BCN News

Karl spoke to Bill Walsh, the CEO of Powerteam International and they spoke about Success Education, or as Bill says, Edu-Tainment, and the crucial steps that a business needs to take to get ahead of the game.

About Powerteam International

We provide Corporate & Entrepreneurial training programs, Venture Funding and Business Coaching in cities around the world. Through Online Success Coaching, live events and full-service business consulting, Powerteam International has the resources necessary to help your company become even more successful!

For all major industries, from start-up companies to billion-dollar firms, the professionals at PTI have insight and solutions to create new market opportunities and increased optimization! This includes having a personal success coach or professional coaching team that will offer priceless insight and advice. Topics include: advertising, leadership training, web site development, website traffic generation, business financing, international expansion and personal development. We offer some of the best high-level consulting and training for business leaders and their organizations. Our clients range from start-ups to mega-successful corporations

Karl Woolfenden, our Publisher spoke to Alex Roje, at our friends at Lathrop GPM about business interruption, and some of things a business owner needs to be thinking about.

https://businessclassnews.com/ask-the-expert/business-interruption-plan-for-the-future-ask-the-expert/

As businesses begin to reopen and employees return to work, companies may be held responsible if an employee or customer becomes infected with COVID-19. In the coming weeks and months, companies can expect to see an increase in the number of tort litigation cases, particularly those involving wrongful death claims, where individuals allege negligence or even intentional infliction of emotional distress. Businesses that have a high concentration of employees working in close quarters are even more at risk.

Mara Cohara and Eric Swan, tort litigation attorneys at Lathrop GPM, talk about what companies should be doing now in preparation of bringing employees back into the workplace, and what to expect from consumers. They predict a spike in cases involving tort claims from people who allege they contracted COVID-19 or experienced flu-like symptoms from their workplace or a business they visited, as an increase in tort claims usually goes hand-in-hand with a general public awareness of a health crisis.

The two most common claims will be related to:

• Failure to provide adequate equipment (such as PPE) or training to employees
• Failure to provide consumers with proper safety conditions

While there is not a lot that companies can do to prevent lawsuits from being filed, there are steps to minimize risk and prepare a defense to swiftly resolve the case. For example, they advise companies to retain documented communications showing safety measures that are recommended and followed.

Eric Swan focuses his practice on defending Fortune 500 companies in complex litigation involving product liability, significant mass tort actions, including multi-district litigation, and commercial disputes. In addition to his legal experience, he has a science background with a master’s in cancer biology; prior to practicing law, he worked in vaccine development.

Mara Cohara leads the Environmental and Tort Practice Group and her litigation work spans federal and state courts, including more than 20 states. She advises clients in a variety of industries ranging from manufacturing and hospitality to agribusiness. She has significant experience coordinating large-scale matters and defending high-profile lawsuits that involve media and community attention.

About Lathrop GPM
Lathrop GPM is a national law firm with nearly 400 attorneys and 14 offices from coast to coast. At Lathrop GPM, we relentlessly pursue our clients’ interests to help anticipate trends, plan for challenges, and bring their vision to life. As a full-service firm with deep roots and a broad reach, Lathrop GPM collaborates with our clients to shape the future. Lathrop GPM was formed in 2020 through the combination of two 100+-year firms, Lathrop Gage (established in Kansas City in 1873) and Gray Plant Mooty (established in Minneapolis in 1866). For more information, visit lathropgpm.com.

Seth Earley’s New Book, THE AI-POWERED ENTERPRISE, Provides Practical Guidance For Implementing Transformative AI Solutions 

“We know how we want our companies to work.  Enterprises ought to be customer-focused, responsive, and digital.  They should deliver to each employee and customer exactly what they need, at the moment they need it.  The data and technology to do this are available now,” declares artificial intelligence expert Seth Earley.  Nonetheless, AI continues to stumble when it comes to making this a reality.  In his new book, THE AI-POWERED ENTERPRISE:  Harness the Power of Ontologies to Make Your Business Smarter, Faster, and More Profitable (LifeTree Media/April 28, 2020), Earley provides practical approaches for solving the data management problems that are at the heart of this disconnect, showing how organizations can truly deliver on the promise of AI. 

In language accessible to a non-tech audience, Earley draws on examples from numerous client companies to describe what correct execution of data management looks like.  He addresses how to manage this transformation, step-by-step, covering such issues as:

Customer Experience – Customer experience is hard to get right and easy to get wrong.  “It’s a question of the proper integration of technology,” writes Earley.  He explores the roadblocks that hinder a systematic approach to customer experience, and offers a solution:  a “high-fidelity journey map” that accounts for how technology represents and enables elements of the customer experience. 

Marketing – Good marketing is about presenting the right content at the right time to engage the customer.  Today, this means reading the online equivalent of physical body language: “the digital breadcrumbs, cues, and clues that tell us about what our customers need, how we can meet those needs, and how to best present the content most likely to engage the customer at that moment in their journey.”  According to Earley, digital marketers must become knowledge enablers, champions of data quality, architects of digital systems, and keepers of the ontology that powers it all. 

Ecommerce – Ecommerce is where ontology-powered AI can have its biggest impact, says the author.  Its success or failure depends on the quality of data.  THE AI-POWERED ENTERPRISE addresses how to enhance this quality by improving both customer classification and product taxonomies (categorizations) based on features and relationships.

Sales Process – “AI technologies can improve every part of the sales process by freeing sales staff from routine tasks and making them more effici

Wayne Warner, the artist behind the 2006 "Turbo Twang" country line dance phenomenon, drops the mic, and does so loudly, in his recently released autobiography, "Backstage Nashville: The Undisclosed Story of a Major Label Recording Artist." Masterfully written, Warner provides a first-hand account of his personal journey into stardom, from his humble hometown in Vermont to the major labels of Nashville's recording industry. Never one to mince words, Warner unapologetically draws back the curtain on the music business and reveals the startling realities about his life in the country music spotlight. For more information, or to purchase the book, please visit www.WayneWarner.com.

With brutal honesty, Warner details the inner struggles and personal triumphs of a man catapulted to a level of fame for which he was not prepared. While millions of fans across the globe were learning the dance steps to his latest single, Wayne grappled with internal demons--addiction, self-doubt, and the juxtaposition of Wayne, the man (who wanted nothing more than to be home with his kids), and Wayne Warner, the "untouchable star," whose success had been brokered, at least partially, through industry politics, the "good 'ole boy network," and shady backroom deals.

"Walking off the stage and up the ramp back to the bus, people rushed the fence reaching for the 'Turbo Twanger,' asking for autographs, photos, trying to reach through to shake my hand, get a high five, and even hand me gifts. I was thrilled, I was humbled, I was baffled. I was honored, and I was terrified to the core."

Chapter 17, pg. 121

Warner’s creation of this book did not come without careful consideration because there are certain elements of the business that are rarely disclosed--and for good reason. However the former Atlantic Records/B Venturous recording artist came to realize that if he didn’t write it, someone else would. Because of this, Wayne felt obligated to be unabashedly forthright about everything. He digs deep and reveals how he grew up a target of bullying, his struggle with addiction, his concerns and joys of adopting two African-American children, and how all of these affected his country music career.

"Backstage Nashville" provides a rare and unique look at the country music industry, intimately told from a recording artist's point of view that will put you in the studio with Harold Shedd, behind the microphone with Taylor Swift and Bonnie Tyler, in the boardroom with Frank Bell, Barry Coburn, and Al Cooley, rubbing shoulders with big-wigs like Scott Borchetta, Bob Saporiti, and Tim Dubois, and on a journey that might forever change the way you think about the music business.

WATCH THE INTERVIEW ON BUSINESS CLASS NEWS

VISIT THE VIDEO & ARTICLE

Mike Robbins, an expert in teamwork, leadership, and emotional intelligence, draws on more than 20 years of experience working with top companies like Google and Microsoft, as well as his MLB pitching career, in his timely titled new book, WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER: Creating a Team Culture of High Performance, Trust, and Belonging (Hay House Business, April 2020).

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
MIKE ROBBINS is an expert in emotional intelligence, leadership, teamwork, and company culture. He works with a diverse group of clients throughout the world, including: Google, Wells Fargo, Microsoft, Schwab, eBay, the NBA, the Oakland A’s, and many more. He is a sought-after speaker and consultant who delivers keynotes and seminars for these and other organizations. Robbins is the author of five books: We’re All in This Together, Bring Your Whole Self to Work, Nothing Changes Until You Do, Be Yourself Everyone Else is Taken, and Focus on the Good Stuff. He and his work have been featured in The Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, as well as on ABC News and NPR. He’s a regular contributor to Forbes, hosts a weekly podcast, and his books have translated in 15 different languages.

We have just moved into our NEW Virtual Office at our kNEXTis building and I had my first interview from our virtual studios earlier. I show off our work-space and I talk to the CEO of this technology platform, Toni Portmann which is going to totally change the Remote Working Space and experience. It's a 20 minute conversation, but it's full of information that talks about connecting the work-force in this new "Remote Working" Environment. I hope you like our new place - come and visit me www.knextis.com/my-office

Watch The Video of this Segment : http://www.isitepage.com/engage-your-su…/virtual-workplaces/

A straightforward conversation with Brock Blake – CEO, Lendio

This morning Karl Woolfenden, Publisher of Business Class News and Host of Link’d AM talked openly about what the options are for small businesses and he asked some question which if your are small business owner may find Brock’s answers very helpful and educational.

With the coronavirus impacting small businesses across the country, the CEO of Lendio, Brock Blake, can shed light on what small businesses can and are doing to secure loans from the range of banks, lenders and the SBA. Lendio operates the largest small business loan marketplace in country, processing 200-300 loans a day…restaurants, theatres, gyms, small retailers and manufacturers, etc.…with over 75 lenders.

Through tech and loan specialists talking directly with small businesses, Lendio can share how lenders and small businesses are reacting to and navigating the current climate. The demand over the last few days has skyrocketed. He can also connect you with local Lendio loan specialists in Seattle and other hotspots across the country, as well as small businesses.

During President Trump's Oval Office address, Lendio saw a 75% increase in queries, and a 133% increase in loan applications from the same time the previous week. Overall, the Lendio marketplace has facilitated more than 100,000 loans totaling over $2 billion—generating an estimated $6.5 billion in economic output that’s created nearly 45,000 jobs.

Brock can discuss the importance of small businesses finding the right type of loan from the lenders best suited for them, which will be essential in navigating a recession. He can also discuss Small Business Administration loan options. Lendio helps small business owners with any option within the SBA they need—whether it's a small working capital loan for a growing business, the purchase of a new office space or manufacturing facility, or an equipment upgrade. Lendio represents SBA Express, Micro 7a, 7a and 504 loans, among others.

More Information: www.lendio.com 

Today Karl continued his "Keep Our Families Safe" theme and spoke to Steve Moore, the founder and president of Mosquito Steve, an amazing product that repels mosquito's and keeps us safe, outside and in! 

Field (and backyard) mosquitoes do not always behave the same way lab-raised mosquitoes do. We have conducted hundreds of field trials researching natural products and comparing them to brand name products. We have always had a higher standard for efficacy and quality. Our goal has always been to have the very best product, not just the safest.

When you choose Mosquito Steve, you are choosing a natural repellent that is safe to use around children and pets and does not harm the beneficial insects in our environment. Other companies use Pyrethrins and Pyrethroids mixed in with Pipernyl Butoxide. (Read about the dangers of these products here!)These products are harmful to fish, cats and kill beneficial insects, like honeybees and butterflies, as well.

Visit www.mosquitosteve.com

Karl spoke to Jim Elliot, the founder and president of this amazing organization, and his story is inspiring!

The mission of Diveheart is to build confidence, independence and self-esteem in the lives of children, adults and veterans with disabilities through scuba diving, scuba therapy and related activities.

Diveheart is a nonprofit tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. The purpose of Diveheart is to provide and support educational scuba diving programs that are open to any child, adult or veteran with a disability, with the hope of providing both physical and psychological therapeutic value to that person.

We’ve discovered the forgiving, weightless wonder of the water column provides the perfect gravity-free environment for those who might otherwise struggle on land. Underwater, we’re all equal.

Diveheart works with individuals who have a variety of disabilities, including physical and developmental disabilities, vision and hearing impairments, amputations, traumatic brain injuries, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and more. Diveheart seeks to help its participants “Imagine the Possibilities” in their lives.

More Information : www.Diveheart.org