Enterprise Podcast Network

Enterprise Podcast Network

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  • Tech From Vets President Jeff Shuford Joins QRC Board - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN
    Vets 22 Chairman and Tech From Vets President Jeff Shuford has dedicated 2018 to continue his mission of empowering and inspiring veterans nationwide. A regular contributor to Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and The Business Journals, Shuford focuses his attention on highlighting new ideologies and his continued domination of thought leadership strategies. Shuford’s weekly TV segment that highlights veteran business owners in North Florida has received thousands of views and continues to be a leader in the veteran business news industry throughout the Jacksonville ecosystem. “Jeff has cornered the market, their’s not many places that you can go in Northeast Florida without someone referencing his impact,” stated business expert Gregory Grant of Grant Business Solutions.
    With that in mind, the Quality Resource Center approached Shuford and formally asked that he become a member of their Board of Directors. “I was truly honored to be asked to join the Quality Resource Center in their quest to provide housing to our nation’s heroes,” stated Shuford. Quality Resource Center is mission rests in helping homeless and at-risk veterans regain their dignity through a comprehensive and holistic approach. The 4.1 Million Dollar veterans-only apartment complex will consist of 23 one-bedroom units and will be equipped with the amenities needed to get veterans back on their feet with dignity. Shuford currently serves as the Director of Marketing & Corporate Communications for the multi-million dollar real estate company Kellum Corporation based in Ponte Vedra Beach Florida. Shuford led his real estate company to the sale of a 1.85 Million Dollar land listing on US-1 in mid-2018. “The market projected that our land would take approximately three years or more to sell, we beat those projections by over a year and a half. I am fortunate to have a great broker that believes in my marketing ability, it’s an honor to wear many hats and wear them well,” stated Shuford.
    Quality Resource Center’s goal is to assist at-risk veterans in their successful reintegration into civilian life and in doing so, they will offer residents vocational training, job placement, financial management assistance and health & wellness, classes. All in line with Shuford’s mission to train veterans on entrepreneurship, technology, and thought leadership. Shuford’s organization Vets 22 has fed over 1000 veterans at the VA Outpatient Clinic in Downtown Jacksonville and provided free books and event tickets to veterans throughout the North Florida region as well. A recent partnership with Jacksonville University will allow Shuford to utilize the prestigious university’s campus to host annual veteran entrepreneurial boot camp classes to small groups.
    Shuford was recently awarded the Presidents Award from the National Association of Black Accountants and is on pace to revolutionize the way veterans are viewed nationwide. “As veterans, we have our wounds seen and unseen, but we have to continue to strive for greatness,” stated Shuford. As Shuford’s future looks bright his goal is to keep shining the spotlight on veterans issues and that’s what truly drives Shuford’s daily mission.
    About Jeff Shuford:
    Jeff Shuford is an award-winning technologist and a decorated Iraq War Veteran based in Jacksonville Florida. A regular contributor to Forbes, The Business Journals, Entrepreneur Magazine, and The Huffington Post, Shuford’s passion for producing captivating content extends far past his columns in prestigious publications. Shuford’s Forbes article titled “Nine Unique Ways To Brand Yourself As A Thought Leader,” was named by LinkedIn Business as one of the Top 10 Most Popular Articles Among Recruiters This Week. In addition to Shuford’s Linkedin Business honor, his piece was also named as…
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  • 5 Tips to Selecting a Sign for Your Business - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

    Your business is your lifeline. As such, you want to do all that is possible to make it as successful as possible. The signs you install for your business will also influence its success. This means that you want to be sure of the type of signs that you choose for your business. The first thing you need to be aware of is the various types of signs that businesses can choose. Whether it is a storefront sign or any other kind of sign for the business, you need to think about signs such as metal board signs, plywood signs, fabric signs among others. You could probably contact National Neon Signs Calgary to learn more about signs for your businesses.

    Here are 5 tips to help you select a sign for your business:

    1. Type of sign to install
    2. The first thing you need to think about is the type of a sign to use. You probably want a sign that can last much longer in the business. You may have to choose signs made from materials such as fabric, plywood, punched metal, metal logo and metal lettering, rock signs and many others. The type of sign that you will choose will be dependent on their aesthetic values and how long lasting they will be.

      1. Cost of the storefront signs
      2. You will definitely have to consider the cost of the storefront signs. You want to choose signs that are cost effective. The kind of materials and design of the signs will definitely determine the cost. You need to consider the cost of the signs based on where you will buy them and how they will be installed.

        1. Where to buy the signs
        2. Where you will buy the signs will determine their cost. You can buy your signs in the local sign stores. You can also buy the sign in the regional stores or online. With all these options, you should get the best sign that can propel your business to success. Your sign will also depend on the design and the manner of installation.

          1. Sign printing websites
          2. It would also be a good idea for you to seek more information from the websites that offer sign printing services. Depending on the place where the printing of the signs will be done, you could easily get a good deal from the sign printing websites. You need to ask the online shops the kind of materials they offer on the signs. Be sure to avoid any kinds of limitations.

            1. Brand Consistency
            2. You should be consistent with issues such as the materials and the color of the signs that you will buy. For the businesses that have branches in many places, you need to maintain the same color and content of the signs. This is a good way to maintain brand consistency. Ensure that you are passing the same message for all your businesses or the branches of the same business through the signs. Brand consistency is one of the best ways to show your clients that you are serious about the business and the services and goods that you offer.

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            3. How Implementing Financial Hedging Can Affect Your Business Model - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN
              Global financial turmoil and shifts in the market have resulted in incredible price volatility for the commodities businesses buy and sell. This volatility can significantly impact a firm’s profitability. Many businesses are starting to use hedging to protect themselves against volatility and the threat these price swings pose to business’ finances. Here is how implementing financial hedging can affect your business model.
              Risk Reduction
              Hedging can protect a business from the potential problems of rising interest rates and associated debt payments. If there is a high probability of a cash shortfall, such as challenges paying debt obligations or capital expenditures, then it is worth hedging one’s risk.
              You should hedge based on your net economic exposure, not the risks one business division is concerned about. If your business is engaged in international trade, you could hedge the company against currency fluctuations. This means taking into account both what your firm buys in that currency and sells in that currency, and then planning for the overall risk to the company.
              Commodity options protect your business from lower prices while giving you the ability to profit from higher prices. However, hedging needs to consider not only protection from potential losses as commodity prices fall but the potential upside if prices go up. Hedging can be costly, and not enough managers understand the cost-benefit ratio of the contracts they enter. Don’t enter a hedging contract that costs more than the risk it mitigates.
              Managers may make decisions based on an assessment of the cash flow in a given situation but fail to consider the odds of the scenario that is almost certain not to happen. Sometimes they fail to consider the company’s ability to absorb those losses if they did come to pass. Don’t assume that hedging is the first or best way to manage risk for your business. Perhaps shutting down facilities when operating costs are too high or altering product specifications is a better choice. Alternatively, a business could look at cost savings like integrating the business vertically. Furthermore, businesses could mitigate the risk by setting aside larger cash reserves to cover potential losses. Understand all of your alternatives and pick the one right for your situation.
              Increased Opportunities
              Hedging strategies can protect you from rising interest rates but allow you to benefit from falling interest rates. An interest rate swap would let you lock in current interest rates. An interest rate swap creates a synthetic cap on interest rates the business pays. More complex hedging products can give you the option to enter a swap that alters your interest rate without the obligation or provide the protection of a fixed rate with a high degree of flexibility. In all these cases, the business benefits from protection from higher interest rates and debt payments while having the opportunity to exploit lower interest rates.
              Foreign currency exchange hedging can protect you from wild swings in currency valuations while allowing you to benefit from favourable changes in a currency. Read the financial hedging products explanation from JCRA to better understand your options for managing risk while maintaining the ability to profit from favourable changes in the market.
              Protection for the Business
              Hedging can be used to ensure that you receive at least a certain price for a product or don’t pay more than you can afford for critical materials. Commodity call options protect you from higher prices for key commodities but let you benefit from lower prices. Only hedge what matters. For example, an aluminium manufacturer should hedge their exposure to aluminium since price fluctuations in the price of aluminium have a significant impact on business’ bot…
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            4. Top 5 Secrets to Producing Engaging Podcast Content - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN
              You cannot run away from the fact that content is king in the modern world. Therefore, you need to create the kind of audience that your audience will like and also engage with on a daily basis. Currently, one of the easiest ways to consume content is podcast and hence they highly tend to be habit forming. You may decide to plug in your earphones and listen to your favorite lyrics as you work out, commute to work, or even cook.  However, you will still be expected to generate high-quality content and have some promotional savvy for marketing your show. The question is how will you do this?
              https://pixabay.com/en/technology-equipment-music-laptop-3042044
              Here are some five tips that you can use to produce engaging podcast content:
              It is Not About You 
              The fact still holds that all individuals are self-absorbed. Most of us use ourselves as yardsticks of viewing the world. In fact, some people will tell you that the favorite world for a person is his or her name. Therefore, you will be required to share and engage your podcast if you wish to get people to notice. You have to create it more about them and not you. Mention your entire guest together with the other influential brands or people you discuss. Link them to your site and also tag them on social media. This will index you better in all search engines apart from increasing your reach. You can start small and then build up. You also need to develop good relationships with individuals who have a smaller following. As you continue building your reputation, you will find yourself reaching the high-end leaders in the industry. 
              Develop a System for Content Sharing
              Generosity is critical in producing engaging podcast content. According to a study carried out by Adam Grant, there are three categories of people. These include the givers, takers, and matchers. Givers are overly generous while takers tend to take more than they give. Matchers are individuals who match the same generosity level they receive. 
              In his findings, Grant discovered that givers are very few yet most successful people. You need to start by offering a valuable thing if you wish to get something. However, you should not always expect something in return as you give. Also, you should not give up to the point that it will hurt you. This is what will separate the successful from the masses. 
              Let it be Actionable
              If you are not a great celebrity, you are not going to get a huge and active following unless the content you are providing is actionable. People will only engage with the content that holds significance and value to them. Their goals would be to improve the quality of their life of they may have the aspiration of becoming like you. The content you provide should help them in achieving this objective and hence it should be simple and actionable. You can begin by giving them a single takeaway. Talk of that single thing that they can do right now and that will enhance their livelihoods. Recent surveys reveal that the potential of most individuals allows them to remember seven of something and you should not go beyond this. 
              Visual Impact
              Podcasting could be an audio-centric podium but audios are critical in promoting your show. The cover of your podcast, website design, and social media should be unique. Brand consistency is critical but you should not overlook novelty. Get one of the best DSLR cameras in the market for generating unique images. Novelty entices human beings to explore and understand. It motivates individuals to click on headlines and ads and learn more.  
              Clickbait Will Hurt You at the End 
              Headlines that draw individuals in via curiosity but offer little value are considered to be untrustworthy and disingenuous. Editors who work in major publications will inform you that the use of…
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            5. 7 Tips to Make a Family Vacation Better for Kids - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN
              When you traveling with kids, your vacation might turn out to be more work than you originally anticipated. Facts are if you organize your vacation in a way that will make your kids happy, chances are you will be happy, too. You can do a few simple hacks to avoid feeling stressed out and get the most out of your next family vacation. Here are seven ways to make a family vacation better for the kids:
              Include your kids in the decision-making process
              If you decide to include your kids in the decision-making process, you will allow them to be proactive about their upcoming vacation, which is going to create some hype. Kids will love that you are giving them a chance to decide on where to go next or what vacation activity they can pick up when they arrive at their destination. 
              Plan ahead
              Planning ahead may not have been your first choice when you were flying solo, but if you are traveling with children, you should take some time to plan ahead. That way, you will be ensuring that your kids have some activities already planned, which is going to take care of some of that energy they possess in abundance. 
              Get an early accommodation booking
              Getting an early booking is going to provide you with a way to get access to the accommodation that’s more on the exclusive side of things. You can find many great deals, both online and offline if you decide to book accommodation well in advance. Your kids will be able to properly research the place they are going to and figure out what they want to do there by themselves. It’ easy to save money on early flights and accommodation, and travel more as a result. 
              Arrange a fun way of transport
              While you were probably hoping to have a journey that’s as comfortable as possible, chances are that your kids will be more up to having a bit of adventure. If you are hauling long distances, the flight would probably be the best option for you. However, if you are traveling by road, there are quite a few alternatives you can choose from. A charter bus is one alternative, which is perfect for those vacations, where you don’t want to think about driving at all. 
              Think about meals
              While you might’ve liked to constantly try out new cuisines and eat out at various restaurants, when you’re traveling with children, you have to prepare for a lot more than just one person. It doesn’t matter if you are going to prepare the meals or you need to choose a restaurant of everybody’s liking, it’s still the best to know in advance – what would be one or two meals of the day and where you would have them. 
              Have an adventure or two
              Kids are usually all about action-packed fun, which is why it’s important to organize an activity that would cater to that side of them. Whether it’s a game of beach volleyball or a trip to a local hidden beach, your kids are going to love that bit of diversity you will be bringing into their vacation. 
              Pack accordingly
              Lastly, you should look to cross out any things that are not really necessary from your packing list. Smart packing is essential for any traveler, but this goes double for anybody planning on vacationing with kids. You will be grateful to get rid of any excess weight, as well as not having to carry around a ridiculous amount of luggage.
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            6. Why Key Person Insurance Matters Most to Business Owners - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

              Paul I. Franklin the principal of Franklin Capital Strategies which specializes in the protections, accumulation and distribution of wealth to individuals, families, small businesses, entrepreneurs and professional athletes throughout the country joins Enterprise Radio.
              This episode of Enterprise Radio is working in association with the Insurance Channel.
              Listen to interview with host Eric Dye & guest Paul Franklin discuss the following:

              * What is Key Person Insurance and when do you need it?
              * In what types industries is it most important to have key person insurance?
              * I know that it is important for small businesses to have key person insurance, but should medium – large businesses invest in this type of insurance as well?
              * What does key person insurance normally cost? How do you purchase it? Are there different types of insurance coverage?
              * How do you determine the amount of key person insurance a business needs?

              Paul I. Franklin is the principal of Franklin Capital Strategies which specializes in the protections, accumulation and distribution of wealth to individuals, families, small businesses, entrepreneurs and professional athletes throughout the country. Paul coordinates planning efforts on behalf of the firm’s clients in areas such as investments, insurance and estate planning. Paul holds a FINRA Series 6, 7, 63 and 66 in addition to his Life, Health and Annuity licenses. In addition to running Franklin Capital Strategies, Paul is an active high school football coach in the DC Metro area, currently coaching at Maret School.

              Website: https://www.franklincapitalstrategies.com
              Social Media Links:

              Twitter:  https://twitter.com/franklinfinplan

              Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCapitalStrategies
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            7. What Are the Benefits of Multichannel Selling Across Marketplaces? - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

              Anyone who shops often on marketplaces like Amazon or eBay knows that many of the merchants they deal with also have their own personal store online or locally in a brick and mortar shop. Either way, there are a number of benefits to multichannel selling across marketplaces and this is why new merchants are popping up every day. If you are interested in listing your merchandise in various marketplaces, it really pays to understand the benefits of doing so.

              Exposure Is the Key Benefit

              Even though you have probably spent a lot of time, money and effort building your own website, the truth is that marketing strategies don’t generate tons of traffic overnight. If you are lucky and hit the right keywords with the right amount of competition, you may get high ranking in the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages) but that takes time as well. 

              When you list a variety of your products on marketplaces like Amazon and eBay with literally hundreds of millions of visitors each and everyday around the globe, you get that much more exposure. With a link back to your site and some really great prices and customer service, this exposure could give you rapid growth through that marketplace exposure. This is the number one reason why so many merchants sell on marketplaces.

              Marketplaces Are Huge with Affiliate Marketers

              Not only can you list your own merchandise on Amazon, for example, but you could open your business up to affiliate marketers. Many of these will also write buying guides like those you see on the Consumer Charts websites that will review and rank your products. Now you not only have your own store selling your products on each of those marketplaces, but you have an affiliate network doing the same thing.

              Yes, this all goes back to exposure but in a different way. Not only are you reaching millions of consumers on your own, but those affiliates are reaching countless others as well! Your growth potential is exponential because of this and if you want to create brand awareness, affiliates are a key marketing technique to help you accomplish this much quicker than you ever dreamed possible.

              Market Analysis Made Easy

              Another wonderful benefit of selling on marketplaces is the way in which a larger audience gives you a better way to analyze your market. One of the key factors of marketing is being able to capture and analyze your market and if you find that your products aren’t selling, even with millions of views monthly, you have a starting point to begin looking at what is going wrong.

              The proof is always in the numbers. As you reach a larger audience, you can begin analyzing consumer trends. If it sounds like everything relates to increased exposure, you are probably correct. From discerning if your pricing structure is adequate to whether or not your products are in demand, the greater number of people your reach can help you track consumer trends. Are you looking to grow your business? Marketplaces give you one of the best opportunities to do just that. Of all the benefits, growth potential is the greatest!

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            8. Why Starting Your Own Blog Isn’t Just Business, It’s Also Fun! - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN
              It seems like everyone has a blog these days. Blogs to promote their products, their writing, lifestyle,  to complain about the weather, or just share their journey through life. There’s a reason blogs are so popular: they can get the word out about something important to you, and your personal take on it. You can give your blog as much or as little time as you like, though you may find it quite addictive! Most people don’t get much opportunity to hold forth on their favorite topics without fear of interruption or their audience melting away, so this can be your time to shine, or at least get your thoughts out there for someone to find. Blogging can be a great way to get the word out there about your business and to talk about your products or services. People who are passionate about their work can talk at great length about it and can give the world their expert or insider knowledge. With a number of platforms now offering free and user-friendly setup and hosting for your blog, there’s no reason not to.
               
              Blogging for Business:
              Showcases your skills. Self-published authors in particular report great results in reaching a wider audience when they start to spread the word about their writing through blogs and other social media platforms. It’s an opportunity to show people the way you think, the way you write, anything to pique their interest.
              Builds your brand – you can let the world know what you have to offer and get your brand name or your product, service or enterprise out there. Give people visual cues, snappy descriptions, and keyword rich text so that you’ll be the first thing on their mind when they want something you offer.
              Improves your search engine traffic. Giving a little consideration to search engine optimization means you’ll be easy to find. It’s free advertising.
              Improves discipline. You’ll get more hits with regular, timely blog posts, feature higher in search results, and stay fresh in your customers’ minds, so try and organize your time to get blog posts out there.
              Can be tailored. Whatever you offer, there’s a blog that’s just right. You can decide whether it should be very visual; if you produce items that are useful or beautiful, you can show them off, and explain your products and their creation and inspiration. Maybe you work in cutting-edge software technology, in which case you could blog about advances in your field and what that means for the world in general. Consider your target audience – if you make toys or baby products you could focus on things that might interest parents, like lists of gift ideas or some supportive, funny observations about modern parenting.
              Broadens your network. You might find some useful contacts in your area or field of interest – not just consumers and clients, but a group of people who can support you and help your business grow. Maybe you can be part of that support network for someone else, too.
              Blogging for Fun:
              Lets you share your passion. You have a captive audience – a blog is not a conversation. It’s your take on the world and your chance to say everything you want, without interruptions. If your work is your passion then so much the better, both for your blog and for enjoying your life!
              Can get you positive feedback; everyone loves a pat on the back. It’s an absolutely lovely feeling to get a bit of positive feedback from someone who likes what you do. And they’ll tell their friends… and they’ll tell their friends…
              Can find your friends around the globe – instant, worldwide communication means bringing together people who would never meet in the outside world but who might just have a lot in common. Or maybe you’ll meet people with whom you don’t yet have anything at all in common, but who you can share new interests and experiences with, introducing each oth…
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            9. Agile Interoperable Solutions: Focused on making communications possible during times of crises - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

              Vernon Guillermo the CEO of Agile Interoperable Solutions, a company solely dedicated to providing integrative communications technology solutions especially during times of crises joins Enterprise Radio.
              Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Vernon Guillermo discuss the following:

              * Please tell us who Agile Interoperable Solutions (AIS) is and what you do?
              * Can you provide an example of when your technology solutions would be deployed and who specifically might use them?
              * How did you develop the business and what opportunity did you see that made you want to get involved in it?
              * How do you go to market to make your target audiences aware of who you are and what you have to offer?
              * As a CEO with an emerging technology to support, what do you believe are the most important things you work on every day?

              Agile Interoperable Solutions is a company focused on making communications possible between disparate communications systems, especially in times of crises. The company’s technology solutions make it possible for various authorities with different communications systems to speak seamlessly with one another during such trying times as natural disasters, active criminal situations and other crises.
              Vernon Guillermo holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Masters in Engineering Manufacturing Systems with over twenty-five years of professional and global experience. He served as the Co-founder/CEO and COO of INT America, LLC, a Tier I Automotive Supplier of Decorative Tread Plates. Launched in 2007, INT developed into the premier North American market leader of Tread Plates. Vern will be transferring his broad knowledge of engineering, marketing and leadership to leading the AIS team.
               

              Website: www.aisinterop.com
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            10. Make Your Business Eco-Friendly - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

              More and more we are seeing a push towards business becoming economically friendly. Whether it be through recycling, using less paper or other creative ways, protecting the environment is becoming a significant factor in running a business. Consumers will event choose an eco-friendly company even if it means spending a bit more money.

              As a business owner, finding ways to keep your company on the green path will benefit you in many ways. So if this is something you want to do, here a few a ways to make your business more eco-friendly.

              Cut Back on Paper

              One of the most straightforward solutions to becoming more eco-friendly is by cutting back on paper. There are multiple different ways of doing this. First, if you tend to mail out documents to customers and clients, consider opting for email instead. Quite often flyers and junk mail end in the trash can. So give your customers the option for email instead.

              You can cut back on paper in the office too by recycling internally. How often do you go and print something and it doesn’t come out quite how you need it to? Instead of throwing the paper away, put it into a recycling container for scrap paper. Anyone who needs something to scribble on can reuse the paper.

              Use Green and Biodegradable Cleaners

              Switching what you clean your business with is another step to take. More and more you will find cleaners made without harsh chemicals. Instead, plant-based cleaners are becoming popular. Not only are these cleaners safer for the environment, but they are also less irritating on your skin and to breathe in.

              Update Your Building

              If you are ready for a more extreme way of becoming eco-friendly, update and renovate your building. Older buildings more than likely are not built to be eco-friendly. Instead, retrofit the place with economically sustainable updates. Change out the lightbulbs with LED ones. They last longer and use less energy. Update the air exchange and heater with more energy efficient equipment.

              If you are currently looking for a new office, for example in the Winnipeg real estate, you want to factor in what you need to do to make the building greener if it is not already. It could influence your decision on where you locate your business.

              Watch Your Office Supplies

              More and more materials and objects are manufactured out of recycled material. Merely changing the types of office supplies you use is a step towards a green business. When shopping for office supplies (pens, paper towel, almost anything you can think of), look for ones that are made out of recycled material. This will also be a good reminder for employees to keep themselves on the eco-friendly path.

              There are many ways to make your business more economically friendly. Depending on what you can afford to do, you can start will little changes and work your way to more drastic ones. Consumers will thank you for making the transition to help protect the environment.

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