UBCNews - Business

Welcome to the OmForetag Podcast. You know, I had a fascinating conversation the other day that really got me thinking about how businesses compete online these days. Have you ever wondered why some local businesses seem to show up everywhere online while others are practically invisible?

Hey there, Gulf Coast! I’m Matt Daniels, and this is the Roofing Podcast Minute—your local update from SCM Roofing, helping Florida homeowners stay protected and informed, one minute at a time.

Today, we’ve got some exciting news out of Lee County—especially for anyone who’s been hit by recent storms or just looking for a faster way to connect with trusted roofing help.

SCM Roofing, LLC has officially launched spoken-word roofing pages for six Lee County communities: Bonita Springs, Captiva, Estero, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, and Sanibel Island.

These audio-enhanced pages are designed to make roofing information more accessible—so instead of scrolling through pages of text, residents can now just press play and listen.

Whether you’re multitasking, driving, or still dealing with cleanup, these new pages give you everything from storm damage repair tips to roof replacement options—all delivered in a clear, spoken format that’s easy to follow and available 24/7.

Each audio page covers services tailored to that specific area, so residents get localized info that’s relevant to their needs. It’s roofing help, spoken clearly, right when and where it’s needed most.

Here’s what Jason Nicholas, President of Operations at SCM Roofing, had to say from the field:

“A lot of folks are juggling cleanup, insurance calls, or just trying to stay ahead of the next storm. The audio pages let people hear what they need—quickly—without having to stop and scroll.”

SCM Roofing has served Florida’s Gulf Coast for over a decade, and this new spoken-word content is just one more way they’re stepping up for the community. It’s all part of their mission to make roofing service simple, responsive, and reliable for Gulf Coast families.

Want to check it out?

That’s your Roofing Podcast Minute. I’m Matt Daniels—stay safe, stay dry, and we’ll catch you next time.

Have you ever dreamed of standing atop an ancient citadel, watching the sun paint the Andes in golden hues? Today, we're focusing on one of the most breathtaking travel experiences imaginable - luxury tours to Machu Picchu. And I'm thrilled to have with us a travel expert who's going to share some incredible insights about visiting the heart of the Inca Empire.

Alkaline water ionizer distributor, VeryHealthyWater®, a DBA of health and wellness company Hilke Enterprises LLC of Highland Utah, is pleased to announce it has received registration of its trademark which is also the name of the business entity, VeryHealthyWater. Going forward, the company name will include the prestigious encircled "R" appended to its name.

Founder and CEO, Bob Hilke, recalls selecting the name VeryHealthyWater years ago when he first began distributing high quality alkaline water ionizers. With a degree in Nutritional Sciences, he was always looking for helpful ideas to encourage and assist people in living a healthy lifestyle. Having known for many years that many people would benefit by having more alkaline pH in their diet, it was obvious to him that these water purification devices that make ionized alkaline drinking water at home from tap water would become a big health and wellness product many people would find beneficial.

The terms "very" and "healthy" seemed very applicable to the resulting purified drinking water the appliances produce. Consequently, Hilke acquired a few of the VeryHealthyWater domains (.com, .net, .technology, .systems, and .org for example). In recent years, the VeryHealthyWater business entity was formalized. Securing the trademark adds credibility and security to the company's brand.

The high-quality water ionizers have many uses in addition to providing alkaline drinking water. They also produce a variety of ionized waters for skin care, removing wax and pesticides from produce, as well as cleaning and sanitizing without the use of harsh chemicals.

Since the inception of the business, VeryHealthyWater® has helped literally hundreds of families in numerous countries around the world obtain high quality alkaline water ionizers. The water ionizers are drop-shipped to customers' homes, and are easily installed by the customer, a handyman, or in the case of the under-counter model, a plumber.

Inspiration for starting a water purification business includes providing a solution that every homeowner needs. As Hilke indicates, America’s water is contaminated. In recent years, there have been more than 350 chemical contaminants identified in U.S. drinking water. Many of those are not regulated, so they can be in municipal drinking water at any level without being monitored, reported, or removed. In recent years, microplastics have entered the U.S. water supply. Medications are another source of contaminants. While everyone knows their water is contaminated, few people take action to address the concern, and many people suffer consequences.

In an effort to mitigate the concerns, many health-conscious people buy bottled water, believing bottled water is safer. However, laboratory tests reveal that on average there is little if any difference between bottled water and tap water for safety or taste. Furthermore, plastic bottles add microplastics to water, and the plastic bottles pollute the environment. Bottled water can cost as much as 2,000 times the cost of tap water.

Municipal and bottled water can only be de-contaminated to a certain extent. Homeowners desiring to have safe, uncontaminated drinking water must take the initiative to filter their water at the point-of-use with a high-grade drinking water filter to apply the most aggressive contaminant-removing purification. Hilke suggests that any other solution including whole house filters (which are not as effective at contaminant removal as high-grade point-of-use filters) likely expose household humans and pets to contaminants. In an effort to de-contaminate tap water as thoroughly as possible, many homeowners have installed Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems. While these systems are effective at contaminant removal, they over-compensate by also removing the healthful minerals that are naturally found in source water. Prolonged use of RO water can diminish dietary consumption of important minerals needed for health functions and structures in the body including bones. RO is a slow purification process resulting in low water flow rates or limited quantity of purified water.

VeryHealthyWater® solves the above issues by providing home owners and businesses with high grade alkaline water ionizer devices. The devices have been manufactured in Japan since 1974 where they are certified medical devices. They are found throughout Japan in hospitals and health clinics and are endorsed by a large physician association. The literature for this technology was not translated into English until recent years, and ever since, the technology has been catching on dramatically in the United States.

VeryHealthyWater® is pleased to be a distributor of these remarkable water purification and ionization devices, and to be helping families around the planet learn about this technology and acquire it for use in their homes. The company recommends homeowners compare water ionizer models to ensure obtaining the best device for a family's needs. When shopping for a water ionizer, the following considerations are important:

(1) Electrolysis Plates: More plates generally means better ionization, so look for models with multiple high-quality plates.

(2) Plate Size: The larger the electrolysis plate total surface area, the more effective the ionization, and the stronger the Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) or antioxidant property of the purified water. The larger the negative value of ORP, the better.

(3) Type of Plates: Solid plates are more durable and effective than mesh plates.

(4) Water Throughput Rate: Faster water throughput means the device will provide desired quantities of purified water quickly.

(5) Warranty: Be sure to check the warranty details, including any exclusions or limitations based on location, source water hardness, and daily usage. Also be certain the warranty is offered by the manufacturer rather than the website owner.

A personal introduction to the VeryHealthyWater® business by its founder and CEO including virtual product demonstrations is available at Welcome.VeryHealthyWater.com.

Learn more about Ionized Alkaline Water and Water Ionizer technology at the company website: VeryHealthyWater.com.

As a veteran cryptocurrency trader, you’ve come to know what works and what doesn’t. If your family and friends are going to start investing in crypto, you want them to use the very best. The Crypto Merchant knows that the Ledger Nano X more than fits that description. It’s time your family and friends did, too.

Ledger’s leading Nano X hardware wallet is now available in a family-sized bundle via The Crypto Merchant’s website. Offering four wallets in a single pack, this authorized crypto gear distributor is ready to share the device’s proven X-factor with even more traders.

Budding crypto investors deserve a product that checks every box when it comes to storage and security features. Ledger’s popular Nano X device scores high grades from even the toughest crypto assessor - here’s why.

“Ledger Nano X is a hardware device that safely stores your private keys,” explains The Crypto Merchant. “Its state-of-the-art Secure Element chip keeps your recovery seed and private keys completely offline. You'll never have to worry about the remote hacking risks of software wallets and exchanges.”

High-tech security is an absolute must in the high-stakes world of cryptocurrency. Sadly, online exchanges are a particularly vulnerable platform - wholly unsuited to large-scale crypto storage. Online hackers are constantly threatening to exploit such vulnerabilities, putting your digital holdings at risk. That’s exactly why you have to secure a hardware wallet instead.

Ledger’s Nano X tops the list in that regard. On top of its cold offline storage capacities, the device offers dual iOS-Android compatibility - which means your smartphone of choice is likely covered. You can effectively manage your stored assets without hassle, making crypto trading a breeze.

And the list of compatible cryptocurrencies continues to grow. In fact, the Nano X can run up to 100 coin apps simultaneously, spanning Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many more of the most commonly used digital coins on the market.

When you buy Nano X bundles through The Crypto Merchant’s website, you’re getting products verified as fully genuine. The reseller’s ongoing partnership with the manufacturer guarantees that. You’ll know, 100%, that your newfound device will be authentic - and a support team will be on hand via telephone or email to assist with any technical queries at any time.

X-tra, X-tra, read all about it - and then order yours at the link in the description!

If you're someone who enjoys helping others, solving problems, and seeing the direct positive impact of your efforts, you have all the qualities needed to become an excellent customer support professional at T-TECK, a global leader in customer experience (CX) technologies.

T-TECK is currently hiring English bilingual Chat Customer Service Representatives at its Ahmedabad, Gujarat location in India.

For an immediate interview, apply in person, Monday to Friday - 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Interested in relocating? Virtual interviews are available as well!

These new positions are part of T-TECK's ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional customer support on behalf of some of the world’s most recognized brands. You'll not only benefit from getting paid for what you do best, you'll get to work with some very high-profile clients in Ahmedabad, a city known for its historical charm, modern advancements, lower cost of living and growing I-T sector.

As specialists in designing and operating technologies and services that enhance customer engagement and loyalty, T-TECK is a leader in creating seamless, human-centered customer support. The company is a certified “Great Place to Work” and multi-award winner for outstanding workplace culture, underlining its commitment to your employee experience as well.

T-TECK’s Ahmedabad operations play a key role in delivering high-quality CX via chat and other non-verbal platforms. If you're bilingual in English and eager to provide quick and accurate resolutions to customer issues while helping world-class brands shine, you are encouraged to apply for available Chat Customer Service Jobs.

A spokesperson for T-TECK in Ahmedabad explains:

“At T-TECK, we believe happy customers start with happy employees. We offer supportive, flexible, and engaging work environments where values guide us, and humanity connects us.”

As a chat customer service rep, you'll be part of this dual focus on customer service and a rewarding employee experience to bring humanity to business. To qualify for this outstanding opportunity, you should have at least one year of customer service experience. Freshers with strong written communication skills are also encouraged to apply. You must be computer literate, hold a high school diploma, and be open to working in a 24-7 environment.

Successful candidates will receive in-depth training, supportive leadership, and ongoing opportunities for learning, upskilling, and career advancement. In addition to competitive compensation and performance bonuses, T-TECK offers a thoughtfully tailored benefits package as part of its exceptional Employee Value Proposition strategy. At T-TECK, good enough is not enough and that works both ways.

Here's what Armen, Manager of Learning and Development says about his experiences so far at T-TECK “One of the most important things I’ve learned during my time at T-TECK is the importance of people; your teammates, colleagues, clients - everyone is an invaluable piece in your life and what you’re building for yourself. Many things can be achieved while working alone but the bigger success stories come from a group of people.”

Are you ready to join a global name in CX technologies? Click on the link in the summary to find out more!

Scaling a business is exciting, but rapid growth can quickly turn into chaos if your systems aren’t built to handle it. Missed deadlines, overwhelmed teams, and financial setbacks can all derail success.

But it doesn’t need to be this way.

Business turnaround expert Paraic Bergin shares proven strategies for optimizing operations, streamlining workflows, and ensuring your business achieves sustainable growth and the success you and your workforce deserve.

Read Overcoming Business Growth Challenges: Fixing Broken Systems by Paraic Bergin for a comprehensive outline of practical and actionable strategies.

An expert in analyzing business strengths and weaknesses to optimize operations, drive restructuring, and unlock hidden profits, Paraic Bergin has over 30 years of experience as a certified accountant, financial controller, finance director and chief executive.

Paraic warns that during early growth stages, signs that systems are struggling will start to become clear and should not be ignored. Some of these red flags include communication breakdowns between departments, overworked teams, and customer complaints. Left unaddressed, these problems can lead to losses in revenues, market share decline, and difficulties retaining your company's top talent. Identifying bottlenecks is therefore the first step in resolving these issues, preventing the fallout and ensuring efficient systems that support your growth goals.

Paraic explains:

“As businesses expand, the initial excitement can quickly turn into headaches if underlying systems can’t support growth. The key to managing healthy growth lies in operational systems. My latest report identifies system failures and provides actionable solutions for improvement.”

During a business’s expansion phase, workflow disruptions and supply chain challenges can emerge if growing demand overwhelms existing systems. This can lead to delays, higher costs, and customer complaints. Avoiding these issues means evaluating your systems and strengthening internal processes regularly through improvements like automation, outsourcing, and updating technology.

Standardizing and documenting your processes are also essential for maintaining consistency, reducing errors, and supporting efficient growth. By creating clear Standard Operating Procedures and using tools to map, track, and refine your workflows, you can ensure the quality you need to see, improve productivity, and adapt more easily as your business expands.

Outdated technologies can further hinder growth. By upgrading technologies as needed, you can enhance operational efficiencies, improve communication, and handle growing demand. Tools you can look at include: analytics software, CRM systems, instant messaging, video conferencing, and automation software.

Each of these tools has its place in helping to streamline operations, reduce mistakes, and improve customer service.

Effective financial and leadership management and strategic planning during growth are also addressed in the report, offering comprehensive insights into key technological advancements, data-driven decision-making, customer engagement strategies, and financial management techniques to ensure sustainable scalability.

Paraic revisits Stephen R. Covey's Four Quadrants to explain why focusing on Quadrant 1 - the Urgent / Important quadrant - simply results in fighting fires and managing crises. Paraic explains that the causes of operational difficulties are revealed in Quadrants 3 and 4 – the Urgent / Not Important tasks and the Not Urgent / Not Important tasks. And the cure for these problems comes from time spent in Quadrant 2: tackling the Not Urgent / Important tasks.

He also outlines the qualities an effective leader will demonstrate. This includes both expertise in their respective fields as well as strong communication, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.

By identifying and addressing growth challenges early, businesses can prevent operational failures and create a foundation for long-term success. Paraic Bergin tells you everything you need to know to manage your company's expansion smoothly for maximum profitability.

Click on the link in the summary to find out more.

If you’ve been considering a job change in 2025, TTEC’s new guide to salaries and growth areas in the Philippines is a must-read.

TTEC is pleased to be bringing job seekers in the Philippines new insights into salaries and growth trends for the year in their new guide to the Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in the Philippines.

As TTEC explained, salaries are on the rise in the country, with several industries booming, including customer experience, business management and tech.

Plus, many companies, especially international firms, are growing significantly—their new guide cited figures from the 2024 Salary Budget Planning Report, which showcased that 24.4% of companies are planning to expand their workforce this year.

What this means is that this year is an opportune moment for you to be changing positions, especially if you are in one of these high demand sectors and you possess in-demand skills like programming or financial or data analysis.

If you’re ready to make this year your year, the great news is TTEC is currently actively recruiting for a number of positions, including at the specialist level as well as for entry-level roles.

They are currently recruiting for several analysts, including Quality Analysts and Data Analysts—a great choice if you want to take advantage of both the sector’s growth in the country and TTEC’s above-average salaries.

They are also seeking Human Resources Managers and Human Capital Generalists—another growing industry in the Philippines—as well as Business Development Representatives and Business Development and Customer Experience Team Leads.

“TTEC Philippines is part of a global leader in customer experience, employing over 55,000 individuals fluent in 50 languages across 6 continents,” said a representative for the BPO in their new guide. “We’ve been honored with top accolades—#1 Spot for the Talent Board Candidate Experience (CandE) in APAC (2023), HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia (2023 and 2024), and Comparably’s Best Companies for Career Growth (2023)—all reflecting our commitment to a culture that rewards talent, encourages growth and celebrates diversity.”

As one happy current employee of TTEC in the Philippines affirmed, “What I love most about TTEC is the people. The people are truly the company. We set the tone, we set the pace, so it is just pleasurable coming to work every day knowing that I’m going to see my colleagues and we’re going to be able to work together, help the customers together, get better together.”

If you want to take advantage of this year’s rising salaries, TTEC could be the perfect choice.

Discover their available positions at the website in the description.

If you’ve been dreaming of sculpted abs but you’re dreading the thought of endless crunches, the good news is, your treadmill might just be your secret weapon! SOLE Fitness has put together the ultimate guide to help you shed belly fat and tone your core using your treadmill so you can walk, jog, or sprint your way to a stronger stomach.

SOLE Fitness' new guide will be perfect for you if you want to build up your home fitness regime in order to achieve flatter and more toned abs.

As the guide explained, although treadmills are primarily thought of as a more cardio-boosting piece of gym equipment, you can use more feature-packed models—like theirs—for workouts that will build your cardio health and overall body condition, as well as specifically target your abs.

This means, if you’re looking to target your stomach and tone your abs, you should utilize their treadmills’ high incline ranges and their ability to provide structured high intensity interval training or HIIT-style workouts.

Any one of SOLE Fitness’ models, even their most affordable entry-level machines, will offer you a variety of pre-programmed workouts with common available modes including HIIT, as well as Hill, Fat Burn, Cardio, Strength, and more.

Moreover, to ensure that you can do the required hours you will need to really trim and tone your body, SOLE also builds some of their treadmills with ergonomic features like whisper quiet cushion decks. These innovative and supportive decks are designed to minimize the strain and pressure on your joints so that you can walk and run for longer and at higher intensities, while protecting your body.

Their spokesperson said, “Starting at $1,199.99, SOLE treadmills excel in ergonomic design, durability, and value. Equipped with advanced cushioning to minimize joint impact, powerful, quiet motors, and wide running surfaces, they suit any fitness level.”

Some of the brand’s most popular models include their SOLE F80, which, as their spokesperson added, “has been reviewed as the best treadmill in its price range by both consumers and numerous consumer resources.”

With an affordable price point, a 10.1-inch Android touchscreen central command unit and full fitness and entertainment app compatibility, this advanced treadmill will offer you a smart Z-shaped frame, folding design, powerful and reliable 3.5-horsepower motor, and more.

SOLE Fitness encourages you to check out both their new abs toning fitness guide and their full range of treadmills on their website.

Check out the guide and hit the treadmill with confidence at the website in the description.

Nano Hearing Aids’ new First Ear Plus BTE OTC hearing aids are designed to help adults 18+ with mild to moderate hearing loss reconnect with the conversations and experiences happening around them without the discomfort or stigma that can sometimes accompany traditional hearing aids. Named a Top E-N-T Solutions Provider in 2023, Nano Hearing Aids continues to prioritize innovation and customer care, offering a holistic approach to hearing support through advanced technologies and 24/7 lifetime service, assisting those who could benefit from a hearing aid in making this healthy transition.

Hearing loss can be gradual and can lead to isolation as individuals begin avoiding social interactions. For those who delay seeking the help they need, the consequences can extend well beyond missed conversations. Emerging research from Johns Hopkins suggests that untreated hearing loss in older adults may be associated with accelerated cognitive decline, including a greater risk of dementia. While the connection is still being researched, early intervention remains widely recommended within the medical community.

Nano Hearing Aids’ First Ear Plus BTE hearing aids help remove common barriers that often prevent people from taking the first step in remedying their mild to moderate hearing loss, offering a seamless, affordable, and discreet solution that supports comfort and reduces stigma.

"At Nano Hearing Aids, our aim is to help improve our customers' quality of life," says Dan Thomas, Vice President of Operations. "Our BTE models reflect our commitment to supporting people in taking that important first step toward healthy hearing by providing a comfortable hearing aid model that is almost invisible to others."

A report at Forbes reflecting a recent survey of 500 U.S. adults with some level of hearing loss co-conducted by Forbes Health and OnePoll reveals 66 percent of respondents say they would be more willing to wear a hearing aid if it wasn’t visible. As a sleeker, more ergonomic and discreet OTC hearing aid model, Nano’s BTE hearing aid meets this preference while also offering a range of user-friendly features. These include an omnidirectional microphone, feedback management, and noise reduction technology. The devices come with a portable charging case and charging cable for on-the-go use, and two program settings users can easily toggle between.

Nano’s First Ear Plus BTE hearing aids are available over the counter and do not require a prescription or in-person fitting. Starting at just $297, the devices aim to ameliorate many of the cost and convenience barriers often associated with traditional prescription models.

About Nano Hearing Aids

Nano Hearing Aids has been a leader in hearing aid technology for nearly a decade, known for its innovative solutions and customer-centric approach. All Nano products are OTC compliant, and FDA registered. With their newly engineered First Ear Plus BTE devices, Nano Hearing Aids continues to expand consumer options, delivering products that offer exceptional quality and value.

Click on the link in the summary to find out more!