UBCNews - Business

74% of Americans trust people with well-established personal brands, so why are so many healthcare professionals still invisible?

Even though 60% of physicians say personal branding has helped their careers, more than half haven’t done anything to build one. Experts at Writer Services, a literary strategy firm led by publishing consultant Robert Nahas, say that for professionals in science-based fields, writing a book is one of the most effective ways to build a strong personal brand and credibility.

A book gives people more than a glimpse into your expertise, it gives them structure, context, and proof of your thinking. Social media posts disappear. Bios and headshots are static. A book stays.

More importantly, a well-positioned book does what credentials alone can’t: it communicates why your work matters, who it’s for, and how you see the problems your field faces.

But most professionals don’t approach writing with that in mind. They get stuck trying to say everything, appeal to everyone, or mimic someone else’s voice. That’s why many books never move past the idea stage or fall flat when they do.

Too often, healthcare professionals approach writing with content but no direction. Common mistakes include:

Choosing a topic that’s too broad or too technical

Writing for peers instead of the audience they want to reach

Skipping the strategy phase and jumping straight into a draft

Treating the book like a bio, not a message

These mistakes make it harder for a reader to connect with your message and easier for the book to get lost.

The key to avoiding all that? Start with structure.

Before a single word is written, experienced publishing strategists, like the team at Writer Services, help authors define their message, audience, and long-term goals for the book.

That early work usually includes:

Narrowing the scope of the idea

Clarifying the book’s core argument or insight

Identifying where the book fits into a career trajectory

Outlining how it will support media, speaking, or educational efforts

Choosing the right publishing path (traditional, hybrid, or independent)

In a clinical setting, credentials establish authority. Outside of it, trust is earned through clarity of message, consistency, and visibility - value that a well-crafted book provides.

Writing a book signals that you're informed. It shows leadership, tells your story on your terms, and positions you as a source, not just another service provider.

Thinking About a Book? Start With the Right Questions

You don’t need to be a writer. You don’t need a manuscript. But you do need a plan if you want your book to add value to readers and your career.

If you’ve been thinking about writing a book but don’t know how to begin, one option is to connect with a publishing strategist who can help you shape your idea before you start writing. At Writer Services, that’s exactly what their complimentary strategy session is designed to do.

Amazon’s all-encompassing influence continues to grow, and the visible presence of its delivery trucks is following suit across the nation. Having reduced its reliance on other carriers, even more of the retail giant’s own vehicles are now operating on the streets of NYC and other major cities - and firms like Auto Accident Law Group warn that with more traffic comes a heightened risk of vehicular accidents.

As of April 2024, Amazon took the top spot from UPS as the industry’s leading parcel courier with hundreds of delivery stations and cargo warehouses in the US alone. Yet, the unique employment setup deployed by Amazon makes the issue of accident liability decidedly murky, say accident law firms - with the involvement of third-party contractors raising questions over who’s legally responsible for causing collisions on the road.

Naturally, these are questions that most accident victims have neither the time, energy, know-how, nor inclination to answer without guidance. As such, firms such as Auto Accident Law Group are moving to ensure that those who’ve been injured by the actions of a negligent or reckless delivery driver have access to attorneys specializing in a legal area that’s increasingly gray.

New Yorkers are the latest to benefit from this movement, with Auto Accident Law Group and others of its ilk looking to provide informed and up-to-date guidance for victims throughout the Big Apple. It’s crucial that legal representatives consider the latest regulations when trying to hold delivery drivers (or, indeed, their wider employers) accountable for accidents, which is why injured parties need to turn to specialists from the outset.

Injured motorists or passengers can face extensive medical bills alongside a lengthy road to rehabilitation following a collision with Amazon delivery drivers. In addition, their ordeal may leave them unable to work in a regular capacity - impacting their present and future earning potential. These are all aspects that need to be accounted for when filing an injury claim. With the support of firms like Auto Accident Law Group, such victims can target substantial compensation - and in New York, this amount is potentially limitless.

Auto Accident Law Group is a law firm focusing primarily on car and other vehicle accidents across New York City. Its attorneys are equipped to represent victims who've been hurt in an incident involving automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, and most pertinently, courier delivery vehicles. Working on contingency, the group offers full legal support from initial case reviews through to evidence collection, settlement negotiation, and if necessary, representation in a trial setting.

More details are available at the link in the description.

When it comes to looking after our roofs, we're all probably guilty of having an 'out of sight – out of mind' attitude. When was the last time you had yours inspected? Regular checks can save you a hell of a lot of hassle and expense over the long term.

We asked Nova Rooftek for their take on hiring a handyman for minor repairs and what to look for when choosing a provider in your area.

They highlight how turning to a professional handyman for repairs and restoration solutions for roofs installed within the last 15 to 20 years can ensure enhanced performance in all kinds of weather and an extended lifespan too.

A minor repair can be anything from replacing dislodged shingles to sealing minor water leaks. Nova underlines how these types of ongoing maintenance and repairs keep your roof and ultimately your entire property safer.

So What Should You Be Looking Out For? Keep an eye out for drooping sections on your roof, leaks - remember they can be tiny to begin with! or mold proliferation in and around the roof structure. If you spot any of these, Nova Rooftek advises you to book a consultation with a qualified handyman.

In addition to remediation work on the roof, a handyman can address related issues such as clogged gutters and malfunctioning downspouts which can cause water ingress issues throughout your property. Nova Rooftek, for example, also carries out repairs to sections of flashing around vents, chimneys, and skylights which are susceptible to moisture infiltration.

Make sure your handyman team is adept at working with a variety of styles and materials. Nova's team, for example, is experienced in dealing with asphalt shingles, traditional and synthetic slates, metal panels, and standing seam roofs as well as flat structures and energy-efficient models. This will also ensure that your repairs will maintain the roof's aesthetic appeal and structural integrity.

While you might think you can deal with roof repairs yourself, the company recommends hiring professionals to do the job. Working on a roof without the proper training can be dangerous and the work itself may not meet the standards required for long-term performance or safety.

The company recommends remaining vigilant and engaging in the consistent upkeep of your roof. According to the Nova Rooftek website, “Accumulated debris like leaves and branches on top of your home can trap moisture leading to mold formation. To avoid such complications, it’s crucial to clean this refuse regularly, which will contribute to preserving your roof’s condition.”

In terms of what to look for in a handyman, check their credentials, check they're insured, and have adequate experience. If it feels like you're a dealing with a rogue roofer, chances are you probably are! Nova Rooftek suggests finding a company that offers free consultations, assessments, and quotes so you can get a measure of who you're dealing with before you commit.

A spokesperson adds, “The benefit of these no-charge estimates is that they clarify the extent of necessary work and the related expenses, which aids in financial planning for either repairs or roof replacements.”

And, because you never know when disaster might strike, it's good to find a company that's always on call. Nova Rooftek, for example, is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If it's been a while since you checked what's going on up top, consider booking a handyman roof repair service like Nova Rooftek in McLean, VA!

Click the link in the description for more details!

Welcome to today's episode where we'll be examining a critical health issue affecting millions of Americans. You know, it's staggering to think that about one-third of all adults in the U.S. will meet the criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder at some point in their lives. That's a pretty sobering statistic, isn't it?

Would you know what to do if your parent or family member suffered a medical emergency and was unable to speak for themselves? Understanding whether or not to authorize medical interventions under certain circumstances and whether a DNR should be respected is crucial.

Silver Mangos tells you everything you need to know about an Advance Healthcare Directive, and how this document, in combination with a living will, ensures you and your family are prepared for serious medical events.

Don’t wait for a crisis to realize you’re unprepared. Download Avoid the Number 1 Mistake Most People Make During a Health Crisis by Dr. Luis Pagan-Carlo, available for free at the Silver Mangos platform.

Both a physician and healthcare advocate, Dr. Luis Pagan-Carlo offers crucial insights into what you need to know to be prepared for an unexpected medical crisis that leaves a loved one unable to speak for themselves. The doctor's free guide, available for a limited time from Silver Mangos, focuses on the importance of creating an Advance Healthcare Directive to ensure a loved one's medical preferences are known and honored.

The report comes at a time when gaps in emergency medical services are becoming more prevalent and conversations around end-of-life decision making are more common. But the one question most people don't think to consider is what a loved one would want if a medical emergency left them unable to communicate their wishes.

With continuing advancements in modern medicine, Dr. Pagan-Carlo raises an important existential question as the basis of his report: “Will surviving this condition allow me to keep my quality of life at the level where I need it to be?”

Dr. Pagan-Carlo underlines the importance of this question, explaining that only a comprehensive healthcare directive - a document that goes beyond a living will - can prevent uncertainties, guide medical professionals in their decision-making, and avoid the emotional distress that comes with being completely unaware of what your parent or family member would want under certain conditions.

The guide features a real-life case study of “Joe,” a healthy individual who experienced sudden heart complications and needed emergency surgery. Although Joe had a living will, he lacked an Advance Healthcare Directive, leaving medical staff and family without clear instructions on how to proceed. This story illustrates how even those who seem to be well-prepared may still face unnecessary confusion in a crisis.

Dr. Pagan-Carlo explains:

“Each year, millions of Americans are rushed to the hospital unable to communicate during critical medical events. Without an Advance Healthcare Directive, families are left making impossible decisions under pressure, often with little understanding of what their loved one would have wanted. This report was created to explain such risks and avoid these outcomes.”

In addition to explaining the function of Advance Healthcare Directives, you'll find information about related topics such as healthcare proxy selection, medical power of attorney, and terminal illness legal planning. Dr. Pagan-Carlo outlines the difference between a living will and an Advance Healthcare Directive and offers practical steps you can follow for creating these critical plans.

Having both a Living Will and an Advance Healthcare Directive in place is essential for ensuring yours or your loved one's wishes are respected during a medical crisis. Silver Mangos is making this information accessible to you for free.

Download their special report while it's still available. Click on the link in the summary to find out more.

You know, one thing that really fascinates me about plastic surgery marketing these days is how different it is from just a few years ago. I mean, remember when it consisted mainly of pricey prints ads with flashy taglines most people just flipped past?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a tireless digital employee working alongside you, handling all those repetitive tasks that eat up your day? Well, that's exactly what we're discussing today, and I'm excited to have an AI implementation specialist joining us to discuss this fascinating topic.

What if you learned that there was a gemstone that rivalled diamonds in brilliance yet was up to 90% cheaper? You’d be eager to jump on board, wouldn’t you? Well, that’s precisely the reason so many people are already on board with the idea of moissanite engagement rings. These gemstones are a more environmentally friendly and ethical choice than earth-mined stones, and they make a fine alternative to diamonds. But that’s not the only reason they’ve become so popular. Experts like Moissanite Engagement Rings share their insights on why moissanites are the latest “in” thing when it comes to fine jewellery!

Let’s start with the basics. Moissanite is a colourless gemstone that was first discovered by French scientist Henri Moissan in 1893. It may have been discovered on Earth, but you actually won’t be able to find it no matter how much you dig. That’s because all natural moissanite comes from meteorites! In a sense, they’re even rarer than diamonds!

Even though it’s extremely rare in nature, the gemstone can be easily synthesised in controlled environments, eliminating costs associated with extraction, labour, and international transport in traditional mining. This is one of the primary factors that contributes to moissanite’s affordability and smaller carbon footprint, and it is also the reason they are often regarded as a more ethical alternative to earth-mined gemstones.

But don’t take that to mean that they’re a lower-quality substitute for diamonds! When cut for jewellery, moissanites appear virtually indistinguishable from colourless diamonds to the naked eye.

In fact, moissanites are even superior in some ways. For example, Moissanite Engagement Rings says that they’ll scatter light better than diamonds of the same size and cut due to their higher refractive index. Consequently, they’ll often appear brighter and display more intense flashes of colour under the light.

Although moissanites are slightly less durable than diamonds, they are ranked 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them more resistant to scratches and chipping than all other types of gemstones. Rubies, sapphires, alexandrites, and topaz - all these hard gemstones are nothing before the moissanite!

Anyway, what this means for the consumer is that moissanites are particularly suitable for daily wear and will retain their clarity over time, unlike the similarly man-made cubic zirconia.

So, have you made your decision to go with moissanite jewellery? You have many options when it comes to engagement rings. Jewellers like Moissanite Engagement Rings typically offer rings that feature stones of different carat sizes and facets, which include asscher, oval, pear, princess, round, and emerald cuts.

You’re equally spoiled for choice when considering your setting style. If you just want a single stone as the focal point, get a solitaire ring. If you want something a little more decorated, cluster, trilogy, halo, and pavé settings are the way to go.

Most jewellers will also let you choose your precious metal as well. 14K white gold, rose gold, and yellow gold will obviously be cheaper than 18K yellow gold, but they won’t have as much lustre.

Something you may also want to consider is whether the jeweller offers gemstone certification and a lifetime gemstone warranty. Most do, including Moissanite Engagement Rings. If you purchase your ring from such a jeweller, you’ll be able to verify that your stone is the real deal. You’ll also be able to get it replaced for free if it ends up clouding or chipping.

Of course, choosing an engagement ring may not be that simple. When in doubt, you can ask experts like Moissanite Engagement Rings for some guidance. They’ll help you tie the knot ethically and in style.

Visit the link in the description to find out more!

Have you ever wondered how much time we waste trying to inflate pool toys with our own breath? I mean, we've all been there, getting lightheaded and dizzy just trying to blow up a simple pool float!

Your knee pain has been with you for a long time - but your recovery doesn’t have to take as long. Nowadays, modern medicine has changed the way doctors approach joints and tendons. Experts like London Cartilage Clinic have seen for themselves the impact of hyaluronic acid injections. That’s why they want to make sure more patients know about this innovative method.

These joint pain treatments are designed to bring you lasting relief, addressing a variety of joint issues. Even chronic joint or tendon discomfort will subside for as long as several months, say the leading experts - allowing for enhanced freedom of mobility!

If you have a degenerative joint condition, you too can benefit from this innovative treatment. It harnesses the natural properties of hyaluronic acid… with significant results! Tendonitis and knee osteoarthritis are just some of the ailments that these injections can treat. Here’s how they work…

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in your body. It’s found in joint tissues and synovial fluid. When injected into joints and tendons, it acts as a lubricant and shock absorber. This eases pain and enhances mobility.

Best of all, injections offer a much faster treatment method and a quicker, far less painful recovery stage when compared with surgical care. As you know, surgery can be costly and invasive to an extreme degree, often leading to months of rehabilitation. Not for you? Hyaluronic acid could be the answer.

After all, hyaluronic acid injections are geared toward immediate pain relief while improving your joint or tendon flexibility… and even slowing degeneration! Recent research has linked such injections with substantial reductions in pain and stiffness while boosting overall function. Your knee could be about to benefit, experts say.

Tired of your condition impacting your quality of life? It’s time to take action. Professor Paul Lee and other prominent leaders in orthopaedic surgery are just some of the doctors who recommend hyaluronic acid injections, describing this treatment as an example of high-tech cartilage care.

From sports injuries to symptoms and discomfort caused by a degenerative condition like arthritis, it’s time to get the support and care you deserve at private clinics such as London Cartilage Clinic in Harley Street and nearby. Click the link in the description to learn more.