UBCNews - Business

You, like so many others before you, have a great idea for a book. Incredible! However, there is a long road ahead if you ever want to see that idea come to life on the page and to feel the weight of the text in your hands. Many prospective authors before you have tried and failed on this same journey, but luckily for you, you have all the advantages of the modern marketplace on your side.

As industry professional Robert Nahas recently explained, the path to authorship can be as easy or as difficult as you want it to be; it all depends on your goals, your skill level, and your determination to succeed.

Nahas explains that, in recent years, the value of publication—particularly for industry professionals and business coaches—has increased dramatically. In an industry landscape newly dominated by AI technology where accessibility is greater than ever before, the publication of a book or book series can serve to cement your authority in your niche, while also offering some extra side income in a best-case scenario.

Prior to the advent of the internet, publishing a book was a process fraught with difficulty and, in most cases, prone to total failure. Working with the notoriously fickle names in traditional publishing required a skillset not possessed by many.

Now, however, thanks to new tools available from online retailers like Amazon, self-publication is not only possible, but also extremely affordable and, indeed, highly accessible. With virtually all barriers to publication gone, the only thing standing in the way of authorship for the vast majority of individuals is the act of creating the text itself.

I know what you may be thinking at this stage in the process: "I'll just use AI; no one will know!" But wait, intrepid reader! There is more to it than that.

AI-written books can sell well, certainly; however, these are very rare cases. Low-quality, AI-generated books have a high failure rate, and may even be removed from sale. Rather than allowing AI to carry the bulk of the weight for you, consider instead investing in an AI-powered writing assistant. These can clean up your grammar and suggest new directions without taking the reigns completely, allowing you to preserve your unique voice and ideas.

Likewise, consider hiring a ghostwriter! These professionals are dedicated to providing high-quality texts that adhere to your original vision, sound professional, and engage the audience.

Of course, the simplest solution is to simply navigate the writing process yourself. That sounds daunting, but fear not! Plenty of resources can be found online to guide you along the way, and experienced professionals are always willing to lend a hand when you find yourself stuck. With all of this in mind, go forth and take up the mantle of authorship with pride!

You know, I was looking at some recent statistics about alcohol use in America, and I've gotta tell you, they stopped me in my tracks. Did you know that alcohol kills over 140,000 Americans every single year?

Hey everyone! You know what keeps me up at night? Not Netflix or social media - it's thinking about all those potential Amazon profits I might be missing out on. And today, we're discussing a topic that's creating quite a buzz in the FBA community - Amazon Online Arbitrage Lead Lists.

Welcome everyone to today's important discussion about a serious issue affecting our military community. You know, I recently came across a statistic that really stopped me in my tracks about alcohol abuse in the military. It's been referred to as a 'silent epidemic,' and today we're going to thoroughly examine why that is and what can be done about it. Joining us is a specialist in military substance abuse treatment. Welcome to the show!

Summertime in NOVA is a time for rest, zest, and unfortunately, pests! All kinds of insects infest Northern Virginia this time of year, flying or otherwise. Local pest control experts reveal the most common critters in this part of the country. Even better, they tell you how to keep your home or business pest-free, all four seasons of the year…

The local climate drives summer pest sightings, with the Virginia heat encouraging insects to spread and nest. Unfortunately, sometimes they end up in your space - and that’s never good news. Here are the main pests you need to look out for.

Mosquitoes

They’re out for blood, literally - and that’s even less hygienic than it sounds. These critters can transmit diseases at the drop of a hat… so they need to be dealt with even quicker.

Bed Bugs

Ticks

And, much like mosquitoes, they’re known for carrying diseases. Ever heard of Ehrlichiosis? Rocky Mountain spotted fever? Lyme disease? Whether you have or haven’t, one thing’s for sure: you don’t want these conditions - which means you don’t want to encounter ticks.

Wasps

Wildlife

Pests go way beyond annoying. We’ve mentioned the potential health ramifications of leaving these critters uncontrolled - and these are even more severe in busier commercial spaces. One local NOVA team, Connor’s Pest Pros, explains…

“Though seldom thought of before they show up, pests pose significant risks to commercial operations. Because they damage property and transmit disease, an active infestation can result in a damaged reputation, health and safety infractions, and in the worst-case, harm to employees or customers.”

It’s no wonder you're so eager to discourage the spread of disease - and all the other ill effects that pests bring. But what can you do about it?

How Professionals Help

It might be a good idea to schedule an initial inspection to assess your pest issues in terms of severity and allow pest control technicians to create a custom plan of action. The aim? To eliminate harmful seasonal critters and keep your home or workplace safer and more hygienic going forward.

In NOVA, people rely on pest control professionals to prevent pests altogether, not just repel them temporarily. So, if pests are posing a problem for you, start searching for proven pros nearby.

For more, visit the link in the description!

Welcome to the Tama After-School Martial Arts Program! We’re excited to share with you how our program is transforming lives, one student at a time. Whether your child is shy, unsure, or looking for a fun, disciplined activity, Tama Martial Arts is here to help them grow not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.

Our classes are designed to teach practical self-defense techniques that can keep students safe in real-life situations. But more importantly, we focus on teaching confidence. When a child learns they can defend themselves, it transforms their outlook — they become more assertive and understand their own worth.

Beyond physical skills, we emphasize important life lessons such as discipline, responsibility, and perseverance. Our instructors serve as mentors, guiding students to set goals, work through setbacks, and celebrate their achievements. This kind of mindset helps build resilience and a positive attitude that lasts a lifetime.

Furthermore, our program fosters respect for oneself, for others, and for the community. We believe that character development is just as vital as physical skills. That’s why our lessons are structured around values like honesty, humility, and teamwork.

Parents often tell us that their children come home more focused, more respectful, and more confident. And many students tell us they feel more prepared to handle peer pressure and bullying because of what they’ve learned here.

If you’re looking for an after-school activity that not only keeps your child active but also helps shape their character, Tama Martial Arts is the perfect choice. We welcome students of all ages and skill levels.

Thank you for listening to the Tama After-School Martial Arts Program podcast. For more information or to enroll your child, visit our website or give us a call at 937-254-7035 to set your first appointment for your child. Let’s help your child unlock their full potential — one martial arts class at a time! Check our site at https://tamaafterschoolmartialartsprogram.com/

Just in time for the first day of school on Tuesday, August 5, Pigtails & Crewcuts: Haircuts for Kids has opened a new salon in Anderson, South Carolina. To celebrate, the kid-centric salon is hosting a Back2School event designed to ease the transition into the new school year. The event combines fresh haircuts, a back-to-school trim, and giveaways to help kids feel confident and ready for the classroom.

Learn more at: https://pigtailsandcrewcuts.com/anderson-sc

To mark the opening, the Anderson location is joining the nationwide Pigtails & Crewcuts 2025 Back2School Campaign in partnership with Yoto. Yoto is an award-winning screen-free audio player for kids. While the Anderson location will not feature the Yoto Player in-store, the salon is actively promoting the Yoto brand and Back2School Giveaway through its social media channels, giving local families the opportunity to learn more and enter to win.

"We're excited to bring something new and meaningful to families in Anderson," said salon owner Caroline Dover, a seasoned franchisee. She also owns successful Pigtails & Crewcuts locations in Greenville and Five Forks. "Starting school can be overwhelming for little ones. By blending haircuts with literacy and routine-building tools like Yoto, we're helping children approach the new year with confidence."

From now through September 1st, families can enter the national Yoto giveaway by engaging with the Anderson salon's social media accounts. Three lucky winners across the country will receive a $300 Yoto-themed gift basket. The giveaway highlights how music, audiobooks, and a joyful haircut can set the tone for a child's day and school year.

Beyond haircuts, the Anderson salon offers a sensory-friendly, child-first environment. Themed chairs, bright colors, and trained stylists help kids relax and enjoy their visit. The team specializes in first haircuts, back-to-school trims, and milestone moments.

"Our goal is to make every child feel like a star in the stylist's chair," added Dover. "And for parents, we make it simple, fast, and fun."

The salon is now open and accepting appointments before the Anderson County School District's first day of classes on August 5th.

About Pigtails & Crewcuts

Pigtails & Crewcuts: Haircuts for Kids is renowned for its welcoming atmosphere, professional hairstylists, and dedication to making children's haircuts a fun and stress-free experience. The salon prides itself on understanding the unique needs of young clients and delivering personalized service tailored to each child.

You know, I was shocked when I learned that hard water limescale can actually cut the lifespan of our home appliances in half. Have you ever wondered what's really happening inside your kettle when you see that white, chalky buildup? We have Chris Camp, our water softener expert, here from Aquamaster Water Treatment Limited to talk us through the problems with hard water.

You know that feeling when you nail a presentation? The slides are perfect, your delivery is smooth, and everyone's nodding along. But here's the uncomfortable truth—being great at presentations doesn't mean you're creating real change. In fact, research shows that 95% of people leave training sessions feeling pumped and ready to transform their workplace, but only about half actually use those new skills a year later. That's a massive gap, and it's not because your presentations aren't engaging enough.

The real problem is that we've been focusing on the wrong thing. We've gotten so good at presenting information that we've forgotten how to have actual conversations that create lasting change. Think about it—when was the last time a PowerPoint presentation fundamentally changed how you work? Now compare that to a meaningful conversation you had with a mentor or colleague that shifted your perspective. There's your answer.

Traditional training methods are stuck in this "tell and suggest" mode about 37% of the time, while the open-ended discovery questions that actually change behavior only show up in about 25% of training interactions. That's backwards. We're essentially trying to create transformation through monologue when what we really need is dialogue.

Let me paint you a picture of what this looks like in practice. You're leading a training session, and you can feel the energy in the room. People are engaged, taking notes, asking questions. But when you follow up three months later, nothing has changed. Sound familiar? That's because engagement in the moment doesn't equal application in real life. The missing piece is conversational skill—the ability to guide people through discovering their own insights rather than just absorbing yours.

Here's where it gets really interesting. When trainers shift from telling to asking, from presenting to conversing, something magical happens. Research shows that programs incorporating extensive dialogue and discussion have 75% better retention rates than traditional lecture-based approaches. That's not a small improvement—that's a complete game-changer.

But let's be honest, making this shift isn't easy. Many of us have built our careers on being the expert in the room, the one with all the answers. Stepping back and creating space for genuine conversation requires a different kind of confidence. It means being comfortable with silence, with not knowing where the conversation will go, with letting participants drive their own learning journey.

The virtual world has made this even more challenging. About two-thirds of trainers struggle to read their virtual audience, and the same percentage of participants admit they're multitasking during online sessions. You can't rely on body language or room energy when you're staring at a grid of black squares on Zoom. This is where conversational skills become even more critical—you need to create a connection through words alone.

What does this look like practically? Instead of asking "Does everyone understand?" which almost always gets silent nods, try "What's one thing from this discussion that challenges what you previously believed?" Instead of explaining a concept in detail, ask "How might this apply to a current challenge you're facing?" These aren't just different questions—they're invitations to think, to engage, to make the learning personal.

The science backs this up. When training addresses not just skills but also confidence, intentions, and behavior patterns through conversation, retention rates jump from the typical 30% to an impressive 65-75% after a year. That's because conversation does something presentation can't—it helps people process information in the context of their own experience.

There's also the generational factor to consider. Today's workplace spans five generations, each with different communication preferences. A brilliant presentation might land perfectly with one group while completely missing another. But a skillful conversation can adapt in real-time, finding common ground and creating connections across these differences.

The most successful programs recognize that lasting change happens through a combination of intimacy, interactivity, inclusion, and intentionality in every conversation. It's not about dumbing down your expertise—it's about creating the conditions where people can discover insights for themselves. When someone reaches a conclusion through guided conversation rather than being told what to think, they're far more likely to act on it.

Think about implementing the 70-20-10 rule in your next session—participants speak 70% of the time, you facilitate 20%, and only spend 10% actually instructing. This might feel uncomfortable at first, especially if you're used to being the star of the show. But the results speak for themselves.

The future of training isn't about who can create the slickest presentation or deliver the most polished performance. It's about who can facilitate the most meaningful conversations. With AI and technology handling more of the information delivery, our uniquely human ability to connect, understand, and guide through conversation becomes our greatest asset.

So next time you're preparing for a training session, ask yourself: am I planning a performance, or am I preparing to facilitate transformation? The tools, frameworks, and evidence-based practices for conversational excellence already exist. Click on the link in the description to explore specific techniques you can start using immediately. The challenge now is having the courage to step off the stage and into genuine dialogue. Because that's where real change happens—not in the applause after a great presentation, but in the conversations that continue long after you've left the room.

Once known primarily for its political and financial influence within Colombia, Bogotá is now stepping confidently into a new role as a regional powerhouse for professional services. The city’s evolution is being driven by a mix of digital innovation, international investment, and a deep talent pool—factors that are transforming the local job market and opening new pathways for career advancement.

For those considering a future in customer service, tech support, or similar fields, Bogotá offers an appealing mix of opportunity and affordability. From its modern infrastructure to its growing number of multinational employers, the city is creating an ecosystem where skilled workers—especially bilingual ones—can thrive, build experience, and unlock long-term potential in an increasingly globalized economy.

Bogotá is quickly emerging as one of LATAM’s most dynamic and transformative capitals.

As BusinessWire recently reported, the BPO sector is now responsible for over 3.5% of Colombia’s GDP alone, with the vast majority of this economic activity concentrated in Bogotá. Moreover, as Outsource Consultants recently confirmed, Bogotá boasts a large, educated, and bilingual workforce, with over 55% of graduates holding degrees relevant to the BPO industry.

What this means for job seekers is a growing number of opportunities now exist in a city that’s becoming a regional hub for international business and professional development. With its strategic location, competitive cost of living, and expanding tech infrastructure, Bogotá is attracting global employers looking to build skilled, multilingual teams.

The city’s young, educated population—coupled with ongoing investment in vocational training and digital innovation—positions it as an ideal launchpad for those seeking long-term career growth in customer service, technology and related industries.

And, as Bogotá continues to evolve, professionals with strong language skills and adaptability will find themselves well placed to thrive in an increasingly globalized job market.

Entry-level roles in Bogotá’s BPO sector are often ideal for professionals at the beginning of their careers, including recent graduates or those with limited experience. Many companies look for candidates who are fluent in both English and Spanish, have strong interpersonal skills and demonstrate the ability to think quickly and communicate clearly. While formal qualifications can help, a customer-focused attitude and a willingness to learn are often just as important.

In these roles, you’ll likely be expected to handle customer inquiries with professionalism and empathy, resolve technical or service issues efficiently, and ensure every interaction leaves a positive impression.

Employers value team players who can stay calm under pressure, work within structured processes and adapt to evolving client needs. A high level of digital literacy and familiarity with customer management tools is also a major asset in today’s fast-paced contact centers.

Once hired, new employees can usually expect structured onboarding programs designed to help them gain confidence in their role. These often include training in company systems, product knowledge, soft skills, and communication strategies. Beyond the initial learning curve, many organizations offer continued professional development—through mentorship, certifications, or internal mobility programs—to encourage growth within the company or sector.

Some employers also invest in their staff through educational support or tuition reimbursement schemes, recognizing that upskilling leads to stronger, more motivated teams.

For job seekers in Bogotá, this means that a role in customer service isn’t just a short-term opportunity—it can be the starting point for a flexible, evolving career in one of the city’s fastest-growing industries. Click on the link in the description for more information.