Portfolio Archive - Page 2 of 29 - Julie Bawden Davis

5 Common Houseplant Pests and Organic Controls

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(Pixabay / Manfred Richter)

About this time of year during the long, cold days of winter, houseplant pests often decide to throw a dinner party. The highlight of the menu is—you guessed it—your houseplants.

So if you’re suddenly seeing mealybugs on your pothos and scale on your ficus, know that you’re not the only dismayed indoor gardener. There’s something about the combination of slow winter growth and soil that tends to dry out very slowly after watering that invites in the pests. Whatever the reason, it’s best to put an end to their party before things really get out of control. Here are the five usual suspects and how to control them with organic methods. You’ll notice I say control, rather than eradicate. Your best bet with houseplant pests is to accept that they come with the indoor gardening territory. It’s possible, though, to get them to tolerable levels where you rarely spot them in your indoor garden. When you do, you’ll know what to do. Fungus Gnats These annoying creatures look like fruit flies and hover in front of your face. It’s actually the larvae of these common houseplant pests that do the plant damage. They thrive in moist soil and feed on decaying plant material and houseplant roots. When a plant is badly infested, this feeding causes wilting and even root rot. Controlling fungus gnats requires that you stop the cycle of adults laying eggs in soil. Your first order of business is to trap the adults with yellow sticky traps. The gnats are attracted to yellow and will fly to the traps and get stuck. The second step is to make the soil inhospitable to fungus root gnat larvae. The larvae require moist conditions to thrive. If you can let the first 1 to 2 inches of the houseplant soil dry out without harming the plant, many of the larvae will die. Increasing air movement around the plant also helps discourage them from multiplying. Repotting the houseplant in fresh soil can also help. Mealybugs These pests look like they’re covered in white cotton. They suck sap from plant leaves. As they do this, they excrete a sticky substance that attracts sooty black mold and even ants. Mealybugs are hard to eradicate, because they lay their eggs underneath themselves, which protects them. Mealybugs thrive in tight spots on plants, including crevices where leaves attach to the stems and within leaves that have yet to unfurl. In more extensive infestations, you’ll see them up and down stems and on both sides of plant leaves. The pests cause leaf loss and overall weakening of the plant.

The best way to control mealybugs is to spray the plant with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol or horticultural oil. The alcohol spray dries them out and the oil suffocates them. After spraying, rinse the pests off with water. Follow this by spraying and rinsing again, which will get rid of eggs. Repeat every two to three days for two weeks, and then as needed. Scale These brown, oval pests look like small bumps. Scale insects attach to stems and the underside of leaves, especially along the midrib of foliage. They suck plant sap, and as they do so, they secrete a sticky substance that attracts sooty black mold. Leaves turn yellow and eventually drop off. The sucking on the stems weakens the plant overall. To get scale under control, remove them manually by running your hand along the plant and washing them away with water. Follow this by spraying the plant with horticultural oil, alcohol spray or insecticidal soap. Repeat every 5-7 days for a month and then as needed. Spider Mites These tiny mites, which can only be seen with a hand lens, are technically spiders. Spider mites usually congregate on the underside of leaves where they create fine spider webbing. They also suck plant juices, which produces yellow, spotted feeding marks on the leaves, which then drop. Spider mites are especially a problem when indoor conditions are hot and dry. The best treatment method for spider mites is to douse them with water and to keep the plant area humid. They can also be controlled with insecticidal soap sprays and horticultural oil. The oil is the only method that will kill spider mite eggs. Eliminating the eggs can stop the cycle. Thrips Though they’re tiny, thrips can do a great deal of damage. These are small, long-bodied pests with fringed wings that run about on plant leaves while also feeding. Signs include serpentine markings on plant leaves that are often silver in color. Thrips also leave behind fecal matter, known as frass, which looks like tiny black droppings. Treat thrips by increasing humidity, as they thrive in dry conditions. Also try rinsing the plant with water and using blue sticky traps. (Research has shown that thrips are attracted to blue.) Other treatments include alcohol spray, insecticidal soap and Neem oil spray. Julie Bawden-Davis is a garden writer and master gardener, who since 1985 has written for publications such as Organic Gardening, The American Gardener, Wildflower, Better Homes and Gardens and The Los Angeles Times. She is the author of 10 books, including Reader’s Digest Flower Gardening, Fairy Gardening, The Strawberry Story Series, and Indoor Gardening the Organic Way, and is the founder of HealthyHouseplants.com. Her backyard is a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.

Date: FEBRUARY 28, 2018

© Julie Bawden Davis

HOW TAX REFORM MAY AFFECT YOUR BUSINESS

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is introducing some major tax changes. Learn how your business could be affected by tax reform and the new legislation.

FEBRUARY 26, 2018

For the first time in more than three decades, Congress passed a major tax reform featuring sweeping changes. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act aims to spur economic growth across the United States by adjusting tax structures for small businesses and corporations. Some of those changes may directly affect your business. As with any tax reform, there are pros and cons, but the overall consensus from business owners I spoke to was a feeling that the tax reform could be a positive for many businesses. “I was skeptical about the tax reform initially, but I’ve found that it’s a boon for my business,” says Paul Bromen, owner of mattress review site Upon A Mattress. “The tax savings and opportunity to keep more of the site’s earnings has enabled me to hire a full-time writer for the website.”

Improved Tax Situation for Many Businesses

The consensus coming out of the Small Business Administration is that the Tax Reform will benefit businesses. In an official statement, SBA Administrator Linda McMahon, commented, “I am confident that small business owners across the country will see increased opportunities for the development and expansion of their businesses in the upcoming years as a result of this important legislation.” How much of a tax break your company will get depends on whether you are incorporated. Those businesses that are incorporated will have a bigger reduction in taxes.

Incorporated business tax reduction

For incorporated businesses (C-corporations), the most direct impact of the tax reform is a lowering of corporate taxes. “Tax rates for C-corporations will be changed to a flat rate of 21 percent, compared to the current progressive tax system that has a maximum rate of 35 percent,” says Michael Chen, CPA, CEO and founder of Henry.tax. (The new tax rates are explored in a December 2017 post on the Journal of Accountancy.)

We expect the elimination of expenses will have some impact to smaller businesses. Such companies will change behavior to adapt to those rules.—Michael Chen, CPA, CEO and founder, Henry.tax

Carisa Miklusak, CEO of the recruiting and job placement company tilr, is already seeing a positive response to the new tax reduction. “The tax ‘savings’ can be used for reinvestment back into the business or passed onto employees in the form of a percentage raise,” she says. “The latter practice has become popular at the beginning of this year with many companies, including my own. We’re sharing savings in the form of a blanket percentage raise. We feel that this recognition is likely to drive employee engagement, resulting in revenue that far outweighs the investment.” Reid Carr, president and CEO at the marketing company, Red Door Interactive, echoes a similar tactic. “Our company should get a benefit of a lower overall tax rate, which should increase our profitability,” he explains. “That means because we have an incentive plan for our employees based on profitability, they might see a bit more income from that program on a semi-annual basis.”

Pass-through business entity tax deduction

Unlike corporations taxed as separate entities, sole proprietorships, partnerships, S-corporations and LLCs are “pass-through” businesses taxed through business owners’ taxes. Many such pass-through businesses can now receive a 20-percent tax deduction, as indicated in Sec. 199A of the Tax Reform Act. “If you aren’t in the personal service business and have employees, you may be eligible for a deduction up to 20 percent of the taxable income from that business,” says Chen. “For businesses that qualify for the 20 percent deduction, owners of the businesses will see significant tax savings at the personal level.” There are income limits. You must make less than $315,000 per year as a couple filing jointly or $157,500 in individual income. Jason Labrum, founder and president of Labrum Wealth Management, offers an example of how this might work with the tax reform. “A business owner who makes $200,000 per year will be able to deduct 20 percent, or $40,000, which would lower his or her taxable income to $160,000,” he says. “If you assume a net effective tax rate of 20 percent, the $40,000 deduction would equal $8,000 in tax savings.”

Major Changes in Equipment Depreciation

Under the old tax law, many major equipment purchases were required to be depreciated over a number of years. That meant that business owners could only write off a small portion of the expense each year for tax purposes. “With the tax reform, immediate write-offs of 100 percent of business equipment purchases are allowed. This makes the depreciation process unnecessary,” says Alexander Joyce, president and CEO of ReJoyce Financial, a wealth management firm. According to Joyce, the provision located in section 179(b)(1) of the Tax Reform Act, allows for immediately expensing up to $1 million in equipment expenditures. Joyce feels that this could spur more investment in businesses. “The eligible expenditures now include certain payments on rental-related property, such as roofs and heating and ventilation systems,” he says. “With this in mind, businesses that purchase significant assets in a year—especially for rental units—could benefit significantly.”

Reduction or Elimination of Certain Expense Write-Offs

Some expenses that you could write off prior, such as interest expense, state and local taxes and meals/entertainment expenses, have been be reduced or eliminated. “The interest expense deduction is now limited to 30 percent of net income, although this doesn’t apply to small businesses with receipts less than $25 million,” says Chen. “Additionally, entertainment expenses are no longer deductible, and Net Operating Losses (NOL) are now limited to 80 percent of each year’s taxable income. The latter deduction can no longer be carried back prior years.” Given the elimination of some tax benefits, it’s possible that business owners could see mixed results from the tax reform, believes Chen. “We expect the elimination of expenses will have some impact to smaller businesses. Such companies will change behavior to adapt to those rules,” says Chen. “For example, if taking a client to a basketball game is less tax efficient, a great meal at a great venue may be substituted.” If you have questions about how the tax reform legislation is going to affect your business specifically, you might want to consult with a tax professional or financial planner. A financial expert can help you maximize the benefits of the new legislation while reducing its drawbacks. Read more articles on taxes.

Photo: Getty Images

The information contained herein is for generalized informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, tax, legal or other professional advice on any subject matter. THIS IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS ADVICE. Therefore, seek such advice in connection with any specific situation, as necessary. The views and opinions of third parties expressed herein represent the opinion of the author, speaker or participant (as the case may be) and do not necessarily represent the views, opinions and/or judgments of American Express Company or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries or divisions. American Express makes no representation as to, and is not responsible for, the accuracy, timeliness, completeness or reliability of any such opinion, advice or statement made herein.

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Date: FEBRUARY 26, 2018

© Julie Bawden Davis

HOW BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS ARE FINDING CAPITAL FOR THEIR COMPANIES

Funding for black business owners isn’t always straightforward. Discover how cash-strapped entrepreneurs have accessed the money they need to grow.

FEBRUARY 22, 2018

In November 2016, Stephanie Caudle lost her job in public relations. Employment prospects looked bleak, so she decided to start her own business. She soon launched Black Girl Group, a micro job site that taps into the gig economy. Caudle’s company is an online freelance platform that connects African-American women freelancers to companies seeking to market and advertise to African-American communities. To keep her business afloat, Caudle found—like many business owners—the need for working capital. Rather than turn to her local bank, she found success receiving capital through unconventional means. “I won the Black Enterprise and Hiscox’s 2017 Small Business Pitch Competition,” says Caudle. “Such pitch competitions—often geared towards providing startups with seed money—give you the chance to win monetary prizes and get your business in front of people who otherwise wouldn’t know your company exists.”

Making a Way

Unconventional means of accessing capital are especially important for black business owners, believes Caudle. “As black business owners, one of our largest barriers to success is lack of capital,” she says. “Because of this, it’s our primary responsibility to get creative and ensure we receive capital in unconventional ways.”

Alternative funding options for black business owners do exist. Once you start looking, you may be surprised at the opportunities available.

Eric Martin, co-founder of Black & Abroad, a cultural collective dedicated to celebrating and encouraging black travel, agrees. “Black businesses, in general, suffer a much more difficult existence,” says Martin. “From limited access to seed capital, to trouble securing loans, to difficulty getting exposure, many of our businesses thrive in the gray area between operating costs and survival. In order for any business to thrive, there has to be adequate access to capital.” Sufficient capital allows business owners to scale up, notes Steven Burton, CEO and founder of Perfect Tux, a formal wear e-commerce company. “Having access to capital also keeps your business afloat during down seasons when cash flow is an issue,” Burton says.

Funding Options for Black Business Owners

Alternative funding options for black business owners do exist. Once you start looking, you may be surprised at the opportunities available. Here are some possible sources of operating capital.

1. Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center

At the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center, minority business owners can talk to business experts. You can speak to these experts about growing your business, including ideas and sources of securing capital.

2. 8(a) Business Development Program

The Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8(a) Business Development program was created to serve minority-owned businesses. If you’re accepted into the program, you can qualify for funding, as well as receive business guidance and opportunities to contract and subcontract with other entrepreneurs.

3. Business Grants

A wide variety of organizations offer grants to African-American business owners, while others are open to all business owners. Here are three.

National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) Growth Grants. These grants are worth $4,000 each. They can be used for financing specific business needs, such as creating a website, hiring employees and for equipment.
The FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
is open to small businesses from across the country. Cash prizes include one $25,000 grant, one $15,000 grant and eight $7,500 grants.
Also known as America’s Seed Fund, the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide significant sources of capital for technology commercialization. These programs enable U.S.-owned companies to complete research and development with potential for commercialization. In 2017, the programs granted more than $980 million dollars to companies creating innovative technologies in the health and life science fields.

Prepare for Traditional Capital Opportunities

While obtaining capital through traditional funding sources is more difficult for black business owners, Burton of Perfect Tux believes that it can still happen. For that reason, his advice is to be prepared. “I believe obtaining capital from traditional resources starts with education,” says Burton. “I suggest familiarizing yourself with the process and requirements of obtaining capital, i.e. being in business at least two years and having a solid business plan.” Burton also suggests finding a local bank that deals with businesses and start building a relationship with the bank. “I meet with the VP of small business loans annually in preparation for the day I need capital,” he says. Read more articles on alternative financing.

Photo: Getty Images

Date: FEBRUARY 22, 2018

© Julie Bawden Davis

Decorate Your Indoor Garden with Air Plants

Plaza-Air-Plants

(Julie Bawden-Davis)

Looking for an unusual houseplant that is sure to be a conversation starter? Try growing and displaying tillandsias indoors.

Commonly known as air plants, tillandsias are unusual, eye-catching plants that use their root systems to attach themselves to trees and other vertical elements. Air plants comprise the largest genus in the bromeliad (pineapple) family. There are about 550 tillandsias, which are native to a wide variety of climates, from the jungles to arid desert environments. Tillandsias are epiphytes. That means they take in moisture and nutrients through their leaves, rather than their roots. Because of this, you can mount them on just about anything. This includes attaching them to wood or hanging them from large floor plants. Or you can simply stick them in an empty vase. Whatever you do, the tillandsia’s striking, spiky, architectural leaves make quite a statement in the home. You’ll find a wide variety of tillandsias to choose from once you start looking. There are plants that grow in a ball-form, while others tend to spread out. Some are green, while others feature gray tones. Many tillandsias flower at some point during the year. The unusual flowers, which come in a wide range of colors, including pink, purple and fuschia, are always a delight to see. Tillandsias are easy-to-grow plants that adapt to most indoor growing environments. To have luck growing tillandsias in your indoor garden, keep the following tips in mind.

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(Julie Bawden-Davis)

Provide adequate lighting Air plants do best grown in bright, indirect light. Place them in an eastern window or within 2 to 3 feet of a western window. They also do well when grown under artificial lighting. Avoid growing them in dimly lit conditions. Grow in warm temperatures

Since air plants tend to come from warm climates, they don’t do well when temperatures in your home dip below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid putting them in drafty areas, such as near open windows or doorways where cold air enters. Water regularly Air plants require regular watering. Those with shiny, flatter, green leaves tend to require watering more frequently than those varieties that feature curved, stiff, grayish-green foliage. Water once to twice a week with warm tap water or rainwater. Avoid using softened water, as that is high in salts and will damage tillandsias. To water, either mist with a spray bottle or dunk the plant in water. If you have forgotten to water an air plant and it’s particularly dry, let it soak in water for an hour. After soaking tillandsias, shake off excess water. Fertilize periodically Feed air plants monthly by spraying or dunking them in a solution that contains orchid or tillandsia fertilizer. Don’t fertilize a dry plant. Soak tillandsias before feeding. Julie Bawden-Davis is a garden writer and master gardener, who since 1985 has written for publications such as Organic Gardening, The American Gardener, Wildflower, Better Homes and Gardens and The Los Angeles Times. She is the author of 10 books, including Reader’s Digest Flower Gardening, Fairy Gardening, The Strawberry Story Series, and Indoor Gardening the Organic Way, and is the founder of HealthyHouseplants.com. Her backyard is a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.

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Date: FEBRUARY 16, 2018

© Julie Bawden Davis

Chinese Evergreen a Reliable, Decorative Houseplant

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(Costa Farms)

If you’re looking for an eye-catching houseplant that does well in a wide range of lighting conditions, try growing Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema). This easy-to-grow plant tolerates just about every indoor condition, says Costa Farm’sgarden expert Justin Hancock. “Chinese evergreen is one of the toughest indoor plants you’ll find, yet it’s also one of the most beautiful.”

You’ll find a wide variety of leaf patterns and colors in Chinese evergreen—from rich green, to green and white, to silver patterns and even red. “When Aglaonemagets enough light, it also blooms with cute, calla-lily-like flowers,” says Hancock.

Costa Farms

(Costa Farms)

Young, small Chinese evergreen make great desk and tabletop plants, as well as adding a nice touch to terrariums. As the plant grows, it lends an attractive accent to hard-to-decorate areas of the home, such as room corners. The colorful leaves give you a variety of decorating possibilities in terms of matching the plants to upholstery and the containers in which you plant them. In addition to being a pretty addition to your décor, Chinese evergreen is one of the top houseplant indoor air-cleaners. To successfully grow Chinese evergreen in your indoor garden, keep the following growing tips in mind. Provide proper lighting. Chinese evergreen can grow in bright light but does best in low to medium light. Place the plant too close to a southern or western window and the leaves may scorch. It grows well in an eastern or southern window or other areas of the home that have medium to low lighting.

Water when necessary. Chinese evergreen should stay moist, but not soggy. Water only when the top ½- to 1-inch of soil has dried out.

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(Costa Farms)

Fertilize regularly. Every month, feed Chinese evergreen with an organic houseplant fertilizer. In addition, top-dress the plant every six months with a ½-inch layer of worm compost. Doing this enriches the soil, giving the plant vital micronutrients. Add humidity. Chinese evergreen require between 50 to 60 percent humidity. You can raise the humidity level around the plant by misting several times a day and/or adding a humidity tray. Grouping plants together also raises the humidity level for all of them. Watch the temperature. Aglaonema is susceptible to cold and drafty conditions. They prefer to be in rooms that remain around 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Pests. Chinese evergreen is susceptible to mealybugs. If you find these white, cottony bugs on your plants, spray them with isopropyl alcohol and rinse off once the alcohol dries. Julie Bawden-Davis is a garden writer and master gardener, who since 1985 has written for publications such as Organic Gardening, The American Gardener, Wildflower, Better Homes and Gardens and The Los Angeles Times. She is the author of seven books, including Reader’s Digest Flower Gardening, Fairy Gardening, The Strawberry Story Series, and Indoor Gardening the Organic Way, and is the founder of HealthyHouseplants.com.

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Date: FEBRUARY 12, 2017

© Julie Bawden Davis

11 BUSINESS LEADERS SHARE HOW THEY STRIKE WORK-LIFE BALANCE

A recent study showed that people have difficulty achieving work-life balance. These entrepreneurs explain what works for them despite challenges.

FEBRUARY 09, 2018

Does this sound familiar to you? You finally manage to take a weekend off from work and become totally relaxed and reenergized. Realizing the value of striking a healthy work-life balance, you vow to work less and take care of your physical and mental health. But then you find yourself back in the office running faster than ever. If this sounds like your life, you’re definitely not alone. According to a February 2018 FlexJobs survey of more than 1,200 people that analyzed how work impacts overall satisfaction, only 30 percent of respondents report being satisfied with their work-life balance. Eighty-six percent responded that work conflicts with their ability to take care of their health. I talked to 11 business owners who have determined how to strike a healthy balance between work and the rest of their lives. They don’t always achieve a perfect balance, but they do find that the following tactics help them to live more balanced, healthy and satisfying lives.

Reduced Work Week

“Several years ago, we implemented four-day work weeks so everyone could take time to regroup, de-stress, enjoy more time with friends and family and care for themselves. Having employees who feel taken care of and appreciated makes me feel more balanced as a business owner. I also take a few weeks every summer to recharge my batteries, which helps to ensure a work-life balance.” —Rhonda Allison, founder and CEO of Rhonda Allison Cosmeceuticals

Daily Time Off From Technology

“My husband and I charge our phones across the room, away from our nightstands. We start this at least an hour before bedtime and don’t check the phones again until an hour after we wake up in the morning. Being able to shut off in this way has actually increased our productivity at work while also helping us connect with each other at night. In the morning, I prioritize having breakfast with the kids, or squeezing in a workout or enjoying a relaxing shower before picking up my cellphone and tackling the hustle and bustle of the day.” —Erin Halper, CEO, The Upside

Work-Life Balance With Meditation and Exercise

“The choices we make each day to maintain work-life balance have a lasting impact on how satisfied we are with our lives and health. It took me years to understand that it’s okay to give yourself ‘time off’ when you feel maxed out. Now I meditate each morning, try to work out at least two times a week and give myself brief breaks throughout the workday. Most importantly, I enjoy a nonnegotiable family and personal day each weekend.” —Swarna Kuruganti, founder, The Clear Scoop

“You must take care of yourself to take care of others. Exercise, vacation, adequate sleep and eating well are all vital to preventing burnout. I also practice yoga and meditation. And I’ve been studying Judaism, which has a practice of 25 hours of disconnectivity, from Friday night to Saturday. I’ve been trying to turn off my cellphone to be present with friends and family. This practice is so liberating and helps greatly with work-life balance. It feels like an actual break from the ‘race.'” —Nicole Liebman, commercial real estate agent, HUDSON RE

Quality Family Time

“Before starting my own business, I was in a high-pressure job that left me mentally rundown, physically sick and emotionally agitated. Now I wake up every day excited to grow my business and find as a result that I’m incredibly efficient. I exercise daily. I also cook breakfast for myself and my 11-month-old daughter and spend time with her. This quality time focused on her is a huge part of mentally setting me up for the workday.” —Alice Kittrell, founder and CEO, Outgift

“Although I try very hard to separate work and personal time, I realize that work-life balance is the key. Owning a business means I can never truly turn off the work valve. Over the years, I’ve learned that if I want to be productive in my business life, I have to be happy, healthy and have peace of mind. I make it a priority to spend personal time with the people I love. I’m also interested in having a healthy mind, so I make sure to expose myself to positive thoughts, as well as healthy eating habits.”

—Miko Branch, CEO and co-founder, Miss Jessie’s and author of Miss Jessie’s: Creating a Successful Business From Scratch—Naturally

Travel

“For me, traveling is vital to my health and work-life balance. Some of my best ideas have arisen because of my trips around the world. There is a misconception that taking a vacation means you’re lazy. To me, it means that I value my health. I travel extensively, but I also work while I’m away. You get one life, and I like to live mine to the maximum.” —Janice Schacter Lintz, CEO/founder, Hearing Access & Innovations

Scheduled Me-Time

“Work-life balance is about preventing burnout and realizing that your health is your wealth. That may mean waking up early and working out, meditating or journaling. I’ve found that inserting some ‘me-time’ into the schedule is crucial. It’s also important to be flexible.” —Michelle Turman, CEO, Catalyst Consulting Services and author of Jumping the Queue—Achieving Great Things Before You Are Ready

Time Management

“Entrepreneurs pursue professional passions, which means they sign up for the what I refer to as ‘the thrill of imbalance.’ Imbalance doesn’t mean you can’t retain control, though. When you’re in charge of your time, you can navigate the white water of imbalance and remain productive, happy and healthy. I’m a fervent list-maker. Every evening I look ahead to the next day and write down no more than three tasks that MUST be completed, giving myself the freedom to prioritize and pursue other things on the fly. I do the same at the start of each month, each quarter and each new year.” —Anna Zornosa, founder and CEO, Ruby Ribbon

Being Present

“I’ve found that you can attain work-life balance by focusing your attention wherever you are. If I’m at work, that’s where my attention goes. The same goes for my home life. To counter the hectic days, I make it a point to take my kids to school every single day, no matter what. The time I spend driving them is all about them. You want to be able to go home and do something you enjoy, whether it’s getting in a great workout at the gym, having game night with your kids or catching a movie with your spouse or significant other.” —Gina Argento, CEO and president, Broadway Stages

“Seven years ago, I had an epiphany about my health. I realized that my life is the most important thing in my life. Staying fit makes me a better father, husband, leader and person. Once I decided to seek work-life balance and change my lifestyle, I felt empowered to achieve new goals and experience more purposeful living.” —Adrian Kurre, global head of Homewood Suites and Home2 Suites by Hilton Read more articles on work-life balance.

Photo: Getty Images

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Date: FEBRUARY 09, 2018

© Julie Bawden Davis

Coming Up Roses: New Floral Introductions

The new Roald Dahl roses from David Austin.

The new Roald Dahl roses from David Austin. (David Austin)

It’s February. When you’re a gardener, right about now the daydreaming begins. Of warm spring days spent in the garden amongst aromatic, colorful flowers. In your mind, bees buzz about; butterflies flutter here and there and hummingbirds make their appearance to dine on blooms.

Of course, in most areas of the country, the garden is still asleep. There’s two or three months to wait for spring’s horticultural concert. You can, though, take a trip down the garden path of your imagination by admiring and maybe ordering some up-and-coming roses from top rose breeders. The following easy-on-the-eyes roses can make a nice addition to your spring garden. David Austin For the last 60 years, David Austin has developed a line of award-winning English Roses. The beauties combine the charm and heady fragrances of Old Roses with the wider color range and repeat-flowering habit of modern roses. Austin’s roses are known for their vigor and reliability. They feature a graceful, shrubby growing habit and are ideal for many gardening situations, including mixed borders and large containers. Many varieties respond well to being trained to climb.

David Austin

(David Austin)

The new ‘Roald Dahl’ features a delicious tea rose fragrance. The flower is an eye-catching peach color to honor Dahl, the writer of James and the Giant Peach, says Michael Marriott, the company’s technical director and senior rosarian. In addition to being gorgeous and aromatic, the ‘Roald Dahl’ rose is a strong repeat bloomer and very disease-resistant. Marriott notes that the book was published in 1961, which was the same year that Austin introduced his first English Rose, ‘Constance Spry.’ Also enjoy gazing upon ‘Imogen.’ This rose has soft lemon-yellow flowers featuring frilled petals arranged around a classic button eye. The plant is a free bloomer and grows into a sturdy, upright shrub. ‘Bathsheba’ is a climbing rosebush featuring repeat blooms of large apricot flowers. The blooms have a myrrh fragrance. Jackson & Perkins

Founded in 1872 by Charles Perkins, Jackson & Perkins is one of the oldest U.S. rose breeders. The company began selling roses before the turn of the century, but it wasn’t until 1901 that they had their first rose success. The rose was hybridized by E. Alvin Miller, who started hybridizing in 1896. His variety, a climber named ‘Dorothy Perkins,’ became one of the most widely planted roses in the world. That success prompted the company to focus solely on roses.

Jackson & Perkins

(Jackson & Perkins)

The new Jackson and Perkins ‘Soaring to Glory’ floribunda rose was hybridized in honor of 70 years of service by the United States Air Force. The bush features buttery-yellow flowers that have a spicy scent. It reaches just over 3 feet in height and width. To honor the 150^th anniversary of Jackson and Perkins’ sister company, Park Seed, they are introducing the new floribunda, ‘La Park.’ The plant features apricot-peach and pink blooms on the same plant—no two flowers are the same. It grows up to 4 feet high and becomes covered in colorful blooms. Park Seed was founded back in 1868 in La Park, Pennsylvania by a 15-year-old named George W. Park, who started the company to sell seeds harvested from his backyard. Anthony Tesselaar Plants The Flower Carpet Rose from Anthony Tesselaar Plants is known for its ability to grow in just about any growing condition. These easy-to-grow roses thrive in humidity, high heat and even drought once they’re established. They’re also pest- and disease-resistant.

Tesselaar USA

(Tesselaar USA)

The new generation of Flower Carpet Roses is even more free-blooming. You’ll have roses throughout the entire growing season. You’ll find the new generation of Flower Carpet roses in three eye-catching varieties: ‘Scarlet,’ ‘Pink Supreme’ and ‘Amber.’ Weeks Roses Weeks Roses was founded in 1938 by O.L. and Verona Weeks in Ontario, California, who sold the business in 1985. The company is a top U.S. rose breeder with more than 1,200 acres of production facilities in the San Joaquin Valley.

Weeks Roses

(Weeks Roses)

New from Weeks’ Roses is the ‘Top Gun Shrub Rose.’ This rose is the first and only variety that’s resistant to Rose Rosette disease. The plant has a rounded, bushy habit and features deep red, long-lasting flowers. In addition to being disease-resistant, it’s easy to grow. Julie Bawden-Davis is a garden writer and master gardener, who since 1985 has written for publications such as Organic Gardening, The American Gardener, Wildflower, Better Homes and Gardens and The Los Angeles Times. She is the author of 10 books, including Reader’s Digest Flower Gardening, Fairy Gardening, The Strawberry Story Series, and Indoor Gardening the Organic Way, and is the founder of HealthyHouseplants.com. Her backyard is a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.

Date: FEBRUARY 9, 2018

© Julie Bawden Davis

U.S. POSTAL RATE INCREASE: 10 WAYS TO SAVE ON SHIPPING COSTS

From USPS to UPS, new postal rate hikes have led to higher shipping costs across the board. Learn how you can help keep shipping costs down.

FEBRUARY 02, 2018

If your budget includes shipping costs, the recent US Postal rate increase probably didn’t come as welcome news. The price of a USPS first-class postage stamp increased from 49 cents to 50 cents. Overall, rates increased by nearly 4 percent. FedEx and UPS also raised rates recently. “This year’s increase in postage rates will have a significant impact on our bottom line,” says Katherine Harvey, co-founder of bone broth purveyor Bare Bones. “Roughly 80 percent of Bare Bones’ business is online, direct-to-consumer,” Harvey continues. “Shipping costs already comprise about 40 percent of our total expenses in a year—a huge line item. Unfortunately, the rate increases are not limited to the USPS—they’re touching every parcel carrier and logistics partner we work with.” For Lisa Chu, owner of Black n Bianco, rising shipping costs have been increasingly challenging over the last several years. “It’s become more difficult to compete with Amazon—especially with the free two-day Prime shipping,” she says of her online children’s formal wear retail business. “Profit margins for e-commerce businesses like mine are becoming slimmer.”

Ideas for Managing Shipping Costs

Given the fact that shipping costs are increasing across carriers, business owners may want to have an overall strategy for managing this expense. Here are 10 ways to keep shipping costs under control.

1. Offer free shipping and absorb the cost into your products.

“The best way to deal with increased postage cost is to offer free shipping and factor the shipping costs directly into the products,” says Chu. “Even if the shipping is not as fast as Amazon, online customers have become accustomed to free shipping. Absorbing the shipping cost isn’t a great business strategy, but if your business is in a competitive industry, you might have to do this in order to generate positive cash flow.”

2. Set a minimum order for free shipping.

Increasing the minimum amount of product required to qualify for free shipping can increase profitability, according to Harvey.

If it’s geographically feasible, it may cost less to have products delivered via a courier service.

“Doing this allows us to protect our margin by spreading the shipping costs across a greater number of products,” she says. “Shipping three items to one customer is generally less expensive than shipping one item to three different customers,” adds Chu.

3. Check on box sizing.

Harvey notes that her company is revisiting their box sizes to ensure that they’re able to meet the needs of most customers with one parcel, as opposed to multiple parcels in a shipment. According to Harvey, this can save substantially on shipping costs.

4. Use USPS Flat Rate boxes and envelopes.

With the USPS flat rate boxes, you can ship whatever you can get into each box and envelope size. You pay the same fee no matter what, providing the items fit in the packaging. This can give you control over shipping costs.

5. Ship books by Media Mail.

If you sell books, Media Mail is your least expensive option. (Media Mail is a service specifically meant for sending “educational materials.”) You’ll pay a fraction of the cost that you would otherwise. Just make sure to package the books well to avoid damage. Generally, the longer the shipping distance—such as across the country—the longer the time to destination.

6. Reuse packaging.

Saving on the cost of shipping supplies can save you a significant amount of money. Consider reusing packaging materials, including bubble wrap and packages. You can inform your customers that your company practices sustainability by recycling packaging. When preparing packages, also make sure to do so as efficiently as possible.

7. Use multiple carriers.

You may find that using more than one carrier gives you options that can save you money. For example, you may find that lightweight, small items are often best mailed through USPS First Class Mail, which is often the cheapest option. For heavier, larger items, you may find that other carriers are a better choice.

8. Outsource your shipping.

In addition to the cost of shipping, the manpower and time to ship items can eat into your profits. If you use a shipping company that ties into your shopping cart, you can cut down on overall costs. Though outsourcing by dropshipping may appear costly because of the fees, you may end up saving money in the long run. Because of the volume of packages they ship, fulfillment centers are generally able to negotiate lower shipping costs. (Outsourcing your shipping also means you don’t have to store your merchandise, which can help with overhead.)

9. Try zone skipping.

If you ship large products and shipping is expensive, you may want to try zone skipping. This refers to using a consolidation service that takes groupings of packages going to a certain geographic region. One freight shipment of all of the items helps lower the shipping costs considerably. This only works if you have a high enough volume of products going to a certain region.

10. Consider using courier services.

If it’s geographically feasible, it may cost less to have products delivered via a courier service. Marc Gorlin is CEO and founder of Roadie, an app that arranges for drivers heading in a certain direction to pick up products and deliver them. “The result is a cheaper, easier, green-delivery service,” says Gorlin. Read more articles on saving money.

Photo: Getty Images

Date: FEBRUARY 02, 2018

© Julie Bawden Davis

Watering Your Houseplants with Snow or Rain

rain-1526868-1279x834

(Freeimages.com/Pawel Kornacki)

This winter when it’s snowing or raining outside, collect some liquid from the sky for your houseplants. Rain and snow water is an elixir for indoor plants.

Rain and snow contain a dilute form of nitric acid, which is a natural form of fertilizer. It can make your houseplants greener and healthier. Snow and rain are also on the acidic side, which many indoor plants prefer. If thunder and lightning occur, the rain is even more potent. Here are some tips for gathering rain and snow water and using it to benefit your houseplants. Water houseplants with snow Scoop snow into a bucket and pack it tightly. Bring it indoors and set it in a bathtub or sink to melt. Wait until the water reaches room temperature of 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit before using it to water. (Studies have shown that cold water on houseplants leads to root damage and leaf spotting.) Catching rainwater

Use any vessel available to catch rainwater when it’s coming down. This can include buckets, watering cans with a wide opening, jugs or trashcans. Bring the rainwater indoors and let it reach room temperature before using it for watering.

Freeimages.com/Bas van den Wijngaard

(Freeimages.com/Bas van den Wijngaard)

You can water orchids with snow. Form the snow into little snowballs and place it on top of the orchid bark away from foliage. The snow will slowly melt and moisten the orchid bark. Be careful not to overwater orchids or any of your houseplants. Filter snow and rainwater If there is any visible debris in the snow or rainwater, it’s a good idea to filter it before using. This can help prevent soil borne pests and diseases. Use a fine-meshed strainer to filter the water. Avoid overwatering houseplants With the cold, wet weather outside, it’s important not to overwater your houseplants. Indoor plants grow more slowly at this time of year and therefore use less water. Always check a houseplant to make sure it requires wateringbefore doing so. Use a moisture meter or your finger, or pick the plant up to see if it’s dry. Julie Bawden-Davis is a garden writer and master gardener, who since 1985 has written for publications such as Organic Gardening, The American Gardener, Wildflower, Better Homes and Gardens and The Los Angeles Times. She is the author of 10 books, including Reader’s Digest Flower Gardening, Fairy Gardening, The Strawberry Story Series, and Indoor Gardening the Organic Way, and is the founder of HealthyHouseplants.com. Her backyard is a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.

Date: JANUARY 30, 2018

© Julie Bawden Davis

WHY HIRING OLDER WORKERS CAN BE GOOD FOR BUSINESS

Hiring older workers can help you leverage their invaluable talents and tap into their unique perspectives, according to these business owners.

JANUARY 29, 2018

When Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Taobao posted a job vacancy for a senior employee this month, 1,000 applications flooded in within 24 hours Business Insider reported. Global business consultant Keith Martino has seen something similar occur in the U.S. “Recently, one of my clients posted on his LinkedIn page an announcement regarding a part-time CFO position for a seasoned professional,” says Martino. “Within minutes, he received an avalanche of strong resumes. Twenty-four hours later he had 300, and they were still flooding in.” Keynote speaker and entrepreneur Olga Mizrahi isn’t surprised. “The baby boomer population is currently around 75 million; only slightly surpassed by millennials,” says Mizrahi. “People are staying in the workforce longer. Some remain for economic reasons, but many enjoy the intellectual and social benefits.” According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2014, about 40 percent of people ages 55 and older were working or seeking employment. That number is expected to increase considerably through 2024, especially for people ages 65 and older.

Just as you wouldn’t discriminate regarding gender or race, be open-minded regarding age. Look at your ‘overqualified’ applicants when hiring and keep a talent-first mindset.—Olga Mizrahi, entrepreneur

The way transitional life strategist and reinvention expert Randi Levin sees it, baby boomers are changing the face of employment. “With age comes wisdom, and with longevity seniors have the ability to craft second and third careers that showcase and highlight their unique talents and wisdom,” Levin says.

The Advantages of Hiring Older Workers

Given their years of experience and resulting breadth of knowledge, older employees can bring many benefits to a business. “For an employer, hiring older workers is a significant win,” says Levin. “Generally reliable, seasoned and accomplished, older employees will usually have an intuitive, broad point of view of a business as a whole. They bring skill sets that younger workers may not have mastered yet. They’re the perfect candidates to train and mentor others.” Experience counts, agrees Andrew Simon, a partner at the management consultant firm SAMC. “Baby boomers come to the table with a rich set of experiences,” Simon says. “This includes 30 to 40 years of interpersonal skills that make them adept at dealing with unique situations and different types of people.” Martino has spoken with many older executives actively seeking employment and agrees. “The depths of the older workers’ experience are the stuff of which the American dream is built,” he says. “The quality of the available talent is staggering. There are former executives who have turned companies around and taken privately owned businesses public.” “Older workers bring more experience and perspective to the workplace,” says Lynn Perkins, CEO and co-founder of the online service and mobile app UrbanSitter. “They may also be more reliable, with less chaotic schedules than their younger counterparts.” An older worker may also wish to stay in a role longer, adds Mizrahi. “The hiring process costs companies time, money and resources,” she says, “and there’s always risk in bringing on a new employee. Older workers may not be looking to climb the corporate ladder. Many just want stable, sustainable and reliable work.”

Older Workers and Part-Time Employment

Employers find when hiring older workers that they may wish to work part-time. The statistics point to this. According to the BLS, 40 percent of workers 65 years and older are employed on a part-time basis. “Many older workers opt for part-time engagement at work that allows them the flexibility to care for grandchildren, travel, exercise and pursue other interests, while still commanding a paycheck,” says Levin. “This influx of part-time workers fills a void for many businesses that may have previously had a tough time finding and retaining committed, dedicated and educated workers willing to work part-time hours and various shifts.” At UrbanSitter, there are many retired school teachers and nurses looking for flexible childcare hours, notes Perkins. “With a large number of baby boomers wishing to stay in the workforce, even on a reduced schedule, this may help to offset some of the growing labor demand,” Perkins says.

Bringing Older Workers Into the Fold

If you want to optimize your company’s growth, Martino suggests taking advantage of the wisdom of older workers. “The faster we can reintroduce this talent, experience and work ethic back into our workforce, the sooner we’ll inherit the accruing dividends of those who still have much to offer,” he says. Martino suggests seeking out the brightest and most experienced retired executives you can find. Then you can explain the values of your organization and what you hope to accomplish as a company. “Invite the retired executives to speak to your senior team and consider compensating them for serving on an advisory board for your company,” says Martino. “Ask them to meet with your high-potential employees, one on one. When appropriate, hire them for high-impact projects.” Avoid making assumptions when it comes to hiring older workers, adds Mizrahi. “Just as you wouldn’t discriminate regarding gender or race, be open-minded regarding age,” she says. “Look at your ‘overqualified’ applicants when hiring and keep a talent-first mindset. Champion the right skill set over the patience required when someone needs to learn workplace systems.” When it comes to the generational differences that can occur when hiring older workers into a younger workforce, Perkins suggests focusing on commonalities. “Baby boomers and Millennials often share values of social responsibility and workplace democracy,” she says. “They may differ in their comfort with technology and management styles. Give older workers time to learn new technologies and set up clear lines of communication and expectation. That will give the generations a framework in which to work well together.” “As older and younger generations commingle in the workplace, the rules are being reinvented,” says Levin. “Each age group may seek something different, but they’re also making unique contributions. Such a mix of minds ignites and grows company cultures. We’re only just beginning to see how this age diversity strengthens and enriches the business environment as a whole.” Read more articles on hiring & HR.

Photo: Getty Images

Date: JANUARY 29, 2018

© Julie Bawden Davis

The Pallet Book: DIY Garden Projects

Square foot pallet garden

(Chris Marshall)

If you do your part when it comes to recycling, you might be inspired by this statistic. According to the U.S. Forest Service, there are two billion pallets in use at any given time in the U.S., and more than 100 million are thrown out each year.

The next time you come across a pallet, think about using it for a cool garden project. But first get yourself a copy of The Pallet Book: DIY Projects for the Home, Garden, and Homestead. Written by home improvement and design author, Chris Peterson, this comprehensive 144-page book gives you step-by-step instructions for a wide variety of ingenious home and garden projects using pallets. The Pallet Book begins by introducing you to the world of pallets, including the types and sizes. Peterson also touches on where to find pallets. From there you’ll learn how to modify and finish them for specific purposes.

Chris Marshall

(Chris Marshall)

Pallet planters In addition to providing a ready growing ground, planters enhance your garden. Indoors, planters are a great place to grow indoor trees. The book gives instructions for making your own planter that takes a minimal amount of cutting and fabrication. Raised beds

Raised bed gardening is a great way to grow veggies and flowers. Doing so cuts down on weeding. If you make the bed tall enough, it also saves your back from having to lean over. Using pallets, it’s possible to make an attractive and functional raised bed. Peterson even shows you how to construct a square foot raised bed, which creates a well-organized garden. He also provides instructions for making an elevated raised bed that can be accessed via wheelchair. So that you have nutrient-rich compost to add to your raised bed, you can also make a compost bin out of pallets. It’s even possible to build yourself a cold frame.

Chris Marshall

(Chris Marshall)

Accessories and furniture Pallets make fun signs and decorations. They’re also a great material for making furniture. Peterson shares instructions for creating a wide variety of garden furniture pieces. These include a chaise lounge, patio loveseat, hammock and porch swing. Once you’ve finished decorating your outdoors with pallets, you can move indoors. Peterson’s book offers instructions for using pallets to make items like a bookshelf, toy bin, spice rack, table, kitchen island and much more. Julie Bawden-Davis is a garden writer and master gardener, who since 1985 has written for publications such as Organic Gardening, The American Gardener, Wildflower, Better Homes and Gardens and The Los Angeles Times. She is the author of 10 books, including Reader’s Digest Flower Gardening, Fairy Gardening, The Strawberry Story Series, and Indoor Gardening the Organic Way, and is the founder of HealthyHouseplants.com. Her backyard is a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation

Date: JANUARY 24, 2018

© Julie Bawden Davis

WILL THE FACEBOOK ALGORITHM CHANGE AFFECT YOUR BUSINESS?

The latest Facebook algorithm change will focus on social interaction over business content. Experts share how you can retain your social media presence.

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JANUARY 19, 2018 will significantly change its algorithm over the next several months. The move aims to increase interaction between friends and family, which was the original focus of the social media site. At the same time, the Facebook algorithm change will decrease posts from businesses and brands in news feeds. If you’ve put a lot of time and resources into building your Facebook brand page, this news probably isn’t welcome. “Businesses stand to lose the ability to get in front of people for free on Facebook,” says John Lincoln, CEO at digital marketing agency Ignite Visibility. “Some companies have invested hundreds, thousands or even millions to build these communities. Overall, [paying for] advertising is likely to increase to compensate.” The Facebook algorithm change is a big move for Facebook, notes Warren Cohn, CEO and founder of HeraldPR, a public relations and digital marketing company. “Years ago, Facebook moved away from the friends and family model and more towards an ad revenue focus,” Cohn explains. “This latest move flips that strategy on its head.”

Is There an Upside to the Facebook Algorithm Change?

The Facebook algorithm change doesn’t mean that business pages will be entirely excluded from the newsfeed, according to Jason Hsiao, co-founder of Animoto, a cloud-based video creation service that produces video from photos, video clips and music. “Ultimately, this shift is about shedding the less-than-useful and less-than-relevant content that’s been creeping into the news feed,” he says. “Facebook is focusing on how people spend time on the platform to connect with the people who matter to them. So as long as businesses create relevant content that their communities care about, they’ll win.”

Focus on what message and content your community needs to know and/or cares about. Then use all of your available channels to deliver that message and content.—Jason Hsiao, co-founder, Animoto

“The latest algorithm change is designed to benefit users, not marketers,” she says. “But, let’s be clear. If there are no users, because they’re unhappy with Facebook, marketers have no one to market to anyways.” According to Herman, the Facebook algorithm change aims to improve interactions between users. “This means more conversations and dialogue, rather than passive views and casual reactions,” she says. “Going forward, comments will be the gold standard that public pages will strive for. If businesses create quality content that is relevant and valuable to audiences, then this update will actually benefit them.”

Navigating the Facebook Algorithm Change

While the Facebook algorithm change is inevitable, there are tactics that may help ease the transition for you. These steps can help your business continue to benefit from your Facebook presence.

1. Leverage Facebook ads.

“On a positive note, the ad targeting abilities on Facebook are better than ever before,” says Lincoln. “To compete, businesses can consider reducing the amount they spend on community building ads and increasing the amount they spend on promoting content. “At the same time,” he continues, “it’s advisable to look into the many Facebook ad capabilities in addition to promoting content, including lead generation ads and website visit ads.”

2. Incorporate video.

Zuckerberg noted in his announcement that live videos have garnered a great deal of attention recently, and that video overall will continue to grow. “For brands that haven’t done this yet, this is the signal to get on board the live video train,” says Miguel Lantigua, social media strategist at EMSI Public Relations. “Live video is a great way to engage with an audience. Facebook sees it as a more personal way to interact and will therefore continue to let businesses benefit from it.” In order for businesses to have success with video on Facebook, Hsiao suggests focusing on content your community genuinely cares about and can benefit from. “Smaller businesses have a unique advantage over big brands with this, because they often have a more niche audience or offering,” he says. “Businesses that focus on content their audiences want to receive and are willing to share will be winners in the long run.”

3. Combine marketing strategies.

Hsiao advises adjusting your mindset regarding various marketing strategies. “Avoid focusing separately on your social media strategy, your email strategy, your website strategy, your blog strategy and your video marketing strategy,” he says. “It should be one combined strategy. Focus on what message and content your community needs to know and/or cares about. Then use all of your available channels to deliver that message and content.”

4. Focus on quality.

In his Facebook algorithm change announcement, Zuckerberg stressed quality over quantity. “Businesses need to post less content on Facebook,” says Herman. “Gone are the days of posting for the sake of posting. If your posts are not high quality and valuable, don’t share them. Pages should also reflect positivity. Uplifting topics and helpful content will increase reach and engagement.”

5. Prioritize driving traffic to owned properties.

Any social network can announce changes at any time, believes Aly Jamison, owner of Jamison PR. “That’s why websites and email lists are so important,” she says. “It’s a good idea for companies to have a platform that they can control.” The golden rule of digital marketing is to avoid building a platform on rented online space. “Your best bet is a website as your main designation online,” says Lincoln. “Invest in social media, but know that at any point you could lose that reach and traffic channel.” Read more articles on Facebook.

Photo: Getty Images

Project Link

Date: JANUARY 19, 2018

© Julie Bawden Davis

8 BUSINESS APPS TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS

Fifteen business owners weigh in on the business apps they rely on most to keep their businesses running and their goals in sight.

<img decoding="async" src="https://icm.aexp-static.com/content/dam/contenthub/us/en/images/us/small-business/openforum/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/smartphone-davis.jpg?imwidth=968" />

JANUARY 17, 2018

Ready to tackle your New Year’s resolutions? Fortunately, we live in a day and age when apps abound. “With the right apps in your business’s corner, you can save time and work on your business, rather than in your business,” says Gene Caballero, co-founder of lawn care company GreenPal. “Streamlining the small tasks can help you focus on higher leverage activities.” I quizzed a number of business owners regarding their favorite business apps. The following applications stood out among those I spoke to as the most helpful in terms of increasing and maintaining productivity.

1. Asana

Asana, a web and mobile project management app, helps teams track projects.

What business owners have to say about Asana:

“My team stays on task with Asana. We’re able to schedule due dates. This business app gives me the ability to see the company’s overall progress and make adjustments where necessary.” —Geoff Hoesch, CEO, Dragonfly Digital Marketing “Asana is a great business app for managing projects that involve several team members with varying deadlines. Instead of scanning countless email threads, all communication is neatly organized pertaining to the specific project. This promotes accountability, transparency and autonomy, which are all essential to working with remote employees.” —Brandon Seymour, founder, Beymour Consulting

2. Expensify

Expensify automates the entire expense reporting process—from receipt scanning to expense reimbursement.

What business owners have to say about Expensify:

“Mileage can be a huge benefit when filing taxes. Expensify allows you to view and manage your company’s mileage expenses. You can run an expense report with the push of a button from your phone, compile reports and email directly from the app.” —Angel Radcliffe, owner, CAS Consultants “Expensify allows users to log and track any kind of expense. You can upload receipt scans, approve expense reports, create expense categories and keep up-to-date on expenses and travel itineraries in real-time. This business app has allowed my management team to stay on top of the expenses of their subordinates and make quick, easy changes to cut fat and trim costs. It helped us achieve our lowest-level expenditures ever in 2017, despite an increase in manufacturing and new hires.” —Nate Ellis, owner, Maple Holistics

3. Google Drive

Google Drive allows you to share files, folders, photos and calendars all in one cloud-based location.

What business owners have to say about Google Drive business apps:

“Google Suite is the perfect all-in-one cloud system to help organize and collaborate on tasks in the office, especially if your office is remote like mine. Nothing is stored locally, so it makes it even easier to pick up and go, working with colleagues across borders and time zones.” —Matt Bentley, founder and CEO, CanIRank

“I use everything Google to run my business. These business apps have helped me keep in contact with my clients, allow client access to files that are too big to be emailed, schedule meetings and even have conference calls and send text messages.” —Christin Price, owner, Christin’s Bookkeeping

4. Intercom

Intercom is a customer engagement tool that allows you to interact with consumers on your website, inside your app, via social media or email.

What one business owner has to say about Intercom:

“With Intercom, we’ve inserted ourselves into our onboarding funnel and can reach and talk to customers and get real-time feedback during critical moments of the sign-up process. With this data and real-time feedback, we can make design or copy changes to improve our click-through rate and overall customer experience. We’ve seen a more than 40-percent uplift in conversion thanks to Intercom.”

—Gene Caballero, co-founder, GreenPal

5. Slack

Slack is a group communication app featuring collaboration tools and services, including file sharing. It integrates with third-party business apps, such as Trello, Dropbox and Google Drive.

What business owners have to say about Slack:

“Slack has really helped us build a strong and connected team and foster a collaborative culture. With Slack we stay connected across the different teams and between our offices in Spain, San Francisco, Utah and the Philippines. It helps us to quickly communicate important updates, share files and improve internal communication and employee engagement.” —Steven Benson, founder and CEO, Badger Maps

“Slack helps keep our team communicating without the cumbersome, time-consuming nature of email threads. We’re able to keep the team apprised of the latest developments, strategies and priorities, even in a fast-paced environment.” —Peter Terani, founder, Terani Couture

“Slack has been a huge time-saver for our team and allows us to keep organized between multiple offices. We have channels set up by business function, like marketing, finance, PR, social media, sales (by office), etc. The contacts associated with those functions are on the chains. This provides a super easy way to direct communication to the appropriate channels.” —Candice Simons, president and CEO, Brooklyn Outdoor

6. Toggl

Toggl is a time-tracking software that provides tracking and reporting services.

What this business owner has to say about Toggl:

“As a small-business owner, I believe that the right use of my time is the key contributor to my success. Toggl has been a great tool to help me make my working hours more efficient. Each week I get an email report from the app that shows my time allocation. I use it to make adjustments in order to focus 80 percent of my time on the 20 percent of tasks that have the biggest impact on my business.” —Paul Koger, head trader and founder, Foxy Trades LLC

7. Trello

Trello is a web-based collaboration tool and productivity platform that organizes projects into boards. You can see on one screen what teams are working on, including the steps. Trello has business apps for Slack, Android, iPhone and Windows 8.

What business owners have to say about Trello:

“Trello provides complete communication on the tasks that individuals need to complete and in what order they need to be completed. This stops staff from focusing on low-priority work. It also allows me to check progress.” —Adam Watson, owner and director of Hollywood Mirrors and Decorelo

“For product managers, Trello is an essential tool. The app can be used as a virtual whiteboard for ideas and tasks. Users can invite others to collaborate, and Trello can be integrated with other products for seamless workflow management.” —Marcus Harjani, co-founder and COO, FameMoose

“Trello is excellent for mapping out linear processes in a highly visual manner. We plan on using it for two of our core goals for 2018: migrating to a new cloud-based CRM and structuring new employee onboarding programs.” —Marina Byezhanova, co-founder and director, Pronexia Inc.

8. Zapier

Zapier is an automation tool that allows you to connect business apps like Slack and MailChimp so that you can automate repetitive tasks and move information between apps for easier workflow.

What this business owner has to say about Zapier:

“Zapier’s connectivity to multiple e-commerce platforms like Shopify and Amazon has made everything from accounting to customer analysis, to creating Facebook audiences, to sending out Mailchimp drip email campaigns a job for one to two people, rather than 10.” —Sebastian Bryers, CTO, Ora

Read more articles on productivity.

Photo: Getty Images

Date: JANUARY 19, 2018

© Julie Bawden Davis

How to Divide Your Houseplants

Dividing-The Houseplant Handbook-resized

(From The Houseplant Handbook by Janet Peace, Hot Tomato Communications)

If you have a houseplant that requires repotting, you might also be able to divide it. Some plants are easy to propagate by dividing their roots. When you do this, you end up with two or more plants from an existing one.

Plants suitable for dividing tend to be ones that grow in clumps or form multiple crowns (growth centers) and have several stems. Here are some houseplants that respond well to dividing.

Freeimages.com/Mary Ellen Rynes

(Freeimages.com/Mary Ellen Rynes)

African violet Cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) Chinese evergreen Ferns Fittonia Never-Never plant (Ctenanthe) Palm Peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) Peacock plant (Goeppertia makoyana) Piggyback plant (Tolmiea menziesii)

Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) Sansevieria Spider plant (Chlorphytum comosum) When to divide a houseplant A houseplant should be well-established and have enough roots and top growth to support being divided. It’s often a good idea to divide a plant when it’s become pot-bound. At this point it will often readily respond. To determine if a plant is a good candidate for division, take it out of its pot and inspect the roots. If they’re dense and the roots are intertwined and there is enough top growth to sustain two or more plants, it can be divided. Steps to dividing a houseplant 1. Take the plant out of the container and shake off the soil. Examine the plant from all sides to see where to cut the roots. All sections should have plenty of roots and healthy growth on top. 2. Next, separate the roots. Sometimes you can do this by gently pulling the roots apart. If the roots are too closely knitted together, use a clean, sharp knife and cut through the roots to separate. Make sure to provide each of the sections with adequate roots and top growth. At this time, also cut out any diseased or dead growth. 3. Transplant divisions immediately. Repot each section in organic, well-draining potting soil. When you are finished repotting, the plant should equal one-third of the plant/pot combination. 4. Keep the plant moist but not soggy as it becomes established. You’ll know that the plant is established when it puts on new growth. Julie Bawden-Davis is a garden writer and master gardener, who since 1985 has written for publications such as Organic Gardening, The American Gardener, Wildflower, Better Homes and Gardens and The Los Angeles Times. She is the author of 10 books, including Reader’s Digest Flower Gardening, Fairy Gardening, The Strawberry Story Series, and Indoor Gardening the Organic Way, and is the founder of HealthyHouseplants.com. Her backyard is a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.

Project Link

Date: JANUARY 12, 2018

© Julie Bawden Davis

PAY PARITY: HOW BUSINESSES CAN MOVE TOWARD EQUAL PAY FOR MEN AND WOMEN

Iceland recently made pay parity the law of the land. Here’s how business owners can help their companies reap the benefits of equal pay for every employee.

JANUARY 10, 2018

Iceland just announced that pay parity between the sexes is the law for public and private companies. The country is the first in the world to impose fines on businesses that don’t ensure that men and women in the same positions are paid equally. Though no laws are in place to guarantee pay parity between the sexes, American women are monitoring the topic closely, according to Georgene Huang. She’s the CEO and co-founder of Fairygodboss, an online community for women who wish to share workplace experiences and opportunities. “On Fairygodboss, we hear from hundreds of thousands of women a month,” says Huang. “The income gap between men and women is a major concern among our community members and something that women are acutely aware of in today’s work environments.” Author and corporate consultant James Nowlin, founder and CEO of Excel Global, notes the increasing attention being given to women’s standing in the workplace. “Gender inequalities were a hot topic in 2017 more than ever before,” he says. “I think the same can be expected in 2018.”

Benefits of Pay Parity for Your Business

Equal pay is a positive for everyone, believes Nowlin. “Pay parity implies equal opportunities between men and women in your company,” he explains. “Knowing there isn’t any gender bias causes female employees to excel while male employees know not to be complacent. Overall, pay parity results in increased motivation and performance.” Equal pay can be important to the health of a business, notes Joel Klein, founder of IMBC, a marketing company. “Implementing pay parity creates a positive work environment that improves the confidence of employees and in turn their productivity,” he says.

Lack of pay parity negatively impacts satisfaction and causes employees to search for employers who will recognize their skills with their wallets.—Christine Barney, CEO, rbb Communications

Paying women equally can also help you attract and retain top talent, adds Huang. “Many women concerned about pay parity note that improvements in compensation would make them more likely to stay at their current employers,” she explains. “To attract and retain top female talent, it’s a good idea to examine your pay practices and pay women fairly and equitably.” Fail to make pay parity a reality and you may find yourself recruiting and training new employees more than you’d like, believes Christine Barney, CEO of rbb Communications. “Satisfied employees are the most important driver of the overall health of any business entity,” she says. “Lack of pay parity negatively impacts satisfaction and causes employees to search for employers who will recognize their skills with their wallets.”

Is Pay Parity the Wave of the Future?

Given the changes in the workplace in recent years, including the focus on improved wages, some business owners feel that we’re moving toward a time when widespread pay parity will become a reality. “I think the transformation coming in the workplace will have a profound impact on labor, wages, benefits and engagement,” says Andrea Simon, CEO of Simon Associates Management Consultants. Her company applies anthropology theories and methods to help businesses grow. “The trend of companies using freelancers is a good example of pay parity change. Women and men contract workers are competing on a balanced, if not level, playing field,” says Simon. “In the near future, women may find they have the power to command pay parity or even premium pay.” Huang also feels that pay parity is just a matter of time. “As the issue of equal pay continues to be discussed and more studies come out showing that equal pay is good for business, I believe we’ll reach parity in the future,” she says. “Women are outpacing men when it comes to higher education. They’re also becoming bolder in their negotiations. As a result, I think it will get more difficult for employers to have pay gaps between men and women.”

Tips for Bringing Pay Parity to Your Company

In order to move your company toward pay parity or to ensure that payment remains on equal footing, keep the following dos and don’ts in mind.

Do:

Be transparent with pay brackets and salary ranges. “At rbb, every employee clearly sees the salary track available to him or her, regardless of gender,” says Barney, who notes that they’ve operated this way since the company started in 2001.
Create career tracks that indicate what is required for every level and the corresponding range of salaries expected with each level.
Implement hiring policies designed to prevent gender bias, such as blind screening, (removing the applicant’s name from the initial screening process), advises Nowlin.
Nurture an inclusive culture. “Encourage executive level buy-in from male and female leaders,” says Oliver Cooke, executive director of Selby Jennings, which provides global recruitment for the financial services industry.
Provide equal on- and off-the-job training opportunities to both genders.

Don’t:

Allow compensation to be bottlenecked by a manager, advises Barney. “Compensation should be reviewed by a larger committee to ensure fair principles are being applied and individual biases or timing issues are reduced,” she says.
Focus on overnight changes. “Think about changes for the long term that look at the total compensation package, not just salary,” advises Barney.
Ask job applicants what they were paid at their last jobs. “In some states and localities this question is against the law. Asking this could cause perpetuation of pay inequality,” says Jay Starkman, CEO of HR service provider Engage PEO. “Even where it’s not prohibited by law, it’s still best to avoid this question.”
Think this is a simple matter of a salary increase for women. “Understand the significance,” suggests Simon. “There is so much meaning in the concept of pay parity. It’s almost as if core values of our society will be challenged. But the benefits for you and your workforce are exponential.”

Read more articles on hiring & HR.

Photo: Getty Images

The information contained herein is for generalized informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, tax, legal or other professional advice on any subject matter. THIS IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS ADVICE. Therefore, seek such advice in connection with any specific situation, as necessary. The views and opinions of third parties expressed herein represent the opinion of the author, speaker or participant (as the case may be) and do not necessarily represent the views, opinions and/or judgments of American Express Company or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries or divisions. American Express makes no representation as to, and is not responsible for, the accuracy, timeliness, completeness or reliability of any such opinion, advice or statement made herein.

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Date: JANUARY 10, 2018

© Julie Bawden Davis

Green Your Community with a GRO1000 Grassroots Grant

boys and girls kern

(Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation)

In an effort to green 1,000 communities, the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation created the GRO1000 Grassroots Grants award program eight years ago. Now in its final year, the grant program is open for applications until February 19.

Grants of up to $1,500 will be awarded to nonprofit organizations dedicated to greening neighborhoods through community gardens and greenspaces. The aim of the program, which culminates this year with Scotts Miracle-Gro’s 150^thanniversary, is to award communities helping to bring pollinator habitats, edible gardens and green spaces to neighborhoods across the nation. The program gives priority to greenspaces that significantly benefit youth.

Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation

(Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation)

By this spring, the GRO1000 program will have funded the creation or enhancement of 1,000 community greenscapes in every state in the U.S. Since its inception, the GRO1000 program has provided funding assistance to 12.7 million square feet of existing greenspace and 14,400 new garden beds. Annually, the GRO1000 gardens donate an estimated 560,000 pounds equaling 2.9 million meals of produce. The gardens have also helped connect more than 205,000 youths across America with meaningful encounters and experiences with nature.

“The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation is dedicated to connecting people with the life-enhancing benefits of gardens, gardening and nature,” says Jim King, president and chairman of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation. “It’s been a great honor to improve hundreds of neighborhoods and thousands of lives through the development of these community gardens and greenspaces.” According to King, the mission of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation is to help create healthier communities, empower the next generation and preserve our planet. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that funds non-profit entities that support its core initiatives in the form of grants, endowments and multi-year capital gifts. In the coming weeks, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation will announce plans for its milestone 1,000th garden dedication and its continued work to support communities through the development of gardens and greenspaces. The 2018 GRO1000 Grassroots Grants application is available online now. The deadline for application submission is Friday, February 19, 2018. Grants will be awarded based on youth engagement, community impact, harvest donation and sustainability, among other criteria. Winners of the $500 to $1,500 grants will be announced on the first day of spring, March 20, 2018. Julie Bawden-Davis is a garden writer and master gardener, who since 1985 has written for publications such as Organic Gardening, The American Gardener, Wildflower, Better Homes and Gardens and The Los Angeles Times. She is the author of 10 books, including Reader’s Digest Flower Gardening, Fairy Gardening, The Strawberry Story Series, and Indoor Gardening the Organic Way, and is the founder of HealthyHouseplants.com. Her backyard is a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.

Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation

(Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation)

Date: JANUARY 5, 2018

© Julie Bawden Davis

SHOULD YOU CONSIDER BECOMING A CASHLESS BUSINESS?

With the trend toward digital payments gaining traction, many see going cashless as the new standard. See if your company fits into this business model.

JANUARY 02, 2018

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In the payment world, a popular adage has fallen by the wayside. Cash is no longer king. The advent of cryptocurrency and a steady increase in credit and debit card usage has led to the increasing popularity of the cashless business. Brick-and mortar businesses that have historically thrived on cash are making the switch to purely digital forms of payment. These include food service companies like salad fast food chain, Sweetgreen; Washington D.C.-based salad and sandwich restaurants, Jetties; and 2nd City restaurant in New York City. Businesses going cashless may just be following the sign of the times. According to the Federal Reserve Payments Study 2016, total noncash payments increased 5.3 percent annually from 2012 to 2015. The number of credit card payments reached 33.8 billion in 2015 with a value of $3.16 trillion, up 6.9 billion or $0.61 trillion since 2012. This was the largest growth rate among the payment types. David Johnson is CEO of Latium, a tasking platform that pays its users in cryptocurrency. “As the global economy has evolved over the last few decades, we’ve seen a massive move from physical to digital business models,” he says. “To say cashless business is the wave of the future is a dramatic understatement. I doubt that cash will be used 20 years from now.” Going cashless does appear to be gaining tremendous ground, agrees Laura Orrico, president of Laura Orrico Public Relations. She receives her payments digitally. “Paying without cash is a much faster way of sending and receiving payments,” Orrico says. “In this fast-paced world, convenience is paramount, and digital payments are convenient.”

Potential Benefits of Having a Cashless Business

Business owners say that there are many positives to running a cashless business. Some of these benefits provide more convenience for your company, while other benefits may positively affect the bottom line.

1. Allows for faster, more efficient customer service.

Cash can slow down customer service, from customers digging around for cash to employees counting out change—sometimes incorrectly. Then the cash must be counted and deposited into the bank. You also need to have cash on hand to make change. This all can add to administrative overhead. A credit or debit card transaction requires no counting and can result in a quick and efficient deposit into a business owner’s merchant account.

2. Reduces the possibility of theft.

Some companies that have switched to cashless have done so because of theft. They’ve found that not having cash on hand lowers the chances of robbery. This can help make the business safer for customers and employees.

3. Offers easier accounting.

When you go cashless, all of your financial records can be at your fingertips. There’s no need to sort, count and record cash and add it to debit and credit sales. Instead, you can quickly access your sales for the day. You can also use accounting software to update your finances based on what’s in your bank account. This can give you real-time data as to how your business is really doing. “With a cashless business you gain full transparency into every detail of how your business operates,” says Johnson. “This access to data and analytics allows you to make more informed business decisions.”

4. Appeals to customers who prefer to pay with credit.

The younger generations, such as Millennials, tend to be more likely to pay with credit. If young and tech-savvy people are your target customers, this may work in your favor. Being a cashless business can set your company apart from competitors.

Potential Drawbacks of Running a Cashless Business

Like any emerging concept, there are potential negatives to running a cashless business. You may alienate customers who prefer to pay with cash. There are costs associated with accepting debit and credit cards, and there is the potential of chargebacks. You could also increase your company’s risk of credit card fraud. Using a service that mitigates credit card fraud and training employees to detect credit card fraud is advised.

7 Steps to Making a Cashless Business Work

To have a successful cashless business experience at your company, keep the following seven tips in mind.

1. Look at how your customers currently pay.

“Let the data tell you if migrating to a cashless business is the best move for your business,” says Johnson. “Don’t just switch because you’ve heard it’s a good idea.” In addition to looking at the portion of your business that is cashless, think about how you could convert some of those cash customers to cashless.

2. Consider the costs of going cashless.

You may want to research several merchant services providers and determine if going cashless will fit into your budget. Estimate how much the additional costs for debit and credit transactions will be. Also consider how much it’ll cost you to do marketing about becoming a cashless business.

3. Poll your customers and employees.

Ask customers what they think about your company going cashless and compare their opinions. Also survey your employees for their viewpoints.

4. Communicate with customers about the switch to cashless.

Explain to your clients the reasoning behind your move to going cashless. Spread the message around via as many channels as you can, such as social media, in-store signage, email blasts, blog posts and word-of-mouth.

5. Make a gradual transition to cashless.

You’re likely to get less pushback if you make the change to cashless gradually. Rather than an abrupt switch overnight that leaves customers shocked, let clients know that in a certain amount of time the business will become totally cashless. “Don’t rush into the process,” says Johnson. “Take your time integrating cashless options into your model. Make sure it’s a good fit and you have the right systems in place.”

6. Be flexible when you make the switch to all digital payments.

“Businesses can make the cashless concept work, as long as they’re flexible,” believes Orrico. “If you’re going to start accepting just credit and debit cards, then don’t insist on a minimum credit order amount.”

7. Plan ahead.

“Cashless business is a growing trend that isn’t going to stop,” says Johnson. “Even if cashless is not a good fit for your business model today, do yourself a favor and get educated about the space. That way you’ll avoid waking up and discovering that your business is failing because no one uses cash anymore.” Read more articles on industry trends.

Photo: Getty Images

The information contained herein is for generalized informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, tax, legal or other professional advice on any subject matter. THIS IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS ADVICE. Therefore, seek such advice in connection with any specific situation, as necessary. The views and opinions of third parties expressed herein represent the opinion of the author, speaker or participant (as the case may be) and do not necessarily represent the views, opinions and/or judgments of American Express Company or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries or divisions. American Express makes no representation as to, and is not responsible for, the accuracy, timeliness, completeness or reliability of any such opinion, advice or statement made herein.

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Date: JANUARY 02, 2018

© Julie Bawden Davis

WHAT’S YOUR NEW YEAR’S BUSINESS RESOLUTION?

How do your goals for growing your company compare to others? Fifteen leaders each share one New Year’s business resolution they’re making in 2018.

DECEMBER 27, 2017

Another new year is just about here. Your wheels are likely spinning and the ideas flowing when it comes toimproving your business. While you’re making your New Year’s business resolution list for 2018, it may help to know what’s at the top of the minds of other business leaders. You’ll see that each New Year’s business resolution that follows is unique, yet universal.

Increase Visibility

“I plan to invest in marketing, advertising and speaking to reach the people who need us the most in 2018. PantyProp grew by 400 percent in 2017 through word-of-mouth referrals only, because of the uniqueness of our product. We plan to scale by finding customers instead of waiting for people who need our product to find us.” —Crystal Etienne, CEO and founder, PantyProp

Encourage Teamwork

“My top 2018 New Year’s business resolution is better employee connectivity. We’ll work on structure for both formal and informal office connectivity. We’ve targeted this area after noticing that while our business may grow and scale, we can do so much more together. Bringing the office together as a team removes the ‘I’ or the ‘me’ and puts the focus on the ‘us.’ Such a focus instills ownership across company lines.” —Peter Strauss, founder and owner, The Strauss Law Firm and Hamilton Captive Management

Leverage Technology

“We plan to leverage technology to accomplish our mission of helping as many veterans as possible transition from military service to lives of purpose and hope. The key to this is improving our client/customer experience with a personalized portal that will provide self-assessment, self-paced training, tracking and referrals as needed.” —Karl Monger, retired U.S. Army Ranger officer; founder and executive director, GallantFew

“In a subscription business, it’s all about making it easy for customers to get the benefits of your software, fast. When we do this, customer success increases, sales increase and everyone wins. We’re going into 2018 with a mission to make it easy for our customers to get started with our software.” —Clate Mask, CEO, Infusionsoft “Our New Year’s business resolution as a company is to move forward with our vision of a digital, cultural and organizational transformation. We’re focused on innovation in our service offerings and expansion of our distribution channels, as well as transformation in customer engagement through use of new technologies. Achieving our digital transformation will strengthen our value proposition with service partners and boost productivity as the company continues to grow.” —Steve Upshaw, CEO, Cross Country Home Services

“Winegard has been in the antenna business for more than six decades. Our longevity in the industry is due to our commitment to innovating and meeting customer needs. That’s why we’ve evolved into a connectivity company, instead of solely a TV antenna company. We’re excited for 2018 as we launch our most innovative and complete product line for connectivity using our unique antenna expertise.” —Grant Whipple, president, Winegard Company

Explore and Experiment

“My New Year’s business resolution is for us to take more risks, specifically in service of our mission to take the pulse of the internet. Taking risks allows The Tylt to creatively explore new ways to serve our community, which we’re confident will have a huge impact on our business. Collaboration and collective experimentation allows us to step back and reimagine what our product can represent in a space where we’ve already been successful.” —Kyle Lelli, general manager, The Tylt

“At its heart, Absolut Art is an e-commerce business, but the product allows us to be super creative when we present in physical locations, which is a natural evolution. Now that we have the basics figured out, we can afford to be more playful and inventive with our offline experiences. We’re working on creating thoughtful and immersive offline experiences that will drive online interaction.” —Nahema Mehta, co-founder and CEO, Absolut Art

Focus on Customer Service

“In 2017, we focused on launching Smilo and creating a new brand that would deliver the most innovative and safe essentials for every step of childhood. In 2018, we plan to focus on the customer experience outside of the use of our products. One of our biggest areas of focus is shipping speed. We know where we need to be and will work diligently to make improvements for our customers.” —Josh Wiesman, CEO and co-founder, Smilo

Increase Reach and Profits

“My New Year’s business resolution is to increase my profit margin by 10 percent. I plan to do this by negotiating better deals with my manufacturers that allow me to scale faster. In the past, I haven’t been willing to get uncomfortable by negotiating better deals with my manufacturers. This year, I will overcome that roadblock.” —Cheryl Sutherland, founder, PleaseNotes

“The art of visibility and being seen as a thought leader is the new critical life skill. My New Year’s business resolution is to train 1,000 people through my comprehensive online school that teaches business owners to master the media and get visibility for their companies.” —Ashley Crouch, owner and founder, Appleseed Communications

Hire and Train Top-Quality Employees

“Our top New Year’s business resolution is to hire high-caliber employees so we can serve the fast-growing demand for Loftey’s service. Our main focus for 2018 is to build out operationally to make sure we’re able to serve as many New York City renters as possible. Our clients are helping spread the word. We want to make sure that anyone who comes to us can take advantage of our services.” —Ori Goldman, CEO and co-founder, Loftey

“In 2018, many CEOs will focus on hiring good people who share the vision and passion of their organizations. They understand that top-quality employees drive growth. The year will bring strong sales for most organizations, but it will be more challenging to find sufficient people with skills and talents, as the last of the baby boomers exit the workforce and reduce the available skill and talent pool.” —Shawn Casemore, speaker and author of The Unstoppable Organization and Operational Empowerment “Our New Year’s business resolution for 2018 is to be increasingly effective in equipping leaders to access the full potential of an untapped resource: their millennial salespeople and leaders. Coaching, mentoring and apprenticing Millennial workers is a win for everyone. Their new perspectives and insights give companies a competitive advantage.” —Danita Bye, sales and leadership development expert and author of Millennials Matter: Proven Strategies for Building Your Next Gen Leader

Celebrate Accomplishments of 2017

“I plan to congratulate myself and my team on our accomplishments. We’ve got some exciting things in the works for 2018, and I couldn’t have done it without the team. We’re all so focused on the next goal, sometimes we forget to acknowledge what we’ve achieved. We’ve built a great product for mothers that has made a really positive impact.” —Michelle Kennedy, CEO and co-founder, Peanut

Read more articles on leadership.

Photo: Getty Images

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Date: DECEMBER 27, 2017

© Julie Bawden Davis

5 REASONS YOU MAY WANT TO CREATE OR UPDATE YOUR BUSINESS PLAN

Now may be a good time to assess your company goals. Learn how to use a business plan to help keep your business focused and growing.

DECEMBER 26, 2017

December is National Write a Business Plan Month. As the year comes to a close, now may be a good time to take a look at your current plan and see if you’re on track for a successful 2018. This is also a good opportunity to update your plan or even create a new one. For any type of business, having a plan is a good idea, advises Peter Strauss, an attorney, captive insurance manager and founder of The Strauss Law Firm. “A business plan provides a strategic vision of both near-term and future goals and objectives,” he says. “The business plan lays out the strategy, sets the playing field and defines how to get the ball across the goal line.”

Benefits of Having a Business Plan

“A business plan helps you set clear goals that will ultimately lead to the success of your business,” says Lyron Bentovim, CEO of The Glimpse Group, which assists early-stage entrepreneurs in the augmented reality (AV) and virtual reality (VR) industry. “Failure to create a plan can lead to haphazard decisions and unfocused day-to-day activities that could ultimately steer your business off-course or delay its forward progress.” An effective plan can help you accomplish the following.

1. Provide a clear course of action for the future.

A well-conceived business plan maps out the steps you need to take to reach the goals you wish to reach. When you’re in the midst of doing business, it’s easy to forget where to steer your ship. Following your plan can provide you with clear vision and direction.

2. Secure funding.

If you require an infusion of capital for your business, a business plan is generally a necessity. Potential investors need to see that you have a solid plan that has a good chance of protecting their investment.

The constant review of where you’ve been and where you want to be are vital in the deployment of what will ultimately be a successful business venture.—Peter Strauss, founder, The Strauss Law Firm

“Any company trying to raise money from angel investors, private capital or applying for bank loans requires a business plan in place,” says Mirela Mitan, CEO and founder of skincare company MMXV Infinitude.

3. Identifies areas for improvement.

“Having a business plan can alert you to gaps or discordance between what you want to achieve with your business and any weaknesses or resources needed to succeed,” says Mitan. “A company’s business plan provides a way to force entrepreneurs to focus and think through all of the key elements needed to make the business successful.”

4. Helps you plan for the upcoming year.

One of the best aspects of creating or revising a business plan at the end of the year is its ability to help you plan for the next 12 months. “End-of-the-year business planning provides business owners the perfect opportunity to reflect on the year’s past successes and failures, look forward to future developments and typically is the appropriate time from a financial standpoint to plan budgets and allocate resources accordingly,” says Strauss. Looking closely at your business plan allows you to zoom out and analyze your business, believes Courtney Reum, co-author of Shortcut Your Startup and co-founder of M13, a brand development and investment company. “Look back on the year and ask yourself what’s going well in your business? List your points of strength and weakness,” Reum says. “Prioritize the list, and then come January you have a quick and dirty roadmap for improving your business.”

5. Enables you to analyze the last 12 months.

The end of the year is a good time to take a “hard look at your business plan in terms of how the past year went,” says Bentovim. He suggests asking the following questions to further analyze the last year:

Did you stick with what you’d planned? If so, how did your business fare?
If you missed goals, how did that impact your overall business?
What adjustments are needed to make the next year even more successful than this year?

Contents of an Effective Business Plan

A good business plan contemplates all aspects of your business, advises Strauss. “The plan will include the hardware, infrastructure, office building, computers, marketing collateral, equipment and software, as well as the employees required to carry out the company’s objectives,” he says. “A business plan should also outline your financial position, including your assets and liabilities.” Mitan suggests thinking of the parts of your plan like pieces of a puzzle. “Completing the puzzle will help you see the full picture of how it would be best to conduct your business in terms of your goals,” she says. A business plan generally includes:

a description of your company
your mission and vision statements
your market
a description of your products and services
product development specifics
your sales, marketing and financial plans
an overview of your management team and organization

When developing your business plan, Bentovim suggests asking a key question. “When you came up with your dream business and decided to turn it into a reality, what did you want to accomplish?” he says. “Ultimately, your plan should show how you plan to work towards and accomplish your overall goals. It should illustrate your direction and vision for your company, the market, how you plan to attract any necessary financing and include details on the strong and solid team behind you.” But the work doesn’t stop once you have a well-thought out business plan. “Writing a business plan is the first step, but actual implementation is the most important step,” says Strauss. “The constant review of where you’ve been and where you want to be are vital in the deployment of what will ultimately be a successful business venture.” Read more articles on business plan.

Photo: Getty Images

Project Link

Date: DECEMBER 26, 2017

© Julie Bawden Davis

Grow Dieffenbachia in Your Indoor Garden

Dieffenbachia

(Julie Bawden-Davis)

If you’re interested in growing a houseplant that takes very little care and can survive neglect common during busy times of the year, treat yourself to a dieffenbachia. This easy-to-grow houseplant also does a good job of cleaning your indoor air.

The eye-catching oval foliage of the dieffenbachia is variegated, which makes it a great decorator plant. The interior of the long, green leaves tend to be splashed with yellow, white or cream-colored dots and markings. The brighter the lighting in your home, the more variegated the leaves will be. Under ideal conditions indoors, dieffenbachia can reach five feet tall with leaves that stretch three feet long.

Julie Bawden-Davis

(Julie Bawden-Davis)

Commonly called dumbcane or Mother-in-law’s tongue, dieffenbachia gets these nicknames from the fact that the plant’s sap contains calcium oxalate. These are tiny crystals similar to fiberglass. When the foliage is consumed, the crystals cut the interior of the throat and can cause intense swelling and pain. Eating the leaves can literally strike you dumb. If you have young children or pets who like to nibble, dieffenbachia is probably not a good choice for your indoor garden. To have luck growing dieffenbachia in your indoor garden, keep the following growing tips in mind. Locate in a warm, humid area of the home Dieffenbachia is a tropical plant that prefers warm, moist conditions. Place the plant in an area of the home that’s warm and humid, such as a well-lit bathroom. If the plant leaves become edged in brown, the air may be too dry. Relocate the dieffenbachia, or increase the humidity around the plant. Provide bright light

Dieffenbachia does best in medium light. Adequate light will lead to colorful variegation and quick, healthy growth. On the other hand, dieffenbachia can be grown in low light. In lower lighting, the plant will grow more slowly and tends to have more solid green foliage. Water correctly Dieffenbachia is susceptible to root rot caused by soggy soil. An infected plant may appear to be healthy, until the base becomes mushy and the plant falls over. Only water dieffenbachia when the top one to two inches of soil has dried out. If you’re in doubt about watering, wait another day and check again. When you water, use lukewarm water and soak the soil. Let the pot drain well.

Dieffenbachia-2

(Julie Bawden-Davis)

Fertilize regularly Feed dumbcane once every one to two months. Use an organic houseplant fertilizer designed for foliage plants. Dieffenbachia is susceptible to dry leaf tips, which can be caused by high salts found in chemical fertilizers. Watch for pests Dieffenbachia can fall victim to scale and mealybugs. Pests usually attack when plants are weakened from being grown in less than ideal conditions—such as inadequate lighting. If you find these pests on dieffenbachia, spray with isopropyl alcohol, insecticidal soap spray or horticultural oil. Julie Bawden-Davis is a garden writer and master gardener, who since 1985 has written for publications such as Organic Gardening, The American Gardener, Wildflower, Better Homes and Gardens and The Los Angeles Times. She is the author of 10 books, including Reader’s Digest Flower Gardening, Fairy Gardening, The Strawberry Story Series, and Indoor Gardening the Organic Way, and is the founder of HealthyHouseplants.com. Her backyard is a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.

Date: DECEMBER 22, 2017

© Julie Bawden Davis

HR EXPERTS ON THEIR HIRING AND RECRUITING PREDICTIONS FOR 2018

Looking to increase staff in the new year? Learning what’s on the horizon in terms of hiring and recruiting can help you attract top-quality employees.

DECEMBER 18, 2017

If you’re planning on growing your company in 2018, hiring and recruiting are probably on your to do list. In many cases, attracting and retaining the best talent is the key to elevating your business to the next level. Before you begin the hiring and recruiting process, it may help to look at the state of the hiring and recruiting landscape. What are job seekers looking for today? And what’s required for luring top talent to your business? The following human resources experts weigh in on what to expect in the coming year when it comes to hiring and recruiting.

A Highly Competitive Hiring and Recruiting Landscape

According to recent reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate recently dropped to 4.1 percent. “The U.S. economy is essentially at full employment,” says Nick Murphy, CEO of Mid-America Careers. “That means that the top talent your company is targeting are almost certainly employed elsewhere.” Pete Lamson, CEO of JazzHR, agrees.

A potential employee’s impressions of your organization will directly affect whether the person accepts your job offer.—Leela Srinivasan, CMO, Lever

What Are Employees Looking for in a Job?

In order to lure top talent away from their current jobs and snap up desirable employees in between positions, it helps to understand what matters most to job seekers. “Talented professionals have alternatives,” says Murphy. “In addition to competitive compensation, they’re choosing where they want to work from a whole host of options. In addition to a healthy salary, potential employees seek the following top three attributes.

1. Flexibility to work where and when they want.

The percentage of job candidates citing flexible work options continues to rise every year, believes Lamson. “Nowadays, a majority of workers say they don’t need to sit at a desk to get work done. Many younger employees, including Millennials, expect flexibility, because the technology they’ve grown up with has liberated them from offices, desks and traditional work hours,” he says. “Flexibility continues to be valued as a benefit similar to health coverage, vacation time and parental leave.” When interviewing, it’s a good idea to ask candidates what traits matter most to them in a job, adds Andrew Machot, CEO of New Town Connections and a former executive recruiter. “If a job candidate mentions family, flexibility and scheduling, the possibility of working from home is most likely something that would be a great incentive to this candidate,” he says. “If the person is a millennial who enjoys spending time volunteering and traveling, consider offering ample vacation time or the ability to work remotely. “The more company owners get to know their candidates,” he continues, “the better job they can do offering custom fit benefits that match what job seekers really want.

2. Work within a company culture they believe in.

“Job seekers want to work at companies with cultures they believe in amidst environments where they can make a difference,” says Kerry Alison Wekelo, managing director of human resources and operations for Actualize Consulting and author of Culture Infusion. “Aligning their career growth with missions they can get passionate about in an environment conducive to their work-life balance is critical to today’s job seekers,” Murphy agrees. The dynamics of the work world have changed considerably, which has increased expectations, adds Leela Srinivasan, CMO of Lever, which produces recruiting software. “Businesses have never been more transparent,” she says. “Thanks to the internet, it’s easy to peer behind the scenes at companies you’re interviewing with to see what their employees and customers say.” In the midst of all this transparency, today’s job seekers want to feel some connection to the place they work. “Potential employees are searching for alignment and meaning,” says Srinivasan. “During hiring and recruiting, candidates want to feel like they will belong and have every opportunity to succeed. And the better candidates will want to have high impact.”

3. Specialized positions designed just for them.

“Job seekers aren’t just looking for a ‘job,’ they want a career,” notes Andrea Lechner-Becker, co-founder and chief strategy officer at Six Bricks, an experience-based learning platform. “Potential employees want career advancement featuring highly specialized roles with specific job descriptions and titles,” she says. “New employees are too fickle to finesse a role or wait for a better fit. They’ll just go somewhere else that ‘gets them.'”

Tips for Effective Hiring and Recruiting

To gear up for the competitive hiring market and help ensure you land the most desirable employees, it’s a good idea to improve your hiring and recruiting processes. The following tips may help. Streamline hiring and recruiting. “It’s easy to get bogged down with repetitive tasks or overloaded with resumes. If your goal is to reduce the time spent on administrative tasks so you can focus on potential employees, appropriate software is the key,” suggests Lamson. Improve speed-to-hire. “Long, drawn-out recruitment processes are one reason candidates reject job offers,” says Lamson. “They might accept another offer, lose interest or even decide your organization isn’t as professional as they would like. Make things run more quickly by ensuring that your hiring and recruiting processes stay focused.” Ensure diversity. It’s advisable to examine your hiring processes for unconscious bias, as diversity in the workforce continues to become a top priority for employees and employers. “Consider if your job postings and application forms could prevent people with diverse backgrounds from applying,” says Lamson. “For instance, many companies are removing gendered and exclusive language from applications, while others are using ‘blind resumes’ that don’t require name, age or gender.” Employ predictive analytics. “During 2017, we saw predictive analytics emerge as the next frontier,” says Lamson. “Rather than relying on gut instinct, recruiters are using a more scientific approach to decision-making. This is transforming HR operations and boosting business outcomes by enabling better hiring decisions and reducing employee turnover.” Make the recruitment experience as pleasant as possible. “When the balance of power rests with job seekers, pulling off an incredible candidate experience is vital,” believes Srinivasan. “Instead of showering potential employees with swag, consider that it’s more about how you make candidates feel when they interact with your company. A potential employee’s impressions of your organization will directly affect whether the person accepts your job offer.” Read more articles on hiring & HR.

Photo: Getty Images

Date: DECEMBER 18, 2017

© Julie Bawden Davis

Quick and Easy Garden Composting

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(Freeimages.com/Mike Berg)

You know that compost is good for your garden. It builds the health of your soil and leads to lush plants and abundant crops. But every time you look into starting a compost pile, you get a bit overwhelmed.

First of all, take a big breath. And then consider this. Composting “just happens” out in nature. Although there’s a lot of science behind how this occurs, the bottom line is that leaves fall from trees and plants, hit the ground and decompose. This process creates compost that nourishes the soil. The soil then nourishes the plants. And then the cycle repeats. The following method of composting is quick and easy to do. You can set up this system over the winter and have nutrient-rich compost ready come spring or summer, depending on your climate. Create a compost bin Get a plastic 32-gallon garbage can with a lid. Drill ¼-inch holes every five inches in the bottom, sides and top of the bin. The holes provide air circulation, which is needed to create compost. Place the bin in a sunny location of the yard. In spring and summer, put the can in a semi-shade location. If you live in an area that experiences freezing temperatures, put the trashcan up against the house. It will soak up heat from the house that can prevent the contents from freezing. If freezing does occur, no worries. Remember that freezing occurs out in nature and composting still occurs. The process is just slowed down some. Gather composting ingredients Although this part can seem a bit confusing, all you need to remember is that you need “green” nitrogen and “brown” carbon sources to create compost. Nitrogen items include scraps from fruits and vegetables and coffee grounds. Carbon sources consist of dried plant debris, including leaves, twigs and sawdust. Don’t put in meat, pet waste or diseased plants. And keep in mind that the smaller the items, the faster they’ll decompose. Fill the compost bin

Put carbon and nitrogen ingredients into the trashcan along with a small bag of steer manure. Loaded with “good” bacteria, the steer manure will jumpstart the compost-making process and result in faster composting. Stir the trash bin contents, add a little water and stir again. You want the mix to be moist but not soggy. Continue to add to the compost pile as you get more yard waste and kitchen scraps.

FreeImages.com/Adrian Gtz

(FreeImages.com/Adrian Gtz)

Check bin contents weekly If the contents of the compost bin appear too dry, add more nitrogen materials and a little water. If things are too wet, add more carbon materials. Too dry conditions will result in very slow composting. Excessively wet conditions will result in anaerobic composting, which is very smelly. Mix every two weeks Stir up the contents of the bin with a pitchfork or shovel. This intersperses air within the mix, which creates aerobic conditions that lead to faster composting. Or tighten the trashcan lid and roll the bin around to mix the contents. Be careful of your back when doing so! Harvest compost After two to five months, depending on your climate, you’ll have compost, which resembles rich, brown earth. When you remove the compost for use, leave a small amount of finished compost in the trashcan. This will activate the new batch of compost when you put in fresh ingredients. Use the compost in your garden beds and as an amendment to potting soil. Mix in one-part compost to every two-parts potting soil. Houseplants love a good dose of compost when you repot your indoor garden. Julie Bawden-Davis is a garden writer and master gardener, who since 1985 has written for publications such as Organic Gardening, The American Gardener, Wildflower, Better Homes and Gardens and The Los Angeles Times. She is the author of 10 books, including Reader’s Digest Flower Gardening, Fairy Gardening, The Strawberry Story Series, and Indoor Gardening the Organic Way, and is the founder of HealthyHouseplants.com. Her backyard is a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.

Project Link

Date: DECEMBER 15, 2017

© Julie Bawden Davis

3 WAYS TO BECOME THE GO-TO EXPERT IN YOUR FIELD

Cementing your status as an expert can help you grow your business opportunities. These 3 tips will show you what you need to do to help get there.

DECEMBER 11, 2017

One way to help increase business and attract attention is to become an expert in your field. When potential clients seek the help or products you provide and your name pops up, you may be able to reap the benefits of the exposure. “Expert positioning aligns you with the best-of-the-best in your industry,” says business and brand specialist Debbie Allen, author of The Highly Paid Expert: Turn Your Passion, Skills and Talents Into a Lucrative Career by Becoming the Go-To Authority in Your Industry. “An expert is recognized as an authority who knows in-depth knowledge about a specific subject. Such individuals solve problems, and when they offer invaluable solutions to make pain go away, people pay top dollar for their advice, wisdom and expertise.” When you establish yourself or your business as a leading authority in your industry, clients reflexively seek your assistance, which can help drive repeat business and recommendations, says Kristi Marsh, founder of Choose Wiser

and author of Little Changes. It can be surprisingly easy to become a go-to expert today. “There’s never been a better time to launch yourself as an authority,” Allen says. “The internet, social media, video marketing and the print-on-demand industry have made it entirely doable.”

Welcome to the New Marketing Model

If you’re interested in how to become an expert in your field, consider embracing a new marketing model. “Expert marketing that positions a business owner or entrepreneur as the go-to authority focuses on offering valuable, free information in the form of videos, articles and media, rather than the push of advertising and selling one-on-one,” Allen says. The bottom line? You may have to give before you can receive. “Becoming an expert means taking on a level of responsibility to support others with your knowledge,” says Allen, who notes that this doesn’t mean offering people a cookie cutter get-rich-quick scheme.

Customers and clients want authorities to look up to and to learn from. There has never been a better time to become an expert in your field.—Linda Scott, owner, eFrog Press

“True experts are those who offer personalized, proven solutions and give people lasting results,” she explains. “Authorities offer valuable assistance, not only from their heads but from their hearts. They share their wisdom freely, and in the process they get paid well in return.” To excel at becoming a highly paid expert, it’s important to lay the groundwork, which can stem from education-based marketing. Consider trying these three tactics that may help you become an expert in your industry.

1. Establish yourself as an author.

Publishing can be an excellent way to claim authority in your field and become the go-to expert, says Linda Scott, owner of eFrog Press, a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs who want to self-publish. Start with a blog, suggests Scott. “Blog what you know. Writing original, regular posts on subjects in your area of expertise showcases what you know and gives you an opportunity to find your writer’s voice. Comments from readers to your posts help you understand where you need to clarify your message and, even more importantly, what works.” Develop a blogging schedule and do your best to stick to it. In addition to being good for SEO, regular content shows your readership and potential clients and customers that you’re serious about your specialty. Blogs also allow you to build a community that is interested in you and your work. From this community and on your website, you can develop a list of newsletter subscribers. Try sending out regular newsletters that also contain your expert tips and insight. Your blogging community may include some super fans. Such individuals are devoted to you and your cause and will actively spread the word about your expert status. Super fans tend to share with friends and family more than average fans. They’re generally active on social media and are likely to share your blog posts to a wide audience. You can make sharing your expertise easy for all of your fans by keeping an active presence on social media. Posting your blogs when they’re published is another good way to become an expert in your field. If you create categories for your blogs and keep adding detailed posts, you may soon have enough chapters to put together a book. “When you can say you have literally ‘written the book’ on a subject in your field, you immediately gain expert status,” Scott says. “Forevermore, ‘author’ will be added to your introductions at conferences and speaking engagements. Online reviews on Amazon and Barnes & Noble will further increase your credibility and exposure, and posting your book cover on your website is a subtle reminder to all who visit that you know what you’re talking about.” Books that feature a problem-solving format can be a good choice for developing expert status. For instance, you could write about how to become an expert at a particular topic. If the idea of writing a book overwhelms you, keep in mind that short books are preferable to many readers. “Concise, well-written books that distill a topic into easy-to-read language are preferred,” says Scott. “You don’t need to write a 400-page manual. Books that are 100 pages can allow you to become an expert in your field.” Writing not your strong suit? Consider getting the assistance of a ghostwriter or editor. “Poorly written communication can backfire,” advises Scott. “You won’t look like an expert if your writing has grammatical errors, typos and is hard to read.”

2. Become a communicator.

Speaking is another opportunity to establish yourself as an expert—so consider accepting every chance you’re given to present. Also, try hosting your own live events, both online and offline. It can help if clients and customers actually hear you speak, but it’s almost as beneficial if people are aware that you regularly speak on your chosen topic. In addition to public speaking, Marsh advises, “share educational tidbits, tips or lessons through video blogs or vlogs. The combination of your storytelling or speaking style, along with value-added tips, can solidify your image as an expert. It used to be that this opportunity only came through being interviewed on television, but sharing through video messaging is now affordable, easy and under your control. The result is educational, informative tips that are shareable by consumers.” Podcasts offer another opportunity to appear as the go-to expert in your field. There are a wide variety of niche-driven podcasts, so it’s possible you may find one in your area of expertise. Such podcasts are presented to targeted audiences containing followers who are likely to be interested in you and your subject area. Most podcasts are open to guests. Appearing on a podcast gives you the opportunity to pick up more fans and readers for your blog, books and newsletters. To further cement your status as a go-to expert in your field, consider starting your own podcast in your specialty. When creating a podcast, focus on providing entertaining information that educates, informs, inspires and motivates. While you want to do some promoting, it’s important that the listener gets something of value from listening. Whenever and wherever you present, always take your book with you, Scott adds. “Bookmark a short, interesting passage to read aloud, either on the podcast or during your speaking engagement. If your book is a work-in-progress, or even if it’s still in the conceptual stage, remind audiences of your expert status by saying, ‘In my upcoming book on …'”

3. Rebrand and refocus when necessary.

It’s possible that the current setup of your business may not lend itself to you becoming an expert. This may mean you’ll need to shake things up a bit by rebranding or refocusing your business. For example, if you’ve spent 20 years in the carpet cleaning business and want to launch yourself as an authority and become an expert, you could reposition yourself as a carpet cleaning expert who teaches other carpet cleaners how to run a successful business, Allen explains. “Essentially,” she says, “you take off one hat—running a carpet cleaning business day to day—and put on another hat as a thought leader and expert.” In order to effectively rebrand to highlight your expert status, it helps to look closely at your product or service and how it relates to your target market. For instance, if you run a bakery, what sort of customers do you attract? Are they health-conscious and looking for baked good alternatives for individuals with sensitivities? In that case, you can promote yourself as a healthy baker. If you run a florist shop and have a high percentage of bridal orders, you can become a bridal flower expert. The bottom line is that your business has given you unique expertise that makes you the go-to expert in your field. “Be proud of that expertise and capitalize on it,” suggests Scott. “Chances are there’s no one else with the unique spin you have on your business and in your field. Customers and clients want authorities to look up to and to learn from. There has never been a better time to become an expert in your field.” A version of this article was originally published on August 20, 2014. Read more articles on branding.

Photo: Getty Image

Date: DECEMBER 11, 2017

© Julie Bawden Davis

How to Grow Kalanchoe Indoors

Kalanchoe

(Julie Bawden-Davis)

At this time of year, don’t be surprised if someone gives you a kalanchoe. These succulents sporting colorful flowers are ubiquitous holiday hostess gifts.

In addition to pretty, bright green foliage, kalanchoe produce small, waxy single and double bloom clusters in a wide variety of flower colors, including yellow, red, fuchsia, orange, pink, white and peach. Though they generally don’t make it past New Years, because people don’t know how to care for them, they are fairly easy to grow. Treat kalanchoe right, and you can keep them growing until spring when you can put them outdoors. Keep the following indoor growing tips in mind. Avoid overwatering. Kalanchoe are succulents, so they respond poorly to being overwatered. You’ll quickly lose an overwatered kalanchoe to root rot. You’ll know this has occurred when the soil stays wet, which indicates the roots have died and are no longer taking up water. The base of the plant will also be wobbly. Water kalanchoe when the soil in the pot is on the dry side. The pot will be lightweight. Avoid letting the plant get so dry that the leaves shrivel. Keep in mind that kalanchoe located next to heating ducts will dry out quickly.

Provide bright light. Kalanchoe do best in bright lighting. Sufficient light will keep the plant leaves bright green. Proper lighting will also ensure that the plants continue to bloom for two or three months. Plants that don’t get sufficient light won’t have enough light stores to keep blooming.

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(Julie Bawden-Davis)

Place kalanchoe in an unobstructed eastern or southern window. If your home doesn’t have sufficient lighting, consider getting some full-spectrum lights. These come in fluorescent fixtures as well as individual bulbs that can be put in any light fixture. When placing kalanchoe under supplemental lighting, position the bulb within 6 to 12 inches of the top of the plants. Prune off spent flowers. Once kalanchoe blooms have faded, take them off. Leaving the faded spent blooms on the plants can lead to pest infestations, such as from mealybugs. Pests tend to congregate on old or diseased foliage of houseplants. From there they will spread to other foliage and blooms. Fertilize monthly. Feed the kalanchoe from late winter through fall. Use a well-balanced, organic fertilizer designed for houseplants.

Kalanchoe-2

(Julie Bawden-Davis)

Place kalanchoe outdoors in late winter to early spring. Put the kalanchoe outside once danger of frost has passed. Acclimate the plant to sunny conditions by starting it in shade and gradually move the plant into the light. Grow the plant otdoors until late fall. At that time, bring it indoors and keep the plant in 14 hours of complete darkness daily—such in a closet. You can put it in the closet in the late afternoon and take it out the next morning. Avoid root rot by keeping the plant on the dry side. Within 2 to 4 weeks of darkness, the kalanchoe will bud up and flower once again. Julie Bawden-Davis is a garden writer and master gardener, who since 1985 has written for publications such as Organic Gardening, The American Gardener, Wildflower, Better Homes and Gardens and The Los Angeles Times. She is the author of 10 books, including Reader’s Digest Flower Gardening, Fairy Gardening, The Strawberry Story Series, and Indoor Gardening the Organic Way, and is the founder of HealthyHouseplants.com. Her backyard is a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation

Date: DECEMBER 8, 2017

© Julie Bawden Davis

12 COMPANIES ON THE DOS AND DON’TS OF GETTING HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR CLIENTS

The end of the year is when businesses get holiday gifts for clients. These entrepreneurs explain the value of gifting—and how you can do it well.

DECEMBER 07, 2017

The holidays are here and gift-giving has officially launched. As a business owner, you’re probably wondering about the value of holiday gifts for clients. The consensus among the business owners I spoke to is that spreading holiday cheer is well worth the time and expense. “Customers are what keep your business alive, so it’s always important to give back, especially during the holidays,” says Gabe Larsen, vice president of InsideSales Labs, the research arm of sales and marketing company InsideSales.com. “Gift-giving raises your status with clients and helps them perceive you positively. Most importantly, it creates an opportunity to communicate.” Etiquette expert Arden Clise is an author and president of Clise Etiquette. She believes that getting holiday gifts for clients is always a good idea. “Giving clients gifts is a nice way of saying thank you for their business,” Clise says. “It’s the ideal opportunity to let your clients know you appreciate and value them.” When you work closely with clients, gifts can also give you an opportunity to personalize your working relationship, notes Alex Pollak, CEO and founder of ParaDocs, an events medical services company that staffs events across the country. “Holiday gifts for clients aren’t a necessity,” Pollak says, “but they are a nice gesture for people who you may interact with on a day-to-day basis.”

Potential Holiday Gifts for Clients

When it comes to getting holiday gifts for clients, many business owners agree that it’s all about the thought put into the selection process. According to these owners, ideal holiday gifts for clients are those that:

1. Downplay branding.

“The best client gifts are unique, useful and personal, and keep branding to a minimum,” says Traci Pichette, founder of Pumeli, which provides curated and custom gift boxes for corporate events and everyday occasions. “If recipients feel like they’ve received an advertisement versus a gift,” she continues, “it can have the opposite intended effect and leave a negative impression of the brand.”

Gift-giving raises your status with clients and helps them perceive you positively.—Gabe Larsen, vice president, InsideSales Labs

That said, there can be tasteful ways to include branding in your holiday gifts for clients. “If you feel strongly about putting your logo on the item,” says Clise, “make it small and unobtrusive.”

2. Make it personal.

Unique and memorable holiday gifts for clients are what Marla White seeks each year. The owner of PR company White Handed looks for personal gifts that have meaning. “One year I took copies of my client’s first scripts that were made into films and had wreaths made from them,” says White. “Both screenwriters were so touched, and they actually have them up in their office year-round.” “The more personalized the gift, the better,” says Erin Walter, co-founder and CEO of Nuphoriq, which specializes in marketing for catering and event planning companies. “For instance, we sent a business book to a client and included a treat for the person’s dog, who is often mentioned during phone calls.” “Gift giving for clients often comes down to your relationship with them,” says Naman Kumar, founder of Airo Health, which produces an anxiety tracker designed to build mental strength. “True, it’s a professional relationship, but you’re still dealing with a human. “Being personal has its limits, though,” he continues, “Only give gifts that reflect something you’ve observed during your interactions with the person. Checking a client’s social media for ideas, for instance, is crossing the line.”

3. Illustrate special meaning.

Memorable holiday gifts are also meaningful, believes Justin Lavelle, chief communications officer for online background check company BeenVerified. “My top picks are planting trees in your clients’ names, which helps the earth and honors your customers,” Lavelle says. “Similarly, you can donate in their names to charities they support. Or give them a book that influenced and inspired you. Write a brief note about why the book is one of your favorites.”

Holiday Gifts for Clients Dos and Don’ts to Keep in Mind

Knowing what sort of holiday gifts to get for your clients takes some thought. The following pointers may help guide you in the right direction.

Do:

Include a note. “Communication matters,” says Larsen of InsideSales.com. “Gift recipients are most likely to respond to handwritten notes.”
Be sensitive to client circumstances. “Consider dietary concerns, as well as cultural or religious affiliations,” advises Walter.
Deliver the gift, when possible. “Now that we’re in the age of online shopping and gifting, it means a lot when you hand deliver a hand-wrapped gift, or have it messengered over,” says Pollak.
Consider making your holiday gifts. Idan Cohen is CEO and co-founder of GROW, which produces intelligent gardening products. “This year I gifted clients my homemade hard apple cider, which I make every fall from my apple trees,” he says. “I think nothing says you care like a homemade gift.”

Don’t:

Over-give. “This applies to the amount of gifts given or the price point,” says Walter. He believes that clients may think you charge them more just to be able to afford extravagant gifts. “Over-giving can cross boundaries and lead to an awkward dynamic,” agrees Cheryl Sutherland, founder of PleaseNotes
.
Give gifts with negative connotations. “Avoid things like perfume,” says Sutherland. “You don’t want the recipient wondering if she smells bad.”
Be cheap. “Inexpensive gifts reflect poorly on the company sending the gift,” says Larsen.
Beg for a thank you. “Avoid emailing or calling to ask if the client received the gift. If it stood out, your client will respond,” says Raven Thomas, owner of the business consulting company Phoenix Effect Group and the online confectionery gift company The Painted Pretzel
.

Of course, you won’t look like a Scrooge if you don’t give your clients gifts this holiday season. But why not look generous? Taking the time to give your customers thoughtful gifts may encourage them to think more of you and your business. Read more articles on customer relations.

Photo: Getty Images

Date: DECEMBER 07, 2017

© Julie Bawden Davis

Watercolor Your Way to a Flower Garden This Winter

Kirsty's Winter Cutting Garden

The beginning of December brings a lull for many gardeners. Of course, the holidays are approaching—but this pause runs deeper. Gardeners know a long winter looms ahead. For green thumbs, the memory of spring and summer flowers seems a distant memory. Still, the urge to experience floral beauty often refuses to subside.

It’s too early yet for garden catalogues featuring next year’s new plant introductions. So we gardeners occupy ourselves with houseplants and forcing bulbs indoors. While these pursuits certainly feed our appetite for green, they may not offer as much color as we’d like. This year I have a solution for the craving for flowers and their brilliant colors. Let me introduce you to Kristy Rice’s watercoloring books. Kristy’s Winter Cutting Garden and Kristy’s Fall Cutting Garden each feature 25 botanical illustrations waiting for you to paint them. She’s also done books for spring and summer, if you wish to step out of season. In the winter watercoloring book, you can paint an amaryllis, winter berries, a teapot overflowing with flowers and a cardinal resting on poinsettias. The fall gardening book is chock full of even more blooming beauties, including dahlias, asters, wisteria, clematis and morning glory.

Winter cutting garden

(Julie Bawden Davis)

Rice is an artist, whose first love is painting. She’s a celebrity invitation designer and stylist, whose company, Monumental Designs, specializes in hand-painted wedding stationary.

According to Rice, the watercolor paper that features each ready-to-paint illustration is specially designed to be weighty enough to soak up water, yet lightweight enough to be flexible. You can pull each page out to paint, or keep your botanical works of art in the book. When you sit down to paint, Rice suggests using light pressure with your paintbrush. She says the paper will warp some while the paint is wet, but things will smooth out when it dries. If it doesn’t, simply put the dry painting under a heavy book for a day or so.

Kristy's Fall Cutting Garden

Sometimes it’s necessary to stop painting in an area when you see pilling, as this is an indication that the page is too wet. Let it dry out some before revisiting with more paint, if you wish to darken things up. Rice suggests reading the painting tips for each page included at the beginning of the book. She writes a little about the subject and then gives advice, such as color choice, highlighting and layering. In addition to tips, she shares tidbits about what it’s like to be an artist. Most importantly, Rice hopes that you lose yourself in the moment when you paint. She promises that doing so will positively change the way you feel and the way you see the world. I suspect you’ll soon be seeing a lot more flowers in your winter garden dreams. Julie Bawden-Davis is a garden writer and master gardener, who since 1985 has written for publications such as Organic Gardening, The American Gardener, Wildflower, Better Homes and Gardens and The Los Angeles Times. She is the author of 10 books, including Reader’s Digest Flower Gardening, Fairy Gardening, The Strawberry Story Series, and Indoor Gardening the Organic Way, and is the founder of HealthyHouseplants.com. Her backyard is a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.

Date: DECEMBER 3, 2017

© Julie Bawden Davis

7 Fun Gifts for Gardeners

Cherry Nymph amarylllis

(White Flower Farm)

If you’re not a gardener, but looking for a holiday gift for a green thumb, the many horticultural products may overwhelm you. How to know what a gardener truly wants? Is it soil? Fertilizer? Plants? Tools? Nifty gadgets? Usually, all of the above.

For gardeners shopping for other gardeners, it goes something like this: one pair of pruners for you, one pair of pruners for me; one gorgeous amaryllis bulb for you, another for me.… Either way, the following gift guide will help narrow down the choices for you. Happy garden gift giving! Amaryllis ‘Cherry Nymph’ Growing amaryllis indoors is a treat. The bulbs are ready to burst forth with gorgeous, really big blooms. Amaryllis ‘Cherry Nymph’ produces an enormous flower in a brilliant deep red hue. The blooms light up the house for six to eight weeks. The ‘Cherry Nymph’ comes with potting medium and a glass vase. Barebones™ Garden Scissors A good pair of all-purpose garden scissors is one of the most important tools a gardener owns. The Barebones™ Garden Scissors have a large, comfortable, ambidextrous grip. They’re great for gathering, harvesting, deadheading and even pruning roses.

Gardeners Supply Company

(Gardeners Supply Company)

As scissors go, they’re also pretty to look at. The insets are made of bamboo and the heat-treated stainless steel blades feature a blackened finish. The blades can be sharpened when needed. Burpee’s Canvas Ornaments If you’ve never seen vintage catalog covers from Burpee, you’re in for a treat. The seed company founded in 1876, dug into their treasure chest and created these canvas ornaments adorned with heirloom catalog covers. Each 3” x 4” ornament comes in a gift box.

prod500209

(Burpee)

Farmington Wreath Every gardener dreams of making a wreath out of cuttings from the garden. And every once in a while, gardeners do pull off achieving that dream. More often than not, though, the cuttings gathered during fall cleanup end up in the compost pile.

Wreath-Gift Guide

(White Flower Farm)

Many gardeners will welcome this elegant 22-inch in diameter wreath. It’s made of lemon leaves and arranged with sprigs of millet, eucalyptus, pine cones and Sudan grass. The wreath is designed for indoor use. Italian Herb Jar Kit This handy herb jar trio allows the avid gardener and cook to enjoy fresh basil, parsley and oregano right in the kitchen. The brightly colored self-watering jars grow the herbs from seed. All the gift recipient has to do is fill the jars with water and the provided wicks; add plant food and seeds and wait for harvest.

Wayside Gardens

(Wayside Gardens)

Renee’s Garden Cookbook/Seed Collection With this boxed gift set you get the Renee’s Garden Cookbook and your choice of a seed collection. Choose from the Container Herb Garden, Rainbow Kitchen Garden or Container Vegetable Garden.

Screen Shot 2017-11-27 at 11.14.17 AM

(Renee’s Garden)

The 156-page cookbook includes recipes designed to be made from the bounty of the home garden. You can also take a quick trip to the grocery store for the necessary ingredients. The author of the cookbook is Renee Shepherd, who has been in the seed business for decades. All of the recipes are tested with produce from her gardens. Tool Maintenance Kit Veteran gardeners know that good tools require maintenance. This invaluable tool care kit features everything a gardener needs to keep tools in good shape.

White Flower Farm

(White Flower Farm)

The tool kit has linseed oil, which prevents wooden handles from drying out and is good to use when cleaning blades. There’s also a wire brush for removing dirt and a silicon-carbide whetstone used to keep a sharp edge on tool blades. All contents fit into an attractive 11” x 6” storage box. Julie Bawden-Davis is a garden writer and master gardener, who since 1985 has written for publications such as Organic Gardening, The American Gardener, Wildflower, Better Homes and Gardens and The Los Angeles Times. She is the author of 10 books, including Reader’s Digest Flower Gardening, Fairy Gardening, The Strawberry Story Series, and Indoor Gardening the Organic Way, and is the founder of HealthyHouseplants.com. Her backyard is a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.

Project Link

Date: NOVEMBER 27, 2017

© Julie Bawden Davis

Grow Indoor Veggies, Herbs and Flowers with AeroGarden

04_Harvest_Elite_RED_Heirloom_CT_2K

(AeroGarden)

If you want a guaranteed method of growing produce and even flowers indoors—try an AeroGarden. This state-of-the-art growing system makes it easy to enjoy homegrown salad greens, cherry tomatoes, herbs and even flowers.

To use the AeroGarden, you simply insert seed pods into these hydroponic gardens and watch them sprout and grow into healthy, robust plants. You can use the AeroGarden to grow just about anything at any time of the year. The LED lighting simulates sunlight. A water reservoir and easy-to-follow nutrient feeding regimen ensures the plants stay healthy and produce well.

AeroGarden

(AeroGarden )

“Many people are intimidated by indoor gardening, but the Aerogarden demystifies the experience,” says Paul Rabaut, marketing director for AeroGarden and an avid indoor gardener. “This hydroponic growing method provides a foolproof way to enjoy a lush indoor garden.” Besides being surrounded by dozens of AeroGardens in the office, Rabaut has two AeroGardens at home. He enjoys growing herbs and veggies for cooking in one and in the other flowers to add a splash of color to his interior.

AeroGarden

(AeroGarden )

The AeroGarden consists of a water reservoir and pump, as well as a LED lighting system. Some models include a Wi-Fi system that comes with an app that you use to get instructions on plant care, such as when and how to feed plants and prune and pollinate them. The AeroGarden dates back to 2002 when two gardening enthusiasts created the revolutionary hydroponic system. In 2006, they launched the growing system and received positive reviews. In 2013, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company became an equity investor. Today, the AeroGarden is sold online and in brick-and-mortar stores throughout the U.S and several countries.

You can choose from a wide variety of AeroGardens, from large “farm” models that can grow an abundance of produce and flowers, to small kitchen countertop units that grow three plants at once. There’s even a kid’s model featuring pizza herbs. The units come in several colors, including silver, red, white and black. One of the reasons the AeroGarden is so successful is the lighting system. Today’s models feature long-lasting LED lights that cost just pennies a day to operate. “Indoor gardeners often have difficulty growing vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers indoors because of a lack of proper lighting,” says Rabaut. “A sunny window doesn’t deliver the same amount of light that you find outdoors, but the AeroGarden LED lighting simulates daylight. The systems are also set up to provide just the right amount of lighting, depending on what you’re growing.”

AeroGarden

(AeroGarden )

The AeroGarden system offers 50 pods featuring a wide variety of non-GMO seeds so you can enjoy growing plants like basil, rosemary, bell pepper, hot pepper, cherry tomato, salad greens, kale, Asian herbs, tea herbs, lavender and flowers like petunia, celosia and zinnia. They also carry empty seed pods where you can plant your own seeds and a 31-pod seed starter kit. “There’s really no limit to what you can grow indoors in an AeroGarden,” says Rabaut. “I encourage indoor gardeners to experiment. You’re likely to be surprised at what sprouts up for you.” Julie Bawden-Davis is a garden writer and master gardener, who since 1985 has written for publications such as Organic Gardening, The American Gardener, Wildflower, Better Homes and Gardens and The Los Angeles Times. She is the author of 10 books, including Reader’s Digest Flower Gardening, Fairy Gardening, The Strawberry Story Series, and Indoor Gardening the Organic Way, and is the founder of HealthyHouseplants.com. Her backyard is a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.

Project Link

Date: NOVEMBER 17, 2017

© Julie Bawden Davis

WHEN A BUSINESS PIVOT IS THE KEY TO A COMPANY’S SURVIVAL

The following companies have been on the brink of closing, but found a way to survive. Discover their secrets to thriving after a business pivot.

NOVEMBER 17, 2017

In 1998 during the dot-com boom, Chris Mittelstaedt, founder and CEO of The FruitGuys, began delivering farm-fresh fruit to offices in Silicon Valley as a healthy alternative to sodas and sweets. Business quickly took off, but just three years later he found it necessary to make a major business pivot. When the dot-com bubble burst in 2001, Mittelstaedt lost half of his clientele overnight. He had to start delivering product himself. The FruitGuys also struggled during the Great Recession of 2008. Despite experiencing market dives that could have been business busters, today the company delivers to more than 3,000 companies nationwide, with warehouses in 13 cities and annual sales just over $30 million. “Because we were smaller and only located in the Bay Area at the time, the dot-com bust hit us harder than the recession,” says Mittelstaedt. “In both cases, the instinct to survive and do anything and everything required to stay alive became the driving force.” Rather than close down, Mittelstaedt hunkered down. “The ability to do a business pivot while managing expenses in a tight economy goes way beyond multitasking,” says Mittelstaedt. “Pivoting is a twist and a rotation at the same time. The only way to stay afloat is to give nothing less than all of the energy, focus and skill you have to muster.”

Dips in Business Can Bring Great Lessons

Whatever the circumstances that lead to a business pivot, entrepreneurs find that the need to reassess and refocus brings invaluable experiences. Such was the case with Miko Branch, CEO of curly and textured hair product line Miss Jessie’s. She almost lost her brand shortly after launching several years ago. Now Miss Jessie’s is a multi-million dollar business. Branch attributes her business’s success to the stumbles the company experienced along the way.

When your business dips, it triggers resourcefulness, and that strengthens the fate of your company.—Eric Casaburi, author

“If it weren’t for our failures early on, we wouldn’t have experienced the level of success and acquired the innovation necessary to create a business from scratch,” says Branch, who co-founded Miss Jessie’s with her late sister, Titi Branch. “We became trailblazers and leaders in the beauty business because we always think outside the box and came up with a master plan.” There’s no better feeling than when a company pulls out of a death spiral and soars, adds Terry Duncan, president of Duncan Management Inc., a business development company. “The revived, inspired and rewarding metamorphosis of a once struggling business to a stable company is highly satisfying,” Duncan says. “The lessons learned from this experience are comparable to what you learn starting a new business.”

Steps to Ensuring a Strong Business

Being prepared and ready to execute a business pivot at a moment’s notice can lead to success. The following tips can help achieve such a balance.

1. Be open to new ideas.

“The best way to recover from faulty business steps is to be open to new suggestions,” says Duncan. “There are always lessons to learn. The experience leads to rewarding adventures that fortify the core of your business.” Branch agrees. “Be open to new concepts and innovative thinking,” she says. “You never know where your next big idea will come from. Try to understand how these new concepts or approaches can enhance and improve your business.”

2. Maintain a positive cash flow.

“I believe that running a business based on making money where you are, rather than hoping someday you’ll make money at scale, allows for quick decision making when it comes to difficult choices and pivots,” says Mittelstaedt. “This method has kept me honest about where we are and what we can do at any given time. It also enables us to quickly adapt to change.”

3. Believe in your product and take necessary risks.

Alex Pollak is CEO and founder of ParaDocs Worldwide Inc., an events medical services company that staffs events across the country. When he started his business, he invested his savings in operational insurance. “It was an incredibly expensive investment that, if it didn’t pay off, could have ended my business,” says Pollak. “The first year, we had two events requiring high premiums and barely covered the costs. That was scary, but it taught me to believe in my product and take risks.”

4. Embrace the business pivot.

Eric Casaburi, entrepreneur and author of Just Make Money!, encourages company owners not to fear the business pivot. “No company rises straight to success,” Casaburi says. “There’s always some regression, but those times create pivots and necessary changes. A business pivot gets your company to the next level. “Temporarily making less money is painful, but often good things come from being uncomfortable,” he continues. “When your business dips, it triggers resourcefulness, and that strengthens the fate of your company.” Read more articles on pivoting.

Photo: Getty Images

Date: NOVEMBER 17, 2017

© Julie Bawden Davis

The Houseplant Handbook

Plants in windowsill-3

(Janet Peace, Hot Tomato Communications)

It’s always a welcome surprise when a book lives up to its name. After all, it’s hard to sum up everything about a book in just a few words. The Houseplant Handbook: Basic Growing Techniques and a Directory of 300 Everyday Houseplants is everything that its name suggests.

Chock full of basic and more advanced indoor gardening techniques; The Houseplant Handbook gives you everything you need to grow a healthy, prolific, eye-catching indoor garden. Author David Squire is a horticulturist and prolific garden author, who combines his expertise in both areas to provide you with a true handbook meant to walk you through just about any indoor gardening scenario.

Janet Peace, Hot Tomato Communications

(Janet Peace, Hot Tomato Communications)

In this complete guide of houseplant care you’ll find instructions and clear explanations for a wide variety of gardening techniques. The 224-page book teaches you houseplant growing basics, like lighting and temperature, as well as watering and humidity and feeding. There’s a section on repotting with step-by-step instructions, including photos. And you’ll discover tips for supporting your houseplants, as well as pruning them.

Janet Peace, Hot Tomato Communications

(Janet Peace, Hot Tomato Communications)

If you want to increase your indoor garden without having to buy new plants, Squire includes instructions on every possible way to propagate houseplants. Learn how to sow houseplant seeds and which houseplants can be grown from seed. These include wax begonia, cyclamen, impatiens and coleus.

The Houseplant Handbook has an extensive section on growing houseplants from a variety of cuttings. Simple instructions with photos show you how to take every type of cutting possible, including stem-tip cuttings, leaf-stem cuttings, leaf-petiole cuttings, whole- and cross-leaf cuttings and horizontal and vertical cane cuttings. You’ll even learn how to grow cuttings from cactus and succulents, and which plants can be grown from runners and plantlets.

Janet Peace, Hot Tomato Communications

(Janet Peace, Hot Tomato Communications)

If your houseplants have become root bound, Squire shows you how to successfully divide and replant them. The book lists the various houseplants suitable for dividing, including cast-iron plant, peacock plant, spider plant, various ferns and peace lily. And if a houseplant has become too tall or unwieldy, the book takes you through how to air layer the plant.

Janet Peace, Hot Tomato Communications

(Janet Peace, Hot Tomato Communications)

The comprehensive plant directory section of The Houseplant Handbookincludes 300 plants. This invaluable reference features photos of each houseplant with growth habit information, care instructions and how to propagate the plant. Julie Bawden-Davis is a garden writer and master gardener, who since 1985 has written for publications such as Organic Gardening, The American Gardener, Wildflower, Better Homes and Gardens and The Los Angeles Times. She is the author of 10 books, including Reader’s Digest Flower Gardening, Fairy Gardening, The Strawberry Story Series, and Indoor Gardening the Organic Way, and is the founder of HealthyHouseplants.com. Her backyard is a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.

Project Link

Date: NOVEMBER 10, 2017

© Julie Bawden Davis