepared for this Single Audit? Do you understand how to establish a solid tracking system for federal funds; understand OMB A-133; internal controls; have you developed a strong procedure manual and internal controls that meet the critical components of the audit?

Do you know the basic roles and responsibilities of the auditor? Have you identified potential problems and corrected them prior to the audit; understand your role as a pass thru grantor? Do you understand the instructions on how to prepare the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards, a required report for A-133 audit?

Today we will discuss these things and more. Perform a risk assessment and self-evaluation to identify potential risks; prepare a plan for process re-engineering to minimize and eliminate risks, understand what auditors are looking for in their audit plan and internal controls. We will discuss major areas of risks and how to perform self-evaluations to identify risks in the internal processes and policies.
 

Developing an Entrepreneurial Culture
Fear is a paralyzing emotion that can limit and destroy goals, dreams and the energy to consider being an entrepreneur. The fear of failure cripples the individual to a point f not taking the necessary steps to try. Can you imagine the numerous ideas and innovation that goes untapped because fear overwhelmed and incapacitated the vision? In our culture today, many business owners suffer from the element of fear. Fear of taking the next step, fear of sharing information with others, fear of failing, and the list could go on and on.

Imagine the number of new businesses that can be birthed if the mind can be changed from “I can’t into I will”. Knowledge is power and it offers choices. If we educate our children at an early age to dream and seek the avenues to becoming a self-made, entrepreneurship will become the norm and not a last minute thought because you can’t find a job. Entrepreneurship has its own culture and to be successful, the mind must be transformed to think differently. This "mindset" should be instilled in our youth in an effort to foster greater relationships into the adult life. The focus is educating youth with concepts, ideas, and strategies needed to rationalize entrepreneurship by using practical, hands-on, and age appropriate learning activities that will prepare their minds for more than just a general 9 to 5 profession. This preparation in critical thinking, analysis prepares them for some of the obstacles and challenges faced with embracing the entrepreneurial path. Join us to discuss this topic. This can transform the world and establish strong recession proof economies.
 

Disaster, Are You Prepared?
When a natural disaster occurs lives are drastically disrupted. There are actions that should be taken before, during and after an event that are unique to each hazard. First step is to identify the hazards that have happened or could happen in your local area. Contact your local Emergency management offices. The staff are knowledgeable and equipped to identify the potential hazards in your area and outline the local plans and recommendations for each type. Share the hazard-specific information with family members and include pertinent materials in your family disaster plan. Do you have a plan? How often is it reviewed and updated? Has it been discussed with family members?

Do you have a survival kit? A disaster supplies kit is simply a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. It should be assembled well in advance of an emergency. In the event of a disaster, you will not have time to search for supplies you need of shop for them. You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster but they cannot reach everyone immediately. It could take hours or days and basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment and telephones may be cut off for days or even a week, or longer. Join us to discuss preparedness and disaster assistance available after and event.
 

Funds for the Mission?
We see the ills of society and the need for helping our children succeed, building awareness and solutions for domestic violence, homelessness, offenders reentry initiatives, family restructure, parenting, low income and inequities, substance abuse, racial tensions and community development to name a few. The need is there and we want to make a difference in our society, but how can it happen?

You have dreams of starting a center in the community but do not have the financial resources to make it a reality. Don’t let money be the reason to stop your dream. See the mission and write it down. Put together the plan and watch the resources come to you.

There is a process for securing the funding resources for a Nonprofit, disadvantaged zone or Tribal organization that will meet your goals and objectives. After securing funds, you will need procedures for tracking funds to meet requirements, accountability and reporting; monitoring for impact in the community served and compliance. Join us to learn valuable information to fund your vision.
 

Is Your Student Prepared?
Over this decade, nearly 8 in 10 new jobs will require some post-secondary education or training beyond high school and of the 30 fastest growing occupations, 50% require a college degree. College graduates earn an average of 77% more per hour than a high school graduate. That is a significant wage gap among earners in the labor force. Our society needs to embrace some of the foundational challenges to college preparedness, enrollment, persistence and completion.

Our institutions must commit to provide the education and training to prepare our 21st century workforce meet the academic needs of a diverse population of learners including recent high school graduates and adults seeking new skills and retraining. Sustainable collaborations are needed in all communities to provide strong K-12 and higher education partnerships, to encourage college attendance and support colleges that improve college completion, especially for first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students. How should we look at technology-based solutions that improve student success? College dropout rates are at an all-time high and we must begin a dialogue about concrete solutions. The conversation begins with us, right here, right now.
 

Education, Time for Reform
There have been revolutionary changes in innovation in all types of industries with great strides in modernization. Yet the formal education system has, unfortunately, lagged behind with archaic teaching methods that restrict the mind and have establish roadblocks that resist change and stifle innovation. Our children are the losers in the various battles over the direction of education and learning methods. It is time to rise up, break free and determine the right direction for this critical institution. Education should connect teaching and learning with identifying problems and solving real-life issues. Critical thinking and creativity should be the focus and not studying just for the test.

Acceptance of different learning styles is a major step in the right direction. There are diverse ways of getting information. In our information age, companies are revamping old methods and diversifying strategies focusing on the consumer and not media manipulation. We, as a society, need a focused agenda for education and skill development that is prepared for new ways of thinking that is not based on rote memorization, but creativity and innovation, critical thinking, problem solving, decision making as well as new ways of teaching that develops communication, project base learning and collaboration.

There needs to be an academia collaboration that includes restructuring and frequent reviewing of curriculum with the involvement of industry experts, developing joint Academic and Industry Models, fostering research creation and growth of technological knowledge and teaching materials. Alternate modes evaluation should be researched.
 

NLC: Knowledge is Power
The Native Learning Center was established in October 2008, as a program of the Seminole Tribe of Florida Housing Department. In cooperation with the Housing and Urban Development Office, Eastern Woodlands Office of Native American Programs (EWONAP) and various Native American trainers throughout Indian Country, the Native Learning Center developed areas of concentration to complement current National Organizations that support EWONAP’s mission of promoting the development of Native Housing and housing related activities.

The Native Learning Center (NLC) offers free Training and Technical Assistance (T&TA) to Native Americans and those working within Indian Country, with an emphasis on the educational needs of Tribal members and their communities. The mission of the NLC is to provide Native and Indigenous people with knowledge and skills that improve quality of life through housing related educational programs and the vision of the NLC is to be the recognized educational resource for the development of cultural and quality of life skills for all Native and Indigenous people and currently produces and provides free, culturally specific learning content for its participants. The learning management system, Kerretv (Key-Thee-Duh, Creek for “Learning”) Online, provides both materials and other resources, including recorded and live webinars. The NLC will continue to provide on- and off-site events, allowing people to come together and learn about topics that are both current and relevant in Indian Country, while providing those participants with an opportunity to network with others in attendance at these events. As the NLC continues to grow its learning community, it will increase its partnerships with people and organizations that share its vision for the development of cultural and quality of life skills for all Native and Indigenous people. Knowledge is power and the training provided by NLC can change the quality of life for thousands.
 

Want to be a Music Producer?
We hear the great music on our devices and think to ourselves “I can make music and I can produce my own CD”. Some of us even take a bigger leap and say I can be a music producer. Really? Are you really prepared for all aspects of the music industry? Let’s see, a music producer must oversee and manage the recording i.e. production of an artist's music. The producer must have the capability to create ideas for the project, select songs and/or musicians, coach the artist and musicians in the studio, control the recording sessions and supervise the entire process through mixing and mastering and then take on the roles for the budget, schedules, contracts and negotiations.

There are two distinct types of producers: executive producer and music producer. The executive producer oversees a project's finances and ensures that the overall project will market well and be profitable. The music producer oversees the creation of the music by creating, shaping, and molding a piece of music into a work of art that the listeners will be excited to hear and purchase. That music producer must be a competent arranger, composer, musician or songwriter who can bring fresh ideas to a project and bring together the crew that can make a vision into a reality. So you still think you want to be a producer, join us for this enlightening discussion.
 

HUBZone, Opportunity is Knocking
Are you a small business, owned and controlled at least 51% by U.S. citizen, or a Community Development Corporation, an agricultural cooperative, or an Indian tribe and the principal office located within a “Historically Underutilized Business Zone,” then this information directly impacts you. There is money that has been allocated for the purpose of economic development in underutilized business zones. Billions are available for small businesses to grow and become the next potential employer to lift the area from poverty. HUBZone was created to increase business activity in high unemployment areas with decimated economic conditions.
 

Energy Inefficiencies Hurt Profits
Organizations exists and expand their business when their profits for R&D and expansion are growing. By remembering that your goal is to reduce your overall cost, not simply reduce your cost per unit of energy while forgetting about longer-term goals, your energy costs solutions help maintain and exceed corporate budget objectives. The plan is to assess all aspects of the business energy utilization and maximize your interaction with energy markets. WMG|LLC was founded with the single purpose of creating a holistic energy management solution based on knowledge from both the retail energy provider world as well as the consulting field, and integrating that with best in class infrastructure, that maximizes a commodity contract. By providing so much more than vendor selection, they help to manage your energy costs top to bottom.

An energy management system leverages your existing building infrastructure and building management strategies to maximize response to fluctuating markets, while structuring a commodity program that takes advantage of markets, commodity structuring, energy management, program design, power factor correction, lighting retrofit and bill auditing. Simultaneously, the system provides you a comprehensive tool for increasing public awareness surrounding your energy initiatives. By providing your business with the lowest cost of energy and maximizing initiatives that further reduce your overall energy expense, WMG|LLC will provide you with an opportunity to become Green as well as lend a hand in LEED point accumulation and asset monetization. Join us to learn how an energy consultant can increase your bottom line.
 

Rehabilitation or Prevention, Choose
There is a Science behind Prevention, Behavioral Health, and Community Wellness. What is being done with this research is what we will learn today. The statistics and how we approach the problem determines our success in resolving issues of substance abuse, suicide and teen death due to DUI. Behavioral health is a state of mental/emotional being and/or choices. Our actions affect wellness. Substance abuse and misuse are one set of behavioral health problems. Others include (but are not limited to) serious psychological distress, suicide, and mental illness (SAMHSA, 2011). Such problems are far-reaching and exact an enormous toll on individuals, their families, communities and a broader effect on society. Let’s consider these statistics:

•By 2020, mental and substance use disorders will surpass all physical diseases as a major cause of disability worldwide. •The annual total estimated societal cost of substance abuse in the United States is $510.8 billion with an estimated 23.5 million Americans age twelve and older needing treatment for substance use.

•Each year, approximately 5,000 youth under the age of twenty-one die as a result of underage drinking.

•More than 34,000 Americans die every year due to suicide resulting in approximately one suicide every fifteen minutes.

•Half of all lifetime cases of mental and substance abuse disorders begin by age fourteen and three-fourths by the age of twenty-four

In 2008, an estimated 9.8 million adults in the U.S. had a serious mental illness. The Science of prevention looks at the above issues empirically and systematically in an attempt to identify root causes while utilizing evidence based practices and principles to address these problems. We as a society must acknowledge we have a problem and begin to address the behavior in its early stages. Are we our brother’s keeper? Yes we are. Join us in today’s thought provoking discussion.
 

It’s Over Now
You are struggling -- or you know someone who is. You want to get help, but there are no places to turn in your community and you don't want anyone to know you have a problem. Did you know that only 10% of addicts seek treatment? The other 90% of addicts are stuck, feeling as if there are no options. One in five individuals suffer from mental illness and it is the #2 cause of disability in the country. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US. One in three adolescent students have been bullied, one in five teens have witnessed online bullying, 47% of parents reported a child victim of bullying and 40% of people experience bullying on a weekly basis in the workplace. Society has become ill and when we have sick family members, we get help for them. We are all members of the human family and we need to learn about the various tools available to make our family whole again.

Unlike other treatment approaches, RedPath doesn't just give you the tools to safely revisit your traumas. There holistic program draws your attention to the effects they are having on your life today. They understand that you are the only person who can own your trauma; it is part of your life story, and you alone carry it with you. Through the RedPath process, anyone can come to terms with their past and work towards building a brighter future. Through online peer support, self-directed exercises and visual graphic aids, we give you the tools you need to help you find your own way out -- to help you build a new life free from the traumas of the past.
 

Creating a Service Culture
Competition is tough, price and feature are often easily matched, and customers are more demanding than ever before. Superior customer service is the most cost effective way of growing your business. We will help you keep customers, build market share and improve the performance of the entire work force with a superior customer service strategy.

Approaching customer service training once every five years with a brand-new system, and hoping that this is the system that finally sticks, isn't the answer. A culture of customer service is an essential business investment. There is a direct connection between customer service quality - or lack of quality - and money made or lost. Forrester reports that 80% of companies feel they deliver superior customer service but in reality only 8% of customers are extremely satisfied with the service companies give them. There's a huge disconnect between companies self-perception, and the reality facing customers. Where do you rank? Join the discussion.
 

Are you a Creative?
If you are a creative entrepreneur building a startup in a creative or cultural sector, such as fashion, education, music, film, design, apps, cuisine, architecture, publishing, craft, performance, you are leading the innovation economy. The Creative-Startups (CS) accelerator is designed specifically for Creatives like you. Your creativity, artistic talent, and use of innovative technologies are essential to your success. Entrepreneurs whose startup concept marries music, film, or design, or other creative work with innovation and technology needs this information on mentoring, seed funding and other benefits available through Creative Start-Ups.

Programs like Accelerators are gaining popularity across the globe, but nearly all serve the tech industry. Creative-Startups is unique in that teaching and mentoring come entirely from successful entrepreneurs whose core skills are for the creative industries, which encompass design, games, software, film, music, publishing, performance arts, visual arts, new media, video, museums and education technology. Mentors include musicians, filmmakers, designers, branding experts, and investors who invest in creative businesses. Combined, Creative-Startups Mentors have raised over $360 million for new ventures.
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You don’t have to do this alone, there is help available and we will discuss how working with Creative Start-Ups can be the most valuable resource and use of your time.